Chapter 9: Help and Trust

While all the fighting was going on, Sara was back at Matthew's house and resting on the couch. She had just come home after working at the New Liskeard Wal-Mart store, and wanted nothing more but to rest. She had just closed her eyes when she heard her phone buzzing. With her eyes shut, Sara picked up her phone and answered it, "hello, Sara speaking. Can you call back in three hours?"

"Sara, it's me Matthew," came the reply on the other end of the phone.

"Matthew?" Sara was surprised to hear his voice. "Where are you? I've been waiting for you to come home. I thought you were in...oh what is it called? Equestria?"

"I was in Equestria, but now I'm in Toronto at the CN Tower."

"What?! What are you doing there?"

"Do you want the short version or the long version?"

"Uh, short version I guess."

"Very well. We discovered that the three nuclear bombs stolen from a miliaty base last year were in the hooves of the changelings, and they had planted all three of them on three different worlds, one of which was ours and although we've defused the bombs, there are still the cores and if the changelings get them, they'll use them to destory us. Also, they're buzzing around Toronto and attacking people while Twilight is trying to stop them."

Sara was silent for a moment, she wasn't enterily sure if she should believe Matthew.

"No really, what's going on?"

From her end of the phone, she heard Matthew smack his forehead. "Are you anywhere near a television?"

"Yes I am, why?"

"Turn it on and look to any news channel, you'll see that I'm telling the truth." Sara grabbed the remote, turned on the TV, and picked one of the stations to check out. She was stunned to see attacks all over the place in Toronto, and seeing the television crews trying to stay out of the line of fire. "It's no trick, it's no illusion, it's for real."

"Oh my gosh," but then she had a thought, "but why are you calling me?"

"I need you to get in contact with your father and tell him to meet me at the base of the CN Tower. I'll have all three cores from the nuclear bombs to give him, but he has to get here quickly."

"I don't know Matthew, I don't think my father's going to drop everything just to see you."

"He will when you tell him about the bombs."

"But he's a high ranking general, do you really think he's going to take orders from his own daughter, or her boyfriend?"

"He will if...wait, are you afraid to call your father?"

Sara was silent for a moment, then confessed to Matthew, "I'll tell you something Matthew, one of the reasons I left my family and came to Canada was because I was extermly rude to my father. I said things I shouldn't have said, and if I call him, then he'll get really mad and refuse to help."

It was at that moment that she heard another voice, "I'm no stranger when it comes to worrying over what you've done, and yes he may yell at you. Ponies have gotten mad at me for the mistakes I made, and they'll probably continue to do so for years to come because this whole situation is my fault, but you're going have to face your fears sooner or later. For the sake of everypony, and everybody."

"Who was that?"

"That's my friend; Starlight Glimmer. You haven't seen her yet, but you will," answered Matthew. "So Sara, will you please call your father?"

She went quiet at first, then answered him. "Yes I'll call him, but he could be all the way in Nevada. Do you think you can keep those cores safe until then?"

"I think we can manage."

"Alright, but be careful okay?"

"I will be, and Sara, thank you. I love you."

"And I love you too Matthew."

She hung up on Matthew, dailed another number and waited patiently. She took in a deep breath and when she got a reply on the other end, she spoke; "hey dad, I know you're probably mad at me, but I have a favour to ask of you."

Back at the CN Tower, Matthew called into his headset, "alright guys, we now have a way of getting the cores out of the reach of the changelings. You got to get them back to Earth, then we'll hand them back to the army."

"Good plan Matthew, except for one problem," said Patrick. "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"

"Geez, shout a little louder why don't you? I can still hear things."

"We are surronded Matthew, how do you expect us to give you the cores?" asked Ryan.

"I don't know, just try anything, but don't let the changelings get to the cores. Starlight and I are going to get down to the ground and give Twilight a hand, or hoof in her case."

"Please hurry," pleaded Twilight, "I can't hold them back for too much longer."

Matthew and Starlight made their way towards the elevator, but there was a problem. When the last person had gotten down from the tower, they had shut off the power to the elevator.

"Darn it!" groaned Starlight. "I don't suppose there are any stairs?"

"No such luck," Matthew said with a shake of his head. "The tower only has an elevator, there is no other way down. You wouldn't happen to know any spells that can get us outside?"

"I do know one, but I've never tried using it for myself and somepony else, or somebody else in your case."

"Well I guess today will be your first time. It's either that or we're stuck up here during the whole fight, and Twilight is left struggling down there alone."

Starlight looked down to the ground and saw her teacher in even more trouble than she was in a minute ago. She took in a deep breath and sighed, "alright I'll do it. Now hang on tight." Matthew nodded, pulled out his paintball gun and prepared for what was going to happen next. Starlight's horn started glowing and before long, she and Matthew were surronded in magic. Slowly, she lowered them down from the glass floor of the CN Tower and down the outside of the tall structure.

The changelings saw them and charged at them, "I can't lower you and fire back at them!" Starlight cried.

"That's fine Starlight. You float us down, I'll shoot."

He aimed his paintball gun and fired multiple paintballs at the changelings. Some dodged his attacks, but others did not and started falling to the ground. It wasn't easy though as Matthew had to hold on to his gun, and the bomb's core. If he dropped his gun, he and Starlight would become easy targets, if he dropped the core, then that section of Toronto would be gone in a blink of an eye. Somehow though, he managed to hold on.

"We're almost to the ground Starlight!" Matthew called, "you're doing well."

Starlight couldn't reply, she was using alot of energy in carrying both herself and Matthew down.

Finally though, they reached the ground. Once their feet and hooves had touched the concrete, they ran towards Twilight. She was trying hard, but she was cornered and the changelings were ready to fire at her.

Matthew pulled out his bow-staff, and yelling like a golfer, he shouted; "FOUR!" With one swing, he smacked at least three changelings away. Then Starlight hit five more with her magic, allowing Twilight to finally get the remaining changelings away from herself.

"Thank guys, I wasn't sure if I could keep them back forever."

"Don't be thankful yet Twilight," said Matthew, "we've still got a big problem," and he showed her the core from the bomb.

"Not to mention, there are still more changelings coming through the portal," added Starlight.

"Right, we're in trouble." Matthew spoke into his wireless headset, "guys, we could really use some back-up over here."

"We'd love to help," came the voice of Rainbow Dash, "but we've got our hooves full with the changelings over here, and Ryan and Emily can't help as they're surronded by changelings at Canterlot High."

"Oh..." Twilight began.

"Horseapples," groaned Matthew.

At Canterlot High, despite the help of the human Mane 6 and Sunset Shimmer, Ryan and Emily were unable to get back to the portal to deliver the core to Matthew.

"Get back you horrible things," cried human Rarity and swung her music note stand at them.

One of them lit their horn and fired it right at the stand. It grew hot and Rarity had to throw it down, where it melted into a liquid.

"Well nobody said this was going to be easy," groaned Emily.

The changelings smirked and were about to attack again, when they found themselves being smacked from behind. The group were confused as to what was going on, until they saw who was helping.

"The Shadowcolts?" gasped human Rainbow Dash.

It was indeed the shadowcolts. Lemon Zest, Sunny Flare, Sour Sweet, Indigo Zap and Sugarcoat were standing there with music sheet stands in their hands.

"What are you guys doing here?" asked the human Twilight.

"Well when we heard that there were strange things going on around here, we decided to investigate," explained Sour Sweet. "Then these stupid things started attacking us, so we decided to kick their sorry flanks."

"And save you guys too," added Sunny Flare. "After all, friends help each other, no matter what, right?"

Sunset Shimmer nodded, "I'm glad to see you learned that from the Friendship Games. Now let's get this core out of here and get rid of these changelings."

Everyone nodded and with sheet music stands in hand, they started fighting back aganist the changelings. Sometimes they missed, but more often than not, they hit the changelings with such force that they were knocked out cold. They were doing well, but then they heard screaming coming from down the hallway.

"What the hay is going on over there?" asked the human Applejack.

"More of them are coming in!" cried Lemon Zest.

She was right, as more changelings came through the portal, they were going to a different area of the school and were now firing at the other students and teachers in the building.

"Alright new plan," called Sunset. "Sunny Flare, you and I are going to lead Ryan and Emily to the portal so they can give the core back. The rest of you, kick those sorry changelings out of our school."

"Who put you in charge?" asked Sour Sweet crossly.

"Just do as she says," snapped Sunny Flare. "It's the best plan anyways, now let's do this."

They all nodded and carried Sunset's plan out.

Meanwhile, back in Equestria, the heroes there were starting to get tired and were completely surronded. There was also bad news coming from Patrick, "I'm almost out of paintballs!"

"No, you got to be kidding me," groaned Rainbow Dash.

During the fight, Fluttershy got attacked from behind and fell to the ground.

"Fluttershy!" cried Applejack and ran to the aid of her friend. "Are you alright?"

"I am, but I hurt my wing, I can't fly now."

"Oh nuts and shoes," groaned Applejack. "Now that just leaves Rainbow Dash and Discord to fight in the sky. If we don't get help soon, we won't be able to fend ourselves from the changelings and their queen."

Speaking of the queen, Chrysalis wasn't doing anything. She just stood on top of a building and watched everything go on.

Seeing this got Rainbow Dash angry, "why don't you get off your lazy flank and fight us you coward!"

Chrysalis smirked, "you stupid fools would just waste my time. Besides, my changelings can beat you easily, as they are showing right now."

Rainbow Dash snarled, but as she turned around, she yelped as five changelings charged in at her. She dodged them, but they turned round and charged at her again.

"Oh for goodness sakes!"

She flew to get away from them, but they were starting to catch up. But they never did as they heard a "Head's up!", which was followed by something big flying in and smacking the changelings down. Rainbow Dash stopped and looked to see who her rescuer was. It was none other than Gilda the Griffon.

"Hey Dash, aren't you glad to see me again?"

"You bet I am," Rainbow Dash nodded, "I was in real trouble there until you showed up. But how did you know I was in trouble?"

"I got a message from Princess Celestia saying you were in trouble, so I went and got some help, then flew over here. And by the looks of things, you guys are in need of some help."

"Normally I say we don't need it, but you're right, we do need help...wait a second, did you say you got help?"

"I sure did. Look to the skies and you'll see the help I've brought along."

Rainbow Dash looked to where Gilda was pointing and gasped to see Spitfire, Soarin' and the other Wonderbolts flying towards the fight. Gilda then pointed down to a group of unicorns, all of which were being lead by Moondancer.

Rainbow Dash smiled and called into her wireless headset, "hey Matthew, you're about to get some back-up."

Before she could get Matthew's reply, there came a call from Ryan, "we're at the portal now, can somepony take the core to Matthew?"

"Somepony can," replied Rainbow. She flew down towards Moondancer and told her of what she could do.

Back in Toronto, Matthew, Starlight and Twilight were doing everything they could to fight off the changelings. But Matthew's paintball was now empty, so he only had his bow-staff, plus he was still feeling rather sore after his previous fight. Twilight was running out of energy too, and more often than not, she had to stop and take a breather while Starlight fired back.

"Guys, where is that back up?" Matthew called into his wireless headset.

"It's coming right now," came the reply of Patrick.

The changelings that were coming through the portal suddenly got hit and fell down to the ground. Moments later, the reason they fell came into view.

"Moondancer! Minuette! All my old friends!" cried Twilight.

"Celestia sent us, she said you were in trouble," explained Moondancer.

"How did she...never mind, the important thing is you're here," said Matthew. He then noticed two objects in Moondancer's saddlebag, "are those the bomb cores?"

"They sure are. They asked me to carry them here."

"Thanks Moondancer, but without the army, we're still in grave danger from these things and the changelings."

Suddenly, they all heard a buzzing sound. They looked up and saw a helicopter coming towards them. It was dark green with many symbols showing it was from the army.

"Thank you Sara," smiled Matthew, "I owe her one."

Moondancer gave him the cores, then he ran over towards the helicopter. The door slid open and an important looking man stepped out. It was clear that this person was Sara's father, the General.

"Are you Matthew?" he asked.

"Yes Sir, I am Matthew and these belong to you. We were able to defuse the bombs, but we can't keep these things out of the changeling's hooves for too much longer."

"Is that what those things are? I had been wondering what they were."

"Well all you need to know is that they follow a dangerous and sinister leader, bent on destruction."

The general accepted the cores from Matthew, then gave them to another soldier. "We will get them out of here and hidden from these things." He stared firmly at Matthew, "So you're dating my daughter huh?"

"Yes Sir," Matthew nodded nervously.

At that moment, two changelings were charging towards the helicopter. Matthew pulled out his bow staff and moving away from the helicopter, he swung it at them. It hit them hard and sent them flying.

"Nice hit boy."

"Thank you General Sir."

He then gave a nod, "take care of her for me, and don't you dare let her down."

"I will take care of her sir, I promise you. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," he said and moved his arms in tune to the Pinkie Pie Promise. He turned and ran back into the fight.

"He's funny too, I like him."

"Sir, we need to get out of here," said the pilot of the helicopter.

"Right lads, let's get going."

The general climbed back into the helicopter and within moments, they were off the ground and flying away. Of course the changelings tried to chase them down, but the magical attacks of Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine stopped them in flight.

Matthew meanwhile was getting a text message from Sara, "My father is at the CFB Borden Base, and should be there soon."

He replied back by saying, "he's been here and taken the cores away. Thanks again Sara, I owe you one."

"How about teaching me to cook when you get back? Then we'll call it even."

Matthew replied by saying, "that's a deal. Talk to you later, gotta save the worlds."

By now, the attacks had caught the attention of police officers and they had arrived at the scene. They fired off at the changelings, but they were too quick for the officers. The changelings fired back at the police, damaging more than a few police cars.

"What the heck are these things?" asked one officer.

Matthew ran over towards them, swinging his bow staff to get the changelings out of the way. "These are changelings from a world called Equestria," he answered. "I know they and the ponies being here probably has you all confused and thinking this isn't real, but I can assure you, this is for real."

"How did they get here?"

"We'll kindly explain later, but right now, you guys can help by keeping people away from this fight. We don't need them to get hurt, we'll handle the changelings."

"And why should we stay out of this fight?"

Several more changelings started shooting at Matthew and the police, but Starlight was able to hit some of them and Matthew was able to hit the rest with his bow staff.

One officer then called out to the others, "Alright officers, our job is clear, keep civilians back, let the ponies and this human take care of the changelings."

Matthew smiled, at least now people would be safe. However, as he looked to the Rogers Centre, his smile faded.

"Officer, why are there people coming out of that building?"

The officer he had been talking to before looked and groaned, "cause this is the weekend of the Comic Con Convention."

Matthew gasped, "What?! But I thought they weren't until April. I can't believe they started earlier than that." He smacked his forehead and called out to Twilight, "Twilight! We got a real problem here!"

"So I can see!" she called back.

"Right then, I guess we better get them out of there."

Twilight nodded and looked to Moondancer, "while we go into the Comic Convention, you and the others will have to try and keep the changelings from following us."

"You got it Twilight."

With that confirmed, and the unicorns all standing firmly at the doorway, Twilight and Matthew made their way into the building and towards the Comic Con Convention.