Chapter 3-2: The Unknown Enemy Part II: Insurrection
Rage sat in Chemistry working on a sheet of formulas and their outcomes. He was working with Sunset and Twilight to finish up. As they finish up a loud crash is heard and the class looks around before the intercom activates. "Is this thing on?" a voice asks.
"What is going on?" Sunset asks
"Ahem…" the voice over the intercom continues "Attention this is an announcement to let everyone know that we are okay there was a simple mishap in the Biochem lab and the faculty are going through with their 'Containment Orders' all who know what these are please you know what to do."
"What I didn't know we had a Biochemistry lab." Twilight says.
"We don't." The teacher says but then to the shock of the group some students stand up and walk to the door.
"What is going on?" Twilight asks
"Whatever it is it's not good." Rage says "But we need to find the others." The three make for the back door but they are stopped.
"Where are you going? Class isn't over." The teacher says.
"How did he?" Sunset asks before a green flame covers the teacher and reveals a black equine form with wasp like wings and holes everywhere.
"What is that?!" Twilight screams.
"I don't know." Rage says stepping in front of the girls in a protective manner. "Look I don't care what you are but you had better let us through right now."
"Or what?" it asks taking Rage's form. "Now tell us where they are…The Chaos Emeralds!"
"Have it your way." Rage scoffs before kicking it out of the way. The three run into the halls where by the main foyer they nearly crash in with the others.
"What is going on?!" Flash Sentry panics.
"Changelings!" Sunset exclaims.
"You're sure?" Rage asks looking at her and she nods.
"This is bad." Sonic says.
"Come on we have to get out of here." Rainbow Dash exclaims. The group runs for the doors and then makes a break of Applejacks farm where they barricade themselves inside.
"Can someone explain to me what the hell is happening?!" Flash asks.
"It's a long story." Rage answers. "Right now there isn't any time to explain. What those things are isn't good."
"WHAT ARE THEY?!" Flash screams.
"They're Changelings!" Sunset answers "A race of creatures from Equestria that can take the form of others. They feed off of affection from one person to another."
"How do we stop them?" Sonic asks.
"I have no clue." Sunset says "The last time we just sent them far away."
"Well that isn't an option this time." Rage says "There is only one option."
"What is that?" Rarity asks.
"We have to kill Queen Chrysalis." Rage answers
"Are you crazy Rage?" Sunset asks "There is no way we can kill her! She is too powerful!"
"No worries Rage, Shadow and I can fuse into Radic and-" Sonic starts
"Shadow is out." Rainbow shouts "He is in no condition to battle."
"Which means Radic is out of the picture…" Rage sighs "We can't just sit here though either. If there were that many Changelings in the school already then we need to find the real versions of the people that they were mimicking before something bad happens to them."
"So what do we do?" Applejack asks.
"Well we will end up having to strike The Hive." Sunset says "Where they would have set up their main base of operations. But how would we find it?"
"Damn…" Rage curses "This day can't get any worse…"
"But what would Queen meanie want with this place?" Pinkie Pie asks.
"It's not the world she is after. She is after the Chaos Emeralds." Rage says. "She would use their power to rule both Equestria and here."
"But Rage if that is what she is after we need to be there protecting them." Sonic exclaims. "Where are they?!"
"I have them." Rage answers. "I always have them."
"So then what do you plan to do?" Sonic asks.
"I don't know." Rage answers. "I have never faced a Changeling before so I have no idea what they are capable of. But if they can copy forms then they might even be able to copy powers as well. If they can then that makes them more of a threat."
"Wait…maybe you have…" Sunset says.
"What are you talking about?" Rage asks.
"Quite, this is the first time any of us have even seen those disgusting creatures." Rarity agrees.
"Rage you said there is another version of you in a different version of Equestria maybe we can get him to come and help us!" Sunset exclaims.
"No, we can't have another me around here. If he brings a version of The Chaos Emeralds then having my set here as well will cause a huge disruption in space time." Rage objects
"Okay so let me get this straight. We are in the middle of a hostile takeover, we have no idea what we are fighting, and we are supposed to find a way to save the world?" Sonic asks "I have been on some crazy adventures but this is just insane!"
"I know how you feel Sonic but let's step back and think." Rage says "We are the only ones who have a chance against these things. They have some form of magic they can use which is probably why they're able to work so quickly. If we don't do anything about it then in the end this whole planet will be lost."
"So what do you plan to do?" Sonic asks
"First things first we need to get XL back. Chances are he has some kind of information we can use." Rage says
"How do you plan to find him?" Sunset asks. "We can't just go out and search with all of the changelings around."
"I can trace his Chaos Energy. He may not have much but I can still track what he has." Rage says
"You think Shadow will be okay?" Fluttershy asks.
"He'll be fine Flutters." Sonic reassures her.
"Rage, what if… XL has been forced to…help the enemy?" Sunset pauses as Rage looks at her with a glare in his eye.
"Those who start down a path of darkness are forever bound by the chains. When this happens only a Chaos Guardian will be able to help them. Should the Chaos Guardians fail in bringing them back from the path and the chains remain… then it is then a Guardian's duty to end the life of the lost." Rage says in an emotionless tone.
"Rage are you crazy?! You wouldn't actually kill him would you?!" Sonic yells. "He's our friend!"
"It doesn't matter. I am bound by my duty. I do not let emotions get in the way." Rage answers. "Even if it means killing my own flesh and blood. Darkness is darkness no matter what form it takes. So if I must I will kill him."
"You can't!" Twilight yells. "If Chrysalis forced him to do it then he himself had no choice."
"The same damn thing happened with Icezer!" Rage shouts as his eyes tear up. "Whether I like it or not this is the pain I have to deal with! Icezer is dead thanks to Nix, Xage is dead because of Nix! I had to kill what little bits remained of my family! So if you think I say this as if it's no big deal you are mistaken! It may be wrong but like it or not it is the rules I am bound by!"
"Rage…" Fluttershy squeaks
"Are you serious?" Sonic asks… "You had…kill your own brothers?" Rage looks at Sonic and then turns away.
"The path that I walk is a path that is meant to be walked alone. However I won't let those around me be hurt by shutting them out… but by doing that I only bring them hurt when situations like this arise… I have no choice… Chaotix dictates the rules who am I to argue." Rage says softly
"How about the last living Chaos Guardian period?" Rainbow Dash asks. "If I recall right the others are all gone. So to heck what Chaotix ruled. XL is our friend and we will stop at nothing to save him. If you truly have any intention to kill him then maybe you should remain here."
"Rainbow…" Sunset says softly to keep Rage from hearing "Don't talk about that."
"Stop living in the past Rage. Grow up and face the truth. The other Chaos Guardians are gone but you are still here. You have to carry out their legacy. You told me that you carve your own path so do it. Put the past behind you and get back up. We have a job to do and we need every last one of us to help." Rainbow continues.
There was a silence after that. Rage sat looking at the ground before he stood up and looked Rainbow Dash dead in the eyes. It reminded her of the look that he had the day they first met. Filled with determination and courage. "You're right." He says "I am the last one and that means that I forge my own path as a Guardian. Come on, we have a friend to save."
The group walks to the door and Rage stops closing his eyes and looking into the skies. "What is it Rage?" Pinkie Pie asks.
"XL he is at the center of the Hive…" Rage says
"Where is The Hive?" Rainbow asks and Rage points to a large structure that appeared to made out of some plant like material.
"There." He says.
"That place?!" Sunset exclaims in shock "But it's huge!"
"How did they build that so quickly?" Twilight asks.
"It doesn't matter how." Sonic smiles his trademark grin "Because in the end that place is going to come crashing down."
"Right. Let's go kick some changeling butt!" Rainbow agrees. The group then runs for the base of the large fortress that lay ahead.
Meanwhile inside at the top Queen Chrysalis was looking out upon the city. "Finally it is all mine! A whole world will soon be mine! There is nothing that anyone can do to stop me!" she laughs manically as a Changeling runs in and kneels.
"Your highness." It says
"What is it?" She replies in a very rude tone.
"There is a group approaching." It reports.
"Well then destroy it like the rest." Chrysalis says
"Also, HE has followed us." It adds standing up.
"That red rodent!" Chrysalis curses. "He followed us… he never gives up! He takes that dumb alicorn form but he isn't fooling anybody. Very well send in the secret weapons."
"As you wish your highness." It answers.
"I have worked far too hard and far too long for this and nobody is going to get in my way! I may have failed in taking Equestria but this time I will not lose. That red pest may have followed me but even he cannot handle our Chaos Beasts that Vlagh gave us. He can barely handle one! So come get me I say… there is no way for you to win… this time you die…Rage the Hedgehog!" she laughs before looking out at the group that was reaching the courtyard of the place.
She took notice at the nine and glared at them with a smile. "So this world holds versions of The Elements of Harmony? Perfect…" she chuckles "They will be useful." Chrysalis then turns to the changeling "I want you to capture the girls in that group alive. They are the Elements of Harmony. We can use them to take Equestria as well." She orders.
"Yes, but what of the two guys that are with them?" he asks.
"Do whatever you want with them. Kill them, force them to conform…" Chrysalis then pause "Actually capture them and bring them to me… I wish to kill them…personally." She cackles
"As you wish your highness." The changeling responds before exiting.
Back with the group they had finally began to approach the far courtyard and stopped at the large gates. The gates were halting the progress of the group and they try pushing them open. Locked. "Oh great how are we going to get in?" Sonic asks.
"We'll use force." Rage smiles.
Back up in the Audience Chamber Chrysalis was observing the events and laughs. "Good luck! Those gates are made of the strongest materials available! Nothing can break them!" she laughs some more but stops as she looks at Rage glow. "What?!" she exclaims
"Stand back guys." Rage says walking up and summoning his sword. The others do as he had directed and he puts his sword into an offensive position. "Hya!" he screams jumping and slashing right through the center of the gates as he returned to the ground. He dismisses it and looks at the others "Come on." He says as they push forward.
"That will be that farthest they go." Chrysalis scoffs. "What they do not know is that I have their friend…" she smiles looking to the shadows where XL steps out with an evil smirk. There was a green fiery glow around him and his eyes had a red glow in front of them. Chrysalis then laughs once more.
To be continued.
Next time the group begin the assault on Chrysalis' base. However unbeknownst to them the Rage from the same world as Chrysalis is already inside. What will happen when the two groups meet up? Can they save XL and stop Chrysalis? Find out next time in: Battle! Put it all on the line!