Chapter 12: Attack of the Hatchlings:
Laine Morris's POV:
I was walking through the halls. I have to be honest, after an... experience, I've been frightened to go alone, but I am a Unit: E agent. Anyway, as I was walking, I thought I heard something. Luckily, it turned out to be one of my teammates, Parker Bates.
"Oh, hey Parker," I said.
Parker was oddly quiet, but I just shrugged it off. When I turned around, I wasn't expecting what happened next...
Twilight's POV:
We were all gathering around an unconscious Laine Morris.
"Can someone tell me what happened to one of my teammates," asks Beach Head.
"First, we'll have to take her to the infirmary," says Duke.
"But what did happen to her," asks Jerrica.
"As a suggestion," I said, "you guys can check the security footage."
"Good idea, Purple Girl," says Beach Head. I guess he never bothered to learn my name. "No one messes with my team!"
"Well, at least Beach Head cares about his team," says Raf, "when they're in danger."
"What I want to know is," says Duke, "how did the attacker get in?"
"I bet it's Evox," says Miko, "he was able to get in before."
"WHAT AM I LOOKING AT?"
We all went over to see what was going on, and what we saw was Beach Head yelling at Parker.
"You attacked one of your own," asks Beach Head.
"Sir, it wasn't me!"
"So, you have a twin brother you never told us about? Benton, we're taking him to the Director!"
"Yes Sir," says Jerrica, "sorry Parker."
"But it wasn't me!"
"That was weird," says Miko.
"Do you think Evox found a way to control Parker," asks Jack.
"I don't think so," says Duke.
"I have a theory," I said, "I think she's back."
"Who," asks Dr. Robertson.
"The only one who could've pretended to be Parker."
"First of all," says Duke, "I know another guy who can look like anyone and second, if you're thinking Chrysalis, don't forget, you froze her."
"Well, maybe we should check on her to make sure she's still frozen."
. . .
We looked over at the frozen Chrysalis.
"Unless she's that good an actress," says Miko, "I don't think it was her."
"Do you think it could be Zartan this time," says Brightmore.
"I'm pretty sure he can't enter the base."
"I saw a movie about evil clones," says Miko.
"Split up," says Duke.
"You never do that in a horror movie," says Miko, "especially if there is someone that looks like someone you can trust."
"Don't worry," says Duke, "I'm sure we can handle it. Brightmore, you're with me. Miko, you're with Jack. Twilight, you're with Dr. Robertson. Spike, you're with Raf. Let's go."
Jack's POV:
Miko and I were in the cafeteria.
"Maybe we should at least make sure we can trust each other," says Miko, "tell me something only Jack would know."
"You've been in detention so often you're on a first name basis with Billy and Fred."
"Yep, that's you. You want proof I'm the real Miko?"
"You compared all of this to a horror movie," I said, "trust me, I know it's you."
"Fair point. And for the record, creepy shapeshifter hiding in the base attacking people. Chrysalis has horror movie written all over her face."
We then heard something. It was Mr. Ahiga Green.
"Hey Green," says Miko, "what's up?"
Mr. Green then started strangling Miko.
"Get your hands off her," I said as I started to attack Green.
Raf's POV:
Spike and I were in the Gym.
"Chrysalis was a scary lady," says Spike.
"We have to be careful," I said as I activated my Maximal powers.
We were walking, but then we saw Action Man.
"Oh, hi Action Man," says Spike, "how was that thing with Dr. X?"
Action Man then got out a blaster.
"I don't think he's Action Man," I said.
Twilight's POV:
Dr. Robertson and I were in the lab.
"Are you alright," asks Dr. Robertson.
"I have to be honest," I said, "I've been afraid of Chrysalis."
"I don't blame you," says Dr. Robertson.
Dr. Robertson then opens a door and it's Matt Trakker AKA Hunter.
"Oh, hello Hunter," says Dr. Robertson.
Hunter then attacks Dr. Robertson.
"Hang on," I said.
Nigel POV:
Duke and One were in the basement.
"Doh you, One's old bean, see anything," One asked, but one did not mustah ah response? One decided to check ohn Duke. "Duke?"
Duke's eyes were then glowing, and he had fangs.
Twilight's POV:
We all managed to get away from those things and regrouped.
"Wait," I said, "where are Duke and Brightmore?"
"Something's not right," says Jack.
Then Dr. Robertson had a call.
"Well, I say - this is Brightmore," he said, "the... basement... Duke... Eggs..."
"What does he mean," asks Miko.
"I know where we're getting answers," I said.
. . .
We were all in the basement where we found some strange pods.
"They look like cocoons," says Raf.
Spike looks in one and screams. "Duke is in that one!"
"Over here," says Miko.
We all went over and saw the eggs.
"Of course," I said, "Chrysalis must've laid these eggs!"
"So, who's the Dad," asks Miko.
"There is no Father," says the fake Duke as they are cocooning Brightmore, "The Queen made us on her own."
"The Queen," asks Miko, "are you serious?"
"Soon, we will take over this organization and then the world will belong to... wait, what would you call our species?"
"The Changelings," asks Spike. Everyone looks at him. "Come on. They can change!"
"Sounds a little silly," says Miko.
"Doesn't matter," says the Fake Duke, "my brothers and sisters, attack!"
"Unit: E, let's play rough," says Dr. Robertson.
We then all fought the Changlings. Dr. Robertson tried to take on the Fake Duke, but he even had Duke's skills.
"You know," says Miko, "I'm surprised they didn't think about thawing out their queen."
"That's a good idea," says the Fake Duke, who then turns to his true insectoid form and flies off.
"He's getting away," says Dr. Robertson.
"I'll go after him," I said and then I chased after the Fake Duke.
. . .
The Fake Duke went over to the frozen Chrysalis.
"Soon, you will be free, and you will lead us to victory!"
"I don't think so, Bugface," I said.
The Fake Duke and I then fought.
"You are no match for me," he said, "I have all the skills Duke has."
"Maybe, but you're no Duke!"
I then managed to levitate him into one of the chambers.
"NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOO!"
"At ease." I then activated it, and he was frozen.
. . .
I went over to check on the others. Everyone was freed and the Changlings were gone.
"What happened," I asked.
"We freed Brightmore and he used one of his light creatures as a bugzapper," says Miko.
"So... you killed them?"
"They were monsters," says Brightmore.
"I was uncomfortable," says Spike, "I mean, why can't a changeling change?"
"Plus, technically," says Raf, "they were hatchlings."
"As much as I don't agree with Brightmore's... methods," says Duke, "I just hope that is the last we'll see of them. Come on guys, we have something to report."
. . .
"You mean there were more of those shapeshifting bug things," asks Beach Head.
"Afraid so," says Duke.
"Sorry we doubted you," says Jerrica.
"I get it," says Parker, "those things are good actors, especially since they were just born."
"That makes me wonder," I said, "if they can get that smart, what else are they capable of. I think I need to make a call."
"To whom," asks Duke.
"Me. Maybe they have something like those things in Equestria." I then left and the others laugh.
In the next chapter, Nigel learns what Laine Morris has dealt with in the past.