-Changeling^2

Chapter 7: Bad News

        “Do you really like it?” Apple Bloom asked incredulously.

        “Well it makes sense. So it’s a nice change in pace for me.” Count replied with a smile.

Apple Bloom celebrated by galloping around the room. Count smiled even bigger at the filly’s antics. Finally Apple Bloom tired herself out and came to a halt. Huffing and puffing, the earth pony gave Count a small head nod and proceeded out the door. Count shrugged and followed suit. Down the stairs and in the kitchen, the rest of the Apple family sat. The descent left a shiver in the changelings spine. The deafening quiet of the household was almost to much for her to bear.

But why would it be that quiet? Surely a close knit unit like the Apples would have something to talk about in the morning? Did Applejack tell them about how she hit on her last night? Was this silence a result of the building anger that Granny Smith, and Big Mac had? If she turned the corner, would she be met with hooves of fury from the two enraged earth ponies? Count hesitated before she entered. She took a deep breath and turned the corner, receiving the full attention of everypony there.

“Hello.” the changeling squeaked.

“. . .” Big Mac and Granny Smith looked at each other silently.

“Hi there.” Applejack mustered a whisper. Oddly, she sounded different from what Count thought. Last night was awkward, but it couldn’t of been that depressing for Applejack. It was Count that got rejected right? Oh no, was Applejack more offended by the advancements then what Count thought? Would that be considered sexual harassment? Would Count have to go door to door announcing that she moved into the neighborhood?

'I might be reading too much into this.'

The changeling trotted up to her chair and climbed on. Atop the table waited a gourmet breakfast of fine hay and apple slices, a little bit of caramel to dip the slices in. Simple yet elegant. Count began her descent onto the plate.

“Sugarcube. . .” Applejack started.

“Count.”

“What?”

“My name is Count. Apple Bloom gave me the name.”

The rest of the Apples stared at the redheaded filly. Apple Bloom’s mouth stretched to the point where it almost broke her face. Big Mac and Applejack returned the joy, though in a smaller dose, while Granny Smith couldn’t muster a change in her demeanor. Count noticed.

“Why’s everypony so glum today?”

“Applejack, do you want me to tell her? I understand if you don’t wanna.” Granny’s voice was low yet comforting.

“No, I can do this.”

“Do what?” Apple Bloom stole the words from Count’s mouth.

“Sis, let me do this. You shouldn’t have to carry this burden.” Big Mac told his sister.

“No! She’s my friend, I’ll be the one doing the talkin’.” Applejacks voice turned from somber to enraged.

“Tell me/her what!” Both Count and Apple Bloom shouted in frustration.

Applejack turned to the two smaller ponies. Her rage melting away. The orange farm pony steeled her eyes. Her mouth however trembled and wouldn’t allow anything but tripped up mumbles to escape. Count quirked muscles on her forehead to simulate an eyebrow raise. She started to worry though when Applejack started to visible shake the rest of her body. Count hopped out of her seat at held her friend.

“Applejack calm down. Whatever it is you don’t need to kill yourself over it.” Count said remembering not to overstep her boundaries. Applejack took a deep breath.

“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadence are all coming to Ponyville today.. .”

        Count and Apple Bloom blanched.

        “. . .because they heard of a changeling straggler still in Equestria.”

        “I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead.” Count chanted to herself as the elements of harmony looked on, all with deathly worried faces, and considering all of the news they got, it’s not surprising.

It was Applejack that called them all together after running across the entire town. Newspapers had printed the story of the Princesses visit that decided just a few hours prior to the print, so all of Ponyville was on their hooves. Quickly, The mane six met back at the Apple farm. It took a second for Applejack to regain her breath, but what explained the whole situation wars Apple Bloom and Count’s appearance. Both looked like they had been drained of energy and blood.

“Are you two going to be alright?” Fluttershy asked.

“WAAH!” Apple Bloom ran off in tears.

“Uh.”

“Can I join her? Crying would feel real good right now.” Count pleaded.

The Elements of Harmony looked at one another, in mutual agreement. Crying would be a good release right about now.

“There is no time for that now. We need to come up with an idea on how to keep our friend safe.” Twilight broke the silence.

“And what are we suppose to do? Defy the Princesses? They’ll have us sent to Tartarus faster than a sonic rainboom.” Rainbow Dash chided.

“We don’t have to act as much as remain strong for what’s about to come.” Applejack received nods from her fellow mares.

  It was then they noticed the cutie mark on Count’s flank. Besides Rainbow Dash, and Applejack, the mares were in an uproar.

“Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh! Do you know what this means? If changelings are ponies that means. . . Well it means. . .” Twilights excitement clouded her mind.

“I love guessing games! It means they like parties. It means they like long walks on the beach. They like hay? They love to dance in the moonlight! They can mate with other ponies? They like to have the same legal rights we do when it comes to the Equestrian legal system?” Pinkie’s rant was ended as she ran out of breath.

“Uh, is that true Twilight?” Count asked after shaking her head.

“W-well, yes. A-as a pony, I don't see how you couldn't mate with another pony.” everypony blushed, and blushed hard.

"No! I meant, the whole

“Does that mean I will get some mercy?”

“I’m sure, Princess Celestia isn’t the kind of pony to punish somepony out of spite.”

“What about treason?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, since I was apart of the Canterlot invasion that tried to usurp Celestia’s throne, that would be seen as treason, right?”

“Yes, it would.” Twilight said, uncomfortable where the conversation was heading.

“And wasn’t it treason that got Princess Luna sent to the moon.”

“. . .”

“Ahh!” Count dropped to the ground.

The mane six tried to comfort Count but she couldn’t contain herself. She was a dramatically sobbing mess. She put Rarity’s most dramatic tantrums to shame. The girls got close and tried to reassure the frightened changeling, but Count would hear none of it. Even Pinkie Pie shed he carefree attitude and adopted a more concerned parent outlook.

        “Everything’s going to be okay. I’m sure the princesses will see you as the good pony and all will be forgiven.” Pinkie’s words were complemented by a warm hug.

        “I’m going to be sent to the sun, then the moon, then the world in between the two called ‘Soon’.” Count continued to ramble

        “Darling, I think you need to at least give them a chance. We all became friends after getting to know each other.”

        “After kicking me into unconsciousness.”

        “Hey!”

        “Sorry Applejack, that was a low blow.”

        “It’s okay sugarcube, we all share the same fear. But know that we’ll stick by you through this whole thing.” Applejack lovingly said, hugging the changeling. The rest of the mane six filed in.

        “Although, I would like to know where the princesses found out about you. I thought we covered all of our bases?” Twilight said.

        “Maybe someone saw her in the town hall a couple of nights ago.” Fluttershy offered.

        “I don’t think so, Count was pretty well hidden.”

        “Count?”

        “Oh, Apple Bloom gave me that name.”

        “Why?”

        “Because of my math skills, and the fact I look like a vampony or something.”

        “Oh.”

        “Whoever did told, and why they did it will have to wait. Now, we need to deal with the princesses. The more we put this off, the worse this whole situation will get.” Twilight spoke, getting nods of affirmation from the rest of the group.

        “So when were the princesses suppose to get here?”

        “We’re already here, my little pony.”

        From the sky descended Celestia, Luna, and Mi Amore Cadenza.

        “Oh 'Soon', here I come!”