Exiled

Chapters

Finding something unexpected
The birth of the banished
Realization of many things
Natural Instincts pt1
Natural Instincts pt2
Mission: Incognito
Assimilation and cupcakes
Assimilation and cupcakes pt2

Finding something unexpected

The sun pierces through the blinds and hits Apple bloom's eyes with a vengeance. The little fillies eyelids are no match for Celestia's pride and joy, so reluctantly, rises from bed to get through her daily chores. A short trip to brush her teeth and mane, place her bow just right, and she was down stairs to start feeding the chickens. The house wasn't particularly lively at this hour, mainly because it was still mostly dark out, but for some un-godly reason the sun had to flow into her room before anyone else's. So she was stuck doing her chores before anyone else in her family rejoined her from the land of dreams. The bags of feed wern't the huge, ganna break your back if you even try to lift me baggs, but they had a decent weight to them. Anyways, she had finished her job right about the time a familiar purple unicorn had cleared the hill to the house.

"Hello, Twilight. Whacha doin here so early?" Apple bloom asked. It was after all just day-break. Usually her family is the only one up this early.

"I have something really important to talk to AJ about and it can't wait any longer." Twilight responded with a sense of urgency subtlety place under a tone of care, but none the less Apple Bloom caught it.

"I'll go wake her." Apple bloom then darted towards the door and right as she found herself at the doormat, it swung open and low and behold, there was AJ.

"Welp, time to get started on the......Twi your up early." AJ said finally taking notice to Twilight.

"I have some information and a plan about our current "predicament"." Using plenty of emphases on predicament.

The two mares make their way over to the barn to continue their conversation in private, but curiosity is a painfull thing if not sated, so the filly slowly creaped towards the barn and caugh the ending of their conversation

".........but Twi I don't think that's the best of ideas. I mean letting it go after you caught it. Seems like a wasted effort to me."

"That's just it though, if we let the bird in the hoof go, it'll lead us to the ones in the right bush. I'll just put a simple tacking spell on him before we release him and then we will follow. It'll take us right to the hive."

"If you say so Twi, so when did you want to do this?"

"Now if you were able. The sooner the better."

"I guess, we are ahead of schedual for this seasons harvest thanks to Dashes storm slip-up. The extra rain did wonders for the apples."

"Great, then lets set off." Apple Bloom took this as her hint to scramble back to feeding the chickens. The two exit the barn, one looking worried and the other looking determined, but she didn't expect them to be worn by their current representatives. Usually her sister is the determined one.

"Oh and Apple Bloom, I'm not going to be here for a day or two so stay out of trouble. Do your normal chores and you'll be free for the weekend. Just make sure to tell Big Mac once you see him." Before she could respond, the two mares where gone in a flash of light.

"Well shucks." She finished off emptying the bag into on big pile and headed towards The Carousel Boutique to see if Sweety wanted to go crusadin. The apple trees passed by slowly, but eventually passed to a wooden picket fence, then just to a dirt path in the middle of a field. She could see the Boutique from the little bridge leading into town and hurried up the pace, only to get decked by a small orange coated, purple manes pegasus going a little over the metaphorical speed limit. They actually had speed limits in town, but that was excused for pegasi. Even if they were on the ground, with a shiny blue scooter.

"Hey Apple Bloom, watcha doin?" She asked with a sheepish smile the soon dissolved into a sly grin.

"I WAS going to Sweety Bells house, until a little somepony decided to run me over." Apple Bloom never once breaking eye contact.

"Funny thing to. I was just heading over there. It's kinda iro......ironi......ironic. Yeah that's the word."

So after the two dusted themselves of and a quick apology, they set off towards that really, really weird shop. I mean its a carousel that have horse-I mean ponies on them. Does that mean that the ponies ride other ponies? I'm just pondering going to the FAIR one day and seeing all the horses replaced with humans. Then how many people would get on, besides that one guy who you shield your daughter from. Anyways, I'm getting side tract, so back to the story.

They knocked on the door, but found it slightly ajar. Taking this as an invitation into the house, they entered slowly taking in the scene. Half of the dresses on the mannequins were floating in the air towards an already over stuffed suitcase. The unicorn responsible had a stark white mane and a deep purple mane contrasting ever so perfectly. Upon her flank rested a trio of diamonds, that seemingly added to the contrast of her mane.

"Rarity is this really necessary. Were only going to be gone for two days at most, and besides you really want to bring all these nice clothes into the forest where they could get," she waved for the white unicorn to come closer.

"Go on Twilight." She responded now almost touching her. A grin split from both sides of Twilight's mouth as she whispered "Dirty," and that was all that was need for Rarity to pull that overly dramatic faint, on a couch that seemingly appears out of nowhere.

"I guess you're right darling. I'll only bring the necessities." The clothing floating around the room now returned to their proper places, aswell as half of the bagg's contents. It was still pretty full however.

"I guess that'll have to do. Anyways ready?" Twilight said already charging up her horn.

"Just a sec. Sweety Bell remember not to get into trouble. Oh and also remember to stay out of my 'Inspiration' room, and also remember to wash Opal Essence twic-" She was suddenly cut off by a bright purple flash then she was gone.

"Well that was strange?" Scootaloo said.

"Hey girls." A small white filly with a purple and pink blended mane says from the top of the stairs.

"Hey Sweety Bell," The others say in unison followed by, "You want to go crusading?"

"Sure. What do you want to do this time? How bout cave exploration?" Sweety says in an adorable high pitched voice.

"Actually, lets follow your sisters and see what their up too? Maybe we can get our cutie marks in stealth or something." Scootaloo adds while looking a bit impatient. The others put hoof up to their chin in though before everyone yells together "CUTIE MARK CRUSADER FOLLOWERS."

Yes I know that wasn't a very creative saying, I didn't wan't to say cutie mark crusade stealthy followers, because that sounds wrong for children to say. So just deal with it for now. It'll get better and this is important for the plot. So where was I, ahh yes. Screen slide animation to the Golden Oaks Library.

A black entity ran like a bat out of Tartarus. In a matter of seconds it was at the edge of town, and then deep into the forest. The six gathered around seemed shocked at the sheer speed from it.

"Wow he looked like he could even beat Dashy in a race." The pink fur ball of over powered sugar states while pulling out binoculars, from hammer space, to watch.

"No way a creep like that thing could beat," Strike dramatic pose in 3...2...1, "The fastest flyer in Equestria!"

"I guess your right. Hey who want's a 'Dashy is still the fastest flyer in Equestria' cupcake." Pinky asks, while yet again pulling the cupcakes out of hammer space.

"Not now Pinky. Were going to be following after him in half an hour, so make sure your ready to move by then." Twilight says as she packs some quills, ink, parchment, and other supply's they may need.

In the background they all hear a small voice, had it not been for the silence, it would have gone by without being noticed, "Do we all really need to go into the forest. I mean I could stay back....if that's OK with you."

"As much as I would like to take all my friends, you don't have to come along if you don't want to Fluttershy. I hate to drag you out of your comfort zone again." Twilight answered with the clear intent of using revers psychology to get her to change her mind, but much to her surprise all that was left was a dust cloud shaped like Fluttershy.

"*sigh* I guess it'll be just us then." Twilight says after facehoofing at the realization that Fluttershy really didn't want to go into those woods, and she should have known that. "We should get going now, hes had a pretty good head start. Now remember, I'm going to cast an invisibility spell on us once we get there, and I won't be able to hold it for long so stay close."

After getting a nod confirming that they understood, they set out towards the Everfree forest. Unbeknownst to them, a small group of fillies followed closely from bush to bush.

The Everfree forest had this divider in between itself and the rest of Equestria. It was like the own land lad forsaken itself and receded or something. The group of ponies eyed the gap wearily, before Twilight took the first step and entered the forest. The rest followed, but their was a distinct eeriness in the air that seemed to silence them all, without actually doing anything to them. Even the fillies fell silent, either in aww or fear of the forest. Who am I kidding, they all fell silent in fear.

It took until sundown before they came to a clearing, and it certainty wasn't what they were expecting. They were expecting a hive or at least a cave they dwelled in, but instead there was a ton of wooden houses built into the trees and along the ground. Plus in this part of the forest, it was a clearing with woods all around, so the sun was seen clearly.

"Um, Twi. I thought that fancy tracker was sopost to lead us to it." Apple jack said looking weirdly at the village.

"It was." Twi then looks at a map she retrieved from her saddle bag. "That's weird, this isn't on the map. Keep a look out. The spell isn't completely accurate, but it should be within a quarter mile of here." The group then spread out searching the village for any signs of the changeling or for life in that case. The place was like a ghost town, with the doors open, shutters banging in the wind. Even a tumble weed blew by for no reason. As an old childhood idol once said "This is Spooksville."

While the five mares looked for the changeling, the fillies followed the more direct path and went strait down the dirt road. Surprisingly, none of the mare noticed the fillies heading toward the fountain in the center of town. It was a simple auqafer that spout out water keeped inside by some cobblestone walling and trailed down some trenches to what was a supposed farm. Out on the rim of the fountain was a journal the fillies noticed.

"Hey what's that?" Apple Bloom said as she approached the book.

"I think it's a diary of some kind. My sister has one she draws funny things in." Sweety said looking over the cover, "Property of Shadow Spot."

"You think he would mind if we read it?" Scootaloo said trying to pry the book from the others, to no avail.

"Yes he would mind. Its his priv-ohh what fell out?" Sweety said only to get distracted by a slip of paper falling out. "Wounder what is says?"

"Well don't hog it, just read it already!" Scootaloo said getting clearly impatient. The note read:

To anyone willing to listen,

If you happen to find this feel free to read it, but please deliver this note and the journal attached to the Great Oaks library in ponyville. I write this in haste because they're coming for us and there isn't much time left. Anyways your probably wondering what this is all about and ill try my best to tell you. See, me and my friends had been outcast from our home as long as we can remember and found a little piece of heaven within the forest you find this letter.

Anyways, we carved a place for ourselves here and were contempt, but still the curiosity of what could lie outside it lingered. Until one day my dear friend Flickering Image decided he would venture out. Now being his friend I offered to journey with him into the unknown. So after a day of good-byes and hugs with loved ones, we set off North, bringing only our courage and my journal. It was a harsh trek, but eventually by sundown we found a well worn path. To us, that brought a feeling of.......I guess anxious would be the right term.

Anyways, we didn't wan't to be tired once we meet the end of this trail, so we made a small camp for the night. Eventually sun came and our journey continued. By mid day we had reached the edge of the forest and meet a view of a vast plain. It was pretty serine and comforting, but there was something in the distance. A town by the looks of it, and we leaped out in joy. Our journey wasn't a wasted trip and now there were others. I ran to the town with my friend, eager to see what they had and who may live there.

As we walked through town however, we got nothing but fearful looks, screams of terror and a mob of angry looking ponies. I hadn't seen a pony before then, and I have to say their hostile nature surprised me. So me and Flickering Image tried to run back towards the safety of the forest, but the ponies kept on us. Mainly the purple unicorn and her rainbow maned friend. Despite my best efforts, I was captured by what I presumed were hostile ponies that would bring harm on me and my friends. They "talked" to me hours on end (I wasn't listening past the first few minutes and kept saying 'i won't talk'), asking for the where abouts of my home and other stuff I had no idea about, but I didn't cave in.

Eventually after a week or so, for some reason unknown to me, they finally headed my pleads to be let go and set me free. As soon as those shackles released, I was gone. Running as fast as my legs would carry me, I made it home by nightfall. That's when it dawned on me however, the only reason they would let me go after all of.......that. They probably followed me and now I endangered all my family. So that's where I am now, writing this in haste, so if someone happens to find it I won't just be another being whose story goes untold. I'll be heard from and hopefully saved.

- A confused Blacky

Author's Note

Well I was thinking of this while listening to "This is Halloween" It's a really good song if anyone wanted to check it out. Oh and just something I felt like saying, when I was using grammar check it thought scootaloo's name was suppose to be Tuscaloosa. I don't know what you think, but I find that pretty damn hilarious because I don't know what or where Tuscaloosa is. Ill give anyone who can tell me who said "This is Spooksville." sneak peaks to the next chapter.

The birth of the banished

"Whats a Blacky?" Sweety said re-reading the signature over and over again.

"Maybe it's a nickname someone gave Shadow?" Apple Bloom suggested.

"I don't know it still seems kinda weird."

"Girls!" That was a voice none of them wanted to hear at that moment, the voice of reason incarnate. The voice of Twilight. "What are you doing here! It's dangerous and you could get hurt." The last part was more in a softer voice, because she was dealing with fillies after all.

"We just wanted to earn our cutie marks." Sweety said in a sadden tone now that they have been caught.

"How many time have I told you not to come into here. It's dangerous and there's a changeling on the loose." At the word changeling the three fillies curled together and looked all worried.

"We-e did-dn't kno-ow." Apple Bloom says looking like she was about to cry. Sad puppy dog eyes for the win.

"*sigh* Ok here's the deal. I'll teleport you girls to the library and won't tell your sisters, but only because there's a changeling nearby and I don't want you guys to get hurt or for your sisters to get distracted, but mark my words. When we get back we will have a discussion about this." The three little fillies all let out the breath they didn't know they were hanging onto. Next thing they noticed was a bright flash and they were back in the library again. The walls were basically bare, due to a particularly small dragon rearranging all the books in order based on date, because that's how Twilight wanted it.

Spike had been mumbling,"Rearrange all the books she said. It'll be fun she said." under his breath but the CMC caught it, but deciding to ignore it and go to more pressing matters.

"Well this sucks. Now we won't get our cutie marks." Apple Bloom said slouching on the floor.

"Did you guys forget already?!" Scootaloo said snickering a bit.

"Forget what?" The others said in unison, already showing promis that this was going to be good.

"We have a persons journal, and he gave us free reign to read it." The others gasp and this peaks spikes interest.

"Watcha guy doin over there?" He said inching closer. Anything to get away from those damn books.

"Reading this guys journal, and he's even allowing us too, so its not wrong or anything." Sweety Bell said, looking at spike with a stare that matched his own when he watched Rarity.

"Stop chit-er chattering and lets read it already!" Scoots said, again with her inpatients being her best trait right now. They all gathered round Apple Bloom as she opened the book to the first entry and read aloud.

Entry #0

Silence was all that was heard through out the night, as the creatures of the day wind down. That doesn't mean that the night is any less lively. Different assortments of creature live and thrive during the night, such as the timber wolves or changelings. These however kept quiet and hidden during the night, because they aren't just predators. They're also prey, prey to one of the most blood thirsty creatures out there. The Jackles. A Jackle is a humanoid looking wolf like creature. Claws sharp enough to easily shred through changelings chitin armor. Eyes so soul-less they can stare down a pack of timber wolves. Teeth so sharp that only gems and steel can withstand a bit from it.

They are however unlike Diamond Dogs, because diamond dogs at least care for their young. Jackles leave them to fend for themselves and often fight with each other over the pettiest of things, but that doesn't mean that they cant work together. Actually, Jackles working together is one of the few things that I fear. For a fully functioning Jackle team could wipe our my den with little effort. Luckily, Jackles were mostly aggressive by nature and rarely worked together, even if just in groups of two. Only a large magical fluctuation could case the Jackles mind to be altered enough to trust each other.

However the previous day had been one of extraordinary magical influxes. Apparently, a sonic rain-boom was created, but that was only the pebble entering the water, the ripples caused the most magical effects. These ripples happen to be caused by a little unicorn, whose test to hatch a dragon was failing, until a wave of energy from the rain-boom broke the limiter in her magical essence allowing, not infinite energy, but all the magical energy within the area to be used. This sudden drain and reimbursement of magical energy cause the minds of the Jackles to become unified, even if it was just for the day. There was little I could do, and I tried my hardest to fend them off, but they were unstoppable. They made their way to the hatchery, and started smashing all the young ones.

You and the rest you are with were among them, and had gotten ripped from your shells one way or another. By some miracle however, you survived the raid and remained unscathed. This isn't a good thing though. As you may know, or actually may not due to your stage of development, it is a right of passage to break free of your own shell without assistance. It proves you are ready to face the hardships of the world, but you however didn't break free on your own. It is with great sadness that I have to banish you, from the hive. It has been tradition for many millennial and shall be for many more.

I have set you, within a safe part of the Everfree, in hope that you may survive. Again I am so sorry for not being able to protect you from them. Take care my children.

-Queen Chrysalis

End Of Chapter---------------------------------------------------
The next couple of paragraphs will help you understand the stages of development for changelings.

While in the egg a changeling goes through growth phases of the body as well as the mind. This helps them be prepared for the world when they hatch. I'll explain in stages:

Stage One:

The egg is fertilized(hopefully everyone here is smart enough to know how) and then layed withing the green slime that the queen and her drones create. This helps keep the egg at the right temperature and provides nutrients to the egg. Yes some people are going to be saying "But the egg has the required nutrients to live, why does it need those." well to answer that my dear friend you will have to wait until stage 3.

Stage Two:

The embryo starts to take shape into a changeling. First the head, then the torso, followed by the legs. The wings, horn, and chitin exoskeleton are not grown in this stage however. So in lamens terms, its like a normal earth pony at this point.

Stage Three:

This stage can happen during the end phase of stage two, while it may not be completely over. This is where the extra nutrition comes in handy. See changelings are mostly female drones, so the need to be able to work as soon as possible is required. This speeds brain development at around roughly x24 times the normal speed. This doesn't actually cause them to be self aware in the egg, or even develop personality at this point. Now they will develop personality, just not in the egg. With the increasing brain size, the brood mothers come in daily and recite lessons, starting with speech and writing, then to useful skills needed to survive. This is retained inside the changelings primary auditory cortex then spread out to other regions within the brain. This stage never ends, but does slow down near the end.

Stage Four:

This stage is when the changeling start to grow its wings and horn. Now the wings are a thin membrane, so their not hard to grow. When the horn is growing, it stunts all the other growth of the body, not development but just stops it temporarily, so it can grown the new bone protruding from the head. Once the bone is the proper length for the proportion of the body, growth resumes. Now the green slime is also slightly magical, so it acts as a feed for the changeling to get its magic reserves started. Now in a unicorn, the direct link to the body via umbilical cord, gives it a direct power supply, were as the changelings the green slime is needed.

Stage Five:

This happens once the wings and horns have grown in. The only thing left is to grow the exoskeleton. Now they do have an endoskeleton, but this exoskeleton is like a natural armor and protects them from many dangers. This process is similar to that of keratinization of skin, but instead of being a thin layer, it grows to be a 'shell' per say.

Stage Six:

This is when the changelings actually gain conscience and break from their shells. Most are ready for basic work, and will learn more along the way.

Now in the story, the eggs got destroyed in around the middle of stage four. So the changelings are going to have a more normally shaped horn, less magical powers, shorter K9's, and a much softer exoskeleton. They also only know speech, writing, emotions, and a few edible plants and animals, but because they never finished their learning, they have no idea what they are.

Realization of many things

NOTE: Think of this as being told by a narrator, like a Christmas story. Only when you get to the journal pages does it switch to first person.

NOTE #2: Please leave comments, suggestions, idea, quotas, mantras, beliefs, and anything else that may benefit me/you/the story in anyway, or if you just feel like saying it.

Back within the forest, 30 minutes before the main six reach the village:

"FLICKER!" Was all Flickering image heard before getting tackled by a miracle in itself. Shadow managed to get back, but looked worse for wear. A swollen eye adorned his right cheek, only to be complimented by a steady flow of blood flowing down his forehead. Pooling at his chin before dripping onto the ground. Before the next droplet of blood managed to fall, they were wrapped in a comforting embrace.

"You were gone for so long, we didn't know what to expect. They kept on saying what a good Blacky you were and that it was such a tragic loss, but I knew. I new you would com...." The rest was lost as he cried into his friends shoulder. He thought that no more needed to be said, but that's where he was wrong.

"Everyone needs to leave." Shadow spoke, interrupting the warmth of his friend.

"Why?! You just got back." Flicker shouted.

"Because the only reason they would let me go is if they could follow us. I don't know if they were just following me or all of us, so I'm going to stay while everyone else leaves across the lake to the hidden waterfall." Flicker felt like getting angry, but just seeing his friends eyes showing noting but determination, set that emotion ablaze and left it to burn to ashes. Like a phoenix, a new one took it place. This feeling was sadness and understanding.

"Fine i'll do it, but just so you know. I hate this, even more then I hate those pesky hydras." Now Flicker really hates hydras, because they destroyed his house. Four times, and didn't even touch anything else in the village. Lets just say him putting his personal vendetta behind him like this wan't to be taken lightly.

"That much huh. Well stop lawly-gaging about, and get to it." Flicker dove down the road, warning everyone he came across. It wouldn't be long now, so Shadow makes his way to the center fountain to get a drink. Now he knew all he needed was love to survive, a lesson he had to learn early in his life here, but that's just energy. If he sustained physical damage, he still needed to eat to gain nutrients to heal his body. While the love never hurt, it sure didn't do anything to help stop his bleeding.

The fountain was just a natural spring. Rigged to spray upwards, and irrigate the crops through the irrigation canals. Surrounded by a low hanging cobble wall, he layed on top and started to write what had happened.

Five minutes before the main six reach the village:

Shadow still sat upon the low hanging wall. The village had been deserted, and they took all the animals to. Including his dog, Twitch. It was a fitting name, because ever since he was a pup his ears would twitch at the tiniest of things. Now he was gone, force to leave as well as everyone else. How stupid he had been to come home, now everyone was in danger.

"*sigh* Well at least they're safe now." He said to no one in particular. All he could do was look over his badly abused body. Most was from the rushed journey home, but some of it had been caused by those sadistic ponies. What did he ever do to them to cause this? What had any of them done? His mind drew a blank and was carefully observing a mark on his back.

It looked like a star of some kind, with smaller stars in between the protrusions. It seemed familiar, but he couldn't think from were he knew it from. He constantly racked his brain for answers, before he remembered. It was something that purple one had on her flank. Then it dawned on him, that's how they were tracking him. He tried rubbing it off, but it seemed to be fused with him.

"Now just to figure out how to get it off." He pondered it for a second before coming up with an answer, "I got it."

Back to Twilight after the teleportation of the CMC:

"Um, Twi. I know you're a skilled unicorn and all, but don't you think we'd have found it by now?" Applejack asks, still eyeing the town wearily.

"I know it's around here some were. The spell I used fused with his skin, and can only be broken if a unicorn stronger then me broke it, which is highly unlikely. It would work unless he took off his skin, and I find that to be even less likely." The confidence in her voice was only to mask a hidden fear she might have slipped up in the actual spell.

"OHOH. You mean like this Twi?" Pinky shouted looking into the fountain.

"What are you goin on about know Pinky?" Aj says, walking over to the fountain. A gasp escaped her mouth as she looked in it. A black heap layed at the base of the water, unmoving. She uneasily lifted it over and out of the fountain.

"You were sayin Twi." Aj muses, as she rolls it over to reveal it was just a exoskeleton.

"UGH! I forgot changelings shed, but this seems unusual. I've seen some before and they were more rugged and firm. This seems more...." She was at a loss of words, so Pinky answered, "Rubbery?"

"Yeah. I don't know what could have caused that, but I'm guessing this changeling isn't like the rest. However, that doesn't mean it's not a love stealing, ponynapping, brother hurting, vile creature. We need to bring him back, and as much as I hate to admit it. I was wrong to try and use it to lead us to the hive, I should have just kept it so it couldn't escape." The last part was said low enough so the others could barely hear, but enough was heard.

"You did what you thought was right Twi, and that's good enough for us. Sure you made a mistake, but everyone is bound to at some point or another. It's better to made them sooner, so you can learn from them and not make them later on in life." AJ spoke, while wrapping a comforting hoof around her.

"I didn't know you could be so deep AJ."

"I'm not. I got that from Big Mac, when I took on the entire apple crop that one time." AJ says with a sheepish smile, before turning around and heading of to gather the other two mares.Twilight stood dumbfounded, for good reason. Big Mac doesn't talk much at all, and for him to say that was just beyond her. The rest of the gang approached her, as she still tried to contemplate Big Mac saying more than four words in one sitting.

"Hey, Equestria to egghead. Do you read me, over?" Dash said knocking on Twilight's head, pulling her out of her trance.

"Huh, oh yeah I'm here. Since the changeling is gone, we should probably go home now. I also want to ask Celestia about this village. Maybe she might beable to shed some light on this." Right as she said that, Pinky burst out laughing and rolling around on the ground.

"What so funny that it's got you rolling around in the dirt." Rarity said, curious tone. Pinky managed to stop mid way through a roll, a feat only pinky could mange and spoke,

"She said for Celestia to.....Shed some light," and then she started laughing again, but this time everyone joined in. Eventually the started heading home, being unable to teleport them all home. Not far behind, Shadow watched the whole event and was trailing them. Maybe he could understand why they did this to him.

Meanwhile, Inside the Library:

"Hey isn't Chrysalis the changeling queen?" Apple Bloom asks.

"Yeah she is, and if this guy is her child then he must be a changeling too. Where did you guys say you got this, because Twilight is going to want it." Spike said with a bunch of suspicion being made known in his voice.

"We found it in the forest." Sweetie said coyly.

"Well since she's not here yet, let's continue reading." Scootaloo said, ignoring their whines and pleas.

Entry #1

I guess I should start by saying hello or something, so here it goes. Hello journal. What no reply? Anyways today has been really weird. I know how to read and write. I know that that berry bush is edible and that that plant would cause drowsiness, but I don't know what I am. The others don't know what we are either. We have insect like wings, some stiff rubbery like skin(it's still pretty soft), a horn that seems to have shifted to the side a little ways up, holes in our hooves, but no matter, what I can't find a name. I guess we'll just make one up.

-Undecided

Entry #2

We managed to find a cave and rest in it for the night. It was pretty scary, because there were howls and noises through the whole night. I doubt anyone got any sleep. We started coming up with names for each other. Some fit, others just seem to be for fun. Oh, and we decided to call ourselves Blackies, because of our black skin. Not very creative I know, but it seemed to have stuck.

I also met this guy we deemed Flicker. He's pretty nice and we decided to stick together. I guess that means were friends.

-Undecided
p.s. Flickers full name is Flickering Image

Entry #3

It's been a week since I last wrote in you, and we managed to do some stuff. First off we finished naming everyone, not that big but its nice to know who you are. Apparently I'm like a moving shadow so i got stuck with Shadow Spot. Not the best, but I could have done worse.

Secondly, we ended up building a small roof thing to the entrance of the cave. So if it rains, the clean water goes into this hollowed out portion of the cave floor. It was Flickers idea and it seemed pretty cool.

Another group ended up making some beds for everyone, not the cloth beds, but some soft grass/leaves kinda thing. It wasn't much but it'll help us sleep during the night.

Shadow Spot

Entry #4
We've been out here for a month and no ones eaten anything. It's getting kinda freaky because I thought living things were suppose to eat, but whenever I'm hungry and walk by my friends I'm no longer hungry. It's kinda weird, but I always get this really good feeling afterwards.

So I guess I should give a progress check. We build our first, outer cave shelter (It doesn't look that steady, but I guess we'll Improve it over time). I also found a timber wolf pup. I don't know what I had learned about them, but it was wrong. The thing was adorable, and so full of energy. I took him home with me, and everyone loved him instantly.

That reminds me, I think that's what we feed off of. Love. Don't ask me how,but as soon as I accidentally got my friends angry at me I started to get hungry. And once I apologized, and they started to have positive emotions towards me again I was full.

Anyways, I haven't figured out what to call him yet, but I think his constant twitching might come into play in naming him. I think that's all for now, so have a good night journal.

- Shadow Spot
p.s. I found out everyone got their own journal, from this Chrysalis person. I'm not sure I can call her my mother, because I haven't even seen her before. Let alone that she banished us. I'm not sure about that, but I'm sure i'll talk about it later with you.

Author's Note

Applejack is one word right? I'm having some issues because Apple Blooms name is separate and hers isn't. Just doesn't seem right, but it could just be some OCD slippin through. Remember their brains got fast forwarded, their mental state is around that of an eight year old at least, twelve year old at most in the journal. Anyone know who said "This is spooksville" yet? I'll give you a hint, its a cartoon involving a van.

Natural Instincts pt1

NOTE: I'm really tired when writing this, but I trucked through it for you guys. I just spent the last couple day traveling inside a car for at least 8 hours a day. Not fun, but shit needed to get done. Sorry this chapter is kinda short, but the next one will be lengthier I promise.

NOTE#2: I noticed a mistake I made in the last chapter. I was putting main 6, but Fluttershy isn't with them. She stayed behind in the first chapter. Sorry if I cause any confusion.

In the forest, main six (Excluding Fluttershy):

"Well this is just great. We set a tracker on him, go into the forest blind, he evades us, and now we forgot the way back. I'm starting to question our tactics." Twilight said, trying to evade the low hanging branches littering the forest. Everyone seems to be doing a poor job at avoiding the branches, except for a particular pink mare. Pinky was bouncing around the trees, bobbing and weaving through the branches better then someone who lived there their entire life.*cough*Shadow*cough*

"Are you alright?" Pinky asks.

"Um, sugar cube. Who are ya talking to?" AJ says looking around, but was only met with equally confused stares.

"That funny voice who coughed, then said shadow, then coughed again, duh." A couple trees back, said Blacky fell out of the tree upon hearing his name, nearly giving away his position. Luckily the rest just looked a bit unsettled, but quickly dismiss it as a "Pinky" thing. Don't want a repeat of Foggy bottom bay now do we.

"You got that right." Pinky please, just let me go on narrating the story. Ignore me, and I'll let you throw me a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party. Immediately Pinky shut her mouth and nodded furiously. Well now that that is taken care of, lets get back to the story. Come on Twi, you're not my favorite for no reason, use that brain of yours and get out of this pickle.

"I got it. If the Everfree is directly south of ponyville, then we just need to head north" Twilight exclaims with joy for finding a solution. "Now Dash, fly up and tell me which direction the sun is setting."

"You got it." without another word she takes off through the thick canopy of the forest. Minutes pass before she returns.

"What took you so long. We've been worried sick." Twi says a bit sharper then intended, but still gets her point across.

"Sorry, but I had to climb the old fashion way, because it became too condensed to fly in. Anyways, the sun was setting that way" She gestured to Shadows right, which meant that he was between them and north. However, before the thought of avoiding them even passed him mind, a figure popped out of the woodwork.

It stood on it's hind-legs, leaning against a tree with one arm. It's coat was a shaggy, dark brown, and had several scars dotting its figure. Bearing its teeth, revealing incisors capable to bite through steel. A frothy saliva slowly trickling down its fangs only added onto it's deadly appearance, and while most creatures in this world have naturally huge eyes, this behemouth had small, sharp yellow eyes, and only one thing could be found withing those gates to a lifeless soul. Bloodlust.

'Shit a Jackle. What do I do?! I'll be safe in this tree unnoticed, but at the expense of at least one of them kicking the bucket.'

'Stop being such a wimp. You of all people should know that a Jackle is ruthless, and that no one deserves to face one. Hell, no one should even have to know what one is.'

'But I don't want to die.'

'You wont, just run. Run as fast as you can, and once he follows you and the others are far enough away, you can figure something else out.'

'Wait WHAT?!'

'To late, I'm doin it.'

Before Shadow could argue his own choices, he did the second most life threatining thing in his life. The first one was with a sea serpent, twenty bananas, and some rope, but at least that time he had his friends to save him.

"I'm sorry 'bout this Flicker, Twitch, and anyone else who actually knows my name." Was the last thing he said, before his hooves met the forest floor. The leaves crackled under his steps, but the biggest response he elicited from the stare down, was the swiveling of some ears. Even as he stepped out from behind the final tree, he still went unnoticed. Every eye was fixated on the Jackle, and every hoof failing to respond to the owners commands.

"RUNN!!!" The sound from Shadow seemed to flick the play button, as everyone in front of him took off faster then he had ever expected. Well, everyone except for the Jackle, and now that he got rid of a potentially easy feat he was next on the menu. In retrospect, this was now deemed the most dangerous thing because he doesn't even have his chitin armor anymore.

'Well shit.'

Shadow took off in any direction he could, trying to gain some distance between him and death with fangs, but for every turn the Jackle had two. Trees of every kind rushing past, colors starting to blend and lose meaning. Time was all, but forgotten. Every step the sound of it's claws could be heard just a fraction closer, the song of his death playing. First, through a bramble with serrated stalks, cutting through his skin like a hot knife through butter. The Jackle faired much better, that is until it got caught in his eyes, but even that didn't detour the beast. It's prey was injured and it still had it's hearing and smell. Nothing was stopping this chase.

The bramble opened to a field of blue flowers, with an odd distance between the flowers and any other living thing. Shadow however, didn't have time to avoid the poison joke, in fact it might help him, and by help he means hurt the Jackle more then it does him. The flowers gave a slightly painful sting as he ran, but it was a hell alot better then if that Jackle caught him. How it would slowly tear him limb, by limb. Eating him while he was still alive. Those thoughts didn't even have time to enter Shadows mind, because he was to busy with a killer after him.

'Wait, what happened to the sound of his claws?' Shadow dared to view over his shoulder , and saw......nothing? He didn't question his good luck as he continued to run. It wasn't until he broke through a tree line did the effects of the poison joke kick in. His sight was going in and out, distorting his perception of everything. Then he lost feeling in all his extremities, but not because of the poison joke. This was from the blood loss, and heightened levels of adrenaline.

He struggled a few more feet, before his body went into shock. Shaking and trembling, the only thing he could do was cry for help, and that merely came out as a distorted gurgle. They say when you meet your end, you see a bright light. That was a total lie, all he could see was darkness closing around him. That and the face of someone beautiful. His eyes focused in one last time before he passed out and managed to catch a glimpse of that pink mane.

Author's Note

I'm sorry for the wait and lack of....well everything in this chapter. I've been busy with family matter and stuff, but i managed to get this one done. Don't worry i''l be back on track by Sunday, so just bear with me. I promise the next chapters to be better, and more descriptive but I at least wanted to get one out before this weekend. Questions, comments, concers, or any errors you find, just leave a comment and ill get back to you.

Natural Instincts pt2

Authors Note: Sorry for the long wait. I was on vacation, then spent some time with family, and also received the money bank virus so I'm sorry for the wait. Anyways let me stop chatting and write this story already.

p.s. I might be adding a romance to this story if ya'll what me to. I'm perfectly fine with what I have in mind, but it's up to ya'll. Leave a comment regarding where you stand please.

Main six(excluding Shy) at Zecora's house:

The residence was one striking similar to Twilight's own home, yet vastly different. It was yet another tree turned house, with the inside being hollow, without costing the tree its life. It was a elder willow, gracing the forest with an eerie beauty of knowledge and life. Spanish moss adorns it's low hanging branches, concealing a small pulsating light coming from within the humble abode. The source was that of a fire with five mares circling the hearth. Shadows dancing behind them, always in perfect balance with the fire.

Each mare had different thoughts running through their head, but none spoke aloud. They just watched the flames as they slowly danced back and forth, depicting what could have happened or what should have happened. Sometimes why it happened, once even that it shouldn't have happened. Regardless, the flames continues to dance.

Silence was flowing through the home, and even when one was about to speak, the need to just disappeared as they know nothing needed be said. So once again their gazes were locked on the fire, and its never ending battle for dominance over the shadows. Each relentless, both equal in strength and importance, but sometimes one side is looked at as better then the other. The peaceful tranquility was disrupted as one of them couldn't take the unknown. Questions needed to be spoke, even if there was no answer to receive.

"UHGGGG!!! It makes no sense! Why would it try to save us?! Is it trying to trick us? Will it come back and kill us itself? Are we just a part in a bigger game its playing? Does it take satisfactio-Hrmf. The rest was lost as a pink hoof now occupies Twilight's mouth. The rest gaze at her with eyes filled not with sadness, anger, or sorrow; but instead with understanding and fear. Some fear of the unknown, some fear of what is known, but it was still apparent within those windows to the soul.

A small smile forced its way upon her mouth, not for the others, but for herself. The need to feel at ease, even when you face the unknown is always easier with friends. A small sigh left her lips as she rested her head on her hooves. Still gazing at the fire, watching the flames dance as sleep creeped over her and her friends. Slowly, the darkness started to push back the light, until it eventually won as she closed her eyes and drifted off into a peaceful slumber along with her friends.

Unknown location with Shadow Spot:

The dance of light and darkness played across his eyelids. At first the light was but a small speck. However, within a bit of time, was a raging light and now winning against the shadows. They continues to fight for dominance as Shadow just observed, silently hoping for the darkness to win so he could return to his sleep. His wishes are in vein as, he begrudgingly opens his eyes to meet this overwhelming force.

The filter his eyelids gave him now gone, had allowed a large sum of light to pierced his eyes causing more than mild discomfort. Squinting his eyes shut, a unknown headache now making its presence known, along with some rather uncomfortable itches and pain coming from his legs, back, and just about everywhere else.

'Well this sucks. I can remember much.'

'Yeah, I can't remember either.'

'......you do realizes the redundancy in that statement right?'

'Yes, but lets get around that and back to the current predicament. What happened'

'Well we shed our chitin armor, then I think we hid from those ponies. Still don't know why they are so mean. We didn't even provoke them or anything.'

'Yeah, I know. Anyways, we then followed them for a bit. Had a little mishap and fell out of a tree, then we........YOU ASS!!'

'What?'

'You made us distract that Jackle. You could have killed us, or worse.'

'Whats worse than death?'

'Next time a Jackle comes by, do nothing. Then you'll see.'

'Fine you made your point. No more helping others at the risk of our own life, even if it means more die.'

'Now your just making me feel like an ass.'

'That's the plan, besides figuring out where we are.'

'Yeah, if we open our eyes then you'll have succeeded in both tasks.'

Slowly the light gains access into his eyes, allowing him to see the area around. He lay on a rather comfy, leafy green couch. A window behind him allowing the sun to bring its light within the room, showed a rather nice scenery of gentle flowing brook running under a graceful little bridge. Small blades of grass dancing in the wind, along with some branches slightly swaying to the invisible force. He pulls his sight from the window and observers his other surroundings. A rather ornament looking lamp resides next to the couch, a small rug placed withing the center of the room. Some wooden furniture placed rather well around the room. The place gave off a happy, lively vibe. A door slightly to the side of the room, a staircase to his left and a kitchen could be seen just around the opening door.

'WAIT, OPENING?!'

Not much more could be said as a yellow coated pegasus gently trots into the room, placing some half empty bags of animal feed to the side of the door. Gently humming to herself, as she was still unaware of the awoken guest. Shadow couldn't move. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the mare in front of him. Both the fear of being in captured like he was last time, and the beauty she gave off kept his gaze transfixed on her. She continues to take off her saddle aswell, then turned around as locked eyes with him. That is, albeit for a brief second before she hid behind her mane. That's when all the fear he felt earlier had been in vein, by the looks of her she couldn't even hurt a fly. She'd even probably try to help the fly out anyway she could.

"....um, hi..." But all Shadow heard was a inaudible mumble. Now his brain was having all kinds of synaptic misfires and erratic messages within his head.

"I couldn't hear you. Could you speak up a bit." Was what he found himself saying, but all he wanted to do was run back home. However his body stayed rooted in place.

"..hi..." A little bit better, but he had to strain hard.

'Maybe she'll speak up more once we start talking'

"Whats your name?"

"Fluttershy, and yours?"

"Shadow Spot."

"I guess that would explain your cutie mark." That's when all the gears in Shadows head grind to a screeching halt, and start to back track. 'Cutie mark. Isn't that something ponies get? I'm not a pony so why would she say that? Now i'm kinda scared to look at my flank, but I better now then never.'

He carefully lowered his gaze to his rear, and saw a faded dark blue coat and a black spot in the middle of his flank. Slowly his gaze traveled up his back, noticing some neatly tucked feathered wings the same color as his coat, slowly darkening until it was black at the tip of each primary feather. His mane and tail were roughly the same, a worn, faded looking dark blue that gradually became black the closer to the end it got, aside from one sickle portion of his mane that draped over his right eye that was a void black. His eyes held almost no color to them, and even the light that refracted of his eyes seemed to darken. He had no horn on top his head, though he could still feel his magic, although considerably weaker.

'AHHHHHHHHHH!!!'

'Calm down we'll figure this out.'

'AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!'

'I said calm down!'

'AHHHHHHHHHHH-' He mentally slapped himself repeatedly, until he regained control.

'Now look at the silver lining. They think your a pony, so that means they wont attack you. However, I don't know how long this will last so we better keep out guard up.'

"I did't offend you did I. Please don't hate me." She said srinking back into her mane, losing volume the more she talked.

'Oh damn. I didn't even do anything and I feel like an ass for making her cry.'

"It's fine. Sooooo........mind telling me what happened?"

"Ok." Slightly coming forth from the pink mane she used as a barrier. "I was walking home from the market when you came hurdling out of the forest. I was scared that you were dangerous so I hid behind a tree. Finally I decided to see if you left, only to see you fall to your knees and stiffen like a board . I was worried you might be hurt so I rushed over to you, and saw you were badly hurt. So I brought you here and took care of you. I had to give you some medicine that might make you drowsy, so if you can't move well right now don't worry."

'Well, that's a huge relief. I guess the only thing left to do know is to thank her and go'

"Well thank you Fluttershy, but I mu-must ge-ge-get going-THUD" The medicines full effect barely kicked in, as he slumped over the couch in a peaceful sleep.

Meanwhile in the library:

"Scootaloo, I think its time we head over to Applebloom's. We don't want to be late, you know how granny smith is." Sweety said gazing up from the journal.

"Yeah I guess your right. Lets go, and Spike,"

"Yes."

"Can you keep this for the night. We might lose it." Scootaloo says sheepishly. Meet with a nod, they venture out the door and to Sweet Apple Acres.

"What to do, what to do." Spike says glancing around the Library, noticing all the books are still unshelved. "Well I guess that answers my question." He hops up to continue the reshelving, leaving the Journal on the ground. In the middle of the room. Oh god, why spike.

Author's Note

I can't talk in Zecoras rhyme, so i'm keeping her parts in this small, if any, in the future. I know I got a bit philosophical, but i think it fit well. It's been a while but here it is, in the flesh,er text. Anyways please leave any comments, questions, or concerns in the chat and have a good night/day - A Friend

Mission: Incognito

NOTE: Romance it is then. With who, I have no idea yet. Nevertheless it will be done, for the people.

On the outskirts of ponyville, Main 6(except Fluttershy):

The constant silence clung to them, even as they passed through the forest. No visible marks left upon them, but one would only need to look into their eyes to see it.

With their feet being dragged along, trudging through the top soil and leaving a visible trail, they gradually made their way to the Great Oaks Library. The sight of home couldn't lift the veil that silenced them. The familiar sent from the local baker, nor the sounds of the blacksmiths hammer, beating away relentlessly, could shake this feeling from their bones. No, only once they crossed the threshold into Twilight's home did the seal of silence break, and it shattered like glass.

"SPIKE!!!! WHY IS THIS LIBRARY A MESS?! How can we have a dramatic, solemn entrance if I can't even see anything in here?!" Twilight yelled, arousing the sleeping dragon from his den of books.

"Huh. Oh, sorry Twi. I just took a little nap, that's all. I'll get back to work now." Spike said in an automatic, predetermined saying for moments like this. He wasn't even conscience, it was just a natural response a screaming Twilight could produce. Spike then proceeded to start the tedious process of re-shelving the entire library. Meanwhile, the five mare cleared a trench to the stairs and made way to Twilight's room.

"Twi, I know that this is very stressful and everything, but shouldn't you have had Spike take a letter then send It to the Princess?" AJ said in a wary tone, knowing that Twi is one for overacting if she forgot something.

"Well hes not even awake right now." Twi responded while taking a set upon her bed. The others just meet her gaze even more confused then before.

"Right, you guys don't know. Well Spike is really lazy and would do anything to get out of work, so he actually managed to train his subconsciousness to react to me yelling. Quite amazing really, but its always the same response. That's how I'm able to tell. Besides I don't want to worry him with this right now, and I'm fully capable of doing it myself." With that a freshly dipped quill, and parchment levitated up towards her face to write down her entire view on whats happened so far. The others, still standing, make small talk between each other, and try to not disturb the writer to much.

"SPIKE!" With that one yell, the young dragon was within the room in a matter of seconds. "Send this to Celestia" and with that the letter was burned and its wispy ashes carried out the ajar window towards its goal.

"Twilight dear, what did you say in your letter exactly?" Rarity asks with a confused face. Actually, you know what. Lets just say that all the faces are default confused for this chapter, because saying a confused look over and over is annoying.

"Everything that's happened so far." Twilight responds looking at the clearly bewildered friends.

"Everything. How in equestria did you manage to do that in a few minutes?" AJ states.

'Magic, remember." Twilight announces as she points towards her horn. A soft chuckle escapes her lip, as she still finds it amusing that her friends keep forgetting about it.

"Soooo......Should we discus this now?" Dash's question was meet almost immediately with a belch from spike, followed by a letter and some screams.

"AHHHHHHHH, NO GRANNY SMITH! I DON'T WANT TO PLOW YOUR FIELDS!" Everyone just looked at spike astonished, as he regained his barrings from a terrible nightmare, "Huh, coulda swore I fell asleep downstairs." He looks down and sees a letter in front of him and immediately grabs it, "TWILIGHT, I GOT A LETTER FROM PRINCESS CELESTIA!"

"No need to yell spike, were right in front of you!" It was then that he noticed the mares directly forward of him. Slowly, he put two and two together and realized they heard his little outburst. In speed that rivaled Dash, the letter was in Twi's hoof, the library was finished sorted and he was gone. In ten. Seconds. Flat.

Fluttershy's cabin, Shadow:

Regaining some of his sense of reality, Shadow stirs slowly from his rest. First he picks up on a delicious scent wafting through the air, which triggers an over watering mouth. Next the sound of melodic humming and sizzling, awoke his hearing. That gracious voice could calm armies, and he was given the chance to listen to its harmonic embrace. Then a soft, velvet like material made its presence known around his whole body. Slowly moving his forelegs around, he found he was locked in its comforting embrace. Both the warming cover and angelic humming were lulling him back to sleep, and he would have complied if not for the smell of food and his stomach making the rumblies.

Regretfully, he rolls off the couch with the cover and lands on the wooden floor with a muffled THUD. The sudden jolt was enough cause to open his eyes. The sight before him looked like a great expanse of water, shimmering in the stray beams of sunlight coming thorough the window. Eyes locked on the beautiful sight undisturbed, until a stray strand of pink made its way into the vast ocean of blue. it was then followed by another and another, until the blue was all but seen. Slowly he backed away from the invading pink, and caught the whole image. The yellow pegasus from before stood over him, with worry written all over her face.

Slowly Shadow crawls out from under the light green cover, and stands. A small smile graces Fluttershy's lips at the sight of him being ok.

'I guess their not all bad.'

'Remember, she's only helping us because she thinks were a pony.'

'True, true.'

'We shouldn't have ran through that field of poison joke. Now we look like a pony because of it.'

'I hear ya, but we should at least use this to our advantage for the time being.'

'What now then?'

'We should get back too.......'

'......'

'....Um, just a question here, but um, what exactly are we doing right now?'

'We the last thing we did before spacing out was look into her eyes, .......sooo i guess we would still be looking into her eyes?'

'Isn't that just a bit awkward.'

'......right, so I should stop talking to myself and handle this right?'

He was meet with no response, and fell out of his trance. The mare in question had already made her way to the kitchen, leaving him staring at a potted plant adjacent to him. He just shrugs it off and makes his way to the kitchen in hopes of settling his rumblies in his stomach.

Fluttershy's cabin, Fluttershy:

'THUD'

'Oh dear. I hope he didn't hurt himself.' She made her way to the tangle of covers residing in front of her couch. Trying to see if he was ok, she leaned in only to see his head staring right into her eyes. A bit nervous, she tries to hide behind her mane, so slowly her pink mane covers her left eye. The intense gaze from Shadow subsided as he scooted backwards and looked into her eyes again. This time however, he seemed to get the thousand yard stare and space out.

"Oh, good he's fine. Probably just a bit shaken up." A whistling in the back signaled the tea had been prepared, "Better go get that." However, before she reenters the kitchen she looks back once more, "I just hope you're not like the others."

Author's Note

Ohh whats this. Fluttershy has had encounters with other men before. OOoooooo........spooky. Or it could be that she knows hes a changeling. Still haven't decided which one I'm doing yet. I haven't spot checked this so please, point out any errors. Also leave any thoughts or ideas you have. It could be relavent to the story or MLP in general, I really dont care.

Like always, leave any comments, questions, or concerns below and have a good day/night- A Friend

Assimilation and cupcakes

Authors note: It's been too long so if you wan't to hear my ranting and what not as to why this is late, then stop by the actual authors note.

Fluttershy's cabin, Shadow:

Shadow enters the kitchen and sits upon the stool closest to the entry way. Watching as Fluttershy gracefully works her way around the kitchen, never making a mistake or misstep. Watching as she set the table, with some silverware and full bowls of a tasty looking broth. Watching as she sat down slowly, as if she were about to break the chair just by sitting on it. Ha, just that though is funny in itself, but back to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy picks up a spoon and gingerly scoops the soup, blowing ever so lightly on it. Shadow, now having something to do, started to eat the nice broth at a fairly rapid pace. It had been a while since something had tasted this good to him, if at all. Imagine a party in your mouth, were everyone is Morgan Freeman. Yeah, that awesome. It could also be the fact he hasn't eaten in a long time, about a few weeks other than a few bites of berries here and there. After about Fluttershy's third spoon, Shadow was already starting to ladle out a new bowl.

"Wow, you must have been hungry. Even more so then AJ and Rainbow Dash after the running of the leaves festival," Fluttershy spoke, and almost immediately followed it with, "If you don't mind me saying."

"Why would I mind." He says before his mind actually decided to be considering. " You know what, scratch that. Thank you for this wonderful meal."

"It was nothing, really. Just something I make whenever my friends come over." He small smile growing just a bit, before a expression of curiosity appears, if only for a second. "So where did you come from? If you don't mind me asking, that is."

Now Shadow would have responded, but he reached the awkward impasse everyone encounters when eating and someone asks you a question. Currently he had a sizable biscuit inside his maw and it appeared it wasn't going down anytime soon. Now he could answer but answering your mouth full is beyond rude, regardless of what you say or how you say it. However if he didn't say something then the silence could be taken as him trying to make up an excuse or lie. This would have been very bad on his part either way.

'Come on. Chew faster.'

'Mhm Mmmhmm!'

'Your in your head, you don't have to make the chewing noise in here, numb nuts.'

"Ohh, yeah. Anyways, I'm trying but these things are like infused with molasses, injected with jam, coated with this sugary layer of awesomeness, and honey. The thing will take at least a few minutes to chew, not that I want it to leave my mouth. My goodness this is tasty.'

'Well if we don't acknowledge that question soon, we'll be subject to suspicious thoughts.'

'.......Taste it.'

'What? I'm you, so I'm already tasting it.'

'If you could taste it then you wouldn't be nagging at me to get it out of my mouth. Now taste it.'

'This is ridiculous.'

'Now.'

'No.'

'NOW!!'

'Ok, ok. calm down. we don't want to blow a gas- MARY MOTHER OF ALL OF NAZARETH! What is this angle gracing my tongue!'

'Told you.'

'Ok you did, but still we need to think about our predicament here.'

'Haven't we spent like a minute talking to our self already. I say we just do the suspicious thoughts method.'

'You do have a point.'

'Of course I do. Now to more important matters, is that cinnamon I'm tasting.' As he starts to come back to reality, his ears hear talking. Now he was curious, so he tries adjusting his out of focus eyes. Slowly the picture come into focus, as does the chatter.

Now circling the table were six figures, instead of the one that was there when he spaced out. All looking at him with expressions of curiosity, apathy, glitter(that can't be right, but...... her eyes are literately glittering at him. Hmm, maybe glowing is the right term.), caution, interest, and........sheer.......happiness. His chewing became slower and slower, but never stopping as he recognized who they were. Even in the face of danger, he would still be munching on the delectable delights.

The purple one, or as you liked calling her 'The Warden', spoke, "Shadow spot is it?" He nods in response, because his mouth is currently occupied at the moment, "Fluttershy was telling us about you and how you've been friends since flight school." At this he looks at the timid pegasus at the corner of the table, and catches a quick wink before her normal stoic expression reappears.

He just nods again.

"I still don't see how I don't know him. I made it my personal goal to challenge and beat everyone at that academy, and I don't even remember hearing about you." The poly-chromatic pegasus states. He just gives her a quick questioning glare, still chewing.

"Why dontcha talk?" AJ asked.

He just made his chewing more pronounced, hopefully to get the point across. Just as he did however, he felt and involuntary throat movement and all the food in his mouth just moved down his throat to his stomach. He glances around frantically and sees a slight purple glow fading from around the unicorns horn.

"DID YOU JUST MAKE ME SWALLOW?!?!" He exasperates, but before the mare in question could answer, a pink blurr of sugar appeared in his vision, and again he is staring into vast blue eyes. However, before he dazes off again, hes snapped out of his slight trance by an onslaught of questions,

"Are you new here? You must b new here, because I know everypony here, and I don't know you. SO that means you haven't had a surprise 'Welcome to Ponyville' party. Aww it can't be a surprise now, because you know. Unless I'm super sneaky, and-" She was cut off by a purple hoof that clogged her mouth, but did little to prevent the muffled noise still coming out.

"Anyways, IT's nice to meet you Shadow Spot." She wasn't met with a reply however, as Shadow had already bitten another biscuit. This was going to take awhile.

Author's Note

Long time no see. I'm so sorry about the delay, but with the new semester starting up, having another niece born, studying like crazy for my AP classes, my unrelenting apathy, and procrastination skills I just didn't find the time. Anyways, I'm going to be writing more often. Also brownie points to anyone who can say where the quote "DID YOU JUST MAKE ME SWALLOW?!?!"
is from (answer, but cast your vote before you see it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibfbq1kdF2M)

Assimilation and cupcakes pt2

Fluttershy's cabin with the Main six and Shadow Spot at the table:

The entire conversation had been a constant back an forth between Rainbow Dash and Shadow, and Shadow didn't even talk. He was just happily munching away on the seemingly endless supple of biscuits set on the table, while Rainbow continued to question his story. It wasn't until Fluttershy spoke up that the seemingly hostile nature Dash was emitting got cancelled out.

"Um, Dash. He was in the lower level flying classes, so you wouldn't have challenged him because he was a relatively weak flyer like me at the time."

Dash seemed to accept that response and stopped questioning the poorly threaded story, much to the changlings relief. Normal table talk took place with everyone involved, with the exception of the one stallion in the room. Who was still chewing on the biscuits much to everyone annoyance, as they tried to get him to talk more about himself.

Eventually however he ran out of biscuits to use to shield away from conversation. Applejack was the first to speak after realizing that he had no more biscuits to hide behind, metaphorically speaking.

"So what's the occasion to visit little old Ponyville, Shadow?"

'What do we do now? We've run out of food.'

'I say we ask for some more.'

'But what about the question Applejack asked us?'

'Ohh, yeah. We should probably come up with a solution for that too.'

'Wha.....ARGGG! Never mind. I'll just wing it.'

"Do you really need an occasion to visit an old friend?" Shadow says as he scans the table for any more food, but just sees empty bowls and bread crumbs.

"I guess not, but it does seem kinda weird to visit out of the blue." Twilight says with a pondering look and tone.

'Shit, they're not gonna buy it.'

'What do we do? Their going to see right through us and we don't have anymore food.'

'Can you forget about the food for one second.'

'And what? Think only about our inevitable doom? I'll stick with the happy thoughts.'

"Well if you must know, I got disowned by my family," Shadow says twisting the truth of the recent past. Technically he banished himself so they wouldn't be tracked, but it's basically the same principal, "So I came to Ponyville to see the world a bit more," still technically true seeing as that was his first reason for coming here originally, "And by happenstance, I ran across Fluttershy. I wasn't planning on saying anything because It's really humiliating. Even she didn't know until right now."

'That was the best damn twisted truth I've ever seen you spin.'

'I try.'

Surprisingly enough the first person to respond was Fluttershy. Everyone else just looked to Applejack who gave a slight nod showing she saw no signs of deceit.

"You were what?!?!" Fluttershy's timid and craven demeanor gone as she head this. "Why didn't you tell me in the first place? I know you just meet me again," the first time meating was in the field so this wasn't exactly a lie, "But you could have still told me." She seemed visibly hurt, which was kinda strange seeing as she had known him for roughly a few hours, fewer if you count the time he was just wake. I guess it was that fact that it just went against her very nature to do something so unbelievable unkind.

"I just didn't really wan't anyone else to know." Shadow said. Considering not even his family knew, it was a safe bet to say that was the truth.

"I guess I could understand that, but I can't believe anyone would do something so cruel, harsh, nasty, heartless, uncaring, savage, inhumane, brutal, unfriendly, unkind to you." Yep, that was definitely against Fluttershy's nature, or she was by far one of the best actors Shadow had ever seen. Which isn't saying much because he's known only twenty two other changlings besides himself.

The room was filled with silence after that, everyone was just looking at the faded blue stallion as he gently pawed the spoon in front if him, not even sparing a glance to anyone else present. He was just so lost in his own thoughts. Mostly about his family, but some about why the bowl in front of him was empty. A few minutes past before the veil of silence was lifted by a gentle, curious voice coming from the most surprising candidate.

"Why did they do it?" The poly chromatic mare asked. Her voice showed no intent to hurt him, or even agitate him. They were meant to just sate a curiosity, but also be a little bit comforting. Not by the words themselves, but by the way she said it.

Shadow slowly raised his head to look her in the eye, everyone in the eyes, then just slowly lowered his head again. The despair and sadness radiating off of him was eminence. Even Pinkies mane was lightly depressed, not by much, buy you could see the faintest loss of volume.

"I really, really don't want to talk about it." Shadow didn't have to twist the truth or think of some sort of witty way around the question, because that was the absolute truth. He had almost hurt the people he held most dear to him, even if he didn't intend to. He caused them to leave their home, uproot their lives, and leave. Possibly forever, because he didn't think things through. He put his own wants above every other priority. He could have stayed in the forest clearing and thought things through, or just not went strait home. Every other option but the one he choose seemed to have a better outcome.

No one responded to that, but instead Shadow silently excused himself and left the room. Left the house. Because you know what he had done? He had left his life.

Author's Note

I'm back. I'm so sorry, but I completely forgot about this story. It wasn't until my cousin asked me about it did I remember that I hadn't wrote in forever. Now I'm going to rectify that mistake. My first try was really messed up. The second try didn't seem to fit, but my third try seemed acceptable, so tell me what you think.

Like always, leave any comments, questions, or concerns below and have a good day/night- A Friend :twilightsmile:

P.S. I did a rough editing, so please point out any and all mistakes you might come across. Thanks.