The Strange and Abusive Tale of Defect Reject

Chapters

Chapter 1: Awakening
Chapter 2: Twisted Teachings
Chapter 3: Fate
Chapter 4: Freedom
Chapter 5: Yearning to Belong
Chapter 6: Travels Abroad

Chapter 1: Awakening

It awoke to the sound of talking around it while blinking it's eyes open. It felt an uncomfortable feeling against it as it was tugged against a hard, cold floor of rough stone. As it slowly traveled in a syncopated, jerky rhythm it heard a scraping noise. Just as soon as it had started the tugging motion halted and it was allowed to drop fully and harshly to the ground. Barely aware of what it was or where, it heard harsh, braying voices and opened it's eyes to see, only to find a bright light focused on it which caused it to blink continually.

Noises were heard all around as though it were the center of attention. It tried to comprehend what each noise was, and slowly tow voices became distinct though still unfathomable. If focused on the noises which were producing words and it concentrated its efforts in an attempt to figure out what the words were, what they meant and who or what they were discussing. “Your Majesssssssssssssty” one thing said “We found thisssssssss one in the hatching chamber... he'ssssssss different from the normal ones” He? He was a he? What's a he?

“Different how subject?” the other voice asked as he tried forcing his eyes open again

“The usssssssssssual way your Majesssssssssty. With no horn. No mind" No mind?

How could they say that when he was using it right now? Thought the lights caused stabbing pain in his head whenever he opened his eyes his need to know what was going on around him finally overcame his desire for comfort and he forced them open. What he saw gave him no comfort.

“No...” the voice said as he looked up and saw a green and black looking creature with holes in it and things coming out of it's head. “This one's alive. Look at it again!” it yelled at the other creature as he was suddenly, forcefully pulled and eyes opened fully with a hard and careless hoof

“You're right your Majessssssssssssssty” “Of course I'm right! I'm QUEEN Chrysalis!” she howled at the subject. Queen Chrysalis? What was a queen? What did any of this mean?

“What ssssssssshould we do with it?” the subject asked as both of them looked at Queen Chrysalis.

The Queen was silent for a thought filled moment. “This... this is something unprecedented... most of them born this way can't survive without the horn... it connects all the minds together into the hive mind and gives us changelings our powers.... You. Defective one.” she said while pointing her hoof at him as the subject pushed him forward. “Can you understand what we're saying?” she asked.

He tried to talk but mainly made gurgling and growling noises. He swallowed, tilted his head and finally rasped “Y.....yes” he was able to finally gurgle and sputter out. What was that noise he made? But he didn't have time for that as she continued to speak

"Good. We have no use for a changeling that can't be of some use to the empire. MY empire." she said through fierce flashing eyes and a haughty smirk."How much can you understand of what we're saying?" she said looking intently at him.

The feeling that he was being graded as thought he were... meat. That was the word. Just a sack of meat made him shudder. Nothing more then to use for her own will however she saw fit "U....understand?" he was able to get out after much pushing and trying to form the words in his mind as he spoke them

The queen looked at him with contempt. "Not very much it would seem... without the hive mind it appears as if you're not fully up to speed like the rest of my Changeling's... this may not do at all... in fact... you'd probably be rejected by the rest of them for how... unlike them you are..." she said as she turned her back on him, deciding his fate.

"However... seeing as you're not dead... yet. Their may be some use to you still." She slowly walked over to him to investigate him some more as she roughly pushed him over as he stumbled and fell on his face while she laughed at his misfortune "Pick yourself up." she said as she walked back to where she had begun her musing over what to do with him, unconcerned over any pain she had caused him.

"Changelings of no use to me are quickly disposed of" she said as she transformed into something he didn't recognize as he stumbled back upon his hindquarters and fell over out of shock of her transforming into something completely different. She looked white now and with wings that looked different from before... feathers he recalls. That's what the wings have now, feathers. Along with long flowing multicolor hair that seemed like it glistened as if in... sunlight. He was starting to recall more words slowly, possibly from when he was being born and a part of the... hive mind she had said?

"You. Defective changeling." she said pointing at him "This is one of my biggest enemies, and also a potential supply for food for all of my changelings. Finding a way into her kingdom would be most beneficial. To all of us. The less love we can consume the weaker we are, which means less we can take over. Transform into what I am now or be taken away. This is your only chance to prove you have any use to us." she hissed at him.

Transform? How do I do that he thought sweating buckets as he frantically panicked, what was that she said earlier... dispose of him? Like destroy him?!?!? He didn't want that! He had just begun his life! He didn't even know what life was or anything meant yet! "5" Queen Chrysalis said as he looked at the back of her hoof. Almost positive that she knew nothing would come from this defective changeling.

"4" the clock was on now he thought to himself as he tried to rack his brain for what little he knew about... changelings? They were changelings right? They could transform into... into other things! That's what they could do! It's how she had transformed into this other thing! "3" she said not looking up from her hoof sighing "You're not making a good case for yourself here" she said as she motioned for three subjects to enter the room. Not brandishing weapons but transforming their own body parts into weapons! "2" Okay. Now was the time. Now or never! He thought to himself as he closed his eyes concentrating hard trying to remember something. Anything from the time before now. He felt his forehead start to flicker and burn as he smelt smoke and brimstone all around him, his head felt like it was about to burst open as he felt his body transform slowly, but steadily with popping noises and loud cracks in the air as finally after about 20 seconds of exhaustion, concentration and panting he was able to transform into the thing Queen Chrysalis was as she transformed back.

He staggered around a bit tired and worn out from transforming "Well, well..." she said looking over him "This IS a surprise... even if it did take you more then 5 seconds to transform" she said. "If you hadn't shown any sign of transforming at the 1 second mark you would be DEAD." at the moment she hissed at him "But as is... we can see if you can be put of some use somewhere" she smirked "After all... no other changeling without a horn has lived... and no changeling without a horn has been able to transform either..." she said as a loud cracking noise popped and he transformed back panting on the ground collapsed and slowly losing consciousness as he tried to force himself awake

"But it doesn't as though you can stay transformed for that long however... we'll have to see if putting you with... some changeling to watch you... teach you... mold you." she said as she kicked his conscious losing body. "For now however... I think we have the perfect name for you... and how to brand you for all others to see." she said with a wicked grin as she walked over to a fire a pulled out two long iron sticks as she warped it with magic. "Yes... these will do nicely..." she said more to herself as he transformed them into two brands. One with a D. The other with an R. "Let all know that this changeling is defective when they walk past him and see his name branded onto each side of him!" she laughed evilly "Let all changelings know he is also supposed to be rejected from all society! His name is!" she screamed as she first branded the D on each side of him "DEFECT" the pain was unbearable for him to stand! But he couldn't make any noises as he was still unable to do anything due to him changing! "REJECT!" she howled with laughter as she branded the R onto both side of him searing away at his changeling flesh making the smell of burning meat come from his own as he finally passed out from the pain and exhaustion of that ordeal. He was alive alright. But he wondered right before he passed out... did he really want to be?

Chapter 2: Twisted Teachings

Defect Reject awoke with a sharp pain in his side and a splash of water in his face as he groggily blinked his eyes open. "Good. You're awake" said an unfamiliar voice as he opened his eyes to see two other changelings in front of him "Where... where am I?" he asked, looking around.

"Ssstill in the changeling cassstle" said the one on the left as Defect Reject looked around "More ssspecifically the dungeons" said the other changeling with a grin "It'sss a ssspecially ressserved place where enemiesss of the changeling empire are put and asss of now defect'ssss" he said while he kicked Defect Reject in the face sending him crashing into the wall with a broken bloody nose as some dust rose up from the spot he'd been kicked to.

Tears formed in Defect Reject's eyes but he didn't have time to cry as the other changeling came up and smacked his head against the wall making stars appear around his head and blood trickle from the point of impact "Rule number one defect!" he yelled at him "Changeling'sss don't ssshow emotionsss because we don't have them!" he said as punched the other changeling into another wall. He got up brushed himself off and licked his lips "The ressst of usss are part of a hive mind! We all follow Queen Chrysssalis'sss order and think as she does." he spat as he spat on Defect Reject and then rubbed it on his face "Which isss why we're here" he said with an evil grin. "We get to teach you how to be... more like usss" he said as he shoved him further upon the ground "We don't have namesss. Unless you're a personal favorite of the Queen or... a Defect. Like you."

"You can refer to usss asss... Pain and Torture" he said with an evil grin "Becaussse believe you and me" he said looking into Defect Reject's eyes "You'll be getting plenty of that. We've been told to make sssure you underssstand just what it means to be a changeling" he said as he bashed Defect's Head against the wall, with more stars forming around his head and his vision going hazy from all the head trauma's he'd sustained "Now pay attention" he growled at Defect Reject "We're not here to be your friend'ssss none of usss are. We're only here to make sssure you can be valuable to the Queen."

"Now let usss begin." he said as he looked into his eyes fiercely. "And if we think you're not paying attention well... Torture hitsss much worssse then I do." he said with an evil laugh "So pay clossse attention if you want to live." Defect Reject looked at both of them and nodded his head as he payed close attention to what they had to say. They told him of how what Queen Chrysalis said was true. They require to feed off of love in order to sustain themselves. The thing he'd transformed into... which he found out during his lesson was an alicorn. Leader of all ponies named Princess Celestia and she was the enemy of Queen Chrysalis as well as the biggest person that the changelings could feed off of. All of her subjects loved and adored her. Which is why Queen Chrysalis wanted to capture Equestria and feed off it's energy for all of her changeling army. To conquer the world.

True to their word as well whenever he started to daze off he was awakened. Fiercely and painfully. Pain hadn't lied to him. Torture hurt much worse. Cracking ribs, bloody body parts, new wounds opening upon old ones as they oozed puss and blood, as he screamed in pain from the abuse he endured with each hit. They also made sure to keep good on Queen Chrysalis's promise. He would know he was the lowest changeling in the whole kingdom. But she had already ensured that. All he had to do was look at his flank, remember the pain of being branded and the pain of everything in this kingdom and that no changeling, none liked him here. He was only alive because for some reason unbeknownst to the rest of the changelings their Queen had a plan for him. A way for him to be useful before finishing him off.

After they had finished their education of changeling society they left him alone for the night. Wrapped in manacles with no way to move as he was strung against the wall. All the broken bones and ribs in his body aching with pain as his wounds continued to ooze into the night, slowly patching themselves as best they could for him. They did at least tend to his broken bones before they left. A changeling that couldn't move was a changeling of use to them. They would take weeks to heal he was told. But that alone was more of a gift then he deserved. He wasn't dead.

For the next week he was left alone in the cell in complete darkness as he wounds attempted to heal and fester in certain places. He wondered what else they could have in store for him as he felt his body get weaker from hunger. Hunger? Didn't they feed off love? That was given to them from Queen Chrysalis? He wasn't sure why but he definitely was getting hungrier. At least for the week where he was hanging in the dungeon in the manacles he had time to think to himself. He really wasn't sure what to think though... after having being born and then being trashed and almost killed warped his mind a little. He... he was uncomfortable with the though but he felt as if he was different somehow... but he didn't know how or know if he really wanted to know how. As much as every changeling despised him... he did want to be accepted somehow... someway...

While he was in these thoughts he was suddenly smacked in the face with a hoof bringing his attention back to reality "You. Defect. Training time." Pain and Torture both said as they grinned evilly at him "Queen Chrysssalisss told usss to work on your transssformation technique. Give you sssome more practice" they said as they undid the manacles as Pain transformed into a pony. "Now." Pain said as he glared looking at him. He caught his breath looked at how Pain looked closed his eyes and concentrated on the pony he was now. He felt the feel of his forehead flicker again, as if peeling away skin along with the smell of smoke and brimstone again as he started sweating to keep concentrating as he heard the pops and crackles like last time and as if his body was about to burst until finally he was able to transform panting and opening his eyes.

"Good.... good." Pain said looking over Defect Reject and walking around making sure every part of him had been fully transformed. "And holding the form longer then the lassst one too... from what the Queen said you nearly lossst it as soon asss you had gained it..." he said as he pushed him over onto the ground. He was still transformed for now but for how much longer he didn't know... he could feel his consciousness slowly slipping away from over exhaustion of transforming... he saw one last thing above him before he passed out. "Looksss like you're asss ready asss you will be." Pain said laughing easily smashing his hoof against his face losing consciousness again from the impact

Chapter 3: Fate

Seven years later and Defect Reject still wasn't a normal part of changeling society. Not that this truly surprised him, the queen had made it very clear on his first day that he'd never be accepted. She'd made sure he wouldn't too he thought as he looked back at his flank where he'd been branded by her.

Still... he had gotten used to it. At least, used to the beatings, the pain and fact that he was different from every other changeling there. He was used to the beatings and being different in particular, would be hard to since at least once a day on the sly or after a beating he heard "You're lucky to be alive." It was the Queen's cruel idea of a joke to remind him he was alive only because of her.

While he didn't consider himself "lucky" like he was reminded every day, he did realize he was learning more and more from each day. Not just about changeling society but about himself as well. He'd learned a lot more about his role here, he was the lowest end of the food chain cleaning up after any messes made and beaten, bloodied and bruised by any changeling that felt like it. He'd gotten used to that too oddly enough. With all the beatings he sustained and broken bones it made his will stronger to continue and the pain from such occurrences not nearly so painful anymore. In fact he'd found if he acted it out worse then what they actually did they stopped sooner because it looked like he'd had enough after a few blows. Little did they know that it didn't really hurt anymore, from his skin and bones toughening up from each cut, bruise and broken bone they gave him.

With how much he gotten hurt as well he'd learned how to mend his wounds with first aid, he almost wasn't able to fix the time a rib went through his skin during his first year. After that he started learning how to tend to wounds so they hurt less and healed faster with whatever he had available. Looking for unused paths and areas by the changelings was a high priority too. The less of them there were in an area the less beatings he took, while he may have gotten used to them it didn't mean he wanted experience them every day. That's where he was today actually. A small secluded area that in past two years since he'd found it he hadn't seen another changeling once come here. It was a little tricky to get to with all the rubble here but he'd found a way. He also didn't come here except on days he just wanted to think and be alone. Out of fear that another changeling might see him come in here and ruin how special it was to him. Didn't hurt that he had a view of the sky from here too so he could looks out at the clouds or stars and just think.

He'd found out just how different he truly was from all of the changelings over the years too. The Queen hadn't been lying when she'd told him he was defective from the rest. But he was glad. Even with all the abuse, he didn't have to be linked with the rest of their vile evil thoughts, bent on consuming love and destroying everything until all things were changeling. He was sickened every time he remembered he was one... he took quite a bit of solace every time he found another way he was different though. That did help him remain a little more sane each day, he thought as he took out some moldy bread and stagnant water. It wasn't much for food but considering that every other changeling ran off of power from Queen Chrysalis and he ran off of actual food and drink... he made do with what few scraps he could find in the lands around the castle. He'd found out the hard way too. Just like he did with everything here after having passed out during his third week and feeling a pain in his stomach he didn't recognize he figured he could try and see if eating solved it. Thankfully it did, he was more pony then changeling he thought to himself as he chuckled and kept staring at the sky.

He also let out a long sigh when he though of how else he was similar to the ponies. Even though he tried not to show his emotions around the changelings since all other changelings were part of the hive mind and didn't display their feelings he found it a lot harder. Especially after Fluffy Bottompants. He sniffled back a tear after he remembered Fluffy. Queen Chrysalis came to check in on him at random since he had a designated place he needed to return each night otherwise... he'd get in trouble. A worse beating then he usually happened to get and... the one he got for finding a rabbit and trying to keep him a secret had been the worse one yet. It still remained to this day the worst one thankfully, he never made the same mistake twice. Especially after that day.

He'd found Fluffy Bottompants alone in a field his second year after being born and took him home with him hiding him in a black beaten up cloak he'd found a few months before so no other changelings could notice him. He'd wanted to bring him home as a friend... he'd been lonely here and just wanted someone or something that could understand how he felt or talk to. Just... someone that actually cared and was willing to listen. That is until Queen Chrysalis's first unexpected visit... which was to disclose the usual how he was worthless and how lucky he was alive. Along with to tell him one other piece of news. The only bright side of that day had been that news because afterwards... it went down hill very fast. The only bright side he'd gotten was one more piece of news that he was different from changelings. Unlike other changelings he hadn't been born straight into an adult, for whatever reason he grew as how a pony should. Queen Chrysalis mumbled under her breath that he was the last of a failed experiment and the only one to survive which combined some parts of a pony with a changeling. So he'd been born as a how a pony would've been after 1 years. Just with much more intelligence after having been connected to the hive mind for a time. Which meant he was technically 2 at the time. But now he was 8 in pony years and according to what he'd learned right around the time a pony got their... cutie mark? Whatever that was.

But... back to what he was thinking about... after she'd delivered that piece of news she had unfortunately noticed Fluffy, which wasn't hard sadly now that he thought about it. Seeing as how he'd been trying to shove him away underneath some hay that happened to be close by. Once she saw him however... she'd become furious. Tossing him to the side and causing him to hit the wall head first dazed and seeing stars. Again. Whenever he had a dealing with her it seemed this was when he had the worst time, and this time turned out no different as she dragged him into the dungeons kicking him the entire way breaking bones hearing them crack and creak as he was dragged along and cutting open his skin as they went along. She manacled him once they got their and left him for a week in the dark as she said she'd be back after she'd figured out a punishment that befit what he'd done. After she'd figured out something she came back down... and brought Fluffy Bottompants along with her, and a few guards that as soon as they entered began kicking him. He kept losing his breath and barely able to regain it again with how much they varied where they were punching him after five minutes he was bleeding from mouth one black eye and had cracked his bones again while he oozed from his previous wounds as he panted.

He looked up at Queen Chrysalis through his one eye he could see as she smiled at him petting the rabbit while she looked over him. Even to this day he remembered the words she'd said to him... doubtful that he'd ever forget "You know you're the lowest piece of trash I've ever let live" she said while she continued to pet his rabbit. "You just wanted company? I know you were taught better then that. You're not supposed to have feelings." she said while staring at him coldly "It seems like you'll have to be retaught that" she said as she snapped the rabbits neck and laughed. Defect Reject felt a tear falling down his cheek but made sure it was the only tear. He knew that if he showed anymore emotion it would be much worse for him, and possibly much worse for Fluffy as well. She saw he was staying strong so she smacked his face before having her guards take the manacles off him. "You'd do well to remember this" she said as she left. Defect Reject looked at the now lifeless body of Fluffy Bottompants and waited for her to leave. Once she did he gave him one last hug and buried him, patching his wounds after having buried him and remembering one thing. No one here was his friend as he hobbled to his shack.

But that had been then, he'd learned a lot since then he said while he sighed and kept looking at the sky. He knew he didn't belong here... but he didn't know where he DID belong either. "I just wish their was someplace somebody... anybody would except me for whom I was" he sighed as he rubbed the cuts and bruises from today. Just as he was thinking this he looked up at the sky and saw a bright flash of color coming from a direction. He flew up to where the hole was in the ceiling trying not to get more attention he looked at it and saw it was coming from one specific direction. As... if it was coming from something as it just kept expanding he just kept staring in amazement at it. It was so pretty and calming, and he felt like it was telling him what he should do next. "I... I don't belong here" he said while hypnotized by how awesome the bright shine of light was almost like a rainbow created... "I need to find a way to leave." he mumbled to himself

He flew back down so no other changeling would notice him as he peeked his head out making sure no other changeling be close by. "I need to go and find ponies... I'm more like them anyways, maybe... maybe I can make friends with them. Find someplace I'd be accepted out their." he said quietly as he rejoined with the rest of changelings making his way to his shack, where he'd been forced to return to at nights but he was done with that now. He was breaking out of here tonight. Someway... that rainbow had shown him what he needed to do. He needed to go and find a way to make other peoples lives better, not worse like Queen Chrysalis was so insisting upon doing. "I'll leave tonight" he said to himself as he entered his shack and grabbed his cloak he'd found long ago. He knew it would be hard for ponies to accept him with how changelings had treated ponies.

He waited until night when all the other changelings had lain down for the night, peeking out from his shack making sure no others were awake or coming. Just as he was getting ready to leave Queen Chrysalis came in for the random check. Of course she came in tonight he groaned silently. It had to be the night he was running away, the one where he could possibly get killed. "Going somewhere?" she asked looking at him coldly, he froze up for a second not sure what to say to her before saying "Yes... I'm... I'm leaving." he told her as he tried to walk past her as her neck kind of snapped into position. "Leaving? No one leaves from my empire." she said smacking him against the wall "I should kill you where you lay..." she said as he got back up and shook himself off.

"I'm leaving." was all he said again as he walked past her She thought for a moment before she grinned and knew what to say "Leave then." she said looking at him coolly as he walked out the door. "But... one should never dance with the devil in pale moonlight" she snarled at him as he'd already left his shack "Goodbye Defect Reject. I won't be seeing you again. Nor will anyone else. Guards. Do as you please with him" she said cackling at him with a howling laughter. He took off with blast of speed. He knew if he couldn't get past the gate their would be no chance for him now! He turned his head and saw 10 of her best guards following him maybe more. The cloak was the only thing he had with him and he wasn't turning back now. It was only death back their now, a possible start with ponies that one day may come to understand him out that gate.

He ran as fast as his legs and hooves could carry him into the night, he couldn't outrun them forever he had to find a way to loose them but he was making progress at least he'd made it out of the gate. He heard horns blaring though from behind him as he kept running, as long as one changeling knew he was their he'd never get away! He ran into the forest just running, running anywhere he could he had to get away! He turned his head around to see how close they were, they were gaining on him slowly but surely... they were gaining. He saw to his right a ravine and gulped. He only had one chance at this, he hoped it worked as he jumped off the ravine sliding his way down using his wings to steady himself on the way down. He was hoping they wouldn't follow him as slipped and slid his way down tripping a few times thankfully able to regain his balance. He hit a big rock at the bottom and wasn't able to regain his balance and smashed face first into the ground panting for breath. He looked back and saw them still pursuing going down the ravine like it was a playground to them.

Panting for breath and tired he pulled himself to his feet and kept running, he saw the forest from up top slowly creepy it's way down and merge with the other side of the forest it had originally been a part of up top. He kept running up until he hit the forest and then a hoof smacked him right in the back of the head and he fell over onto his back. All ten of the Queen's guards had caught him. He had nowhere else to go or run to as they started beating him slowly to death, breaking every last bone in his body and opening his old wounds and inflicting new ones, he started gasping for breath as his vision started going hazy as they made blood bleed ooze from everywhere, he knew he didn't have a chance the moment he saw her that night... as he started to black out the changelings stopped beating him. They knew he'd die here, he was beaten, broken, and bruised on his back and couldn't move a single part of his body. They spat on his body as they left "You were lucky to be alive. Now you're just dead" they said as they returned to the changeling kingdom. The last thing he said before he breathed his last with his bones broken bleeding and his body oozing was "At... at least I die a free changeling." he coughed up blood as his vision fades for the last time. "A changeling... with a dream."

Chapter 4: Freedom

He woke up coughing and sputtering blood and wheezing for air as he looked around himself as best he could with both eyes black and blue. He couldn't see anyone else around him as he coughed up a little more blood and noticed it was raining and thundering around him. He opened his mouth and let the rain flow in and washed the blood out best he could before he vomited on himself a little releasing more blood upon him. Well... at least he was alive and it was raining he thought as he kept wheezing for air, somehow... somehow he was alive, despite what had been a beating that should've killed any changeling... or pony else.

He kept trying to stay quiet just in case some changelings were close by as he tried to look around best he could... he didn't think he recognized the place he'd run to. The vegetation was to green and alive to be anywhere close by... he had gotten free from the changeling kingdom! He was a free changeling! He never had to be beaten again harmed or "Unnnnnnnnngh" he grimaced in pain as he was thinking this. He had to survive this first... just because he wasn't dead didn't mean he wasn't in the clear. He looked over his body noticing large cuts bruises and just felt some places bleeding since the rain was washing it away.

He tried rolling over onto his front but let out a loud yelp of pain as he panted from the sharp stabbing pain in his right side, that wasn't going to work. He thought about what he could do until he suddenly realized he was a changeling. Maybe... maybe he could change into somepony... anypony else and that might work. He had gotten a little better at transforming over the years, while he still took about 10 seconds to actually transform he could actually hold a transformation for about five minutes. It seemed each year that went along he was able to stay transformed for another 40 seconds or so, nothing truly game breaking but it helped a bit. Until he passed out from exhaustion that is. Suddenly that plan seemed to be lacking a lot of intelligence... if he passed out from exhaustion that might be the final straw and his body could give out... plus he wasn't even sure if changing would help... he might just be in another ponies skin with the same wounds.

He laid there for a second while he tried to figure out what to do, while the rain had helped him initially and still would for a while in case some changelings did come this way it wasn't going to help him not catch pneumonia. He sighed as he tried his left side and that seemed to hurt a lot less then his right side. He applied a little more pressure on it as he flipped himself and slammed his right side against the ground and screamed in pain and sucked in air from a sudden shock while breathing rapidly. He grimaced in pain and kept sucking in breath, well... that had sucked. A lot. But at least he was on his stomach now able to pull himself forward as he moved his legs and tried to pull, while feeling a sharp pain in all four of his legs and letting out another loud yell.

Well... that wasn't going to work as he looked down at his broken legs and body, he could heal this but he'd need fresh water and food. He just needed to find a way to move to a place that was quiet and away from any changelings, or ponies or anything that might try to kill him. He tried to shake his wings off a little bit since they were muddy after having lain on his back for... how long had he been unconscious? He looked around it looked like it was still night but... was it the next night? Had he been asleep for a full day? Wait... his wings... did... did they still work? He tried flying with his wings lightly... ever so lightly that way he didn't hurt the rest of his broken bruised and battered body. And was able to lift himself off the ground! When Queen Chrysalis's guards had been attempting to beat him to death they must've missed his wings since he was on his back!

At least he had some good news among everything that had happened recently, or in the past seven years! He was free and able to get himself albeit slowly and carefully with the rest of his body aching in agony and pain somewhere safe and where he could recover. But he'd have to fly low and slow... he could tell even when he's first lifted that it was draining his energy quite fast... the sooner he found a place to rest and recover the better. He started to fly forward slowly and carefully, grimacing in pain whenever his body touched the ground or hit a tree when he stumbled a bit while flying. It was tougher to keep his body in the air then he'd been expecting... but at least he was making progress. He flew further and further away from the ravine as it connected and the forest came more together up hill. It was calm here, it helped relax his weary body a little bit.

He flew slowly for about 5-6 miles just trying to put as much distance as he could between Queen Chrysalis and himself, he was done being beaten, harassed, tormented and presumably lied to. He winced in pain from time to time as he was flying his body getting more and more tired, flying was putting a bigger strain on his body then he had thought it would. He needed to find a place to rest he thought while he was panting and sweating a little, this probably wasn't doing any favors on him for recovering either he thought sadly. Just then he heard a noise in the bushes and looked up to see a rabbit scamper about nearby a briar patch when it suddenly noticed Defect Reject and scampered into the patch, into an area he wouldn't have noticed otherwise. It looked like a small opening where the rabbit could easily fit into but himself... he wasn't entirely certain about himself, if he could it would be a pretty safe place to recover for a while he thought. It was well covered and looked like it was pretty big from the outside.

It couldn't hurt to try... but it was most likely going to be excruciatingly painful. He knew he couldn't get in their except by crawling... not unless he wanted to destroy his wings... he sighed as he got as close to the briar patch as he could and let his body slowly to the ground. He let out another small yelp from the pain on his legs, he needed to crawl through this... on all four broken legs somehow then he'd be safe enough where he could rest and heal up. He could do this! He moved his right front leg forward and hissed in the pain from it but bit his bottom lip as he continued with his left front leg afterwards. Then his right back leg, then the left back leg. Right side, left side, right side, left side, getting a few more cuts in new places, reopening some wounds that had already healed and just cutting a little deeper from still open wounds as he continued past the briar thorns.

Each foot forward was like a fresh new wave of agony hitting him, putting pressure on his broken and limp body inching forward little by little he looked forward though and saw an opening in another 30 or so feet! He'd already gone 50 feet he could do this, he was really glad he'd seen where the rabbit had gone into or he'd never have seen the opening. He should be safe enough here, for now at least time to recover and think about what he wanted to do next. But he needed to actually make it first, and he still had another 10 feet to go, his body was aching, begging him to please stop it couldn't take it any more he was putting to much of a strain on his old wounds and opening new wounds. Right as his body couldn't take it anymore though, he made it, he'd made it further then he thought he could've his body had held out and it was going to be okay!

He looked around himself and let out a small gasp. It was beautiful.... their was a sparkling lake in the middle of the briar patch, fresh grass and berries all around him and everything looked... looked so alive! Their was animals all around too, birds, rabbits, foxes, bats, bears and some animals he didn't even recognize here. Most of them were sleeping, he hoped he didn't startle any of them when they woke up... or try to eat them. He somehow didn't think he had to worry about that to much though since all the animals were sleeping in groups close to one another, it seemed like everything was pretty peaceful here he thought to himself as he dragged his body a little further to the water and took some giant gulps from it. He cooled his throat and fixed his quench which he didn't even realize he was so thirsty, but it made sense since he'd pushed his body so hard. He eased his body into the shallow parts of the water keeping his head above since he couldn't really swim at the moment and going in to deep would kill him.

He washed all the mud, dirt, grass, blood, ooze from his body and gunk off while he relaxed for a second just looking at how beautiful it was here. He saw some herbs that should help relax his body from the pain for a while too as he pulled his body back out after 30 minutes and grabbed long leaves that could serve to stop the bleeding. He also grabbed twigs and did his best to make a makeshift cast for his legs. Nothing he could really do for his ribs sadly except let time take it's toll as he crawled slowly over to a berry bush and ate some berries to keep up his strength. He munched on the berries, and some grass for a while just thinking back upon the last 48 hours of his life... he had survived... barely, but it meant a new start. He could do whatever he wanted now, and while his wounds would take a long... long time to fully recover he had time now. He was a free changeling.

He noticed the morning sun start to peak it's head past the darkness of the night, he didn't want to bother any of the animals so he found a patch where no one was and laid down. Watching as the animals started to wake and stir and notice him but leave him be, even the bears and foxes whom could make a quick lunch of him left him be, even with all the animals differences none of them wanted anything but to be peaceful. It was truly a blessed place he thought as he double checked all the herbs he'd applied and make shift cast as he ate some of the herbs to let his mind drift into a peaceful sleep. He'd stay here for a while with all these animals he thought wearily... recover, try to figure out what to do next and after that... find a pony town that would accept him as he was and what purpose he had in life. It was a nice thought... and for the first time ever he drifted off to sleep with a big grin on his face. He was lucky to be alive.

Chapter 5: Yearning to Belong

It was one year later and all of Defect Reject's wounds had healed, they had actually all healed six months ago but he'd come to enjoy the lull of the secluded briar patch. The animals had come to accept him only two weeks in that he wasn't a threat to them and just wanted peace. A peace they could only bring for so long sadly. While he had truly loved living among the animals here interacting with them becoming friends with them, especially the rabbits after having lost Fluffy Bottompants they made him smile. At least Fluffy couldn't be hurt anymore and was in a better place. He loved all the animals here they helped him and he had helped them in return, they had made it so much easier to endure the pain of recovering and once he could, he helped them with any problems they might have.

He looked around at all the animals he'd made friends with while he'd been here and smiled at them enjoying the sounds of the birds and the beauty of the lake. He was going to miss all of them, but he knew in his heart this wasn't where he belonged. Whomever had made that rainbow burst from the sky somehow... somehow he was connected to that, he wasn't sure how or which pony had done it but he knew. For all he knew maybe it was a group of ponies that wanted to be his friend! Better then the alternative... he had to fight them due to them being a plague on pony kind or the world. He chuckled to himself. Ponykind. He didn't think any of them would accept him... a changeling. But he had to try and he was going to start with that rainbow explosion. If only he knew where it had come from originally... he knew the rough area but not exactly where. Somewhere in Celestia's kingdom someone would like him for whom he was... even if he was a changeling.

But that didn't happen to matter at this moment he said coming back to reality as he smiled at the bears he was helping. They'd needed some help collecting some berries for a feast they were having that night and he was more then happy to help them out. He'd gotten to know all the animals here pretty well and hoped that other animals were this easy to communicate with as well outside the briar patch, but he really had liked helping the animals so he figured he could help them as well as any ponies that would let him. He knew tonight would be the last night he'd see these animals for a while or possibly forever so for now, he was content with helping them. They may not be the friends and family he was looking for but they were surely better then his last one.

He looked around at the animals while he kept helping them, he had to leave tonight while they were all asleep he thought as he sniffed back a tear. It had been a good year and he wished he could bring all of the animals with him but... it'd be dangerous out their. Especially since he knew he wasn't too far from changeling territory still, he had to leave not only so he could find ponies to belong with but to save the animals here. Queen Chrysalis didn't know he was alive yet and he wanted to keep it that way... if she ever found him here... well... this wouldn't be a secluded paradise anymore. He tried to make sure to be extra happy around the animals today so they'd be less likely to know his sadness. He'd had to pull back from shedding a tear a time or two while singing with them or talking to them.

The day kept going and whenever he had a chance he made sure to pet the animals or rub the ones he knew best in the places they liked best. He gave the bear he liked most a nice long back massage with his hooves and scratched under the foxes chins where they liked it best. Trying to make this an almost perfect day he kept helping the animals out however he could, until it was time for the sun to start setting. The animals started to wind down for the day as the sun came down and the moon began to rise. He went over to his little hut he had made out of sticks over the last year and started to gather his supplies. His cape was mainly all he had still but he did have a small supply of food and plants that could help him if he got hurt. He hadn't had to use those on himself due to injury from someone else for a long time now, and he was proud of that.

As the moon started to come to it's peak he knew it was time to go as he put the bags of supplies over his back and threw his cloak over his back. He didn't know for certain but... he was pretty sure a lot of ponies wouldn't accept him for whom he was. Even if the cloak was old, ratty, and full of holes it should help him a little bit from a distance so as to lower suspicion. He looked around at the animals sleeping one more time and shed a few tears as he prepared to exit the briar patch the same way he had come in. Just as he was about to start his trek through the briar patch back outside he heard a rustling from behind.

He turned around and looked behind him to see what the rustling noise was and saw all of his favorite animals behind him. He saw all the animals he'd been helping that today all in a big group, some of them with tears in their eyes as the sheep brought forth a new cloak for him. They had even managed to dye it black with the plants they had that way it would help conceal him a little bit more, especially on dark nights. He looked back at all his friends and smiled while he used his hoof to wipe away a tear. "I should've known I couldn't keep a secret from any of you" he said as he went around giving them hugs. He enjoyed all the animals here but these ones were the one's he had gotten closest to and befriended. "I... I don't want to say this will be goodbye forever" he said while he held back his tears looking at all the animals. "But... it may be as well... you've all been great and I want you to know that" he said smiling at the rabbits, bears, chickens, foxes and any other animal that had come. "I don't think I would've lived without finding this place. I know I wouldn't have. I'll always remember all of you but... I need to be with my kind... whatever that is." he told them as he walked past all of them as he finished his hugs for them "But... I think somewhere out theirs a pony... or maybe two that will be my friend." he said smiling at them "And... it's for this reason I must go" he said as he got to the sheep and gave them all a hug as he put on their gift.

"You'll always be my friends" he said smiling "But I must go now" he said looking at all the animals fighting back tears so it wouldn't be any harder for either side "So... this is goodbye my friends. I hope we meet again." he said as he turned his back on the animals. He knew he couldn't look back now or it'd be even harder for him to leave. He knew the road ahead was harder than the life he currently had... but he believed it was a life worth finding and living for. He crouched down to the only opening in the briar patch and started to crawl "Goodbye everyone!" he said choking back tears as he waved his back hoof at them in a final goodbye. He was happy he had gotten to know the animals here he thought to himself as tears dripped down his face. He had learned that their was good in the world... he had always thought so but living among Changelings... sends worries to a different type of changeling.

He finished his crawl out of the briar patch making sure to be careful now to poke any holes in his new cape and checked his surroundings before exiting. He poked his head out quietly... even though no changeling or pony else had found this secret sanctuary yet he wanted to make sure he didn't give it away as he slid carefully and silently out readjusting all the briars as best he could without hurting himself to much. He crawled out and pulled the cloak to his hood over his head. He had a long journey to find what he wanted. He'd better get started now.

Chapter 6: Travels Abroad

After he'd left the briar patch he knew he had to find a pony town, he wasn't going to make friends with ponies any other way he laughed to himself. But... he didn't know where any towns where... this might make it more of a problem to actually find any pony else then he had realized. Seeing as he didn't really happen to know where to go... and going forward would lead him straight back to changeling territory... he shivered at the though of that. He decided to go all away around the briar patch and just keep walking until he found a pony town, or settlement. Anything would really work, he wanted to observe the ponies first, see if their was anyway he could possibly introduce himself to them... without being run out of town for being a changeling. He sighed as he made his way around, it was going to be hard... but he'd known that before leaving all his animals friends. No use in turning back now.

After he had gone around the briar patch to the opposite side he started to walk through the forest just heading in a direction away from where he was. He knew it was going to be hard and not all that prepared, he had his cape a little bit of food he had been able to store but no water. Hopefully he'd be able to find food and fresh water as he traveled across Equestria, otherwise... it was going to be an awfully short journey. On the other hoof however... he thought to himself as he kept looking around at the forest, it was really quite a beautiful place, silence aside from the birds but calm. Back to what he'd been thinking about as he shook his head to clear his thoughts, he had gotten very little food or water back in the changeling empire and had to adjust to that. He was hoping this past year of as much food and water as he'd wanted wouldn't hurt to much, he was also still pretty young so he shouldn't need as much food as ponies, or as changelings he smiled to himself since aside from him no other changeling needed food.

What had once been a cruel irony was now a saving grace he'd realized as he kept walking through the forest and was starting to get more sparse, he looked up at the sky and saw the sun was going down again. He'd had a long day of walking... he had been at it since the night before and although the excitement of finding a place to belong was pumping through his veins he was finally noticing how tired he was. He decided he should set up camp for the night as he found a quiet area with a few trees. It looked like after he exited the forest he would be in some plains for a while, it felt like he had walked at least 120 miles that day. Getting farther away from Queen Chrysalis but getting closer to... wherever he was going seemed like a good idea to him, at least it was somewhere.

He put down what few supplies he did have and looked around, it seemed safe enough, unlikely that aside from him their would be any changelings this far from their kingdom. Unless instructed by Queen Chrysalis, but he wasn't expecting them to come to the middle of nowhere so he suspected he'd be alright. At least it was a full moon tonight he noted as he yawned and the moon came up, he wouldn't need to start a fire which was alright by him. For now the less ponies... or things he attracted the better. As he laid down against the tree he took off his cloak, the further he got away from his animal friends the safer they'd be at least he thought and smiled. He put his cloak back on from his front to act as sort of a blanket and hopefully dissuade anything that may come in the middle of the night. Thankfully he thought as he yawned and started to pass out from dreariness it didn't seem like he would be in any sort of trouble.

He woke up the next morning stretching and yawning underneath his cloak as his legs stretched out from underneath it. He peeked his eyes open as he pulled the cloak off of him, as he'd though nothing had disturbed him during the night. Well... aside from his muscles, after having walked all day yesterday they were burning with pains. But... seeing as how he was in the middle of nowhere he didn't really happen to have the luxury to stop. He grabbed one of the apples he had brought with him as he put back on his few travel bags he'd made and his cape and finished the apple off.

He kept moving the direction he'd been going the night before, he figured he wouldn't have any changeling problems now so that was a blessing he thought as he smiled. Hopefully if a pony did see him they might just mistake him for a pony, since he wasn't a full grown changeling... or pony yet. He wasn't really sure what he should consider himself anymore... seeing as he was part both but most likely more changeling then pony. He aged like a pony did, could partially transform like a changeling did... he just wasn't really certain, all he really knew was that he was 9 in pony years now. A little after they got those cutie mark things.

He chuckled as he looked at his backside as he kept walking, in a cruel sense of irony he'd essentially had a cutie mark almost since he was born. So he was ahead of the curve... in a rather cruel way but still, so far it had proven accurate but he knew somepony out their would appreciate him despite his defects. That made it a lot easier to keep going and a good way to want to find somepony. It was better to have a shred of hope then none at all, at least he reminded himself, the road was long and winding. But at least he had purpose.

A week later he was starting to run low on food, thankfully he was still able to find a few berry patches here and there along with the occasional spring of water. He'd done the same thing every day for the last 8 days and his legs were getting awfully tired of walking all day and having covered close to 960 miles over that amount of time. He had to be getting close to pony civilization soon, he figured... or he was going someplace no pony had ever explored before. He really hoped he wasn't doing that. At least he hadn't had any problems, each night seemed uneventful at least to him since he couldn't really tell while he was asleep. He also didn't feel like he was being followed so that was a bonus as well.

But right as he was having these thoughts he noticed the area around him was getting more... organized, in fact it looked like he was coming upon an old dirt road now. It looked like just a few miles up the road there was some farmlands he thought smiling. After so long for seeing nothing but forests, plains and a swamp as he had passed along in his continual walk it was refreshing to know he was getting closer to civilization. He slowed his pace however from a fast trot to a slow walk, as he thought more and more about whether or not he could actually find anypony to be his friend.

While he had been skeptical before now.... now that he was actually close to pony society it was starting to hit him like a ton of bricks. It could be a whole lot worse then them not liking him... they could hunt him down and kill him at worst case scenario... but if he went back to Queen Chrysalis he would be killed for sure. A possible uncertain death before him or a for certain death behind him... well. Either way didn't look good but... on the bright side the uncertain death before him was that. Although uncertain it was still possible that a pony could like him. And hey as long as one pony did they could convince more and more ponies to like him and maybe... he'd be able to get a friend. Well... one that could actually talk back to him and wasn't an animal.

While he was thinking to himself however he bumped head first into another pony's backside. "Oof!" said the pony in front of him as he fell face forward while Defect Reject was shaken back to reality by being startled bumping into a pony like that. "S... Sorry." he said as he made sure his cloak was secured tightly around him as he looked awkwardly around as the other pony helped himself up. "Well I should hope so!" the pony said as he got himself off the ground brushing himself off. "Not even offering to help another pony up after you knock 'em down" he grumbled as he cleaned himself off.

"You... you're right" Defect Reject stammered the words out "I'm.... kinda new to the area and guess I'm not up to speed on my etiquette" he said as the pony turned around to face him. "Hmmmmm it doesn't take much to know Equestria etiquette, even for the simple folks in life, like myself know how to be polite." he said as he looked up and down Defect Reject "Most of us don't exactly like the strange folks like yourself here either" he said "But we also know some ponies just want their privacy, and I'd wager a guess that's the same with you isn't it?" the pony looked at Defect Reject but couldn't make out anything... or so he hoped, it'd be mighty awkward to have to already leave town due to being a changeling.

"Say...." Defect Reject said "While I have you here in this.... awkward situation can you tell me where I am?" he asked looking around. "As you guessed I do prefer to keep to myself but it's more so I'm not used to dealing with other ponies and I'd like to know where I'm headed." he said while looking at the pony from underneath his hood on his cape. "Why you're in the wayyyyy out part of Manehattan, you really must not be from around here if you don't know one of the main cities of Equestria." he said with a strange look on his face. "Well... my family and I tend to stay secluded from the rest of ponydom" Defect Reject said "We kept to ourselves but it was time for me to leave and try to make a name for myself." he didn't really like all these lies he was telling, even to a pony he had just met.... but what else was a changeling to do? He couldn't exactly just tell the truth, especially after him saying they don't like strange folk. Considering he was as strange as they got, according to pony folks that is.

"Hmmmmmm" the pony said eying him up and down as he thought about what Defect Reject had said "I suppose that makes sense... you probably don't know to much about any of Equestria then do you?" he asked. "Not really no I'll admit" he said looking at the ground making circles in the dirt "Well I reckon you may need a map then" the pony said sticking his hoof out to him "My name's Max Wheat" he said smiling. Defect Reject panicked for a second, he knew he shouldn't tell this pony his name it might get the changelings on his trail and cause more problems... "Sam... Seed" he said sticking his hoof out while covering it with his cloak. He was really glad now that it was so long and could cover his hoof up or he would probably already be on the run.

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Sam Seed. Now that you're not knocking me over that is" he said winking. "Why don't you follow me to my small little house then you can be on your way. I'm sure you're quite busy but I think you may need a map" he said as he started to walk closer to town. Defect Reject looked at him for a second then shrugged, it couldn't hurt to get a map he admitted... and if it was a trap as long as he didn't have a weapon he could fend him off he felt... or hoped. And besides, worse came to worse he could just fly off since he was a... what were they called again? Ah yes. Earth ponies. At least he had learned SOMETHING while he was in Queen Chrysalis's kingdom, so it helped him not be completely oblivious.

"That'd be greatly appreciated" he said trying to sound like he was smiling from underneath his cloak. "Well I'll get you that map and you can be on your way young'un, we're already at my house." he said looking up to a small but not run down looking house "She's not to big but boy is she a might comfortable. Now you just stay here and I'll get 'n get it." he said as opened the door to his house and went inside while Defect Reject waited. He didn't have to wait to long for Max Wheat as he came back out pretty quickly. "One map just for you" he said handing it off to Defect Reject as he pocketed it. "Thanks Max Wheat. I really do appreciate... and I hate to be so rude for your hospitality but you were right... I do need to continue on." he said starting to walk away. "That's alright Sam Seed." he said smiling as he looked on him as he walked away "I figured you had somewhere to be or do. I could tell by when you bumped into me. You be safe out their and happy travels!" he said waving his hoof as Defect Reject turned around and waved back to him. "Thank you for everything!" he said as then continued on down the road looking at his map. The old pony smiled at him as he walked off away from him waving and went back inside.

The next 9 years came and went for Defect Reject fast once he found a place where he could... "live", it wasn't really a home but... it did let him observe pony kind easily without people noticing him. It was just dirty, the sewers weren't exactly the place he had expected to live but... it was better then nothing. He had learned a lot more about ponies too, the cutie marks each one got as they grew up was what they were good at and would one day do. He also better understood the differences between pegasi, unicorns and earth ponies. Each one was different and had something unique to them... partially like him, except in his case it was in all the wrong ways. But it was good to know that even with every pony being so different that they were accepting of everyone and helped every ponyelse out. He'd had a few close encounters when he went out at night being caught but he'd gotten away just in time.

Except one time. It was a young little pony before she had gotten her cutie mark, she had accidentally hit her ball into the sewers. He had felt so bad for the little pony that he had gotten the ball for her and handed it back to her, she must've gotten a look at him after thanking him though because she started screaming. Or she realized how creepy it was that a figure in black was living in the sewers and had given the ball back. The next few weeks had been awfully close, he had to keep moving from area to area in the sewer to avoid detection from the ponies that were checking it but it had turned out okay. He didn't blame her either... it was something that was unexpected and frightening, he could look back at it and smile now though and hoped she could realizing that he hadn't meant her any harm.

But that was in the past, he'd had fun the last 9 years learning more about pony kind borrowing food from the ponies in his nightly strolls above grounds with his cloak on. He'd never had a problem though with any of the ponies while walking around, in fact he'd even been able to have conversations with some of them without giving himself away. He hadn't had any luck finding the source of that rainbow explosion he'd seen 10 years ago, or when asking any of the ponies. But he knew he would find it one day he sighed as he looked out of the sewers, somehow he still knew in his gut that he would find the source of that and he'd at least make a friend... if not more. And that was all he needed to keep going. Aside from the food but that hadn't risen to be a problem yet, he borrowed food from the ponies in his nightly stroll people leaving apples and bread that was cooling out. He felt bad about stealing but... he tried to take it from a different area each night so no family went hungry and he didn't really have bits, he did happen to find a few bits here and their in the sewers at least so on occasion he could leave bits behind.

As he was thinking back on his time in Manehattan he looked out from the sewers into the hubbub of the city and saw that everyone pony was looking up at something in the sky. As he looked up he gasped and held his breath. It was the same rainbow he had seen all those years ago! He quickly got out his map as it started to fade way he tracked it to where it was located... Cloudsdale! Hopefully he'd find some answers their he thought as he circled Clousdale on his map and started packing the few belongings he had, which was only his cloak, map and the few bits he had that had dropped into the sewer. He also packed up the water containers he still had and waited until night, he had learned a lot about ponies these past 9 years. A lot more then he ever did when he lived with the changelings, but now... now it was time for his destiny, to find what that rainbow meant and see if it led to friends like his gut believed. Or if it would be just another big disappointment in his life.

He waited until it was midnight to head out, he had a long trek ahead of him and alerting the townsfolk probably wasn't the best idea to get started... especially with a city of this size. He looked at the map and figured out which way to go, it shouldn't be to far of a trip only a week... which unfortunately meant the pony... or ponies, may not be at Cloudsdale anymore. Still, it was his best bet and for all he knew they lived there, what did he have to lose? He headed out through the back alleys of Manehattan heading West and very Slightly South, it partially reminded him oh when he'd first come to Manehattan... only then it would've been from the north. He wouldn't get to thank Max Wheat again or see him on his way out... then again he wasn't really sure he would remember the pony he bumped into nine years ago.

As he started to get further and further from central Manehattan into the suburbs he also thought it was kind of weird that the ponies hadn't found where the changelings where... it was pretty close to Neighagra Falls actually. Probably because anyone Queen Chrysalis found in her kingdom met with an unfortunate end... he shivered as he thought about it. After that rather unpleasant reminder of why he left in the first place he looked down at his map. From the looks of the map though it would be easiest to get to Cloudsdale through... Hollow Shades. He hadn't really heard much about it from anyone in Manehattan... no one in fact had talked about it in the conversations he had overheard. He shrugged it off as nothing hoping their just wasn't anything that went on in that town, probably just a quiet little town.

It took him three days to get to Hollow Shades, with no incidents he had stayed on the less traveled roads which was unfortunate since it seemed the train that ran across most of Equestria had a direct route into there. He decided to pass through the town, he could use a little more food supplies as he walked through, while he wasn't low yet being fully stocked wasn't a bad plan either. He acquired a few items of food here and there leaving a few bits whenever he did, just as he was walking through town he noticed a small earth pony without it's cutie mark selling newspapers. He'd grabbed day old newspapers a few times in the sewers and it helped him learn more about the going's on that was happening in day to day Equestria.

It was how he had found out about Princess Luna coming back after a... Twilight Sparkle had freed her with the Elements of Harmony and was beside her sister again. For some reason that name had stuck out to him... Twilight Sparkle. The other five ponies that had wielded the elements with her did as well. Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash.He wasn't sure why but their names and pictures had stuck in his mind those 5 or so months ago. Just as he was reading the newspaper he noticed an interesting article about the Cloudsdale Best Flyer Competition, maybe this would help shine some light on what he'd seen a few days ago. He continued to read it as he left town until he got to the part about Rainbow Dash. The same Rainbow Dash that had helped Twilight Sparkle free Princess Luna.

He continued to read it over noting how Rainbow Dash had saved her friend Rarity from falling to her death as well, but... wasn't she a unicorn? Unicorns couldn't fly... then he read more or the article and was explained how she was competing, apparently Twilight Sparkle and her other friends had wanted to watch Rainbow Dash compete and cheer her on, but only pegasi could walk on cloud. So Twilight and Rarity had cast a spell that would give wings to ponies without but it had taken a lot out of both of them so only Rarity had gotten it. "That's pretty smart thinking..." he said as he bit into an apple and kept walking while he read the article. It also lightly mentioned that the other three ponies had a cloud walk spell cast upon them and was much easier to cast. It also went on to state that while saving Rarity she had saved Equestria's best flyers The Wonderbolts, whom had been knocked unconscious due to Rarity's flailing about as she fell.

But Rainbow Dash had been able to save them all and cement her victory by doing something called... The... Sonic... Rainboom he kept reading as his jaw dropped open at a picture of it. "That's them!" he exclaimed with joy "The ponies I've been looking for! Well at least a pony I'm not sure about the rest of them but... they all seem connected." he said smiling and laughing as he finished the article "After all these year's I've finally found where I need to go!" taking out his map and circling it with an old marker he'd had so he could make notes on his journey as he yelled with happiness "Ponyville!"

Author's Note

I would like to note that with this one I went into some details that most bronies would know, however I am trying to make it readable for non bronies as well so as to encourage more people to try My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. So yes I know theirs a few things you all know <3