The Changeling In My Heart

by Music Brush

Chapters

Prologue: Attack Of Canterlot
Prologue II: Attack Of Ponyville
I: First Encounter
III: The Road To A New Life
II: The Healing Road Begins

Prologue: Attack Of Canterlot

The Changeling In My Heart

By Music Brush.

A reboot of my first fully published story, Heart Of Fire: You'll Be In My Heart.

Prologue:

Attack Of Canterlot

"She's a changeling!" The young and beautiful, pink coated alicorn, Princes Me Amore Cadenza barked for the whole crowd gathered in the room to hear. "She takes the form of someone you love and gains power by feeding off your love for them!"

The whole crowd turned their attention to the same alicorn in her wedding dress, standing at the alter next to the captain of the royal guard, Shining Armor, who appeared to be mesmerized as he stood there looking as though his mind was not even there. Princess Celestia stood behind them with a look of shock and confusion on her face as she tries to piece together the puzzle as to who the real Cadence is. The one in front of her, or the one making a dangerous accusation on the red carpet between the crowd of her subjects that led to the altar.

The Cadence at the alter glared at the one standing beside the lavender unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, who in turn glared back at her. She growled and cursed to herself. Everything was going so perfectly up until those two mares came along. Now there was only one thing left to do. She knew she could no longer keep the charade up any longer. It was time to make her next move. "My child. She called out.

"Yes, my queen?" A young female voice replied.

"Sound the attack!" She ordered. "Our plans have been accelerated.

"Yes, my queen!" Came the young voice.

The imposter arched her back and a green flame circled around her. The ponies gathered gasped and backed away at the sudden burst of magic as the imposter levitated off the ground and began to grow slim and taller. Her fur burned away and a black shell was left behind, her limbs full of holes and her horn crooked and unnatural. Her mane became a greasy and flat green and her wings became thin and bug like. The fire died down as she hovered over the frightened ponies staring up at her in fear. She laughed a maniacal cackle and marveled at the site of those around her.

"Right you are, Princess." She said. "And as queen of the changelings, it is my job to find food for my subjects." She grinned at the pink alicorn and lavender unicorn staring up at her as they slowly backed away from the creature. Everything would soon be hers to control and she loved the very thought of it.

~~)oOo(~~

Outside of the large bubble acting as a shield surrounding the great capital of Equestria, Canterlot Castle, Changelings by the thousands were pounding, scratching and gnawing away at the spell to get to their targets. Their desperation feeding their strength. They were starving and hungry for energy. Everything the had was dying and this was their last chance.

The spell was obviously growing weaker by the second. Queen Chrysalis was succeeding in her task on the inside by placing the captain controlling the spell under her control. Cracks quickly became visible with each pounding against the great shield. Sooner or later it will give, allowing the bug like creatures to swarm in and feed off the love energy overflowing this great city, then they would spread throughout Equestria.

Overviewing the invasion was a single female changeling, who had a look of high authority over the rest. She cast a few blasts of green energy at the shield, adding to the damage, making their victory that much closer to taste.

"Come on, grunts!" She barked. "The sooner we get in there the better! Think of all that love!" That last bit got the changelings attention. They all backed away from the shield a little and at once slammed themselves against it, causing the great spell to shatter and fade away as the pieces fell to the ground. At that very instant the armada bolted to the ponies below and chaos erupted like a volcano after months of building pressure.

Instead of flying for ponies like her brethren the lead changeling flew to a tower to oversee the proceedings. She sat on a balcony high enough to watch the chaos as everypony began screaming and running to their loved ones. She could sense the queen very pleased with everything. Minus a few exceptions, like the family of the changeling commander, Gnator were locked away for insubordination while there eldest, Zuro abandoned the hive for his own pleasure. She had hear, Gnator went to convince his older brother to join us one last time and has not been seen since.

"My lady!" A voice called in her head.

"What?" She replied.

"Commander Gnator was just seen in a hoof fight against a blue pegasus. We all sensed it was really a changeling." The voice reported.

"Well, at least it's been confirmed that Zuro is no longer a part of this hive." She mused. "See to it that when this is over Zuro is dead."

Yes, ma'am!" The solder's presence left her mind and she resumed watching over the scenery. Parts of her question why things had to be done this way. She had to admit that the queen's way of becoming queen were extremely questionable, but the reason behind it was more so then just to gain power. And would it not be easier to sneak in as the ponies to feed on love instead of invading and feed that way? Granted the love was indeed more potent when the fear of loosing the ones you care most about is strong in your heart, but she still had her doubts. Still, she had her orders and she was not about to become a traitor now and rick loosing her place in the hive.

Her attention was soon caught by the sight of six mares running along the streets through the chaos. She narrowed her eyes at them. She knew at once they were up to something and needed to be stopped. She glared and growled.

"Boys! Get those mares!" She barked. Immediately all the changelings began to charge at the six ponies. A cyan blue pegasus with rainbow hair was the first to make a move before she was bucked to the ground. All the changelings surrounding the daredevil pony and the others chose one of their forms and a battle began. The yellow pegasus with pink mane somehow managed to trick the changelings into thinking she was actually one of them. It was not hard considering they were starving and were more focused on looking for love energy than they were battling six simple mares. The lavender unicorn knew how to get at the changelings. She knew spells to remove the camouflage as well as some tactics. The orange earth pony with yellow mane was good with rope. Although she got herself in a pinch once or twice her friends aided her immediately. The white unicorn with purple mane tried to avoid fighting, but when she swung her hooves she packed a powerful punch with a grin of satisfaction. The pink earth pony was most unusual. She even used one of the unicorns as a weapon of some sort, blasting away at the changelings rapidly.

Soon enough the six mares proved to be too much for this round. All the changelings lay scattered on the ground, grunting and groaning in pain and defeat. The commander glared at the sight. She bolted from the balcony and flew down toward them.

"No, child." The queen said. The changeling stopped.

"What would you suggest, my queen?" She asked, knowing the queen knew the castle and what those mares were going for.

"They are heading for the weapon. Go to the west tower. You can intercept them there." Chrysalis instructed.

The changeling grinned and flew to her brethren. "Follow me, boys!" She barked. A large number of changelings did as she told and followed her to the west tower. They all flew in through the windows and swarmed the room like bees to a beehive. It was not long at all they had to wait before those six mares burst in through the doors and came to a screeching halt to the site of the swarm. Immediately the changelings swooped in and captured the six mares.

"Unhand me, you brutes!" The white mare ordered. The lavender unicorn struggled to break free, but any attempt to use her magic was quickly silenced by the changelings. The pink mare offered almost no resistance. In fact she seamed just as joyful as ever, bouncing along where the changelings took her. The others cooperated to a point until they were directed into the castle courtroom. The site made them gasp.

The real Princes Cadence was glued to the floor by some green goo. Princess Celestia was suspended in a green chrysalis like a butterfly in its cocoon. Shining Armor was looking more out of sorts than ever as he stood there staring into nothing with glowing green eyes. Queen Chrysalis stood proudly as she marveled at her work. The castle was now hers and her children could now feed.

The lead changeling approached her queen and bowed respectfully. Chrysalis smiled at her. "You did marvelously, my child." She mused.

"Thank you, my queen." She replied.

"You know you don't have to call me that, right?" Chrysalis said. The changeling looked up at her.

"I know, but I prefer to maintain formality while in the presence of others." She answered. Chrysalis smiled at her.

"Come. I want you to stand with me as our family feeds." Chrysalis said as she turned to the balcony. The changeling followed with honor. "This day has been just perfect." Chrysalis mused.

The changeling looked out over the chaos with no smile nor joy. She was happy her brethren would finally feed after so long, but she still did not fully approve of the way things were being done. She had heard about how the traitor, Zuro wanted to peacefully find a way to live with the ponies and she admired him for that, but she knew there was no possibility of that. This was the only way her and her brethren could feed.

Then her attention was pulled away by the memory that they never fully secured the six ponies. She turned back to their prisoners and she blinked. Somehow, Cadence managed to break free of her bonds and she was now holding her fiancée, attempting to regain his love for her. Their manes flowing as if caught in the wind and their bodies started to glow as they were being lifted into the air.

"My queen!" She cried. Chrysalis turned her attention to the ponies, but by then it was too late. The energy of the two lovers was released and exploded throughout the castle. The burst sent all the changelings flying through the air completely out of capital, the majority of them scattered into the Everfree Forest. The young changeling spun out of control as she flew through the sky for what seamed like hours before she came crashing into a tree and slid down the trunk with a heavy groan. She hit the ground with a thud, the crash knocking some air out of her lungs. She coughed and groaned as she struggled to her hooves.

She looked around to get her bearings straight, but all she saw was vines, trees, leaves and bugs. She had not the strength to call out for others, she had not fed during the invasion. She started to walk, but as soon as she took a step she stumbled back to the ground. She turned back with a glare to see her leg was bleeding. She looked back through the forest to see if she could see the others, but to no avail.

"Boys!?" She called. There was no answer. "My queen!?" She called again to receive no reply. She could sense her brethren not far, but she was too injured to travel far on her own and she had not the magical strength to call her brethren for aid nor change without completely draining whatever power she had left. If that were to happen she would never be able to change again. But, she could not just sit here and hope for help or death. So, what other choice did she have other than to move.

She began to limp her way through the tangled vines and leaves. Time after time she pushed her way through some thorn bushes, earning more cuts to her already sore body. She limped for several minutes before the skies began to darken. She looked up to see a number of pegasi gathering the clouds together above the forest. She shook it off and pushed on. Soon after she could hear thunder crashing through the air and light flashed through the trees. She looked up to try and see anything and she noticed the light was coming from one source in the clouds, pointing to one direction. That was not natural. Her brethren must be there. She struggle her way into some bushes to reach that point when a stray lightning bolt struck at her hooves, sending her flying back into a tree. She cried out in pain as she fell back to the ground, her body torn, cut and bruised from the struggle. She gasped as she tried to look up to see the clouds clearing and the forest settling to an odd silence.

She lay there in defeat, knowing that her time had come. She had no strength nor enough energy to save herself and there was no chance of her brethren coming to find her when she is this weak and close to death. Her fate has come to a close.

Prologue II: Attack Of Ponyville

Prologue II

Attack Of Ponyville

All of the small town located next to the great Everfree Forest known as Ponyville was filled with the talk of the attack of Canterlot happening at this moment. Changelings had infiltrated the castle guard and barrier and now all hell was breaking loose. Word was spreading about Zuro The Guardian had left only moment before word reached the ears of Ponyville of the attack. Blazing Feathers, a local half breed pegasus, was running through the streets to learn everything he could about the chaos now going on. As if the Spirit of Disharmony was not bad enough, now some creatures he dreaded to see again were attacking the capital.

He skidded to a halt in front of a couple of earth ponies. "Do any of you know were Zuro is?" he asked as he panted.

"Last I saw he was flying off to Cloudsdale." The yellow mare answered. Blazing huffed.

"Thank you." He said before turning to the clouds and bolted off the ground, leaving a dust cloud where he stood. He flew straight for the clouds toward the great cloud city, Cloudsdale before he collided with a gray pegasus mare with yellow mane.

"Oops!" She said as she struggled to regain herself. "My bad!" Blazing quickly regained himself and helped her back in up so her hooves were not facing the sky above.

"It's okay, Ditzy." He said. She shook her head and smiled at him as one eye focused on him while the other looked off in the distance. "Where're you going?" He asked.

"I was going to get the pegasi for Spark." She answered. Blazing blinked.

"He's back?" He asked. She nods with that same smile she always has on with her tongue hanging out. Than she put her game face on.

"He has started plan 355 and wants all the pegasi to meet him at the Everfree." She stated. Blazing blinked. The only time that plan would be initiated would mean big trouble was coming, and fast! He wanted to find Zuro, but he knew this was something that needed his help now. He inclined his head and bolted for the clouds near the floating city.

He arrived at his destination outside of the great city where the thunder heads were dispatched and grabbed a large chunk and pushed it back towards the edge of Ponyville where the Everfree meets open land. He pushed hard and fast. His speed was reduced do to the extra clouds he was pushing in front of him. Clouds don't weigh much, but they do offer some wind resistance, making it just a little harder to move. That and the added water flowing inside the deep grey cloud along with the danger of the static electricity striking as soon as something collides with it, like a hoof bucking at it, weighed on his mind. He was trying to help his old friends, not get himself singed like popcorn.

He soon arrived over the Everfree Forest where several other pegasi had already gathered more thunderclouds and got them together over the forest. He smiled and marveled at Ditzy's speed. Many would say she'd never be able to pull anything off without screwing something up and breaking something expensive, but when it came to Spark Storm worked at her one hundred percent best and almost never failed. He knew all to well the reasons why, but he preferred not to think about them, especially at times of need such as this.

He set his cloud with the others and let his head hang to catch his breath. He had been running and flying non stop since Zuro disappeared hours ago and all the chaos started. The last time he worked this hard was five years ago when he nearly lost everything close to him. He had never worked harder than that before that day. He went through a stage of depression after that and had it not been for his friends he would never have made it through.

It was not long after he caught his breath before activity started above the clouds. He looked up to see all the pegasi stomping and bucking the thunderheads, the thunder rumbling beneath them as they hit the clouds. He flew around to the edge of the cloud then dove under to see the lighting heading for a single source then stringing down at various parts of the forest floor. He looked down to see a number of bug like ponies scattering from their attacker. He knew right away that his old friend Spark Storm was channeling the lightning to strike at those creatures. After some time the lightning stopped and all was quiet. The pegasi began to clear the sky and all the remained was a single dark blue pegasus stallion standing in an opening of the forest. Blazing flew down toward the pegasus and landed in front of him.

"Spark!" blazing called with a smile. The pegasus smiled at him.

"Blaze!" He replied. The two embraced each other in a brotherly hug with added laughter. "How you been, you old blazer?"

"I've been doing good." Blazing answered.

"That's great!"

"Hey, have you heard anything on Zuro?" Sparked looked confused at this.

"Zuro?" He asked. "Oh! You mean the Ponyville Guardian?" He asked. Blazing nodded. "I've never seen him, only some storied I've heard here and there." Blazing grew anxious.

"Anything new?" He asked. "Like were he was going or anything?" Spark shook his head.

"Sorry, bro." He replied. "Nothing." Blazing frowned. "Hey, your best bet is to go see if he got caught up in the battle over Canterlot." Spark suggested. Blazing nodded.

"Thanks, Spark." He said.

"You're welcome." Spark replied. With that, Blazing took off and flew out of the forest and to the Equestian capital.

I: First Encounter

Chapter I

First Encounter

Celestia's sun rose high above the mountains in the east as the birds sang their lovely tunes with happy, cheerful and proud voices. The small town was a buzz with activity as the pony folk trot through the streets to buy and sell goods as well as spend time with lovers and friends. The foals were at school learning about their home and things they could do as they get older and work towards earning their Cutie Marks. Three of the fillies in particular are the most anxious to earn their Cutie Marks that they try anything and everything they can possibly think of.

Walking through the streets was a single pegasus with a yellow coat and orange zebra stripes. He had a well built body as though he were a plow puller for the Apple family for the last ten years. He was greeted by most everypony he walked past and he gladly returned the greeting if not offer a greeting to others himself.

"Good morning, Blazing!" A mare called as she walked past him. He smiled at her.

"Good morning!" He said.

"Off to do your morning exercises?" She asked him.

"As usual." He chuckled. "Gotta keep this body fit for flight..." he said as he flexed his muscles. "...and the mares." He winked at her. She blushed furiously. He chuckled before he walked off in a trot. He continued on through the town streets happily despite all the crazy stories going around town since the attack on Canterlot. Blazing was so into his joyful trotting he did not notice the young pegasus mare who was guiding some ducks through the streets until he bumped into her. She gasped and turned to face him with her ears pined back and crouched low to the ground. Her yellow coat almost hitting the dirt and her long pink hair curtaining her face.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to..." She spoke in hushed tones.

"Oh, Fluttershy." He said with a smile. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Blazing Feathers!" She hugged him. He returned the hug with a joyful chuckle.

"I should be the one to apologize." He said. "I wasn't watching where I was going." She looked up at him.

"No, really." She insisted. "I am sorry for bumping into you."

"Fluttershy." He stopped her. He smiled into her eyes. "I'm sorry." She smiled and hugged him again.

"Are you off to do your exercises?" She asked him.

"Yes, I am." He answered. "And are you helping the animals this morning?" She looked to the ducks she was guiding a moment ago.

"I was helping the mother duck here move to the lake with her hatchlings." She answered. Blazing looked to the ducks and saw that it was one adult with several ducklings. He smiled at them before he turned to Fluttershy again.

"Well, I know you'll do them justice." He said. She smiled at him.

"Thank you. Blazing." She said. He inclined his head.

"Hey, is Dash back yet?" He asked. Blazing and Rainbow dash had been friends ever since they were foals years ago. The two always got into races and contests of speed and guts. The two were famous for causing ponies to dive for a nearby bush or barrel and hide until the gust of wind that followed their races died down before it was safe to come out in the open again.

She rubbed a hoof on her chin."Last I knew she was heading straight for Cloudsdale to make sure all the weather was in order before coming back here." She answered. "I haven't seen her yet. But if I see her I'll let her know you asked about her."

"Thank you, Fluttershy." He replied with a smile. Fluttershy smiled at him before she resumed guiding the ducks through town to the lake while Blazing watches her with a smile on his face. When she was out of site he turned and resumed his trot toward the edge of town to do is exercises. He was greeted by a few ponies as he trotted along before he reached the edge of town.

He stopped and closed his eyes as he inhaled through his nose, taking in the sent of the fresh morning air and sounds of the wild animals surrounding Fluttershy's house not far to his right. A gentle breeze blew through his mane and the leaves of the trees marking the edge of the Everfree Forest and the open range in between the town and the forest. He exhaled with an added happy sigh. He began stretching his limbs left and right for a few minutes. He always enjoyed exercising out here. It was nice and quiet and not many ponies besides Fluttershy came through here. After he was done stretching he let himself fall face first to the ground, catching himself with his wings just before his muzzle hit the dirt and started pushing up.

On a small cloud hovering over the edge of the town was a cyan blue, rainbow mane, pegasus mare, Rainbow Dash. She was laying on her back using her front hooves as a pillow under her head with her eyes closed when her ears twitched to the sound of grunted counting below. She grumbled and turned over on her belly to look over the edge of the cloud to find the source of the noise to tell him to quiet down so she could nap after a hard days work setting the weather straight. She stopped herself and grinned when she noticed it was Blazing doing his usual exercises which meant an opportunity for a race when he was done. She ducked down keeping her eyes over the cloud so she could watch him.

Blazing counted one hundred as he pushed one final time before he got to his hooves and shook it off. He had his walk, talked to a friend, did his stretching and wing-ups, now all that was left before breakfast was a good flight. A big smile dawned on his face at the thought and her turned his gaze back to his Cutie Mark before doing anything else. The single red wing bursting into flames on his flank made him smile even more as it reminded him of his passion for flight. He loved flying so much it was a wonder why he never attempted to join the Wonderbolts before.

He turned his gaze from his mark and took in a deep breath before crouching down to the ground. His hind legs were ready to buck as his front kept him standing and steady for the take-off. He spread his wings up, getting them ready to send him flying. He took in another deep breath and before exhaling he kicked off the ground with full force, causing a dust cloud to explode like a bomb where he once stood.

He flew up straight through the clouds, the wind rushing past his ears, his heart racing with joy and added adrenaline. He banked left and right, cutting through the air like a whip as he bolted through more clouds before diving down and through some trees outside of town. He turned back toward Ponyville and flew over the straw roof tops, sending some of the loose straw flying in the wind and flags flapped as he passed. He twirled and spun in the air, performing some areal acrobatics for those watching bellow. After a few minutes of enjoying a good flight he came to a stop and landed on a cloud. He took a few breaths as he sat there and let his wings lay on his sides.

"Still fly like an old mare." A female voice said. Blazing smirked before he folded his wings against his body and turned to face the cyan blue mare sitting on another cloud, smirking at him challengingly.

"You maybe able to pull off a Sonic Rainboom, Dash..." he said. "... but you still can't out-flap the blaze." She busted out laughing as she rolled on her back on the cloud.

"Oh, that's rich!" She blurted. "You never stop coming up with the best jokes, Stripes!" He narrowed his eyes.

"I wish you'd stop calling me that." He growled. She sat up. Ever since they met as foals Rainbow always called him Stripe do to his natural born, orange zebra stripes on his yellow coat, and he hated it. He asked her many times to stop calling him that, but to no avail. Most of the time he would get mad about it, but sometimes he put up with it.

"Beat me at a Sonic Rainboom and you get your wish, Stripes." She challenged. He grumbled.

"You know I hate that name." He protested.

"Oh, quit your complaining and take it like a stallion." She chuckled. "How about a race?" He narrowed his eyes at her for a minute before he spread his wings with a smirk.

~~)oOo(~~

After what seamed like a lifetime of racing from Ponyville to the city of Cloudsdale and back again, Blazing and Rainbow sped their way to the main road entering their small hometown. Rainbow had her eyes on the prize with a smirk of victory on her face while Blazing had an unblinking look of sheer determination. The were neck and neck as they left small streaks of rainbow and fire toned orange and red hues. Blazing pushed himself to get ahead of her as she did the same. Their target getting closer and closer.

On the streets of Ponyville ponies heard the steadily increasing whoosh of speeding pegasi and looked up to the source to see Blazing and Rainbow headed straight for them. Some of them rolled their eyes before they bolted for a place to hide behind until the inevitable dust cleared, others simply moved out of the way while the rest completely panicked and ran for the hills!

Blazing and Rainbow were so close they could see each other on the corner of their eyes and pushed even more to make it so they could not see the other at all. It was so close Blazing was beginning to fear they would have a tie match that would surely be faced again very shortly after. The held up their front hooves in front of them just a second before they hit the ground and kicked up a huge cloud of dust around them. After a couple of minutes the dust finally settled and both were panting and huffing from what must have been their most vivid race yet. Blazing looked up to his challenger to see her right next to his landing spot.

"Who wan?" He asked himself.

"Oh boy! Oh boy!" A cheerful mare's voice called. Blazing looked up to see a hot pink earth pony mare bouncing in excitement. "That was the most specular, super d' de duper, bestest, spine tingling pegasus race I've ever seen!" Blazing could not help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.

"You didn't happen to see who wan, did you Pinkie..." Blazing huffed. She stopped her bounce in mid air and hovered a second with a blank expression before she landed on her flank and sat there for a minute blankly. She sat up straight as she closed her eyes and gave a professional expression.

"I'd have to say it was a tie." She said calmly. She then bounced again. "But it was the most amazing tie I've ever seen and hope to see again very soon! Oh! I hope you two will have a tie breaker very soon! I love tie breakers! Don't you love tie breakers!? They're so much mph-!" She was silenced by Blazing hoof.

"Okay, Pinkie!" He said, getting her attention. Rainbow sighed as she got to her hooves. When Blazing was sure Pinkie calmed down enough he let his hoof fall away from her lips, which deflated by her chin like a balloon.

"So, Stripes." Rainbow called, earning a heavy sigh from the stallion.

"What?" He replied in annoyance.

"Dashy, why do you keep calling him Stripe when you know he doesn't like it?" Pinkie asked. "It's no fun making your friends upset like that."

"Calm down, Pinkie." Blazing defended his foalhood friend. He turned to Rainbow. "What did you want to say, Dash?" He asked.

"I was just gonna ask if you wanted round too?" She answered. He shook his head.

"Not now, Dash." He replied. "I've done my exercise for today and I planned on going to see Zecora for a while."

"Fair enough for me." Dash said in satisfaction. "When would you like to settle this tie of ours?" She asked with a smirk. "Tomorrow?"

"Let's play that by ear." He answered. She seamed to like that answer even less.

"Fine." She said. "I'm out!" And with that she bolted up to the sky. Blazing smiled at her as she flew off before he turned to Pinkie.

"Well, Pinkie." She smiled at him. "I think I might come by for a cupcake after my visit with Zecora." She smiled even more and bounced with joy.

"Oh goodie! I'll have an extra special one made just for you for that awesome race you and Dashy had!" Before he could respond to that she was already gone. Only a cloud in her body shape remained for a few seconds before fading away. Blazing shook his head with a quiet chuckle before turning back to the edge of town and started walking off toward the Everfree Forest.

~~)oOo(~~

Blazing Feathers made his way through the vines of the forest floor. He always avoided flying unless he had to when traveling through the Everfree. He always took the same root the zebra, Zecora showed him since their first encounter a few years ago. He knew the trail just as well as she did and never strayed off the path he memorized unless he had to, which was very uncommon since nopony dared to travel through the forest anyway with the exception of a few mares in Ponyville.

There were a few things different here and there do to the small battle that took place a few days before. Singed trees from lightning strikes, broken branches from ponies and changelings crashing into them, and a couple of craters too. He traveled through the trees and bushes for several minutes before he heard rustling in the bushes to his right. At first he ignored it with the thought of it being a few animals scattering from the sight of him, but that thought was soon chased out of his mind when her heard a whimper. He stopped and turned to the source of the noise.

"Hello?" He called out. The noise stopped at his call. After a minute he shrugged and thought it was just an animal, but as he started to resume his walk he heard the sound again. This time he got a lock on the source. He turned to a large bush and quietly made his way to it. If it was a child he did not want to scare it and make it run away in this cursed place, and if it was a threat he most certainly did not want to drag much attention to himself without running a huge risk to his life. He kept himself low to the ground as he eased his way closer to the bush. He got to the edge of it and reached his hoof up to the leaves. Once he got a hoof full he quickly pushed them out of the way and braced himself for what he was about to see, but what he did see was absolutely nothing close to what he expected to find.

There in the bushes was a single black creature with broken bug like wings, a curved horn protruding from its forehead, cuts, scars and bruises lining its pony like body, holes in its for limbs, dark blue greasy, silk like hair and sky blue beetle eyes. He blinked at the sight and sat there, frozen in place as he stared at the changeling creature before him. He wanted to scream and run, but he could not do so out of fear and sorrow. Fear because he knew all to well the recent history of the changelings and sorrow because of the condition this particular changeling was in.

The changeling looked up at him weakly. "H-h-help... m-m-me..." She said in a female voice before her head collapsed with a thud. Blazing's heart sank to an all time low. He could never in his entire life ignore a cry for help, but could he answer such a request to a creature who's race only recently attacked the capital of Equestria? It was painfully obvious she was extremely weak and could not in anyway fight for herself. His thoughts turned to his old friend Zuro the Guardian who was recently discovered to be a changeling himself and was now about to face trial for treason and other crimes against Equestria. He knew Zuro was no real threat to him or his friends. Zuro was a hero to his town. Who is to say this changeling would be no different than Zuro.

He moved in and scooped the changeling up in his back and resumed going the direction he had been before. "W-w-where...?"

"I'm taking you to a friend of mine who can heal you." He answered before she could finish. He pushed on with more urgency through the forest with his newfound precious cargo on his back. It seamed to go on for hours as he rushed through vines and bushes, earning a few scrapes and scratches on his limbs and wings as he used them to protect her. After several long minutes he finally saw his destination. A tree with a door cut in the front and a couple of windows next to it with foreign decorations covering almost every inch. He walked up to the door and knocked on it.

"A visitor, I presume. Come inside the entry room." Came a deep female voice from the inside. Blazing opened the door and walked in to find a zebra on the other side of the room that was as equally decorated as the outside with foreign decorations and a large caldron in the middle of the room. She turned and smiled at Blazing and opened her mouth to say something before he turned and opened his wings to reveal the changeling on his back, at which point her eyes widened and her mouth sealed shut in shock.

III: The Road To A New Life

CHAPTER III:

the Road To A New Life

It was another few hours the changeling slept in Zecora's hut before finally waking up. She was already looking better from her long nap, but she was still to weak to venture through the forest on her own, and it took some convincing to get her to agree to go with Blazing to Ponyville where he could better care for her. Now it was dark and Blazing was just outside of town with the changeling perched on his back. They were a good distance from Fluttershy's cottage so neither she nor Amy of the forest animals she cared for would notice them as they passed by into the small town. Blazing kept a trained eye out for any movement as he passed through the streets of Poniville to avoid any detection, which was difficult since he had extra weight on his back, but that weight had high priority at the moment.

The changeling looked down at her ride and felt his body between her legs. This pegasus was very well built. His lungs were good and strong, his legs were thick and firm, his wings were powerful. She could tell he worked out a lot and did more than his fare share of flying. The fact that he was doing all this for a changeling puzzled her mind more than anything she had ever faced before. Why was he doing all this? She had to refrain herself from speaking right now and save her questions for later. If she spoke and they got fought, things would end real fast.

Blazing turned a few corners and soon he came to a large tree with windows filled with candle light. Blazing knew that was a sign Twilight Sparkle was up late studying in the library again. She always did. Blazing continued around the large tree, being Twilight's home, and straight to a house behind the library tree. He approached the door and stopped to help the changeling off his back. He looked at her and mentally frowned at her battered body. Bruises shined here and there and even some burn marks along her back. He knew she was healing, but he still did not like seeing anyone in such a painful state. He turned away from her and to the door. He opened the door and turned back to her and guided her inside. Once inside he flipped an switch and the room filled with light. She winced at the newfound brightness blinding her eyes. He guided her inside the main room and eased her onto the couch against the wall resting by the staircase leading upstairs. The changelings eyes adjusted quickly to the light and she looked around the room.

On the wall opposite the couch she was perched on was a television with a PonyStation 3 plunged into of and a lost of movies and games. The walls all around and shelves against the walls were decorated with pictures and paintings, most of which she could tell had Blazing in them with several other ponies. To the right of the TV was a doorway leading to another room. Opposite that wall was the front door they just came in.

"Well, this is the living room." Blazing explained, causing the changeling to look to him. He looked back to her. "It's not much, but it's home." He said with a smile.

"It's nice." She said respectfully. What surprised Blazing the most out of that statement was she actually wounded sincere in her words. He s,filed at her.

"Thank you." He said. She turned from him and looked around the room again. He stood up.

"Is there anything you'd like me to get you?" He asked. "Food- or wait... you don't eat food, do you? He asked with a bit of a blush. She looked up to him.

"Why?" She asked. He blinked and showed confusion.

"Because you're a changeling and cjangelings feed"

"No." She interrupted him. He looked to her. "Why are you doing all this for me?" She asked again. He gave a look of realization and inclined his head before reaching a hoof back and scratching the back of his neck.

"Oh, well... My mother always taught me to never judge a book by its cover." He answered she seamed confused at this. He noticed and thought about it for a minute. "I mean, yes, you are a changeling and changelings have always been marked as creators to be feared and driven away or destroyed, but you were injured and needed help." She snarled at the last bit.

"I never need help!" She hissed then immediately regretted that as a shot of pain courses through her side. Blazing started to rush to her side, but quickly stopped himself and kept his distance. Instead he took a different approach.

"You're right..." He said. "Maybe most of the time. But you couldn't even move back in the forest." She glared at him. He scratched the crack of his neck and thought for a minute. "Okay, scratch that. Um." He thought for a minute. An idea came to his mind. "Me, for example." He gestured to himself. "You see, I'm well built and all that." She nodded. "On the outside I look like a big, strong fighter, but on the inside I'm nothing but a big softy. I hate hurting others and I can't stand seeing others in pain." He explained. She looked him over and found what he was saying hard to believe until she remembered he had just saved her life hours ago. Maybe there was something more to this pony.

At that point she just remembered about a changeling over four years ago. He had come of age and just left as she heard, but anything else that happed was unknown. The changeling disappeared and was never seen again. Could he have found a life in this town?

"Well, I'm going to get something to drink." Blazing said, pulling the changeling from her deep thoughts. She looked up at him and found he was already gone. The light in the next room came on and soon after rushing water was heard. Her curiosity had spiked and she groaned as she struggled a little bit to her hooves and walked into the next room. When she entered she saw it was a kitchen, Blazing was at the stove on the right hand side with a kettle over a small flame. He walked over to the left and opened a cupboard where he pulledout a box with an image of a cup with chocolate brown liquid rippling within.

"Is that hot chocolate?" She asked, causing him to look over to her with in slight surprise. He looked to the box and back to her with a nod.

"Yeah." He answered. "It's my evening treat for a long day of work." He explained. Her curiosity peaked even higher. She had heard of hot chocolate before, but never had the chance of ever tasting it. She had tasted chocolate before in her past while posing as ponies and had growned quite fond of the treat. Even though changelings fed on love, that kind of feeding was only a magical replenishment. Changelings still required some physical nourishment from time to time. And he had been a few weeks since she last ate, and she could feel her magical strength restoring from this one pegasus. What harm could come from trying this new drink?

"Could I have some?" She asked. He blinked in suprise and after a minute he smiled and grabbed two packs of hot chocolate. After a few minutes of boiling water, and helping the changeling to a seat by the table im the middle of the room Blazing filled two cups up with this hot and tasty treat.

"Careful." Blazing said as she reached for her cup. "It's still hot." He warned with a smile. She looked to him in understanding before she took the cup. He began to drink his as he watched her with a smile. She examined the cup as if trying to see if there was something els in there. She knew there could not be poison in there for two reasons. One, he was drinking the same stuff, and two, she could feel a level of love coming from him for her, which she still was trying to wrap her head around. She raised the cup to her lips and took an experimental sip. As the hot liquid passed her lips and unto her tongue her eyes went wide.

This was something unlike anything she had ever tasted before. This was heavbon in a cup! She looked back down at the hot chocolate and raised the cup up to down the whole thing. Blazing watched in shock. She finished her cup in seconds. "That was wonderful!" She exclaomed. She looked to him with excitement. "Anymore?!" He stared at her in disbelieve. The last time he saw anyone down a fresh brew of hot chocolate went ended up flipping out and crying that his mouth was on fire. He chuckled and began to make her another cup.

II: The Healing Road Begins

Chapter II:

The Healing Road Begins

Zecora eyed the changeling on Blazing's back with wide, observing eyes. The changeling lay limp on his back as he stood in the doorway, his gaze switching between the zebra in front of him and the changeling on his back. "Zecora, she's hurt badly!" Blazing explained. "I think she was attacked by the forest animals, or something." The changeling on his back groaned and struggled to look up at the zebra he was talking to. Zecora stared at her with wide eyes and closed mouth before turning to Blazing.

"A changeling before me, that much is sure." She said. "Are your intentions of herbs true and pure?" The changeling grew increasingly confused at her words while Blazing immediately inclined his head.

"I know there's a risk in this, but I'm not letting that get in the way of saving a life." He stated clearly. She smiled at him.

"Come with me and very soon she be strong, like Luna's moon." Zecora said as she turned to some shelve on the wall behind her. As the wise zebra gathered some of her things Blazing carried the changeling to a table near the shelves Zecora was brewing. As Blazing laid her on the table she groaned in pain.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you." He apologized. She look up to him weakly.

"W-w-why are you... doing this...?" She asked in a weak, groggy voice.

"It would be best for you not to speak." Zecora steps up. "For you are far to weak." She instructed. She set down a cup filled with a green goo. The changeling wrinkled her nose as the cup was set close to her. "Though this brew is unpleasant to the smell it will do you quite well." Zecora explained. The changeling cringed and looked away.

"I'm not d-d-drinking that." She sputtered.

"You need not drink this precious brew." Zecora said. "All we need is to apply it on you." The changeling looked back to her with a glare.

"Y-y-you're not... touching me." She growled.

"She doesn't mean like that, miss." Blazing stepped in as he approached her. She turned her glare to him. He raised his hooves up to show no threat. "She means it just needs to be put on your wounds." After a few seconds her glare soften, partially because of her weakened condition, but another part of it was because somehow she sensed nothing but good intentions from him.

"W-w-would you... apply it...?" She asked, seaming more open than before. Blazing blinked. Every time he came in contact with changelings his life was one the line. No changeling ever even came close to accepting help, let alone seek it out. As time went by while he looked into her eyes he could see disappointment growing rapidly as she started to sigh.

"Okay." He said. He noticed a spark of hope shine in her eyes at that moment. Zecora smiled and stepped aside for him to approach. He walked up to the table and dipped his hoof in the ointment and wrinkled his nose. "That does smell." He said. With an apologetic look he gaze the changeling he began to apply the ointment on her shoulder tenderly. At the feel of the goo she hissed and arched her back slightly. He jumped at this. After a couple of seconds both settled and he continued.

~~)oOo(~~

A few hours had passed since Blazing applied the ointment on the changeling female he brought to Zecora and he was now making his way back to the old tree the zebra had called her home for who knows how long. Zecora had requested he go and buy a few supplies to restock for her herbs. Many of which he could not remember, so he had it written down on a list before he left.

Now on the way back through the forest for the second time today alone, this time with a sack full of items requested by his old friend. He was a short distance away from the decorated treehouse when he heard a snap off the trail. He stopped and looked off into the direction the sound came from, his suspicions high. He just found a changeling in the forest, and changelings usually travel in groups. He knew that unless the changeling female he found was abandoned there would be others out there searching for her. For all he knew that noise could have come from another changeling on the lookout. It also could have been nothing, but he was not going to take that chance.

After a few minutes of standing there looking out into the trees he determined, for now, it was nothing and continued on toward Zecora's home. It took only a few minutes of tripping over some roots and vines while carrying precious cargo before he reached the familiar tree. He approached the door and, out of respect, he knocked on before entering. As he entered Zecora smiled at him while the changeling slept on the table. When he saw the changeling asleep he could not help but smile at her. How could a creature with such a dark reputation appear to be so calm and peaceful, he asked himself. He walked in, closing the door quietly behind him, and walked around the table to Zecora and gave her the bag of supplies.

"I thank you greatly for these supplies." She said to him. "I should grant you a good prize." She smiled at him.

"That won't be necessary." He replied with a sincere smile. She turned to the shelf on the wall and started putting the supplies away as if she had ignored his words. When she was done she came back and offered him two stones.

"These are stones from above." She said. "Though they maybe intended for love." She finished. He looked up to her with a look of confusion.

"Huh?" He asked.

"When I make a potion for 'hearts desire' these stones glow a warm glow like fire." She explained.

"Oh! So they give a positive charge when it comes to love or things like that?" He asked. Zecora replied with a simple nod of her head as she held the gems up to him.

"These stones have no purpose in my care." She said. "A better burden for you to bear." She offered him the shiny rocks again. He took them with a smile to the zebra who he cared for as a mother. Ever since she had become friends with Rainbow Dash and the others he began making regular visits to the old zebra as if it was meant to be. The two got along instantly as if they were mother and son. He offered to help her with some of her herbs and potions while she also offered him a few tips on such things as applying the herbs and even making a few things he may need in future times. He was not unfamiliar with such training as he was a part of a secret police force organized by Celestia years ago. But those days are memories he would rather not think about.

He held the stones close and turned to the changeling asleep on the table. As he watched her sleep he did not even notice the stones in his hoof starting to glow. He turned back to Zecora.

"I'm gonna take her home with me." He stated. She stopped putting things away and looked back at him.

"Of this action, are you sure? For there would be much you must endure." She cautioned. He inclined his head.

"I saved her from the forest, I think I should finish what I started." He stated firmly yet quietly so not to wake the changeling. Zecora turned from the shelf to face him fully. "I know there'll be risks, but I feel like I have to do this." He added to his claim. Zecora noticed the glowing stones, but made no indication she saw them as she kept her gaze locked on him.

"Very well, old friend." She said as she inclined her head with closed eyes. "And I'll be there till the end." She added. He smiled at her.

"Thank you, Zecora." He said as the two embraced each other.