The morning had progressed well into the day and only less than a few hours remained until noon arrived. The resident ponies of the Great Apple Orchards barn were already preparing to tend to their daily farm work, save for a couple of them remaining inside and a certain changeling still under temporary stay.

Dirge was sound asleep on his bed, clutching his hooves onto his dream catcher pendant and holding it close to his chest. Without any way of actually knowing how the thing particularly worked, he placed a bit of faith into it in hopes of giving him peaceful slumber. Albeit his reluctantness in putting hope into such an object seemed far fetched even for him, it seemed to be working, judging from his calm expression.

From behind him, peeking through the door, was Crimson Delight, whom observed him for a little while now just to see if he was still there and checking up on him just in case. Again, there were no signs of anything malicious and all seemed well. He breathed a sigh of relief and closed the door quietly, then headed back downstairs.

Sitting at the kitchen table, eating her breakfast of apple cinnamon pancakes, was Apple Bumpkin. She was about finished with her meal and sat up from her seat until she noticed Crimson coming down, equipped with a saddlebag. He approached her nervously, shifting a hoof to his other and rubbing a little roughly.

“Hey, uh… cous’? Could ya do me a favor and tell ma and pa I’ll be back later? I’ma head out to Zabe’s and pick up some, uh… meds again.”

Bumpkin looked at him suspiciously. Confused as to why he was acting slightly anxious. “Ooookay, sure, but… why ya actin’ all strange about it? Not that I should be surprised...” She rolled her eyes and gave him a deadpan look. “Did ya wet the bed again?”

“Hey! That was a one time thing! And that ain’t what I’m gettin’ at!” He then stared at the floor for a moment and sighed. “It’s just that… well… I’d been thinkin’ that if that stranger knows Zabe, I figure, maybe, I can go ‘n’ ask about him. Ya know, see if I can get some answers outta him while I’m at it.”

“Yer still on about that?” Bumpkin asked boredly.

“Well, better safe than sorry!” Crimson said, assertively.

“Whatever ya say.” Bumpkin replied, sarcastically. “Though, while yer out and about, could ya pick up some sugar and flour? Auntie’s gonna be makin’ another batch of pies soon to sell at our stalls and we’re runnin’ low on baking supplies.”

“Sure.” Crimson nodded. “I’ll be makin’ my way then.” Afterwards making his way to the front door.

Meanwhile, on the path leading to the barn, a couple of visitors were on their way to the orchards. An earth pony and a griffin, both looking rather displeased after their morning coffee.

Rough Sport, the rugged looking pony, held a glass bottle of hard cider in his hoof. He drank a single gulp of it before speaking up again. “That was some of the worst coffee I’ve ever had.”

“You’re telling me.” The griffin, Eagle Eye, agreed. “Seriously... five bits for a latte! What a rip off! It’s worth half a bit at most!”

Rough took another dose of cider into his mouth. He swirled it around his tongue and gurgled it before spitting it out. Trying to wash off the aftertaste from his morning beverage. “And this stuff ain’t much better either! ‘Best cider in town’, my flank! Tastes more watered down than the crap they serve back at the tavern. Would’ve told that waitress to shove it if she hadn’t been gracious enough to tip us off on that changeling.”

“Speaking of,” Eagle raised his brow out of curiosity. “What’re we gonna do once we get there? Just gonna waltz in and nab that freak? Assuming he’s already taken those idiot ponies as captives and wrecked the place by now.”

“Don’t matter. Once we have him in sight, we bind him down and cuff him. Ol’ southern style.” Rough grinned with confidence. “Who knows? If they’re still alive, maybe they’ll reward us for doing some pest control!”

“Yeah, last time we tried that, we got our rumps handed to us. What makes you think we’ll have luck on our side this time?”

“Heh.” Rough smirked as he violently smashed his bottle against the fence beside him. “You leave that to me.”

“Woah-ho, chief! What’ve ya got up your sleeve this time?” Eagle Eye asked, slightly surprised by his cohort’s abrupt action.

“If he doesn’t come quietly, we’ll just use a bit more... ‘persuasion’. Like I used to say: You wanna get what you want? You gotta up the stakes!” Rough said with a confident grin.

While the two were making their scheme along the way to their destination, they had finally set into the orchard’s territory. Now making their way to the barn and reaching for the front door only a short while later. Approaching the main entrance, Rough Sport took the lead with Eagle following closely behind.

“You just stand back and let me take the initiative. Get the ropes ready in case-”

Without notice, the front door suddenly opened to reveal Crimson Delight. About to make his way out until he paused in front the two strangers before him. All of them looked baffled for a moment.

“Well, whaddya know? Signs of life.” Eagle Eye said with a raised brow.

“Uh… can I help ya’ll?” Crimson asked.

Rough Sport glanced at Eagle Eye expectantly and cleared his throat loudly before speaking. “G’day to you, sir!" He greeted politely before he took his hat off and held it to his chest. “We’re part of a, uh… group that deals with all manners of dangerous beasts. Wildlife specialists, you could call us! We understand you may have come across a certain... untamed, wretch recently?”

“L-like what?” Crimson nervously asked.

“Word through the grapevine has it that you’ve seen a changeling around the area.” Eagle Eye said with a hint of curiosity. “You wouldn’t happen to know where it’s gone, would ya?”

“A changelin’? I’m s-sorry, but I ‘unno what that is.” Crimson said as he shook his head.

“Are you dense!? How could ya not-- mmph!” Rough was interrupted by Eagle forcibly placing a talon to his mouth before he could finish.

“What he meant to say was; if you’ve seen any wild, black-lookin’ critters that can shapeshift in the blink of an eye. Ring any bells?” Eagle said, with Rough glancing at him upsettingly.

“I-I, uh… m-may have.” Crimson’s eyes stared elsewhere while he looked increasingly anxious. Recalling the horrible events that almost ended his life amongst a gang of those creatures. “But that was a long time ago. Why ya askin’?”

Rough swiped the talon away from his muzzle, glaring at Eagle for a quick second before going back to the young stallion. “We’re looking for one. A big one, at that! And for your own safety, we’re gonna take care of the problem for ya. Now have you seen it or not?”

Crimson caught a clue from their description and thought back to the stranger still sleeping upstairs. Not jumping to conclusions this time, he instead, wondered what these two would do if they acquired knowledge about him and his whereabouts. He didn’t trust them completely with their shady appearances and decided to inquire more about them before giving out more information.

“Why? What’re you gonna do with him?”

“That’s our business.” Rough said, growing impatient by the moment. “Now enough with the questions! Where is it!?”

Crimson was also irked by their continuous pressing and questioning. Having had enough of them, he pushed his way through them and left to be on his way. “I ain’t seen no dangerous lookin’ critters ‘round here! I dunno where ya’ll gettin’ these rumors from, but ya ain’t gettin’ nothin’ from me! Now if ya’ll excuse me, I’ma-- uh!?” He stopped when suddenly felt a pull on his tail.

Rough Sport tugged and pulled the red stallion closer to him. He stared him down, glaring, face to face, with suspicion. “I wasn’t done with ya yet! You think I’m just gonna walk away without my prize!? And how do we know you’re not one of them!?”

Crimson widened his eyes and his lips quivered in fear. “W-w-what’re ya d-doin’!?”

“What in the hay’s goin’ on out here?” Apple Bumpkin stepped out to investigate the shouting. Only to find her cousin and two unknown guests with him.

Seeing the unwanted attention before him now, Rough Sport gripped Crimson by the throat and quickly drew the broken bottle from his jacket and placed it near the younger stallion’s throat.

Crimson panicked as he struggled from his grasp. W-wha… !? Lemme g- ah!”

“Shaddup!” His captor hit him on the side of his head with his hoof, annoyed by his efforts.

“Ugh.” Eagle shook his head and rolled his eyes, dissatisfied with the situation, but not surprised by his partner’s actions. “There goes that plan…”

“Right then. On to Plan B! You!” Rough angrily said, pointing a hoof to the mare. “You best not be hiding any secrets from me, else your boyfriend here’s gonna get a nice new breathing hole! Now answer me! Where’s the changeling!?”

“W-what’s this all about!? I… I don’t know nothin’ about no changelin’!” Bumpkin couldn’t answer straight away between the fear and confusion suddenly inflicted on her.

“He said… !” Eagle Eye grabbed the mare by her neckerchief and pulled her closer. “No secrets!”

“S-stop it! Let go o’ me!”

With all the yelling going on, it caught the attention of another mare and stallion within the barn. Candy Apples and Bushel hurriedly stepped outside from the barn doors within the back to investigate the ruckus. Both of them looked in shock as their younger relatives were being harassed by a couple of strangers with ill intent. Candy stepped forward with the purpose of going in after them to save her family, but was promptly stopped by Bushel, who put a hoof on her shoulder. He shook his head in disapproval and instead, pointed back inside. Urging her to retreat into safety, while he ran off elsewhere with a determined look.

“C’mon! Don’t make me ask again! Spill it!”

The noise was also stirring up another guest inside. That being the changeling in mention.

Dirge turned in his bed, his eyes opening halfway, with the ongoing uproar from outside his window making him grudgingly rise from his rest. He went and looked out to see what all the commotion was about, only to find the same two punks he encountered yesterday. He narrowed his eyes at them as he observed their unjust acts against the innocent farm ponies. Disgruntled, he exited his room and made his way down towards the scene.

Unbeknown to the danger from afar, Apple Betty was making her way home with saddlebags full of groceries. She hummed happily as she trotted back to the barn, looking forward to making more apple treats for the town and her family. When she advanced closer, she paused when she spotted several ponies, including some of her own relatives, as well as a griffon outside their home. She held a hoof above her eyes and squinched to get a closer look at them. With growing curiosity, she approached the strangers. Her smile fading into a concerned frown when she saw Bumpkin pushing back against the griffin.

“What in tarnation is going on here!? Why are ya’ll… !?”

“Tsk!” Rough Sport turned to see another unwanted visitor behind him. Having to deal with more company bothered him, thus elevating his irritation on the current event and strengthening his grip on his hostage. The stallion he still held in his hoof, whom was struggling, let out a yelp as a cry for help.

“Crimson!?” Seeing her son like that caused her to become alarmed. She gasped in horror at the sight of a sharp object being held close to his throat. Her son endangered, she feared for both of their sakes. “Crimson! What’re ya doin’ to my little colt!?”

“Get back! GET BACK!!” Rough Sport pointed at the mare with the broken bottle in an attempt to threaten her as well. “Don’t be trying anything funny now or you’re gonna get the same as this idiot!”

“W-why are ya doin’ this!?” Betty said, now on the verge of crying.

“Auntie! Run!” Bumpkin said while resisting the griffin’s pull on her. “Go ‘n’ get help!”

“There’ll be none of that!” Eagle Eye threatened as he raised a talon with the intent of hitting the mare.

“Leave ‘em alone!” Betty yelled back.

“I said get back!”

“Quit it!”

“You’re asking for it!”

Whilst their pleading and the hostility went about, the one in regard stepped out from the front door. His presence unknown until he spoke up firmly.

“Enough.”

For a brief moment, there was silence. Everyone stared in surprise at the changeling that had just revealed itself. Rough Sport, however, chuckled deviously after a slight moment when he laid eyes on his bounty.

“Well, if it ain’t the star of the show! Been lookin’ all over for your sorry hide after our little encounter.”

Dirge became detested the moment he caught sight of Crimson being held in his grasp with a weapon held by his throat. History seemed to be repeating itself to him with this familiar scenario again. Scowling at the ruffian pony, he walked closer to him. Almost daring him to make a move.

“Hold up now!” Eagle Eye said to his side, pushing the mare he had held away and making her land on her rump with a whimper. He got between his comrade and the changeling. “Don’t go trying to play hero unless you want the unfortunate to happen!”

“Ha!” Rough retorted. “As if this freak of nature would give a damn about some pony’s life! After what he and his kind did!”

Ignoring the threat as well as the risk involved, Dirge dared to step closer. His glaring eyes as a sign of warning to the receiver. “Let him go. He’s not the one at fault here.”

“What’s that!? Haha! So, the monster’s got a heart all along!?” Rough said, raising an eyebrow then deadpanned, looking almost perplexed by the changeling’s reply. “Ooooh, I get it! You’re just saving grace so you can have these ponies to yourself then drain ‘em dry when their guard’s down. Is that it!?”

Skipping his accusation altogether, Dirge remained vigilant. “I won’t repeat myself.”

“No, no, no.” Rough said with a shake of his head. “That’s not how this game’s gonna play out! What you’re gonna do is turn yourself over to us, nice ‘n’ easy, and I won’t have gut this little fibber for hiding you from us!” Afterwards smacking Crimson in the back of his head, followed by his whining.

At first, Dirge growled angrily. However, not wanting to repeat the mistake he felt he made in the past, he looked down in regret. Calmingly sitting down now, he sighed. He felt powerless and as much as he hated it, he surrendered willingly but with a grumble. “Make it brief.”

“Oh, that’s what I intended to do all along!” He then whistled over with a hoof towards Eagle Eye. “Cuff him!”

Complying, the griffin walked over to him and took out a rope from his backpack. “Wise decision, changeling! Don’t worry, this’ll be over right quick!” He said as he tied the bindings over Dirge’s forehooves with a tight knot.

It didn’t feel comfortable being in ropes again. It felt too soon to be in these ties again as it brought back those memories of being in that mundane prison cell. Dirge grit his teeth but never stopped looking at the pony in front of him with contempt.

But Rough countered with the usual grin. “There ya go! Niiiice and easy! Now was that so hard?”

Eagle shared the same wicked smile. “Heh. Now let’s see if we can shut his trap and chain the rest of him up when we get ba-” Though what happened next seemed out of nowhere when a lasso flew above him and wrapped down unto his hind legs and talons. “Eh!? What in the… !?” He fell to the ground with a thud as he was dragged away from the scene.

On the other side, Bushel pulled the rope towards him with Eagle Eye in its binds. As soon as he was within reach, he proceeded to hog-tie the griffin tightly. His wings flapping wildly in protest.

“You stupid, crazy hick! Let go or else I’m gonna… !” Eagle said, still struggling from his bindings.

“Now how’dya like them apples?” Bushel responded. Almost grinning himself from managing to turn the tables on them.

“You idiot! How’d you let that happen!?” Rough yelled to his partner.

“Shut up and get me loose!” The griffin uttered impatiently.

Bushel then eyed the pony holding his son hostage sternly. “How’s about a trade then? Your partner here for my son and none of this’ll have to get anymore messy!”

“Pffeh!” Rough spat. “You can go ahead and keep that bird brain for all I care! I can compensate for his dumb loss with what I’m winning!”

His cohort, however, did not take his reply lightly. “What!? Rough Sport... you dirty double-crossing snake!! You wanna be the one to pay that debt yourself!? Or did you forget!?”

“I was doing just fine without you holding me back! Should’ve left your worthless weight back in those woods!”

While the two were busy arguing amongst themselves, Dirge decided to take this opportunity to act while his captor had his attention elsewhere, therefore leaving his guard down. With his sharp fangs at the ready and with a quick reflex, he lunged forward and bit down hard on Rough’s hoof which held the glass bottle, letting go of it from the sudden jolt of pain.

“GAAAHHH!! SON OF A… !!”

His grip weakened, he was then pushed forcefully to the ground, though not before Crimson took the chance to free himself and scurry away from them both. His mother soon came running towards him, still worried sick. She hugged him tightly as a way to comfort and safeguard him from anymore danger.

Dirge, though, kept the troublemaker pressed down with his binded forehooves to the perpetrator's chest. He roared, with all his fury, in his face like an untamed tiger. Rough could’ve sworn he growled very much like one too. He flashed his sharp, bloody fangs as a way to show unbridled intimidation.

“I should’ve finished you off when I had the chance!”

With Rough Sport on the other side of danger now, he only felt slightly afraid of this uncontrolled beast. Although he mostly felt a rush of adrenaline overcoming him. “What’re you gonna do, huh!? You gonna chew me out alive!?” He took a quick glance at everyone else staring at both him and the changeling. All of them, besides his griffin accomplice, appeared to be looking at them with shocked but expectant observations. For a moment, he considered the daring but inevitable fate with a small but visible grin. “Well, go right ahead then! Why don’t you show these fine folks how you work, eh? Show ‘em a good bloodbath!”

Dirge paused in his actions. He, too, looked towards the farm ponies with his held angry expression. While they did seem expectant, Crimson and Betty though, were almost shivering from fright. Afraid they might end up on the same end when he was through with his current victim. Their ambient fear making it clear to his senses were evident enough. After a short moment, he struggled to calm himself down to a more sane level. Not wanting to stoop down to such primitive rage again. Though his distaste for the one below him did not fade fast enough.

He removed his hooves off of Rough and looked away from him. Feeling ashamed from the way he barely managed to prevent another incident. “Begone.” He said grudgingly to him. “Lest I change my mind and attempt something I’ll regret.”

Slowly picking himself up with his one good hoof left, Rough stood there agitated, once again bent on claiming his ‘catch’. “Oh no, I ain’t leaving ‘til I get what I came for!”

“Then I beg the differ!” Bushel then spoke up. “Ya’ll either leave yerselves, else I’ll turn ya over in ropes as well with the rest of town in tow to the sheriff! And don’t think I can’t neither! Yer just lucky my brother’s out of town!”

“Rough!” Eagle Eye interrupted. “You either get me outta this or you can forget about me cutting you anymore deals!”

As much as he didn’t want to admit it, they still needed each other for future business endeavors. Now on the last straw, Rough grit his teeth and growled loudly in vexation. “FINE!!” He said, directing his anger to every pony else still bothering to watch. “We’re done with this flimsy, backwoods town anyway!” Afterwards, limping over to Bushel and swiping the end of Eagle’s rope with his teeth, dragging his partner on the ground as he left on the road away from the barn. “I’m just gonna have to make due with some other poor sap then! Cause I am done wasting my time with these half-brained rednecks!” He then took one last look at the farm ponies before departing. “Hope that beast of yours tears you all to shreds!” Once more taking his leave when all else was said and done.

“Go on! Scram on outta here!” Bushel yelled.

“You want to untie me first, moron!?” Eagle protested.

“Shut your freakin’ beak already!” Rough grumbled in response.

“Urrgh! Remind me to beat the snot outta you later!”

The two of them now turning away from the barn and leading themselves away from the town as well, Dirge felt relieved enough to start chewing away at the ropes that remained tied to his hooves. Meanwhile, Betty shed a tear, overwhelmed with sadness but happy nonetheless that her son escaped with no harm done.

“Oh, Crimson! Thank goodness yer alright! I thought for sure they were gonna do the unthinkable right then and there!” She kissed him continuously on and on all over his face, joyful to know he came out alive from that frightening experience.

“S-stop it, ma!” Crimson tried to make space between himself and his mother by gently pushing her away. “Yer embarrassin’ me!”

Bushel walked over to Dirge, letting out a sigh of relief and bowed in gratitude, “I, uh… thank ya for what ya did. I dunno what woulda happened if you hadn’t shown up when ya did.”

But Dirge felt he didn’t deserve such appreciation. Not knowing how to respond but by lightly shaking his head, he resumed his removal of his bindings with solemn procession. Although he noticed a strong amount of love coming from the ponies who were sharing their familial affection for each other. It was very familiar to him as he had tasted it before, albeit a long time ago back when his caretaker mother fed him nearly the same sustenance. Nostalgia hit him strong when he picked up that particular emotion.

“Oh, that’s right!” Betty said, finally releasing Crimson from her loving grasp. “Crimson dear, don’t ya have somethin’ to say to him?” She said, lifting a hoof over to the changeling.

Remembering what he had to do, though out of his own decision as well, Crimson glanced sadly over to the one who saved his life. “Yeah… I do.” He proceeded over to him with an apologetic look.

Dirge almost finished with his cuffs when he noticed the young red stallion approaching him cautiously.

“Listen, I… what to mean to say is… thank ya for helpin’ me outta that jam.” Crimson said, shifting his eyes from place to place with his voice quivering in anxiety. “And I’m… s-sorry about everythin’ I said about ya yesterday. I-I mean it. I shouldn’t of said all them nasty things to ya.” He extended a hoof to him as a sign of showing his sincerity and a gesture of expecting a kind pardon. “Ya forgive me, don’tcha?”

Finally untying himself from the ropes loose off his hooves, Dirge examined the young stallion from eye to hoof. Although he did mean well and seemed to have wanted a hoofshake in return, Crimson was left hanging as the changeling simply rose from his spot and turned his back on him, walking back indoors. Feeling as though the gratitude wasn’t necessary.

“You’ve nothing to apologize for.”

As he entered back inside and made his way back upstairs, Crimson stood there puzzled. He looked to his parents who shared the same expressions and scratched the back of his neck with a shrug.

That stranger was indeed a strange one.

Author's Note

This was originally part of a larger single chapter, but since the next one was looking to be reaching 10k words, which I don't really want to stretch out that long, and I've taken more than enough time to update, I decided to go ahead and get this part out of the way.