The Changing Heart

Chapters

Chapter 1: Lynx
Chapter 3: Earning and Understanding
Chapter 4: Extra Help
Chapter 5: A Storm of Questions
Chapter 6: Unexpected Events
Chapter 7: The Canterlot Surprise
Chapter 8: Crashing the Party
Chapter 9: A Day Off
Chapter 10: Moving Forward
Chapter 11: A Tiny Feeling
Chapter 2: Nightmares and Sweet Drinks

Chapter 1: Lynx

Chapter 1: Lynx-----

The city was in chaos, Queen Chrysalis’ plan was in full force and the invasion had begun. Ponies where running and screaming in terror as changelings hunted them down for their positive emotions. She had captured Celestia, had Shining Armor under her complete control, and completely neutralized the Elements of Harmony. She sent telepathic messages to her children, controlling them and taking away their free will. “Feed my children!” She commanded them, knowing no better they complied willingly.

A grey pegasus with sapphire eyes was backed up against the wall of a dark alley. Several changelings began backing her into a corner. Lynx stood firm at the front of his brethren. He laughed a the slight Insect-like hiss to his voice. He had been chasing this mare all over Canterlot, she was skilled at flying and evaded him well but now she was trapped.

“Please no!” she cried begging for her to be spared whatever horror the changelings had planned for her. Her hooves pushed some of the lesser drones away as they tried encasing her like the rest of the ponies. “Leave me alone!” She cried out again.

Lynx looked at her plainly and stepped forward his long green mane drooping over his looming green eyes. “You can’t stop us.” He said a soft hissing to his voice as he approached.

Chrysalis looked back in shock seeing the two ponies united in love preform the spell that would ultimately lead to her banishment. As she left threw the window, her cries could be heard from her soldiers as they too got swept up along with her and the cocoons encasing the ponies crumbled away.

Lynx looked on in shock as he too was thrown back, the energy produced seeping into his body as he was thrown through the air. Lynx was thrown down in the forests of Equestria while the rest of his brother's and sister's landed much closer to the hive and the Equestrian border.

Crashing and snapping branches on his way down he fell clean into some ponies house along with a large branch of the tree it rested beside. A glowing green goo leaking from the back of his head as darkness fell around his eyes. Feeling light headed and gravely sleepy he shut his eyes, and for a moment he swore he couldn't hear his queen’s voice.

Waking up he slowly lifted his head and rubbed the spot where he had hit his head. Removing his hoof he saw the green goo and his eyes widened in a rush of panic getting to his feet and looking around frantically. “I’m alive, but where am I?” he asked in his insect-like voice echoing through the remains of the destroyed house.

His wings making a soft hum he flew out and looked around the surrounding forest. “Where are you my Queen?” He asked seemingly talking to nothing. He got no response, no voice in his head telling him what to do.

He started looking around more worried now that he couldn't hear his queen’s voice, he didn't know what to do now, his connection to his queen was severed and he was confused. “Please answer me my queen its your humble servant Lynx!” He shouted into the sky but there was no response. He was all alone.

Wandering the forest he began wondering if the queen had perished in that flash of light. He felt his heart beating in his chest as he walked, and a odd tingly feeling swept over his body. Did the love spell severe his connection to his Queen? If so, what else did it do to him? Each step he took felt like another perversion of his queen's will. She had guided each step he ever made from the time he was hatched and he knew no different.

BOOM! He looked up at the sky wide eyed as a ripple of rainbow coloured light streaked across the sky. It was majestic and beautiful and he watched it right up into the rainbow faded from view. His memories flashed to the fact that one of the elements of harmony had a rainbow main. Was she the one responsible for such an act?

It didn't matter he had to keep moving, if the guards where searching for changeling stragglers then he would surely be found soon. He decided to turn and walk towards the origin point of the rainbow ripple, from there he would at least be able to find his way back to the hive.

He paused for a moment remembering that he still looked like a changeling. He knew he couldn't just stroll in looking like that so for the first time in his life, he needed to sit down and think of a way to remain undetected.

His mind wondered back to a time when he was just a small hatchling back in the hive. He had just become old enough to have his first feeding and was given the white unicorn stallion they had captured to feed upon.

He already knew what happened to him after that so there was no way of that coming back to haunt him was there? Lynx shook the worry out of his mind and transformed into the unicorn, his coat was snow white, he had emerald green eyes with dark circles under them and a long ash coloured mane.

Trotting up to the gates of Canterlot was the easy part, getting past the guards that stood in front of it was not.

“Stop right there!” The guard on the left side of the gate shouted as he pointed his spear at lynx’s neck. His golden armor gleaming in the sunlight, he looked Lynx up and down inspecting him closely.

“Is there a problem?” Lynx asked, his voice was sly now and his insect-like hiss was completely disguised in this form. Looking at the spear so close to him he gulped, if he was any closer he wouldn't be breathing.

“Don’t you know there was an attack on Canterlot, and the princess has ordered us to not give any pony entry no matter what.” The Guard said still holding his spear steady ready to strike if Lynx made one wrong move.

“Do I look dangerous?” Lynx asked looking at him, “I lost my home, a large branch came down and crushed every last thing I own, I just wanted to find out if I could live in Canterlot, but I guess i’ll just live outside.” Lynx started walking away. “Hope it doesn't rain.”

The guards looked at one another before shouting at him. “Hey stop! You can come inside, but if we get any funny business outta you, your gone.” The guards warned him before opening the gate.

Lynx nodded, “I promise you wont regret this!” He galloped as fast as he could through the main gate looking back and snickering. “Ponies will believe anything, incompetent fools, no wonder we caught you off guard.”

Canterlot seemed almost deserted, everypony was still at the royal wedding that had recovered from the changeling invasion. As night fell and the faint sounds of music began to fill the air around Canterlot. Lynx pace did not change however a he galloped towards the music, he was almost drawn to the beat and lyrics. As he got closer he could make out a mare’s voice echoing through the streets.

It wasn't just any mare however. Coming to a skidding stop he panted softly listening. It was the voice of one of the bearer's of the Element's of Harmony, Twilight Sparkle.

Remembering that ponies name he came to a sudden realization, what was he going to do for a name? Lynx didn't exactly seem like much of a ponies name and might give him away as soon as he told somepony. He sat down on the sidewalk and thought about it long and hard as the minutes flew by.

As Lynx sat there he looked up and saw fireworks exp loading in the sky. It didn't take him long to spot a single gleaming star in the sky among the cluster of fireworks. “I guess your my lucky star huh?” Lynx said as he looked up at it. Then it hit him, why didn't he call himself Lucky Star it was catchy and gave him the cover he needed. He turned his head to see the bride and groom’s carriage strolled down the street.

Lynx stood up and walked down the street into the market. As the night went on, he pondered what he would do next as he slowly strolled down the dimly lit streets. He needed to find a way to fit in around these ponies, but where to start? He had no ones personality to mimic this time, would he have to use his own? Not watching where he was going he bumped into some pony falling back.

The Mare he bumped into stood up and stretched her wings out making sure they where not damaged before looking at Lynx. “I’m so sorry fro bumping into you? Um? Hey I don’t think I know you. Whats your name?”

Lynx flinched as he finally got a good look at the mare. His ears drooped almost flattening to his head as he looked on her. Of all the ponies he could run into why in name of Chrysalis did it have to be her.

Chapter 3: Earning and Understanding

Chapter 3: Earning and Understanding-----

The Aqua stallion fallowed his gaze and then nodded with a sigh. "Yeah, I just started and don't have proper advertising yet." He shook his head smiling at Lynx. "I don't even have hired help yet."

Lynx stood up brushing himself off. "Would you like help?"

The stallion's eyes opened wide, "Wait! Are you asking me... for a job?" The stallion was taken aback by how forward Lynx was being.

Lynx nodded softly and made the best smile he could. "Sure, I wouldn't mind working here, and besides I really need the bits." He said trying to seem as genuine as he could. At this point he wasn't exactly going to be picky, he would take any job the stallion gave him at this point.

"The pay wont be much, hardly enough to pay for your home." The stallion confessed looking at Lynx, a hint of concern behind his eyes.

"Well funny story, I actually don't have a home at the moment." Lynx confessed, "A tree destroyed my old home so I decided I would try my luck up here... To be honest its allot harder than I thought."

"Well with the royal wedding finished, things might just be getting back to normal around here." The stallion smiled as he had an idea. "Why don't you try your hoof with the reconstruction committee. They need all the help they can get after those gosh darn changelings blew the city apart."

Lynx felt slightly guilty upon hearing this. What was it making him feel this way, he almost felt like he was going to be sick. Trying to calm down he looked at the stallion. "N-no, I would like to try my hoof here please."

The stallion nodded. "Well if you insist, I cant force you into a job you don't want." The stallion smiled, "And if you need a place to stay, you can always live in the guest room upstairs."

"Oh no, i wouldn't want to impose." Lynx protested.

"Non-Sense! I will not have an employee of mine living on the streets, Understand?" The stallion said harshly before returning to his cheerful demeanor. "Oh and by the way, my names Neon Comet."

"Lucky Star, its a pleasure to meet you Neon."

"Likewise." Neon replied before turning and going up the stairs.

Lynx let out a soft sigh and looked out the window in the direction of the inn he had stayed at prior. He was worried about the nightmare he had and if it would return under this ponies roof to. And would he be so lucky again to have it go unnoticed.

Returning from upstairs Neon trotted down stairs, he held another hat with the shops logo on it in a magic sheath as it levitated over to Lynx and was placed on his head. "Welcome to the staff, now your first job is to take some of my drinks out to the streets and see if you can get a few bits."

"Yes Sir!" Lynx replied as he walked over to get the tray.

Lynx was out on the streets not far from the shop the tray safely wrapped in a sheath of magic. He didn't think it would be too difficult to make sales however not many ponies seemed interested in trying new things.

A young bright yellow unicorn mare trotted up to Lynx smiling seeing the drinks wrapped within his green magic "I'll take one please."

Lynx smiled as he was about to make his first sale and replied to the mare "That will be two bits."

The mare nodded retrieving two bits from within her vest putting them on the tray.

Lynx levitated one of the drinks over to her.

Taking it within a sheath of her own light pink magic she took a sip. Her eyes widened with delight feeling the rush of flavor flow past her lips and across her tongue. "Wow! this is the best drink I've had in well, forever!"

"Well don't forget to stop by the Golden Elixir if you ever want a fresh one"

The mare nodded and trotted off with her drink.

It wasn't long before more and more pones started arriving to taste the drinks he was selling. He pondered at why all the sudden ponies who shunned the drinks wanted to try one for themselves, either way he wasn't complaining. He had managed to sell the entire tray in the span of one hour after meeting the mare and needed to rush back to get more.

"What!" Neon shouted seeing the pile of bits lynx had just placed on the counter.

"I told you I don't know, its almost like selling a drink to that one mare started bringing in ponies from out of the blue." Lynx replied waiting for another tray to get out and sell some more. The bell ringing at the door startled him as he looked back.

Ponies began trotting through the door looking for the new drink that had been spreading around.

"Lucky behind the counter, we have customers and I need to be mixing, your on register!" Neon said as he rushed to his station.

Lynx nodded and rushed behind the cash register, as ponies began trotting up to him ordering their drinks.

Neon mixed the drinks in record times, before sending them down to Lynx to receive the customers bits before giving it to them.

Everything was going smoothly, the cash register happily ringing, and the where bits clanging against one another. The Bell at the door rang again as another wave ponies walked into The Golden Elixir causing Lynx and Neon to smile at one another.

"Welcome to the golden elixir what can I get you?" Lynx asked putting on a cheerful expression.

"Oh I think I'll try the strawberry surprise please." A familiar voice said ordering.

Looking up Lynx's ears flattened to his head as he noticed who one the ponies who walk into the shop was.

Neon slide the drink down to Lynx and Storm Dancer who grinned ear to ear noticing Lynx behind the counter. "Hey, your names Lucky Star right? Glad to see you got a job and at a pretty successful one at that."

"O-oh, H-hey Storm Dancer." He replied shakily remembering his dream from the night before. "How have you been?"

Pulling two bits from her saddle bag she set them down on the counter. "Oh pretty good just thought I would come and try some of these delicious drinks everypony is talking about. Howeverrr I never thought I would bump into you here."

"Likewise."

"So Lucky, find someplace to live?"

"Y-yeah, actually my Boss Neon is letting me stay in a apartment just above the shop."

"Cool, well if you ever need a alternative, my door is always open."

He nodded smiling a small bead of sweat dripping from his brow. "Sure thanks again, you have a nice day Storm Dancer."

"Just call me Storm." She said winking at him before taking her drink going off to find a table.

Neon slide up beside Lynx silently finally having a reprieve from the herd of customers they now had, grinning and rubbing his chin with his hoof. "So, you know that mare?"

Lynx nearly leaped out of his transformation, "S-sort of, we bumped into each other and she offered me room and board once before, but I declined."

"What made you decline an offer like that?" He smiled "Got a thing for her or something?" He asked in a teasing tone.

Lynx blushed looking shocked at neon "N-no its nothing like that." He said defensively.

Neon bumped Lynx in the shoulder "Your secrets safe with me." He said trotting back to his station.

"B-but I don't have a thing for her." He said facehoofing.

As the evening rolled on the flow of customers began to slow as everypony was ready to go home and call it a night. Neon and Lynx spent almost and hour making sure the place was ship shape before going up stairs and calling it a night themselves after closing.

"Well this is your room." Neon said opening a door to a neatly made bed with a dresser for storing cloths.

Lynx walked inside smiling, this was allot different from the hive he was once accustomed to. However this room had a completely different feel, he felt more comfortable here. "Thanks Neon, this is amazing."

"Nah don't mention it, I'm happy to help a friend." He yawned softly "Well good night Lucky. I'll be seeing you bright and early for work tomorrow."

Lynx nodded and watched as Neon shut the door, hearing him walk down the hall and into his own room. Lynx turned to the window closing the blinds so no pony could see inside. Transforming back int his changeling form he walked over to the mirror above the dresser looking at his reflection, "I have a friend?"

Chapter 4: Extra Help

Chapter 4: Extra Help-----

He stared into the mirror and brought his hoof up placing it on his face it on his face. He didn't know what to feel by this sudden realization that somepony actually considered him a friend. His mind trailed off to thoughts of what might happen if Neon found out Lynx was really a changeling. Would he still think of Lynx as a friend? Shaking it off Lynx returned to his pony form and climbed onto the bed.

Te bed was soft, softer than anything he had slept on before. Granted before he slept in a stone hole in the wall back in the hive, and a couch the night before. Nuzzling his face into the pillow he lifted his new blanket over him. The bed was warm and relaxing, he felt all his troubles melt away as his eyes got heavy.

A bright flash of magical light burst through Lynx's window and he shot awake looking around. He then moved slowly over to the window peering out at the scene.

Royal Pegasus Guard flew in racing speeds down the street fallowing something. Flashes of light could be seen from Unicorns blasting magic at something.

Lynx was curious as to what was happening but didn't want to get involved, he just ignored the scene and went back to his bed.

The next morning Lynx woke up to Neon knocking on his door.

"Hey Lucky, you awake yet? its time for work!" He called form the other side of the door.

Lynx shot up grabbing his hat and getting the door opening it with his magic. "Sorry boss.."

Neon smiled bumping Lynx's shoulder "Don't worry about it, We don't open for awhile I just like getting you up early so you can help me prep for when we do open."

Lynx nodded slightly confused but didn't question it as he really didn't know much about how these sort of things operated as this was his first job.

Neon led Lynx down stairs and briefed him on what needed to be done before they opened such as; Making sure the tables are clean, and making sure the juice ingredients and napkins where fully stocked.

Lynx understood the jobs, they seemed reasonable enough, Grasping a cloth in a sheath of his magic he went to start cleaning the tables. He wiped each table until they where squeaky clean, he really didn't want to disappoint Neon, the first pony to ever consider Lynx as a friend.

Neon was involved with his own prep-work when he heard a knock on the front door, walking over he peered out and then opened it "Can I help you?"

"Yes I think you can I was hoping you still had a job opening here?"

Lynx's ears twitched at the sound of the voice coming from the pony from the door, turning his head his jaw dropped seeing Storm Dancer was standing at the door asking for a job.

"Hehe, well I'm going to be as honest with you as I was with Lucky. The pay isn't that good right now and you would have better pay from wherever your coming from." Neon said honestly.

"Oh I'm not worried about that, I've saved up enough bits to keep myself up on my hooves until this place picks up." She replied with a smile then noticing Lynx's expression and smiling waving a hoof at him.

Lynx waved back before focusing on the last table scrubbing it hard.

Neon smiled at her and nodded a small bead of sweat running down his temple "Well if you insist welcome to the crew of Golden Elixir, I'll go fetch you a hat."

Storm nodded stepping inside "Well that's good because I've already resigned form my last job I would hate to be jobless with the reconstruction still happening."

Neon's eyes widened and then he nodded, before walking into the back room to get Storm a hat.

Storm trotted over to Lynx smiling at him "Need some help?"

Lynx froze before smiling at er "N-no. er, I'm almost done... But I think Neon still needs the napkins and juice ingredients re-stocked."

Storm nodded "Okay where can I find the items to re-stock them?"

"To be honest I don't really know myself, they should be in back but I'm not entirely sure on the exact location."

Neon came back with a hat wrapped in his magic and approached Storm placing it on her head. "Welcome to the team. Now would you mind being a waitress? I think it would be nice for ponies to just come, sit, order, and relax while sipping quality drinks."

"I wouldn't mind at all but what will that leave Lucky to do?"

"Lucky will be still on the register giving you the customers total for their bill." Neon Replied.

Storm nodded "Okay boss." She smiled before looking back to Lynx who had finished the last table.

"Alright Boss where are the napkins and extra drink supplies." Lynx replied placing the cloth down.

"Just in the back in labeled sections, you should be able to miss what your looking for."

Lynx nodded starting to walk to back room.

Storm fallowed him, "I'll help if that's okay?"

Lynx nodded as they both walked into the back room, Lynx grabbed the spare napkins in a sheath of his green magic while storm loaded the drink re-fills into a saddle bag to carry them all out to the front.

Once they both carried everything out and put it in the place it needed to go, Neon flipped the sign to open and Lynx took his place behind the counter while Storm took her place at the entrance. Neon rushed to his mixing station, the team was ready for the days business.

For the first while everything was quiet, it wasn't until about an hour after they opened that ponies began coming in. Storm informed them of the shops new system and ponies happily accepted the change taking their seats. Storm proved no slouch darting from table to table collecting orders and giving them to Lynx and Neon so they could price them out and get the ponies what they ordered.

Lynx was amazed at Storm's speed on her hooves and wondered how much faster she was in the sky. Shaking it off as he got another order pricing it out and noting which table it belonged to. He already had a collection of notes now posted on the wall beside the register on which table ordered what. Surprisingly he was great at multitasking with his magic, writing down new notes and adding to old ones he had posted.

Neon was the most impressive mixing like no tomorrow filling an order almost as soon as it came in. Customers had their drinks and space quickly filled up even pouring out onto the tables outside.

Between recording orders for Storm and pricing those out in his head, Lynx also had the job of taking customers orders who needed take-out orders and passing them off to Neon.

Neon was silently concerned in the back of his mind about his friend. That was soon shattered when he saw the fierce determination in Lynx's eyes as he worked.

Lynx greeted each customer with a smile as he took their order always keeping an ear open for Storm to give him another order for ponies who where staying.

It wasn't long before Lynx saw a familiar face, the young yellow unicorn from before.

She trotted in looking around at the ponies sitting and enjoying the drinks, smiling she pulled out a notepad writing a few things down before going over and sitting down at a table in the far corner of the floor.

Storm was quick to greet her with a welcoming smile, "Hi there, welcome to the Golden Elixir. My name is Storm Dancer."

"Hello Ms Dancer, may I have a menu please?" She asked politely.

"Certainly I'll be right back." Storm dashed off to collect a menu and then came back placing it in front of her. Seeing another pony flag her down she smiled at the yellow unicorn. "I'll be right back, I just need to take care of another customer than I'll be happy to take your order." And like a bolt of lightning she zipped over to help the other pony.

The unicorn glossed over the menu and decided on the Neon Blitz after seeing its contents. She placed down the menu and waited for Storm to return.

Storm rushed over smiling, "So sorry about that, have you decided on what you would like?" she asked.

The unicorn nodded, "I'll have one Neon Blitz."

Storm nodded, "Great choice." She rushed over to Lynx giving him the order so Neon could get to work.

Lynx typed it in while Neon mixed her drink. Neon placed the glass on the tray on top for the counter getting back to work. Once Neon was finished Storm took the drink and placed it down in front of the yellow unicorn.

"One Neon Blitz, enjoy." Storm said before going to help another customer who was flagging her down.

The shop was busy with ponies nearly every table was filled and the outside tables had ponies out chatting on them as well enjoying the sun with their drinks.

The young yellow unicorn took a sip of the drink through the straw and smiled before taking out her notepad writing down a few things before looking around seeing all the happy ponies. Putting away her notepad she sat and enjoyed her drink in the comfortable chair.

Storm soon returned to check on her, "Hows everything?" She asked

The Unicorn smiled as she finished her drink, "Simply amazing, I think I'm ready to pay my bill."

Storm nodded rushing over to Lynx, "I need the bill for table twelve Lucky."

Lynx nodded grabbing the bill from the wall and handed it to Storm, "Here you go."

Storm smiled taking the note and rushing over to the unicorn not wanting to keep her waiting and placed the bill.

She smiled at the bill pulling out the necessary bits as well as a tip before standing up and walking out.

Storm scooped up the bits trotting over Lynx so he could put the bill in the trash and the bits in the register.

As the day went on traffic slowed, despite this they still had a steady flow of walk-ins. Lynx was washing his station while he had a moment and his ear perked at the sound of two mares gossiping at the table closest to the register.

"Did you hear about that big scene the guards made last night?"

"Yeah I did, something about some changelings getting into the city right?"

"That's the one, I heard about it from my special somepony, he said they cornered and trapped about four of them trying to get some couple in an ally."

"Well its a good thing they were stopped, I wouldn't sleep at all tonight if I knew a changeling was free in the city. I mean how could any pony after what those monsters did?"

Lynx cringed softly hoping no pony would notice. If they only knew that they were only a few meters from one of the 'monsters' that they feared so much. It was then he noticed he was remarkably hungry when he heard a loud growl from his stomach. What would he do for food? He was so used to getting his nutrients from the love of ponies he didn't know what he was supposed to eat now. He had no idea what pony food would taste like or what effect it might have on his body.

"I know what you mean, well its I'm just glad my special somepony stopped them when he did."

"Yeah, I'm glad the royal guard are on top of the situation too."

They finished their drinks paying and then walking out. Lynx felt sick as well as hungry, what if somepony found out? he would be doomed, and with having no idea about what they would do to him if they found out his mind delved into the possibilities. Shaking it off he focus on the fact he was hungry he went over to Neon. "Hey is there any chance I could take a break to eat something?"

Neon tossed a doughnut at Lynx's head, it twirled around and rested on his horn. "Here help yourself, I always keep a box on hand encase I get hungry while on the job."

Lynx nodded levitating the doughnut off his horn at took a bite, the sweet sugary goodness made him smile. He had never tasted food so delicious and his taste buds thanked him for it. He devoured the doughnut quickly and smiled at Neon. "Thank you."

Neon smiled as he finished a doughnut himself "That's what friends are for, and besides why should I hog them all when a friend is hungry and needs something, to do so would just be rude and selfish."

Lynx nodded softly, he was happy that Neon was his friend and made Lynx one so quickly. And the doughnuts where a great benefit. Lynx made a silent vow to repay Neon's generosity in someday, though he wondered if he really could survive on doughnuts alone? Taking more he stuffed his face until the growling in his stomach subsided.

The last of the customers began leaving and ponies returned to their flat's for the night. Upon the last pony leaving Storm flipped the open sign to closed and walked back over to Neon and Lynx who where sitting back over at a table. "Well that was a busy work day huh?" She asked as she sat down at the table with them.

"Eyyyyup." Neon said leaning back before looking at them both, "You know what? Its kinda late, and I don't really want to force either of you to cook so why don't you stay for dinner Storm."

"Aw thanks Boss." Storm replied.

"Just call me Neon you two, boss just seems a little to formal."

Lynx and Storm both nodded as they watched Neon get up to go get dinner.

Lynx looked at Storm as a faint blush spread across his face, he didn't really get a good look at her before when they were working but now that he actually saw her wearing the hat over her mane he couldn't help but think she was beautiful.

Storm noticed his blush and smiled, "What is it Lucky?" She asked him while they waited for their dinner.

"N-nothing at all." He said looking back down at the table.

Storm giggled bumping Lynx's Shoulder with her hoof, "Liar." She moved her chair closer to him, "Spill it Lucky whats on your mind, be honest."

Lynx gulped as he looked over to her noticing she was closer to him, "u-uh well I just thought you looked kinda cute in that hat storm."

"Kinda cute?"

Lynx nodded.

"Well you don't Look so bad yourself." She said back smiling before Neon brought in some hay fries along with some dandy lion sandwiches. "Yum."

Neon placed a plate in front of each of them and sat back down, "To a successful second work day." He said as he lifted his fork.

"To a new job!" Storm shouted as she picked up her fork.

"To two of the greatest ponies I've ever had the pleasure of meeting." Lynx said as he looked at them both picking up his fork, he noticed they were both smiling at him before they each started eating. He began to eat as well, he was surprised to learn that Neon was an amazing cook as well as Drink mixer. He never had pony food before so trying it now was an experience he wouldn't trade for anything in all of Equestria.

Chapter 5: A Storm of Questions

Chapter 5: A Storm of Questions-----

The remainder of the dinner was pretty quiet, and once Storm left, Lynx and Neon finished closing up and went to their respective rooms.

As Lynx stood in front of his mirror he looked to the open window as the curtain ruffled slightly, closing the window with his magic he peered out seeing no pony around, going back over to his mirror he sighed softly and in a blaze of green fire turned back into a changeling.

Once again he found himself looking at his own reflection, pondering for a moment as he tried to remember the reason why he changed. He was drawing a blank as to when he actually began to feel this way. Giving an unamused stare at his own reflection he groaned banging his head on the dresser that the mirror lay upon.

A knock on the door caused him to stop beating himself up and transform back into the form of Lucky Star. "Was I being too loud?" He asked himself trotting over to the door and finding a very tired Neon Comet standing on the other side.

"What are you doing in here that's causing all that banging?" He asked in a groggy almost half asleep voice.

"Um trying to think, but punishing myself for not figuring it out." He admitted, wondering just how long had he been doing that. Neon looked like he had already been asleep for at least an hour.

"What you thinking about?" He replied rubbing his eyes awoken by his friend and now slightly curious.

Lynx slightly panicked he couldn't just flat out tell Neon what he was really thinking about. Neon would likely call the guards and then his new life would be over. Thinking fast he thought up a tiny fib to tell his friend, "I was just trying to figure out something Storm said to me."

"And that is?"

"Well you see... When you went to go make dinner I complemented Storm on the hat she was wearing telling her she looked cute in it.. Then she said you 'you don't look so bad yourself'... I'm not sure how I should feel about that?"

"How long have you been in those woods?" Neon asked showing himself into Lynx's room sitting down on a chair, "The mare likes you man."

Lynx blushed looking away sitting down and rubbing his burning cheek, "Nah that can't be right..."

"Look I don't know what chemistry you two have, or even if you have any at all, but I don't think she's playing the subtle card. So even if you have lived in the woods all your life you should be able to pick up on the fact that she likes you." Neon said rolling his eyes getting up and going to the door, "Now if you would refrain from banging your head any further-" A yawn cut him off as he stepped through the door, "This pony would like to get some sleep." And with that Neon vanished down the hall and into his room.

Lynx was left sitting there having completely forgotten everything he was worrying about before, his eye softly twitching in confusion, "Whaaat?!"

Lynx sat there for a good long while before going to bed, unable to sleep he continued thinking over what could possibly cause such a rapid change. But yet another knock totally destroyed his train of thought once more, but this one was odd, it was coming from his window?

Upon finishing dinner Storm began walking home in the cool brisk air of the Canterlot night. Her cap was still resting atop her head, stepping through a puddle which reflected Luna's light almost perfectly, only to be ruined by her hoof.

She turned her head hearing the sound of clopping hooves behind her but saw nothing. Ignoring it she began to walk again only to have the clopping return as well, "I know your back there!" She said turning instantly to see the unicorn behind her.

The mare gasped falling back the sound of armor clanging against the ground.

Storm noticed the golden armor worn by the Canterlot guard and flushed rushing to help the guard pony up, "I'm so sorry!"

"No don't worry about it, I probably should have been upfront with you anyways." The young sounding mare said as she was helped back onto her hooves.

"Upfront with what?" Storm asked, curious as to why she was being fallowed.

"Well you see, with the captain of the guard out on his honeymoon, and with most of the guards are still recovering form the changeling attack, the royal guard had to hire some extra help."

"And this has to do with fallowing me how?"

"Oh it doesn't but, well you see there was an incident last night, a small team of four or so changelings got pat our cities defenses... and we only caught two. So I was tasked with going out and looking for any pony suspicious."

"there's changeling's in the city?" Storm said looking around.

"Oh crap i wasn't supposed to tell you that part, my bad, could you do me a favor and not spread that around?"

"Sure." Storm looked around nervously, the fact that two changelings where stalking the streets genuinely spooked her now. What if a changeling came around the corner and caught her off guard like in the invasion? She still remembered the gleaming green eyes staring into her soul, the sinister fanged smile, the odd mane that set it apart form the others. Shaking it off she noticed the guard was still talking seemingly non-stop.

"-So you understand the importance of not telling any pony right?"

"Um yeah sure, I should really be getting home."

"Hold on a second, I still have to use the detection spell, sorry miss its just standard for anyone who's out this late at night."

Nodding Storm stood still as the spell washed over her doing nothing to change her appearance.

The guard smiled and bowed her head, "Have a nice night ma'am!"

Storm nodded and deciding walking was to slow rocketed off into the air at record speeds in order to get home as fast as possible. Rushing to get into her house she locked the door and slid the small chain into place. Sure she knew it wouldn't keep a magical changeling out for long, but it was the thought that counted.

Walking over to her hat rack, she placed her Golden Elixir cap on it and walked over to turn on the lights. Her house was just as she left it, over sized and with little furniture to fill the empty space. She silently wished for Lucky to fill that space even offering it verbally to him but he refused and now she knew why, he already had a place at Neon's.

She walked into her bedroom and gazed at her bed with a small smile before collapsing on it, "Oh I missed you" She said nuzzling the soft sheets kissing them softly before rolling over and looking up at the ceiling. She blushed thinking of Lucky at that moment and hid her face in the pillow, "Urg what is it about that stallion that makes me feel this way?"

She lay there with her head in the pillow before trotting over and flicking off the lights, returning to her bed and laying in it, pondering; what made her attracted to him in the first place, was it how hard he worked? No this developed before that, maybe it was just a silly little crush.

Closing her eyes the mare sighed pulling her covers up over herself and falling into a light sleep. Her thoughts of Lucky completely pushing the worry of the two changelings at large out of her mind. Her breathing was soft as parts of her mane drooped over her eyes as she slept.

The young guard walked carefully down the street continually looking for any suspicious ponies, her eyes darting to the sides as a look of worry was stricken over her face. What where the ponies in charge thinking sending new recruits alone to find battle ready changelings changelings?

The mare gulped and nearly leapt out of her armor at the sound of a barrel falling behind her and a cat walking out, looking at her briefly, then darting off.

Shaking her head she looked around sweat building under her helmet, "It was just a cat, of course it would be a cat, but isn't that how it always starts in the movies?" she asked herself as she patrolled the dark streets.

It was then she remembered a spell that might help, her horn glowed softly as a light shone in the direction of where she was looking, giggling in delight and clopping her hooves together, "Yes now I can see!"

Continuing her patrol she saw a shadow dart from ally to another in the shape of a pony, "Hey hold up!" Running after the shadow and shining her light down the ally she saw nothing, and there were no turns in that ally either. "H-hello?" She called out into the darkness not daring to step into the ally.

"Help me!" A mares voice cried out from down in the darkest depths of the alleyway, "Some pony please get this thing off of me!" the voice shouted again.

Galloping at most haste down the alley she searched around for the source, "Yes I'm here, where are you?!" The guard pony cried out looking around trying to figure out where the sound was coming from. She had darted to the end of alley which supported a dead end, but where was the mare in trouble?

The guard pony froze solid as she heard a small thump behind her, she really didn't want to look behind her knowing exactly what she would find.

The voice that came from whatever was behind her sounded like a mare but had an insect-like hiss to the voice, "Oh you ponies, so quick to help one another you don't even noticed a plainly set trap. That's why you will always be put in situations like this... because you value things like loyalty to your fellow ponies."

The young guard mare turned to see a changeling that looked much like a mare with a unique mane that covered one of her soul piercing eyes. Frozen with fear she was not prepared to handle this alone, this was the first changeling she had seen since the invasion. The sight and proximity of the Changeling paralyzed her to the point that she couldn't even launch a defensive spell. It was just like the movies, and now she was going to suffer for it.

"Where is the one they call Lucky Star?" The Changeling demanded.

"I-I don't know any pony by the name of Lucky Star I swear."

"Well then I have little use for you," The changeling grinned transforming into the mare and casting a magic spell upon her that caused her to fall into a deep sleep. "Ponies, they truly are useless." Stripping the guard pony of her armor and putting it one herself the changeling teleported a barrel to the end of the alley.

Encasing the pony in the changeling resin was simple and with the small bit the changeling had placed on the mares muzzle it would keep her from talking until she came back. Stuffing the now captured pony in the barrel she closed it right before another guard walked by.

"Hey whats going on down there?!" The guard hollered down the alley.

The changeling stepped out shaking her head, "I thought i heard something but it was just a cat pay it no mind. Say you wouldn't happen to know a pony by the name of Lucky Star would you?"

The guard stroked his chin, "The name sounds familiar, why?"

"I need to find him, sooner rather than later."

"Part of the Changeling investigation?"

"You could say that," Outside she gave him a cheerful smile, but inside she was grinning ear to ear with a dark an sinister look. This would take less time than she thought, and in the body she was in she would have no trouble finding her target.

Chapter 6: Unexpected Events