A Change in Heart

Meanwhile…At Black Daze's camp…

Trixie was starting to come to. She remembered why she passed out, but she regretted remembering instantly. Those reptilian eyes, so scary. And those teeth, surely he could tear her neck open with one bite. She trembled just thinking about it. But as she trembled, she realized that she was not in the creaky old bed in her trailer, but in somepony's arms. Somepony's scaly arms. A look of horror befell her face when she opened her eyes and was face to face with the monster she met earlier. She wanted to scream, but something was preventing her from doing so. Perhaps it was the gentle look in his eyes. Unknown to her though, the only reason they were gentle was because she was being so quiet and Daze liked quiet things…Generally speaking.

"Evening, glad to see you're up, you've been out for a while." He said tenderly, as if talking to a little sister rather than a stranger. Black Daze saw her living conditions and felt a great deal of sympathy for Trixie. He had to live in the forest, yes. But she stuck to such a horribly kept trailer. Daze figured that she probably needed a friend since nopony would even think to look in a trailer in the middle of the forest.

Chrysalis called out. "Is she up Dazey? Good heavens, get her over here and get her a drink. I'm sure she's thirsty." She commanded in that slightly distorted voice that Daze actually found somewhat cute….

Daze groaned at 'Dazey.' "Sure, whatever Chrissy." He said in that normally calm voice of his. He carried her over to the sitting log by the fireplace and sat her down. Trixie secretly wanted to stay in his arms though, something about his arms was strangely comforting. They were strong and warm, despite being covered in scales. She was handed a leaf shaped cup with fresh water in it. She took a sip and then Spoke.

"Who…are you want what is this place?" She said in a half-panicked, half-calm voice.

"I'm Chrysalis: Former Queen of the Changelings welcome to our camp. And this here is Black Daze, but you may call him Dazey." She said with a smile. Black Daze shot her a death glare.

"ErmmHRMHRMhmHRM... yes." Daze followed up with. "Now tell us who you are, mage."

Trixie took another sip of water before speaking. "Prepare yourselves, for you are in the presence of the GREAT and POWERFUL TRIXIE!" Trixie exclaimed before striking a dramatic pose. Chrysalis seemed amused by this, Daze however, rolled his eyes.

"And what, pray tell, is a pony as great and powerful as yourself doing here in the Everfree forest? Did the town not have enough space for your over-sized ego?" Daze mocked.

Trixie got an unamused look on her face. "The Great and Powerful Trixie will let that wise crack slide…this time." Then she took another sip of water.

Black Daze beckoned Chrysalis over and whispered. "You know, for taking her in and offering her a drink, she's being pretty ungrateful." He whispered.

"Oh hush. Who knows how long she has been out here. She might be legitimately nuts for all we know. Besides, it's not that bad, Dazey." Chrysalis whispered back.

"I'm going to put dead bird spines in your hair if you keep calling me that!" Daze threatened.

"…that's…interesting…never really heard that threat before…" Was all Chrysalis could manage to say. Then again, it was Black Daze; the same pony that lived in the forest for 8 years and perhaps had to improvise his own comebacks based on experience. Now bird spines? That got Chrysalis to shudder a bit at the thought.

"I really think you and 'The Great and Powerful Trixie' need to have a talk. Why not take a walk together? It'll be fun!" Chrysalis teased. She really wanted them to take a walk though. Perhaps Trixie would tell Daze about why she was…the way she is.

"Fine, it's not like I had anything better to do tonight anyways." Daze responded. Chrysalis couldn't help but feel a bit surprised at how willingly Daze accepted her request. He was obviously very bored in that case. Chrysalis led him to Trixie and spoke in a straight-forward tone.

"Trixie…"

"You mean the Great and Powerful Trixie."

"Whatever. I decree that you and Dazey here shall go on a walk to get to know each other more. Sound good?"

"Trixie will go, mainly because she has nothing better to do anyway." Again, this wasn't expected reaction. But that was alright. At least they're going.

"Alrighty then, see you when you get back." Chrysalis said. Daze walked off in a familiar path and Trixie followed beside him.

A few minutes of silence passed before Daze spoke to Trixie.

"Well, I guess I better tell you about myself." Daze deduced.

"You should." Trixie said, still slightly bitter about being scared out of her wits earlier.

Meanwhile on a dirt road not too far off…

"Any sign of him yet?" Twilight asked Rarity, who was performing the 'life detection spell' every couple of meters along the path.

"Nope, not a single…wait. I detect two figures. One tall and one short about 50 meters away from where we are."

"How short."

"About as short as us. The taller figure is about Ailcorn sized." Rarity said.

"That's how big he was! Let's go!" Applejack exclaimed.

"Wait!" Twilight exclaimed. "We don't know if we're dealing with a monster and a minion or a happy couple on a stroll. Let's approach them slowly and then decide our plan of attack if necessary."

Her friends saw the logic in Twilight's words and so they decided to go with her plan. The walked casually along the road, ready to fight or remain calm.

Back to Trixie and Daze though, since they're such a more interesting duo ;)

Black Daze had just finished telling the story of his life to Trixie. While Chrysalis was deeply sorry, Trixie didn't seem to care, but that was only what it looked like on the outside. On the inside, she felt sort of bad, since she knew what it was like to be an outcast. She dared not show it though.

"You're a very lucky colt, you know, Dazer." Trixie said to Daze.

"It's Black Daze now." Daze said plainly.

"Whatever. It's not every day that somepony as plain as yourself gets to meet a pony as great and powerful as I am." She said in her usual hubris attitude.

"Woman!" Black Daze exclaimed. "I can burn down forests with blue fire that is over 9000 degrees Fahrenheit and can slice trees down with my bare claws and you have the AUDACITY to call me plain?" Daze exclaimed, quickly getting annoyed.

"Impressive as you may be, you will never be as great and powerful as I am." Trixie retorted.

"Why don't you shut your mouth?" Daze responded.

"Why don't you make me?" Trixie shot back.

"Don't you push me, woman!" Daze snapped.

"You really ought to show some respect, ruffian." Trixie snapped back.

"You're one to talk, queen B." Daze retorted.

"QUEEN B? You, sir are just ASKING to be hoofed across the face, aren't you." Trixie said, stamping her hoof.

"You are by far, the most ego-centric mare I've ever met!" Daze replied.

"And YOU are the most hot-headed stallion…dragon thingy that I've ever met." Trixie growled.

"I also bet I'm the only one you've met." Daze said with a smirk.

"...Touche..." Trixie glanced with a grin of near respect.

"THERE HE IS! Girls I found him!" A voice came from the horizon. Trixie and Black Daze looked up and saw Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie all looking at him. Black Daze knew these mares, except the pink one. The pink one was new. He hoped she was as sensible as Rarity was. She didn't look too threatening though as she was bouncing up and down regularly. She should really consider decaf.

Twilight's gaze fell upon Trixie. "YOU!" She glared at Trixie.

"YOU!" Trixie said back.

"YOU!" Rarity snapped at Trixie, remembering what she did to her mane.

"YOU!" Applejack said, glaring at Black Daze.

"YOU!" Daze growled, remembering Applejack.

"YOU!" Rainbow Dash said, slamming her hooves together at Black Daze.

"YOU!" Black Daze shot a glare back, then cracked his scaly knuckles.

"PINKIE PIE!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, jumping up in the middle of their stare-down.

"Pinkie pie…" Twilight face-hoofed.

"Well well well…" Rainbow Dash observed. "It looks like we're gonna have quite the rumble here. Rarity and Twilight will take Trixie, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and I will be more than a match for the monster here."

"Call me a monster will you?" Black Daze said as he spat fourth a bluish white fire ball that Rainbow Dash dodged. It hit the ground near her and resulted in a small explosion. Although nopony was damaged, Rainbow Dash could feel the heat radiating even after the fireball hit the ground. She was going to have to be careful.

In the bushes off the side of the dirt path, four youngsters were secretly spectating the fight.

"Go get em, Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo quietly cheered.

"Show that crazy mare who's boss!" Sweetie Belle whispered, remembering Trixie's enormous ego.

"Put that monster in his place, big sis!" Applebloom cheered softly.

"You can do it, Twilight!" Spike whispered.

The stage was set and the combatants were ready. It was starting to rain as both sides charged toward each other, except Pinkie Pie, who bounced over cheerfully. Black Daze was unamused that Pinkie Pie didn't take him seriously. Or Rainbow Dash for that matter. Trixie's alliance with him was based on mutual hate. And afterwards, well who knows. Would they casually continue their walk? Would they win?

Or will they be defeated, and face possible death…