“Camping?” Chroma questioned.

It was a Friday, the beginning of her Spring break, and her mother was suggesting for them to have a camping trip to Winsome Falls, just like her mother did when she went with Aunt Scootaloo years ago.

“Yup. Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and I thought that it would be fun for you and the rest of your friends to explore the great outdoors. What ’ya say? Wouldn’t that be fun?”

“Yeah, I could study the plants I have never seen before!” Chroma began to jump up and down, cheering. “And all my friends are coming well too! This would be so much fun!”

“Hey, you know what? Why don’t you invite you coltfriend along for the ride?”

Chroma immediately stopped her joyful cheering and jumping. “My coltfriend?!” she loudly exclaimed.

“Yeah, Efon I believed it was. Camcore and Pandora told me about how you and him have been getting along with each other,” smirked Rainbow, flexing her eyelids up and down, suggesting the obvious.

For the past few weeks, Efon would disguise himself and visit Chroma at school. At the same time, Chroma has been visiting Efon as his normal self at his cave every Saturday, spending time talking about their week and everything that happened since their previous visits.
“I-I don’t know if that’s a good idea!” Chroma was nervously shaking her hoofs.

“Why not?” her mother blankly asked.

“Because…Because…” Chroma had to quickly think of something. “Because I’m not so sure he likes trees.”

Rainbow gave her daughter a questionable look. “I’m pretty sure that’s not the case. Why not go see? I have to go and finish backing for this trip.” Rainbow said as she trotted out of the kitchen.

Chroma questioned whether or not if she should go and ask Efon. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask.”

She got out of her seat and put her dish into the sink and made her way to Efon’s place.

Chroma had arrived at Efon’s cave. Ever since they have been secretly meeting each other at his place every Saturday, Efon made sure there was a spell that made a small rock bridge when Chroma came by, allowing her to get across the water, as well as a spell that made the waterfall entrance bend into a doorway shaped opening, so that Chroma didn’t get wet.

“Efy!” Chroma called. “Are you here?”

“Hey, Chroma!” Efon, who, for some reason, jumped down from the cave’s ceiling. “Wasn’t expecting to see you today!”

Chroma jumped from his sudden entrance, but gave a warm smile all the ways. “Well, today’s the first day of…”

“Hold that though!” Efon interrupted. “You need to see this!”

Efon stepped back and lifted his right hoof, tilting it diagonally upward. He shut his eyes tightly, concentrating his Changeling energy into his one leg. Grunting, his hoof began to glow in a layer of his changing green flame. It began to morph, changing into a sharp, pointed edge. The green flame dispersed, leaving a simmering, silver color blade, which replaced Efon’s hoof. Chroma’s jaw dropped at the sight of the blade that had just replaced Efon’s hoof. It looked sharp enough to cut through steel.

“How did you do that?” asked Chroma, on the assumption that changelings could only change into living thing, or their whole body had to change at once.

“I know! I was surprised myself!” said Efon excitedly, turning his hoof blade around, admiring its searing edges. “Didn’t know I could even turn libs separately or into inanimate objects!”

“Yeah, that’s cool, but Efon…”

“Oh, yes. Sorry for interrupting you. What’s up?” apologized Efon.

“Well, you see…” Chroma found it difficult to explain what she wanted to ask of him. “My mother and I, along with her and my friends are going to take a camping trip to Winsome Falls.”

“Ah, Winsome Falls, eh?” Efon said as his hoof turned back to it’s normal, swish cheese form. “Sounds like fun!”

“I know; this will be my first camping trip ever!” cheerfully said Chroma, before she was getting a little of track. “Umm, my mom wanted to know if you would like to tag along…”

Efon’s smile slowly faded and simply and shallowly said, “Chroma…”

“I know. I know.’ Chroma knew how much Efon was terrified by her mother. One time when he was visiting in his disguise, and when he first made contacted with Rainbow Dash, he freaked out and ran away. The Saturday they meet after that situation, Efon referred that looking at Rainbow's eye as looking into the eyes of Medusa.

“Chroma, you know that I can’t stay in my disguise that long, right?” This brought a puzzled look to Chroma’s face. She had thought that since he was so power that you could be in that disguise on for a couple days. “I would need to constantly be feeding on sweet things or love in order to keep my energy up so I could stay in my disguise.”

Chroma’s eye lit up. “Well, I’ll make sure we pack up tons of sweets, just for you! I’ll even make you some of those muffins you like!” Chroma was trying her very best to get Efon to go with them.

“Muffins!” Efon shouted in glee, only for him to go to being in a somber mood. “I…I just don’t know Chroma. It’s really risky for me to stick around somebody for that long, especially if it’s around the Elements of Harmony. There’s just no telling what they would do if they found out that I’m a Changeling.”

Chroma frowned, a look of disappointment and sadness in her eyes. “I understand…” she sighed as she began to make her way to the cave entrance. “Well, see ’ya, Efy….”

Efon watched as her friend with glass was making her way to leave. Efon hated to see Chroma upset, even if it was a little bit. He began to tap at the ground in though. “You know what?” he began, stopping Chroma in her tracks and turning her head to face her Changeling friend. “If it means that I get to hang out with you, it’s all worth the risk!”

A smile grew on Chroma’s face as she ran to the Changeling. She embraced him into warm hug, the amount of force she put into it was enough to get how enthusiastic she was. “Thank you, Efy! This really means a lot to me!”

Efon’s cheeks filled with his green blush, as well as that thump in his chest he occasionally had. “Well if it really makes you this happy, then I guess I have no choose but to go!” he smiled. “ I'll be at the first campsite waiting for you. Just don’t forget to pack those sweet treats you mentioned!”

“Ok!” Chroma pulled away from the hug and rushed out of the cave. “See you tomorrow, Efy!” Chroma shouted, skipping out of the cave.
Efon gave a little smile as the thump in his chest had gotten stronger. “Oh Chroma, what have you done to me?”

“Why did you pack so many sweets, Chroma?” the little filly’s mother asked. “This looks like too much for everyone to handle.”

“Umm, most of it is for Efon…” Chroma shyly stated.

“Ah, I see what’s going on,” Rainbow smirked. “The best way to a boy’s heart is through his stomach after all. I learned that from your father.”

“Hey!” The stallion in question exclaimed from the other room.

“I’m joking, Soar!” Rainbow shouts back with a light chuckle. “Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

“Nah, I think it’s a good time for my two ladies to get some bonding time,” said Soarin as he entered the room where the front door was present. “Besides, me and the rest of the guys are planning to go and catch the game. It’s the Red Bulls vs the Blue Tigers.”

“Well, I’m not so sure how much bonding is going to made between me and Chroma. She has some other bonding she has to do with her coltfriend.”

“Mom!” Chroma shouted, her cheeks turning red in embarrassment of how true her mother’s statement is. It was true that she was going to enjoy this time with Efon.

“Well don’t let me keep you up!” chuckled Soarin, ruffling his daughter’s mane. “Go have fun with your boyfriend!”

Soarin gave his wife and daughter a quick kiss and the lips, and helped Chroma, who’s cheeks grew a nice shade of red, on to her mother’s back. Rainbow made her way to the door with the now filled with sweets picnic basket in her hooves. With a quick wave goodbye to her husband, Rainbow took off, increasing the distance between her and her home.

“So Chroma,” Rainbow began, “About your boyfriend…”

“His not my boyfriend,” Chroma shyly said, her face flushed.

“But you do want him to be, don’t you?” Rainbow tilted her head enough to see her daughter’s blushing face, smirking all awhile.
Chroma didn’t answer, looking for an answer. Images of her and Efon, the real Efon, being happy together felled her mind. A sheepish smile from her face was enough to give the answer her mother wanted. “Don’t worry about it, squirt. When I first knew I had a crush on your father, I didn’t want anyone close to me to see me with mushy, gushy lovey dovey emotions, being the awesome one. However, I got used to it, and me and your father fell in love, and had the most awesome daughter in Equestria!” Rainbow smiled to her daughter, realizing that she was getting away from the topic at hoof. “Don’t worry, Chroma. I’m sure that your friend likes you just as much as you like him.”

Chroma’s blush grew, as well as her smile. She barely listened to what her mother said, still fantasizing about her and Efon happily trotting through a meadow of colorful flowers, smiling and laughing together, enjoying each other’s presents. Her imagination began to get a head of itself. Efon and her were now laying in the field, side-by-side, looking into each other’s eyes. Their smiles began to curl up as they both closed their eyes and lean forward. Their lips were inching closer and closer to each other. Just as they were going to make contact to each other, Chroma snapped back to reality when her mother spoke.

“Chroma? Did you hear me?” Rainbow asked her daughter. “I said look, there’s are friend.”

Chroma looked down the side of her mother’s shoulders, see that down below was Fang, Camcore, and Pandora, along with their parents. “Hold on, Chroma. We’re going down,” Rainbow said, flying towards the group of ponies. Nearly making a sonic rainboom, Rainbow landed on her hoofs with a loud dud. Both Fluttershy and Rarity jumped in surprise, leaving Pinkie just innocently smiling.

“Hi ’ya Dashie! What took you so long!” bounced the pink pony of laughter.

“Oh! Oh! I know mom!” jumped Camcore in excitement. “Rainbow Dash was on her way here. Then suddenly, out of nowhere! A ferocious, fire breathing 300-foot dragon appeared. Then aunt Rainbow had to go in her super form, just to keep Chroma safe from the jaws of the beast, jabbing her hooves into the it’s chest, blowing it up to bits!”

There was a long, awkward silence, the gang looking at Camcore with constricted eyes, their eyelids wide open.

“How did you come to that conclusion?!” shout Pandora, shooting a very annoyed look at the organ, spikey and pinked mane pony.

“I don’t know, just sounded cool!” Camcore gave an innocent smile at the mix and match pony, causing her to roll her eyes.

Pandora scoffed. “Uhhh, what a nuisance!”

“Pandora!” a yellow, pink maned Pegasus shouted at her daughter. Fluttershy’s appearance had changed over the years, especially her mane. It was shorter than what it used to, only coming up to here shoulders. “What have I told you about calling your friend that? Now apologized!”

Fluttershy gave her daughter the stare causing Pandora to flinch at the sight of it. Pandora sighed in defeat and look towards Camcore. “I’m…sorry” she muffled under her breath.

“What was that?” Fluttershy asked, implying that she wanted her daughter to speak louder.

“I’m sorry,” Pandora stated a little loud.

“Aww that’s ok Pandora!” Camcore said, rubbing the back his head with his innocent grin.

Fluttershy smiled at this. “That’s better,” she simply stated.

Fang rolled his eyes at the situation. “So why where you so late, aunt Dash?” he asked.

Rainbow smiled as she said, “We had a little more thing to put into the basket.” She bent down so that Chroma could jump down. “Let’s just say it’s for someone special to Chroma.”

Fang glanced at his white furred, rainbow maned friend, seeing that her cheeks turning red. “Oh, that loser!” Fang scoffed, rolling his eyes in annoyance. Over these passed fell weeks, he and Efon weren’t the best of friends, more like rivals. Each trying their best to prove who’s the better pony, it always left Fang going home to read all kinds of magic books, from levitating huge objects to turning invisible.

“Fang! It isn’t very polite to call someponies special somepony a loser!” the dragon ponies mother scolded. Just like Fluttershy, Rarity has changed the way she looks over the passing years. Though her front part of her purple mane stayed the same, still in its big curl, the back of her mane was now tied into a bun. “Honestly, I don’t know where you got this rude behavior from.” Fang rolled his eyes again, only to get a sharp glare from his mother.

“Where is this special somepony of yours any who, Chroma?” asked Camcore, holding up his camcorder that was around his neck, as if he was about to take a picture.

“He…told me that he was going to wait for us at the first camp sight and…”

Camcore interrupted her with a loud gasp. “Ha! You didn’t try to say he isn’t your boyfriend this time!” He began to jump up and down. “So he is your coltfriend!”

“No he isn’t…his just a friend…at the moment…” Chroma shyly said, her blush growing.

“Yeah, ‘just friends’ she says!” Pandora turns to Camcore with a surprising smirk, make quotation marks with her lion paw and hoof, making Chroma blush even more. It didn’t help that her fur was white.

“Well if he’s already there, we should get going!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Come on!”

The group of friends made their way to the first camping sites, to find a black furred, light blue maned, unicorn colt sitting on one of the logs, with a saddle bag on the side of the log. His back was facing the group, not acknowledging their presents.

“Umm, Efy…” Chroma tapped the colt’s shoulder.

Once she did, the colt jolted forward, causing to drop his sketch book and pencil that he was holding. Quickly grabbing them with he’s magic before they fell, her turned to face his friend. “Oh Chroma, it’s just you!” he smiled. “You made me think something was attacking. Good thing the only thing that is attacking me is your unbearably cuteness!”

Chroma’s face immediately became flushed. She glanced back at her friends and mother for only a second, seeing that they were all smirking at her, even aunt Fluttershy. She jolted her burning face back to Efon, slightly touching muzzles with him. Her cheeks began to burn up even more. Pulling away quickly, she asked “S-so, what are you doing?”

Efon found it very confused at the fact that Chroma was now playing with her mane, curling it in her hoofs. “Well, other than waiting for you guys…” Efon gestured to the group of ponies that where walking towards them. “…And getting lost in your cuteness…” smirked Efon, knowing that was going to make her blush even more, “I was capturing the beautiful scenery by drawing it in my sketch book! See!”
Efon handed the sketch book to the blushing filly. It was a sketching was of the camp site, drawn to the very last detail, and more! The shading was done to perfection, along with the lighting, it was all spot on. Once again, Chroma was memorized by Efon’s art, bring back the memory of when the first became friends.

“Specking of beauty…” Efon began, looking past Chroma’s shoulder and look directly at the white mare with a purple mane. In a flash of his lightning, he was standing in front of Rarity in almost a second, leaving Rainbow’s jaw to drop. With a cheeky grin and shimmering eyes, Efon said, “You must be Fang’s beautiful younger sister. Rarity was it?”

Rarity flushed a bit. “Oh, no! I’m actually his mother, but is dearly kind to you say such things!”

Efon blinked and began to rub the back of his head, pretending to be embarrassed. “Oops! My bad! It just didn’t look like you’re a day over ten!”

Rarity glanced at Chroma. “Chroma, whatever you do, don ‘t let this boy go! He is such a charmer!”

“I’m going to rip his head off and put it on my wall!” Fang yelled at himself, his mane a flame from what Efon was doing.

Chroma faintly smiled at what Rarity just said, still blushing. Suddenly, her mother grab the colt and spoke. “Hold the phone! How did you move so fast?!”

Efon looked in to the mare’s magenta eyes, a little bit of sweat forming. He was terrified at the fact that she was touching him. But he swallowed his fear down and spoke. “Well, I specialize in lightning magic. Having to know how to preform it, I took the time to make myself fast as well.” He paused as he took another look at the mare, wondering if he was making himself sound like he is faster than her and it was making her upset. “But of course, I’m nowhere as fast as the fastest mare in Equestria,” he chuckled uncomfortably.

“That’s true,” Rainbow said, putting the disguised changeling down. “There’s no way you’re as fast as me, but you are pretty fast. Chroma…” she turned to her daughter, who look back, “You have a keeper!”

Efon was getting confused with what they were talking about. First was Rarity with that ‘Don’t let this boy go’ talk, and now Rainbow calling him a ‘keeper’? He was going to ask what they were talking about, but was cut off by a bouncing pink pony.

“Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie and you are?”

“I’m Ef…”

“Oh wait! I already know! It’s Efon, nice to meet ‘ya!” Pinkie lifted up her hoof to shake the colt’s, who gladly did, immediately smiled.

“Camcore was right! You seem to bring smiles where ever you go!”

“Told you!” the pony in question said, jumping out of nowhere. “Isn’t my mom the greatest!” he cheerfully said, embracing his mom in a warm hug.

Efon gave a simply smile at the sight, which disappeared soon after, leaving Chroma questioning why. His ears pierced back up when he heard the sound of hoofs digging into the ground.

He turned to see Pandora pushing the yellow Pegasus towards him. “Come on, mom! You have to introduce yourself!” she said, pushing her mother along the ground. “Are you ever going to overcome being shy?”

“Aw, it’s ok Pandora. I know your mother’s Fluttershy, the kindest and sweeties pony in all the lands. No need for introductions!” Efon’s soft tone in his face made Fluttershy more comfortable with approaching him. She stood up straight, walked to Efon, and lifted a hoof, shyly, to shack hooves with the boy.

Giving a smile, Efon shook the shy pony’s hoof.

“Well, now that introductions are out of the way, who’s ready for some camping !?” Efon shouted, running back to where he was sitting before. He quickly but on his saddle bag on to his back, filled with other drawling utensils.

“Wait…” Rainbow began, turning her head o scan the area. “Where are your parents, Efon?”

The colt froze once the question was asked, a frown printing itself on his face. Chroma began to get nervous, knowing that Efon didn’t have any parents. Hesitantly, Efon’s frown turned to a faint smile as he began to speck. “I-I don’t have any parents…”

Everyone’s smile disappeared slowly, out of both, disbelief in what they hear, and the sadness that was soon to follow if it was true. It even made Fang raise an eyebrow.

“W-what?” Fluttershy simply asked, her eyes filled with worry.

“I said I don’t have any parents,” Efon slowly spoke, turning his head to face the group. “Never had…”

“What, what happen to them?” Pandora said, trying her hardest not to cry, seeing that Fang wasn’t.

“Most likely nothing.” Efon began, as he stared at the ground, trying to find words to get his point a crossed, being difficult to do so. “I guess they never wanted me in the first place.” Efon shut his eyes tightly, his mouth turning into a vexed frown. “And to be honest, I wouldn’t want them either.”

“You don’t have another relative, d-darling?” Rarity asked, her eyes trying to hold back little tears.

“Nope….” Efon simply said.

“Wait! Where have you’ve been living all this time?!” Rainbow asked in both concern and displeasure. How could anyone give up a perfect kid like him she wondered.

“The place they left me…” Efon took a deep breath, before finishing his sentence. Chroma on the other hoof was sweating bullets.

“Is he really going to tell them?” she freaked out in her mind.

“The Everfree Forest…”

It took everyone a few seconds to process what they just heard.

“The Everfree Forest!” Efon cringed at the loud wave of shouting.

Something came to Rainbow’s mind. “Chroma!” she shouted. “You went into the Everfree Forest!?”

Chroma looked into her mother’s scolding eyes. “I…ah...”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about little Chroma. She’s completely safe with me!” Efon gave Rainbow a comforting smile. “Because if anything in the forest tries to hurt a single hair on her cute, little head…” Efon’s eye widen with an ominous look, and a sinister frown. “I’ll snap their neck!”

The dark tone in his voice caused the group to flinch, causing Fluttershy quiver behind Rarity. Camcore had his video recording on, recording what he called, ‘memorable moment.’

Efon’s innocent smile returned. “Now come on. Let’s forget about stupid things about me and just have some fun!” Efon began to trot joyfully forward.

Everyone looked at Chroma, who only gave them a nervous smile, along with a drawn out shrug.

“Efon’s right,” Fang said, now hovering above everyone else, looking up at the sky. “If we’re ever going to get to the next camping sight before dark, we better get a move on.” Fang land on the ground, planting his clawed hooves on the dirt path. He began to walk the same direction as Efon, until he caught up with the colt.

The group looked at one another, wondering if they should worry anymore on what just happened. They then slowly began to follow the two, young colts. Pandora was walking next to Camcore as they walked and turned to the earth pony to see him writing something on a piece of paper with a pen held with his hair. It still confused her how every member of the pie family could do that.

“What are you writing?” she asked.

Camcore immediately picked his head up, shoving the piece of paper in the half pony half draconequus’s face. “I’m so glad you asked! I’ve been writing everything that makes Efon so cool! See?!”

Pandora used her magic to keep the paper a float in her face. There were a number of things that were listed on to paper, from fast to mysterious. “Why? And more importantly, where did you get the pen and paper to write this?! You didn't pack them on a camping trip, did you” Pandora said with a questioning look.

Camcore look up at the pen that was still being held by his mane. “You know, that’s a very good questions,” he said.

Pandora grunted. “What a nuisance,” she said under her breath, hoping that her mother would hear.

Down the path, further then the group, Fang was walking side by side with Efon, glaring at him. “There’s something weird about him. I feel like there’s something more to you Efon and I’m going to figure out what it is!” he said to himself, determined to find out what’s really going on.

It’s been awhile since the group first started the walk to the next camping sight. The walk was awkward; they quite walk, as the adults of the party were constantly think on what they were told hours ago. The salutation of Efon ended in surprising note, with the fact that he was homeless and lived in the Everfree Forest, running through everyone’s mind. Everyone excepted Chroma, who was more concern with how Efon, or as she referred to he as, Efy was feeling, and Silver Fang, who seemed to not care at all. It was odd, Efon seemed to feel the same way.

“Efon?” the dragon pony said, finally breaking the agonizing silence.

“Oh thank gosh, somebody had spoken!” Efon exhaled, feeling relieved at the sound of Fangs voice. “I was beginning to think that all camping trip were this boring. Whatcha want, dragon boy?”

The parents gasp at that, knowing how Fang feels when he’s called that.

“You say you live in the Everfree, right?” The adults were even more surprised at how Fang responded, especially Rarity. Never has she heard her son ask something so calmly after being called ‘dragon boy,’ even though she could hear a little annoyance in is tone.

“Yup, what of it?” Efon asked, wondering why Fang is suddenly interested in the subject after hours.

Efon wasn’t the only one. Chroma’s head shot up, know intently looking at the two colts from affair.

Fang began to look at the ground as he began to speak. “How is it like?”

Efon turned with a puzzling look. “What do you mean?”

“I mean living in the forest.” Fang paused to pick his head to face the black colt. “What’s it like?”

“Your gonna have to be a little bit more specific with you what your trying to ask, buddy!”

Fang shivered once Efon wrapped a hoof around his shoulders, it feeling awkward. Ultimately, he decided to ignore it and began to speak. “I mean is it hard for you to live with the constant treats against you in the forest?”

“Oh! Well…” Efon paused lifting his hoof off Fang's shoulders and began to taping a hoof on his chin. “Too be honest, it isn’t that bad.”

“Really?” Fang asked with a raised eyebrow. “How so?”

“Well, once you get passed the fact that everything wants to kill you and you lived there for ten years, you could have slightly decent life, I guess.”

As their conversation continued, Camcore, Pandora, and even Chroma walked in awe.

“I can’t believe it…” Pandora simply said.

“What can’t you believe, Pandora?” her mother asked.

“The fact that those two are having a surprisingly calm conversation!” Camcore said, jumping from nowhere and startling Fluttershy. “Usually those two are either yelling at each other or driving a hoof into each other’s faces.”

“What!?” Rainbow and Rarity loudly exclaimed.

“Oh, yeah!” Pandora replied with a wide grin. “Those two have formed quit the rivalry between them.”

“Yup!” Camcore smiled to his chaotic friend. “They are always trying to prove who’s better at random things.” Camcore’s eyes began to shimmer. “They’re both so cool! They’re rivalry is just like Maruto and Sasuka!”

“Young or old?” Fluttershy spoke in an abrupt matter.

“I say the young Maruto and Sasuka.” Camcore answered.

“Oh, that makes sense!” Fluttershy smiled, high hoofing Camcore.

“Ugh…” Pandora grunted at the fact that her mother was the president of an Anime club that Camcore was part of. She was a bit a shamed of herself for being a part of it as well.

“Hey, look!” a voice up the road shouted. Efon was moving some bushes away to reveal the camp site. “We’re here.”

“Well, that took long then I expected,” Rainbow said, crossing her fore hooves. “It’s almost sun down!” She pointed to the horizon where the sun nearly touching the edge of the horizon.

“We better set up camp then!” Efon said with glee.

They began to set up their tents, or in Rarity’s case, a small, portable home. Her tent was the size of a small build, with the color of purple. It was so house like, it even had a small balcony. Rainbow was knocking down some tree branches for a fire.

Pinkie and Fluttershy were clearing away some dry leafs and stick that were near the fire place, not wanting the fire to spread and start a forest fire. Pandora aided her mother and aunt Pinkie by teleporting some of the forest debris into the forest. Being so young, she only knew how to do small things with her chaos magic, like creating simple things out of nowhere, teleporting things to other places, and of course, making cotton candy clouds that rained chocolate milk, only, way smaller than what her father could do.

Efon, Chroma, and Camcore were gathering stones to put around the small ditch that Fang had dug. Once Rainbow placed the last branches into the ditch, Fang spit out a small flame from his mouth, setting fire to the now char-coaling sticks. Once everything was done and they’re tents were up, they gathered around the fire.

Chroma sat next to Efon, who was sitting next to Camcore. Fang was sitting on the log next to Efon’s, along with Pandora, who was rubbing up against him, and his mother. Finally, on the log next to that sat Rainbow, Pinkie and Fluttershy. They started to do activities, like telling stories, eating snacks, and all around having a good time.

“So it’s called a s’more?” Efon was watching Camcore, as he placed a marshmallow on top of a piece of chocolate that was sitting on a gram cracker.

“Yup! They are so good! No! Better than good! They’re…”

“Super-duper, amazingly out of this world scrumptious!?” Pinkie bounce excitedly.

“Exactly!” Camcore responded, putting the final gram cracker on top. He handed the finished s’more to his friend. “Go on! Try it!”

Efon took a small bit and immediately, his eyes shot up. “Mmmm! This is delicious!”

“Told you it was good!” Camcore let out a long yawn, indicating that he was getting tired.

“Guess it’s time for bed.” Fluttershy looked up at the night sky, filled with shimmering stars and the glowing moon.

A wave of ‘aww’ came from the foals. “But mom,” Pandora whined. “We haven’t even had a camping song yet!”

“Yeah!” Camcore jumped. “And you can’t have a perfect camping experience without a good song sung before going to bed!”

“I have to agree, a song would be nice,” Fang simply said.

The adult shrugged. “I guess it couldn’t hurt,” Rarity stated.

“Oh! Oh! And I know who could sing it!” Camcore jumped from his sitting positions. He then took out his camcorder and pointed its lenses to Efon.

When Efon realized what Camcore was implying, he nearly choked on the s’more. “Me?!” he exclaimed, catching his breath.
“Of course! You totally have the voice for it!”

Efon blushed in embarrassment. “Though that true, I’m not so sure if…”

“Please Efy…” Chroma interrupted, looking up at the dark furred colt.

Efon looked down at the pleading filly, who was giving him her adorable smile and puppy dog eyes. Smiling back with a flushed face, Efon said, “Ok, anything for you, Chroma.” He put a hoof to his chin, pondering on what he should sing. He looked back to the Rainbow maned filly, soon turning his gaze up at the glimmering stars. He smiled again. “I think I got a song, but it would be better if I had a guitar.”

“One guitar coming up!” With a snap of her lion paw, Pandora made a wooden guitar appear, hoovering it to Efon.

Efon gladly took the guitar. “Thanks!” Efon said as he began to tune it.

“It’s what I do,” Pandora proudly held out her lion paw, turning it to look at her nails with a smirk.

After he was done tuning it, Efon briefly strung the hoofs with one simple swing. Satisfied with the sound, he began to play a serene melody. He opened his mouth and began.

“Oh, her eye, her eyes
Make the stars look like they’re not shinin”

Everyone’s head lifted up, astonished at the angelic voice speak. Efon’s sing was outstanding. Beautiful even.

“Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday
Yeah!”

Efon turned to face the filly the song was for, smile at those cute eyes and features of her face. Those baby blue eyes, her cute bangs, her glasses, and nervous blush, everything that made her so cute.

“I know, I know
When I compliment her she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so
Sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me, "Do I look okay?"
I say,”

Efon’s voice became more passionate the more he looked at Chroma’s face, finding that his own cheeks heated in a red blush.

“When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a…”

Efon quickly glanced at the group, who were staring at him with wide eyes and jaws looking like they’re about to fall off. “Ah, guys, you know you’re not really supposed to really stop and stare,” he chuckled.

“DON’T STOP!” everyone, even Fluttershy shouted, wanting to hear more.

After flitching, Efon propped his hoof back on the guitar strings.

“And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are!”

Chroma looked at the colt, as he turned to face her again. She couldn’t stop staring into his emerald green eyes. It makes her happy to know that’s the only thing that has changed about him. She didn’t enjoy having him in disguised, but it was for the best.
“I wonder if there would be a time where he could be himself…” she wondered, still glazing upon

“Her lips, her lips
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think it's so…”

Efon paused his sing, trying to find a word in the lyrics, blush at what it actually is. “Pretty!” he shouted.

“Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think it's so pretty!
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday!”

Rainbow couldn’t help smirk at how flushed her daughter was. “She must really like him,” she thought. A frown was brought upon her face. “It’s a shame that such a perfect kid for Chroma has the misfortune…” She paused her thoughs to look at Efon. “To not have a home.”

“Oh you know, you know, you know
I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searching for
Then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking if you look okay
You know I'll say!
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are!”

Efon shut his eyes as his voice had gotten loud and more determined to make Chroma smile even more!

“The way you are!
The way you are!
Girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are!
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change!
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are!
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while!
'Cause, girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are!

Yeah!”

Efon was now panting from how much of his voice he was using. Once he calmed down, he heard the clapping of hoofs. Her turned to his right to see it was coming from the pearl white filly, soon followed by the rest of the smiling ponies.

“Bravo! Bravo!” Rarity cheered, smiling with glee. “Simply spectacular!”

Efon found it surprising that he was getting so much praise, especially from Fang.

“I have to say,” the dragon pony in question said. “I think aunt Sweetie Belle has some competition!”

“She certainly those!” Rarity smiled.

“You have a lovely voice Efon!” Fluttershy calmly said, clapping her hooves.

Efon blushed while he rubbed the back of his head. “Thanks, but I’m not good!”

“NOT THAT GOOD!” the group shouted.

“Your voice is just as majestic as Sun Seto!” Camcore vigorously shook Efon.

Efon snapping out of his daze from the shacking, he asked, “Who’s Sun Seto?”

“Oh my gosh!” Pandora face palm with her lion claw. “Here we go!”

“Sun Seto is a mermare who is had to marry this colt named Nagasumi because it the only way to save his life from her crazy father!”

Efon blinked, not really understanding what Camcore was talking about. “Ah…”

“Efon,’ Rainbow said in a serious tone, completely stopping whatever Efon was about to say.

He turned to face the mare, her magenta eyes staring into his soul. Somehow he kept his composure. “Yeah, Miss Dash, what’s up?”
She smiled, respecting how he called her ‘Miss Dash.’ “How would you like to move into Ponyville?”

Efon’s eyes shot up. He could hardly believe what he just heard. He then frowned, which surprised everybody, all expected Chroma. As much as she didn’t like it, she knew what the answer was going to be.

“Thanks for the offer, but I have to say no….” Efon sighed, lowering his head in a depressing matter.

Just like Efon done a few seconds earlier, Rainbow’s eye shot up. “No?!” she exclaimed. “I don’t get it. Don’t you want a new home?!”

“It’s not that I don’t want to live in Ponyville…” Efon turned his head in shame. “It’s just that I’m not that comfortable hang around other ponies,” Efon lied.

“Well that would explain why you only visit once a week!” Camcore interjected. “It would also explain that nerves twitch you get before leaving!”

“Nerves twitch?” Pinkie questioned. “Oh! Maybe you have a super sense like us!”

“Are you sure you don’t want to live with someone in Ponyville darling!” Rarity asked.

“Yeah. To be honest, I was a little bit hesitant about coming on this camping trip.”

“Wait, what propped you to come with us then?” Fang asked.

“Oh you know!” Efon smile, turning his eye contact to Chroma. “A little cute, white dove convinced me to tag along.
Chroma smiled, a blush appearing her on checks.

“Well, if you ever change your mind, Efon…” Rainbow said, standing up, walked up to Efon, and put a hoof on Efon’s shoulders. “The offer will always be there.”

With a warm, but complex smile, Efon said, “Thanks but…” Efon stretched out and yawned. “I really don’t see that happening…”
There was a short silence before Fluttershy broke it. “I think it’s a good idea to head to bed.”

“I must agree with Fluttershy, this day was rather on the eventful side,” Rarity spoke. She began to trot to her house of the tent, letting the opening. “Come on, Fang darling!”

Fang sat there, deeply gazing into the fire. “No,” he blankly said.

“What?!” Rarity loudly exclaimed, her eyes widening her son’s response.

“Mother, if I’m ever going to be a warrior, I’m going to have to be strong. And right now I’m going to become a bit stronger by sleeping in harsh environments.” Fang stood up and glanced at his mother, his eyes full of pride. “That’s why I’m going to sleep outside.”

Both he and his mother stared deeply into each other’s eyes, each frowning just as much as the other. After about ten seconds, Rarity sighed, which showed her defeat in the fiery eye contact. “Fine, dear. Just try not to get your fur and scales too dirty. Honestly, I don’t know where you get this strange behavior from.” Rarity trotted over to her son and quickly kissed his cheek. “Good night sweet” she said, before making her way back to her house of a tent. Smiling at his victory, Fang laid back down on the log, closing his eyes to catch a few z’s.

“If my love is going to sleep outside, then I must as well!” Pandora shouted. She hastily curled her body on the same log as Fang, quickly closing her eyes tight.

“Oh my…” Fluttershy sighed. “Just as chaotic as her father.” She smiled as she went into her tent and grabbed a pink blanket, and came back to cover her daughter and giving her a little peck on the cheek.

“Me too! Me too!” Camcore shouted, sticking his camcorder into his mane, somehow, and laid on top of the log next to Fang’s and Pandora’s, considering that there was no more room on it for him to lay.

Smiling, Pinkie smiled going into her tent and grabbing a blanket. For some reason, went Pinkie exited her tent, confetti shout out from underneath it’s zipper. She laid the sky blue blanket, with odd characters on it, most likely from some anime, upon her son, as well a small kiss on his soft cheek. “Sleep tight, my little bundle of joy,” she whispered into his ear, before silently making her way to her tent.
“What about you Chroma?” Rainbow asked, watching the others heading into their tents. “Are you gonna…” Rainbow had already had gotten her answer, as watched as her daughter fast asleep, resting on the chest of the already sleeping Efon, who was still in his sitting position. With a smirk, she put a blanket on top of them, planting a kiss on her daughter’s cheek and softly stroking Efon’s mane, earning a faith smile from him. “Good night you two love birds.” She trotted into her tent and rest her head on her pillow, slowly closing her eyes into a nice slumber.

It was the middle of the night, the crickets playing their song in the distance, as the camp fire’s flame diminished into low glowing ashes. The five young ponies nest on their log in what seemed to be a deep slumber. At least it was until Efon’s eye began warily open. He slowly blinked, allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness of night. He peered his drowsy gaze to Luna’s exquisite moon, smiling at its shimmering light, as it illuminated the camping grounds. He tried to adjust himself, only the halted by weight placed on in body. The looked down to see that the white filly he cares about resting upon his body, head using his stomach as a pillow. Her smile was as adorable as it always was. With a semi flushed face, Efon could help but grin at the sight he was beholding.

"She's so beautiful in the moonlight..." Efon though, as he brushed away her mane bang, just so he can get a better look at her smiling face. He loved the way her glasses were slightly tilted out of place, it made her look even more endearing. His enchantment was short lived, however, as winced and placed his hoof on his forehead hastily. He massaged it with agony, trying to contain himself from waking his friend.

“What?! Right now?!” he shouted in his mind. “But I ate so many sweets! I shouldn’t need feed on anything for a while!” He gently lifted Chroma’s head off of him so that he could get off the log. Then he slowly laid her back down, levitating his sattle bag to use as a pillow for her rest on. He paced quickly but quietly as he trotted into the woods behind the branches. Little did he know, his tail slightly brushed against a certain dragon pony, who’s right eye gingerly opened, watching the black colt entering into the woods behind him.

Efon stopped in a small forest clearing, only a couple feet away from the sight. He was slowly panting as he began to sweat. “Who knew…that…it was going to be hard to stay like this,” he gasped, slowly lifting his hoof up from the ground. “I guess I should change back for at least an hour, then change back before the sunrises.”

“What are you talking about?” a familiar voice from behind said.

Efon flinched at the voice, turning to glance at Fang, who had a judging look upon his face. Efon’s face began to drench in perspiration. With a nervous smile, Efon said, “Oh, hello Fang! Didn’t realize you were up!”

“That was thanks to you and your tail,” Fang grunted, walk towards Efon. “What were you talking about ‘changing’?”

Even more sweat began to leak out of Efon’s pores. “Oh you know!” Efon began his lie, “Changing my mane! You know how much I like to do that!”

He chuckled nervously as the dragon began to glare at him. “What are you?!” Fang asked in a stern tone.

“What?” Efon barely gotten his words out, as Fang leaned closer to Efon’s face, giving him is signature death stare.

“You aren’t normal!” the hybrid shouted, beginning his pacing around the colt who stood before him. “You live in the Everfree! You are too strong for anyone your age! And your certainly too suspicious to be any kind of pony! So what are you?”

All of a sudden, the rustling of the bushes could be heard, as their three friends emerged from them, rubbing their tried eyes.

Camcore stretched his hindquarters into the air, the same as a cat would do. “What’s with the loud shouting, Fang?” he yawned.

Pandora arched back as she let out a roaring yawn. “What’s the matter, great Fang?” she asked tiredly.

“Efon is acting strange!” Fang mange to grunt under teeth. “Chroma!” he sternly said while turning his gaze at the white filly, adjusting her glasses. “What does Efon mean when he says he’s going to change?”

Chroma’s eyes shot open. “Oh no! Is it already that time Efon?! But those sweets I gave you should of made you last longer! I even sprinkled them in sugar.”

Efon saw that Chroma was becoming nervous, as sweat trickled down her face. “Yo, Fang,” Efon said, causing the dragon pony you turn his gaze to him. “It really just means that I’m going to change my mane. And it takes lots of concentration to do so. So if you don’t mind…”

“I do mind!” Silver Fang shouted, cause those who were still in their tents to move around a bit. “If it’s really just has to do with your mane, then prove to me right now!”

“Oh great,” Efon thought to himself, more sweat beginning to build up. “Why is he stubborn! I need to think of something to keep them away from me just of a few minutes.”

There were a few seconds of silence from Efon, causing Fangs suspension to grow. “Well…you see…” Efon spoke, slowly rubbing the back of his head. “I…can’t…really…” Efon stopped specking complete, his eye constricted and his nose catching a familiar scent in the air…and it was getting closer. He turned his head to look into the woods behind him, is ears flicking slightly.

“You can’t really what!?” Fang shouted, walking towards Efon.

“Get back!”

A magical force grabbed the group of four ponies and tossed them away from the black colt.

“Hey, what was that abo….”

A lager, wooden claw appeared from the dark woods in swift motion. It swung onto the side of the black colt, hurling Efon into a tree, making Efon yelped as his back and head dug into large tree’s rough bark. He winced in pain as he lost consciousness. The wood figure snarled as it turned its large muzzle, it’s green glowing eyes now glaring at the group of small ponies, drool spilling from its mouth.

“Timberwolf!” the group of fillies shouted in fear.

"Efy!" Chroma cried.

The mighty, wooden beast slowly creeped up on them, inch closer and closer. The gang slow began to trot backwards in fear. All but Fang. Instead of backing up, he put on a wicked grin and charged at the wood of creature.

“Fang, what are you doing?” Camcore shouted.

“What does it look like?!” Fang yelled with a smile. As he gotten closer to the creeping Timber, Fang slide underneath the beast, mouth wide open, and let out a bright blue flame. The Timber yelped a bit, as Fang rolled out from under the monster and took flight, still breathing fire around the creature, leaving it completely engulfed by flames. He proudly land on his hoof in front of his friends.

“OH YOUR AWSOME FANG!” Pandora shouted, rapping her hoof and lion paw around him.

“Guys,” Camcore said, shack in fear still. “I don’t think this is a time to celebrate!”

Camcore’s shacking hoof pointed to the Timberwolf, now with glowing, crimson eyes. With a furious roar, the flames that were surrounding dispersed.

Fang’s jaw dropped. “What? But how….” He was cut off from the now charging Timber. “Everyone out the way!” he shouted as he pushed Camcore and Pandora to one side and Chroma to the opposite side.

He leaped out of the way of the crashing claw, jumping to where Camcore and Pandora were, leaving Chroma to one side of the clear alone…which was a terrible thing to do. After the recoil of the claw crushing the ground, the Timber turned to Chroma and immediately pounced.

“Chroma!” Fang shouted, trying to make his way to save his friend.

Rustling came from the bushes came from behind them. “Kids what are you doing out here in the…” Rainbow tiredly said. She wasn’t that way for long, because when she saw a Timberwolf rushing towards her daughter, her motherly instincts kicked in. “I’m coming, Chroma!”

Rainbow flapped her wings as fast she could, but with how close the timber beast was, she realized that she wasn’t going to make it to her daughter in time. Chroma started at the beast, its mouth wide open and ready to chop down on her. She shut her eyes ready to accepted what was going to happen. Suddenly, a flash of light zoomed in between her and the wolf. She reopened her eyes to see that her knight in shining armor was holding the jaws of the beast open.

“Rainbow, what’s going…” Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rarity simultaneously spoke as they trotted into the scene. They’re question was instantly answered, as their jaw dropped at what they were witnessing.

Efon was holding the jaw of the Timberwolf open with his fore hooves, holding it about a foot off the ground. Everyone who was watching was dumbfounded, all but Chroma, who could only blush as she looked at her hero who had saved her for about the fourth time. The other three times, excluding when the first meet, all happened to be furious Timbers.

“You tried to hurt Chroma…” Efon’s voice was spoken in a low, ominous tone, as he spread the jaws of the creature even wide, causing it to whimper.He lift his head up to face the wooden teeth, his slit eyes were glowing a vibrant green. “And now…” Efon tilted his horn, aiming at the jaw. “You’ll pay the price!”

With a devious grin, Efon’s horn illuminated in a bright blue light, an enormous electrical beam shooting from the tip. It engulfed the head of the Timberwolf, shacking the ground with how potent the blast was. The group of campers watched in awe, eyes wide and fixed on the young unicorn and his ray of brawny energy. The beam stretched out deep into the forest, piercing through trees behind the Timberwolf.

Efon subsided his galvanizing blast, it left a headless Timberwolf standing stationary. With a gentle, night breeze, the body of the Timber fell to its side, turning into a pile of wooden, misshaped planks of wood upon impact with the ground. Silence filled the air, as everyone tried to take in what they saw.

“Now…” Efon said as he looked at the pile of the Timberwolf’s remains. The adults and the kids looked at him in confusion. ‘Why was he talking to the pile of wood?’ they wondered. Only Chroma knew the answer.

They watched as pieces of began to float from beyond the forest, gathering around the pile of Timberwolf planks. They all began to float, forming into the shape of a small, yet big Timberwolf. With green glowing eyes, the Timberwolf rebuilt itself. Its ears were splayed back as it looked at Efon’s reptilian, green eyes. Using his magic, Efon had the Timberwolf in a tight grip.

“If you ever, EVER! Try to hurt Chroma, or anyone else, I’ll pay a small trip to your den and fry all your pups until they are nothing but ash! Do I make myself clear?!” Efon grinding his teeth, holding the Timberwolf’s head closer to him. Whimpering, the wolf slowly nodded his head.

“Good. NOW GET OUT OF MY FACE!” Efon yelled, releasing his grip on the Timber. With that, the Timberwolf swiftly vanished into the darkness of the forest.

A large moment of silence fell upon everyone; they’re jaws a gasped They were all still trying to comprehend what just happened.

“That was AMAZING!” yelled the tangerine colt, jumping in air, causing some out-of-place confetti flying. It’s weird how that was passed on to Camcore, but then again, he was part of the Pie family. “There was the stopping the beast’s attack part, and then the cool catch phrase! And we can’t forget about the GIANT ELECTRIC BLAST! That was so cool!” he squealed.

“That was AWESOME!” Rainbow shouted, flapping her wing in excitement, slightly hoovering off the ground. “Even I could take down a Timberwolf one-v-one! Even with my Wonderbolts training!”

Efon smiled as he continued to take slow, deep breaths. He turned his head to the face the flabbergasted group. “Yeah…it…was…nothing…” he huffed.

Promptly, Efon’s body tensed up and his eyes became constricted. A slight whimper escaped from his dry mouth.

“Uh…oh…”

His body began to slowly descended to the ground. As he did, a thin layer of a bright green fire began to cover his body at various parts. The flame hazily navigated over his hooves, revealing gaps and holes upon his legs, his mane turning from a hairy head and tail of hair to a cobweb texture, his muzzle divulging sharp fang, just littles ways over his bottom lip, and finally, the flame dissipated over his back, proclaiming a pair of insect like wing and a hard, beetle like green shell.

Rainbow’s smile vanished at the sight of the shift-shaping being.

“CHANGLING!” roared a pony dragon, who began to charge at the downed, black creature. As he neared the being, he slightly opened his mouth, a blue flame beginning to build up. He stopped has he was a foot away from the changeling, opening his mouth wider. “Burn!” he yelled.

“No!” eyes widen at the sight of the little white filly jump on top of Fang, pushing him over and causing his fiery blue flame blast to just barely miss the changeling. Chroma quickly got back on her hoofs and rushed to the black create, standing firmly in front of him. “Don’t hurt him!” she cried turning to the group.

Shaking his head, Fang picked himself up. “Chroma, what are you doing?” he yelled, staring variously at her. “I need to burn that monster until he tells me what he has done to Efon?!”

“This is Efon!” Chroma immediately yelling back, tears starting to build up.

“What?!” loudly yelled Fang and, at a higher volume, Rainbow Dash.

Chroma looked at Efon, who was just lying on the ground, looking aimlessly in the woods and breathing heavily, and turned to face her mother and friends. “I said this is Efon!”

“Chroma…” Pandora hesitantly said, “Are you saying that…”

Chroma’s head lowered, the tears starting to flow down ever so slowly. “Yes, he’s a changeling…”

Everyone seemed to freeze in disbelief, not wanting to believe what they heard. Everyone’s attention was then pulled to Rainbow, whose face was filled with anger.

“Chroma!” yelled a tomboyish voice shouted. “I told you to stay away from changelings!”

“But…”

“Don’t you know how dangerous they are!”

“But he’s…”

“Get away from that monster Right Now!”

“HE ISN’T A MONSTER!”

The loud uproar from the little filly was more than surprising, however, it didn’t faze her mother like it did to the rest, even Fang flinched a bit.

“Yes. He. Is! Now get away from him or I’m gonna…”

“NO! I refuse!” Chroma slammed her hoof on the floor, backing up so that she was closer to Efon, still in a daze from his lost energy.

“Chroma Soarin Dash! Can’t you see what he’s doing to you! He has you brainwashed! Now come here and let Fang…”

“You’re the ones that are brainwashed!” This final remark that made Rainbow flinch. The look in her daughter’s face was something that Rainbow had never seen on her face before: Angry determination.

“You’re the ones that are brainwashed…” Chroma shouted, a lot softer than before, heavy streams of tears flowing from her wide open, holding a stare towards her mother. “Brainwash to hate…to hate them…to hate him…just because of what he is! Your blinded by that hatred so much...” she paused, sniffling her nose trying to wipe away her steam of tears. “S-so much that you can’t see the good in him, something I see in him!” She paused again to turn her head, looking down at the creature for which she had strong feeling for. She turned to face her mother again. “I love him, mom!”

Efon’s ears flicked at the sound of those words. He began to lift himself from the ground. “C-Chroma…you…love…me…AGH!” Efon yelled and closing his eyes shut, his hoof quickly retracted to his side.

Everyone turned to the changeling, especially Chroma, who’s face turned to one of concern. “Efon what’s….” She stopped specking, looking at what Efon was yelling for.

Efon’s left hoof was firmly placed against his side. He quivered slightly every few second. Between his hoof and hip, the camping group saw a that a teal fluid was dripping from the changeling’s side.

“Oh my gosh!” Chroma immediately bent down and pulled him closer with caution. “Are you okay?!”

Efon winced as he slowly lifted his eyes open, looking down his body. He slightly moved his leg from his side, reveling a giant, deep scar, his bluish-green blood leaking out. “Yeah…I’m…ok…” he painfully said, recovering his injury with his leg. “It’s…just a…scratch…It…will…heal…” He smiled, looking into Chroma’s sapphire eyes. “I’m just glade your safe, cutie.”

A blush grew on Chroma’s face as she returned the smile and wiping away her tears. It was short live, however, as an annoyed look returned when she turned her head to her mother again.

The determined, mad look was still a bit alarming to see from Chroma. “How can you call him a monster after what he did?” She hugged Efon tighter, her cheeks pressing against Efon’s chitin cheeks., causing his cheers turn a dark green.

Rainbow’s looked at the changeling who her daughter was embracing. Mixed feeling began to run through her mind. “Chroma…”

“I love him, mom…” Chroma softly said. “Please…don’t take him away from me…”

Rainbow looked deeply into her daughter’s pleading eyes. She rubbed her head as she let out a drawn out sigh. “Girls!” she said looking toward the other adult, getting their attention off of the changeling. “Huddle up.”

The grown-ups followed Rainbow behind a nearby bush, pulling them closer for them to hear each other’s whispers.

“What do you think?” Rainbow said softly. “Do you think this monster is using a spell on my daughter, or…” She shivered at the thought. “She does Chroma really have feeling for that...that...bug!?”

“To be honest, Rainbow…” Fluttershy said in her low tone of voice, not really needing to lower it to whisper. “I don’t see any problem with it.”

Rainbow felt as if a cloud had just shocked her in the flank. “Fluttershy! How can you be ok with this?! He’s a…

“Changeling,” Fluttershy said finishing her statement. “And I honestly believe it’s ok for Chroma to love him.”

“But what if that thing, that monster, is mind controlling her?!” Rainbow shouted. “The evil creature could be hurting my daughter as we speck!”

“But he isn’t!” Pinkie bounced gleefully. “My pinkie sense would have gone off is something really bad was happening!”

“Wait…” Rarity interrupted, “Why didn’t your pinkie sense go off when the Timberwolf attacked?”

Pinkie tapped a hoof on her chin, trying to find answer to Rarity’s question. “Maybe because it knew we weren’t in real danger, with Efon begin incredibly powerful and all!” She stopped to think of another reason. "Or maybe I'm just getting old!"

Everyone looked at the pink pony’s grin with half opened eyes. “Anyway!” Rainbow said, bringing they’re attention back to the discussion. “It just feels really, really, wrong! I mean, my daughter. Is in love with an evil Changeling!”

Fluttershy and Rarity gave Rainbow a half lighten stare.

“What?!” Rainbow asked as they continued to stare at her.

“To be far, Rainbow,” Fluttershy said, still with a blank expression on her face, “I married and had a child with the lord of chaos and we all thought he was evil some time ago.”

"Yeah but..."

“I have to agree with Fluttershy, Rainbow my dear,” Rarity spoke, “Even though it’s a bit strange and highly disturbing, it isn’t uncommon for a pony to fall in love with someone who is normal portrayed as something evil. Take me and Spike for example. He being a dragon, something ponies aren’t supposed to be fawned of and yet I married him. And let’s all be honest, none of you expected me to return the same kind of affection he had shown me over the past years.”

“Yeah, that was really surprising….” Rainbow admitted, “But this is different! Discord and Spike can be trusted. How could we ever trust a real monster like that insect?”

“Rainbow look at him!” Fluttershy sternly said, pointing her hoof towards the changeling, who had begun a conversation with the other children, as well as seeing Chroma smack Fang across the face after speck some hurtful words about Efon, which was shocking to see. “Look at that wound! Chroma is right; if he was really a monster, he wouldn’t have risked his own life to protect her and everyone else here!”

“Not to mention that he did disguise himself just to be with Chroma!” Pinkie butted in.

“He’s lonely, Rainbow…” Fluttershy said, putting a hoof on his friend’s shoulders. “And maybe having someone like Chroma in his life is all he ever wanted.”

Rainbow sighed. “I just don’t know if we should trust him just like that…”

“Tell you what,” Fluttershy began. “How about you let him tag along with us for this trip, and then we can take him to Twilight and see how she would feel. We could get Discord to see if there is any magical disturbance from a mind controlling spell.” Fluttershy then had a caution look upon her face. “Plus,” she whispered, “We could get you-know-who to see whether if he’s lying or not.”

“Then I could pulverize him?” Rainbow asked raising her head.

Rolling her eyes, Fluttershy said, “Yes you could pulverize him…”

“Fine, I’ll give him a chance,” Rainbow sighed, starting to make her way back to the children. “Right after he answers a questions I need I have.”

The group of kids watched as they’re parents went behind the bush to talk about the situation at hoof. They then walked to Chroma, who was sitting next to the changeling.

“So…ah…you were a changeling the whole time then?” Pandora asked, nervously rubbing the back of her head, looking at Efon and Chroma.

Efon turned his head to the mix and match pony, only to look away, trying not to look at them. “You guy properly hate me now, don’t you...”

Fang opened his mouth only to be pushed away from a certain, tangerine, spiky maned pony. “Are you kidding?! This only makes you even cooler!”

“Yeah, I knew it. You probably just want me to leave and never come…” Efon’s reptilian eyes widen. “Wait…What!?”

“Yeah dude!” Camcore said, jumping up and down in enjoyment. “How many ponies can say they’re friends with a cool shape-shifting Changeling?!”

Efon could hardly believe what he was hearing, even if he knew Camcore was telling the truth. “W-where still friends?!” asked in an alarming tone.

“Ah, duh…”

“B-but I’m a Changeling! How can you be friends with something like me!?”

“To be honest, I kind of already knew you were a Changeling…” Camcore blankly said, rubbing the back of his head.

There was a moment of silence. “WHAT?!” everyone young pony and changeling yelled.

“But how did you…” Efon began to ask, in complete shock.

“It was very simple really.” With that, Camcore pulled out a dry erase board out of nowhere.

“Where did that come from?!” Efon asked, feeling like his mind was beginning to question all aspects of life.

“You see, I figured out from your name, Efon” Camcore said has drew and bubble letter text that state ‘EFON.’ “I learned that Efon in Yoruba means ‘mosquito,’ and as you all know, mosquitos drink blood!” Camcore drew a semi realistic image of a bug winged with a long narrow nose, with and arrow drawn to what was supposed to be a small, red droplet blood. “And where does blood come from? The heart!” he said as he drew an image of a heart and an arrow pointing towards it from the droplet. “And the heart is a symbol of love and changeling feed on love!” With one final sketch of an image that matched to Efon and text that said ‘LOVE’ pointing from it to the changeling image. “And bata bing, bata boom! That how I figured out that you were a changeling!”

The group of kids looked at Camcore with mouths wide open in awe as they took in what was just spoken to him. “Wow...” Efon simply said. “That amazin…”

“Plus, who names a pony Efon? No offence or anything, but that would be weird!” Camcore said, pushing away the dry erase board into the distance.

“Wait, so, you knew the entire time?” Pandora asked, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Yup!”

“And you didn’t mind?” Chroma asked, now stand on her hooves.

“Nope!”

“And you neglected to tell me?!” roar Fang from anger.

“Well, I knew you would probably fry his face off if I did,” Camcore blankly said.

“THAT’S THE POINT YOU IDIOT!” Fang screamed at the anime obsessed pony. “I would of burn this ugly disgusting monster…”

*SMACK*

Fang was cut off by a hoof that had ran across his face with great force. He turned to is Chroma with a raised hoof and her eye peer through her glasses with the sight of rage.

“Don’t you ever call him a monster or ugly ever again!” she shouted, as she gritted her teeth.

Pandora and Camcore was shunned when they saw an emotion on Fang’s face he rarely shown: Fear.

“I…ah…” was all that came from out of the half pony half dragon’s mouth.

“Now, apologize to him!” Chroma said, pointing to her love interest who was sit sitting on the ground.

“Apologize! For wh…”

“Fang!” Chroma spoke in a dark tone.

Fang tensed up and gulped at the sight of rage on the normally passive filly. Taking a step forward, he looked down at Efon, only to turn it to the side, trying to hide his blush of embarrassment. “I’m…sorry…” he lowly said.

Efon looked at Fang, then to Chroma, then back to Fang. “Um…thanks…” Efon said, not sure how to reacted in this kind of situation.

“I’m so glad I recorded that!” Camcore said, as he his camcorder was fixed on Fang. “This is so going on to PonyTube!”

Fang rushed towards the orange pony with gusto. “Like Tartarus you are!” Fang began to chase Camcore in circle, shouting out things like ‘You better hoof over the camera!’ and ‘I’m not playing Camcore!’

“Alright,” Rainbow’s voice called, getting the attention of the kids. “I’ve made up my mind.”

The groups of kids turned to look at the grown-ups making they’re return from they’re private conversation. Rainbow trotted to the towards the changeling, who seemed to tremble as she approached him. Before she could be at a closer proximity to the fearful changeling, her white furred daughter stepped in front of her, scowling at her. Tension built up from the two, as they both stared into it other’s eyes, creating a moment of silence.

“I promise I won’t hurt him,” Rainbow uttered, looking deep into her daughter’s eyes. A few more seconds had passed before Chroma saw the truth in her mother’s statement, she allowed her mother to past.

Efon’s ears splayed back as his greatest fear inched closer and closer. His body began to shake uncontrollably, as well as his constricting in fright. She stopped, standing right in front of him. She lowered her head to face the changeling, directly in front of his face. Her eyes slowly examined his face, pursing her lips as she did so.

Efon didn’t dare to move, not even milometer of movement, as the cyan mare began to circle him, hoovering with gentle flaps of her wings, starting from his right. She continued her movement until she had made it to his left side, where the giant scar was embedded on his chitin, as it was slowly healing. After a hard inspection of the deep cut, she glanced at her daughter, who was watching her movements very carefully.

She began to move again, halting when she was in front of him once more. “So…” she began, causing the young changeling to tense up at sound of her cold sounding word as they hit his ears. “Is it true that you not steeling love energy from Chroma or anyone else here?”

Efon put up his hoof up to his forehead, saluting as he responded. “No, Mrs. Dash! I mean yes Mrs. Dash! I mean…” Efon paused as moisture began to pour from his forehead. “I-it’s…complicated…Mrs. Dash…”

Rainbow narrowed her eyes at his response. “What do you mean it’s complicated?!” she asked sternly. “Explain yourself!”

Efon shuddered at her harsh tone, flinching back. He recollected himself and spoke. “Well…being a changeling…my body needs love, not only for food, but keep my blood circulating through my body. Sooo…my body is constantly absorbing lov…”

Efon was cut off, winching in pain from both the pressure on his cut, and from Rainbow tackled him, pinning him to the ground and raising a hoof, ready to swing. “SO YOU ARE STEELING ENERGY YOU DIRTY LITTLE BUG?!”

“Mom! You said you weren’t going to hurt him!” Chroma shouted, trying to pull her mother off of her friend. “You didn’t even let him finish!”

Rainbow intensely looked at the quivering creature underneath her. She sighed as she backed off Efon, allowing him rise back up on to his rump. “Hmp! Fine! Finish what you were saying!” she said sternly, crossing her hoof as she hoovered off the ground slightly.

Shacking, Efon began to speak again. “M-my body a-absorbs love energy that flows around in the air around ponies,” Rainbow gave him a hard look of rage, causing more fear to erupt in the young changeling’s body. “B-but…” Efon spoke, stuttering in dreaded fright, “I-I have control on how much my body takes in! I make sure that it’s absorbs the very minimum, just enough to keep my blood moving around in my body, Mrs. Dash…”

“And is it safe for us to let you take the minimum amount of love you need?” Rainbow said, crossing her hooves at disapprove of what she was hearing.

The changeling trembled before her, shacking in fear for every word spoken to him. “A ponies love energy could recover over time…” Efon began, “I allow my body to only take the smallest amount so that your body could instantly restore that love energy back to one hundred percent, Mrs. Dash…”

Rainbow continued her sharp gaze at the changeling, thinking whether or not to trust what this creature was saying. Frustrated, she sighed in defeat, giving into to how much her head hurt was hurt from that explanation. “Fine. I guess I could try and accepted this.” She said, frowning at the changeling. “But it’s only because I have no clue how your disgusting bodies actually works!”

“He’s not disgusting…” Chroma lowly said, grinning her teeth.

Even thought it was strange to see her daughter grinned her teeth, Rainbow ignored it, still having a few question for the shape-shifter. “Where did you and my daughter first meet?”

Efon looked at Chroma, giving a lowly smile before turning to her terrifying mother. “Well…the day we meet wasn’t the best, but the second time, where she came back to become my friend…” Efon could help but let his small smile turn into a beaming one. “Was the happiest day of my life…”

“And why wasn’t the first day you two meet the best of days?” Rainbow asked, sternly staring at him.

Efon lower his, his eyes gazing towards the dirt upon the wood clearing. “For one, Chroma was being attacked by a Timberwolf before I showed up and saved her.” He paused, thinking if he was ready to revel something that even Chroma didn’t know. “As for me…” he said, hesitant to say the one thing he regrets the most. “It was the day I was going to end it all…”

Ears perked up, only to splay back down. Eyes wide. Questioning looks were formed. Silence was formed as everybody was tried to see what Efon means.

“Efy…” Chroma solemnly said, her eyes filled with perplex emotions. “W-what…”

“What do you mean you wanted to end it all?” Rainbow finished Chroma’s question for her, a surprising look of concern plastered over her face.

Efon hung his head even lower than what it was. He really wished he kept his mouth shut. It didn’t feel right to have ours feel sorry for him. “I-I was going to kill…myself…”

A large moment of silence was, once again, brought upon the camping group. Efon’s words was a huge surprise to everyone. It was so alarming that they really couldn’t tell how they were feeling. It was a mixture of sadness, disbelief, and confusion.

“That……turned dark really…quick…” Camcore solemnly stated.

“I-it’s something I’m not proud of…I don’t like to talk about it.” Efon said rubbing the back of his head. He turned he’s gaze at his Rainbow maned, white furred friend. “Let’s just say that Chroma gave me a purpose to live…”

He gave a low smile at her, her slight blush forming as her eyes began to water up. He frowned at the sight tearing up for someone like him.
Rainbow took a long, deep sigh, place a hoof to cover her eye. “A-are you lying just so I could feel pity for you?!” she asked in a stern, with, however, a little whimper in her voice. "'Cause if you are, darn it! It's working!"

Efon lowered his head even lower. “With my situation between life and death, there was nothing I wanted to do more then to perpetrate my own throat with a dag…” Efon stopped his somber speech, as something grabbed him. He looked to see that the cyan mare he feared so much, now embracing him in a warm, welcoming hug. He could hear her sniffling, as he felt tempered moisture flow down his back side. He lifted his head and turned his eyes to the brave, courageous, swaggering proud mare, tears rolling off her earnest face.

“I’m giving you, one chance…” she said rather softly in the changeling’s ear. She released the young shape-shifting being, getting up and beginning steadily trot back to the camping grounds. “When we get back to the village and I find out that your lying…” She stopped I her tracks, turn her head slightly to glare at the changeling with a very menacing look upon her face. “You better start run!” She began walking again. “Now come on, we have a few more hours of sleep left before the sun rise and we have to keep moving to the next campsite.”

The clearing was filled with silence, excluding the adults from making their way back to the camp sight, bring their children with them. They had left Efon and Chroma, knowing they would follow soon. Efon looked at the direction they had trailed off to, staring in awe. He lifted his head up to look at Chroma, who was standing in front of him. A large, warm, cheerful grin was plastered on her face. She held up a hoof, gesturing for Efon take it.

Efon reached out a hoof to meet Chroma’s. As soon as he got up, he was immediately embraced with a hug from the white. His checks turned flushed as it accrued.

“Y-you…” Chroma began to say, lifting her shimmering gaze to her friend, her glasses allowing her beautiful sapphire eyes to be shown to Efon. “You could stay…” she finished saying. She released him from her grip a pulled him along behind her back to the camping ground. She knew Efon long enough to recognized the face Efon was wearing. It was the same face that he had after she had tried to explain something to him about science or math. Knowing that he need some time to register tonight’s events, she sat him down at one of the camping logs, sitting him down onto it. He was still staring at nothing, bewilderedness in his emerald eyes.

Chroma smiled at the sight, feeling glee for him and a bit for herself. She didn’t really know how to express her warm feeling but one. In quick motion, she gave Efon a quick kiss on his cheek, blushing as she did so. Efon slightly flinched at the touch, but still kept staring blankly. Chroma made her way to the tent her mother was in, hoping that no one saw the kiss.

It wasn’t until the zipper of the tent was lifted up that Efon finally moved, turning his head to the tent Chroma had entered. He stroked his cheek, the one that now was kissed for the second time. Turning his gaze to the still glowing embers left from the camp fire, he blushed deeply.

“W-what just happened?” was all the Changeling could say for the rest of the eventful night.

Author's Note

Oh boy! This was took longer then anticipated! And I was going to make it longer too! Well, now that they know that Efon is a changeling, the next chapter could take many different roots. What root will it take? And who is this mysterious 'you-know-who' that Fluttershy referred to? Find out in future chapters of Outcast Love!

Oh, and for copyright purposes:

Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars

Thecartoonmaster123 out!