“What is it Angel?”

The little white rabbit frantically pointed towards the grass clearing between her home and the Everfree Forest, and took off hopping, only to stop and turn back to see Fluttershy still hovering in the same place.

Angel waved a paw impatiently, signaling the yellow Pegasus to follow.

The little impatient white rabbit led Fluttershy into the open grass clearing between her own home and the edge of the Everfree forest. They both came to a halt when Angel stopped and pointed a paw down a dark hole in the ground.

Fluttershy gasped upon seeing this and covered her mouth with a hoof. “Oh dear!”

Angel pointed a paw into the hole again, staring blankly at the yellow Pegasus.

“Are you suggesting I go down there?” Fluttershy fretfully shifted her gaze quickly between the open cavity in the middle of the grass field and Angel.

Angel lowered a brow and held his blank expression.

“Um, alright Angel bunny, if it will make you feel better...” Fluttershy cowered as she turned towards the hole, peeking her head inside into the darkness. She looked back to angel, who was impatiently stamping his foot on the ground.

“Uh, ok Angel.” Fluttershy then slowly lowered herself into the hole, coming to a gentle stop onto the cavern floor.

“Uh, hello?” She nervously tried to peer through the darkness, but nothing caught her eye.

“Angel bunny, I really don’t see wha---” Fluttershy was instantly frozen solid in fear as two orbs of blue peered upon her from the darkness. Being so devoted and understanding of all the different creatures in Equestria, she immediately knew what was standing before her.

Shrieking, she took off from the floor of the cavern and shot out the opening to the ground above. In one swift motion, she scooped up Angel in a hoof and whizzed by a very confused-looking Bon Bon towards Ponyville.

“RUUUUUNNNN!!!!” Fluttershy squeaked as she flew by, messing up Bon Bon’s mane in her wake.

“What the hay?” Bon Bon sat there dumbfounded for a moment before becoming curious to where, and what Fluttershy was fleeing from. As Bon Bon had almost reached one of Lyra’s favorite places around Ponyville, so she decided to shrug it off and continue her search.

After trotting a ways into the grass clearing, she noticed a couple dark-colored figures closely encircling to what looked to be a large hole in the ground. Bon Bon tried to keep her distance, but at the same time she wanted to get a closer look.

“Is this what scared Fluttershy off? Doesn’t seem all that scary from here.” She knelt down close to the grass and closed in, not 30 yards from the dark figures. They looked like ponies, but clearly they were different. Their eyes were an outstanding blue, and their legs looked as if they had holes through them. The most frightening feature of the pony-like figures was the fact that they clearly had fangs; a rather alarming sight, to say the least. Bon Bon was beginning to feel uneasy.

Leave it to good luck, or perhaps not, Bon Bon inched herself in, just close enough to be in earshot of the dark figures. Their voices were hissy, and almost aquatic-sounding.

“Is this where they came in from?”

“Had to have been. There’s no way they would’ve trekked in from the Crystal Caverns, they’re too dark and cramped for any normal pony to go through there.”

“You’re right. Let’s seal this hole and get out of here before somepony sees us.”

With that, the creatures disappeared back down the hole.

Before taking another chance to allow herself to get noticed, Bon Bon fled the scene, taking after the clearly frightened yellow Pegasus.

“Ya’ll take care now!” AJ waved a hoof goodbye to yet another customer with no useful information about the missing mare and stallion.

Applejack sighed and rested her head on her hoof atop the cart, waiting for the customer to trot out of earshot. “Well I sure ain’t finding out nothin’. Dag-nab it!”

“Finding out what, Applejack?” Unbeknownst to AJ, Rarity had been patiently waiting behind the previous customer to visit her cart.

“Findin’ out why in tarnation Davin has gone missin’, an’ why things have been so weird ‘round here lately!”

Rarity took a step back from Applejack’s outburst. “Are you alright?”

“No, I ain’t alright Rarity. A friend is missin’, and mah cuzin is actin’ like a goofball!” The orange mare began to vent her frustrations.

“Ah swear, myself an’ Big Mac have had ta teach Braeburn every lil’ thing ‘bout workin’ the orchard; it’s like he don’t even know the first dang thing ‘bout harvestin’ apples!” She scowled and kicked at the ground.

“If it weren’t for Davin helpin’ us get our ‘quipment all fixed up, we would’a had to cancel Cider Season days ago! And now he’s missin’!” AJ stomped a hoof on the ground.

Rarity seemed to understand and agree, “Braeburn’s been acting strangely around me also, Applejack.”

“He has?” the frustrated orange pony immediately softened her scowl.

Rarity sighed and looked back, checking for any more customers waiting for Applejack’s services; there weren’t any. She sunk her head. “May I tell you something?”

“O’ course, go right a head Rar’.” She nodded her head. “Sorry fer my outburst there, Ah’m jus’ a bit stressed is all.”

“Think nothing of it, Applejack.” Rarity raised a hoof and attempted to put Applejack’s worries to rest.

“Anyways, I too am having trouble dealing with how different Braeburn is acting...” Rarity lowered her head, “I’m trying my hardest to make things work with him Applejack; I really am, but it’s like he’s not even the same pony anymore! I mean, ever since about a week ago, he’s just been...”

“...Different.” both Rarity and Applejack said in unison.

Both mares thought to themselves for a moment, before AJ broke the silence. “Y’all don’t suppose--”

Applejack was cut short by a certain shrieking yellow Pegasus gaining both hers and Rarity’s attention, flapping her wings as she galloped towards the cart. She was closely followed by Bon Bon.

Fluttershy finally came to a halt in front of Applejack’s cart, having more-or-less of a total panic-attack. Bon Bon too shortly arrived, struggling to catch her breath.

“Now what in Sam-Hay—”

“THEY’RE BACK! THEY’RE BACK! SOMEPONY WARN—”

AJ cut Fluttershy’s freak-out short with a hoof to her mouth, “Whoa, whoa, whoa... Slow down there sugarcube. What in tarnation are y’all takin’ ‘bout?”

AJ returned her hoof to the ground and Fluttershy tried to contain herself for a moment, but she just couldn’t. “CHANGELINGS! THEY’RE HERE IN PONYVILLE!” she belted out, hovering a couple feet off the ground.

Both Applejack and Rarity’s mouths dropped, along with half of Ponyville who heard Fluttershy scream.

“Fluttershy, are you sure?” Rarity tried to calm the yellow Pegasus, holding the sides of her head with both hooves and looking her in the eye.

“I saw them too!” Bon Bon added, “There were two of them near the Everfree forest!”

“Now wait just a dang minute!” Applejack raised a hoof and attempted to silence the three mares, “What in tarnation are the Changelin’s doin’ here in Ponyville?!”

“I don’t know, but I heard them talking,” Bon Bon shrugged, “I think they know where Lyra and that stallion disappeared to!”

Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity all shared a look.

“If’n this here’s all true, ah say it sure as hay would expain a few things that’ve been goin’ on ‘round here!”

Rarity tried to comprehend what Applejack had just implied. She put a hoof to her chin and thought for a moment.

“We must go see Twilight! The Princess must be let know! She’ll know what to do!”

Fluttershy, feeling embarrassed for her previous outburst, remained silent and nodded her head in agreement.

“Ah’ll go back ta Sweet Apple Acres. Ah reckon ah’ll have a few words ta say ta Braeburn, if’n that’s even who he is! Ah should’a known! Ah knew he was hidin’ somthin’!”

“I am coming with you Applejack!” Rarity tried to part with the orange mare.

“No Rar’,” Applejack halted the white pony, “if anypony will be able ta talk some sense inta that colt, it’ll be me. Ah’m his cousin after all!”

“I will meet you there after we see Twilight then, Applejack! I must say I have a few things to mention to him as well!” Rarity snorted angrily as the four mares parted in their separate ways; one towards Sweet Apple Acres, and the others to the Library.

“...by her Royal highness, Princess Celestia,” The armored white Pegasus recited, “I hereby place you under arrest for suspicion of treason, and willful destruction of property.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa man, slow down. What the hell are you talking about?” I interrupted the pegasus, raising a hoof in surrender.

Treason? Destruction of property? Ok, I guess I can kinda explain that second one because of the whole Ponyville town hall thing, but treason? What the hell is this dude on about?

“I think this is some kind of mistak--” The guard interrupted me as he continued.

“Anything you say, may be used to justify you in your trial.” The white pegasus grimaced at me, and I took the hint; shut up. He looked over to Lyra, who was wearing just as much of a confused face as I was a moment ago. She was probably the smart one in all this, because she kept her mouth shut.

I’ve never personally been arrested, but at times I’ve found myself in trouble with the law.

I mean, is it wrong to assume I have the right to ask why I’m being suspected of being a criminal? Jesus, one extreme to the next; suspected hero to suspected criminal. Just like that!

The pegasi guard, along with a unicorn guard, closely and directly escorted Lyra and me away from the stream. As we made our ascent up the bank of the train bridge Lyra noticed earlier, the number of armored unicorn and Pegasi guards increased dramatically. Once we were finally atop the tracks, I noticed several unicorn guards collectively using their magic to return a very damaged-looking locomotive back onto the railway tracks, which the guards basically had completely barricaded.

Lyra noticed it too, and shrugged once she shifted her gaze back to me. Without words, I agreed. Who knows what happened here? I wanted to ask one of the guards what happened, but I remembered the best thing to do is just keep silent.

A freakin’ court trial? Like really? After all I’ve been through? This place could end up being worse than hell for all I know!

My mind is so scrambled right now, I can’t even maintain a steady train of thought. Doesn’t really help that I’m starving... I can never think straight on an empty stomach, and my emotions start overcoming the best of me.

So much has happened today so far, and I’m getting this feeling that today is going to be a very long day. I just know it.

Both Lyra and myself were forced onto a carriage, drawn by two additional Pegasi guards. Our front hooves were cuffed and chained to the cart as we ascended up to Canterlot. Guess whatever they figured we were doing was a definite no-no in their books. And that’s an understatement and a half.

I must say, I’m not really one for flying. Back home whenever the family and I took a plane to our vacation destination, I would just get anxious. My palms would sweat, and I’d uncontrollably play out terrible crash scenarios in my mind. Come to think of it, I kinda get the same way when I’m a passenger in a road vehicle... Perhaps it’s just a ‘being in control of the vehicle’ thing, because I’m totally fine when I’m the one driving. I’m not sure. Weird, huh?

Although I was fighting not to show my anxiety in front of Lyra, the view from above Canterlot was actually quite breathtaking. The golden peaks of the tallest towers were A LOT taller than they looked from Ponyville, that’s for sure. This city was entirely constructed on a mountain side, which makes me wonder...

If they’re capable of this magnitude of architectural marvel, then why don’t they have the advanced technology behind it? Oh right. Magic. Duh...

I tried to facehoof as I thought, but the chains around my hooves prevented that. I pretty much just stumbled a bit forward in the cart looking like a total idiot. Best of all, Lyra noticed.

“You alright over there?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I think.” I shrugged, despite the chains tightly holding me down to the cart.

Well that was awesome, now I look AND feel like an idiot.

We finally touched down into one of the tallest towers in Canterlot. Whatever becomes of this, whatever it might be, I know I’m not going to like it.

After we landed, we were again greeted by two more unicorn guards. They forcefully escorted Lyra and I down a long spiral staircase to the base of the tower, and into a long hall. The entire time the guard kept forcibly nudging me forward.

“Anything from the Princess yet Spike?” Twilight called from down in the library.

“Not yet Twilight. It’s been a good hour and a bit now since we’ve sent the letter; I’m sure she’s taking care of whatever it is she needs to take care of.” Spike then began descending down the stairs with an armful of books stacked higher than the top of his head.

“She did seem like she had something important come up.” Twilight put a hoof to her chin and thought for a moment, only to shrug. “I’m sure you’re right, she’s probably taking care of whatever it was.”

“I hope so. I’ve been getting a really weird vibe from everything that’s been going on lately. Ponies going missing, and now the Princess, along with the royal guard, can’t make it to Cider Season? What’s with that?” Spike set the stack of books down onto a desk, leaning up against them and shrugging.

“It definitely is strange Spike, but I think perhaps we’re just thinking into it too much.” With her magic, Twilight removed the bottom book from the stack and hovered it over towards herself, causing the stack under Spike’s weight to topple over, also causing him to loose his balance.

“Yeah. Maybe.” Spike scowled as he sat up, having an open book lay perfectly balanced across the top of his head. “It just puzzles me how the Princess doesn’t just fly down with the rest of the Royal Guard.” Spike took off the book from his head and placed it onto the shelf next to the others.

“Well I suppose so, but not all of the Royal Guard are Pegasus ponies, Spike, you know that.” Twilight pointed a hoof to a small picture frame of herself and her brother. “The whole reason I thought it a good idea for the Princesses and the Royal Guard to come down here for Cider Season was really for Shining Armor and Cadence to get to know my friends and everypony here in Ponyville a little better.”

“I know Twilight, I know.” Spike rolled his eyes as he got back to his feet. “Friendship is worth sharing, and all that...” Spike headed back up the stairs to fetch more books.

“Exactly Spike.” Twilight continued from the book she was reading, “But because of the mysterious train derailment and nopony to conduct repairs, there’s no way for them to all make it here to Ponyville for Cider Season.”

Realizing that she was now talking to herself as Spike had already left back up the stairs, Twilight giggled to herself and shrugged, and continued to study the book before her.

A few moments later, Spike returned from the upper floor of the library, carrying another armful of books, which he set down next to Twilight. Spike opened his mouth to speak, but instead, he belched; out of the green flames appeared an eagerly-awaited scroll.

Twilight immediately stepped up and snatched the scroll with her magic, opening the seal and presenting it before herself.

Spike groaned. “What’s it say Twilight?” Spike asked as he started picking up books off the stairs.

“Ahem,” Twilight cleared her throat as she began to read, but she was immediately distracted by two certain mares barging loudly in through the doorway.

Lyra and I were led through the long hall; several tall, very elaborate stained-glass windows lined both sides of the walls, and the sun caused them to line the marble floors with equally intricate patterns of colors. Have not the current circumstances, it would be quite the magnificent spectacle.

Sitting perched upon a podium near the end of the hall, was a very superior-looking white alicorn. She wore a golden crown, so I could only assume she must be some sort of royalty. Her mane and tail flowed majestically as if there were a slow breeze, but there wasn’t any wind in this hall, so... I don’t know. Magic, I guess. She was reading a scroll that she levitated before herself, only to lower it and peer down at the guards escorting myself and Lyra before her. We finally came to a halt a few feet from where the alicorn was now standing.

I took a look back at the forceful guard and gave him a bit of a glare.

I mean ya, do your job man, but don’t be a dick about it. Which reminds me of pretty much every police officer I’ve came across. Good to know no mater what world you end up in, cops are douche bags. Your job is to ENFORCE the law, not MAKE the law. God! And now I’m grumpy again! Urghhh! And here I go, hating on myself again... Man I pick the best of times to let things get to me!

Like honestly, why couldn’t have just died in that accident with the train? It’s caused me nothing but confusion, and caused this pony society quite a lot as well! I mean, look at where I’m standing! Pretty much under arrest for god-knows what, and having caused destruction of an entire historical building. Nice Dav, real fucking nice! Oh, I almost forgot; I didn’t even show up for work today! God damnit, Davin!

Why couldn’t have I just died!? What had I done so wrong in my past life to deserve this? I had everything back home, and I went through so much shit, and worked so fucking hard for it! I had my friends, my awesome job, my truck, a place to live; I had everything a guy could want! I’d always help people out if the opportunity presented itself too! I was happy, and completely content with my life. But no, I have to go off on one of my tangents and sacrifice myself for my friends, and... You know what, I’m just gunna stop myself here before I’ll do something I’ll actually regret. I guess it’s still going to take me a while to get used to everything that’s happened in such a short time. I mean it’s been what... a week since the accident? Ugh. I can’t deal with things right now, everything is happening too soon and too fast! Fuck!

I looked up to the white alicorn, trying my best not to show my anger. The alicorn’s blank gaze turned into that stern-disappointed look that I’m sure we all know all too well. The alicorn didn’t say a word.

The guard standing behind Lyra spoke up. “These two were caught snooping around near the derailment site of the Royal Canterlot Express.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” I turned around and faced the guard, “Snooping around? Dude we just managed to find our way out of a cavern we’ve been lost in—” The alicorn finally spoke up, cutting me short of an outburst onto the guard. I'm sure I'll be thankful for that later.

“Silence. Now, I’ve been awaiting what this has to do with the derailment, lieutenant. This nonsense is keeping me from relaying an important message to my protégé.”

“Of course your highness.” The guard behind Lyra bowed his head, “I have reasonable evidence to prove that these two somehow managed a spell that knocked the train off the rails.”

“What?!” I snapped around to the guard.

This guy better not say anything else stupid or I swear I’ll kick his ass! I’ll probably loose, he is a guard after all, but still, I’ll try to kick his ass!

“Notice how this stallion’s horn is missing?” The guard to my side pointed a hoof to my lack of a horn.

That’s your ‘reasonable evidence’?!

The alicorn looked my way suspiciously. I’m not sure I can take much more of this, I’m going to snap, and I really don’t need more strain put on me than I already do. I don’t care if I look desperate, this is ridiculous. I spun around to come face to face with the guard standing aside me, but instead, Lyra beat me to the explanation.

She spoke directly to the unicorn guard to my side, “Actually, he lost it saving me. We were nowhere near Canterlot when it happened.”

That comment seemed to either interest, or perhaps confuse the white royal alicorn.

“It’s true.” Lyra turned to face the alicorn, “Please Princess, we’ve been stuck, lost in a cavern we fell into near Ponyville. It was just dumb luck that we managed to emerge where we did. I haven’t been to Canterlot since the royal wedding, and he’s new to Ponyville.” She pointed a hoof in my direction.

Thank you Lyra! I couldn’t have said it better myself. Man, you know, this world isn’t all too bad. I’m just struggling with too many things at once. I really gotta stop and think how lucky I am sometimes, and not get all mad for nothing.

I have a ‘marefriend’, well, I think I do anyways... Is it too soon to consider her that? I don’t know. I’ll just push that thought to the back of my mind for now...

I have a few new friends here, and luckily for me, they’re a lot more understanding and caring here than some people back home. Like how Twilight openly offered, no, insisted, on giving me a place to stay one of my first nights here. I still feel like I owe her for that; she was the first to openly welcome me, and make me feel some comfort here...

I have—well, HAD a job, right up until last night when I screwed that up by falling into that damn hole!

Even though I’m again finding myself struggling through life, all too similar as I was after graduating high school, I sure hope that I’ll find my place again. Things will work out. I really hope they do...

The alicorn, or rather, Princess, called down to me. “You saved her?”

Oh boy. Maybe Lyra shouldn’t have said that. “Uh, yeah.” I stated in more of a tone of a question than an answer.

“Would you mind explaining as to how you managed to do that and lose your ability to perform magic?”

“Nopony really knows for sure how actually; I’m even having trouble considering what all happened that night.”

The Princess gasped and put a hoof to her mouth, “Oh dear, you are the stallion and mare who were involved in the Ponyville town hall incident!”

Lyra and I exchanged a confused glance.

“Yes Princess. We are.” Lyra sunk her head.

“Guards, you are dismissed.” The Princess raised a hoof in dismissal, then returned to Lyra and I. “I am so very sorry for any accusations they may have made.” She gestured towards the fleeting guards. “The strange derailment of the Royal Canterlot Express has caused a great deal of suspicion amongst everypony ever since the Royal Wedding, and the Royal Guard aren’t willing to take any chances.”

You have got to be kidding me. Ok, given I guess I’m a little less worried about being thrown into a dungeon or some shit, but I’m still pretty pissed about being blamed for all this. It’s really the last thing I need right now.

“Uh, Braeburn? What the hay are ya’ll doin’ in here?” Big Mac asked as he slid the barn door open, revealing a shocked-looking Braeburn sitting aside the stock of barrels containing the apple cider.

“Uh, nothin’ cuz, just stackin’ away the last of the cider here.” The tan stallion avoided eye contact.

“Ya’ll sure you’re alright cuz?” The buff red pony rested a hoof on Braeburn’s shoulder, “Ya’ll’ve been actin’ mighty strange the past lil’ while here. Everythin’ ok? Ya definitely don’t seem yerself...”

“Oh I’m jus’ fine cuz.” Braeburn shrugged, “You’ll understand in a moment...”

“I’ll... Uh, what?” Big Mac removed his hoof from Braeburn’s shoulder, taking a step back in confusion.

Braeburn tuned around and faced the red stallion, grinning malevolently. Braeburn surrounded himself in a column of green flames, and revealed his true form to Big Macintosh.

The red stallion was frozen at the sight before him, until he snapped himself out of it.

“Uh, I think I’ll be goin’ now!” Big Mac tried to turn for the barn door.

“You’re not going anywhere.” The Changeling slammed the barn door shut with his magic, and stuck the red stallion’s hooves to the barn floor with a green gooey-substance.

“HEL--” Big Mac tried to call for help, but the Changeling stuck his mouth shut with the same green substance.

The Changeling trotted right up into Macintosh’s worried face, and cackled evilly. “What better test subject than one of the hosts themselves?”

Big Mac’s face turned from worry to anger.

“Mff—mrfff-rrr?!” Big Mac tried to talk through the green pasty substance keeping his mouth shut.

The Changeling scoffed, and zapped off the substance on Big Mac’s face with a green bolt of lightning from his horn. “What was that?”

“Where’s Braeburn!?” Macintosh demanded.

“Oh I assure you he’s out of the way for the time being.” The Changeling laughed again, reapplying the green substance onto Big Mac’s face, preventing him from being able to speak. “Now... Onto the tests...”

Big Mac struggled to get free, as the Changeling levitated a barrel full of the darkly-enchanted cider towards himself, cackling mercilessly.

There was a knock on the barn door, momentarily distracting the Changeling.

“Braeburn? Y’all in there?” AJ knocked on the barn door again with a hoof, then tried to swing it open. The door wouldn’t budge.

“What the hay? Braeburn, open this door, ya hear?” AJ tried a few more times to get the door open, to no avail.

“Braeburn, ah’m comin’ in!” In one final effort to open the door, Applejack stood on her fore hooves, and bucked the door open with a single, swift strike.

Upon seeing the sight before her, she gasped. “Whoa, Nelly...”

Author's Note

Er. Mah. Gerd. Changelings. And talk about mood swings, jeez. Davin needs to learn to chill the hell out sometimes and stop hating on himself so much! Freakin' guy reminds me all to well of myself! Oh wait...
Well I figured I should probably post this chapter before I start getting swamped with school stuff! Freakin' college! I really shouldn't have taken two years off to work full time after high school, it's going to suck getting back into the school vibe. It's mechanic stuff though, so it should hopefully come easy for me. I'll continue to write whenever I find the time!

As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated and I consider any constructive criticism you may have!