Pony and the Changeling

Chapter 12

When Katana left the castle, certain figures hidden in the shadows started to fly towards their destination. As they made it, one of the figures knelt towards the leader.

"What's your report?"

"She left the castle, your Highness, leaving that changeling all alone. Now's the perfect chance to strike all the love he's contained."

"Excellent," the leader named Chrysalis declared with delight. "Thanks to that mysterious pony to provide us this prediction, we now know the perfect opportunity of taking over Equestria."

She laughed so hard that her minions joined in with her vicious plan. From what they received from the mysterious pony, the changeling contained a certain love in his heart that would be just enough for their kind to take over Equestria. Meanwhile, Applejack, Apple Bloom, and the girls finally reached towards the Ponyville Hospital to see if Granny Smith was alright. As they entered Granny's room, she was laying there fast asleep.

"Granny," called Applejack, "it's us: Apple Bloom and Applejack."

"Applejack... I haven't seen y'all all month."

"Sorry, Granny. If I told you where I'll be, then-"

"Aw, that's alright, sugar cube...I may get out within a couple of days...until then, I want you to take over the barn."

"I don't want that, Granny... Please give it to Big Mac. He'd take care of it more than I would."

When she started to reply, her eyes became so tired that she fell right to sleep. Nurse Red Heart entered Granny's room to speak with Applejack.

"How is she?" Applejack asked with such fear.

"Granny's fine. Just a minor damage, that's all. We'll release her when she's back on all fours."

"Oh thank goodness!" sighed Applejack with relief, but stopped for a moment. "Wait. What do you mean 'minor damage'?"

"She has a terrible migraine that's preventing her from working at Sweet Apple Acres. We highly recommend her to reside in the Ponyville Retirement Center."

"But...Granny's never lived anywhere from the Sweet Apple Acres before."

"I'm sorry, Miss Applejack. I'll let you talk with your family about what's best for her."

Though she thanked Nurse Red Heart for the news, she didn't know what to do. That night, she discuss this matter with Big Mac and Apple Bloom.

"And that's what Nurse Red Heart had told me. If we send her there, she may never return to Sweet Apple Acres. If we keep her here, then she may not cover at all through the night. I don't know what to do."

"We need to do what's best for Granny." Big Mac replied. "I know that we depend on Granny and she's been with us since, but we can't do that forever."

"But would Granny really want that?"

Big Mac couldn't reply to her statement, for he have no answer either. With no words to say, Applejack rose from her seat and left to buck some apple trees. Apple Bloom noticed her sister becoming depressed in each passing hour, but it wasn't about Granny. It had to be the changeling. But why?

*Kick!*

With such pain, Applejack attempted to kick one of the apple trees, but failed. She couldn't kick it hard enough to see all the apples drop to the ground. Applejack didn't know what she was doing anymore. For the first time in her life, she was unsure of anything. One day, as the girls were meeting in Twilight's castle, Applejack started to feel so depressed than ever. She barely spoke a word or listened to the entire conversation at all. All the mare could ever think about was him. Though she wasn't sure why, all the earth pony could ever do was worry about him.

"Um...Applejack..." Fluttershy quietly stated. "Is something wrong?"

"Huh?"

"You've been acting really weird lately." Rainbow Dash replied.

"It's nothing." AJ lied.

"It's something if you haven't listened to anything we're saying, Applejack." Twilight remarked.

"Is it about Granny Smith?"

"No..."

"It's something else, isn't it?"

"...I don't want to talk about it."

"But, darling-" Rarity started

"I said, no!"

The girls glanced at her in such shock. There has never been a time where they've seen AJ mad before. At that moment, the girls knew that something's wrong.

"I'm sorry..."

"We'll finish this later. Come on, girls. She needs to be alone right now."

All but Fluttershy walked towards the throne room door and was gone. Fluttershy only sat there concerned of her dear friend.

"Fluttershy..."

"I'm here for you, Applejack. Please tell me what's wrong."

"Can you Pinkie Promise to not get scared over what I'm about to tell you."

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

"Alright, do you ever get the feeling that the one that you care the most can be the one that can hurt you the most?"

"I do. What's wrong with that feeling?"

"If I'm being honest, I'm starting to get a certain feeling that I can barely breathe in my chest. My mind can't stay away from the things I want all along. It's like I...I'm..."

"In love?"

"Maybe?"

"Why do you deny yourself of being with him?"

"I don't know. I mean, what if he-"

Then, it suddenly hit her.

"How'd you know that I was referring to him?"

"A mistress needs to know how she feels about her own master."

When she started to transform into a changeling, Applejack was full of glee. However, it came in an abrupt halt when she noticed that her body was almost in full form.

"What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't allow my Mistress to go without a reason."

"True, but if you are here, then-"

Before another word could be uttered, the door was swung open when Spike and Fluttershy had entered the room. It was an awkward situation where no pony could speak.

"Applejack...you might want to...move away... very slowly...far from...the changeling." Fluttershy uttered.

"What in tarnation are you talking about? She's a good changeling."

"But...changelings are suppose to be evil...aren't they?" Spike asked.

"Only Chrysalis' changelings are evil, and she's not evil."

Suddenly, something inside her mind started to click. Her eyes started to glow as if something triggered.

"Applejack...what's going on?"

Without hearing a word from her, she was receiving a vision. From what Applejack could see, the place was deserted, with the changeling almost unable to stand. All around them were swarms of changelings coming nearby. Her eyes then returned to her normal state as she shook in fear.

"Mistress..."

"We have to go."

"What? Why?"

"I can't explain, but if I don't do something, I'll never forgive myself. I gotta go to him."

In fear, she and Katana ran out of her room and towards the castle. While running towards the Everfree forest, Apple Bloom noticed her sister running desperately as they were having recess.

"Where is she going? " Scootaloo wondered.

"Where do you think?" Apple Bloom answered sarcastically. "We need to go after her."

"Wait, I'm coming too." Sweetie Belle stated while running desperately towards the group.

As they ran towards the castle, Applejack feared that they may not make it on time. However, she have to ensure in her heart that they need to go towards the castle no matter what. What they expect is the result in the end.