Pony and the Changeling

Chapter 3

"Princess Luna?" Applejack responded, "What are you doing here?"

"As you may know, dear one, the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters once belonged to Celestia and I."

"I understand that, but why are you here?"

"Keeping an eye out for certain thieves," she glared at the fillies behind her.

"These girls would never steal items from a castle that has no precious items."

"If that is so, then why did one intend to steal one of our finest rose?"

"Rose?"

"Um...I saw those and I didn't know that they were yours," piped in Sweetie Belle.

"Even so, no pony should ever take those roses that belong to Celestia and I. Now, they must pay the price."

"Their just fillies. Can't you just let them go?"

"No pony can never change law without consulting with us."

The princess of the night started to walk away, allowing Applejack to think of another way to save their lives.

"Then take me, princess."

"Sis, no!"

The princess stopped and glanced at the country mare completely surprised.

"Pardon?"

"I will take their place as their prisoners."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. If you are to let me stay in their place, will you let them go?"

"That depends. If you are willing to stay for a 1000 moons, then I will set them free."

"1000 moons?!"

"Sis, don't do it! Think of the farm, your friends, your family."

Applejack carefully thought her decision the princess had offered. However, during the conversation, she knew something from this princess was hiding something and she needed to see it clearly.

"Before I make my final decision, I want to see the real you."

"Do you not trust me as the princess?"

"The princess I know wouldn't state Princess Celestia's name as Celestia."

For a silent moment, Princess Luna smirked and glanced at Applejack.

"Well played."

Her horn ignited and started to change. The fillies stood there full of fright as the creature transformed into a hideous changeling. As the transformation was completed, Applejack only stood there for a brief moment. Though her heart was full of fright, she couldn't stand to see her sister and friends to remain here forever.

"You have my word."

"Done."

With one word, his horn ignited again, allowing the fillies to run towards Applejack for a hug.

"Sis, what were you thinking?!"

"We'll never see you again!"

"Girls, I-"

Before she could explain, the three fillies started to glow.

"Girls?"

"Applejack!"

As they reached towards her, the crusaders disappeared.

"No!"

In a few moments, the crusaders reappeared in front of the castle as before.

"Now what are we going to do?"

"We can't just leave my big sis in there! She'll be killed!"

"Then we need to come up with a plan for a rescue."

"Maybe we may have a cutie mark for saving lives."

"I don't care for a cutie mark now. We need to initiate a plan to get my sis!"

"Yeah!"

At that one moment, they ran towards town for help. Meanwhile, Applejack was still crying of their disappearance. The changeling started to walk away from the dungeon.

"You never let me say goodbye to them!"

He stopped for a moment and listened.

"I'll never see them again. You truly are a heartless changeling."

Without argument, he used his magic and started to close the gates and walked away, leaving poor Applejack alone. Few hours passed by and Applejack had fallen asleep from crying. She knew that her sister and friends were no longer with her and she would stay for a 1000 moons. While pondering the dreadful thought of it, she heard the door open. When she looked at the entrance, there was no pony there.

"Is somepony there?"

"Yes..."

"Who said that?"

"Come closer."

She started to slowly come close to the gates, but there was no pony there.

"Where are you?"

While looking, she felt a touch of a hoof, but it wasn't a pony hoof. She slowly turned around and glanced at the shadowy figure.

"Hello."

Applejack and the figure screamed at the same time, but the creature fled in fear.

"Wait. Come back!"

"Don't come near me..."

"Why not?"

"You've seen me. I'm hideous. If you know what I am, then you truly will not trust me again."

"I'll trust you."

"You promise?"

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

With one moment, she walked towards the light, allowing Applejack to see the full disfigured creature. She was half pegasus and half changeling.

"Aren't I hideous?"

"Not really. I just never seen creatures like you before."

"I'm not just a creature. I'm a cursed creature."

"Cursed? How?"

She looked back and forth and leaned towards her.

"Come with me."

They walked away from the dungeon and entered in a beautiful room.

"What the-"

"Here's the actual castle."

"I thought..."

"It's the same castle. We just improvised the camouflage a bit."

"Camouflage?"

"Watch this."

With her horn, it ignited the entire castle, showing its destruction and desolation. Applejack was shocked at this change that her horn allowed the castle return to its form in glory.

"Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Katana Blaze."

"Are you a changeling or a Pegasus?"

"Technically, I'm both, due to the curse I'm under."

"And are you the only mare who works with that changeling?"

"You mean my Master? Yes. I am the only one."

"Why do you stay with him?"

"He's family..."

"Some family. Do you believe that he loves you?"

"To be honest, no. However, I know that he will soon."

"What do you mean soon?"

The Pegasus changeling sighed and glanced at the hallways.

"Let me show you to your room."

As she walked away, Applejack started to feel a bit concerned of her secrets that she pondered them in her heart. At that moment, Katana lead Applejack towards the most beautiful rooms she could ever imagine. However, when she entered inside, the Pegasus-changeling turned away and walked out.

"Wait a moment."

She stopped and turned towards her.

"Yes, Mistress? Is there something wrong?"

"Isn't there suppose to be a catch for being in this room? I mean, you could've left me in that dungeon."

"I would, but I thought you would need something more comfortable than a simple dungeon cell. Apart from that, he should've known better than to leave a helpless mare on her own like that. It's very inhospitable of him."

"Thank you."

"Oh! One thing I will warn you of this castle is that a certain part of the castle is off limits: the Moon Wing."

"Why? What's in the Moon-"

"Let's say it's forbidden for any pony. My Master would throw a huge fit if any pony dared to enter."

"Fine."

"Oh. Will you be joining us for dinner tonight?"

"Dinner?"

"Yes...I'm sure you are hungry by now."

"Yes, I am...a little, but I don't want to eat with him...He'll eat my love for sure."

"I know it isn't easy to trust my Master due to appearance, but he has a good heart. I know there is."

"Fine. Give me a couple of minutes."

"Very well."

She bowed in respect and walked away, leaving Applejack alone in her room. She then prepared to view the entire room and realized most of the items seem like a princess would want, but she wasn't no princess.

"I guess I'll have to get use to it." she sighed.

As she glanced at the Everfree, she vowed to return soon. Though she didn't know how, she knew that she'll return to the farm and be just it was before.