Pony and the Changeling

Chapter 5

Meanwhile, Applejack started to explore the castle grounds. Though her mind was regarding of Katana's remark at dinner last night, she started to notice that she was getting lost in her way.

"How in thunderation did I end up out here? Well, there ain't nothing to it. I got to go back."

While she was returning to her room, she noticed a small hallway. Not knowing what it was, the earth pony glanced and noticed a crescent moon hanging on top of the arch wall.

"Is this?"

Not knowing where this particular place lead towards, Applejack was prepared to step foot of the hallway when she was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Mistress..."

"Katana? What in blue blazes are you doing here?"

"Exactly what I was going to ask you. You shouldn't be near this part of the castle."

"Why not?"

"As you can tell from the crescent moon, this is the exact location for you to stay away from."

"Oh, so this is the Moon Wing."

"Exactly."

After a few seconds, Katana covered her mouth with her hoof. She forgot that she told her the name of the place where her Master resides.

"I wonder what he's hiding in there."

"Hiding? Why would my Master hide anything from you?"

"He seems to be suspicious, that fellow. I want to know why he's acting like that."

"But the Master's hiding nothing."

"Then it wouldn't be forbidden, right?"

"I'm sorry, Mistress, but I cannot allow you to pass beyond this point. Let us leave this part of the castle alone and let me escort you back into your room at once."

Applejack, in defeat, started to walk behind her and paused for a moment. While Katana continued onward, the mare's curiosity started to capture her attention. Without Katana looking, she backed up and entered through the Moon Wing Hallway. Though there was paintings destroyed and also markings from changeling attacks, she still had the courage to move forward. As she prepared to push the doors open, Applejack stopped for a moment. If she continued forward, there was no going back.

"I gotta know what this beast is hiding."

At that moment, she used her front legs to push the door and glanced inside. As far as she could tell, everything felt ominous and lifeless. It was if the room was a tomb for the dead. Curious as the earth pony was, she continued walking inside, never thinking about the warning. While walking about, she noticed that several items started to become bland, dull, broken and shattered. As if she felt sorry for the poor fellow, nothing caught her attention to understand as to why he's like this. However, when she came near a portrait, she seemed drawn into it. The faces which were in the portrait was destroyed so much she couldn't tell who they were. Applejack then noticed a small colt underneath and was curious of who the pony was before. All of a sudden, while looking as long as she wanted, a mysterious figure merged from the darkness to talk to her.

"Like that portrait?" the changeling inquired.

His words snapped Applejack from her trance and started to back away in fear.

"I'm sorry..."

"Didn't my slave warned you about this room?!"

"I was just curious about you. Honest."

"It is not worth your time for you to get involve in all of this! I Want You to Get OUT!"

In fear, she started to back away, but couldn't run away. The changeling started to ignite his horn and struck towards the broken dresser near her.

"Please...just let me help you!"

"NO! GET OUT!"

In rage, he transformed into a tall, dark manticore and ran towards her for an attack. His magic started taking control of his mind that he started to scratch all things that were in his sight. Applejack intended to duck from the swipes, until he injured her from one swipe. When he looked at her in hatred, the changeling then noticed that one of her hooves were scratched badly. As if his mind snapped out of his hatred, he came close to her to see if he can heal her, but she backed away in fear.

"Don't you dare come near me! I should've known better from a changeling: No pony in their right mind should ever trust a heartless changeling! Even though I promised to stay here for 1000 moons, I'm not ever going to trust a changeling again!"

She ran off with her injured hoof as fast as she could while the changeling returned back into its form.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..."

However, his words never reached towards the mare as he sat there in defeat.

"Don't you get it? There's just not much left of me anymore."

At that exact time, the CMC was halfway in the woods, but somehow couldn't figure out where the castle was located.

"Are we there yet?"

"This makes no sense." Apple Bloom replied. "Shouldn't those mark lead us to the castle?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Then, why is this leading to the opposite direction?"

"Um, you don't suppose that the forest is alive, right?"

"That's nonsense, Sweetie. The forest can't be alive."

While the girls stopped to think, certain noises caught their attention. They looked around and saw nothing. However, the noise continued loudly. In fear, they ran towards the same direction where Applejack sat. She fled as far away from the castle, but stopped due to the damage he gave her. Though she wanted to flee and never return, something in his changeling eyes stood still in her heart. As she just prepared to make her decision, Applejack heard familiar screams nearby.

"Apple Bloom... Apple Bloom!"

The girls came near Applejack's call.

"What in tarnation are y'all doing here?"

"We came out here to rescue you, Applejack."

"Y'all know how dangerous things can be at night? Leave, now!"

"Not without you, sis."

"Um, girls. We may have a bigger problem..."

As they all looked towards Sweetie Belle's direction, three ferocious Timberwolves slowly appeared from their hiding place. The three fillies screamed in horror and started to run away from the beasts, but Applejack's hind leg started to ache. As the girls noticed Applejack nowhere near them, Apple Bloom saw a Timberwolf running towards her.

"Applejack!"

Apple Bloom knew that Applejack could stop them right then, but she recognized that she was injured.

"Girls! We need to get those beasts away from Applejack! Ready?"

"Ready."

When one of the Timberwolves came close to its prey, an apple smacked it on the side. In rage, the beasts glared at the girls deadly. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo started to shoot apple pies with the fabric, but nothing stopped them. As they came closer and closer, Applejack knew that the three were getting into such trouble. With one move, she grasped a rock and kicked it with her other hind leg. When one of the Timberwolves felt a rock smack on its back, it turned aside and started to pounce. Applejack then closed her eyes to prepare the outcome of her defeat.