Pony and the Changeling

Chapter 6

When Applejack thought her life was over, she looked up, noticing a full grown dragon blocking its path. When the other Timberwolves and the crusaders were surprised to see a dragon near their area, the beasts went towards the dragon and the dragon to the Timberwolves. Though the dragon did have a huge advantage, it did not use any fire breathing due to the fact that it would destroy the forest completely. The battle continued on until one of the Timberwolves injured the dragon badly. When the dragon finally obliterated the Timberwolves completely, it glanced towards Applejack. In fear, she didn't know what to do, but within those few moments, the beast fell towards the ground and passed out.

"What in tarnation..."

Before she could finish, the dragon dissolved back into the changeling.

"Huh?!" the crusaders puzzled.

"So...that dragon that saved us..."

"...was a changeling the whole time?"

"But why?"

Applejack had only stood there still. If he truly was a heartless monster as he claimed, then why did he protect her? Was it because he wanted to steal her love? Then again, if that were the case, couldn't he attacked her instead of the Timberwolves? Things started to puzzle his mind, but her only focus she has would be his health. With much strength left, she started to stand and walk towards the changeling.

"Girls, help me out here."

"What?"

"We're gonna help him."

"Why, sis? He tried to keep you captive, he kicked us out, and not only that, he may have..."

"Look. He can't stand on his own right now. He's gonna need all the help we can get. Now, are y'all gonna help me or not?"

The girls glared at her and to each other.

"Fine. Sweetie, get the cart."

As Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo went towards the cart, Applejack grasped and carried him on her back. Though her leg was terribly wounded, she had to think of only the changeling.

"Apple Bloom, I want you to go straight down that road and towards the castle. Once you get there, you need to find Katana."

"Who?"

"Just do what I say."

"Okay."

She ran as far as her little hooves could take. At the same time, Applejack's hind leg started get worse by the minute. Luckily, the cart wasn't far from them that she could lay him with all the fabrics Sweetie Belle brought. The two other crusaders went towards the castle to see if they can lead him towards his room. While they reached their destination, Katana and Apple Bloom awaited for their return.

"Applejack, why is he? Why are they..."

"No time to explain. Please help him as much as you can."

"Very well. Bring him in."

"Alright. Scootaloo, Apple Bloom. Find Zecora and bring her here."

"Yes ma'am."

they quickly ran towards the Everfree again to find Zecora's hut and see if they can get some assistance from her. While Sweetie Belle and Katana started to use their magic to carry them towards the room, Applejack started to stand towards the ground, but fell due to her hind leg.

"Mistress... You're wounded."

"Don't worry about me. Take care of him first."

"But, you could get an infection. Please let me help you."

The earth pony then agreed. Few moments passed, while Katana was bandaging Applejack's hind leg, Zecora was working on the changeling's injuries. As they waited a moment, Zecora finally came out of the room to talk with the girls.

"How is he?" Katana asked.

"His strength is great, the wound will heal, only time will come for the pain to seal. A few days for him that I will warn to never allow him to ever transform." Zecora responded.

"Thank goodness. It's a good thing he's alive."

"As for you, Miss Applejack," Zecora continued, "in regards of your injury, I must recommend to not buck a single apple tree. For if you kick up a tree with such terrible pain, then you shall never allow your strength to regain."

"Alright, Zecora. I'll do what you say."

"Good, one little thing before I go is your pony friend which I'm curious to know. If I may ask with no huge debate: how did he get into that terrible state?"

Katana only glanced at Zecora and towards Applejack. She sighed, knowing that she cannot keep the secret forever.

"If you must know, follow me."

The two of them followed Katana and entered in her room. It contained several books and photos. While walking through, Katana glanced at the portrait above. Applejack realized that the portrait Katana has and the portrait in the Moon Wing are the same. Why did she have the exact same photo?

"Since my Master will not explain the current situation, then I must tell you what happened. His family were famous rich ponies who cared of only beauty, money, and nothing else. They taught their son the same way. However, with much of their philosophies, they never wanted him to be kind and honest. With money, he could have anything he wants, but nothing would make him happy. One day, as he was coming back from a party with his so-called friends, he came across an old ugly mare. She asked him for such kindness and much assistance for a place to stay. He lied to her stating that he contained no bits for a hotel, but if he took her to his estate, he's sure to get his parents' permission to let her stay in for the night. However, when they went there, he told me to lie to his parents of an expected visitor to live in the home, but I couldn't bear to be disloyal to him. What happened that night, though, I would never forget."

As she recalled to those days, Katana remembered the mansion they had resided all those years ago. The walls were painted light as the sky, the floors were red as the rose and the room where Katana went to meet with the Master was in an old antique library. After explaining the Master of the house of the mare who will reside, he placed his book down and glanced at her.

"What do you mean an ugly mare will reside here?"

"She's an elderly mare and is needing to rest, my lord. If possible, I shall allow her to rest in my room for the night and she'll leave in the morning."

"That will not be necessary. Tell him that she cannot stay here."

"Why not? I can-"

"I said. No."

"I understand, my lord."

Katana flew towards the colt and the old mare when they were at the main floor.

"I'm sorry, sir. She cannot stay here. There is no other room."

"Aw, you hear that? There's no room. So why don't you get off my property and leave? NOW!"

"Master, please! Calm yourself."

"Why?! She's a stalker who wants my money. She deserves to leave before I call the guards on her."

In darkness, the lights started to dim as the sky started to become stormy. While the colt and Katana glanced around, the mare laughed as she started to transform.

"Is that what you take me for?" the old mare replied "A fool? You shall pay the ultimate price."

At that moment, a light shined between the two and Katana shook her head sadly.

"I should've seen it coming, but that mare that my Master kicked out was disguised as an enchantress unicorn. Because of his heart being unkind and dishonest, she intended to teach him a lesson. She casted a terrible spell and transformed my Master into the changeling you see now. However, since she somehow knew my loyalty to the family, she casted the same spell, but with different effects. Every full moon, my body would change into a single part of a changeling form and it would continue for this until he is forever a changeling."

"And what of you, dear one? What will you become?"

"If it is unchanged, I too will become a changeling as well."

"Isn't there something we can do to get you out of this mess?"

"The only way for this to be broken is for him to be honest and to find love, but my Master's too stubborn. He won't listen to what I have to say to him. I guess he's just bound to give up life as it is and become a changeling forever."

"No! We ain't gonna let that happen. You said that the only way to get him to break is for him to be honest and find love, right?"

"Yes..."

"Then I can show him happiness by giving him a second chance."

Katana thought for a moment.

"That may be, but my master will not approve of this."

"It doesn't matter. I'll do things without his help or approval."

"Very well."

"I'll return in the morning to grab more supplies. I'm afraid that now I must say my goodbyes."

Applejack lead Zecora to the door. However, before she left, Zecora turned back and glanced at Applejack.

"Can you honestly believe that you, my dear, can change a changeling that is drawing so near?"

"I know it ain't gonna be easy, but I'm going to do my best to help."

"What are you tarnation are you going on about?"

"There's a time in life when one can be led, but not alone, with another to wed."

"Wed? I don't think he thinks of me like that."

"But what of you, earth pony? Don't you believe that you're lonely?"

"No. I have friends, family, and the farm to take care of. Plus, with this changeling in danger, he's going to be my priority to help him see that."

"Very well. I small return. Your life within these days will soon turn."

While she walked out, Applejack never knew that what Zecora was talking about. 'Her life within these days will soon turn?' What did that mean?