I sat there I can’t believe I was that stupid, a changeling under my muzzle and I didn’t know it. I heard a small but loud knock on the door. I watched as 3 fillies trotted in with a dark look on their faces. Applebloom shouted “What in Discord’s name was that Applejack?!”

I asked nervously “What do you mean?”

They asked with a hint of malice in their voice “Cara ran off crying and likely will never come back, may we inquire as to why?”

I replied “She was a changeling, what was Ah supposed to do?”

The 3 of them shouted “We knew she was a changeling, we knew not long after we first met but she saved our lives. We are not happy.”

I blinked they knew and were still giving her advice. I felt a fire in my belly, I was about to shout when I saw Applebloom give me a cold glare. The look screamed 'don’t you dare blame this on us.' Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle left without looking back. Applebloom said “Ah’m really disappointed in you, Applejack, she has done nothing but shown you kindness.” Applebloom trotted away.

Something Cara said echoed back to me. (Please don’t force me to tell you, it is very personal. My past is dark and cruel in spite of my attempts to be kind to others. I was always given hate and malice in return for kindness no matter how much I kindness I had given to them).

I realised what I had done. I sat there, I can’t believe what I had done I rejected a mare who cared for me, just simply because she was different. I mean she did hide it from me but considering how I acted I understand why she did. I got into my bed and fell into a restless sleep.

The next morning I pulled myself out of bed and went down to have breakfast. I saw Applebloom eating with Big Mac. Applebloom said after eating her fifth pancake “Ah have had enough food, Ah’m going to hang out with my friends before school.” She stared at me coldly before leaving.

Big Mac asked “Did something happen between you two?”

I said “Cara is a changeling.” Big Mac’s eyes widened at what I said, I continued “I reacted particularly badly and Applebloom wasn’t happy. It turns out she knew she was a changeling for a while.”

Big Mac said “Ah understand why ya did what ya did. The changelings hurt ya badly at the wedding.”

I replied “Ah can’t say that, Ah forgave Thorax ,why not her? She did so much for me and Ah repaid that kindness with hate. It doesn’t matter whether she is a queen or not Ah shouldn’t have acted that way.” I went to work for the rest of the day desperately trying to get my work done. I just keeping getting thoughts of what I had done. I quickly ate my meal and went to bed, I couldn’t face Applebloom like this.

I woke up to a loud knocking. I got up slowly, wondering who it could be. I opened the door and saw a very angry Braeburn staring at me. He snarled “Ah was expecting ya would be okay with Cara, you told me about Thorax in one of ya letters. Ah am surprised that you would behave this way.”

I backed away from my cousin as he stomped into the room. I was backed into the corner when I heard a voice asked “What are ya doing, Braeburn?

Braeburn said coldly “Ah wasn’t expecting find Cara crying at my doorstep. Is that what ya think of her, what would ya think about me then.

He stared at me before bursting into green flame. I watched in horror as a my cousin was replaced by a changeling. He said “Well, cous, is this what ya expected. I have been a changeling all mah life, I have been so well disguised no queen knows of mah existence, will ya reject me too ?”

I sat there, shocked for several minutes before I heard a voice “Braeburn, you're a changeling. I bet we could have some fun.” Applebloom glared at me and then Braeburn followed suit.

Braeburn said calmly as he reassumed his pony form. He said “Ya have an apology to prepare for Cara when she returns, Ah have to head back to Appleloosa, Ah can’t leave Cara to do all the farmwork.”

I saw him off at the station. I arrived back at the farm and sat under my favourite apple tree. I started thinking about what I should say when I felt a hard blow to the back of my head and all went black. I opened my eyes and saw a green cocoon around me, I tried to move but I couldn’t I saw a changeling walk up to me and inject some liquid into my cocoon, I felt tired and fell into a deep sleep.

Author's Note

I hope this chapter wasn't too rushed.