James and Lily

“Mama, I'll be out for a few hours! If dad asks where I am, tell him you don't know, ” Lily told her mother before leaving the house, her father was at the base a few miles away.

That meant she had a break from him for just a few hours, which sounded like paradise to her. Lily had been planning on exploring the wildlife here, having been inspired by talking to her penpal, Fluttershy about nature in general.

She planned on gathering some flowers to make a bouquet, maybe she should have multiple different ones instead of just one kind. The idea made her smile softly to herself, it was nice whenever she found a small distraction from her home life.

Lily wasn't too knowledgeable on the subject of Trotland flowers and plants so it would also be a learning experience for her, it'd be fun, to be honest. Fluttershy was really influencing her hobbies, then again she was a good influence.

As she made her way to the meadows, she hummed quietly to herself. Lily never realized how strange it was to be able to hum, her father often gave her a dirty look whenever she did it. Once again, she was used to it, so it didn't bother her too much.

Another voice startled her out of her thoughts, so she turned to see a strange creature standing in the grass. Her heart skipped a beat as she was hit with familiarity...

Could... Could that be...?

“Uncle James! Watch tv with us,” Termite called out, waving to the older Changeling.

On the screen was a cartoon with a strange little Changeling with a monkey’s tail, James recognized it as Dragon Ball; that new cartoon that Changelings were going crazy over.

The twins were watching it with Thaydonese subtitles as the language it was in was Chenjinese, the one language James just couldn't pick up.

He grinned at the twins, replying with, “I’ll join you two later, I have to find some leaves or flowers for tea. Your dad will have my head if I don't start looking now.”

“Okay, have fun!” Willow giggled before waving goodbye.

Termite on the other hoof just stuck his tongue out at him.

How typical of the brothers.

James left with a smile on his face, it was nice to have a family again. But, at the same time, it was kind of bittersweet for him... Whatever happened to Netwing anyway? The Changeling could only hope that his adoptive father got better after he left, and maybe he even left his good-for-nothing wife!

Trotland was lovely, with how green and lush it looked around him. He still missed Fanggook of course, tending to the fields and seeing the wildlife was what made it worth living in. Nowadays he was just helping out Odonata with the kids and picking up whatever jobs he could find, it would be a lot easier if he was still in the military...

At least that paid enough money for food and necessities.

If only they were still in contact with Bright Mac and Burnt Oak, they’d probably help them out in a heartbeat! Unfortunately, from what happened fourteen years ago, they didn’t seem to trust them anymore.

What he would give to be with those guys again, seeing Odonata truly happy sounds more than worth it! One day, he reminded himself, he’ll be in Equestria one day with Odonata and the twins.

James let out a sigh, saying with a tired smile, “Gods help me...” this was mainly to himself.

What more could he ever want—

“H-hey there! Do I know you?” The voice sounded feminine and weirdly familiar, but more mature if that made any sense.

He turned to see a sight that made him stop in his tracks, his jaw may have dropped even! Never had he seen such a gentle and serene sight, a pale green mare with a flowing black mane was standing alone in the fields, smiling hopefully at him as she waved her hoof.

Her teal eyes looked so alive, gleaming in the sunlight.

It took James a moment to realize something, he knew this mare... but from where? He was about to answer her when she ran towards him, exclaiming, “you look really familiar! And that’s saying something, I don’t usually see Changelings around here.”

“U-uhh...” his heart skipped a beat as she observed his features, gently lifting his chin up with the tip of her hoof.

He couldn’t help but note this, she was so gentle towards him. Even her voice was soft as she whispered, “you look like a Prince, a pretty one at that...”

When she said that, it hit her who he was. “You’re James, right?! The soldier I had a huge crush on!” She practically shouted before covering her mouth, as if she didn’t mean to add that last part.

“Y-yeah... that’s me,” James mumbled with a green flush, then continued with, “you look familiar to me, I just can’t remember how.”

The mare blushed softly before trying to answer, “I’m—“

“Liliana!”

The loud shout made them both jump, they turned their heads to see an older stallion standing not too far away. He had a dark look on his face, then he started to step towards the mare as he snapped, “where in Equestria have you been?! Your mother didn’t know a damn thing, or did you tell her to say that you little...”

He paused as his eyes landed on James, his deep frown turned into a sneer, “you! How many years had it been, Bridges? Over ten I believe... I can’t believe you’re still showing your sorry ass out in public.”

James gritted his teeth, answering in the most polite tone he could muster, “it’s nice to see you as well, Rivera. I just so happened to be in the area, although I live in this country; so, I would prefer it you didn’t act like I don’t belong here.”

He glanced at the mare, now knowing her name, Liliana... what a beautiful name... wait a minute—

He remembered who she was! That annoying filly he met as a teen, constantly said they’d get married and have foals. It was kind of uncomfortable thinking about that and seeing just how beautiful she grew up to be.

James hadn’t realized that he had began to stare at her, though she didn’t seem to mind as she smiled back at him. Rivera however, did mind this. He grabbed his daughter by the mane and yanked her away, making her yelp in pain.

“Eying my daughter now, huh?! How typical of a creature like you, drooling over a girl you last met as a kid. It’s kind of creepy if you think about it,” Rivera mocked as he forced Liliana to look up at James, aggressively pulling her mane up.

The Changeling glared at him, hissing, “you shouldn’t be handling her like that, I thought we made this clear over a decade ago.”

He easily pushed his strange attraction to her aside, feeling protective of the young mare. Things haven’t changed much, that was obvious. Lily was still stuck with her abusive father and helpless mother, he tried to help her but his actions clearly didn’t do much.

“Like I told you before, it’s none of your business,” Rivera retorted as he began pulling his daughter away, her soft cries of pain still made James wince.

He knew that once she looked back at him with tear filled eyes, he had to get her away from that stallion, no matter what.