As the group began their trek across what was once the Atlantic Ocean, they couldn't help but feel a sense of fear. Pinkie Pie had said her sense was telling her there were many more changelings. You couldn't argue against Pinkie Sense, something they all knew. Especially Twilight.

"Hey, Twilight, it feels like we've been out here for days," commented Pinkie. "Why don't I feel hungry or tired?"

"That's a good question, Pinkie," the lavender pony replied. "You don't feel hungry or tired because since the time-space continuum was damaged, time doesn't move anymore. It's still 12:03 on December 21st, but we're frozen in time."

During this, Josh had been talking about his skateboarding career with the Mane Six. The teenager had explained every single competition, from neighborhood contests to the 2011 X Games. Eventually, Josh began talking about a few of his pro friends, such as Lizard King.

"I know who Lizard King is," interrupted Applejack. Everyone stopped walking across the former ocean and looked at the farmer with confused glances.

"That's impossible," Twilight responded. "There's no way you could know anything about human history after 1723. That's when the connection was broken."

"Um... I'm psychic." AJ's face scrunched and her eyes darted around, similar to how they did when she was corrupted by Discord. She was lying, and everyone knew it.

Rarity questioned, "Applejack, dear, is there something you aren't telling us?"

Defeated, the earth pony sighed. A white light began to take over her body as her form shifted into a humanoid configuration. Everyone looked in awe as the glow dimmed. Standing where AJ had been was a white human female, around nineteen years old. She wore a grey sleeveless shirt that exposed her midriff, slightly ripped blue jeans, and brown boots.

"Y'see, I, uh... was born human."

The group was shocked, to the point of Pinkie grabbing a glass of water from god-knows-where and performing a spit take.

"On earth, I am a human named AJ Sanders," she explained. "I was born on a farm in a city called Talladega like the rest of my family, but I moved to St. Louis when I was twelve. I've actually known Josh for quite some time, 'cause I'm a skateboarder, too. I pretended I didn't so no one would get suspicious."

Everyone was utterly shocked. Dash commented, "Applejack, I.. I don't know what to say..."

"I'm sorry I never told y'all."

Twilight walked over to the cowgirl. "There's no need to be sorry, Applejack," she answered. "I understand why you wanted to keep it a secret. It's okay."

Fluttershy chimed in, "Um... since Applejack revealed herself... I guess, maybe, I could, too." Fluttershy, like AJ just before, was enveloped by a while light, as she changed to a human form. Her hair reached all the way down to her mid-back. She wore a yellow hooded sweatshirt with black pants and yellow sneakers.

Josh couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, wow - two of you had been humans this whole time... who's next? Anypony... anypony got something to contribute?"

Suddenly, the group were blown back by a green wave of energy. After regrouping, they found the cause. A large swarm of changelings were standing in front of them, led by what appeared to be a gigantic mutant apple with arms and legs.

"That giant apple thing is known as Happy Appy," Josh stated. "It came from this old kid's show of the same name. It started out normal, but as it progressed, the thing essentially became a snuff film. I actually know this guy who researched-"

The bearer of freedom's rambling earned him a buck to the face, courtesy of one of the changelings.

"Okay, no more fuck-around time. Go after Ol' Death Stare over there, I got the changelings." Josh began to play the song Play With Me by Extreme on his guitar, unleashing a blood-red beam at the equine-like creatures. The changelings fought back, but were defeated by the sonic beam coming from the pro skater.

Meanwhile, the other six didn't have it so easy against Happy. The thing may have been a fruit, but it was a very strong one. Nothing, not even Twilight's magic, did anything significant.

The mutant apple spoke in a deep voice, "Wanna see a cool trick?" Happy held up his arm, revealing a hand grenade. Everyone's eyes widened. The living fruit activated the grenade and threw it at the group. Luckily, AJ kicked it back at Happy. The grenade exploded, sending the apple flying into Josh, who had defeated all but two of the changelings.

The teenager, angered, scrambled for his backpack with Happy in hot pursuit. Josh made it to the bag and pulled out a can of spray paint he had saved in the blast.

"Josh, what good is a can of spray paint going to do?" Rainbow Dash wondered out loud.

"You'll see."

Josh ran over to the mutant fruit and tackled him to the ground. He shook the can, proceeding to spray it into Happy's eyes. The apple screamed in agony as Josh ran back over to the backpack and grabbed his skateboard. The guitar player smashed the board in the mutant's face as apple juice flowed from Happy's body. Oh, look, his blood is apple juice. Clever.

He signaled for AJ to come over. When she did, he whispered something in her ear. The farmer nodded, and kicked Happy like Adam Vinatieri kicked a field goal. Thanks to Happy's light weight, he was flung into a dead coral reef, killing him.

"So, let me get this straight," Josh said to AJ, "I've known you for years, and you've been a pony this whole time?"

"Yep."

The pro skater shrugged. "Alright, then," he answered. "Come on, we have to keep going."

Celestia and Luna sat in the royal castle's dungeon, near completely encased by changeling goo. Every minute, the green substance seemed to get stronger.

For the first time, Celestia felt helpless. Chrysalis had sucked all the love out of Equestria when it was destroyed, making her and her army stronger than ever. There was no possible way they would escape from the dungeon.

Unless... they did something drastic.

Celestia spoke. "Luna, the only way we're going to get out of here is if we perform black magic. I know that it may corrupt us, but we can't save the bearers without doing this." She waited for a response, expecting her plan to be shot down.

"I understand, sister," responded the moon goddess. Celestia looked at her sister, surprised, but nodded.

A dark aura overcame the princesses' horns as they activated the spell. The aura began to infect the changeling goo. The more dark matter that entered, the more the goo dissolved. Eventually, Celestia and Luna were free.

The royal sisters quickly galloped up the stone stairs and busted the door open. Chrysalis was nowhere to be found. Confused, Celestia walked around the castle.

"Sister, I found something!" Luna's voice startled the sun princess. She flew over to where Luna was. She was holding a piece of paper with her magic. Celestia took the letter from Luna and took a good look at it.

The paper showed a map of the Earth city of Rome, Italy. A red circle was drawn around the Colosseum, with the words "LURE BEARERS HERE" in chicken scratch right next to it.

Celestia was angry. Not disappointed angry, not embarrassed angry, but actually angry angry. In a blind rage, she burned the map.

"Luna, we're going to Rome."

Author's Note

Well, it's good to be back. Charlotte was awesome. By the way, here are the songs that have been used in the story so far:

Jordan by Buckethead:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTcg9JybEp8

Counterfeit by Limp Bizkit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AM1grVX6e4

Play With Me by Extreme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVgdsw8NuXc

As always, feedback is appreciated.

-Jimmy-