It was since a month,that the Cutie Mark Crusaders rescued and later became friends with the three young changeling. During this time, a strong bond formed between the three colts and one zebra.
Zecora took care of their injuries, she began teaching them about the creatures in the forest and how to avoid them, about the different plants and how they could’ve be used, or simply she was there for them, when they needed emotional support.
But not Zecora was the only one, in whom strong feelings have emerged. The three colts knew that, if they stayed in the hive that would’ve meant their end. But the reasons could not cease the pain, what they felt upon leaving behind everything. But as time has passed, they began to feel, that in the person of the zebra, they could get something back from what they had lost, something, that can help them to fill the whirling emptiness in their hearts.
None of them said it out loudly, but it also was not necessary, because inside they all knew it. During this month, a new, strong bond formed between them. They became a family.
What made them more happy were the visits of their friends. The crusaders told them about their everyday lives in Ponyville, about their school, about the two, filly shaped demonic scourge of their lives (that is Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon), and about their many attempts to get their cutie marks.
The three brothers in exchange told them about, how much they liked to live with the zebra, about the all kinds potions (and delicious food) that Zecora cooked in her cauldron, the little trips what the three did with her, to gather this or that herb, what Zecora needed, and a little about the working of the changeling hives. The three fillies was particularly interested in the latter theme.
As they learned, the "common" changelings themselves could do many different tasks in the hives. Their responsibilities are quite wide. Acquire drinking water, transporting supplies into storage caverns, clean the caves, or help other changelings in carrying out their duties. As it turned out the workers were the most flexible non-self-conscious changelings, because they can be assigned to perform any task if necessary, though this is only done, if there is a large-scale task what needed help in performing of the minor things. Amongst these changelings are different sub-classes. While they could carry out any kind of task, some changelings were better in things like others. For example there are the "Masons" who are involved in the construction of hives. They dig the tunnels, inspect the stability of the passages and the supporting columns, they repair each damage and impairments. Additionally, they are carving out the cave chambers and halls, including the magnificent underground palace of the queen, not to mention the beautiful statues and other carvings.
But there are others as well.The warriors have very great responsibilities. They protect the hives from the predators (and any other enemy what could threaten the hive), if they try to invade. They are fast and strong and typically a little bigger. If needed any changeling could’ve be transferred to the warriors, but mainly those become warriors who have the build. Besides the head-first fight their job is also the detection and infiltration, as well as they are excellent trackers.
The "Drones" are the lowest amongst the members of the hive, they are not much more than slaves. They take care of providing any queries for the queen, to her daughters, and to the self-conscious changelings. Their sole purpose is to execute commands without hesitation, even if its cost their lives. Not if they would’ve had any way to defy, even their basic insticts could’ve be suppressed by the commands of the queen.
The fillies were fascinated by the huge, complex and often creepy world of the hives, while the colts were listening with deep interest, as their new friends talked about the everydays of the pony life. For them, Equestria was a whole new world, one what was so different from all what they knew.
And as the days went by, in the depths of their hearts they felt a growing desire to not only hear about the many interesting things in Equestria, but also to see them with their own eyes.
They were all in Zecora's hut, when Leaf decided to speak.
"Hey girls! We thought about, if you could give us a tour in Ponyville?"
For the first time, the CMC was so shocked that they could not even speak. It was finally Sweetie Belle who was the first to talk:
"But guys, it's dangerous! What if somepony found out about you?!" The concern was clearly evident in her voice, and from the expressions, the other two fillies had similar toughts in their heads.
"We understand that you are concerned about us and therefore we are grateful," said now Wood. "But… "at that he became a bit uncertain, but Leaf quickly continued:
"But it would be so awesome to see with our own eyes all the many interesting things, that you've been told about to us. Talking with other ponies, try out the many cool things you've been mentioned, and we'll be able to meet you more often."
"We just don’t want you to get into trouble," said now Apple Bloom, "not to mention that while my sister is one of the Element Bearers, sometimes my sister can be as stubborn as a cat that you want to bathe." She sighed a little at the end.
"What do you mean by „sometimes”?" Scootaloo asked with a sneer grin. Apple Bloom only responded with a dull glance.
Meanwhile Sweetie looked at Zecora and asked: "What do you thinks Zecora?"
They all turned to the zebra, the colts hopefully, the fillies hoping that she understand their reasoning.
After a while, she spoke: "I understand your feelings, that you want just defend them little fillies," here the fillies smiled, while the colts looked a bit sad, but before any of them could’ve voiced their opinion she continued: "But at the same time they cannot hide forever, they will be found soon or later. If we show to your sisters and to their friends that the colts's story is honest and real, we can show them our point of wiev."
"It will not be easy, convincing Applejack will not be the only heavy walnut. After what happened at the wedding, I doubt it would be easy to persuade Twilight." Said Apple Bloom.
"Are you sure you want this?" Asked Sweetie Belle from the trio.
The three colts silently thought for a few minutes, finally, all three of them turned back to them and nodded in perfect sync. "Okay! Then we will do our best to show Rainbow and the others, that you are good changelings." Yelled Scootaloo said enthusiastically.
"And how will we do that?" Asked Sweetie with excitement.
"I have no idea about that!" Exclaimed Scootaloo with a slightly too high pitched tone and a forced smile. At the others dumbstruck expressions quickly continued: "But i am sure that together we could come up with something!" This time she sounded more confident.
At this the three fillies looked at each other, then they cried out at the top of their lungs:
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS CONVINCERS! YAY!"
"Then we have plans to make, because we can't let us any mistake." Said Zecora with a serious face.
So the three fillies, the three colts and one zebra started to make plans.
It was a really big and difficult challange, what they had to tought long, how to introduce the Change Brothers to the Elements of Harmony and convince them that the three colts are harmless. The small group came up with many plans, but rejected them for various reasons: Too obvious, too noisy, too silly (Lure the Mane Six into the barn in Sweet Apple Acres with some excuse and then lead them to a cloth covered table, then the three colts pop out of the sheet and until the six pony tries to understand what the hay had just happened with Zecora’s help they try to explain the situation to them.).
Finally, after lengthy thinking, they managed to make a plan, which they all found acceptable. After agreeing on the plan, the three mentally exhausted fillies returned to their homes, then, as Luna’s moon rose in the sky, all three went to bed, knowing that the next day will not be easy.