After learning that Gallus had pulled the Hearth’s Warming prank because he had no family to celebrate the Blue Moon Festival with, the rest of the young six decided to stay in Ponyville with Gallus so he would not have to spend winter break alone. However, in spite of the very heartwarming conclusion to the whole situation, Ocellus was starting to wonder if she truly was a part of the group. She, and the rest of the changelings for that matter, was a former enemy of Equestria. Did the other creatures she had come to know as friends on the very first day of school really want her in their group? Or did the others still think the changelings were still a threat?
This was all Ocellus could think about as she lay on her bed in her dorm room, just herself and her thoughts.
*Knock-Knock*
"Ocellus, are you still in there?" came a voice from behind the door.
Shaking her head of those thoughts, Ocellus got up and walked over to the door. She opened it to find her hippogriff roommate Sliverstream, with the same smile that very rarely left her face.
"Oh, hi Sliverstream,” Ocellus greeted with a sheepish smile, “Yeah, I'm here, but I still don't really feel that great. Can you make sure that Gallus and the others know that I might be down later?"
"Sure I can! But are you sure you’re not up to coming down for a bit?” Silverstream’s smile grew as she said eagerly, “Headmare Twilight says that one of the professors is bringing something called fudge! We’ve never heard of anything like it underwater, but it sounds good!"
Ocellus responded with a simple shake of her head, "No, I'm alright. I just really want to be alone for awhile.” Ocellus gained a look of contemplation and said with certainty, “‘Cause there are just a few things I need to sort through at the moment. Nothing at all you need to worry about."
Silverstream shrugged and said, "Well, alright. But let me know if you need anything, and make sure to come join us when you’re done with. . . whatever it is you’re doing."
Silverstream turned to leave, and Ocellus quickly closed the door Looking back and before slowly walking to her bed. Ocellus crawled in, and she made use of a secret that she been keeping from not only her family, but her friends as well. While all the other Changelings had lost most of their magic, Ocellus still possessed hers, and to a very high degree at that. Ocellus ignited her horn with a pale crimson glow as she polled the covers up and over her head. Unknown to her, however, there was another waching her as she fell asleep.
Princess Luna, even while she was in her own dream, was still watching over the dream realm. Luna was dreaming about spending the thousand years that she was trapped in the moon as Nightmare Moon back in Equestria instead as if it had never happened. Naturally, this was one of her favorite the dreams. Nevertheless, the realm of dreams and those that walked it where her responsibility to protect, so when she sensed the beginnings of a nightmare brewing in Ocellus’ mind, the Princess of the Night knew what she had to do.
"Me!? But, I would never do anything like this!" Ocellus protested in shock.
Smolder snorted loudly and folded her arms as she treated Ocellus with a gaze of suspicion and disgust. "Oh, sure you wouldn't, shapeshifter!” Smolder said, her voice dripping with sarcasm and scorn, “At least the dragons only cause mischief and take gems and stuff. We’ve never tried to take over the whole world!"
Silverstream nodded and said sourly, "I'm with Smolder on this one. You and the other Changelings are monsters! Even more than the Storm King, and he was nothing more than an overgrown money.”
Sandbar advanced on the Changeling, and he pointed an accusing hoof at her as he demanded harshly, “Come on, Ocellus! You know you did it! Just fess up!”
Ocellus was on the verge of tears as her five friends began shouting more accusations at her, when a wind suddenly tore through the room. It was so strong and loud that it drowned out all of the noise around her, and it seemed to cause the other five creatures to fade away. Then there was a soothing warmth in the very air, almost as if some creature had wrapped her in a fresh blanket.
"Now that they are gone, I believe we can speak freely as to what is troubling you, little one," said a kind, gentle voice.
Ocellus turned to find a female Changeling with a light green exoskeleton, rich purple eyes, and no horn. The adult had a smile that had always helped Ocellus feel like everything was going to be alright, even when Chrysalis was still their ruler.
"Mother?” Ocellus asked in surprise, “What are you doing here? How did you get here? What did you do to make a them stop saying those things?"
The other Changeling shook her head, but continued to smile that loving smile as she explained, "I am not your mother young Ocellus. This is merely the form that your mind allowed me to enter in as. For you see, one's mind must except my presence before I may make myself known.”
The look-alike’s form slowly began changing into another. The body shape was still female, but she grew taller, and her color morphed from light green to that of midnight blue, with a dark royal blue mane that was completely full of sparkles, like stars on the clearest of nights. But what amazed Ocellus the most was that she had both wings and a long horn.
"Princess Luna? What are you-?. . . And I'm dreaming right now,” Ocellus promptly concluded.
Luna smiled with approval and said, “Twilight did say that you were clever, but I didn't think you would figure out you were dreaming so early. Most ponies need me to tell them.”
Blushing lightly, Ocellus couldn't help but feel proud. And it meet even more that Twilight thought so highly of her.
"Oh thank you...” Ocellus then looked up at Luna in amazement, “Wait, you’ve heard of me?”
"Yes, both my sister and I have. But never mind that right now,” Luna said with a soft smile. Lowering herself down the ground to be at the young Changeling's eye level, Luna gently draped a wing over her to let Ocellus know she was there to listen and to give advice if needed.
"Now please, tell me what has caused such hurtful dreams on such a joyous time of the year,” Luna asked gently, “And please know that whatever is said to me here in your dreams will not be spoken to another.”
Ocellus was silent for a minute, composing in her mind the best way of explaining things to Princess Luna, so she would understand what was going on at the school and the other creatures.
"I think. . . the others don't trust me,” Ocellus said slowly, “You see, something happened while we were getting ready to go home for winter break, and they all thought that it was me.”
Ocellus’ voice was starting to shake, and tears starting to flow down her face.
"Even after everything we have learned at the school. Where were the Elements of Harmony in what was happening there?" Ocellus cried out in heartbreak before hanging her head down low and sobbing quietly.
Luna did not say a word, she only just sat and listened, allowing to the young Changeling to speak her mind. All the while, Luna was trying to think of the best way to help the young Changeling. This was difficult, for she had never been betrayed in this way. But then, she suddenly remembered the story Twilight had told Celestia and her of the heartache that Sunset Shimmer had suffered, which was very similar to Ocellus’ situation .
"Well, I do not fully known the best course of action. But I do believe that Twilight knows somepony that can help,” Luna said hopefully, “However, you will have to get permission to speak with her. For she is not. . . well, shall we say, in Equestria at the moment. You will have to tell Twilight what is troubling you, and ask about Anon-a-Miss.”
Luna gently placed a hoof on Ocellus shoulder to reassure her this was the best course of action. Ocellus sniffed as she stopped her sobbing, and then she started to feel a light breeze of wind all around her.
Luna nodded, and she stood up and said, "It seems that you awaking, so I must take my leave. But remember, you must trust your teacher, and not just with what is happening with you and your friends. For you should not have to hide who you truly are. Remember to ask Twilight about Sunset Shimmer."
The light breeze suddenly became a might gale, and everything disappeared in a flash of light. Ocellus awoke from her sleep with a start, and she lay in bed in confusion for a moment. She wondered how Princess Luna could have known about her magic, but then she decided that finding Twilight had to come first. So, she crawled out of bed and went out to do just that.
After searching the school for a bit, Ocellus finally spotted Twilight just as she was going into her office. Ocellus raced to catch up, getting to the door just as Twilight closed it behind her.
*Knock-Knock*
"Come on in. My door always open,” Twilight said pleasantly.
Ocellus opened the door and walked right in. "Hi, Headmare Twilight. Can I talk to you about something?” she asked shyly, “Or, if you can't right now I can come back later-."
Twilight smiled and shook her head, "No, I'm not doing anything important right. So tell me; what's up, Ocellus?"
Slowly letting out a breath she didn't know that she was holding, Ocellus told Twilight everything, from how the others jumped to the conclusion that the prankster was her, to how Luna told her to talk to her about everything. Although, she still left out the part about her strong Changeling magic.
"So, I’ve got to ask who's Sunset shimmer? And who or what is Anon-a-Miss?" Ocellus concluded.
Twilight had been patiently listening to Ocellus’ explanation, but when she mentioned Anon-a-Miss, dark heavy frown formed on Twilight's face.
"Ocellus, you are about to learn something that only the other princesses and the other Element Bearers know about,” Twilight said sternly, then she said with great conviction, “I couldn't stop Anon-a-Miss the first time, but I will not let her get past me!"