As years passed by, Ophelia and Rainstar grew to be best friends, and they hung out all the time. Comet and Haco didn't bother them for a short while. They weren't just mean to Ophelia, they also bothered Zany and his friends. In her free time, Ophelia would sneak out to the Everfree forest, she wasn't afraid of the wild beasts there, she has her magic after all. Ophelia would often go to the chocolate lake that her mother made years ago. It was also the place where her parents had met, though they don't come there as often as they once did. This was a place for Ophelia to be alone, with no ponies to bother her, until one day...
Miles away lay the hideout of King Sombra, and his son...
"Now son," King Sombra said. "destroying the elements didn't work, so I need you to go spy on those ponies and find their weakness."
His son's name was Cethin. He was a light gray color, with a black mane, and his father's eyes, but green. He also had the same horn as his father, but without the red. Cethin was also a similar age as Ophelia. His mother had died when he was born.
"Yes, father."
"Good, now take the shortcut through the Everfree forest and make sure to stay hidden. Now go!"
Cethin frowned as he walked away, he did not want to rule over Equestria. As he wandered through the Everfree forest, he felt as if something was watching him. Cethin heard a growl from behind him, he turned and saw a beast hidden in the trees. Manticore! He turned and fled as fast as he could. Ophelia heard a sound from behind her, Cethin ran past her.
"Run!" he said.
The manticore turned to Ophelia and roared. Ophelia didn't run, instead, she used her magic to shrink the manticore until it was no bigger than a mouse. Cethin had run up to her, impressed.
"That was incredible! How did you do that?!"
"It's kind of a long story..."
"I'm Cethin."
"I'm Ophelia, it's nice to meet you."
"You look very,"
"Strange, I know."
"I was going to say interesting. So what is this place anyway?"
"This is the place where my mom met my dad, he's a changeling."
"A changeling?" Cethin said, surprised. "But, I thought changelings were evil?"
"Hmph! Not all of them." "Wanna hang out?" Ophelia said changing the subject.
"Hang out?"
"Yea."
"Umm... Sure?"
"Yay! Do you want to play a board game?"
"Sure."
After an hour of playing, Ophelia needed to go back home.
"Checkmate!" Ophelia said.
"Your good at this."
"Thanks. Anyway, I need to get home. I don't want my parents to worry about me."
"Okay, bye!"
"Bye!"
Cethin forgot that he was supposed to go to Ponyville. But it was too late, his father is probably wondering where he is.
"Cethin where have you been?" King Sombra said.
"Uh, I got distracted."
"Whatever, have you learned anything about those ponies?"
"Um, I couldn't find the alicorn."
"She's a princess so she's probably in Canterlot. Ugh, whatever. Just try again tomorrow."
Ophelia snuck back inside her room before anypony noticed she was gone. Every time Ophelia thought about Cethin, she felt something. Something warm, and pleasant, that made her smile, and blush. Ophelia didn't know what this feeling was, but it won't go away. Cethin also felt this about Ophelia and blushed every time he thinks about her.