//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: To Be Free // by OverthoughtName //------------------------------// (Poorly transcribed accent ahead) I..I couldn’t believe it, and my eyes ain’t playin’ tricks on me yet. That little filly that Dust was carrying…looked like a changeling. It seemed impossible since we squashed them pesky bugs back in Canterlot…but I guess we didn’t get all of them. ‘What if she be mind controlin’ Dust like Shinin’ Armour was?’ I thought ‘Maybe she’s trying to make up for what they couldn’t do the first time’. My mind was going a mile a minute, tryin’ to understand what exactly a changeling was doing in Ponyville. “Woah nelly, Applejack! You’re just getting’ ahead of yourself…right? Maybe she ain’t evil, maybe Dust’s just tryin’ to help her or somethin’.” ‘But that still doesn’t change the fact that what you saw was a changeling.’ This thought coming barging right through all the others, and it was right, a changeling’s a changeling. “Look…Ah know that was a changeling, but Ah won’t know what it plans to do unless I confront it.” I said to myself in a hushed voice. “Ah’m just gonna have to go talk to her and Dust and get the honest truth, but before that, Ah think Ah’m a have to talk to Twi ‘bout this.” It’s gonna have to wait ‘til mornin’ though, since the moon’ already out and I don’t want to bother anyone. This may be urgent, and I just want to know how to handle this, but I’ll just need to wait it out. Still…it wouldn’t hurt if I sent a letter to let her know. Dear Twi, How are you doin’ over in Canterlot? Everypony’s been a lot less happy since you left and would be over the moon if you came by. But never mind that, I have somethin’ important to talk to you about in the mornin’ and it can’t wait any longer than that. I’ll tell you more when we meet, I promise, but it has to be between you and me only, no other princess. All I can say for now is that Equestria may be in danger and it’s hidin’ right under our noses. I saw a changeling in Ponyville, and I fear the worst may happen. I wait for your response to this urgency, and possible way to end the threat before it happens. From your friend, Applejack P.S. Don’t show this to anypony or tell them what we’re going to talk about (And that goes for Celestia as well) The night passed fairly quickly one the Apples left. I was still cautious about what happened yesterday though. Nirvana was exposed for all of Equestria to see (or three farmers who stood and watched the entire scene play out), and I was worried for her safety. Unfortunately, today I can’t stay with her as Rose wants me back at work, and this time I can’t get out of it. “I’m sorry Nirvana, but I have to work today. You can do anything you’d like, as long as you’re in your disguise. If you tire yourself out, just come back home and rest. Other than that, have a good day.” I said to her as quickly as possible as I rushed out the door on the way to Rose’s shop. ‘Maybe today is the day I can finally ask her out’ I thought as I trotted through the oddly empty streets of the town. ‘But, knowing her, she probably already has somepony to herself…I just don’t know what to do.’ I continued. She is a special mare, one who definitely deserves the best…something I can’t be. I disregard the thought and continue going along. ‘And what should I do about Nirvana? There is no doubt Applejack or one of her siblings saw her in her changeling form. I fear that is she tells anypony, one of the princesses would be bound to get involved and put her in a dungeon…or worse!’ I feared for Nirvana and her well-being. She may just be a changeling to anypony else in Equestria, but she is much more than that to me. I understand what she’s been through, and the possibility of somepony wronging her like that again is something I will not let happen. I complete my inner rant as I finally converge, as well as many other ponies, upon the marketplace. It was still early, so these ponies were only here to set up. Luckily, Rose was already present and had just finished setting up her stand. “Morning, Dust.” She said. “Morning to you Rose” I greeted back. “Get ready for a busy work day. The shipment of perennials from White Tail Woods just arrived!” She said with glee as her forehooves clopped together. All I could do was join in on her joy. That infectious smile and laughter was exactly what I needed to get the day started. “What to do…what to do? Uhhhhh… I have no idea! Maybe if I go into town I can find something to do” I had been pacing around for a good half hour, nothing really coming to mind on what to do. “Why did Dust have to go to work? Oh yeah, to pay his bills and support the ever growing economy of Equestria, right.” I concluded. I needed to get out more, or else I’ll turn into a tax report. And with that I knew what I was going to do! It was time to get outside and get some air. Dust’s place could use a fan or something like that, I was sweating in my disguise (stupid thick coat!) and the cool autumn air was exactly what I needed to cool off. I headed out the door and into the bustling town. I’m surprised how many ponies could fit into such a small town like this. I’ll have to ask somepony later, for now I say, “Adventure, ho!” The ponies of Ponyville are a rare species indeed. They are delightful to be around, good to talk with, and some of the most amusing beings I have ever witnessed. I had never met so many ponies that could be this happy and extraordinary, it was almost creepy in a way. To have a perma-smile, it must be Tartarus on their cheeks later. But the good mood had to be spoiled when I bumped into two fillies. One was the owner of a pale pink coat, two-toned pink and grey hair, and a pricey tiara. The other wore a coat of grey, topped with a silver mane, and blue glasses. The pink one was the first to speak. “Hey! Watch where you’re going.” She yelled. “Sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going” I apologized to her. “Sorry ain’t going to cut it, you stupid filly. Nopony just bumps into Diamond Tiara, and thinks they’re going to get away with it! I’ll have my daddy throw you in the dungeon for this….” She continued on talking. Her friend was just coasting in the background, and didn’t look like she was about to get involved with this. I was about to do something, and it was pretty bold. “Are you walking away from me? How dare you! Who just gets up and walks away?” I zoned her out after that, mostly because she was about 4 blocks away when I finally lost sight of her. How could anypony stand being around her for more than a minute? Yet another great mystery of Ponyville, I guess. I’ll put that one right after case file #001 “Pinkie Pie”. Today was going to be a long day… BUUUUURP! “Twilight, you got mail!” My number one assistant yelled from downstairs. “Spike, riddle me this. Who could be sending mail so late in the night?” I said to Spike with uncertainty in my voice. “Well, you’d better come and see it for yourself. It looks like an emergency letter from Applejack.” Spike said with concern “What could be so urgent she had to send out a letter now? It looks like nothing impor…WHAT!?” I yelled. “NO NO NO NO NO NO! Not again, it can’t be happening again!” “What’s happening Twilight? What is worth going so crazy over?” “Changelings…”