Chapter 1: A Cold Night
In was snowing heavily as Chocolate Delight slowly made his way through the deserted, snow-covered streets to his home on the far side of Canterlot. Winter had arrived only a few short days ago, and already there were blizzards that would make one think it were already the dead of the season, not just the beginning. Though the cold wind played with his coat, taunting him to turn back, he pressed onwards.
"Bit late for a stroll, isn't it, Choco?"
Chocolate turned to see Geoffery, the local Royal Guard Captain, standing in the door of the nearby guardhouse. Geoffery was a kind old soul, always willing to help other ponies in need. He'd been a guard longer than Chocolate had been alive, and had always been a good friend. But since the treaty with the Changelings and the introduction of the two Hives North of The Crystal Empire, plus the revelation that Celestia had been impersonated by a Changeling Queen from one of said Hives for the last thousand years, he often had his hooves full, so they never really had time to chat anymore.
"Evening Geoffery," said Chocolate with a smile, "I wouldn't be out right now if I hadn't stayed in for a bit of overtime. Figured Old Sam could use the help."
"Old" Sam Grind was the local Cider Pub owner, and a beloved member of the community, one the old-timers. He looked old, and had the stories to go with it. He'd been around for as long as anypony could remember, and could keep you occupied for hours with endless stories about 'the good old days'. Still, he was getting a bit slow in his age, and Chocolate often stayed late to lend a helping hoof for free. He was always happy to, be it rain, sleet or shine.
"Old Sam, eh? Haven't seen him in awhile," said Geoffery, "How is he?"
"Old," Chocolate said with a chuckle, "But as willful as ever. He's been wondering when you'll drop by. Says he has a special bottle of imported cider waiting for you."
"Does he now? Well, I best head on over there when I get the chance," said Geoffery with a smile and a nod, "Well, you best be moving on, then. This storm's only going to get worse as time passes. Stay safe, Choco."
"You too, Geoffery," replied Chocolate with a smile, and with that, he was off.
~~~~~~~~~~
Chocolate arrived back his house a few hours later, frozen almost to the bone. He gingerly took off his coat and went over to the fireplace to warm up. Upstairs, he could hear the quiet moans and snores of his wife and two little fillies, both nearly four. The twins, Cream and Vanilla, were both pegasi, like their mother. Chocolate thought back to when they were but newborn fillies. They had been a hoofful then, and still were, always wandering about, meeting strangers and making new friends. Old Sam had taken a liking to Cream, though. She always did something that made him laugh, and she would always laugh alongside him. He was thinking about this when he heard a knock on his door.
Startled, he made his way over to the door.
"Hello? Is someone there?"
He waited a few moments, and when nopony answered, he carefully opened the door. Over the past few weeks, a number of break-ins had occurred all over Canterlot. The culprits were suspected to be Changelings, but nopony nor changeling ever caught a glimpse of the assailants.
When the door was opened, he discovered the street to be completely vacant. Dismissing the knock as his overactive imagination, he began to close the door. That's when he noticed it.
"Well now, what do we have here?"
On the step lay a covered basket. Using his magic, Chocolate slowly lifted the basket, pulling back the cloth as well. In the basket, he was shocked to find a Changeling, no more than a hatchling. It was sound asleep in the warm cloth covering it. He quickly scanned the street again, hoping to glimpse the pony or changeling who had left the child, but saw not even hoof prints in the snow. Confused, and slightly frightened and disturbed, he carefully closed the door.
He walked back to the fireplace and laid on the warm carpet, placing the basket with the Changeling beside him to examine it. Upon closer inspection, he found a note tied to a chain necklace. The necklace read Snow. Intrigued, Chocolate read the note.
Dear sir or madam,
I find myself unable to give this child the life I want her to have, and so give her to you, in the hope you may offer her more than I ever could.
That was all it said. No name. No address. Nothing besides a plea for help from someone who he most likely had never met. Chocolate's gaze fell to the sleeping Changeling. He placed a hoof in the basket, and she snuggled up to it as a fanged smile crossed her face. Chocolate, in turn, smiled back at the sleeping Changeling. Unlike most ponies, he and his family had welcomed the Changelings with open hooves. In fact, because of this, they were often visited by the Princesses, Changeling Queens, and given special privileges that most ponies only dreamed of having.
"Looks like our family has a new little member."
~~~~~~~~~~
Across the street, on top of one of the houses, an aged Changeling Queen watched as Chocolate Delight found her daughter on the step and brought her into his home. She was the last of her Hive, and her daughter the last of her children. Knowing her child was in good hooves, the Queen cantered off into the blizzard, never to be seen again.