//------------------------------// // Fear // Story: Total Conversion Bureau - Divine Salvation // by Dropbear //------------------------------// Dietrich strolled through the middle of the town, his three companions at his side. The changelings were still worried about the locals converting them, even after he had reassured them that he was the only one planning to do any converting. Seraph had returned to her plain brown disguise from before, Cion was a cream-white ‘earth-pony’ while Chitter had opted to become a deep-blue ‘pegasus’. All went for manes and tails to match their coats in an attempt to seem ‘ordinary’, but Dietrich wondered why they bothered with all of the wonderful colour schemes that the normal ponies possessed. Still, he was just a human and he still had much to learn about both races, a task he was looking forward to. He smiled and waved at ponies that he passed, even though his helmet was still up. Some of them shied away but others returned the gesture, Dietrich noticing a few from his visit the other day. The conversion was going slow, but the eventual payoff was going to be worth it. He could already imagine the entire planet once he was done, everyone united by their faith and working to further its goals. The group made their way to the orchards at a steady pace, Seraph and Chitter flinching whenever a pony looked at them. Cion was acting like it was natural for her, her head raised confidently while she returned smiles and investigated shop stalls along the way. The tops of apple trees soon drew their attention, all of them stopping once they had reached the other end of the town. Down in a windy valley, with a river flowing through the middle, was a whole mass of trees. The fruit-laden plants stretched out towards the horizon, the orchard broken up by rows of large wooden barns at regular intervals. Overall, it was an impressive agricultural sight, and Dietrich rubbed his hands with glee. “Come on, let us volunteer our services!” His boots hit the dusty ground, a merry tune in his head while he approached the closest set of barns. He was vaguely aware of the changelings following him, ponies kicking trees with their hind legs stopping to look at them before returning to work. He noticed that there was a larger amount than he had seen the previous day, the ones without a mark on their flanks lowering their eyes when he looked at them. “Hello again, Confessor!” Dietrich was brought out of his observations at Braeburn’s call, the stallion trotting up to meet them from the barns. “Sandy said that you might be joining us today.” “I have indeed returned to continue my work,” he replied warmly. Braeburn had at first been fearful of him, but Dietrich had soon found him to be quite the friendly creature. In addition, Braeburn had proved to have been very interested in Mortisum, and Dietrich was fairly certain that he was open to conversion. “You have a large amount of apple trees, I am most impressed.” “Ah, shucks,” Braeburn nodded while pointing around with a hoof. “That’s quite the compliment. To be honest, we used to have half the number, but with all of the new ponies we needed to increase the food supply.” “Ah, I see,” Dietrich replied. “It’s always good to see some population growth.” “Uh, I guess it is,” Braeburn agreed hesitantly, before glancing towards the three disguised changelings. “You brought some friends with you?” “We’re visiting from the north,” Cion stepped in before Dietrich could answer. “We heard all about Appleoosa’s amazing apple trees, and we were told that helping with the harvest was one of the most exciting things a pony could do.” Dietrich wondered why Cion was lying, but he once again put it down to their fear. Anyway, it didn’t seem like it was going to hurt anyone, so who was he to call her out on it? “It is, I can tell you that much,” Braeburn confirmed with a steadily growing grin. “Welcome to Appleoosa, my name is Braeburn and I’m the Town Greeter as well as a manager of the orchards. You’re all in luck, we’ve got a big harvest and we need all of the helping hooves we can get. Have ever you bucked before?” “I sure have,” Cion answered with a playful edge and wink, Braeburn gaining a faint blush. “I… I mean apple trees,” he clarified. Dietrich raised an eyebrow at Cion’s behaviour, even though it was unseen to her. The smirk on her face showed that she knew exactly what Braeburn had meant, and evidently she wasn’t afraid to use her knowledge of such things to manipulate the stallion. “Oh, no then,” she replied, getting two unamused looks from Chitter and Seraph. “By the way, my name’s Spring, this here is my sister Harvest,” Cion pointed a hoof towards Seraph. “And this here is her coltfriend, Barren Field.” Chitter muttered something unintelligible under his breath, likely not very happy with his assigned name. Seraph seemed pleased with hers, hiding her face behind her mane. Braeburn nodded at them, his smile still wide. “Those there sound like proper farming names! You’ll do well, don’t worry it’s easy to pick up.” He glanced up towards Dietrich, before looking back at them. “So I see that you’ve already met the Confessor?” “Oh, yes,” Seraph answered. “He’s very nice.” “I’m glad to see you think that as well.” Braeburn glanced around. “Don’t mind the newfoals or some of the others; they’re still a little, well, scared around him.” “I still fail to see why,” Dietrich moved to defend. “I do not wish any harm upon you.” “I know that, partner,” Braeburn reassured. “But some ponies just are a little wary around new things. I’m sure that a little more time and everypony will see that you’re a good ‘un. Are you wanting to help with the harvest as well?” “I am indeed, I was asked to come by and I thought that instead of disrupting your work, I’d help you all with your harvest while I preach. After all, there is no better pulpit than the wonderful church of nature.” “I agree with you there, and I’m glad that you’re back.” Braeburn looked around again, many trees baring fruit but lacking workers. Dietrich didn’t bother preparing his book, he had already worked out everything that he was going to do today. It was going to be relaxing, less of a planned sermon and more of a make it up as you go along thing. “We’ve got plenty of trees, and there are baskets in the barns. Come on, I’ll get you started and show you what to do.” “Very well,” Dietrich replied with a nod. “Let us get to it.” “And so they marched with faith untold.” “Their actions fearless, noble and bold.” Chitter couldn’t help but sing along while he bucked the tree behind him, even though the song was religious in nature. It was catchy, and it didn’t feel like Dietrich was cramming rhetoric down his throat. The tune was catchy, and it made the work… well, fun. In addition, there were also other positive factors behind it. Looking to his right, Chitter glanced towards Seraph just before she kicked her own tree. She had a huge smile on her disguised face and it had been there throughout the entire morning, having eagerly joined in when Dietrich had started singing. Even though he was still learning to trust the human, Chitter was starting to realise that he was providing a great excuse for Chitter to spend more time with Seraph. He grunted when his hind legs hit the tree for the fourth time, the rest of the apples it held finally falling down into the basket. He noticed a tingle in his back legs, and looking back he saw a brief flash of chitin. He hurriedly gathered up the rest of the apples that littered the ground before placing them in the basket and lifting it onto his back. He trotted towards the wooden barn just ahead, passing ponies who were all singing along with Dietrich and the other two changelings. Shouldering open the barn door, he placed the full basket down beside the wall next to the hundreds already full. Pausing briefly to take a drink of soothing water from a nearby barrel, he slinked into the shadows on the opposite side. With a flash of green light, his disguised dropped. He stretched out his limbs with a sigh, enjoying the feeling of not having hot, stuffy fur heating up his body. Chitter had never guessed that he’d envy ponies for anything, but right now he would have loved their ability to sweat. Still, with just his chitin he was cooling down quickly, and he needed a break to let his magic recharge. Sneaking around behind a wooden stall door, he sat down on the ground and rested his back against the wall. He was safe from any pony discovery, so he relaxed and enjoyed the shade from the hot sun. He managed to relax for five minutes before he heard the barn doors open again, and he panicked. Trying to disguise himself again failed, his small amount of magic still not recharged. Taking a form was the most difficult part, maintaining it wasn’t the cause for the largest energy drain. With not enough magic however, his only option was to try and assess the threat while hoping to remain undetected. Peeking out around the stall door, he sighed in relief when he saw that it was just Seraph in her disguise. “Seraph, over here.” She spotted him, putting down her own basket of apples before she trotted over. “I thought you were gone for a while,” she told him, letting her own disguise drop. “Ah, that’s so much better.” “I know,” he agreed, shifting over when she sat down beside him. “Were you about to lose your disguise as well?” “It was getting close; I’m surprised it’s held up for this long.” He nodded and they both sat in silence for a few minutes, waiting it out without talking. Chitter started to idly tap his forehooves together, not really knowing what to say. He had made a promise to himself the previous night to tell her how he felt, but in the excitement of the morning he had forgotten about it. Now he was alone with her, but he didn’t know how to start. “Um, Chitter,” she began, watching his forehooves tap together. “I’ve been noticing that you’ve been, well, acting strangely.” “Wh-what do you mean?” he stammered before recovering, but not quickly enough. Seraph looked to him, tilting her head to the side. “Things like that,” she pointed out. “You’ve been looking at me a lot; you’ve been defensive around Dietrich.” He wasn’t able to answer, staring down at his own hooves to avoid eye contact. “Also, the others have been talking, and I’ve overheard them.” A chill went up his spine, Chitter freezing his movements. ‘Oh no, she knows!’ “Do you,” Seraph paused. Chitter nearly jumped when the crook of her hoof took his, and he looked up at her. “Do you like me, Chitter?” What could he say? Of course he did, but in an Equestrian barn while they were supposed to be disguised as the local ponies who would be happy to convert them was just not the right time nor place. Why couldn’t she have jumped him with the question last night? ‘Well, guess I’m stuck and I have to answer,’ he realised. “Yes,” he mumbled out, before lowering his head again. He expected her to act shocked, then to follow up with an explanation detailing the reasons why she didn’t return the feelings. What he didn’t expect was for her to grab his other hoof. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she asked, Chitter raising his head once again. “I was afraid that you’d… wouldn’t feel the same,” he answered softly. “So, was I right?” “Chitter,” she began with a sigh, his ears flattening. ‘Here it comes.’ He braced for rejection. “You’re clumsy, you’re a little dense sometimes and you really need to work on your social skills.” His eyes nearly popped out of his head when she let go of his hooves and pulled him into a hug. “And no, you weren’t right.” She nuzzled him. “I have faults as well, and I do love you back.” “Really?” he couldn’t tell if he was dreaming, it was so surreal. “Yep!” she happily informed him. “Besides, even if I didn’t, everyone else is already taken.” “Thanks,” he managed out, earning a giggle from her. To tell the truth, he hadn’t even known that fact, maybe he really did need to start paying some more attention to those around him. He hugged her back, and at that moment he felt as relaxed as he possibly could be. It had gone better than he had expected, and knowing that she felt the same about him was just an amazing feeling. There was one question left, however. “Seraph,” he interrupted the silence between them, earning a hum from her in return. “Does this mean that you’ll want me to start listening to Dietrich more?” He wasn’t sure how the religion thing would work, but it couldn’t hurt to ask. She left the hug but still kept her hooves on him, her face locked in thought. “It’d be nice if you did try to listen a little more,” she told him. “But I can’t make you believe it. As long as you’ll lay off him from now on, then that’s enough for me.” “That’s something I can do,” he reassured, tolerating Dietrich would be much easier now that he knew Seraph was his. They both returned to the hug, only to be interrupted by the barn door opening. “Harvest? Barren Field?” Both relaxed when they heard Dietrich inquire for them, after the sound of two baskets hitting the ground was heard. “One second,” Seraph called out, before she flashed green and reassumed her disguise. Chitter did the same soon after, both standing up and walking out to meet Dietrich. “There you two are,” he stated, before his voice gained a curious edge. “Sneaking off into a barn by yourselves, hmm?” “It’s not like that,” Seraph smiled back. “We were just talking while we waited for our magic to recharge, we don’t want to panic the ponies after all.” “Yeah,” Chitter added. “You know, so they won’t run away?” “That would certainly put a hamper on the sermon,” Dietrich mused, his attention suddenly diverted to his own concerns and away from them. “No, we can’t have that. Good thinking, a panicking crowd is something best avoided.” He gestured towards the doors behind him. “I take it that you’re okay to head back out?” “Yes, we are now,” Seraph answered, giving Chitter a wink. “We had a good talk.” “Glad to hear it,” Dietrich informed, before he opened the doors for them. “Now, let us return to labour, we have many left to sway.” Cion lashed out again with her hind hooves, once again striking tree behind her and shaking apples loose. A few hit the basket but the majority thudded onto the ground, Cion rolling her eyes and trotting around to pick them up. Glancing to her left, she spotted a pony stallion land a solid hit and get all of the apples into the basket, somehow. “Show off,” she muttered to herself, taking a second to shake her head. It was strange, so far she hadn’t felt the need to change her disguise at all. Normally with no love to feed on but the magically-barren amount from her fellow changelings, her disguise should have started to fail already. It was odd, but she couldn’t deny that it was a positive boon. A ringing bell drew her attention, Cion looking back towards the main barns. The Equestrians ahead of her were heading towards it, and to stay in character she followed. Looking up at the sky, it was only midday, so it couldn’t be time to finish work already. Speaking of work, it was hard but it was also relaxing repeating the same motions over and over. Following the crowd, Cion exited the orchards and found that they were back in the clearing with the barns. Long wooden tables had been set up and a wide range of food was placed upon them. She sniffed while she drew closer, the sweet scent of apple causing her tastebuds to water. There were pies, crumble, fritters, as well as other various treats. She could hardly wait, but she still took the time to look around for Dietrich and the others. She spotted them sitting at a table on the far side, the armoured human hard to miss among the ponies that he dwarfed. With amusement, Cion noted that he wasn’t sitting on the bench’s seat but instead on the ground, and yet he was still taller than those near him. His book was resting upon his lap, shielded from the sunlight by the bench. With a spring in her step she approached, aiming for a spot next to the disguised Chitter. It seemed like the table was populated by Dietrich’s ‘converts’, the forty-three ponies all talking to each other about their day so far and ‘passages’ that sounded like the things in the holy book. Wondering whether she was going to regret this, Cion climbed up to her seat and sat down. “Why hello there Ci- I mean Spring.” She sent him a warning glare, the human close to blowing her cover. “Hello Dietrich, how has it been so far?” A few ponies glanced her way with strange looks, probably because she didn’t use Dietrich’s title. “Quite well, actually,” he answered without seemingly noticing. “It has been most productive on many fronts,” he held his hands up and flexed his armoured fingers. “It turns out that enhanced strength and fingers are very effective when it comes to the picking and hauling of apples.” “You can say that again,” the stallion named Braeburn agreed after chewing an apple fritter. “He’s done the work of four ponies, with none of the complaints as well.” He looked over towards her, gesturing a hoof over towards a plate of pie. “Feel free to dig in, lunch is free for all workers.” ‘Free lunch?’ Cion thought while eagerly reaching a hoof towards the plate, securing herself a piece of warm pie. ‘Why didn’t we pretend to be tourists earlier? This is great.’ “It is amazing food as well,” Seraph added, sitting on the opposite side of Chitter. Cion watched while she took a bite of a muffin, the drone savouring it with a hum. Chitter was likewise enjoying a slice of pie, the only one not eating was Dietrich. Turning back to her own food, Cion took a bite. It was one of the best things she had tasted, and considering it was made from apple that was an oddity. It was rumoured that the first time Queen Chrysalis had eaten solid it was an apple fritter, and that it was terrible. It must have been a one off thing, either that or the Queen was likely just not a fan of apple. Chewing and enjoying her meal, Cion took her time examining the others around the table. It was all earth ponies, no unicorns or pegasi. Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t seen a single non-earth pony since she had been in the town. Well, except for Chitter, but they could explain that away with their cover story. All of the ponies seemed to be having a great time, not showing a care in the world while they ate and chatted. She noticed that Dietrich was getting swamped with questions from the closest ones, the human a huge hit with the ponies sharing their table. A glance back to the other two tables, spotting a few ponies looking towards them with suspicion, hinted to Cion that not everyone was pleased with Dietrich’s presence and popularity with their fellows. Looking at the table holding the newfoals, Cion felt uncomfortable. While examining the creatures that were trying their hardest to look away from Dietrich, she wondered if there were any former friends or fellow changelings among them. She shuddered and turned back to her own table, not wanting to think about that right now. She finished her slice of pie and went for another, no-one stopping her. The feeling of jealousy welled up inside of her when she saw that there was still a mountain of food left. Half of her hated the ponies for managing to live so well while she and the others starved in a cave, and the other half felt guilty that she was sharing in it while the others missed out. Glancing to her left, she scoffed when she saw that Chitter and Seraph apparently didn’t mind, the two eagerly devouring food at a breakneck pace. A slight hiss of air drew her attention to Dietrich, the High-Confessor’s faceplate lowering. The ponies at the table hushed and watched in awe, Dietrich not noticing and grabbing a muffin. He still didn’t catch on while he ate, the ponies still staring at him mesmerised. Finally, after he had gotten halfway through the muffin, he realised that he had an enthralled audience. “Hmm?” he hummed, finishing his mouthful. “Is something the matter?” “Not at all,” Braeburn answered quickly. “It’s just we ain’t seen a human before, except for pictures.” “Ah, I see, so I’m an oddity,” Dietrich chuckled before finishing his muffin. “Well, I’m afraid that I’m not the prettiest specimen.” “Where did you get that scar?” a mare inquired, the pony squinting at his face. As soon as she pointed it out, the others further towards the back leaned in to try and get a better look. Dietrich’s finger brushed the small star-shaped scar before he dismissed them with a wave of his hand. “Oh, just an accident a few years ago, nothing exciting.” Cion raised her eyebrow at that, the human a terrible liar. The ponies all seemed to buy it though, everyone returning to their meal. Making a note to ask him about it later, Cion returned to her food and tried hard to appear to not want a conversation with any of the ponies around her. “Finally finished,” Seraph huffed to herself, dropping a full basket on the ground just as another bell rang out. She trotted out of the barn and looked up, the sun about three hours away from setting. The work had been hard, and her legs felt like they were on fire. Still, it was over now, and the lunch had been more than worth it. She spotted Chitter and Cion heading to the centre of the clearing, so she hurried up to join them. “Hi,” she greeted, Chitter looking like he was about to collapse. “How do you two feel?” “I feel fine,” Cion answered, shaking her head to get rid of a few leaves. “Unlike Chitter here, I didn’t eat enough food at lunch to feed an army.” Seraph couldn’t help but giggle at that, Chitter shooting Cion a glare. He didn’t reply though, too busy panting and trudging forward. She had no more time to pursue her questioning, the three reaching the centre where ponies were lining up to receive little brown bags from another group of ponies. She spotted Dietrich wandering around the sides, and with a nudge to the other two she changed her heading to angle towards him. “Dietrich,” she called out, the High-Confessor turning to her. His faceplate was returned to his helmet, but she knew that he was smiling at her. He walked to meet them, the human looking down at the three. “Ah, hello all, I trust that your day was just as enjoyable as mine?” “Yep,” Seraph answered with a grin. “Did you get a lot done?” “Certainly!” Dietrich tapped the book at his side. “Not only did I strengthen the faith of those already keen, but a further twelve have expressed newfound belief! I have still have had no luck with those without rear markings, however; they still shy from me like I’m some form of monster.” “Oh, yeah,” Seraph agreed, having noticed that the newfoals feared Dietrich more than the regular Equestrians. “Newfoals aren’t natural, so-“ “Hey there, you aren’t all thinking of sneaking off there?” Seraph froze at the interruption from behind her. ‘Sneaking off? Have they found us out!?’ Turning around, she gulped when the pony named Braeburn approached them with a grin. “I can’t let you all go,” he announced, before reaching into his saddlebag and withdrawing four coin bags. “At least, not without your day’s pay.” Seraph breathed a sigh of relief, Cion stepping forward and taking a bag from Braeburn. The infiltrator weighed it with her hoof and the bag jingled, a decent amount of gold coins held within. “I thought we were volunteering?” Chitter asked. “Well, you were,” Braeburn began. “But you all did such a good job that I just couldn’t let you walk away empty-hooved.” He turned to Dietrich, smiling at the human. “And I have to say, High-Confessor, that you made it one of the most entertaining harvest days I’ve ever done. I’ve still got some of those ‘hymns’ stuck in my head.” “That is their goal,” Dietrich replied merrily, before holding up a hand. “But I must refuse payment, the opportunity to preach to you and your fellows was reward enough.” “Nonsense,” Braeburn answered while holding out the last coin purse to him. “To be honest, I’d have no issue with paying you double, what with your work and that. Here, it’s the standard pay for the day and you earned it. We aren’t exactly sort on bits since demand picked up, so you’re not going to make a dent just by accepting payment for a good day of honest work.” Dietrich appeared to mull the idea over, before he hesitantly took the offered bag. Seraph glanced down at her own in her hoof, before she looped the string around her neck. Chitter and Cion did the same, while Dietrich opened his and withdrew one of the golden coins. “If you wish,” Dietrich replied, before returning the coin and placing the bag in an armour compartment. “Are you all going to come back tomorrow?” Braeburn asked, glancing around at them. “It’s the last day of harvest before the weekend, so the more help the better.” His smile increased. “There’ll be more lunch and you’ll get payed again if you do.” “I can’t, sorry,” Seraph answered, remembering that she had to look after the nymphs. “I’ve got to do some chores of my own.” “I understand,” Braeburn nodded, before looking at Cion and Chitter. “I can’t come either, sorry,” Cion apologised. “I… I guess I can,” Chitter answered with a glance towards Seraph, a nod from her assuring him that she was okay with it. “You can count on my return,” Dietrich confirmed. “This has been one of the most enjoyable preaching sessions in a long time.” “Glad to hear it,” Braeburn beamed, before glancing behind him. “I have to go back and help organise some things, but I’ll see you tomorrow. If you all hurry, the stores might still have some wares left before everypony else gets to them.” “Thank you,” Dietrich replied, nodding at Braeburn. The stallion returned it and trotted of back towards the barns, the three changelings and human beginning to walk back towards the town. “I wonder what stores they have,” Seraph mused, Cion tilting her head towards the sun. “I say we go to a food store and try to get something preserved, so we can start to get a stockpile going.” “That’s a good idea,” Chitter agreed, back up with a hum from Seraph. “That seems like a wonderful plan,” Dietrich voted, leading the way. “A little preparation is hardly going to hurt us. I shall also purchase some supplies to keep us active and ready to work.” With their agreement shared, all four entered the town and began their search for a market. Seraph gazed over the shop shelves, cans of vegetables and soups all lined up in front of her. They were listed at a bit each, and her prior count had told her that she had twenty bits to spend. That meant that she could get twenty cans or fifteen if she also purchased a saddlebag to hold it all. Chitter and Cion were currently looking over the small amount of pots and pans that the Appleoosa General Store stocked, the three already having decided to get at least one to cook things in. Making her choice, Seraph selected three cans of carrots, three of corn, six of pea soup and three cans of cauliflower soup. She fetched a brown saddlebag and loaded it with the cans, before heading towards the shopkeeper. The light green stallion raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything while he counted the cans and bag, tapping on the register. “Twenty bits.” She placed her coin bag on the counter and watched him count it, once twenty bits were confirmed the shopkeeper swept them into the till and packed her cans back into her bag. With a grunt, Seraph placed the loaded bag onto her back and stepped aside just in time for Chitter and Cion. Both placed down a large cooking pot, eleven bowls, a set of spoons, a further ten cans of assorted foods and a set of cleaning cloths. The shopkeeper counted it all up, the items coming to forty-eight bits in total. Worried that it was too much, Seraph was surprised when the two produced fifty bits and passed them to the waiting stallion. “Dietrich gave us half of his to pay for things,” Cion explained. “Where did he go, by the way?” Seraph had seen him leave into the town, saying that he was looking for something special. “You’ve got about as much of an idea as we do,” Chitter informed while grimacing and putting the pot onto his back. “What I’m worried about is how we’re going to get all of this stuff back.” Dietrich wandered through the main street of the town, now as poor as he was when he had arrived. It was no matter, and as he patted his armour’s chest compartment he imagined the happy reaction that his spending would achieve. With this pleasing thought in his mind, he resumed his search for his companions. He was very proud of the changelings, the three getting through the entire day without panicking around the ponies that they feared so much. While he didn’t like the fact that they were essentially lying to the nice locals, he could understand their hesitance. After all, from what he had heard from them he guessed that there was some bad blood between the two races. A shame really, both were great in his books. He waved to ponies when he passed them, many returning it with smiles. He recalled each of their names, their colours and marks making it easy to tell them apart. A few who he didn’t recognise from his sermons waved back with a little more hesitation, while the fully-grown ponies without marks moved to the opposite side of the road and lowered their heads. He wondered what it was that they feared about him, so far most of their brethren had taken a shine to him. Was it because they weren’t fully matured yet? After all, when he overheard them talking they seemed childish in nature and the only others that lacked marks were the changelings and a few of the settlement’s children. The sound of a shop bell jingling turned his attention away from his thoughts and towards the left, Dietrich spotting the three changelings emerge from the general store. All three were still disguised, and laden down with pots and bags upon their backs. Noticing Chitter struggling with a large black pot, Dietrich quickly walked over and lifted it off the changeling’s back with a hand. “Thanks,” Chitter puffed out, before staring at the pan held effortlessly in a single hand. “H-how…?” “My armour allows me to carry more,” Dietrich quickly explained, not knowing the exact details. It had been decades since his time serving on the front lines as a lowly foot soldier, and in his current position he wasn’t too concerned about the inner workings of powered armour. It was mainly ceremonial these days anyway, although there had been a few times when it had come in handy. “Here Chitter, you can carry this instead,” Cion reassured, passing along a stack of bowls that she balanced upon his back. “Thanks,” Chitter mumbled back again, before Seraph butted her rump against his and gave him a reassuring smile. Dietrich raised an eye under his helmet at their behaviour, the two certainly seeming closer. Still, it worked out for him, he had noticed that Chitter had been asking more questions about Mortisum lately. “Come on; let us return to our shelter.” At his suggestion the changelings nodded, the group of four walking down the main street and out of the town. They travelled across an old set of train tracks and headed back into the desert, Dietrich having already marked out a path with his suit’s computer. There was one stop that he wanted to go to first, however. Turning slightly to the right, he pointed his changeling companions forward. “That’s not the right way,” Seraph told him, Dietrich nodding his head. “I know it is not, I have something I wish to investigate. It is still a few hours to sunset, and I think that we’ll all enjoy it if I am right.” They followed him without further questions, Cion pulling out towards the front of the group. He smiled while looking at her, she had been absent during his preaching and he had gotten the impression that she was keen to avoid it. However, as much as she tried to hide it he had caught her listening in to some of the religious conversations he had been having with the ponies at lunch. It was only a matter of time, in his opinion. “So where are you taking us?” Cion asked, peering back over her shoulder. With a flash her disguise dropped and she was once again a changeling in appearance, the two others behind him following suit. “We’ve got a lot of stuff with us, after all.” “You’ll see when we get there,” he answered, earning an annoyed huff from the lead changeling. “Oh, that feels so much better.” Dietrich turned around to find that Chitter had paused, Seraph waiting with him. The pair were shaking their heads and limbs, cricking necks and buzzing wings, looking relieved to be rid of their disguises. “I hate having fur,” Seraph agreed. “It’s too hot in this weather.” “You’re both going to have to get used to it,” Cion informed from the lead. “I hardly feel a thing.” “That’s because you’re already cold enough,” Dietrich heard Chitter mumble once they had resumed traveling, Cion stopping to turn around. “What was that?” “Nothing.” “Everyone, let us not fight. Our destination is only a few minutes away.” All three changelings returned to their positions, Dietrich glad that he had diffused the situation. The last thing they needed was to fight amongst each other. “Once we reach it, we’ll all be able to cool off after our day of work.” “It better be that good,” Cion warned, before the group once again returned to silence. They continued to walk, Dietrich’s eyes on his helmet readings the entire time. Just a little further, and- “Here we are!” he announced, the three changelings looking around in confusion. “There’s nothing here,” Seraph pointed out, Dietrich shaking his head and pointing towards a sand dune just before them. “I disagree, let us look, shall we?” He didn’t wait for an answer before cresting the dune, his eyes lighting up when he observed the sight below them. A glittering pond of clear water rested in the sand, a small amount of green vegetation surrounding it. The changelings joined him, all three staring down at the water. “An oasis!” Chitter announced, placing the plates on the ground before rushing towards it. The other two followed him without complaint, Dietrich sitting down on the dune next to their objects. He smiled while he watched them first drink and then swim, the three splashing around in the cool water together while they enjoyed themselves and took a bath at the same time. He had no need, given his suit, so he instead waited for them to finish. He found it relaxing, watching them while they shared a moment of brief stress-free fun. Ever since he had met them, the changelings had been dour and nervous, but at this very moment the three were without a care in the world. He made a mental note to urge the others back at the cave to visit this spot sometime, so that they all could take a break from the worry and just enjoy themselves. Half an hour passed before the three soaking wet changelings headed back to him, shaking the water off themselves before grabbing their assorted supplies and preparing to leave. “Going so soon?” Dietrich inquired. “We still should have a few hours before sunset.” “We better get back to the others,” Seraph explained. “I see,” Dietrich replied before getting to his feet. He took a second to work out their bearings before he pointed to their left. “The cave is just in that direction there, only a few minutes away.” “Great,” Chitter huffed while he began to trot. “I’m looking forward to a nice rest.” The rest followed him, all of them sharing his wish for sleep. Loaded down with all of their supplies, their trip took a little longer than expected. They reached the cave entrance with an hour to spare, chitin long since dried of any excess water and weary hooves moving from sand to rock. All four entered the cave with relief, and upon drawing closer to the main cavern they noticed the flicker of a fire. “We’re back!” Seraph announced, hoofsteps rushing to meet them. The two nymphs and the unnamed crowed around them, examining the bags and pots that they had returned with. Dietrich noticed the other three adults sitting by the fire, a large stack of wood sitting at the back of the cave. “A productive search?” he inquired, earning a nod from Swift-Swap. “Yep, I found all of this dead wood and Haze managed to find a few berry bushes near a stream.” Swift tilted his head to the side when Seraph, Cion and Chitter unloaded their cargo onto the ground. “Wow, you managed to find a lot of stuff.” “We earned it,” Seraph told him proudly. “Earned it?” Double examined the cans and pot. “The ponies were most pleased with our work,” Dietrich told the three that hadn’t attended. “They insisted on paying us for our labour, and so we thought that some more robust provisions were in order.” “I still can’t believe you actually went and helped them,” Haze said while shaking her head, before she licked her lips. “Although, more food is never an issue to be honest.” “We already had lunch, so you and the nymphs can have more tonight,” Seraph informed, placing the pot on the ground and pulling a can from the pile. “I was thinking that we could do pea-soup with some of that leftover bread.” “No complaints from me,” Double told her. “I’m starved.” That opinion was echoed all around, Dietrich sitting down on his rock and pulling out his book. He opened it but didn’t start to read, instead he found himself focusing on the activities around the cave. While Seraph and Chitter prepared the pot, Double fetched water from the cave’s spring with a bowl. Haze and Cion ensured that the fire remained lit while Swift prepared the bread. The nymphs chased each other around in a circle while they waited, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. He looked to his left when something sat down beside him, the two unnamed waiting patiently beside him while they also watched the cooking process. “And how was your day?” he asked them, earning two grins in response. “Great!” the female answered. “Double told us that we were going to possibly get named tonight!” “Really?” Dietrich pressed on, shifting on his rock to face them. “Do you have any names that you’d like?” “He told us that we don’t get to pick our names,” the male informed. “He said that it was always a honour for the Queen, but since we don’t have one the adults are going to decide. I want something good though.” “A reasonable request,” Dietrich agreed, before he looked down to find a hoof pointing towards a picture in his book. “Who’s that?” the female questioned, Dietrich instantly recognising the women depicted in the picture covering the left page. “Ah, that is Saint Madeline, a very respected women from millennia ago.” “What did she do?” “Well,” Dietrich began while sweeping a hand over the raven-haired figure. “Saint Madeline was a very famous missionary for the Mortisum faith. She spread the word to many different planets and solar systems, even making contact with races yet unknown to the empire I work for.” Both of the changelings moved closer to get a better look at the picture, the female’s smile dropping when she realised that the red stuff at the figure’s feet was blood. “Why is she… bleeding?” “Existence is a harsh mistress, child,” Dietrich sighed while he reached out a hand to pat her on the back. “Sometimes things go wrong. With Saint Madeline, she was caught up in a war between two native tribes on a faraway planet. Rather than leave for safety, she tried to get them all to make peace under the banner of shared religion. Unfortunately, the natives used a very poisonous plant to coat arrowheads with, and Saint Madeline was killed when one hit her by accident.” “Oh,” the female unnamed muttered, lowering her head. The male did the same, both now a lot less happier than before. “Come now, there is no need to feel sad,” Dietrich reassured them. “She died doing what she loved, and it was a long time ago. Besides, once the tribes realised what they had done, they ceased their war and got along with each other without ever fighting between themselves again.” “Really?” “Yes, really.” In truth, the tribes had stopped fighting each other, but not because of the death. Rather, the UIP wiped them out as soon as it got wind of what had happened. Dietrich didn’t really think that it proper to tell the young beings that right now, he had already saddened them enough as it was. While he disliked lying to them, the goal in his mind was noble and he made a promise to tell them the truth as soon as they were a little more mature. “Do you have any more stories, Dietrich?” He chuckled when she and her brother shuffled closer, resting up against his side. He turned the pages of his book over, searching for a story that would hopefully have a happier ending. Such stories were sparse in the book of Mortisum, unless one counted dying for one’s Empire and faith as happy. “Let’s try and find another one then,” he told them, unable to turn them down. Even though they had apparently matured, they still possessed some childlike traits. Then again, now that he thought about it he’d do the same if any of the other changelings asked him. “Now then, is there anything that you’d prefer?” “Everyone, dinner is just about ready!” At the announcement they turned away from the book to look towards the fire. The two nymphs rushed past with chirps before skidding to a halt and sitting down in front of the bubbling pot. Dietrich shut his book and placed it back at his side, giving both of the nameless a final pat on the head. “It will have to wait for a later time, you should have your dinner now.” Both nodded, the prospect of food overriding their desire for more stories. They both got up and joined their younger brethren with waiting, Seraph and Chitter carefully scooping thick green soup into bowls with a spoon. When each bowl was full it was passed onto Swift, who placed two slices of buttered bread into it. Then they were passed around to everyone, starting with the nymphs and nameless first. “Be careful, it’s hot,” Double warned the four, giving them all spoons to use. They had trouble with it at first, before they soon got the hang of the utensils and proceeded to carefully eat the soup and bread. Before long everyone had a bowl, Seraph and Chitter trotting over to sit by him after passing him his own meal. “Why, thank you very much,” Dietrich acknowledged, lowering his helmet’s faceplate to eat his meal. He nimbly raised a spoonful of soup to his mouth and took a taste, nodding in approval. “Good work you two, the soup is lovely.” “Thanks,” Chitter replied, Seraph too busy taking a bit of bread. “But to be honest, all we did was pour in the can and add water, nothing fancy.” “Still, it’s rather good,” Dietrich continued to praise, Seraph swallowing her mouthful before chiming in. “It is, isn’t it? It’s a same I’m not going back tomorrow, I wouldn’t mind a few more cans.” “I’ll ensure to buy some more.” She hummed, the three settling down to enjoy their meal. Idle talk filled the cave, discussing the day and the tasty soup that they were consuming. Everyone was having a good time, full bellies and raised hopes for the future improving the mood of all. The nymphs were the first to finish their meals, the two licking their bowls clean before wandering over towards him and his two dining companions. “They seemed to have enjoyed it,” Chitter observed between mouthfuls, the nymphs lying down on their sides with satisfied sighs at Dietrich’s feet. “Yeah,” Seraph agreed, before letting out a sigh. “I wonder if I’ll ever have nymphs of my own.” Dietrich stealthily looked over towards Chitter, who was staring at the resting nymphs with the same expression as Seraph. If his guesses about their newfound closeness were correct, then he didn’t doubt that it would be a likely occurrence. “Your children would likely be just as adorable,” he told them before he could stop himself. The talking around the cave died out, Seraph and Chitter’s faces going a bright green while the others stared at them. “Wait, so he actually told her?” Cion spoke up from the other side of the fire, putting her empty bowl down beside her. Double, Swift and Haze all joined her in waiting for an answer, Dietrich smiling to himself. It seemed like it wasn’t a huge secret, even if Seraph and Chitter didn’t think that anyone else had noticed. “I asked him,” Seraph answered, before waving a hoof in front of her. “Anyway, it doesn’t’ really matter now. Someone needs to clean up the dishes.” “I’ll do it,” Dietrich volunteered, eager to help Seraph’s distraction succeed. He stood up and took Seraph and Chitter’s almost spotless bowls, before walking over to pick up the four from the younger members of the group. “I’ll help,” Double mentioned, collecting his own stack of bowls from the others. Dietrich nodded towards him and picked up the large cooking pot, not even a drop of soup left. “We’ll wash them with the jugs of water outside, and then we’ll just refill them from the stream.” “That is satisfactory.” With all of the dirty bowls, spoons, and pot collected, the two picked up a water jug each before leaving for the cave mouth. Dietrich glanced towards his fellow cleaner while they walked, having not spent much time getting to know Double. Both looked out at the sky when they emerged outside, the moon just rising in the sky. Double set his bowls down on the flat rock outside, while Dietrich proceeded to wash out the near-spotless pot. “So, I take it your preaching is going well?” Double started while rinsing a bowl. “Indeed it is, the last two days have been most productive.” Dietrich moved the now-clean pot off the rock and replaced it with some spoons, green soup quickly washing off. “You were left behind at the cave?” “That’s right; I had to look after the nameless and the nymphs. To tell you the truth, it was nice to have the cave to myself for a change. Well, aside from the nameless, they never seem to stop asking questions.” Dietrich laughed at the reminder. “Yes, they are rather curious, aren’t they? That reminds me, I still have to tell them a final story before bed.” He increased the speed of his cleaning, moving onto the remainder of the bowls. “Look, High-Confessor.” Dietrich paused to glance at Double, the changeling having halted his own cleaning. “I know that we’ve all probably said this already, but I’d just like to thank you for what you’ve done for us. Seraph’s happier, Chitter’s finally coming out of his shell, the nymphs and nameless love your company-“ “There is no thanks required,” Dietrich reassured, finishing his task and collecting up the dishes. “I am a guest of yours, so it’s only proper that I help you. Besides, I’m enjoying my time here and I’ve already gotten plenty of new converts. It is really I that should be thanking you.” “You’ve got nothing to thank us for,” Double replied, gathering up his own bowls. “If anything, you’re only in more danger by associating with us. I still can’t believe that you went into that pony town with those three today, and made it back.” “It was quite the good day,” Dietrich informed him while they made their way back into the cave. “You should come along sometime, you don’t have to listen to my sermons but the work is invigorating and we get paid.” Double appeared to mull it over while he walked, the changeling nodding his head. “Well, Seraph and Chitter did seem happier today, and Cion is also a little more…” “Warm?” Dietrich supplied, Double chuckling. “Yeah, she is a bit of an ‘ice queen’, I believe the term is. Still, she’s great once you get to know her.” Dietrich nodded, he’d picked up on the fact that the ‘ice queen’ and Double were a thing, something that wasn’t that surprising considering that they believed themselves to be the last members of their race. “I think I will come along tomorrow, if that’s okay.” “Certainly,” Dietrich answered merrily. “I assure you that you won’t regret it.” “Great, I look forward to it.” Double smiled, Dietrich nodding once again before the pair re-entered the cavern. Everyone else had formed a circle, Double and Dietrich putting away their pots and bowls before joining them. Dietrich sat outside of the circle on his rock, figuring that this was something best left up to the changelings themselves. “Okay everyone,” Double started, gesturing to the two nameless. “We need to come up with two names for our new additions to adulthood, any suggestions?” A nymph lying down beside Seraph chirped, Double raising an eye. “Chirp, you say?” The circle shared some laughter, Dietrich chuckling along with them before Double recovered and continued. “Seriously though, we need two, and hopefully something better than ‘chirp’. I put forth ‘Sheen’ for our new brother and ‘Hope’ for our sister.” Murmurs of agreement were shared, the male nameless seeming quite happy with his new name. The female however had her face locked in thought. “I’m happy with that!” the male nameless announced with glee, everyone turning to look towards the female. She looked down at the ground before glancing at Dietrich, her eyes lighting up. “I want to change it,” she requested. Double seemed to mull it over, before he tilted his head. “To what?” he asked. “If you have something better, then feel free to suggest it.” “Can I be called… ‘Madeline’?” she asked, earning stares from all around her. “Madeline?” Double questioned while looking at her. “Where did you hear that name?” “It was the name of someone in the book,” she replied, pointing towards Dietrich. Everyone looked at him, Dietrich giving them a shrug. He hadn’t expected the youngster to wish to adopt that name, although he secretly felt pride that she wanted to. “I guess that we can do that,” Double answered, looking around for confirmation. He received nods in reply, no one voicing any objections. “Well then, if no one has any objections then I think we’ll settle on Sheen and Madeline.” “That was easy,” Cion commented from beside him, Double nodding his head. “It was,” he agreed, before taking hold of the two nameless’ hooves. “As the oldest one here, I now pronounce you as Sheen and Madeline, welcome to adulthood.” A cheer went up amongst the circle, everyone congratulating the two on their new names. Dietrich watched for a few moments before he smiled to himself, opening his chest compartment to withdraw a white cloth bag. Peeking inside, he spotted the brightly coloured sweets that he had purchased in the town that day, right now being the perfect time to hand some out. “I think I’ve got something here for the new adults,” he announced, the pair looking at him curiously. He withdrew two balls from the bag, one blue and one red. He passed the red one to Sheen and the blue to Madeline, both of the changelings staring at it in confusion. “Go ahead,” he urged. “I bought them in the town today; I was assured that they are rather tasty.” Both put the treats into their mouths, their eyes lighting up while they savoured them. While they enjoyed the lollies, Dietrich gestured towards the two nymphs. He was answered by chirps when they also rushed to partake in the treats, Dietrich passing them two green ones. The nymphs attended to, he turned to the others and held out the bag. “Anyone else want one?” He was met with a chorus of affirmatives, so he passed the bag around. Each took one, colours ranging from purple to blue to orange. The bag was rather hefty, so by the time it got back to him it seemed like none had been removed at all. Dietrich took a green one for himself before putting it into his mouth and stowing the bag away. It was a most delightful flavour of apple, and he sat back to enjoy it like the rest. Changelings yawned while they finished it, evidently everyone had worked hard that day. The two nymphs curled up next to each other by the fire, while the adults made their ways to different spots by the fire in pairs. Seraph stayed with Chitter, Haze with Swift, and Double laid down with Cion next to him. They had neglected to post a watch but Dietrich assumed that they felt far safer with him present. That thought brought comfort to him, and he knew that he would confidently deal with any threat to the safety of them all. Opening his book again, he glanced down to his right when Sheen and Madeline settled down next to him expectantly. “You owe us a story,” Sheen informed him with a whisper, Dietrich shaking his head with a chuckle. “A sweet is not enough I see. Fine then, let us find one. But, we need to be quiet so the others can get some sleep.” “Okay,” Madeline whispered back, shifting her body so that she was resting comfortably. Dietrich turned the pages until he found a passage that was slightly more happier in nature. Clearing his throat, he began to read, unaware that everyone around the fire was secretly listening in. “There was once four priests and a nun, traveling across a barren desert towards an old shrine…” Double snorted when he awoke, shaking his head while he raised it up. He looked around, evidently he was the last one to rise. Everyone was sitting around the smouldering fire pit, chunks of jam-slathered bread held in hooves. He couldn’t remember the last time that they had enough food to afford the luxury of breakfast, so he eagerly sat up in order to secure his. He turned to his left and noticed a piece waiting from him on a flat stone, the bread already coated with what smelt like strawberry jam. He glanced back up and spotted Cion, who waved at him with a smile from the other side of the cave. Double grinned back, despite her usual attitude she was really sweet at heart. Speaking of sweet, he sat down on his rump and picked up his bread, taking a bite of the morsel. It tasted great, the jam one of the most perfect things he had ever tasted. Surveying the cave while he chewed, he noticed Seraph and Cion leaving for the entrance. He waved them goodbye, the pair going off to look for more food and wood. If they found more it would be great, their supplies were growing daily and keeping it like that was preferred. Remembering that he was heading out with Dietrich to the pony town, he scanned the area for the human. The High-Confessor was sitting down, talking with Sheen and Madeline. The two newest adults hadn’t yet been assigned jobs, but Double figured that keeping them in the cave for a few days more couldn’t hurt. After all, they got along well with the nymphs and they still had to learn from Swift and Haze. While his attention was on those two, Double shifted around to see what they were doing. Both of them were finishing packing up the food, covering it to ensure that the perishable items stayed fresh. Luckily the cool cave helped them in that regard, some spots almost acting like a freezer. He finished him meal and licked the jam off of his hooves, trying to ignore the dirt that came off with it. He’d gotten used to harsh living over the weeks, but hopefully things would improve. Standing up, he headed over to Dietrich just as the priest stood up himself. “Ready to go?” he asked, Dietrich patting the book at his side. “I am indeed; let us make haste to the fine settlement of Appleoosa. I have a feeling that today will be a great one for preaching.” “Can we come?” Madeline asked hopefully, Sheen nodding at the idea. Double sighed, he hated to cruse their enthusiasm. “No, sorry you two,” he replied. “You still have a lot to learn, that’s why you’re going to stay behind with Haze and Swift Swap. After you learn about how to disguise yourselves properly and act like a pony, then maybe you can go out to Appleoosa.” “Okay,” Sheen and Madeline nodded, sitting back down with frowns on their faces. Double was just about to make an attempt to cheer them up, but Dietrich beat him to it. “Don’t worry you two, I’ll make sure to bring you back something from the town instead.” Their eyes lit back up at the promise, their wings buzzing with excitement. “We better get going,” Double advised, Dietrich and he waving a last goodbye to everyone left before they headed to the cave mouth. While they walked across the rocky ground, Double turned to Dietrich. “You’re spoiling them a bit, don’t you think? They’re going to have to grow up fast.” “A few treats aren’t going to hamper them,” Dietrich replied, the cave mouth coming up. “If it helps to make them a little more happier during these times, then I don’t see the problem.” “I know,” Double responded with a nod. “But I am the eldest, so I have to be the one to make sure everything runs smoothly.” “It will all work out fine in the end,” Dietrich dismissed, the pair stepping out into the sand. “No matter the outcome, if they at least have some memories of good times then it’s a life well lived. But I wouldn’t worry too much about a sudden end, we’re improving every day and it keeps on getting better. You have to take the good things in life when you can, after all.” Double could agree with that, but he still couldn’t shake the feeling in his gut that something was going to go wrong. Without another word, he followed Dietrich into the desert and towards the pony settlement with his mind churning with thoughts. “Howdy High-Confessor, you’ve found another volunteer?” Double hoped that his plain grey earth pony disguise would hold, the yellow stallion approaching them examining him curiously. “I have indeed, this here is… Apple Pie, from up North.” ‘Apple Pie?’ Double thought, his eyes widening. ‘That is the stupidest name I’ve ever heard! Even for a pony it’s-‘ “Apple Pie? He wouldn’t happen to be one of our Apple clan would he? I haven’t seen him at any get-together.” “I’m not related,” Double rushed out, shoving all questions regarding his name aside. “My parents just really loved… apple pie.” It was a weak explanation, but thankfully the stallion seemed to buy it. Double couldn’t believe it, were all ponies like this or was it only their country folk? “Well it’s good to meet another friend of Dietrich’s, you also here to help with the harvest?” Double nodded, surprising himself with his eagerness to see what the others had experienced. “I sure am, a few of my friends gave it a shot yesterday and they enjoyed it.” He stuck to short sentences to try and help conceal his accent, a tell-tale buzz would likely signal his doom. “No complaints here,” the merry stallion replied. “Well, the High-Confessor here knows what to do, I’ll leave him to get you up to speed while I organise the others.” The pony glanced up towards Dietrich while he started to trot back to the large barns. “I’ll be back after for the sermon, don’t make me miss too much.” “I’ll ensure to wait for you,” Dietrich chuckled, before pointing Double over towards a number of trees already being worked on. “Over there, they are some of my converts. I’m sure that you’ll get along well with them." He wasn’t so sure, but he had little choice but to stick with Dietrich. The both moved over to the equestrians, the ponies pausing their work to smile and wave at Dietrich. “Good Morning, High-Confessor,” many greeted, Double watching in awe while the priest was showered with greetings and even a few hugs. How had Dietrich managed to win over them so quickly? He really must be able to charm anything, and Double briefly wondered if there was any other factors at work. After all, he wasn’t a scholar but some of the symbols covering Dietrich’s armour and objects seemed to contain faint traces of magic. “Good Morning all, are you all ready for another day of work and sermons?” Dietrich received a mass of ‘yes’ in reply, the ponies eager for the day to begin. “That is most pleasing to hear! Before we begin though, I’d like to introduce you all to my friend, Apple Pie.” Double nearly flinched when fifty pairs of eyes turned on him, but he only received welcomes and not the accusations that he expected. “He’s out of town, so don’t expect him to know much about the farming life.” Dietrich finished by turning to him and tapping a finger on his faceplate where his nose would be, Double not getting the gesture. ‘Calm down,’ he thought to himself, taking a breath of air. ‘You’re not some nymph, you can manage a simple disguise. Just act like a pony.’ “Hi, all,” he greeted back, giving them all a nervous wave. Thankfully, after a few more waves the attention of the ponies turned back to Dietrich, the priest busying himself with greeting some new members of his cult. Double was fine with that, as long as Dietrich kept them occupied then he didn’t have any complaints. Looking around, he spotted an empty basket sitting underneath a tree. Glancing at the red fruit above, he turned around and backed up towards the trunk. Taking a few seconds to observe the ponies around him, he kicked out with his hind legs. They thudded against the tree, shaking it and dropping apples down into the basket and onto the ground. ‘Don’t really see the appeal,’ he thought, before shrugging and kicking again. More apples rained down, and he repeated the action for a third time. The tree ran out of apples, but still he kicked one more time to make sure. Now that he had tried it, he had to admit that it was pretty good at getting rid of stress. Stopping to pick up and deposit the stray apples into the basket, he checked the tree before moving onto the next. Kicking this one also felt relaxing, Double still surprised that kicking something could feel so good. “Okay everyone, from the top. For those new to the group, listen along and then we’ll repeat.” He glanced over to his left, Dietrich surrounded by the ponies while he picked apples from the tree with his hands. The priest began to sing, and Double had to admit that his voice was extremely pleasing to listen to. Ever since he’d met Dietrich, he’d wondered if it was more than just charisma at work. Most of the ponies sang along with him, the others listening in wonder. While he continued to kick, Double found himself humming along to the song, and without even noticing he began to sing along as soon as he learned the words. Braeburn walked up and down the rows of trees, watching while ponies carried their full baskets towards the barns. The bell for lunch had just been sounded and everypony was preparing to take a well-earned break. He knew that there were some new workers today though, so it was his job to make sure everything ran smoothly. Humming a tune from the morning to himself, Braeburn nodded to ponies while they passed. Satisfied that everything was in order, he licked his lips and made his way towards the tables that were piled with delicious food. A mare’s scream pierced the air, before it was echoed and joined by cries of alarm. Braeburn frowned and stared at the barns, before he galloped towards it. He passed staring ponies along the way, before he reached the source of commotion. A crowd of ponies were gathered around the entrance of one of the barns, a few backing away while others went to grab farm tools leaning up against the side. Pushing his way through, Braeburn looked upon the source of panic. A single grey stallion was standing by the baskets, one of them spilt over at his hooves. Braeburn recognised him as the pony named ‘Apple Pie’ that had arrived with Dietrich, the stallion’s eyes wide with fear. It was then that Braeburn noticed the fallen hoe, and the large gash down Apple Pie’s flank which cut through the half-apple cutie mark. Also, he noticed that the blood covering the stallion and the hoe was green, not red. ‘’Changeling,” Braeburn breathed out, the word echoed by the crowd. The creature who was the centre of attention was frozen, it’s wound not even seeming to bother it. He saw the fear in its eyes, and he quickly stepped back. “Everypony get back!” It was too late, a scowling stallion stepping forward with a rake set off the reaction that Braeburn had predicted. The changeling’s disguise dropped in a flash of green, before its wings buzzed and it took flight. Everypony ducked when it soared over them, Braeburn noticing that it was flying shakily. A few drops of green hit him before it cleared the barn, the changeling crashing to the ground just behind the panicked crowd. It turned and bolted, unfortunately for the changeling it chose the main tables in its panic. Braeburn was swept up in the crowd, the horde of angry ponies keen to stop the creature from causing any harm to their town. They chased it before stopping abruptly, mutters rising up from all of the ponies at the front. Braeburn, seeking to stop the madness before somepony got hurt, tried to push his way towards the front. “Why Double, how nice it is to see you out of your disguise. I say, what happened to your leg?” Moving through the shocked crowd, Braeburn shook his head when he saw what was going on. The changeling had leapt under the table and was currently sheltering itself behind the seated Dietrich. The priest was oblivious to the danger, the human trying to peer under the table to get a better look at the changeling. “High-Confessor,” Braeburn warned while attempting to place himself between the crowd and the target of their fear-fuelled anger. “Watch out, it’s scared and could be dangerous.” “Ridiculous,” Dietrich answered, trying to coax the changeling forward. “Double is a gentle soul, and a very nice changeling.” ‘Double?’ Braeburn tried to work out. Did Dietrich really know this changeling? “You know it?” he inquired shakily, the crowd murmuring behind him while other ponies trotted towards the table to investigate. “Of course I do,” Dietrich replied, pulling the changeling forward and patting it on the head while it stared out at them. “Now, can I possibly bother you for some bandages? We don’t want to get this cut infected now, do we?” Braeburn didn’t know what to say. The High-Confessor, a kindly being which he had come to respect and like, was helping one of Equestria’s most vicious and evil enemies. Not only that, but he seemed to know the changeling personally and had no issue with it. Even now he was comforting the creature, shielding it from an angry crowd. “I’ll… I’ll have to work on that,” he uttered out in a reply, tilting his head. “Are you sure it won’t hurt anypony?” “Firstly, Double is a ‘he’,” Dietrich corrected. “Secondly, yes, I am sure. After all, the other three didn’t harm you at all yesterday.” He had to search his brain for the memory, figuring that by that Dietrich meant the three ‘tourists’ he had arrived with. Just how many changelings was the human helping? “You lied to us?” Dietrich sighed at the accusation, the priest turning around to look at them while keeping one hand on the changeling’s head. “I ask for your forgiveness, they requested that I go along with it. They are quite afraid of you for whatever reason, and I was attempting to help them get over that fear. If you wish to direct your anger towards someone, then it is I who is at fault.” Braeburn switched his gaze from the changeling to Dietrich and back. He couldn’t work it out. On one hoof, he shared his fellows’ fear of what the creatures would do to them. On the other, he knew that Dietrich wouldn’t endanger them at all. What could he trust, his own judgment of Dietrich’s character or the stories that he had heard regarding the ravenous hives of killer changelings? “I… I,” he began, before giving in and turning around to face the crowd. “Put your tools down, everypony, and can somepony please fetch some bandages.” Double winced when Dietrich started to wrap his leg with the provided bandage, trying very hard not to look at the surrounding Equestrians. It wasn’t because of the embarrassment he felt, sitting on Dietrich’s lap like a child. It wasn’t because of the fact that he had been stupid enough to bump into the hoe back in the barn. No, it was because most of the ponies were still shooting him dirty looks and eying the nearby pile of discarded tools. He could understand their reaction, after all they had been attacked by changelings before, but being the target of their unease didn’t help him to become very sympathetic. He grunted when the bandage wrapped over a particularly sore spot, but soon it was tied off and the cut was completely covered. “Thanks,” he mumbled to Dietrich. He briefly considered getting up but a glance at the ponies convinced him that maybe staying as close as he could to the human that commanded so much respect was worth the humiliation of being treated like a nymph. A hand continued to pat his head, the motion admittedly soothing. It was then that the yellow stallion named ‘Braeburn’ stepped forwards, some sort of pony leader. “So, High-Confessor,” he began, almost the entire workforce standing around watching. “I guess that as long as you can guarantee that that there changeling won’t cause any trouble, then it’s okay for it to stay for now.” Angry words flared up in the crowd when some of the ponies started questioning why they were trusting a human, especially one that was harbouring changelings. They were the minority however, quickly silenced by Dietrich’s supporters who claimed that if he said the changelings were okay, then they were okay. That is, except for one stallion. The large orange pony scowled at him, Double flinching under the gaze. Ponies were larger than changelings, and this one looked like a giant. He didn’t doubt that one kick from the stallion’s hooves could shatter his chitin like it was nothing, and he didn’t even notice himself pressing back into Dietrich’s armour. “I say we tell the sheriff,” the stallion growled, earning a few nods from other ponies dotted in the crowd. “Both of these creatures have already caused trouble. It’s obvious that the human is only helping the changelings to undermine us, it was he that brought them into our town!” Whoops of agreement filled the air, Double starting to shake. He hadn’t expected it to be like this, having the day interrupted by the threats of death or conversion. He hadn’t even said a proper goodbye to Cion that morning, how would she cope without him? Double could only wait, and pray that the saner ponies would stop the rest like they had before. And pray he did, remembering the words that Dietrich had been repeating before his sermon. “Please Lord, grant me protection-“ “Now listen here.” Double’s murmurs were cut off by Dietrich himself, the human raising a hand up. Looking down, Double noticed that his other hand was touching the grip of his mace, something the ponies hadn’t noticed. “I know that you are all scared, and panicking,” Dietrich continued once there was quiet. “Some of you doubt my intentions, and the intentions of my friend here.” Double raised his head at that, did Dietrich really consider him a friend? “I know that most of this stems from fear.” “You’re darn right about that!” the orange stallion replied loudly. “They invaded us, and we all know what your ilk do, human.” The stallion’s tone and the way he spat the word ‘human’ caused Double to wince. Dietrich was kind, there was no arguing that, but he didn’t know anyone who would willing to shrug off an insult like that. “You are blinded by your hate, and fear,” Dietrich advised, keeping his cool. “The True Faith tells us that all are equal under it, and even those who do not listen to its words shall still be treated fairly. Would you deny us a chance merely because we’re different to you?” His words struck a chord with many of the listeners, stallions and mares nodding their heads when he reminded them of what his religion taught. A few even had small smiles, hope rising in Double’s chest. “I don’t listen to that hooey,” the stallion huffed back before looking around at his fellows. “Fine, if you bunch of gullible goats want to buy this manure, then that’s your own choice. I’m out of here, I ain’t going to put up with no changelings.” He glared at Dietrich. “Or lying humans, for that matter. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to do, all your talk about ‘God’ and ‘faith’ ain’t going to pull the wool over my eyes.” With those parting words, the stallion stormed off back towards the town. A few ponies, eighteen of the workers, split off with him, leaving the faithful behind. Dietrich’s hand left his mace, and he waved it in the air. “Your choice then! God Bless!” Double’s mouth dropped open at the cheery voice, either Dietrich was a master annoyance or just completely oblivious to the hate they had for him. Evidently the remaining ponies were just as shocked, before the priest continued. “Well then, that means more work for us, but at least we also get more food to ourselves.” This earned a few chuckles, the mood relaxing somewhat while everyone moved to take a spot at the tables. Looking over them, Double noticed that most of the ponies tried to sit as far away as possible from him, with only a few sitting right next to them. Some ponies even went to sit with the newfoals, although they received stares from their own fellows at that decision. He jolted out of his thoughts when a muffin was passed down to him, the morsel held up in front of his nose. With a nod of thanks to Dietrich, he took the offered food in his hooves and began to munch. He had to admit, it tasted so good that it was almost worth getting cut, losing his disguise, and causing a rift between the town. Almost. He glanced up when he felt eyes on him, a yellow mare with an orange mane looking down at him while she munched on a fritter. He looked back down after a few moments, but he didn’t detect any hostility from the pony. “So,” Braeburn started, sitting on the opposite side of Dietrich and nursing a pie slice. “I’m sorry for the way that we reacted.” “It’s… okay,” Double mumbled, the stallion thankfully getting the hint and not talking any further. “Such an experience does have an upside,” Dietrich mumbled out through a muffin bite. “It only proves that when you listen to the Word of the Lord, you better yourself and those around you.” His comment earned nods and smiles, the ponies getting more and more relaxed. “Well, we lost some workers but we managed to get a lot done this morning,” Braeburn observed, obviously seeking to change the topic. “Ah, High Confessor, were you planning on bringing anymore… ‘friends’ to help us out?” “Is that an issue?” Dietrich responded, Braeburn quickly shaking his head. “No, it’s not, well, not for me, but-“ “I understand, if I do bring more help then I’ll stress to them the importance to stay disguised.” “Actually,” Braeburn replied. “I was going to ask you to tell them to not come in disguised, if they do come back.” “Why?” Double blurted out. “Then we’ll just get attacked.” Braeburn seemed hesitant for a second, before he forced a grin. “No they won’t, as long as you’re with us then it’ll all be fine. Right everypony?” Affirmatives came from the others sitting at the table, the sixty ponies nodding to each other. Double couldn’t believe it; they were okay with undisguised changelings working among them? “I mean, I’m sure the High-Confessor will make sure you don’t hurt anypony. It’s just that way we don’t have to worry about accusing strangers of being a changeling and all that.” “I’m in agreement with that,” Dietrich inputted, grabbing a slice of pie for himself. “We have worked alongside each other without quarrel up until now, so why should that change?” “I guess that’s okay,” Double muttered, before looking at Braeburn. “As long as you ponies don’t try to kill or convert us.” The stallion to his credit actually flinched at the demand, before he recovered and nodded. “That’s fine with me, you have my word.” With those words said, much of the tension at the table bled away. Conversations turned away from changelings towards everyday gossip, the ponies almost forgetting that he was there. With nothing more to do in the situation, Double peered up at the human who had pretty much saved his life. “Dietrich, do you mind passing me another muffin?” Haybale stomped into the Sherriff’s office with his like-minded townsponies behind him. They only numbered at nineteen, far less than the sixty that had defended the changeling and human, but with the law on their side that would change quickly. He ploughed through the double doors and stormed up towards the desk, Silverstar jolting in his chair before sitting upright. “What’s all the racket for?” “It’s that human,” Haybale began, Silver sighing and holding up a hoof. “Look Haybale, I already told you that if he ain’t hurting no-pony then I ain’t going to just arrest him-“ “It’s much worse,” Haybale interrupted. “He’s got this changeling with him, and yesterday he had other changelings with him, working in the fields with our wives and daughters! They’re moving in Silver, sneaking by us and finding out how we operate!” “So changelings, led by the human, have infiltrated the apple orchards to buck apples, woo mares and gather information for an attack?” Haybale could tell that the Sherriff didn’t’ believe him. “Hay, have you been into the salt again?” “It’s true, we all saw it.” His fellows nodded at his glance, Silver sitting up in his chair. “Really? Changelings?” “It’s all because of that human,” Hay continued, pressing the attack. “They spread strife and chaos, and what better to use than changelings? We need to git the Guard from the city!” “Now calm down,” Silver tried to suggest with his hooves held out. “I don’t trust changelings much like the next stallion, but how do we know that the human is the cause of it?” “He controls them, that’s why everypony is listening to him. He’s using his human-mind powers to make us all like him, so that he can take over!” “Then why would he need changelings?” Silver pointed out, Hay pausing before answering. “Because they also have mind powers, and all mind-controlling critters think alike!” There was silence for a few moments, before Silver got off his seat. “Okay, I’ll tell you what. We’ll find Braeburn and talk to him about the human and changelings. If its true, then we round up a posse and arrest them.” Silver made to move past them, buy Hay blocked his way. “Sherriff, you don’t understand! Braeburn has already fallen to them! Why, just before he was answering the changeling’s questions and helping the human to protect it! More than half the town is siding with them, already under the sway of their mind control! If we don’t act quickly, all of Equestria will be doomed!” “All of Equestria…” Silver murmured, before shaking his head. “Okay, we’ll at least tell the guard, but the train is three days away. We won’t have enough time.” “We’ll have to hoof it,” Hay told him. “We’ll grab some supplies and leave straight away, we can get to Canterlot in two days. It’s our only option.” Silver looked down towards the ground, the Sherriff mulling over the options. With a sigh, he nodded his head and moved to open a draw in his desk. “Alright, get everything we’ll need and meet at the train station in ten minutes, we’ll follow the tracks right to Canterlot.” Hay nodded, moving with the makeshift messenger party out of the office and into the street. ‘The guards will teach that human not to mess with our town,’ he fumed, before trotting off to fetch what he needed for the trip. His fellows did the same, the fate of Appleoosa resting on their withers.