The Everfree Forest is not known for being fun to walk through. It is dark at all times of the day, the creatures that live within are not very friendly, and even the plants seem to have a vendetta against ponykind. It is in this very forest that the princess of friendship, Twilight Sparkle, finds herself after a visit to a good friend. She was heading home with some herbs for research when she saw a strange light flickering in the distance. Pure curiosity drove her to check it out. As she got closer to the light, Twilight could see that it was a campfire... somepony was out here for whatever reason.
"Hello?" Twilight said.
There was no response, but there was movement nearby. A nearby bush caught Twilight's attention as it suddenly swayed in the absence of wind.
"Who's there?" Twilight asked.
Instead of getting a response, Twilight was met with the appearance of a filly. As a blue pegasus filly made its way into sight, Twilight felt a mix between worry and fear. Why was a filly out here in this dangerous place? Why was she being so quiet? Where were her parents? These questions kept running through Twilights mind until the filly broke the silence and finally spoke up.
"Who are you?" The filly asked.
"My name is Twilight Sparkle," Twilight said cautiously, "What's your name?".
"I don't have a name," The filly said.
"Your parents didn't give you a name?" Twilight asked, quite baffled.
"Don't have any parents, either," The filly said.
By this point, Twilight was more than just confused. If this filly didn't have any parents, that would mean she's been living alone in this forest. However, even adults have trouble in this forest, so how a filly could live here for however long was something Twilight just could not understand. One thing she did know, however, was that she couldn't just leave this filly out here any longer.
"Are you aware that there are other ponies living nearby?" Twilight asked.
"You mean in that town outside of the forest?" The filly asked.
"Yes, that's right," Twilight said, "But... if you know about it, why are you all the way out here?".
"I just wanna be left alone, like I have been my whole life," The filly said.
"Living in solitude isn't a good life, trust me," Twilight said, "And living in solitude in this place is even worse".
"It's not that bad," The filly said.
"Look, why don't you come back with me and see what it's like to be around others?" Twilight offered, "You never know... you might like it".
"I appreciate the offer, but I'm fine right here," The filly said.
"Just give it a day," Twilight said.
It was obvious the filly was trying to hide something at this point, and Twilight wanted to know what.
"It really is better for me out here all alone," The filly said.
"And how do you figure that when you've never tried to even say hello?" Twilight asked.
"You wouldn't understand even if I told you," The filly said.
"Try me," Twilight challenged.
"You're not going to leave me alone, are you?" The filly asked.
"You got that right," Twilight said, "Now tell me why you think living alone out here is better than being around other ponies and making friends".
"Fine, but you had your chance to get away," The filly said.
Before Twilight could another word, the filly was consumed by green flames. After only a few brief seconds, the flames vanished, revealing a single changeling drone where there was once a filly. Twilight nearly fell backwards at the sudden appearance of one of Equestrias most dangerous enemies. However, she could not bring herself to attack. She was curious, she wanted to know why a lone changeling was out here like this. Perhaps, she could even get some information about any possible danger to Ponyville.
"Funny, I expected you to run," The changeling said.
"You gave me a little fright, but that doesn't matter right now," Twilight said, "What is a single changeling doing out here? Recon for your hive or something?".
"I don't have a hive anymore," The changeling said.
"You're bluffing," Twilight said accusingly.
"I've been out here for the past year and a half on my own," The changeling said, "Besides, if I was on a spy mission, why would I be where ponies don't want to be?".
"Ok, you got a point there," Twilight admitted, "And you say you've been out here for a year and a half?".
"That's right," The changeling said.
"Tell me, where you in Canterlot during the failed invasion back then?" Twilight asked.
"That's the last time I was able to be around my swarm," The changeling said.
"So, Chrysalis' hive no longer exists?" Twilight asked.
"I'm sure it is thriving once more, but my former queen has no desire to keep a changeling with no wings around," The changeling said, "I'd only be a weak link".
"You don't have wings?" Twilight asked, her curiosity now greater than ever.
"I lost them shortly after I crashed after that blast of magic sent me flying out of control," The changeling said, turning its back to Twilight.
"I can only imagine that didn't feel too good," Twilight said, starting to feel slightly sorry for the wingless changeling.
"Worst pain ever," The changeling said, turning to face Twilight again.
"So, how do you survive all the way out in this forest?" Twilight asked.
"I go to the tree line every day to feed," The changeling said, "It's never much, but it's just enough to live with".
She knew what she was dealing with, but Twilight just couldn't help but feel pity towards the changeling. Even though the changelings are enemies of Equestria, Twilight felt like helping this one out and befriending it. She knew the law forbade it, but something inside her that it was the better choice in this case.
"Why don't you come live with me?" Twilight offered.
"Why would I do that?" The changeling asked.
"Everypony deserves a chance at forgiveness, and as the princess of friendship, I'm willing to give you that very chance," Twilight said.
"And why should I trust you?" The changeling asked.
"What have you got to lose?" Twilight asked, "Besides, wouldn't you like to live a better life than this?".
"What about the others?" The changeling asked.
"I know from my own experience at the royal wedding your hive almost ruined that you can hold your disguise as long as you have a steady flow of love," Twilight said, "So who said anypony else has to know?".
The changeling sat down and pondered the offer. If it accepted, it might actually be able to live a nice life again. But what if Twilight was lying? What if she just wanted to give other ponies a chance at revenge for the events at the royal wedding? She seemed sincere enough, but would she really keep her word?
"How do I know I can trust you?" The changeling asked.
"I'm willing to break the law to give you a chance at a good life," Twilight said.
"And why is that?" The changeling asked, "What do you stand to gain with this risk?".
"The knowledge that I was able to take somepony from a horrible life and give them a life worth actually living," Twilight said, "Even if that pony is really a changeling".
"You're expecting something from me, I can tell," The changeling said.
"All I ask is that you not bring harm to anypony," Twilight said.
The changeling gave the offer a little more thought. It did seem like Twilights offer and expectations were sincere enough. It appeared as though she really just wanted to help. And she was even willing to commit treason to give that help. Is this because she's the princess of friendship? Could it possibly be that she really was willing to risk everything just to help one changeling drone? Well, what did the drone really have to lose? It had no hive, no wings, no real life. If Twilight was going to lead the drone to its death, perhaps that wouldn't be all that bad.
"Fine, I accept," The changeling said, "But would it bother you too much if I stayed out here for the night?".
"Wouldn't you prefer to sleep inside where it's warm and safe?" Twilight asked.
"Well, I guess that does sound nice," The changeling said.
"You can ride on my back if you don't want to walk," Twilight offered.
With that said, the changeling quickly put up its disguise and climbed on Twilights back.
"You said you don't have a name, right?" Twilight asked.
"Only queens have names," The changeling said.
"Well, if you're going to be living among other ponies, you'll need a name," Twilight said, "And I think I've got the perfect one".
"What is it?" The changeling asked.
"I think I'll call you Aurora because your mane and tail reminds me of an aurora in a way," Twilight said.
"I like that name, thanks," Aurora said.
The pair remained silent the rest of the way to Twilights castle. The whole way, Twilight questioned what exactly she was doing. Why did she feel the need to risk execution for this one drone? No matter what the reason, she had made the offer, and was still going through with it. Once she reached her castle, there would be no turning back. Twilight didn't seem to care, however, so long as she could, for whatever reason, help this drone live a good life.