//------------------------------// // A Gray World // Story: An Unwelcome Change // by Night Spark //------------------------------// A Gray World Am I a monster? That question irks me as I head to the hospital. I am afraid and after all I have done I can at least give her that. Giving my sister the fear she feeds on seems like a brave choice. Brave? No it is cowardly. I gallop hard to the only family that I haven’t become cross with. Am I a monster? Every time that I feel I am close to answering that question life has found a way of ensuring that I don’t. To blame it all on life and random occurrences would not be fair. Life and other variables outside of my control have shaped my years. The paths taken were ones that were always intended. The only choices that I have made on my own are ones which have hurt me and those close to me. I chose to leave my family behind on two occasions. I chose to slay my brother for responding to my treason. Ditzy Doo is the only right choice. She is the only constant in this storm. Her smile and kindness are two thing that make me happy beyond measure. Making her acquaintance and receiving her friendship has been an honor. Although one right choice does not make up for a lifetime of wrong ones. I may have just thrown away my family for the third time. “Halt!” A guard stood firm with a spear pointed right at Night Spark. He looked around confused and realized he had ran to the wrong location. “Good evening guard. I must have been so lost in thought I hadn’t realized where I was going. Now that I am here however, would it be allowed for me to see one of the princesses?” The guard eyed him up and down. It was clear he did not like him. “As much as I would like to tell you no, I would not want to deal with any of the princesses lecturing me. Word of advice changeling? You may want to change to a pony. I can keep my temper in check but, others might not. Another changeling tore through this castle and no pony is happy about it. They are still cleaning blood of the walls. That’s all.” Night Spark nodded and began to walk past the main gates. As he approached the steps leading up into the castle he saw stains of his sister’s battle. He shut his eyes and channeled some magic. Green flames transformed him into a brown stallion with a black mane. The castle was quiet. Guards and servants occasionally would pass him in the grand halls. Night Spark admired the way the moon shone on the chandeliers hanging above him. The reflection of light gave a cool blue tint to everything save for the throne room entrance. He reached the large wooden doors which were held open by two guards. Once inside he saw both Celestia and Luna sitting silently. The sullen expressions they held piqued his curiosity. Luna sensed another pony in the room and immediately brightened. "At last! Come forward my wonderful subject! Tell your princesses what is on your mind. Just speak!" "Luna, we cannot force hi-" Night Spark cautiously stepped forward until he was a few meters away from them. He cleared his throat in hopes that they would stop their bickering. Once he received attention from the both of them he spoke and bowed lowly. "Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, this is both an honor and nightmare for me. I come before you humbly seeking your wisdom." Both of them eagerly awaited for his issue. The last several nights had been spent apologizing and arguing over the days that they were gone. Canterlot was still hurting and it intended to make its royalty feel the pain as well. The Night court had been ignored for over a week. While the sisters would normally enjoy some free time it made them feel "guilty". This brown Stallion was the first pony they had seen who had not wanted to yell at them. Night Spark fidgeted under their stares. "Well you see the wisdom is for a cousin. Actually he is more of a distant friend. Uh... yes. So I need your guidance to further instruct him on what to do. At a later time... because he is not present... busy schedule and all..." Celestia flicked her hoof motioning him to continue. He took a deep breath in and began to explain. "Your cousin-friend has got quite the temper. He should see somepony about that." Luna narrowed her eyes and nodded in agreement. "Yes my sister is correct. His actions, while understandable on some level were ultimately selfish. He has disgraced himself and should kill himself to retain his honor!" Celestia's eyes struggled to stay in their sockets. She smacked Luna with her wing and scolded her. "Ponies don't do that anymore Lu! Besides that, you do not go telling ponies that they should kill themselves!" Luna shrugged. "I am sorry Celestia. Selfish ponies must go. Look at me I left..." An awkward silence replaced the conversation. After sometime Celestia smirked. "Yet he was being selfish and reckless... not to mention foalish. Dangerous type of pony... reminds me of Sunset... that's it!" Celestia pointed a hoof at the small brown stallion before her and grinned. "Bring the cousin-friend and meet us both here tomorrow evening. The only solution is to send this pony through a dimensional portal. I want to leave no traces of this foolishness in my world." Night Spark growled and stomped a hoof. "Oh come on! Were his actions that unwarranted? Haven't you two, in your ancient lifetimes done something similar?" The alicorns blinked. Celestia's face darkened and Luna's saddened. She touched her chest and looked at him. The verbal knife clearly had stung her. "Night Spark are you saying that we are old?" He rushed up to them nervously shaking his head. "No no no princesses! I merely meant you have ample amount of experience. Experience I could not hope to obtain in a thousand years. You both radiate with unfathomable grace and beauty!" Celestia facehooved while Luna's sad face changed into a devious grin. Night Spark was confused for all but, a single second. Damn it all!!! They way Luna was grinning was uncomfortable. She had seen through his disguise. He didn't know how but, she had. For a changeling nothing could be more embarrassing. His cheeks flushed and suddenly green flames began to form around his body. He could feel the next form and immediately regretted coming to the castle. "My my Tia! Unfathomable grace and beauty! Why thank you so very much..." She leaned in and booped Night Spark on the muzzle. "...miss Lulamoon!" Hissing was not something he did as much as his changeling kin but, that night he hissed. Luna laughed hard enough to shake the walls. Celestia tried to remain serious as she desired to actually speak with her changeling guest. However seeing him once more as Trixie and hearing Luna's infectious laugh she found herself chuckling. "Yes yes laugh it up! I am sure a changeling, changing is the funniest thing you have seen in your years." Luna pointed her hoof at him. "No! Your face on the other hoof is priceless. I would frame it upon every wall in Equestria!" "How did you two know?" This time Celestia's laughter grew in volume. "Oh please, Night Spark. Addressing my sister's name first, your cousin-friend, your lack of cutie mark. The icing on the cake was the 'unfathomable grace and beauty!'" Night Spark mumbled quietly towards the floor. "...I'm sure you would love cake..." "Excuse me?" He looked up sternly. "Nothing. I see I have wasted my time. I should go." As he turned around to leave yellow magic grabbed ahold of him and sat him down right in front of Celestia. She was no longer laughing or smiling. "All joking aside you tried to commit murder and you threatened my stu-" She stopped herself for a moment. "You threatened Princess Twilight. Your decision to speak with us is commendable but, it does not excuse your behavior. I could have you arrested." Night Spark narrowed his eyes. "I will settle the debt in regard to Midnight. Nothing in my heart is regretful of my actions towards him. To Princess Twilight, and my siblings however..." If they no longer wanted to be a part of his life he couldn't blame them. He looked away from her and clenched his jaw. "You both are sisters. Tell me what would you not do for one another. You will more than likely kill most of my family. My mother and other siblings are not open minded. I will lose another brother and sister. Of that I am certain. So when a pony not only threatened but, mutilated my sister... I did what was required of me." Luna frowned and stepped off her throne. She wrapped Night Spark in a hug. "Murder is never needed Night Spark." "No but, death is a solution princess. It's absolute and guarantees that he will never harm another. It's a reassurance that-" Luna pulled away and looked at him. Long ago she held similar views. His line of thinking was leading down a dangerous path. "Reassurance and death should not be together Night Spark. Your conjunction of those two concepts concerns me. Those thoughts can evolve and much like fire they can quickly spread into even worse ideas." Night Spark shook his head. Yet my mothers death will be a welcome reassurance to you princess. There were to many thoughts and worries polluting his mind. Gray was the color of his every choice and action. Scolded for one choice while others are encouraged. The death of changelings and his mother was an idea praised by most. He looked up and nodded towards each princess before turning around. Despite his efforts tears fell from his eyes. More so than ever he felt lost. Princess Luna called out to him as he left the throne room. "Night Spark, go to Princess Twilight. Speak with her. Make amends with her. My sister and I know much but, she is the princess of friendship. Her words will lead you down a much lighter path. That path will ease whatever pain is in your heart. Be well friend." "That's so freaking cool!" Everypony just stared at Rainbow Dash. Apparently Twilight getting blasted by lighting through a solid wall and shrugging it off was only awesome to her. He grin disappeared and her wings folded back. She coughed. "That's a tragic point in your friendship with everypony's favorite changeling." Twilight sighed. She had brought all of her friends to her tower that night to discuss what had happened. The war had left her with little time to actually be with them. Bringing them in to her issues was an admittedly selfish way to spend time with them but, none of them seemed to mind. "Well, he did always appear to be a ruffian. Then again that may just be a family trait." Rarity flicked her mane and continued. "Having a sister I can certainly understand the need to be protective. Although attempting murder and assaulting friends is inexcusable. How can we be expected to place our trusts in somepony who may simply zap us over a disagreement?" Applejack frowned. She removed her hat which immediately got everybody to give her their full attention. Applejack never removed her hat. "I reckon y'all can't trust me then. First thing I did to that changeling is try to kill him when I thought he was responsible for Appaloosa. When I thought he hurt Braeburn I wasn't thinking about anything except for hurting him. Night Spark ain't the nicest but, when it come to protecting the ones we love I share his line of thinking. Any of you girl's get hurt? I'll pummel the offender and use them for fertilizer." Rarity straightened her posture and clicked her tongue at Applejack. "I am sure you don't mean that Applejack. You are a powerful mare but are you ready to kill? You and I have had our fair share of disagreements and never once have I felt threatened by you. I trust you completely and could never imagine you wanting to buck me through a wall." Applejack scoffed. "I don't know Rare. All those times you tried to pretty me up. The urge to toss some mud in your face was pretty strong." Rarity narrowed her eyes as Applejack continued. "Look it's different okay? Other than Apple Bloom I got myself 5 wonderful sisters. Sisters that I'd do anything for. You never once hurt my family or me Rarity. Ain't no reason to knock your teeth out. I haven't seen Night Spark's sister but, I swear if that had been any one you instead I would have crack my hoof on the general's skull. I know you all have to agree with me. Fluttershy what'd you do if somepony sliced up all your animals? Or cut Angel into pieces?" Fluttershy processed the fear of her animals suffering and almost immediately her face darkened. Applejack nodded. "Family is everything Rarity. He is dumb to attack Twilight because I'd rip his wings off if he hurt her but that general deserves it." Twilight opened her mouth to argue her friends offensive stance but a knock at her door stopped their conversation. In the back of her mind she knew who it was and yet she still looked at each of her friends. Their eyes revealed their curiosity of the unexpected arrival. Twilight's horn glowed and she teleported directly in front of the door. She opened it to find Night Spark standing quietly. She turned back to look at her friends. "Would you all please wait here? I'll be back." She left the room and closed the door. "Walk with me." Twilight led them to an abandoned hallway. Once she knew they were alone she turned and spoke with a tone that was more hostile than she had intended. "What is it?" Night Spark struggled to meet her gaze. Her eyes were cold. "I just came to tell you that I am sorry. Proving that I was different from my mother was so important to me. The truth is that I am not. I am my mother's son. Princess you did not deserve what I did to you. Were you not as powerful I could have killed you. Perhaps it might be to late but, I ask for your forgiveness.” Twilight glared at him as she spoke. "You're a murderer. Maybe not to others but I saw what I saw Night Spark. Had your brother gotten anypony else to help, Midnight would have died." Night Spark fell on his haunches. Twilight continued as he sat. "Flash came to me because Frost was worried. They were concerned about you enough to warn me. You almost lost a sister before you even gained her and the only thing on your mind was murder! You didn't check on Frost or Flash. You didn't check on Dinky or Ditzy! You just proved how weak willed you are!" Twilight's wings were flared and she stood at full height. Every inch of her wanted to blast him and return the favor. Night Spark's head was held low as he cried. Twilight sighed and relaxed. Her wings folded back and she lowered her head. "Just as I did." He looked at her in confusion. "I deserved that blast Night Spark. I threatened you and said I would experiment on you. I tried crushing your horn... I let my anger get ahold of me. You saw a Twilight Sparkle that most ponies don’t know about. So I guess you're right. We have got some unpleasant similarities." “Not a single pony has been killed by my magic. My family use to chastise me for that fact. Before I turned myself in my own sister told me to burn the Appaloosa ponies or she would kill me. Before it was just something I struggled to do. I saw no reason to hurt innocents. My time here made me proud to be different. Yes, I was say foolish things in my anger but, I am a good deceiver.” He chuckled as he continued. “That’s the changeling way you know: deceiving. Then I saw the side of your kind I hated. That damn guard who tried to have his way with Ms.Sprinkle. The ponies that were cruel to Miss Doo. Celestia and her bulbous hypocritical flanks. Midnight and his actions towards my sister as well as your kind. I no longer wanted to deceive. Those ponies are not so different from my kind. Why can I kill my own and not them? Why do all changelings have to die and not them? What makes me a monster and not them?” Twilight looked at him and spoke so quietly that he barely heard her. “It’s because you are different. You are a changeling and that difference scares us.” His face contorted and he looked at her with furious eyes. “Maybe that injustice should be weeded out then. I could do it. Punish the offenders until this world is equalized.” “Then you would have to hurt thousands including me Night Spark.” He stared at her and tried to understand. The princess of friendship was admitting a horrible truth to him. For all of her lessons and understanding she saw him as less. “Very well. I believe I am done here. I am sorry for attacking you. You won’t have to worry about me being a problem princess. Before I leave let me thank you for trying to help me. Though we found no spells to assist me in surviving, I appreciate your training. I’ll not hinder your kind with my presence any longer. Once my sister is able to leave I will take her and go. You can fight my mother on your own.” Twilight’s eyes widened. “Woah wait Night Spark hold on. Don’t abandon everything just because of me! What about Ms.Sprinkle and Ditzy? Are you going to leave Flash too?” “I see no point in staying if my whole life is going to be spent as being less. All I will bring others is ridicule for being my friend or family. That may end up with a few obnoxious ponies being killed. You don’t want that and I grow tired of hearing the hypocrisy from the mouth of royals. Goodbye.” Twilight followed him as he turned to leave. She raised her voice as she spoke “Look can you blame me? You tried killing Cadence and brainwashed my brother! This whole city was invaded by your kind! You took my friends sisters! She tried to make me drain the love from my own friends!” Night Spark turned and narrowed his eyes at her. He pointed at her. “Yes! I was there for the Canterlot invasion but, everything else was my mother.” “I hate her!” Her voiced echoed through the hall and stopped him. Her ear fell and her eye brimmed with tears. “I hate her Night Spark. I’m not mad and I am not frustrated. I am thinking clearly and I hate her. I don't care what happen to her in the past. Was that because of me? Or my friends? No! Is it fair for us to pay that price? So yes when I look at you? Her son? I get angry and deep down under all the friendly smiles and princess stuff there is a Twilight who hates you. I have to hate you because you came from her! Of all the explanations it is the most inappropriate and unsupported ones I have ever made but it is true.” He pulled her into a hug which took her by surprise. She didn’t know why he was hugging her or why she was sobbing. Night Spark patted her back and tried to comfort her. Minutes passed and the tear subsided. Her voice was strained. “Why?” “Because you hate me and because I understand you. Because you are honest with me. I suppose if there is one lesson we both have to learn it is that no matter what we do in life, happy endings may never come. You will always see Chrysalis in me and I Midnight in you. For what it is worth I hope you can at least give Flash the benefit of the doubt. My brother does not deserve to be treated like one of us. Goodbye princess.” Night Spark let go of her and left. Rainbow Dash waited for Night Spark to leave before approaching her friend. Twilight had sat still as Rainbow came to her. “Twi? You ok?” She was far from ok. Her mind was struggling harder than ever before. The stress was a bad kind. She enjoyed the challenge old spells gave her. She loved the stress of trying to solve old rituals and secrets long forgotten. The stress she felt now was unlike those times. It ate away at her and sowed seeds of doubt within her. “No Rainbow, I am not ok. I am far from ok. How long were you listening?” Rainbow shrugged. “The whole time.” Twilight turned her head away in embarrassment. “You must think I’m some princess huh?” Rainbow used her hoof to make Twilight face her. “You’re an awesome princess Twi. Ponies give me flak about being overconfident but I wish you could be sometimes. Sure you’re an egg head. You’re a nerd and sometimes you scare the buck out of me when you are in a research craze. That’s ok though. Twilight you are the best princess ever because you are connected to ponies in a way Celestia and Luna can’t be. Sure ponies get all frilly nilly when they see you but they know that you are their egg head deep down. They know you make mistakes and they see themselves in you. You think you’re the only pony who has a problem with mama changeling? I want to do a rainboom and brake my hoof on her face but that doesn’t mean I’m a bad pony. In fact I’m awesome.” Twilight rolled her eyes and Rainbow nudged her as she continued. “What’s not awesome though is seeing you beat yourself up like this. Do you hate Luna because she almost kill Celestia who was basically your other mom?” Twilight opened her mouth but Rainbow raised a hoof. “No, you don’t. You forgave the mare that would have ruined Sweet Apple Acres and caused ponies to starve. You forgave the mare who would have killed us all if you hadn’t guessed that we were the elements. Not only that but you helped her get back in touch with ponies. That’s something I would have never done Twilight. I would have been to proud but you should me and others your kindness that day. I hate getting all mushy but it touched me. I would have treated Luna like dirt just because she used to be bad. You see the good in ponies Twilight. You see past Rarity’s fufu-ness and Applejack’s stubbornness. Why can’t you see the good in that changeling? He isn’t perfect but none of us were or are. Derpy is the happiest I have seen her in ages and she isn’t even a mailmare anymore. You wanna talk about jerks? You’re listening to one right now. I took Fluttershy in because ponies were picking on her. I made it my duty to take care of her, but Derpy? I picked on her all the time. I called her names and laughed till I broke a sweat when she would crash into things. The worst jab to my rep is that the son of Equestria’s most hated villain can treat a pony better than me.” Rainbow looked around and then hugged Twilight. “You are friends with a mare who bullied a perfectly innocent pony all her life. You gave me a chance Twi and for that you will always be cooler than me...kinda. I don’t want to see you become a bully to others changeling or not. If he is being a plothead than fix it. If you can’t do it alone you have 5 ponies who’ll help you.” Twilight squeezed her friend and nuzzled her. “Thank you Rainbow Dash. You’re the best.” Rainbow smiled and patted Twilight. “I know I am Twi, I know. Now come on before the girls think you’re bucking a changeling in secr- ow!” Twilight scowled. “Too soon.” Night Spark went to the hospital. His sister needed him and he needed to think. He entered her room against the wishes of the nurse. A small hiss ended that argument, however. Night Tear was breathing slowly and looked at peace as she slept. He rested his head on the side of the bed and watched her. “I don’t know if you can hear me. I have the slightest idea of what you have been told so forgive if I bore you. I left our family when I was giving a task to harm innocents. We’ve never once met before… recent events. Hopefully I did not cause you any grief. Anyhow I left and surrendered to the ponies. I had hoped to show them that we are not all like. Very few seem to see that.” He took ahold of her hoof and placed his head on it. “You are a monster to them. We are parasites that plague their existence. At least that is how I feel. So truthfully I do not know why I spent so much effort in proving myself. To what end was my struggle? To be hated? To be spat on? To be looked down upon as a lesser being?! Frost and I are nothing, but swords for them to wield and I and the fool who could not see it.” Her breathing picked up in pace and Night Spark felt the faintest movement from her hoof. He lifted his head and glanced at her face. Her eyelids were fluttering slightly as she dreamed. “Here is a promise to you and Frost. With or without Twilight’s help I will find us a new method to self-sustain. Perhaps some form of spell or even magical augmentation. The world we see that we do not need others to survive, only each other. Our lives will not be held hostage by our mother or by any princesses. We will be living for each other and when this storm has passed a golden sky will be waiting for us. The world shall be lit in a new light. One that is warmer and kind.” He stroked her mane for a moment and then laid his head down on the side of the bed. The morning came and the sun shined through the hospital windows. Rays of light danced on Derpy’s eyelids and began the horrible process of waking up. She groaned and tried to turn in her bed. That is when she fell out of the chair and landed on top of Dinky who yelp as she was crushed awake. The two sisters were tangled for a moment until Derpy finally got situated. “Sorry there Dinky, I forgot we were here. Are you ok?” Dinky grumbled and stood right next to Derpy. She buried her face into her older sisters wing and tried to go back to sleep standing up. Derpy smiled and lowered herself so that Dinky quite literally fell forward and onto her back. Dinky was lighter than her old delivery bag so carrying her wasn’t an issue and it had been one of Derpy’s favorite things to do. She was used to Dinky passing out on her. Derpy stretch her neck until a satisfying pop was heard and felt. Once that was done she looked around. The waiting room still had several ponies in it but much less than the day before. Seeing no pony she recognized, she headed towards Night Tear’s room. When she looked inside she saw two sleeping changelings. She carefully tried to open the door. When she entered the room she head near the bed and watch Night Spark drool on the sheets. He was sleeping on his hoof while the other one dangled to his side. The scene would have been adorable were it not for the bruised and battered changeling next to him. Derpy frowned at Night Tear’s injuries. Her mind drifted and focus on what kind of muffins would make Tear feel welcome. Unfortunately this level of thinking was usually done when she sat on her haunches. Derpy did just that. *crash* “Ahhhhhhh!” Dinky slid right off her back and into the wall. A picture frame with a photo of Celestia carrying the planet fell and shattered on the floor. Derpy cringed at the sight and looked around nervously to see if she woke up Night Spark. All she found was more drool. “Huh changelings must be heavy sleepers,” she whispered. A lightning bolt shot up towards the ceiling as Night Spark instantly woke up screaming. “Spiders!” Derpy flew up in shock so fast her head hit the ceiling and she started to spin out. “Ahhhhh!” Like a grey and gold missile she flew right into Night Spark just barely missing Night Tear. The two slamming into the wall causing several cracks. Night Spark groaned as his head throbbed. “Night Spark are you ok?” As his vision cleared he saw her and blinked several times. Standing on him was Derpy and she had changeling blood on her. He looked around in stupor and saw blood near his sides. “Miss Doo… I saw spiders…” 30 minutes later The nurse plucked out the last visible chunk of glass. Night Spark hissed. The glass from the shattered frame had gotten all over his back. The nurse place the chunk in tray and than used a cloth to wipe his back. Several tiny shards shot pain all over his skin. He turned his around to face the nurse with wide eyes. “That is enough! Please!” The nurse rolled her eyes and left. The grogginess hadn’t completely left him yet. With an exhausted sigh he closed his eyes and just breathed for a moment. “Night Spark I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you! I just wanted to see how you were doing and oh I am so sorry.” She paced around him waiting for a response. He raised a hoof and forced he to sit down. “Please just relax. I’m fine. It is fine. Everything is-“ Derpy hung on his word awaiting for him to finish but he never did. Instead his head fell as he returned to sleep. She furrowed her brows. Sure she violently waked them up but if she was up then they had to be to. With a few steps she got very close to him and leaned in to where her muzzle was right next to his ear. “Spiderssssssssssssss,” she whispered. That should have woke him up! Maybe if I mention his crush… A devious smirk formed on her face and she whispered the name of the mare she thought Night Spark loved. “Luuuuuuuuuuuunaaaaaaaaaaaa…” A moment later she realized it wasn’t working. Taking a moment to think again she decided to try a different approach. *whack* Her hoof flew across his face instantly knocking him over. Night Spark groaned and looked around for his attacker. “Why hath thee forsaken me Miss Doo?” he asked with a groggy and half conscious voice. “Because I came to see if you were ok. I was worried about you.” “Everything is fine. Now shush and sleep.” Derpy towered over him as he started to drool on the floor. “I am awake and you should be too! You can have naughty dream time with Princess Luna later!” *pop* Laying before her was now the great and powerful Trixie. Derpy scratched her head and remained silent while Night Spark died on the inside. He couldn’t believe that she still thought he had feelings for Luna. She is a beautiful mare but… More embarrassing was that he was now in Trixie’s form in front of Derpy. His cheeks flushed with heat as she just watched him with an adorably confused face. “I don’t get it.” “Uh… good?” “Trixie’s pretty, pretty but… why are you, well her? She was kinda mean actually, now that I remember…” Night Spark stood up. He winced a bit as he could feel the damn tiny pieces of glass in his back. “Miss Doo, I respect you and care for you. You are my best friend, and I will happily tell you anything you wish to know. The reasoning behind this current form of mine? For now I must keep that information private. Trust me it’s not a big deal or anything. This simply happens when I feel… err… exposed.” She hugged him. “Awww I care for you too, Night Spark. You’re such a good friend.” He returned the hug, but his eye went wide. You’re such a good friend He thought of his goal to win her heart. She just gave him a clearer understanding of where he was. It was a zone that he would prefer not to be in. Given with how things were currently going he decided that this was one relationship that he was not going to screw up. “Thank you, Miss Doo. Now that you are here may I speak to you? In private?” She nodded and turned to Dinky who was asleep on the bed next to Night Tear. The filly had no reluctance to hop in. There was a source of both cushion and warmth. They both left the room and walked around the corner into the waiting room. Night Spark held the door open as she walked outside. The rising sun warmed their bodies and calmed Night Spark down enough to where he could change back to normal. She flew around him once enjoying the sun and then landed before him. The golden rays reflected off her mane and eyes in a surreal fashion. He simply gazed at her for a moment while trying to let that image in his heart. She raised a brow and waved a hoof in front of him. He laughed and shook his head. “I apologize. Tell me do you remember what I told you when we talked that night?” “You mean the night I met Frost? Sure! We talked about how much Princess Luna makes your life awesome and how you can only think of her!” Night Spark stared at her for a moment and just wondered how she had gotten through life. “You never let me finish speaking that night. In fact as I remember it our sisters nearly blew up your home with ice and muffins.” The two of them laughed fondly. Night Spark regained control and held his hoof out to her. With a quizzical look on her face she held it. “I was speaking of you that night. Ditzy I-“ He looked down and smiled nervously. Speaking to her became challenging and words failed to form properly. “Miss Doo you are… wonderful and I suppose I-“ He looked back up at her and spoke with determination. “No, I know I would cherish an opportunity to get to know you better. I understand that we are friends and that this may seem unwarranted however, I have held feelings for you for some time now.” Derpy slowly retracted her hoof. Night Spark had such hopeful eyes and seem so serious. She spoke quietly as her ears flopped downwards. “Night Spark, this isn't funny. I know I pranked you then but, I don’t think this is very nice. No pony has ever been interested in me and-“ He grabbed her shoulders and looked shook her. “I am no pony! This is no prank or cruel joke Miss Doo, I would never do something like that!" He sighed and released her. They both were silent. Night Spark stared at the ground before her hooves. For all his might he could not bear to see her reaction. Quietly and with his gaze still down he continued. "You’ve allowed me to live your home. You took me in and you smiled. It's a damned simple thing. Everypony smiles and yet only yours makes my heart beat just a bit faster. Ditzy you are strong, patient, and have something special. Many times I have questioned whether I am making the right choice being here among you ponies. Your kind has shown me its harshness and cruelty. I almost lost another sibling because no pony would help. What renews my hope and reaffirms my beliefs is knowing that in this cesspool their are golden examples of ponies I would fight for. None of them shine as bright as you do. Forgive my rambling I know this is dragging on and well...damn it. Nothing would make me happier than the chance to prove to you that you are a mare who deserves better. If you are willing to look past me being... well, what I am... it would be an honor to be your special some pony.” Ditzy stared at him for a moment. Her mouth open in shock and twitching as she tried to respond. Swallowing her fears and reservations she closed her mouth and blinked several times. "Night Spark..." He still did not look at her but shook his head. "I am sorry Miss Doo. I know this must be strange. I-I it's understandable... your a mare and I am a..." She lifted his chin and forced him to look at her. "Changeling. You're a changeling and nothing's gonna change that. Nothing should." As a smile crept up on her face. Night Spark’s expression went from nervous to confused in seconds. "Miss..." He waited for her response with wide eyes. Night Spark's heart raced as her small smile turned into the one he loved. His face glowed with happiness and his wings flapped violent as he took off to the sky surprising Derpy. He flew faster than every before and screamed with joy. Derpy flew up to meet him. He saw her and flew towards her. The two spun around each other laughing for a brief moment before Night Spark pulled her in for a hug. “Miss Doo from now on? You are my muffin…”