One day over at Sweet Apple Acres, Granny Smith opens up her oven, picks up her mitts, and removes the apple pie she baked out of the oven and sets it down on the window. Granny Smith takes one big sniff of her pie and shouts out to AppleJack and Big Mac out in the field, “Yoohoo! Ah believe it’s a good time to take a break, huh?!”
“Woo we!” AppleJack cheered. “Ah can smell that fresh apple pie from a mile away! Doesn’t it smell like heaven, Big Mac?”
“Eeyup!” Big Mac agreed.
“Well c’mon! Let us have some of that delicious pie! Can’t keep it waitin’!” AppleJack said as she and Big Mac walked over to the farmhouse. Just as they were walking, something dark with glowing blue eyes smirks at them from inside the nearby bushes.
AppleJack and Big Mac walked over to the farmhouse, walked inside, and took a seat at the table with Apple Bloom. Granny Smith carries the pie over to the table and Apple Bloom takes a big sniff.
“Mm-mm!” Apple Bloom said. “This pie smells really delicious, Granny Smith!”
“Why thank you, Apple Bloom!” Granny Smith said. “Ah gotta say these old bones aren’t much when it comes to applebuckin’.” She kicks her legs pretending to buck a tree, but her waist snaps afterwards. “Ow! But one thing that’ll never change is Granny Smith’s ol fashion apple pies!” Granny Smith takes out a pie cutter and starts cutting the pie.
“Well ah gotta hand it to ya, Granny Smith! Ah couldn’t imagine a life without these pies!” AppleJack said. “It’s one of the main things that keep Sweet Apple Acres runnin’, not to mention keepin’ us close together as a family!”
“Mm-hm!” Apple Bloom said with a mouth full of pie.
“Eeyup!” Big Mac said also with a mouth full of pie, which made him spit crumbs all over AppleJack’s face. She glares at him as Big Mac chuckles in embarrassment.
“Well one thing’s for sure, ah dunno a single pony who wouldn’t want even a taste of your famous apple pie!” AppleJack said.
“Well ah never met a single pony that never disliked it!” Granny Smith. “It’s made from an old secret recipe.”
“What is the secret recipe?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Now, Apple Bloom, it ain’t called a ‘secret’ recipe for nothin’.” Granny Smith said. “But, ah will tell you one of the main ingredients that makes mah homemade pies so good – love! Each pie is baked with love!” Just then, a strange looking pony peeks in through the window and glares its eyes inside.
Later on, over at the Ponyville marketplace, AppleJack and Big Mac set up the apple stand and open it up, waiting to sell some apple related projects to the town. They watched as Apple Bloom was playing with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. AppleJack sighs as she watches them. “Ah’d give mah right hoof to be a kid again. Wouldn’t you, Big Mac?”
“Nnnope.” Big Mac said.
“Oh that’s right, you’re right hooved.” AppleJack chuckled. “So is everythin’ ready?”
“Eeyup!” Big Mac said.
“Are you kiddin’? Ah’d give all mah limbs to be young again!” Granny Smith said as she joins them.
“Oh hey, Granny!” AppleJack said. “Decided to join us?”
“Well since we were eatin’ pie earlier today, ah just thought it would be nice seein’ seein’ them ponies faces when they smell the scent of mah freshly baked apple pies.” Granny Smith said. “Eeyup! That kinda look never gets old!”
“I agree!” Scootaloo said. “Your pies are super delicious, Granny Smith!”
“Mind if we have some?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Didn’t y’all already have some?” AppleJack asked.
“Now, now, let me handle this, AppleJack.” Granny Smith whispered. She then turned to the crusaders and said, “Of course ya younglings could have some apple pie! Whenever you want!”
“Oh boy!” Sweetie Belle said excitedly.
“I can taste it now!” Scootaloo said.
“Yummy!” Apple Bloom said.
“For 10 bits.” Granny Smith smirks at them.
“Awww.” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo whined.
“Ooooh! You got me again, Granny!” Apple Bloom laughed.
“I’ve got some bits for some pie!” the mysterious pony from before said as she shows Granny Smith the pile of bits he had. The mysterious pony was a lime green color, had a mane style similar to the equal stallions from Starlight’s equal town, and he had a cutie mark of a question mark.
“Erm, can ah help you with somethin’?” AppleJack asked awkwardly as Big Mac felt a bit uncomfortable looking at him.
“Yes I’d like to buy one of your lovely apple pies.” The pony said. “You know, the ones made of love and all that?”
“Umm…” AppleJack said, not knowing how to comment.
“Well of course, deary!” Granny Smith said with a smile. “Everypony is allowed to have mah apple pies! It wouldn’t be made of love if ah didn’t share them with anypony. Ah’d even share them with Flim and Flam if they wanted any.”
“You would?” AppleJack asked.
“Of course!” Granny Smith admitted. “Ah’d just double the price.”
“I’d pay triple for that pie!” the pony said.
“Uhh, what?” AppleJack asked.
“It’s difficult to find love these days.” The pony said. “If I were to just have one bite of love… it’s… it’s all I ever really wanted.”
“Of course dear!” Granny Smith said. “But your sweet words are worth any kind of money. Ah’ll sell it to you for five bits.”
“Oh… really?” the pony asked. “Why… thank you! But I insist… keep the whole bag!” The pony gives his entire sack of bits to Granny Smith.
“Ok if you’re goin’ to be picky like that, ah’ll just give you another pie free!” Granny Smith offered as he gives the pony a second pie. “Ah will not take no for an answer. Take it or leave it.”
The pony smiled, showing his decaying teeth which grossed out the CMCs, AppleJack, and even almost made Big Mac barf. “Thank you, madam! You are truly a kind pony!”
“Don’t thank me – thank the Apple family recipe!” Granny Smith said as the pony walks away with the pies.
“Umm, Granny? Are you sure it was wise to give that pony an extra pie for free?” AppleJack asked.
“Now, AppleJack, this business isn’t all about money.” Granny Smith said. “The money is just there so we can stay in business and make more pies. There is nothin’ worth more than spreadin’ love to the ponies that need it most.”
“Yeah, ah guess she’s right.” Apple Bloom said.
“I mean you saw how ugly that pony was?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“He probably doesn’t get love by the monthly.” Scootaloo assumed.
“Ah know, but… somethin’ about that pony just ain’t right.” AppleJack thought.
“It doesn’t matter, AppleJack.” Granny Smith said. “Whether it’s a pony, a griffon, or even a full-grown dragon – if they ask for some pie, we’ll sell it to them.”
“Yeah, you’re right, Granny.” AppleJack smiled. “Ah guess ah was bein’ a little too over-zealous.”
“It’s all right, dear. Learn somethin’ new everyday, that’s what ah always say.” Granny Smith said.
“That’s why Granny is the best!” Apple Bloom said.
“Totally!” Scootaloo agreed.
“Yeah she is!” Sweetie Belle agreed.
“Eeyup!” Big Mac agreed.
Meanwhile, after the strange pony leaves the apple stand, he walks out of Ponyville, and once he does that he spreads his wings and begins to fly. Along with both of the pies, he flies down south through Everfree Forest. He was about to get attacked by a cockatrice that hisses at him, but just then the pony hisses at it back while revealing his glowing blue eyes and fangs in his mouth. The cockatrice gets scared and slivers away. The pony passes Zecora’s house, passes the Castle of the Two Sisters, and flies out the opposite side of the forest which leads into the desert. The pony flies through the desert, over the hills, and heads over to the badlands. After flying through the badlands, the pony enters a giant hive of some sort. Inside the hive was full of changelings.
The pony changes back to his true form – a changeling with blue armor. Throughout the hive, changelings were feeling under the weather. They were moaning and groaning. Changelings trying to do their every day activities, but felt too weak. One even tried to change its form into a random pony, but the form didn’t last long and then the changeling passes out on the floor. The changeling with the pies flies to the throne room with barely stable guards guarding it, and inside the changeling bows and says, “Your highness.”
“Who dares disturb my ill-waited slumber?” Queen Chrysalis asked angrily. “Can’t you see I’m… oh who am I kidding? I’m too weak to be angry. What do you want, Dark Horn? Shouldn’t you be out trying to save our species?”
“But your highness, I think I’ve found what we’re looking for!” Dark Horn said.
“Apple pies? Really?” Chrysalis asked. “Please tell me you’re joking, and either way I’d order my guards to take you to the dungeons.”
“We’re too weak to! Have him send himself to the dungeon!” one of the guards complained.
“But, your highness, I actually gave these pies a smell, and I feel that my energy is coming back.” Dark Horn said. “Your highness, I insist you try this!”
“Well… since this whole kingdom is going to fall anyway, I might as well make the best of it.” Chrysalis said. “Ok, bring it over.” Dark Horn brings Chrysalis one of the apple pies. Chrysalis just stares at the pie. “Uhh, can someone bring me a fork please?”
“Right here, your highness.” One of the guards said as he gives her a fork, and right after, he passes out.
“Better eat this quick before I’m next.” Chrysalis said injects the fork into the pie and takes out a piece of the pie. She gives the pie a quick smell, and then she slowly decedents it into her mouth, and right before she puts it in her mouth, she stops. “Wait, this could be poisonous. Where’s my royal poison checker?!”
“In the medical center, your highness, for food poisoning.” Her final guard said.
Chrysalis groans. “Oh well, what do I have to lose? I might as well get this over with. There’s not much for me to live for anymore anyway.” So Chrysalis doesn’t hesitate to put the piece of pie in her mouth. She chews, and then swallows.
“How do you feel, your highness?” Dark Horn asked.
“Quite… strange.” Chrysalis said. “That pie did taste delicious, as I expected.”
“Shall I escort myself to the dungeon then?” Dark Horn asked.
“Actually… wait… I feel… I feel… my energy… it’s restoring!” Chrysalis said. “I feel that. I feel that…” Just then Chrysalis changes her form to Princess Celestia, then Princess Luna, then Princess Cadance, and then Zecora, and then all four of them put together, and then she dramatically feels a green mist flowing around her as she bursts into green flames and changes back to her original self.
“Whoa!” her final guard said surprisingly as he then faints.
“And there goes my last guard.” Chrysalis said.
“Wow! That was amazing, your highness!” Dark Horn said surprisingly.
“I feel amazing!” Chrysalis said. “I feel better than I ever did! I feel more powerful than I was at the royal wedding! These pies… they must be fed to the rest of the changeling population!”
“But, your highness, there isn’t enough of them to feed to everyone else.” Dark Horn said. “I only brought two pies.”
“Then go get some more, Dark Horn! What are you waiting for?!” Chrysalis yelled.
“Actually… I got a better idea.” Dark Horn said.
“Then please speak.” Chrysalis said as she gives some pie to her passed out guards.
“It’s going to take a while to just go back to Ponyville and bring pies all the way back here.” Dark Horse said.
“So… what’s your point?” Chrysalis asked as her guards wake back up feeling full of energy.
“What if I brought the one responsible for making the pies?” Dark Horn suggested. “She can make the pies for us, and she could save our race!”
“Hmm… I like the idea.” Chrysalis nodded. “What is this pony’s name?”
“Granny Smith.” Dark Horn said.
“Then go.” Chrysalis ordered him. “Capture this ‘Granny Smith’, and bring her back here. She’s our best hope for saving the kingdom.”
“It will be done.” Dark Horn bows as he exits the throne room and leaves the hive. Chrysalis starts to chuckle mischievously after he leaves.
Later that night, the Apple family all heads to bed; well, all except Granny Smith and AppleJack, so it’s more like half of the family went to bed. Granny Smith was just putting her cooking supplies away when AppleJack walks in.
“AppleJack? What are you doin’ up still?” Granny Smith asked.
“Ah was about to ask you the same thing.” AppleJack said. “Apple Bloom and Big Mac are already asleep, and usually you’re the first one to.”
“Ah know – ah just wanted to put tidy up the place before hittin’ the hay.” Granny Smith said. “One of the things about makin’ food made of love is organization.”
“Heh! Now you’re soundin’ like Twilight.” AppleJack chuckled. “The place looks clean enough.”
“You can never be too sure.” Granny Smith said.
“Ah can’t ever deny your logic, Granny.” AppleJack said. “However, it is pretty late.”
“Alright, alright, quit your fussin’, AppleJack. Just let me take out the trash and ah’ll be right up.” Granny Smith said as she grabs the trash bag with her teeth.
“Heh, alright.” AppleJack said. “You need any help with that?”
“Nah ah’m as strong as a pony liftin’ two whole barrels of pickles!” Granny Smith said.
“Alright then. Ah can at least offer a light.” AppleJack insisted.
“Well, since you won’t stop until you help me, alright then. Just don’t light that thing towards the forest. You’ll attract the timberwolves.” Granny Smith said as she opens the door and drags the trash outside.
“Whatever you say, Granny.” AppleJack said as she opens the kitchen drawers in an effort to look for a flashlight, but Granny Smith goes on ahead outside to throw the trash bag in the trash bins up front. As she tries to lift her hoof in an effort to move the trash bin top out of the way, something dark zooms passed her. Granny doesn’t even notice though, since she’s too busy fussing and trying to open the lid. Little taps don’t seem to work.
Instead of her hooves, she decides to use her muzzle, but she couldn’t reach since she had the trashbag in her mouth still, so she releases the trashbag and opens it successfully with her muzzle, even though she gets a little bit of trash on her nose. “Well, ah’m glad mah nose don’t work as well as it used to. Ah can barely smell a thing!” she said.
“Granny!” AppleJack called out from the kitchen. “Ah can’t seem to find the flashlight anywhere!”
“Oh it’s there! Try in the spoon drawer!” Granny Smith called out as the dark shadow swoops right by again.
“Which one?” AppleJack asked.
“The wooden one!” Granny Smith called out. After that, Granny tries to lift the garbage bag with her mouth in an effort to throw it away, but the bag was way too heavy for her, but she didn’t want to give up. She even tried her hooves to lift it. “Darn unicorns makin’ it look so easy!” she complained as the dark shadow started to sneak closer to Granny.
“Ah looked in the wooden spoon drawer! It’s not in there!” AppleJack called out.
“Ah didn’t say the wooden spoon drawer!” Granny Smith corrected her.
“Uh, yeah you did. Ah asked which spoon drawer and you said the wooden one!” AppleJack reminded her.
“Ooooh! That’s what you thought ah said when ah said ‘the wood one’?” Granny Smith asked as she pushes the garbage pin over. “No ah meant the drawer was wooden!”
“Uh, they’re all wooden!” AppleJack corrected her.
Granny Smith starts mumbling to herself as she pushes the trash bin into the toppled trash bin, making it easier to put it in. “That AppleJack doesn’t even understand pure pony language sometimes. Well, the trash is inside the bin, that’s good enough for me.” As the dark shadow swooped by again, it woke up Winona and she began to growl and bark angrily.
“Granny?!” AppleJack called out.
“Its fine, deary! Hush now, Winona!” Granny Smith called out. “Ah already got the job done so you don’t need to- WHOA!” Just then, Granny Smith was shoved into a sack by the mysterious shadow, even though we know who it is.
“GRANNY!” AppleJack called out as she ran outside and saw Granny Smith getting kidnapped by the same green pony from earlier that visited their market stall. “You better release her RIGHT NOW, or so help me ah hope your dentist works late!” She threatened him.
“AppleJack, HELP!” Granny cried out as the pony starts running away with Granny Smith.
“Oh NOW she wants mah help.” AppleJack rolled her eyes as AppleJack began to chase the pony. She chases him as they cross through the orchard. AppleJack starts catching up to him right when he busts his changeling wings out. “What the?!” AppleJack gasped in surprise. “Oh NO YOU DON’T!” As the pony begins to fly away, AppleJack grabs onto his hind legs. The pony starts flying high in the air. AppleJack still grabs a hold on him, but she suddenly looks down and notices the long drop. “Whoa nelly!”
“AppleJack, HELP!” Granny cries out again. “This position is doin’ a number on mah spleen!”
“Don’t worry, Granny!” AppleJack called out. “HEY, whatever you are! You better tell me why you have the nerve to snatch mah granny like that! You’re gonna be SORRY that you’ve ever even been-“
“HISSSS!” Dark Horn hissed at AppleJack in his true form.
“WHOA!” AppleJack yelped in fright which caused her to accidently let go and start falling. She screamed as she started freefalling. Luckily for her though, she lands into one of the nice soft apple trees, because for some reason, leafs seem to save lives when ponies fall from nearly a hundred feet high. After AppleJack falls through the tree and lands on the ground, Big Mac and Apple Bloom run over to aid her. Winona came too and barked angrily up at Dark Horn.
“AppleJack!” Apple Bloom cried out. “Are you alright?”
“No!” AppleJack said.
“APPLEJAAAAAACK!” Granny Smith cried from the distance as Dark Horn flew her away.
“What was that, AppleJack?” Apple Bloom asked worryingly. “Who was that who took Granny Smith?”
“That, Apple Bloom… that was a changeling.” AppleJack said.
“Oh nnoooooope!” Big Mac said worryingly.
The next morning came, and AppleJack quickly went to Twilight’s castle to tell her the news. She met up with Twilight, Starlight, and Spike at the throne room. “So wait, you’re telling me that Granny Smith got kidnapped by some changelings?” Twilight asked.
“Do ah need to repeat mahself?” AppleJack asked as she pasted back and forth. “That thing just appeared out of nowhere and just… snatched her!”
“That ‘thing’?” Starlight asked. “You know changelings are ponies too… in a way.”
“No they’re not!” AppleJack yelled at her. “They’re ruthless, heartless beasts they are tryin’ to take over!”
“Technically speaking, AppleJack,” Twilight said as she gently moves her face away from Starlight, “they are just trying to steal the love from ponies. They feed on love to survive. We’ve all seen it at the royal wedding.”
“Well ah can’t just sit here and let those changelings make up with mah granny!” AppleJack demanded. “Ah dunno what they need her for, but ah’m gonna find out, and bring her back, and then show that monster, Queen Chrysalis a piece of mah mind!”
“And we’ll go with you.” Twilight offered.
“Well ah really appreciate it, Twilight, but you don’t have to do this.” AppleJack said.
“We insist!” Starlight said.
“Ah’ll bring Big Mac along too.” AppleJack said. “But now the real question is – where is the changeling kingdom, and how do we get in?”
“I think I know someone.” Spike said as he closes his comic book and jumps out of his seat.
“You do?” AppleJack asked.
“Yeah, I have an old friend here in town. I met him at Cranky and Matilda’s wedding.” Spike said. “He doesn’t like visitors though. In fact, he doesn’t trust any ponies whatsoever. He only trusts me because… well… you know.”
“Well, what are you waitin’ for, Spike?” AppleJack asked impatiently. “Take us too him!”
“Umm, yeah, did I forget to mention that he doesn’t like visitors, especially ponies?” Spike asked.
“Why? What are you saying, Spike?” Twilight asked.
“I’d rather not say until we get there.” Spike said.
Just then, the doors to the map room open, and Rainbow Dash says with enthusiasm, “Did somepony say ‘changelings’? I’m totally down with this! I’m more into punching faces of changelings more than the next awesome pony.”
“Umm, how did she know-“ Starlight asked.
“We tend to not let it bother us.” Twilight said.
“If you think Rainbow’s bad, you’ll have a nightmare with Pinkie.” AppleJack said.
So Spike led AppleJack, Twilight, Rainbow, and Starlight over across town not far from Everfree. “Uh, Spike, are you sure you know where we’re going?” Twilight asked.
“Oh c’mon, Twilight! Have I ever let you down before?” Spike asked. Twilight gives Spike a smirk. He then chuckled embarrassingly and said, “Umm, forget I said that.” Spike leads them to an old house right in front of Everfree.
“Ugh! Who would wanna live here?” Rainbow asked in a disgusted tone.
“Before I knock on the door, you girls need to promise me not to anger him.” Spike instructed them. “Don’t mock his appearance, don’t mock his lifestyle, and don’t even look at him funny.”
“Well I’m glad Pinkie Pie isn’t here, huh Starlight?” Rainbow teased as she elbowed her.
Starlight glares at Rainbow, and then she says to Spike, “Don’t worry, Spike. If you’re ok with this individual, we are too.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself!” Twilight said.
“Why should we mock his appearance in any way?” AppleJack asked. “You know how rude that is?”
“I hope you keep thinking that, AppleJack.” Spike said as he knocks on the door.
The little slot on the door opens and glowing blue eyes peek out. “I don’t want any visitors. Go away!” the glowing eyes demanded.
“No, Kevin, it’s me.” Spike said.
“Oh, Spike?” Kevin asked. “Oh good to see you, bro! What are you doing here?” Kevin looks up and sees the ponies behind him. “Why did you bring ponies here? I told you – no ponies!”
“Hey! What do you have against ponies?!” Rainbow complained.
“I was going to ask you the same thing about my own race.” Kevin said.
“Wait, so he’s not a pony?” AppleJack asked.
“You got a problem with that?” Kevin asked in an offended tone.
“No, no! Of course not!” AppleJack defended herself. “Ah love all races from griffons, to mules, to baby dragons.”
“Don’t worry, Kevin. These ponies are fine.” Spike informed him. “They’re really good friends of mine, and when it comes to these ponies, they always say ‘any good friend of Spike’s is a friend of mine’.”
“Well, umm…” Kevin thought it over.
“You’re ok with us, Kevin. I assure you.” Twilight promised.
“Ok then.” Kevin said. “Just let me unlock the door.” Kevin closes the door slot and he begins to unlock the door. It took him about 45 seconds to unlock the door because he had so many locks. The door lock, the doorknob lock, a chain lock, a little slide in lock, the type of locks that you get in hotel rooms that makes you open the door slightly, a padlock, a hoof security pad, an eye security pad, and a keycode. When this dude said he didn’t want any visitors, he meant it pretty much.
Finally the door opens slightly, and the ponies all gasped when they found out who he really is. I made it sound kinda obvious, so you pretty much know what he is. “Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, AppleJack, Rainbow Dash, I would like you to meet my good friend Kevin!”
“Umm… n-nice to meet you!” Kevin said shyly. The ponies were still surprised.
“A changeling?” AppleJack asked. “You’re friends with a changeling, Spike?”
“APPLEJACK!” Spike yelled at her. “Kevin, I am so sorry about that.”
“No worries. I’m used to it.” Kevin said with an attitude.
“No, no, you’re right, Spike. Ah apologize for that remark.” AppleJack said. “He’s your friend, and ah must treat him as such.” She walks up to Kevin and says, “Kevin, mah friend here respects you, and for now… ah’ll respect you too.”
“It’s all I wanted.” Kevin said with a smile. “Would you like to come in for some tea?”
“How lovely!” Starlight said happily.
“Bleh!” Rainbow commented.
“Shhh!” Starlight shushed her. So the ponies and Spike walked inside and sat down on his living room furniture which was covered in green goo. Rainbow, AppleJack, and Twilight were all feeling pretty grossed out, but for some reason, Starlight wasn’t. “This is a lovely place you got here, Kevin!” she said.
“Thank you!” Kevin said. “I got this house in a very cheap price! I’ve always wanted a house with a dark forest as a backyard! I have to tell you, this is a dream come true!”
“Well I’m glad you like it here!” Twilight said as Kevin places the tea on the coffee table. “How are you enjoying Ponyville?”
“Oh it is beautiful here! The sights, the sounds, the smells of delicious apple pie.” Kevin said. Just then, AppleJack starts coughing. “Are you ok, AppleJack?”
“Fine, fine.” AppleJack said. “Just got… just got a little surprised is all.”
“Why?” Kevin asked as he starts pouring the strange looking tea which kinda grossed out Rainbow.
“Apple pies. You seem to like them for some reason.” AppleJack said.
“Who wouldn’t?!” Kevin asked excitedly as he first gives Rainbow her cup. “I feel so alive when it comes to the apple pies! You see, us changelings need love to survive. Granny Smith’s sweet apple pies kinda filled that void.”
“Heh, well that’s a laugh.” AppleJack chuckled.
“What do you mean?” Kevin asked.
“What AppleJack is trying to say is, her Granny Smith has been kidnapped.” Twilight said.
“Oh my! That’s terrible!” Kevin said as he gives AppleJack some of his ‘tea’. “I do hope you find her, AppleJack. But I’m sure she’ll be alright.”
“Mmm! This tea is delicious!” Starlight commented as she took a sip.
“Yeah, about that.” AppleJack started as she grossly places his tea aside. “Ah have witnessed the fact that Granny Smith has been kidnapped by changelings.”
Kevin spits out his tea in surprise. “Really now? Are you sure?”
“Ah know what ah saw.” AppleJack said.
Kevin worryingly takes a sip of his tea and he walks over to the window and looks out of it. “I was afraid this moment would come.”
“So you knew?!” Rainbow asked surprisingly. “Well spit it out already-!”
“Rainbow!” Twilight tried to stop her.
“-or else I’ll make you sorry your entire species as ever been born!” Rainbow threatened him.
“Ah agree! This is an OUTRAGE!” AppleJack yelled as she stood up from the couch. “You changelings are nothin’ but trouble! You think you have the nerve to go and snatch mah granny like that?! HUH?!””
“Please don’t hurt me!” Kevin drops his tea cup and cowards himself in fear.
“STOP IT!” Starlight demanded as she swooped in front of AppleJack and Rainbow, blocking them from getting to Kevin. “I can’t believe you! Attack a poor changeling like this! You can tell he had nothing to do with Granny Smith’s kidnapping!”
“But he knows somethin’.” AppleJack said.
“Then why not ask him properly?” Starlight suggested. “He’s not a monster. Not all changelings are monsters. He’s an individual, like you and me. He just wants to blend in.” Starlight helps Kevin up. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Thank you, Starlight. No… no pony has ever defended me like that.” Kevin said getting all teary eyed.
“See? He’s got feelings and emotions too.” Starlight said to AppleJack and Rainbow. “Just give him a chance. You don’t need to yell at him. He was probably going to tell you what you needed to know anyway.”
AppleJack started to feel bad, so she removes her hat and walks over to Kevin. “Ah’m really sorry, Kevin. Ah know ah haven’t been makin’ a good first impression on you. It’s not like me to not give a fair chance to those who didn’t do anythin’ wrong. Ah’m just… ah’m just worried about mah granny. Th-this has never happened before.”
“I understand what you’re going through.” Kevin said as he picks up his tea cup off the floor. “Allow me to explain what’s happening. It turns out there was another changeling in town. He must’ve tried one of Granny Smith’s apple pies and realized there was love in it. He must have reported it to Queen Chrysalis, and she organized a kidnapping.”
“What do they what with mah granny?” AppleJack asked.
Kevin places his tea pot in the sink and he said, “They want to use her to make as many apple pies as possible. An enough supply of apple pies to keep the kingdom going, and then Chrysalis might use it to her advantage to take over Equestria.”
“That’s bad news.” Twilight said. “We have to stop her somehow.”
“Don’t worry! We’re not going to let some bug queen take over!” Rainbow said. Kevin glares at her. “What?!”
“But what stopped you, Kevin?” Twilight asked. “Why aren’t you a part of Chrysalis’ army anymore?”
“I don’t agree with her ways.” Kevin said. “Yes, changelings must need love to survive, but Chrysalis seems to put it the wrong way. She wants to harvest love from ponies. She wants to take over Equestria so she can gain unlimited love for her people. I tried to reason with her, saying there might be a better way, but she didn’t listen, and therefore banished me from the kingdom. I was an outcast. I met this donkey, Cranky, he seemed to understand my situation and wanted to help me. He took me on his journeys, offered me love, it got me going. That was until ponies started seeing me with him. I couldn’t stay with Cranky, even though he insisted. I decided to live in solitude in Ponyville. I don’t go out much, and I rarely change my appearance.”
“Why?” Twilight asked.
“Because if I change my appearance all the time, I’m not me anymore.” Kevin said. “I am proud of being me. I am proud of being a changeling. Why should I change into something I’m not? I only change my appearance when I go out and do errands.” Kevin suddenly changes his form into Octavia and starts mimicking her in his own voice, “Oh blah, blah, cello this, blah, blah, perfection that.”
Spike starts to chuckle. “You sound exactly like her!”
Kevin then changes into Vinyl, “Wow-wow-wow. Drop the bass, yo! Listen to my loud an obnoxious music!”
“Ugh! You have no idea!” Twilight laughed.
Kevin then changes into Doctor Whooves and says in a British accent, “Oh dear would you look at the time. I must change my clock. This is the time I’m supposed to change all the other clocks in town.
Rainbow starts to laugh hysterically. “Oh you’re alright, Kevin! You are hilarious!”
Kevin then changes back to his original form. “You see? I’m not like other changelings.” He said. “All I want is to blend in, but nopony seems to ever give me a chance.”
“Well… perhaps we can help you change that.” AppleJack said.
“Really?” Kevin asked.
“Yes.” AppleJack nodded. “Ah seemed to have judged you far too quickly, Kevin. No hard feelings, right?” She sticks out her hoof.
“No hard feelings.” Kevin said as he shakes her hoof.
“But first thing’s first. Can you lead us to the changeling kingdom?” AppleJack asked. “We must rescue Granny Smith.”
“Well, I am still banished from the kingdom.” Kevin said. “But I will lead you to the path. It’s not very close by, I’m afraid. You’ll need to gather some supplies before we head off.”
“I’ll stay here with Kevin and try to make us a map.” Twilight said. “Spike, Starlight, can you go pack our things?”
“Will do, Twilight!” Spike saluted.
“Oh this is going to be so awesome!” Rainbow said excitedly. “I love fighting me some changelings!” She then heard what she said and she embarrassingly turns towards Kevin and says, “Oh… you know… the bad changelings.”
“Ah’ll go get Big Mac.” AppleJack said. “Ah hope Apple Bloom won’t be too disappointed that she can’t go.”
“What do you mean we can’t go?!” Apple Bloom complained back at Sweet Apple Acres.
“That is so unfair! I want to fight some changelings too!” Scootaloo whined.
“At least we could’ve watched!” Sweetie Belle complained.
“Ah’m sorry girls, but this journey is goin’ to be much too dangerous for y’all.” AppleJack said.
“She’s mah granny too! This ain’t fair!” Apple Bloom whined.
“Ah just fear for you safety, sugarcubes.” AppleJack said.
“You can’t tell Scootaloo and me what to do though!” Sweetie Belle reminded her.
“Yeah, that’s right!” Scootaloo agreed.
“Rarity says you’re not allowed to go, Sweetie Belle, and quite frankly… she doesn’t want to either because it’s too… ‘icky’ for her.” AppleJack said.
“Aw c’mon!” Sweetie Belle whined.
“And Rainbow Dash suggested that you don’t go, Scootaloo.” AppleJack informed her.
“Oh anything for her!” Scootaloo said excitedly as she jumps into the air and flies for 2 seconds until touching back down.
“Ah still feel betrayed!” Apple Bloom whined.
“Apple Bloom, c’mon.” AppleJack tried to talk to some sense into her.
“NO! Just go! At least ah get some time to mahself!” Apple Bloom yelled as she angrily ran off, and the rest of the CMCs followed her. AppleJack sighs and shook her head knocking there was no reasoning with her, so she and Big Mac just decided to head off.
Lead by Kevin – Twilight, Rainbow, AppleJack, Spike, Starlight, and Big Mac all left Ponyville and went on to the changeling kingdom. They took a train to Appleloosa because that town was the closest to where they needed to go that has a trainstation. They said hi to the Appleloosa townfolk, but couldn’t stay there long.
Meanwhile over at the changeling hives, Granny Smith wakes up from her slumber and finds herself sitting right in front of a counter full of baking supplies. As Granny wakes up, she gets up from her seat and walks over to the coffee machine to make herself some coffee. As she starts up the machine, she turns around and sees Queen Chrysalis looking down at her.
“Ah, mornin’ deary!” Granny Smith said. “How did you sleep?”
“I slept fine thanks for asking.” Chrysalis said.
“Ah that’s good!” Granny Smith said as she walked passed her, but then her eyes opened wide and she turned back towards Chrysalis. “Wait a minute! Who in Ponyville are you?”
“Greetings, Granny Smith.” Chrysalis said. “Please, allow me to introduce myself. I am Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings, but you may call me Queen Chrysalis, or your highness, or your majesty.”
“May ah call you deary?” Granny Smith asked.
“No.” Chrysalis said.
“Alright, deary!” Granny Smith said. “So what do you need?”
“My royal advisor, Dark Horn, has tried one of your famous apple pies.” Chrysalis said. “I need you to bake more of these pies for my people.”
“Well of course deary!” Granny Smith said. “Bakin’ pies is mah specialty.”
“I hope you realize you are not getting paid.” Chrysalis said. “I have taken you hostage, and am forcing you to make pies for my people so they can survive.”
“Well ah’m not in it for the money anyhow.” Granny Smith said. “But why kidnap me?”
“They need the love within your pies, or they’ll pass out in a coma.” Chrysalis explained. “So much of my people, loveless or so long. Ever since our defeat at the royal wedding at Canterlot, the changelings have been scattering around Equestria looking for other means of love to harvest. Unfortunately, ponies were getting the news of our existence, and they’ve been suspicious over us ever since.”
“Well, it ain’t right just takin’ love from other ponies.” Granny Smith said. “You gotta earn that love.”
“Why must we?” Chrysalis asked. “We are the changelings! It is our tradition to hunt and harvest to survive. It’s been that way for generations. Unfortunately, our lack of love is causing the kingdom to fall. I was able to save some of my people from the apple pies we got, but it wasn’t enough for every other changeling at the kingdom. One by one, they are losing their abilities to change form. They can hardly even stand up. That’s why we took you against your will. You are the best hope our kingdom has to survive.”
Granny Smith thinks it over, and she gives Chrysalis her answer, “Well deary… normally ah would say no.” She then smiles. “But… if ah’m the hope your people have for survival, then ah can’t just stand by and let your race fade away. It just ain’t right.”
Chrysalis started to feel less angry and in power, and she started to feel actual emotion. “You… you’ll actually do this?” she asked. “You’re volunteering to save our race, even though we’ve captured you from your home and away from your family?”
“If ah just walked away, what kind of pony would ah be?” Granny Smith asked. “Ah ain’t doomin’ an entire race. But before ah get started, ah need some supplies. Ah need flour, ah need apples, ah need the necessary tools, because all of these doohickeys you have – they ain’t gonna work.”
“I’ll send my units to retrieve the items for you.” Chrysalis said. She then turns around and chuckles to herself. “Yes, everything is going according to plan. If Granny Smith makes enough apple pies to wake my fallen changelings, we’ll finally have the energy to take over Equestria, and nopony will stop us! Ha ha ha ha haaaa!”
“Eh? What was that deary?” Granny Smith asked.
“Oh nothing!” Chrysalis lied. “I’m just pleased that you’re here to save the changelings. Your family must be so proud of you.”
“Awww.” Granny Smith blushed. “Perhaps you should send them a message sayin’ ah’m ok, and ah’m here for a good cause, and ah’ll be home when ah’m finished.”
“Oh don’t worry. I’ll get on that.” Chrysalis fibbed.
Back at Appleloosa, some of AppleJack’s family wanted to help out the cause. “Are you sure y’all don’t want our help, AppleJack?” AppleJack’s cousin Apple Fritter asked.
“Sorry, Apple Fritter, but ah’d rather not endanger the family by sendin’ all of us to the changeling hive.” AppleJack said.
“We can help, sugarcube! We’ll be mighty helpful!” Apple Fritter insisted. But then Braeburn stops her and he shakes his head. The rest of them continued on. They climbed the Macintosh Hills to the borders of southern Equestria, and into the badlands where friendship meant nothing. A place the princesses or the Tree of Harmony have no control over.
“We better be careful, everypony.” Twilight said. “We’re out of reach from the Tree of Harmony and my castle, so the power of elemental friendship isn’t going to work here. If we’re going to reason with Chrysalis, we’re going to have to do it the old fashion way.”
“Fight?” Rainbow asked excitedly.
“No. Reasoning.” Twilight corrected her.
“Awww.” Rainbow whined. “But… if it comes down to fighting…”
“No!” Twilight said. “If it comes down to it, we’re going to rescue Granny Smith, and get out of there before anypony gets hurt.”
“What if we have no choice?” Rainbow asked.
“Hopefully it won’t have to come to that.” Twilight said.
“Hopefully it does.” Rainbow mumbled to Big Mac.
“Ugh!” Big Mac groaned.
“Whoa! What’s your problem?” Rainbow asked. “Are you ok, Big Mac?”
“Yes.” Big Mac said.
“Huh?” Rainbow asked.
“Ah mean… umm… eeyup.” Big Mac said nervously.
“Hmm… ok then.” Rainbow said awkwardly.
“How much further did we have to go, Kevin?” Starlight asked.
“Not too far. The hive should be within distance very soon.” Kevin said.
“We really appreciate all you’re doing for us. You didn’t have to do this.” Starlight said.
“Oh but I appreciate you, Starlight!” Kevin said. “You’re a pony that cares about other’s feelings – even if they are not ponies.”
“I just don’t want anyone to not have a fair chance at friendship.” Starlight said.
“Ah can understand that, Starlight.” AppleJack said. “So, Spike, how did you and Kevin meet?”
“Oh we met at Cranky and Matilda’s wedding.” Spike said. “He was sitting alone at the reception. Nopony wanted to be near him. I felt bad for him. He was an outcast, away from his own kind, I had to do something, even if he is a changeling.”
“Well, you do have a good heart, sugarcube.” AppleJack said.
“Well, I don’t mean to brag but I do seem to always have my heart in the right place.” Spike said.
“Why was Kevin even at the weddin’, even at his own form?” AppleJack asked.
“He was a friend of Cranky’s.” Spike said. “Kevin was banished from his kingdom, Cranky felt bad for him, so he offered to take him along on his travels – that was until ponies started to get the wrong idea, so Kevin decided to go his own way, and that’s why he moved to Ponyville.”
“Behold!” Kevin pointed to a giant hive right in front of them.
“Whoa!” everypony said as they impressively looked up and saw how huge the hive is.
“I cannot go any closer.” Kevin said. “But that said, I do hope you find Granny Smith and return home in one piece.”
“Kevin, thank you so much for your offerin’.” AppleJack said as she takes off her hat and places on her chest. “Ah promise, when we get back home, we’ll make sure your reputation is well known.”
“I’m just glad to do my part for the community.” Kevin said. “Good luck in there. I’ll see you back home in Ponyville.” So everypony says goodbye, AppleJack puts her hat back on, and they walked over to the hive.
The six of them get startled by the sound of moaning. Spike gets scared and dangles on Big Mac’s leg. “Wh-wh-what was that?” Spike asked nervously.
“I dunno, but everypony stay on your hooves.” Twilight instructed them. “Whatever it is, be ready.” The moaning gets closer as Twilight’s horn starts to glow, AppleJack takes out her lasso, and Rainbow sticks up her hooves; they were ready for anything, but they weren’t expecting a weak changeling crawling on the ground.
“Oh c’mon! I ain’t fighting him!” Rainbow complained. “They won’t give me a challenge! Not that changelings ever proved to be a challenge.”
Spike was still dangling on Big Mac’s leg, and he didn’t very much like it. “Get off me, you runt!” Big Mac yelled at him as he kicks his leg aside and forces Spike to release his grip.
“Uhh… what?” Spike asked confusingly.
“What’s wrong?” Starlight asked as she helped him up.
“Big Mac’s acting pretty weird.” Spike said.
“In what way?” Starlight asked.
“He doesn’t usually say that many words unless he has a really good reason to.” Spike said.
“What’s wrong with him?” AppleJack asked Twilight about the changeling.
“I’m not sure.” Twilight said. “We should go help him.”
“Uh, are you crazy or something, Twilight?” Rainbow asked. “For all you know, he could be the one who took Granny Smith.”
“Exactly.” Twilight said. “If we help him, he might tell us where she is.”
“Well it’s worth a try.” AppleJack said. So the six of them walked over to the weak changeling, and helped him up on his knees.
“Are you ok?” Twilight asked.
“Uhh…” the changeling moaned in pain. “Why… why are you using your pony form on me? Change back.”
“Umm, actually, we’re actual-“ Twilight was about to say but Starlight cuts her off by covering her mouth.
“Yes, we’re changelings.” Starlight said. “Sorry, but we’re kinda paranoid right now over pony spies that want to try to rescue the pony we have captive.”
“Oh… ok, I get it.” the changeling said softly. “Sorry, I’m… I’m a little too weak right now. I’m… I’m awaiting our prisoner to bake the apple pies so I can regain my strength. You look like you already have it. You think… you think you can help me back into the hive?”
“Of course.” Twilight said as she figured out what Starlight was doing. “Can you lead us to the prisoner? Maybe we can help you get to her first, and you might get your pie right away.”
“Well that’s good.” The changeling said in relief. “I’ll show you the way.” The changeling tries to stand up, but he has trouble.
“You need any help?” Twilight asked.
“No, no, I’m good thank you.” The changeling said as he stands up straight. “Ok, ok I think I got it.” And then he collapses on the ground. “Ok, I do need help.”
So as the changeling gets carried by Big Mac, he points the group into the right direction. When they got into the hive and started navigating through it, they saw changelings all over the place limping and crawling on the ground in pain. The group had no idea whether the amount of changelings surrounding them was a nightmare to them, or the fact that the changelings were all in pain was more of a nightmare to them.
“Wow… seeing all these changelings like this almost makes me feel sorry for them.” Rainbow admitted. “Almost.”
“You’re tellin’ me!” AppleJack said. “What do the changelings want from mah granny?”
“I kinda have the feeling they’re using her.” Twilight said. “Whether what Granny Smith caused is what made the changelings like this, or if they’re using her to cure whatever disease these changelings might have is beyond me.”
“Ok, so… take the next right.” The changeling pointed.
“Ah know where to go, you idiot!” Big Mac said angrily at him.
As they were walking, Starlight taps on AppleJack’s shoulder. “What?” AppleJack asked.
“I don’t know if you can see it, but something weird is going on with your brother.” Starlight said.
“What do you mean?” AppleJack asked as she looked at him.
“He was being awfully rude to Rainbow Dash and Spike earlier.” Starlight said.
“Oh he’s probably just stressed out knowin’ granny is here against her will.” AppleJack said.
“Are you sure he’d even be that rude even if he does feel that way?” Starlight asked.
“Well…” AppleJack thought it over. “…actually, come to think of it, ah know he’d have an attitude, but he would never act that rude. You might have a point there, Starlight.” Big Mac overhears Starlight and AppleJack’s conversation and he starts to slow down, letting the other ponies (and dragon) pass him.
“Are you sure it’s actually Big Mac, AppleJack?” Starlight asked.
“At what point could Big Mac and a changeling switch places?” AppleJack asked. “He was with us the entire journey. What do you think, Big Mac?”
“Ah honestly couldn’t care less.” Big Mac said as he pulls a lever on the wall, and green goo drops all on the ponies (and dragon).
“Ugh! Ugh!” Rainbow struggled. “I’m stuck!”
“Same here!” Twilight said as she attempts to use her magic to remove the goo, but it didn’t work.
“Your magic won’t work here, princess!” Big Mac said mischievously.
“Who are you?!” AppleJack yelled at him. “What have you done with mah brother?!”
“You’ll find out soon enough, AppleJack.” Big Mac said mischievously as he turns back into his original changeling form, which was actually Dark Horn. “You’ve fallen right into my trap! We knew you’d come to rescue Granny Smith, that’s why I took over as your brother to lure you here. Now nothing can stop Queen Chrysalis or the changelings now!” He laughs evilly as he pulls another lever which opened a trapdoor on the floor. The ponies (and dragon) all began to scream as they fell.
A little while went by, and the ponies all regained conscience as they woke up in some sort of dungeon. AppleJack was the first to wake up. “Ugh!” she groaned as she rubbed her head. “Is everypony ok?”
“I’m fine.” Twilight said.
“I’m fine too.” Spike said. “And let me say it was a pretty soft landing.”
“Ugh!” Rainbow groaned right beneath Spike. “I think you broke my stomach.”
Just then, Rainbow’s stomach began to rumble. “Seems fine to me.” Spike said. “And I gotta say your stomach makes a great massage chair, Rainbow!”
“Wow… how could ah not see that Big Mac was a changeling?” AppleJack asked.
“Because that wasn’t Big Mac.” Starlight said. “At sometime, Big Mac was replaced by a changeling.”
“Eeyup.” A familiar voice echoed.
“Big Mac?!” AppleJack cried out as Big Mac was at another cell across the dungeon. “Is that you?!”
“Eeyup!” Big Mac said.
“Oh thank the princesses!” AppleJack said in relief. “You are a sight for soar eyes! Is Granny Smith here? Did you see her?”
“Eeyup.” Big Mac said.
“Is she ok?” AppleJack asked.
“Mmhmm.” Big Mac nodded.
“Uhh, what?” AppleJack asked curiously.
“Well you don’t expect me to give you the same answer all the time, do you AppleJack?” Big Mac asked with a playful look.
“Heh.” AppleJack chuckled embarrassingly. “Ah guess not.”
Just then, they hear some doors open in the distance and hoofsteps approaching. “Wh-wh-who’s coming?” Spike asked nervously as she cuddles along Starlight in fright.
“Who do you think?” Rainbow asked sarcastically. “A changeling of course!”
“Oh gee, like I didn’t know that.” Spike said sarcastically.
Just then, Dark Horn approaches their cell along with two guards and he said, “The queen would like to see you all now.”
“Ah well isn’t that coincidence?” Twilight asked as she smiled. “Just the dictator we wanted to see! Lead on!” So the changelings opened the cell door containing Twilight, Spike, AppleJack, Starlight, and Rainbow, and then they opened the cell containing Big Mac, and they all got escorted to the queen’s chambers.
When they all got to the queen’s chambers and stopped walking right into the middle of the room, the changelings shove them all down on their knees and bent them over so it would look like they were bowing to her. “Ow! HEY!” Rainbow yelled. “We could’ve done it ourselves if you just asked!”
“Knowing you Rainbow Dash, I wouldn’t be too sure.” Starlight teased.
“Ah, Twilight Sparkle! Good to see you again!” Chrysalis said as she sat on her throne. “Oh my, it feels only yesterday that I took control of your brother and nearly overthrew Canterlot!”
“Chrysalis!” Twilight said angrily. “The time that my brother and Cadance had defeated you should’ve been the last time we met!”
“Technically, Twilight, we saw her before then in an alternate timeline.” Spike reminded her.
Twilight rolls her eyes and then AppleJack cries out, “Where in the hay is Granny Smith, you fiend?!”
Chrysalis started to laugh. “Oh AppleJack, you have not yet realized it. Your Granny Smith is giving us a big deal. We need her and her pies to help restore our energy. Is that so bad?”
“YES!” AppleJack yelled. “Because you forced her out of her own home! What could you possibly need her for?!”
“Love, AppleJack.” Granny Smith said as she brought a cart of pies into the throne room.
“Huh? Granny?!” AppleJack cried out. “What in tarnation are you talkin’ about?”
“Oh you watch your mouth around me, young filly.” Granny Smith instructed her.
“And as to me! You think I want to hear your foul language in my own kingdom?” Chrysalis asked.
“Look, AppleJack, the changelings only captured me because they need me to save them.” Granny Smith said. “Ah’m sure you realize by now that the changelings out there in the hive are losing energy.”
“Ah do.” AppleJack said.
“All they want from me is to bake apple pies for them, because mah pies are made of love. You know that, deary.” Granny Smith explained.
“Of course!” Twilight figured it out. “The changelings need love to survive, Chrysalis did say that. They usually get love from harvesting from other ponies, but it turns out they found an alternative resource.”
“HA!” Chrysalis laughed. “You think this alternative resource is going stop us from taking over Equestria?! Wow, you’re duller than I thought.”
“Hey who you calling DULL?!” Rainbow yelled.
“Wait a minute, why would you still want to take over Equestria if Granny Smith is already givin’ you what you need?” AppleJack asked.
“Love isn’t going to cut it! I need power!” Chrysalis said. “I need more love than these pies will ever have! I need to harvest love from those ponies! I need to expand my kingdom!”
“But you don’t need to!” Twilight said.
“Who cares what I need and don’t need?! I want Equestria!” Chrysalis yelled. “Why do the ponies deserve it?! They look at us and see monsters! Well, forget them! We’ll show them how monstrous we can become!” Chrysalis began to spark magical energy all over herself as she flew into the air.
“Well not if we can stop you!” AppleJack yelled.
“Eeyup!” Big Mac agreed angrily.
“Oh and who’s going to stop me?” Chrysalis asked. “I have an army of changelings already fueled up and ready to go!” A group of changelings fly into the room, and they no longer feel weak. “And what do you have? Two farmers, a pegasus with a low-tolerance level, a baby dragon that wastes his life being a servant, some unicorn that had it all and let it go, and a princess who still doesn’t know the first thing about rule. Did you know I defeated Celestia in fair combat once?” Everypony was feeling really angry at her at her offensive comments towards them.
“Well if that’s the way ya gonna talk to mah family and friends, then ah won’t bake you anymore pies!” Granny Smith said.
“Who cares?!” Chrysalis laughed. “My changelings already have their energies restored! We’re ready to take on Equestria! We’re more powerful than we ever were in the past! Equestria will soon realize that the changelings are reborn! HA HA HA HA HA HAAAA!”
“You were in pain!” Granny Smith said angrily. “You said your kingdom and race were collaspin’. Ah helped you restore your kingdom, cause ah knew ah couldn’t say no to someone in need of help! If this is the way you abuse your power, then you’re goin’ to lose even the first battle of Equestria! You ain’t takin’ it! Power or no power!”
“HA HA HA!” Chrysalis laughed. “Where’s your power of love this time, Twilight? It won’t stop us now! HA HA HA HAAAA!”
“Y’all sure about that?” Apple Bloom asked as she and the other crusaders were standing at the throne room door.
“Cutie Mark Crusaders to the rescue!” Scootaloo said excitedly.
“APPLE BLOOM?!” AppleJack gasped in surprise.
“Scoots?!” Rainbow gasped in surprise. “What are you doing here, kid? This is too dangerous for you!”
“Hey just because they’re kids doesn’t mean they won’t be useful, ain’t that right girls?” Starlight asked them.
“Right!” the crusaders all agreed.
“HA HA HA HA HA!” Chrysalis laughed again. “You’re joking right? I mean, three little fillies? How are they to help fight?”
“Us alone? HA!” Sweetie Belle laughed.
“We didn’t come alone.” Scootaloo said.
“Then… who’s with you?” AppleJack asked. Just then, Babs Seed, Braeburn, Apple Fritter, Apple Strudel, Hayseed Turnip Truck, and the rest of the Apple family burst right into the throne room, whether it’s the door or through the walls, or up from the ceiling. “You brought the entire Apple family with you?!”
“You mess with one of us – you mess with ALL of us!” Apple Fritter cried. AppleJack, and the rest of the prisoners smiled with glee. Chrysalis didn’t very much like this.
“CHANGELINGS… ATTACK!” Chrysalis yelled. So her army of changelings began to fight the army of the Apple family. Twilight and Starlight fought side by side and fought them with their magic, AppleJack and Big Mac were bucking changelings, Babs opens her legs and takes down a changeling by locking it’s head with them making the changeling completely vulnerable, the crusaders worked together to fight them off, and Spike trips one over with his foot.
The changelings didn’t want the family to defeat them, so they were going to gain up on the crusaders, but the family wouldn’t allow that. “READY! AIM! FIRE!” Fritter yelled as some of the family members threw apple pies at those changelings. The very thing that kept the changelings going was brought against them. The changelings were losing the battle, so Chrysalis had to improvise.
Chrysalis holds Granny Smith capture and yells, “STOP!” Everypony immediately stops fighting. Well, except for Apple Split who wanted to give one final punch.
“If you don’t give in to my demands, the old lady’s going to get it!” Chrysalis yelled.
“Don’t you dare hurt mah granny, you monster!” AppleJack yelled. “All of you! All of you changelings are monsters! You’re never gonna change! You’re never gonna see reason!”
“What about Kevin?” Starlight reminded her.
“What about him?” AppleJack asked. “He probably lured us to this trap!”
“Yeah I second that! No changeling is to be trusted!” Rainbow agreed.
“NO PONY IS TO BE TRUSTED!” Dark Horn yelled.
“SILENCE!” Chrysalis yelled.
“AppleJack,” Starlight continued, “Kevin did NOT lure us to a trap! Big Mac was obviously taken even before we went to see him!”
“Eeyup.” Big Mac nodded.
“I know there are certain changelings are evil, but there are also changelings that are good and just want peace.” Starlight explained. “Don’t blame all the changelings just because one changeling is bad. These changelings follow the orders of Chrysalis because they have to, not because they want to.”
“It’s true.” Granny Smith said.
“All of you! Stop talking or else the granny gets it!” Chrysalis threatened them.
“Or what granny gets it?” Granny Smith smirked at her as Granny Smith turned into another changeling.
“Kevin!” Spike cried out.
“You know that’s Kevin?” Rainbow asked. “Wow, I don’t get it. All these changelings look the same to me.”
“OOOOOH!” all of the changelings in the room yelled offendedly.
“Ok that was so uncalled for!” Dark Horn said angrily.
“What are you doing here, traitor?” Chrysalis asked Kevin. “Wait a minute… where’s Granny Smith?!”
“Right here.” Granny Smith waved as she reveals herself out of hiding from behind some of her family members.
“YOU… YOU PONIES!” Chrysalis yelled angrily. “We’re supposed to be the superior species! You ponies are EVIL! Why do you deserve to win all the time?! Us changelings are the superior ones!”
“No, they’re not.” Kevin said. “And neither are ponies. We deserve to be one. We deserve to have peace. Yes, the ponies do think wrong of us. We are not bad creatures, but that doesn’t mean we have to think ponies are bad either. If we think that way, then… what makes one better than the other? We don’t need to harvest love out of other creatures. This apple pie alternative was the best idea ever!”
“It’s true.” One of the changelings said.
“TRAITOR!” Chrysalis yelled.
“I just wish there was a better way to gain love than to harvest it from other creatures.” The changeling said.
“Exactly!” another changeling agreed. “If we want love, we need to earn it, not force it upon us.”
“You’re WRONG!” a loyal changeling yelled. “Ponies will NEVER give us a chance!”
“That’s right! We’re treated as second-class to them!” another loyal changeling yelled.
“No we don’t!” AppleJack cried out. “Ah’m sorry for what ah said. Changelings are not bad as a race. There are only certain changelings that chose to be bad. Ah know of ponies that chose to be bad instead of good.” AppleJack turns towards Starlight and smiles. “But there is still hope for them all.” Starlight smiles back at her as AppleJack continues, “Ponies and changelings deserve to have peace. Queen Chrysalis, ah respect you as a changeling. But ah do not respect you as an individual. You stole our granny, and that just makes me sick!”
Chrysalis starts to think it over, and then she eventually gives her answer. “No. I don’t believe you.” She said angrily. “Ponies will always think of us as monsters. I will not take that chance!”
AppleJack nods in agreement. “Ah understand.”
“But… that doesn’t mean I have to be a monster to them.” Chrysalis said. “I don’t need to take over Equestria to get what I want, but that doesn’t mean I have to like them. I’ll cut you a deal. I will not invade Equestria. We’ll all have the peace we deserve, but… I want Granny Smith’s pie recipe in trade. It will help the changeling kingdom get back on it’s hooves and restore it all.”
“it’s a deal!” Granny Smith said.
“Wait, Granny!” AppleJack stopped her. “Your recipe is a secret! You can’t just give it away! It’s what made your pies unique!”
“Oh ah don’t need it, AppleJack.” Granny Smith said as she takes her recipe out of her scarf. “These changelings need it for the sake of their kingdom, and of course for them not to invade Equestria. Ah’m willin’ to make that sacrifice.”
“Wise move, Granny Smith.” Chrysalis said as she takes the recipe. “And so, henceforth, the changeling kingdom and Equestria have a truce… for now. Enjoy the peace while it lasts. You ponies just better stay as far away from here as possible!”
“Oh don’t worry; we don’t plan on coming back!” Rainbow said.
“Thank you, your highness.” Twilight said as she bowed.
“Now be gone from my kingdom!” Chrysalis ordered.
So AppleJack, Twilight, Starlight, Spike, Big Mac, Rainbow, the crusaders, and the entire Apple family all left the hive and started to head back home. The crusaders were chatting with Babs and taking a good look at her cutie mark. On the way back, Twilight saw how upset Spike was so she wanted to cheer him up.
“Don’t let what Chrysalis said bother you.” Twilight said. “You’re not wasting your life with me.” Spike didn’t say anything and just kept going. Twilight sighs and shakes her head.
“You know what?” Rainbow asked. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but maybe not all changelings are bad.”
“Eeyup!” Big Mac agreed.
“I’m still going to fight them in my sleep tonight though!” Rainbow said.
“Why did you do it, Granny?” AppleJack asked. “Why did you give away your secret recipe to the changelings?”
“AppleJack, it’s high-time ah told you the truth.” Granny Smith said. “The secret to makin’ mah famous apple pies… there is no secret recipe.”
“Huh?” AppleJack asked.
“If others believe it’s a secret, it makes it more special.” Granny Smith explained. “Ah just use the same ingredients to make any kind of apple pie.”
“So… if they just believe the pies they make are made of love, it’ll still help them?” AppleJack asked.
“As long as they feel the love within them, it’s all they need.” Granny Smith said.
“Ah’m just so glad that you’re safe!” AppleJack said as she hugged her.
“Hey ah’m just glad ah get to go home.” Granny Smith said. “Ah ain’t cookin’ another pie for a month! Tired of makin’ those things!”
AppleJack chuckled as she backed up and talked to Starlight. “Starlight, none of this would be possible without you.” She said.
“Sure it would.” Starlight said. “I’m sure Twilight would’ve done just as well of a job in persuading you than I, if not better.”
“Yeah but what you said came from your heart.” AppleJack said. “Ah think what you said might fill up the changelings’ love meters for a month! Ah’m mighty impressed on how much you’ve improved, sugarcube!”
“I am too, AppleJack!” Starlight said as she and AppleJack hugged. “I am too!” Just then, Starlight’s cutie mark begins to glow that strange glow again. The glow on her cutie mark slides down the little toothpaste things on her cutie mark, and then her star pops out a flash from the inside out.