John Rim, being what he is, many things want him dead. So he must face them to protect his loved ones. At the same time, some of these things come back, and affect him mentally.
Hello, my name is John Rim, however, you probably already know that, hence you read either description. I am a Pegasus with a light brown coat, a brown mane, and a British accent. My mother is a Pegasus and my "father" is one as well. We live in a far away place outside of Equestria that we called the "Far-Lands" because of its location. However, quite often there would be another pony that had a light brown coat and a dark brown mane. When he would come over he would help me tinker with clocks and and little gadgets he didn't need. I adored this pony so much, that when I was able to speak the first word I said was doctor. I was trilled that I could say that word, however my parents were more annoyed than anything. Now this is the day right before the attack, and my last day being "normal".
"Mommy, can I go outside?" I asked with my metal pony called Cyber and a little clock I was going to try to take apart and rebuild.
"Ask your father, because out here is dangerous for little three year old foals like you." My mother said while cooking dinner.
"Ok!" I said, then I went to the living room to ask my "father" if I could go outside.However, when I came in, he was talking to The Doctor about something. Then Doc noticed me and gestured for "father" to look.
"Oh, John! I'm sorry I didn't notice you! Now, what do you need?" He asked.
"I was wondering if I could go outside for a bit." I asked.
"Sure, but if you see a dragon or if it starts to get dark, come back in ok?" He said.
"Ok!" I replied.
"Ok, now go have fun." He said. then I went outside to play. I put down Cyber and the clock, I turned on Cyber and he started to trot around in circles which I had a blast with, being the age I was. then I turned towards the clock. I had been working on completely rebuilding it for a while now, but I would always get stuck and have to have Doc rebuild it. So I tried it, and I messed up. I got sad and went to Doc so that he could help, completely forgetting Cyber. So I went in the house and talked to The Doctor.
"Doctor, can you help me rebuild the clock?" I asked sadly.
"Why of course! Well look at that! you got farther than last time! great job! Also, guess where I'm going to be the rest of this week." He questioned.
"Where?" I asked.
"Here! I will be staying a whole week! That also means I can help you with your clock!" He said.
"Yay!" I exclaimed.Then I gasped, "Oh no! I left out my metal pony!"
"Oh don't worry, I'll get him for you, also, I finished the clock." He said as he left. When I was young, he was the world to me, because I felt like I was closer to him then my "father". I felt like we were related, because of how we talk the same way, we looks the same, and he is around so much. I also thought he was awesome because of all the stories I was told about him from my mom. She said that he would save entire planets and make bad ponys run in fear just by saying his name, and she would talk about their adventures through time. However, my "father" didn't want me to go on those adventures because they are dangerous. He also said that he would never go on one of those adventure, in fact, he said "I would rather kiss a cow then go on one of those adventures of yours." Then Doctor came back with Cyber.
"Yay! You got Cyber!" I said as I got Cyber.
"Wait, what did you just call it?" Doc asked.
"Cyber! I hear you talking about cyberponys that are big metal ponys, so I named him Cyber!" I said, happy that I knew what Cyberponys were.
"Very observant of you." Doc said in an odd voice. But I just smiled at being praised.
"Dinner's ready! Now get your flanks in here before I do!" Shouted my mom from the kitchen.
"Ok!" We all said. Then we went to eat, and since it hadn't been en eventful day, there wasn't much to talk about. But I could hear some stuff from the adults. After dinner I was put to bed and my mother took out the music box The Doctor gave to her after my birth, but the next day, there would be permanent change.
I woke up from the previous night, very exited that today I would be able to have help with the clock. So I buzzed my wings and pulled up on the bars to my crib and fell out. However, I didn't hit the ground thanks to my wings. Then I trotted to the kitchen where mom was making breakfast and drinking coffee, then she saw me and smiled.
"Well, looks like somepony found out how to get out of jail." She jokingly said.
"I used my wings to help me! I am a master criminal!" I played back.
"Uh oh, here come the police!" She said when The Doctor came in without me knowing. Then he picked me up.
"Ah! I have faced many villains, but you are the trickiest one yet! you little foal!" He said. then we started laughing, but I was already laughing while Doc was talking to me. Then we all sat down to eat. But "dad" was missing.
"HONEY! GET IN HERE OR I'LL DRAG YOU IN HERE!" Mom shouted.Then he was in like a lightning bolt.
'I'm here!" He said quickly, then he sat down.
"Ok, I have made-" She was cut off by a loud roar. Then My "father" gets up.
"You all know to stay here, I'll be right back." He said, then he went outside to fight the dragon. Now, in the Far-Lands there are many dragons, however mostly we get young ones, on the hunt for easy prey, so they'd come for us. Every time this happens "father" fights them, and kills them. However, this time it was not a young or baby dragon, it was an adult. We were waiting for father to kill it then come in. However, he didn't, instead we heard a very loud scream come from outside.
"Oh no. John, get your things, Doctor, I want you to take John if anything happens. Do you understand." She ordered.
"Yes, I understand." said The Doctor sadly. However, I didn't understand what way happening. I thought he screamed for victory.
"Mommy? Why do I need to get my things?" I asked scared out of my mind.
"John, daddy is in trouble, he can't fight the dragon alone, this one is harder. But don't worry, I'll stop it. Then we can continue living our lives like we always do, ok?" She said, however she was crying. She way crying because she knew that if "father" couldn't beat it, then neither could she. But she would die protecting her young.
"Ok, mommy. I love you." I said, hoping for the best.
"I love you too dear." Then she kissed me on the forehead, and went off to fight. After she did, I got her favorite pink bowtie and her blue bowtie. Then I got "fathers" dagger. The one he always keeps in his room for good luck. Then lastly, I got the music box. It was blue, small, and worn down, but it always helped me rest. Then we ran out the back door, but his blue box was in front. So we ran for it. But as we were, I saw my 'fathers dead body on the ground, and mother being torn apart by the dragon, I watched in horror as my mother was being slaughtered. But then I was yanked into the box, and to find out that it was bigger on the inside, but that didn't matter to me then, all that mattered was that I wanted to help them.
"We have to go back and help them! They need us!" I shouted, wanting to save them.
"Your mother told me to keep you safe, and that's what I will do." He said crying himself.
"Can't we save them!" I shouted.
"They are already dead! It's too late now, if I could I would help them." He cried.
"Please save them. Please." I said before I collapsed crying.
"I know that it hurts, I've been through many losses." He said, then he picked up the music box, and played it. That made me calm down quite a bit. However I was still very upset.
"So, this box, what is it called?" I asked, trying not to think about their death.
"It is called the TARDIS, I bring it with me all the time, this will be where you live for a while." He said plainly.
"How long?" I asked.
"Until you are ready for the world ahead of you. Until then, you are with me." He said.
"Ok, thank you doctor." I said, before falling asleep.
Day 27; Month 1; Year 1; Location: Interior of TARDIS
"Doc! I finished the clock!" I shouted.
"Amazing! let me see!" Doc said as I walked up to him. "Well so you did! I'm impressed, especially for somepony who is only three!"
"I'm turning four in a few days. You remembered, didn't you?" I asked.
"Why of course I did! How could I forget? I mean, I was at every one of your birthdays." He pointed out.
"Yay!" I shouted with glee. Then I wondered off to tinker with some more clocks.
'I probably should do something for him' Thought the Doctor in his head. 'But what.'
Day 30; Month 1; Year 1; Location: a garden near the School for Gifted Unicorns
"Wait, Doc why are we here?" I asked, not knowing where we were.
"For your gift!" Doc said.
"Are we going to a store!?!" I asked, exited to do something I never had before.
"No, it would be too dangerous for time." He said.
"Then why are we here?" I asked.
"To watch a light show!" Doc said.
"You had some ponys put on a light show for me?!?" I excitedly asked.
"No, but somepony is about to do something on accident, that creates a light show that I think you might like." Doc said. But before I could say anything, I was silenced by a rainbow circle thing in the sky. Then a large magic like explosion from a building that a purple filly entered not long ago.
"There it was! Did you enjoy that?" Doc asked.
"I loved it!" I said excitedly.
"great! now, we should head back to the TARDIS. Before anyone sees you." He said, looking around.
"Ok! I said, just happy about what I just saw.
Day 7; Month 2; Year 1; Location: Calbris
"Um, Doctor, why are we here?" I asked, confused why we would be at such a mechanical place.
"Well, because of how you can disassemble and reassemble a clock within an hour, I thought I might teach you how to make something!" Doc said, happy that I can finally move on from a clock.
"Yay! Wait, what are we making?" I asked.
"A simple humidifier." He said.
"What's that?" I asked.
"It's a thing you put water into and steam comes out, you use it if you are coughing or something." He explained.
"Oh! That sounds like fun!" I said.
"Great!" Doc said. 'I'm glad the death of his parents hasn't affected him to the point of just sitting around in the TARDIS all day doing nothing.' He said in his head.
Day 27; Month 12; Year 1; Location: Outside of the Crystal Empire
"Wow! Where are we?!" I asked excitedly, looking around at all of the snow and crystal type buildings.
"We are a mile away from the Crystal Empire, a few years after King Sombra first attacked it. The entire Empire is made out of crystals, even the towns ponys!" He explained.
"Hmm." I said as I looked around at the few scattered crystals here and there. "These crystals might help me on my project!" I said excessively. But then I noticed somepony lying down in the snow a bit to the left of me, not towards the Empire. So, because I wouldn't be going towards the Empire, I went over to see if they were alright. But as I got closer, I could see that they had holes in their legs! So I galloped up to them and asked them if they were alright. "Sir! Are you ok?" I asked frightened.
"What do you want." It asked in pain and annoyed.
"You look like you are hurt from the holes in your legs, and you sound like you are in pain." I said
"Why would you care, you'll just run off like the others, and leave me here to die." It angrily said.
"No I won't! Here, um, what do you eat?" I asked.
"Wait, do you really not know what I am?" It questioned.
"Well, no. But you look like you are hurt so I want to help!" I said.
"Well kid, these holes in my legs are natural, but you can't help me with the food part." He said, still lying there.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because I feed off of love. you don't seem to have anyone you love, only a friend who you look up to as a parent." It said.
"Well then how about I give you love!" I said as I hugged him.
"Kid, you don't have to help me, I'm not good, I was made to be evil." He said.
"Everypony can be a good pony if they try." I said.
"Thanks kid, but I don't have a choice , I either take someponys love, or I die." It said sadly.
"Why not make other ponys love you?" I asked.
"Because everypony else is scared of me." It said.
"Well I'm not." I said.
"That's because you're different, You Don't know what I am, or what my kind have done." It said.
"Just because your kind did something bad, doesn't mean that you did, not everypony is the same." I said, and with that, it's wings started to flap and it sat up.
"Thanks kid. You are the only pony to ever be nice to me. What's your name?" It asked.
"John Rim, What's yours?" I asked.
"I don't have a name, only a number." It said sadly.
"I'll call you, Mr. Holes!" I said happily.
"Thanks, Mr. Holes, I like that name." It said, then it smiled and flew back to it's home. Then that's when The Doctor came up to me.
"Who were to talking to?" He asked.
"A black pony with holes in it's legs! I named him Mr. holes!" I said.
"Oh, well I'm glad you're safe." He said. "Let's head back to the TARDIS."
"Ok." I said, then we went to the TARDIS.
Day 29; month 1; Year 5: Location: Interior of the TARDIS
"I'm so excited! Tomorrow is my eighth birthday!" I said happily, with my British accent being thicker, and my machine I had been working on in private. It was a scanner that would allow for me to scan a pony, give a brief biography about them, basically saying their age, and species. "I wonder what we will be doing this time! last few times all we have done is go into a big historical event that looks nice. But maybe we will be doing something different." I said, having high hopes. However, somewhere else in the TARDIS, The Doctor wasn't as up beat as I was about it.
'I don't know if I should tell him this time or just wait until next year. No, I have been pushing this back until I thought he was ready, he has grown up and is very mature. He has seen entire civilizations burn because of the work from CyberPonys, and whole planets crumble because of the power of the Daleks. So he can handle a simple fact. At least, he should.' The Doctor said in his head.
It is John's eighth birthday, and this time, he will find out the truth with him and The Doctor.
"Where are we now Doc? A festival? The planet of the Ood? An exploding star?" I asked rapidly.
"No, we are a few miles away from a town called Equal Town, and there won't be any huge event going on." He said, emotionless.
"Why are we here?" I asked, very confused on why we were at a normal desert.
"I need to tell you something that I have been needing to for a while now." He said.
"What is it?" I asked, a little scared of what was going to happen.
"I am your father." He said.
"What, n-no you aren't. My father was killed by that dragon!" I said starting to tear up.
"He was your step father. Here." Then he pointed to his heart" Feel there." So I did, and i felt a heartbeat. Then he pointed to the spot opposite to his heart. "Now feel here." So I did, and I felt another heartbeat. Then I Gasped. "now feel there on yourself." So I did, and I felt two heartbeats. Then I looked up to him. "You and I both have two hearts, we are a special race called Time lords, they are the ones to first master time travel, hence the name Time Lord."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I asked sobbing.
"I wanted to make sure that you could handle it first, and you showed me that you could by handling the way you did to certain situations." He said calmly.
"But, what about mother, she only had one heart." I said.
"Yes, but she also had a lot of time lord in her. So when you were born, you were mostly Time Lord, but you still have a bit of pony in you, which Is why you have selective regeneration.
"What's that?" I asked.
"It means that you don't have to regenerate. You can live a long time without needing to. But, at the same time, because you are a Time Lord, you can not be a patient at the hospital." He said.
"Why not?" I asked feeling a bit better.
"Because, you are a Time Lord. You and I are the only ones there are left. The doctors would freak out because of your dual hearts. Then they would kill you, and I don't want another death on my hooves, especially the one of my sons." He said sadly.
"Oh. Um, Dad?" I asked.
"Yes?"
"Can we go back to the TARDIS?" I asked.
"Sure son." He said. However, neither Doc or I knew at that time that within a few years, there would be another Time Lord.
Day 26; Month 6; Year 8; Location, the pathway to Ponyville;
"Where are we?" I asked, my British accent very thick now.
"We are in the magical land of Equestria! The exact location in Equestria is a small town called Ponyville. It is marvelous place full of friendship and nice ponys! They should take good care of you." Doc explained.
"Wait, what do you mean?" I asked, a little fearful of what was to come next.
"John, you are now eleven years old, you know how to make many things, and have even made a machine without my help and without me know you made it. Therefore, I believe that you are ready to go out into the real world." He explained.
"But what if I need you?" I asked.
"Eventually you will learn of a place called the Everfree forest, if you need me, go there." He said.
"Ok. I love you father." I said.
"I love you too son. Now, you go into Ponyville." He said.
"Ok." I said, and with that, I was off to ponyville.
I entered Ponyville and started to go around, to try and figure out what and where everything is. However, as I was walking A pink thing started to come towards me at unreasonable speeds! Then it instantly stopped right in front of me, and greeted me at a very fast speed.
"Hi I'm Pinkie Pie! I haven't seen you around town before. Are you new here? Om My Gosh you are! Where are your parents? Would you like to meet my friends? Oh! Let's go meet my friends!" The Pink pony said, but before I could say anything it grabbed me and launched off with me. Then immediately stopped at a big, decorated, house like tree. Because of the sudden stop I slammed into the door. Then I could hear a mares voice from inside.
"What in Equestria was that!" She said, then the door opened and revealed a purple unicorn with a mostly blue purple mane with a two streaks of different shades of purple. Then she started talking to the pink pony, not even noticing me. "Pinkie! What did you do that!"
"I didn't! He did!" The pink one, presumably Pinkie, said. Then she pointed to me.
"Who are you? And why did you hit my door so hard?" She asked with a stern look.
"I didn't! She took me here and stopped so suddenly that I couldn't stop!" I said.
"Wait, what do you mean?" The purple one asked.
"I just got here, and she blabbered some words and then took me here!" I said.
"Pinkie! Did you just take this poor foal for no reason?!?" She asked worriedly.
"Poor?" I managed to say before Pinkie started to talk.
"He is new to town! And he looked just so darn cute that I had to show you!" She said.
"Cute?" I managed to say.
"Just because of that doesn't mean you can just take him! His parents are probably worried sick!" The Purple one shouted. then she looked at me. "I'm sorry about my friend here, she gets exited about a lot of thing. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and who are you?" She asked.
"I'm John Rim." I said.
"Ok John, where are your parents?" She asked me.
"I don't want to talk about it." I said, trying not to cry.
"Please tell me, I need to know so I can take you to them." She said kindly.
"They're dead." I said trying to not cry as hard as I could.
"Oh my, I'm terribly sorry. Here, I'll take you to the orphanage." She said.
"No! I was sent here because I know how to take care of myself." I said.
"But, the orphanage will take care of you.
"I don't need any pony to take care of me, I can fend for my self." I said.
She sighed then said, " Ok then. While I may not agree with it I will let you chose. But first let's go see my friend Fluttershy, she like tiny things." Then we left for this "Fluttershy's" house. Once we arrived, I saw that it was more of a cottage then a house. Then Twilight knocked on the door. "Fluttershy, are you home?" She asked to the door.
"I'll be out in a minute." I could hear slightly. Then the door opened revealing a yellow pegasus with a pink mane. "hello girls, what do you need?" She asked.
"We-" Twilight started to say, but was cut off by Pinkie.
"We found a little foal!" She said showing me.
"Oh my! He is so adorable!" She said at almost a whisper.
"Why are you calling me cute and adorable?" I asked. Obviously there are other foals and fillies around here, right?
"Well, You're new! so we haven't seen you before." Fluttershy said.
"This town is getting to me." I said angrily.
"Let's go see Applejack. she can help you-" twilight said, but was cut of by a loud shout from the sky, coming towards us very quickly.
"LOOK OUT! I CAN'T STOP!" I heard. Then I ran away from the sound as fast as possible, I got away but the other ponys weren't so lucky. So I walked over to the crash site and found a blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane on top of Twilight.
"Rainbow Dash! Why didn't you go up!" Twilight shouted.
"I'm sorry! I thought I would be able to!" Rainbow dash, I'm guessing, said.
"Really? this happens in almost every other story!" Pinkie pie said. In return she got stares from everypony. "What?" She asked.
"Don't worry about that John, she does it a lot."Twilight said.
"Wait, who's John?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"The foal over there!" Pinkie Pie said.
"Oh, hi!" said Rainbow Dash. "I'm Rainbow Dash, the fastest flyer in Equestria!"
"That's a very wide area, so how do you know you are faster than everypony else in this entire area?" I asked, quite annoyed of this town already.
"Well, umm. I just know so?" She said, uncertain.
"She is though!" Pinkie Pie said. "She has beat everypony at races!"
"I probably shouldn't have said anything." I said under my breath. "Can we just go to this "Applejack" you speak of?" I asked, wanting to avoid any conflict.
"Yes, we should probably be heading out." Twilight said, then we left for Applejack's house.
-A little bit later-
"Here we are!" said pinkie Pie. Then I saw an orange pony with a yellow mane. Presumably Applejack.
"Hey there girls! Uh, who's the little one?" She asked.
"My name is John Rim. You must be Applejack." I said.
"Ah sure am! What bring's y'all down here?" she asked, with a strong southern accent.
"We were wondering if you could help out our friend get his way around town." Twilight said. but little did she know that as she was talking I dashed off. Mostly because I didn't want do deal with another one of her friends, and I just wanted some time alone. So I found a very tall, decorative building, and sat down next to the door to put on my mothers blue bowtie for a bit. Then the door opened and a white hoof came out, grabbed me, then pulled me inside.
"What is it this time?" I said, quite annoyed of the constant things that kept happening.
"Darling! you must have something better to wear then that beat up old bowtie!?" She asked, or maybe exclaimed? I couldn't tell.
"I take high offence to that." I said, quite offended by the insult to my mother.
"Do not worry darling, Rarity here will get you a nice new one!" She said, happily?
"Oh no, I ran into a crazy fashion mare!" I shouted before being measured.
"Oh hush now darling! I shall make you fabulous!"
"Please don't."
"Oh but I must!"
"No you mustn't."
"Oh you will look fabulous darling!"
"Please stop calling me that."
"Oh but you are!"
"Somepony please save me."
"Oh I will save your fashion."
"I would rather be stuck in a Dalek spaceship then be in here."
"But Darling you will look fabulous!"
"If I hear darling or fabulous one more time I'm running out the fire exit."
"Oh don't worry darling-"
"I'M OUT!" Then I ran right out the fire exit. Even used my wings a bit too. I flew right behind a barn, the side of it had some equipment. I was guessing it was a school, but I didn't care. I flew back to the house where Applejack lived, and I got on their roof. As I looked to the left I saw a tree house of some sort. I also say that it had an attic. So I flew straight towards the attic. It was getting lat so I decided to try and get some sleep, It was a few months ago since the last time I fell asleep. So I decided I would now. However when I did, I had a nightmare about Daleks, Cyberponys, and my parents death. I woke up and it was morning. Then I noticed that something fell out of my saddlebag, as I looked I noticed that it was my scanner. So I decided to think about something out loud. "All the problems I have had in one day. Pinkie pie, ponys calling me cute, Rainbow Dash's bragging, Rarity, Rarity, and I lost my SCANNER! AHHHHH! Why did Doc leave me here of all places!" I said angrily. "Well, I'm going to the school first, it is most in trouble there.
I put on my saddlebags and went startling to the schoolyard. Only to find a lot of foals and fillies there.
"This should be fun." I said. Then I landed down where no pony would see, then I went to where I thought it might be, and there was a white pony with both a horn and wings. they had a wavy mane and tail that was pink and blue, and was my height. I sighed then went up to her to ask her if she could help me. "Can you help me with something?" I asked.
"What do you need help with?" She returned.
"Well, I lost a certain device, oh there it is!" I said, picking it up, happy I could leave before anypony bothers me. "Never mind." I said, then I started to walk towards my 'home' when I heard her sneeze. "Oh, bless you." I said as i turned around. But when I did she was the same as that pony I found in the snow. But different. Then she changed into a pony form, bat she looked kind of like a bat. She had a black coat with dark green and red mane.
"Go ahead and run like everyone else." She said, and she was crying! I was wondered why others would run, but then I remember that other ponys were scared. So I tried to make her feel better, and tell the truth.
"I'm not scared!" I said quickly, so that she would feel better.
She said, "You aren't? But I-" But I cut her off.
"My name is John, John Rim, and you are?" I asked, wanting to make possibly my only friend.
"I'm Candy." She said, and oddly I could see a tear form in her eye. Then I flew off to my 'house' to do some studies with the limited resources I had. I went up to my attic and looked at my scanner, it automatically scanned her, oddly. But in the end it was good, especially considering that this was its first test run.
"I hope I see her again. I'm not going to work on anything today, I'll just sleep." I said, before falling asleep. The next day I woke up and went to get some bread for toast. I had recently made a toaster and i had been eating toast whenever I felt like it. I didn't need to eat much. Well, usually only once a month. So I left for the market. However, while I was on my way there I saw the same pony I did the day before, the one who changed into Candy. So I decided to go say hello. "Hello Candy!" I said from behind her.
Candy yelped in surprise. "John? You startled me! I was just about to get a milkshake, want to join me?"
"Sure! I don't really know where anything is here anyway so, not much to do. Heh heh." I said, a little embarrassed.
"I'm kind of new myself, but my friend Starburst showed me around, so I can help you out!" Candy smiled as she hovered off the ground a little.
"Thanks! Oh, I need to ask you something, if you don't mind." I said with a serious voice.
"What is it?" Candy asked, still hovering.
"Do you know where the Everfree forest is?" I asked, still in a serious tone.
"Oh yeah! I spend most of my free time there actually, want to go there after we get some milkshakes?" She asked. She did a little loop in the air, seeming more and more joyful.
"Yes, that would help me greatly. Thank you." I said relieved. After that we went to get, well, Milkshakes. After we sat down I started asking her questions.
"How can you change like that?"
"Oh, well..." she seemed a bit hesitant, but then looked back up at me and took a deep breath. "I'm a changeling...a changeling hybrid to be more precise."
"What is a changeling?" I asked.
"Oh, what is a changeling?" she said, ignoring what she was about to say.
"A changeling is...well...this is what a changeling looks like." She then changed into the same thing with holes in its legs as the day before, and that pony in the snow! She then changed back into the white pony she was before.
"What's so wrong about being a changeling?" I asked.
"Well...we get a bad rep. You see, my mom is...the queen of the changelings. On top of that mess of evil my dad, who is thankfully dead, was King Sombra. And then there's me! The only one who WANTS to be nice."
"Wait, but I met a nice changeling in the past, and who is King Sombra?" I asked. She then changed back into the black bat-like pony I saw before.
"You don't know who King Sombra is? Didn't your parents teach you about Equestria's history??" She asked, obviously astonished.
"I didn't even know what Equestria was until two day ago!" I said.
"Wait a second...were you...born in the far-lands too??" She asked.
"Wait, how could you have been born there? Nopony has ever lived out there aside from my parents and I!" I said. Holding back a tear as badly as possible.
"I was born and raised in the wastelands of the far-lands! That's where the changeling hive was, I had to learn about Equestria for...attacks and our new hive." She looked ashamed of herself, obviously holding back tears herself.
"Hey, it's ok. You couldn't help the attacks. You were forced to attend. Just because a lot of your kind felt a certain way doesn't mean you have to." I said, trying to make her feel better. but then she sniffled and said,
"I wasn't just forced to attend...I was forced to...lead them." Then she started sobbing. So I decided to help. I went next to her, held her and stroke her mane.
"It's ok, you couldn't help it. The important part is that you didn't do it because you wanted to. If it makes you feel any better, I don't care. I'm just glad that you are a good pony, and that's all that matters." I said. Candy smiled.
"Thanks," she said sniffling, "I've never met a pony like you before."
"Heh, still don't know anything about this land, but I now know about you!" I said happily. Candy wiped away the last of her tears.
"I could help you around if you want, and if you're at all curious about my abilities, since you seem like the sciencey type, I'm more than happy to share!" she smiled as she hovered a bit.
"I just need to know were that forest is." I said.
"Oh! I almost forgot, it's this way, follow me! We can walk and talk!" She changed back into the white pony and started to fly out the door, "You coming?"
"Oh, yes! Alongs-y!" I said, knowing what that word meant to the doctor.
Candy giggled as we left the milkshake place, "So I was wondering, what made you come to Ponyville from the far-lands? I ran away because my mom is, well, evil."
"I'd rather not talk much about it." I said with a sad output. Candy had a look on her face that told me she was thinking about something, and then I saw she had an idea.
"I'll tell you about my abilities and how being a changeling hybrid is different from a changeling, if you tell me why you left." She looked really curious.
"I'll accept to your deal. but I will become depressed or sad for a while afterwards." I said, close to tears with my head down. I didn't want to tell her, but
I knew that I had to for the sake of finding Dad.
"Well...if it hurts you to tell..." Candy thought for a moment, I could see that she wanted to know badly, so I just started to tell her without giving her a chance to change her mind.
"My parents died, and my mothers final wish was for somepony to keep me safe. So we ran,We ran and never came back." I said. trying to hold back from crying as hard as possible, but was loosing the fight.
"John...I didn't...I..." She seemed to have trouble finding the right words, but then she seemed to find them, "if it makes you feel better, at least you had parents who you actually loved." she looked down as another tear fell down her cheek.
"Please, don't make yourself feel bad for my own sorrow to be eased. I have been dealing with their death for eight years. They died, and I couldn't help. I wasn't allowed to. It has haunted me because of that for all of these years. I hold on to the past, so that I can eventually get over the fact that they died. But you don't have to. So please, do not make yourself be upset just to please me. I'm fine." I said,. I said it mostly because I couldn't bear to see her sad because of my own life.
"I...you..." she seemed confused at first, but then suddenly stopped and turned into her bat pony form, only red all over. I was shocked as she suddenly blew up in front of me, "YOU THINK I'M MAKING MYSELF FEEL BAD?!?! I'VE BEEN HERE FOR ONLY A MONTH OR TWO AND I STILL THINK ABOUT ALL THE HORRIBLE THINGS I'VE DONE, WHAT MY MOM MADE ME DO, WHAT MY DAD MADE ME LEARN, WHAT I...what I..." she shook off the red glow and turned back into the white pony, she was obviously a bit sensitive sometimes.
"I don't know. I wish I could help, however, I cannot change the past. If I could I would. However I cannot. So all I can do is say that I am sorry. I will go on alone, you should head home, try to relax. I will see you again soon." With that being said, I left to the forest.
"Wait!" Candy yelled after me.
"Yes?" I asked.
"I...I...I don't have a...a home." she said, looking lonely.
"Well, where have you been living?" I asked, quite worried.
"In there..." She pointed towards the forest. "It's where I sleep anyways."
"Would you like for me to make sure nothing harms you?" I asked, wanting her to be safe, and to be kind.
"It would be nice to have a friend in the forest with me." She smiled as she caught up to me.
"I need something to stop from sleeping anyway." I said as we walked into the forest.
"Wait!" She stopped me by grabbing my tail, "Some paths are safer than others! There is poison joke, there are thorns, and don't get me started on timber wolves!" she then turned into a wolf like thing that was made out of wood.
"I've seen worse, far worse. I also have my fathers dagger, so I think I can handle it." I said. But I couldn't move, because she was still holding my tail. "Can you let go of my tail?" I asked.
"Oh, sorry. It's just that I've never met any pony brave enough to go in with me, especially in my natural bat pony form!" she said as she changed back into the black bat pony I saw before.
"I don't consider facing a wood dog brave." I said, thinking about the many worse things there are.
Her mouth dropped when I said that, but then appeared as if she was thinking. "I guess you're right. These ponies haven't seen.." she stopped there, seeming upset.
"I was thinking more of Daleks, Cyberponys, and other threats that the universe holds." I said, partially forgetting that she hasn't heard about this before.
"What in the name of Celestia are you talking about!" She said, seeming to forget about being upset.
"Well, it accidentally worked! Wait, who's Celestia?" I asked, forgetting what I said.
She just rolled her eyes as she smiled, "I always forget you're from the far lands! Come on, let's head in." She flew in a bit and motioned for me, "You coming?"
"Well, I don't really have a choice!" I said, then followed her into the forest!
"So why did you wanna come here?" She asked, but right before I answered she bumped into something, "OW!" she yelped. She was a ways in because she was flying ahead. She turned back to me with a bloody nose, "Um, okay OW! What WAS that?!" she said, rubbing her nose.
"It's what I'm here for!" I said, seeing that she ran into something invisible.
"Ugh, well thank you but my question still stands. Do you know what that was?!" Right before I could answer a doorway seemed to appear.
"Ah! John! There you are! I can see you found your way here!" Said Doc, with a big grin.
"Yes, but there is somepony else here." I said, pointing to Candy.
"Oh! Well then, you know where I am, so now you know were to find me if you need anything." He said. "Well, I'll be seeing you then!" Then he closed the doors.
"Well then Candy! Let's go to where you sleep so that I can help you!" I said. Candy just stood there, eyes widened and mouth hanging open. "You look like you just saw a Cyberpony and a Dalek planting flowers!" I said with a big grin. "Come on! I need you lead!"
"I...you...what just HAPPENED?!" Candy said, still standing in front of where we saw Doc.
"As Doc would put it, "Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey"" I said.
"Doc?" Candy said, still confused.
"Yes, Doc, can we get going?" I asked.
"I...you..." Candy sighed, "I'll ask later, come on, I'll show you where I stay." She then flew right behind Doc's TARDIS and landed in a small blanket.
"That's cute." I said, looking at her in her blanket.
"Thanks, I made it myself." She sighed, looking at the little drawings she kept around it. They showed her playing with other ponies, happily.
"Well, time for me to guard!" I said as I stood there, looking for threats.
She giggled, "Thanks for staying with me, I gotta get some sleep. Good night!"
"Good night!" I said. She then fell asleep rather quickly. "Doc has scanners around the place, It'll go ding if there's any threats. So that means I can go see the doctor for a bit." Then I went into the TARDIS. We mostly talked about where I was staying, and about Candy. Him making occasional jokes. Then I left to keep watch for bad things. Then, In the middle of the night I heard her yelp. "I HAVE A SPORK AND I KNOW HOW TO USE IT! Wait, why do I have a spork? Wait." I found she was still asleep, starting to sleep talk. ` "No! Don't do it!""We can't leave the others behind!" I saw tears roll down her cheeks as she slept, "No! No not you, why did you team up with them?! Please...no please, NO!" She then woke up, screaming.
"Candy, are you alright? I asked.
"I...you..." her colors had changed to much paler colors, and her eyes were green instead of red, she twitched as she kept repeating, "Just a dream." She was rocking back and forth the whole time.
"Candy, are you alright? What happened?" I asked.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!" She flew away rather quickly, but crashed into a nearby tree, getting knocked out.
"Something must have happened in that dream of hers that involved me, and something bad." I said, then |I picked up her unconscious body, and carried her over to her bed. Then when I put her down I noticed that her forehead was bleeding. "That's not good." I said, then I wrapped up her head. with some of the medical tape I had on me. "Always comes in handy." I said, then I continued to watch for enemies. When morning came Candy came to.
"Ugh...what happened?" I noticed that her colors were back to normal, "Why is there a bandage around my head?" She looked up at the medical tape, looking confused.
"You flew into a tree in your sleep." I said.
"Ugh...my head hurts. Wait a second, AH!! How hard did I hit my head did you see?!" She seemed concerned, especially since she grabbed me as she asked.
"Not that hard." I said.
"Phew! If I had hit my head too hard..." she sighed, seeming to know something that I didn't.
"Well, now that you are ok. Should we go to that big castle on the mountain, or visit the town again?" I asked.
"Well, if you want before I'm needed in Canterlot I could tell you about being a changeling hybrid. You DO seem like the sciency type." She giggled.
"That would be Fantastic!" I said. She took off her bandage, showing only a small bruise.
"It can get kind of complicated, so I guess you're getting kind of a story time!" She laughed a fantastic laugh, "So when I get hurt, if it's serious enough, it becomes permanent, but there are some good things about all this. For example, watch this!" She then turned into TwilightSparkle, and in a couple seconds blurted out EVERYTHING about her! "Cool huh?"
"I am not entirely fond of 'Twilight' after our first meet." I said.
"Yeah, once you get to know her she is really nice! Same thing goes for Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity!"
"Wait, did you say Rarity?" I asked.
"Yea, why?" Candy asked.
"Not her! I can deal with rainbow dash for at least an hour, but NOT RARITY!" I said, remembering the nightmare that was my first encounter with her.
"John...I know she's annoying at times, but still give her a chance! I mean with all the knowledge I gain from other ponies there are things that even I can't learn about them just by changing into them! When I first changed into Rainbow Dash part of her mind was locked off from me! I had to talk to her to find out. Even though all I learned was that she worked at the weather factory, I still learned something new! Aaaand I changed the subject didn't I." She laughed.
"Is there anything else about you?" I asked.
"Not much else, I mean I'm still leaning things about myself! For example, if I don't leave for Canterlot as Sunburst right now she's going to be late!" she said, looking at my watch. "I wonder if it's faster to fly or take the train."
"Train is safer for that distance." I said.
"Do you think I can't handle it? Sunburst is a pretty strong flyer! Ooh! How about you take the train, and I fly! It can be a race!" She seemed excited.
We were walking to the "starting positions" to get ready to see which one took longer, the train or flying. However, I was not in favor of it.
"Please just ride the train." I begged.
"Oh come on John, I'll be fine! I stretched out my wings before we got here!" She did a little flip in the air, "I'm ready to fly all the way to Cloudsdale! Ready for me to start?"
"What's Cloudsdale?" I asked. She sighed.
"I'll tell you when I beat you to Canterlot, see you there!" She then took off rather quickly.
"I'll just use my vortex manipulator to take myself there whenever she is close enough." I said when she was out of hearing radius. I decided to get on the train so that I could keep a better eye on her. So I climbed the train and sat on top. I kept a close eye on her. However, after about an hour, I saw that she was having trouble, then she started falling and screaming. Then I started to run to her, but then she fell into the river, so I teleported myself to the side of the river. She moaned a bit, but I saw that her forehead was bleeding once more, and her left wing was crushed, along with her front right hoof.I was terrified, I was confused, I had seen entire civilizations destroyed by a group of metal ponys, entire planets demolished by only one ship. I was horrified, but right now, I felt something, more. I was terrified of losing her. I just shouted. "CANDY! CANDY WAKE UP!!" Then I picked her up, and flew her to the hospital, I even damaged a one of my wings from the speed and weight. Then I put her a hospital bed and put a doctor in there. After about an hour the doctor who took care of Candy came out and said that she'd be fine.
"And never do that again."
"I'll try not to!" I said. Then I went in to see Candy. She was fast asleep, mumbling a bit.
"No...no don't do it...don't." She then rolled over and tossed her bandaged hoof over the edge of the bed.
"Nightmares again, this is not good." I said. Then i sat down and transported my mothers music box to me, and started to play it. "Hopefully this will help." I said. After a bit the music box stopped and I left to go sit in the waiting room, although after a couple minutes Candy came out, limping. "Candy! Are you okay?! Are the bandages..." I asked. I looked up and saw that she was smiling.
"Thank you." she said, "Thank you so much John. No pony would ever do this for me if they knew I was..." I smiled back and said.
"Well then call me Mr. No-pony!" She giggled.
"Well, Mr. No-pony, wanna join me for a milkshake?" After that I started to laugh a bit and she did as well. As she was taking me to the milkshake place I was wondering why I was so terrified when she was injured. I had never been that scared before. But why would That be different. I've been scared before, but not in the same way. I felt like there was more to it than just a fear, I felt as thought it had to do with her. I couldn't tell though. So I decided to do some research after a while. But there was still things to do. After we got milkshakes we left for Canterlot using the train. So I decided to ask some questions about this place.
"So, what's Canterlot?" I asked. ` "it's basically the capitol of Equestria, Princess Celestia rules there with her little sister Princess Luna. Here," she then handed me a book, "read this! It has everything you need to know about Canterlot."
"I don't like to read about things that I can find out for myself, books don't always get the right stuff. Sometimes they do though." I said
"Well trust me, this one does. If I were you, I'd read it." She said.
"I'm ok." I said.
"Alright then, OW!" She yelped as she stiffened up, she then looked down at her bandaged hoof and sighed, "They're permanent..."
"How?" I asked.
"Remember how I said if I get injured badly enough they don't go away." she sighed once more.
"Oh, I'm sorry." I said sadly.
"It's fine...it was my own fault for being too sure of myself."
"I should've tried to stop you." I said.
"It wasn't your fault at all. I took off before you had a chance to stop me."
"Heh heh heh." Candy smiled as the train stopped. We got off near the castle and started in.
"When we get in we might be greeted by a princess." Candy said in Sunburst's form.
"Why does Equestria need a princess?" I asked.
"Equestria actually has three princesses, and all of their talents are things Equestria can't live without!" Candy explained.
"Oh, that seems a bit excessive." I said.
"Well Princess Celestia raises the sun, Princess Luna raises the moon, and Princess Cadence is the crystal princess who helps spread love throughout Equestria!" Candy explained, "Equestria can't survive without them!"
"Why can't it survive without the cadence pony. I didn't have any love for five years, and I was perfectly fine!" I said, confused on why there was such a thing.
"I'll explain later, we're here!" She pointed up to the castle doors, they opened and a Blue pony with a flowing blue mane, wings and a horn was standing in the doorway!
"Sunburst you're very late. WHAT HAPPENED?!" She looked shocked as she saw her niece in bandages, I decided to explain.
"She fell out of the sky on the way here, so I had to take her to the hospital. She should be alright." I explained.
"Oh why thank you for helping her! If your parents would be alright with it you're welcome to come to the grand galloping gala tomorrow." She said.
"I can go, but, what's a Grand Galloping Gala? If I might ask." I asked.
"I'll have Sunburst explain that, if you want to stay in the castle tonight." Luna offered, before I could answer Candy did it for me.
"Yes he does Aunty Luna!" "Luna" Giggled a bit after hearing that.
"Sounds like somepony wants you to stay." She smiled as she motioned inside.
"Aunt?" I asked Candy.
"Sunburst's aunt is Luna, just roll with it." she whispered. "We're going to bed, goodnight Aunty Luna!" she said to Luna.
"Goodnight you two!" She said as she flew off.
"I'm guessing that I'll be staying in your room?" I asked.
"My room has two bunk beds, one of them is for Starburst, Luna's daughter. You sleep in one of the bunks!"
"I'm good with the floor." I said.
"Okay then, well here it is." She pointed to the door we were next to, when she opened it we were greeted by a filly who looks like Sunburst, only with a dark blue coat and a darker blue mane.
"Hey Candy!" She said, putting down her book, "What happened?!" She said, with a similar expression as Luna.
"Wait, how does she know that you are Candy?" I asked worried.
"Sunburst and I used to be friends when she was alive," she took a deep breath, "she told Starburst about me and the three of us hung out every once and a while. She knows it's me." She then turned back into her natural bat pony form.
"Oh, well that sums it up." I said.
"Well at least I can be around Starburst as myself!"
"Um, hello...I asked what happened!" Starburst said.
"Uuuuh...dumb flying accident. The bandages are permanent."Candy explained.
"You don't seem that patient." I said. A little upset about the sass.
"Uh, I was just playing with her...that's how we joke around right Candy!" Starburst said.
"Right! Now I'm going to bed if you don't mind!" Candy laughed with Starburst as she limped into the bathroom.
"Time for my job as a guard, heh heh." I said.
"Huh?" Starburst seemed confused.
"A little thing I did for Candy." I said.
"But there are guards all over the place here! Get some sleep silly." Starburst hen snuggled up under her covers and fell asleep rather quickly. Candy then limped out and got in her own bunk.
"Goodnight John." She then fell asleep herself.
"Now is the perfect time for some exploration!" I said quietly.
I opened the bedroom door to find a guard roaming the halls. However, I didn't want anypony to find out that I was out and bout, so I had two options, sneak or dispose of. However, I wasn't a cyberpony bent on evil, so I went with option number one. I snuck around by throwing a bar of soap towards the opposite side of the room and go him to go over there, then I dashed out towards the main area. However, while I wasn't looking, I flew into another pony and it knocked both him and I down. However, when he hit the ground, Green circles fley up around him, then he changed into a changeling.
"Ow, why you lit-. Wait, John?" He asked.
"How do you know who I am?" I asked.
"Well, you wouldn't be able to tell me apart, we all look the same for the most part. That and you haven't seen me in a long time." He said.
"Wait, do you have a name?" I asked, thinking I knew who it was.
"You called me Mr. Holes if I remember correctly." He said.
"It is you!" I said as I ran up and hugged him. "How have you been?" I asked.
"Better thanks to you. I turned into somepony who has a lot of others who loves him, mostly fans. But his voice is annoying and girlish." He said.
"So you had to live with that for a while?" I asked.
"Yes, still do, but it is terrible." He said.
"I'd imagine so." I said.
"So, how have you been?" He asked. But then we heard hoof steps coming towards us.
"Hurry, change into that annoying pony!" I said quietly. Then he turned into a pony with a colour scheme close to mine, but with a lighter coat and his mane and tail had orange like tips. Then the guard came.
"Hello Mr. guard." Mr. Holes said with a moderately high voice.
"Hello Mr. Singer." The guard said, not stopping.
"I'm glad that was quick." I said when the guard was out of hearing radius.
"I need to get someplace safe." He said still in the other pony.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because if a guard sees me in my normal form they'll kill me, and question you." He said looking around.
"Hmmm, you know this castle better than I do correct?" I asked
"Well, I have been here many times." He said.
"Alright then, the best place would be outside of the castle. I also want to test something that I think would be interesting." I said.
"What do you propose?" He asked.
"I want to learn a thing or two about changelings, and you could help me upgrade something." I said.
"Alright, but it'd be wise if we weren't seen." He said.
"Agreed." I agreed. Then we left towards the exit. However, we were stopped by Luna, and when she saw Mr. Holes, as this other pony, She freaked out.
"Oh my gosh! Hi Justin! Can I call you that?" She asked, then I realised.
"She's a fan-mare!" I shouted in defeat and horror.
"Yeah you can call me that if you want." Holes said.
"Yeee! Oh hi John. Why are you out so late?" She asked.
"I'm a friend of 'Justin'" I said.
"Lucky." She mumbled.
"Well, we'll be seeing you Princess." He said.
"See you!" she said blushing for no reason what-so-ever.
"Please tell me she's not always like this." I asked worriedly.
"No, she's just a REALLY big fan." He said.
"Why did she blush?" I asked.
"Mares are crazy at times." He said.
"Then there are some who are perfect." I said thinking nothing of it.
"Oh, found somepony you like?" He asked.
"Found something for that girly voice of yours 'Justin'?" I asked mocking him.
"Truce."
"Alongs-y." I said.
"What does that mean?" He asked.
"Doc said that is is french for Let's go. However, I want to use it for something else." I said.
"It would be proper to use it the correct way." He said.
"I know, but he uses it all the time. I can't think of my own little thing to say, and it sounds cool, so I decided to make it my own!" I said.
"Heh, if you're happy with it." He said. "So how old are you?" he asked.
"Eleven" I said.
"So, do you get good grades in school?" He asked.
"I don't go to school, Doc taught me a lot more than what the could when I was really young." I explained. "Than and I don't like the ponys in this town. Well, except for one or more."
"Who are they?" He asked.
"So far only you and Candy." I said.
"What, do you not like the elegance of this city?"
"I'm a resident of a little town called Ponyville."
"I lived there for a while, to kind of lay low from Chrysalis."
"Good spot to feed."
"Everypony was friendly there. I didn't even have to turn into somepony with loved ones."
"That's good."
"Now that I think about it, who's this Candy pony?"
"Who is this Justin pony?"
"A singer with an annoying voice and a lot of mare fans and a lot of stallion haters."
"Reasonable, Candy is a hybrid of some sort. But I think it would be better if you were to see her yourself."
"Alrighty then." He said before we reached the door.
"Let's head out." I said, then we headed to an ally so nopony would see us. "Ok change."
"Now what do you want to learn about changelings?" he asked while changing.
"I can finally take you seriously!" I said.
"What do you want to learn." he said with a sigh.
"How does your magic work?" i asked
"Why would you want to learn that? You don't ever have a horn!" He exclaimed.
"Well if I were to learn the concept then I could use it with technology!" I said.
"Oh no I ran into a cray science pony." He said, mocking me a bit.
"Hah hah very funny. Now tell me how it works." I said.
"I'll tell you, but I could also help you with the machine thing. After enough practice and training that is." He said.
"Alright, I can arrange that." I said. Then he told me how it works.
"And that's about it." He finished.
"Fascinating." I said. "Now, let's go to Candy's room so that we can stay safe and make sure nopony sees us."
As we were walking to the castle I looked up and saw a black pony-like figure on the roof of a building, but then it disappeared and I took it as nothing. However, when I looked at another one I saw a different one, but redish. then it dashed off.
"I think somepony's following us." I said. Then, as if on cue, the two things landed right in front of us.
"I'm Batpone!" the one is a black and grey suit with a cape and a mask that had two little things poking up on the top sides said.
"And I'm Robin!" The one in red and black suit with a cape and a mask that only covered the area around his eyes said.
"Who are you." Batpone asked.
"I'm John, and this is Mr. Holes." I said. Then Robin gasped.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To my friend Candy." I said.
"Robin don't you dare." Batpone said angrily.
"Holey Candy Batpone!" Robin said with a big grin.
"WHY YOU LITTLE!" Batpone shouted before tackling Robin and punching him. After that we ran until we couldn't see them anymore.
"That was odd." I said.
"Indeed" Mr. Holes said. After a bit of walking we arrived at the castle again, then Mr. Holes turned into Justin Singer and we entered. As we were going to Candy's room we were stopped by a guard.
"Why are you too out so late?" He asked.
"We were only going out for a stroll in the town." Justin answered.
"Why did you bring this small foal with you?" He asked.
"He is an old friend of mine." Justin replied.
"Does he have permission from his parents?" He asked.
"Keep on pestering me and I'll tell Luna you were giving me a hard time." Justin warned.
"She would not care." He said.
"I'm Justin Singer." Justin said.
"Oh, I'm terrible sorry. I will leave you to your business." The guard said.
"Thank you." Justin said, then we continued on. Eventually we got to the room.
"You need to be really quiet in here, but you can be in your normal form." I said.
"Alright, I'll trust you." He said, then we walked in.
"Let's head towards the bathroom." I said.
"Why there?" He asked.
"Because I can lock the door and nopony can come in." I said.
"Alright." He said, then we went in. Then, after a bit of talking, we left. However, when I opened the door I saw Candy awake as Sunburst.
"John why are you awake. AH!!! 10294!!!" Candy yelped as Sunburst.
"How do you know who I am?!?" Mr. Holes demanded. All of the sudden Candy sneezed, turning into her changeling form. "Who are you?!" He demanded.
"That's Candy!" I quickly said. Candy then changed back into her natural bat pony form.
"So it is." He said. "Here to destroy my friend?"
"Wait what? John why is he here?! He was a spy, DID MY MOM SEND YOU?!?!?!" She then turned bright red in anger. Starburst then woke up.
"Candy what's going on. AAH!!!!" Starburst hid under her blankets, "I'll let you handle this one Candy!" I then grabbed Mr. Holes, and tried to fly out of the room, but candy locked the door before I could get there, and I just stopped. Not saying anything. I just looked down and din't say anything.
"No pony leaves until I GET MY ANSWERS!" Candy shouted.
"Why are you hare. Don't you have a city to destroy or something?" Holes responded.
"YOU FIRST SOLDIER!!!" Candy sounded like a general at this point. "I, WANT, ANSWERS!!!"
"I don't take orders from killers." He said, trying to be calm. Probably for my sake.
"May I remind you of the one who did the killing, WHO ALSO WASN'T FORCED TO LIVE A LIFE SHE NEVER WANTED TO LIVE IN A MILLION YEARS!!!!!!!!!" Candy then gasped and covered her mouth as her red glow went away. Then I started to twitch. Which was odd, because I never twitch. However at the same time, never before was I under this much stress. Then my eyes started to water. But my face was straight with a slight frown. Holes put his hoof on me, but remained silent.
Candy took a deep breath and started to calm down, "Look 10294, I never wanted to do any of that killing, nor did I have a choice! That's why I ran off, please, just don't tell my mom!" Candy begged as she teared up. However, he remained silent.
"He has a name. He is not just a number." I said, no longer twitching. "Why can't either of you RESPECT ONE ANOTHER!" I shouted, now very angry and upset.
"I..huh? But mom only gave out numbers with the exception of me. And why would I respect him? He works for my mom!!!" Candy yelled, starting to glow red again.
"You have no respect for him, you didn't even ask if he had a name, or anything NICE! YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE THE COURTESY TO ASK ANYTHING ABOUT HIM! I-I." Was all I could say.
"John...he killed dozens of ponies! Why are you defending him?!" Candy said through clenched teeth. I remained silent. Candy started to do something that surprised me a bit, she shuddered, and her facial expression went from rage to absolute terror. "Y-y-you won't tell m-m-my mom....r-r-right?" Candy stammered.
"She left me to die years ago, I have no respect for killers, and after what you did to my only friend, you lost my respect as well." Holes said. Then he walked over to me, got down, and wrapped his hoof around me.
"But..I didn't want to...John what does he mean by friend? I'm sorry for what I said it's just...please tell me." Candy pleaded.
"Many years ago, on the same year as my parent's death, I found him in the snow, helpless, so I went up to him, and talked to him. I hugged him to feed him love and I named him. He flew off." I said.
"I flew away from there, to try and get a new life, what he told me helped me. Let me be a better pony. I decided to not be with the queen anymore, because she just left me to die. Alone."
"I...I'm sorry. I didn't know, if I had known I would have had some pony come back for you. I'm sorry..." Candy started to cry a little.
"I'm glad you didn't." Holes said.
"You wanted to leave...didn't you." Candy suddenly understood what Holes meant, "I understand, I ran off on the day of the wedding attack, to escape from my mom. John found me at school in Ponyville, and we became best friends." Candy smiled.
"After one year alone, I realized what we were doing. And I don't want to be a part of that." He said.
"Wow one year?" Candy said, "How did you not starve to death?!"
"Sometimes, random ponys would walk by, to enjoy the scenery, they would usually be a couple, so I would feed off of them for a bit. However, I was still starving, then winter came. and I was freezing. Then John came along and He gave me enough love to leave." Holes said.
"John...saved you?" Candy then looked over at me as she limped forward. Then she suddenly hugged me very tightly, 'I'm so sorry!" she cried
"It's alright, you didn't know." I said as I hugged her back. "But please don't just jump to conclusions." I asked.
"It's just...all of the changelings that I was raised around were evil. I...I guess I just assumed," Candy started
"That so was I." Holes finished, no longer holding me.
"I'm sorry. I was wrong about you...you're a good changeling." Candy smiled, "Now what IS your name?"
"Mr. Holes." Mr. Holes said, smiling a bit.
"Well it's nice to find a changeling who understands wanting to change. I ran off during the attack we were planning for for nine years!" Candy said.
"The Canterlot one?!" Holes exclaimed.
"Yea, it wasn't easy though. I lost one of my friends." Candy started to cry a bit, "I didn't even have a chance of saving her..." Candy sniffled, so I went over to calm her down.
"We can't always save everypony. It's not always possible." I said. Candy just cried into my shoulder as she changed uncontrollably.
"What's she doing?" Holes asked. Candy kept sobbing, so I did the talking for her.
"When she get upset or sad enough she will start to change without control." I explained. Candy sniffled and started to calm down a little. "Are you feeling better?" I asked.
"Yea...." she sniffled, but then started crying again, "SUNBURST!!!" she sobbed. I just kept on hugging her.
"Looks like my sholder is now clean. I said, my shoulder being soaks with Candy's tears. Holes looked confused.
"Sunburst, you mean Celestia's kid?" he said, that only made Candy sob harder.
"You are not helping." I said.
"Sorry." He said. Then I heard knocking on the door.
"Holes, go into the bathroom, and lock the door!" I said trying to be quiet. Candy's ears perked up as she quickly changed into Sunburst and Holes ran to the bathroom, Starburst had been out from under her covers for a while now, so she just hopped out of bed and followed Holes. Candy wiped away her tears and put on the straightest face I've ever seen!
"Um, what's that face supposed to mean?" I asked. Candy whispered.
"Just...watch." The door opened and a guard came in bowing.
"Good morning princess, did you sleep well?" Candy amazed me by suddenly sounding like nothing was wrong at all.
"I slept excellently! Please tell my mom and aunty Luna that I'll be down in a few."
"Sure thing princess, anything else?" the guard asked.
"No thanks!" Candy said, the guard left after that. After a few seconds Candy changed back to normal and started to tear up again. I just let my jaw hang open.
"How, what. Wha. Uh."
"I lived a lie...I learned to act." Candy said, still crying.
"How is that living a lie?" I asked. Candy then started to cry harder.
"I lived in the wastelands with my mom, who thought I was evil!" She started to glow red, so I backed off. I didn't know what to say. Starburst came out of the restroom.
"Is it safe for holes to come out? I have to use the little mares room."
"Yeah it is." I said.
"Oh thank aunt Celestia!" Starburst said with a sigh of relief, "Holes you can come out!"
"Alright, I don't like it in there, at least with another pony. It makes me feel weird." Holes said while he was coming out.
"You said it." Starburst said as she closed the door.
"I heard what she said about her mom," Holes said, "I feel kind of bad for her, I mean look at her!" Candy had hoppd back into bed, and was now sobbing into her pillow instead of my shoulder. "We should do something." He said.
"I don't know what though!" I said.
"I might, I was one of the changelings who foal-sat her every once and a while, and I seem to remember her enjoying my impressions." Holes said."I might, I was one of the changelings who foal-sat her every once and a while, and I seem to remember her enjoying my impressions." Holes said. "Would you like to hear some impressions?" He asked. Candy sniffled as her ears perked up.
"Holes, it's been seven years." Holes didn't listen to her as he changed into Luna.
"HUZZAH!!! THE FUN HAS BEEN DOUBLED!" Candy giggled, and eventually busted out laughing as Holes kept changing.
"Heh heh. I'm glad that she's happy again." I said quietly to myself.
"Thanks guys...I just miss Sunburst," Candy then changed into Sunburst and took a deep breath, smiling at us, she said, "Let's head down for breakfast John! Luna wants to talk to you."
"She wants to speak with me? I wonder why that it?" I said.
"Well Celestia isn't here for the gala, maybe it's about your invite!" Candy said happily.
"Well, let's not keep her waiting! Also, do you think she would mind if Holes would join?" I asked.
"Uuuh...I don't know after the Canterlot attack." Candy said with a worried look.
"Oh don't worry, he's somepony else when he's in public." I said.' Someone I think she likes."
"Oh boy Holes you got yourself in a bit of trouble." Candy laughed as she used her abilities.
"Why's that?" He asked while turning into Justin Singer. Candy only giggled as she limped out the door. Starburst then came out of the restroom.
"Hey Candy have you seen, OH MY GOODNESS JUSTIN SINGER IS IN MY BEDROOM!!!!!!!" Starburst squealed.
"I think I know what she meant now." Justin said. Starburst started to bounce around the room, so I did the only thing I could think to do, I leaned over to Justin and whispered.
"Run!" With that, we flew out as fast as we could, with Starburst following.
"WAIT FOR ME JUSTIN!!!!!!!" Starburst yelled after us.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" We both shouted.
"What in the name of my sister is going on?!" Luna shouted as she saw us, all three of us stopped dead in our tracks, with Starburst hugging Justin's leg.
"Oh Justin!" Luna said, obviously trying not to squeal, "Excuse my daughter, she's a big fan. Starburst, please leave Justin Singer alone."
"But mom!" Starburst wined.
"No buts, your cousin didn't even fangirl this much!" Luna said as Candy came out from behind her in Sunburst's form.
"You go aunty Luna!" Candy said, obviously amused by all this.
"But it's Justin Singer!!" Starburst said, still squeezing Justin's leg.
Luna sighed, "Sunburst, you know what to do."
"I don't know if I can handle any more of this!" I said.
"Aww but this is silly!" Candy said as Sunburst, holding a tub of popcorn she had gotten with her magic.
"Sunburst..." Luna said in a stern voice.
"Oh alright," Candy said, getting rid of her popcorn and getting up. She cast a spell that put Starburst in a bubble and she couldn't get out.
"HEY LET ME GO!!! JUSTIN REMEMBER ME!!!!!!!!" Starburst yelled as Candy limped away with her.
"Sorry about that, right this way John, Justin you're welcome to join us, Starburst won't bother you, I promise." Luna said.
"Alright." He said.
We walked into the dining room, only to see Candy as Sunburst next to Starburst, who was tied up in magical ropes.
"SUNBURST!!!" Luna shouted.
"Oh...you wanted the boring containment." Candy said as she turned the ropes into a sound proof bubble. Starburst just sighed and ate her breakfast inside the bubble.
"I'm oddly happy about this." I said. Candy giggled as she sat down. "So Luna, you wished to speak to me?" I asked.
"Oh yes, Celestia just wanted me to give you this for the gala tonight." Luna said as she gave me a tuxedo.
"Celestia?" I asked. "Is that the love one?"
Candy whispered something to Luna, "I see, Celestia is my older sister John. Sunburst here is her daughter, i'm sure she can explain everything you need to know" Candy smiled as Sunburst, but I could tell she was holding back tears. Then I heard something in my head. 'You must go to, Then he used ancient to tell Gallifreyian to tell me a location, I will meet you there.' I knew it was the Doctor because a long time ago he told me that he would use Gallifreyian when I am around others who can read my mind. It translated to 'The hall of Candys room.' However, it also meant something important. So I had to go there.
"I need to go for a second. I will be back." I said before going to the location. Once I got there i noticed a white figure behind me. "How can you read my mind?"
"While I can't read minds, I can use my abilities to tell when somepony is communicating with another telepathically, and whenever that happens I can't help it when I use my abilities." Candy said, "Now why are you here?"
"Warble. Garble." I said, but then the Doctor came out of Candys room and greeted me.
"Hello John, I see you brought your marefriend." He said.
"Why must you torture me so." I said.
"Ah hah hah. Don't worry, I know that you two are only friends." He said with a smile. "However, I must ask, why is she here?" He asked. Candy nudged me as she cleared her throat rather loudly.
"What?" I asked.
"I'm expecting an answer as well John."
"I don't know why she's here and I don't intend on answering if you Don't tell me why you followed me." I said.
"Fine." Candy said.
"Ok, the reason is, it will be told later on. Bye!" I said before dashing strainght into the TARDIS with the Doctor and locking the doors.
"Alright doc, what is it?" I asked.
"Well, I just wanted to check up on you." He said.
"And that is important enough to speak in French?" I asked.
"Well, you are my son after all."
"That still doesn't excuse you."
"So, how have you been doing?"
"I've been doing alright."
"That's good. Well, that's all I wanted to know. You can continue doing what you were doing." He said.
"Thank you." I said angrily as I walked out."
"Well," I was greeted by an angry Candy in Sunburst's form, "I'm waiting smart guy."
"You really think I'm smart?" I asked.
"Well duh! You, DONT ChANGE THE SUBJECT!"
"Alright. He is a pony that was here and needed me." I explained.
"John..." Candy started tapping her hoof impatiently.
"Let's go finish breakfast!" I said, walking to the dining room.
"JOHN!" Candy yelled.
"What?"
"John I KNOW he's your dad, while I may not be able to see that part of your mind, I CAN see the resemblance!"
"Oh no, my parents are dead they died eight years ago. Besides, just because I look like him doesn't mean I'm related." I explained. Candy suddenly changed into me for a split second, her eyes widened after she changed back. "Good luck trying to find anything but circles doing that." I said.
"John...I saw...it's true. He IS your dad, your parents died when you were three, you..." I stopped her there, knowing the only two things she saw.
"I put those things there because I didn't want you looking into my past. Those were not real. I will not ever let you go that deep into my mind. The deepest you can get is when I found Pinkie Pie." I said. Candy shook her head, knowing that I was lying, she simply limped back to the dining room. "I must make sure that she forgets those things. She seems to want to know to much about me. Especially the things I was told never to reveal. I need to make sure that no one else ever hears or knows about this, the damage that could be done if the wrong things know could have deadly consequences." I said to myself before walking back into the dining room.
After breakfast I started working on a memory removal devise instantly.
"That was a great breakfast, however I need to be foo doing something. Goodbye!" I said right before running to the exit.I heard myself being followed.
"John wait! Don't you want to get ready for the gala like you said you would?!" Candy called. I HAD told her at some point we could spend the day getting ready.
"Alright, I guess it couldn't hurt." I said.
"YAY! Now I can finally pick a dress with some pony other than Starburst!" Candy the pulled Starburst in her bubble over to our room, "Come on you two, let's do this!"
"I think I could stand Rarity better then picking out dresses." I said. After a couple minutes Candy came out in the first dress, Starburst had been released and was helping pick out the right one.
"What do you think?" Candy asked excitedly, it was a dark purple dress with hot pink accents, that looked rather beautiful on her.
"Perfect in these eyes!" Starburst said, "What do you think John?"
"It looks good!" I said.
"Thanks, I like it myself! Starburst your turn! grab your twelve dresses!" Candy said.
"Wait, what!?!" I asked in horror.
"She wasn't as certain as I was, I simply chose three that I liked and wanted to go with the first one that looked nice." Candy said.
"Oh no." I said in defeat. Candy giggled as Starburst burst out and posed in a light green dress.
"It looks good." I said.
"Is that the one marked 'Seafoam Breeze'?" Candy asked Starburst.
"Yea! I'm going to go try on the 'Smarty Party' next!" said Starburst.
"I don't understand any of this." I said. After three hours Starburst finally settled on a dress called 'Cute Candy'. "Yes, now we can do something else." I said.
"I was thinking maybe we could play hide and seek or something like that!" Candy said.
"Sounds good to me! What do you say John you in?" Starburst said. ` "I guess I could try." I said.
"Yay! You seek first John, come on Starburst!" Candy said, right before limping off with Starburst.
"Seeking? For what?" I asked myself. "I wonder why they ran off. I'll go find them and see what I'm supposed to do." I said, then I went in the direction that they were going in, but then I got lost. "Blast, I lost them. Hmmm, maybe Luna will be able to help." I said, then I went off to find Luna. Then after a few minutes I found her. "Hey Luna? What do I do when I'm the one seeking?" I asked. Luna giggled.
"I'm guessing you're plying hide and seek, simply find Candy and Starburst. Or rather, do your best to!"
"Oh, well then, that should be easy enough! Thanks!" I said before running to our room to get my life scanner. "There it is!" I shouted upon finding it. Then I turned it on. "Now, let's put it on changeling hybrid." I said, right before it stopped working. "Gah! Useless piece of metal!" I said. "Looks like i'm going solo." I said. Then I went off to find them. Then after an hour I found Candy in a bush. "Ello Candy!" I said.
"Ah! You found me!" Candy laughed, "Now to find Starburst, Ill help!"
"Well, that would be helpful." I said smiling.
"Come on! She usually hides in the throne room."
"Why is a throne room needed?" I asked. "Seems quite useless, and where is the father?" I asked.
"Uh, Starburst doesn't like me talking about it"
"Odd, but I won't disrespect somepony elses wishes." I said.
"Hey look! Maybe he knows where Starburst is!" Candy said pointing to a nearby guard.
"Aren't we supposed to find her ourselfs?" I asked.
"Help won't hurt. Wait a second." As we got closer Candy's ears perked up.
"What is it?" I asked. Candy then tackled the guard playfully.
"GOTCHA!"
"Why did you do that?" I asked. All of the sudden, the guard turned into Starburst.
"Thought you could use that potion I gave you huh?!" Candy exclaimed.
"I'm confused." I said.
"Well I had to take up potion making in order to stay alive, and I found a recipe that allows other ponies to change!" Candy explained, "I make it for Starburst all the time for when we're playing, and I can sense it when it's her thanks to my abilities."
"Fascinating." I said. "Well, I must be going now, this was fun."
"It was fun! See you later tonight John!" Candy said. I waved them off as they left. I then went into the room to work on a device to make them forget. After about an hour of hard work I got it done.
"YES!" I shouted, holding the device in the air. Then they came into the room.
"What was that John??" Candy asked.
"Yeah we heard you yell." Starburst added.
"Science!" I yelled as I took out the memory of candy finding out that Doc was my dad, and then I took out Starbursts memory of me taking out Candy's memory. Candy then fell to her knees and moaned as she rubbed her head.
"Candy!" Starburst yelped.
"Is everything alright? I asked.
"Ugh....wh-what happened?" Candy asked as Starburst helped her up.
"I'm not sure, you just fell to the ground." I said.
"All I remember after picking out a dress for the gala is falling to the floor right now...." Candy said.
"I....what happened after hide and seek John?" Starburst asked.
"Science." I replied.
"Well science gave me a big headache." Candy moaned, "I'm not sure if I want to go to the gala...at least the dance part." Candy said.
"Well, I do enjoy the night sky." I said. "Perhaps we could simply sit outside?"
"Yeah...I'd like that." Candy said.
"Well then we have a plan!" I said. "Next is to simply wait."
"Well I'm gong to wait by resting...see you tonight John." Candy said as she started for the door.
"See you!" I said, then I decided to head to bed myself.
"Come on John, it's time for the gala." Candy said.
"Alright, where is it?" I asked.
"I think it's downstairs." She said.
"Then let's head down there shall we?" I said, then we went down to to the Gala, and there were many ponys if formal suits, and on one side of the room was Luna and another very tall, white pony with a colourful, flowing mane and tail, of whom I did not recognize. They were both on large padded, thrown-like things.
"Huh, I guess Celestia got back early." Candy said, changing into Sunburst. I wondered who Celestia was, but I didn't ask her because I wanted to find out for myself. "So, do you wanna head down to the garden? I just have to tell Celestia." She said.
"I'll meet you there in a second, i want to get a good look at this place." I said.
"Okay, let me go tell Celestia. I might stop where the snacks are on the way. I need some punch." She said, then she walked away. After she did I went around the place and looked at everything that was there. After a bit of looking around I saw the purple pony named Twilight, and all of the other annoying ponys I encountered upon my first day in Ponyville. They must have seen me because the pink one was pointing at me and talking to the others, then they all looked at me, then they started to go towards me. However before they could get close I ran in the opposite direction, however before I made it very far I ran into someone very tall and white.
"Oh! You should look where you're going you could get hurt!" Candy then came out from behind her and whispered something, "Oh so this is your friend Sunburst. Nice to meet you, and I would like to personally thank you for helping my daughter."
"Mom, do you know where the snacks are? I forgot again." She then pointed Candy in the direction of the snack table and continued talking to me.
"So anyways, do you think you could tell me how Sunburst got hurt?" She asked.
"She fell." I said.
"Well yes, I realize that, but do you know any of the details? For example, how high up she was, if she was able to use her magic to reduce the damage, stuff like that."
"She was almost to The City that this Castle is on when she fell."
"And did she use her magic to reduce the damage she took?"
"I'm not sure."
"How did you get to her, or even find her?"
"I ran."
"Well do you," before she could finish her sentence, we heard Candy call for me, "Well, seems as if somepony wants you. Have fun John!"
"How do you know my name?"
"Sunburst told me."
"Oh alright." I said, then I went to go see Candy. "Yes Candy?"
"I found a good spot in the gardens! Lots of pretty orchards and roses and flowers like those." She said happily.
"I do enjoy flowers." I said, then we went into the garden and looked around.
"I hear this is the only night when all of the flowers are in bloom. Hey, I was wondering, why did you get so defensive when I reacted to Holes. I mean I know he's your friend, but I think you would know that I'm still terrified of most changelings. The only ones I'm not scared of are Holes and this one who got the nickname Thorax."
"You called him a number, and instantly thought that he was a spy for your mother, labeling him, and i hate labels, I also hate it when someone calls someone else by a number, it shows nothing more than disrespect, and i hate it when something disrespects another thing. It makes it seem as though you don't care enough about someone to call them by their name, or to ask if they had one." I said.
"Okay, first off I thought he was a spy because he WAS a spy, when he worked for my mom he had two jobs, foal sit me along with Thorax, and spy on other ponies. Second off, I called him by a number because that's all changelings are given at birth, a number. The only reason why some have names is because they're given nicknames by other changelings, not the queen."
"Just because he did something in the past doesn't mean he still does it.""
"Well...not all changelings...change. I've seen some cases where once a changeling is cast out, they strive to come back to the hive, or even just say they've failed and wait to die! I thought that if Holes was a case where he tried to go back...he'd stick around you only because he was weak..."
"You must be more open minded, don't jump to conclusions, ask calmly."
Candy sighed, "Alright...I'll try, but remember that I've grown up around most of the changelings, and all except for Thorax were evil."
