> The Cutie Mark Crusaders and the Change Brothers
>  by Nikolas
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter I:Discovery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Cutie Mark Crusaders and the Change Brothers


Chapter 1:

Discovery:

"Do you have any idea how to get our cutie marks?"Asked a white unicorn filly with purplish pink mane called Sweetie Belle.

She looked at her two friend,who sat not far from her in their clubhouse,who were busily thinking.

„What did we not tried yet?”Asked a yellow-coated earth pony filly with a red mane whose name is Apple Bloom.

„I know! If we could get a little gunpowder, we could make a bomb and then we would be the Cutie Mark Crusader Bombers!What do you think? "This question came from a pegasus filly who had orange fur, with a purple mane, who was called Scootaloo.

The other two looked at each other anxiously, before Sweetie said:„I don’t know, Scootaloo, i think it's not a good idea."

"Sweetie's right," said Apple Bloom, "In addition, how we could get gunpowder?Moreover, I doubt that our sisters would help after our last "hoofcrafts" experiment ", at the last words, she visibly shuddered at the memory (we just say that in it took part some glue, three scissors and a lot of paper,the result is a very awkward situation and Apple Bloom's tail is still a little shorter than usual).

"Hmm, maybe climbing?" Asked Sweetie Belle. "We already tried, not too successfully." Said Scootaloo a dour expression on his face.

After few minutes intense thinking the earth pony filly with a big smile on her face spoke up: "I know! Why don’t we ask Zecora? Her hut is full of all kinds of strange stuff, she surely will have some idea!”

Scootaloo immediately became excited and started to agree, while the Sweetie Belle did not looked too confident:"This is certainly a good idea? I mean Zecora lives in the Everfree Forest and…” before she could continnue Apple Bloom put one of her hooves on Sweetie's shoulder reassuringly:"Do not worry, I know the way, as long as we stay on the path everything will be fine." This sightly helped."And if we run into a giant monster with sharp teeths and claws, maybe we get the monster beating cutie mark! That would be so awesome!"Said Scootaloo. From this the white filly began to worry again, while the Apple filly just stared resentfully Scootaloo,only receiving an embarrassed smile.

Not much later we could see as the three crusaders followed the path that lead from Ponyville through the woods to the zebra’s Hut. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked calm at first, but if you listen a little longer, you can see them tensed,watching for possible threats. In contrast, Sweetie Belle could not hide her fears as the others, she trembled from head to tail and looked if she would be rather in the school instead of the spooky forest.

They were already pretty deep in the woods, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle did not noticed that their friend suddenly stopped and they bumped into eachother.

"What is Apple Bloom, is something wrong?" Asked Sweetie."For a moment I thought I heard something, but maybe I just imagined it."Said the farm filly, but then they all heard it. It sounded like a scream, but they could not make out what he was saying, because of the distance.

"That don’t sound good," said Scootaloo silently. "I think we should go." Sweetie quickly nodded in agreement.

„We can’t walk away just like that!" Whispered Apple Bloom. "We have to see, maybe somepony needs help." With her speech finished, she cautiously started toward the way from where the sound came. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle soon followed their friend.

Following the sound, they went further into the depth of the Everfree Forest. As they approached, the voices became more understandable.

„Rrrraaaawwwwrrrr!!!”

The fillys froze for a moment by the terrifying roar, then suddenly a young voice shouted: ”Help!Somepony!”The Crusaders hesitated for a moment, then heraing another terrifyed scream they rushed forward from where the sounds came.

Soon the Crusaders were hiding behind a bush, looking through the mentioned bush they found the source of the sounds. On the clearing they saw three young colt.One of them was a young unicorn colt with black fur and long silvery mane,hisbright blue eyes widened from fear.The next one was a dark green furred pegasus colt, with cyan colored mane, his eyes were like emeralds. The third colt was a brown coated earth pony, with a blonde mane,his sparkling amber eyes showed both fear and anger at the moment.

The colts were probably at the same age as they were, observed silently the three filly, but it was right now not important.What concerned them was the condition of the colts, all of them were covered with scratches and bruises, their fur was dirty, stained in sweat and blood. They couldbarely stand on their hooves.The Crusaders soon found the causer of the colts injuries.

A Manticore.

The beast had sharp claws, it’s fangs were like daggers, a vicious grin appered on it’s face, as slowly approached the would-be victims.

The manticore sported a few scratches, on one of it’s front paw was a bite-mark what caused to the beast to limping slightly. This suggested that the colts don’t gave themselves easy.

Then suddenly the manticore launched itself toward the colts. The trio despite their injuries were able to (even just barely) dodge the claws, not to mention the sharp-pointed scorpion tail.But it was just a matter of time before they couldn’t keep it up anymore.

After a few seconds one of the manticore’s swings were successful, it’s paw managed to hit the unicorn colt, throwing him trough the clear, finally with a nasty thud sound he crashed into a tree, then fell to the ground unconsciously.

Then to the shock of the hiding fillys, the unconscious colt was engulfed by emerald flames. When they was able to see again, his appearance heavily changed.His body, instead of fur was covered in black chitinous "shell", his mane and tail sported a few holes, small pointed teeth stuck out from his mouth, on his back sat a pair of membranous wings, standing on his forehead a small pointy horn.The color of mane and tail was still silver.

„Huh!”The Cutie Mark Crusaders were shocked from this revelation, while the same thought flashed through their minds. „Changelins!”The same creatures, who not long ago on Princess Cadence’s wedding attacked Canterlot.

What they are looking for here? There are more of them? And if so why they don’t came already to rescue the three colt from the manticore.But they couldn’t ponder further, the beast’s roar brought their focus back to the current situation. The two, still conscious colt tried to distract the manticore from the unconscious colt, but it’s attention slowly came back to the unconscious changeling.

The other two colt, with two quick paw swipes were catapulted to the edges of the clearing, then the eyes of the hungry manticore began to focus on the helpless black colt.As the beast approached it’s prey a voice shouted, "Somepony help! Please! "The brown colt shouted with tears in his eyes, as he and the green coated changeling tried to get up so they could help to the unconscious changeling colt, but despite their efforts they knew that they will not reach the black colt in time.

As the manticore was ready to deliver the final strike, a stone slammed to the manticore’s head.The beast turned it’s head in the direction from where the stone came. The two still conscious colt followed the stone’s path, until their eyes rested on the three filly.

Sweetie Belle was visibly shaking, under the manticore’s angry gaze,while Apple Bloom was glaring at her reckless friend. Nonetheless,she firmly planted her little hooves on the ground, never taking her eyes off of the enemy.Finally, Scootaloo the one who threw the stone at the manticore. She don’t tought through what she do when she threw the gravel, nevertheless she too stand there, determined to not let to the manticore to hurt anymore the colts.

While the manticor scanned the area, if there were other ponys too, AppleBloom silently whispered to her friend:"I hope that you have some idea how to climb out of this mess Scoot."

Scootaloo’s face twitched, but she just replied that much: "What was I supposed to do? Changelings or not, i'm not going to just stand by and let that thing to eat them!" She then followed her declaration with a stomp.

Before they could continue, the manticore lunged at them, but they quickly separated, so the beast’s claws only hit the air.The trio swiftly teamed up again, while rapidly thinking how they could get out of this situation (possibly alive).

This was repeated a few more times, until one of the manticore’s paw successfully hit Scootaloo.

"Scootaloo!!" shouted her friends in unison. Scootaloo crashed to a three, but she was still conscious. The beast began to approach the stunned filly.

But before it could reach it’s prey an angry shout could’ve be heard: "I will not let you to hurt my friend, you vile, oversized fireplace rug!"Her shout was quickly followed by a double kick to the manticore’s paw. Despite her young age, seeing her friend in danger with the rush of adrenalin gave her kick some extra strenght.

The manticor roared from both the pain and the anger.With a quick back-pawed strike it swept away Apple Bloom.But before it could do anything else, it was struck with a stone, right in the middle of it’s forehead. On a other part of the clearing, Sweetie Belle stared at the manticore, she now seemingly to tremble with anger instead of fear.:"Leave them alone, you meanie!" Then she immediately with her magic threw another stone towards the beast. While her magic was not too strong, the concern for her friends strenghtened her throw.

But the manticore simply swatted away the stone with it’s tail, then it began to walk toward Sweetie.

But the diversion created by the Cutie Mark Crusaders gave the advantage what the two awake colt needed. The green coated colt began to run toward the brown colt, then he jumped into the air, right before the brown colt. During this the brown colt turned and with a strong kick to the hinder hooves of the green colt, who used the force behind the kick to launch himself toward the manticore with more strenght. He began to beat with his wings increasing his speed even more. Still in the air he began to transform

He mostly looked like the black colt, but instead of black, his body was covered with green chitin, just like his fur in his pegasus form.He sported a pair bug-like wings what even during his transformation not stopped to beat. He too has a horn, but it seemed a little smaller than the unconscious changeling’s horn. His green eyes began to light.

As he finished the transformation, he was enveloped by green flames.

"This for my brother!"Then he smashed to the manticore’s chest. The beast don’t had time to dodge the attack and it get the full force of the blow. As the force of the attack pushed it back, the manticore was still able to kicking it’s attacker. The green changeling crashed to the ground not far away from the black col, losing his consciousness.

The others watched cautiously the manticore who slowly, with trembling limbs stood up, however it barely could stay standing. While the CMC came out from the fight with just a few scratches, the ponys silently waited, knowing if the manticore would attack again, they would be helpless.

Then, with a grunt the manticore turned away and barely standing slowly began to walk away into the woods.After a few tense minutes they waited if the manticore would return, but at the end they slowly began to calm down and were relieved that they survived it.

In the meantime, the Crusaders gathered looking to their flanks and after don’t saw any change Sweetie groaned: "Oh, come on?!"Then the fillys looked to the rescued colts. They looked concerned toward the two unconscious Changeling. The brown colt who was still conscious despite his injuries staggered toward them.

"Thank you." He said wearily. "Thank you for saving my brothers." And then he too became unconscious.
The three filly looked at eachother and slowly Sweetie said out what they all tought:"Now what are we supposed to do?"
> Chapter 2: The zebra’s hut:
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The three filly helplessly stood in the clearing, staring at the three unconscious Changeling.

After he passed out, the brown colt too changed back to his original form. The chitin cover was brown like his coat in his pony form, but a little darker. His mane and tail was still blonde, just had a few holes in it. The horn on his forehead was not as big as the black changeling’s, the insect-like wings on his also weren’t seemed as developed as the green changeling’s. It suggested that, he don’t used his wings as often as the other changeling.

"What do you think Apple Bloom, what do we do?" Asked Sweetie Belle.

"I'm not sure, but I think we should tell about this to one of us sisters." Replied Apple Bloom.

Sweetie said hesitantly: "Are you sure that this is a good idea? I don’t think that they would be very happy if we would show up in Sweet Apple Acres, with three Changeling."

"Sweetie's right, I doubt that the ponys in the hospital would welcome them with open hooves." Added Scootaloo her own point.

"Girls, we know nothing about them! Why are they here? Are other changelings too in the near?" Said Apple Bloom firmly.

"If there were other changelings here, they would’ve helped them before. The manticore had almost devoured them, if this is some kind of trap, then it’s very risky!" Yelled Scootaloo loudly to her friend.

"Then what we should do?! We can’t just take them into Ponyville! Ponies would immediately noticing them and then we should explain to them where we found themand why we want to smuggle them in! What should we tell them?! Well?!” Shouted Apple Bloom just as ardently.

"Uh...girls?" Started o say Sweetie Belle. "What!" They shouted at the same time, and when they realized that they were still in the Everfree Forest they quickly grew silent. Then they quietly apologized to their friend.

"What did you want to say Sweetie?" Asked Scootaloo apologetically.

"What if we take them to Zecora? She surely will be able to help them, and if we tell her what happened, maybe she will have some idea." Said Sweetie Belle looking quizzically to her friends.

"This is a great idea Sweetie!" Shouted excitedly Scootaloo then blushed and slightly softer continued, "I mean, I think this is a good idea."
"Hmm... you're right, Sweetie Belle. "Said Apple Bloom thoughtfully: "Zecora perhaps the only one who would be willing to at least listen to us and to help them. Let's do it!" Cutie Mark Crusaders life-savers! Yaay!" They cried all at once, forgetting the dangerous forest around them and slowly carried the unconscious colts toward Zecora's cottage.







Fortunately, during the rest of the way the Crusaders don’t met another danger. Nevertheless, it took a while before they reached the zebra’s hut. It had something to do with the three unconscious changeling colt who they had to carry.

Knock knock!

"Who are you my guest, introduce yourself will be the best.” Said a rhyming sound.

"Hi Zecora! We are the ones, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo! Can you let us in? We need help!”

"Then let’s come in, I am sure that you have a story to tellin’.” said the Zecora and soon the door opened revealing the only zebra habitant of Ponyville.

The appering figure has greyish coat with darker grey stripes, a mane of white and dark gray in color with a mohawk style. Her cutie mark is a spiraling sun symbol. On her neck and the right front leg she wore gold bracelets, in her ears a pair of gold earrings. Her blue eyes held ancient wisdom and kindness as she looked at the Crusaders.

Zecora quickly spotted the three injured colts, then she directed her attention back to the fillys. She saw the concern and confusion in their eyes.

Apple Bloom already opened her mouth to begin an explanation, but before she could say a word Zecora with a serious expression on her face gestured towards the three colts: "Bring them in, they need first helpin’, before we could converse anything."

Then she went inward with the changeling trio on her back, meanwhile gesturing to the CMC to follow her into the hut, the Crusaders without hesitation, immediately followed the zebra.

After laying down the three unconscious colts on a blanket, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootlaoo watched in silence, as the Zecora grab a bottle or bowl from the shelves and put everything down on the table. After she checked, that she had everything she began to work. The CMC curiously watched while Zecora worked with masterly skill, in a bowl she began to crumble some dried plants into dust. She then took the bowls with the dusts, she poured water and other unfamiliar liquids into the bowls, and then skillfully mixed them with wood wands (for each bowl’s mixing she used a different wand). While she worked, from time to time she glanced towards the unconscious trio.

After a few minutes later the zebra grabbed the three bowls in front of her, with a stack of bandages and a clean rag headed towards the three colts. With one hoof she grabbed the rag and dipped it into one of the bowls’s content, began to clean and disinfect the colts’s wounds.

A few minutes later she grabbed the second bowl, which’s balsamic contents began to cover the changelings wounds. Roughly ten or fifteen minutes later, ending the treat she began to bandage the colts. After the bandaging ended, Zecora with thorough eyes started to examine the bandages for tightness and the condition of the colts. Then she gently raised the colts’s head and poured the content of the third bowl into their mouths. Then she gently put their heads back down. With her work completed she sat down on a cushion, and then quietly looked at the worried and curious CMC.

"Will they be all right Zecora?" Asked Sweetie Belle, the concern was visible on her face. The other two did not speak, but from their posture and glances it was obvious that they too wanted to know the answer.

"They will be fine, thank that you bring them to the hut of mine.” Rhymed Zecora.

The fillys had let out a sigh of relief and began to smile.

"Thank you for your help Zecora.” Said Apple Bloom.

"I was glad that I could help to you, little ponys, but I think you have some interesting storys.” With this she directed her full attention to the Crusaders sitting infront of her.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders swallowed in sync, then they looked at each other worriedly for a moment, before Apple Bloom took a calming breath and began to speak: "Well Zecora, it was so ..."







Over the next hour Apple Bloom explained why all of a sudden they came to her hut with three injured changeling colts. She told her that how they could’ve not came up with an idea, how they could get their cutie marks, the idea, that they would come to her for help, their way in the forest, how they heard the colts cries for help, the clearing, the three colts, the manticore, how they had discovered the fact that the three were changelings.

Then she told to Zecora their fight with the manticore that how they had beat it. Finally, their reasons why they decided to bring them to her for help instead of Ponyville.

The other two fillys from times to times added a detail or their own opinions about the situation, but in most of the time they left their friend to talk.

Once they had finished retelling the happenings they sat quietly and a little worriedly watched Zecora, waiting for her response. However Zecora’s face was completely blank as she mused about the CMC’s story, not giving away any kind of clue.

After a few minutes spent in silence thinking, at last Zecora spoke: "This deed was dangerous and blind, but with a kind and valiant heart behind."

The three looked down apologetically, but they raised their heads to Zecora’s praise.

"But this is not all, I hope you are aware of the responsibility which upon you fall. What if they mean danger, they intentions could be whatever, what if they would hurt one of your sister’?" Asked Zecora.

For this the Crusaders looked to the floor again. "Do you think it’s possible, that there are good changelings?" Asked Sweetie Belle uncertainly.

"You saw their worsest face on the attacked wedding, but nopony could judge only for their deeds the whole race of changeling. The question is what will you doing?” Rhymed Zecora questioningly, then looked calmly at the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

They looked at each other for a few moments, before Scootaloo spoke: "Well, if we want to know, we have to wait until they wake up." Then she crossed her hooves over her chest looking at the rest of those present, daring them to contest her opinion.

But before anypony could’ve say anything else, one of the changelings’ eyelids quivered a few times and then, as if this were some kind of sign, the other two changeling’s eyelids too began to quiver.

Then, in perfect sync they opened their eyes.
> Chapter 3: The changeling trio’s story:
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3: The changeling trio’s story:

The three ponies and the zebra watched in silence as the three young colt began to pull themselves together.

The brown changeling slowly sat up, one hoof pressed on his head, apparently in the hope that it relieves his headache. This method seemed not very effective.

The colt covered with green chitin was somewhat more confident to sitting up, but his posture and trembling showed, that he trying to suppress the pain from his injuries only with his willpower.

The black colt had not sat up, his eyes tried to focus, but probably he still not regained full control over his senses.

A few minutes later all of the three was able to sit up, and then with a mixture of caution and curiosity looked around in the hut. It did not took too long for them to notice the three curiously staring fillys and the calm and collected zebra.

When noticed that they were not alone, they noticeably strained and uncertainly began examining the others in the hut present.

A few silent minutes passed, while the two groups looked at each other, none of them knowing that, how they should start the conversation or what the other group’s intentions may be.

Finally Scootaloo was the one who broke the awkward and tense silence: "Hmm, hello...?" she said awkwardly.

From this all eyes in the room focused on her, which soon made her began to squirm.

The three changeling seemed to calm down a bit, thenthe brown colt slowly opened his mouth and spoke, "Hey... " he said weakly with a little wawe of his hoof.

For a few moments he examined the bandages what covered him and his two companions, then slightly more confidently than before he spoke: "Thank you for all you've done for me and my brothers. "Then, as far as his injuries allowed bowed his head.

To his words the now identified two brothers began to examine themselves, apparently just now noticed the bandages what covered them. Slowly the changelings’ body relaxed and now with curiosity watched the ponys, who apparently to saved their lives.

Sweetie Belle, a little embarrassed quickli said: "Come on, anypony else would have done the same thing."

While nopony had answered, they all suspected that this statement was not likely to be correct.

Then once again, the room sank into awkward silence, nopony knew what they're supposed to say.

Soon, the green changeling, glancing through the room asked: "Can you tell that, where we are?"

Now Zecora replied: "You little changelings are safe in my home, thanks to this three who are not left you alone." Then she gestured to the three fillys with her hoof.

"Thank you for your help, without you we could’ve not get away!" Said the colt who previously was disguised as a pegasus, he looked in the direction of the fillys and showed a smile. From this the three ponies was embarrassed, while tried to (quite humorously) come up with a coherent answer. When that did not worked they just sat there.

Apple Bloom quietly watched the three changeling brothers, wondering on how to ask the questions, what she wanted to know, since they decided to bring the three into the zebra’s hut.

But Zecora preceded her, before she could’ve speak: "Thank to this three filly i was able to treat your injuries, but this situation prove some issues, what to clear would be good for us."

"The thing is that we just once met with changelings and the experience was not very good. We need to know that you don’t pose any threat to our loved ones. Therefore, we need to know what brought you here... " Asked Apple Bloom.

The three colts from this silenced and looked at each other quietly, apparently the three continued a mute dialogue about what to do. After a few minutes the three changeling turned back to the fillys and nodded simultaneously.

"What do you want to know?" Asked finally the brown colt.

"I think it would be best to start with an introduction." Said Sweetie Belle.

"I am Sweetie Belle."

"My name is Apple Bloom." Said the yellow filly.

"I'm Scootaloo." Said the pegasus.

"Zecora is my name, you all are welcome." Rhymed the zebra.

The three colts for a moment or twolooked at each other again and then the colt who previously was disguised as an earth pony said:"Call me Ynop Thrae."

"Call me Asus Peg." Gave the green changeling."He is Uni Corn." He added, pointing at his black chitined brother. He only nodded in response.

"Are you serious?!" Exclaimed Scootaloo a little angrily, she could not decide that they meant it or they was just joking.

"Right." Said the green brother.

"I don’t want to sound mean, but these names are... a bit unimaginative." Stated Sweetie Belle.

"Where did you get these names?" Asked now Apple Bloom.

The brown colt soon replied: "We have found out the names to make it easier to fit in Equestria.I do not understand what’s wrong with them."He finished slightly annoyed." I think these pretty good names, we had no problem with them since we are in Equestria."

Now the three fillys looked at each other uncertainly. How is it possible that nopony began to suspect about these ridiculous names.After a few minutes of deliberation, they concluded that they will find out that later. Meanwhile Zecora silently watched the events unfolding before her.

Finally Apple Bloom said: "But why not you use your real names?"

The three colts at this seemed sad.Soon the cyan maned colt responded:"Because we dont have names." He said.

"What do you mean, that you have no names?" Asked the white unicorn confusedly.

At this the blonde changeling explained: "The changelings are not given a name at birth as at the ponies. Thanks to the hive mind everypony knows their place and what to do and who is who."

"When we came here we needed names, because we know, that when ponys begin to talk with a foreignerthey will ask their name and vice versa. To keep up our disguises we came up with some names, we tought,that the namesinspired by the names of the pony tribes will cause not suspicion." He finished slightly lamely.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders while trying to process the new information sat in silence, then Scootaloo began: "I understand that you have no experience with names, but seriously! A unicorn, whose name are Uni Corn is like having a target painted on yourselves with the inscription: "Look at here, this pony is very suspicious." "If you want to spend extended time in Equestria without being caught you will need new names."

To this the three brothers had no answer. Then Sweetie Belle put up the question, what they from the beginning wished to know: "Why had you come in Equestria at the first place?" Then, the CMC and Zecora expectantly watched the three changelings.

From this question the three colts saddened again, the green covered colt apparently with great sadness replied: "Because there is no other place where
we could’ve go."

For this the fillys also saddened, and Apple Bloom asked:"But what about your family?" But she almost immediately regretted the question, when the black colt seemt to fought back his tears, while drew closer to his brothers, who hugged him in return, trying to comfort their brother.

"I'm sorry if I said something wrong!" Gave Apple Bloom apologetically.

A few minutes later the three brothers slowly calme down and the blonde said: "It’s not your fault. The thing is that the family is not a very pleasant topic for us. It's a long story."

"We want to hear your story" said Scootaloo, then quickly added: "But we understand if you dont want to tell us everything, we just want to know more about you."

"When I'm sad, sometimes it helps to talking it with a friend. Maybe it will be easier for you if you talk about it, but we don’t force you to anything." Added Sweetie Belle her opinion to the conversation.

The changelings sat in silence for a while, probably once again a mute dialogue going on between them about what they should do. Finally the brown changeling began: "This is a very personal thing and not easy to talk about it.We got used to feel each other's feelings and we don’t need words to communicate with each other. However, you saved our lives, while you had no reason to trust in us, therefore we believe you have right to know."

After a few moments of thinking he took a deep breath and began: "To explain what brought us here you have to understand the working of the hives and the determining factors of our race."

After a series of nods he went on: "The changelings, are a race similar to the insects, as you have obviously noticed. The hives are essentially like your towns, each hive give home to a colony. The leader of our race is the so-called High Queen... "

"Chrysalis... " gasped Scootaloo, remembering the changeling queen, who at the wedding almost conquered Equestria.

"Indeed, he is currently the supreme ruler of the changelings." Stated the brown colt, then continued: "But her’s is not the only hive, although she owns the biggest and the strongest among the hives, although her defeat in Canterlot certainly weakened her hive a lot."

"But not Chrysalis is the only queen, each changeling hive has a queen. They are the so called „Vice Queens”, who controls the different hives. In the case of the current queen’s death, if she don’t have a heir, the strongest vice queen will reign as the supreme leader of our race."

While paused Scootaloo whispered to Sweetie, "You can follow this?"

"Mostly, yes." She whispered back. Then they directed their attention back to the speaker.

"A hive’s queen, opposed to your beliefs are not necessarily is the mother of the whole hive. Although a queen can give birth to many children, not all of them are the current queen's childrens, but at the same time the majority of the members of a hive are connected by blood. We can say, that the different hives are made up of large families. Although it sometimes happens that two queens of different hives take in the others subjects for some kind of advantage in exchange for something else, like ssome of their own subjects."

"There are such large families?" Apple Bloom asked, slightly shocked. Shepersonally experienced on the latest Apple Family Reunion, that how many relatives can a pony have,but an entire city with ponies, who are all relatives. It was shocking even to her.

"But if you have such large families, why you have not names?" Scootaloo speak up now.

"The reason is that." Began to say now the green colt. "Because every changeling is connected to the others."

"Oh, you mean like the ants?" Asked curiously Sweetie Belle.

"Yes." He said, a little annoyed for the interruption, but not showed it.

"The hive mind connects our kind, the queens serves as the maintainers of this link. Thank to this mental connection everypony can recognize the others, making the names needless. In the colonies all changelings knows their job and their place in the hive. Only just those members of our race have a name, who have a specifical role in the hive. However they need names, because it sthrengten their self-awareness and their ability to think independently."

"But why only a few changelings have names?" Asked Sweetie.

"The queens falls in this „special” category?" Put up her own question Apple Bloom.

"A changeling can get a cutie mark?" Spoke now Scootaloo, and at her friends glances, she exclaimed: "What! I am curios!" Then sullenly watched her friends.

The cyan maned colt cleared his throat and, when all of them watched him again continued: "In response to your questions, yes, the queens are the most self-aware persons in the hives. No, changelings by their nature could very well adjust to accomplish various tasks. There are changelings who specialize themselves in some way, but that’s all. While we can use shapeshifting to mimic cutie marks, those will be only just part of our disguises. As to the third question, the most of changelings don’t get names, because their place had been defined since a very young age, to them the individuality strange and frightening experience, because the self-awareness weakens the bond with the hive mind."

"Besides a few exceptions, only the queens have significant self-awareness and the changelings whose tasks requires that."

"If this is the case, then why you're so self-aware?" Asked Sweetie Belle.

Now the brown colt took back the role of the speaker.

"It's one of the reasons that eventually forced us to leave our hive." From this they saddened again, and then he said slowly, his words filled with sadness.

"We always had a strong self-awareness, as our mother is the hive’s queen. With the questions wait until i finish!" He shouted angrily, a bit frightening the fillys, who decided to keep their questions restrained and just quietly watched.

"I'm sorry, but it would be difficult to explain this, if you keep interrupting. Back to the subject, yes, our mother is a queen."

He took a deep breath and started again: "Our sisters, since their birth were prepared, so one of them one day take over the leadership of the hive.The females are the dominant in our society."

"Since we were the childrens of a queen, we had to fulfill important positions. We have to point out, that the queens not too caring mothers, from our birth we had to go trough a set of serious training, so one day we could serve the hive properly."

Here, he took a deep breath and, while the black brother at this point visibly foght with his tears quickly started: "However, we were from those rare cases, whom have developed their own personalities and resulting many problems. Our duty would have been to obey without questions, without hesitation."

"But we don’t wanted to give up our personality, but our mother not liked that... "

Here his voice trembled, so quickly the green took over: "In our race, even the changelings with personality only have so much self-awareness as much necessary to their tasks.We however were different, but it meant not much good to us. In our species those who don’t serve the hive properly, as the queen commands, they are redundant and these changelings will not live for too long."

At this point, the three brothers started to shed tears, while their audience also holded back their own tears. Then the blonde continued: "We knew what would happen to us, so we made a decision, what changeling had never did before. We fled from the hive and broke our connection to the hive mind forever, we are now only connected to each other."

"Then we escaped into Equestria. After creating some names what looked to be acceptable, moving from town to town, while the occasional kindness of the ponies could give enough love us to survive."

"However, we must be careful, because we know that the hives’ agents will look for us and if they find us we would be dead. But meanwhile we had to look out, so the ponies not discover us, because we suspected that they would not take our presence very positively. In addition, if they discover us, our pursuers would easily find our tracks. Finally, we tried to go through the forest, to avoid the attention."

"From here, you know the rest." Finished he with a monotone voice.

The three colts at this point openly cried, while the three fillys and one zebra in the room, not knowing what else to do,themselves also tearfully embraced the sobbing changeling colts, silently trying to comfort them.
> Chapter 4: New Home, New Names:
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

None of them knew how long they maintained the hug. This, however, was not relevant to them. For them, in that moment was the most important thing to provide comfort to the sobbing trio.

Finally, the three brothers’ tears dried up and slowly unfolded themselves from the embrace. Then everypony in the hut tried to pull themselves together from the emotionally cavalcade earlier.

The next few minutes passed with quiet thinking, everypony was trying to figure out something to relieve the tension.

"Sorry, we don’t..." began haltingly Sweetie Belle,but the brown colt broke:"You don’t need to apologize. Although it was not easy to reveal all of this, but I think you were right. Let out all of this was as if a weight had been lifted from our shoulders. Thank you for this."

"Oh, it's nothing." Said the white coated filly.

Following this statement the awkward silence returned. But soon, the green changeling came up with an important question:

"Now that you know everything, what's going to happen with us?" Asked the colt gesturing towards himself and his brothers.

After a few quiet moments Scootaloo spoke: "I can not talk in the name of my friends, but as for me, welcome in Equestria!" Then she gave them a wide smile.

"Scootlaoo is right, after what you had went through you at least deserve a chance." Said the unicorn filly, her face too was adorned with a smile.

The trio's attention thereafter was focused on Apple Bloom,who still has not gave her opinion. After taking a deep breath she began:

"I can not imagine how hard the decision was for you to come here, leaving everything what you known behind. As an Apple, I promise to do my best, to help you find a real home here in Equestria!" Said the Apple filly her own smile graced her face.

"You little colts are welcome, since there is no where for you to be stay I am glad to offer you my home." Said Zecora to the three colts with an encouraging smile.

The three changelings smiled as well, then slowly got up and the three of them went to the Crusaders and the zebra and the green colt said: "Thank you for everything, we can never repay you enough what you had done for us."

"You should not move yet, your injuries are still severeneed time to heal." Said Sweetie Belle worriedly.

Now the blonde spoke: "Thank you, but you don’t need to worry, thanks to the kindness and love what you gave us the worst of our injuries had already gone."

"What do you mean?" Asked Scootaloo not really understanding what he had meant.

The cyan maned colt responded to this: "When you was comforted us, the love flooded from you, literally. It was to us as if we inhaled the food, what you were putting to us on a plate. From this our healing had accelerated." Said he uncertainly, how the four of them will react to this.

"Don’t worry!" Interjected quickly the brown changeling, ahead of a possible misunderstanding: "We did not sucked the love out of you, the kindness what you showed toward us just simply flooded from you. We didn’t had to do anything, we just extracted the love what you emitted, from the air."

"As my brother said, as if you have been put out some food on a plate, we were simply taken up this food from the plate. We don’t take away the love with force from the ponies who we met.We just take up the positive energys, that others have emitted into the air."

From this the three filly relaxed, while Zecora seemed unchanged as if she already would’ve knew about this.

Taking advantage of the silence Apple Bloom spoke: "Now that we clarified this, we have some things that we must to take care of."

After getting the colts’ curious glances, she continued:"Scootaloo had right. You will need some new names if you want to fit in, names that not only disguise you, but what you can recognize as your own."

Everypony thought about this for a moment, then the trio nodded (again in sync), and the green coated colt said: "Hmmm, that sounds good, but i don’t think that we would be able to come up with something useful. Any suggestions?"

The three fillies to this began to quickly thinking, while Zecora quietly watched the unfolding events.

Finally Scootaloo was the first who come up with a name. She turned to the cyan maned colt and slowly started:

"How about, if from now on we would call you to Leaf?" After she spoke she watched the colt, waiting for his reaction.

He for a few moments seemed to thinks, then finally said: "Hmmm, that sounds pretty good! From today, call me to Leaf!" When he uttered the name he thrilled for a moment, then smiled broadly.

From this Scootaloo seemed to relaxing, then sighed, unconsciously held back her breath.

Apple Bloom after watching the blonde colt for a few more seconds, soon said:

"What do you would say, if we would call you to Wood. I think it suits to you, because you are looks so strong as an oak tree."

The colt had thinked a little, then he smiled and said: "Hmm… Wood, i like it! Okay, since now my name is Wood!"

Sweetie thought for the longest, while the quietest among the brothers curiously watched her.At first it seemed that she can’t find a good name. Finally, her face brightened up and she said excitedly: "How about Silver! Your mane looks as if it were made out of silver!"

The black changeling colt silently thought for a full minute, his face unreadable.

Then a soft, shy voice said one single word: "Silver."

Then, the newly appointed Silver nodded in confirmation.

All three colts thrilled a bit, when they pronounced their new names, but then they seemed all very happy.

Apple Bloom slowly walked to the brown-coated colt, and discreetly asked: "May I ask, why is Silver so quiet?At first I thought that for some reason he can not speak, but now I don’t know what to think."

Despite that she tried to being discreet, the others also heard the question, turning towards the two.

The newly appointed Wood slowly said: "While it was a hard decision for all of us, it was the hardest to Silver, when we left the hive.Since he is the eldest among us, they put a lot of pressure on him and it was to him the hardest to break the connection with the hive mind and with our "family". "

Here, he had casted a worried look toward his brother, then took a deep breath and continued: "The lot of expectation and responsibility, and the separation was emotionally very hard to him. Since that Silver has been withdrawn and quiet, he only rarely communicated with words."

From this the black changeling had saddened a bit, but quickly organizd his facial features.

Then silence returned, although it was not so awkward.Suddenly Scootaloo ran to the window, and a little frightened, turned to her friends and said: "The sun is about to go down. If wenot get home before evening, we'll be grounded forever!"

Her two friends at this also became nervous, they knew, that if they don’t get back to Ponyville in time, they will never hear the end of the show, what their sisters will give to them.

After some precipitance the three fillies were all at the door, opposite them was the three changeling brothers and Zecora.

Sweetie Belle said:"Now we have to go, but we promise to meet again as soon as possible." She finished it with a smile.

"We can not wait!" Said Wood, and now all three returned to their pony shape. All three of them had a smile on their faces.

Suddenly Scootaloo said: "Hey, I thought that you should have a name as a group. We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders.I thought you should need a groupname too."

For this all the colts and fillies thinked, before Apple Bloom with a radiant smile said: "I have an idea! You could be the Change Brothers. You could use this as a last name."

After some hesitation the green colt excitedly exclaimed: "It's a fantastic name, I like it! Hmmm,Leaf Change!Yes, it's very good!" The other two disguised changeling had agreed, although somewhat more restrained.

"Goodbye, my little friends, i wish that your way to home well ends." Rhymed Zecora.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders said their farewells as well, then they started galopping into the woods.
When the three fillies was no longer be visible, the three young colts and the zebra returned into the hut.





The Cutie Mark Crusaders were able to get home before nightfall, but also they were given a thorough wigging for why did they were out so long.

But fortunately no one was grounded and even more fortunate that no one asked why they had came home so late. It happened earlier, when the fillies crusaded, that they didn’t noticed the passing of time.

Finally, all three of them went to bed peacefully after a long day and quickly fell asleep.

Then the new dawn of a new day has come andafter the usual morning preparations CMC went to the Ponyville Schoolhouse. Most of the forenoon went eventless, then came the lunch break.

At the moment, while the three fillies enjoyed their lunch, they pondered what to do after school.

"I think we should go and cheking them!" Scootaloo stated firmly.

"Are you sure that this is a good idea? I mean, they just recently arrived, we should’ve not give them some time to get used to the vicinity?" Asked Sweetie.

"That's why we should go, the best way to help them to get comfortable, if they have company."Answered Scootaloo, protecting her opinion.

"There is truth in your words Scoot’s,'' began Apple Bloom: "but we must be careful. Sooner or later, the ponies will notice if we go every day into the Everfree Forest."

"Now the least they don’t need, that we direct the attention to them." said the yellow filly.

But before they could continue the conversation, an annoying voice was heard:"Look Silver Spoon! The Cutie Markless Crusaders! What are you thinking about, that today what kind of lame idea will you try to getyour cutie marks,while the only thing you will get is, that you will be enveloped in sap?"Diamond Tiara asked mockingly, the school’s resident bully with her companion Silver Spoon.

The crusaders had just sullenly stared at the two mean fillies. Normally, they'd (especially Scootaloo) would’ve started to come up with a biting response.

But despite what most people assumed about them, they were not foalish. Altough they would happily told the theirs to the two snob fillies, they didn’t want to risk that accidentally reveal their new friends during the hassle.

So the only thing that they did was, that angrily stare at the two bullies, while trying to keep their mouths shut, which at that moment felt really difficult.

The two yet made some attempts to annoy the trio, but after they didn’t show any reaction beyond the stares (at least any visible), they got bored and moved on. "Argh! I hate those two snobs!" Seethed Scootaloo as quietly as she could.

"I understand Scootaloo, but we must be careful, now is the last thing we need is that they come up with something ugly and in the end they reveal the guys." Said Apple Bloom trying to calming down her friend.

At this the other two could not do anything else than to nod. Then quietly they ate the rest of their lunch before returned into the classroom.





After school ended the Cutie Mark Crusaders, after some pondering, decided that they don’t want to make their three new friends thinks, that they had forgotten their promise to visit them.

After they had told to Rarity, who was very busy working on her last fashion line, that they go to visit Zecora, the three fillies quickly started into the forest,however taking care to be as quiet as possible (they did not want to repeat the yesterday's little adventure with the manticore). Finally they successfully reached the zebra’s home.

In most of the afternoon, the six younglings mostly spent the time to talking about all sorts of topics.First, they tried to make a plan for their visits, making it enough random so they don’t direct their families’ or their friends’ suspicions onto themselves. Finally, they decided that on the school days, two or three times at a week they will visit their changeling friends. The weekends were uncertain, but if they had some time they would come to visiting them.

Then they began to talk about less important things. At the beginning of the conversation turned out, that Scootaloo and Leaf will get along well. They both liked extreme sports and they both tried to not show „soft” emotions.It also turned out that both of them were terribly stubborn and tempered.

In this light, it was not too surprising that their conversation topics mostly were about sports and the things that they found "awesome".

But they were not the only ones who find common topics. Apple Bloom chatted pleasantly with Wood. It turned out that they had a reason why they were disguised as different ponies, it came to light that they chosed that pony race’s form, what the best fit to their attributes.

They also learned that Wood is quite intelligent and kind, as well as an open and a bit self-confident.One of his character flaws, was that he was perhaps a little too confident, but he would never let it to endanger his brothers.

Sweetie in meanwhile tried to help Silver in his confidence problems. Gently talked to him about all sorts of trifleand although he only nodded in response, theblack changeling colt just seemed to enjoy the company of the white unicorn filly.

The crusaders talked to them about their families, about Ponyville, how they were trying to find their special talents, and all kinds of strange things that they experienced in Ponyville.

In exchange the Change Brothers told about the places that they visited.As it turned out they wentat quite a few places: to Fillydelphia, to Manehattan, to Vanhoover, to Baltimare and even into Appleloosa.They told about the lovely ponies, they met and the things they saw.

Zecora thankfully reminded the fillies to the time, so they would have time to get home before sunset.

As the bedtime came and they started to fell asleep, despite the uncertain future one thing they knew for sure, from now the things will become more "interesting".
> Chapter V: Welcome in Ponyville!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was since a month,that the Cutie Mark Crusaders rescued and later became friends with the three young changeling. During this time, a strong bond formed between the three colts and one zebra.

Zecora took care of their injuries, she began teaching them about the creatures in the forest and how to avoid them, about the different plants and how they could’ve be used, or simply she was there for them, when they needed emotional support.

But not Zecora was the only one, in whom strong feelings have emerged. The three colts knew that, if they stayed in the hive that would’ve meant their end. But the reasons could not cease the pain, what they felt upon leaving behind everything. But as time has passed, they began to feel, that in the person of the zebra, they could get something back from what they had lost, something, that can help them to fill the whirling emptiness in their hearts.

None of them said it out loudly, but it also was not necessary, because inside they all knew it. During this month, a new, strong bond formed between them. They became a family.

What made them more happy were the visits of their friends. The crusaders told them about their everyday lives in Ponyville, about their school, about the two, filly shaped demonic scourge of their lives (that is Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon), and about their many attempts to get their cutie marks.

The three brothers in exchange told them about, how much they liked to live with the zebra, about the all kinds potions (and delicious food) that Zecora cooked in her cauldron, the little trips what the three did with her, to gather this or that herb, what Zecora needed, and a little about the working of the changeling hives. The three fillies was particularly interested in the latter theme.

As they learned, the "common" changelings themselves could do many different tasks in the hives. Their responsibilities are quite wide. Acquire drinking water, transporting supplies into storage caverns, clean the caves, or help other changelings in carrying out their duties. As it turned out the workers were the most flexible non-self-conscious changelings, because they can be assigned to perform any task if necessary, though this is only done, if there is a large-scale task what needed help in performing of the minor things. Amongst these changelings are different sub-classes. While they could carry out any kind of task, some changelings were better in things like others. For example there are the "Masons" who are involved in the construction of hives. They dig the tunnels, inspect the stability of the passages and the supporting columns, they repair each damage and impairments. Additionally, they are carving out the cave chambers and halls, including the magnificent underground palace of the queen, not to mention the beautiful statues and other carvings.

But there are others as well.The warriors have very great responsibilities. They protect the hives from the predators (and any other enemy what could threaten the hive), if they try to invade. They are fast and strong and typically a little bigger. If needed any changeling could’ve be transferred to the warriors, but mainly those become warriors who have the build. Besides the head-first fight their job is also the detection and infiltration, as well as they are excellent trackers.
The "Drones" are the lowest amongst the members of the hive, they are not much more than slaves. They take care of providing any queries for the queen, to her daughters, and to the self-conscious changelings. Their sole purpose is to execute commands without hesitation, even if its cost their lives. Not if they would’ve had any way to defy, even their basic insticts could’ve be suppressed by the commands of the queen.

The fillies were fascinated by the huge, complex and often creepy world of the hives, while the colts were listening with deep interest, as their new friends talked about the everydays of the pony life. For them, Equestria was a whole new world, one what was so different from all what they knew.

And as the days went by, in the depths of their hearts they felt a growing desire to not only hear about the many interesting things in Equestria, but also to see them with their own eyes.





They were all in Zecora's hut, when Leaf decided to speak.

"Hey girls! We thought about, if you could give us a tour in Ponyville?"

For the first time, the CMC was so shocked that they could not even speak. It was finally Sweetie Belle who was the first to talk:

"But guys, it's dangerous! What if somepony found out about you?!" The concern was clearly evident in her voice, and from the expressions, the other two fillies had similar toughts in their heads.

"We understand that you are concerned about us and therefore we are grateful," said now Wood. "But… "at that he became a bit uncertain, but Leaf quickly continued:

"But it would be so awesome to see with our own eyes all the many interesting things, that you've been told about to us. Talking with other ponies, try out the many cool things you've been mentioned, and we'll be able to meet you more often."

"We just don’t want you to get into trouble," said now Apple Bloom, "not to mention that while my sister is one of the Element Bearers, sometimes my sister can be as stubborn as a cat that you want to bathe." She sighed a little at the end.

"What do you mean by „sometimes”?" Scootaloo asked with a sneer grin. Apple Bloom only responded with a dull glance.

Meanwhile Sweetie looked at Zecora and asked: "What do you thinks Zecora?"

They all turned to the zebra, the colts hopefully, the fillies hoping that she understand their reasoning.

After a while, she spoke: "I understand your feelings, that you want just defend them little fillies," here the fillies smiled, while the colts looked a bit sad, but before any of them could’ve voiced their opinion she continued: "But at the same time they cannot hide forever, they will be found soon or later. If we show to your sisters and to their friends that the colts's story is honest and real, we can show them our point of wiev."

"It will not be easy, convincing Applejack will not be the only heavy walnut. After what happened at the wedding, I doubt it would be easy to persuade Twilight." Said Apple Bloom.

"Are you sure you want this?" Asked Sweetie Belle from the trio.

The three colts silently thought for a few minutes, finally, all three of them turned back to them and nodded in perfect sync. "Okay! Then we will do our best to show Rainbow and the others, that you are good changelings." Yelled Scootaloo said enthusiastically.

"And how will we do that?" Asked Sweetie with excitement.

"I have no idea about that!" Exclaimed Scootaloo with a slightly too high pitched tone and a forced smile. At the others dumbstruck expressions quickly continued: "But i am sure that together we could come up with something!" This time she sounded more confident.

At this the three fillies looked at each other, then they cried out at the top of their lungs:

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS CONVINCERS! YAY!"

"Then we have plans to make, because we can't let us any mistake." Said Zecora with a serious face.

So the three fillies, the three colts and one zebra started to make plans.





It was a really big and difficult challange, what they had to tought long, how to introduce the Change Brothers to the Elements of Harmony and convince them that the three colts are harmless. The small group came up with many plans, but rejected them for various reasons: Too obvious, too noisy, too silly (Lure the Mane Six into the barn in Sweet Apple Acres with some excuse and then lead them to a cloth covered table, then the three colts pop out of the sheet and until the six pony tries to understand what the hay had just happened with Zecora’s help they try to explain the situation to them.).
Finally, after lengthy thinking, they managed to make a plan, which they all found acceptable. After agreeing on the plan, the three mentally exhausted fillies returned to their homes, then, as Luna’s moon rose in the sky, all three went to bed, knowing that the next day will not be easy.
> Chapter VI.: Confrontation:
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day came very soon and with it the time for action. The CMC, after completing their usual morning preparations, went to their clubhouse for a last quick discussion. Then they started to move the plan into action.

Fortunately, Granny Smith had to go to Appleloosa to deal with some important business and Big Macintosh accompanied her. Thanks to that, they could use the barn in Sweet Apple Acres to carry out their plan. After that, the team will be separated, while Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle prepare the barn, until then Scootaloo finds the Element Bearers. This is easier to said than done. Finding Pinkie Pie is not easy (and if you're trying too hard, Pinkie will think that they play hide-and-seek, what make more harder to find her).

It helped a lot, that she searched for Rainbow Dash first, and after saying the message ("We would like to invite you, the other girls and Spike to a very special, exclusive party. Could you tell Pinkie Pie and Rarity about it?"), it was much easier to find and notify the other ponies. After hoofing to the last pony (to Fluttershy) the message, she soon returned to the barn, where the other two fillies, with the help of in the meantime arrived Zecora and the colt trio, they finished the party preparations.

Now all they had to do was to wait for the arrive of the guests and quietly hoped that things would go well.





The Mane Six slowly approached the barn, as they went, Pinkie Pie could not hold back her excitement and said:

"I'm so excited, we're official to a VIP party, isn’t it exciting? Yes? Yes?"

"You bet!" Said Spike.

"Do you have any idea what the three of them was up?" Asked Twilight, looking at the three fillies’s sisters (that is the sister of two and the third filly’s sister figure).

"I don’t know Twi, i just heard about it for the first time." Claimed Rainbow.

"I don’t know either what's on their minds, but recently, Apple Bloom behaves a little oddly." Spoke now Applejack.

"Well, now that you say, lately, Sweetie Belle seems to be somewhat "different", but I can not take my hoof on what it is." Joined to the conversation now Rarity.

"What do you mean Rarity?" Fluttershy asked in her silent, shy way.

"I don’t know for sure, i would say that its a kind of sister intuition." Rarity replied.

"This and that, the three have not done any knocks for a while." Said Applejack. The CMC, when they take something in their heads, it is usually quite noisy and/or goes with a lot of dirt. The fact that the three fillies seems to have restrained themselves made her a little concerned for her sister.

"Well, we will soon find out." Spike reported as the group approached the barn. As they came, they saw that the three fillies at the door noticed their approach, Because they waved them with a wide (maybe a little bit too wide) smile on their faces.

"It's good that you arrived! Get in and we can get started," said Apple Bloom.

"Apple Bloom, for the sake of the appletrees, what do you up to with your friends, what have you done?" Asked Appjalack her sister with a suspicious glance.

"No-nothing! We can’t just make a party, without accusing us that we put bad wood on the fire or that we are up to do something?" Asked back Apple Bloom a little annoyed.
"Come on!" So she started in. Applejack gave her another suspicious glance, then followed her inward, then the others followed too them. After they were all in, Scootaloo discreetly (but still quite noticeably) closed the door.





The first phase of the plan so far made good progress. After the three colts showed themselves to the Mane Six and Spike (even in their disguises), the fillies with the help of Zecora told them the cover story, that the three of them were adopted by the zebra and the CMC met the colts there and they became friends. Then they said that with this party they wanted to help them to get fit in, but because of their shy nature an official Pinkie Pie Party (all rights reserved!) would have frightened them.

This is fortunately worked, with the help of Zecora they was able to avoid the risky questions, while the three colts became acquainted with the six mare and one dragon. As time went by, the participants began to talk, eat and drink, play with one of the games or just enjoy the good company. The essence of the plan was, that they first allow them to became acquainted with the colts and to make friends with them, then they try to explain the details with some help from Zecora and that the three are completely harmless. Hopefully, the seven would give them enough time to explain, before they do something reckless.

But things rarely go as planned. As the group talked about random things, they heard an explosion. After they came to themselves they all rushed to the door to see what was happening. When they get out they saw something they did not expected. Changelings! Changelings attack Ponyville!

As the Mane Six started talking to each other about what to do, the CMC noticed the horror and shock at the three’s faces. Wood anxiously looked at the distant flying figures and frowned, Leaf’s body tensed while his wings fluttered. But Silver was in the worst state, his body apparently trembling, seemingly close to total panic.

When she saw this, Fluttershy set out to comfort the poor colt, followed by the CMC. But then the problem had happened. Silver was so overwhelmed with fear that he could not hold up his disguise. Fluttershy's face was filled with dismay and a little fear, as before her eyes the colt’s true self was revealed.

As Rainbow Dash noticed it, she exclaimed: "Changeling!"

At this the five mares started toward the three changelings (Fluttershy rather backed). But before they could get too close to them, Apple Bloom exclaimed, "STOOOP!" Then she stood defensively in front of the colts with her two friends and the zebra.

"Sweetie Belle! What are you doing! They are changelins!" Rarity cried out worriedly.

"But they are good changelings! They would not harm even a fly! "Sweetie cried to her sister.

"Did you know about this?!" Growled Applejack with an angry face.

"They may have brainwashed them!" Rainbow added with a similar look.

"That's not true!" Exclaimed now Scootaloo. When they tried to get closer to the colts, the four moved closer to them.

"We did not tell you, because we knew you would not listen to us! They are our friends!" Shouted Apple Bloom defiantly, her eyes almost as intense as her sister’s owns.

As the two groups began reasoning (understand it, to argue), Pinkie Pie was looking from one group to another, then back again, but her neck twisted and then started to spin like a humming top. For a moment, this distracted everypony, but as they were used to Pinkie's antics, they soon returned to the argument.

"My friends this is just a misunderstanding! Before judge, let us the things explaining!" Rhymed Zecora.

"Stop!" Twilight shouted. They all quit the arguement and turned to her. Twilight then turned her gaze over the gathered ponies. As she got at the changeling trio, her gaze became cautious and suspicious, but she said nothing. Finally, she took a deep breath, while doing a sweeping motion with one of her forelegs.

Then she said: "We do not have time for this now, Ponyville is under attack! There is no time to waste!" At this Rainbow and Applejack looked at her sullenly, but they nodded.

The CMC silently sighed to their little triumph, but it was quickly interrupted by the continuation: "But when we done with this, you have a lot to explain to us." Said Twilight toward the fillies and colts with a peremptory facial expression. At this Zecora answered with a slight nod.

Then she turned to her friends: "Okay everypony, lets go!" The other members of Mane Six started to follow her, though some was slower than the rest. But before they could get too far, for everypony’s surprise Silver stood before them with a frightened expression on his face, while he higgledy-piggledy wobbled with his little legs.

"Now what is?!" Rainbow asked irritatedly. His brothers turned to Silver and they just looked at each other for a few minutes.

"What are they doing?" Pinkie Pie asked confusedly.

"Telepathically speaking to each other," said Apple Bloom. Twilight looked at them with a curious glance, but remained silent.

Whatever happened between them, the other two changeling faces also showed concern.

"What's the problem?” Asked Sweetie Belle worriedly.

"They can not go out there," Wood said seriously. "Silver says it's a trap."

"What do you mean?" Asked Rarity. The others also turned towards the trio.

"Silver says the changelings are not in assault formation." Leaf explained.

"They are scattered in small groups as they keep moving, instead attack together."

"What does that mean?" Twilight asked. She did not understand son much about military tactics as her brother, but she saw the meaning of what he had said. While she concentrated heavily on watching what happening, she noticed that the changelings did not seize the ponies.

"They're just baits, they cause alarm, while avoiding direct confrontation, and then, if they've sparked the interest of the target, they begin to lure them, and then the hiding forces strike together." Wood explained.

"How do you know that?" Applejack asked.

"Silver was meant to be a warrior since his birth, and he knows the most about combat tactics amongst us," Leaf said.

"What should we do?" Asked Pinkie, turning to Twilight. Twilight looked at the three colts with a thoughtful face.





Ponyville was a complete chaos, changelings everywhere, while ponies screaming and running everywhere. The hiding members of the invaders were wondering, where their targets were. They felt something that was wrong. Suddenly there was a cry, but it was surprising, that it came from a changeling. As the invaders tried to arrange themselves through the hivemind, even more cries sounded from another areas.

Those who had the task of diversion finally was able to find the reason of the problem. The six ponies (though one of them were missing), who they should have been baited and captured, surprisingly for everypony successfully attacked the hiding elite teams.

Without the leaders and the elite soldiers, the drones (mostly trained for following orders and instinctive fighting) were not able to arrange themselves.

Slowly, the Mane Six (minus Fluttershy), with the help of some other brave ponies, were able to dispose the invading forces. Twilight quietly thanked the help of the three colts. If they do not tell to them about the fact, that changelings that could fit in the background can be discovered, if carefully and thoroughly searched for them. This information, together with the information about the combat use of the hivemind, they was able to work out a simple yet functional plan. Find the leaders, knock them off before they can react, then catch the confused drones. She did not want to think how things could have turned out, if they went blindly into the fight.

But when they thought it was over, they noticed that one of the elite warriors who had previously managed to avoid them (by replacing himself with a nearby drone) was leading a small group away. Straight to Sweet Apple Acres!

Without hesitation they started to gallop, and when they got there they saw that, the changelings attacking the CMC, the three (again disguised) colts, Spike, Fluttershy and Zecora. Zecora with some very impressive display of agility and strength, with her own hooves was able to keep the attackers at bay, but still there was just too many of them. Meanwhile, Fluttershy tried to protect the little ponies and the little dragon from those who tried to get through the martial zebra.

The five ponies immediately rushed to help their friends. Together they quickly began to thining their rows. But during the fight the CMC drifted away from the others.

"APPLE BLOOM!", "SWEETIE BELLE!", "SCOOTALOO!" Shouted Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash at the same time. They tried to get to them, but the attackers cut their way. The mares watched with horror, as the three drone flown toward the fillies.

"YOU WILL NOT HURT THEM!" Cried a young, but strong and sharp voice, this cry was followed by a green magic ray that struck one of the attacking changelings. Although the beam did not too much damage to the target, it made him enough confused, so that two little figures smashed themselves to him, pushing his body to his two companions, so the three attackers had collapsed in a heap.

Following back the path of the beam, they saw Silver standing there with an angry look. The CMC was particularly surprised, considering how quiet and shy the black colt tends to be.

"Are you okay?" Asked Leaf worriedly, he and Wood stood protectively before the CMC.

"We're fine, thanks for the save!" said Scootaloo, who first pulled herself together from the shock.

Taking advantage of the dismay, the Mane Six and Zecora quickly knocked out the leader, and after a quick and one-sided fight, the last enemy lay unconsciously on the ground. Finally, the battle was over.





The invaders were defeated and placed in a safe place until they figured out what to do with them.

"I'm still not sure what to think. But I know you saved my sister and her friends. For that i thank you." Appjalack said with a warm smile.

After they calmed the residents of Ponyville, the whole team returned to Sweet Apple Acres.

Rainbow nodded in agreement, while Rarity said, "Applejack has right, we are all very grateful."

"And whitout your help, we would not have noticed the trap, just when it was too late." Said Twilight. Although she was still uncertain what to think, the three showed that they were reliable.

"We said it!" exclaimed Sweetie. When everyone looked at her, she blushed slightly and looked away.

"I hope you now let to us, to tell you the tale of truth?" Said Zecora toward the six mare.

The mares nodded and Pinkie with a smile added: "Of course, otherwise you surely could kick our flanks if we wouldn’t." Hereof everyone started to giggle.

Then the Cutie Mark Crusaders, with the support of Zecora and the changeling colts started telling the story...





The next day the princesses arrived with a group of Royal Guards, who immediately detained the invading forces and began their transfer to Canterlot. When things got a little rested, the Mane Six, together with the CMC, the three colts and Zecora, explained to the princesses what had happened, including the three young changelings’ roles in Ponyville's defense.

The princesses patiently hear out them, and after they expressed their sympathy for the colts, they agreed that the three could stay in Ponyville, under the supervision of Zecora.

They decided, that for now its better if Ponyville dosen’t know about their true self, but they had the chance to go to school and to do other normal things.

Soon Spike also befriended with the three changelings, and it turned out that they are coming out well. Silver, though he was still rarely talking directly, because of his shyness, but with some help from Fluttershy, he slowly began to open up.

One time, when the Change Brothers joined to the CMC for one of their (mis)adventures, Rarity jokingly commented, that they would make good pairs. At this the six began firecely deny this statement, with a strong blush on their faces, Scootaloo and Leaf picked up a retching expression, Wood and Apple Bloom tried to come up with a witty riposte, while Sweetie Belle and Silver were just confused with a big blush on their faces. Meanwhile, the others chuckled, seeing their reaction, but then the moods calmed down. Although from time to time, their sisters had teased them with this.

As time passed, the three changelings, happy with their new life, started hope that one day, they could share it with other changelings. They knew that not every hive was as cruel as Chrysalis’s or where they came from and that some hives would be more pleased with the peaceful coexistence, but they were afraid from the other hives and to reveal themselves to the ponies.

They hoped, that the changelings and the ponies at one day could live in peace and harmony. Yet they doesn’t knew that soon a big change will come, which could make their dream come true, in the form of a changeling called Thorax.

The End