> Growing Bond (mature versions)
>  by Zack Catcher
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> chapter 2: The Snowplay (being rewritten)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


The following day, I awoke to see Flurry looking out the window, staring at something that I couldn't quite see. All I saw was snow. 



I walked toward Flurry saying “Hay Flurry, is everything ok”



Flurry turned to look at me before nodding her head and saying, “Ya, everything is fine”



I tilted my head, confused, as I replied, “Then, why are you looking out the window” 



She replied, “Because it snowed last night. I like the snow, it is white and fluffy. Hey, maybe we could go outside today to play?”



“Why? I thought you liked it inside?” Flurry rolled her eye’s with a smirk on her face and said, 



"True, but I also like to go outside sometimes, it feels good being outside plus there is a lot more room out there than in this tiny room. So what do you say Zack” 



I looked at Flurry as I replied. “Well, I don't know, I like the idea but I have never been outside, plus I don’t want anypony to see me.”



 Flurry walked towards me giving me a warm smile, saying, 



“Don’t worry, I know a spot where we can play where I haven't seen anypony else so I don't think anypony will be able to see you," I replied. 



I looked down at the ground letting out a small chuckle, “ok.. Ok you win, I’ll come to play outside with you as long as you promise no pony will see me”.” 



Flurry "I promise,” she said before she teleported us both outside. After she teleported us outside, she jumped into a pile of snow, and popped her head out of the top, laughing.



 I looked at her, confused, and I said to Flurry, “Why are you laughing?” 



 She replies, saying "It‘s just fun to play in the snow and it is also fun just to do random stuff” 



I looked at Flurry before jumping in the snow pile with her, popping my head out of the top of the snow pile as well. I looked at Flurry before saying and said, 



“Huh I guess it is fun to do random stuff,” I said before we both started laughing.




After that we both got out of the pile of snow and began to play making snow ponies, and snow angels then making snow forts where we started to have a snowball fight. Suddenly as we were having the snowball fight Flurry started to run towards me with a snowball. I tried to run away but Flurry got me with the snowball, and when the snowball hit me I began to do so. I stopped before I turned. Head to look at her. I quickly turned around and chased her with 3 snowballs.



 After a few minutes, we bumped into each other, causing us to roll into a trench. When I both opened my eyes, I saw Flurry laying on her back laughing, she look so cute, and at that moment without thinking I gave Flurry a small kiss on the cheek. Almost immediately Flurry stopped laughing as she looked up at me with wide eyes, her cheeks slowly turned red, as I saw Flurry's face I suddenly got off of her realizing what I have just done, “I'm sorry I didn’t mean to do that” Flurry spoke trying to interrupt me 



“Zack”, I continued, “I should have asked before doing something like that” Flurry interrupted me again, “Zack”, I continued “I have no idea what I was thinking I am sor”, Flurry spoke in a loud voice catching my attention, “zack”, finally I stopped, as Flurry kissed me on the cheek, “it's ok, I actually liked it” Flurry said as she began to blush before continuing, “I have always wanted to have my first kiss and I’m glad it was from you” Flurry smile before giving me another kiss before we went back to playing



We spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the snow with Flurry. We played games such as tag, hide and seek, chase the windmills, catch the icicle, hide and seek, and tag again. I also made snow angels and snowmen with her.



I knew I wanted to stay with her and make her happy as soon as I met her. I loved the way she laughed and talked. 



Whenever she did something silly, I laughed and she would too. She made me feel alive. We continued to play, then it got dark. We sat down next to each other.



and looked up at the stairs.



Then I got a bit tired, so I got up and stretched my legs and sat down beside her. I noticed her watching me. I turned to her and said, 



“Flurry” 



 She replied, “Yes Zack?” 



And I said, "Do you like me?”. 



Flurry took a few moment’s to think the question over choosing her words carefully 



She said, 



“Umm well, it depends on what you mean by that”



I replied, “I mean, do you think I am a good friend?" 



 She looked at me and replied, 



“Of course I do! Why would you think I didn’t”



I replied, “Because you are loving, kind, and my best friend, all good things I hope to be. You also don’t seem to hate me because I’m a Changeling.”



She laughed and replied, 



"Zack, I've never hated anypony or anything in my life, especially not you.” Flurry kissed me on the cheek before continuing, “You are the only one felt comfortable being around, you are my friend and if I had the chance to change my life, I wouldn’t take it, you mean so much to me, and I am glad I have you in my life."



I replied “Really”  



She added “Yeah! To me, you're not just a Changeling. You’re my best friend,” I smiled. 



 Flurry spoke again, saying,



 “I think it is time for us to go back inside”



 I nodded my head and Flurry teleported us back inside before she walked downstairs for Supper. I went to sleep back under the bed and I closed my eyes. 



A few minutes pass by and I slowly open my eyes when I hear Flurry say, 



“Hey Zack, you know you can sleep on the bed with me. I don’t mind”



I let out a yawn before I nodded my head as I crawled out from under the bed 



 And hopped onto the bed getting myself comfortable, and as I began to close my eyes, I suddenly felt Flurry’s body moving closer to mine, as she cuddled with me nuzzling her nose into my neck, as she laid one of her wings on my body, the end of her wing resting over my stomch



I smiled as I felt her fur up against my chitin, along with her body heat, as we both slowly went to sleep

> Chapter 3: a Dinner For Two+One (being rewritten)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


The next few days went by, and I started to notice I was developing feelings for Furry and I wanted to spend more time with her. One day, before Flurry headed downstairs for supper, she stopped and looked at me, as she said,



"Hey Zack, I know Changelings can transform themselves to look like a pony. I know you can because when you changed your form to look like me, but I was wondering, can you make yourself look like something else?”



I looked at Flurry and said, 



“What do you mean?” she replied saying.



“I mean, can you change into a small creature like a lizard or something?” 



I looked at Flurry, saying, “I never actually tried to, but why do you want to see if I can?”



She replied, “Because if you are a small creature like a lizard, then you will come with me by hiding in my hair."



It took a little bit of time to think. I had never been outside of the room before and I was worried that I would get caught. But when I looked up I saw Flurry's face and then I agreed, Flurry's face lit up with a big smile before I closed my eyes and thought of myself as a lizard, and when I opened my eyes, I saw Flurry looking down at me with a smile on her face. I realized it worked; I looked at myself feeling impressed by what I just did



After I turned myself into a lizard Flurry, she stretched her wings toward the ground and said,



“Hop on”



And as she said that, I walked up her wing into her back, into her hair on her head. Then she said, 



"Get comfy. This is going to take a while."



Getting comfy was easy. Flurry’s hair was so soft and comfy so I just laid down in Flurry’s hair. Then she left the room and went to the dining room. But on her way, she got lost, and she saw a guard patrolling the hallway.



Flurry walked towards the guard saying 



“Excuse me flash”


Flash Sentry turned around to look at Flurry before saying, “Oh hi Flurry, what’s up” Flurry giggled before saying “The roof, but all jokes aside can you tell me where the dining room”



Flash Sentry nodded his head before pointing down a hallway “Just go down that hallway and take a left, it should be the second door on the right ”



Flurry thanked him before starting to walk away but not before he gave her a flower



Flurry blushed as she took the flower putting it in her hair before going back towards the dining room



When Flurry got to the dining room, Cadence sat waiting for her. When Flurry saw her mother, she said, 



"Hi, Mom," Flurry said looking at Cadence with a happy smile skipping along to the floor on the way to sit down at the table, Cadence look at Flurry giving a smile saying “Seems like somepony is in a good mood today, did something fun happen”, Flurry looked at Cadence blushing “I… I had my first kiss today”, Flurry said as Cadence was drinking some water. When she heard what I said, her eyes turned into a surprised expression as she spat some of her water out. “YOU-GOT-YOUR-FIRST-KISS-FLURRY”,




 Cadence said with a voice I had never heard before. “Please tell me who it was, when do I meet the fella, when do you go on a date”. She continued to ask those questions even though I told her to stop. “We were playing in the snow and he accidentally fell on top of me and then kissed me and I kinda liked it so I kissed him back”, Flurry said blushing a little, “I can’t believe it, my little girl is growing up so fast, next it’s gonna be a date”, Cadence said. “You done yet”, Flurry said. “Sorry, it’s just that you got your first kiss, and I was getting worried that you weren’t making any friends at school.



 But now look at you, your growing up so fast, If your father was here, he would have been crying liquid pride all over the place. Suddenly Flurry began to look down at the floor with a sad expression on her face, she looked like she was hiding something, “You ok Flurry”, Cadence said. “Yeah, I’m ok, Just thinking”, Flurry said wiping her eyes “Alright, so when do I meet this little fella”, Cadence said trying to change the subject, Flurry then jumped back with a little surprise as she says “I don’t know when mother”,



 Cadence replied to her with a grin “Well, he might wanna go out and I would need to chaperone you two”, Cadence said as she went on and on for some time. “You will meet him when the time comes Mom”, Flurry said rolling her eyes, “Am I being too much”, Cadence said looking at Flurry with one brow raised. “Now she gets it”, Flurry said under her breath before answering her question “It’s fine”. “So what is this fella like, is he a poet, an athlete, maybe an artist”, Cadence said.



 “He’s cute, sweeter than candy, but there is nothing remarkable about him”, Flurry said looking back down at her food as she continued to eat “I can’t wait to meet him”, Cadence said as she was starting to act like aunt Pinky. I was getting more and more tired of this but I figured I should stay. I stayed for a few more minutes as I grew tired of Cadence’s question so I finished my dinner and headed off to my bedroom. But before she did Cadence said “Oh Flurry can you go get yourself cleaned, I booked us a reservation at your favorite restaurant for tomorrow” Flurry nodded her head before heading back to her room 



Flurry walked into her room as I jumped out of my hair and turned back into my original form as I turned back to Flurry “Well that was certainly interesting”, I said letting out a small chuckle. “It kind of was I wasn’t expecting that to happen”, Flurry said. “What did you expect to happen”, I said looking at Flurry raising an eyebrow to see what she would say. “Oh nothing really”, Flurry said in a sad voice. “I know the voice, is something bothering you Flurry”, I said as we both got up on the bed.



 “I don’t know how to say it really”, Flurry said. “I think you can say it. I’m your best friend, I won’t laugh”, I said, “Ever since my father passed, it’s been… difficult. He and mom are big parts of my life and now I lost someone who means a lot to me”, Flurry said as a single tear came down her eye. As I wiped it off with my hoof. “I’m very sorry for ya Flurry. Nopony should ever have to experience that but would your father want you to be sad all the time”, I said as I pulled her into a hug. 



Flurry let out a small sigh before leaning her head onto my shoulder saying “No, he would want me to be as happy as I can be, and I am, because ever since that day we played in the snow I haven’t felt happier, but I still wish he was here, I know he would have loved to meet you, I am just glad to have you as my best friend” 



I smiled as I continued to hug her, a few minutes later Flurry got up and started to head to the door before looking at me and saying “Ya coming” I gave a confused expression before nodding my head and turning back into a lizard, crawling back up into her hair after that Flurry left her room going into another room, I hopped out of her hair as Flurry closed the door then turning towards a big white object. She turned on the tap causing water to rush in. Once the white thing was full Flurry dipped a hoof init testing the water before stepping into it, I look at the object with a confused look on my face and my head tilted.



Flurry looked at me noticing my expression then she said “Oh this is a bath it's what ponies use to get themself clean”. “I never heard of it before”, I said dipping my hoof in the water “Oh you will love it”, Flurry said as she brought out some of her toys and threw them in the water. I looked as they started to float up to the surface. “That’s pretty cool”, I said in amazement. “There are bath toys so they can float up over the water, would you like to come in the tub with me?”, Flurry said looking at me. I gave her a smile, before walking in myself



 We then just hung out in the tub for a while, occasionally splashing each other, Then I noticed that Flurry was looking at me with an expression that I haven’t seen from her before. “Hay Zack”, Flurry said in a lower voice. “Yes Flurry”, I said, “Do you think you can scrub my back”, Flurry said, “What should I use”, I said, “Your hooves silly”, Flurry said letting out a cute giggle, Flurry then turned around in the tub her back facing me, so I placed my hooves on her back and started to rub her back.



 I couldn’t see her face but I think she was enjoying this. Suddenly Flurry’s wing started to open her wings slowly as she made a noise that I didn’t recognize. It sounded like a sigh and a groan mixed together. I smile stretched across my face as I continued to rub her back. Flurry let out a sigh before saying “I can’t remember the last time I had my back rubbed, and your hooves feel better than when my mom takes me to the spa with her” I smiled as I continued to rub her back for a few more minutes.



After that Flurry and me both got out of the tub Flurry grabbed what looked to be a cloth and she wrapped it around herself. Flurry then walked over to me giving me a kiss on the cheek, “Thank you for that, I really need that backrub”, Flurry said as she then got out another cloth-looking thing. “You haven’t used a towel before”, Flurry said ”No I haven’t”, I said, “You just rub it around your body and it will soak up the water”, Flurry said, as I picked up the towel and began to dry myself off.



When I was done, I noticed that Flurry was looking at me with a smile. “Do I still have water on me”, I said, “No it's that your chitin is really shiny all of a sudden”, Flurry said, I looked down at my hooves and they did look a bit shiny. “That’s odd, how does that even happen”, I said looking at my hoof “I don’t know” Just then, I noticed that the door started to open a bit. I panicked so much that without thinking, I turned into the first thing that popped into my mind.



 “Hay Flurry, Just checking on you to see if you need anything Also why is there a book with you. It’s gonna get soggy”, Cadence said, “I... I just wanted to read something in the tub”, Flurry said. Coming up with an excuse “You are becoming more like your aunty Twilight every day”, Cadence said as she left the room, and I turned back into my original form. FLurry let out a sigh before looking back at me “A book was the best you could do”, Flurry said seeming a bit annoyed. “I panicked, plus I saw the book on one of your shelves”, I said trying to defend myself “Whatever at least it worked but did you really have to turn into the "becoming normal book”, Flurry said rolling her eyes before we both headed back into the room.



 When we back to the room, it was already Flurry’s bedtime so we both hopped into her bed as we said good night to each other and drifted off to sleep. Flurry moved her body back up to my putting her wing around my body before resting her head on me I didn’t really mind if anything it felt nice and I slowly drifted back off to sleep

> (Chapter 4) Love is Key
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Every day afterward, I was always happy. In fact, I don’t remember a single time I wasn’t happy with Flurry. She made me, well, complete. I think Flurry was feeling the same thing too. She was happy when she was with Cadence I think but she was really happy being with me. I can’t even imagine what my life would be like if I had never met her. I really loved being with Flurry and making her laugh. It’s like we were destined to be together. I think she felt the same way too. I think we felt the same way. Later that day Flurry came home from school with a book under her wing and when she walked into the room, she jumped on the bed and started to cry. I walked up to Flurry and said, 



“Hey, is everything OK?” 



Flurry shook her head, her face covered by her pillow



I sat on the bed beside her, “Flurry, what’s wrong?”



Flurry looked at me from her pillow, tears still in her eyes as she pulled out a book. The title of the book is “everything about red moon Changelings,” she said 



“I have to read a chapter by the end of the week, but I can’t even read a page without struggling with a word, and worst of all, the teacher made me stand up in front of the class and told me to read the first sentence, and when I did every pony laughed at me. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't read even a few words”. 



I put a hoof on Flurry’s back moving it up and down, trying to comfort her she seemed pretty torn about what happened to her at school and I wanted to help her. Suddenly an idea popped into my head, I turned to look at Flurry saying “What if we read the book together”



Flurry looked up at me after I said that, she started to wipe the tears from her eyes as she looked up at me saying. “I… I didn’t know you could read”, I gave her a smile as I said, “I had a lot of time to learn”. “Thanks, Zack”, Flurry said as I picked up the book. 



For the next few minutes, we read the book together, and I was having an easier time reading the book compared to Flurry. After a good amount of practice and patients, she got through a whole paragraph without stopping or making any mistakes. As we were reading, she noticed the book seemed to describe me very well. It was like the book was describing me perfectly. As she saw this; she looked at me curiously and asked me,



"So Zack, who are you exactly?".



I said I looked at flurry with a confused expression as I said



"I'm a Changeling. At least I thought I was, but if this book is right, then I'm a red moon, Changeling."



The book said that a red moon changeling has red eyes and wings. It also says that red moon Changelings are born every One hundred red moons. This explains why no pony has seen a red moon Changelings. It is because they are rare to find. Or even exist. 



After we found that out, we continued to read the book and in doing so, learned many things about red moon Changelings. One fact about them is that the book mentioned said red moon Changelings do not get hungry but still need to feed because their power comes from the love that feeds off of other ponies. 



Flurry looked at me and said, "What does it mean by feed"



I shrugged and said, "Well I believe feed just means the same thing as eating"



after I said that Cadence called Flurry downstairs for lunch and Flurry said 



"Speaking of eating, I have to go get some lunch. See you in a bit"



And with that, Flurry ran out of the door to grab some lunch. But when she came back, she saw me curled up on the floor in pain. Flurry quickly ran over to me to see what was wrong saying.



"Zack, what’s wrong? What happened?” 



I tried to reply, but I was in too much pain to speak 



Flurry looked around my body to see if there were any wounds on me, but what she found shocked her. There was a small red crack in the middle of my belly. She spent a few minutes looking at the red crack before snapping herself back when she heard my scream in pain. 



When Flurry heard me scream in pain, Flurry tried everything she could do to help me, but it was no use. A few minutes later, Cadence came into the room to see Flurry sitting beside me. Cadence was shocked to see me in Flurry's room.



“Now this isn’t the time for this, but he is the pony that I got my first kiss from”, Flurry said with a little panic in her voice. Cadence was in so much shock that I swear I saw her pupils shrink. ‘YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOU KISSED A CHANGELING”, Cadence shouted before I started to scream in pain, “mom please help him” flurry said holding my hoof and looking at Cadence, cadence quickly walked over in front of me trying to figure out what is wrong. “We are going to be talking about this later,” Cadence said with a small growl in her voice. 



“Well, to be fair, you said that you wanted to meet him the other day didn’t you”, Flurry said. “Now isn’t the time for that Flurry, we need to help this changeling”, Cadence said giving a small scoff. “He still has a pulse and is breathing ok for now”, Flurry said. Then she remembered something in the red moon changeling book. Red moon changelings feed off other ponies' love in order to survive. Flurry remembered this and gained an idea. “I might know how but you're not gonna like it”, Flurry said with a little bit of concern in her voice. “What is it?”, Cadence said. 



“If Zack is a red moon changeling, he needs to feed on other’s Love in order to live, as we ponies do”, Flurry said, trying to keep herself composed. “No, I am not doing that to you Flurry”, I said with my voice cracking from pain. I don’t know what will happen, I’m not doing it. I just can’t”, My voice was still cracking. “We have to try though”, Flurry said. “Ok go ahead”,



 I said as I focused myself and my attention on Flurry. 


Flurry leaned in to kiss me before Cadence stomped her hoof in between me and Flurry. “NO KISSING”, Cadence said with a furious voice. “Mother, weren't you so excited about me having my first kiss”, Flurry said. “That was because I thought he was a pony, this is the same creature who ruined my wedding with your father and attacked all of Equestria”, Cadence said. “He’s not like those other changelings”, Flurry said, her voice rising to defend me. “I will not allow it anymore”, Cadence said. “He’s not one of those changelings, he’s thoughtful, kind, honest and caring”,



 Flurry said, “Once you see a changeling, you’ll see that they're all the same, that’s why you can’t love or care about any of them including this one, they're all the same to me”, Cadence said. “He’s not like that, how many times do I have to say it”, Flurry said. “No matter how many times you say it, it won’t change my mind”, Cadence said. “He’s a creature with evil intentions, once you see them, they're all the same”, Cadence continued to get more and her voice rose with each word. 



 “Well, I see that he’s a good friend despite the fact that he is a changeling, if you can’t see that, then that’s on you”, Flurry said. Cadence felt her temper rising and yelled at Flurry “FLURRY THAT ENOUGH!!” Flurry took a step back before Cadence realized what she had just done and covered her mouth with her hoof before she composed herself and continued “I AM YOUR MOTHER AND YOU WILL LISTEN TO ME”, Cadence said with a stern voice. I saw the look in Flurry’s eyes. She was starting to tear up as she looked like somepony had betrayed her. She knew she had to choose between her mother and her best friend. I think it was the hardest decision she had made, but she made her choice. 



Suddenly Flurry pushed past the cadence and kissed me on the lips. My eyes shot open in surprise as I started to feel her love go inside me and it started to feel stronger. It felt so good but when I remembered what I was doing to Flurry,  I started to feel like I was doing something wrong. I thought I was betraying her as I was harming her but I couldn’t stop myself. It kept going and going. After some time, Flurry started to look tipsy until she fell to the floor. “FLURRY”, Cadence said as she ran to Flurry to make sure she was ok.



 I felt terrible for what I had just done. I wish I was able to take it all back, but I had no idea how.. For the first time in my life, I felt that it would have been better if I had never met her which I didn’t think of until now. I then tried to hide somewhere away from Cadence but Cadence blocked my path. “Boy, you have a lot of explaining to do”, Cadence said while looking furious at me. I was more scared than I had ever been in my entire life. Even more so than when I first met Flurry. “I... I”, was all I could speak. I had no idea where to start. “I want an answer and I want it right now”, Cadence said while still looking at me with nothing but rage and disappointment in her eyes and body. 





“I don’t... know where to begin”, I said while looking down at the floor. “It’s kind of a long story”, I said. “We have the time for you vile creatures. Speak now or it will get much worse for you”, Cadence said looking down at me with disapproving eyes. They were filled with anger, rage, and disappointment. I could feel that time stood still, waiting... on the next move.



 “Oh boy, where do I begin? So I landed in the garden a few years ago with no memory of where I’m from or who I am. I met up with Flurry when she was a baby, she came up with my name, and we had fun over the years. I enjoyed being with her and she enjoyed being with me. I helped her to read a few moments ago, and it brings us to hear”, I said, still shaking in fear. Cadence then looked down at the ground as she shook her head. “I know a liar when I see it”, Cadence said with a stern voice “I swear your majesty, that’s the entire story, we were just having fun, I didn’t mean to keep this all from you, I just thought things would be better if I was in the shadows”, Flurry can confirm it too, please you have to believe me here”, I said still shaking in fear more than I ever had as my eyes started to get watery.. 



 “I know you're here to spy on our ponies, Maybe this will jog your worthless little memory”, Cadence said as she slapped me upside the head and I fell to the floor in much pain, I felt my eyes close as I heard. “Bring him to the dungeon... forever, and tell me when he wakes up I want to get the truth from him”, Cadence said with a smug smile was all I could hear and see before I fell unconscious. 

> Chapter 5: the discovery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


A little while later, I woke up and saw that I was in a small room with nothing but an iron door and a small bed. I walked up to the door to see if I could open it. But the door was locked. I panicked because I thought I was going to be stuck in this room forever.



I sat down on the bed and cried a bit, not knowing if I would be able to see Flurry again. Suddenly the door opened, and I looked over to see a guard coming in. He stood beside the door as Cadence walked in right behind him. As she came into the room and said, 



"well, this isn't quite what I expected”



Then she pointed toward me and added,



"an unreformed Changeling living in my daughter's room. Now I have seen everything. I will ask you this again why are you here and what do you want with my daughter"




I looked up at Cadence tear’s still in my eyes as I said, “I already told I came here landing in the garden and then I somehow got into your daughter’s room, and I don’t care if you don’t believe me that is what happened, I care about her, island I wouldn't let anything bad happen to her”



Cadence looked down at me 



“Stop lying I know your a spy here to feed off my daughter tricking her making her fall in love with you”



I looked up at Cadence as I replied to her, “that is the truth I care about your daughter”



Cadence looked at me her face steaming with anger



 "fine it your way, guards. Do whatever you want to this thing until he speaks the truth", Cadence said as the guards by her side then started to approach me. I ran to the edge of the cell as I tried to get away from them but they were too fast for me and caught me in my wing as they said “I will say this once. No more and no less, why are you here?”,I replied with fear and panic in my voice. “I told you everything you need to know sir, how many times do I have to say it”, The other guard then picked up his spear and pointed it at me. “Please sir, you're not listening to me”, I said but the guard didn’t listen. He then ran with his spear and stabbed my right side. I felt a ping of pain as the guard drove the spear into my shoulder.. I then noticed a red liquid pouring out of my right side where the wound was.



 “Will that make you speak like a creature”, the guard said. “I was speaking the truth. Why is it so hard for me to get you to see that I am telling the truth”, I said. “Stab him again”, the other guard said as picked up the spear again and aimed for my other shoulder. I was about to close my eyes when I saw somepony else coming into the dungeon, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw it was Flurry. She looked at Cadence and said“Mom, you told me that Zack left the empire so why in Equestria is Zack in a cage”, “Flurry, this is something that you just can not understand”, Cadence said as she was watching me lay on the floor in pain. “Let him go mom, Zack did nothing wrong”, Flurry said tear’s streaming down her eyes as she saw me on the ground bleeding.



 “Yes he did. When I am done with him, I will undo whatever mind spell he did on you to make you see the truth”, Cadence said. “He did nothing wrong”, Flurry said as she opened the cage door. “Flurry don’t”, Cadence said as she ran into the cage as Flurry pushed me away from the guards right as they were about to stab me. I didn’t get stabbed at that moment but Flurry did as she screamed out in pain.



 Cadence then ran into the cage as she pulled Flurry out of the cage and saw that her left cheek got stabbed by just a bit. “Flurry are you ok”, Cadence said as she checked out the wound. “Why would you stab my daughter?”, Cadence said to the guards. “I am sorry your majesty it was an accident, we didn’t know that Flurry was gonna push the creature out of the way”. I then saw this as my chance as I quickly made my way out of the cage but as I was trying to leave, my legs gave up as I fell on to the floor. My lags in pain and my body tired, Flurry then rushed over to me as she stood over top of me. “Flurry, move off of that changeling at once”, Cadence said. “This changeling’s name is Zack Catcher and I won’t let you take him from me again”, Flurry said, her face covered in tears from the pain.



 “Flurry, I am not asking you. I am telling you to move away from the changeling. “Yeah so what? What are you gonna do to me if I don’t you're going to have your guards stab me again”, Flurry said. “This is something that you just can’t understand. This thing is meant to invade the empire and we are trying to lock it up so GET OUT OF THE WAY”, Cadence said. “Do whatever the heck you want to me. Lock me up, stab me or even worse, spill my blood but leave Zack out of this I won’t let you hurt him” Flurry said. Cadence looked defeated in that moment but she still had the upper hoof. “If that’s what you want. Lock them up. Both of them”, Cadence said as a few minutes passed and I was back where I started, Only this time I wasn't alone.




After a while of Flurry looking at her mother in shock, she walked over to me seeing me lay on the ground and I started to speak. “Hey Flurry, why did you protect me from Cadence back there”, I said. “Well, i…I care about you. You're the best thing that has happened to me and I wasn’t about to let my mother and those guards do terrible things to you. “Thanks you didn’t have to do that but thank you, I don’t know what would have happened if you didn’t save me back there”, I said. “I wasn’t going to let my mother kill the only friend I ever had but I never knew that my mother hated changeling’s”, Flurry said. “Why would she hate my kind?”, I said. “I don’t know, '' Flurry said as she then layed on the ground beside me, my blood staining her fur, after a few minutes I could see her starting to cry.




 “Are you ok”, I said with a little worry in my voice “Yeah, it’s just that I didn’t expect my own mother to lock me in a cell like that. I thought she was gonna let you go after seeing how I would risk my life to save you”, Flurry said in between sobs. “I can’t even imagine how that must feel”, I said as I put a hoof around Flurry wincing in pain then Flurry replied, “You have no idea”, “Well, they did stop torturing me, even if I’m back where I started in the cell. Think about it like this, if we have to spend the rest of our life in this cell, at least where with each other”, I said. “At least that fact is true but I am glad that you didn’t leave” I smiled as we both went to sleep on the ground  

> chapter 6 Bonds of Friendship and Defiance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning I woke up when and opened my eyes in surprise seeing Zack in front of me with one of my wings wrapped around him, I slowly pulled back my wing tucking it back to my side trying not to wake Zack up, and as I tucked my wing back in place I winced in pain by the opening in my shoulder from the spear that hit me, thankfully the bleeding stopped.

I got back onto my hooves, before looking at Zack's sleeping body to make sure he is fine, but as I looked over him I saw that all the injuries from yesterday were healed even the blood on the floor was gone, my eyes open as I looked at the side I was sleeping on, and just like I thought Zacks blood was on my fur coat, I grabbed a cloth and dipped it in the water barrel as I began to try and scrub the blood stains off of my fur.

A few minutes pass and I was able to get most of the blood off of me
I then turned around to see Zack was still asleep I then heard somepony talking. I looked around the cell for a moment but I didn't see any other pony down here. Not even a guard or two. I then turned around to see Zack’s mouth moving I then realised he was still asleep and he was talking.

“Oh…Flurry, you look…so…beautiful…then again…when was…the…last…time..you…didn’t look..beautiful”, he was still sleeping. As I was hearing this, I started to blush a little as I could guess what Zack was dreaming about. “Wait...Cadence…please…I care…about Flurry…don’t take her ...from me…I really…like her”, Zack said again as he was starting to shake a little. I thought he was having a bit of a nightmare so I then shook him to try and wake him up. “No...I’m a good changeling…in this…please stop…shaking…meeeee”, Zack said as his eyes started to open.

“Zack are you ok”, I said as Zack started to get up. “Flurry? What happened”, “I’m guessing we fell asleep in this cage”, I replied to his question as I rubbed my forehead with a hoof trying to remember what happened yesterday. “And I was having a really good dream '' Zack said as I turned to look at him, “I heard”, “Uhh, how much of that was out loud”, Zack said as his cheeks started to glow orange.

I playfully bummed him as I answered “Enough to think that you were both having a good dream and a bad nightmare”. “Well any dream or nightmare with you is a good one”, Zack said as his blush got brighter. “Did anything or any pony come down during the night?” Zack said, trying to change the subject. “I don’t think anypony has come down since Cadence threw us in here”.

And if on cue my Mom walks into the dungeon her head hanging low and sadness in her eyes "Flurry" Mom said as she raises her head looking at me tears in her eyes as she continues, "Flurry please you have to fight whatever spell he has you under," I looked at my Mom a little anger building inside of me as I replied, "Mom I am not under any spell, I am friends with Zack, and if you think I am not going to portray him just because he looks different and you don't approve of him, Zack is sweet kind and caring has not hurt me once and I doubt he ever will"

Mom let out a frustrated sigh before replying, "If that's what you feel then I will give Zack a chance, open the door", I look at Zack seeing his face light up a big grin growing on his face, my Mom looks at the guard that came followed her as she repeats herself, "well what are you waiting for open the cell door," the guard nods as he slowly opens the cell door letting me and Zack walk out.

I took a few steps towards the cell door before I stopped realizing that Zack was not following, I turned my head seeing him shaking in fear as he look at my mom

I then went over to Zack and sat in front of him. “Zack it’s gonna be ok”, I said in a smooth voice trying to calm him down. “But…what if… what if she hurts me again? I don’t want to get stabbed by the sp…spear”, Zack continued to ramble as I slowly wrapped a wing around him causing him to stop speaking and shaking, I smiled before whispering in his ear “, Zack, it’s going to be ok. I know you are scared I am too, but I am more scared of losing you and, If you do get stabbed then I’ll get stabbed as well”. Zack was a bit nervous at first but he eventually calmed down.

After Zack calmed down we both started to walk out of the cell, with my wing still wrapped around Zack trying to keep him calm, as we followed Cadence towards the dining room.

I can't blame Zack for being scared of my mom, after being hurt, no tortured is the proper word after being tortured by her I would think anyone would be scared when we got to the dining room Cadence pulled out three chairs, and my Mom sat down she tapped the chair right beside her symbolizing she wanted me to sit beside her on the other chair she pulled out, that just left the chair that was on the other side of the table

I gave Mom a quick glare before walking over to the other side of the table, Zack got himself up on his chair as I pulled out another chair beside his and I moved it right next to his seat before getting on and wrapping my wing around him, and as I did I felt how much Zack was shaking so pulled him closer to me trying to help calm him down, my Mom was giving me a stare of disappointment but I didn't care.

I just want to comfort my best friend after being tortured, and I am done being Mom's perfect little daughter, what has she ever done for me anyways ever since my Dad passed away, Mom has been distant she didn't even notice that I was hurting until yesterday, all she wants me to do is go to events, and now when I am finally happy she decides to worry about me.

Mom lets a cough catching my attention "Flurry dear I would appreciate it if you come to sit beside me instead of that thing" The moment I heard my Mom say that I replied trying not to yell "Mom this "thing" has a name his name is Zack catcher and for your request, I would like to decline I don't want to sit beside you not after you order you guards to torture Zack and now because of you he is scared of you and to put it plainly I am a little scared of you as well so right now I prefer to stay with Zack" I couldn't help but smirk as I saw my moms reaction to me pulling Zack closer to me and as I did Zack wrapped his hooves around my body. I felt a shiver go up my spin at the touch of Zack but I quickly calmed down as I could still feel Zack shaking in fear

After a few minutes of silence, the personal chef came out of the kitchen and turned to my mother “What would like for today mam” Mom turned to look at the chef saying  “Today I think I would like to have some a hay burger and some fries, the potato one's no hay fries. and some of the apple jacks mini apple fritters, the recipe should be in the cookbook that is in there” The chef nods his head turning to me before he stopped and looked at Zack a little surprised before he started to walk towards us  “and what would you and your companion like miss Flurry” I opened my mouth about to give my order before Cadence interrupted, “that changeling doesn't need anything, I think he got everything he needed from all the love he stole from my daughter”, Cadence said in a bit of an annoyed voice.

“But I’m still a bit-”, Zack said but Cadence cut him off again. I wanted to stop my mother but I could see that she wasn’t gonna let this go so I didn’t say anything. “And what you like to have Ms. Heart”. “Hmm, Could I just have some French toast please”, I said. “Coming right up”, The chief left, going back to the kitchen. After a little while, he came back out with me and my mom's food. I was about to start eating when I felt Zack holding me closer to him. I smiled as I went to eat my food. 

We then ate our breakfast while Zack was holding me tight, my mother giving him a death glare. I offered to give him some toast when Cadence yelled “Don’t feed that creature more than he already has” I shot my mother a quick glare before turning back to Zack, and offering him the piece of toast again but Zack shook his head, I could see that Zack didn’t mind all too much about not eating but I still felt that guilty.

After we finished our meal Mom looked back down at us with an annoyed look. “I still can’t believe how my own flesh and blood could befriend a changeling”, “Mother why are we doing this again”, I said giving an annoyed look and voice. “Because I am still your mother and you still need to listen to me”. 

“But he’s my friend and I will keep saying it," I said. “So will I”, Mom said as I could see she was trying to shout “It’s not that big of a deal”, I replied. “But my point still stands, why did you have to befriend a changeling”. “I don’t want to hear it Mom”, as me and my Mom continue to fight, Zack suddenly shout’s “Enough! I never wanted to do any harm. I don't know why I came here, and I don’t know why I stayed with your daughter”, Zack said with tears in his eye “You should have left when you had the chance you creature”, Cadence said. “Mom left him out of this”. 

“You should have forced him out of the empire but you didn’t so this is what happened” “ok that's it, I am done! Come Zack let's get out of here”, I said as I got up and left the table with Zack still under my wing. “Flurry you get back here right now”, I continued to walk not responding to my mom, I couldn’t handle her like this right now let’s just hope this will blow over soon.

After a while of walking me and Zack made it back to my room, Zack came out from under my wing as I closed the door locking it. Right now I have never felt so angry. I never thought my Mom would do something like this. I closed my eyes taking a deep breath before I felt a ping of emotion and before I knew it I was crying, uncontrollably I had decided on my mother, and for what a changeling, suddenly I felt a squeeze around my torso and when I opened my eye’s Zack looked back at me “you didn’t have to do what you did Flurry, but I can’t thank you enough for standing up for me, I may seem confident but I am not”,

“What do you mean,” I said standing up and trying to compose myself waiting for Zack's answer “Be… because… because your perfect you are strong you are loyal, smart, kind and… you're beautiful” My eyes widen hearing that last word as I felt my cheeks getting hat as he continued “I wish I could do what you did and stand up for myself, but instead I was a quivering mess completely useless-” I cut Zack off pulling him into a hug “Zack don’t you dare say your useless, you have brought joy into my life ever since my… Dad passed. You may not be as strong as me, but I don’t care you are funny, caring kind, and sweet, you always know the right things to say to me”, I felt a few tears stream down my cheeks as I continued “please mark your not useless your my best friend, and I don’t ever want to lose you”


zack pat's my back before we break apart from the hug and head-to-bed I climbed into before Zack did the same, I smiled as I pulled zack closer to my body holding him tight with one of my wings "Never leave me Zack, please"
> Chapter 7 The Crystal Fair
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


(Flurry pov)



I was resting peacefully in bed without a care in the world until the morning sun glared through the window onto my face waking me up. I sat up in my bed carefully, trying to not wake Zack up but once I got out of bed Zack slowly opened his eyes, I’m guessing that I woke him up, and as he started to rise I smiled at him. “Good morning Zack”, I said as I could see that Zack wasn’t looking too good. “Oh good morning Flurry”, Zack said in between a yawn looking a bit sad. “What’s wrong”, I said as I went over to Zack’s side.



 “I guess I’m still a bit shaken up about what happened yesterday”, Zack said in a sad tone. “I don’t really blame you. I had never seen my mother act like this before”, I said. “It’s just what if this continues, what if she acts like that when I’m around all the time, what if I can never escape from those words ‘you should have left the empire when you had the chance’ from my mind”, Zack said looking like he is about to break down. “Zack, it’s going to be ok. My mother can bring in every guard there is in the empire, your my friend and nothing in this world can change that. Don’t let her get in the way of that”, I said as I hugged Zack. Zack didn’t even seem fazed as he embraced the hug rather quickly. “I suppose you have a point there. I just don’t want her to hate me like this. Let alone, you getting caught in the middle of this”, Zack said as we pulled apart from the hug. “Zack, you don’t have to worry about me getting in the middle of this, It’s up to my mother to change her mind. Until or if that happens, I’ll still support you just as much as I do now”, I said giving him a warm smile. “Thanks Flurry. I don’t know what I would do without you”, Just then, I heard a tune in the distance just outside my window. “Do you hear that”, I said. “I think I do”, Zack said as I went to the window and saw a fair going on with tents, games and tons of ponies walking around, as well as a roller coaster and a fairies wheel.



 “Oh right, Today is the crystal fair. I totally forgot that it was today,”, I said in an excited voice. “What’s the crystal fair,”, Zack said tilting his head. “It’s an event that the Crystal Empire does to renew the spirit of love and unity in the empire so the crystal ponies could protect it from harm I think. Hay, we should head to the fair today, it might take your mind off things,” “I don’t know flurry, what if your mom catches us and I don’t want to be seen by any other pony, they might act like your mother,” zack said in a worried voice. I rolled my eyes saying, ”zack she won’t and zack you can just change your form no pony will see you as a changeling then no pony will know you're a changeling,” zack let out a sigh before replying, “ok but, please don’t leave me alone,” zack said looking at me with pleading eyes, “zack you don’t need to do the puppy eyes, I am going to stay by your side the entire time,” I said with a smile, “promise,” zack replied “promise,” I said back to him as zack changed his form as I went to go make sure the hallway was clear.



But when I turned back I stopped feeling like my heart skipped a beat, Zack changed his form into a colt with dark gray fur and black hair with red highlights as well as red eyes, and I couldn’t help but stare at him he looked good really good, “um Flurry you ok,” zack said as I shook my head to refocus myself and replied, “ya I’m, fine let’s go,”.



I opened the door as we both started to sneak are way around the guards and eventually made are way outside



 While we were walking to the fair, Zack had his head down. I put my wing over his body trying to comfort him. As soon as I did Zack moved closer to me making us walk side by side I could see that he was still a bit scared about other ponies, ponies started to look at us as we were passing by which didn’t help zacks nerves, “do you think they know,” zack said in a frantic voice, “no I think they are staring because of how close you are to me,” I said letting out a little giggle.



 Once we got to the fair, we saw that all of the lights were off. I was a bit surprised by it as all of the lights were on when I saw it in my window. Me and Zack then stepped into the park and without warning, all of the lights suddenly came on came back on. “Man I didn’t know they do that to guests”, Zack said. “Nether did I”, I said as we headed into the fair. Me and Zack then walked around for some time until we noticed a horseshoe toss game. We both walked up to the booth and saw two ponies, yellow ponies wearing striped shirts.



 “Welcome to the shoe toss young ponies”, one of the yellow ponies said. “Here you will test your aim with these horseshoes. Give it a shot” " the other Yellow pony said. “Zack then picked up one of the horseshoes and threw it at the tallest pole but it moved away from it and landed next to the lowest pole. “Oh not so lucky there I see”, One of the yellow ponies said. “I think this is rigged”, Zack said as I gave it a go and the same thing happened. “Yeah I think so too”, I said as we both walked away.



 before Zack looked back and grabbed another horse. shoe, “Up to try again young lad, well go ahead take your best shot,” one of the yellow ponies said with a smug smirk on their face, Zack walked up to the stand and picked up another horseshoe, I walked up to zack and said “Zack you said it your self it’s rigged,” zack looked back at me with a cheeky smile as the then threw the horseshoe with a spin, and like last time the tall pole moved but unexpectedly the horseshoe starts to move towards the pole and got it in, the smug faces that the two ponies had quickly turned into shock as they saw that zack had got it, they reluctantly gave zack a little stuff animal.



“Good job Zack,” I said clapping my hooves, Zack looked over at me before giving me the prize he won, I looked at him with a confused expression as I said, “No Zack you won the game This prize is for you,” zack looked at the little stuffed dog before looking back at me, and he placed the stuffed animal in my hooves as he said, “this will mean more to you then it would for me, plus I already have the best prize I could ask for,” I looked at zack in confusion as I said, “you do,” zack nodded his head replying, “the biggest prize that I have ever gotten was meeting you,” after zack said that I blushed a little before calming my self down to enjoy the rest of the fair. We then went to the photo booth to take some silly pictures before going back to play more games such as pin the tail on the pony and whack a mole.



 I was having a really good time at the fair and I could see that Zack was enjoying his time as well. I could tell that he was starting to get used to the Crystal Empire’s events and all, While we were playing the games, I took a peak at the Ferris wheel line and noticed that it was much shorter compared to earlier. “Hay Zack, wanna go on the Ferris wheel over there”, I said as Zack was done with playing whack a mole for the third time. “I suppose so”, Zack said as we made our way over to the wheel and after a little bit of waiting, we got on the Ferris wheel. Zack looked a bit unsure of going so high in the air though, but he got used to it after a while.



 “You know, I had a really good time here, especially since it was with you”, Zack said as he looked out of the window, “I also had a good time with everything that happened”, I said as I started to blush a little. “I am curious What was the highlight of the day for you”, Zack said as he looked at me curious. “It was because I was with you”, I said. Zack was a bit taken aback by this but he then started to blush as well. “Well, any day with you is a highlight all”, Zack said as he scoched himself closer to me. I then pulled out the stuffed dog. “This is probably the first thing anyone has given me other than my mom and dad of course”, I said as I started to play with the stuffed dog. “I know what that feels like when I first saw you it was the best day of my life, finding someone who took the time to know me”, Zack said with a small smile on his face.


 “Ya, I just wish that Mom saw the same way”, I said. “You know that no matter what she does, I would still find a way to get back to you. Don’t ever forget that”, Zack said. I then started to feel something in me that I just couldn't describe. I could feel that Zack was right and I knew it in me. “I won’t”, I said with a slight smile. Just then, we both looked at the sky as the sun was setting from quite a distance.



 It had been quite a day, to say the least. I then felt a little shale as I looked down and saw that our ride had stopped and we got off the Ferris wheel. “I have to say that this was the best fair I ever went to”, Zack said as we exited the fair and walked back to the castle. “It was the only fair you went to”, I said. “That’s why it’s the best fair I went to so far”, Zack said. “Well, I can say the same as it was an enjoyable experience. We should come back more next time”, I said. “I wouldn’t disagree with that”, Zack said as we were right about to open the castle door but they were opened for us by the pony we didn’t exactly want to see. 



“Flurry, where have you been”, Cadence said with a stern voice. “Just at the fair”, I said. “With that changeling? I thought I told you to stay away from him”, Cadence said. “No no I didn’t hang out with Zack, I hung out with my other friend”, I said. “Zack I know that’s you”, Cadence said. “Mom please”, I said before Cadence cut me off. “Flurry we need to talk right now”, Cadence said as she then used her magic to pull me into the castle. I tried to reach out to Zack but Cadence wouldn’t let go. Zack then looked at the ground and I felt his temper change “Let her go”, Zack said in a quiet voice but it was loud enough for Cadence to hear. “What did you just say”, Cadence said to Zack. I could see the look in Zack’s eyes and I don’t think I had ever seen him look so mad before. “I said, LET HER GO”, Zack said as a red magical shockwave then came out of nowhere and spread around, causing the light around town to go out. This shockwave also interfered with Cadence’s magic and I was able to break free.



 I ran to Zack and I comforted him as he looked so scared, panicked and he was breathing heavily. I then saw that he dropped his disguise and he showed his changeling self. “Guards, take this hideous creature out of my sight”, Cadence said as guards came all around and cornered us. They had their spears at the ready and this time, they didn’t look like they were gonna go easy this time. I felt so scared as I could feel that time stood still as if it was waiting for somepony to make the next move. 

> Chapter 8: The Standoff
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Guards, do everything you can to separate those two, use your spears if you have to” " Mom said as the guards approached us, before I could even process this whole thing, I could feel somepony trying to take me away from Zack. I could see that it was a royal guard dragging me away with his sphere right in front of me, “Stay away, changeling,” the guard said as I was doing everything I could do to get away from the guard. I began kicking and screaming but it was to no avail, as I couldn't break free from his grip.

, I kept trying to get out of the guard's grip, “Let me go” I said as Zack began to walk toward me, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a guard lower his horn to Zack, “Zack looks out,” I said trying to warn him but it was too late, and a blast of magic came out of the guards horn a hit zack sending him flying hitting the ground. “NOOO!” I shouted, teleporting out of the guard's grip to Zack. with tears in my eyes, I looked to see if he was still alive.

He was still breathing but he was unconscious, suddenly a cloud of magic pulled me away from Zack as the guards put him in chains and dragged him, “let me go” I protested, “no you are coming with me so I can break whatever spell this changeling put on you,” mom says as she brought me inside the castle,

“Mom I’m not under any kind of spell, this is the real me, and Zack didn’t do anything bad”, I protested. “Oh what has that thing done to you”, Mom said. “Can…Can you just stop for a second and listen to me for once? Zack didn’t do nor want any of this”, I said in a fit of rage. “Zack is the enemy and you know it. He has blinded you from what’s good and bad and you know it all too well.”

 “Mom, are you really this ignorant to see my point of view? Your own daughter’s point of view?” I said, trying to make her see reason. “I know what’s best for you, you are my child and I will do what I have to make sure you are safe, Don’t interfere with that” " Mom said as she continued to walk, the tears continued to stream down my face as I replied “Can’t you just hear me out instead of letting my words fall on deaf ears”,

 “THAT IS ENOUGH. Until I find a counter spell to this curse that this…thing has put on you, I sentence you to your room” " Mom ordered as she used her magic and put me in my room, casting a lock spell. “For what it’s worth, I…truly am sorry. So…very sorry” " Mom said as she didn’t even look me in the eyes as she locked the door.

After this, I started to walk around the room as I was pretty frustrated. I couldn't believe that my own mother, the pony who brought me into this world, would do something so heartless, so cold and unwilling to listen to reason. Heck, even after my father died, I was in a dark space and I didn't even see her that much and this is how she treats me? It was like I was a whole different pony to her, that she had no idea I was her daughter.

I had to do something but I couldn't do anything in this room. I then remembered Zack and that just made this whole thing worse knowing that mom could be doing who knows what to Zack and I could have done something about it. I was worrying so much about him that it made me worry more than I ever had in my life. I just couldn’t.

After some time, I then thought of a plan. If I could teleport out of this room and into the dungeon, I might be able to find Zack and put this thing to an end. It was a long shot but I just had to try. I then used my magic to break out of my room and teleported into the dungeon floors below. I looked around the room I was in and found nothing there. I then went out into the halls as I heard what sounded like a scream.

“That has to be Zack '', I thought to myself as I listened to where the scream was coming from. I could hear the screams getting louder and louder with every single step and each move that I made. I then came across a cell in which I saw two guards who were punching Zack, when they threw Zack to one of the walls I froze in fear as one of the guards charged at him with a spear, but it didn’t pierce his skin, instead, the spear hit his skin but it caused no harm to Zack. Without even a single thought in my head, I teleported next to Zack in the cage and I used a spell to push the guards away as I don’t think I had ever been this mad in my life before. I was so tired of seeing Zack get hurt by these guards that I couldn't keep it in any longer.

“Flurry, stand away from that th-”, one of the guards said before I cut him off. “HE’S NOT A THING. HE’S MY FRIEND”, I yelled at the very top of my lungs. “Flurry now isn’t the time to argue. Stand away from h-”, the guard said. “NO…NO I WILL NOT”, I yelled again. I could feel so much anger in me as I just couldn't let these guards hurt Zack any longer. I was so fed up with this back and forth that I knew I needed to end it. “Flurry…please…stand over there” " the guard said as his voice started to turn from a serious tone to a sacred tone. “NOT IN A HUNDRED MOONS”, I yelled. “Flurry…Just calm down…step aside and-”, The guard said. “I AM DONE WITH PONIES TELLING ME WHAT TO DO, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LAY ONE HOOF ON HIM,” I said as I felt my anger getting stronger. “Flurry…this is the last time I will tell you, let the adults do this for once” " the guard said, seeming a little scared but trying to remain calm.

 “I JUST SAID I’M TIRED OF PONIES TELLING ME WHAT TO DO. I WILL STAND BY WHAT I SAID EVEN IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO”, I yelled just as loud this time. I then pointed my horn at the guards who seemed to be scared to the bone at this point. They took a step back with their legs shivering. “Please Flurry, stop this at once” " the guard said. Barley even thinking, I then started to cast a spell as the guards tried to get out of the cage but couldn't remove the lock in time. I did the spell I was thinking of and it sent the guards flying back as they landed on the floor, barely even able to get up. “Please…don't…don’t…do…this…Flurry”,

The guard said. “It’s a bit late for that”, I said as I picked up Zack and put him on my back and teleported us out of the cage. when we got back to the room I let out a sigh when I heard hoofsteps coming. I wasn’t scared this time as I was getting Zack out of this dungeon and no pony was going to stop me this time. As the hoofsteps got louder, I braced myself for whoever it could be until the pony showed itself. “What is he doing here again, flurry”, Mom said with a strict tone.

“I’m not letting you torture him, Mother”, I said in a sincere voice. “I should have known you would free him. Guards, take this creature to the cell” " Mom said as some guards came around us again. “Mother, please. I will repeat this as many times as it takes until you decide to listen, Zack isn’t a threat. He’s anything but a threat and you know it, you know I am right”, I said, speaking with conviction, “No he’s not, and I know that Flurry. He’s cast a spell on you for far too long. If only I was there to protect you” " Mom said as she started to talk with a disappointed tone. I could feel my anger rising as I had to restate what I said before. “MOTHER FOR THE LAST TIME, ZACK NEVER CAUSED ANY KIND OF SPELL ON ME. THIS IS THE REAL ME TALKING. WHAT MORE DO I HAVE TO SHOW YOU TO CONVINCE YOU OF THIS”, I yelled as loud as I could.

“Lies. Being with this changeling has blinded you from the truth, that every single changeling out there is nothing but evil," I snapped back at Mom saying, "Then I guess Thorax is evil too right”, “He was one exception. The only changeling who was somewhat nice. I know for a stone-cold fact that he isn’t the same", mom said as she started to fluster a tiny bit as I started to get an upper hoof. “If he was a nice changeling then I’m sure that he wasn’t the only one”, I said with a smirk knowing that I had the upper hoof, “That's just it. This has gone on long enough” " Mom said. “I agree. You haven’t seen what I've seen for far too long. Can’t you just tolerate this? For me even? Your only daughter”, I said playing the only card I had left,

 mom looked away not trying to make eye contact with me as I knew she was thinking of this. I then saw that she closed her eyes and an angry face appeared on her. “Oh so now you're not going to talk to me. Because you know you can’t stop me or because you know I am right,”

 I said when Zack got off of my back and started to walk to my mom. “Guards, take him away” " Mom said. “Cadence, please. Just hear me out“, Zack said. “I don’t need to hear anything from you that I already know” " Mom said. “All I ask is that you listen to me. Can’t you do that? You’ve done it before I’m sure”, Zack said. mom stayed silent for a bit. “Make it quick”, mom said.

“I know you think I'm going to do terrible things to Flurry but I won't. She’s the reason I stayed here but I’m pretty sure you know that. All I ask is for you to just give me a chance. You don’t have to accept me but just tolerate me. That’s all I ask is that one little favour. Please? For Flurry and Flurry alone”, Zack said as my mother listened through Zack’s talk. She then sighed as Zack continued, “I’m sure I can’t change your mind at this point”, Mom nodded her head replying. “Your right, you are a changeling that broke into my daughter’s room,” My mother then sighed again as she froze for a second. “If I can truly trust you won’t do anything bad to Flurry-”, Mom said. “You have my word”, Zack said. “Then…Then…you can stay with Flurry, under the condition that you will stay in the castle and will listen to me”  Mom said Leaving the room, me and Zack looked at each other before pulling each other into a hug, thinking that the pain was finally over