> A tryst with destiny
>  by Monki
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 0: Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


A tryst with destiny


written by Monki



Prologue:


The sky was darkened by thick gray clouds. The rain poured down in sheets, soaking everything or everyone that dared to leave their shelter. Although the thunderstorm slowly moved on, making its way to the south, one could still hear the rolling thunder in the distance and the whistling wind outside of the house.
The old changeling was sitting on a creaking rocking-chair made of ash tree next to a window. This was her favorite place to spend the evening, staring out of the window of the second floor. Sitting here always reminded her of her youth.

“Granny, Granny, please tell us a story!” A voice next to her called. It was one of the fillies she used to sit when the parents had other things to do. It was early afternoon, but quite dark and grim outside because of the rampaging thunderstorm.
“Yeah a story, please tell us a story, Granny!” another filly begged.

“You want to hear a story? What kind of story?” she gently asked in her raspy voice averting her gaze from the window. The kids couldn't play outside today, because of the stormy weather so it was only natural for them to get bored staying inside. She turned towards the kids sitting around her eagerly waiting for her reply. They knew that she could tell great stories. Stories that convey the impression like being a part of it.

“A story about a superhero!” a third filly cheerfully called.
“Yeah, about Super-Mare!”
“No Bat-Colt!”
“No Spider-Stallion, tell us something about Spider-Stallion, Granny!”

“I just know the right story for you, kids. It's about a hero but the best thing about it is, that this hero actually existed. This hero didn't need any supernatural powers to leave an unforgettable impression. It was the actions of this hero who changed the fate of this land for good.”

“Yay!” the fillies joyfully cheered.
“Sounds awesome!” another voice agreed and the old changeling nodded her approval.

She turned back towards the window, watching how the heavy raindrops tried to penetrate it but got repelled by the glass and dribbled down until they were out of sight. She liked sitting here, listening to the drumming of the rain and the whistling of the wind. From this position on the second floor of her house, she had a really good view of all important things outside. Leaning back, she finally cleared her throat and started to speak-

*****


> Chapter 1: Things you have to know
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 1:


“Eva, are you listening?”
A deep male voice interrupted Eva's daydream and brought her back into the present. She was in school again. Sometimes, when she looked out of the window into the backyard of the school with its green meadow and the benches covered with morning dew, sparkling in the sunlight, her thoughts began to wander off. In that kind of trance different things went through her head, like questions no one seemed to know the answer to, especially not herself.
“Eva! Pay attention, please!” her teacher's voice told her again.
She shook her head to dispel the remaining fog of thoughts that were left in her mind before she replied.

“I err- I did pay attention, sir!”

“You did? OK then it should be easy for you to repeat my last sentence, shouldn't it?” She could hear the calm confidently sound in his voice. The same kind of voice he always used when he caught one of his pupils lying to him.

“You- um - I- err- I-I am sorry I didn't pay attention,” she replied with her voice trailing off looking to the ground.

Most of her classmates started to laugh. They found it funny because Eva was considered the egghead of the class. It didn't happen that often that she gets rebuked by the teacher. She was different from her classmates though, because most of them weren't interested in studying. She however liked to learn new things so she always paid attention in class to soak up every piece of information about almost everything. She also liked her teacher, because he used to explain everything so detailed and well phrased. However recently it became harder to focus on class, because of a certain question that got stuck in her head leaving not much space for everything else.

“I know it's your Hole-day today but focus more on the lesson, please.” Mr. Midnight the teacher said, amused. Eva saw the laughter lines moving on his face. Growing older never had diminished his sense of humor in any way.

She was Eva, short for Evasion. It was the name given to her by her mother Chrysalis. She never liked that name because it sounds so depressing to her, so she told all changelings to just call her Eva. It didn't even sound like a name to her, more like a condition.
It was true, today was her Hole-day: A special day in the life of a changeling.
Changelings are dark coated unicorn-like beings with transparent fragile-looking wings whose special ability is to change into the form of any living being. But like a bird who can't fly on its first day, changelings need to learn how to change their appearance as well. To survive changelings need love-energy to regain their strength so they need to feast on the love, kindness and friendship of other living beings.
The adult changelings have holes in their legs, horns and wings and sometimes even in their mane - the more or bigger holes the older the changeling is. Today she discovered her first hole in her left front leg which marked the beginning of her adolescence.

“I am sorry, sir, it won't happen again,” she replied contritely looking to the side.

The school-building was rather new, not even twenty years, old although it looked kind of grubby. Her teacher tried his best to make it more appealing, by covering the walls with posters and maps and decorate the shelves with flowerpots but it couldn't cover the griminess of the building. The school didn't have the money nor material to renovate it. To be honest most changelings didn't care about the school anyway.
While looking around she noticed one of her bored classmates drawing something on a piece of paper, while behind her she heard two others whispering to each other about the prank they were going to pull on Mr. Midnight. On the left she saw a female changeling brushing her greenish mane with long careful strokes.

Eva was sitting on a wooden chair behind a small desk like all of her classmates. Next to her she heard the slow breathing of a fellow changeling sleeping with his head on the table, her best friend Regard. Although the teacher didn't mind him sleeping during his lessons, he would have preferred Regard stay awake and listen to him. Of course he complained at first until Eva told him Regard's story.

Regard was a changeling older than Eva, with more holes. Although he was a smart kid and may have easily passed class, he was too tired to follow the lessons or to study for himself. Eva knew the reason. He didn't have much time, because of his little sister who suffered from a life threatening disease, shutting her in. He had to worked double and triple shifts on the nearby farm and had three different jobs through the week to pay for his little sister's treatment. Although the teacher didn't like Regard to miss his lesson he understood his reason to do so, so he just ignored him and let him sleep. Eva once happened to overhear him mumbling to himself that it would be a shame to let such a talented smart changeling waste his scholarship, when he thought he was alone after class.

“The origins of our race are from a peninsula in the far south,” the teacher continued his lecture about changeling history.
“For many generations our race lived there in harmony. We used to leech the love we needed to survive from a special kind of dogs which happened to live there, too. It was a symbiotic relationship between the two races. We cared for the dogs and treated them well in return we were able to suck up the love and friendship they felt for us without corrupting them.”

“Wait a minute. Why didn't get the dogs corrupted? As far as I know every animal gets corrupted if you feast on their love too often. They either lose their mind and go crazy or they die because too much love was taken from them,” one of her more interested classmates asked.

“That's unknown until this day. Like I said, they were a special kind of dog,” Mr. Midnight explained with a shrug while fingering his long gray beard.

“Where was I- ah yes-”
“Then the calamity happened. The eruption of a nearby volcano destroyed our capital and most of the homeland we used to live in. The survivors mourned their relatives, but started to rebuild their country after the volcano had calmed down. However the worst part of the disaster was yet to come. The eruption generated a black cloud of smoke which cooled down the country by several degrees, by blocking out the sunlight. While most changelings had no problem in acclimating themselves to the new climate all the dogs became extinct. Without the supply of love and energy the dogs delivered most changelings starved.
Of course your ancestors tried to leech love from the few other animals around but they got corrupted quickly and most of them died, too.
Queen Chrysalis had no other chance than to abandon her homeland and lead her people to another place to live. For decades our people traveled the world like nomads, trying to find another place to settle down. The journey was hard and tiring, many changelings died from exhaustion and hunger. Seeing her people dying Chrysalis had no other chance than forging a cunning plan to overtake a nearby kingdom. Can anyone tell me which kingdom it was?” he asked his pupils.

Eva lifted her hoof. Mr. Midnight looked around, no other of his students seemed to know the answer or was even paying attention. He was kind of used to it after several attempts to get the others to study, though.

“Yes, Eva?”

“It was Equestria, wasn't it?” she answered, quite sure that this was the right answer.

“Yes that's right” he turned away and pointed on a map which was attached to the wall behind him to show the peregrination of the changeling tribe. His hoof remained on a certain location on the map for several moments before he continued:

“Your mother, the Queen knew that the citizens of Equestria had more love to share than one changeling can ever imagine. But with her people dying she needed to take over a major city in time to save all of them. However it took some time to flesh out a plan to conquer Canterlot, the capital of Equestria. In disguise she sneaked into the palace personally and slowly corrupted the commander of the local force to serve her will by foal-napping his fiance and take her place instead. With him in her grasp she weakened the defense line of Canterlot and the invasion started. However, somehow the fiance of the commander broke free and the trickery got discovered. In the end both of them gathered enough power to banish our people from the kingdom. Eva, do you know what happened next?” he had just turned back to the class.

“Yes I know, mother told me all about it.” she cleared her throat saying: “Our people then wandered off into the north east of Equestria and were able to find this faraway valley surrounded by mountains. No pony ever came to this isolated place so we were able to built this city to recover and live here in peace.”

“Do you know what the downside was?” he asked her directly without considering another pupil, because he knew he wouldn't get an answer from them. He was glad that at least one young changeling showed interest so his teaching wouldn't be completely in vain.

“Yeah, because there was no pony here, we had nothing to leech love from. We had to rely on critters and wild animal's love for their families to provide our energy and eating fruit and vegetable to remain healthy, however it is barely enough to keep us alive.”

“That's correct. Not every changeling was able to adapt to the new diet and many starved to death.
Our Queen tried another attempt to conquer a smaller village nearby but the citizen were aware of our abilities and repelled our weakened and hungry legion with ease. Chrysalis then decided to just stay here and try to survive. That's why we are here and that's why it is important to learn how to survive!” while saying the last words his voice got louder echoing in the classroom. Startled, the changelings quit their activities and face towards their teacher.

Next to Eva Regard awoke and lifted his hoof.
“Yes Regard?” Mr. Midnight turned to his newly awoken student.

“So you are saying ponies are evil?” Mr. Midnight was pleased to see that another pupil decided to follow his lesson. However he needed a moment to phrase his reply answering hesitantly.

“Well I wouldn't say evil. They have a different culture than us-”

“But they banished our people even though we needed help badly.” Eva couldn't overhear the slight tone of anger in his voice.

“True but how would you feel if a stranger comes to your home and claim your house as their property?” Mr. Midnight asked Regard looking into his eyes. Regard shirked his gaze and remained silent thinking about that answer.

“Why haven't we just asked for help then?” Eva burst out loud while scratching her head.

“A proud changeling never ask for help, you moron,” a voice behind her said and slapped her head with a rolled-up piece of paper. It was one of the male changeling pranksters sitting behind her.

“Better than starving to death, you idiot!” she replied furiously turning around towards the changeling with his shaggy mane who still held his paper club.

“Kids, calm down, calm down-” the teacher had raised his voice. He then answered the question in a calmer tone.
“No changeling thought about that option before, I guess. Or maybe the Queen thought that no pony would help us and instead uncover our secret which would have made an invasion impossible.”

The school-bell rang and the pupils packed their stuff as they started to leave the classroom.
“Remember that we have Changing practice tomorrow” he catcalled the young changelings who eagerly left the room while chatting and mumbling. With a sigh the teacher turned around and started to clean the blackboard.

On their way home Regard walked next to Eva, like usual.
“What were you thinking about when you looked out of the window? You seemed so abstracted”

“You saw it? I thought you were asleep-” she replied surprised.

Regard was her best friend. In fact, he was her only friend. He was taller than her, had more holes in his body and had a short dark-green ruffled mane. When Eva first entered school she was sure to find friends fast, but most of her classmates were arrogant or stupid morons like the one who had slapped her head.
Regard was different, though. He was kinder and smarter than most of the others. He always was quiet and deep in thought when he wasn't sleeping or working. It seemed they were both different from all the other changelings, and so they started hanging out together.

“You know the thing I was thinking about-” she told him with her voice trailing off.

“Why do you want to know who your father is? Does it really matter that much? I don’t know who my father was but I don't care anyway. I would care if he had stayed home and supported his family!” he yelled angrily.
The lack of sleep and things he had to worry about made him kind of short-tempered. Eva knew that he referred to his sick sister as his “family.”

Technically all changelings are somewhat related to each other. Most of them were given birth by her mother the Queen, Chrysalis. Only a few were born by other female changelings. Female changelings were somewhat rare in their tribe. The ratio was 1 female for 10 male changelings, she learned in biology class. However most changelings didn't have that family bonding like the two of them had. Only a few changelings referred to the Queen as their mother and most of them do not care about their siblings. This was a great difference between the two of them and the rest of the changeling population, since both of them thought that family was important. Another thing that made Eva unique from other changelings, including Regard, was her mane. It was light-blue but streaked with indigo and dark blue highlights, which is rather uncommon for a changeling. Most changelings had green, dark blue or turquoise monochrome colored mane, light blue was a rarity and no other changeling seemed to have a multicolored mane like her. While most of the young changelings used to laugh at her or called her names Regard never seemed to mind at all.

“How is Lily anyway?” She knew that this was a sensitive topic to talk about. His little sister has always been his weak spot and talking about her was like walking on a fine line. She also knew that he would do almost everything for his little sister, because she was the only family he had left. Both of them were born by another female changeling who passed away during the invasion shortly after giving birth to Lily. She was raised and protected by his elder brother ever since.

“I think she is OK. I am going to buy a new medicine next week, when I get my paycheck. I hope that helps her to recover.”
Eva couldn't help but overhear the sadness in his voice while he faced away from her. She shouldn't see the tears of worry he shed thinking about his sick sister. However Eva knew her friend very well and his action and voice left no doubt about his mood. Over the years they had tried different ways of treatment but none of them seemed to work for his sister for very long and while others may have lost hope already, he continued to care for his sister Lily.

After a while of silently walking alongside each other on the sidewalk, he said:
“OK this is my turn, I need to go this way now. We will see each other tomorrow, I guess?”

“Yeah, don't forget that we have to practice changing tomorrow morning. Don't be late,” she said, smiling and trying to tease him. She then turned her head in the direction he was pointing before and her smile faded.
“You are working on the orchard again? Maybe you should take a break. You seem even more tensed and tired lately.” The constant worrying about her friend filled Eva's heart with a touch of melancholy once again. He slowly shook his head.

“You know that I have to,” he whispered desolated. “I wish I could spend more time with you but I simply can't-” he said, then turned around quickly trotting down the street he had pointed at before.

Depressed she reached her home. It was a round house with a dark and greenish color scheme, build out of stone and wood. It had several levels which tapered towards the rooftop. With its hexagonal windows and its black walls and green roof it looked like some kind of grotesque beehive. Most houses in this village looked like this, but this was the biggest house in the neighborhood and it was one of the few that were built out of wood and stone, the smaller buildings made of wood alone.

When she came home she opened the front door and threw her saddlebag filled with her school utensils and books on a small wooden table standing next to it.
“Mom, mom I am home!” she called but got no answer. The house was divided into two parts separated by a small hallway leading to a staircase: on the right side were several offices of her mother and her advisers while on the left side were the living quarters with a big living room and many small rooms for every changeling Chrysalis gave birth to who weren't old enough to live on their own.

“Mom?” She knocked at the second door on the right and went into the office of her mom the Queen, finding her reading some reports from her advisers.

“Oh dear, I didn't hear you come home. Is it that late already?” The Queen said looking up from her reports she had read a moment ago.

Queen Chrysalis used to be a beautiful changeling. She had a black healthy body with several big holes in it and a long shiny dark-blue mane with a small crown on top of her head. Bright sparkling green eyes, always watching for her subjects. She has been a strong and proud ruler and always cared for her people. However she had changed ever since she got defeated in Canterlot - at least that's what Mr. Midnight told Eva in a private moment. Now her face expression seemed to be always tired and sad although she never showed it in public. The defeat in Canterlot and the lack of love-energy mutilated her sparkling former self leaving a grumpy introvert changeling not worthy of the title of a Queen.

The office was a medium sized room with a desk in the middle and several filled bookshelves in the back behind it. On top of her desk a lamp enlightened the room throwing eerie shadows on the wall. Although it was quite a sunny and bright day outside and the office did had a window the closed curtains blocked out most of the sunlight leaving the room in a gloomy twilight. The tiny lamp was barely enough to reach the corners of the room leaving most of them in darkness. With some sunlight, a pot flowers and some decoration here and there it could have been a nice place to work, however Chrysalis didn't seem to be interested or wasn't minding at all.

“Yeah, it is. Mom look I got my first hole today,” she told her mother in excitement lifting her front leg to show it to Chrysalis.

“That's nice, dear. Happy Hole-day then. How was school?” her mother replied looking down on her reports again. An unpleasant silence occurred.

“Mom-” Eva slowly started.

“Mm hmm?” her mother replied being distracted with her papers.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure dear, go ahead.” Her mother said without looking up while leafing through several pages.

“Well you know- err- today in school I was wondering who my father was. Mom, who is or was my father?”

The Queen froze in place. Shocked she dropped her papers she was reading before. Her facial expression changed from disinterest to anger. After a moment she replied with a forced smile hardly suppressing her fury:

“He is dead. He died during the invasion of Canterlot. That's everything you need to know. Not get out I have work to do!”

Her words forced Eva to wince like they were a crack of a whip.
Eva had never heard such coldness in her mother's voice before. It cut right through her mind like a sharp knife halving an apple.

“Thank you mom, I will go now,” she said shivering while slowly closing the door to the office from the outside.
Eva felt like the temperature had lowered by several degrees within a flash. Still shivering she stood in front of the door in the hallway for a moment, staring into empty space until she heard a silent sobbing from inside the office. Eva was astonished. She never ever saw or heard her mother cry. It seemed like the defeat in Canterlot left an even deeper scar than she had ever imagined. Eva knew that Chrysalis never was happy since then, but the Queen never showed her feelings in public. She had to be a strong paragon for her tribe.
Confused, Eva sneaked away and quietly opened the door leading to the living-quarters. She didn't want her mother to know that she witnessed her most vulnerable moment.

She marched past three of her older brothers who lazily sat on a couch in the large living room. A warm fire was burning happily in a chimney made of stone on the opposite wall of the door. One of her brothers greeted her but she just walked past them into her own room. She didn't want to talk to them right now. Her own room was her sanctuary. She did her homework and went to bed early.

While sleeping she had a dream where her younger self met a faceless male changeling with a streaked bluish mane. She hugged him and called him 'Daddy'. It hugged her back while she cheerfully leaned her head against his chest. Then the faceless changeling changed appearance into a pony with a grotesque mug. It was the most horrifying visage she had ever seen. The hug turned into a grasp and the monster started to swallow her alive beginning with her hind legs.
“Daddy, why are you doing this to me?!” she cried terrified, but the pony monster continued to swallow her body. Just as the monster reached her head Eva awoke.

She quickly opened her eyes in terror and sat up in bed looking around her room. No pony-monster was in sight.
“Stupid Eva, being afraid of a nightmare. You’re not a hatchling anymore, remember?” she told herself while taking a deep breath and whipped off the sweat from her forehead with a hoof. She then sat there for several moments, staring into empty space until she turned to her window. The sun was just rising. She watched how the sun slowly climbed her way above the horizon, filling her bedroom with warm sunlight, until it was almost time for school.

She swung herself out of bed, packed her things and left the building. It was still early while she made her way to the bathroom and kitchen. Most of her brothers didn't get up yet, so she enjoyed the peaceful silence while preparing herself without any haste.

When reaching the school she saw her teacher, Mr. Midnight, pushing a blackboard out into the backyard of the school. Mr. Midnight was a very old changeling with a humpy back, gray mane and long gray beard. Although quite old his coat had never lost its original color - a pitch black matching his name. While pushing the blackboard into the garden he used his left hoof to relocate his round glasses back onto his nose which happen to slip off it now and then. Eva watched him for several minutes setting up the blackboard with his back turned towards her, before she stepped near him.

“Good morning Eva, you are quite early today. Are you so eager for my lessons?” he asked her chuckling without turning around, still fiddling with the blackboard. Although she was surprised that he knew who she was without even looking, she abandoned that thought and greeted him.

“Good morning, Mr. Midnight. No, I just happened to be awake early today so I decided to come here.” He finally turned towards Eva who delivered a weak smile to him.

“Did something happen to you?” he asked her concerned. “You seem so flustered today. You know you can come to me any time if something is bothering you. I will try my best to help you but sometimes everything one need is a changeling who just listens-”

“How did he know? Do I look so distraught?” Eva thought to herself startled.

“No- well- err- maybe there is indeed something I would like to discuss with you if possible,” she answered nervously.

“Of course, you may come to me after class if you like. Ah, good morning,” he said cheerfully while turning to his other students who were opening the small rusty gate in the fence that surrounded the building.

“OK, today I am going to teach you in the yard. Put your stuff into the school and then return here, please” he told the group of changelings which had just arrived.

Some time later all of them sat in the grass or on the benches behind the building around Mr. Midnight and his blackboard. Luckily it was a warm sunny morning today, although the grass was still a bit wet because of the morning dew.
“Are we complete? Mr. Midnight asked the group.

“Regard is missing” a female changeling with green pigtails replied.

“Oh yeah, well I guess we just start without him. So does anypony know why we are called 'Changelings'”? he asked his students.

“Duh, because we can change our appearance into those of other living beings” one of the pranksters replied, irritated.

“Yes that's correct. So does anypony of you can change into something else yet?”

“I can change into a boar,” the just arriving Regard said and sat down next to Eva after giving a nod to Mr. Midnight.

“I can do a deer” the pigtailed changeling-girl called.

“I can do a wolf” the other prankster with the shaggy mane said bragging while receiving a bro-hoof from his friend.

“That's very nice. But let's start with something smaller, shall we?” Mr. Midnight said. “I want you to change into the form of a white bunny rabbit. Imagine it in your mind, focus on every detail and let that image become your new form.”

Several 'poofs' later the yard was crowded with bunnies. However most of them were not white. There were some brown bunnies, some black bunnies and even more colorful tones like purple and green. One changeling even changed into a guinea pig. Regard was closest to a white Rabbit because he changed into a bunny with grayish fur.

“Very good Regard, not quite, try again, that's not even a bunny-” Mr. Midnight said while looking at his changed students one after another then turned to Eva. “Eva what about you?”
Eva concentrated imagining a cute little white bunny with a fuzzy tail in her mind. She changed herself with a 'swoop' sound.
The surrounding bunnies started to laugh. Eva looked around irritated because she didn't get the joke.
“Almost perfect, but I guess you need more practice, “Mr. Midnight sad to her chuckling.

“What's the matter?” she whispered to Regard next to her.

“Well you look like a perfect little white bunny- only with blue mane,” he whispered back without laughing.

Mr. Midnight handed her a mirror he had prepared for this lesson. Indeed she was a perfect image of a cute white bunny, but her mane remained in its natural blue streaked shape.
“OK let me try again” she said before another swoop sound occurred.

“Still blue- “ Regard whispered to her.

Several 'Swoops' later her mane still remained in its natural three colored tone.
“OK let's try something else now, shall we,” Mr. Midnight finally said.
“Who said she could do a deer?”

“Me!” the pigtailed changeling replied, lifting a hoof.

“Could you show it to the class, please.”
After a 'Poof' a grown deer stood next to the teacher.

“Very good. Now I want all of you to try it, too. Change into a deer or a stag”
Again several 'poofs' later a herd of deer stood in the backyard.
One pupil accidentally grew an antler at his bottom. Again, almost every deer laughed while the stag with the antler on his butt turned red in shame.
Eva 'swooped' herself into a deer herself and looked at Regard eagerly. He just shook his head and said: “Blue but the rest of the deer looks quite real.”

“Dang it!” she shouted in frustration.

“That's a very convincing deer indeed,” Mr. Midnight remarked. “Not bad for a first try. We need to work on the details though,” he said with an encouraging smile.

They continued to shift into all kinds of animals like big bears or small cats. Most of the changelings improved their forms with each change, but Eva wasn't able to change the color of her mane in any way. No matter what she did, or what animal she changed into her mane always remained in its natural bluish color.

After a lunch break Mr. Midnight showed them pictures of different ponies and asked them to change into a pony.
Eva tried again and after she had 'swooped' into a cow and a donkey she managed to shift into the form of a gray-coated mare with long blue-streaked mane and tail.

“Impressive Eva!” Mr. Midnight remarked. “Look everypony! Eva changed into a very nice pony.”

Most of her classmates inspected all sides of her new body until someone said: “But her mane is still blue!” It was one of the prankster-changelings trying to tease her.

“That doesn't matter. A multicolored mane isn't that uncommon for a pony,” their teacher explained, then he turned to Eva and whispered: “Very well done, I am quite impressed.”
Eva blushed because of the praise. Mr. Midnight turned towards the class again and said:
“Now we are going to talk about Cutie Marks-”

The school day ended in a flash. It was very fun to practice changing into different forms. Even the always grumpy prankster changelings seemed to have some fun as well. When the bell rang every changeling changed back into their original form, fetched their saddlebags and went home while Eva helped Mr. Midnight pushing the blackboard back into the school-building.

“Don't wait for me today, I need to ask Mr. Midnight a question,” she told Regard who had waited for her, leaning on the fence of the school.

“OK see you tomorrow then” he replied, then turned around, slowly opening the creaking gate.

“So what did you want to discuss with me earlier, Eva?” her teacher asked her sensitively after she returned to him sitting down on a wooden chair next to him.

“You know, I started to wonder lately-” she answered not knowing how to start. “I mean you are quite old- err I mean quite wise- “ she quickly corrected herself, “I just thought that you may happen to know who my father was?”

“Your father, eh? Well that's quite a surprising question. Why does it matter to you anyway?” he asked her while sitting down on a chair in front of her.

“Well, err- I don't know but I kept wondering lately. I even had that dream-”

“Would you like to tell me your dream?”
Eva nodded, then told him her dream from last night.

“It is rather uncommon for a changeling to have such deep family bonding. Most changelings do not care about their family nor siblings. However the dream you had seemed to have a deeper meaning. It shows that it does really matter to you who your father is.” He summed it up while leaning back.

“You said 'is', does that mean he is still alive?” she asked surprised lifting an eyebrow.

“Hmm I guess so. Why wouldn't he?”

“Mom told me he died during the Canterlot Invasion,” she remarked.

Mr. Midnight laughed. “Yeah, in a way, you may say that-” he said after he had stopped laughing. Eva looked at him puzzled.
“You know that is a rather complex and maybe scandalous story. Are you sure you want to hear it?” Eva was startled because of his voice suddenly sounding very serious. However she nodded not knowing what to expect.

“Well yesterday was your Hole-day, wasn't it? I guess you are old enough to know the truth-” he started.
“Do you remember the history class yesterday?” Eva nodded again
“Do you remember that the Queen changed herself into the form of the fiance of the Commander of Canterlot army?” Eva remained silent.

“Well to fully manipulate him she had to stay in his presence for some time. She imprisoned that mare and took her place and did what that mare used to do. That soldier and your mother shared everything with each other, because Chrysalis didn't want to draw unnecessary attention. You know what that means, do you? They even shared a bedroom-”
Eva's mouth dropped open.

“You mean she- and him- you mean-?!”

“Yes, you were born some month after the failed invasion. You were the only child born that day. It is not uncommon for a changeling to give birth to several dozens of hatchlings but you remained the only one in that litter,” Mr. Midnight replied honestly while looking directly into Eva's green eyes.

“That means my father was- is -”

“A pony. That's right,” her teacher finished her sentence. Eva gasped while trying to figure out if her teacher was pulling her leg. He seemed very serious though.

“You know it doesn't surprise me that your mane has that triple colored blue instead of a monochrome color. His mane was like that as well. And It doesn't surprise me that you have trouble changing your form completely by will since you are half a pony,” he explained while leaning forward touching her shoulder with a hoof.

“How- how long did they spend together?” she asked with a dry mouth.

“Several months I guess”

“Did she love him?” Her voice sounded hoarse while phrasing that question.

“Well before I became your teacher I was one of the Queens trusted advisers so I think I got to know her a little over the years. Although she always said that she only used him as a tool and never felt for a pony, I am not that sure if this is 100% true. I think after she got beaten by his fiance she gave it a more serious consideration. As far as I know she has never been that close to a male for such a long period.”

Finally Eva understood why Chrysalis cried after she had asked her about her father's whereabouts. It seems like she really was in love with that pony, and still is. Mr. Midnight remained silent to give his pupil a moment to absorb this information.

“Do you want to know a secret?” Mr. Midnight then asked her slowly to change the subject.
Eva nodded her head cautiously.
“Remember your question yesterday why we didn't ask the ponies for help before the invasion?”

“Yes I do.”

“Actually I suggested that to the Queen as well when she elucidated her invasion plan to us.”

Eva looked at him in surprise. “You did?”

“Yes I did. However like I told you yesterday the Queen didn't listen to me. She didn't believe that the ponies would be willing to help us if we ask them kindly. She told me that asking them and revealing our nature to them would exacerbate an invasion.”

“But you actually believed that the ponies would help us?” Eva asked curiously.

“Yeah I did. And I still do. However after the failed invasion I doubt they would be that kind to us anymore,” he smiled at her. “I can't blame them though, wouldn't you agree?”

“But why are you so faithful to those ponies?” Eva wanted to know.

“You want to know why? Because I used to live with them,” he said while gazing at the map on the wall.

Once again Eva's mouth dropped open.

“Well that's another long and complicated story-” he chuckled. He took off his glasses and started to clean them with a small towel. Looking quite absent-minded while rubbing the glass, he started to talk.
“Did you know that some changelings could use magic once?” 
Eva shook her head.
“It is forbidden to use it now, because using magic drains love-energy while casting it and like you know we have barely enough for ourselves to survive,” the old changeling explained.

“However back in the days when love-energy was no issue at all I was a spell-caster myself.”
Eva's eyes widened.
“-Being a young changeling I was so eager to learn everything involving magic. I read all the old books and scrolls in the old capitol's library. I was an apprentice of a local spell-weaver and learned everything changeling-magic could offer me. I soon reached the limits of changeling-magic and realized that there must be more than the magic our race knew so I traveled the world to learn even more. Being able to change into any form helped me to gain the trust of spell-casters of many races so they taught me their tricks.

“From a Gryphon-wizard I learned that there was that powerful old magician known as “Clover the Clever.” He once was an apprentice of a pony known as “Starswirl the Bearded.” All of my teachers I asked agreed, that Starswirl was the most powerful magician ever known and that Clover did well in continuing his legacy. You know that Canterlot is a quite old city. It even did exist back in those days. Since I wanted to gain even more wisdom, I traveled to Canterlot, home of Clover the Clever. I changed into the form of a black-coated pony and had no problem entering the city. Most ponies didn't know that our race actually existed, so no pony asked questions when a young traveler roamed the city. One night I tried to steal some ancient books from the royal library about magic but got caught by Clover. I knew that stealing was a crime, and that stealing ancient books from the royal library was an even bigger crime, but do you know what he said to me?” Mr. Midnight asked looking deep into Eva's eyes.

Eva shook her head eager to hear the rest of the story.

“He said that it's a quite uncommon time to borrow some books. He knew what my attempt was and he could have easily called the guards to put me in jail but he didn't. Instead he told me that I should return the book tomorrow night when I am done reading it. Then he just walked away.”
“At first I laughed about his stupidity. Since I was going to steal that book I never thought about returning it, however the meeting got me thinking. I rented a room in a local Inn and read the book. In the end I came back the next night to return it. Clover was already waiting for me. 'I knew you would return here' he said to me smiling when I entered the library. He also told me that he knew what I was. But he told me that wisdom should be distributed to everypony who seeks for it no matter what race or origin one may have. He also said that my honesty of returning the book proved him right in trusting me. We have met in the library for several nights since then and he gained my trust as well. He even suggested books to me I should borrow to improve my magic skills. My skills sure improved just by reading those books he gave to me. On the fifth night he asked me if I want to become his apprentice. Of course I accepted. However he told me that it would be best to stay disguised as a pony to not draw unnecessary attention. “The ponies of Canterlot are not ready to meet a changeling. Yet” he told me.

The next day I got introduced to Clover's second apprentice: “Sunray.”
Clover taught both of us and over the years “Ray” and I became very close friends. We helped each other practicing, we lived together and shared most of our free time with each other. Although Ray's friendship would have been a powerful source of energy to feast on I never tried it once. His friendship was too precious to me and I didn't want to get caught. I was allowed to leech the energy I needed from Clover's kindness however. It didn't seem to corrupt him in any way, maybe his magic was too powerful to get corrupted that easily. I stayed several years in Canterlot and maybe I would still be there if not for the accident-”
He then noticed the glasses in his hooves he was cleaning the whole time and put them on again.

Eva fidgeted around her chair nervously. She would have never guessed that the old gray bearded teacher had such an exciting life before he became her teacher.

“During an experiment I got drenched in magical green liquid, which blocked my changing ability. I changed back to my natural form just in front of Ray. He was really shocked and furious about my betrayal. I fled the situation without explanation and left Canterlot for good. Some years after returning home the Queen promoted me as an adviser, because of my wisdom I had gathered while traveling the world. All of this happened a long time ago-”

All this whole time while he told Eva his story Mr. Midnight had that glazed eyes. She couldn't tell if it was because of sadness to leave his friend behind or the dreamy look of an old changeling indulging in reminiscences.

“Wow, I would have never guessed” she just said. She didn't know what else to say.

“You thought I always was that old rusty teacher, didn't you?” he said smiling after a moment. “Ha-ha yeah young people always think like this- I used to think so too when I was younger.”

He looked out of the window. It was already past nightfall. Startled about the late hour, he said:
“Oh my, look at the time. You should go home now. Please don't tell your mother what I told you today. This should only be between ourselves, won't you agree?” he said winking at her.

“No problem, Mr. Midnight! I promise!”

Eva got up, fetched her stuff and left the school. Even though her village had no streetlights finding her way back to her home wasn't that difficult, even during nighttime, since she had followed that way for years and knew it inside out.

When returning home, she called her mother like usual but no other changeling was in sight. The Queen's office was empty but the living room with the chimney was crowded with her siblings. She even saw her mother lying on a couch in a more shady corner of the room. Although all of them noticed her return, none of them asked what she did or why she returned home that late.
Before reaching the door leading to her room she hesitated entering and looked around. None of the present changelings seemed to care for her at all. With a sigh she opened the door and entered her room closing it from the inside.
“Why didn't they care? I am a young female and it was late at night, but no one cared at all. They noticed my presence I saw their glimpses. I am the only one who thinks family is important?” Tears filled her eyes.

Eva never felt so alone in her life than today. She threw herself on her bed and cried silently into her pillow. After a while of lying on her bed she dozed off and had another dream. This time her father was a pony from the start, however he still had no face. He called her name and reached out for her, however Eva hesitated approaching him, because she remembered what happened last time. After slowly stepping near him, he gently embraced her and kissed her cheek. “I am so happy to see you Eva,” he said. Eva felt a warm happiness inside and hugged him back. He tousled her mane and smiled at her. Eva couldn't remember when she felt that beloved. He then pushed her away and said with a sad voice: “I need to go now. But we will meet again”
Then the image of the faceless pony faded away and Eva awoke.
She opened her eyes. Her head was much clearer than it has been for a long time, since the fog which had lingered in her mind was gone. Finally she knew what she'd need to do.


> Chapter 2: Wide wide world
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2: 



She will go on a quest meeting her father. She wanted to get to know the pony her mother loves that much, even if he doesn't want to see her.
She had made up her mind, nothing would have ever changed her decision. She would skip school today to have time to pack things she will need for the journey. She sprung out of bed and waited till all of her siblings went out for school or whatever they were doing all day long. As expected no one came looking for her or asking why she didn't leave for school. When the house was empty and her mother in her office to do her job, Eva sneaked into the kitchen to get some food. She even managed to find an old tent without moth holes which was used in the times when changelings roamed the world. She packed everything she needed in her saddlebag and wrote a short note leaving it on her bed if someone actually does care about her whereabouts. After she had prepared herself and geared up she left the house. She hid herself from other changelings next to a small grove near her school and waited for class to end. She planned to visit her teacher once more before she leaves this place.

After several hours she saw her classmates leaving the school. She waited for some more minutes just to be sure that Mr. Midnight was alone, then she sneaked inside the school. Mr. Midnight sat behind his teacher's desk correcting tests her classmates had to write today.

"So you came once more-" he said without looking up. Eva wondered if she had made that much noise so he was able to notice her.
"So you are leaving, trying to find your father, eh? I thought you would do something like this. I won't hold you back but there is one thing I need to know-" he said while scribbling something onto the quiz of one of her classmates.
"Are you sure you want to go? Are you really that serious about it? Know that such a journey is quite dangerous and I wouldn't be surprised if the Equestrian border was protected by some kind of changeling-detection spell. Again I ask you: Are you aware of the risks?" he asked her finally looking up and staring directly into her green eyes.

"Yes, Mr. Midnight I made up my mind. I will find my father and tell him that I exist. I won't care if he sends me away afterwards." She put all her willpower in her reply.
Without another word he held a rolled up piece of paper to her.

"That's my map of Equestria. You may need it to reach Canterlot."

Eva inspected the wall behind him and saw a clean space where the map used to hang.
"May I ask you for a favor?" he asked her still staring in her eyes.

"Sure- what is it?"

"If you actually manage to reach Canterlot could you find out if Sunray is still alive? It will be enough to know if or if not he had a good life."

"I'll try- Thank you for the map, Mr. Midnight. Thank you for everything."

She put the rolled up map into her saddlebag and hugged her teacher teary-eyed.
"Have a safe journey and come back here well," he said then sat down continuing his work.
Eva gulped, nodded then left the building. She left her school and walked towards the exit of the village. Since it was surrounded by mountains there was only one exit she could use.
But before she left the city a shadow jumped out of a nearby bush and stepped in her way.

"So you are leaving without saying goodbye to your best friend?" the shadow said, insulted.

"Regard- I-I- how do you know?" Eva asked surprised after she recognized her friend.

"Do you know me so little? Well I do know you, Evasion. I know that all this wondering about your origin made you ask Mr. Midnight for advice. I did wait quite a long time in front of the school, even though you told me not to, yesterday. I left after about an hour of waiting. I saw you going home late at night, when my job at the orchard was done. You seemed quite confused and shocked. I had no doubt that Mr. Midnight told you who your father is. Then you skipped school today. You never skipped school before, because you love to learn. All of this left only one conclusion: you were preparing to leave this place, weren't you?" he looked in her eyes with a vacant face.
Eva looked on the ground with her cheeks burning in shame.

"I knew it." He told her with a calm apathetic voice.
"Listen I won't stop you nor will I preach to you. I am just disappointed that you didn't speak with me. Heck, you would have left without saying goodbye. Maybe I will never see you again!" Now his voice had changed to a sad and furious tone. She could tell how much she hurt him deep inside.

"Regard- I am sorry- I-" she started.

"It's too late for explanations. Go-" he interrupted her harshly.

"Regard-" she saw the tears in his eyes. She wanted to apologize and give him a hug.

"Just GO ALREADY!" he shouted in her face then turned away to run back to the village not looking back once.

Eva stared at him running away from her until he was out of sight. Salty drops hit the sandy ground beneath her head forming two puddles in the dirt.
"Regard- I am so sorry. How could I forget about you- I am sorry- " she whispered to herself.

After standing there staring in the direction Regard had vanished for a while, she turned around and started walking.
The weather was warm and sunny, only a few small clouds covered the sky and were barely enough to prevent the sun from making it a beautiful day. The village she used to live in was built into a valley in the mountains so she had to walk through rocky steep terrain. Although the day was quite beautiful a playful gust of wind kept swiping through her mane letting it steam behind her head like a blue flag.
At nightfall she set up her tent and spent the night next to a steep face that gave her little tent some protection against the now cold howling wind, which took over during the night. The next day after having breakfast and walking for some time through a hilly area she reached the edge of a forest.
It was a mixed forest, with different kind of trees and diverse plant life looking quite beautiful in the sunlight. Although the thick and tall trees blocked some of the sunlight, it was still bright enough to follow the path easily. Eva inhaled the prominent scent of pine needles and tree gum that had surrounded her by stepping into the forest. The creaking of tree needles and small sticks accompanied the damped sound her hooves caused on the moss-grown ground. The trees also blocked out any stream of air that wanted to play with her mane again. After walking for several hours she stopped to take a rest.
There was a river nearby so Eva had a sip and refilled her water bottle, then sat down next to the riverside. She unwrapped her hay-sandwich and unrolled the map she got from Mr. Midnight. While munching her sandwich she found out that she was on the right track. She couldn't explain it but the path felt just right to her. It was like an invisible strong magnet pulling her towards her destination. She also noticed that the river she sat next to, streamed into the same direction she was supposed to travel, so she decided to stick to its edge a bit longer.

Still chewing on her sandwich she heard a deep menacing growl next to her in the bushes. Eva quickly looked around to spot the source of the noise and discovered a pair of yellow glowing eyes in the nearby shadows. Then a pack of three wolf-like creatures jumped out of the thorny shrubs right before the startled changeling. The wolf's coat was brown colored and its body seemed to be made of sticks and branches. The whole creatures were made of wood she realized. Timberwolves. Eva backed off, remembering her biology class about the Timberwolves. Mr. Midnight taught her, that although they are quite quick, durable and deadly especially when attacking in packs, deep down the Timberwolves are cowards. Remembering this fact she knew what to do.

"I need to change into something big and strong," she thought to herself. She imagined a picture of a big aggressive looking bear in her mind and swooped into that image.
Surprised the wolves stopped coming nearer looking at the scenery confused. They didn't quite understand why their delicious looking prey swapped places with a blue haired bear. However they seemed to know that her disguise was fake so they started to draw closer again, trying to encircle her.

As a changeling you may can change into the form of any living being but you are still a disguised changeling. Even in that form you won't adopt the strength, quickness or other specific traits the form normally possesses. For example changing into a spider won't allow you to produce silk webs and you can't spit poison when turning into a snake. In this particular situation Eva knew that she wouldn't stand a chance against three attacking Timberwolves, even in her bear-form since her strength had remained the same.

"Oh crap, they know- I need to act more terrifying!" Still in bear-form Eva pranced on her hind legs growled and slashed with her claws like a shadow-boxer. The wolves stopped for a moment but then continued to approach, unimpressed. It seemed like they have taken down a bear like her before several times.

"I need to get bigger!" Eva concentrated and the bear-form slowly began to grow.

"More - bigger!" she screamed in her mind focusing even harder. Once again the pack of wolves stopped looking at their prey puzzled. Not only changed a delicious meat-bag into a bear, the bear even started to grow getting much more feral. That was quite new for them, because normally bears don't act like that, at least those they have met before. Two of the wolves took a step back but the third one yelped barking sounds that seemed to encourage his more timid companions.

"Oh no I can't scare them off. They will kill me! Come on Eva think! Think!" Just in time Eva came up with the most horrifying image she could think of and swooped into that image. The wolves stopped once again. The two timid wolves ducked and looked at Eva with widened terrified eyes. Even the third more brave wolf now seemed to think that a rabbit or a boar might be an easier prey. Encouraged Eva stepped towards them and delivered the most feral roar she could come up with. The now convinced wolfs crawled backwards whining in terror, then turned around and escaped back into the heart of the forest.

"Phew - that was a close one" Eva exhaled heavily while her racing heartbeat slowly started to calm down again. Luckily she came up with that image of the nightmare-monster that had swallowed her body during that dream, just in time.
"If I was a Timber wolf I would have been scared to death when facing a big furious bear with a disgusting face like the pony-monster in my dream used to have" she thought to herself, chuckling. She changed back into her own form fetched her dropped saddlebags and continued her journey alongside the river.


Several hours later the sun sank below the horizon and Eva set up her tent and a small campfire to spend the night still within the forest near the river side. While lying on her back in her tent listening to the crackling sounds of her campfire and the gurgling of the nearby river she thought about her father.
It won't be easy to meet him, she figured, since he is the commander of the Canterlot force. He might be protected by several guards. She wasn't even sure if she should reveal her true self to him if she manages to meet him. It will be a spontaneous choice she decided, while rolling to the side and dropping off to sleep smiling. Strangely she was not disturbed by other wild animals looking for trouble that night.

The next morning was quite foggy and grim. Eva got up and stowed away her moist tent in her saddlebag while looking up the sky. Although it didn't rain, heavy gray clouds covered the sky so the fog was rather thick and the view was limited, but it wasn't too hard to follow the river's rushing.
It might have been around noon when Eva reached the edge of the forest and the fog fell back into the woods just like the gray clouds. Right in front of her she saw a sea of green, speckled with spots in every color of a rainbow. With the trees behind her she stood at the edge of a plain completely covered by healthy green grass, highlighted by colorful wildflowers. Eva ogled the blaze of colors breathless enjoying the smell of the wet grass and those blossoms around her. After a while of walking through the grass she found a hill rearing up the grassland like a small island in a green sea.
Once again she set up her tent to spend the night before she proceeded to venture into that green ocean of grass. While looking for something to eat, she noticed that most of her supply of food was already used up. She had only one sandwich left which she had for supper. By consulting the map she noticed that there should be a town nearby, but within the flat grassland it was hard to orient herself. The next day she continued her journey without breakfast, until she could see the silhouettes of many trees in the distance. When stepping nearer she noticed that the trees were in fact apple-trees. Lots and lots of apple-trees.
"This must be an apple farm or something" Eva realized.

Eva reached a wooden fence that separated the orchard from the grassland she just crossed and jumped right over it. She hadn't had lunch today and the lack of love-energy took its toll, leaving her even more tired than she used to be. The round red apples appeared too tasty to not try them. Eva swooped into a blue-haired cat and climbed up the apple-tree which happened to stand the nearest to her. Sitting on a shaking branch she tried to pick some apples but after she had picked three of them the branch broke off the trunk. Without the often praised feline-grace Eva clumsily landed on her rump beneath the tree she just tried to climb.
"Ouch!" she yelled while rubbing her hurting flank.

"Hey, did ya hear that?" a female voice somewhere close by asked alarmed.

"Eeyup." another voice replied. It was a male voice this time.

"Ah think it came from ova there-" the first voice said.

Eva heard the sound of hooves galloping on dry ground. Someone was coming towards her, she realized. She quickly changed into a bunny and jumped into a bosket ducking down into the grass just in time. A moment later an orange-coated pony with a brown cowboy-hat appeared between the trees followed up by a big red-coated pony with a fair fuzzy mane.
Both of them walked towards the tree she tried to pick apples from and noticed the branch which lay next to the trunk. The red colt picked up the branch to inspect it.

"This branch didn't break off by tha wind," he explained to the orange mare. "Somethin' made it break-"

"Yeah ah think ah hear a voice here somewhere-" she replied to her red companion.
Both of them looked around.

Still hiding in the grass, Bunny-Eva quietly picked up two apples and tried to sneak away from the two ponies but got spotted by the mare with the hat.
"Big Mac, there's the miscreant! Come back here ya thieving varmint!" she yelled angrily running after Eva. The disguised changeling started to run away still carrying the two apples she picked up. She crawled through under the wooden fence and jumped into the high grass doing some sidesteps to shake off her pursuer. The mare lost sight of her and stopped running, now standing in hoof-long grasses, while looking around trying to spot the mischief-maker.

"Yeah that's right, don't come back here, ya hear me?!" She yelled raising her hoof in anger. Then the apple-mare turned around walking towards the red colt who had waited and watched the scene beneath the tree where he had picked up the branch.
"Ah needa talk to Fluttershy about her critters stealin' our crops-" she told the stallion while both of them walked back the direction they came from.

"Eeyup." the male voice agreed.

"Call me bonkers, but ah think that bunny had blue hair-" Eva heard the mare saying before both of them were too far away to understand.

Once again Eva exhaled and her racing heart beat like a drum. Lucky for Eva the apple-mare didn't see her saddlebags, she had left in the high grass before she changed into the cat although she had only been a couple of steps away from it. She waited a few more minutes hiding in the grass to make sure both ponies were gone before she changed back into her normal form.
"You are better worth the trouble!" Eva said turning to her swag. She then took a bite of one of the apples and was surprised. Oh yes the apples were indeed worth the trouble. Eva even thought of doing it all again to pick some more apples but whisked the thought aside. This encounter was close enough, she almost got caught.

Although the two apples were delicious they were barely enough to fill her belly. She picked up her equipment and unrolled the map.
"So here's the apple farm, so the nearby village must be this way-" she realized, rolling up the map and stowed it back into her inventory.

The plan was to visit the town and restock her supplies. This will be a perfect opportunity to test her pony-form. She swooped into the same gray-coated pony like the one she used in Mr. Midnights changing practice and viewed her mirror-image in the nearby river. Shortly after she came across a bridge that crossed her river and a road leading into a charming rustic town.
A sign stated "Welcome to Ponyville" as she walked past the first half-timbered house.
On the streets she saw many different ponies with many different coat-colors doing different things. She saw a gray-coated Pegasus pony who seemed to be a mail-mare or something, who violently tried to push a package into a way too small mailbox, she also saw a mare offering flowers from a market-stall and two ponies sitting on a white bench next to the street, one of them in a rather awkward posture. By turning her head to the other side of the street she noticed a green-coated mare cleaning the windows of her house and she saw three fillies next to that house playing with marbles. Eva was overwhelmed by the strong love-energy pulsating almost everywhere within this town.
She gulped then started to sneak along the road as silently and stealthily as possible. Of course she overdid it so it appeared like she was a Ninja-pony sneaking from corner to corner.

"Hey!" a voice besides her called. Eva froze in movement.
Oh pony-feathers, they sussed me! My disguise wasn't as good as I thought. What should I do now? Eva thought to herself anxiously. Maybe I can remedy the situation- just act cool. She slowly turned to the direction the voice came from.

"Watcha doing?" a yellow-coated filly with a red ponytail held by a ribbon asked her lifting an eyebrow.

"Well I- err- I- um-" Eva stuttered with her heart beating like a drum.

"With a performance like that you will never get a sneaking cutie mark-" a white unicorn filly with pink mane remarked in a squeaking tone.

"Trust us, we already tried that-" the third orange coated Pegasus filly added declining. The three of them had interrupted their marbles game looking at Eva with big questioning eyes.

"Why don't cha have a cutie mark yet? Aren't you a bit old to be a blank flank?" the ribbon filly asked curiously.

"Well I- you know-" Eva replied, still stammering.

"Maybe she hasn't found out her special talent yet?" the Pegasus filly called.

"Uh uh uh, you should join our club then. We are the 'Cutie Mark Crusaders'. A club specialized in finding one's cutie mark!" the white unicorn explained with her excited high pitched voice.

"That's a great idea Sweetie Belle!" the Pegasus yelled.

"Yeah!" the yellow earth-pony agreed.

"So Miss, do you wanna join the Cutie Mark Crusaders?" the three of them looked at Eva with big sparkling eyes.

Cutie Mark? Right Mr. Midnight mentioned something about Cutie Marks in class. It seemed that Cutie Marks are very important to ponies somehow. Changelings do not have Cutie Marks normally so Eva didn't understand what all the buzz is about. But that also means that those three fillies indeed considered her being a pony.

"Well girls, that's a nice offer but I am only passing through this town and will be leaving soon so I can't join your club," Eva explained relieved.

"Ya know ya can join us anyway. We even have a branch agency in Manehatten!" the earth-pony said with a pride tone in her voice.

"Where are you traveling to?" the orange filly wanted to know.

"Canterlot" Eva said. Stupid Eva why are you even telling them. Maybe I already said too much, she thought to herself again.

"Ooh Canterlot, it would be nice to have a CMC outpost in Canterlot wouldn't it, girls?" the pink-maned unicorn called cheerfully.

"Ah’m Apple Bloom, this is Sweetie Belle, and this here’s Scootaloo" the yellow filly introduced, pointing at herself then at the unicorn and finally over at the pegasus. "What's your name?"

"Eva," Eva said without thinking. “Oh great you did it again loudmouth!” her mind shouted, annoyed.

"You need to come to our clubhouse, Eva, for the initiation rite. You'll get an awesome cape, too" Scootaloo remarked.

"But we need to readjust the size since we didn't expect a blank-flank your age" Sweetie Belle added scratching her head with a hoof while the other two nodded excitedly.

"It's like ya already belong to the family" Apple Bloom said but got pushed aside by Scootaloo yelling: "We will be best friend forever!"

"Fr- friends? Listen girls I need to get something to eat first, I am starving and the journey was exhausting. So would you please-" Somehow Eva felt a little less worn out than a moment ago. She could feel the powerful love-energy the three fillies literally threw at her. Maybe she should stay with them a little longer to power up her energy pool.

"Ya can stay with my family at the farm! I bet they wouldn't mind a new friend stayin' for the night," Apple Bloom suggested.

"Yeah, we can give you your custom made cape tomorrow, I'll ask my sister Rarity for help," Sweetie Belle squeaked.

"Come on Eva, it's almost time for supper. Granny Smith serves awesome food." Scootaloo took Eva's hoof and dragged her down the street with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle running alongside her.

Eva thought about resistance but then followed the fillies willfully with a sigh. They crossed the Ponyville plaza, walked past several ponies doing their daily business. While walking past a near house she heard smooth orchestral music from the inside through an opened window. Somepony seemed to play a bowed string instrument very tender and skillfully. The party followed a sandy road leading to the west of the town, until they left it reaching a more hilly area covered by apple-trees. She even saw a wooden fence separating the apple-farm from the rest of the village.
"Uh-oh, this looks familiar-" Eva's mind raised the alarm.

After some more minutes of walking past thousands of apple-trees the group stopped before a red and white painted country-house with a barn, having the same color-scheme, next to it. Apple Bloom opened a door leading into a kitchen where an old green-coated mare stood at the oven hunched over a pot with boiling stew.
"Heya Granny Smith, this is mah new friend Eva who is travelin' tuh Canterlot, can she stay here fer the night?" Apple Bloom called very loud to draw the old mare's attention. The mare mumbled something unrecognizable then turned around.

"A new friend, yer saying? Well of course she can stay if she wants to, kiddo," she said with a creaking voice having the same southern accent as her grandchild.

"Err- good evening" Eva greeted the old mare shyly.

She looked at Eva from hoof to head then said: "You're just in time for supper. My, you look kinda starved out. Didn't yer parents fed ya properly? Sit down, sit down please. "
Granny Smith pointed to a long wooden table covered by a table cloth with red and white square pattern and several chairs around it.

"Ah bet yer other friends will stay for supper as well, won'tcha kids?" she turned to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo who were still standing next to the kitchen door. A smile spread over their faces while they nodded eagerly.
"Apple Bloom be a dear and lay the table. Move yer caboose." Granny Smith winked at her grandchild.
Apple Bloom quickly trotted to a white painted cupboard with a glass door fetching several plates that she put on the table one after another. Then she ran to a sideboard and opened a drawer to get the cutlery.

"Nah, don't use that ol' rusty stuff, get the family silver! We have guests after all," Granny Smith told Apple Bloom looking over her shoulder while stirring in her hot steaming stew pot with a wooden spoon. Apple Bloom did like she was told and started to hand out ancient-looking silverware to Eva who had sat down on one of the chairs around the table. Eva watched how Apple Bloom trotted over to Granny Smith who held her long cooking spoon to her so she could taste the brew.

"That's the most delicious apple stew ah ever tasted Granny!" the filly cheerfully called hugging her grandma.

"Ahh ain't that sweet?" Granny Smith said while ruffling though Apple Bloom's mane.

Eva never saw so much love in a family. She couldn't turn away from the happy faces expressing the love they felt for each other. Both Granny Smith and Apple Bloom were surrounded by a strong invisible aura of love-energy, the strongest burst of energy Eva had ever felt. Meanwhile Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had sat down next to Eva on the wooden chairs smiling at her. The door got opened and a familiar looking orange-coated mare wearing a brown hat was going to enter the house followed by that big red colt she had seen in the orchard earlier. Eva gulped.

"Howdy Granny Smith, heya Apple Bloom!" the mare greeted her family while wiping her hooves on a door mat then stepping aside so the colt could enter the building as well.

"Ah see we have a full house today, haven't we Big Mac?" she said smiling poking her elbow into the colt's side.

"Eeyup," he agreed.

"Good evening Applejack, hello Big Macintosh," Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle said at the same time then looked at each other and giggled.

"An' who you might be?" Applejack asked while sitting down at the table right in front of Eva looking at her curiously.

"That's my new friend Eva. We met her in Ponyville-" Apple Bloom started but got interrupted by Scootaloo: "Yeah and since she is still a blank-flank like us we made her a Cutie Mark Crusader and Apple Bloom invited her to stay the night on the farm-" Sweetie Belle used the pause to add:
"She is very tired because she is going to travel to Canterlot to set up a CMC branch agency for us!" Sweetie Belle finished the narration excited. All three of them looked at Eva smiling.
Eva blushed a bit of embarrassment, but nodded.

"Well that's mighty nice of ya-" Applejack remarked while examine Eva more closely. Her eyes stopped at Eva's mane and Applejack's face-expression changed.
"Hmm you look kinda familiar, where did ya say yer were coming from?" Applejack asked her.

"I err- I come from- Manehatten! Yes Manehatten!" she nodded eagerly and smiled uptight to support her lie. Manehatten was the first thing that came to her mind. Maybe because the Crusaders had mentioned it when she met them on the Ponyville town square.

"Manehatten?!" Do ya know Babs Seed? She is my cousin living in Manehatten as well," Apple Bloom yelled excited.

"Um no- It's a- big city- I guess" Eva replied cagey while fidgeting around her chair nervously.

Applejack appeared not really convinced while she scratched her chin still staring at her mane.
"Hmm Manehatten, eh? And what are yer traveling to Canterlot for? Applejack probed into the topic some more.

"Applejack! Mind yer manners and stop drilling our guest with questions!" Granny Smith scolded the farm-pony. "It’s time fer supper now. Big Mac, be a dear and put the pot on the table, please," she continued talking in her gentlest way again.

The red colt moved over to the cooking place and fetched the stew-pot putting it on a saucer on the table. Then he sat down next to Granny Smith who filled the plates one after another. Shortly after everypony was eating the stew accompanied by the clacking sounds of the silverware and the plates.

"Ah am sorry I didn't mean to be rude" AJ apologized contritely. "Maybe I met ya somewhere in Manehatten when ah visited aunt and uncle Orange, last spring-"

Eva knew that Applejack found her suspicious and telling another lie she might blow her cover so she decided to just tell her the truth.

"It's OK. I am looking for my father who is said to live in Canterlot. I never met him in person because my mom raised me in- err- Manehatten- alone. I just want to meet him once and tell him that I exist- I just want to see him once"

"Aww, such a sad story." Sweetie Belle remarked with a pitying look on her face.

Eva had a bite of the stew she got served by Granny Smith and it tasted fantastic. Scootaloo hadn't exaggerated prizing Granny Smith's cooking skills. The flavor spread her taste buds, leaving them yelling for more. She quickly ate up her portion and asked Granny Smith for some more. The old mare smiled gently and refilled Eva's plate without speaking a word.

"What's your father's name?" Scootaloo wanted to know with her spoon in her mouth.

"I- I don't know." Eva said gloomily.

"How are you going to find him in Canterlot then?" Scootaloo asked munching.

"I don't know either."

"We need’ta help her guys." Apple Bloom said seriously, looking into everyponies faces.

"Ah could send a letter to Cousin Apple Cookie. He may let ya stay at his house in Canterlot for a while." Big Macintosh piped up.

It was the first whole sentence he spoke since Eva had met him. He had a calm pleasant voice and she liked the way he talked. While saying that he had looked over at Eva with a shy smile and Eva blushed before turning to her meal again, eagerly eating some more.

After they had finished their meal the Crusaders, including Eva, cleared the table and helped Granny Smith with washing the dishes. When they were done with the clean-up Eva and her new friends sat down, chatting about random stuff for a while, until it was time to go to bed. Scootaloo said Goodnight to them and opened the door to go home.

"Thank you for the meal, Granny Smith" Sweetie Belle said to the elder mare politely before she joined up with the rest of the CMC at the front door.

"So we will meet up at the club house tomorrow, won't we?" Scootaloo asked them before she turned around, making her way home

"Totally!" Apple Bloom replied while waving at her friends.

Eva followed Applejack and Apple Bloom upstairs. In the second floor standing in a small hallway AJ opened a wooden door leading to a tidy guest room.

"This is yer room for tonight. Don't hesitate to ask if ya need anything. The bathroom is over there. We'll be right next to yer room." Applejack explained and Eva nodded then said goodnight to both of them before she closed the door and looked around the room. A massive looking bed made of wood stood in the middle at the left wall with a bedside cabinet next to it. Several pictures of different ponies covered the wall except the one leading to the pitch of the roof which had a window in it.

She lay down on the fluffy mattress wondering how she got here. A day ago she was wandering through a grassy plain sleeping in an old tent and the next moment she lay here on a cozy bed in a house filled with nice ponies offering their friendship to her. Looking into a mirror on the opposite wall and seeing her in her pony-disguise Eva suddenly felt guilty of taking advantage of the kindness of the apple-family and feasting on their love and friendship they offered to her unknowing. She didn't want to corrupt them in any way because she liked all of them.
The disguised changeling finally understood why Mr. Midnight had stayed in the pony-society for several years.

Somewhere early, around sunrise she got woken by Applejack.
"Eva, ya can sleep fer a little longer or ya can come down to have breakfast with us-" she whispered to her gently shaking her shoulder.

"Uhrg- Applejack? OK Breakfast- give me a minute," Eva replied drowsily while rubbing her eyes with her hooves.
With heavy eyelids she noticed how Applejack left her room and heard her stepping down the stairs. After rubbing her eyes once more she slowly got up and lurched into the room on the other side of the hallway which was claimed to be the bathroom.

"Goow mowin Efa " Apple Bloom said to her with a toothbrush in her mouth brushing her teeth eagerly.

"Hello Apple Bloom" she greeted the filly then she stepped near the sink and threw herself some cold water in the face and dried it with a fluffy white towel which happened to hang next to it. She lifted her head and looked into the mirror which was attached to the wall above the sink. She saw a very tired pony with blue-streaked mane staring back at her.

Luckily changelings stay in their current form, until they change back into their own by will. It is some kind of natural defense mechanism so you won't revert back to normal if you are unconscious or distracted in any way. This means that her pony-form lasted the whole night while sleeping and Applejack had not noticed her true self. Exhaling relieved she imagined a picture in her head of Applejack finding a changeling in the bed of her guest room. That would have taken ages to explain if she would have even listened to her. Apple Bloom gargled with water and spit out into the sink then she dried her mouth with another towel and looked at Eva, revealing her beaming teeth with a smile. Eva smiled back and together they stepped down the creaking wooden stairs.
Downstairs in the kitchen the whole family already sat around the table like yesterday. Eva greeted them one by one and got greeted back by each of them. Big Macintosh however just nodded towards her. It seemed like he is no colt of many words, but it made him charming and somewhat mysterious.

"You gotta try Granny’s Zap Apple Jam. It is famous through all of Equestria," Apple Bloom handed a jar filled with a colorful sticky liquid to her. Eva put some of it onto her granary bread and had a bite. Indeed it tasted amazing. No wonder this was well known in all of Equestria.

"This tastes awesome. Granny Smith your cooking is exceptional, terrific!" she burst out almost spaying everypony around the table with her chewed bread. 
The old mare bowed her head slightly, blushed and said: "Thank you, my dear, ah’m glad ya like it."

Eva enjoyed her breakfast, while Applejack told Granny Smith that she and Big Macintosh would go to the southern orchard to protect the trees. There had been a thieving critter stealing their apples lately and they wanted to make sure this doesn't happen again. Eva chuckled to herself by hearing this.

"I don't think that the 'critter' will return today," she smiled to Applejack.

"How do yer know?" AJ lifted an eyebrow. "And why did ya emphasize the word 'critter' that much?"

"I err- I think you scared it away. I don't think that it will return that soon." AJ looked at her puzzled then thought about it for a moment looking at the ceiling and scratching her chin.

"I guess yer right. I could buck some of the golden-delicious instead," she figured talking to herself while still looking at the ceiling.

"Will ya stay another day with us or are ya going to continue yer journey?" Big Mac suddenly addressed her.

"I um- I think I should get cracking. I need to thank all of you for everything you have done for me. Thank you everypony for your kindness and friendship. I don't deserve any of this." the last sentence she only thought.
"You have no idea how tired and worn out I was before I met you, Apple Bloom." Well literally.

"Here I wrote a letter for Cousin Apple Cookie. He has a small shop at the outer wall and ah asked him to let ya stay for a while. Just give him this letter and he'll understand.," Big Mac handed her a small white envelope with a scratchy hoof written labeling stating 'To Cousin Apple Cookie'. Eva nodded, took the letter and stored it in her saddle bag.

"Before you go you must come to our clubhouse to be initiated as an official Crusader."

"Of course, I wouldn't miss that for the world." A big smile spread on Apple Bloom's face hearing this.

"OK, then come we will gather the others" Apple Bloom jumped up grabbing Eva's hoof and dragged her to the door. Right in front of it Eva unclamped herself from Apple Bloom's grip bowed down to the Apple family still sitting at the table and said: 
"Thank you everypony, I will never forget you."

"On yer way back from Canterlot ya could come around for a visit. Friends are always welcome here," Granny Smith winked at her while Big Mac had a disappointed expression on his face.

"Have a save pleasant trip," Applejack said weaving with her hat. Eva then put up her saddlebags and together with Apple Bloom left the building.

A moment later Apple Bloom and Eva stood in front of the half-timbered house walking down the sandy street towards the city. After a while of walking Apple Bloom suddenly stopped right in front of a mailbox standing deserted in the middle of nowhere next to the street, but no house was in sight. Eva looked around irritated but then Apple Bloom began to shout: "Scootaloo, Scoot-ScootalooOO!"

A minute later the orange coated Pegasus filly floated down next to them. Eva looked up and saw a cloud above them which had the shape of a house.

"You know I hate it when you do that, don't you?" Scootaloo said annoyed to Apple Bloom but she just grinned and replied before bursting out laughing:

"Yeah, of course, that's why ah do it"

Ignoring Apple Bloom Scootaloo turned to Eva and her annoyed face lit up.
"Good morning Eva, did you sleep well at Apple Bloom's house? I would have invited you too, but I guess you had some trouble reaching it," she pointed up to the cloud house.

"No offense but your wings looks quite small to fly, how do you even reach it?"

Scootaloo laughed. "Yeah- Well I can't fly just now. I can float and that's enough to get up there, but I can't fly like normal Pegasi just yet. I do practice it with Rainbow Dash though. One day I will be an awesome flier just like her." Her eyes widened while she got lost in her private dream sequence.

Apple Bloom stepped near her and snapped with her hoof several times in front of her face.
"Focus Scoots! We need to get Sweetie Belle and return to our clubhouse, remember?"
Scoots quickly shook her head to abandon her daydream and nodded.

They reached the edge of Ponyville and walked down the paved street. They came by the house where Eva heard the orchestral music yesterday, but now a faster music with hard bass-line played inside. They then reached a large pond and walked past a water mill, whose wheel creaked in the running water. They then stopped in front of a three story house with a thatched roof near the lake.
Scootaloo turned towards the lake where an adult stallion, wearing a straw hat and a colorful but quite ugly looking shirt, sat on a jetty fishing. "Hello Mr. Belle!"

He looked up at them weaving and said: "Hey kids, Sweetie is inside. The door is unlocked"

"Who was that?" Eva wanted to know.

"Sweetie's Dad- Did you see his shirt? It seems like he is collecting ugly clothing." Scootaloo rolled her eyes chuckling.

"Yeah their sense of fashion must come from Rarity's and Sweetie's mother then" Apple Bloom agreed. But there was still one question on Eva's mind.

"Wait- Her name is Sweetie and her surname is Belle?"

"Yeah so what?"

"Why does everypony call her by her full name?"

"Hmm I dunno. It just came to be- I mean wouldn't it be strange if everypony called you Sweetie? That's like everypony actin’ like yer mother or somethin'." Apple Bloom looked over at Scootaloo to explain more but she only shrugged.

Apple Bloom then knocked on the oak-door and the three of them entered the house shortly after. On the left side of the front door a set of stairs lead up to the upper floors, while next to it the hallway lead into a bigger living-room. A mature mare's head looked around a corner of the living-room but then turned towards the stairs shouting:" Sweetie, your little friends are here!"

"Just a minute Mom-" The three of them could hear Sweetie Belle’s dozy voice followed by rumbling and galloping sounds. 

The mare's had then turned to the rest of the CMC and spoke in a quieter tone:
"Hi girls, I am sorry I can't greet you properly, because I am busy in the kitchen. Sweetie should be here in a minute."

"That's OK, Ma'am. We won't keep you back. We will just wait here in the hallway," Scootaloo spoke in a very polite tone.
The mare's head smiled then vanished back into the kitchen, which seemed to be next to the living-room. Eva looked around. They stood in a hallway carpeted with an elegant looking rug like those made in Saddle-Arabia. To the left there was the stairs, which space below was boxed up with reddish wood, possibly cherry, forming a storeroom. There were several cloth hooks attached to the wooden wall with several raincoats hanging from them. On the right side the carpeted hallway proceeded into the living room. Eva could see a white couch, a white table with a vase on top of it containing a couple of fresh lilies. The whole house looked rather tasteful and fashionable. Eva was astonished since Mr. Belle didn't seem to have such good taste considering his shirt he wore while fishing. Apple Bloom was right before, saying Mrs. Belle is the more fashion conscious parent in this family. Eva heard the clattering of pots and dishes caused by Sweetie's mom. According to the sounds she made it seemed like she was busy cleaning the kitchen.

Her thoughts got interrupted by Sweetie Belle galloping down the stairs smiling. She wore a red cape with golden inner lining and an insignia stitched onto the red side.

"Hi girls! Ready to go?" Sweetie Belle blinked at Eva and grinned. The three of them just nodded happily.

"Bye Mom!" Sweetie called.

"Bye Mrs. Belle!" Eva, Scoots and Apple Bloom echoed Sweetie's phrase.

"Have fun, kids" Mrs. Bell's voice replied from around the corner accompanied by clattering sounds.

Back outside Sweetie Belle waved at her father but he didn't see it, because he pulled his fishing pole excitedly, before realizing that he only caught a rusty old can with his rod. Eva saw his surprised face expression while the four of them turned around a corner chuckling.

"The clubhouse is at Sweet Apple Acres, why do we always have to pick you up, Sweetie Belle? Can't we just meet up there?" Scootaloo mumbled slightly annoyed on their way back where she Eva and Apple Bloom came from.

"Ya know that our lil' princess here likes to sleep long an probably will oversleep our meetings." Scootaloo snickered because of Apple Bloom's teasing.

"Hey that's not true! I am no slugabed!" Sweetie complained insulted, stomping with one hoof on the sandy street.

"Oh yeah? So yer weren't still sleeping, when we arrived and you weren't pulling off your PJ's while we waited for yer?" Apple Bloom teased her some more.

Yes- I mean no- I mean-" Sweetie groaned annoyed while turning red ashamed. Now Eva and Apple Bloom burst into laughing as well as Scootaloo.

Finally they reached Sweet Apple Acres again. Instead of following the street towards the house and the large red barn, they turned north, walking alongside many apple-trees before they reached the clubhouse. It was a lovely small cabin hanging several feet above the ground, built around an old looking apple-tree. A twisted green painted ramp led up to the front door. Scootaloo opened the door then stepped aside so that Eva could enter the clubhouse.

"Welcome to the Cutie Mark Crusaders’ Clubhouse, a great place to help earn your Cutie Mark."
Although it wasn't that commodious it was still cozy and charming. The walls were yellow painted, the windows covered by colorful curtains and there was a red target painted on the ground. Eva didn't understand the purpose of that mark, but it certainly served a meaningful task. However she did understand after Apple Bloom showed her around and introduced the red mark as the place to think about new ideas, while Sweetie Belle dashed inside opening a chest pulling out three Capes like the one she was wearing and handed two of them to Scoots and Apple Bloom. Then she turned to Eva and solemnly presented the third cape to her.

"That's our official CMC trademark. Since you are one of us now you get one, too. I made them myself," she proudly explained.
Eva pressed her cape against her chest teary eyed. While she put on her new cape Scootaloo jumped behind a pair of drums and began to pound. The song she played was catchy and the whole clubhouse began to shake because of the vibration of the drums. Sweetie Belle climbed up a pedestal and started holding a speech afterwards.

"-So you swear to follow our three basic rules?" she then asked Eva in an overstated stern tone after her speech had finished.

"#1: Being kind to anypony, even those you don't know yet." Scootaloo saluted starchy with as serious expression.

"#2: Always reaching for the stars and never givin’ up on yer goal." Apple Bloom put her hoof on her chest looking just as serious.

"And most importantly #3: Cutie Mark Crusaders will be best friends forever!" Sweetie Belle then said, creating a tiny display of firework with her horn.

"I swear!" Eva solemnly whispered.

The four of them group hugged each other cheering.
Excluding Regard, Eva never had friends like that. The two days here in Ponyville turned out to be the happiest days in her life and the tons of love-energy she siphoned had made her more energetic than ever. It felt like she was about to burst, because of that much love and friendship which got literally thrown at her by the ponies in this town. Strangely nopony seemed to get corrupted in any way yet. Not even the Crusaders.
A growl interrupted the happy moment. Sweetie Belle's eyes widened as she turned away blushing.
Scootaloo snickered before Sweetie Belle sheepishly said: "I hadn't had breakfast today- Let's go to Sugar Cube Corner, girls!"

The Crusaders left their clubhouse again returning to Ponyville. They stopped in front of another half-timbered building which roof looked like ornamented gingerbread. In the middle of the roof a cupcake-shaped tower with pink icing and sprinkles reared up from the second floor. Two sturdy pillars painted like candy canes underpinned the porch. Long story short this house looked like a witch's house from old mares-tales.
A sign outside stated: "Sugar Cube Corner." Even without the sign nopony could ever mistake this house with another one. While entering, a small bell attached to the door announced the arrival of a new customer. A blonde gray-coated Pegasus walked past them leaving the shop, while carrying a brown paper bag in her happily smiling mouth. Behind the counter they saw a pink coated mare with curly mane, who counted several coins before putting them into the cash box. She then looked up at them and smiled.

The sweet looking decor from outside carried on inside the shop. Candy canes underpinned the ceiling and the displays, which offered many different kinds of unhealthy but delicious looking sweets, were framed by brown casing looking like a chocolate bar.

"Hey girls! Did you come to try out the new banana muffins? Ditzy loves those! She came here every day, since we offer them! " The shopkeeper's voice was very acute and wound-up.

"And who are you?" the pink mare turned to Eva and inhaled a large amount of air before she continued speaking even faster:
"You are new here aren't you, aren't you? I know that because I know everypony in Ponyville and I never saw you before- but if you are new that means you have no friends- but obviously you do have friends, because you appear to be a Cutie Mark Crusader wearing the red cape but one can't have enough friends, right? I mean I have a lot of friends, but I am always looking for more -"

"Err Pinkie-?" Sweetie Belle tried to interrupt the shopkeepers monologue unsuccessfully.

"-So do you know what this calls for? A-"

"No Parties before your shift ends, Pinkie!" a strict female voice from upstairs called right before she could finish her sentence.

"Aaaww, but Mrs. Cake-" the pink mares voice changed from that quick talking wound-up way to a long drawn weepy one.

"Pinkie I am sorry, but as you know Mr. Cake has to keep his bed and I am busy nursing him and looking after the kids. You are the only one left to conduct the business-" The voice got louder before Mrs. Cake stepped down the stairs now standing in the store with a little baby unicorn in her arms, which was sucking on a rubber duck. She was a blue coated mature mare wearing a white apron. Her purple mane looked like the top of an ice-cream cone and she had many laughter lines on her face. It seemed like living with Pinkie wasn't that bad after all. However today she was very stressed and tired, because she had to look after her sick husband and the two baby twins. She gazed over at the Crusaders and delivered a gently smile to them.

"Hello girls, I am sorry Pinkie can't play with you now."

"That's OK Mrs. Cake, we only came here to buy stuff anyway," Apple Bloom explained right before a rumbling sound on the first floor occurred, followed by a dreadful baby-cry.

"I am sorry, Kids I need to go." Mrs. Cake told them while turning around hurrying up the stairs again.
"Don't worry Pound, Mommy is coming." They heard her soft voice from upstairs but the crying still continued for several minutes.

"So no party then, do you want something sweet instead?" Pinkie turned her head towards the Crusaders still with a disappointed face expression.

"I'll try the banana-muffin you mentioned before." Sweetie Belle replied slightly impatiently. Her stomach growled to support her order.

"I'll take the cupcake with the chocolate sprinkles" Scootaloo called and then Apple Bloom said: "Lemme have that sweet cinnamon bun over there. What will ya buy, Eva?"

Three pairs of eyes focused on the disguised changeling.
"I can't buy anything since I don't have any money" she replied gloomily.

"No problemo," Pinkie whispered to her. "Here, take some of those-" she tossed some muffins over at Eva who barely couldn't catch them all, because she was surprised by the sweet assault.
"Take them as a replacement for the party I can't throw right now," she winked at Eva still whispering.

"Pinkie, are you giving away free goods again?!" Mrs. Cake asked annoyed from upstairs.

"I wonder how she does that- knowing everything that's going on. Maybe she is in fact Super-Mare or something-" Pinkie asked no pony in particular scratching her chin before she quickly opened Eva's saddlebag and tipped out a plate of muffins inside it just in time before Mrs. Cake reached the ground floor . This time she had a little baby pegasus with an old-school hair flip in her arms who was trying to escape her embrace.

"I didn't give goods away Mrs. Cake. I- err I ate them myself. I was sooo hungry and these looked so delicious, you know?" Pinkie Pie explained with a convulsive grin on her face before she stuffed two Muffins in her mouth. "Schee? Mhhhhhh- Yummy" Pinkie said while chewing and rubbing her belly abundantly. Mrs. Cake rolled with her eyes ready to preach to the younger mare.

"What did I tell you about giving away stuff for free, Pinkie?" Mrs. Cake asked the pink pony displeased. While receiving her roasting Pinkie, secretly gave the Crusaders a signal to leave the shop with Mrs. Cake being distracted. Understanding the hint the four Crusaders silently sneaked to the door.

"We have to save every bit to pay for Pound's flight school and Pumpkin's magic lessons when they are old enough and both schools are quite expensive-" Pinkie's voice droned like a recorded audio tape. It seemed that she had to learn that by heart before.

Meanwhile the Crusaders have been able to open the door unnoticed and slipped out of the shop. Luckily they were able to get their sweets before they left the building.

In front of the building they dashed away some blocks and sat down on a nearby park bench. Each pony feasted on their delicious loot.

"Will Pinkie be in trouble?" Eva was worried that Pinkie might get in trouble just because being so kind towards her.

"Mhhh nah! Don't think so. Pinkie was a young filly when she came t’Ponyville. The Cakes were kind enough to accommodate her an' over the years Pinkie became a part of their family. She'll get grounded for some time or has to clean the dishes or somethin', I guess."

"Don't worry Eva, although Mrs. Cake gives the impression that she is very furious right now, she will calm down soon. She is a balanced pony, although she doesn't look like that. But I guess you have to be rather calm, living with Pinkie," Scootaloo explained cheerily.

Eva looked up to the sky. It must be around afternoon she figured. She took a deep breath.
"Maybe it is finally time for me to move on. I don't want anypony else to get in trouble because of me."

Suddenly the happiness of her fellow Crusader companions faded. It was time to finally say goodbye, to continue her quest, however a part of Eva wished she could stay here with her friends forever. But she reminded herself that she has to leave. She didn't belong here after all. She didn't want to hurt her new friends like her teacher once had with his best friend back in his youth. Eva stared each of her friends in the eyes for several moment then they hugged each other with a big group hug.

"Take good care will ya?" Apple Bloom then said gloomily after they stopped hugging.

"Don't forget us, Eva" Sweetie Belle looked on the ground trying to suppress her tears.

"Of course, I will always remember your kindness and friendship. This cape you gave me will always remind me of being a Crusader." Eva replied, in tears, breathing deeply. Sweetie Belle looked up from the ground and slightly smiled with bleary eyes.

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom nodded. They did understand that this quest is very important to Eva. The changeling then turned around and started to walk towards the city edge. Eva hadn't had any money to pay for a train ride to Canterlot but since the castle was clearly visible from Ponyville it wasn't hard to miss it by following the rails.

> Chapter 3: Moon-Bun and Sunray
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3:



By train it would have taken less than an hour or two to reach the capital of Equestria. Eva however reached it in the late afternoon. Even from afar she could imagine how large this city must be. Much larger than any village she had visited before, its white walls and high buildings reared up behind them, intimidating her a bit.
By entering through enormous opened gates she saw a lot of activity going on. Many aristocratic-looking ponies were over the whole place. The mares wore expensive and decadent looking dresses, stallions with suits and ties wearing silk hats and one even had a monocle on his nose. Ponies in golden armor stood next to the gate and other strategic locations, diligently looking out for trouble. Large buildings built of white stone, possibly marble, reared up from the paved main-road. Eva's eyes widened from the mere splendor the city exuded. She had to shake her head to come back to her senses reminding her quest. On the other hoof she could have stood there for some more time watching the scenery and never grew tired of looking around. She turned her head and pulled out the letter Big Macintosh gave her. He said Cousin Apple Cookie ran a shop selling apple pie at the eastern wall.

Judging by the position of the sun she trotted down a street leading in the east. After walking for quite some time, looking from side to side to soak up every detail, she got terribly lost and had to ask for the way, but ponies refused to answer and acted like she didn't see the gray-coated young mare asking for help. It seemed that those ponies were too stuck up to help a 'random hobo' in the streets - like one exceptional rude mare wearing a diamond necklace told her. Another hour passed with her wandering around without finding her way to the bakery. The sun was about to set when she decided to ask one of those guard ponies for help.

"Excuse me, Sir, do you know where Apple Cookie's bakery is? It should be at the eastern wall somewhere."

At first the guard looked straight ahead then he turned his head towards her mustering her for a moment.
"Do you mean the "Golden Apple Shed"? Yes, I do know where that is. However it's quite a distance from here." He explained the way to her, but Eva couldn't memorize the whole way he described her.

"I am sorry would it be possible to show me the way, personally?" she asked him putting all the kindness in her voice that she could offer. The sun was about to set and soon this city would be covered by nightly darkness. It would be much harder to find the right way in murkiness.

"I am sorry miss, but I am afraid I can't. I have to guard the royal library and I am not allowed to dismiss my post."
Eva looked at the building for the first time. It was a quite high tower build out of the same white stone ornamented with delicate gilded details like most of the city. However the windows and balconies where paneled with dark wood which added a majestic flair to the tower. Instead of a roof the tower was covered by a dome made of crystal, reflecting the remaining light of the setting sun.

"Please, this is an emergency. I am unfamiliar with this city and need to find my shelter, soon."

"I am really sorry ma'am, but I have my orders. There were several attempts of stealing the ancient books and scrolls from the royal library in the past. If something happens during my shift while I show you around I'll be screwed. But I do wish you good luck finding your way" He then continued to stare right ahead.

Around her the street lamps lining both sides of the street, magically started to shine while the sun mercilessly continued to sink.
Eva was about to panic, sitting down on the sidewalk when the sun vanished below the horizon, while the street lamps started to fight against the spreading darkness. All of a sudden a voice behind her said:
"Young mares like you shouldn't be alone in the streets at night time. Allow me to show you the way, miss." Eva turned around startled. Before her stood an older stallion wearing a red cloak who offered her a hoof.
"I couldn't overhear your discussion with this guard here. I know where that bakery is, because I have been there quite often in my youth."

His voice was calm and polite and the way he phrased his sentences provided him the appearance of wisdom and urbanity. Eva reached out for his hoof and he gently pulled her on her legs. Eva blushed a bit because of his chivalry so she only nodded. Because of the hood of his cloak she couldn't see his face nor could she recognize his Cutie Mark or coat color.

She followed the mysterious stallion though alleys and snickelways. They turned right, crossed a street, turned left, walked past several shops which already had closed down business for today and crossed another street. After some minutes Eva lost track of the way and would have been totally lost, but her guide seemed to know the way very well. He stopped in front of a half timbered building with a thatched roof, which was enlightened by a light post next to it. A large sign was hanging from the wall of the second floor with a golden apple painted onto it. The house looked rather misplaced in this marvelous city next to the white, more modern looking buildings. It wasn't dirty or shabby but the house looked much too pastoral to belong here.

"Miss, this is the ‘Golden Apple Bakery’." The place you were looking for if I am not mistaken?"
Eva nodded.
"Well then, I wish you a good night and welcome to Canterlot, young miss." He slightly bobbed his head then turned around and was about to vanish in the night when Eva called:

"Wait, I didn't have the time to thank you properly for your help, sir."

"You are welcome, young lady" he replied while walking down the street further without turning around.

"At least tell me your name, sir." Eva called him begging.

"My name is Sunray, milady." Saying that he finally merged with the darkness that surrounded him.

Eva's eyes widened. He said Sunray didn't he? The same Sunray who was her teacher's best friend back in his youth? Her mouth dropped open. So he was still alive and he appeared to be quite healthy as well. She stood there for a few more minutes before she turned to the bakery. She quietly knocked on the half door three times. The upper side of the door got opened after a moment. The head of a middle-aged light green colored stallion appeared in the door looking at her with questioning eyes.

"Yes?" he asked long drawn out.

"I am Eva and I am here to deliver a letter to you, Sir," she shyly replied.

"At nighttime?" he asked lifting a brow. "That's rather unexpected- lemme see it."

Eva opened her saddlebag and handed him the letter from the apple-family. He opened the envelope hesitantly with his wary eyes glued to Eva's. Then he looked down reading it. She saw his eyes flying over the lines while he read what Big Macintosh wrote to him. His face lit up when he finished the last sentence.
"So yer are a friend’a my cousin, eh? Come in, come in it's quite cold outside."

He opened the other partition of the door and stepped aside, so she could enter the building. Inside a warm fire happily burned in a chimney, next to a three piece suit. Now it was bright enough to inspect her host a bit more detailed, too. He was a middle aged stallion with straggly light brown mane and light green coat. On his flank three small cookies formed his Cutie Mark. He wore a set of glasses carved like a crescent moon and he had the same freckles and a similar accent like his relatives in Ponyville.
"So err- Eva right? What brings ya here? How are my cousins? Is Granny Smith still that energetic like she used to be at our las' family reunion? Now that ah think about it ah haven't heard from them for quite a while."

"The ponies at Sweet Apple Acres are fine, I guess. I traveled to Canterlot to uncover my ancestry. I was told that I might find answers here. Your cousin Big Macintosh suggested that I may come to you for a resting place- If that's OK?"

"Well yes o' course. If ya are a friend of good ol' Big Mac you're a friend of mine, too. However ah didn't expect a guest so ah have te prepare a room fer ya first. Now thatcha mentioned it ah reconnize the markin’s on yer cape. It's the crest of Apple Bloom's society ain't it? What was the name again? Cutie Mark Comrades? Cutie Mark Companions?"

"It's the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Sir. And yes, I am a member of their club." Eva corrected him snickering.

"Ah yeah, Crusaders - right, right. An' please don't call me 'Sir'. It sounds so old. Just call me Apple Cookie"

"OK, Sir- I mean Apple Cookie. Thank you again for letting me stay here."

"Yer welcome, kiddo. Just lemme prepare our guest room for ya real quick. Ya certainly must be tired of the journey. Ah need to go to bed soon, because I have to get up early tomorrow to bake fresh goods for the hungry ponies’ breakfast. Don't worry, ah’ll letcha sleep in. In the meantime make yourself comfortable an' just ask if ya need anythin'."

He quickly stepped up the stairs and Eva could hear him rumbling on the second floor. Eva used the time to look around. The interior of the bakery reminder Eva of Sugar Cube Corner, but without the fancy candy and gingerbread decoration. The displays and counters were empty and flawlessly clean, ready to present the baked goods for customers in the morning. After a while she heard Apple Cookie calling her name from upstairs. Reaching the second floor he presented her his guest room. While inspecting it she noticed that it got tidied in a rush, because she saw some dust on the frames of the pictures attached to the wall on the opposite of the freshly sheeted bed. Once again he asked her if she needed anything or had another question, but she denied. He then bid her Goodnight  and went into his own room on the opposite of the hallway.

Before Eva laid down on the bed she inspected the pictures on the wall. She saw an older picture of a cute filly with bright blond mane and freckles on her orange face. Next to her sat a slightly older red colt with shaggy blond mane, looking at the foal with caring eyes. This must be Applejack when she was a baby and next to her is her brother when he was a kid, Eva figured. Right next to that she recognized a baby photo of Apple Bloom sucking on her hoof. She looked at the next golden frame containing an even older black and white picture. It showed an old stallion with a mustache, with a hoof resting on the shoulder on a young filly, standing in front of the bakery. Both ponies smiled proudly. It appeared that this picture was taken shortly after the bakery was built. Eva turned away from the pictures and laid down on the bed. Now she realized how tired she really was. It has been an exciting day. She said goodbye to the Apple family, became a Crusader, met Pinkie and Mrs. Cake and tasted their unique banana muffins. She roamed to Canterlot got lost in the city and was found and rescued by her teacher's formerly best friend. Thinking about all those events Eva dropped off to sleep.

The next day she awoke because of a sweet scent lingering in the air almost tickling her nose. It was the scent of cinnamon, caramel, apples and freshly baked bread. She jumped out of the bed stretched her back and slowly walked downstairs where Apple Cookie just served a customer. The customer had a blue dashing mane and wore a dressy formal uniform. Apple Cookie just handed him an apple pie when she reached the ground floor.

"Good morning," she said to both of them.

"Good morning Eva, did yer sleep well?"

Eva answered his question with a nod while smiling.
"Who's this beautiful young pony, Apple Cookie?" the agile looking customer with the uniform wanted to know.

"That's my cousin's mare-friend. Ya do remember Big Macintosh, don’tcha Soarin?"

Did he just say mare-friend? Blood got pumped into Eva's face almost looking like a big tomato. Did Big Mac write this in his letter? No wonder Apple Cookie had welcomed a total stranger in his house that easily.

"You mean that strong red silent guy, don't you? Yeah I remember him," Soarin replied.

"I- I am not his mare-friend" Eva said with a burning face, looking at the ground.

"Oh what a shame. Ah think yer two would look great together. He would definitely marry up with ya." Apple Cookie replied snickering. Eva didn't know that she could become more embarrassed than she was before but she was immediately proven wrong.

"So that means you are free, eh? Maybe we could meet up later, if you like?" Soarin winked at her.

"I- um- maybe another day?" She hardly spit out that sentence because of her embarrassment.

"At whatever time you like," he said grinning while picking up the brown paper bag Apple Cookie had wrapped his pie into. Then he left the shop.

"That Soarin, always the charmer don't let him tease you that way. Did ya know that he's the second in command of the Wonderbolts? He comes here every day t’buy an apple-pie ever since Applejack sold him one at the "Grand Galloping Gala" the other day."

Slowly the blood drained off her head and returned into Eva's body.
"Do you live here all by yourself?" she asked her host to change the subject.

"Well yeah, I mean ever since my pa passed away last year. He bequeathed me the bakery and I have run it ever since."

"Oh I am so sorry I didn't know. My deepest condolences."

"Nah, that's OK. Ah mean yeah ah was real sad when he died but he was old an' lived a happy life. Ah don't think that he could complain about anythin'. Oh that reminds me. The Apple-cinnamon buns should be cooled down now. Care for a bite?"

"Yes of course." She fetched a chair and sat down next to him in the bake house.

"It's a new recipe. Ah was asked by no other than Princess Luna herself to create somethin' new for her. I call 'em 'Moon Buns'."
He carefully touched the buns on the baking plate to test their temperature and then threw one of them over at Eva. Somehow she got used to catch food flying in midair by now. After tasting it, she commented:
"Well this is delicious, but I think it could be even better if you just reduced the amount of sugar by a tiny bit. That way the customer gets to taste the natural sweetness of the apples more."

"Less sugar, eh? Didn't know that there could be too much sugar," he replied snickering. "Ah'll think about that. Here, have some more. Ya haven't had breakfast yet, did ya?"

While he kneaded another ball of dough she ate three more of those special 'Moon Buns'. Between the bites she asked him:
"Do you know a stallion called Sunray?"

"Yer mean Master Sunray? Well yeah of course! He's a respected scholar, a talented magician and adviser of the royal two. Ah heard that he got trained by the legendary Clover the Clever. Ah can remember that he used t’ come here frequently with his friend t’buy some of the goods of my pa when I was a lil' foal. Ah heard that his friend vanished out of the blue and Master Sunray didn't come back here ever since. He is a very secluded pony and spends much time alone in his laboratory in the royal library. Why do yer ask?"

"Well when I came here to Canterlot I got lost finding my way to your shop. He was kind enough to pick me up and show me the right way. I just want to thank him properly. Do you remember what he bought when he came here regularly?"

"Oh that's mighty nice of him. Hmm- I might be wrong but I think that he liked donuts best," he continued after some intense thinking.

"Apple Cookie, I can't express how much I appreciate it that you gave me shelter. I mean I am a complete stranger to you. Is there some way to repay you the favor?"

"Nah, it's OK, Kid. In his letter Big Mac wrote that although he doesn't know ya for very long ya seemed to be a nice pony and he couldn't find any ulterior motives in yer eyes. I must say that I have t’ agree with him. It feels good to have a companion around. I felt kinda lonely ever since my pa died. So in other words ya don't have t’thank me for anything."

"But I insist!"

"OK kid. Hmm I needa restock some ingredients. You may go there and fetch 'em for me."

"OK Got it- err but last time I got lost in this city-"

"Don't worry- here take this city plan with you. I can mark the shop fer ya to find it more easily. I'll also mark my supplier fer ya, too."

Some minutes later she was in front of the bakery with an empty set of saddlebags on her back but with a map in her hooves. By reading the map she could reconstruct the way Sunray and she had taken from the library yesterday. It really was the quickest route. Using the map it was quite easy to navigate herself towards the supplier, whose trading warehouse was located at the northern wall. While walking past several restaurants with white round tables, each equipped with a colorful umbrella, she even came by the castle gates. The castle was surrounded by another polished white wall with several entrances to different sides. All those entrances were endued with those very thick and large doors made of ancient looking wood framed with golden bricks.

So it was said that her father was the commander of the royal force. Its headquarters was located within the inner castle ring according to the map, so it was very likely for him to be in the castle. Encouraged she stepped near the gate she just came by, but got blocked by two Royal Guards in golden armor who stepped in her way.

"Hold it, citizen. What business brings you to the castle?" the beefy right guard wanted to know in a strict but calm deep voice.

"I um- I need to see the commander of the royal force-"

"Do you have an appointment?" he asked lifting a brow.

"No- "

"Have you got an invitation, tour ticket or ID ?" This time the left guard asked. He was a unicorn, more lanky than the right one and had a higher voice fitting his appearance. He wasn't as brusque as his companion, so she liked him better than the beefy right guard who appeared to be a Pegasus.

"No but-you see I need to meet him."

"What for?" the Pegasus wanted to know.

"I need to talk to him personally."

"About what?" the beefy guard asked obviously annoyed by the uncommunicative answers.

"Well you see it's a private issue-" she started but got interrupted by the right guard.

"A-ha-ha! A private issue. You hear that, sergeant? This filly has some private issues with the Prince," saying that, the beefy guard's voice got softer while he stepped back, shifting his weight onto his lance. It was obvious that he didn't believe her, and that he was making fun of her. Eva couldn't miss the mocking sound in his voice.

"Yes, sir, I heard it!" The other, thinner, guard replied.

"Listen, Missy, did you think you could come here and roam the royal castle just like that? Without an appointment, without any documents?" Now his voice had returned to its former tone, only considerably more annoyed, while he bent towards Eva, entering her private space very deliberately, more with every word to intimidate her.

"Maybe you are a troublemaker? Maybe you are an assassin? Maybe you are even a disguised changeling? How should we know? Sergeant, scan her for any changeling-magic!" he snapped like rolling thunder. He then stepped back to grand his thinner partner some space.

"I- err I think I heard my laundry calling. Sorry gotta go-" Eva stuttered and tried to quickly turn around to escape.

"Oh no you don't, Missy. All this makes you really suspicious-" He quickly had lowered his pole-weapon to block her way back while his assistant came closer with a glowing horn.

Trapped between the lowered weapon and the grumpy guard, Eva saw the thinner guard coming near her. Her heart started to race, she wondered why they didn't hear the loud noises it caused. Eva stared, terrified at his blue glowing horn. She quickly looked around to find a way out of this situation but couldn't figure out a solution. If the unicorn-guard really can detect and uncover disguised changelings she will be screwed. A bluish glow surrounded her, caused by the detection-spell of the sergeant. Eva closed her eyes, sweat was dripping down her forehead. She prayed silently for an easy way out and she was about to faint, but nothing happened. Yes, nothing happened!

"She doesn't feel like a changeling, sir- But strangely she doesn't feel like a pony either." The guard interrupted his magic and the blue aura around Eva vanished. She opened one eye, then the second. Somehow her pony-form had still stayed on. Maybe the detection-spell had failed? The puzzled unicorn turned towards his boss to wait for further instructions.

"Not a pony, eh? Your horn must be broken or something- stupid magic. OK Missy, you got lucky this time. Now go and don't even dare to get any ideas."
He pulled back his weapon to grant her freedom again. Eva slowly backed away from that intimidating guard before she finally turned around and started to gallop down the street, until she dashed around a corner pressing her back against the wall of the building she was standing in front of.

Phew that was a close one. Stupid Eva, what were you thinking?! Breathing heavily she hid behind the corner trying to calm down. It took her several minutes, though. She carefully looked around the corner, but luckily none of the guards had seemed to follow her. When she finally had settled down she took another look at the map. She had enough excitement for today and decided to keep a low profile for some time. She managed to find the warehouse of Apple Cookie's supplier and entered the building. A sign stated: "Quills and Sofas." Now that was a strange name for a wholesaling trade.

The inside looked much bigger than it appeared from the outside. Next to the door a long counter separated the entrance room from another big room containing many high shelves with different cardboard boxes, burlap bags and buckets. A male pony with strong looking legs wearing a white jumpsuit appeared in the door behind the counter.
"May I help you, Miss?"

"Yeah I was sent here by Apple Cookie to fetch his order."

The male pony rummaged around under the counter and took out a small book which he flipped open and leafed through the pages.
"Ah, Apple Cookie, here it is. OK, the order is already paid for. Please wait a minute while I get your stuff-"
He vanished into the room with the large shelves but came back shortly after carrying three paper bags of flour, five boxes of eggs and some smaller sachet containing different kinds of spice. He put everything on top of the counter and checked if he got everything by a quick glance at his book.

"That would be everything. Do you need something else?" he asked while scribbling something in that book.

"No I don't think so, thank you," she said while she stowed the order away in her saddlebags.

"Thank you for your order, come again. And best regards to Mr. Apple Cookie."

She nodded, then opened the door and left the warehouse. On her way back she gave a wide berth to the castle gates and frequently looked back over her shoulder to check if somepony was following her. But she reached the golden apple bakery without any trouble.
Apple Cookie was pleased to see her return. He just put a steaming baking plate with freshly made 'Moon buns' on the table when she entered the shop.

"Ah, Eva! Did ya get everything? Look, ah made some more Moon Buns with less sugar just like ya suggested."
She nodded. She decided to not tell him anything about her encounter at the castle gate. It would only draw more unpleasant questions. She sat down on her chair next to him with dangling legs, while watching him cleaning his kitchenware.

"Apple Cookie? What do you know about the prince?" she asked after a while.

"The prince, eh? Well his name is Shining Armor and he was the commander of the royal force for several years before he married Princess Cadence, a very beautiful and bonny alicorn. By marrying her he became a Prince. Cadence is the ruler of the Crystal Empire located in the north of Equestria. Ah heard that both of them will move there soon. Why’dja ask? Didja meet him somewhere?"

"No, I wouldn't recognize him either, because I don't know what he looks like-"

"Well he's a white-coated unicorn an' his mane has a similar color like yers. He either wears a red vest, or his purple chest plate. It's said that he's very nice and obliging, and a fair commander of the troops. However ah never met him in person so ah can only say what ah heard about him... "

She then sat there silently for a while staring into empty space while he was washing up several pots encrusted by dough.

"Did ya find out anythin' about yer pa yet? Apple Cookie suddenly wanted to know giving Eva a start.

"No, not yet."

"Maybe ya should visit the library. Ah think there are some pedigree records stored as well."

"Mm-hmm, maybe tomorrow-" Eva had enough action for one day.

Another silent moment passed by before she asked:
"Apple Cookie could you teach me how to make apple donuts?"

"Well of course. I didn't knew you were into baker's craft-" he smiled saying that. She washed her hooves in the sink and put on a white apron hanging from a coat peg on the wall.

The rest of the day he showed her how to set up and roll the pastry. He obviously enjoyed her eagerness and taught her with pleasure. It was like he said before, he has been lonely for a long time but now enjoyed every minute with his guest. Eva had fun too. After several failed attempts Eva managed to come up with a perfect baking plate of apple donuts. He had a bite and his skeptical face expression lit up even more and he applauded to Eva. She quickly tasted them, too. The donuts tasted terrific. Eva cheered and was proud of her work.

"Almost like my pa used to make 'em," he remarked and got eagerly hugged by the flattered disguised changeling. He wasn't prepared for this so he stood there for a moment with red cheeks not knowing what to do before he returned the hug.
They had been so eager to bake the donuts that they didn't realize that night has already fallen over Canterlot. Apple Cookie put Eva's products into a food storage box while she went upstairs to have a shower to wash off all the flour in her coat and mane. She returned to him with wet mane hanging down her head to say good night.

The next day Soarin leaned nonchalantly against the counter while Apple Cookie prepared his daily apple-pie. Seeing her he smiled and said:
"Good morning Eva, do you want to go out with me today?"

"Thank you Mr. Soarin, but I got other plans for today," she kindly rejected his offer.
He seemed disappointed. Obviously he wasn't used to be rejected by a mare. However this only fueled his eagerness. Apple Cookie, who had silently witnessed the scene snickered quietly into his hoof.

"Well then maybe next time." He took his paper bag and stiffly marched out of the bakery.
Apple Cookie couldn't hold onto it anymore and burst into laughter.

"Did ya see his face? Priceless. Ah bet he won't give up on ya that easy," after wiping away a tear he continued: "So whatcha plans for today?"

"I will visit the library just like you suggested yesterday. Maybe I find a clue about the whereabouts of my father. What will you do today?"

"I'm goin’ t’present the new buns to Princess Luna at noon."

After a delicious quick breakfast Eva equipped her saddlebags and filled them with a package containing the apple donuts they made yesterday and her trusty map. After wishing him luck and saying goodbye, she was on her way to the library. She took the same route Sunray showed her before and soon she stood in front of that impressive tower with the crystal dome on top. After opening the richly ornamented door she stepped into a round room filled with bookshelves. In the back she saw a spiral staircase with a golden hoof rail curling up the inner wall to the second floor. There were several tables with ponies sitting on chairs reading books and scrolls. In the center of the room she saw an older mare sitting at a desk writing something on a piece of paper. The desk was enlightened by a small magic powered lamp with a lampshade made of green glass covering the table with a comfortable light.
The mature mare looked up at Eva through her round glasses when she heard the sound of the door. She had a gray mane pinned up to a bun hairstyle and she made a very strict impression.
Stepping near the mare Eva quietly asked her where she could find Master Sunray. The mare nodded towards an open door and said: "He is in his office."

Eva thanked the mare for the information and trotted towards the door the caretaker referred to before. "Wait where do you think you are going?"

"Err- to Master Sunray?"

"Oh, no, no, no. He is a very busy pony and doesn't wish to be disturbed," the mare said while she galloped over stepping in front of the door. "If you are here asking for apprenticeship I can assure you that there are no vacancies at the moment."

"No actually I am here to thank him for his help, because he saved me the day before yesterday-"

"No his orders were strict. He hasn't received visitors in ages. I repeat, he doesn't wish to be disturbed!" she explained more loudly.

"It's OK Primrose, let her pass" a male voice from inside that room called.

"But Master Sunray-" she turned towards the open door, where the voice came from, with an amazed face expression.

"I'd like to meet that mare. Haven't you got other things to attend to?" he asked in a calm way.

The caretaker groaned silently and returned to her desk in the middle of the room watching Eva with displeased eyes.
Kind of surprised she entered Sunray's office and closed the door behind her.
It was a room with round walls. On the right hand side the wall was covered with an old but sturdy looking bookshelf filled with dozens of bulky tomes. On the left hand side the wall was decorated with a map of Equestria with several notes written on the side, a star map showing different star signs and a golden framed picture of a wise looking pony with a pink and purple mane. This must be his teacher Clover the Clever, Eva assumed. Below the pictures a sitting room suit was located. Next to the entrance door she saw his red cloak he had worn at their first meeting, hanging on a coat hook.
In the center behind a big oak desk in front of a wide window sat Master Sunray in a large comfy looking armchair. His coat had the color of a slightly washed out sunflower and his mane was gray traversed by orange streaks. He watched her looking around his office with patient old eyes. Eva nervously stepped near him and cleared her throat.

"Master Sunray- please excuse the interruption. Maybe you don't remember me but I am-"

"The mare who got lost in Canterlot the other day, yes I do remember. So what do you want from me?" His face showed no emotion. Eva couldn't tell if he was angry, because of the interruption or happy to see her.

"I- err- I just wanted to thank you again for your help-" she continued speaking shyly.

"Didn't I already told you that it was fine and you don't have to think about it anymore?" he asked in his calm motionless tone.

"I also came here to hand a gift to you- ," she said and pulled out the wrapped donuts from her saddlebag. She put it on his desk and stepped back a little.
Lifting an eyebrow he examined the package that just got presented to him. He slowly opened the brown paper packaging, while looking at Eva with inquiring eyes. He was surprised to find a couple of hoof-made apple-donuts in the box.

"What is the meaning of this?" he wanted to know. Eva still couldn't figure out his mood.

"I heard that you used to like apple-donuts when you were younger and so I brought you some. I made them myself at the 'Golden Apple bakery'."

"I haven't eaten one in ages-"

"Ever since your best friend Midnight left Canterlot?" she asked the wise sorcerer perky.

"Who told you that?" now Eva noticed an angry sound in his voice.

"My teacher- Mr. Midnight!"
The whole time he appeared motionless and collected. Now his mouth had dropped open. An unpleasant silence followed before he composed himself. His face returned to that motionless poker-face.

"Before we continue, please show me you your true form."

"I don't know what you are talking-"

"Do I look like a fool to you? Ever since Midnight revealed his true form to me I studied everything I could learn about changelings. I studied their culture, I studied their anatomy and I was even able to see through their disguises. I can see small little details that disclose your true origin that most others cannot. However you seem different though, you don't seem like the changelings I have studied. That's why I couldn't tell right from the start but you are a changeling, aren't you? I should have seen it when I met you in the alley the day before yesterday but it was too dark and I was too tired to notice. So please show me your face now."

Eva hesitated. What if it was a trap? After thinking about it for a moment she decided that it would be of no use to keep lying to him. After days of being a pony she changed back into her normal form for the first time. However she lowered her head, being too afraid looking him in the eyes. He mustered her for a longer while, mustering every detail on Eva's body. Her black coat, the bluish multi-colored mane, the tiny transparent wings before he spoke in a softer voice than before:

"So it's true- Midnight- I haven't heard from him in ages. How is he?"

"He is fine, I guess. He became my teacher back in my village."

"So you got trained to be a spell-weaver then?"

"No, he educates me and my classmates in the basic subjects. Two weeks ago I didn't even know that changelings were able to wield magic."

"That's surprising. I remember him as an excellent spell-caster, maybe even better than myself."
With a sigh he turned towards the large window in the wall behind his desk staring outside. Looking into the far distance he continued:

"As you might imagine I was shocked when the pony I considered as my best friend changed into something else. I had never heard of changelings before. I was furious. I was hurt. I felt betrayed. We shared everything with each other. I even helped him getting a date with my sister- " he closed his eyes and shook his head, snickering.

"I was really hurt when he suddenly disappeared, however now I can understand his reasons. I felt so betrayed like something of me was torn out of my heart. I don't know what I had done to him if he had stayed. Then my Master, Clover the Clever, explained everything to me. He told me that Midnight wanted to reveal his true form to me from the start, but Clover advised against it. And now you are here- his student- two generations later-"
He turned back towards Eva again and looked at the apple donuts on his desk being indulged in reminiscences.
"Yes we used to meet up at the ‘Golden Apple Bakery’ every day. I clearly remember him praising the Apple fritters while I liked the donuts best. When he disappeared I never returned to that bakery, once. Too many painful memories- It's so long long ago, it feels like it happened in another life." The whole time he was telling her that, he had stared at the donuts but now he blinked and looked up at her.

Tell me, little changeling, what is your name?"

"I am Evasion, sir, but please call me Eva."

"Why are you here Eva? You aren't here just to talk about my youth aren't you?"

"No sir, since I was going to travel to Canterlot anyway, Mr. Midnight asked me to find out about your whereabouts."

He now started pacing restlessly in front of the window behind his desk.
"Me? Well after I recovered from the shock, I felt sorry for yelling at him. I wanted to meet him and apologize to him. While I searched Equestria for him I learned everything I could about changelings. You might say I am an expert in this regard. However I was never able to trace him in all those years and I finally grew tired and quit looking for him. I became the royal sister's adviser after Clover had passed away, taking up his position. But what about you? You said that you were going to Canterlot anyway, what was your reason in the first place?"

"Well you see I am actually a daughter of Queen Chrysalis. I was born some months after the Canterlot Invasion. I recently learned that my father is actually a pony-"
She saw him lifting an eyebrow in surprise.

"So you are a changeling pony hybrid? That's quite unexpected- No wonder your aura feels different from the changelings I met so far- So your father is said to live in Canterlot?"

"Well err- yeah- kinda- it isn't that easy you know? My father was the commander of the royal force back then-"

"Prince Shining Armor was in charge back in those days, as far as I remember-" he looked up at the ceiling scratching his chin. After turning towards Eva again, he saw her nodding.
"Unbelievable. So you are telling me that you are in fact a child of the Prince?"
Eva nodded again. Amazed he sunk back into his armchair.

"My mother took Princess Cadence's place, to manipulate him and weaken the defenses, so they shared a bed as a consequence. My mother doesn't know that I am here, she would never allow it. It was Mr. Midnight who revealed the truth to me and encouraged me to come here."

"Now that you mention it, you do share similar traits with the Prince, beginning with your mane- I now see why this is a complicated situation."

Both of them remained silent. He then reached out for the donuts and had a bite. While chewing a broad smile spread over his face.
"Those are very good! You said you made them? Maybe I should finally pay old Applepie a visit?"

"Apple pie passed away last year. His son took over the business."

"What a shame. Poor Apple Cookie. I should have been there. But it is good to see that he continued business since he was just as talented as his father."

"Did you meet your father yet?"

"No, I tried to enter the castle but the guards wouldn't let me pass."

"You were lucky that they didn't try the detection-spell that I taught them on you  . They wouldn't be so nice to changelings after your mother destroyed half the castle."

"Actually they did try it, but somehow it failed."

"Now that's interesting. I guess, it's because you are not 100% changeling after all. The unaware guards certainly can't tell the difference, so because you appeared not as a changeling, they assumed that you have to be a pony. Your presence offers so many undreamed-of possibilities. Studying you would be a scientific breakthrough. Please tell me more about you and your race," with wide opened eyes he demanded a reply from her.

Eva however wasn't quite sure if that would be a good idea. She barely knew that old stallion after all. He might pass the information over to Celestia to launch a counterattack against her tribe. She looked him deep in the eyes, searching for any evidence of treachery or guile, but all that she could see was an old scholar, looking for a way to improve his wisdom, acting like an excited little foal on Hearth's Warming Eve. Sunray noticed her hesitation and his excited grin vanished.

"I know that I am a stranger to you and you might even consider me your enemy, but I will do you no harm nor your family. For the sake of my friend Midnight I will try to help you meet your father. We have to hurry though, because the Prince will leave Canterlot soon, moving over to the Crystal Empire to take over the reign alongside his wife. How about I lure him here so you can speak with him in private? However this is a delicate issue- honestly I have no idea how he might react. He may get mad and put you in jail- or worse-" he looked directly into Eva's green eyes.

Eva gulped. Looking at the ground her courage faded but then her facial expression suddenly changed. She had made up her mind, saying: "I came a long way just to meet my father at least once. I have to try it! Even if he imprisons me he at least knows the truth and I will accept my fate"

Impressed by her courage he broadly smiled at her nodding.
"You really are your father's daughter. So it's settled then. I will ask him to come here tomorrow morning the rest is up to you. But in return I would like to hear more about you and your race, if that's OK?"

Eva felt like he was honest with her. In fact, he was her only hope to meet her father. She decided to trust him.

"Oh, excuse my manners. Please have a seat. Do you want a drink? Are you hungry?" he pointed towards a couch beneath the picture of his former master before he opened the door to his office, calling:
"Primrose, would you be a dear and make us some tea, please? Do we have some of the biscuits left?"

"Yes, Master Sunray-" Eva heard the damped voice of the female caretaker from the library room.

Eva quickly changed back into her pony-form again and sat down on the couch, which was offered to her while he fetched his massive armchair and sat down opposite her. After a knock, the door opened and the caretaker came in carrying a silver tray with a bowl of cookies, two pots, one filled with sugar, one filled with milk, and two cups of tea on it. She silently put the tray down on the standing table next to the couch. The whole time the older mare's eyes were glued to Eva with a suspicious look on her face.

"Primrose, make sure we won't be disturbed by anypony, not even royalty. How about you close down the library and go home early today?"

"But Master Sunray, it's not even noon-" she replied amazed.

"I am sure the ponies of Canterlot can take one day without borrowing some books, can they?"

"Well- I know at least one pony who couldn't-" She was about to disagree but caught his narrowing gaze.
"Of course, Master Sunray." With a shake of her head she turned around and closed the door from the outside.

A golden glow surrounded one of the tea cups and it floated in mid air before Sunray had a sip.
"Go on, try the tea. It is best quality tea from the Gryphons. I know that they seem like a bunch of churls, but they know how to make exceptional tea."
He had another sip before he put down his cup onto the saucer again using his horn magic. Patiently he watched her drinking some tea before he returned to the other topic.

"What do you want to hear?" she asked him not knowing where to start.

"Well if you ask like that, absolutely everything!" Eva thought she had seen a manic expression on his face for a moment. She blinked while he continued smiling at her.

She then began to talk. She told him everything about the origin of the changeling race, the happenings after the invasion and their current lifestyle. While explaining how they leech love from critters and in this cause their corruption she noticed a frown on his face. She even mentioned Regard's little sister's disease and the symptoms leaving him in consternation. He had remained silent the whole time she had spoken and only nodded a few times during her changeling lesson.

"I know I've read about a similar case in one of my books. In that case the weakness wouldn't go away because of a natural abnormality. In simple terms, it's like a leak in her body and she can't contain the love-energy she absorbed for very long. Or her body can't handle the energy because it came from the critters. It is a mystery how she could survive that long. How old is she again?"

While answering Eva lowered her head looking to the side thinking about Regard. She knew that Lily only survived because of his constant efforts. She hasn't thought about Regard for some time but now she remembered their last conversation in the village and got overwhelmed by a heavy sadness. Sunray realized that he had hit a soft spot and granted her a moment of silence. Meanwhile Sunray arose stepping near one of the large wooden book shelves, pulling out an old looking tome with leather binding. After leafing through the pages he said while be hunched over the book:

"There might be a way to help her. You said changelings can't siphon love from other changelings, but you are no changeling since you are half a pony. She might be able to feed off of your emotions. While this may only be a temporary solution, it will be enough time for me to close the leak and stop the constant decay of love-energy." Eva looked up at him abruptly.

"For you? I don't think that it's a good idea to bring her here, nor do I think that mother would allow a pony spell-caster in her village."

"I see how that might be a problem..."

"Besides that there is another thing I don't understand. Your ancestors leeched energy from dogs who lived with them, didn't they? But why didn't got the dogs corrupted?"

"Mr. Midnight said that they were special in some way-"

"No, I don't think that this is the answer. Midnight lived several years among ponies, and you say he used my masters energy to stay healthy, but why didn't it affect Clover in any way? Even though he was a strong magician he could never countered such a feral magic for years without leaving a small impression at least. And what about you? You lived several days in Ponyville and several days here- did you notice any indication of the corruption among your hosts or the ponies around you?"

"Um- I don't know- No I don't think so-"

"There has to be a connection between the ancient dogs, Clover the Clever, the population of Ponyville and me. I will need time to think about it. It’s getting late my dear, you should go back to the bakery before nightfall."

Eva looked out of the massive window behind his desk. Surprised, she noticed that dusk was falling. Confused, she realized that they had spent several hours in Sunray's office just talking. Both of them got up and he chivalrously opened the door for her using his glowing horn. The round library was abandoned and the light was switched off. A sign attached to a window next to the entrance stated that the library will remain closed for the rest of the day. He turned an ornamented golden key in the lock and opened the library door for her.

"So I guess I will see you tomorrow then?"she asked him.

"Of course. I am a colt of honor, I will keep my promise," he replied gently smiling at her.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Princess Evasion, pupil of Midnight."

She stepped outside and the door got closed. She heard the golden key getting turned in the lock to shut the door. Just as she started to trot down the road the street lamps around her magically started to shine. Since she had followed this way before she found the route back to the bakery without looking at her map.

Reaching the bakery, night was about to fall so she stepped inside and was immediately greeted by a psyched up Apple Cookie.
"Eva! Thank Celestia, ah was worried somethin' had happen'd to ya. I haven't seen ya all day long."
He quickly stepped next to her embracing her with his hooves. She was never greeted like that before. Nopony was ever worried about her whereabouts. Not knowing how to react in this situation she just stood there stone still, until Apple Cookie stepped back looking at her curiously.
"Well did ya find out anythin' 'bout yer pa yet?"

"Well yes I did find out quite a lot. If everything goes well I might meet him tomorrow," she replied with an excited grin.

"Well, ain't that good news. I'm gladja’ll  finally meet ‘im. How’dja find out his identity?"

"Well Mr. Sunray was kind enough to help me with my research-"

Apple Cookie's eyes widened.
"Sunray? Ya mean Master Sunray, the scholar? I'd never have guessed that he helps ya. It's said that he is a rather reserved pony who avoids meetn' other ponies. So not even he could resist yer charm, eh?" he giggled, while blood rushed into Eva's cheeks again.

"Ah have good news myself. I met up with Princess Luna to present my 'Moon buns' to her. Ah brought a sample of my original recipe and the modified version taking yer suggestion into account. Well, what shall ah say, she liked yer bun better than mine." He said that without any grudge in his voice.

"She even said the same thing you did yesterday and placed a big order for more and generously paid in advance. Since I owe some of my success to ya, ah think it would only be fair to share the payment with yer, too."
He shoved a small bag with jingling contents into her puzzled face.
"Here take it and don't even dare t’ say no!" Amazed she witnessed him continue smiling while taking her hoof and pushing the small purse into it.
He then continued raving about the grace and loveliness of the moon princess and her fine taste in traditional craftsmanship. The praising even continued until it was time for bed. He wished her good night and both of them went to their room upstairs.

Lying on her bed with a fluffy blanket wrapped around her body she tried to imagine what character her father might have. With a mixture of anxiety and excitement she dropped off to sleep.

> Chapter 4: A tryst with destiny
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 4:



The next day she got up early. She took a long shower and brushed her mane and teeth very carefully, since she wanted to leave a good impression on her father. She was relieved to see that Soarin didn't show up yet, since it was way before his usual time. Although Soarin was quite good looking, and she liked the flattering things he used to say, her head was full of other stuff and she didn't want to deal with his flirting today. Apple Cookie was surprised to see her that early but he didn't complain, instead he smiled when she reached the ground floor. After the breakfast she kept him company and watched him preparing several baker plates with 'Moon Buns'.

The bells at the door rang as a new customer entered the shop.
"A customer that early?" Apple Cookie wiped off his floury hooves with his apron, then stepped from the kitchen behind the counter in the salesroom.

"Good morning" a deep familiar voice calmly greeted him.

"Master Sunray? What an honor havin' ya here. How may ah serve ya, sir?"

Eva followed her host into the salesroom, seeing the old magician standing next to the counter wearing his red cloak. He delivered a quick bow towards her before he faced Apple Cookie again.
"No need to be so formal, Apple Cookie. You really have grown a lot and you look more like your father than ever. I recently learned that your father had passed away- I am sorry I didn't attend your father's funeral, we knew each other for a very long time after all."

"Thank ya for ya kind words Master Sunray-" saying that, Eva noticed a slight grief in his eyes.

"I also learned that you still make those lovely apple-donuts. I am here to place an order." he laughed heartily and took out a small bag of bits from inside his cloak and put it on the counter with a tinkling noise.
Apple Cookie turned towards Eva with a questioning look. Seeing her bashful smile accompanied with a shrug he once again faced the elderly pony.

"Thanks a lot, Master Sunray. I will prepare yer order as soon as possible.

"That would be all for now. Have a nice day, Apple Cookie," the cloaked pony said before he walked towards the door. With the handle in one hoof he turned around once again to say:
"I guess we will see each other later, Eva?"

She nodded eagerly. He then opened the door and the bell rang anxiously while the door got closed.
"Master Sunray ain't yer father, is he?" Apple Cookie asked, kind of amazed to see him here.

"No but he was a great help in finding him." She burst out laughing imagining the old collected pony as the love interest of her mother.

"I’m beginin’ t’ think that yer an angel sent by Celestia to act as my lucky charm or somethin'. Ever since ya showed up at my door, my business started to burst. At this rate ah need to recruit an assistant soon. Ah don't know how you did all this, but ah am certainly in your depth." He quickly stepped near her gently kissing one hoof while slightly bowing down.

"No no, I didn't do anything." She quickly pulled back her kissed hoof. However she felt happy for him. Having an apprentice or an assistant around would also make him feel less lonely.

Finally the time had come to meet up with Sunray at the library. She bid Apple Cookie goodbye and once again walked down the road towards the white round tower. After entering the library she saw Mrs. Primrose the caretaker watching her with an irritated expression. However she didn't say anything when Eva walked past her desk to enter Sunray's office. Back in his office Sunray greeted her frisky. She then thanked him for placing an order at the bakery.
"Don't thank me, thank those delicious donuts. I am looking forward to eating more and it was the least I could do for Apple Cookie."

Both of them sat down on the couch like yesterday. On the table there was already a plate with two steaming teacups along with milk and sugar. Again they talked about different things and discussed the lifestyle of the changelings, until a quiet knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Primrose's head appeared in the gap between the oak-door and door-frame looking a bit more pale that it used to be.

"Master Sunray, Prince Shining Armor has arrived."

"Send him in, don't let him wait," Sunray replied, then faced Eva with a serious but proud expression. "I will wait outside to make sure both of you can talk in private. I wish you all the very best!"

Outside of the office he heard the damped voice of Sunray talking to the Prince:
"Your Majesty, inside my office is an important guest waiting for your arrival."

"Guards, please wait here!" the unfamiliar voice which had to be the Prince's ordered in a calm tone.

"Aye, sir!" she heard deep strong voices calling.

The door got opened. A handsome looking unicorn entered the office. He wore a red vest with several medals attached to it. He had sharp blue eyes and a light blue mane streaked by indigo and dark blue wisps, just like her own mane only a bit shorter. The door got closed from outside and he turned towards the disguised changeling.

"Hello, young lady, are you the important guest Master Sunray mentioned?" he asked in a gentle and pleasant voice.

"I- I think so- your Majesty," she shyly replied looking at the ground.

"So what exactly am I here for?" he wanted to know with an encouraging smile.

"Well I am here for- you see- this is a rather complex issue- I-" her voice cracked as she stuttered, not knowing how to start. He stepped near her, gently lifting her chin with a hoof so their eyes could meet.

"Don't be nervous, young lady, I am just a pony like yourself. You may speak to me freely."
Looking into his gentle eyes she let out a small burst of sour laughter because of the phrase he just used while turning her head away from him. She then took a deep breath.

"You see, I’m your daughter!"

"What?" he asked chuckling. "So this is what all the fuss is about? I never imagine Master Sunray being a prankster. Acting so nervous you almost got me there for a minute." He laughed out loud.

"No you don't understand! I am serious!" she yelled desperately staring directly into his blue eyes.

His laughter died down instantly and his cheerful mood seemed to be completely gone.
"How could that be possible. I never cheated on my wife once. I have always loved her since I first saw her. I could have never cheated on her, I have never been with another mare. She is the love of my life! I don't find that funny anymore. How dare you to tell such filthy lies directly into my face?!"
His voice got louder, more furious the more he spoke.

"No- " Eva whispered hoarsely.

"What the hay's the score?! Did you call me here to insult me? I shall accuse you of treason and imprison you for your impudence, but you got me in a good mood today. I will let you go unpunished, since you are still quite young."

"No--" she repeated barely audible.

"- However I would have never expected Master Sunray would help you with such a filthy act. Or did you trick him to help you? I can't believe I wasted my time here!" he shouted enraged. Eva however began to sob.

He abruptly turned around and furiously opened the door and shut it with a big bang that left the wall shaking. Eva broke down on her knees. Tears dripped down on the carpet under her face as she started to cry.
"'Special guest', eh? Now I know what that means- Guards, we're moving out!" she heard the muffled voice of her father shouting at Sunray.

"Aye, Sir!"
Eva heard the sounds of several hooves marching through the library. Lying on the ground she made herself as small as possible, while embracing her legs shivering. The door got opened. She heard somepony quickly rushing over to her.

"Eva what happened?!" It was Sunray's voice, but to her it sounded so far far away. She didn't notice the worried sound. He knelt down next to her, grabbing her shoulder. She raised her head, tears dripped down her cheeks like cataracts. Sunray clasped her to his shoulder. Leaning to his chest the gates of her eyes opened even wider and Eva began to cry like she had never ever cried before.

After what felt like ages she slowly calmed down a little and stopped crying, since there were no tears left to shed. However she still remained in Sunray's gentle embrace.
"He-he didn't believe me-" she finally started to explain accompanied by sobbing.
"He wasn't listening- he thought it was a prank- he shouted at me- he wasn't listening- It was a bad idea to come here in the first place- Why does he hate me that much?!" Her voice sounded hoarse and her body was still trembling.

"No- No it wasn't." he replied gently. "It was a good thing and you are a good girl- he doesn't hate you. It's just because he doesn't know who you are. I should bring you home now, so you get some rest."

"Home?! Where is my home? In my village where no one ever cared about me? In Ponyville where no one knows my true self? In Canterlot where I lied and betrayed my host who was more the father to me than anypony else? Not even my real father loves me. I have no home!"
Sunray winced because of that desperate cold tone in her voice. Shocked by her desperation, it felt like his heart started to bleed.

"Maybe it is time for both sides to trust each other. How can somepony trust you if you don't trust them? Maybe it is time to stop lying and be honest with each other," he mumbled. She looked up at him and after a long moment she slightly nodded.

With a snap of his hoof both of them were surrounded by a warm golden glow and got instantly teleported to the bakery. Apple Cookie was just kneading some dough when he got startled by the golden flash next to him. He blinked into the spark and saw Eva with red swollen eyes sitting on the ground and Sunray bending over her.

"What in tarnation?! What did yer do ter her?!" he quickly dashed over to Sunray.

"I didn't do anything. Let's say the meeting with her father didn't quite turned out like both of us expected-"

"Her father? What did that bastard do t’ her? Did he beat her up? I'll call my cousins and we shall hunt that bastard down and bring him to justice!" Apple Cookie's voice turned cold and furious. Eva never heard him talk like that before.

"Calm down, boy!" Sunray replied tersely. Then he stepped back from Eva so she could stand up again. She got back on her legs whispering:

"Apple Cookie, I don't deserve your kindness, I don't deserve your friendship- I lied to you from the start. I also lied to Big Macintosh and the rest of the Apple-family, too. I’m a monster. I lied to everypony who was nice to me. I even exasperated my only friend back at my hometown. I understand why my father hates me." She spoke with a sad, soft voice.

"What are ya talkin’ ‘bout, girl?" he asked with a twinge of panic.

Without another word Eva changed back into her changeling form.

What the hay-?!" Apple Cookie was shocked looking over at Sunray seeking for help. But the old stallion only stood there with a stony face.

"I can understand if you hate me now, too. I am not the one you thought I was. I am so sorry. As you can see, I am not a pony."

"Is this a joke? Quit messing with me!" Helplessly he leaned to a nearby wall to not collapse.

"I am a changeling. Yes, one of those who invaded this city several years ago. I was from the start. I tricked you and your family to offer me shelter. I am a horrible person-"
Once again her eyes filled with tears.
"I’m so sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone."

"Ah-ah don't understand- so you weren't looking for yer pa in Canterlot?"

"Yes I was. He is a pony. My mother mated with him before the invasion. I came here to find some answers but got rejected by him."

"So yer saying the Eva I met was a changeling right from the start? The Eva who smiled a lot, flirted with Soarin, the Eva who gave me advice with my bakery all of it was- you?"

"Yes-"

"Sweet Celestia-!" He breathed heavily saying that, still leaning to the wall. Eva remained silent staring at the floor. She didn't dare to look him in the face after she had confessed to him.

"Eva please look at me-" he begged after a while. She reluctantly lifted her head looking into his face. He stared into her glazed green eyes for a very long time until he slowly stepped near her lifting his hoof. Eva expected a punch so she turned her face away but wasn't going to defend herself more, since she deserved any beating, but instead of hurting her he gently touched her cheek and turned her face back towards him.

"Ah dunno what you are, but I know who you are. You are no bloodthirsty monster, nor are ya gonna hurt somepony, are ya? I can see it in yer eyes. Yeah, ah was kinda shocked a moment ago, but ah recognize you as 'Eva' no matter what appearance ya have."

He took his hoof back stepping back a little while slightly smiling at her. Eva however couldn't understand what he just said. She stared back at him yelling:
"But I am a monster. I lied and betrayed you. How can you forgive me that easily?"

"Ah said it once and I'll say it again: Big Mac was right sayin' ya mean no harm. Maybe he knew from the start-"
She lifted her head more to deliver a thankful smile to him.

"Since everything seems to be just fine I will take my leave now. There are some things I need to attend to." Sunray's calm voice suddenly interrupted the silence. He then vanished in a golden flash, leaving an empty space.

"Yer father is a bastard not realizing what a wonderful person ya are, no matter what yer origin is. Ah would be proud ter call ya my daughter." He then gently embraced her with her hugging back. Again salty streams dripped down her cheeks, but this time because of gratefulness.

"I never had a father, but you are the closest person to one I’ve had. I once again have to thank you for everything, Apple Cookie."
Both of them stood there hugging each other for a long moment.

"Thank Celestia ah was able to put that frown upside down," he grinned.
"Ah couldn't stand that sad face a second longer." Both of them giggled.
"We should go t’ bed now- Ah feel like ah could sleep a whole millennium now."
Eva agreed. All that crying had made her terribly tired. She said Goodnight to him and slowly scuffled up the stairs towards her room. While doing so he asked her:
"Yer sure yer OK?"

She nodded weakly and entered her room. Without the need of a pony disguise she wrapped herself in her blanket feeling the fluffiness with her own skin for the first time. It felt very different and Eva was glad that Apple Cookie now knew her secret. An incredibly heavy burden was taken from her shoulders.

The next morning Eva got awoken by a violent knock at the front door. She heard how Apple Cookie interrupted his early work, cleaned his hooves and then walking towards the door.
"Who is it? We only open in an hour, come back later."

"In the name of Prince Shining Armor, open that door or we'll kick it in!" a deep chesty voice called from outside.

"Oh no, they are coming for me!" she whispered to him from the stair head.

"Don't worry, kiddo. Stay upstairs and hide," he whispered back to her.

He waited till she vanished before he opened the door. The rude Pegasus guard rushed into the house, followed by his lanky unicorn sergeant. After looking around for possible threats they stepped aside so the Prince could enter the building.
"What's the meaning of this?" Apple Cookie wanted to know.

"I came here for a certain girl," the Prince replied in an apathetic voice. "Eva,, I know you are here somewhere. I also know what you are so come down, please!" he had raised his voice to make sure she heard him.

"Oh no, ya don't. Ya may be a Prince but to get her, you needa take her from my cold hooves."

"Pay a little respect to the Prince or your wish may be granted, baker!" the beefy Pegasus rushed towards him and knocked him to the ground.

Eva, who has heard everything from upstairs changed into her pony form and slowly stepped down the stairs.
"No, don't hurt him. I surrender. Just please do him no harm. He is innocent."

Now standing on the ground floor opposite the Prince and the unicorn guard she looked over at Apple Cookie who was violently held down by the mean Pegasus-pony.

"Show me your true self!" the prince ordered in a stern tone. She did as she was asked for, now standing in front them as a changeling. She felt so vulnerable standing in front of him undisguised. Both guards gasped and took up a combat stance.

"Guards, wait outside!" the Price ordered again in his stern voice.

"But my Prince with all due respect, she is a changeling!" the Pegasus objected.

"I said, wait outside! And If you ever raise your hoof against a citizen without my command again you will peel potatoes for the rest of your service term, understood?" he repeated himself without changing his tone.

"Y-yes m'lord." the Pegasus nodded towards the unicorn and both of them left the bakery closing the door from the outside.

The Prince then just stood there staring at Eva.
"So it is true- Please excuse my intrusion."

Apple Cookie was just pulling himself together, when the Prince turned to him directly addressing him:
"Would you be so kind to let us alone for a minute?" He had changed his tone to a softer one.

"The hay I will!" Apple Cookie replied. "You won't take her away that easily."

"Listen, I am not here to drag her away. If I was, I would have already done so. No, I am here to have a word with my daughter."

"With-with yer daughter?" Both Eva's and his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.

"Yeah, so again would you please be so kind-?"

Apple Cookie turned towards Eva and saw her nodding. He then hesitantly returned to the kitchen and closed the door.
The prince then took a deep breath. "I apologize for the scene. I didn't want to hurt anypony -or any changeling" he quickly corrected himself. "My guards tend to be a bit too overzealous when I am around. So how would you like to sit down and talk?"
Eva didn't move a muscle.
"Listen, I apologize for my behavior yesterday. I didn't understand the situation. I am sorry for yelling at you. So please may we sit down? This may take a while-," he slightly smiled over at her.

Eva wasn't sure what to do. Then she nodded and both of them sat down on Apple Cookie's couch standing in the rear end of the house next to the lapsed chimney.

"After I left the library I returned to the castle," he began. "Several hours later Sunray appeared in front of me and explained everything. He told me that you are in fact Chrysalis' child, is this correct?"
She nodded without saying a word.
"Sweet Celestia- Yes it is true that Chrysalis and I shared a relationship but without me knowing who she really was. I thought I would live together with my fiance. You see it was hard for me to understand that I have a child. It was even harder to understand that my child is actually a changeling. This situation is not easy for me. Again I am sorry for yelling at you, yesterday. I can hardly imagine what you must been through just to come here and meet me."

Eva could tell that he was very nervous talking to her now. A moment ago he had ordered his guards around and had asked Apple Cookie to grant them some private time, in a very confident manner. But now he acted like a young colt asking his crush for a dance. She on the other hoof was very calm, maybe more calm than she should have been. She just sat there defiantly staring into his face, while listening.

"After Master Sunray had talked to me, I realized that you are indeed my daughter. We even have the same hairstyle," he chuckled. "And you also have your mother's eyes."
"Listen, I know we had a bumpy start but if you can forgive me I'd like to get to know my daughter better."

"Did you love my mother-" she finally asked in a freezing tone.

"Honestly? No. I only loved the image she represented. I was honest with you yesterday, saying that I never loved any mare but Cadence," he answered honestly.

"So how could I ever expect you to love me?"

"You are my only daughter, and yes, it is true it wasn't really planned, but the hands of time can't be reversed. Now I see you sitting here, looking at me and now I realize how much of me I see in you. Even though I don't love your mother doesn't mean I can't love you. However I can't say I hated the time the both of us shared."

He reached out a hoof to her. She however looked away defiant.
"Please" she heard him begging.

Eva faced him slowly lifting her hoof. He carefully enfolded her hoof with his. Looking at the tiny hole in her leg Eva saw him frown. She was about to pull her hoof back but he gently held her back. She could feel the warmth coming from the touch. She looked into his eyes and could only find curiosity and tenderness. He then came closer, touching her cheek with a hoof like he was going to discover her. Once again she felt the warmth coming from his hoof.

"Father, I-"

"Hush."
Eva suddenly noticed that she was crying silently. He gently wiped away the tear rolling down the cheek he had just touched.
"I am sorry I wasn't there to comfort you. But if you like I can be there for you now."

Eva never heard words like this before. She never heard a voice expressing as much love and pride as this before. Just a day before she feared that he might hit her and now his touch expressed so much emotion. Without warning he caught her in his arms and she didn't resist. She never felt like this before. Even though she just met him she never felt that close to someone before. She remembered her dreams, she had back in the village before her journey. She remembered how the faceless pony-monster changed into her father hugging her, loving her, missing her.

"Father, I am so happy- ," her voice trailed off.

"I know-" he whispered into her ear, "- me too."

"But what will your wife say?" Fear shadowed her face.

"I already talked with her about you. As you might expect she wasn't that pleased to hear I got a child from another mare. She locked herself into the bedroom and cried the entire night. I am afraid she will never accept you. But since I am your father I have to take responsibility for you now. She will have to deal with that. Maybe someday she can see the beautiful girl you truly are.
However I fear that the citizens of this city will never accept you. The scars that your people left after the attack are too deep. Many good ponies lost their lives. The ponies of Canterlot won't forget that easily, however Cadence and I are moving to the Crystal Empire soon. The ponies there never saw a changeling and so they don't hold a grudge against you. You may consider moving there with us. But for now I may ask you to continue disguising as a pony while walking around in Canterlot. I will tell my troops to not bother you again."

Eva nodded, then she whispered: "I’m glad I finally found you, Dad."

He then arose from the sofa and walked over to the closed kitchen door. He knocked and opened it. Apple Cookie stood there holding a massive wooden baker's peel ready to fight against anypony.
"It's OK. I didn't hurt her, instead I accepted her as my daughter. I'd ask you to come out so I can thank you for helping her and staying loyal at her side."

He slowly stepped near with his baker's peel in his hooves looking over Shining Armor's shoulder to see Eva. She stepped next to her father and smiled at Apple Cookie. Seeing her happy face he was utterly convinced and put away his weapon.
"How about you accompany us to the Crystal Empire? Princess Luna thinks highly of your baking and we would need a skilled baker like you. You would serve directly under my command and will never have to fear being poor, again."

"I err- I don't know your highness, this is a very generous offer but Canterlot is my home-"

"I see, well think about it wisely."

He then opened the front door. "Guards, please come in."
The guards who had waited outside the whole time, returned inside the bakery.
"I hereby decree that this changeling here shan't be harassed in any way- Show them your pony form again, dear-" he said turning to Eva. "-Neither in her real form nor in this form, do you understand?"

"Are you sure, your highness?" the Pegasus guard carefully asked.

"I said: 'do you understand'?!"

"Yes your highness!" the unicorn guard replied starchy.

"It seems like your sergeant is smarter than you are, lieutenant. How about I promote him to be a lieutenant and put him in charge of my personal guard?" The unicorn's eyes brightened up.

"Your highness?" the Pegasus asked speechless.

"Silence! I don't need an officer who questions my decisions all day long. Nor do I need an officer that is harsh to our subjects. You brought shame onto the royal guard. A flaw that I must reassess. And I will, as soon as we are back at the barracks."

Eva giggled. She never liked that guard in the first place. She completely agreed with her father's decision. Once again he turned towards Eva:
"If you ever need something do not hesitate to ask.

"I understand. But there's one thing. Could you talk to my mother before you move to the Crystal Empire? I know it sounds strange but I think she misses you."

"She misses me?" Shining armor called amazed. "Who had ever guessed. That sounds strange indeed. Yes my dear I might speak to her in time."
"We shall return to the castle now. Onward!" She followed them to the door and watched how they marched down the street leading towards the castle.

"Well, ah never met the prince before, but he seemed like a nice pony. Did he really accept ya as a daughter?"

"Yes he did!" Eva beamed with joy.

"Phew thank Celestia, so in the end it turned out quite well, didn't it? I am really happy for ya - Should I really go with him to the Empire?"

"It's up to you but why not. You may show the Crystal-ponies there the traditional Canterlot cuisine. Also you would be the first pony opening a branch business there."

"Hmm that doesn't sound that bad-" he scratched his chin while imagine himself in the Crystal Empire.
"Apple Cookie, please excuse me. I have to visit Sunray, now."

"Sure go ahead, 'Princess'." he chuckled.

She quickly galloped down the street, past those round tables with their colorful umbrellas, towards the great white tower she saw in the distance. Reaching it she opened the door and rushed right past Mrs. Primrose, however she didn't move a muscle to stop her. Entering Sunray's office she saw him bending over another of his ancient looking tomes. Without any warning she sprinted towards him jumped at him while flinging her arms around his neck. He reared up startled, but calmed down as he recognized Eva.

"Thank you, thank you thank you thank you!!!"

"So I guess it turned out OK, then?" he turned towards her smiling. The look into Eva's happy face was more enough to answer his question.

"I can't express how much I owe you now."

"Urgh this again- you won’t listen to me when I say you owe me nothing. You won’t believe me when I say meeting and studying you was enough?" She gleefully shook her head.

"But by the way I might have found an answer to the question why some beings get corrupted and some doesn't." She let go of him eagerly waiting for his explanation.
"I am quite sure that only those beings getting corrupted whose love gets stolen from them by a changeling. The missing link between the ancient dogs, Clover the Clever and your pony friends is that they all gave away their friendship and love by free will. They weren't forced to share their love. I think if a Non-changeling offers his friendship to a changeling on their own accord they can't get corrupted, because the love is multiplied and not taken away. The dogs were happy that your ancestors cared for them and offered their love in return. Clover knew about Midnight’s nature and offered his kindness to him. Your friends, although they didn't know about your true nature, offered their friendship willingly, didn't they? So If that's indeed true no changeling has to ever starve again if they manage to live with other races together in peace. Well this is only a theory-"
But it sounded very believable to Eva.

"Would you come to my home and talk with my mother about that theory?" she asked him out of nowhere.

"Your mother? You mean Queen Chrysalis? Oh boy, I don't know-"

> Chapter 5: Time for a change, Changeling
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 5:




About three weeks later, there was a knock at the door of the bakery where Eva and Apple Cookie had just finished breakfast. Her saddlebag was already packed with a purse of bits, a lot of photos, Mr. Midnight’s map of Equestria (revised by Sunray), the city map she had kept as a souvenir and a bottle filled with bubbling green liquid carefully wrapped into a blanket. When she opened the door she saw the newly promoted unicorn-guard wearing the insignia of a lieutenant on his shoulder, smiling at her.

"Your carriage has arrived, Princess Eva," he solemnly said after saluting. She saw Shining Armor waving at her through one of the windows of the carriage.

"Are you sure you want to come?" she asked Apple Cookie who lifted a heavy looking suitcase onto his back.

"Sure thing, Sugarcube, wouldn't miss this for the world," he replied joyfully. "Maybe I can teach those old changelings a few more tricks back at your village before settling down in the Empire."

Eva took her Cutie Mark Crusader Cape from a hook next to the door and Apple Cookie locked the door with a massive iron key while she slipped into her club cape. Apple Cookie has decided to follow her to her village to experience the changeling lifestyle before he'll travel to the Crystal Empire.
"You were right, saying ah was alone long enough, stuck in the same routine every day." So he had asked her for a change of scenery which she happily accepted.

Both of them walked over to the waiting carriage pulled by six Pegasus ponies. She recognized the beefy former officer as one of them. He got degraded to a sergeant and was moved to the Air force where he could utilize his strength even better. Although he was degraded he didn't appear too sad about his new unit. They entered the carriage while the unicorn officer stowed away their luggage using his horn-magic. Inside they met Shining Armor in his best ceremonial uniform and Master Sunray wearing his trademark cloak.

"Could we make a side-trip to Ponyville? I have a score to settle with somepony." Eva asked everypony around her.

"Of course!"

"Officer please take us to Ponyville- err- where exactly?" Shining armor wanted to know

"Sugar Cube Corner!"

"OK please take us to Sugar Cube Corner in Ponyville."

"Aye aye M'lord!"

They heard him call his order and with a jolt the carriage began to move. It took the carriage only a moment to fly over to Ponyville. Eva remembered the long march she had to walk to reach Canterlot from Ponyville. Traveling by air is much more comfortable than walking all the way by foot.
With another jolt the carriage came to a stop in front of that half-timbered richly ornamented bakery.

"Well that looks interesting, but the decoration maybe is a little bit over the top..." Apple Cookie commented while inspecting the bakery. Eva quickly left the carriage and entered the building. She once again got greeted by the jingling bell at the entrance door.

Behind the counter both Mrs. Cake and Pinkie Pie stood there staring out of the window at the carriage outside. Hearing the bell both of them then turned around towards her.

"Oh, hi Eva! Did you come to make good for the party I couldn't throw for you?" Pinkie Pie asked in her wound-up way of speaking.

"Err- no actually I came to pay my debt." Turning to the older mare she said: "I apologize for my last visit, Mrs. Cake. I came to pay for the goods Pinkie gave to me."
She then put the jingling bag of bits onto the counter. Amazed Mrs. Cake took it and emptied the content onto the table. With eyes wide opened they watched at the heap of bits on the counter, growing with every second.

"That is really nice of you, dear, but that is way too much money. We can never accept that amount. The muffins Pinkie gave you cost only a fraction of this," she replied, almost speechless.

"This will be more than enough to pay for Pounds flight-camp and for Pumpkins magic lessons. Take it or throw it away. Do as you wish. You may also buy Pinkie a present as a reparation for grounding her."

"That's a great idea!" Pinkie remarked as she looked at Mrs. Cake with sparkling eyes, eagerly grinning.

"Fine why not," she replied after noticing her gaze.

"Yay, thank you Mrs. Cake and thank you too, Eva." Pinkie started to bounce up and down in excitement.

"No, I have to thank you. I hope we will meet again." She then turned around and left the shop.

"Hey wait! What about your party?!" Pinkie catcalled her but the door was already shut with the tiny bell covering her words.

The next stop was Sweet Apple Acres. Another debt Eva had to pay. However this one wouldn't be that easy. All of them exited the coach and Eva knocked at the red-painted door of the farm house.
It got opened by Apple Bloom, whose face brightened up seeing her fellow Crusader.

"Eva! Look everypony it's Eva! Hello, welcome back!" she squealed excited while turning back inside the house. Over her shoulder Eva saw Applejack, Big Mac, Granny Smith and the Crusaders sitting at the table. The air was filled with the scent of another delicious meal Granny Smith had just prepared.

"I even brought some company," Eva said stepping to the side so all of them could see her fellowship.
Apple Cookie was the first one who entered the house.

"Cousin Apple Cookie, what a surprise." Applejack greeted him.

"Apple Cookie, long time no see. How's the business in Canterlot?" Granny Smith wanted to know.

"Yeah, about that- I am going to visit Eva's village, so I won't be around for some time."

"So yer headin’ to Manehatten?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Manehatten?" He looked at Eva confused.

"Well that's a long story-" Eva interrupted. "I'd like you to meet Master Sunray, the arch mage of Canterlot."

"Hello everypony" he greeted everyone present reserved.

"- And finally someone dear to me."

"Good afternoon" Shining Armor said after entering the farm house.
Shocked Applejack dropped her spoon she had held in her hoof the whole time after she recognized the Prince.

"Yer-yer majesty!" She clumsily bowed down before him.

"Majesty?" Big Macintosh asked confused.

"Bow down ya stupid horse that's Shining Armor, the Prince of the Crystal Empire!" Applejack whispered through closed teeth to her brother.

"A Prince in this ol' house?! Oh my, ya should’a called! It’s way too dirty for a Prince here," Granny Smith yelled exaggeratedly.

"No no please that won't be necessary. I ask everypony to stay calm since we are here in a delicate issue."

"A delicate issue? What about that?" Sweetie Belle wanted to know.

Eva cleared her throat. "I know it sounds very strange but I am here to apologize."

"Apologize fer what?" Applejack asked puzzled.

"Hush!" Scootaloo hushed her.

"You see, I wasn't honest with all of you. I am the Eva who came here about four weeks ago. I am the same Eva who joined the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"Yeah that's why you are wearing this awesome cape!" Scootaloo remarked pointing at Eva's cape proudly but got hushed by Sweetie Belle this time.

"Yes, right-" Eva continued, "but I was also that Eva who stole some of your apples at the southern orchard in the shape of a bunny."

"That doesn't even make sense-" Applejack thought out loud.

"It will in a second- However I'd like to thank you everypony for your kindness, I really enjoyed my stay here. I really appreciate being a Crusader, because of this it makes me even more sad saying that I lied and betrayed you all."

With no further words she changed into her original form.
This time all of them dropped their spoons astonished. All of them except Big Macintosh who stayed rather collected.

"I am a-" Eva started.

"Changeling!" Applejack abruptly arose to take on a combat stance.

"Well yeah- "

"A whatnow?" Granny Smith asked puzzled.

"She is a changeling. One of those evil creatures that invaded Canterlot. They can disguise themselves as anypony and brainwash them. It appears that they even brainwashed the Prince again. What do ya want here, fiend?!" Applejack yelled.

"No, she didn't brainwash me or anypony else, and we are not disguised changelings. We followed her here because we wanted to," Shining Armor intervened.

"Yeah, sure you say that since she commanded ya ter do so!"

"Applejack, mind yer manners. This is a Prince after all." Granny Smith scolded her once again.

"Don't cha understand? She hypnotized those ponies to follow her biddings. Ah know 'cause ah’ve seen that once."

"So they ain't staying for desert?" Granny Smith asked still confused.

"As I said before, I am here to apologize for lying to you. I can understand that you don't trust me, and I will give back the Crusader cape if you want me to." The gloominess in her voice didn't convince Applejack.

"Applejack, do ya remember the last family reunion when Aunt Applesauce slipped on an egg which had fallen down during the egg an' spoon race? Do ya remember when she slipped and fell right into the hen-house?" Apple Cookie piped up.

"Yeah, that was hilarious!" Apple Bloom burst out laughing.

"Now my question: Why should ah remember this if ah am either a controlled pony or a disguised changeling?"
Applejack remained silent, but didn't relax yet.

Big Macintosh arose from his chair. "Enough!" his voice echoed through the kitchen.
"Can't ya see the truth when it stands right before ya, Applejack? This is a changeling, yeah and she was a changeling all along, so what? She never meant harm to any of us. She even became a Crusader. The fillies didn't have any prejudice nor did I. Look her in the eye an' tell me she's a bad person!"

He moved over to the party and hugged Eva, then he brohoofed his Cousin Apple Cookie and slightly bowed before Sunray and Shining Armor.
"You knew the whole time?" Eva asked him astonished.

"Nope, but I had a feelin'. Also I've never seen a bunny with blue hair before," he winked at her. "It's good t’see ya, Cousin Apple Cookie."

Now Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle jumped up their chairs as well and ran over group hugging Eva.

"Didja opened the Crusader branch in Canterlot yet?"

"No sorry, I forgot. But I certainly will next time I go there, I promise."

"So ya promise me that you won't hurt or brainwash us?" Applejack asked Eva, slightly relaxing.

"I promise" Eva solemnly swore lifting a hoof.

Applejack abandoned her combat stance seeming very relieved.
"OK, but that wasn't everything-"

"Ah knew it!" Applejack replied tensing up again.

"I told you I was going to Canterlot to meet my father. Well everypony, please meet my father now." She pointed towards the door at Shining Armor.

"You mean that old dude in the red cloak is your father?" She saw Scootaloo's doubting face.

"No, him!" she pointed again.

"Cousin Apple Cookie is yer father? Who had ever guessed- So ya actually did belong to the family-"

"Urgh, no, no, NO! HIM! She stepped right next to her father putting her hoof on his chest.

"Pff what?! The Prince is yer father? Don't make me -"

"No, it is true Applejack. I am indeed her father," he piped up.

This time everyponies mouth dropped open including Big Mac's.
"You see her mother the changeling Queen disguised herself as my fiance without me knowing. Well I am not proud about how it happened but I am very proud that it happened. I'd like to thank you all for your understanding and for accommodating my daughter."

"So that means you’re a Princess?" Sweetie Belle asked in her over the top high-pitched voice.

"Well yeah, kinda-" Eva scratched her head embarrassed.
Sweetie Belle squeaked jumping around excited.

"So will ya stay for dessert, or not? Granny Smith called from the back.

"No Granny, we have to move on, there are some other ponies we need to convince."

"Ah what a shame, I'll pack ya some of the apple compote into a jar so ya can eat it when ya arrive."
She slowly moved over to the steaming pot and poured some thick apple grout into a bottle. Then she handed it over to Eva.
"Princess or not, you kids needa stay healthy-" she mumbled while she returned to her seat.


Several hours later Eva knocked on the door of her mother's office.
"Mom?" she asked while opening the door. Her mother seemed even more tired and depressed than she used to be. She rose her head and after recognizing Eva she quickly got up moved over to her and slapped her with her hoof in the face, leaving a burning red mark on her cheek.

"Where have you been, young lady?! Sneaking away like that, you stupid little brat! I was worried sick!"
Her furious screaming changed into a soft sobbing while she embraced her child.

"You were worried?" Eva was puzzled. She always thought her mother wouldn't care about her.

"Of course I was! So tell me, why did you run away. I was worried sick. We searched the whole area for you-" She gripped her daughter tighter.

"Mom, before I explain everything to you, you should meet my guest I brought along."

"A guest? So you ran away because of a colt-friend? I should slap you once again."

"No, mom, not a colt-friend." Eva pushed her over to the entrance door of the building.
After opening it she saw Shining Armor standing before it who had waited for Eva's return.

"You--?! Why are you here?" Chrysalis's eyes narrowed and her voice got more despicable.

"So you do remember me?" he asked it like a rhetorical question.

"Of course I do! Because of you and your precious little 'Princess' we ended up here fighting to survive!" Eva noticed how she emphasized the word 'Princess' exceptionally contemptible.

"I am here because our daughter asked me to," he calmly continued speaking unimpressed.

"Our daughter?" she lifted a brow. "What do you know about her-?"

"Not much yet, I admit, but I am going to change that. That's why I'm here. I want to make peace between our races."

"Peace?!" she spit out the word. "I know your peace- you would let us starve in the wilderness without hesitation just like you did back then-"

"You never asked for help. You never explained your situation. We could have helped you if you just had asked for help, but you were too proud to do so- or maybe too afraid?"

"Go, I don't want to see your face. Leave this place so I can retain the rest of my dignity." Chrysalis was frenetic.

Meanwhile some changelings got attracted by the argument. Some looked through the windows of the living quarters other stood on the street watching them.

"This here is Master Sunray. He is a grand-scholar of Canterlot and he maybe has a solution for your dilemma."

Eva noticed a growing invisible aura around her father's body. Although it was not love he felt for Chrysalis she could easily tell that this invisible aura resembled the growing sympathy he felt for her.

He quickly dashed over to the Chrysalis taking her hoof. "Please let us help you. Don't let your pride take over your logic. Please, can we go inside and discuss our positions?" Seeing his face close to hers she blushed and turned away.

"Please, mom, listen to him!" Eva begged her.

Chrysalis's gazes wandered between Shining Armor, her daughter and Master Sunray.
"So you introduced all of you except one- Who is this pony?"

"Ah am called Apple Cookie, yer highness. Ah came here to learn about the changeling cuisine. Ah was some kind of a foster-father fer yer daughter during her time in Canterlot." He gallantly bowed down before he spoke.

"Bah! 'Your highness', you say. Look at me. Do I look like a Queen to you? I once was a Queen but that time is long gone."

"Ya know what, actually ya still do look like a Queen to me. I can see a determined, beautiful and proud ruler of a tribe. She is only buried beneath a heap of hate, doubt and regret," he said, smiling staring into her big green eyes.
Chrysalis dodged his gaze by looking at the sandy ground embarrassed.

"Fine, you may come in. It doesn't look like I have a choice anyway."
All of them exhaled relieved. It seemed like they passed the worst part of this conflict. While Apple Cookie, Shining Armor and Chrysalis entered the house, Sunray held Eva back, shaking his head.

"They need to be alone. Trust in them. Instead you may show me the way to your teacher."
Eva nodded and together they walked down the street towards her old school. It was late afternoon and the low sun threw long shadows on the ground. School was over by now and every changeling-youngster went its own way. She entered the building while he waited outside.

She found Mr. Midnight sitting in his chair behind his teacher's desk scribbling some notes on different pieces of paper.
"So you really did return." Once again he spoke to her without looking up. Eva wondered how he does this: Always knowing when and who comes to him. Then she remembered, he was trained by Clover the Clever.

"I am glad to see you are healthy and alive." He finally looked up staring at her face.
"I am also glad to see that you have grown. Not in body size but in maturity. Did you do as I ask you?"

"Yes I found information about your friend, Sunray. I am afraid to say that he had passed away."

Eva couldn't help but see his sad expression. Breathing heavily, he said:
"I-I see that pains me to hear. However I expected it."

"Hmm nah, he is waiting outside!" she burst into laughter.

"Don't you mess with me, young lady!" he arose furiously.

"No, I swear, he is right outside of this building." She looked him deep into the eyes.

"You definitely have grown.” He walked towards the door and stepped outside in the remaining sunlight of the setting sun. Right in front of him stood Master Sunray throwing a long shadow on the ground.

"Impossible!"

"Hello dear friend, long time no seen," Sunray replied removing his red hood.

"You have grown old, my friend," Midnight remarked.

"So did you..." none of them moved.

"I came to apologize for what I did back then. I learned the truth about you from our master and this persuasive girl-" Sunray nodded towards Eva. He finally moved towards his old friend who remained motionless. Reaching out with a hoof he said: "Can you ever forgive me?"

"I can forgive you for yelling at me and insulting me but, there is one thing I cannot forgive you for."

"And what might that be?" He stopped a leg-length in front of Midnight.

"You blew my date with your sister Sunbeam, you moron!" Midnight said while a grin spread over his face.
"Come here, you old crock" Both of them laughed and hugged each other. Eva was glad that they were finally able to settle their dispute.



*****


> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Epilogue:



The old changeling sitting in that old creaking rocking chair had remained silent for a long moment, staring out of the crystalline window with the rain pattering against it. She saw a drip running down her cheek and assumed it was the rain dripping down on her reflection but then she noticed that it was no rain but the tears on her own face. She wiped away her tears and turned towards the kids who had remained silent reverently after her storytelling had ended.

In front of her sitting six little children, three were pony fillies, three changeling youngsters. All of them sat around her rocking chair, peacefully.

“Granny Lily what happened next?” one of the pony fillies wanted to know.

“Eva came to my house and I was able to regain my strength by leeching the affection she felt for me. She brought that wise sage with her, who was able to seal the energy-leak within my body with some stinking green liquid. I recovered shortly after. Do you understand why Eva was a hero?”

The kids nodded.
“Not only did she save my life. She also created the first bounding between ponies and changelings. She then became the first ambassador, despite her young age. She preached love and tolerance to both sides. It took almost two generations to completely abandon the disharmony between our two races but in the end we overthrew our racism. Raindrop, does it feel strange to sit next to Moonstone?” She asked a young pony filly next to her.
The filly looked at the changeling sitting to her left but then she shook her head.

“See, you are the blossom of your grandmother Evasion's seed of kindness.”

“As you know she married my brother Regard. Since I wasn't sick anymore, he had nothing to worry about. He finally was able to chase after his love interest he had kept at a distance for so long.
After her mother's death Eva got elected to be the new Queen of the hive. She used her influence to set the foundation our law was based off, The same rules she had learned from the Cutie Mark Crusaders so many years ago. In the end she didn't launch a branch agency in Canterlot, no- she made all of Equestria Cutie Mark Crusaders by teaching their values to every filly in the world. With ponies and changelings living that close together in harmony, there was no lack of love-energy anymore. Changelings rediscovered their magical abilities. Master Sunray's theory was proven right. True kindness towards each other soon made the once feared corruption a mere fairy tale.”

Teary-eyed she took a deep breath.

“As a Queen and ambassador she traveled to other tribes and forged strong alliances with the griffons and the dragons which still last up to this day. A few years before princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire passed away she called Eva to her side and finally accepted Eva as her stepdaughter. She even said that she was proud of her and that she only regretted to admit it that late-”

She turned towards the window again looking at the statue of Evasion's portrayal, made completely out of crystals which stood directly in front of her house. That very statue marked Eva and Regard's gravesite.
The rain had stopped and the storm had moved on. The sky was clearing allowing the evening sun to touch the now sparkling tombstone, covering it in a warm sunlight.

“Today is her fifteenth obit. You shall always remember the greatest changeling who had ever lived. The greatest hero I have ever known...”






THE END


Thank you for reading.