Gasping for breath, a lone Changeling found herself on a dirty forest floor. Covered in dirt and muck, the fact of pain pulsing throughout her body didn't help. Her head swelled as she tried to comprehend to where she was. Vision groggy and uncomfortable, Acerbus the Changeling closed her eyes and took deep breaths.

Acerbus had crashed through the thick canopy of trees above and right into the dirt ground. Injured, dirty, and confused; Acerbus didn't even had the slightest idea where she was.

As the pain slowly subsided from her head, Acerbus opened her eyes blinked a couple time to clear her vision.

"Ugh... Where am I?" she asked herself as she brought a hoof to her eyes.

She suddenly realized that she only had an eye. A massive black eye had formed. Softly touching it, the bruised tissue squished softly, sending pain signals right up to her brain. Grimacing as she felt the pain, Acerbus looked around with her only good eye.

A dark forest with plenty of vegetation surrounded her. Trees of massive size accompanied with bushes and other types of plants, the forest she was in was lush and full of life. And the fact of many shadows in the forest didn't help her. Something in the shadows could be watching... Waiting...

Afraid if anything saw her in the state she's in, Acerbus frantically dug her hooves onto the forest down to hopefully get up. But as she did, a surge of pain exploded on one of her hind hooves.

"Argh!" Acerbus grunted, forcing herself to not scream.

She fell to the ground with a thud, face down. With a pained expression on her face, Acerbus looked over to her back hoof and saw how it was.

It was bent.

It was probably broken.

Not taking another chance, Acerbus thought of another solution to hopefully escape the forest. Digging her hooves into the ground, Acerbus tried to crawl away, but no such luck. Her body was totaled and weak, leaving her weak front hooves unable to drag her beaten body.

But then Acerbus finally noticed now obtuse she was. She had WINGS. How could have she forgotten?

Stretching her clear teal wings, Acerbus slowly flapped them. But as she did, out of all the noises she wanted to hear became defiant. One of her wings had almost tore in half.

"What?!" Acerbus exclaimed, looking to her torn wing.

It was useless now, a crack seen right through the middle.

She couldn't believe what just happened.

All hope of escaping was almost shattered. But the Changeling still had hope. There was just too many things to see in this world. As the good thoughts ran through her mind, she smiled. She had hope.

She needed to find out what exactly 'love' was.

But then a deep snarl was heard from the dark trees around her. Looking around frantically, to only how far her neck could turn. Acerbus looked at a pair of green eyes that was staring right at her.

Beaten, useless, and a sitting duck, Acerbus was defenseless. She then closed her eyes has the pair of green eyes slowly came towards her. Closing her eyes in sorrow, this was the end. This was it. A tear slowly fell down from her left eye, her good eye.

As the tear hit the ground, her life, her worthless life, flashed before her eyes.

The reason she was here because of the attack of Canterlot.

That happened before she found herself in the forest.

About to get killed.

And then everything went black.

A few good solid minutes ago...

"Go! Feed!" Queen Chrysalis said to her subjects, the Changelings.

Acerbus herself smiled with glee and so did the other Changelings as well. It was a long time since they've ate. Joining with her fellow Changelings, they all left to room to fulfill their hunger. But inside, Acerbus felt wrong to capture Canterlot and rob it's love.

How would've Celestia felt to see her ponies suffer? But Queen Chrysalis was doing it for the best for her people. She knew that herself and many others were suffering. Shaking these thoughts away, Acerbus became curious and was wondering what her Queen was going to do with the captured ponies. Flying quickly out of the castle, Acerbus hovered next to the window outside that was connected to the room where her Queen dwelled.

Watching the Changelings exiting the room, Queen Chrysalis used her magic and closed the door right behind them. Right outside a window, Acerbus could hear and barely see what was going on.

"It's funny, really..." Queen Chrysalis said, chuckling. "Twilight here was suspicious of my behavior all along."

Her hooves were under the head of a purple unicorn that was supposedly named, 'Twilight'. Twilight then knocked Queen Chrysalis's hoof from under her chin. Now walking away from the purple unicorn, Queen Chrysalis flew over where Princess Cadence was at and talked on.

"Too bad the rest of you were were too caught up in your wedding planning to realize those suspicions were correct." the changeling Queen laughed triumphantly.

"Sorry Twi." another voice said with a different accent.

An earth pony with an orange coat walked up to next to the unicorn named, 'Twilight'.

"We should've listened to you!

Queen Chrysalis chuckled on, delighted to know that the attack and invasion went well.

"It's not your fault." Twilight said. "She fooled everypony."

"Mmm... I did, didn't I?" Queen Chrysalis said, smirking.

Acerbus smiled. Her queen was just a genius. The perfect Queen.

But her smile then dropped a bit. Inside her head, the battle between good and bad moral ethics battled inside her mind.

They don't deserve this! Look at the ponies suffering!

Acerbus looked away from the castle and on to the grounds below her. Her fellow Changelings were swarming the entire city in sheer numbers. Green magic erupted as the Changelings crashed down time to time around Canterlot. The guards were captured and tied up, a determined look to fight on their faces.

But it was soon gone as a fellow Changeling began to suck the love out of the tied up guards. The determined look dropped immediately and looked exhausted.

Screams and yelling from running ponies filled the air, the Changelings enjoying every second of it.

But what about us? a darker voice asked inside her head. We need this to survive!

...

"Quick!" Twilight said to Princess Cadence. "Go to him while you still have a chance!"

The unicorn had managed to sneak to the Princess while Queen Chrysalis was laughing at her victory.

From Twilight's horn, she used magic and shot off the bit of slime that trapped Princess Cadence's hooves. Princess Cadence gave a warm small smile to Twilight and turned to her Shining Armor.

Shining Armor was still under the influence of Queen Chrysalis's spell, his eyes green and no free will.

Look at them! the dark voice inside Acerbus's mind said. Just look at those pitiful ponies!

It was directed towards Princess Cadence and Shining Armor.

Just look at that!

Acerbus just had an uneasy smile. She was smiling and wasn't at the same time. She didn't know which feeling to express.

But a 'smile' was felt as the lighter voice talked.

Yes... Would you look at that... the lighter voice said softly.

What? the darker voice asked.

Princess Cadence looked into the eyes of Shining Armor and smiled, but tears soon started to drip down as she touched the face of her love. It looked like as if he was gone.

Pitiful... Just pitiful! the dark voice said, smirking.

Love... the lighter voice said softly, the 'smile' felt.

Princess Cadence then hugged Shining Armor warmly, tears streaming down her face with her horn sparking.

'Love?' the dark voice scoffed. Please, Queen Chrysalis took away his love for her! It'll be a miracle if he's broken from the spell!

A bright pink heart from Princess Cadence's horn that popped out. A small beautiful heart slowly floated down towards the couple and into Shining Armor's oblivious face. As the heart entered him, Shining Armor was free of Queen Chrysalis's spell.

The 'green' away from his eyes, Shining Armor's beautiful blue eyes replaced the color. Shaking his head to clear his mind, he looked around and finally to Princess Cadence

"Wha-where?" Shining Armor asked, looking around. "Huh?"

Princess Cadence looked thrilled and very happy to see her Shining Armor back.

What?! the dark voice inside Abercus's head exclaimed.

"Is the wedding over?" Shining Armor asked.

Queen Chrysalis then crashed onto to the floor with her four hooves, in front of the couple, smiling.

"It's ALL over!" the Changeling Queen said.

"Your spell!" Twilight said, knowing that Shining Armor was the only pony that could drive the Changelings out. "Perform your spell!"

Queen Chrysalis then cackled, laughing as if Shining Armor in his state could perform it. Beating her wings, she floated front of Shining Armor and Princess Cadence.

"What good would that do?" she asked as she pointed outside. "My Changelings already roam free!"

Outside, the Changelings wreaked mayhem. Chasing everypony down and demolishing for the hell of it, the Changelings WERE roaming free.

"No!" Shining Armor said.

He then closed his eyes and strained all the magic he had to his horn. A faint light barely lit up. He was having trouble.

Perspirating and breathing heavily, Shining Armor's magic wasn't working.

Look at that shit! the dark voice inside Acerbus's head said with glee. It's futile! Worthless!

The 'light' voice was silent.

"My power is useless now." Shining Armor said, trying to catch his breath.

The magic from his horn faded as he dropped his head down.

"I don't have the strength to repel them."

"My love will give you strength." Princess Cadence said as she nestled her face on Shining Armor's shoulder.

Queen Chrysalis and the dark voice inside Acerbus's head cackled to such a silly thing.

"What a lovely, but absolutely ridiculous sentiment!" Queen Chrysalis said.

She then walked to the side of a balcony and looked at the city of Canterlot, smiling. She had won. And there was nothing anypony could do.

Princess Cadence shook a little on Shining Armor's shoulder, and then the two looked each other in the eyes. Shining Armor tried to conjure magic in his horn. And this time, his whole horn had held magic. Princess Cadence then closed her eyes and touched her horn with Shining Armor's.

The dark voice cackled gleefully, enjoying the couple's attempt to save Canterlot.

There's no hope!

Acerbus looked at Princess Cadence and Shining Armor worryingly. A part of her believed that Shining Armor's love was actually stronger that Queen Chrysalis could imagine. But a part of her knew the fact her Queen had taken the love of Shining Armor.

Again, Acerbus didn't know which feeling to accept.

Hope or worry on both spectrums?

Hopefully that Shining Armor's love is strong and saves Canterlot, and worry that Shining Armor's love ISN'T strong enough?

Or hopefully Shining Armor fails as his love isn't strong enough? Along with the worry that he is actually strong enough to repel.

Sheer confusion tormented the Changeling's mind.

As the horn of Shining Armor's and Princess Cadence's horns touched, a bright spark was seen. The color of light purple: Shining Armor's, and color of teal: Princess Cadence, the colors soon merged together, as if now they were one.

A darker purple was seen where the two horns met, but it soon resided as a bright light built up. A purple light of magic began to circle Shining Armor and Princess Cadence.

Opening an eye, Shining Armor saw that both him and Princess Cadance were doing it. Princess Cadence opened her eyes and was noticed too. As the lights got brighter, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence looked each other in the eyes and then closed them. They were about to give it their all.

I-What... This can't be... the dark voice said softly, lost for words. The voice mumbled on as the 'lighter' voice came in.

Love is a powerful thing... the voice said, 'smiling' warmly. A beautiful and a powerful thing...

Princess Cadence and Shining Armor was soon lifted up from the ground from the magical light. Lifting up higher and higher, the light grew brighter and brighter. Almost blinding.

Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash were amazed by the sight. All of them expect Pinkie Pie shielded their eyes from the bright light, as it was blinding.

Queen Chrysalis on the other hand had horror written on her face.

Floating up to the point they couldn't go up any higher, the entire room started to rumble as the couple's powers were immense. Opening their eyes, their eyes were filled with unbelievable power. Eyes were filled with a beautiful light. The bright light then started to pressure in to the couple, but finally, it exploded in a beautiful shape.

The heart.

As the white shockwave exploded out, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence's body was in such a way that they were positioned like a heart. The bright light soon came right towards Queen Chrysalis. Right towards Acerbus.

"Noo!" Queen Chrysalis screamed as the light touched her.

The power of the light was that of the spell Shining Armor had casted earlier. But this time, with the love of Princess Cadence. Sending the Queen out of Canterlot, so did Acerbus and other Changelings.

In a spherical shape, the bright light emitted out of the castle, sending out the wave to all of Canterlot. All the Changelings were wiped off the streets and into the air out of Canterlot.

Queen Chrysalis and all the other Changelings screamed as the light pushed them far back, sending them fast and hard into the air.

Acerbus on the other hand was flung faster and further than the others. As the light crashed into her, Acerbus was blinded by the light and felt the extreme force of... love hitting her.

The light consuming her, Acerbus felt immense force for just a moment and everything went black.

Acerbus started to feel gaining consciousness and felt particularly comfortable. Slowly opening her good eye, Acerbus found herself in some sort of room. Fluttering her eyes to clear her bad vision, it was actually a cave. The hard rocks around her were smooth, but sharp. Pointy rocks stuck out from the ceilings.

Looking around more, Acerbus could see somepony next to her.

"Eek!" Acerbus said, bringing her hooves up to her face to shield herself.

She then noticed that there was a cover on her. A soft blanket.

Somepony, the creature chuckled, and Acerbus couldn't see it's face. The creature sat up tall and strong and sat on it's rear. Looking over to Acerbus, he began to talk.

"I don't think a blanket would protect you." the creature said, softly chuckling.

His voice was low, but very kind. It wasn't a threatening tone at all.

Acerbus felt embarrassed and lifted the covers to her mouth to hide her shame.

"Well, where are my manners?" the creature said, going on fours. "My name is Neco."

"I-My name is Acerbus." Acerbus said, saying her name.

"Acerbus, huh?" the pony named Neco said. "Why would a pony like you be stuck in the middle of the Everfree forest?"

"I'm actually a Changeling." Acerbus said.

But she soon realized that what she said was a mistake. Ponies HATED Changelings. And the pony before her looked down at her.

"Changeling?" Neco asked.

"Um... Yeah." Acerbus said.

"You do awfully look like a pony, though." Neco said, looking down at Acerbus. "But a Changeling... Wow..."

"Do you even know what a Changeling is?" Acerbus asked, raising an eyebrow.

She never knew a pony that didn't know a Changeling.

"No, I actually don't." Neco admitted. "What are they? Or, er..."

Neco stopped and noticed that he had kind of offended Acerbus.

"Sorry."

"Um... You don't have to." Acerbus said, surprised that the pony before her had apologized to her.

A pony that didn't know a Changeling and actually apologizing was something she didn't expect.

"Changelings are... things that feed off of love." Acerbus said, describing the things her kind does.

"Really? Hmm. That's something." Neco said.

"And we're really hated by ponies." Acerbus said. "And I can see why."

"No need to worry." Neco said. "Ponies hate me too."

"I don't think as much as Changelings." Acerbus said, turning over in her 'bed'. "You probably done something that got you like this. And I haven't heard of anypony not knowing Changelings!"

"Well, have I told you that I'm NOT a pony?" Neco said, laughing a bit. "You actually thought I was a pony?"

"I... I just see clearly right now, but I saw some kind of wolf that was about to attack me. And then everything went black..." Acerbus said. "Do you know what those wolf things were?"

"Timberwolves." Neco said. "They're ugly, savage and pretty stupid. But they're pretty strong."

"You've managed to make the wolf run off?" Acerbus asked, a bit surprised.

"Yes..." Neco said, smiling. "Because I was that wolf."

Acerbus's vision now fully focused. Looking over to Neco, a giant Timberwolf with green eyes was looking right at her. Acerbus backed up in her bed to see such a scary thing.

"And I'm guessing YOU haven't seen a Timberwolf." Neco said, seeing the scared expression on Acerbus's face.

He was smiling, and it was hard to see it on such a beast.

"Like I said, timberwolves are ugly." Neco said, continuing to look at Acerbus. "You don't know how many faces I've seen with the same look you have there."

Acerbus was lost for words.

"Ponies hate me also just because I'm a timberwolf." Neco said. "It's pretty depressing, but I know why they are."

"You understand my pain, don't you?" Neco asked.

Author's Notes:

Note: I drew that crappy cover art! I'm not much on an artist, but I did my best! :D I might color it soon though. I'm saving up money to get a new laptop and all.