Luna and I exchange glances when a long pause followed Celestias outburst.

“You think she's OK?” I ask feeling a bit worried. “It was kind of a bomb shell wasn't it?”

“Not sure what a bomb is but it was certainly shocking.” Luna replies.

~You have a changeling!?~

“And she's back!” I state getting a wing slap from Luna.

~Yes my sister a changeling, one that was exiled and has asked for asylum~

There was sigh. ~Are you sure you can trust her?~

~She hasn't attacked anypony or lied about herself. I have every reason to believe she is no threat to any of us or Equestria~ I say folding my arms. ~Though she has no place to live. We was hoping there was some part you could play in that?~

~Me?~ Celestia asks her shock coming back over the link.

~Yes~ I state. ~You're in Canterlot at the moment and you can register her as a citizen~

~You want me to run an errand?~

I chuckle. ~If it's too hard...~

~I will see what I can do~ Celestia states with intention that I don't continue.

~Thank you sister, Atreia will be happy~ Luna adds.

~Atreia?~ Celestia says with interest.

~That's her name, I chose it from my world from a popular story. She liked it.~ I reply.

Celestia pauses. ~I wish to speak to her, as a condition of her becoming a citizen~

I look to Luna and she nods. ~OK, I think she will agree to that. We might have to wait for the snow to clear a little before then.~

~That would be fine. Oh and Luna, I love you.~ Celestia says.

Luna smiles. ~I love you too.~

Luna looks to me when our telepathy ended. “She seemed OK with it.”

I cross my arms. “I think she was pissed, though she was hiding it well.” I look to Atreia and smile. The mare was sitting nearby looking at us in a combination of confusion and fascination. “We were talking to Princess Celestia with telepathy.”

Atreia nods and returns my smile. “I was thinking that too. I take it was good news?” Atreia asks looking hopeful.

I nod. “Yes, Celestia is going to help get you registered as a citizen but on one condition.” I add holding up a finger.

Atreia swallows hard as her ears flatten. “C-Condition?”

“My sister would like to meet you.” Luna answers with a smile. “I think it's because of the past we have with Changelings.”

“I understand.” Atreia nods. “I guess I would have to meet her at some point.” Atreia almost jumps when she feels a fore leg drop over her shoulder.

“You can count on us to help you fit in!” Apple Fritter says beaming a smile. “Ya know all of us are told to hate Changelings but yer not so bad. If cuz Applejack says yer ok then yer fine by me too.”

Atreia blushes. “T-Thank you, it means a lot to me to hear you say that. I still have a long way to go though to be fully accepted.”

“We can help with that too, if you need anything just ask.” Apple Pie says standing in the doorway of the living room. “Apples always help family, right?” Apple Pie states looking at the rest of us in turn.

“Yeah we do!” Apple Fritter replies.

Atreia looks down to the floor in surprise. “Family...?” Atreia whispers.

I step forward and kneel down. I place a hand on Atreias shoulder. “Like it or not your one of us now Atreia. You might aswell be family.”

Atreia starts to cry as she puts a hoof on my hand. “Thank you, all of you. I have no words to say to all of this. I promise you I'll never let you down for giving me this chance.”

I stand back up and gesture to the living room. “Join us and when the snow clears you can meet some of the older members of the apples.”

Atreia nods and smiles wiping the tears from her eyes. “Of course. I just hope the rest of your family will accept me too.”

I stood on the station platform with my coat pulled up around my neck. My wings were wrapped around my body providing another layer of protection. I stood alone as the snow fell across the tracks and platform. I looked left and right before jumping down onto the tracks and walking away.

I stopped a mile from the platform and held up a hand. I created an orb and waited. I smiled when I heard a whistle and the Ponyville Express slowly came out of the blizzard. I held the orb up in my hand and waved it.

I watched as the train drew up near me and I dropped the orb putting it out. I had received a message from Celestia via Luna that the express had left Canterlot when the snow had let up only to be caught again when the blizzard came across Ponyville.

I was eager to help the train get into the station as it carried two special passengers. I gave the engineer a wave and jumped into the engine carriage.

“So nice for you to helps us Commander. I thought the train would derail.” The engineer says with a smile.

“It was fortunate Princess Celestia manged to get a message through to me and that I was able to help.” I pulled down my scarf. “Though I'm surprised you left Canterlot at all. I was under the impression that all rail travel was suspended till further notice?”

The engineer removed his hat and gave me a nervous grin. “I...Well you see....”

I hold up a hand. “I'm not going to report you or press the matter. I was just surprised you ran the risk. Though I think when you get back to Canterlot the authorities there might have a few words.”

The engineer nods. “I am prepared to take full responsibility for my actions. I have no excuses.”

I pull my scarf back up. “I'll jump back out and guide you home. Just follow my light and go slow. You'll be back in no time.”

I walked back through the snow with two ponies held in my magic. I carried two suitcases as the rest floated by my flying companions. “You sure you two are ok? I guess the train journey down wasn't pleasant?”

“Ah told you already son ah'm fine. We Apples don't let a little snow stop us from seeing family.” Grampa Cox replies.

“True. We don't get out much and at our age family means a lot to us.” Granny Applesauce adds with a smile. “Though we are fortunate you are here to help us.”

I chuckle. “Well lets get you home and warmed up.”

“Sounds wonderful.” Granny Applesauce says. “Do you think you have any of the little marshmallows?”

I smile. “I'll see what I can do.”

I walk into the living room with a tray in my hands. I drop it on the small table in the room and pick up a mug. “Milk, two sugars.” I say handing a cup to Grampa Cox.

“Thank ya.”

I pick up another. “No milk, no sugar. Little Marshmallows.” I state giving the cup to Granny Applesauce.

“Thank you.”

I give out the rest of the cups and mugs to everypony else and sit down by Applejack. Atreia sat to my left in her disguise looking very nervous. I reach out and place my hand on her shoulder giving her a smile. Atreia smiles back.

“Now. Ah'm not one to pry but who's the pretty little unicorn we have in our midst?” Grampa Cox asks.

I look to Atreia and catch her blushing. “Grampa Cox. I would like to introduce you to Atreia. She's a friend of mine that's staying here until the snows calmed.”

Atreia takes a deep breath and gives the two elder apples a wave. “Hello.”

I watch as Granny Applesauce gives Atreia a narrow eyed stare and then frowns looking to me. “Now ah know we elders may seem like we are slow in our old age but we ain't stupid. Ah know yer lying.”

I tense and give Atreia a glance. Atreia looks to me with a worried look as her ears flattened back. “W-What do you mean Granny Applesauce?” I ask looking back to the elder apple and swallowing hard.

Granny Applesauce leans forward. “She ain't what she seems is what ah'm getting at.”

“Ah get the feeling the young lass is hiding something and we apples don't like secrets.” Grampa Cox adds.

I look to Atreia and watch as she looks down to the floor. “I think the games up Atreia.” Atreia lifts her head and nods as her body glows green and she changes into her normal form.

“I see. Interesting..” Grampa Cox says rubbing his beard.

“Yer one of them changelings ah've heard about ain't you?” Granny Applesauce asks with a smile.

“Y-Yes mam...” Atreia replies. “I guess you want me to leave now?” Atreia goes to get up but stops when Granny Applesauce starts to laugh.

“Leave? My dear, why would ah want you to leave? Ah think we already know yer not a threat.” Granny Applesauce points to me. “If you were dangerous ah don't think John here would have let you stay.”

I nod. “Nothing threatens my family.”

“Aye right lad!” Grampa Cox replies lifting his cup up to me.

Atreia rubs her two front hooves together before taking a deep breath. “M-May I ask how you knew I wasn't a real pony?”

Granny Applesauce takes a sip of her coffee and gives Atreia a frown. “First, yer a pony no matter what you look like. Second, ah had a feeling in my bones.”

“I-In your bones?” Atreia replies questioningly. “I don't understand.”

Grampa Cox laughs. “Young ponies, they can never understand experience in old age.”

“Young'n, when you live as long as we have you pick up a few things.” Granny Applesauce points a hoof at Atreia. “Ah felt something about you and ah guess my feeling was correct.”

I nod before putting my hand on Atreia. “I've learned since being here in Equestria not to question things when it comes to age and wisdom.” I chuckle.

Atreia smiles. “I guess I have a lot to learn about being part of something more important than one ponies personal revenge.”

“Revenge?” Applejack asks in confusion. “What do ya mean revenge?”

Atreia looks to Applejack and her ears fold back. “I thought you all knew?”

“Knew what?” I ask getting a little more interested.

Atreia sighs. “It's common that ponies don't really understand why the changelings dislike Equestria. To be honest unless you're a Changeling it would be hard to understand.” Atreia looked around the room to see if everyone was paying attention before continuing. “I guess I need to start at the beginning...”

I stand up cutting of Atreia. “Sorry Atreia but I'm going to get more refreshments as this sounds like a long story.”

Atreia laughs. “OK John. This is going to be a long story unless you want the short version?”

“Oh no young lass ya started this.” Grampa Cox chuckles. “Ah'm interested.”

“OK!” I say clapping my hands. “What does everypony want?”