Storm was desperate. He hadn't had a drop of love for over a week, and was on the verge of starvation. He hated himself for what he had to do, but dieing terrified him.

He decided on his next supplier (it was hard enough without calling them prey). That blind filly from his school. Her love for her mom was very strong, and just a little would keep him going for a while.

Goddess I’m a monster. he thought to himself as he removes his long term physical disguise in favor of the quicker illusionary one. He took on the form of the fillies mother, making sure the mane was just right. He didn't want a friend of hers that might come over to see any difference.

feeding on a blind filly... I’m going to Tartarus for this.

He was already in the house to avoid as many of the mares friends as possible. Now all he had to do was wait.

An hour later the door opened and as voice called out, “Hello?”

Storm replied, “Hey, squirt.” he heard the rainbow mare call her that, “how was sch...” he was interrupted by a hoof to the face and a foreleg pinning him to the wall.

“Who the hay are you?” she asked, “Don't try to lie either. I can sense the illusion spell you're using.”

This was not going as planed to say the least. He didn't know how she knew, but she did.

He saw the anger in her face, and broke down. He had been doing this for far too long. Ever since the love wave blasted away all the changelings away in Canterlot... all except him. He was only eight years old and left alone in a world that hated him.

All the years of pent up self loathing and fear burst to the surface as tears poured from his eyes even as the disguise fell away.

“I'm so, sorry.” he cried, “I just don't want to die. I’m just hungry.”

“What are you?” she asked, “You don't feel like a pony.”

“I'm a ch, changeling.” he said.

Scootaloo recalled the invasion several years ago as rage boiled up. She was about to strike at the abomination, but stopped. She took another look at his dim energy. She had seen energy like that before in the hospital after she broke her leg in a stunt gone wrong. An earth pony was brought in after being found crawling out of the Everfree. He died that night.

It's starving to death. she realized, “Come on. I’ll get you some help.”

Storm expected a lot of things but never help. Was this some trick? Why would a pony help him?

“Didn't you hear me I’m...”

“A changeling. Yeah I heard you.” she said, “and I know what changelings are. I was a flower filly at the wedding.”

Now he was really confused. Not only did she know what changeling were but she was there when Chrysalis tried to conquer. Despite all that she was still trying to help him.

“Why help me?” he asked, “Changelings are the enemies of Equestria. You shouldn't get yourself in trouble just for me.”

“I won't let anypony starve to death.” she said.

It wasn't much, but Storm felt a trickle of sustenance from this filly. It was concern. Concern for him.

“We can get you some love from some where and then you can tell me how you got here.” she said.

Storm dared to hope that he might have finally found a friend

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

“Ahh” cried Storm.

“Almost done.” Scootaloo said.

Unfortunately for Storm his healing powers didn't work on himself, so Scootaloo had to straiten his crumpled wing by hoof and bind it with vines. It was crude but it was what they had.

“Finished. You can stop crying now.” she said.

“Where would I be with out you.” Storm said.

“Dead in a gutter.” she aid plainly.

“That sounds about right.” he gave her a peck on the cheek.

A loud growl echoed in the cave. Storm jumped up with his horn glowing. Whoever was out there managed to sneak past Scoots' senses.

“Um, Storm...” Scootaloo said.

“It's OK. Whatever it is I’ll save you from it.”

“Oh really?” Scootaloo snickered, “In that case I’ll take a barley burger and some hay fries.”

“What?”

“That was my stomach, genius.” Scootaloo said.

“Oh... right,” Storm would have blushed if it were possible.

“I'll be right back. I think I feel something edible.” Scootaloo said and ran out the door only to return twenty minutes later with a few berries in her foreleg, “Here ya go eat up. I already ate a bunch.”

“That's alright. You eat them. I don't need it yet.” he said.

Many ponies believe changelings ONLY feed on love, but that's not true. Solid food is still needed for sustenance. They eat the same things as ponies, just less of it. A meal every few days is enough to sustain them.

“It's OK, Stormy, there's food everywhere in the Everfree Forest if you know where to look, and I know where look.” she said.

Storm smiled and accepted the food.

“So, what now.” he asked.

“We need to get to Canterlot.” Scootaloo answered, “Maybe Celestia will know what to do.”

“So, I’m guessing we're traveling through the forest to get there.” Storm said. Scootaloo just nodded, “It's a good thing I got one Equestria's most dangerous ponies here.”

“You know it.” Scootaloo's ego shone through, “And the best hoof to hoof combat expert in Equestria.” it wasn't a lie she's beaten every other member of Dawn Shield in single combat, even Fluttershy.

“Too bad you can't shoot worth crap.” Storm teased.

“I can still kick your sorry flank from here to Appleloosa.” said the blind warrior.

Storm smiled, “Even after fighting and running for our lives you're still gorgeous. You should ware that stuff more often.”

Scootaloo had forgotten she had the jewelry on. She put a hoof to the necklace thinking about Applebloom. That drew her thoughts to the others.

“They'll be OK.” Storm said picking up on her mood, “Chrysalis wouldn't have used a spell like that if she planned on hurting them. She'll try using them.”

Scootaloo growled at the name, “I hate that bitch.”

“She wasn't always like that you know.” Storm said, “She was once a very kind benevolent ruler. From what I heard she was a... wonderful mother.”

Scootaloo's ears perked up, “She has a foal?”

“Had,” Storm's expression turned grim, “She had a foal. She died. That's what drove Queen Chrysalis crazy. She would have never thought it was a good idea to invade Canterlot otherwise.

“The hive was on hard times. After Nightmare Moon and Discord, ponies were suspicious of each other. It was harder to get food. Our gatherers were easily discovered by the smallest mistake that would have gone unnoticed otherwise. I was young but I still remember seeing two or three changelings that had died of starvation every week.

“I was always fed enough. Because of my healing powers, I was too important to loose. The last healer died thirty years earlier, so they couldn't afford to lose me. We're not exactly common.

“About a year before the invasion the Queen's daughter got sick. With the hive being so malnourished she couldn't fight the disease and died before her fourth birthday. The Queen was... well you can guess.

“The rest of the hive was so eager to invade. I was probably the only one there who didn't want to be, but being the only changeling that can heal wounds I had no choice.

“It was horrible. I saw one of my fellow changelings drive his fangs into a ponies neck. Ponies stuffed into pods. It was awful. Pods are meant to hold emotional energy not ponies, and our fangs are meant to feed from pods but they were used to murder.

“When the love wave passed over I wondered why I wasn't blown away with the others, but I realized it was because they succumbed to evil and I didn't. I'm sorry I’m rambling.” he finished.

Scootaloo smiled sympathetically, “It's OK. I’m happy you told me that. I didn't know it was so bad”

she wrapped him in her hooves and nuzzled his cheek. He felt the warmth of her love wash over him. love given is so much sweeter than love taken he thought to himself Why couldn't Chrysalis see that.

Scootaloo watched as the dim pink energy trickled out of her and gathered in Storm's chest. She always found it amazing.

Celestia's sun fell as Luna took the sky in her own magic. The pony and the changeling watched the act, blissful in each others embrace.

They curled around each other to stay warm as they drifted into an uneasy sleep.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Storm was backed into a corner, terrified of the ponies before him, each was capable of killing him with ease.. The princesses and Elements of Light glared death at him. All but Scootaloo. She stood between him and her fellow elements.

Celestia said, “How dare you protect an enemy of Equestria!!!”

Scootaloo shot back, “Because he's not evil. He's the kindest, most caring colt I’ve ever met, and I love him.”

“No you don't.” said Rainbow Dash, “He's a changeling. He just used his magic to make you think you love him.”

“It's the same thing his Queen did to my brother.” stated Twilight, “You remember that right.”

“His magic doesn't work like that.” Scootaloo said, “He's a healer. He's healed me several times. He healed all of you!”

“Is that what he said?” asked AJ, “How do ya know he ain't lyin' to ya.”

“Because I know him!”  Scootaloo shouted.

“We do not have time for this” the moon princess pushed to the front of the crowd and made for the still cowering changeling.

“No!” Scootaloo cried as she leaped toward the goddess, striking her on the face with a back leg.

Her form was quickly covered in a golden glow as Celestia threw her to the ground and bound her with magic chains. Celestia tossed her to the guards.

“Take her to the dungeon.” she said, “She's been corrupted.”

Rainbow Dash watched with tears in her eyes as her daughter was dragged out a prisoner. She turned and stared at the Storm with murder in her eyes.

“You bastard.” she spat, “You did that to Scoots. You infected her with your lies!”

She flew strait at the cowering figure, raised her hoof and brought it down on his head.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Storm sat bolt upright with a cry. He was still in the cave with Scootaloo, who was already awake.

“You alright?” she asked.

He nodded, “Yeah, just a bad dream. I’m fine.”

“You wanna talk about it?” she asked.

“Not really.” he said, “It's OK.”

Scootaloo could tell whatever the dream was it bothered him, but she didn't press him. Instead she just nuzzled him and gave him a peck on the cheek.

“You ready to go?” she said, “We got a long walk ahead. Not to mention monsters.”

“Well, lucky for you you got your own monster.” Storm said.

Scootaloo laughed, “And what can you do?”

“Aim.” He said with a smile.

“I guess I do kind of suck.” she admitted.

They started on their way towards Canterlot. Storm didn't change in case he needed to use his magic. His magic may have been limited but even he could launch concussive bolts and use telekinesis.

Storm kept thinking back to what had happened. There was something that had bothered him. He decided to voice his thoughts. Maybe Scootaloo had some insight.

“Hey, Scoots.” he said, “Did you see any other changelings in town?”

“No, why?” she answered.

“The queen never goes anywhere without an escort.” he said, “Why would she be alone now?”

“I don't know.” Scootaloo nuzzled him again.

“You know,” he said, “eventually everypony will find out about me. Either we'll have to tell them or I’ll slip up. It's inevitable. What will happen then.”

“Don't worry, Stormy,” she said, “I'll protect you.”

Storm's thought's were pulled back to his dream. That's what I’m afraid of. Next Chapter: Chapter 5: Royal Rumble Estimated time remaining: 16 Minutes