Applejack, shaking her hooves to the core, stood at the bottom of the stairs. Though she would've waited at the top, the earth pony recommended to be patient as much as she could. What may have seemed forever only was worth it when the changeling appeared from the shadows. Though Applejack may have overdressed for the occasion, he seemed astounding with his majestic wings shimmering in the lights and his teal eyes glowing as a zap apple. The only thing that changed in his appearance was a shiny bowtie that clashed with his changeling form.
"AJ..." the Changeling complimented, "you look..."
"Over the top?" Applejack questioned the beast.
The changeling only chuckled for a moment and cleared his throat to correct her remark.
"Magnificent." corrected the changeling.
He offered his hoof towards hers to lead his date to their destination. While they walked to the dining hall, he knew that she seemed frightened of the date since this was her first time as well.
"Are you alright?"
"No, I'm fine." she lied.
"Are you being honest with me?"
Not a word was out of Applejack's lips.
"If it helps you out, I too feel scared about this date as well."
"You? Scared? Then why aren't you shaking your hooves?"
"Because some filly once told me to face my fears."
Applejack giggled for a moment.
"Reminds me of my friend Fluttershy. She's faced many fears so much that I couldn't tell if that was her or not. "
"Your friend?"
"Yeah, I have just about seven friends down in Ponyville. They're the best! I wouldn't give them up for all of Equestria."
"I'm actually intrigued to know more about your friends. Would you tell me about them?"
With a smile on her face, she then talked about them and their glorious adventures of saving the world. He knew that his plan of calming down was working. When they finally reached their destination, Applejack started to tear up.
"No pony's ever made me a picnic before."
"Well, I guess I'm the first since I never hosted a picnic before. Come and let's enjoy this meal."
From that moment, their date was soaring towards the sky. While their date was about to come to a close, both AJ and the changeling glanced at the moon and stars. Though he knew that time was almost up, he started to feel a bit scared to tell her how he felt about her.
"You need to take this chance if you ever want your life back."
With one deep breath, he glanced towards Applejack with confidence in his eyes.
"AJ? May I ask you a question?"
"Yes? What is it?"
"Be honest: are you...happy here?"
Applejack thought carefully of her being happy for the past couple of weeks. Though she did miss her family, she didn't want to lie to her friend.
"Can any pony ever be happy if they ain't free?"
The changeling only sigh in defeat when he knew her answer right away. Though she recognized his depression, Applejack started to change the subject.
"These trees remind me so much about the barn." AJ replied. "Granny has taught me all about the care of the trees and the nutrition they produce."
"You must miss home, don't you?"
"Very much."
She had stayed here for almost about half a year, but she still was unhappy. While he pondered on this situation, the changeling knew a solution that she could be content over.
"How would you like to see them?"
"My family? But how?"
"I want you to close your eyes for a moment and your answers will be clear."
"Okay?"
Concerned about what plans the changeling is about to do, Applejack closed her eyes obediently. The changeling slowly started to come closer to her with his horn igniting towards her forehead.
"Now, think of the one pony you miss the most and you shall see it with your own eyes."
As his horn touched her forehead, her eyes glowed as bright as the moon, allowing herself to be in a different place. When she glanced around, Applejack noticed the room was a hospital room. Not knowing what this was about, she heard a familiar moan.
"Granny?"
"Applejack...where's Applejack...?"
"Here I am! Granny!"
As soon as she moved her hoof towards Granny Smith, she dissolved into an apple tree, leaving a distressed Apple. Scared as she was, Applejack didn't know what to do.
"Granny's hurt and I wasn't there for her. She's the only family I've got left. And if she's severely injured, then I don't-"
"You should go."
"What?"
"You must go to her."
"But, what about-"
"You've never been my prisoner for a while. You're free to go."
"But-"
"Your family's more important now than anything else. Go to her and take care of her as long as you need to."
Though he was giving her that chance to be with Granny, she did promise him that she'll free him somehow. Instead of rejecting the offer and wanting to stay until she broke this curse, she hugged the changeling by the neck. His sincerity of her family shown him the kindness she was looking for.
"Thank you." She replied softly.
With one move, Applejack started to run towards her room to get her hat and run back to Sweet Apple Acres. As she was out of his sight, he shuddered a breath, knowing that his decision would change everything for his future. At that moment, he knew guaranteed: He was in love with Applejack, not as a changeling for feeding, but as a pony for a pony. Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom sat in AJ's bedroom, waiting for their date to end. However, when they heard hoof prints scurrying towards the door, the crusaders realized AJ being depressed and nervous.
"What's wrong, sis?"
"Why didn't you tell me about Granny, Apple Bloom?"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Granny's in the hospital."
"What?! How?"
"I'm not quite sure, but we're leaving to see her."
While she started to remove the dress and prepare to go towards the Ponyville Hospital, Apple Bloom started to feel a bit concerned about the changeling.
"But... what about the changeling?"
AJ only sighed as she glanced towards her sister.
"We'll be back here before you know it. I ain't done teaching him yet."
"But...he doesn't have time..."
"I know, but we may not know what will happen if we stay here when Granny get too critical to live. We have to go."
With such distress, the earth pony fled from the room and walked towards the entrance of the castle. While he sat there depressed, Katana came close to him with a smile on her face.
"So, how'd it go with you and the Mistress?" Katana nagged.
"I...I let her go." He uttered under his breath.
"Why would you do such a thing?"
"I had to. There was no other choice."
"You blew your chance to be with the only pony you ever met."
"I know...but...I couldn't risk seeing her miserable in enslavement than to be free and happy."
"...you loved her, didn't you, Master?"
The changeling nodded lightly and turned aside.
"But why haven't we changed back?"
"It's because she never loved me, Katana. She only cared about me since I'm just a hideous changeling. AJ will never trust me as long as I keep her miserable forever. I'm sorry I ever called you my slave. I know I couldn't free you from this curse, but we must move on to the future. Our time's running out anyways."
The changeling teleported himself towards his chambers, leaving a confused Katana in the garden. It seemed like he felt miserable making the choice. She then knew, however, that he loved her so much that he would make her happy but him miserable forever. As she started to walk towards the castle, she then noticed Applejack and the CMC fleeing towards Ponyville. When the three were out of sight, Applejack stopped for a moment and then glanced at the tower above and sighed.
(Evermore Parody)
AJ: I was the mare who had it all. Sweet Apple Acres was my fate. And with no pony to be part of my life, was this my first mistake?
While she glanced at the Moon Wing area, the changeling is walking through his room to remove the suit he was wearing.
Changeling: I'll never shake away the past. I'll close my eyes, yet she's right here. And to be honest and to my own surprise, her love has brought me tears. Now I know she'll never leave mel
(AJ: I'll never leave him alone)
Changeling: Even as she trots away
(AJ: I'll trot all the way towards you)
Changeling: She will still torment me
(AJ: He's calmed me)
Changeling: Harmed me
(AJ: Moved me)
Changeling and AJ: Come What May
Changeling: Wasting in this lonesome castle
(AJ: I'll break the curse, can't you see?)
Changeling: Waiting for that opened door.
(AJ: You'll soon be normal and be free)
Changeling: I'll fool myself she'll walk right in
(AJ: And be with him)
Changeling and AJ: Forevermore
Katana knew that time was close at hoof that her master wouldn't give up so easily. However, she then had this chance of a lifetime to hear through the eyes of Applejack of how he feels about him. If she did love him, then why hasn't she mentioned her feelings towards him? She had to find out herself.
Katana: He raged against the trials of love. He cursed the fading of the day. Although he loves her and wants her in his life, I must go and say: Now I know, she'll never leave him
(Changeling: She'll let me die here alone)
Katana: Even as she gone from view
(AJ: I'll be back to you soon)
Katana: She has been a shining light
(Changeling: She has been my ray of life)
(AJ: A hope that bright and new)
Changeling: Wasting in this lonesome castle
(Katana: She'll break the curse, can't you see?)
Changeling: Waiting for that opened door.
(AJ: I know that I can set you both free)
Changeling: I'll fool myself she'll walk right in
(Katana: Now as the long, long night begin)
(AJ: I'll think of all that might have been)
Changeling and AJ: Waiting here forevermore
(Katana: Evermore!)