//------------------------------//
// Changing Mind pt.2 (Raw version) 
// Story: All I really need's a smile, smile, smile! 
// by Lightening_Zing 
//------------------------------//

Fluttershy was concerned.
Of course one could say that Fluttershy was always concerned but it wouldn't be true. Instead, Fluttershy was afraid most of the time. Afraid how the other ponies will react, what they will say to her, what they will say behind back. 
For Fluttershy any social activity beyond circle of her friends was marked with fear, fear of being hurt or hurting somepony. 
Only thanks to help of her friends she was able to subdue it enough to interact with ponies of Ponyville; before becoming Bearer of Kindness she rarely left her cottage to visit Ponyville. Of course it was inevitable because sometimes her medical cabinet and pantry ran low on supplies. If such need arose she preferred to sent out Angel or other known animal to make her shopping but it wasn't always possible. Some shops were suspicious about bunny with shopping list and basket. Even more when some less honest shopkeepers discovered that rabbit wasn't stupid and was able to sense when they tried to cheat him.
Fluttershy didn't volunteered to create music for Summer Sun Celebration but she was too afraid to correct it so she went with it. Sometimes she suspected it could be Rainbow Dash work, but she fiercely denied it. 

However, at this very moment Fluttershy wasn't scared, frightened or horrified. No, she was merely concerned, and it was somehow worse. Fear often simplified situations to either running or fighting, neither reaction suitable for situation what Fluttershy was facing. Fluttershy was concerned about her pink friend, who turned out to be a Queen of changelings. Said friend wasn't even pink at this very moment, as she was wearing disguise of a tourist pony, Snapshot. Poor pegasus wasn't even sure how to call out her friend.

Metamorphosis, publicly known as Pinkie Pie The Queen of Parties was concerned too. Amazed. Concezed. Amarned. She wasn't sure how to call this emotion, yet she knew reason of it. She was feeling different, yet she couldn't point out any major difference.

A some time has passed since their return. During this time Fluttershy put her wounded friend to bed, cleaned mess made by Twilight, fed her animals, made herself dinner, and cleaned herself. She was quite surprised to saw her friend out of her bed, sitting on the couch in the saloon.

"Pinkie, are you feeling better? Did you headache stopped?" She called her out back then.

"I think... yes." Came an answer from Pinkie but it wasn't voice of Pinkie. Tone was the same, but manner of speak and articulation was much more mature and calm. Then Pinkie giggled, Pinkie-like, and Fluttershy decided she was truly concerned. It was few minutes ago.

Fluttershy had no real experience with changelings and she wasn't sure how wounds taken under disguise could be affecting changeling, however Pinkie's head injury was just flesh wound. She was reasoning that disguise used by Pinkie wasn't a illusion, more like a transformation and in effect this wound should be sustained to her changeling form too.
Still, this thoughts of Fluttershy were only attempts to take her mind from major concern:
Pinkie was surprisingly quiet.

Pinkie wasn't sure why she was calm; she had memories that she was always active, maybe even hyperactive, always interested in everything, yet... at this moment she just didn't felt like it.
And it was surprising her, amazing her, yet concerning.

Fluttershy realized that Pinkie could be just talking with other changelings, however it didn't seem to be in character for Pinkie to just sit and pointlessly observe surroundings. No, Pinkie Fluttershy remembered was always moving, always doing something, making weird remarks or no sense at all. If Pinkie was quiet that meant she was either sad, sick, or maybe really focused on something but it was really rare. Everything Pinkie did was slightly... well, Pinkie-sh. 
And now Pinkie was sitting quiet with small frown on her face.

Metamorphosis was confused by memories she had. She remembered being a crazy pink pony but couldn't understand why she was behaving that way; she loved jokes, she loved to laugh, but her behavior in last years was excessive to say the least. She was puzzled, her past seemed to be fun, but now she felt like she couldn't behave that no more. She felt... mature.
And it was surprising her, amazing her, yet concerning.

Fluttershy was considering that her friend was traumatized by the recent events. Everything what happened in few last days had to take effect on the poor pony... changeling... friend. Fluttershy for a moment felt real fear; How good she knew Pinkie? They were friends but always distant ones. Could she trust her? How could she? Whole life of person in front of her was a lie. Maybe so called 'friendship' was just a mean to survive for her? Maybe she was a fake friend? Maybe that's why she was laughing so easily; she really did not cared for other ponies, they were just food sources to her? Or maybe real Pinkie was captured somewhere by changelings?
Fluttershy was conflicted about what she should be thinking until she noticed a small smile on her friend face. It was Pinkie's genuine smile. Any doubt and any fear she had, just vanished at this simple sight. Pinkie smile was one of thing Fluttershy was sure; it was smile brightening anypony day. Fluttershy sighed happily and went to kitchen with clear mind. She was still concerned about well being of her friend, but at least she wasn't afraid of her. 

Pinkie/Metamorphosis realized her problem; she wasn't herself. For other ponies/lings these could sound like a first sing of craziness, but craziness was a bread and butter of Pinkie. For Pinkie it was reasonable enough to call out her other self.

"Hi!"
"Hello. It seems we are We."
"Me, we are not like Princess Luna, we-I don't use that silly royal We."
"Well, We have rather sound reason to do that. Maybe Luna uses We because she is as crazy as We?"
"Do you think she have, I dunno, Nightmare Moon as her other-I?"
"Who knows?"
"I can imagine that!" Pinkie voice changed into that of Luna "No, Nightie, we don't want everlasting night no more. Oh, and we can't threat ponies like we used to."
"But, Lu...!" Metamorphosis answered with spot-on Nightmare Moon impression.
"Neigh, Nightie, I said neigh! And please, be a good evil side."
"Grump-grump... Future is not fun and you are not my mom!"
"What did you heard about your mother?"
"Ugh, I don't have one? I'm just a..."
"Wrong! Nightmare.... I'm your MOTHER!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Metamorphosis/Pinkie for a moment was in perfect unison of laughter as they were one, but then it ended abruptly.
"It seems we have a problem with Ourselves. We are not We."
"Pffft..."
"Okay, lt is ridiculous. We are not we, we are not I, I'm sure I'm not we."
"And I'm not me. Mind equals blown."
"Better not, we still need it. Actually, it's not true what I said. Not entirely true, as We are I."
"We-we or we-you? We-we, it sounds silly. Like Weeeeeeeeeeee..."
"I meant we are a singular person, not two sharing a body. Well, or rather we used to be."
"I'm sure I don't remember you with me in my head. But hey, I think we can share! I mean, the more the merrier?"
"Well, we could throw a tea or party with ourselves, couldn't we? Maybe we should invite Pinkamina? She feels left out so often..."
"Better nor... hey, it's that what you meant? That you are my other side, like her?"
"Something like that but with a twist; you are my other side, not other way around."
"What?!"
"When I left The Swarm and traveled through desert I was in control. Situation changed when I reached Equestria. My personality, my behavior would be problematic for me so I started to act differently, think differently. At some point you became an other me and shortly after, major personality."
"So... You are like my past me? And I'm current me?"
"You could say so. It would correspond with popular theory that every person is really a medley of few differentiating personalities. Such theory would explain why people are able to feel conflicted or literally arguing with themselves. Unfortunately, anypony or anyling never said that there was any other voice, except those with mental problems, so it seems we are unique. Shame it doesn't explain why I was awoken."
"Geez, you are smart."
"Well, I was often ushered to learn by Mother and we have a pretty good brain in this head. It's quite a shame that you decided make a shield from your ignorance."
"Hey!"
"I'm not calling you stupid; the one who is responsible is me. It was me who decided to play it out that way. It seemed to be a perfect solution. When a  young filly shows up and doesn't know two bits about common facts, there is no better way to explain it than that she preferred to play than to learn. It's shame that it really became a trait of you."
"What do you mean? And how could it be me, if you are keeping saying it was you."
"Fair point; I made you that way. The point when you became you and I lost control is not clear. Back to your objection; I believe that most of ponies think that you are irresponsible, weird, maybe even crazy."
"I make them laugh! It's better than be..."
"Don't be so defensive, I know what you mean. Still, you could be something more. You could be considered responsible, intelligent and funny."
"I don't want to."
"Why?"
"I'm me, I don't want to be something more. I'm happy as myself. There is no one else..."
"Pinkie, I'm you too. Or rather you are me."
"You can't be. You are.."
"What, serious? Mature? Calm? ...boring?"
"Yeah."
"Pinkie, look in your memories. Me? Boring? You have to be joking! I just wasn't bristling with energy like you, knew when to stop bothering others and had better sense how to not offense someone privacy. Okay, maybe except trying to get Chrys diary. And Mother regals. ...and, I'm sure bakers weren't too mad about my pantry raids... Anyway! My point still stands. We are the same, but different. We both love to laugh, joke, see other lings, or in your case, ponies happy, and we both love sweets."
"Butm you are so serious, how could you be me?"
"Pinkie, we are older than any of your friends, and it's not like we could be always so... youthful and immature. It's time to grow up, Pinkie."
"I'm afraid."
"I know."
"I'm happy. I'm safe. I can be me. I don't want to lose it. I don't want to be someone important, someone like..."
"Like Queen?"
"...yeah. It's so responsible, so stressful, so organized, so... unfunny. I want to be me, not some kind of doll, like Princesses are. I don't want to lose my friends. If they still will be my friends, then I will have to leave Ponyville to rule The Swarm, and they will be so far..."
"Pinkie? Don't despair, I understand your fears. I don't want to lose them too."
"Too?"
"Well, I have your memories, and I decided I like them. But it's not the point. The point is; we don't know what will future bring, but we can shape it. Maybe you won't have to leave Ponyville and you will keep your friends. Maybe they will never forgive you. Maybe you will have to leave Equestria... FOREVER!"
"That wasn't funny."
"Yeah, I know. We can't ignore our subjects. Can we ignore them for our selfish desires? Would you ignore some pony because you was afraid what will happen?"
"It's not the same and you know it! You are asking me to throw my life away! When I help somepony I don't risk everything I have!"
"...except when you decided to help Twilight during return of Nightmare Moon? Didn't you risked your life? Did you were not afraid when you discovered that you became Bearer of Laughter? Didn't it changed your life? Just look how it turned out! You never had so close friends as these six. You never went to Galloping Gala, you never traveled so much, you never played a major role in act on Canterlot stage. So many wonderfulthings came out of it... and few which caused you harm. Did you not faced dragon and hydra? Did you not panicked over you friendships? Did you not felt disappointed by Gala?"
"But..."
"Everything have good and bad sides. Everything will turn out fine in long run."
"But it's more than that! I... you want me to face Princesses, my friends, my... subjects, Equestria. That's too much. I don't know how to talk with princesses, I don't know how my friends will react... and I don't want, I don't know how to rule! I'm... I'm not the right pony to do it."
"That's where I come in. And don't forget: as long we live, there is hope. Or how it father put: As long as I can fight, I'm victorious. Pinkie, what happened to pony who few days ago was able to withstand our sister lack of hope? What happened to changeling who traversed whole desert alone, only on wings of hope?"
"I don't know. I just don't have it! I feel like I'm Pinkamina, but I'm not. Could I be starting to stop being me?"
"Pinkie, your train of thoughts..."
"What about it?"
"Terribly put."
"You are the smart one. I'm the funny one."
"Yeah, and I have more optimism than you."
"Shame we can't... hey! HEEEY!... are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"How to take over the world?"
Um... no. Maybe Chryssi, not me. Do you want to take over the world too?"
"No... Well, maybe. If everyone would agree."
"...fine enough for me~! I won't turn you out. Em... me. It would be crazy, even for me. 'Voices in my head want to take over the world!' "
"Just tell what you you come up with."
"You said I'm the major me, and you were like some background character, so I think you were giving me advice and hopes and such in the past. That's why I had sometimes bright ideas and hope."
"Makes sense..."
"Of course it makes sense, Especially if you agree with it, my smartie side."
"So, to restore your hope and gave you any chance to fulfill your destiny, I need to return to my previous state. ...I don't think it's possible."
"Why? ...you don't want to have a battle in center of the mind, like in the comics?"
"No. I just don't know how to do it."
"So we will have to share the body or what?"
"It's not a solution."
"Yeah, I'm crazy enough without some kind of mind-mate."
"Quite. And throwing me out is not a option too."
"Hey, I wouldn't throw myself out of my mind. I mean, I do it sometimes, but..."
"Just give me a few seconds to see what I can do."
"Okie-dokie-lokie."
For a moment Pinkie felt like everything was fading away like she was just fading into dream. She yawned, shook her head and waited for response from her other side.
"Pinkie, I believe I have a solution. Our problem is that as two personalities, each working independently from other one, we can't be working efficiently. Preferred solution would be that one of would became dominant and other dormant. I tried to achieve it in two ways, both failed. Neither of us can't became dormant personality. Neither of us can't force other to became dormant. We are equals in rights and power. That leaves with last option."
"And that is?"
"Became one. Fuse ourselves. Then we will have my intelligence and optimism, your charisma and sense of humor, and few other traits."
"But... I will stop being me."
"Same here, but not really. You will be me and I will be you. We will be singular I. I know it's complicated, but... I know! Pinkie, think about taste. Imagine that you have two tastes and when you mix them you get another one, which is both of former two, and yet something new. It is going happen to us."
"It's weird..."
"Just trust me. If you can't trust yourself, then who could be trusted?"
"Okie-dokie but how we can do it? It's not like there is some kind of fusion dance."
"Unfortunately, it's not a Japonese comic... I think the problem is we perceive ourselves too differently."
"What do you mean?"
"We are different. Maybe if we admit our differences, we can overcome them."
"But how we can see them?"
"I don't know, you are the pony one."
"Hey, It sounds mean."
"Well, ponies are better at spotting differences than changelings, aren't they?"
"I think so but you could say it different."
"It's not a bad thing. Ability to see differences between similar things is as useful as noticing similarities at differing things. I mean..."
"Like sugar and salt? They are white and shining, but one of them is salty and other sweet! ...other way around, sugar is sweet, not salty. Weird, salt is sweet too, if not eating too much of it."
"Yes, something like that. So it means I'm well, you pure changeling, and you are, well..."
"Ponyling? Changeony?""
"First one sounds better. Let's call you ponyling then."
"Okay, other one! You are thinking things out, when I have feelings and hunches."
"Do you realize that I was probably these haunches, right? "
"Shhhh, me. You know what I'm thinking."
"Hm... sounds about right. You are basing your actions on emotions and intuition when I prefer to think out solution, and then call out to intuition or feelings. So, using my 'smartness' I noticed some strange pattern in you behavior. When somepony wants an explanation of your action you gave them a whole bunch of nonsense mixed with sensible explanation. You don't lie, you just confuse them. I would understand using this to protect our identity, but..."
"Non sequitur."
"Why you are suddenly using Latin? I mean, what you said could be used to describe what I just described... Ancestors!"
"What?"
"If I'm correct, and I think I am because I'm 'smartie' one... Yes, I think it's working. You are getting pieces of me, and vice versa."
"I'm not feeling any different. Nevertheless, to answer you question, I dunno. It just feels safer to answer them like that. I mean, It's 'just Pinkie Pie'. If I suddenly started to make sense, they would be thinking some changeling took my place."
"Ironic, isn't it?"
"Not my sense of humor."
"Neither mine. Chryssi was ironic and sarcastic type when I preferred practical jokes and general mischief."
"Noling was safe."
"And nopony is safe. Well, I don't see too many differences here... except you are more absurd."
"What fun is there in making sense?"
"Please, don't quote him."
"Well, he did had a point."
"Don't be silly pants! ...did I just said that?"
"Oh, I spotted another disparity! Hey, these new words are funny! I mean, they are so smart, and stuffy, and they make sense!"
"New words? I think you just absorbed parts of my knowledge as I took few of you catchphrases. It seems the differences between me... us are vanishing. We are becoming more and more alike. I wonder... By the way, what's the point of word without sense? It would be only hollow sound. Silly."
"Not really, because it could have emotion in it. Squee is not a real word, and you can feel meaning of it. Anyway, I spotted another difference, and it's related to what I was talking about. You are hiding your emotions."
"Don't you? Pinkamena..."
"It's different. You are just... restrained, I think?"
"And you are showing your excitement too often. It can be irritating and nopony will treat you seriously."
"Right! But I discovered that controlling your emotions is not fun and nopony trusts somepony who isn't behaving like next pony. Wait, I complicated it too much. Ponies, and probably all of the sentients believe someone who is someone like them... Still too..."
"I get it. So, We... I should be more open with showing emotions."
"Well, and I should try to be not too excited. Anything more?"
"I... I'm not sure. I have hard time to differ myself from you. I think that when we are becoming so close I are... Our streams of thoughts are crossing each other and merging. I think I am close."
"It's funny! I was afraid about this, and now I feel... good. Better than ever even. Like there was something I never realized I was missing. It's like... I know. You know what I'm talking about."
"How do I feel about Chrysalis?"
"Weird question, she is my sister!"
"Yes, but she exiled me!"
"She did it for the good reasons."
"Really? I don't think so."
"She did. At least she thought she did. I can't hate her..."
"I can."
"Not really."
"No, but I feel resentment."
"I forgave her."
"I will remember what she did it to me."
"I forgave her."
"Yes, to forgive but not to forget. I can stand behind it."
"I... Who am I?"
"Pinkie Pie and Metamorphosis."
"It's too mouthful."
"Morph Pie?"
"Nah, punny. Pink Metamorhphosis."
"Too long."
"Metamorphosis Pinkamina Diana Pie."
"Long, but... sounds good. Proper form would be Methamorphosis The Second Pinkamina Diana Pie. It sounds royal."
"I am me. Still me. New olds me."
"Metamorphosis is complet~e!"