//------------------------------// // The Suprise // Story: Love is a Changeling // by Dreamscape //------------------------------// Although Fluttershy was rather hesitant to return to her humble cottage that afternoon, she felt her legs moving at a quicker pace than her usual gait. Her muscles were already strained from her day and her eyes tired. Yet those glazed eyes still darted nervously to and fro as she neared the house. From the outside, all was silent and peaceful as ever. Birds chirped happily in the trees surrounding the cottage, squirrels scurried across the path leading to the door, and a variety of insects hung low in the air. It was as if it was a normal afternoon like any other, but she knew it would not be. Her movements grew slower and slower as she neared the door until she eventually came to a stop, thoughts rushing through her mind, both good and bad. She let out a soft sigh and then masked a gulp before putting the slightest of smiles on her face and pushing the door open. “I’m here. I’m so sorry I was a bit late, I…” she froze halfway through the door. That glaze of a long day in her eyes vanished and was replaced with a shimmering vibrancy as they grew wide at the sight before them. Standing in the middle of the room was a changeling, the insectoid plating that covered its body a nightmarish black in contrast with the warm and comforting colors of her home. Jutting out from either side of its mouth was a pair of sharp white fangs, polished and glimmering in the sun that poured through the windows. From its sides came a pair of paper thin, translucent wings tinted with a sickening blue-green. Jagged holes covered its legs, giving them a misshapen appearance. Its pupil-less eyes were pointed directly at her, glowing a hazy, cold artic blue. Above them was a horn as sharp as its fangs, only adding to its menacing nature. Fluttershy was so startled by the Changeling in her home, she made no note of the fear in those eyes which to her seemed soulless. It was actually even more afraid than she was. Only the slightest movement of the changeling’s mouth opening caused Fluttershy to turn and bolt. She cared little of whether it was being opened to speak or attack, she simply knew that she needed to get away from the creature. With trembling shrieks, she galloped away, her hooves fumbling over themselves and tripping over the many obtrusions covering the ground, whether it be a slightly elevated mound or a rock nested within the thick grass. She had little time to concentrate on her gallop because she was instead focused on a plan. She had to get to Ponyville and alert her friends to the presence of the creature, whether that was by telling them or witnessing it themselves it if it so happened to continue the chase. She refused to look back to find out. She wondered if it was the only one or if there were more. Was it only a scout or part of a larger invasion force? Her fear only grew when thoughts of Sunny’s surprise returned to her mind. Was he okay? What had the changeling done with him? She saw no sign of the pony inside her home, and was sure he or the changeling would have done something about one another’s presence. Her brow furrowed and her pace slowed for just a moment as she thought of an outcome that was perhaps even worse. Rainbow Dash had warned her about the stallion. She was beginning to wonder whether or not she was right all along. Had Sunny Skies sent the changeling to her, was that his surprise all along? She tried her hardest to shake the thought from her mind. He had no reason for doing such a thing, no motive whatsoever. She knew that he could not be cruel enough to do such a thing, but what if the stallion she knew was all a lie? If his amnesia was false, then he did seem rather persistent on hiding his past, having never said a word of it to her. Rainbow Dash was right, she was an incredibly naïve pony and could have easily fallen prey to such a lie, one which took advantage of her caring nature. A familiar voice suddenly filled her ears, causing all of such thoughts to vanish. “Sunny?” she gasped breathlessly, both out of exhaustion and a sudden burst of hope. What little hope she had was torn into shreds as she turned on her hind hoof and skidded to a halt, only to see the devilish creature racing towards her, its insect wings buzzing relentlessly as it pushed its way through the air. She whimpered weakly as she turned and ran once more. “Fluttershy, wait, please. It’s me, Sunny Skies” she heard in the same voice. “No, no it’s not!” she hollered back. “Where is he? What have you done with him? …And don’t you dare steal his voice like that!” She skidded to another stop and whipped around once more, her bangs flipping up over her eyes. Even covered by her pink bangs, her glowering was so intense that the changeling’s wings slowed to a stop and it landed a distance away, not moving forward another inch. Fluttershy gritted her teeth and growled beneath her breath. “Tell me! I swear if you hurt him… oh, I will do some… very bad things to you!” “F-fluttershy…. please don’t do that. It’s me… it’s me.” “I’m not going to believe you, even if you change yourself to look like him. Either tell me where he is or go away… before I do something I regret… s-something you regret.” “No, this really is me. You just… have to believe me,” the changeling said as it slowly and cautiously drew closer. “No!” Fluttershy growled. “…I… I’ll prove it,” the changeling paused and let out a sigh before speaking. “When I first met you, you found me stumbling out of the forest. You were so kind and caring, but I was afraid all of that would change if I didn’t lie to you… so… so I did. I never had amnesia like you believed, like I encouraged you to think. I’m not Sunny Skies or anyone close to the stallion you thought I was. This is me... a horrible, disgusting, evil changeling.” “Then why… why are you here?” Fluttershy muttered weakly as he drew closer still, tears forming in her eyes. “Are you here for my friends and I? Are you using me to get close to Twilight? Are you a spy, an assassin, what?” she pushed out weakly before she began to sob. She turned her face to the ground, no longer wanting to stare at the pony, or changeling she thought she knew. Tears dripped down onto the blades of grass beneath, pulling some down as they hung off their tips before falling into the sea of green. “I’m not here for anything like that. I promise.” Fluttershy struggled to push out painful words between her sobs. “Then…. just… tell me why… y-you’re here. Why did you do this to me?” “No, it’s not like what you think. It’s not anything like that at all. I ran away from the hive. I’m not here for them, I’m here because of them, on my own. Fluttershy lifted her head just slightly, her vision of the changeling blurred with the tears that drowned her eyes. “I couldn’t live like that. I just couldn’t, especially after hearing the stories of ponies and Equestria. The other changelings talked about this place and you ponies like it was the most disgusting thing they had ever witnessed, but whenever I heard the tales, I… I dreamed of this place, of being a pony and living life here instead. “Okay… I… um… I think I believe you,” Fluttershy muttered weakly as she used the tip of her hoof to wipe the tears from her eyes, trying her best to calm her sobs as well. “If you weren’t acting the whole time, and this really is who you are then I can trust you. I mean, you look different… but you’re the same pony… er… um, I’m sorry, changeling I knew all along, aren’t you?” “Yes, Fluttershy, I really am. I have a past that I hid from you, but I’m the same me I’ve always been.” “Um, what’s your real name?” He sighed and shook his head. “Well, I don’t really have one. That’s how it works back there. I’m not even me, I’m just a part of the hive. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to leave. All we are there is part of a machine, all working for the queen and not having our own individual lives. Our lives are only being a part of that machine… and here, well, here you’re all so unique and individual. You praise one another for your cutie marks, these things that make you stand out from the other ponies and tell you how special your talents really are. And I’m just nobody, nothing, just a servant, a drone, a tool. I hate it. So many of us have this idea that if we dedicate our lives to the queen that we’ll be rewarded, that we’ll live a good life, but that’s not true at all. There is no reward for serving the queen, you’re just a part of the machine for your whole life.” “That sounds awful,” Fluttershy gasped softly. “Then you understand why I left.” “I do… I’m so sorry. No changeling should be forced to live a life like that.” “Thank you for being so good to me, Fluttershy, for making my dreams about this place come true. So far it’s been all I’ve ever wanted and more because of you. I really hope that you’ll still be able to trust me, and that you treat me the same even though you know the truth. You’re so kind, considerate, and caring that I think you will, but I’m still afraid. So afraid that I’ve been lying this whole time.” “Of course I will. I’ll help you too, in any way that I can. I’ll help you adjust, have a life here. I promise.” “That’s good to hear. I’m sure you understand why I held off telling you the truth for so long. I should’ve realized you’d be so considerate about all of this though. Thank you.” “Mhm, I’m here to help, Sunny… er, um… I mean…” “Yes, Sunny Skies, that’s my name now,” the changeling replied with a soft smile, the fangs protruding from his mouth seeming much less threatening than they originally had. Fluttershy smiled back, no longer afraid to look at him. Knowing who he was, his entire appearance seemed grow brighter and happier. He certainly was no pony, but he was no longer the menacing creature she had originally believed him to be. “Don’t worry, I won’t look like this for long. I have to go back to blending in,” he said, noticing her gaze. “It’ll be pretty strange having to continue my life as a pony, even if I feel more like one than a changeling.” “Hmm, maybe you won’t have to,” Fluttershy replied, her smile growing. “I have a feeling I will,” he said weakly. “You were so afraid of me, and I’m sure you’re more understanding than most ponies. Just think about how afraid they’ll be. I don’t want that. I understand why they would be afraid though. After all we changelings have done to you, it makes sense, invading you, capturing you, stealing you away from your families and feeding off your love in the harshest way possible, basically taking the life force right out of you,” he spit out in disgust. “In the harshest way? Can you, well, feed on us ponies or… others without bringing harm?” “Of course we can. We’re just too greedy. We feed on much more love than we need. We suck it right out of you, but in reality, we can take love like plants take in sun. I’ve been doing it this whole time, and let me tell you, you have plenty of love to give. You’ve been providing for me this whole time because of how caring you’ve been, because of everything you’ve done for me. Even though I started out as a stranger, you still treated me like a friend, family even, and more. Since then, that love has only been growing, and you’ve been making me healthier and happier with every day. You’ve been so worried about me eating, but you’ve been feeding me this whole time… I… I know that probably sounds a bit strange, maybe even scary to you, but that’s how it is.” “Um… no, I… I think I understand,” Fluttershy muttered in embarrassment, her cheeks growing redder and redder beneath her pale yellow fur. “Your love has been growing so strong lately that, I… I feel like you might have feelings for me that are more than that of just a caring friend. I’ve felt it, but now that you’ve seen the real me, I’m not sure anymore.” “I… um… um… um…” Fluttershy whispered beneath her breath, her cheeks growing even redder as her eyes darted to the ground, once again gazing at the bright green grass surrounding her hooves and swaying just slightly in the breeze. “It’s okay. You need some time to think,” Sunny said in a kind and understanding tone. “Just please don’t run away from me.” “... I already promised you I wouldn’t, and I won’t. I’m here for you,” Fluttershy said, her voice growing more confident, even if the expression on her face and rosy cheeks told the opposite. She returned her eyes to his and gazed into their icy blue depths. She had originally believed them to be soulless and empty, but now they seemed to be glowing bright with personality and joy. “…and… m-maybe, just maybe… I do feel something more,” Fluttershy whispered and then leaned in quickly with pursed lips, pressing them softly against his cheek before retreating. The changeling grinned, fully exposing his gleaming white fangs as his eyes widened, exposing the soul that lay behind them. Fluttershy giggled nervously as her eyes darted away once more. “Are you full now?” she teased. He laughed softly but blissfully. “There’s always room for more. It’ll work for now though.” “Hm, good.” “Yeah… Anyways, I guess we’ll have to start figuring things out then. I need to try to live a more normal life. I need to work, get a home, and all that.” “You already have a home and a job though,” Fluttershy said with a smile. “Um, that is if you’d like to continue working and living with me. I mean, it’s worked well so far. There’s no reason for that to change.” “Now that sounds amazing,” Sunny Skies replied happily, tapping his hooves excitedly against the earth beneath them and giving his wings a buzz. “But another obstacle we have to deal with is getting these other ponies used to me as a changeling if you really still think it’ll work.” “Oh yes, I do. It’ll just take some time. We’ll start by getting my friends used to the idea. They won’t only be the easiest to persuade but also with them trusting and befriending a changeling, I’m sure the rest of the townsponies will start to feel more comfortable with you around.” “But since you’re so close to them, I’m sure you’ll also have to tell them about our relationship… about us, well, being together. I’m sure that might make things a bit harder.” “Oh… oh my… um… I never said that we were… but…” Fluttershy let out in an embarrassed panic, her body giving a slight tremble before then relaxing. “…m-maybe we will have to deal with that too though. It’ll work out, I’m sure, even if they are a bit alarmed.” She looked up at the changeling and quickly covered her eyes with her bangs before giving him a loving smile. “I’m sorry for pushing it… I just, really want this, but please take your time to decide. Anyways, I think we’ve both had a pretty long day, you with your work and the scare I gave you, and me with all this worrying and wandering around I’ve been doing since this morning. Let’s head back to the cottage… and maybe I can make dinner for you?” “Um… maybe we can make it together?” Fluttershy asked, remembering the pancakes from that morning.