The changeling emitted a quiet sob of pain. It lay curled up at the base of a large oak tree, directly underneath a large indentation in the tree’s trunk. One of its wings bent at an irregular angle, and the changeling gingerly cradled its right foreleg close to its body. The turquoise light in its eyes seemed dimmed, as if the power normally infusing those eyes had unexpectedly run out.
Rarity looked down on the wounded changeling with both pity and revulsion. The familiar signs of a pony in pain seemed somehow distorted on the features of the changeling, creating a perverse mockery of an appalling sight. The translucent wing, as agonizingly broken as it appeared, still fluttered in an unnatural, insectile manner. The strange holes in the changeling’s legs made them misshapen in a way more fundamental than the injuries they bore. And Rarity could not suppress a twitch of repugnance in her stomach as she stared into those haunting orbs that lacked pupils. She stood frozen, immobilized by the strange reactions evoked by the sight of the changeling.
Fluttershy, of course, felt no such conflicting feelings; at least, she did not let such emotions get in the way of her helping a creature that was obviously suffering. She bent down to the whimpering changeling and patted its reflective black coat with a reassuring hoof. “It’s going to be alright,” she whispered. “I’m here to help you.”
The changeling feebly raised its head to look at Fluttershy. Its jaws parted slightly, and Rarity saw the gleam of its fangs wink in the forest sunlight. Suddenly uneasy, she took a step forward and opened her mouth to cry out a warning for Fluttershy. But then the changeling sagged back, curled its head into its body, and let out a low hiss of pain.
“Shh,” Fluttershy gently chided. “Don’t try to talk yet. Just lie here and rest for awhile. I’m going to treat your injuries and give you some medicine to ease the pain, ok?”
The changeling gave a slight jerk of its head that resembled a weak nod. Its tense body loosened a little, though the occasional shudder of pain still shook it.
Fluttershy looked over at should at Rarity and pointed a hoof to her right. She spoke in a calm but authoritative voice. “Back there I left a bag of medical supplies in a clearing where some birds are sleeping on a blanket. Please find it and bring it here.”
Rarity gave her friend a slight frown. “Are you quite sure it is necessary to—”
Rarity clamped her mouth shut when Fluttershy narrowed her eyes at her. Fluttershy bore that rare look indicating it would most unwise to argue with the normally agreeable pegasus. Not wishing to upset her friend, Rarity quickly set off into the forest at a brisk trot.
As she walked, Rarity reflected on this unexpected change of events. Just the previous day, she had bid farewell to Coco Pommel and boarded a train for Ponyville. Business was thriving for her store in Manehattan, so much so that it required a larger venue to meet the demands of an expanding enterprise. She and Coco had spent the last two and a half months organizing the transition of Rarity for You to its new location. After a successful opening of the new store last week, it had come time for Rarity to return home briefly before setting out on her next business venture.
Early that morning, the train had stopped in the small town of Hollow Shades. Recalling that Fluttershy was living in the woods nearby, Rarity had decided to pay her friend a surprise visit. After all, Rarity did not know when she would next get a chance to see Fluttershy, what with how busy she was these days managing her boutiques. A quiet afternoon of sharing a cup of tea sounded most appealing: they could catch up and reminisce about the days when they were two simple mares in Ponyville.
Rarity certainly had not expected to find Fluttershy under attack by a group of changelings.
Nor had she dreamed of finding a hurt changeling that almost invoked a sense of compassion in her. It seemed unnatural, in a way, to experience such an emotion in regards to one of their greatest enemies. Rarity could distinctly recall the invasion of Canterlot during the royal wedding, the confusion of a grand social event suddenly becoming a fight for the fate of Equestria. She remembered the firm smack of her hoof against a changeling’s face as she relished the opportunity to defend herself and her friends from the invaders. Not to mention the fact that it just felt so satisfying to get in a fight now and then.
After a short time of walking, Rarity found the clearing of which Fluttershy had spoken. She delicately stepped around the birds sleeping peacefully on the blanket laid out for them. Leaning against the trunk of a tree on the far side of the temporary animal hospital was the bag of medicine. Using her magic to place the bag on her back, Rarity silently departed to head back to Fluttershy.
Of course Fluttershy would drop everything to help a wounded creature, even if that creature was a changeling. Never mind the fact that one had tried to attack her only a few minutes previously, and had only been driven off by Rarity’s intervention. Fluttershy had not hesitated to help the moment she saw a need.
Rarity, on the other hoof, did not entirely feel Fluttershy’s desire to help. Or perhaps more precisely, the feeling was weighed against other concerns. What was a group of changelings doing in an Equestrian forest in the first place? The efforts one of the changelings had put into locating and attempting to hurt a harmless, cowering pegasus seemed to indicate hostile intentions. Was the injured changeling, whom Fluttershy so wanted to heal, an enemy of Equestria? Moreover, should not Fluttershy and Rarity return to Ponyville or Canterlot immediately, to see if their assistance was required in repelling another threat to ponykind?
Not to mention the fact that no matter how Rarity tried to ignore the peculiar sentiment, aiding a changeling simply felt wrong to her.
Rarity spotted Fluttershy’s bright mane contrasted against the more subdued tones of the forest undergrowth. She hurried over and dropped the bag of supplies next to Fluttershy. The pegasus had lain down next to the changeling, while continuing to pat its back and offer words of comfort. Upon Rarity’s return, Fluttershy dove her free hoof into the bag and searched for the medicine she needed.
Rarity stood to the side watching as Fluttershy efficiently began to bandage the changeling’s wounds. She set the bent wing in a splint and wrapped a sling around the injured foreleg. She dabbed medicine on the myriad of cuts and bruises that covered the changeling’s body. Lastly, Fluttershy coaxed the changeling to open its mouth and take a couple of pills. Throughout the entire process, the changeling lay quietly, offering no resistance to Fluttershy’s actions and displaying no signs of opposition or aggression. Once Fluttershy had finished, the changeling curled up into a ball and closed its eyes to rest. It breathed more peacefully in sleep than it had before.
Fluttershy got to her hooves and joined Rarity in removed contemplation of the changeling, watching the changeling sleep for a while without comment. When it appeared she was satisfied, Fluttershy turned to address Rarity.
“Thank you for retrieving the medicine,” she said in her characteristically caring voice. “I hated to leave the changeling while she was in so much pain.”
Rarity offered no response. Instead, she continued to observe the changeling’s slumbering form. After a lengthy pause, Rarity finally responded, “Think nothing of it. I would never hesitate to refuse a friend’s request.”
Fluttershy let out a quiet breath. It sounded suspiciously similar to a sigh of relief. “Oh, good. I was afraid you would be mad at me for wanting to help a changeling.”
Rarity considered her words carefully before speaking. “I am not mad, per se, merely cautious. After all, this changeling was part of a group that not only infiltrated Equestria, but seemed to go out of its way to target you.”
Though it was barely noticeable, Fluttershy retreated slightly behind the concealing vale of her mane. “What do you mean?”
“Think about it.” Rarity looked in the direction of the clearing where the battle between the changelings and the royal guard had taken place. “The changelings were outnumbered and ambushed. Most of them understandably fled. Yet one took the time to lure you out of the bushes and attack you. Why else would it do so, unless you were of importance to it?”
“So you’re saying those changelings were after…me?” Fluttershy whimpered.
“Perhaps,” Rarity acknowledged calmly. “It does seem strange that a group of changelings happened to be wandering an uninhabited forest so close to where you were.”
Fluttershy looked back at the sleeping changeling, the beginnings of a tear forming in her eye. “So you think the changeling I just treated was trying to capture me?”
Worried at her friend’s response, Rarity moved closer and laid a hoof behind Fluttershy’s neck. “I am afraid it seems likely, Fluttershy. We must at least entertain the possibility.” She lightly massaged Fluttershy’s back as she mustered the courage to speak what she knew she must say next. “Perhaps it would be better if we were to leave the changeling here and return to your house. You’ve done plenty for it, already.”
The muscles in Fluttershy’s back tensed up. Her head drooped slightly as she said, almost too quiet to hear, “I can’t.” Fluttershy swallowed and continued with increasing vigor, “She’s still so weak, and won’t be able to move for several hours. I don’t want a wild animal coming by and scaring her before she’s strong enough to protect herself.”
“She?” Despite herself, Rarity let her curiosity slip out.
“Oh, yes.” Fluttershy nodded. “It can be hard to tell the difference, but—”
Rarity gently interrupted Fluttershy’s explanation. “I do not doubt you can tell, but, frankly, I did not even realize changelings had genders. Regardless, I must insist we go back to your home. It will be dark soon, and I have no intention of spending the night out in the woods.”
Fluttershy said nothing. Instead, she bent down and touched a hoof to the sleeping changeling’s forehead. After a moment’s debate, she stood back up and looked at Rarity. “You go on ahead. I’d like to stay and make sure she’s alright.”
Sighing a little to herself, Rarity took a step forward. “Please, dear. She will be fine. We need to get packed and ready to leave for Ponyville.”
“Leave?” Fluttershy questioned. Her gaze dropped to the sleeping changeling.
“Yes,” affirmed Rarity. “We must find Twilight and our other friends, so we can decide what to do about the presence of changelings in Equestria.”
Fluttershy trembled slightly. She looked at the changeling, then up at Rarity, and then back in the direction of her bird hospital. Letting out a slow breath, she said, “I will go with you in the morning. Tonight, though, I will sleep out here.” She fished through her bag and pulled out a key. “If you want to sleep in my hut, you’re more than welcome to.”
For a long moment, Rarity stared blankly at the key. Fluttershy stared back with intense determination, a solemn expression of finality on her face. The two stood there, motionless, as Rarity fought with herself.
Eventually, she conceded. Rarity dipped her head and said, “If you want to.” Fluttershy nodded earnestly. “In that case, I suppose I shall keep you company, and make sure the changeling does not do anything to harm you.” She grabbed the key in her magic, and Fluttershy let her hoof drop in surprise. “Let me bring some food back for the two of us, and then we can sleep here tonight.” Rarity suppressed the feeling of distaste coursing through her body. Before Fluttershy could say anything, and before she lost her resolve, Rarity set off into the forest. She walked a few steps, but then she stopped and looked back over her shoulder.
“Fluttershy?” she asked timidly, embarrassed her behavior. “Which way, precisely, is your home?”
Rarity carefully arranged a thick pile of blankets on the ground. She telekinetically brushed aside a few stray leaves and smoothed out the top blanket. If she was going to sleep out in the wilderness that night, she would at least make sure she was decently comfortable. A few more layers ought to be enough to keep her from feeling the hard clumps of dirt beneath her.
Twirling three blankets around her with her magic, Rarity considered her options. All three clashed with the colors of the ones already laid out. Still, supposing that sacrifices had to be made when roughing it out in the woods, Rarity ordered the blankets in the least offensive combination and placed them on top of the pile. She shifted them slightly to make sure they were centered. Stepping back to admire her work, Rarity smiled. Perhaps she could sleep decently that night after all.
That grin faded as she stole a glance back in the direction of Fluttershy and the changeling. Apart from a brief supper, Fluttershy had not left its side. She had continued to tend for the changeling, covering it while it slept and feeding it some food when it had woken.
Now, though, it was time for Fluttershy to rest. Stepping lightly, Rarity went to tell her. She halted, however, when she heard the pleasant whisper of voices.
“Would your wing still hurt if you transformed into an earth pony?” Fluttershy inquired.
A weak voice answered her. It came with a subtle hissing noise, as if the mouth speaking could not help but emit such sounds as it tried to form words. Otherwise, the voice sounded soft and female. “I don’t know. I’ve never tried to change while injured.”
“Would you be up for trying?” Fluttershy asked. “If you’re feeling strong enough, that is,” she quickly amended.
“I…I think so.” The changeling wavered, but ended with confidence.
From where she stood, Rarity could not make out the changeling’s form. But she clearly saw the flash of green light against the darkening sky. Intrigued, Rarity moved forward among the trees to get a better view of the changeling and see what appearance it had taken.
Peering out between a pair of slender saplings, Rarity beheld the transformed changeling. The slight body of a young earth pony mare lay curled in the grass. A thin, untidy mane of light gray hair covered her head. Her coat was dazzling silver, reflecting the light of the rising moon with surprising intensity. A simple horseshoe cutie mark—one that Rarity had seen on many other ponies all over Equestria—finished the image.
“Well?” Fluttershy tenderly prodded.
The mare shifted slightly, twisting around as she got used to her new form. “This feels odd. There is still a slight ache in my back, where the wing would connect, but the pain has lessened, I think.”
“Oh, that’s good to hear,” Fluttershy said. “That will help you rest easier tonight.” She reached across and pulled a blanket over the changeling. “I think it’s time for both of us to get some sleep.” Fluttershy stood up.
Rarity backed away, ready to turn in now that she was sure Fluttershy would not stay up to late. She retraced her path back to her makeshift bed, already thinking of collapsing into the serenity of dreams.
“Um, I’d like to ask you something, if you don’t mind,” Rarity heard Fluttershy say as the unicorn tucked herself in to bed. “Do you have a name?”
Rarity perked up, listening intently for the changeling’s answer. For a long time, no reply came, and Rarity almost nodded off to sleep as the silence stretched uncomfortably. Finally, the changeling whispered a simple, “No.”
“Oh.” The surprise and concern was evident in Fluttershy’s voice. “Well, would it be alright if I came up with one? At least one I could use when talking to you, that is.”
The changeling must have nodded, for Rarity did not hear any response, but Fluttershy began to hum in thought. Had she any energy left to think, Rarity would have wondered at the changeling’s lack of a name and immediately put all of her creative efforts into fashioning the perfect moniker for the poor changeling.
Instead, weariness overtook Rarity at last and she drifted off to sleep. The last thing she heard, as sleep washed over her, was Fluttershy’s voice as she reached a decision.
“May I call you Mirror Coat?”