//------------------------------// // Badly kept secret // Story: A Shift Of Life // by World Trotter //------------------------------// Chapter 5 They all just stood there quietly staring at each other. Spike would not take his eyes off of the changeling standing right in front of him. He started to slowly walk away to the back door, his eyes never leaving the changeling. “Sweetie Belle…” He said glancing over towards her, with a very nervous look upon his face, “...that’s just your friend in a changeling costume right?” he finished trying to play it off as a joke. Shift just stood there with a confused look on his face “What’s a costume?” Upon hearing that Spike started to sweat slightly and started to breathe a little heavier than normal “He’s joking right?” starting to seem very nervous about the situation. Sweetie Belle tried to play cool and keep calm to prevent Spike from running out and screaming, she slowly began to walk towards Shift putting on a light smile looking at Spike. Spike’s instincts told him to run outside and get help from Twilight and her friends but his fear got the best of him as he started to hyperventilate. His breathing began to slow a little before he fell forward and past out on the floor. Sweetie Belle then walked over to Spike “Well that could have gone better.” She said trying to pick up his unconscious body and drag it out of the kitchen Shift walked up to her and started to help drag him “Seriously though, what is a costume?” He asked once again. Sweetie Belle just rolled her eyes and smiled before stifling a laugh “You still have a lot to learn about being a pony” she stated as they reached the stairs ______________________________________________________________________________ After a few hours Spike finally came to as his vision slowly began to clear as he heard voices. “Explain to me again what happened to him?” he heard a male voice ask. “Sometimes when somepony is shocked or surprised by something they will faint which is like unexpectedly going to sleep.” he heard a female voice answer. When his vision finally cleared up he saw Sweetie belle looking down at him along with the changeling from before. He then sat up and yelled in surprise before Sweetie put her hoof on him. “It’s okay calm down.” She said as he looked around and saw he was in her bedroom on her bed. “I want an explanation, now please.” He asked looking at the two of them. Sweetie then removed her hoof and looked at Shift before sighing. “Long story-short, Shift here helped me get out of the everfree forest the other day, then was running from timberwolves before finding himself here. I let him stay the night in secret and didn’t tell Rarity so she wouldn’t scream. Then he explained he was banished for helping a family of ponies during the canterlot invasion. And finally i showed him around town today and that is what brings us here.” she explained as Spike took in every little detail eyeing Shift from time to time frightening him. “Okay so this changeling here is friendly?” Spike said gesturing his hand towards Shift receiving a nod from her. “Well first time i heard of something like this.” Spike said with a little smile on his face. “So does this mean you won’t tell anypony i'm here?” Shift asked obviously shaking as Sweetie Belle lightly hugged him to calm him down. Spike thought about it for a moment before saying “If Sweetie Belle is okay with hugging you then you’re probably okay.” he said making Shift sigh in relief. “However I don’t completely trust you yet, I won’t tell anyone you’re here, but you should stay out of trouble.” he finished. “Oh um o-okay” Shift responded shyly making Sweetie chuckle. He then stook out his hoof full of holes “My name’s Shift.” After a minute Spike reached over with his claw and shook it “I’m Spike.” “You might want to get to know him better Spike, he may need a guy friend.” Sweetie said walking right next to Spike. “What’s a guy friend?” Shift asked looking at both of them, before they both started to laugh out loud making Shift more confused. “Okay, okay” Spike said to calm himself down “I’ll get to know him, he needs more than just you for help it seems.” he finished before getting off the bed. Then they all heard hoofsteps coming up the stairs, Sweetie and Spike then signaled Shift to duck down. He dove to the ground right as the door was opened by Rarity. “I’m back Sweetie belle, oh and hello Spike.” she greeted just noticing Spike was still here. “Hi Rarity.” Spike said slightly nervous “me and Sweetie belle were just talking.” he said rubbing the back of his neck. “Okay then, I’m going to go to bed Sweetie, i just had a very long day today. I hope you’ll understand.” Rarity said looking over to Sweetie belle. “Oh it’s fine” she said before she yawned “i was going to hit the hay as well.” she responded smiling. “Okay goodnight.” rarity said cheerfully before closing the door. “I better get going Twilight might wonder where i am.” Spike said as he approached the door. “Okay bye Spike.” Shift said waving his hoof at him. “See ya Spike.” Sweetie waved her hoof as well before he left the room. “We should go to sleep, we also had quite a day.” She said getting under her bed covers. “Okay, and should we try better to make sure ponies don’t find me out?” Shift asked getting in his little blanket on the ground. “It will be a little easier now that we have a dragon on our side. Goodnight.” She said before closing her eyes. “Goodnight.” he responded closing his bug like eyes as well.