//------------------------------// // Old Friends // Story: Forever a Shapeshifter // by MidnightInkpaw //------------------------------// Iris awoke to the sound of hooves on concrete and the cell door opening. She opened her eyes to greet the dim light that came from outside her cell. At first, she thought it was Twilight coming to visit again, but the figure was shorter and had a buttery yellow coat. At that, Iris realised who it was. "U-um, hello there. My name is Fluttershy." Her suspicions were confirmed. It was indeed her childhood friend. Rainbow Dash wanted to greet Fluttershy in how Rainbow would normaly, but then she remembered. She wasn't Rainbow Dash, she was Iris. So, she greeted her as if she and Fluttershy had never met. "Oh, hello Fluttershy." After that, there was an awkward silence as Fluttershy averted her gaze to the ground. Fluttershy was never the one to start a conversation, Dash knew that all too well. She wanted to encourage her to be a little more assertive, but that might come off as confusing to her since she doesn't know that this changeling was Rainbow Dash. Then there was that question at the back of her mind and decided to bring it forth. "So, why are you down here? I was expecting Twilight since I didn't think anypony else would want to talk to me." Iris started. Fluttershy looked back at the creature in the cell, lifting her head. "O-oh, i-if you want, I can go get Twilight now. It was The Princess's idea for us to... get to know you better. But i-it's fine if you don't want to." Fluttershy said as she turned to leave. "No!" Iris exclaimed. After realising the tone of her voice, she started again. "No, you can stay. I-I... would like to get to know you too." Though it sounded more like a question than answer. It was a good thing that changelings had been born to put up an act better than ponies. Even half-changelings. Fluttershy turned back to Iris who smiled lightly which elected a smile from Fluttershy. "Okay, I'll stay if you want." Iris sighed in relief. "Great. It has been a little..." She trailed off, looking for the right word. "Lonely?" Fluttershy offered. Iris shrugged. "Close enough. Speaking of which, don't you ever get lonely sometimes?" Fluttershy looked at her quizzically. "What do you mean? I mean, sure I get lonely sometimes during the winter," Rainbow winced at an unpleasant memory. "but I still have my friends. They even invite me for sleepovers without me asking. Everytime I doubt myself, the kindness my friends have shown me have made me more confident in myself." Iris took over once more. "Wow, friends are really that great huh?" She asked. Some part of her knew the answer, yet she wanted to know what Fluttershy thought. Her initial answer was, "I'm glad you've become more confident in yourself. Our friends are awesome." Although, that was Rainbow's response. "Oh, yes. I don't know where I would be without them. I've learned so much ever since we became the Elements of Harmony. It's brought me and my friends closer." Fluttershy said, lost in the memories. "So, how did you meet them? Those five ponies?" Iris asked, pretending not to know. Fluttershy thought for a moment, bringing a hoof to her muzzle. "Well, I met Twilight on the day before the 1000th Summer Sun Celebration. Umm, you know about that event, right?" Iris nodded. "Oh, ok. I met her while I was rehearsing for the celebration and I met Applejack and Rarity during the celebration. When I met Pinkie Pie, I had just moved to Ponyville. I was buying the cottage near the Everfree Forest when she saw me and threw a party in my honor. I was so surprised and frightened, I left when the party barely started. Though, it was very nice of her to do such a thing, I feel bad for not staying after the work she put into planning it." Fluttershy paused. "Then there was Rainbow Dash." Iris flinched visibly which was caught by Fluttershy. "Maybe they do regret what they did." Fluttershy thought before apologising. "I-I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable." "It's fine. I guess, you could say I'm used to it." Rainbow said, looking down. "Do you want to talk about it?" Fluttershy asked. Iris thought for a while but decided against it. She shook her head a few moments later. "No. I don't." Fluttershy nodded. "It's alright." Silence followed. Fluttershy thought about what the changeling had said. What happened to them in the past that hurt them that bad. Did it have something to do with replacing Rainbow Dash? She wanted to ask again so badly, but she knew better than to disturb somepony, or changeling's, privacy. She also wanted to ask about what happened to Rainbow Dash, where they had taken her. But seeing that just bringing up the mare's name had harmed the changeling that bad, bringing up the reason she was in the cell to begin with may not be the best way to approach. "Umm, i-is it alright if we can be friends?" Fluttershy asked steadily. Iris looked at her with a slight mix of shock and joy. "Why would you be friends with me? After all, I was the one who..." Iris couldn't finish. Fluttershy looked at her as if she was expecting it. "Yes, that may be true. But throughout the whole time I talked with you, you have shown no sign of wanting to harm or any aggression towards me or my friends. And plus, you have that regretful look in your eyes. Whether or not you regret replacing our friend or maybe something else, it has to have something to do with this incident." Fluttershy explained then looked at Iris with a forgiving expression. "I think that you, at least, deserve a second chance." Iris, nor Rainbow, knew how to react. So, she just stood there in shock, a small smile threatening to form. "Y-you wa-nt to give me a s-second chance?" She was able to splutter out. Fluttershy nodded sincerely. Iris's smile broke out into a big grin. If it wasn't for the iron bar door, Fluttershy would be in for a big hug. Instead, she was able to choke out a 'Thank you' as a tear ran down her face. "You're welcome, Iris." Fluttershy said. She swore Iris's smile grew at the mention of the name. Fluttershy giggled before a thought entered her mind. "Oh, by the way, what is you gender? No offence, but my friends are curious." She asked sheepishly. Iris put a hoof to her muzzle. What should she say? She knew fully that she was female, but the whole being a changeling thing made it slightly confusing. She would be lying if she said male so that was out of the question. Being called a 'they' or 'it' didn't feel right either so she decided to be honest. "Female. I kinda get confused with it too." "Oh, ok. I hope I'll see you again." Fluttershy smiled. "This was quite the experience, befriending a changeling. Oh, uh, no offence." Iris smiled. "None taken."