//------------------------------// // Aftermath // Story: Fortunate Misfortune // by OutOfTheBlue //------------------------------// I recently had the opportunity to secretly meet some of the changelings designated as an “infiltrator.” I have observed that the time spent among ponykind has changed them drastically. They are very self-sufficient and choose names for themselves. Some also claim to have close friendships with ponies and some even become romantically involved. I also was told by one that he was married to a pony and had three children. It turns out that changelings have been living amongst us and intermarrying with ponies for centuries. —Excerpt from Among the Shapeless by Wanderlust. —————————————— “Today I watered the flowers. At first I had been unsure if I liked flowers, but they have grown on me. Not literally of course, but I guess that also would be cool. The ponies in town have been very nervous since the invasion, and have been very suspicious of anyone new who shows up. Carrot Top and Redheart told me a group of ponies almost tackled the mares known as the ‘Elements of Harmony’ when they left the train station without letting themselves be questioned. All in all, it isn’t a great time to be a changeling.” “I have to be extremely on guard now, one slip up and the ponies will jump on me and lock me up. Changelings aren’t a big secret anymore. I heard from Carrot and Redheart that more and more changelings are being captured every day. Fortunately for me I have been in town since before the wedding, so the ponies hopefully won’t suspect me.” “Today I also learned that I get these things called ‘bits’ because I have a job, and that I can give them to ponies for food at stores. I bought cheese and peanut butter. They are very tasty.” “I also discovered that Spaghetti has been eating the mice that live in my house. That is fine with me because I don’t think mice are as tasty as cheese is. Umm... I don’t know what else to say, so I’ll just stop here.” I waited for something to happen as I stared at the book in front of me. Carrot Top had claimed that “journaling” ,or telling stuff to a book, is a fun and helpful thing to do. I don’t know why talking to a book would be helpful, but I was willing to try it. I shrugged before standing and heading towards the bathroom. It was time for me to fall asleep in the bath before going to bed. (Tomorrow) My legs shook as I stood on top of a box so I could reach the top shelf. I needed to store all the pots up here, but I couldn’t reach it without the box. I was on my last pot and was about to put it on the shelf when Redheart walked in. “Hey, Mirror!” “GYAAAH!” *Bump* *Smash* Redheart hurried over and helped me back up. She gave me a concerned look as she brushed pot fragments off of me. “You okay? I didn’t mean to startle you.” I shook my head and let my eyes realign. “Yeah, I’m fine. Having a pot land on your head hurts less than you’d think. Why are you here?” She smiled, “I’m here to get you for your checkup. You remember that I said I’d pick you up for it, right?” I scratched my head and tried to remember. “Uh... I think so? It was before the wedding, right?” She nodded. “Yep. Now let’s go, we can get lunch after. How does a hayburger sound?” “Okay. I’ll have to close the shop first.” She gave me a confused look. “Aren’t the flower mares back?” “Yeah, but they were a little on edge after the wedding and took the day off. Well... more than a day actually.” Redheart sighed, “I can’t blame them. Imagine if you had had to be around those gross changelings in Canterlot.” Don’t take it personally... don’t take it personally... don’t open your mouth. “Aretheyreallythatgross.” I slapped a hoof over my mouth and my face heated up. Redheart raised an eyebrow. “What?” I coughed, “Well... I, uh, saw a picture in the paper, and, uh, they don’t seem... that... nasty?” I sheepishly grinned as Redheart shook her head. “Really? Well, I guess I should expect that from somepony with a snake for a pet, but a massive bug that eats your love? Pretty gross in my book.” “Well... maybe they aren’t... all that bad?” Why am I still talking! I should just shut up! “Why are you defending them?” My eyes widened and sweat beaded on my neck. “I’m not! I’m just... saying that... maybe some... aren’t... evil?” “Why would you say that? They attacked Canterlot, kidnapped a princess, and tried to enslave us all!” Just stop talking me! Let it go! “But, you know, maybe some actually like ponies? Maybe they live with us and are friendly?” “So kidnapping an innocent pony and replacing them so you can steal the love of their friends and families is friendly to you?” “No! But, maybe they don’t always do that?” She shook her head. “Mirror, it’s sweet that you’re trying to see the nice in... those things, but they’re nothing more than evil monsters. The Royal Guard told us that much. So rather than trying to pretend their just like us, we need to keep an eye out for anypony acting weird so we can bring them to the Guard.” I sighed. “Okay.” I don’t know why I was upset about that, but I was. I mean, of course ponies hate changelings. I’ve known that for a while. I should just keep my head down and survive. Redheart sighed, “I’m sorry, Mirror. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. It’s just... I don’t want you or any of my friends to get hurt by creatures that pretend to be the ponies you care about. How about we just forget about this, okay?” “Yeah... okay.” It was about halfway to the hospital before we started talking again. I could tell she hadn’t been trying to upset me. She was just worried. But... so was I, although for different reasons. Upon reaching the hospital Redheart “checked me in” by talking to a pony at the desk before leading me to a room with a bed in it. “Have a seat.” I sat on the bed and Redheart walked over with a clipboard in her mouth. She sat on a stool and moved the clipboard to her hoof. “So, before I start, do you have any pains or concerns you want to tell me about?” I shook my head. She scribbled something before grabbed a weird thing. She clicked a button and a light came on before she stuck it in my ears. She hummed and said, “Looks normal. Shockingly normal too. How do you keep them so clean?” “Uh... I dunno.” “Hmm.” She then pressed something very cold against my back. “YeEAH!” Redheart snorted. “Oh please, it’s not that cold. Now, breath in.” *huUU* “And out.” *HUuu.* She then did the same thing but on my barrel. “Alright, sounds good. Now, let’s check your blood pressure.” She then stuck some thing around my foreleg and pumped a balloon. It went *pssssssh* and she hummed. “Huh, your blood pressure is a bit low, but not dangerously low. Now hop onto the scale so I can check your weight. Although, fair warning, I’m pretty sure you could stand to gain a few pounds.” I stood on some thing as she moved small pieces around. She stared at them for a bit before tapping them. “That can’t be right. Get off.” I did and she stepped on. She messed with the things again before giving me a startled look. “Mirror. We’re getting you a double cheeseburger with a large fry when we get lunch.” She sat me back down before grabbing a few little things. She tied a thing above my joint and rubbed it with some weird smelling cloth. “You’ll feel a little pinch.” “OW!” I yelped as she stabbed me with the thing. Soon she took it out and set it aside. “Alright, I’ll be back in a second.” A second turned out to be much more than that because I was waiting for a while. A few minutes later Redheart returned with her emotions odly messed up. She locked the door and gave me a lopsided smile. “H-hey, Mirror. Good news. Y... your test came back very... very good. I just need to run o-one more test. Now, lie down.” “Redheart, are you feeling okay? You look a little... sweaty.” She gulped and smiled as sweat dripped from her muzzle. “Yeah, fine. Just lie down.” I shrugged and complied. She slowly and shakily approached the bed before putting straps over my chest. “Uh... what kind of test is thi—“ She suddenly pounced on me and held one of those sharp things, except way bigger, in front of my face. “Alright, changeling. Where’s the real Mirror?” I went pale and stuttered, “Wh-a-wh-a-what?!” She moved the thing closer. “Spill it! I know you’re a changeling! And I want to know where my friend is!” How, how could she have known?! I have to play it off! “I... I’m not a changeling! Why would you think that?!” She snorted. “I was waiting for the magical scanner we use to perform blood tests, and something happened to your sample. Last I checked ponies don’t have glowing green blood.” Oh no. I gulped and my eye twitched. “W-wha? Psh... that... that’s normal. I mean, for... me?” She scowled. “Drop the disguise and stop acting like my friend! Or else I’ll be turning you into the Guard with a lot more puncture wounds.” “I don’t know—OW!” She pulled out the needle and barked, “I’m losing my patience. I’m sure the Guard would be happy to get the information a more forceful way.” “Stop! I’m—OW— begging you!” “Transform you monster!” “Okay! Okay! Just stop hurting me!” With a flash of green my true form was revealed. What! I have a low tolerance for pain! Redheart gasped as she saw me. I took my chance. “Redheart, please! I know this is... weird, but please! Don’t turn me in!” She growled. “And why would I do that?” “Because I am Broken Mirror! Seriously!” She laughed. “Yeah right. You have to have a pony to transform into, that’s what we were told.” “Well, yeah, but it’s easy to change the fur and mane. Please, you have to believe me! I can prove it! Just ask me something only I’d know!” She bit her lip before sighing. “I don’t know why I’m bothering, but you’re restrained, so fine. What was the first meal we ate together?” “Hay fries!” She tapped her chin and said, “Alright, lucky guess. Why did you first meet me?” “I got hit by a cart!” Her scowl slowly relaxed to a look of confusion. “What... what did you say to the pony who knocked on the door during the invasion?” I gulped. “If you want to hurt my friends, you’ll have to go through me.” She sat back and stared at me blankly. “Mirror... I... I don’t understand. It’s obviously you... or... who I knew as Mirror, but... have you been... the whole time?” “I can explain everything, please. I’m still your... friend. Right?” We stared into eachother’s eyes as I asked, “We... are friends? Right, Redheart?” She looked away and groaned. “I don’t know why I’m trusting you, but....” She released the bindings and pointed at me. “You’re explaining everything at my house later. You can either run away and I’ll tell the Guard, or you convince me not to tell, deal?” I nodded. “Deal.” She growled and stomped off. “This might just be the stupidest thing I’ve ever done!”