Zecora made sure I had a supply of potions in my saddlebag. It had been a several days since Twilight’s initial visit. She had come back twice more to learn about my past. I’d told her about my experiences in the forest and how I’d come to be there after the Invasion. Once she was satisfied I wasn’t a threat, she’d made the preparations for me to move to Ponyville.
The day had now come for me to leave the forest for good. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived in town. I hadn’t been around others in so long. Sure I’d been in villages and towns before, but I was in disguise and gathering information. Strolling down the main road in my true form? Never. Was Twilight prepping every pony in town for what was about to walk through? Doubtful. I expected every pair of eyes to be locked on me.
There was a knock at the door, signaling Twilight’s arrival. As soon as the door opened, she came trotting in.
“Everything is ready. I’ve got a corner of the library set up for you. I wasn’t sure what sort of sleeping arrangements changelings are used to, so I hope a feather bed is okay.”
A chuckle somehow surfaced as my back ached from the saddlebag's presence.
“I’m used to cave floors Princess. Zecora’s pillows are the softest thing I’ve laid on in my entire life. I’m sure a feather bed will be fine.”
Her smile faded as my words sunk in.
“You’ve never...slept in a bed?”
“The caves were enough. Though I’m sure if there was any comfort to be had, it was exclusively for Chrysalis. She could care less about her underlings.”
Her mouth dropped open slightly.
“I didn’t think you’d speak so candidly. And to speak...negatively about your Queen too.”
My shoulders tensed as I closed my eyes.
“She’s had plenty of time to find me. The fact that I wasn’t brought back within the first few days meant I was never getting rescued. She doesn’t care about anyone but herself. Hopefully-“
I stood up, putting the full weight of the saddlebag on my back. My teeth ground together as spikes of pain took hold.
“-her selfish ego will be her downfall.”
“You’d want her overthrown?”
I smirked at the lavender pony as my body adjusted to the new discomfort.
“Not all of us have perfect royalty Princess.”
A slight color appeared in her cheeks and she broke eye contact with me. The royalty subject seemed to be a touchy matter. Perhaps because of her new status amongst them? A line of thought for another time.
I took a few steps forward and made small adjustments to the bag.
“Now if you’re done comparing monarchs, we can get going to Ponytown.”
Her brow furrowed.
“Ponyville.”
I put on the broadest smile I could muster.
“As you say.”
It was easy to tell she was keeping her temper in check. I wasn’t trying to antagonize her. At least not too much. I was used to conversing with other changelings. It was clear that ponies were a softer breed in many ways.
I took one last look around the room. My eyes eventually met Zecora’s pensive gaze. She smiled and nodded to me.
“Take care my patient dear. You are always welcome here.”
I gave a curt nod back.
“Thanks. But I’m never setting hoof in this forest again. No offense.”
She kept smiling as I turned to Twilight.
“Shall we?”
Twilight nodded and led the way out of the tree.
———————————
I stopped at the edge of the forest, my hooves about to enter the sunlight. It was really happening. I was about to get out of the forest that had been my prison for so long. I looked out to the sunny meadows ahead, unsure of what to expect. Twilight had already gone a few feet ahead of me, only stopping to look over her shoulder.
“The sun isn’t going to hurt you Shade.”
“I haven’t been in direct sunlight in a year. Or if I have, it’s been minutes at most.”
“So, you might get sunburnt. You won’t burst into flames.”
She approached me and held out her hoof. I looked at it for a second, confused.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m...offering to help?”
“Help?”
Her hoof lowered to the ground.
“You know...help. Providing...service for another without expecting anything in return?”
“I know the term. But...why would you help me?”
“Don’t changelings help each other?”
“Well...we provide support to different squads during battle. Is that similar?”
“Um...surprisingly, yes. I’m trying to give you support. I know that this is a big moment for you. Let me help you leave Everfree once and for all.”
We stared at each other for a moment before she offered her hoof again. I took it and let her lead me into the light. I had to close my eyes. The sun was brighter than I remembered! Had it always been this hot? Maybe I should have a hat or something.
“Are you okay?”
I slowly opened my eyes, allowing them to adjust to the bright, new world I’d entered.
“I’ll be fine.”
Twilight seemed unconvinced, but she turned and began walking along the path. I followed her, looking around as we went. After a moment, Twilight fell into step beside me.
“Honestly I’m surprised at how sensitive you are to the sun. You must have found clearings. And from what Zecora told me, she found you about a mile away from the old castle.”
“I never went near that castle. I couldn’t be sure if it was still being used. Plus I think it’s haunted.”
A giggle escaped from Twilight.
“Haunted? What would make you think that?”
“I heard screaming one night. It sounded like a gang of banshees from my shelter.”
“When was that?”
“About two months ago.”
Twilight stopped in her tracks.
“Oh. That...might have been me and my friends. We accidentally scared each other.”
I gave her a questioning look. She waved her hoof in the air.
“It’s a long story. Trap doors, an organ, Pony of Shadows. A really crazy night.”
“Fascinating.”
I continued walking, with Twilight catching up after a moment.
“How’s your back doing? Zecora wanted me to make sure to check in with you about that.”
“It’s fine. The saddle bag isn’t too heavy”
“Your wings must be uncomfortable under all those bandages.”
It was my turn to stop. I felt anger and sadness boiling up inside me. I hadn’t really dealt with the situation, choosing to ignore it for the most part. It took all of my concentration to not yell at Twilight as I took a deep breath.
“For your information...I don’t have my wings anymore.”
Her eyes grew bigger.
“I...I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
I felt my heart pounding in my chest. I wanted to drop the subject. It was getting uncomfortable. I took one step and felt a tear roll down my cheek. What was happening to me? My legs began to tremble. My own body was growing heavier. I had to sit down. Another tear appeared. Twilight stepped closer, putting a hoof on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what living out there must have been like. Even what you described to me barely gives me an understanding.”
I couldn’t speak. I could only let the tears run down my face. How could I be so weak? What had I become? How would I ever....
The thoughts disappeared from my head in an instant. They were taken over by a single question; what was Twilight doing to me?
Her body was pressed against me, her warmth seeping through me like a fire. Her hooves were wrapped around me, as if to hold me in place. There was strength behind it, but not enough to hurt. In fact...it felt...nice.
Twilight pulled away, giving me a half-smile. I didn’t want to ruin the moment, but I had to know.
“What was that?”
She didn’t even seem surprised.
“The first thing you’re going to have to learn about friendship is that sometimes a hug is needed.”
A hug? I recalled having seen ponies do this action but had never understood the function or purpose. But after having experienced one, I had to say it was truly a novel thing. I wiped away the remaining tears and stood up.
“So you’re my friend now?”
“I’d say we’re about two steps closer than before.”
“How many more to go?”
“By my count, forty-three.”
My body convulsed and my first laugh, since I can’t even recall, came out. It was a wonderful feeling to laugh.
“Forty-three. That’s funny.”
Twilight seemed confused.
“Well I’ll have to check my manual when we get to the library, but I’m pretty positive on that number.”
".....You're kidding...right?"
Twilight giggled and began walking again.
"I'm the Princess of Friendship. Why would I ever joke about a manual on making friends? It's a solid resource and can be very helpful at times!"
She gave me a speech about making friends as we continued to walk. With every step I took, I realized I had stepped out of one fire and into another.