//------------------------------//
// Changeling, Alien, or Pony? 
// Story: Crystal Ballerina 
// by BlueSkyHeadLeft010 
//------------------------------//

	"Changeling!" Somepony screamed as I found myself pinned to the ground by a dozen colorful ponies suddenly.
I grunted in aggravation as they tried to pin my arms behind my back, but fortunately I was much stronger than them and thus they didn't get very far.
The strange glow above my forehead was back, as I shoved the ponies off me and grabbed my blue wand in defense. Once the ponies saw that I was armed they backed off in fear. No one moved, each afraid of me as much as I was of them!
"Please, everyone calm down!" I stuck out my open hand in peace, "I don't want to harm you!" I explained as the ponies seemed to be calming down each second that passed by.
"What are you?" A purple pony, Twilight, called from the crowd as they parted for her. 
"What?" I asked confused.
Twilight took a step forwards, more bolder and deliberate. She cleared her throat and asked the question again, "I said, what are you? Why are you here?" She asked inquisitively as she studied my form.
My wand dissipated in my hand as I calmed down enough and realized the ponies hadn't chosen to lunge at me. "I-I'm lost." I explained as Twilight looked at me surprised. 
"Lost?" She echoed, this was starting to get old but I nodded the same. 
"Yes, I am lost. I arrived here by unknown means and mean no one harm!" I quickly added, "I just trying to find my way back peacefully." I reassured.
Everypony seemed to ease up much more after I said that as Twilight walked up closer to me flowed by Rainbow, a bouncing Pinkie, and a curious Applejack; the rest stayed behind and left the other four to test their fate.
"Well, if you really are just lost then perhaps I can help!" Twilight grinned wide, a plan no doubt forming in her head.
"You would help?" I asked in surprise.
"Sure! Each one of us would, right everypony?" She turned around to the crowd.
"Right!" They all cheered merrily.
I couldn't believe it. "Th-thank you so much! You have no idea what this means to me!" I cried as I hugged Twiligth awkwardly.
"Urk! You're welcome! Can you please let go of me now?" Twilight grunted as I blushed sheepishly and let her go to which she took a deep breath.
"I'm so sorry!" I apologized as Twilight just chuckled and walked towards me.
"So your name is Crystal? It's pretty." She smiled as she walked around me in a circle looking about as Pinkie had politely escorted ponies out of SugarCube Corner while the rest of us got down to business. I didn't like seeing everypony leave, but I knew it was already getting late. By then Twilight had finished circling me and was back to the front. "Your form is- very interesting Crystal..." She awed as I had taken my seat and picked up the now smaller cherry drink. "I think I recall some books mentioning a species similar to yours, but I'd have to head back to the library to confirm." She paused, looking back at her friends in silent communication before looking back at me, "Would you mind staying over at my place? I understand you might have previous reservations, but-"
I held up my hand, "No! That's fine! I'd be more than happy to stay at your place while you do some research!" I reassured her. There was a bed calling my name and I'll be darned if I didn't take this opportunity to get some help.
"Really?! Ok!" Twilight cheered as the rest of the gang just groaned and said their good nights, trotting away quickly. She smiled excitedly at me, "This is great! I get to study a rare society while helping you find a way back home! A win-win! Crystal, I think were going to get along wonderfully!" She cheered as I followed her out of the building, telling Pinkie goodnight as she waved out the window, and we headed towards a big tree???
I looked at the thing. It was massive! Yet, it looked like it must've been hollowed out to make a building of some sort and that's where Twilight was leading us.
"This is your house?!" I gasped as Twilight turned around and smiled at me. 
"Yep! This is the towns library, but it is also my home where I can safeguard the books. Don't worry, it's bark is worse than it's bite." She laughed, and I just rolled my eyes.
We arrived at the front door a few moments later and Twilight hovered a key out of her saddlebags as she unlocked the door. She turned around after she pushed the door open and looked at me in confusion, "Um, I think we may have a problem fitting you through the-" she paused when I shifted my form to my previous equine one and walked right in.
I looked at her and grinned mischievously, "Luckily I'm still able to do that." I winked at her as Twilight just shook her head in disbelief.
"How did-? And where did you-? And just whuh???" She stammered as I could almost see her malfunctioning.
I sighed, "I'll answer that tommorow, do you know where I can sleep?" I asked tired as Twilight just nodded and lead me upstairs to the guest room in the tree house as I thanked her before saying goodnight and laying my saddlebags down.
Once I got settled into bed, I let my eyes roam the wooded walls wondering just about how nice these ponies were and trusting when compared to humans. They gave me food, money, a place to stay, and heck, even a party! No one had ever been this nice to me before!
Suddenly I felt more exhausted than I ever had before as my eyes fluttered before I shut them and rolled over in bed to get some sleep. I had a feeling tomorrow would be a long day....