“Ch-Changeling!” Pinkie Pie shouted. Fluttershy immediately ran over to Pinkie Pie and placed her hoof over her mouth.
“Pinkie Pie, calm down!” Fluttershy pleaded. “This is a baby Changeling that I found outside my cottage last week. He’s completely harmless” Fluttershy removed her hoof from Pinkie Pie’s mouth.
Pinkie Pie bent down and examined the baby Changeling. “Are you sure he’s harmless?” Buggy then started nuzzling Pinkie Pie on the cheek.
“Oh yes, I’ve been raising him well” Fluttershy responded. “I’ve been teaching him good manners, and he gets along so well with my animal friends. Well, except for Angel Bunny that is”
“Does he have a name?” Pinkie Pie asked with a serious look on her face.
“Yes, his name is Buggy” Fluttershy responded.
Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened, and a big smile came across her face. “Okie dokie loki!”
Fluttershy was surprised by Pinkie Pie’s reaction. “You mean, you don’t have a problem with Buggy being a Changeling?”
Pinkie laughed so hard that she snorted. “Of course not! You said it yourself that he was harmless. And besides, He’s just so cute!”
Fluttershy approached Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie, please you have to promise not to tell anypony else about Buggy. I’m afraid some ponies might start a panic if they found out about him”
“I Pinkie promise!” Pinkie Pie replied. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!”
Fluttershy hugged Pinkie Pie. “Oh thank you so much! You really are a good friend”
Pinkie Pie smiled and said “Anytime. Oh, and be sure to come to Gummi's birthday party next week!” Pinkie Pie then hopped out the door and back to town.
Fluttershy then turned to face Buggy. “That was a close one. We have to be more careful next time” Fluttershy picked up Buggy and held him in her front hooves. “If only there was some way to take you outside without causing a panic” Green flames then surrounded Buggy. A second later, Buggy had changed himself into a rabbit with brown fur.
Fluttershy giggled. “I completely forgot, Changelings can disguise themselves!” Buggy changed back and his stomach began to growl. “Aw, are you hungry Buggy?” Fluttershy held Buggy close to her chest. She closed her eyes and started humming as Buggy breathed in her love. Once Buggy was full, Fluttershy gently patted Buggy on the back to burp him. “There. Did you get enough?”
Buggy smiled, then opened his mouth and said “Momma”
Fluttershy’s face lit up with excitement. “Your first word! And you called me momma!” Tears of joy flowed down Fluttershy’s cheeks. Fluttershy hugged and nuzzled Buggy. “I love you so much!” Meanwhile, Angel Bunny watched from the corner, filling up with anger and jealousy.
The day of Gummi's birthday party eventually came around. Fluttershy walked to Sugar Cube Corner with Angel Bunny and Buggy riding on her back. Buggy was in disguise as a brown bunny. Fluttershy arrived at Sugar Cube Corner and knocked at the door.
Pinkie Pie answered the door. “Fluttershy! I’m so glad you could make it! And you brought Angel Bunny! But wait, where’s Buggy?”
“Buggy is disguised as the brown bunny” Fluttershy whispered to Pinkie Pie. Buggy crawled and sat on Fluttershy’s head.
“Oh, he is adorable!” Pinkie Pie said with a squee. “Come on in! We have cupcakes, pies, cakes, muffins, punch, candy, cookies, and games! Plus, I also got everypony party favors! They include party hats, kazoos, stickers, and party poppers!” Angel Bunny looked at the party poppers. A sinister smile came over his face as a dark idea popped into his head.
Fluttershy walked around the party. Everypony else had also brought their pets. Fluttershy was approached by Applejack and her dog Winona. “Fluttershy! Glad to see yer finally out of your cottage” Applejack then noticed Buggy sitting on Fluttershy’s head. “And who’s this little critter?”
Fluttershy struggled to come up with an answer. “Oh, um, this is Angel Bunny’s cousin. He just moved to town”
Winona sniffed Buggy, and could tell something was wrong. She started to growl at Buggy. “Winona! Bad dog!” Applejack said with a scolding tone. “I’m sorry Fluttershy, I don’t know what’s gotten in to her. Winona usually love other animals”
Sweat started to build up on Fluttershy’s forehead. “That’s ok. I think I’ll just go and get some punch” As Fluttershy and Buggy got punch, Angel Bunny snuck away and grabbed a party popper.
“Ok everypony, it’s time to sing the birthday song!” Pinkie Pie announced. All of the ponies and their pets gathered around Gummie and his birthday cake. Just as they were all done singing, and Pinkie Pie was about to blow out the candles for Gummie, Angel Bunny snuck up behind Buggy and set off the party popper. Buggy was so scared that he jumped into the air, and shifted back to his Changeling form. Buggy landed on the floor, and everypony stood in a shocked silence.
All of the ponies immediately broke out into a panic. Pinkie Pie tried to get them all to calm down, but no pony would listen. Rainbow Dash then dove at Buggy. “Don’t worry, I’ll eliminate this pest!” But before she could get close, Fluttershy shielded Buggy.
“STOP!!!” Fluttershy shouted. It was the loudest she had ever shouted in her life. “I won’t let you hurt Buggy!”
Rainbow Dash stopped dead in her tracks. “What?! Fluttershy, you actually know this thing?”
“He’s not a thing!” Fluttershy shouted. Tears flowed from her eyes. “His name is Buggy, and he’s just a baby”
“Yeah, a baby Changeling!” Rainbow Dash replied. “Don’t you remember how they attacked Canterlot and tried to take over Equestria?”
Fluttershy held Buggy close to her chest. “But Buggy is different! I’ve been raising him to be a good Changeling. Buggy is kind and gentle. He wouldn’t harm a fly”
“No offense darling, but Changelings are basically parasites that feed on love. I know that you care for all animals, but a Changeling is hardly the sort of thing you would want as a pet” Rarity said.
A look of anger developed on Fluttershy’s face. “Buggy is not a pet. He is my son!”