Thud thud thud thud thud thud!
"Please, let me in! Please!"
Fluttershy's emerald green eyes shot open, startled awake. Somepony was at the door. She got out of her soft bed, even though she would've liked nothing more then to jump back into the warm, safe, soft covers and be back in the world of sleep. Who could that be? she wondered. It didn't sound like and of her friends, or-in fact-anypony she knew. And why would they be outside? There was currently a huge downpour and anypony who got caught in the middle of it would be drenched.
Boom!
Her thoughts were interupted by the loud thunder which roared through the sky.
"Please! Help me!" the voice was frantic, pleading to be let into the home. Fluttershy rushed down the wooden stairs, towards the door. It was obvious whoever it was needed help. She yanked the entrance open, expecting to see a colt asking for help. When she meet eye to eye with the creature, a large gasp escaped her throat and she took an involuntary step back. The figure standing in front of her was drenched to the bone. Its front right leg was torn and bleeding, and its chest was bruised and battered. It's black face was tired, as if it hadn't slept in days. Its light blue eyes only showed worry, fear, and the puppy dog look of begging. It's moth-like wings were tucked at it's trembling sides.
Changeling.
"Please, help me..." its dry and cracked voice was almost a whisper. For a moment they each just stood there, starring at each other as if time itself had stopped. The moment was broken by a large, powerful voice.
"Where are you, vermin?!"
The changeling's eyes went wide as plates.
"Please..."
"Oh, alright, come in." Fluttershy said, unable to resist the pleas of a wounded creature. The changeling rushed inside like a bullet, eager to get out of the rain. Fluttershy closed the door and turned to have the changeling grab her in a bear hug.
"Thank you..." he said, relief clearly shown on his face and in his tone.
Thud thud thud thud thud thud!
"Ma'am, open your door, this is the royal guard. If you do not open up we can and will use force to get in." It was the voice from before. The look of relief was gone faster then it came.
"Oh no, where can I hide?" he asked frantic once again.
"Why shouldn't I report you? I mean, why would they chase you?" Fluttershy asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Because they were the ones who did this to me." He said, showing off his arm and chest. He winced when the yellow pegasus pushed her hoof against it.
"Please, I don't want to get hurt again." the changeling begged.
She sighed in defeat, and pointed toward a door "OK, go to that closet."
"Ma'am you have until I reach five," the changeling zoomed into the closet, eager to get away, "5...4...3...2..."
Fluttershy yanked opened the door once again. Two guards stood on her doorstep-a white one and a grey one. They both looked annoyed, probably from having to run around in the downpour so much. The grey one seemed a bit...angry. As if he was one second away from completely loosing it.
"Have you seen a changeling around?" The grey one asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"No, I don't think so..." Fluttershy said quietly, almost a mumble, her mind going over what was going on.
"Are you positive?" The white one asked, disappointment written clear on his face. What if the changeling had lied and inflicted those wounds on himself? If she told him then she wouldn't have to worry, worry about getting caught. But then she noticed a tiny bit of blood on the grey one's armor. That, and the fire in his eyes made Fluttershy realize that they weren't just doing their job. They were hurting others.
"Yes, im possitive," she said, louder this time, "but maybe it ran into the forest?" She suggested.
"Hm, we hadn't thought about that. Thank you ma'am."
As they left, Fluttershy overheard the start of a conversation.
"If I find him, i'm going to rip out his guts. I swear i'll kill that bastard."
After that, the voices got swept away with the rain.
"So, what's your name?" Fluttershy asked as her and the changeling took seats across from each other near the dining room table. The pegasus had helped fix her new guest with bandages and painkillers after giving him some food and water.
"Differ." he said.
"So, um, Differ, why are you here? Arent you supposed to be with the queen or something?" the pegasus asked, trying to be as polite as possible.
"Well," he began, "After the failed attack on canterlot, everyone was getting angry at queen Chrysalis. They all blamed the failure on her. So there was rioting, fighting, rebellion, chaos. I ran away to find somewhere better. I found myself running through forests and towns, trying not to get caught. Then, when those guards came..." Differ geustered to the fresh bandages, "they beat the hay out of me. I didnt think I would survive, but when one of them got distracted by another changeling, I ran. I kept running untill I found you. I'm really sorry for putting you in so much danger, it's just-"
Fluttershy put her hoof against his lips, "It's fine. I take care of animals for a living, I have all the supplies and it wouldn't bother. Just don't bother anypony, or have anypony notice your here. When your better you can go.
Authors note: thanks for reading the intro to my fanfiction! I just wanted to say that im begining a project where me and a few others will animate it!