Love is a Changeling

by Dreamscape

The Suprise

Although Fluttershy was rather hesitant to return to her humble cottage that afternoon, she felt her legs moving at a quicker pace than her usual gait. Her muscles were already strained from her day and her eyes tired. Yet those glazed eyes still darted nervously to and fro as she neared the house. From the outside, all was silent and peaceful as ever. Birds chirped happily in the trees surrounding the cottage, squirrels scurried across the path leading to the door, and a variety of insects hung low in the air. It was as if it was a normal afternoon like any other, but she knew it would not be. Her movements grew slower and slower as she neared the door until she eventually came to a stop, thoughts rushing through her mind, both good and bad.

She let out a soft sigh and then masked a gulp before putting the slightest of smiles on her face and pushing the door open. “I’m here. I’m so sorry I was a bit late, I…” she froze halfway through the door. That glaze of a long day in her eyes vanished and was replaced with a shimmering vibrancy as they grew wide at the sight before them. Standing in the middle of the room was a changeling, the insectoid plating that covered its body a nightmarish black in contrast with the warm and comforting colors of her home. Jutting out from either side of its mouth was a pair of sharp white fangs, polished and glimmering in the sun that poured through the windows. From its sides came a pair of paper thin, translucent wings tinted with a sickening blue-green. Jagged holes covered its legs, giving them a misshapen appearance. Its pupil-less eyes were pointed directly at her, glowing a hazy, cold artic blue. Above them was a horn as sharp as its fangs, only adding to its menacing nature. Fluttershy was so startled by the Changeling in her home, she made no note of the fear in those eyes which to her seemed soulless. It was actually even more afraid than she was.

Only the slightest movement of the changeling’s mouth opening caused Fluttershy to turn and bolt. She cared little of whether it was being opened to speak or attack, she simply knew that she needed to get away from the creature. With trembling shrieks, she galloped away, her hooves fumbling over themselves and tripping over the many obtrusions covering the ground, whether it be a slightly elevated mound or a rock nested within the thick grass. She had little time to concentrate on her gallop because she was instead focused on a plan. She had to get to Ponyville and alert her friends to the presence of the creature, whether that was by telling them or witnessing it themselves it if it so happened to continue the chase. She refused to look back to find out. She wondered if it was the only one or if there were more. Was it only a scout or part of a larger invasion force? Her fear only grew when thoughts of Sunny’s surprise returned to her mind. Was he okay? What had the changeling done with him? She saw no sign of the pony inside her home, and was sure he or the changeling would have done something about one another’s presence.

Her brow furrowed and her pace slowed for just a moment as she thought of an outcome that was perhaps even worse. Rainbow Dash had warned her about the stallion. She was beginning to wonder whether or not she was right all along. Had Sunny Skies sent the changeling to her, was that his surprise all along? She tried her hardest to shake the thought from her mind. He had no reason for doing such a thing, no motive whatsoever. She knew that he could not be cruel enough to do such a thing, but what if the stallion she knew was all a lie? If his amnesia was false, then he did seem rather persistent on hiding his past, having never said a word of it to her. Rainbow Dash was right, she was an incredibly naïve pony and could have easily fallen prey to such a lie, one which took advantage of her caring nature. A familiar voice suddenly filled her ears, causing all of such thoughts to vanish. “Sunny?” she gasped breathlessly, both out of exhaustion and a sudden burst of hope. What little hope she had was torn into shreds as she turned on her hind hoof and skidded to a halt, only to see the devilish creature racing towards her, its insect wings buzzing relentlessly as it pushed its way through the air. She whimpered weakly as she turned and ran once more.

“Fluttershy, wait, please. It’s me, Sunny Skies” she heard in the same voice.

“No, no it’s not!” she hollered back. “Where is he? What have you done with him? …And don’t you dare steal his voice like that!” She skidded to another stop and whipped around once more, her bangs flipping up over her eyes. Even covered by her pink bangs, her glowering was so intense that the changeling’s wings slowed to a stop and it landed a distance away, not moving forward another inch. Fluttershy gritted her teeth and growled beneath her breath. “Tell me! I swear if you hurt him… oh, I will do some… very bad things to you!”

“F-fluttershy…. please don’t do that. It’s me… it’s me.”

“I’m not going to believe you, even if you change yourself to look like him. Either tell me where he is or go away… before I do something I regret… s-something you regret.”

“No, this really is me. You just… have to believe me,” the changeling said as it slowly and cautiously drew closer.

“No!” Fluttershy growled.

“…I… I’ll prove it,” the changeling paused and let out a sigh before speaking. “When I first met you, you found me stumbling out of the forest. You were so kind and caring, but I was afraid all of that would change if I didn’t lie to you… so… so I did. I never had amnesia like you believed, like I encouraged you to think. I’m not Sunny Skies or anyone close to the stallion you thought I was. This is me... a horrible, disgusting, evil changeling.”

“Then why… why are you here?” Fluttershy muttered weakly as he drew closer still, tears forming in her eyes. “Are you here for my friends and I? Are you using me to get close to Twilight? Are you a spy, an assassin, what?” she pushed out weakly before she began to sob. She turned her face to the ground, no longer wanting to stare at the pony, or changeling she thought she knew. Tears dripped down onto the blades of grass beneath, pulling some down as they hung off their tips before falling into the sea of green.

“I’m not here for anything like that. I promise.”

Fluttershy struggled to push out painful words between her sobs. “Then…. just… tell me why… y-you’re here. Why did you do this to me?”

“No, it’s not like what you think. It’s not anything like that at all. I ran away from the hive. I’m not here for them, I’m here because of them, on my own. Fluttershy lifted her head just slightly, her vision of the changeling blurred with the tears that drowned her eyes. “I couldn’t live like that. I just couldn’t, especially after hearing the stories of ponies and Equestria. The other changelings talked about this place and you ponies like it was the most disgusting thing they had ever witnessed, but whenever I heard the tales, I… I dreamed of this place, of being a pony and living life here instead.

“Okay… I… um… I think I believe you,” Fluttershy muttered weakly as she used the tip of her hoof to wipe the tears from her eyes, trying her best to calm her sobs as well. “If you weren’t acting the whole time, and this really is who you are then I can trust you. I mean, you look different… but you’re the same pony… er… um, I’m sorry, changeling I knew all along, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Fluttershy, I really am. I have a past that I hid from you, but I’m the same me I’ve always been.”

“Um, what’s your real name?”

He sighed and shook his head. “Well, I don’t really have one. That’s how it works back there. I’m not even me, I’m just a part of the hive. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to leave. All we are there is part of a machine, all working for the queen and not having our own individual lives. Our lives are only being a part of that machine… and here, well, here you’re all so unique and individual. You praise one another for your cutie marks, these things that make you stand out from the other ponies and tell you how special your talents really are. And I’m just nobody, nothing, just a servant, a drone, a tool. I hate it. So many of us have this idea that if we dedicate our lives to the queen that we’ll be rewarded, that we’ll live a good life, but that’s not true at all. There is no reward for serving the queen, you’re just a part of the machine for your whole life.”

“That sounds awful,” Fluttershy gasped softly.

“Then you understand why I left.”

“I do… I’m so sorry. No changeling should be forced to live a life like that.”

“Thank you for being so good to me, Fluttershy, for making my dreams about this place come true. So far it’s been all I’ve ever wanted and more because of you. I really hope that you’ll still be able to trust me, and that you treat me the same even though you know the truth. You’re so kind, considerate, and caring that I think you will, but I’m still afraid. So afraid that I’ve been lying this whole time.”

“Of course I will. I’ll help you too, in any way that I can. I’ll help you adjust, have a life here. I promise.”

“That’s good to hear. I’m sure you understand why I held off telling you the truth for so long. I should’ve realized you’d be so considerate about all of this though. Thank you.”

“Mhm, I’m here to help, Sunny… er, um… I mean…”

“Yes, Sunny Skies, that’s my name now,” the changeling replied with a soft smile, the fangs protruding from his mouth seeming much less threatening than they originally had. Fluttershy smiled back, no longer afraid to look at him. Knowing who he was, his entire appearance seemed grow brighter and happier. He certainly was no pony, but he was no longer the menacing creature she had originally believed him to be.

“Don’t worry, I won’t look like this for long. I have to go back to blending in,” he said, noticing her gaze. “It’ll be pretty strange having to continue my life as a pony, even if I feel more like one than a changeling.”

“Hmm, maybe you won’t have to,” Fluttershy replied, her smile growing.

“I have a feeling I will,” he said weakly. “You were so afraid of me, and I’m sure you’re more understanding than most ponies. Just think about how afraid they’ll be. I don’t want that. I understand why they would be afraid though. After all we changelings have done to you, it makes sense, invading you, capturing you, stealing you away from your families and feeding off your love in the harshest way possible, basically taking the life force right out of you,” he spit out in disgust.

“In the harshest way? Can you, well, feed on us ponies or… others without bringing harm?”

“Of course we can. We’re just too greedy. We feed on much more love than we need. We suck it right out of you, but in reality, we can take love like plants take in sun. I’ve been doing it this whole time, and let me tell you, you have plenty of love to give. You’ve been providing for me this whole time because of how caring you’ve been, because of everything you’ve done for me. Even though I started out as a stranger, you still treated me like a friend, family even, and more. Since then, that love has only been growing, and you’ve been making me healthier and happier with every day. You’ve been so worried about me eating, but you’ve been feeding me this whole time… I… I know that probably sounds a bit strange, maybe even scary to you, but that’s how it is.”

“Um… no, I… I think I understand,” Fluttershy muttered in embarrassment, her cheeks growing redder and redder beneath her pale yellow fur.

“Your love has been growing so strong lately that, I… I feel like you might have feelings for me that are more than that of just a caring friend. I’ve felt it, but now that you’ve seen the real me, I’m not sure anymore.”

“I… um… um… um…” Fluttershy whispered beneath her breath, her cheeks growing even redder as her eyes darted to the ground, once again gazing at the bright green grass surrounding her hooves and swaying just slightly in the breeze.

“It’s okay. You need some time to think,” Sunny said in a kind and understanding tone. “Just please don’t run away from me.”

“... I already promised you I wouldn’t, and I won’t. I’m here for you,” Fluttershy said, her voice growing more confident, even if the expression on her face and rosy cheeks told the opposite. She returned her eyes to his and gazed into their icy blue depths. She had originally believed them to be soulless and empty, but now they seemed to be glowing bright with personality and joy. “…and… m-maybe, just maybe… I do feel something more,” Fluttershy whispered and then leaned in quickly with pursed lips, pressing them softly against his cheek before retreating. The changeling grinned, fully exposing his gleaming white fangs as his eyes widened, exposing the soul that lay behind them.

Fluttershy giggled nervously as her eyes darted away once more. “Are you full now?” she teased.

He laughed softly but blissfully. “There’s always room for more. It’ll work for now though.”

“Hm, good.”

“Yeah… Anyways, I guess we’ll have to start figuring things out then. I need to try to live a more normal life. I need to work, get a home, and all that.”

“You already have a home and a job though,” Fluttershy said with a smile. “Um, that is if you’d like to continue working and living with me. I mean, it’s worked well so far. There’s no reason for that to change.”

“Now that sounds amazing,” Sunny Skies replied happily, tapping his hooves excitedly against the earth beneath them and giving his wings a buzz. “But another obstacle we have to deal with is getting these other ponies used to me as a changeling if you really still think it’ll work.”

“Oh yes, I do. It’ll just take some time. We’ll start by getting my friends used to the idea. They won’t only be the easiest to persuade but also with them trusting and befriending a changeling, I’m sure the rest of the townsponies will start to feel more comfortable with you around.”

“But since you’re so close to them, I’m sure you’ll also have to tell them about our relationship… about us, well, being together. I’m sure that might make things a bit harder.”

“Oh… oh my… um… I never said that we were… but…” Fluttershy let out in an embarrassed panic, her body giving a slight tremble before then relaxing. “…m-maybe we will have to deal with that too though. It’ll work out, I’m sure, even if they are a bit alarmed.” She looked up at the changeling and quickly covered her eyes with her bangs before giving him a loving smile.

“I’m sorry for pushing it… I just, really want this, but please take your time to decide. Anyways, I think we’ve both had a pretty long day, you with your work and the scare I gave you, and me with all this worrying and wandering around I’ve been doing since this morning. Let’s head back to the cottage… and maybe I can make dinner for you?”

“Um… maybe we can make it together?” Fluttershy asked, remembering the pancakes from that morning.

Author's Note:

I actually might be making a second story to this at some point here if I feel up to it, and if you're interested in more.

Comments

[pikammd]

The emotional changes were pretty rapid here. It fits well with Fluttershy, and it seems you're doing a bit better at her now. She still feels a little off to me, but I'm no expert so you may want to ask someone who knows a bit better than I do.

[pikammd]

Oh, just realized that was the end! Any chance there's a second series or something? This feels very unfinished and I would very much like to read more. Please give me a shout if there is, thanks.

[Pentarctagon]

A bit rushed, but I'd like a sequel for sure.

[UniqueSKD]

Greetings my friend! Long time no PMs or comments, eh? How are you doing buddy?

[Dreamscape]

6795376
Well, these past few months have been hell, but things are hopefully finally starting to get better now. How are you doing?

[Dreamscape]

6793547
First of all, thank you for actually providing plenty of constructive criticism, I rarely see that anymore. It's either this story is good or I didn't like this, more or less. I definitely appreciate feedback like yours. As for Fluttershy's character, I'm trying to emphasize the Fluttershy the show has been developing throughout season 4 and 5 rather than the standard. How about I'm going for a Fluttershy that's emerging from her shell. As for the ending, I left it that way for a reason. I felt it was a good place to stop because I had finished getting across what I had wanted to with this story and also because it left plenty of room for continuation which I may be doing here in the future with a sequel or short series. I'm glad that it was enough to leave you wanting more. Oh, and as for the grammar, I've never been a good proofreader haha. I read through my stories once or twice before posting them and still miss plenty of mistakes. I read my stories like they are in my mind rather than what they are on the page which is probably the issue.

[pikammd]

6795878 Ah, makes sense. ^-^ I haven't seen any "new" episodes and the last I heard was there was a pony stealing cutie marks and I read the gist of what happens, but from then on I haven't seen any episodes, sorry. So I'm a little behind.
The grammar was no big deal, just a few minor things here and there. It doesn't take away from your story at all so you're fine.
Glad I could be of help to you! I look forward to more, if you find yourself able to produce a sequel.

[UniqueSKD]

6795823 I've been dong alright, my good sir. A little depressed over Christmas due to lack of snow, and the fact that a lot of people around me had someone to snuggle up to by a warm fireplace, but knowing I still have my family made me feel a little better.

I'll snag a girl someday. I hope.

In the meantime, I'm aiming to make this year the year I finally get stuff moving along. I wanna get my YouTube channel properly progressing along, do a few more stories for this site, and start up a poster/t-shirt shop online to promote some of my works.

A lot of stuff in addition to those goals are there also, but I feel that I'll succeed. I've got the support of my amazing fans and subscribers behind me and I feel alive in the moment of a new year to make the world know my name.

[mtf0330]

SEQUAL PLZ!!

[Scarlet Cinder]

I liked the setup, but I think the story was resolved too fast.

Previous chapters set up Fluttershy's concern, her friends' reactions to the new pony, and the changeling's fear of discovery. It would take more than a few minutes of talking to work through these conflicts. If Fluttershy distrusts changelings that much, it's going to take more time to go from "maybe" to "I believe you." If Sunny Skies is that afraid of his vulnerable and unfamiliar situation, he's not going to feel comfortable just because Fluttershy knows he's a changeling.

Maybe it's just my interpretation, but I was disappointed that some things that were hinted at in earlier chapters never came to pass. When the changeling couldn't decide what to do, it seemed like he was conflicted between choosing his old hated but familiar life and his new happy but vulnerable one. His eager questioning suggested that when he moved in, he was learning how to replace Fluttershy. None of that came out in the end.

It seems forced that Fluttershy thinks of "Sunny Skies sent the changeling" without considering "Sunny Skies is the changeling."

This is me... a horrible, disgusting, evil changeling.

The changeling doesn't seem to hate himself as much as this line implies.

[ShadyAwesomeness]

This story was wonderful and a bit emotional. It was a bit rushed though, but I love it. Can you write a squeal please? Unless if you have other plans. I was really into this story when I first read it.

[DeathWing118]

I finally just finished it and thought it was really good. The pacing was a little rushed but you were able to develop Sunny's character and his relationship with Fluttershy so it was believable (which is usually my problem with fast paced/rushed stories). In fact, the ending may be the weakest part of the story only due to how fast it was resolved, but it wasn't enough to bring the story down on its own.
All in all it is a great story; love what you did with the concept, the amnesia thing was clever, LOVED that line with Pinkie, and I would love to see where this story will lead should you continue with a sequel and/or prequel.
Whatever you choose to do I'll be looking forward to it.

[QueenChrysalisForever]

I really enjoyed this, would love to see a sequel. :)

[Makazi]

Yeah I could totally dig a sequel.

[World Trotter]

I would absolutely love for there to be a sequel to this story it was great I loved it so much I want there to be a second one so much

[Voidwalker]

First of all, thank you for actually providing plenty of constructive criticism, I rarely see that anymore. It's either this story is good or I didn't like this, more or less. I definitely appreciate feedback like yours.

I hope you're still up for this?
Because if you're not, I'm about to waste sooo much time...

So, let's dive right into it, shall we?
Right after the first chapter, someone pointed out that Fluttershy wouldn't be that naive and he/she would stop reading at that point because of your portrayal of her character. That's fine, really - if someone can't endure it, he or she shouldn't force him- or herself to do it. It's already the wrong way if you have to 'endure' literature at all.
BUT. He/she got a point of sorts. Fluttershy - contrary to what Rainbow pointed out - isn't gullible. Or naive. She always wants the best for everypony, right. She wants to help. And she avoids conflict. That's just... good, old-fashioned altruism with a piece of pacifism. She's an animal care taker. She probably knows quite a lot about afflictions, pony physiology and more. And considering he knew who Twilight and friends were, 'the Canterlot invasion' already happened - so she additionally knew at least a few things about changelings, as well.
Let's get through step by step. There's a confused looking stallion at the border to the Everfree. She rushed to help him. Is that Fluttershy? Totally. He's faking a story about amnesia and comes up with a strangely fitting name. She buys it. Is that Fluttershy? Totally! She takes him in, trying to nurse him back to health. He's not eating much, though. She doesn't suspect anything just yet. Is that Fluttershy? Still: Totally, jeppers.
Then... things start to get weird after they go shopping. So AJ asking what she wanted to know is perfectly fine - Rainbow getting instantly suspicious... is fine as well. She always had a knack for being a little overprotective of her friends, hadn't she? Even Fluttershy being more assertive while 'defending' him is fine.
And suddenly, we've got a little leap in time. Days and weeks. Hey, hoh, wow - what?
The problem here is: Everypony just... swallowed his story? Or ignored that she shut the rest of the world out? What was going on there, exactly? Fluttershy just... avoided her friends, or what? Because if she didn't, they surely would've brought that topic up again and again - "what about that strange fellow living in your house?" And Rainbow, not buying it from second one onward, surely would've tried to 'protect Fluttershy from gullible Fluttershy' by... I dunno. Something. Maybe searching for clues to who he really is by walking around the Everfree. Maybe by observing him secretly. Something like that. Anything, really. She wouldn't just leave her longtime friend with a complete stranger in one house all night and day for weeks. That's seriously dangerous.
Furthermore, there was this little line... one chapter back, I think? So Fluttershy is completely head over hooves for that stallion, right? Yeah... why? Because he's showing interest? That's... not a high bar. Because he's nice to animals? So's Tree Hugger? Because she's hetero? How about Big Mac? Because... he's strange and mysterious and... yeah, she's not Rarity, either. Thing is: She knows absolutely nothing about him.
If you love someone, you love that person for who he is. With all the flaws, quirks and perks coming with that personality. She doesn't know anything - so what's she falling in love with? Her idea of him? How he might be? That doesn't really seem to be... fair, does it? Even worse: Now she just seems... desperate.
To the point where that one little line came up and really freaked me out. She depended on this relationship. She grew to need it. Wow. That's not only desperate. That's waaay further. Getting to the border of creepy-town. A relationship is the union between two unique personalities. Melting into one grayish, unified mass is just... horrible and unhealthy. If you become depended on a relationship, things go downhill fast.
That brings us to this last chapter. His... surprise. Oh boy, he isn't the brightest one, is he? Waiting in her home in his natural form. That was his great idea? What kind of reaction did he expect? A nice little "who are you?" So, she's running away. He's chasing her. In his natural form. Still not the brightest idea. It needs exactly one pony randomly taking a walk around these parts to spread a changeling-panic in all of Ponyville and let the rest of the Elements of Harmony march up, armed and ready to blast some new holes.
So, somehow, miraculously, she stops and listens. He obviously lied to her. So... why does she trust him suddenly? Without any explanation at all? Everything he's saying is "trust me, because I'm me, really!" Everything she feared? It could still be true. Sunny Skies, for all she knows, could still be dead, back at her home. This could be an enemy attempting to postpone the warning Ponyville gets for another changeling-invasion. And she's totally falling for it. Is that Fluttershy? No. No way. She avoids conflict, yes, she is always helpful, yes - but never at the expanse of quite a lot of others. All of Ponyville, all of her friends, probably even all of Equestria, could be at risk just because she decided to stop running and screaming for dear life.
So, she believes him. Because... why not. He's Sunny. The stallion that, apparently, quite obviously, lied to her for weeks. About almost everything. She's not freaked out, no. She still loves him dearly... that... stallion she never knew in the first place... is it because of that dependency-stuff? Because, well... keeping him around in her house and sharing her job with him is... a little... much, isn't it? Usually, before you move in with someone, you have dates. A lot. And get to know each other. (A lot!) And you kiss. And have sex. Or don't. But there's a healthy, long term-relationship, before you move in with someone. That, again, just makes her look desperate. Sooo desperate.
And that's just sad.

It was an interesting premise. Right up until that leap. Others called it 'rash execution', 'problems with pacing' and the like. I tried to be a bit more detailed. Hope it helps. Somehow.

Have a good night!

[00ginji]

That was a sweet little story.

But honestly that last chapter almost killed it for me. I can't believe after spending weeks with Fluttershy, Sunny wouldn't assume Fluttershy would bolt after seeing him so suddenly and wouldn't rather of sat her down and slowly explained things. I can buy Fluttershy not believing that he was a changling while in a state of panic but his chances had to be astronomically better with the methodical approach compared to what he did.

Also the ending wrapped up a bit quick for me. I realize with how long this was, fleshing things out perfectly would be impossible. And now that I think back I'm glad it was so short. Once in a while it's nice not devoting hours or even weeks worth of reading time in a story.

Short, sweet, fun. thanks for the read!

[Truthseeker]

To my surprise, I really like this. This has the coveted Truthseeker seal of approval (I'm an asshole and very critical so this is rare indeed).

[WildFire 24]

That was and great fanfic and I would love if it had a sequel