A changeling slave no more, Nirvana must find her way. With the help of Dust, she might be able to manage more than she could imagine
I was sitting at home, relaxing and lounging about, just a normal day for me. It was around then when I heard a knock on my door. Breaking out of the stupor I was in, I decided to open the door. As I opened it, I was not greeted by a pony, but by a slightly oversized box with a note attached. The note is what caught my attention as I read it 'Congratulations! You’ve received your very own changeling slave! She can cook, clean, do yard work, anything you wish! You even get to name her...'
That was when everything changed...
First attempt at a multi-chapter story. Hope it doesn't go terribly. Will be adding more tags as I go along, so who knows where this will go. I currently have no cover art, but if anyone is willing to do some, it is appeciated
My name is Dust Vibe. I’ve been living in the quiet town of Ponyville for almost two years now. My life has been the same for me since I moved here, never changing. I had been in rut for months as my work had slowed down quite a bit since the local librarian, Twilight Sparkle, became a new princess. I often just sat in my house, attempting many different items of interest ranging from cooking, to painting, to plotting to take over Equestria, but I digress. Little did I know how much everything would change for me the day that mysterious box arrived….
I was sitting at home, relaxing and lounging about, just a normal day for me. It was around then when I heard a knock on my door. Breaking out of the stupor I was in, I decided to open the door. As I slowly opened it, I was not greeted by a pony, but by a slightly oversized box with a note attached.
The note is what caught my attention as I read it “Congratulations! You’ve received your very own changeling slave! She can cook, clean, do yard work, anything you wish! You even get to name her!” ‘Is this a joke?’ was all I could think. Nonetheless, I decided to take the box into my house to see what exactly this was about.
“Changeling? I thought they were all extinct since the attack on Canterlot.” I said to myself. “And why a slave? I am in no need for a slave, a friend would be nice, but not a slave.” I continued. “Well, let’s just see what’s in the box, probably some prank those school foals put together.” I said as I opened the box.
And how wrong I was. What I was greeted with was no prank. In fact, what greeted me was a small, female changeling. She looked quite different from the ones I saw in pictures and books. She had a teal green mane and eyes. Her horn was short, but misshapen, and her wings were bug-like and holed. She looked to be about 9 or 10 years old. Seeing the light, she opened her eyes and swiftly climbed out of the box, and bowed to me, the look of fear and anguish on her face. “H-hello m-master…” Is all she said in a weak voice.
Dumbfounded, I stand there speechless. No words came from my mouth, just as no thoughts were coming to my mind. I must have been staring for a while though, as the changeling in front of me began to tremble with a fearful look upon her face. As I finally came to, I could now form a proper sentence. “Hello there. My name is Dust. What is your name?” I offered a hoof to her in greeting.
She looked down, trying to avoid my gaze, speaking softly she said, “I-I am to b-be called whatever m-master wishes to call me…” She looked so hurt; I didn’t know what to do. I was no good with children, being only eighteen myself. But I sucked it up and spoke to her.
“You don’t have to be scared of me, and you don’t have to call me master. But if I may ask, did you have a name prior to this? If so, I will gladly call you by your given name”, I say as I smile at her.
She slowly nods, trying to think for a moment before answering. After a few moments to collect her thoughts, she speaks, “I-I did…my name is, or was, o-or at some point…” She fumbles over her words, trying to discern whether to use past or present as she violently shakes her head. “…N-Nirvana…”
Now that I knew her name, I could continue with the pleasantries. “Nirvana, what a lovely name that is. Nice to meet you Nirvana.” I say as I offer my hoof to her once again, as she backs away. “Please, you don’t have to be hesitant around me or anypony. I want you to feel secured around me. Also, since you’re here, would you like anything?” I ask to Nirvana as she slowly creeps back up towards me.
She blinks a few times, still avoiding my eyes, trying to process what I had just said to her. She walks up to me and slowly shakes my hoof. Shakily and unstable, she quickly pulls it back. “I-I…I don’t…”, she mumbles, “…I don’t understand…” She stood there with a confused look that I quickly mirrored, as I had no idea what she meant.
So, I decided to ask, “What don’t you understand? Maybe I can clarify? Whatever it is, you can trust me.” Now, I knew she probably wouldn’t trust me, but maybe I could get her to open up to me for me to understand her problem. It’s far fetched, but it might work. Oddly enough, she did answer, much to my delight.
“T-this…I-I don’t…”, she said as she looked into my eyes with a look of fear and confusion, “…I-I don’t understand…you…” she said, much to my confusion. I understand what she meant, we just met and didn’t know much about me, but maybe it was something more than that. “Don’t understand…me?” I asked.
“Y-you don’t treat me like my other m-masters did…you treat me like…like I’m something.” She replied in a weak voice as she averted her gaze once more.
‘Other masters, they must have been terrible to her if she is so fearful of me’ I thought. “You had other masters, Nirvana?” I asked. “How could they treat you like nothing? You are a living, breathing being with emotion and feelings. Believe me when I say that I wish to treat you as an equal.” I reasoned with her. Hopefully I could get through to her, instead of scaring her more.
Nirvana gave me a questioning look before speaking once again, “B-but…I-I’m not equal…am I? I-I am just a slave…”. She had a slight realization that she was not my slave, but lost it as she questioned where she stood in the world. She just needed a push for her to understand what I was getting at.
“Nirvana, to me, you will never be a slave. You are much more than that.” I said, reassuring her, but she gave me that questioning look again, possibly out of nonbelief.
She lightly shook her head as she asked, “W-why…?”. She didn’t know how to take it, and to defend what she knew, she questioned my reasoning, blocking out the free world, at least, until now.
“Because, nopony should be a slave to anypony. You are no different. You are a free changeling, and never let others tell you otherwise.”, I once again reasoned with her.
Her ears perked up upon hearing the word ‘free’. She gawked and stared in disbelief, as if some unknown force was going to take away that moment when she finally realized that she was free. “F-free…? Y-you mean, I can do what I want?” She had no idea how to react to that, but that was expected.
She looked at me for an answer, which I was joyous to give “Of course you can, nopony is saying that you can’t.” She didn’t smile to that, but I could sense a different air about her than before. It wasn’t an overjoyed one, but the depressed mood in the room was definitely lifted.
She asked me gingerly, “M-mister Dust…? Can I have something to eat?"
“But of course, anything in particular?” I asked her, not really knowing if she would enjoy anything I would be making for her.
“A-anything is fine for me, really” Nirvana replied to me. I contemplated over what I could make for her, as I really didn’t know much about changelings and their eating habits.
In a matter of seconds though I rushed into the kitchen preparing something I know she couldn’t refuse. “It’ll take about an hour to get it all ready. So while I whip something up, do you mind just staying in the living room?”
<Nirvana’s POV>
“S-sure, mister Dust.” I said as I examined the room. It was vastly different from my previous masters’, very welcoming in a sense. There was another feeling it gave, but I couldn’t truly put my hoof on it. I walked through the small, simple, and yellow tinted room, just a pair of beige sofas and a lamp varying its landscape. I finally decided to lie on one of the sofas due to my intensifying fatigue. I close my eyes and just let my mind wander.
I found myself floating in front of a greyish landscape. There was a faint hint of blue making it stand out more, but no one would truly be able to notice. I was by myself, absolutely alone with only my thoughts to quell the feeling. But now that I felt alone, I could try to grasp what has happened so far.
There was so much to take in. I have been a slave since I hatched, that much I knew. I had grown used to starvation and punishment; it truly didn’t affect me anymore. Emotions had to be cast away, as they only led to pain and anguish. Only now are they beginning to emerge once more, but this time they’re ‘different’, and it frightens me so.
Being free seemed like an unobtainable dream, but here it was, now in my grasp. What am I to do now? Will society accept something like me to just be a part of it? Questions like these flood into my mind, but the answers never seem to come. My last master would tell me to throw away such thoughts, as she saw no use for them in what she did. The past is something that I no longer fear though; it’s what lies in the future.
I never understood why Dust was accepting of me, and I may never know. Perhaps I could ask him when I wake. He was just so open about things and almost inconceivably merry around me. Was it a ruse to make me bring my guard down? Does he have something terrible planned for me? But he seemed so genuine. But at the same time, maybe there is someone who will treat me well and as an equal.
The dreamscape that I transpired had quickly melted away as I heard a loud ringing and the faint smell of smoke assaulted my senses. Wait a second, smoke! I jumped off the sofa in increasing fear. I ran for the kitchen area, just as I heard an audible thud and groan of pain. On the floor was Dust, knocked unconscious, possibly from smoke inhalation and the increased heat from the roaring fire emerging from the stove. I had to get us out of here, and quickly.
< Dust’s POV >
A few minutes prior…
I never was a great cook. The practice I’ve been giving myself hadn’t improved my skill either. How I survived so long on my poor excuses of ‘edible’ food, I’ll never know. But this was different this had to be perfection. The look Nirvana gave me when she asked me to make her something was just screaming her intense hunger. I got out one of those cookbooks I borrowed from the library, and got straight to work.
I planned to make a vegetable soup and garden salad with Haytalian dressing on the side. The salad came along quite well (I mean, how could anypony mess up a salad), the soup on the other hoof, got out of hoof rather quickly. The water over boiled as I had the stove on way too high a temperature, and within moments smoke shrouded my vision.
I accidently inhaled too much of it and couldn’t call out for help, as my voice had become shot. The next thing I notice is the faint colours of red, yellow and orange erupting form the stovetop. I didn’t know what to do, I wasn’t prepared for a fire to break out. But I was too late to escape the Celestia forsaken room, as I began to feel weak and found myself on the floor within seconds. I blacked out just as I heard a sharp gasp from nearby…
< Nirvana’s POV >
Using some of the magic my previous master had taught me to keep up my workload, I levitated Dust off the floor and sprinted for the door. I attempted to open it, but it was too hot for my exoskeleton to grasp for a prolonged period of time. I needed to do something, and I knew I had tried something like this before, but I had no idea if it would work. I mustered up most of my magic and put it into a transportation spell. I let out a sharp yell of pain as I continued to conjure it. Then, all I saw was white…
We were outside of the flaming house. Ponies were beginning to gather around it, risking my exposure. I didn’t have much energy left, but I had to transform into my pony form. It was a simple spell we changelings knew, but it was often too flashy to do in such a crowded area, due to the engulfing flames it expelled. Luckily, because it would blend in with the preexisting fire coming from the building behind Dust and I, it wouldn’t seem too suspicious.
I concentrated one last time as the flames overtook my body, covering every inch as the flame erupted upwards and out. In little time did my form change into that of a little unicorn filly. My eyes became more bulbous, as my horn shortened, ears rounded out, and my wings disappeared. My exoskeleton began to produce an off-white coat, though my mane stayed the same teal colour it had always been. The flames began to disperse as the spell was coming to finish its work. My transformation had now been complete.
I was quickly growing tired yet again, but I knew I couldn’t lose myself due to fatigue without someone to help us. I yelled as loud as I could “PLEASE! SOMEPONY HELP US!”. My eyes began to falter and I saw the shadowy silhouettes of ponies coming to our aid. With that, I stumbled and fell unconscious atop of Dusk’s limp body.
I felt nothing, neither my limbs nor my mind were willing to cooperate with me after I blacked out. Was this what it felt like to be dead? Just floating in your own personal limbo for this eternity and the next? The only thing I hoped for was that Nirvana got out alive, hopefully finding someone who would take her in.
She never understood why I had been so open and welcoming with her, but I did. She and I lived very similar lives up to a point. I knew how hurt she was and how lonely she felt in this vast world. I was there once, and it has haunted me for years. Sure, I wear a strong face around others and never show such weakness, but it’s because I always felt my inner demons were my battle, and my battle alone. I’ve changed since then, but truly could never break out of my shell, not until now…
I was only a foal when it happened, no older than five. My parents and I were on a trip to Griffonica, a heavily mountainous region inhabited by the griffons. It wasn’t a great tourist spot for travelers, and the griffons knew it as well. As we passed through the exotic land, the griffons began to circle overhead, in search of prey. Little did we know that the prey were my parents.
They dived down with bloodthirsty eyes, my parents tried to protect themselves with what they had at hoof, but to no acclaim. The attackers pecked and lunged at my mother and father, leaving me to watch the gruesome act. Moment by moment, they were torn limb for limb, until all that was left were their empty husks. All I could do was stand there with the look of disgust and mortification upon my face. I didn’t even notice the two griffons that had air lifted me to the mountains. Why was I spared? My imagination was soon met with reality as they planned to work me to near death.
For eight years I laboured for them. I moved slag, I poached dinner for the griffons, and did what I could to survive in that Tartarus of a place. I scrounged for food, which had gotten me beat on many the occasion. I had submitted to their command and could no longer find the will to live. I wished they had just killed me when they had the chance, I was lonely, I felt a deep depression over the years, and by the end of it all, I was filled with unsatisfied malicious intent upon my captors. I had given up hope, until the night I would never forget…
The griffons had just fallen asleep, all except for one I knew quite well. The griffon in question was named Gilda. She always managed to smuggle extra food to me, and was overall the only one I could trust. She explained to me a way to get back to Equestria the griffons often use. Being a pegasus colt myself, I couldn’t pass on the opportunity. I felt may things for Gilda that night, happiness, confusion of why she helped me, and also a feeling which I couldn't exactly place, but gave me the drive to escape. This was my only chance I was going to take it. Off into the night sky I went, never to see Gilda or the griffons again.
In less than three days I found myself in the city of Canterlot. I was homeless and hungry, with me begin unable to manage to quell either problem. I resorted to panhandling to earn money for food, which ended in less than hoped for results. It was then when a pony by the name of Atom Split who offered me a job in the field of experimental physics. I worked with Atom for five years and earned my way in way in life. I was really interested in the subject and the sciences in general, and thus my cutie mark came in the shape of a flaming molecule.
I was sixteen when I decided to move to Ponyville. Atom tried to convince me to stay and continue aiding his research, but I made my decision and boarded the train. I moved into Ponyville and bought the house I had lived in for the past two years. I found work with a local florist in the market with my boss, Roseluck. I had gotten acquainted to the country life, but still, my past haunted me and still does….
I didn’t know what to do from here. I was stuck in my dreamscape for what felt like a century. Slow though, I could feel a white light shining down upon me. Was the almighty one sending me to the land after death? I opened my eyes wearily and with slight pain. As my eyes focused I could now see the pure white ceiling overhead and the bright lamp in front of my face. I rose from what seemed to be a bed, and looked around the room.
It was fairly empty other than the trio of beds around it, one of which I was occupying at the moment. There seemed to be another pony in here, a young one at that. All I could see was a teal mane, and then it hit me. Where was Nirvana? I snapped my head around the room in a hurry, hoping to find any sign of her, but to no avail. ‘Try to remember something about changelings you twit’ I thought. ‘It’s in the name Dust. CHANGElings’. C’mon Dust, remember her appearance, maybe you can guess who she is. Let’s see, short stature, teal mane and eyes… wait teal mane?
I look to the filly again. She has the exact mane colour and cut as Nirvana did. Then it dawned on me. That filly was Nirvana disguised as a pony. I got out of the bed and walked towards her. She looked so peaceful as she slept, I just couldn’t bring myself to wake her. I still didn’t know where we were, but at least she seemed okay.
“Oh, mister Dust, you finally woke.” Said the robed pony walking up to me. “We had been worried that neither you or this filly would have survived the fire that took place at your house. You don’t need to worry though, both your house and the filly here are fine, just a few burns but nothing to worry about.” The pony said.
“Where are we exactly? I blacked out and can’t remember a thing about being sent here.” I said to the pony. I had no idea where we were. The beige walls and white floor left nothing in the terms of guessing my position.
“You are in Ponyville general hospital. You have been for about three days now. I am nurse Redheart.” She introduced herself as. “Mister Dust, may I ask who exactly this filly is? She was found unconscious atop of you, and we could find no records of her at City Hall. Might she be family of yours?” She asked.
I had to think quickly. Nirvana could be exposed if I don’t. “Umm…yes! Yes, she is family. She is my niece out from Canterlot. She came to visit for the first time and we somehow got into this mess.” I blatantly lied, only to protect Nirvana. “But are you sure she is okay?”
“Well, she could use some proper food for her system, but other than that, she is fine. Now that we know both of you are fine and awake, we can release you from the hospital.” Nurse Redheart responded. Wait…both awake? I look behind me to see the timid face of Nirvana, slightly shivering in her bed. Nurse Redheart took her leave as she could see that we might need a moment, as I slowly approached the little changeling/unicorn.
< Nirvana’s POV >
“D-Dust? Where are w-we? What h-happened?” I asked to Dust. I had many things on my mind, but only one needed answering at this time. I just wanted to know where we were, even though I already had an idea.
“We’re at the hospital, Nirvana. After the fire, we got sent here. It’s been about three days. I’m just so overjoyed we both survived. ” Dust said with joy in his words. Now that the setting was placed, I was ready to ask him where that joy for me came from. No beating around the bush, just going to have to be direct.
“That’s great Dusk.” I put on a half smile. Survival was something to be slightly happy about. “I just wanted to ask you something though… Why?”
“Why what, Nirvana?” He asked back, but his face could tell what I was going to ask him.
“Why have you been so welcoming to me? You don’t treat me like a slave, but as an equal. You let me eat food, or at least you tried to do that for me. I’m not a thing to you, I’m someone in your eyes… But why do you see like that? No one else has, so why you?” I finally let it slip. It had to be asked of him. Nopony I ever knew had treated me like he did, even if it was only for less than a day at this point.
He opened his mouth to speak, trying to pick his words and form a complete sentence. Finally, he closed his eyes, and said to me “I see you as someone because I understand what you’ve been through and would never want to see anyone else like that. Let me tell you a story…”
After being released from the hospital, Nirvana and I began the short trek to my house to see what the fire had done. On the way, Nirvana was asking question after question about my life with the griffons and about my life in Canterlot. I tried to answer her plethora of questions, but they seemed to keep coming. Of the questions asked, I knew all the answers, but, for her sake and mine, I had to avoid as many as possible.
Nirvana was still in her disguise, as to not draw attention to herself, even though it was the late evening and not many ponies wandered about the town after dark. We arrived at the house not long after, and with a deep sigh, I could already tell the damage had been done. “Your house is fine” the nurse assured him. Fine my flank, the exterior and interior were charred, windows were broken, most likely to let out the smoke, and the kitchen, by Celestia the kitchen was beyond most ponies skills of repair.
Luck be it that the two bedrooms on the upper floor sustained the least damage. The blankets would have to be replaced, and the draft from the open space that used to house a window was dreadful, but I could still find happiness in it all as I found that the flame that engulfed my house did not touch my personal belongings. The administrator at the hospital had asked if I needed accommodations at the town inn, and even though I denied the offer, they had called anyways and gave me the address ‘just in case’.
I looked over to Nirvana, who had her ears down on her head and her eyes focused on the floor. She looked depressed from seeing the house like this. She knew it wasn’t hers, but she held concern nonetheless. Her concern seemed almost as great as my own. I was forced out of my own house, and now we had to continue disguising Nirvana until the house was repaired. Silence swept over the house, ad silence that I needed to break.
“Well, Nirvana, the house will be out of use for us for a while. We are going to have to stay somewhere else. I know things have been happening really quickly for you the past few days, but I want you to know that from now own… we’re ordering take-out.” I jested to her, earning a weak chuckle and snort.
Her spirits needed the lift. She had been a slave only four days ago, but now she had her own life to live. She would begin to feel and emote, just as any other pony/changeling would. In the past four days, life went on in a steep upward cliff, which we were both unable to climb. It would take time, but we would manage to get over it.
“Where are we going to stay while the house is being fixed?” She asked with concern and nervousness. It was all so new to her, but she would learn in time.
“The inn, Nirvana. We passed it on the way here. It’s not too far, but we both could use a rest and I feel that neither if us will make it if we dawdle here too long.” I said to Nirvana as I began out the door. Nirvana followed closely, maybe about two or three steps behind. We were once again out and about with only one target in mind, the inn.
Not much was said between us, as we seemed to just walk with our heads to the star-filled skies. It was a beautiful night tonight, something only seen on a clear summer night such as this. The moon was full, as the stars formed the constellations that fascinated many ponies over the years. While the scene was picturesque and a wonder to bask in, it was short lived as we both closed in on the inn.
< Nirvana’s POV >
The stars were beautiful this night. I never truly got to seem them, as I was often jailed to the house or factory of my masters. When I did see them however, they filled me with glee as their light shone down upon me. They were distant rays of hope from the heavens that I wished upon on he rare chance I got. I never knew that my hopes and wishes would come true as I faced the reality that I was now free.
The stars also got me thinking, thinking of Dust. Dust seemed like an imaginary friend only meant to keep her company until I let my guard down long enough to be hurt once again. What I didn’t expect was Dust speaking of his past. It shocked me to no ends to hear that he was too, a slave at one point. I would have never taken him to be one, as he wasn’t a disheveled mess, nor was he somepony who looked emotionally scarred, something I was for a long time. Thoughts about Dust went one for what felt like hours, but soon we arrived at the inn.
We checked in and took to our rooms. We were given two beds, one for each of us, an oil lamp to light the room, and a chest in the middle, to store any items or paraphernalia we brought along. It was mundane and unwelcoming, obviously not meant for prolonged stays. I missed the house we were in not an hour ago already. Not long after entering did we both deicide to just sleep for the night.
We would come up with a plan of action once the sun rose. We needed to decide what Dust would do now that he lived away from his house for a while. We also needed to know what I planned to do with my newfound freedom. In other words, I needed something to occupy my time now. Working had always been what I did with my time. What did fillies my age do in the summer anyways? It didn’t now I guess, as all I could focus on was getting to sleep on this stiff bed.
It was now morning. Dust was getting the builders to prepare fixing his house, which they said would take about three weeks to finish. Dust said that he wouldn’t need to pay for it, and gleefully walked off. I didn’t understand why, but if he was happy about it, so was I. First thing he wanted to do was show me around Ponyville.
We started in the market, which was located in the middle of the small town. Arriving in the market, we passed by many of the stands set up for the work day ahead. Some were selling foods of all types, while others were just set up to fill the expansive space. We passed by many ponies of different colours and sizes. It was almost eye straining, but I quickly adjusted to it all. As we passed through the market, now preparing to move on with our tour, Dust approached a shop with many floral arrangements and topiary pieces situated both outside and inside. I followed as to not get lost.
“Hello? Anypony here?” Dust said as he walked into the store. A mare with a beige coat and faded red hair turned around to face him. She looked at him with a smile on her face as he walked up. I didn’t know what to say about this, so I stayed quiet and let the scene play out.
“Morning Dust. Finally coming into work are you? It’s been a week or two since I saw you in here. Well, you gonna explain yourself or are you just gonna keep staring at me.” The mare said to Dust in attempt to tease him. I risked a chuckle, as what she said seemed to have come from nowhere.
“You never change, do you Roseluck? I know I’ve been off work for a week, but the demand for flowers has been so low this autumn, we haven’t even seen much work to go to.” Dust replied to the now named Roseluck. From what I could make out, Dust worked here with her, but I’m getting this feeling that there is something more than just work between them.
“Look Dust, I know work around here gets slow until winter comes around for us to sell trees for Hearth’s Warming, but it still isn’t a good enough excuse not to come in. Plus, it gets kinda lonely around here.” Roseluck explained to Dust with a pouty look. “But, enough about me and my problems, I heard about the fire a few days ago, you doing okay?” She asked.
Dust was still trying to think quickly for an excuse. He looked franticly around the store, until her saw me. I think he may of thought of something. “I understand Roseluck, but I wanted you to know that I took the week off to show my niece around Ponyville and get her acquainted. The fire is going to be a huge inconvenience, but we’ll manage.”
“Yeah I understand, just come in for Monday and it’ll be fine. You and your niece have a good weekend Dust.” Roseluck finished. Well, at least now he could get off work no problem. We now left the store with a goodbye to Roseluck and started on our way again.
Dust looked like he was in another world when we left the store. He was giving off that same feeling I felt in the store. I had no idea what it is, but dawned on me as we wore a slight blush. Something was up with him and Roseluck, and I just needed to ask.
“Dust…how’s it going over there...Dust?” I said. A few minutes passed, but he was lost in his own world. Finally, I needed to get him out of his stupor, so I decided to do what any logical pony/changeling would do and used my magic to slap him a bit. He shook his head swiftly back and forth, as he looked around still wearing his deepening blush and then looked at me.
“Oh, sorry Nirvana, I was just thinking about some things.” He said clearly avoiding what I already could guess, and I was willing to let myself rub it in.
“You mean thinking about Roseluck, right?” I said with a sly grin upon my face. Dust could only look at me with shrunken pupils and horror written on his face, as he knew I found out something important to him. He tried to hush me up with a hoof, and pulled me away from the main street as to not let anyone else hear him.
“How did you know?” He asked. “My crush on Roseluck isn’t that noticeable is it?” He finished with a whisper in my ear. I was laughing uncontrollably when he asked that.
“Dust, it’s really noticeable if you keep running around Ponyville with a blush as red as her mane. Also, I could tell since I’m changeling, remember. We feel emotions and understand them better than anyone, especially love.” I explained to Dust. He looked as if he was going to faint right there, but he quickly composed himself and led us back to the street.
“So, how long has this been going on”? I ask, trying to get something juicy out of this. All he did was hang his head and quietly say, “Since I got the job.”
“When are you going to tell her?” I asked to further the conversation. Dust just stopped in his tracks. He just couldn’t wrap his head over the fact of telling Roseluck his feelings.
“Uhhhh…” is all Dust could say. He looked around frantically for anything to get him out of this conversation, and then it hit him, literally. Something that looked like a gigantic pink furball crashed into Dust and began to jump on him. Within seconds, a second pink object bounced onto the scene.
“Hey Dust, I see you met my new friend, Fluffle.” The pink bouncing thing said to Dust, who was know engulfed by the fur this “Fluffle” was packing. I still didn’t know who this other pink one was, but I didn’t want to know. Next thing I knew, I was assaulted by ocean blue eyes and a sharp gasp as the second pink thing ran in the opposite direction of us. I have no idea what I just saw, and I hope to live in blissful ignorance of it.
Dust was still struggling under the “Fluffle”, but with a bit of magic, I pulled it off of him and tossed it down the street. Dust looked winded from the weight of that thing, but after a few moments he rose from the ground. So many questions assaulted my mind about what just happened, and they needed to be answered. I was opening my mouth just as Dust said. “I’ll explain what just happened over lunch, but prepare to not understand the half of it.”
“Okay, where to Dust?” I asked as we walked up to a large building that looked like a giant gingerbread house. It looked good enough to eat, but I had no idea it was actually brick when I tried to take a bite out of it. My hunger was really getting to me, and this house was doing me no favours in that case.
Dust walked up beside me and said, “Oh, you found the best place to eat. Come on Nirvana, let’s get lunch at Sugarcube Conrner. I’ll explain everything while we’re here…
Thanks to Joshyboy327 on DA for pre-reading and editing
<Dust's POV>
We both enjoyed our lunches at Sugarcube Corner as I explained what exactly happened not minutes before. Nirvana looked confused at the matter of Pinkie Pie, as most ponies did when first meeting the Pink devil. I spoke of the time she saved the town from the parasprites, and even the time she nearly went insane over a party. Pinkie Pie’s time in the spotlight usually was for odd reasons and unexplainable events. I was at a loss for words when trying to explain just what Pinkie Pie was, and just like everypony before me I defaulted to saying “Pinkie is just being Pinkie.”
We finished the food that the Cakes had made just as I completed my scattered explanation of Pinkie. Maybe one day, a group of scientists can research her. I can just imagine all of them being dumbfounded just by the way she is. Can she even be classified as a pony? I don’t truly know, and I’m not willing to find the answer either.
“I don’t really understand much of what you just said, but I think I got enough to know what to do next time I encounter this ‘Pinkie Pie’” Nirvana said. She really had no idea what Pinkie was either. She just sat there throughout the entire exposition with confusion written upon her face. I don’t blame her though, I was the same when I first met Pinkie.
After the noon hour expired we left the café and moved through the town once again. The skies were beginning to grey, which worried me somewhat. The weather pegasi did not plan for a storm or grey skies for at least a week. “We might have to hurry along with our tour, as we don’t want to get caught in the storm coming.” I said to Nirvana who was only steps behind.
“I’ve seen quite a lot today already, Dust. Ponyville is an interesting town that I hope I can get used to eventually.” She replied. We hadn’t covered much of the town yet, but I guess she was still processing the whole Pinkie Pie thing. Before we called it a day I had one place left to go, my house. I needed to see how repairs were coming along, and with this storm, hopefully it won’t get flooded overnight.
We walked at a brisk pace, as the rain had begun to start. I really hoped we could get back to the hotel fast enough, as I do not want to test my luck against the natural elements yet again. I looked behind me to see if Nirvana was keeping up, but it seemed like she had burned herself out and couldn’t do it anymore.
“Dust, I-I’m just too tired. The disguise, the walking, I just can’t take it anymore. Please, can we just stop for a minute?” She said wearily as her eyes drooped. She looked absolutely drained and I can understand why. Her keeping up that disguise of hers plus her natural magic to feel strong emotions, clearly killed all the energy left in her. I couldn’t stop though, the rain would drench us both if we did. So I decided to carry her on my back. With one swift flick of the neck, she collapsed on my back and we carried onward.
The rain was picking up in speed and force now, and I was in a full gallop to get to my destination. It was only a few meters away, but it felt like miles to me. The house was now in view, and I was relieved that I no longer needed to sprint. I slowed myself as I moved up to the house, the walls and roof slowly getting larger and closer. ‘Only a bit farther now’ I thought to give myself the drive to keep going. I could now see the house in full view, and what I saw made me break down in tears of joy and absolute confusion.
My house…the one that was burned not two days ago…was completely fixed. I didn’t know who or what did this, but I was soon to find my answer. Within seconds of recomposing myself, I saw three ponies leaving the front entrance of my house, one an orange mare, the second, a large red stallion, and finally, a little yellow filly with red hair and a blue bow to compliment it. They walked towards me with the largest smiles I had ever seen on anypony’s face. I didn’t know what to say, my house was fixed from the damages and was possibly in better shape than before the fire happened. The trio of ponies were now in front of me, still adorning their large smiles.
“Howdy!” The orange one said. She wore a Stetson over her simple blonde hair, just as her freckles just sat below her emerald green eyes. I needed to speak, but no words were coming out. ‘Keep your mind straight, Dust’ I thought.
Once again after recollecting myself, I said “H-hello there.” I was still in shock, but I would get over it in a matter of minutes. I couldn’t say much right now, but I needed to ask. “You fixed my house?”
The red one stepped up now. He had short blonde hair with deep green eyes. He stood much higher than other stallions and had the muscle mass to give Snowflake a run for his money. All he said to answer my question was “Eeyup.” He didn’t seem a like a pony of many words just from that alone, but I can’t judge him, as I barely know him.
“Well, to be exact, my little sister did. She saw the house and wanted to fix it up.” The orange one said now turning to the little yellow filly. She was timid at first, as if she thought she did something terrible, but she perked right up upon hearing her name and began explaining everything she did to fix the house.
“Well… to be exact, ah replaced the floorboards, patched the drywall, removed the old shingles to put on the new ones, painted the rooms…” She went on with all the repairs with stars in her eyes. She clearly took pride in her work, and was really excited as she continued talking. As she neared the end of the long-winded restoration details, there was a faint glow coming from behind her that quickly faded away. I seemed to be the only one who noticed, as the ponies made no note of it.
Our conversation quickly ended, but before the three ponies could go, we finally got our introductions out of the way. The orange mare was Applejack, the red one was her brother, Big Macintosh, and the little filly/ repairmare was their sister, Applebloom. I had seen them quite a few times in the town, but never got to meet them, let alone know any of them on a first name basis. Suddenly though, I could hear what sounded like a window cracking.
<Nirvana’s POV>
I had no more energy left. My magic was drained, and I had no choice but to drop my disguise. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t like to know what might happen to me. It wouldn’t be discreet and would draw some attention, but I couldn’t care, as the lack of magic caused me to experience unnoticeable, yet excruciating pain.
With a loud crack and shatter of magic, it was gone. Anypony nearby would be able to see that I was a changeling, but I couldn’t do anything about it. I was then quickly rushed inside as I fell unconscious once again.
<Dust’s POV>
“Well, we need to be off now. Bloom’s got school in the mornin’, and me and Big Mac got a lot of trees to buck.” Applejack said as they begun to walk off. We said our goodbyes and began to take our separate ways, but a hint of worry lingered in my mind just after I head that cracking noise not moments earlier.
I didn’t know what that cracking was, but was quickly met with the answer. Nirvana’s disguise was no longer active, which could be a danger to her if discovered. I galloped to my house as quickly as possible, attempting to hide her from any wandering eyes, but something already told me that somepony knew…
I..I couldn’t believe it, and my eyes ain’t playin’ tricks on me yet. That little filly that Dust was carrying…looked like a changeling. It seemed impossible since we squashed them pesky bugs back in Canterlot…but I guess we didn’t get all of them. ‘What if she be mind controlin’ Dust like Shinin’ Armour was?’ I thought ‘Maybe she’s trying to make up for what they couldn’t do the first time’. My mind was going a mile a minute, tryin’ to understand what exactly a changeling was doing in Ponyville.
“Woah nelly, Applejack! You’re just getting’ ahead of yourself…right? Maybe she ain’t evil, maybe Dust’s just tryin’ to help her or somethin’.”
‘But that still doesn’t change the fact that what you saw was a changeling.’ This thought coming barging right through all the others, and it was right, a changeling’s a changeling. “Look…Ah know that was a changeling, but Ah won’t know what it plans to do unless I confront it.” I said to myself in a hushed voice. “Ah’m just gonna have to go talk to her and Dust and get the honest truth, but before that, Ah think Ah’m a have to talk to Twi ‘bout this.”
It’s gonna have to wait ‘til mornin’ though, since the moon’ already out and I don’t want to bother anyone. This may be urgent, and I just want to know how to handle this, but I’ll just need to wait it out. Still…it wouldn’t hurt if I sent a letter to let her know.
Dear Twi,
How are you doin’ over in Canterlot? Everypony’s been a lot less happy since you left and would be over the moon if you came by. But never mind that, I have somethin’ important to talk to you about in the mornin’ and it can’t wait any longer than that. I’ll tell you more when we meet, I promise, but it has to be between you and me only, no other princess. All I can say for now is that Equestria may be in danger and it’s hidin’ right under our noses. I saw a changeling in Ponyville, and I fear the worst may happen. I wait for your response to this urgency, and possible way to end the threat before it happens.
From your friend,
Applejack
P.S. Don’t show this to anypony or tell them what we’re going to talk about (And that goes for Celestia as well)
<Dust’s POV>
The night passed fairly quickly one the Apples left. I was still cautious about what happened yesterday though. Nirvana was exposed for all of Equestria to see (or three farmers who stood and watched the entire scene play out), and I was worried for her safety. Unfortunately, today I can’t stay with her as Rose wants me back at work, and this time I can’t get out of it.
“I’m sorry Nirvana, but I have to work today. You can do anything you’d like, as long as you’re in your disguise. If you tire yourself out, just come back home and rest. Other than that, have a good day.” I said to her as quickly as possible as I rushed out the door on the way to Rose’s shop.
‘Maybe today is the day I can finally ask her out’ I thought as I trotted through the oddly empty streets of the town. ‘But, knowing her, she probably already has somepony to herself…I just don’t know what to do.’ I continued. She is a special mare, one who definitely deserves the best…something I can’t be. I disregard the thought and continue going along.
‘And what should I do about Nirvana? There is no doubt Applejack or one of her siblings saw her in her changeling form. I fear that is she tells anypony, one of the princesses would be bound to get involved and put her in a dungeon…or worse!’ I feared for Nirvana and her well-being. She may just be a changeling to anypony else in Equestria, but she is much more than that to me. I understand what she’s been through, and the possibility of somepony wronging her like that again is something I will not let happen.
I complete my inner rant as I finally converge, as well as many other ponies, upon the marketplace. It was still early, so these ponies were only here to set up. Luckily, Rose was already present and had just finished setting up her stand.
“Morning, Dust.” She said.
“Morning to you Rose” I greeted back.
“Get ready for a busy work day. The shipment of perennials from White Tail Woods just arrived!” She said with glee as her forehooves clopped together. All I could do was join in on her joy. That infectious smile and laughter was exactly what I needed to get the day started.
<Nirvana’s POV>
“What to do…what to do? Uhhhhh… I have no idea! Maybe if I go into town I can find something to do” I had been pacing around for a good half hour, nothing really coming to mind on what to do. “Why did Dust have to go to work? Oh yeah, to pay his bills and support the ever growing economy of Equestria, right.” I concluded. I needed to get out more, or else I’ll turn into a tax report. And with that I knew what I was going to do!
It was time to get outside and get some air. Dust’s place could use a fan or something like that, I was sweating in my disguise (stupid thick coat!) and the cool autumn air was exactly what I needed to cool off. I headed out the door and into the bustling town. I’m surprised how many ponies could fit into such a small town like this. I’ll have to ask somepony later, for now I say, “Adventure, ho!”
The ponies of Ponyville are a rare species indeed. They are delightful to be around, good to talk with, and some of the most amusing beings I have ever witnessed. I had never met so many ponies that could be this happy and extraordinary, it was almost creepy in a way. To have a perma-smile, it must be Tartarus on their cheeks later.
But the good mood had to be spoiled when I bumped into two fillies. One was the owner of a pale pink coat, two-toned pink and grey hair, and a pricey tiara. The other wore a coat of grey, topped with a silver mane, and blue glasses. The pink one was the first to speak. “Hey! Watch where you’re going.” She yelled.
“Sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going” I apologized to her.
“Sorry ain’t going to cut it, you stupid filly. Nopony just bumps into Diamond Tiara, and thinks they’re going to get away with it! I’ll have my daddy throw you in the dungeon for this….” She continued on talking. Her friend was just coasting in the background, and didn’t look like she was about to get involved with this. I was about to do something, and it was pretty bold.
“Are you walking away from me? How dare you! Who just gets up and walks away?” I zoned her out after that, mostly because she was about 4 blocks away when I finally lost sight of her. How could anypony stand being around her for more than a minute? Yet another great mystery of Ponyville, I guess. I’ll put that one right after case file #001 “Pinkie Pie”.
Today was going to be a long day…
<Twilight’s POV>
BUUUUURP!
“Twilight, you got mail!” My number one assistant yelled from downstairs.
“Spike, riddle me this. Who could be sending mail so late in the night?” I said to Spike with uncertainty in my voice.
“Well, you’d better come and see it for yourself. It looks like an emergency letter from Applejack.” Spike said with concern
“What could be so urgent she had to send out a letter now? It looks like nothing impor…WHAT!?” I yelled. “NO NO NO NO NO NO! Not again, it can’t be happening again!”
“What’s happening Twilight? What is worth going so crazy over?”
“Changelings…”
PSA (Pinkie Service Announcement) (New Announcement on lower half of page)
"Hey everypony, Pinkie Pie here. I don't really know why I'm here, but the pony who told me to be here said I would get a HUGE bag of sugar when I'm done. OH, it's going to be so super delic-"
"PINKIE! Just stick to the script, just this once." Says the voice.
"Oh...okie-dokie-loki, Mr. Author Guy. So, as I was saying, I'm here on the author's behalf to apologize for the time it has been taking for him to write the next chapter of To Be Free, and he hopes you aren't mad at him. In all honesty, he's been busy with life, school and whatnot. Mr. Author Guy is telling me that I can go now, and I guess I'll be back soon. See ya later alligator." She dashes off stage with an oversized bag of sugar in tow.
"Ahem...as you see, I've been busy with life and such, but one thing Pinkie forgot to mention is that I just have not idea what to write about in the next chapter. Many ideas have come and gone, but I just can't come up with something solid to continue with. I've considered possibly rewriting the story into something else, but I just don't have the time or ideas to do so at the moment. I hope you can forgive my tardiness and my broken promise to you, the readers. Until I come up with something, I'll see you all later." The author says as he walks offstage, sulking.
I'm ending my story To Be Free as it is now! Maybe one more chapter to end things off.
Now, before you ask questions or wonder why I'm doing this, let me make another announcement.
I will be continuing 'To Be Free' with a sequel taking place three months after the events of 'To Be Free'.
Just as Nirvana settles in to her new life in Ponyville as a now free changeling, other ponies prepare to eradicate her. Will Nirvana be able to survive the vicious hunt? Will Dust be able to protect Nirvana? Will her identity be revealed? Does she have any friends at this point in time? Will Roseluck be used as more than a terrible romantic sub plot device? Find out in the soon to be released...'To Be Hunted'
And just to add on top of this. I plan to make somewhat of a prequel / side story about Dust's years as a slave to the Griffons.
A family vacation gone wrong, Dust Vibe freshly caught by the Griffons, must learn to fend for himself and survive no matter the odds. As six long years drag by, Dust will begin to adapt to his new lifestyle, make companions among his captors, and face hardships no other pony should face. Will we finally meet these other characters the author hinted at in the last story? Will some of these plot points come back to haunt me one day? Some of these will be answered in the multi one-shot/ anthology type story, 'To Be Dust In The Wind'