Bulk knows what it's like to be different but can he handle a changeling?
Bulk Biceps and a changeling try to make a life together but can they really do it? Bulk has been hiding from his past trying not to dwell but can he help the Changeling? Or is the better question can she help him?
The changeling hit the ground with a loud boom that drew attention from the only pony close there. This pony was Bulk Biceps, who cautiously approached the big crater. Not knowing what to do with the obviously injured creature he took her with him to his home. Although he wasn't aware of what she was or what happened.
Thesis, the Changeling, woke up with a terrible pain that seemed to be everywhere at once, but what really scared her was who she saw when she awoke. Bulk Biceps was surprisingly huge and overbearing, but not unfriendly towards her.
"You're awake!" he said rather loudly. The changeling in response cowered. Then he lightly added "Sorry, too loud?
The changeling nodded before trying to move but finding that she was in too much pain she looked sad and desolate due to the fact that she was not only cut off from the hive but alone with this massive stallion.
"Are you okay?"
She didn't respond at first thinking of what to do but realized her training didn't cover this.
"Don't hurt me, please…" she whimpered.
Her statement seemed to offend him however. "Hurt you? Why would I do that?!” He shouted realizing what he did after that. “Sorry, I didn't meant to scare you… Er, who are you?”
“I’m… Thesis.” She said while Bulk blinked at her. He would have come closer to her, but Thesis made a scared face. “Don’t come closer! I don’t want your help, I just want to- Argh!” Thesis stopped feeling a pain in one of her wings. This one was broken. She tried to flutter it, but stopped when feeling an even bigger pain.
“Are you hurt?!”
Thesis didn't answered him for a moment, but, with a broken wing, she couldn't make her way back home. And he was the only pony who could help her now. He didn't ran away from a changeling, and that was a beginning already! “My right wing… It’s broken. I can’t get back to my own home…”
“And where is your… home?” Bulk really had to stop shouting at her, but he was used to talking like that.
“You really never heard of changelings?”
“Not really”
Thesis shook her head, “Okay I… I came from my hive. I didn't really remember what happened. It was like my queen and my brothers and sisters being hit by a huge love magic in that marriage. And then I fell over here.” Thesis stroked her head, she had a huge pain there too. Actually, almost her entire body was in pain due to the impact.
Bulk took this better than expected, he simply listened intently. After she finished her story she waited for his anger but again was surprised. He simply smiled at her sympathetically looking at her wing his smile faded.
“Your wing is bad huh?”
Thesis looked at her wing then up to him when she saw his tiny wings. “ Excuse me pony but your wings are really small can you fly?”
“Yeaahhh!!! I mean yes I can fly but not too fast or high.” he said simply.
She was about to respond when there was a knock at the door. As Bulk left the room she finally took in her surroundings, she was in a small room with a brick floor and tan walls. There was a small mirror on the wall across from the cot she was on and a small table beside the bed.
"Hello?" she could hear the pony talking at the door.
"Good afternoon citizen we are in search of changelings do you know where any may be?" This made thesis' blood run cold.
However the pony's response left her dumbfounded "What's a changeling?"
"You do not know? Well that is not surprising since you live so far away from town, but be wary citizen" she couldn't hear the rest because of her head ache but she soon heard the door close and hoof steps approaching.
He entered the room through the enormous door and was surprised to find her sitting up calmly waiting for his return. "Why didn't you tell them that I am here?" Bulk did not respond so she continued. "You know what I did so why? I'm different so why?"
"That's why. Because you're different I am different should I be arrested?"
She could feel emotions of understanding, pity, and sadness emanating from him. "um.. listen pony-"
"Bulk Biceps, just Bulk" he said loudly.
"Listen Bulk I told you Changelings could sense emotions right?" To her surprise Bulk flinched."You're sad."
Bulk turned away "You should rest" he said quietly.
"Do you really trust me to be alone with you asleep?" She asked grinning smugly. Her grin disappeared when she felt his sadness rise."Bulk you okay?"
He simply walked out without responding. She heard a door close assuming he went to bed and she should do the same even if she didn't want to the pain insisted. Thesis went to sleep fairly quickly and dreamt of the hive but the dream soon turned into a nightmare of the failed invasion and the intimidating blast coming at her. She woke up screaming and sweating. Soon afterwards Bulk burst into the room looking around urgently when he saw she was okay he relaxed a bit.
"I'm sorry Bulk I was having a bad nightmare" she looked down.
"I understand" he said gently. "Do you want me to stay in here with you?"
The question surprised her but when she felt his emotions she calmed. He was worried about her? But Why? Did she deserve it? "I-I... Yes please." with that he nodded and left the room only to return with a pillow and a cover. Bulk layed down on the floor next to the cot.
"Good night Thesis" he said sincerely.
"Good night Bulk" Thesis replied just as sincere.
After she went to sleep she did not have any more nightmares and slept quite peacefully for the rest of the night.
Bulk woke up long before Thesis because of his workout habits or at least he thought so. He stood there for a second thinking of what he should do with one of the creatures that attacked Canterlot. Although he knew he couldn't leave her to die.
"Don't worry little Thesis I'll protect you" he whispered. However Thesis was awake enough to hear him and smiled. She heard him say something under his breath but couldn't make out what it was.
With that Bulk left the room leaving Thesis to think about what he said and why. Does he mean it? Even if he does why? I know I can't take him in a fight but I have the feeling I'm not a prisoner either. Should I stay? I guess he's all that I have left. I didn't even tell him that I didn't do it of my own free will. The queen made me. The hive mind was shattered so she was helpless with her broken wing. But she recalled last night Bulk was really sad... why?
"What is wrong with you Bulk?" she said aloud. "I don't know how but I'm going to get through that thick exterior. Your just a big softie at heart."
Thesis was glad that the pain had subsided enough to move because she couldn't be stuck in bed all the time. She opened the door which led to a short hallway with two doors on each side. She walked past them into what looked like the living room, it had a couch, a chair, and a small coffee table. Something she noticed was that they were made heavy duty must be for Bulk's size. She walked around for a while without finding Bulk.
"Bulk are you here?" She asked nervously. But there was no response she ventured into the kitchen to get a sandwich then returned to her room. Why am I waiting? Why don't I run? What's wrong with Bulk? Where is he?She got lost with thoughts like these until Bulk returned from his workout. Bulk walked into her room and was surprised to find her still there.
"Hello" she greeted simply. " Wondering why I stayed? Truth is I don't know you could easily break me or turn me in but you haven't. So until my wing heals you are stuck with me"
"Is that good or bad?" he nearly shouted, still pumped from the gym.
"Which do you think Bulk?" she replied smiling.
Bulk didn't respond for a while but eventually spoke up. "Oh well we all die sometimes!" he smiled and walked out of the room.
"Awww.. c'mon Bulk it won't be so bad" she smiled menacingly. "You'll protect me remember"
That sentence made Bulk freeze in place his emotion a mix of feelings. "I don't know what your talking about!"
"Awww... your blushing Bulk" but then she felt it again, Bulk's sadness. "I'm sorry Bulk I didn't mean to upset you. You lost someone precious to you didn't you?"
"No it's something else. But that's not important! Look pretty we're having a guest today! Yeaaaahhh!!"
"Huh?" was all she could manage.
She was scared Bulk told her that the stallion coming over was able to beat him in a one-on-one hoof fight. Also he can pull entire buildings with ease, this truly scared her. "Why?!"
He responded quite calmly "Just think about it like this if we, or more importantly you, get discovered we would need help to fight off the guards to get you to safety. He's one of the strongest, if not the strongest, ponies I know. Also he's friendly and quiet."
This helped her some but she got nervous when she heard him knocking.
"Could you get that? I'm busy!" he called from the kitchen.
"Okay" she changed into her disguise, a deep blue unicorn with a curly red mane.
She nervously opened the door and was greeted by a big, red earth pony with a short blond mane and a large work harness around his neck. "Hi, c-come in"
Bulk walked in from the kitchen "Mac! yeah! welcome!"
"Eeyup" was his only reply. He didn't look visually as big as Bulk but for some reason she trusted Bulk's word on the subject
"Yeah!" then he calmly added "This is Thesis the changeling" he motioned to her. Her eyes widened when he said changeling but Big Mac simply nodded.
"That's it? No freaking out? No attacking me? What's wrong with you ponies?" she asked dumbfounded.
This made Bulk laugh "Your not exactly super scary, and there's two of us! so don't worry. Remember I'll protect you!"
She blushed lightly before dropping her disguise which finally got a response, Big Mac flinched, but only slightly. "Whoa! That's mighty surprisin'"
"Well at least I got a reaction that time. You like?" She began laughing hysterically. "Sorry I thought it was funny."
"Heh heh ah' reckon no harm no foul right Bulk?" he said smiling.
"Yeah! foods done!" for a big guy Bulk can move when the food timer goes off. He ran faster than the Element of Loyalty could fly. "Oh yeah! Who wants carrot soup?!"
"Hey Big Mac right?" Thesis asked unsure
"eeyup" he replied simply
"Why aren't you afraid of me? I'm different."
"That's why because yer different just like me an' Bulk" he replied in a matter-of-fact way.
"That's exactly what he said do you like meet and rehearse what your gonna say?" she asked half annoyed, half interested.
"Nope" Big Mac replied moving over towards the kitchen followed by Thesis.
"Do you have some kind of hive mind?" Big Mac raised an eyebrow. "Guess not but you two would really defend a creature like me, a monster?"
She could tell at that moment that the word monster did not bode well with either of them. Mac looked at Bulk who was deathly silent just staring at the table."Bulk? A-are you O-OK?"
Bulk looked up for a second "Monster? You know nothing about monsters, but you are far from one I'll tell you that."
Bulk wasn't happy but he wasn't seriously angry. She could read his emotions, but there was something else, something more foreboding. Thesis was trying to figure out what when there was a loud crashing sound outside distracting them all.
They ran outside only to see a bright flash that, once cleared left Thesis unconscious and Bulk in defense mode. Two Changelings were fighting the two guards who had come to Bulk's house the previous night. The changelings spotted Thesis as well as the guards. The two guards came after Thesis but before they got to Bulk and Thesis the changelings blocked their path trying to protect them.
Bulk ran to the changelings side to fight off the guards, neither side understood it but the changelings accepted the help. The guards paused for a second but rushed them anyways only to be met with the hoof of a giant. Bulk rushed the left guard, tackling him to the ground and knocking him unconscious with a well placed hoof to the face. The other guard was fighting the changelings and Big Mac, but upon seeing his ally he used a flash spell. When it cleared he was fleeing with his friend about thirty feet away. Bulk turned back to Thesis picking her up to take her back to the house when one of the changelings spoke up.
"Wait! What are you going to do to her?" The changeling asked.
"Protect her!" He answered loudly.
"It's not safe for you here! Please come with us to the hive the queen only wishes to find the rest of the hive! She regrets her actions and just wants to protect her subjects!" The other changeling spoke up.
Bulk considered it for a second pondering if he would be making the right choice if he did go to the hive. He knew that he could be walking into a trap but if he stayed the guards would return with reinforcements.Eventually he nodded looking to Big Mac.
"Go home Mac! I'll be fine" Bulk reassured but Mac shook his head.
"Nope! Not gonna leave ya' hangin'" Big Mac said defiantly.
Bulk nodded and let the Changelings lead the way to the hive. Their journey took them into the ever present darkness of the everfree. Suddenly one of the changelings collapsed, he tried to get up but was to tired. To his surprise Bulk lifted him onto his back beside Thesis where he sighed slightly.
"I'm sorry I'm just so tired we've been looking for our kin ever since the incident."
"It's okay I understand." Bulk smiled.
"We're almost there hang in there Air, your gonna be okay." They walked in silence until a very bad sound came from behind them. Snarling, timber wolves were approaching the group quickly. Big Mac grabbed the changeling and took off followed closely by Bulk who was running just as fast even with the two on his back. Bulk could hear them gaining on him as he fell behind Big Mac. He was running as fast as he could but he knew that being such a big stallion, they were going to catch him. He had to fight or risk everyone dying, he knew what he had to do. Protect Thesis! As he swore he would! He wasn't going to let another loved one die.
"Mac! Their gonna catch me! Take these two! I'll stall for time!" Bulk shouted. Mac didn't want to but knew that he had no choice if they were to survive. Big Mac fell back to get the two Changelings then sped up, He looked back at Bulk with sympathy and sorrow in his eyes. Bulk nodded assuring Mac that this was what he wanted. Bulk spun around in time to see a timber wolf jump at him but was met with a monstrous headbutt that made it shatter into pieces on impact.
"Come on! I'll destroy you all! YEAH! P is for Pulverize and Pain!" Bulk yelled. He readied himself for the fight with the three remaining timber wolves hoping he wouldn't have to resort to that but he would if necessary. The three decided they would rush him all at the same time which wasn't a good idea seeing as how Bulk was able to get two of them with a swing of his hoof. The third however slashed his left shoulder causing his stance to falter slightly but he maintained balance staring the wolf down. He noticed that this one had a jagged scar over his right eye. As Bulk rushed it, it easily dodged and slashed him again and again. The series of attacks left Bulk weak but not down. I can't get to him I need to-
Bulk's thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of being light headed. It was then that he realized how deep his cut's were but he wouldn't collapse without finishing this however. Bulk Grabbed a big rock and flung it at the him, when he dodged Bulk brung his fore hooves down on his gad effectively shattering it. Bulk collapsed on the ground the last thing he heard was: "Well, well what do we have here?"
Thesis shot up on her... bed? She wasn't in the bed Bulk had given to her during her stay. there was a changeling guard standing close by, she looked at her worriedly.
"How are you feeling anything hurting?" she asked curiously.
"Where are Big Mac and Bulk?" seeing her confusion she clarified. "The ponies I was with"
"Well one of them is in the infirmary the other is with the queen."
"What?! Which one?!"
"The big white one. They were all attacked by timber wolves but in order to save them he turned to fight them head on to buy time."
"Please take me to him."
"I cannot the queen wishes to see you concerning the two ponies."
Thesis' blood ran cold at the mentioning of Queen Chrysalis. "Please don't let her hurt them..." she said weakly. "They saved my life, They're my friends."
"Then they should be fine. The Queen is very glad that they saved not one but three of our kind. Follow me please."