A Changing kindness
Chapter 1
The new life waits
“Why are they chasing me? I have to run… I have to get away from them… I must change into somepony else quickly!” The changeling continued to run through the streets of Manehattan being chased by the locals. They shouted and threw rocks at him while he ran. He looked back to see a huge mob chasing him. His eyes widened and he tried to take flight but his wing was damaged and cut making him grounded in the worst possible situation. He tries to lose the crowd but every corner he takes seemed to lead him to more of the townsfolk and more and more joined in the chase to take him down. A stone hits him directly in the eye causing him to fall over behind a corner he just made it past. Now in pain he sees an open window and makes his way slowly towards it while hearing the ponies behind him continuing to chase him, as he slowly made his way towards the window.
“It went around that alley way, don’t let it escape!” the ponies yelled as he ran, he thought to himself he wasn’t going to make it. “Come on hurry!” They continued to shout as they got nearer to the corner.
“Just a little closer!” He quickened his pace. Knowing if they caught him they would end everything he has worked so hard to achieve. Using the last of his strength left he tried one last time to achieve flight once more. All he could manage was a quick hover that was enough to get him to the window, now with the last remaining strength he pushed himself up and through the window closing it the moment he entered. He closed the curtains and peaked through a small hole seeing all the towns’ ponies come rushing around the corner to see no pony in the dead end. They looked to one another and turned around splitting up as one commanded them to. He sighed to himself knowing he could rest for a while without the fear of being caught.
“H-hello, is that you boy?” A voice was heard from upstairs in the house he just made it to. He instantly got nervous and looked around the room for a place to hide. He heard steps coming down the stairs as the voice called out again. “Boy… I said is that you?” the voice sounded ill as the pony who was speaking was coughing to. The changeling looked around and panicked in the fear of being caught red handed. He turned to his left and rushed inside a living room to see a picture frame of two ponies, an old brown stallion and a young grey one. Taking the last of his luck he transformed into the grey stallion and prayed that this works. The old stallion came through the door slowly and turned to the Changeling that had now become a new pony. “So you’re back I see, and the town thought I was crazy, why didn’t you say you were back, and what adventure did you get yourself into this time Pepper?”
“Pepper… that must be his name.” “N-None at all, I was… I was just away for a while sightseeing… you know…” The Changeling forced a chuckle and the old stallion nodded and smiled.
“That’s good… I was beginning to think the rumor was true, anyway I suspect you’ll be off again soon right, I hear you have a delivery in Ponyville to make.”
“Delivery?” “Oh yeah, I best be on my way quickly… how do you know about this… Delivery?” The Changeling was taking many risks but he was pretty confidant he has the old stallion fooled.
“Another message came for you a long time ago, you are a mail pony after all… did you forget again?” He laughed to himself and began to cough loudly. “I’ll be upstairs again, the nurse said I gotta rest for a while, see ya when you get back Pepper.” He slowly climbed the stairs as the Changeling now took the disguise of a pegasi called Pepper.
“That was too close.” He sighed to himself and heard shouting outside the front of the house and soon followed a knock on the door. “Oh come on!” he started to get annoyed but still had to remain calm to prevent his new cover from being blown. He casually walked towards the door and opened it to see the pony who threw the rock into his eye before. Lucky for the Changeling his eye seemed normal because he had shape shifted but he was hiding the pain with all his might.
“Excuse me sir have you seen a changeling around, it’s the one we have been after for the past week.” The stallion poked his head inside the house and scanned for any signs of the Changeling.
“N-No… No signs of any Changeling here.” He nodded nervously as the stallion gave him a stare. He nodded slowly and turned away from him.
“If you spot it inform us, we can’t let it get away this time.” The stallion ran back into the mob who searched everywhere for the Changeling. The Changeling let out another sigh.
“I gotta get out of here quickly.” He turned to a package labelled to Pepper. “Delivery huh, might be my ticket out of this hole.” The label was detailed to Ponyville to somepony named Twilight Sparkle. He continued to inspect the package and decided to shake it lightly hearing rattling inside. “Whatever, might as well get this over with; I could lay low in this disguise at this Ponyville until the ponies here at least calm down.” He hears the old stallion upstairs coughing again.
“You off then boy?” The stallion sounded tired and the Changeling didn’t know how you respond. He decided to bite the bullet and reply.
“Yes I’m off on my way to Ponyville, quick question, where is it?” He bit his lip hoping to remain disguised.
“You don’t know?” the stallion sounded confused and was still coughing randomly. “Just take the next train saying to Ponyville, I’m sure that will be all.”
“Oh right… thanks; hey I need some bits for the train ride.”
“Again…? Okay just take what you need from the jar.” The Changeling took his attention to a jar filled with 30 bits. He also spotted a bag next to it with a name tagged labelled Pepper.
“Weird, if this Pepper was on a job why would he leave his bag here… Best just leave now before this gets any more confusing.” Taking the smart option he has available to him he decided to take the bag and place the package and the bits inside and made his way to the door. He was then called out again by the old stallion.
“Take care son.” The Changeling froze thinking of the obvious reply but could not bring himself to say it. He did not reply and decided to walk out the door with his ticket out of Manehattan.
“That was way to close.” The Changeling sighed in relief hoping for a break but was interrupted again when the same pony from before bumped into him making the Changeling drop his package.
“S-sorry there buddy, oh you dropped this here let me get that for you…” as the pony picked the package up he recognised who he was giving it to. “Oh you again… wait a minute aren’t you the old man’s kid?” Giving the Changeling a clean inspection for anything out of place he nodded weakly waiting for his reply.
“Y-Yes, so sorry but I’m in a hurry.” The Changeling took the parcel and began to walk straight but then thought of something he needed to ask somepony. “Excuse me.” The pony he asked was walking away and slowly turned giving him another inspection.
“What can I do for you?”
“Yeah which way is the station, I got this parcel to deliver.” He chuckled softly as the pony raised his eye.
“It’s just down the street there.” he points to way while still giving him the same look. “You’re Pepper right?” The changeling froze.
“Y-Yeah, do I know you?” He got nervous thinking of as much excuses to say.
“Come on now, everyone knows me.” He smiled and laughed at the Changeling. “Come on stop joking around” he softly punched the Changelings shoulder causing a small spark of green magic to flash. He paused for a second then shook his head. “S-sorry thought I saw something…. nevermind.”
“O…Kay I’ll be going now, thanks for the directions.” The Changeling headed into the direction and saw the sign for the train station. He heard a train just coming in at the station and quickened his pace.
“Mayor… Mayor we can’t find it anywhere.” A grey Pegasus came towards the pony who gave the Changeling the directions.
“Don’t worry, I think I know where he is going.”
“W-where?” She looked around but the Mayor was looking straight towards the train station.
“Take care of things, I’m going to take a break.” He handed a note and a badge to the Pegasus.
“At a time like this, what if we find it again.” She gave a cold stare towards the mayor.
“He won’t be bothering my town again, trust me.” He turned back and faced her. “you are my assistant so I leave this town in your care until I get back, I have business to take care of okay.” He left her standing confused and headed towards the station.
“Why did I choose this job again…?” She shook her head and flew of in a different direction towards a large building.
“I knew it was you the first time I entered that house with the old man, I couldn’t believe you would go that far to hide from me.” The mayor laughed as he approached the station. He spotted the Changeling disguised pony just boarding the train to Ponyville and instantly tried to jump on. The guard allowed him instantly to board with no ticket as they all knew him. The guard turned around quickly and shouted towards the mayor.
“Aren’t you after a Changeling?” The mayor turned around slowly.
“I’m leaving that to my assistant, she’ll handle it.” He nodded weakly and sat down on the cart behind the one with the Changeling inside. “Let’s see why you want to go to Ponyville, must be something you are after, whatever it is I will find out.”
Back inside the Changeling’s cart he started to fall asleep. He was completely tired out from the running and the injury he obtained. He slowly rubbed the eye with the injury that was now covered up by his magic casting the illusion of somepony else. He flinched and stopped playing with his eye. He looked around the cart and no pony else was in there with him. He sighed and quickly transformed back into his normal self and inspected his eye in one of the train’s mirrors inside the cart. “Jerks…” He thought to himself as he remembered the scene where the brick hit him directly in the eye. He shook his head and turned his attention to the large parcel.
“This cart looks empty Angel let’s go here.” A soft voice was heard entering the room and the Changeling gulped remembering he was no longer disguised. He remembered the picture inside the old stallion’s house and gave a try to change into the pony Pepper. His first attempt failed and as a yellow Pegasus slowly entered the room and started to turn to look at him he gave his all and transformed back into Pepper. He sighed as he saw himself back in a pony form.
“Another close call.” He looked back into the mirror and spotted something differently about his new form. His eye injury was not changed this time. He spotted the yellow Pegasus enter and see him, they stared at each other for a while then the Pegasus finally spoke up.
“S-so sorry sir… I thought this cart was empty… do you mind if a sit here.” She spoke in an incredibly soft tone and the Changeling just nodded slowly without saying a word. He noticed the white bunny on her back giving her a disappointed look. She carried a large amount of bags with her as she struggled to keep them all straight with the rabbit messing around.
“W-Would you like some help?” He felt a little sorry for her trying to handle so many things and thought to himself. “Might as well give her a hoof.”
“Oh no… I’m fine.” She sounded more nervous than the Changeling as she continued to attempt to settle the bunny.
“You sure…” The Changeling was cringing at her failed attempts to keep her bags in order and keep her rabbit calm.
“I’m sure t-thank you for asking.” After many failing attempts to restore order with her shopping and her pet she finally gets everything sorted out. The travel time to Ponyville was pretty short, and the Changeling started to fall asleep against the window. He slowly fell into a short daydream while attempting to stay awake.
In a pitch black cave deep underground the Queen rests suffering from her injuries. She is alone with another Changeling she summoned who wasn't at the wedding during the assault.
"You know your mission then." The Queen smiled weakly.
"..." The Changeling she was speaking to didn't reply, he was respected for being one of the Queens elite, but he never spoke often, he was a Changeling of mystery to them.
"Your silence is a good sign to me, now my chosen one, carry out the task, you must stop anypony from reaching the elements during the assault.
"As you wish." He spoke with a calm tone in his voice. He could easily carry out a task such as this. "When do we begin?"
The train came to a stop knocking the Changeling out of his dream. He woke up instantly and jumped a little from the sudden action. He looked across the room to see the yellow Pegasus gone. Rubbing his injured eye he slowly got off the cart and made his way to the exit to see the yellow Pegasus with her huge shopping load and the rabbit continuing to be a pain for her. After getting off the train he decided to look around. The parcel he had to deliver was still with him “Might as well drop this off to this Twilight Sparkle, and then be on my way…” He froze for a second remembered that name from a while ago. “No… Twilight Sparkle… that name… why is it so familiar” He began to tap his head trying to force a memory out to help him. He catch’s the yellow Pegasus alone again and decides to ask her where to find the mysterious Twilight Sparkle. “Excuse me…” Before he could continue she interrupted him.
“Oh hi again, you fell asleep on the train cart so I moved away not to disturb you.” She smiled softly and waited for his reply.
“Okay… a little off topic.” “Thanks… I need to ask you something.” She interrupted him again.
“You’re looking for my friend Twilight; I saw her name on your parcel.” She started to walk away from him then faced him again. “Follow me I’ll take you to her home so you can deliver it.”
“Er… thanks.” He slowly followed her looking in all directions. “You don’t have to take me there I’ll be fine on my own with directions.” She stopped and faced him. “I mean you have all those bags wouldn’t I just be a bother?”
“Oh no, I’m fine really, it would be a bother not to help you.” She smiled at him again and continued to walk towards Twilight’s house.
“Okay then… I’ll help you with your stuff after I deliver this… deal?” He raised his hoof up to her and she thought about it for a while.
“It’s a deal.” She shook his hoof and they continued to Twilight’s house. Shortly after they arrived and Fluttershy waited with him as he knocked on her door.
“I’ll be just a minute!” shouting was heard from inside. The Changeling and Fluttershy looked at other and looked back at the door.
“Sounds like she is busy, I hope we aren’t disturbing her in any bad way.” She gulped and acted timid.
“We’ll make this quick then.” They continued to wait and finally they both heard someone unlocking the front door in front of them. Twilight opened the door to see Fluttershy and the stranger. She instantly ignored him and spoke to Fluttershy.
“Hi Fluttershy what can I do for you?” Twilight smiled to her and she nervously nudged the Changelings shoulder.
“Oh right, here I’m meant to deliver this to you.” He finally spoke up and handed it to her; she took it from him without saying thanks or anything.
“Aha, I've been waiting for this for a long time.” She started to have a conversation with Fluttershy and completely shut out the Changeling. He stared at her for a while trying to figure who she was and where he heard her name before. “So you see Fluttershy, that’s why I’m studying it.” The Changeling shook his head and only heard the last words of the sentence.
“Hey F-Fluttershy is it?” He faced her and continued. “ Shouldn't I be helping you with your bags?” Fluttershy stood there thinking for a second then snapped out of it.
“Oh of course.” She turned to Twilight. “Thanks for the conversation Twilight but we best be off.” She nodded and waved to her.
“Oh okay, see ya next time Fluttershy, and… who are you?” Fluttershy and Twilight stared at him as he gulped and froze.
“Crap… what was it… Garlic… Salt… no… Pepper?” “P-Pepper that’s it, yeah that’s my name.” He forced a chuckled and a smile at them both. They both gave him a blank expression before Fluttershy broke her silence.
“That’s a nice name.” Fluttershy smiled at him while Twilight continued to give him a blank expression. She snapped out of it as well and softly waved at them as they left. “So I take it after we drop these things off, you are leaving?” She asked
“Oh…” He didn’t think what he would do after he helped her; after all he was originally running away from everypony. “Well yeah… Hey thanks for helping me with this delivery by the way.” She gave him a smile as an answer and they continued to walk. He was carrying most of her bags and caught glimpses of Fluttershy staring at his injured eye.
“I don’t mean to be rude but…” Before she continued he already knew what she was going to ask.
“How I got that injury?” He continued walking without looking at her when he replied. She nodded weakly.
“Y-yeah… if that’s okay that is.” She became nervous again which made me smile. “It looks like it hurts.”
“Yeah it does still, I got it when I…” He paused trying to come up with a lie. “I got it when… well you know… I…” He stood still trying hard to think of something believable. She stood still with him and patiently waited for his reply. “Well…” He randomly laughed and she giggled at him.
“It’s okay if it’s something embarrassing I won’t ask.” She walked ahead of him and he shook his head then followed her. They arrive at the town hall as they continue to make their way to her cottage.
“No, no that’s not it’s just a little accident I had a while ago.” He nervously looked around hoping Fluttershy would believe him.
“Oh okay.”
“She believed me? That is… unexpected.” “Yeah how long until your place?” The weight of the bags was starting to take effect and with his current running around and hiding they didn't help. He stumbled for a second and Fluttershy gasped.
“My goodness, are you okay?” She dropped the bags she was carrying and helped him back on all fours.
“Yeah…” He chuckled. “Just a bad day…” he sounded a little upset which made Fluttershy upset as well.
“What happened… if I’m not being rude?” He turned and faced her not knowing what to say.
“Well I can’t remember half of it… it’s like I have forgotten who I was, I woke up in Manehattan yesterday with no memory, Strange really.” He forced a chuckle out to make Fluttershy not worry for him. He was leaving soon and didn't want to become attached to her. “Anyways let’s get this stuff to yours and I’ll be out of your mane.” He slowly climbed back on his legs and began walking again. “I’m fine don’t worry.” Fluttershy nervously nods and continues to lead the way.
“Hmm, what are you up to?” the mayor of Manehattan had been spying on the Changeling for a while now, and he slowly kept his distance and followed without giving himself away to anypony in the area.
“Well this is my place, thanks for the help.” She dropped her bags and decided to unlock her door, while the bunny had other ideas and ran around the back of her cottage. The Changeling was amazed by her small house away from everypony else and slowly passed her the heavy bags he had been carrying. During the last bag he passed he felt all of his energy drain and collapsed on the floor. The weight of the heavy goods and the illusion spell he was currently in drained a large portion of his stamina causing him to slowly lose his strength.
“Oh my, Oh my…” Fluttershy gasped as she looked around for help. No pony was to be seen and she decided to take things into her own hoofs. “Come rest in my house for a while, you must be tired from your journey.” She slowly dragged him into her house and placed him onto her couch. “There, you get some good rest and I’ll check up on you later, I just need to take care of a few things.”
“T-Thank you… but there really is no need… I’ll just be in the way.”
“Nonsense! You helped me with all this heavy stuff, it’s the least I can do.” She smiled back and left the room into her backyard. “If you need anything just shout I’ll be right here.” She started to unpack her heavy bags revealing all sorts of pet food for all sorts of animals. The Changeling started to drift asleep again. He tried to stay awake but with all the running around and the sudden eye injury he could no longer keep his strength and soon passed out on the couch.
The Changeling was with a few other Changelings flying in the sky. They could see a huge city on the side of a mountain, and as they approached they saw the shield shatter. “It’s time then.”
The Changeling woke up. It was pitch black outside as he scanned the area for the yellow Pegasus who helped him. No signs of her were spotted and he lifted his hoof to see himself in his original Changeling form. “Crud I hope she didn't see me like this.” He tried changing back into the grey pony he was before but his strength was to low and he panicked. After looking around he noticed he was only seeing with one eye and attempted to rub his injured eye. To his surprise he was wearing a bandage over his head and quickly looked around for a mirror. After finding one he stared at himself for a few seconds then shook his head. “Maybe she hasn't found out yet…” He sighs to himself "It will be a good idea to leave soon, don’t want to over stay my welcome.” He started to fall asleep again as the night scenario had an effect on him. He slowly closed his eyes and rested again on the couch.