Standing Out

   I jerked up in a small bed, in Fluttershy's cottage. I groaned and flopped snout-first into the pillows, puffing out white feathers decorating the floor. I heard light wingbeats push through the air. Fluttershy peeked around the corner and smiled at me. I glanced at myself and saw dried blood and a few bruises, I looked into a mirror and saw I had a black-eye. I mumbled to myself and noticed Fluttershy, I smiled fakely and hoped she didn't overhear anything rude I might have said.

   Fluttershy trotted in excitedly. "I'm glad you're awake. What happened out there when you left? I heard screaming, so I tried to see what was wrong, when I found you passed out in the woods with bruises and some blood, I had to take you home." I sat down and sighed reluctantly. "C'mon Flutters, you don't need to worry about me, it was just a few bullies." I tried to explain, she trotted over and situated herself next to me. "Why would anypony want to bully you though?!" She asked concerned. I sighed, I knew the answer, but it would hurt her feelings extremely. "I... Well... They... It's just that..." I stuttered, trying to find a nice way to put it.

Fluttershy picked up my drooping head and smiled into my eyes. "I was bullied as a filly, and you know that. But they stopped after a while, they got bored, because I would ignore them, so why don't you too?" I sighed and explained something she hadn't realized.

    "Changelings have a knack for fighting. They... They love it. And since I've learned from a wise pony that fighting isn't right, they would push me around, give me black eyes, and just plain toture me. I know... you were bullied too as a filly, but not as brutally. I CAN'T ignore them is what's wrong. I'm sorry Fluttershy, but I have to leave, for who knows how long, it may be years. I want you to know that I will always remember you, I don't want to leave, but I have to. I have to become a little stronger in my will before I can come back. Goodbye, I am going to miss you."

    With that, I turned around and left for the door, I waved one last time and walked back into the Everfree Forest. I could already hear a group of Changelings approaching, so I transformed into a white pegasus with a blue and green mane and tail. I flew above the trees and heard a Changeling shout out, "LOOK UP THERE! IT'S A PONY!" I darted away the moment the sentence was finished, they were coming for food.

   They nipped at my tail and I flew faster, leaving a trail of green behind me. I glanced at them, it was the same group from yesterday. I had learned their leader's name, Zigzag, he was the largest of the group, but also the fastest. I transformed back to my Changeling self, they stopped and stared, shocked to see somepony like me flying this fast. Others had always doubted my speed, strength, and other abilities, but they had never truly seen me try. I snickered to myself as they stood frozen in flight, staring at me.