A Change of Pace

by xXSheltieXx

Rating: everyone
Tags: Adventure, Romance
Length: 7721

Can a creature who eats and breathes love be capable of feeling it rather than eating it?

Rain is a Changeling. Light is a Pegacorn who was born a Pegasus, but became a Pegacorn through an unclear way. When Light finds Rain in the Everfree Forest, alone, starving, and near death, she takes her back to her home by the base of a mountain. Upon waking, Rain is very unsure about whether or not to trust this Pegacorn, or make a break for it; but one thing is for sure: the two take quite a liking to one another.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-09-30 19:50:22 UTC

1: Awakening

Rain awoke to the feeling of liquid dribbling down her nose. She couldn't remember much, but she knew she was badly injured. She couldn't remember her name, or her birthday, but she did know she was a Changeling. Her black carapace seemed to be damp, and she felt the trickling of water on her body. She also felt dried mud on her side which she laid on, and dirt was in Rain's mane. She tried to move but everything was numb. She could hear the sounds of Timber Wolves howling; it sounded like they've found a meal.

Rain tried to use magic, but realized it wouldn't work; her injuries were already using her magic to heal as fast as it could, but it would take at least three days to be at just 50% speed. Her strong, bug-like wings were still intact, but the soft, slimy substance was ripped a bit on the edges. She would be able to fly, but with great difficulty. The worst: Rain was starving. She'd be dead in about five days if she didn't get at least some water and soon.

Suddenly, the feeling of being bottle-fed like a foal overcame her senses, the taste of sweet love in her mouth almost agonizing. It tasted like love, but felt like pity. Rain wanted many things in life, but pity was not on that list. She heard the sound of hoof steps coming close to her, and the vibrations in the ground told her some pony was standing over her; probably laughing at the weakened 'monster' so many had called her kind.

Rain could see her blue violet mane covered in mud, and her hooves were splayed out in front of her body, mud covering them as well. She struggled to move; to get away, but her weakened body would not allow anything, nothing above a low growl in her voice. Rain moved her cat-like irises to try and see the pony behind her, but couldn't quite see them. Their mane was a dull pink color, and was short and spiky. From what she could tell they were a unicorn, and their fur was as white as snow. It was almost blinding the poor predator who lay weak on the ground.

"Tsk tsk tsk." The figure spoke, a strong, feminine voice present. "We should clean you up."

Rain was infuriated as she was picked up in a force of magic and carried against her will. She was being spoken down to. She didn't need any ponies help. Especially not this Pegacorn! Rain could now see the wings on this white being, and see that she was rather attractive. Rain growled and yelped and did as much as she could to tell the pony she didn't need her help. She couldn't make any vocalizations, barely even growls and murmurs.

"Calm down. I know a pony in need when I see one, and I know it hurts your pride." Light smiled arrogantly.

Rain wasn't liking this pony. She was proud, brave, arrogant, and strong, as well as smart. All the things Rain was. Rain didn't like ponies and she only hung around with them because she needed their love. She didn't like being spoken down to, like she was a foal. She hated it, loathed it, despised it. She felt resentment boiling in her heart, and felt her stomach lurch. She was already feeding off the love of this naive Pegacorn. She'd be healed in about a day if the Pegacorn kept this amount of caring up for her.

The white Pegacorn with pink, short, spiky hair had a cutie mark of the two theater masks; a happy one on the right, the sad one on the left. But this was different from the two masks... they were one mask, half and half, cut vertically. Rain saw this and assumed this pony would be quite the actress, making things up and lying to get her way. If she was going to get her way, Rain sure as hell wouldn't make it easy for her.

Rain felt so tired. Her eyes felt heavy and her brain felt muddled. She felt a spell creep into her brain from the troublesome pony, and growled as it successfully drew her into unconsciousness, even after fighting it all the way through.

Rain awoke in a room with two small windows, circular in shape, with steel bars making a tic-tac-toe board. It was obviously a prison, but seemed more like a home. A place to call home. Rain looked around, taking to note everything in the room. There was a small bookshelf with about five or six books in it, a desk and a rolling chair, a bed with a steel frame and a cage to lock down on top of it. Rain suspected some sort of sick pleasure in making her sleep in a bed with a cage locked down to it, but it was to be expected of a crazy pony who lives by a forest.

Rain looked out the windows, her clean hooves on the sills. It seemed they were in the mouth of a cave, at the base of a mountain. Through the other window she saw a nice path leading to what looked to be Ponyville's own Everfree Forest. She heard a knock at the door, and felt her throat become dry, and a growl escaped her throat.

"May I come in?" The voice asked.

Rain still didn't trust the pony, and wasn't going to make this easy. She kept quiet, low growls signaling ponies to leave her be or she'd bite if she had to. Her low growls were not heard by the pony however.

"I'm coming in, if that's okay." The voice said before the door opened and closed quickly.

Rain could hear the click in the door handle, it already being locked in that short amount of time to open, go through, and close the door. Rain growled at this strange pony, as if to say 'back off'.

"I'm here to help you, and you don't see that from many ponies do you, you Changeling?" Light attempted to press Rain's buttons, but failed miserably.

Rain didn't respond. She just growled and barked like a dog.

"Can you talk? Can you understand that I'm trying to help you? Can you understand what I'm saying?" Light asked and asked and asked.

"I can talk. I choose not to. I don't trust ponies who come up out of nowhere and steal me; I don't think any pony would." Came her hoarse voice, strained from her growls and sounding dark and rusty.

"This is good, we've made progress. My name is Light. What's yours?"

"Did you really just ignore me? I don't trust ponies who steal me in the middle of the night."

"I didn't steal you. I helped you. I cleaned your..."

"Carapace?"

"I cleaned your carapace, washed your hair, and put you in a nice room. How many ponies would do that for a changeling?"

It was true; not many ponies would even touch a changeling, not much less than help it. It was a nice room, and she was clean.

"Tell me... Light. Why should I trust you if I have a bed like this?" Rain asked, pointing to the strange cage.

"Just to be sure you don't sneak out and get yourself into trouble or die. I felt like I needed to help you, and I knew you'd die if I left you out there in the Everfree!"

So it was the Everfree Forest.

"Please. I just want to help. Tell me about yourself, and I'll tell you about me." Light said, sitting on the bed next to Rain.

"You first." Rain growled, sitting down unsure if it was a good idea.

"Well... My name is Light. I am a Pegacorn. I can be arrogant, and I like to be the boss. I don't always share things with ponies, and I don't always care. I am a great actress as well, might you add."

"Hmph."

"Please. I shared with you, you share with me."

Reluctantly, Rain spoke. "My name is..." Rain didn't want to be honest, but this pony seemed to be quite the honest AJ. "I-I can't remember my name. All I know is that I am a Changeling from the Cloud Clan. I must've done something wrong. They must've beaten me up and left me for dead..."

"So how old are you?"

"I... I don't know! I look to be 22 at the most though. I just... I don't trust many ponies, and in this state, memories might as well be a grain of sand in 20 thousand acres of grass, okay?"

"It's okay. We'll get through this together, I promise." Light said, being compelled to hug this pony, but fighting it enough to distract herself.

"I feel tired... I want to leave." Rain said, angry.

"You can't leave. The guards will kill you. Just... just stay here with me, at least until you feel 100%, okay?"

Rain sighed, but nodded anyway.

"Hoof swear?"

"Yes, hoof swear." Rain growled.

"You need a name." Light said. Rain started to fall from the sky, resulting in a downpour. "How about Rain?"

"Rain... yeah, I-I like that name."

"Okay then, Rain. Let's try and help you remember." Before she could protest, Light touched their horns together, green and blue colors mixing together.

"I-I remember now. My name was Rain! I lived in the Wastelands with my clan. But I'd regularly sneak out disguised as some pony... I don't remember who I was disguised as. I helped ponies by taking odd jobs... and something else. I can't remember that part though.... My clan found out... and they took me to the Everfree... and beat me up... gave me narcotics, and they left me for dead..." Rain yelped as she clearly relived every moment she had forgotten, felt every twinge of emotion.

2: Partners in Crime

"Make it stop. Make it stop! Make. It. Stop!" Rain yelled, the feelings and emotions burning in her heart, making her feel like she was dying.

"Okay, okay!" Light said hurriedly, undoing the spell, leaving the poor Changeling overwhelmed.

Rain started crying, screaming out in pain. She charged magical bolts in a rage of fear and anger, lashing them out every which way. She calmed down once Light put her spell on her, making her calmly fall into unconsciousness. Light smiled gently, then put on a strong face, pushing the Changeling back onto the bed and pulling the cover over her.

She then pulled the cage down and put a padlock on the metal, locking it and letting go of the key, it falling back to her neck, strapped onto a silver chain necklace. She walked out of the room, locking the door once more. She walked into the kitchen, opening the fridge. Celestia's morning sun stood low in the sky. She pulled out a few fruits and vegetables from the fridge, and made herself a salad. She ate it greedily, hungry from the long night. She thought of Rain, and how much pain she probably felt remembering and reliving everything she'd done.

She felt herself letting her body feel emotions. Pity, sadness, empathy, were some of them. She gently let crystalline tears fall from her eyes, dabbing them furiously, anger quickly swarming her mind. Why was she feeling bad for a Changeling? They were strange beings who fed off of love... they didn't deserve the love they got... right?

She sat on the sofa, getting lost in her thoughts. Contemplating them deeply, she eventually got up off the sofa and walked back to Rain's room, worried. How long had she left her there? She was thinking for a long, long time. She unlocked the door and peeked through the crack, looking at an angry Changeling glaring daggers at her, her eyes obviously soaked from crying."You!" She hissed. "You forced me to show weakness! Let me out of this cage!" She screamed in anger, pride clouding her mind.

"Calm down, you want to be calm, remember?" Light asked, a spell layered into her voice.

"No. No more mind games, you idiot. The first mistake you made was lowering your guard. The second was feeding me love. The third... oh ho ho, the third, was making me look weak!"

"I saved you from certain death!" Light challenged, keeping her voice level and calm.

"Let me out, or you will get hurt." Rain growled, anger and venom in her voice.

"I'm going into town. I'll be back soon enough." Light commented levelly. "If having emotions is weak then we both are utter hypocrites by claiming we're strong."

"I am strong, you insolent foal!"

"I will be back. Be good." Light spat, forcing Rain to feel the anger in Light's mind.

Rain sat in her cage, angry and desperate; but smart. Rain used the last of her magic reserves from Light's love, pulling the rolling chair towards herself. She reached out and dismantled it, pulling out a coil. She unwound it and snapped it in two, putting the new lock picks in the padlock, hopeful.

The two picks snapped in half, rolling underneath the bed, and thus out of Rain's reach. She then stood and bucked the lock after moving the mattress. She bucked for a couple minutes, before using the last bits of her magic to levitate a book over to her. She read the book and let her magic reserves fill up as she read about love. Her breed of Changeling was special; reading about other ponies love fed them. Seeing it, hearing it, experiencing it; all of them gave them power. And Light was foalish enough to leave four romance novels, a Daring Do story, and a mystery.

After reading about the first three love novels, she levitated the chair back together, feeling a bit embarrassed that she was such a foal. She sat on the bed, fully healed and fully charged with magic. She was confused, however; she could've changed into a foal and gotten out the window... but she didn't. She stayed. She shrugged it off and looked up from her book as the lights went off.

"Wonderful." She growled sarcastically.

Light suddenly entered the room, and Rain could make out two items levitating in a blue grasp. She could make out a magic rune on her necklace, indicating that the chair she had tried to use was, of course, booby trapped. Light put a box on the desk, and slid the other through the bars of her cage.

"What's this...? Presents... for me?"

"Yeah. I figured since it's your birthday and all... y'know... I just thought since we don't know your birthday... j-just open it, dingus." Light growled, blush on her face, but it was not seen by Rain.

Rain ripped open the box and looked at the item inside. It was a gold chain necklace, with a silver 'L' and a bronze 'R' on as little trinkets. Rain suddenly felt an overwhelming sensation of love, and it was coming from both Light and the necklace. She used her green magic and put the jewelry on, smiling brightly, showing her fangs. Light undid the cage and opened the box.

A small brown cake sat there, reading 'Happy Birthday' across it. Light started to cut the cake and gave them both a sliver, gazing at the now setting sun.

"Have some."

Light noticed Rain's face and saw that she was struck with feeling. She seemed confused.

"Have some." Light repeated.

"B-But... okay." Rain managed to squeak out.

The two ate the cake in silence, awkwardly in the faint light of the sun.

3: The First

Light laid in her soft, fluffy bed, ready for the morning. She heard shuffling in the kitchen and immediately got up, falling down in the process. In the kitchen, Rain was making pancakes and bacon, as well as eggs.

"Rain... what the hell?"

"I... well... um... since you gave me a birthday present and cake, I was gonna make you a surprise breakfast in bed, but you ruined it!" Rain feigned sadness, Light taking as genuine.

"Now now, Rain. It's still a surprise. Come on, I'll go back to bed, and you can continue making it... okay?"

"Okay..." Rain said, smiling internally. "but it still won't be the same."

Light sighed and trotted back to her room; material things were never enough for that Changeling. Somehow, she found herself not caring. She shrugged it off and continued to her room, laying back in her bed. She found herself falling asleep, gently forgetting the spell she put upon herself to forget and make the surprise true. Rain saw and smiled, happy her new friend was so considering.

She walked back and continued baking, spilling a bit of the batter on the floor and all over herself. She didn't notice and licked some off her nose, finishing the pancakes, bacon, and eggs, and serving them to her friend. A gentle poke awoke Light, the smell of delicious food being given off under her nose.

"Smells and looks delicious!" Light gaped at the perfection of the pancakes.

As she went to scoop some in her mouth, Rain levitated it higher. And higher. And higher, all the while smiling happily.

"Gimme my food!"

"What's the secret hoof shake?" Rain said, licking her lips.

"You wouldn't dare! C'mon! Please!"

"Secret hoof shake, please!" Rain said, holding her face out to Light in a mocking way.

Light took advantage and leaned forward on 'accident', and kissed Rain, leaving her stunned and Light with pancakes and bacon. She ate them happily and looked at the Changeling who blushed harder and harder.

"I'll get you back." She snapped.

"How so?" Light asked, closing her eyes to take a bite.

Rain waited until Light put the food in her mouth, and before she had the opportunity to chew, Rain kissed her back, fishing the food out of the shocked Pegacorn. She then chewed the food, and swallowed. The Changeling smiled as the white Pegacorn blushed worse and worse.

-Later-

"I'm bored, let's go to a festival or something." Light said, scoffing at being so lazy, even the idea.

"Well then, I'd have to find who to wear." Rain said, playing with her mane.

"Just be who you want to be."

"But... I want to be me." Rain said sadly, looking down.

A green light engulfed her and Rain was gone, replaced with a violet Pegasus with dark blue hair. Her cutie mark was a red heart.

"C'mon, let's walk through Canterlot." Rain said, sounding a bit down.

The two walked out of the house and took to the skies, the sun high in the sky.

"So what's that cutie mark supposed to mean?"

"It means I see people for their hearts, not their species." Rain spat, practically with venom.

Silence was present the rest of the flight to Canterlot. They entered the Center of the area, many ponies bustling about. Many ponies gave them odd looks, others completely ignored them.

"Hey there, babe. What are you doin' with this creeper?" A stallion asked Rain, completely ignoring the Pegacorn.

"I do what I want, and believe what I want. Light..."

Don't let him take me. I can sense he isn't... into touch with his morals. Rain said telepathically.

"Hey buddy, she's with me. And I'm the complaint department." Light said, sounding very chivalrous.

Light put her right wing around Rain, pulling her close.

"Rain, I would never let any pony take you from me." Light said, suddenly realizing what she said.

"Jeez, Light. When you say it like that it makes it sound like a date."

"Would that bother you?"

"Nope. It doesn't bother me."

"Good."

The duo walked around the festival, until they came to the Public Assessment Area. Three Changelings and a griffon were on a Public Trial. Rain growled a low growl from her gut. Light tried to pull her away with her wing, but failed; once Rain had something on her mind, she was determined to do something about it.

"-And Mr. Grill Run the Griffon, you are sentenced to death for being with in Canterlot illegally."

"Hey!" All attention was taken off them and onto Rain.

"Ma'am, please, these things don't deserve to walk our grounds,"A stupid stallion said nonchalantly.

"Those 'things' are also living beings! They have feelings, they are exactly like us ponies! They feel pain! They experience relationships! They fear death! They are beings! I say, if you kill them for being a griffon or changeling, then how about you kill all of the ponies? What is Queen Chrysalis killed all of you for being in her Wastelands?! You all disgust me." Rain spat, walking away slowly.

The three Changelings saw through her disguise, but said nothing. They knew better than to sell out their own kind. Some ponies who agreed with Rain spoke up, rallying against what they were doing. Rain gave a smug smile as she watched her Changeling and Griffon friends be un-cuffed, and allowed to go free.

4: Fun

Rain awoke in the middle of the night, rain pounding on the sides of the little cottage. Thunder boomed and lightning struck, and Timber Wolves howled in the distance. Rain quietly trotted out of her room and across the hall to Light's room, cracking the door open quietly. She trotted in and softly and slowly jumped on the bed, getting under the covers, and falling asleep.

Light felt movement on the bed and turned over to see the Changeling curled up in a fetal position, gently sleeping. Light sighed and thought 'What a hoof full.' She laid back down and fell asleep, the sound of rain pittering on the roof calming and seductive.

Rain woke up and looked at the clock, it reading 7:15. She got out of bed and crawled around to Light's side, gently tapping her with a hoof. When Light opened her eyes, Rain's red violet eyes were staring back at her, her ears down in almost a fear like way.

"Rain...? What's wrong?" Light asked groggily.

"The thunder and lightning are still going off. I'm kinda... well, I'm kinda scared, okay?"

"You're name is Rain... and you're scared of rain?"

"No... just Lightning. Listen, I had bad experiences when I was little, okay?"

"Aw, tell me, love." Light said, still half asleep.

"Well, my cousin Lightning always liked to scare me and zap me with bolts of it. Just... I don't want to have to be up alone when it's raining like this."

"Okay, I'll take care of it." Light said.

Light got out of bed and opened her window, using her magic to push the clouds off the house and calm the thunder and lightning.

"Better?"

"Very much so, yes." Rain smiled happily, the thunder and lightning being reduced to a small sprinkle or rain.

"Want me to make you breakfast, Light?"

"That'd be nice, Rain." Light said, yawning and crawling back into bed.

Rain trotted out of the room and got out the pancake mix. She baked the pancakes quickly and perfectly, dribbling syrup and butter on top of them. She used her magic to stack the three golden brown discs perfectly, and carried the plate in with a glass of ice water.

"Light, I got your-" Rain started but stopped, seeing Light so nicely asleep.

She sighed and put the plate and glass on the nightstand next to the bed, and she walked out of the room. She cleaned up her mess and looked out the window. From there, she could see over the giant gate that kept the changelings out of Equestria; she could see the Wastelands and the Badlands. Rain had lived in the Wastelands, under the rule of Queen Meta. Of course, they functioned differently than Chrysalis' hive, and had clans that were all ruled by their democratically elected Queen or King.

And, to the Changelings of the Wastelands, ponies and anything to do with them were hardcore taboo's. Rain sighed as she thought about what she had done to be kicked out of her clan and beaten, then left for dead. The Changeling had snuck between the border, taking the guise of different ponies, mares and stallions, fillies and colts alike. She would sneak some extra love and care from the ponies, building a life, faking her death, feeling the love and sorrow from them all.

And yet, at the time, she didn't feel bad for doing it. But now... now she felt like she ruined lives. She came home after stealing extra love for a few years, and her cousin, Lightning, had followed her around. Once she came back they all turned on her, kicking her out of their clan and deeming her one of the Drifters. Drifters were Changelings who committed the hardcore taboo of having anything to do with a pony, and were left without a clan. Some Drifters became Adoptees and were adopted by a new clan, or sometimes even a whole new Hive.

Rain had been unlucky enough to be kicked out of the clan, beaten, and left for dead in the Everfree Forest where Timber Wolves and Stone Wolves and Green Wolves alike ran wild. But then Light came along and brought well, light and happiness to her world. Of course, this also came with her not trusting her, and eventually coming to terms with her infatuation with her.

Rain loved Light, but she always wondered how some pony could love something that ate love. Rain had been with numerous ponies, eating, drinking, craving their love. But Light's love and affection for her was different. It was sweeter. It made her feel whole, whereas other ponies love had just left her half the mare she was. Rain sighed, thinking about what would happen with them, if she could even call Light and herself an item.

"Rain, these pancakes you make are delicious! I love you so much!" Light called, obviously still chewing her food.

"Yeah..." Rain said, thinking about how just five months ago she had been saved by the Pegacorn.

Light trotted out of her room, dishes and glass in tow in a blue aura of magic. She set them in the sink and walked over to Rain, who stood quietly and still.

"Rain...? You okay?" Light put her hoof around the Changeling's shoulder, who shook it off immediately.

"Yeah... well, no. I'm not."

"Why? What's wrong?" Light asked, concern in her voice.

"I just... I've been with so many ponies and Changelings, and-"

"Sexually?"

"Pervert," The Changeling muttered, then continued. "yes, sexually. Anyway... I've been with so many of them, but none of their love feels like yours. It's stronger and sweeter than any love I've ever gotten from any Changeling or pony or Griffon."

"Wow, so... if you ate another Changeling's love, is that cannibalism?"

"No, since we're not actually eating each other."

5: A Day To Learn

Rain yawned as she awoke from her deep sleep, rubbing her eyes. She rolled over to an awake Light, who was just smiling and staring.

"What?" Rain said, after yawning once more. "Have you been watching me sleep?"

"I was just gazing at something beautiful. Anyways, I wanted to ask you something."

"Well... ask away."

"Tell me everything you know about Changelings." Light said, almost demanding. "Please?"

"Well... I know that the love I get from you is the best kind: true love. Me and my brothers and sisters would ask my mom and dad how wonderful their love tasted and felt, and they'd always say something like, 'It tastes like the sweetest, tangiest, most delicious thing you've ever had.' or 'True love is something that comes once in a lifetime. Once that pony is gone, you'll never find another like 'em." Rain said, staring at the ceiling. "They loved each other and ourselves so much, their love and affection towards each other fed us for a whole year. It was amazing, and it tasted a lot like your love, but yours is so much better than that.

And Changelings reproduce like ponies, they got to have sexy times, y'know?" Rain said, looking over at her girlfriend.

"Are we going out?" Light asked after a long silence.

"I would assume so, yes." Rain said, smiling.

"Huh. I always wanted to find my true love and..."

"And? And what, have babies?"

"Well... I mean, yeah. But that's a lost cause. If we got married, we could adopt."

"I wouldn't be up for that. I would rather it be something better than some pony else's baby being ours. It'd have to be half me, and half you."

"But how would that-" Light asked, suddenly blushing when she saw Rain's expression. "No. No that'd be super weird!"

"Come on, ya big pussy. It'd just be me with a-"

"Don't even say that word! Please, just continue with the Changeling History."

Rain giggled before continuing.

"Well... I know that Changelings mate for life. And that we can hear each other in our minds. It's like static or white noise, a few voices always talking. But when a Changeling gets old enough, they can hear a voice they want to, and tune out the extra ones."

"Why don't you have holes in your hooves?"

"That's because I have a different Ancestry and breed of Changeling."

"There are breeds?!"

"Only about 5,000 or so. Anyway, my great, great grandfather was the son of a Pegasus and a Changeling, and I have the recessive trait for no holes in my hooves. If I had kids, they'd have a 50-50 chance of having holes in theirs. They'd also most likely be able to change like a Changeling as well. It all depends on how strong each gene is. Like... we could have a Pegacorn-Changeling with holes and my abilities. Or a unicorn or pegasus with Changeling abilities. Or a Changeling without Changeling abilities. It all depends on the genes."

"I'm thinking of raising a debate to allow Changelings into Equestria. What do you think?"

A green flash of light appeared, and Rain said, "Well, I would love to be able to walk all of Equestria without having to be in disguise. I feel silly like this." In another green flash, the Earth pony was gone, replaced with Rain. "I'm going to take a bath. You wanna come with?"

"Bath together? Really? At this slow point in our relationship?"

"C'mon, don't be such a baby. It's been what, almost a *year since we met?"

"Y-Yeah... Okay, fine, but no weird stuff."

"No promises, babe."

The two walked to the Master Bathroom and ran a warm bath, cranking it up higher and higher. "What? I like it hot."

"If it's this hot I'll crack my chitin. I don't want cracked chitin."

"Fine, baby." Light giggled, turning the heat of the water down.

Rain jumped in and quickly poured bubble soap in, swishing it around to make bubbles. Light fluttered her wings carefully and got in easily and slowly, the temperature of the water being colder than she was used to.

"I swear, you are such a foal sometimes."

"Hey. No need to put labels on any pony. I only act like this because I never got to do it as a filly. It was always 'Starve, wait for Chrysalis to kill us all, hide, blah blah blah."

"Oh, jeez." Light said, suddenly uncomfortable. "Sorry for bringing it up then."

"Nah, it's okay. It's in the past, let's live for now." Rain smiled a fang filled smile.

The Pegacorn turned the lights off and allowed the candles to flicker to life, bringing about an apple pie aroma. They both sunk further into the bubbles until they were all the way under the water, giggling at the funny faces they made.

"Will you wash the back of my thorax?"

"So basically your back? Are you trying to make me feel dumb?"

"Just a little bit."

Light giggled and started scrubbing the back of the Changeling, tickling the base of her wings at times.

"Ticklish, are we now?"

"Don't, or I swear to Meta I will change into something weird like a lizard or a Seahorse!"

"Here I come~!" Light called flirtatiously.

"Quit it- ack! Stop that- ah! No, stop it! Stop it before I whack you!" Rain yelled, flopping her hooves around to stop the assault.

A green flash enveloped the Changeling, replacing Rain with a Seahorse version of her Changeling self. "I told you I'd do it."

"Doesn't bother me, I think it's kinda kinky. And you know how I like kinky stuff." Light said, raising an eyebrow.

The green light returned and disappeared, leaving an unhappy Changeling covered in bubbles, looking ridiculous.

"Oh, calm down, cutie."

"I'm done being bathed." Rain snapped, swiping her hair around and drying off with her magic, but before she left the room she said, rather coldly, "Have fun bathing, sweet heart."

Light immediately jumped up and out of the bath, drying off with a shake and chasing after Rain. "Rain, wait! What did I do wrong? Can you give me that?"

"You treat me like a foal. Like a lesser being. I've been treated that way my whole life. Until I put on a mask of a pony, I'm treated like a proper mare. But I just want to be seen as 'That Changeling Mare', and nothing else. Not a foal, not a filly, not a thing. A Changeling mare."

"I... I'm going into town."

"Fine. Go. Have fun." Rain said in a mocking tone.

Light just smiled at the brilliant idea she was forming in her mind. She trotted out of the house and broke into a gallop, eventually jumping into the skies and flying towards Canterlot.

6: Making Things...

"Announcing the arrival of Lady Light. Miss Light, your audience with the Royalty will now commence." An Earth pony yelled, nodding and heading out of the room.

"Your Highness's. I am here to talk to you today, about something that matters very much to me. Something you all might be on edge with. Changelings." Light's breath hitched as she ended her introduction.

Many gasps came from the Royalty, but Princess Celestia spoke up. "Why are you talking of such creatures?"

"Because," Light thought about how to word it. "I've seen the good in Changelings. After all, we have reformed Discord. Is there no mercy in trying to reform the Changelings? We cannot simply kill them because they fled their home, can we?"

"You mean to tell us you are keeping a Changeling at home?" Shining Armor questioned.

"As I am under oath, I must promise the truth; and the truth to that is, I rather not say until I am certain of something, if I am not imposing."

"It is an imposition to even think about allowing those beasts to walk among us!" Sheriff Silver Star yelled.

"Watch your tongue, Sheriff!" Light yelled, anger clear in her voice.

"Excuse me?!"

"Guards! Send two troops to Light's home and-"

"Don't." Princess Twilight Sparkle said loud enough for every pony to hear.

"What?!"

"Not all Changelings are bad, big brother, but, I think I might have a plan." Twilight said, a devilish smile crossing her lips.

-Meanwhile-

"I cannot believe Light would just do that to me! Just out of the blue-" Rain was cut off by a knock at the door.

She turned into her newest form, a violet unicorn with a lavender mane. She opened the door and found a note nailed to it. She tore it off and looked at it, eyes shrinking in horror.

"All citizens of Equestria welcome! We have caught a traitor by the name of Light who has sided with the Changelings! Come to Canterlot this evening at exactly six o'clock to watch the execution of this filthy traitor!

In anger, the Changeling changed to her natural form and took to the skies, unaware of her changing form. She flew to Canterlot as quick as she could, sometimes even firing a bolt of magic backwards to propel her quicker. Anger fueled this beast, this feral animal inside Rain, taking over and getting into 'Protective Mode'. Many ponies pointed to the sky, following the Changeling, but unaware of its species or origin.

With about an hour and a half, Rain arrived in the Canterlot Public Assessment Area, still in a blind rage. She saw the sun setting, indicating it being six bells in at least three minutes. Shining Armor and Sheriff Silver Star stood in her way, which was a poor decision.

Princesses Luna, Celestia, Twilight, and Cadence stood by the guillotine, waiting for the gathering of ponies.

Rain rushed up to Shining Armor ad swiftly kicked him in the neck, effectively putting him down for the count in a black blur. She turned to Sheriff Silver Star and growled, tackling him to the ground and placing him under a spell, telling him to interfere. She ran to the Princesses, but was healed by Cadence's magic upon reaching them. He then too, fainted from exhaustion, still sharing a link of anger and rage with Rain.

Rain then ran up to Twilight and growled at her, speaking a few words. "Let my friend go, or I will kill you and the other Princesses. Or, I could make you watch as I kill your friends. Just do not hurt mine."

She then swiftly kicked Twilight with her hind leg and on Twilight's middle, making her loose her breath for the moment. Rain then turned to the other Princesses who smiled sweetly.

"You think this is funny?! I'll kill this pony if I have to to get her back!" Rain said, tears rushing down her faces.

"Calm down, Rain." Princess Cadence mused.

"Don't even think about trying to defy me. I will do anything for Light. I'd even die. That's it. Take me. I'm the monster, not Light. She saved me from certain death. And loved me. And cared about me. And now that idiot had to go and get herself into more trouble! Please! Don't... don't take the one thing I have. Please..." Rain said, breaking down and crying, begging the Princesses with mercy.

Rain felt a familiar hoof on her shoulder. She looked up to a distorted vision of Light, and wiped her tears, jumping up onto her and crying and digging further into her fur.

"It was a test to make sure you were reformed, love." Light said delicately.

"You idiot... I thought you were gonna die, I was so scared. Don't leave me ever again. Promise me?" Rain looked up at Light, who nodded her head.

"I promise you, I'll never leave your side for as long as I live."

"Princess Twilight... I'm so sorry! And... and Sir Shining Armor and Sheriff Silver Star and Princesses." Rain bowed to them all. "I'm sorry, and I want to live in Equestria as... as a citizen. I want to apart of your hive- I mean, community."

"I forbid it," Princess Celestia said flatly. "Gotcha."

Rain smiled and hugged Light even tighter, nuzzling into her fur. She felt a little shove, and looked at Light, who had gotten on her 'knees' and levitated two rings out of a box.

"Do you wanna be my lover, Rain the Changeling, of the Cloud Clan?"

A long silence overcame the ponies watching, as well as the ponies in the court.

"No. I want to be your wife, Rain the Changeling, of Equestria. That's who I want to be,"

Light levitated a gold band over her fiancee's horn, it swinging down the curve to a perfect fit, and a silver band over her own horn.

"Why is mine gold and yours silver?"

"Because you're my number one, and I'll always put myself second."

"You're so cheesy, I could take a bite of you," Rain teased.

"Well maybe I love being this cheesy. Otherwise I'd have to be something else, like... wifeless and without happiness."

"You say the sweetest things, love."

"Well, I try, darling."

2.1: New Life

3 Years Later

"Light, can you come here with the camera?" Rain called from their new living room.

"What? Why?" Light asked, confused.

"I think Storm wants us to take a family photo now that her baby sister with be with us soon. I think we should name her Skye. What do you think, Light?" A very pregnant Rain asked, walking around the corner.

"I think Skye sounds beautiful, darling."

"Mama! Dada!" Storm giggled. "Picture, picture! And sissy can be in it too, right?"

"Yes, of course, Stormy, my cutie." Light said, walking over to nuzzle her oldest child.

Rain stood in the middle, Light's wing protectively around her, with Storm in between. The camera levitated quite still and snapped, taking the picture.

"Mommy, when is little sister coming?"

"Soon enough, sweetie," Rain smiled.

"Rain, since it's your birthday and all, I wrote you something." Light said, giving Rain a folded paper.

"You know when you have that dream, and there's that mare there whose face you can never place. I used to have those dreams frequently until it happened. We met on here, in the Everfree Forest, and I admit it's hard for me to talk to ponies, and I find it easier than going out... our conversation just flowed, I don't know how but she just got me being myself, no masks, no facades, no one else just me and... I'm so glad I found you, the filly of my dreams, Rain the Changeling.

You did more than bring me out my shell, you made me look forward to each day when I get to talk to you, when I get home from working sometimes you're the first thing I think about and when I go to sleep you are in my last thoughts. Everyday used to be so dull, so boring, until you came into my life Rainy.

I never thought I'd meet some pony who understands me so well, sure we don't watch the same television programs, and sure we lived on different continents but that doesn't mean I couldn't hope, couldn't dream that one day I'd meet you. I thought of different scenarios of when I did meet you and in all of them I'd hug you and never want to let you go.

I don't know how but you crept into my heart and set up a permanent home, and I'm so glad it was you because there's no one else I can think of or even want more than you to take that place.

I remember you told me you had a dream of us getting married and even I had that dream. Me in a suit, you in a flowing white gown and that picture of us has never left my thoughts. I'd want us to have matching gold rings, mine engraved with Hero or Prince on the outside and on yours it'd have 'Darling on the outside and 'Fur Cordis Mei' on the inside because you truly are the 'Thief of my heart'.

You're the only person I've seen myself with in an actual relationship and whether we're in the Everfree or Badlands or some other place I wouldn't give a single damn, because all I'd care about is you.

How is it some pony like me, an autistic, antisocial freak, manage to catch your attention. I don't think I'll ever know but I am glad it was me because we stand on mutual ground, I care for you I truly do, whenever you tell me you're sick or you had a little freak out I worry so much. Maybe it's stupid for me to care like that but to be honest I'm better at stupidity than anything else.

I told you once that our idea's are a part of us, a part of our personality. Mine are always tomboyish, strong, ready and able to protect the one they love, that's the major thing they all share in common. Even though they all have different lives they all have a common goal, love. I think I've found my goal and I wouldn't have made it if I didn't write that comment on ColdFoxes picture, I wouldn't have made it if I didn't join TTS with you and I certainly wouldn't have made it if I doubted my feelings for you one second.

Call me a flirt but, Rainy, you truely are the thief of my heart, my pika girl... my love.

Aw, Light, you flirt!" Rain said, wiping a tear from her eye."I wrote something up for you too."

"You didn't have to, it's your birthday."

"Just read it, love."

"If I had one wish... I'd probably ask for a lot of things. Money. Good mental and physical, as well as emotional health. My family to be happy and healthy. For the world to be at peace. For the knowledge of the universe. But out of all of these, I'd rather have something I already do have. Love. Love that I've never felt before. Not like the cute elementary school crush, not love like the kind of love you think is real in middle school, but the love that you find, when you connect with some pony. I already have her, and I hope I never have to let her go. We have a song, Pika Girl, and I just love it. We connect on so many things, but like all couples we have our disagreements, but we get over it and push our pride out the door, and make up.

If I had to ask her to marry me one day, I'd get us two rings; a gold one for her, and a silver for me. On her gold ring it'd read 'Love', and she'd be my number one, since she was my first actual love interest and potential partner. My silver one would read 'Darling', and I'd always try and put myself second. I'd ask her to be my Player Two, and see if she'd press start.

Light is and I hope always will be, my Pika Girl. It's all for you, love. <3 <3

Rain... you are so adorable. I can't believe you and I thought of the same idea." Light said, dabbing a tear.