Twilight was in a good mood as she trotted home. After all, her brother's wedding went off without a hitch. Well, except for the whole changeling invasion thing. Compared to Discord, however, defeating Chrysalis was like a trot in the park. It did leave her with something though: The thirst for knowledge.
"SPIIIIKE", she called out after slamming the door to the library. "I'm home!"
The baby dragon ran down the stairs to greet his sister, a smile on his face.
"Did you bring me something? Huh? HUH?"
Twilight put on the most convincing grin she could. "I brought you something I think we'd both enjoy." Reaching into her saddlebag with her magic, she pulled out a small book and handed it to the dragon.
His face fell immediately. "Twiiiliiiight. This is a book on changelings."
"Yep! We're gonna have another all-night study session! I know how much you enjoy those."
Spike sighed and started to grab the materials needed for Twilight's project. Pencils, paper, quills, maps of the Everfree...
Looking at her dragon reluctantly work (he has the cutest little pout *squee*) was what set her over the edge. She smiled and rolled her eyes. "Oh, Spike... I forgot one thing..."
The baby dragon turned around, frowning. "Is it another book?"
His expression changed immediately when Twilight threw a few rubies at him (He falls for this every time, I swear). "Go enjoy yourself tonight, Spike. I think I got it."
Spike ran off before she could change her mind. Twilight sat down, opened the book, and started to read.
Chapter 7: Changeling Appearances
As you know, changelings can shape-shift into the form of another pony. However, at home in the hive, the appearance of their natural form means everything. The Queen is much taller than her subjects, giving her a more intimidating appearance. Soldiers have formed armor-like chitan over their skin. Drones have a set of three claws on each hoof (much like that of the Griffons) to help with digging. Each of these features distinguish a changelings position in the hive.
Some changelings are born without any of these features, or a mutation. To most Queens, this would make their hive look weaker. They leave the mutated changeling to the Everfree, where nature does its work. There have been two sightings if mutated changelings wandering into Equestrian Territory (See Page 96).
Some common mutations include: Inability to change form, Shortened horn, No holes in chitan, and born without position (No claws, armor, etc.).
Twilight put the book down and yawned. The read was fascinating. She expected Changeling life to be different from ponies, but not like this. She couldn't imagine having been exiled as a filly, or having to leave spike alone in some forest just because he was a dragon. She yawned again and snuck a peak at the clock. It was almost midnight.
Closing the book for good, the Lavender mare stood and stretched.
Maybe just a little walk before bed, she thought.
She was very careful not to wake spike as she opened the door. After all, a grumpy spike isn't a happy spike.
She immediately felt the cold as she left her treehouse. Pushing on, she began to walk toward the Everfree. On the way, she found herself thinking about survival in the forest. Could a changeling infant do it? Could a filly live for more then a few days? Could she even survive for an extended period of time.
She was thinking about a warmth spell that wouldn't attract wildlife she. She heard a cry. It wasn't a cry of a pony, that was for sure. It sounded almost like chittering, and it was desperate. She ran toward the source of the sound.
What she found made her stop in her tracks. It was a Pegasus, with a green striped mane and yellow coat. She was a filly, no cutie mark. Her back-left Hoof was trapped under a rock. Her stomach curled when she saw the blood oozing out from under the fillies prison. She sprung into action, using her magic to lift the rock. The filly looked up at her, smiled, and closed her eyes.
"Try to stay awake" Twilight repeated desperately. She tried to get a close look at the fillies crushed hoof.
What she saw surprised her. The hoof was not yellow, nor covered in fur. Instead was a black, holed, clawed leg. She instantly reeled back, preparing her anti-changeling spell on her horn.
The "Filly" groaned again, and rolled on her side to look at Twilight. Her eyes were pleading, her face twisted in pain. Twilight lowered her horn, her spell about to go through.
She stopped herself, however. This was obviously an Infant, unless full grown changelings could turn into children. Either way, this changeling posed no threat, and was in trouble. Levitating the infant onto her back, she ran to the first place she could think of.
"Fluttershy! Open up!" Screamed twilight for what felt like the eighth time. "I have a... Filly here that needs help!"
She heard a moan from the other side of the door, which was slowly unlocked and opened. The yellow Pegasus was still half asleep, mane disheveled and teddy bear in hoof.
"Twilight?" She said as best she could. However, her entire demeanor changed when she saw Twilight's cargo.
"Oh my Goodness! Uhm... Lets put her on the couch."
Twilight quickly followed her instructions. Fluttershy came back a moment later with bandages and medical supplies. Twilight tried to help as best she could, but the Pegasus was moving too fast (Which isn't really a bad thing, Twilight).
Minutes later, Twilight and Fluttershy sat down at a table while the injured infant rested on the couch.
"I just don't know what to do with her, Fluttershy. I already have spike to take care of, but we can't just leave her I. The forest."
"I would love to keep her... But... Um... I still have all my animals. That and... Well.. Angel doesn't like change." She winced. "I did overhear Scootaloo talking to her friends yesterday, though. Her parents are looking to adopt again. Maybe they'll take her?"
Twilight nodded. "That sounds like the best idea. Do you think they'll mind she's.. ah..."
Fluttershy cocked her head to one side. "Injured?"
Twilight shook her head, and whispered "A changeling."
Fluttershy's pupils shrank. "A what? She's a... Changeling?"
Twilight nodded. "I got a glimpse of her hoof before I took her over here."
"Well, we don't really have much other choice..."
Twilight agreed. "Then it's settled. She'll stay with Scootaloo."