The Changeling In My Heart

Chapter II:

The Healing Road Begins

Zecora eyed the changeling on Blazing's back with wide, observing eyes. The changeling lay limp on his back as he stood in the doorway, his gaze switching between the zebra in front of him and the changeling on his back. "Zecora, she's hurt badly!" Blazing explained. "I think she was attacked by the forest animals, or something." The changeling on his back groaned and struggled to look up at the zebra he was talking to. Zecora stared at her with wide eyes and closed mouth before turning to Blazing.

"A changeling before me, that much is sure." She said. "Are your intentions of herbs true and pure?" The changeling grew increasingly confused at her words while Blazing immediately inclined his head.

"I know there's a risk in this, but I'm not letting that get in the way of saving a life." He stated clearly. She smiled at him.

"Come with me and very soon she be strong, like Luna's moon." Zecora said as she turned to some shelve on the wall behind her. As the wise zebra gathered some of her things Blazing carried the changeling to a table near the shelves Zecora was brewing. As Blazing laid her on the table she groaned in pain.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you." He apologized. She look up to him weakly.

"W-w-why are you... doing this...?" She asked in a weak, groggy voice.

"It would be best for you not to speak." Zecora steps up. "For you are far to weak." She instructed. She set down a cup filled with a green goo. The changeling wrinkled her nose as the cup was set close to her. "Though this brew is unpleasant to the smell it will do you quite well." Zecora explained. The changeling cringed and looked away.

"I'm not d-d-drinking that." She sputtered.

"You need not drink this precious brew." Zecora said. "All we need is to apply it on you." The changeling looked back to her with a glare.

"Y-y-you're not... touching me." She growled.

"She doesn't mean like that, miss." Blazing stepped in as he approached her. She turned her glare to him. He raised his hooves up to show no threat. "She means it just needs to be put on your wounds." After a few seconds her glare soften, partially because of her weakened condition, but another part of it was because somehow she sensed nothing but good intentions from him.

"W-w-would you... apply it...?" She asked, seaming more open than before. Blazing blinked. Every time he came in contact with changelings his life was one the line. No changeling ever even came close to accepting help, let alone seek it out. As time went by while he looked into her eyes he could see disappointment growing rapidly as she started to sigh.

"Okay." He said. He noticed a spark of hope shine in her eyes at that moment. Zecora smiled and stepped aside for him to approach. He walked up to the table and dipped his hoof in the ointment and wrinkled his nose. "That does smell." He said. With an apologetic look he gaze the changeling he began to apply the ointment on her shoulder tenderly. At the feel of the goo she hissed and arched her back slightly. He jumped at this. After a couple of seconds both settled and he continued.

~~)oOo(~~

A few hours had passed since Blazing applied the ointment on the changeling female he brought to Zecora and he was now making his way back to the old tree the zebra had called her home for who knows how long. Zecora had requested he go and buy a few supplies to restock for her herbs. Many of which he could not remember, so he had it written down on a list before he left.

Now on the way back through the forest for the second time today alone, this time with a sack full of items requested by his old friend.  He was a short distance away from the decorated treehouse when he heard a snap off the trail. He stopped and looked off into the direction the sound came from, his suspicions high. He just found a changeling in the forest, and changelings usually travel in groups. He knew that unless the changeling female he found was abandoned there would be others out there searching for her. For all he knew that noise could have come from another changeling on the lookout. It also could have been nothing, but he was not going to take that chance.

After a few minutes of standing there looking out into the trees he determined, for now, it was nothing and continued on toward Zecora's home. It took only a few minutes of tripping over some roots and vines while carrying precious cargo before he reached the familiar tree. He approached the door and, out of respect, he knocked on before entering. As he entered Zecora smiled at him while the changeling slept on the table. When he saw the changeling asleep he could not help but smile at her. How could a creature with such a dark reputation appear to be so calm and peaceful, he asked himself. He walked in, closing the door quietly behind him, and walked around the table to Zecora and gave her the bag of supplies.

"I thank you greatly for these supplies." She said to him. "I should grant you a good prize." She smiled at him.

"That won't be necessary." He replied with a sincere smile. She turned to the shelf on the wall and started putting the supplies away as if she had ignored his words. When she was done she came back and offered him two stones.

"These are stones from above." She said. "Though they maybe intended for love." She finished. He looked up to her with a look of confusion.

"Huh?" He asked.

"When I make a potion for 'hearts desire' these stones glow a warm glow like fire." She explained.

"Oh! So they give a positive charge when it comes to love or things like that?" He asked. Zecora replied with a simple nod of her head as she held the gems up to him.

"These stones have no purpose in my care." She said. "A better burden for you to bear." She offered him the shiny rocks again. He took them with a smile to the zebra who he cared for as a mother. Ever since she had become friends with Rainbow Dash and the others he began making regular visits to the old zebra as if it was meant to be. The two got along instantly as if they were mother and son. He offered to help her with some of her herbs and potions while she also offered him a few tips on such things as applying the herbs and even making a few things he may need in future times. He was not unfamiliar with such training as he was a part of a secret police force organized by Celestia years ago. But those days are memories he would rather not think about.

He held the stones close and turned to the changeling asleep on the table. As he watched her sleep he did not even notice the stones in his hoof starting to glow. He turned back to Zecora.

"I'm gonna take her home with me." He stated. She stopped putting things away and looked back at him.

"Of this action, are you sure? For there would be much you must endure." She cautioned. He inclined his head.

"I saved her from the forest, I think I should finish what I started." He stated firmly yet quietly so not to wake the changeling. Zecora turned from the shelf to face him fully. "I know there'll be risks, but I feel like I have to do this." He added to his claim. Zecora noticed the glowing stones, but made no indication she saw them as she kept her gaze locked on him.

"Very well, old friend." She said as she inclined her head with closed eyes. "And I'll be there till the end." She added. He smiled at her.

"Thank you, Zecora." He said as the two embraced each other.