A Changeling That Changed

Merrick stood at then trance to the cottage shifting uncomfortably. He was unsure of if he wanted to knock on the door, or just leave. He knew he had to do this, had to meet this pony, but what if she hated him? All the excitement from earlier was gone, and back was the fear of being kicked out of Ponyville.

He had Rainbow Dash and Rarity on his side, which meant that he needed the Yellow Pony or Applejack to also like him. Unless Twilight and Pinkie Pie counted in the votes, in which case he was in the clear. But he was almost certain they wouldn't count, or at least one of them wouldn't to make it so there was no chance of a tie.

All he knew was that getting this yellow pony on his side was probably very important in deciding his future, and even if it wasn't he still wanted to be her friend.

He walked forward, and raised his hoof. He was so afraid she wouldn't like him, or that she would be mean. She had hardly talked at the meeting, and when she did she seemed very nice. But this was just a hunch he couldn't shake. A fear he couldn't get rid of.

His hoof started to hit the door over and over as he was shaking uncontrollably. He eventually hit it loud enough to be heard and put his hoof down.

The next thing he knew the door opened up slowly. A yellow pegasus with a pink mane stood there, flittering just off the ground.

"Umm... hello." She muttered shyly, averting her eyes.

Maybe she was gentler then he had expected. He figured if he had to describe her it would be as yellow, adorable, and very very quiet. Which seemed like his kind of pony.

"Can- can I help you?" She said, this time slightly louder.

"Hello yellow pony." Merrick said, extending his hoof. "I believe we have met before."

Fluttershy looked at him quizzically.

"We have?" She said softly. "Oh my I'm so sorry, but I don't seem to remember you."

Merrick smiled at her and giggled a little.

"You probably wouldn't recognize me as a pegasus. If I came inside I can show you who I truly am."

Fluttershy's eyes widened as she realized who he was.

"Are you-" She started to say loudly, before lowering her voice back to a whisper. She leaned in close to him and said:

"Are you Merrick?"

Merrick looked at her and nodded.

"Oh my goodness!" She said shocked. She began to shake us hoof furiously. "I've been expecting you! Please come in! I've set up my living room just for a visit with you!" She said with glee.

"You seem rather excited about my visit Misses- I'm sorry I don't quite know your name." Merrick said as he walked into the living room. He put away us pegasus disguise, and took on his natural form.

"I'm Fluttershy!" She said excitedly. "And I'm so excited to get to know you!"

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you!" Merrick said loudly. "If I may ask, why does this excite you? I had a hunch you'd be afraid of a Changelings."

"Well I am afraid of Changelings!" She said, still quite happily. "Just not you! Pinkie Pie has told me so much about how amazing you are, Rainbow Dash hasn't stopped telling me about your "awesomeness", Rarity says you're the best model she could have ever wished for, and I promised Twilight I would give you a chance!"

As Merrick listened to the description of himself from each of his new friends his heart warmed. They really truly loved him, cared about him.

"Well Fluttershy that's all very nice, but it doesn't explain why you are excited!" Merrick said with a smile as he sat down on the couch.

Fluttershy sat down across from him, the only thing in between them being a table with pastries and tea lined up on it.

"Well Merrick I've never met a friendly Changeling, and well... I'm just very excited." She said as she picked up one of the pastries. "It's kind of like when I met Spike-" She stopped herself.

"You do know who Spike is correct? He's a cute wittle baby dwagon!" She said the last part in a very cutesy voice.

Merrick nodded at her.

"Well that's good!" She said with glee. She popped the pastry in her mouth, chewed and swallowed. "I didn't want to confuse you. Pastry?"

She held out the platter to Merrick, who shook his head no.

"Meeting you is kind of like when I met Spike!" She continued. "I'm absolutely terrified of dragons, but Spike is a baby dragon, and I know he's friendly."

She paused for a moment as she poured a cup of tea.

"Would you like some?" She said looking up at him.

"Yes please." He said smiling. Finally somepony offered him something that he could actually use, a drink. "But please do go on!"

"Well you're kind of like Spike. I know for a fact you aren't like other Changelings in the sense that you're very friendly!"

She handed Merrick the cup of tea and he smiled at her as he took it.

"Thank you very much!" He said happily. "For the tea and for giving me a chance."

"It's no problem, really." She said blushing at his thanks. "So why don't you tell me about yourself? I would love to hear about the life of a Changeling!"

"Are you sure? I mean I'd have to start all the way back when I was born, and I'm around you and all of your friends' ages!"

"Well I have plenty of time." Fluttershy said smiling. "Besides I'm supposed to get to know you!"

Merrick smiled at her kindness, put down the tea and began his story.

He told her all about his life, from when he was very young living with his father, to the Canterlot wedding and a Changelings view on it, all the way to meeting Pinkie Pie and the events that led up to this very conversation. He told her about himself, and she told him about herself. They had many common interests, like animals and baking.

And they just sat there with tea, and just... talked. They talked about life, they talked about animals, and they talked about their friends. They simply talked and talked for a couple of hours, before Merrick realized what time it was, and that he was supposed to meet Applejack.

"Oh my goodness!" Merrick exclaimed. "It's already five in the afternoon! I'm supposed to meet Applejack today!"

He put down his tea cup, which he had just finished off and looked at Fluttershy.

"I'm so sorry Fluttershy, all we did was talk. You probably won't even want me here now."

"Oh no!" Fluttershy said sincerely. "Listening to your life and telling you about mine made me very happy! I'd love to do this again, and well... there's only one way that would happen! I mean... I've barely met anypony like you, who I feel so comfortable talking with."

"R-really?" Merrick said shocked,

"Yes really!" Fluttershy said with a smile. She stood out of the chair, and gestured for him to stand too. "Now come along. You really should be going to see Applejack."

Merrick stood up, and walked to the door with her. When they got there he hugged her suddenly.

"Thank you so much for your kindness yello- Fluttershy." He said happily. "Thank you."

He quickly turned into his pegasus disguise, waved at her and flew off towards Sweet Apple Acres. He was happier then ever. Nopony had ever shown him that level of kindness on a first meeting.

She waved at him as he left, and Angel quickly hopped out the door and stood next to her.

"He was such a nice Changeling." She said to him softly.