A Changeling That Changed

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

Thank you for informing me of your new Changeling friend, and asking for my judgement.

However I do need to reinforce a fact to you.

You are a Princess now, and you do not need to ask my judgement in everything you do. You are free to make your own choices. I trust you and your friends one hundred percent, and will allow this Changeling to stay in Equestria.

I would however like to meet him, as my sister may have use for him in a sort of secret project she has going on.

While I know you must be busy getting him settled into Ponyville I would like you and your friends to travel to Canterlot immediately.

Your Changeling friend will not need a disguise as I have sent out notices across Equestria of who he is based on the description of physical appearance you gave me, and that he will be traveling with you.

If anything the ponies of Canterlot will assume he's another captive Changeling from the Badlands.

I expect your arrival soon.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

Merrick looked away from the letter and lay down on his seat in the train. They had left for Canterlot immediately after receiving it, and he had been lost in thought thinking about it ever since.

It wouldn't have been a big deal to him, where it not for the fact that it said another Changeling captive.

Why did they have Changeling captives?

And why did Princess Luna want his help?

His mind quickly drifted to horrible thoughts as he imagined what all of it could possibly mean, and he rested his head on the pillow. He was quite nervous about the whole situation, and afraid of what all of this could mean for him.

He started thinking of negative possibilities, before attempting to ignore them and think of something nicer.

His thoughts quickly wandered off to the thought of Pinkie Pie.

His thoughts had turned to the pink mare multiple times during the trip, and every time his heart fluttered and he felt warm and fuzzy inside.

He didn't know what it was, but he felt it whenever she was around or whenever he thought of her. It was a strange feeling, but he liked it.

He thought he knew what it meant, and his only theory worried him. The more he thought about it the more he realized that he loved Pinkie Pie. At least he thought it was love.

She was very special too him, he knew that, but did he love her?

The more he thought about it the more he realized the truth. He probably really did love her.

He kept thinking about her, and this then turned to the things he loved the most about her.

"Her cute mane and adorable voice," He thought to himself, his heart fluttering at the thought. "The pure glee and happiness she has for everything."

He stopped and thought about that for a while. He loved the way she was so happy all the time, and it made him happy. She was almost as if somepony had taken happiness and made it into a pony.

It was then that he remember that she was the Element of Laughter,  and therefore literally was the living embodiment of happiness.

His thoughts slowly turned back to debating whether or not he truly loved her.

"It's just..." He thought to himself, his train of thought trailing off. "I just want to hug her, but in a special way, not like we have before. And I want to snuggle her, and kiss her..."

He kept thinking about it, and had more and more fantasies.

He kept imagining the things they could do together. He wanted to hold her in the winter when it was cold, to hug her when she needed more than just a friend, he wanted to be hers and to love her. (He also thought of a few, more explicit, things he wanted to do with her)

And he realized he definitely loved her.

"You love her don't ya?" Applejack said to him, almost as if she had read his mind.

He was in the cart with her and Rainbow Dash, the other three ponies sitting in the cart ahead.

"Wh-what? Like who?" He responded in shock.

"Don't play dumb!" Rainbow Dash called out. "You totally dig Pinkie Pie!"

"N-no I don't!" He responded nervously. "Ch-Changelings can't love remember?!"

Applejack and Dash shot each other smug glances.

"But y'all are a special Changeling remember?" AJ said smugly.

"And!" Rainbow Dash cut in. "If I recall you're learning how to love!" She said in a teasing voice.

Merrick blushed from nervousness and embarrassment.

"I-I don't love her." He muttered.

"Ay Dash look he's blushin'!" AJ said nudging the pegasus.

"I didn't know Changelings could blush!" Dash said giggling. "Did you AJ?"

"Not at all." AJ replied cooly. "But why would he be blushin' if he don't love her?"

His face became even more red as he slunk back in embarrassment.

"O-okay..." He muttered meekly.

"What was that AJ?" Dash said mockingly.

"I ain't heard nothin' Dashie!" AJ replied with glee.

"Okay!" He said louder, returning his voice to a whisper. "M-maybe I love her..."

The two mares smirked at each other and then looked back at him. They saw the sadness in his eyes and immediately regretted their little roast.

"I-I'm sorry sugarcube." Applejack said sincerely. "I'm sure she loves ya back!"

Merrick smiled at her.

"Thank you Applejack."

"Well I know she does!" Dash said loudly. "She told me to not tell anypony!"

She paused for a moment, before realizing her mistake.

"Oops." She said softly, covering her mouth.

The three ponies began to giggle, before the train suddenly screeched to a halt as they reached the destination, Merrick now filled with hope and joy.