I Want To Change

Fluttershy stalked the confines of her warm little cottage, taking a seat on the couch across from the fireplace. In her hooves she held a book, a blanket and a cup of coco that she'd just come from making. The evening's sun had started retreated behind the treeline,, making the light in from the kitchen and the fireplace the sole source of illumination for the room.

She honestly wished she could just turn off the light but then it would be too dark to read. The fireplace just wasn't enough light. Even still the atmosphere was quite pleasant, especially compared to the chilled dark night that rest outside her cottage.

Normally she enjoyed peaceful nights on her front steps but Equestria was well into fall. Most leaves had begun to fall and the air was chilled. An overcast shrouded the sky, shielding the moon and stars from view. Thus, the outside had lost all appeal this night.

Sometimes she was sad on evenings such as this. All but Angel Bunny had went into hibernation or flown to warmer parts of the country, and even Angel slept a lot during these times, waking only to be fed. This evening however she embraced the peace, and cracked open the book she was about to delve into.

Something bothered her though. She didn't get two pages into the book before she picked up on something she hadn't noticed at first. Something subtle. A noise. She put down her book and looked around the room, growing steadily more frantic. But she caught herself.

“Calm down Fluttershy.,” she told her self as she tried to identify the noise. It was like an inconsistent rattling or clanking. From where though? Was it the wind on the shudders? No... She'd hear that... It was just loud enough to be heard over the crackling of the fire.

She got up from her seat slowly. She didn't live near anypony, and all her animals were hibernating. What could it be. “O-oh no...” She breathed. This was wrong. This was different,. Different was bad. She considered running upstairs, diving into her bed and hiding under her covers into morning.

The thought that somepony or something may get in her cottage worried her though. What if it was nothing at all and she'd spend the night hiding from the wind? What a waste that would be. What if it were Rainbow, or Pinkie playing a joke on her? If she ran upstairs just because of a little noise they'd never let her live it down.

No, she needed to find it. Whatever it was, or who. It was probably nothing anyway. However that assurance didn't still her shaking legs as she made her way around the couch, toward the direction of the noise she now heard clearly. It was in the direction of her kitchen. “It's okay Fluttershy. This is your home. Nothing and nopony is here but you and Angel and Angel is sleeping.”

She took a deep breath and dashed quickly into her kitchen. She was glad she'd kept the light on and hadn't had to make a dive for the switch before the evil beast that made the clacking noise caught her. Nothing was in the kitchen, but the noise was definitely louder here. It was coming from the wall. No... Not the wall, the window.

The window was shut, but the noise was definitely coming from that direction. From outside maybe. She needed to know now. Something was right outside and she needed to know what. Half out of morbid curiosity and half out of fear.

She propped herself up on the counter and looked out the window. She couldn't see anything but the dark outline of trees however the sound still grew louder. With a shaking hoof she reached for the window to open it. Pressed against the cool surface of the glass... And screamed.

Something flew up, taking up almost her entire view of the treeline. It was huge! It Flew! The clacking noise was replaced with a horrible buzzing that filled her mind and chilled her blood. She screamed and hit the window with her forehoof, knocking it open and hitting the horrid beast. She didn't stop to see what had happened.

She turned and ran, deciding whether to hide upstairs or run for town while simultaneously scolding herself for leaving the window open. The window was open... She decided to make a run for town. The living room passed by in a blur as she dove over the couch and to her door. She struggled with the door for only a moment before tearing it free and jumping down the whole staircase.

She ran for the bridge, leaving the cottage behind. She kept running, forgetting she had wings. When the bridge came into sight something caught her eye. The monster was there, right next to the bridge. Not standing however. Laying there, trying to prop itself back up on it's forehooves.

Fluttershy skidded to a halt ten hooves away, frozen in place with indecision and fear. What was staring back at her was not a monster, but it was a changeling... Looked like a stallion. Which she didn't know to be any better. However the look in it's eyes mirrored her own. Fear... He was afraid.

She watched him hobble up and fall again as he struggled to get away. Her fear was now solely indecision. This was a changeling. She recognized him from when they had attacked Canterlot of course. However he wasn't attacking anything, and he was alone. He was hurt. Her heart ached at the sight of his feeble attempt to fly. Only one of his wings moved and one of his hooves was hurt.

She listened intently for just a moment for any sign that he wasn't actually alone. No... The night was still quiet. All except the rapid beating of her heart and the whirring sound of the changeling's one good wing. Her decision was made when she saw the changeling give up. He fell to the ground and covered his head with his forehooves.

She couldn't just leave him there. If any other pony found him they'd turn him over to the guards and who knows what they would do to him... Even if he was hurt.

Fluttershy took a couple of slow, cautious steps toward the wounded changeling. “H-Hello?” She called out weakly.

The changeling showed no sign of hearing her, and still lay trembling on the ground. He was a lot smaller than she'd thought when he'd flew up in her window. Then again fear makes everything bigger... That's when she realized it. He was flying fine, until she hit him with the window. She put a hoof to her muzzle and whimpered.

“O-oh I'm so sorry.” She stated, approaching the changeling who uncovered half of his face.

“Sorry?” He repeated back to her, and peaked out from his hooves.

Fluttershy was shocked to hear him talk, much less understand her but she got within a few hooves before replying. “Y-you can understand me?”

“Yes I can understand you,.” He uncovered his head completely, staring up at her. However the look of fear was still in his eyes.

Fluttershy asked the question she already knew the answer to. “Did I do that?” She pointed toward his injured wing and what looked like a hurt rear left hoof.

The changeling looked back at his leg, then back at her. “Yes... When you hit me with the window.”

“I'm so sorry.” She said again. She never wanted to hurt anything, even a changeling. She wanted to help. “If... If I try and help... You promise you won't... Attack me,” she squeaked.

“I'm not going to attack you, but... I'm sick... I don't know what I have and...” The changeling trailed off.

“It's okay...” Fluttershy told him.

The changeling looked at her with a hint of suspicion, but couldn't deny he needed help. Besides... If he didn't take the help, and just left... She may talk. Then he really would need help. He nodded, and lay still as she moved closer.

At first Fluttershy checked out the injured wing. It wasn't the same as a pegasi's... They were fragile. However the wing itself wasn't torn... Any worse than a changeling's wings were already torn. The problem was the joint at the base. Through the thin black coat of his fur she could see a welt where the window had hit him. It was a tad bit swollen from what she could tell.

Deciding it could wait she moved down to his rear leg. His leg was hurt pretty badly. Maybe not broken, but even laying down he seemed to keep most of his weight off of it. While changelings were different their body's anatomy resembled that of a ponies and his rear hoof didn't look good.

She imagined that after she'd hit his wing with the window, he'd tried to fly away, and probably crashed here. She felt horrible. “E-excuse  me, Mr. Changeling, but um... Well... I need to touch it, to see if it's broken.” Fluttershy looked back to his face to see what he thought about this. He didn't look happy, but he nodded with an expectancy of pain. He was not disappointed.

The mare's touch was soft, and she lifted his rear hoof gently but it stung like fire. He jerked a bit and yelped, but held still for the most part. He actually felt better when she started to talk to him.

“I know I know.” She cooed. “I'm terribly sorry.” She didn't even bother to hide the remorse in her voice. This was her fault and now she was hurting him more but she needed to make sure that he was okay. He wasn't. The hoof wasn't broken but was definitely hurt. “Ohhh...” She lowered the injured leg gently and turned to face him. She jumped a bit when he started coughing again. Luckily he'd turned his head away before hoof.

She had another decision to make. She could take him to the hospital, but... Would they help him? No... That was a dumb idea. Stupid. He's a changeling. She had to take him into the cottage and care for him. She knew she could., but... A changeling would be in her cottage. For how long? Who knew...

One thing was for certain... She wasn't going to leave him out here in the cold, hurt, sick and alone. “Um... Will you let me take you into my cottage?” Fluttershy asked him hesitantly. “It's really kinda cold and... Your hoof. I need to.”

“Inside? A-Are you sure?” The changeling replied. He was surprised that she'd offered to help and even more so that she'd just invited her inside. However he was eager to accept her offer.

Fluttershy looked around for just a moment. She didn't think that anypony was around at this time but she had to be sure. Then she looked back down to the changeling. “You can lean on me. Try to keep off of that hoof. This is going to hurt.” She frowned, but got in position beside him.

He nodded his approval and waited.

“One, two... three.” Fluttershy stood up slowly, giving the changeling time to get up on his three good limbs. So far so good though she did hear something like a whimper escape the changeling's muzzle. She gave him a minute to adjust and get over another fit of coughs. She did her best to stay still as he shifted his weight. “Ready?”

She felt weird having the changeling so close to her, touching her. He was warmer than she would have thought, probably because he was sick.

He whimpered again, the pain evident even in his sightless gaze. “I think so.” Slowly they hobbled. Back up the path to the cottage. Luckily it wasn't that far. The most difficult part was making it up the stairs. She heard him curse under his breath when his rear hoof hit one of the stairs.

Once they were inside she led him to the same couch where she had been before this all. “Can you get up there?” Fluttershy asked him.

“I should be able too.” He replied and balanced himself when the mare took her weight away. He looked up to the couch and took a deep breath. With it he jumped up onto the couch. He breathed a sign of relief once he made it up without hitting his already burning leg.

“Good. Now... Just do me a favor and wait there a minute, okay?” Fluttershy told him and was happy to see him smile down at her.

“O-okay.” He answered shakily.

There was one thing she wanted to check before trusting this changeling. She trotted out of the front door she'd left open when she brought him in and turned the corner to her cottage.

The changeling lay there on the couch, enjoying the warmth and if it weren't for his bad leg, the most comfort he'd had in a while. He found that if he didn't move it, it didn't hurt so bad but as soon as he did, he'd yelp and curse in pain.

He'd wanted to be mad at the mare for hitting him with the window but he knew that he was in the wrong there. He wasn't even supposed to be in Equestria as far as he knew. He had been trespassing on her property and had frightened her just as bad as she had frightened him.

If he were honest with himself he knew he should probably be dead right now. How many ponies would take in a changeling. Then it hit him... He didn't know too many ponies and he suddenly remembered why he had left the kingdom. In the first place. For a while he regretted his decision off and on. While he didn't agree with changeling politics and the general opinion of ponies being an evil stuck up race, he did miss the warmth and comfort of his own home and a few of his friends.

However this mare had taken him in. and obscured everything he knew about ponies and changelings alike. A small act of kindness...

Fluttershy made her way around the cottage, under her kitchen window. She needed to know why that changeling had been here in the first place. What she saw broke her heart. Her trash had been knocked over, scraps of discarded food littered the ground around it. He was trying to eat...

Fluttershy didn't bother with the trash and made her way back inside. The changeling was waiting right where she had left him. He was resting his head on a pillow and looking at her. She made her way quickly into the kitchen itself, and back into room with an apple. She placed it in front of the confused looking changeling's muzzle. “Eat it.” Fluttershy said.

“What, are you sure?” The changeling looked at the apple expectantly, but back at her with caution. Surely she wasn't teasing him with food. He did need it, and it would make him feel better.

“Please.” Fluttershy pleaded. “I'm going to take a closer look at your leg and your wing. I'll get some ice too, and see what I can do for that cough.” Fluttershy didn't wait for a response and retreated further into the cottage for the things she needed.

The changeling didn't need any more motivation to eat the apple either. He took it in his forehooves and sank his teeth into it. It was so sweet, fresh... Good. He was nearly done with his treat and hadn't realized the mare had reentered the room until she was by his side. “Thank you.”

He looked down at the mess he'd made on the couch, then away in shame. He had more manners than that. “I'm sorry... I was just... Hungry.”

Fluttershy placed a basket she'd been holding in her muzzle on the couch beside him before answering. “It's okay.” She smiled, thankful he'd actually eaten it. After she was done doing what she could for him she'd have to get him something else. Fluttershy propped herself up on the couch and went through her basket.

Curious he looked. Inside there was some bandages, an ice pack, a small bottle with a dark colored liquid in it, another bottle he couldn't see through, a tube that had some sort of cream in it, a bottle of water and a couple of rags.

“This is going to hurt a bit...” Fluttershy told him, taking one of the bottles and opening it. She shook a couple of small pills out he didn't recognize. “Take these, they'll help with the fever.” She dropped them in front of his muzzle. “And the pain.”

“W-what are they?” He looked down at them skeptically. Was she trying to poison him? He shook the thought away. She wouldn't have needed to poison him in the state he was in to kill him.

“It's just a pain killer and a fever reducer. Please... They'll help, I promise.” She replied, putting the water down next to him.

The changeling shrugged and took them, opening the water and gulping half of it down before he realized he was drinking it all. He placed it back down and put the lid on. “Sorry.”

“That's what the water is for.” Fluttershy replied, hoofing him the other bottle with the dark liquid. “This will help you sleep later, and might ease your cough, though I don't think the cough is that bad.”

Having already takin the pills he didn't even think about taking the cough medicine. He filled the cap of the medicine up and took it, cringing at the terrible flavor. After it was down he drank some more of the water.

“Now... Put the apple core in your mouth... I'm sorry, but I need to tend to your leg and wing and it's not going to feel good.” She hated to have to hurt him but she had to get a closer look.

The changeling hesitated a second, but did as he was told. She seemed to know what she was doing and sounded confident enough. Plus he was pretty much at her mercy. With the core in his mouth he looked away from her, preparing for what promised to be quite a bit of pain.

“Okay, now... Tell me when it really hurts... Not burns but hurts.” She was gentle with him, taking his leg delicately in her forehooves. Slowly she bent it at the joint. She was able to move it a bit before he started making noise.

“Huurs Hurrs!” He growled through the apple core, and struggled to keep still. A second later the worst of the pain was gone and he could relax. However it hurt twice as bad as before.

Fluttershy sighed and looked up at him. “One more time okay?”

The changeling let his head fall to the couch cushion. Again? He took a deep breath and lifted his head back up. “Okay”

“As slowly as before she bent it the other way, and was happy to see she got a lot further than the opposite before he spoke up.

“Hurs.” He growled. However it wasn't as bad as the first time.

Fluttershy let his leg rest on the couch. “You can take it out now.” She told him. She made a mental note to get some wraps for his hooves, they looked worn from travel.

The changeling took the core from his muzzle and placed it on the couch then looked over to her. “B-bad?” He asked.

“It's not broken. I wouldn't be able to move it at all if it were broken. I think it's just bruised down to the bone, and it's swollen. I want you to stay off of it for a few days.” She smiled up at him.

“D-days?” He couldn't do that. He didn't have a place to rest safely for days. Unless... No he couldn't stay here. “I-I can't do that.” He told her.

“Why not?”

“I need to be able to trot. I don't have anywhere to stay.”

“Here.” She answered. She'd thought about this while she was gathering the stuff to care for him. Having a changeling hiding in her home sounded bad at first. She'd have to worry about somepony finding him. However this was the best place he could hide safely. Her cottage was secluded and even her friends rarely came inside. As long as he stayed inside he'd be fine.

“I-I... I can't do that.” He told her. “I need to get to the mountains and-”

“The mountains?” He was traveling to the mountains? She didn't see any saddle bags which meant he didn't have any supplies. The mountains were a ways away and he was already weak.

“Yes... The mountains. I... I have to get to the mountains... It's the only place I'll be safe.” He let his head hang.

Fluttershy realized she hadn't asked why he was out here to begin with. Something was wrong... He had a bigger problem than his injuries. She jumped up on the couch and sat across from him. “I-If I can ask... Why are you out here?”

The changeling sighed and looked back up at her. He figured for her help he did owe her an explanation. “I ran away...”

“Ran away?” Fluttershy inquired, settling herself on the couch.

“Yes... I had to leave... I just... I don't agree with out queen's agenda and... I just... Left.” The changeling sighed.

“I'm sorry, if you don't want to talk about-”

“No no it's fine. I should tell somepony.” He shifted and coughed a couple of times. “You might be the last pony I talk to for a long time... So I want to tell you.”

“Oh, well... Okay.” Fluttershy replied.

“Just... Promise you won't get scared when I tell you this.”

“Um... I promise.” Fluttershy did not like the way that sounded at all, but she felt safe enough to let him speak.

“I am, was a changeling soldier. Which is why I left. You see... Regular changelings... A few of them have no idea what is going on within the kingdom. However as a soldier we eventually find out. Originally... Most of what we did was law enforcement and border patrol. Then... Well... A lot of us along with myself got orders to assemble for an invasion on Canterlot.”

“Canterlot?” Fluttershy tensed uneasily. “Y-you were one of the changelings that attacked me and my-”

“No!” He interrupted quickly, not wanting to freak her out. “Please... Just listen.” He coughed again, clearing his throat and shaking his head. “Please.” He waited for a response from the yellow mare, but she didn't move, nor did she speak. He decided to keep talking. “I wasn't near the castle... I didn't see you if you were there. I was with a small unit that was supposed to hold the east gate. If all went well and the invasion was successful we needed to be posted there to prevent reinforcements. However as you know, the queen was defeated by some freak spell... Whoever hadn't been blown away scrambled and took off for our kingdom. We reorganized there and well... It wasn't pretty. She  blamed us all for the failure, then went on about plans for a new invasion and had us all training to kill... She lost it and that got me wondering how all of this even got started...”

“Um... excuse me but... You didn't kill anypony did you?” She squeaked and shied away.

“No! No I didn't. I didn't do much of anything. I was at the gate like I said.” He hoped she believed him. He was relieved to see her relax a bit. “I promise I didn't.”

“Okay. I believe you...” She did. Something about this changeling was... different.

“Anyway, yeah. There was one rumor on why the queen hated Equestrians. However nopony has ever been able to confirm it. That a long time ago. More than a thousand years ago there was a great war in Equestria, between Celestia and our Queen. Only the queen was not a changeling, but an alicorn like Celestia. A civil war. The rumor doesn't say what it was about but that Celestia's army was victorious, and Celestia, along with some of her most powerful unicorns cast a spell that changed the Queen, and all her surviving troop to what we are now. Changelings. Then they were banished into the outlands, where the queen erected a new kingdom, apparently biding time until she was strong enough to take back what was once hers. Though... I don't know of any records that support this theory, nor do I know the whole story. I just figured that even if it were true... I can see why the queen would be angry, but... The ponies alive today... You, me, anypony else had no part in what happened all those years ago. I don't see a reason for everypony to suffer for what happened in the past, much less something that may have never happened.” He coughed a few more times.

“That's a good way to look at it.” Fluttershy agreed.

“I'm glad somepony thinks so.” He sighed.

“What do you mean?”

“It's another reason I left. You see... I raised this concern with some of my fellow changelings, and to my superiors. I was ridiculed by most. Nearly none of them agreed with me, and the ones who did wouldn't help me. There are a few good changelings out there, but... Changeling politics in a whole is governed by nothing more than revenge and unprecedented hate. I don't want to hurt anypony for little to no reason. So... I made a decision. I left. I knew I couldn't stay in Equestria, but I do have to come through it to get to the mountains where I might live in peace if nothing else.” After a moment of silence he realized he was getting tired. The medicine must have been working because he yawned. “I-I think it's working.”

“Oh... Maybe we should continue this tomorrow. You need to rest.” Fluttershy stated.

“No... I can talk a little longer. I may not want to talk about this tomorrow. I'd much rather not...”

“I-If you're sure.”

“I'm alright... Anyway.” He shook his head to keep himself alert, though the soft couch and warm atmosphere fought him. “Getting across the border was easy... Mainly because I was alone and being a changeling does have it's benefits. It's been surviving out here that has been the problem. I was able to hide in bigger cities just fine... I... Well I had to steal. I only took what I needed. If I got a few bits I'd disguise myself as somepony I had seen in the city and get a room just to stay in for the night or get something to eat. However that wasn't always possible. A lot of you ponies know each other well and I had a few close calls. I had to stop after a while. It was impossible in smaller towns like this one. Which is why. Well, why you caught me here tonight, I was just... hungry and...” He stopped and looked away, determined not to cry. A lot of the fear and pain from the last month came back to him, as well as the ever so fresh memory of his old home he couldn't go back to. However he felt something on his forehoof that made him look back up at the mare. She'd reached out and placed her forehoof over his own. She looked almost as sad as he himself felt.

“It's fine. I saw. That's why I went out there. Why I believe you. Even if you are going to leave for the mountains... You can stay here as long as you need to. At the least until you are better.” Fluttershy took her hoof away and smiled at him.

“D-Dammit” He cursed under his breath as he felt the tears well up. “Thank you... It's just been difficult. I-I am very grateful.”

“Please... Don't worry about it. I want to help. Lets stop talking about it though... I just want to know one thing.”

“Anything.” The changeling replied after getting a hold of himself.

“What is your name.?” Fluttershy asked.

“My name?” He repeated.

“Yes... Youre name. You do have a name right?” Fluttershy was afraid she'd made a mistake asking a changeling if they had a name.

“My name is Shift.” For the first time during the conversation he smiled. He hadn't even remembered his name until she'd asked. He hadn't used it in over a month. It was nice to talk with somepony again.

“I'm Fluttershy. It's nice to meet you Shift.” Fluttershy replied.

“It's been more than an honor to meet somepony as kind as yourself.” Shift felt the need to pay his gratitude, however the medicine was making it even more difficult to concentrate. He shook his head again to stay conscious.

“You need sleep.” Fluttershy decided.

“I do...” Shift agreed.

“You can use the blanket that's here. I am going to get you another apple and some water okay? Just... You can sleep here tonight.” Fluttershy padded away into the hall.

Shift purred to himself and sighed, feeling himself relax and start to fade away. He listened to the rustling of the house as the yellow mare made her way through it and finally back to him. He went to pull the blanket over himself but she stopped him and draped it over him herself, careful to avoid touching his leg. “Thank you Fluttershy.” He yawned.

“You're very welcome Shift.” She placed the apple in front of him and smiled as he poked it with a forehoof. She had to pull the table a little closer to the couch seeing as he wouldn't be able to just get up and get the water she put on it without hurting himself. “If you need anything at all just call for me okay? I'll be upstairs. Don't worry about waking me, I'd be more than happy to help.”

“You're too kind.” Shift said with the utmost sincerity despite his fading awareness.

“There's no such thing as too kind. Goodnight.” Fluttershy left on that note. She had a feeling he wouldn't be awake much longer to argue anyhow. When she got to the top of the stairs she looked down onto the couch where the sleeping changeling lay. “There is a changeling on my couch.” She whispered to herself. There's something she never thought she'd say. She even dared feel good he was there. At least she wasn't completely alone in the cottage tonight. Even with the knowledge it was a changeling she slept soundly knowing she might have changed somepony's life.