I Want To Change

Shift sat nervously in his chair, waiting for Fluttershy to come back with the rest of these friends who just had to know he was here. The mare known as Rainbow stayed back to keep an eye on him. She'd said something about not wanting him to run after he'd been found out. Fluttershy had been hesitant on leaving them alone again however the rainbow maned mare had promised not to do anything unless Shift moved first.

It wouldn't be too hard to get away none the less. The pot was probably still sitting on the floor in the kitchen where he'd left it. Fluttershy had gone in there to get her bunny out of the cabinet who threw a fit upon his release. She'd taken him up and locked him in her room before leaving. He didn't seem to be making too much noise up there.

Shift looked awkwardly to Rainbow who had settled on the couch with a book she'd taken from Fluttershy's room. He did notice that periodically she'd look over the edge of the cover at him, snort with discontent then go back to reading. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to try and soften her up a bit. She was really starting to make him uncomfortable.

“What are you reading?” Shift asked a moment later.

“A book.” Came the flat toned reply.

“Well... What book?”

Rainbow sighed. “Daring Do and the Trek to the Terrifying Tower.”

“What's that about? I've never heard of that book before.”

“You're not from Equestria, so of course you don't know the best series ever written.” Rainbow lowered the book and shot him a look.

“So... Tell me what it's about.” He wasn't fond of her attitude but at least she was talking.

Rainbow's ears perked up and she cocked her head to the side. She didn't mind talking about Daring Do. “Are you sure? I mean she is only the most awesome pony in Equestria, er... Next to me of course.”

Shift was amused by this, and actually found himself a bit curious. “Yes I'm sure. Tell me about her. Her right?”

“Yes her. Alright Well she is a Pegasus like me, and she goes on all these totally cool adventures, fight's bad guys, finds treasures guarded by more bad guys and ancient traps and-”

Ten minutes later of Daring Do's biography and Shift was starting to think this wasn't such a good idea. Rainbow could apparently go on forever and she didn't even seem to be talking to him anymore but more to herself about this character.

Shift exaggerated clearing his throat to get her attention. Thankfully she stopped and looked to him. “So... Daring Do. Who writes her character?”

“That's the best part! She does! Everything she has ever written about has happened! Isn't that awesome?” Rainbow threw her hooves up. “I'm even in one of them.” Rainbow stopped herself and coughed a bit, looking away indignantly. “It's kinda cool.”

Shift was a little skeptical about Daring Do but didn't offer an argument. He swore however that he heard her say something about Daring setting a due date for her books... If they were real adventures how would she know when a book would be complete? “Sounds cool to me.” He wasn't going to argue. She already had too much of a reason to hate him.

“Oh it is. No big deal though.” Rainbow replied, pretending to check on one of her forehooves.

“Sounds like a big deal.” Shift chuckled, however flinched when he heard the mare snort. “Okay okay got it.” What was with this pony?

The sounds of talking and many hoof steps saved him from any further confrontation. The door opened, Fluttershy walked in followed by four other ponies. Two unicorns and two earth ponies who all wore different expressions and none of them were shy about staring at him as Fluttershy led them to the couch Rainbow was sitting on. He didn't like the way they were looking at him.

The orange pony was the first to speak up. “I don't know sugar... I don't think it's such a good idea to keep him here.” Applejack gave Fluttershy a sideways glance.

“Now wait a minute Applejack. Let's give him a chance to talk.” Twilight looked over to Shift. “Fluttershy told me your name was Shift?” She tried to come off as friendly, but sounded more skeptical than anything.

“Yes. My name is Shift... I don't know yours though.” Shift replied, not making eye contact.

The pink mare gasped. “He can talk!”

“Pinkie... I told you he talked to me.” Fluttershy replied.

“Yeah but you also say your animals talk to you, and I never understand a word they're saying no matter how long I talk to them!” Pinkie bounced in her seat and turned back to Shift. “So you're a changeling? How do we know you're realllllly a changeling? How do we know you're not a pony disguised as a changeling?” Pinkie narrowed her eyes at him and leaned forward in her seat. “Hmm?”

“W-what? That's ridiculous!” He'd thought he'd be accused of disguising himself as a pony.

“Oh is it?” Pinkie shot back.

“Pinkie settle down.” Rarity rolled her eyes. “He is most definitely a changeling. What pony in their right mind would disguise themselves as something so-” It wasn't until then did she realize what she was saying and who she was saying it in front of. “My apologies.” Rarity's cheeks glew lightly and she looked away. “How very rude of me.”

Twilight shook her head and sighed. “So you ran away from... I'm sorry. I don't know what your homeland is called.”

“Solandia... Yes I ran away... I thought Fluttershy would have mentioned it.”

“She did. I just... Well I don't really know what to do in a situation like this.” Twilight admitted.

None of them were as hostile as he would have thought them to be. One was crazy, one didn't think he had any say in the matter, one was confused and the other subconsciously realize he might have some feelings. “Okay...” Shift started. “I know what you all think of me... Me being a changeling and all. I promise I don't want to hurt anypony though. I left because I didn't want to hurt anypony. I just want to get away from it all. As soon as I am all better I'll be out of your manes. Just... I'm asking... Please don't turn me in. They'd throw me in prison, or take me back to Solandia and they'll do much worse... The queen would kill me if I were lucky.” He hated pleading to six mares he barely knew but what choice did he have. He seemed to be all out of choices lately.

“I don't know...” Applejack started. “How can we trust you?”

“That's what I'm saying.” Rainbow tacked on, seemingly forgetting she'd just had a conversation with him.

“You're not supposed to be here Shift... You know that.” Twilight added.

“We can't send him back though!” Pinkie suddenly blurted. “You didn't hear him Just now!? We don't know what they'll do to him!”

Fluttershy didn't know where the sudden change of heart came from but she welcomed Pinkie's help. “Guys please, if he had wanted to get away by now I am sure he could have. He's already been here a whole night and nothing happened. He could have really hurt me, or Rainbow but he didn't. I trust him.” The statement was as strong as she'd have liked it to be, considering she still had natural doubts about the changeling but she trusted him more than not.

“Didn't hurt me!? He hit me with a bucking pot!” Rainbow blurted, causing the yellow mare to shrink away. Shift recoiled a bit too.

“Now Rainbow darling.” Rarity cut in. “You know what Fluttershy meant. I'm sure he could have done worse while you were unconscious, but he didn't.”

Fluttershy thanked the moon for another vote on her side.

“Well... We have two choices. We can turn him in... Or we can let him stay in Equestria until he gets to the mountains.” Twilight started. “I think we all need to discuss this alone.” She turned to Shift. “Nopony here is going to say what is really on their minds while you are sitting here Shift... I know it's rude, but I want you to wait in the kitchen while we talk in here.” She looked to all the other mares and none of them seemed to have any objections.

Shift again, didn't see where he had any choice in the matter. “Okay...” He dropped down to the floor from the chair on his god hoof, smiled weakly and limped into the kitchen, leaving the six mares who would ultimately decide his fate alone. He was not happy about this at all.

Once in the kitchen he shut the door behind him and sat at the table. He could have eavesdropped on the conversation but it would just make things worse for him if he heard that the decision weren't in his favor. He found it best to just wait it out and hope for the best, though he couldn't help but think the odds were not in his favor. The anxiety was torture.

The thought of running crossed his mind again. They'd left him alone, nopony could stop him from leaving out of the back door. However he knew the chances of him making an escape weren't good, and then he'd have no chance of winning their favor. No... It was best to wait and accept what came out of this. Fighting nor running would do any good. Whatever those six mares decided in that next room would decide how he would spend the rest of his life.

He was starting to believe it might be just as well if they did turn him in and if they did kill him. What was his life now? If he'd stayed he'd be forced to fight and kill, or die... If he did make it to the mountains then what? Survive? For what? He'd be all alone in the cold. At least it'd be peaceful. If he did get turned in he could only hope the Equines would treat him with some level of humility. So why did he care so much?

Once the door to the kitchen shut Twilight started the conversation again, looking to Fluttershy. “Now... Fluttershy, why did you want to keep this from us? What did you think we would do?” She tried as best she could as to not sound accusing.

Still Fluttershy shrank away, hiding behind her bangs. “I just didn't want anypony to get hurt... Even him. He needed help and he was only going to stay here until he got better. He was sick and hurt, and I was the one who hurt him... What would I do?” Her tone was a little more defensive than she'd liked but everypony was looking to her for an answer.

“We weren't going to hurt him Shy, but you have to understand he just don't belong here. If anypony else would have caught him you both might have been in trouble. Not everypony is as open minded as you.” Applejack pointed out.

“Why should he be in trouble for what he is? He can't help it.” Fluttershy stood a little taller now, overcoming her sheepish demeanor through her determination.

Everypony else was a little taken aback by her sudden assertion.

“Fluttershy darling... Nopony is saying you are wrong. We just don't want to see you hurt. We simply wish you would have told us about this before Rainbow found out on her own.” Rarity replied.

“Yeah... I was hurt.” Rainbow huffed, but immediately regretted the statement when she saw Fluttershy sink back to the ground.

“I-I'm sorry Rainbow.” She whimpered. “I know... I shouldn't have left him on his own.”

“No Shy it's okay really! I'm fine.” Rainbow tried hard to make up for her earlier mishap but could feel the eyes of the other four on her with dissatisfaction. Rainbow sunk back in her seat and avoided their gaze. “Stupid changeling.” She muttered.

“Fluttershy I know it's not fair that ponies look at changelings the way they do, but... That's just the way it is.” Applejack pointed out. “There's no use in getting yourself all hung up about it.”

“Well if I can help him-” Fluttershy trailed off.

“Shy no matter what he does he is...” Twilight sought after a way to soften the context of what she was about to say, but could find none. “It's just not going to end well. He can't hide here forever, if he does leave he still has to make it to the mountains and even if he does make it what would he do then? If he gets hurt up there he's all alone. You won't be there to help him. How would he eat? Where would he live?” Twilight hated herself for crushing the yellow pegasi's heart but this was reality.

Fluttershy was almost in tears. She knew this was all true. “B-but- Then he can stay here.” She whimpered.

“Fluttershy...” Rarity started. “I know it hurts... You have to understand. We don't hate him because he is a changeling, we don't hate him at all. We don't even know him. He can't stay here, even if he can disguise himself we already have seen how that worked out. Even then he can't hide or stay in disguise forever, it's jus-”

“That's a great idea!” Pinkie bounced up out of her seat.

Everypony was startled by the mare's outburst.

“Pinkie what in tarnations are you on about?” Applejack growled.

“Magic silly! He can change into a pony and be a pony like everypony else and then he won't have to hide!” Pinkie bounced up and down around Fluttershy who looked on in confusion.

“Pinkie have you lost it? He can't just change into any pony in Ponyville! Somepony would bound to notice that one of the two would be off.” Rainbow settled back down after her shock.

“That's where the magic comes in! All we need to do is make him a pony that isn't in Equestria!”

“Pinkie Pie that-”

“Wait a second Rainbow.” Twilight cut in. “I think Pinkie is on to something.”

“You do?” Rarity and Applejack asked in unison.

“Hear me out. Changelings don't need anything but a mental image to change into a pony they see. While we can't let him hide as somepony that already exist... If we can create a model for him as somepony we've never met before and he changes into them then he won't have to pretend he is somepony who already exist.” Twilight explained.

“You expect him to keep up the disguise forever?” Rainbow asked skeptically.

“I wasn't finished. If he can change into a pony, maybe I could find a spell to make the change permanent so he wouldn't have to try and hold it on his own and he wouldn't have to worry about his magic failing him.”

“That's what I was saying!” Pinkie chimed.

“Twilight, are you sure this will work?” Rarity couldn't help but to mirror Rainbow's skepticism.

“No but anything is possible with magic. It'd be a great learning experience too.” Twilight hummed and thought of the possibilities. “A real experiment with a live subject.” She shook her head. “Sorry... I'm sure I could come up with something though.”

“That would be nice.” Fluttershy was smiling again.

“Hold on hold on.” Rainbow shook her head. “We can't just trust him like that! What if he really is a spy? Then we'd just be giving him the perfect disguise and inviting him into Equestria to learn whatever he wanted.”

“Rainbow Dash I am not dumb.” Twilight sighed. “I thought of that... I am going to write Princess Celestia and let her know what's going on.” She looked to Fluttershy. “I'm sorry Shy but I have to. I promise she is very understanding.”

Fluttershy wasn't sure how to feel about that, but she trusted Twilight's judgment, as well as Princess Celestia's. “O-okay.”

Twilight nodded and turned her attention back to Rainbow. “If this works I am sending Shift's new details and appearance to her so she will know who he is and make her own calls when it comes to him.” Twilight huffed.

“Fine.” Rainbow crossed her forelegs and pouted in defeat once again.

“Don't be that way Rainbow, we know you mean well.” Applejack offered, and was happy to get a smile in return.

“You'd do that Twilight?” Fluttershy asked?

“Yes Fluttershy I will. You're right... Every living thing deserves a chance and if I can help give Shift his I will. Just... Don't make a habit of taking in changelings.” Twilight smiled.

“Oh I won't.” At least... She didn't plan on it. She smiled and sat a little taller.

“He still has to agree with this Fluttershy.” Twilight warned. “And Princess Celestia has to give her blessing.”

“I know.” Yet still the smile stayed. A little hope was better than none at all. “He can stay here until then though.”

“So... Everypony agrees then?” Twilight asked, looking around the room.

“I don't see a problem.' Applejack replied.

“Me either.” Rarity chimed.

“I like it!” Pinkie bounced.

Everypony looked to Rainbow who returned still sat pouting. “What?”

“Rainbow...” Twilight sighed.

“Oh all right.” Rainbow huffed.

“Go get him then.” Twilight urged and motioned with a hoof to Fluttershy who happily obliged.

It took them a lot longer than he'd expected, but finally after maybe half an hour the kitchen door opened and Fluttershy poked her head through. She was smiling. “Um... Shift, could you rejoin us please?” She didn't wait for an answer, but slipped back through the door.

A very confused Shift arose from his seat and hobbled back into the living room where they all waited. His seat in the chair  had been left open, and the fireplace had been lit. He took his seat without a word, concentrating on the heat that came off of the nearby fire.

Twilight cleared her throat. “Shift, we're not going to turn you in.” She stopped, which made Shift think he needed to reply.

“Um... Thank you.” He replied awkwardly.

“But... We're not letting you go to the mountains either.” She told him.

Shift cocked his head to the side and gave Fluttershy a look. “You're taking me back to Solandia yourselves...” He didn't like the sound of that at all.

“We didn't say that.” Applejack cut in. “After having some time to think and clear things up... We've decided you're gonna stay in Equestria.”

Shift shook his head before letting it hang. That was a dumb idea. He had no way of functioning in this society and he couldn't stay here. “I can't do that.”

“Well of course you can darling.” Rarity spoke.

Were they stupid? Shift had to wonder. However he was going to humor them for now. Maybe they were on to something. “Okay then... How/?”

“Egghead here came up with an idea.” Rainbow replied. Shift couldn't help but to notice the mares coy smile.

Twilight shot her a look before continuing. “I am not sure it'll work... Or if it is even possible but... Using your magic with mine, and a spell... We may be able to turn you into a regular pony.”

Shift recoiled a bit at the suggestion. “What?” She was going to do what? “Now?”

“No. No not now. I can't do it now. Like I said I don't even know if it's possible.” Twilight admitted.

“I... I don't know.” This came out of nowhere. Turn into a regular pony? It was one thing to leave Solandia... Another to change who he was completely. And what if it didn't work? He'd just get his hopes up just to end up back to going to the mountains.

“Look... I don't know what other choice you have.” Applejack told him. “Now Fluttershy might not tell you herself but she don't want ya going to the mountains. I agree with her. We all do...”

“I don't.” Rainbow huffed.

“Rainbow stop.” Rarity snapped then looked back to Shift. “She's still a little mad about the pot.” Rainbow hadn't said that but Rarity had to give him something.

Rainbow looked away but snorted, confirming her suspicion.

“Shift we wouldn't feel right about letting you go like this. I don't know what you know about the mountains but I don't think it's anything like I know. The wildlife isn't exactly friendly, it's far too cold and I don't know if you'd survive out there. What would you eat? Where would you live?”

Shift didn't know, and sat there silently.

“Of course... We won't stop you.” Twilight continued. “We're merely offering you a chance to stay in Equestria... As a... Regular pony. However... Whatever you decide... We won't turn you in as long as you do not give us a reason to. Right?” Twilight shot Rainbow a sharp look who avoided her gaze.

“So what do you say!? Want to be a pony!?” Pinkie bounced in her seat.

Shift pondered this for a while, looking down into his lap to avoid the gazes of the six that waited with varying levels of patience for his answer. The offer sounded like a dream come true, but... If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. What did he have to lose though? A ruthless and dangerous trip to the mountains where he still runs the risk of being captured by the equines or starving or getting hurt. He couldn't go back to Solandia. They'd kill him for abandoning them.

Worst case scenario the spell fails and he continues on to the mountains, to the unknown. He didn't like that idea. “O-okay.” Shift looked back up. “I'll try it. How is this going to work?”

“Well.” Twilight seemed pleased with his decision. “We can't just change you into a copy of another pony. So we'll have to figure out a way to make you an individual appearance. Can you change into a pony you've never seen before?”

Shift shook his head. “No... I can only change into things that I have seen before.”

“Does it have to be an actual living pony?” Twilight asked.

“No, it doesn't. As long as I see it I can change.”

Twilight hummed to herself and looked down for a moment, then back up at Shift. “So if I can project an image of a pony you'll be able to take on it's appearance?”

“I should... Yes... But how?”

“Well this is the good part. You get to decide what you look like. In fact You can decide everything about yourself. A new name if you want it too. You can keep Shift but if you wanted to start completely anew you can change your name. You'll need a cutie mark though. If I were you I'd come up with a story for yourself for when you start to socialize with other ponies so you know what to tell them.”

“I have to come up with all of that?” Shift replied. A whole life? Just out of nowhere? A cutie mark... “What exactly are cutie marks? I know they are on a pony's flank but what are they for? Are you born with them?”

“No Silly.” Pinkie giggled. “They represent something you're good at or something about yourself. Mine are balloons.” She stood up and turned so he could see them. “Cause I like to party! Rainbow has a cloud and lightning bolt cause she is so fast and she has a pretty rainbow mane. Rarity has a jewel cause she likes dress up. Twilight... Twilight what is yours?” Pinkie suddenly looked confused. “I know it has something to do with magic but...”

“It's like a star Pinkie.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “To continue her explanation however... Applejack has apples cause she works on her family's apple orchard. Fluttershy's butterflies represent her love of animals.”

“So...” Shift replied thoughtfully. “Something I am good at? I don't really know what I am good at though... Fluttershy did tell you what I used to do right?” He really hoped she had. “I can't do any of that here.”

“Yes.” Twilight confirmed. “You didn't have a hobby though? Something? Anything?”

“No... Not really.” Shift was disappointed he had nothing to tell her.

“Well... You have time to think about it.” Twilight reassured him. “Until then, Fluttershy has agreed to let you stay here. She actually wanted you to.”

“Fluttershy?” Shift turned to face the mare who'd been quiet this whole time. “Are you sure?”

“Yes... I am sure.” Fluttershy replied.

“Alright... I'll do it.” Shift dared to say he actually felt a little hope and couldn't help but to notice the gleeful look in Fluttershy's eyes. After all... What did he have to lose?