Chapters Chapter One: Let Me Take You In
Rummy was what you would call a very interesting Changeling. Ever since the day of his hatching from the nursery hive, he was seen as being different from all of the other Changelings both physically and mentally. To start off, he was a different color then the other changelings. Instead of the normal blue color that every Changeling in the hive was born with, most of his features where red; His shell, his eyes, his wings, heck, even his ears had red on the tips of them. Not only that, but he also bore a heart birthmark on his right cheek. This was something that was very odd, and it even scared some of the Changelings. Queen Chrysalis herself also expressed concern over the strangeness of Rummy's actions, however she ignored it as being a simple phase. This of course was not the case. As the years went on, Rummy's mindset and actions became even more stranger. Instead of actually doing any kind of work , he would go out into a open field and make flower crowns. This was a very big problem for all of the changeling race, with the exception of Thorax that is, as the idea of all of this was to them a sign of weakness and softness. Which was an idea that was condemned by the Queen herself. As the years went on, Rummy's mindset was completely off for a normal Changeling. To start off, he displayed a much higher desire to spread love around. Compared to the normal way a Changeling would act, this was something that was considered a very dangerous act. He also hated any idea of conflict with anyone, much less the idea of actually hurting any pony. So when he had heard about the takeover of the Crystal Empire, he immediately rebelled against the hive ,took what little belongings that he had, and left the hive for good. It wasn't a very easy task to leave the hive, as it was heavily guarded by many solider Changelings, but somehow he managed to do it without being caught. It took him some time to actually find a place to stay at.He knew for a fact that any kind of contact with ponies was off his list. Not so much for the fact that his life would be in danger, but he was afraid of causing any kind of hysteria. Fast forward about two days later, and now he's lodging in an alleyway located next to an old abandoned shop connected to other shops. His means of keeping himself alive was rather hard, to say the least. He wrapped himself up in old sheets and blankets to keep himself from freezing to death, and as much as he hated doing it, he had to feed off of the love of some ponies that hung out next to the alleyway. Now, it was nighttime, and the cold winter air was really hitting him hard. He grabbed some sheets and blankets that hung from a old laundry wire, and wrapped himself up. This of course was of very little help, as he still shivered like a bowl of gelatin during an earthquake.
"Of all the times that I could have left, why did it have to be during the middle of freaking winter!" Rummy lamented as he wrapped himself up tighter in the blankets to shield himself from the cold.
Rummy shuffled around on the old mattress, trying to find a comfortable spot. After minutes of tossing and turning, he finally managed to find a spot that was tolerable enough for his back. As he lay there on the filthy mattress, he started regretting making that decision to leave. Sure it wasn't great, but at least he had a roof over his head and food on the table. Now he was hungry, cold, and freezing to death. In a crappy ally none the less. Now, normally a changeling like himself would simply change into a pony and try and get lodging at one of the soup kitchens across town, however this was an impossibility. The reason being is that, unlike all of the other Changelings in the hive, he hadn't learned how to change into anyone. He wasn't sure why, but he just knew that it was just that. Rummy wrapped the rest of the sheets around his body, and shivered. Today had been one of the worst days of his life.
"How could this get any worse?" Rummy grunted as slammed his hoof into the mattress
The hit from his hoof caused a spring from the mattress to come loose from the other springs and jolt up. The spring ripped through the thin mattress, and without a single warning, the spring jammed itself deep into Rummy's side. The
"Ow. Son of a !" Rummy yelled out as he flinched in pain.
Rummy carefully slid the offending spring out of his side, and sat up to examine the wound. The wound was very deep, and blood began to pour out like a small stream in a forest.To make matters worse, the spring that had stabbed him was competly rusty. He knew that he needed immediate medical attention or else he would either bleed out or get a bad infection. There was only one problem though, he was a Changeling. No pony, as far as he knew, had any desire to help a Changeling. As a matter of fact, they most likely would have finished him off if they had the chance. It was a pain for him to get up, but he managed. He limped slowly towards the frozen streets of the town that he was in, and weakly cried out
"Help."
This of course, did nothing, as every pony was either in their homes or somewhere else. The pain in his side was growing worse and worse by the second, and his vision was starting to become fuzzy. He tried to walk some more, but he soon collapsed right then and there, on the cold sidewalk. He couldn't even move anymore, much less walk. As he lied down on the cold sidewalk, bleeding to death, tears began forming in his eyes. He was going to die, and there was nothing that he could do about it. Just as he was about to pass out from the massive loss of blood, he noticed a figure running towards him. Great, first he was going to die, now he had to deal with some guard who was possibly going to decapitate him the first chance he got. However, once the figure got closer to him, he noticed that the figure running towards him wasn't a guard at all, but a simple stallion. He couldn't really make out any features on the stallion, mostly because of his blurry vision, but the one thing that he could see was the look of worry and fright plastered on the stallion's face. It didn't take long before the stallion made his way towards him. As he did, Rummy slowly started to loose consciousness. The last thing that he heard before passing out was
"Do you need help?"
Chapter 2: You Saved My Life
It didn't take too long for Rummy to start regaining his senses. At first, his vision was very blurry, but after a minute of blinking, everything started to clear up. He fully expected himself to still be lying down on the cold pavement, bleeding to death, but that wasn't the case. Rummy awoke in a cottage of some sort. He was lying down on a very soft blue sofa, with a thick pillow of the same color underneath his head. He was also draped with a large quilt with multiple patterns adorning it. Across from him was a small lit fireplace that gave off a nice warm glow. He lifted the blanket slightly, only to reveal that his entire stomach area was bandaged up. He also noticed a IV sticking out of the front of his hoof. Curious as to where he was at, he tried to sit up.
"I don't think that's a good idea." A calm voice called out
Rummy immediately jumped at the command. He looked over to were the voice had called out to him, and sitting next to the fireplace, was a Stallion. His coat and horn where pure white, he had a spiky black mane and tail, his eyes where a ocean blue, and his cutie mark was a blue heart surrounded by blue diamonds. The stallion immediately trotted over towards the groggy changeling and checked Rummy's IV.
"Well, I see that your blood count has been restored back to it's normal state. So lets get this IV out of you." The Stallion said with a kind smile
Without another word, the stallion's horn glowed a blue aura, and soon the IV was also surrounded by the same aura. Without a moments hesitation, the IV was plucked out of the Changeling's hoof. Once the IV was taken out, the stallion grabbed a small alcohol wipe and a bandage. He wiped the small wound clean with the alcohol wipe, and then placed a small bandage patch on the spot where the IV had been. The mysterious stallion gave another smile, and patted the Changeling gently on the head.
"I'll get you some water. You seem quite dehydrated." The stallion said as he made his way towards the kitchen area
Rummy was in complete shock at the amount of kindness the stallion was showing him. Questions flowed through his mind like a rapid stream. Why was this stallion being so nice to him? Why did this stallion take him in? Who was he? What was his name? All of these things, and more continued to pop up in his mind. After what felt like an eternity with his thoughts, he was instantly interrupted with a tall glass of ice cold water with a straw being offered to him by the stallion.
"Here you are, a nice cold glass of water." The stallion said with a smile
"Thank you." Rummy replied
"It's no trouble. You go on ahead and drink up. I'll have some hot soup ready for you in a jiffy."
As the stallion was about to make his way back towards the kitchen, he stopped himself and tapped himself on the head gently and said
"Oh, where are my manners? I never introduced myself to you. My name is Pure Heart."
Rummy stopped drinking the drink, and said
"My name is Rummy."
Pure Heart giggled at the name, it was rather cute.
"I like that name, Rummy. It really suits you." Pure Heart said giggling " And might I add, you have a very nice birthmark too."
Rummy blushed at Pure Heart's response. He had never been complemented before about his name, or even his birthmark. Heck, most of the Changelings usually made fun of him for the mark on his cheek.
"Hey,uh... Pure Heart!" Rummy called out
"Yes Rummy?" Pure Heart replied
"Before you get the soup, can I ask you a few things?"
"I don't see why not?"
Pure Heart immediately grabbed a stool from the kitchen area and made his way over towards the Changeling resting on the couch. Once he set the stool down next to Rummy, he climbed up on it, and sat down.
" All right Rummy, I'm all ears." Pure Heart said locking eye contact with the Changeling
"Well... My first question is, why did you save me? I thought ponies hated Changelings?"
Pure Heart nodded his head at the questions given to him. It didn't take long for him to give his answer.
"Well, Rummy. I saved you because you were hurt, and needed help. I knew for a fact that no pony else would dare to try to do anything for you. One thing that my mother always told me, was that I should love my neighbor as myself. No matter who, or what, they are. It doesn't matter if there Pony, Griffon, Changeling, Plant, Animal, Mixed breed, or anything else. I am to love all, even if they're my enemies. I am to give my life for all if it need be. You see that IV? That was my blood that I gave to you. When I saw you bleeding and near death, I knew that I had to do something quick, other wise you would have died right then and there. I remembered what my brother had taught me on emergency blood transplants, and I guess it came out well. I also stitched you up, and wrapped your wound up with gauze as well."
Rummy, with tears streaming down his eyes, asked one final question
"You d..did all of that for me?"
Pure Heart got off of the stool and made his way over towards the Changeling, and nuzzled him slightly.
"I'll do anything to make sure that your safe. I don't care what any pony says about what I've done. You needed help, and I gave it to you."
Pure Heart looked down at Rummy with with a loving smile. Rummy looked up at the Stallion in front of him. The two of them locked eyes with each other for a few seconds, before Rummy embraced him. He had never felt so loved before. With tears flowing down his red eyes, Rummy whimpered
"Thank you so much."
"Your very welcome Rummy. Also, your welcome to stay for as long as you like. I really don't mind." Pure Heart assured
Rummy wiped the tears from his eyes, and nodded.
"Well that's good. Now, I'm going to get your soup, and let you rest some more. If you need me."
Pure Heart placed a bell next to Rummy.
" Just ring, and I'll be there."
With that, Pure Heart made his way out of the room and into the kitchen.
Chapter 3: Strange Feelings
The next couple of weeks went by with great improvement for Rummy. It had taken him some time to actually heal the wound in his side, but thanks to Pure Heart and his heavy knowledge in the medical arts, he was able to recover a lot faster. During the healing process, Pure Heart treated him like a King. Tending to his every need, as it seemed fit. Of course, he knew not to take advantage of such kindness. So the bell was only reserved for basic necessitates like food, water, and personal hygiene. After some time, Rummy was finally able to walk on his own without any kind of assistance what so ever, however the bandages still had to stay on for the sake of keeping the wound clean. After the final week of recovery, it was finally time to remove the bandages. The excitement that beamed on Rummy's face was strong as Pure Heart removed the bandages. Once the final strap was removed, Rummy jumped with joy as he looked at the now non-existent wound on his side. He immediately gave Pure Heart a big hug, to which the stallion returned.
" Thank You so much for your help Pure Heart." Rummy said with tears of joy in his eyes
"Your very welcome Rummy, you cute little Changeling you." Pure Heart teased
Rummy and Pure Heart remained in there embrace for a few minutes more, until they finally decided to break it up. Rummy looked back down at where the wound had once been, and then turned to face his caretaker. The amount of love that he had received over the past few weeks where nothing less, but amazing. He had met one of the nicest, loving, and sweetest Stallion in all of Equestria, and he just didn't know what to say or do to thank him for all of his hard work. Then something dawned on him that made his joy turn into sadness. He was all better, and now he had to leave. He couldn't take up any more of Pure Heart's time, heck he already did enough for him already. He didn't want to be a burden. Pure Heart noticed the sudden change of emotion that had dawned on the Changeling's face, which worried him.
"Rummy, what's wrong?" Pure Heart asked concerned
The Changeling looked up at him, and gave a weak smile.
"Thank you again for everything you've done for me. You've shown me so much love and care over the past few weeks, and I want you to know how appreciative I am of all of your work."
The Stallion was about to say something, but the next set of words that exited the Changeling's mouth shut him up.
"However, since I'm all better now, I don't see any more of a reason for me to stay here. I'll only be a burden to you." Rummy said weakly
Pure Heart couldn't even find any words to say. He knew for a fact that this wasn't true at all, as a matter of fact, Rummy was more of friend than anything. Pure Heart's blood turned to ice as Rummy made his way over towards the front door. Rummy placed his hoof on the doorknob and slowly turned it.
"Wait!" Pure Heart yelled out
Rummy stopped what he was doing and looked at Pure Heart.
"You don't have to leave, I mean....Your welcome to stay here for as long as you want." Pure Heart said biting his lip
" Thank you for the offer" Rummy replied " But I don't want to take advantage of you anymore than I already have."
"Why would you think that?" Pure Heart replied "Your my best friend, you could never take advantage of me."
The words "best friend" echoed into Rummy's head. Had he heard what he think he just heard. He turned around all the way, and asked
"You..... I'm your best friend?" Rummy asked confused
"Of course you are Rummy. Why wouldn't you be?" The stallion questioned
Rummy was both in shock and surprise at what he had just heard.
"Rummy, you are my best friend. At least that's how I see you as." Pure Heart began, " I won't try and manipulate your decision to leave or not, but I really care about you. The last thing I want is for you to go back out there and get hurt, or even killed for that matter. I also know how most ponies are, and how nasty they can be towards Changelings like you. They don't know you as well as I do. Their not going to be kind to you, just because your nice. Rummy, I love you dearly. And I want you to stay with me. You don't have to pay any kind of rent or anything like that, I promise."
The Changeling didn't even respond, he just ran up and embraced the stallion in front of him. Weeping tears of joy, as he hugged the Stallion tighter and tighter. He wasn't going anywhere anymore. After a few minutes of hugging, Rummy looked back up at the Stallion in front of him. He blushed a bright red, as his eyes became half lidded. Pure Heart gave a seductive grin, and pressed his lips against Rummy's lips. Rummy's eyes lit up like a seventy's game show sign, and he soon kissed back. The two of them held one another in there hooves as they both continued to passionately kiss one another. They continued the kiss for quite some time, until they both needed to breathe. As they seperated, Rummy asked one final question.
" Does this mean?"
Pure Heart nodded. Rummy blushed and began nuzzling into his new lover's chest. As he was nuzzling, another question popped up in his head.
"Hey Pure Heart." Rummy asked
"Yes. My little Changeling." The stallion asked softly
" Would you be weirded out if I told you that Changelings, at least 99 percent of them that is, were completely gender less?" Rummy asked
"Not at all, Rummy. Not at all." The stallion replied
" That's good. That's really good."
