There was something in its icy blue eyes that underscored how dire this situation was. It wasn’t the color, or the way they seemed to glow against the dark backdrop of the forest you found yourself in. No, these eyes betrayed an uncanny intelligence as they darted across your form, as if making a million tactical calculations, processing the situation before daring to act. The eyes were probably the least concerning feature of whatever this thing in front of you was. In the dim light filtering through the canopy you had trouble making out the exact shape of what you could really only describe as a shadow come alive. You did notice a few things, though: two sharp fangs that glinted ominously, a lone protrusion from its head - like an antler made of flesh, and a translucent membranous covering upon its back that you thought might be wings. You held your breath as it drew upon you, inching closer to survey you with a hungry anticipation upon its maw.

“I don’t know what you are, but you smell delicious,” it announced in a soft, feminine, unnervingly calm voice, “I intend to take my time with you.”

“Wait, holy shit you can talk? What the actual fuck?” you screamed, scrambling to claw back a measure of defense from the supine position you found yourself in. You probably had more to say, but your mind and mouth couldn’t quite agree on a proper course of action. This thing had just spoken in perfect unbroken English, as it stood upon four legs in front of you, eying your change in position warily.

“Of course I can talk,” it spat, looking at you with eyes somehow even more fierce than they were a moment ago, “That you can as well makes this a pleasant surprise. I do so love prey that fights back.”

“Okay, hold on can we maybe talk like civilized hum- er whatever the fuck you are,” you plead, finally finding a sitting position that should allow you to leverage your size over this thing when it came time to fight. Flight wasn’t going to be an option you surmised, since with those wing-looking-things it could probably manage both at once.

“You really aren’t from around here, are you?” it asked, almost as if it found this funny. “I wondered what kind of creature would simply crash land in the middle of these hostile woods.”

“Where is here?”

“The Everfree Forest, of course,” it shrugged, once more drawing closer to you, placing its face just outside of your striking range, “and your arrival has scared off all of the other creatures nearby. There was a timberwolf pup that would have made an excellent meal, but you’ll have to do I suppose.”

“Hey hey hey, can we stop with the whole me being lunch thing? I’d really like to not be eaten, or at the very least maybe have some situational awareness while you unceremoniously rend me limb from limb.” As you said this, the creature in front of you soured, as if something you said had upset it. Did it not like to be reminded of its barbaric ways? Did it have something even more gruesome planned for you?

“Fine, but only because you appear to be horribly confused. I’d like you scared for the right reasons before I devour you,” it clarified, those last words dripping with venom.

“Th-thank you. Can we start with where I am in a more broad sense? Where I come from there aren’t talking shadows that go around eating wolves and people.”

“You’re in Equestria. But a more curious question is where you are from. I know of no lands that harbor these ‘people’ you speak of, and to not have heard of a Changeling before - there’s no soil upon which we’re not feared.”

“The heck’s an Equestria? Actually, the heck’s a Changeling?” You asked back, survival momentarily pushed from your consciousness as confusion overtook it.

“Are you saying you’re not from this world at all? What kind of sorcerer are you that you can travel between dimensions but don’t bother looking before you leap?”

“Listen you sack of shit, I just fucking woke up here. I don’t know shit about any sorcery or dimensions or any of this. And you didn’t even answer my questions!”

“Calm down, there’s no need for the attitude-”

“No need for the attitude? Evidently I just crash landed in the middle of a fucking nightmare and worse yet you’re going to eat me!” you screamed, losing your temper at this diminutive creature. It laughed — actually laughed out loud — at your words.

“Oh you poor lost thing,” it smiled, eyes softening before it sat upon its haunches, “You have this all wrong. I’m not going to eat you at all. Let me weave you a tale, tell you about the lands of Equestria and the creatures, Changelings, that rule them.”

You could only manage a nod.

“To set the stage, you must first understand what a Changeling is. Simply, I am a Changeling,” it beamed, standing stock still for a moment as if waiting for you to swoon in admiration, “We are the most powerful creatures in these lands, and while dragons or storm creatures may best us physically we still maintain the upper hand through wit and one of our signature talents. See, Changelings can take the form of most any creature, taking on the attributes and characteristics of those they become. We fuel our transformations, and all but our basest biological needs by feeding upon the emotions of other creatures, primarily their love. You may marvel in front of the most majestic being you will ever meet, unless you should have the pleasure of meeting my Queen.”

“Wow, you uh, you don’t really have any concept of humility here do you?”

“There is no need to be humble when our superiority is the plain truth. Now I grow tired of giving you a history lesson. Will you surrender and allow me to feast upon your love, or will I have to take that by force?”

“Um, how exactly do you, as you say, feast upon my love?”

“Your kind mates, do they not?” it asked, as if the answer were plain as day.

“Wait, you mean like-” you start, motioning with your hands, “you mean sex?”

“Yes, I mean sex. You truly are a dense specimen. If you truly are representative of your kind, I shall hope that I never find myself in your world.”

“Uncalled for! Insulting me is no way to get in my pants. Also you weren’t getting into them anyway, you freaky change-whatever. Go fuck some other - wait, what other creatures live here?”

“Ponies mostly.”

“Hold on, you fuck horses in your spare time?”

“That’s one mouth you’ve got on you. But yes, I do mate with ponies, usually under disguise as the sight of even a lone Changeling is enough to terrify entire cities.”

“Okay, but what intelligent creatures live in these cities if you can scare them all just by fucking their horses?”

“Your lack of understanding is highly entertaining,” it laughed, “Ponies are the intelligent creatures, dim as they are.” As it said this, you realized that this creature itself looked vaguely like a small horse in its own regard. Definitely some characteristics that would be out of place on the beasts of burden from your world, but the Changeling did bear equine features.

“Are Changelings a kind of horse, er pony?” you asked. It bristled as you said horse once more before catching yourself.

“No, the two races bear similarities though, and some believe that Changelings originally evolved from ponies. Do you have any more questions before submitting to me?”

“Actually, yeah I’ve still got a bunch of questions. Like what’s your name, what do ponies look like, if you rule them why are they afraid of seeing you, how does the whole love harvesting thing work physically, what are you doing in the middle of this forest, what am I doing in the middle of this forest, are you-”

“Enough. My name is Metamora. And that is the last question I will answer until I have had my fill of your love. Now remove your garments and lie back down. Your form is impractical and I’ll not have your spindly appendages getting in the way of my needs.”

“You can’t just tell me to take off my clothes. I may be pent up, but even I have standards, and even as confused as I am right now you’re not gonna cut it.”

“Fine. Since you’ve been cooperative so far I shall give you the pleasure of my taking the form of your desires. Simply tell me what creature you wish I become and I shall make it so.”

“I assume you don’t know who Emma Watson is…” you mutter, barely audible.

“Is that another of your kind. Allow me to try.” Metamora offered before a green flame washed over her. Before you stood an identical replica of yourself, clothes and all.

“Nonononono change back! Change back now!” You screamed, watching yourself look back with confusion, “I’m not fuckin’ gay bro, miss me with that shit!”

“Fine,” Metamora acquiesced as the eerie green flame washed over your clone. “Do your females look markedly different? Do they have more leg holes? Have they a longer snout?”

“Actually, on second thought could you maybe not ever change into a human ever again. I’d like to be able to sleep at night.”

“You are a picky thing, aren’t you?” Metamora chided, “What form would you prefer then?”

“You’re literally the only creature I’ve seen since I, guess, crash landed here. I have literally no idea.”

“A pony then?” Metamora asked, changing into the form of a light blue pegasus and twirling in a circle, making sure to spend ample time with her tail raised.

“Um, still kinda weird. Horses where I’m from are farm animals, and I don’t think I could… What else you got?”

“Maybe a gryphon?” Metamora said, transforming into a stout gryphoness with a gray coat and vibrant purple plumage.

“Huh, that’s kinda neat but those talons look painful…”

“I doubt a dragon would be much better in that regard. What about a Diamond Dog?” Metamora asked, not bothering to change yet this time.

“Uh… Dogs aren’t intelligent where I come from either so maybe not.”

“You’re running me out of options. I could transform into a forest creature, but I will not be demeaned by being taken as some mindless animal,” she said as her form reverted back to her natural state.

“Now who’s picky. Weren’t you just about to get fucked by a timberwolf?” you ask, a diabolical idea forming in your head, ”What about your queen? You said she is the only creature more majestic than you.”

“I couldn’t, that would be blasphemy of the highest order. I am not worthy to even look upon the visage of Queen Chrysalis, much less appropriate her form for myself.”

“You transform into your queen, and I’ll whip my dick out right now and rut you into a puddle six ways to Sunday.”

“She would have me executed!”

“I don’t see her around, yet…”

“Is this the only way you’ll submit without a fight?”

“Let’s say yes.”

Metamora looked away, a blush somehow faintly visible against her near-black cheeks. “Fine, but you must never tell a soul of this. I need your love far too much not to do this.”

“That doesn’t sound like something the most powerful species in the world would say.”

“Shut up! I haven’t fed in weeks and with all the transformations you made me do I’m dangerously close to shriveling up and dying on the spot. Give me a moment,” Metamora almost begged. You could tell she was conflicted about this, but you would be a man of your word. More slowly this time, the green flame washed over her and coalesced into a new form.

Author's Note

Here goes. I've got big aspirations for this, and given the current climate of delectable Changeling stories, big shoes to fill too.