A Changeling In The Beginning.

Chapters

    Chapter One: Cloud Hopping.
    Chapter Two: My New Home.
    Chapter Three: I Have A Sister.
    Chapter Four: Can I Tell?
    Chapter Five: Getting To Know You.
    Chapter Six: Life With Ponies.
    Chapter Seven: A Family Picnic.
    Chapter Eight: The Years After.

Chapter One: Cloud hopping.

High above the clouds a mass gathering of new yearlings and other small foals are set for a flight training. The clouds provide cover as well as a soft landing, or crash landing for many just starting out. This activity was moved far away from their usual locations, for the sky is more clear in their area at this time and they nedded the clouds for their next exercise. Training was scheduled for this time, and they did not wish to wait for better conditions to form near by.

A bustle of commotion could be heard as many are given their first instructions. The instructor gave a hush to calm them down enough to hear her.

Hover training: It is a skill worth mastering before any others dealing with flight, as they saw it. One could build on flying of other types off it.

Many small groups are each assigned their own instructor. This made it easier for each instructor to keep an eye on the progress of their charges. Though not all the trainees happen to be paying attention to instructions, and has their minds elsewhere. The inquisitive kept getting distracted by the sights that could be found being in the clouds so high up. Most of the youngest ones that is.

As each instructor gave the command to start, a flock of flyers tried their best to stay at a hover for as long as possible. Those that dropped quickly are encouraged to try again, while others kept themselves aloft. Much happened all at once. Some veered out of control while bumping into others near by. Some drifted out of the control areas, and has to be fetched by those set in place to do so. Others got the hang of it rather well.

For many it is not their first of such an outing. For others it is their very first time.

The absolute beginners are the ones going all over the place, or just standing and watching.

Some of those watching are not all interested in what is going on, and wished to play, or look at the scenery. Some just amused themselves by the sight of those not doing so well.

One of just under two years of age, hovering about turned to another and stated, "I'm going for the record!" She stated that while visibly struggling.

The other felt confused. "You don't know the record, or even if there is one." She felt the one talking next to her was being foolish.  

The first stuck her tongue out at her. "Does not matter. I'm going to be the best anyway." She swayed her head high while looking smug.

The other replied, "Sure, you keep talking and you just might lose your concentration. And your making me lose mine, so shut your yap! You're not the only one here who is trying hard. I just might beat you, you know. How do you like that?"

This group's instructor came over. "I don't want to hear that kind of talk. From any of you. We are better than to put aside teamwork for a petty self-glory of that kind. Even as young as you are, you should know not to think like that. We work together, not compete to find who's best. We are all at our best when we think alike and work alike as one unit. We do our best to provide for one another. 

"We do not divide ourselves from each other over competition with each other, or work to be seen as better than the rest of our own. You should know this by now."

The instructor thrust a hoof in the air as she raised her voice. "Not to be like those ponies! Each of them do their own things. And when one needs help, some are left to fend for one's self, on their own! They don't always work to help one another, as a clan like us."

She put her hoof back down and glares at them both, tuning from one to the other as she spoke. "They even at times walk over each other, in their own selfish pride without care for the others around them. Each felling one's self above all others like them. In doing so, they may make living harder for one another, while not supporting each other as one people.

She smiled at the two then calmed her voice down. She did not wish them to think she was angry at them, just annoyed by such talk as they were having. "But we never do that. We work together on the same goals the queen gives us. As we do, we are never doing it alone, for we always have each other to depend on, as we each make ourselves dependable to one another."

She gave another raise to her voice. “Got it!?"

The two looked at each other and grinned. They liked this little speech, it filled them with a sense of pride in being in such a community as they are. A feeling that was meant to be impressed upon them, always.

The first one commented with shuch pride showing in her voice, "Yes, we changelings are the greatest! For we do our best to serve our queen, and our clan as one."

The other finished with, "We won't let you down."

Feeling personally amused by the two trying to be over achievers, only wishing to be recognized, but in a harmless way that could be put to use for the colony, the instructor smirked as she walked back to her standing position.

She thought to herself as she moved, Yearlings. While some barely understand what is going on, these two are already planning ahead to be over achievers. That is fine, so long as it is for the betterment of us all, and not for themselves.

The instructor stood tall before them all and eyed the other two from a distance. They both looked to her.

She addressed the rest of her charges while knowing she has the attention of most in her group. "Just remember that you will have the pride of the whole colony to uphold. Keep up the good work, and determination to succeed in your given tasks, and you will make fine changelings for our queen, and clan. You will help make us all strong! As we are meant to be."

The instructor looked about as so many continued to do well. Some are just a little larger then one of her hoofs, but still showed some promise. Some of the older youths were out to improve on what they already know and can do.

She knew she was being hard on the little ones just starting out in life. But she knew they must learn their place, and as young as possible. These two she talked to eirlyer showed that they are smart enough to know better, by not slacking off, but nedded some focusing on just flying maneuvers, and doing good at it.

Not all showed as much promise though.

She knows due to their youthfulness and inexperience they do not fully understand the impact it would have on the whole group if even a few are to think of themselves first, and not the clan as a whole. The clan depended on cooperation. It is their way of life. And a way to stay strong.

A few could stand out as being better than the rest, but only their queen has the privilege of deciding who they are, and what is best for them all.

While most at this young age are still like playful infants, a few like these two has above average intelligence, and determination. This makes them thinkers, and thinkers can be very prideful of themselves.

Some who are, may wish to change things, or do things their way. If not seen for who they are quickly, redirected, and corrected early in any bad behavior, it could spell disaster to their ways.

So thinking of one's self was often discouraged, though a willingness to be great was encouraged just the same.

Some in time received the duty of being an armored group leader. The armor was more of a status symbol to all others as one to be giving directions to any large group of up to one hundred or more. Or those that stand by and protect the queen and clan. Those leaders are chosen by the queen due to their show of loyalty to the queen and clan.

They are the ones that followed orders near flawlessly, and without question. For this they are seen as the most dependable to only give the orders told to them to give. Others are never given such a task. And a task it is.

It is seen as honorable, and held with it a level of prestige, but is not a thing filled with favors and privilege. One was just more respected for having that position.

It is a responsibility to delegate tasks, among other things. Not so much a chance to just get to boss others around. Any found with a taste or want to boss others around were never selected for the task, or removed from it after if found doing so beyond what was told of them to do by the queen. None are ever allowed to overstep the queen.

As the flight lesions continued over to simple maneuvers beyond hovering, many of the youngsters still distracted themselves with other things. Their minds ever soaking in all that they surveyed as they practiced. Some got more distracted, and they just wanted to play around.

One such little foal, quite bright, and inquisitive for her age, got so distracted she started to wonder.

Not even a yearling herself, as in only seven months old. Most of her age was brought up here just to see what they would be expected to do, by watching the older ones. And encouraged to at least try what they could.

She has no interest in flying at the moment however.

Despite her curiosity of all things around her, she was also easily frightened of many things as well. Flying is one of them for now. So she avoided it. Her current wandering she used as a distraction from what she didn't want to be doing.

The inviting sites of endless cloud forms called to her more as she looked all round her. So much beauty could bee seen in the sky. The way the sunlight lit up the edges of the clouds. The pinks, blues, and grays that adorned the different areas along each of the clouds, and so much white puffiness could be seen absolutely everywhere.

The mass formations of other colors cascaded off distant mist as faint rainbows. Each bit of it eye candy to her that she could behold compelled her to wander further out, in an attempt to see more of it.

She was so mesmerized by what she saw, she let herself forget why she was up here. Not that she was interested in that to begin with. She also let herself forget about the dangers, other than a long fall if she took a wrong step. She remained careful of that at the least. She definitely did not wish to fall.

She heard stories of bad things that could be found out and away from the protection of the others. And she currently did not think such things could be found in such a wonderous place as this.  

She merrily and near absentmindedly bounded from cloud to cloud as her little heart filled with the excitement of adventure in this misty wonderland.

Off she went, getting all the more distracted the further out she got. Time seems to be at a stand still for her, and forgotten altogether.

She stood near the edge of one cloud as she looked down. The land below looked so far. Distant hills, and flat lands as far as her eyes could see. and much of it so green.

In varying distances around her she saw so many cloud forms. She made her way from one to the other as she hopped about trying to get a look at them all. Many were way out of reach, but the formations in this area was dense enough that she had plenty to play on and explore.

She set her sights on some faint colors in the distance hoping to reach them. Rays of light scattered and parted as the other clouds above roamed as they drifted. Try as she might, she never got close to the distant colors, as if they were evading her.

As she continued to travel out more, she found much around her was changing slowly. Even the positions of the bright colors far away seems to move about as she moved. She was not sure if these bright colors were what she was told of as rainbows, but she was fascinated by them anyways.

She wandered aimlessly for quite some time. She had no idea she had been traveling on her own for over three hours now. She, at this moment, is nowhere near her clan anymore. She found she is not completely alone though, as her gaze fell upon some distant birds.

She set herself to follow them. She was not sure what they are, but they are big. Big to her anyways. They are black and gray with a long neck and sort of long beak. They kept in a V formation, and made a honking sound on occasion.

As they moved swiftly she found herself unable to keep up with them for long. Without warning the flock darted in another direction, off to her left. They moved away faster now as they honked more frequently as if distressed by something.

The little one did not like this. She felt something is wrong. She turned around only to find herself now lost among the clouds, and alone, aside from the fleeing birds leaving her behind. She did not realize that she been now hopping about for the past four hours. She felt scared. She had never been alone like this before. She knew she made a mistake.

Something about this told her to head back to the others quickly. Though she did not know where her clan is anymore. She could not hear them, or see them. And many of the clouds she had been hopping on had either changed positions, or are gone all together.

Her path back is now unfamiliar, and partly missing. The clouds she has been on have taken on new shapes as she saw them do earlier in front of her. This had added to her earlier fascination with them, that is when her mind was not set on being safe at home with the others. Now the moving clouds she saw as a hindrance to getting back to where she wants to be. She saw no path home.

As she made her move to try and head back anyway, she saw a shadow move across her new chosen path she felt she might try. It came from on her left, over and around to her right. She followed the shadow with her eyes as the shadow circled her. In the light above her she saw another form that loomed overhead, and is what cast the shadow.

It is not one of those gray birds. It is red with webbed wings, and a long tail. It is something the flock of birds was trying to avoid, she thought. And it found her.

She has no idea where to go. The open spaces did not leave her a lot of options. Puffy clouds are all over, but many still out of reach. So other than to take a long fall down, she had to run along those that are the closest. The figure circled around in the direction she was heading, then turned back again with a wiping sound as it's wings caught the air. It swooped down and headed back in her direction again. This time it looked as if to make chase as it moved even lower.

The little one got a good look at this thing coming after her, now that it was not partly obscured by the sun. It is reptilian. She was told of dragons, only in stories. This looks like one to her. It is much smaller than she was told they could be, and this one has only two legs. And a spike at the end of its tail. She didn't know what this thing is either, but if it is anything like a dragon, she knew she best run.

The fluffy clouds under her hoofs did not give her much traction, she has to use her wings. She buzzed her wings as fast as she could, just like in her earlier hovering practice back when she was made to try.

Now she needs them to move her forward, not up. She now wished she paid more attention to her flight lesions, instead of wandering off. She was never very good at it, and spent most of her flight practice thinking of other things.

She kept an eye on the thing behind her as she gained speed. She saw it is moving much faster than her, and gaining quickly. As it got near, she darted to her left. This lanky flying reptile swooped past her, just narrowly missing her with it's claws.

She looked in horror as it banked around again, faster then she could respond or she expected it to move. She quivered in place till it got near grabbing distance again, then she ducked into the cloud beneath her. She scared herself as she noticed she almost fell completely through. She waited a moment before coming back up. She popped her head up and saw it is gone.

Breathing a sigh of relief she pulled herself up and back onto the cloud. No sooner than she did, she saw that same shadow again. It was not gone. She did not think it would be, but hoped it would.

Aided by her wings again she started her running once more. This time she moved quicker, and she found herself able to keep aloft in the air for a time, and letting her leap to more distant clouds. Though leaping a distance is the most she could do.

She move with purpose. Though she saw at the corner of her eyes as she glanced back again, so is her poseur.

~~~~~~

A deep red pegasus stallion with a light brown main by the name Star Chaser glided along on his way home. He is heading home after talking with his parents more on the good news of his new young foal Fluttershy. After a time there he set his sights for home.

He spent a good few hours this morning, early, visiting relatives at his old home he grew up in. Now he wished to get back to his wife Stella, and his new foal Fluttershy. He felt the two would still be resting and waiting for him. Being a father for three months time, he was still as excited as the first day he set eyes on his new born foal.

He is quite taken by his little Fluttershy. She is so small. Adorable barely described her to him. And she looks much like her mother to him as well.

Stella, a rich deep yellow with a reddish orange mane that almost looked like fire. Fluttershy a different shade in color to her mother. Fluttershy has a brighter yellow coat, but her main was pink instead of reddish orange. Chaser's eyes is red just like himself, and Stella's eyes is green, with Fluttershy's a light blue.

He imagined Fluttershy would be a heart-breaker when she got older, just like her mother. He felt he would have quite the time having to be picky about who she could date, when that time would come. For now, she was his. And he intended to spend as much time with her as he could before she grew up, and move on in her life. He hoped that time would not be anytime too soon.

As Star Chaser drifted in the air humming a tune to himself he spotted movement in the distance. He though there is little mistaking what he saw. He caught a glimpse of a little dark gray foal trying to outrun a young fledgling wyvern. 

His mind raced over what he saw. What the hay is going on! This foal is alone, and needs my help! And why is one so young alone out here in the first place! 

He moved in closer. He could barely make out this odd filly. She was a dark gray with some dark blue on her back. It was not the only thing he thought was odd about her as he got closer. A nearly unnoticeable stubby tail, and short trimmed main that is both dark gray like her body. The most odd thing about her that he could see was an unusual curved little horn and bluish wings. And now her legs he noticed looked odd as well. The wings moved too quickly for him to see well, but they did not look normal either.

Nothing about her looked normal to him, from what he could see as he kept getting ever closer.

The wyvern got at a near grabbing distance to the foal again. The foal made a leap into a batch of clouds hoping this trick of hiding in a cloud would work twice. The wyvern saw this and was not going to be tricked again so easy. It too passed into the cloud as she did. Next it came out the other side with the foal in her claws.

Star Chaser closed in. "Oh' no you don't!" he shouted.

The wyvern held the foal for only a moment while her captive struggled, till something hit her. The jostle knocked her pray out of her grip. She looked about and saw a much larger red pony fly towards her. The pony hit the wyvern again but harder this time. This hit knocking her out of flight completely. She fell for a short distance.

After regaining control, she looked about again. She saw that same red pony look down upon her while he stood standing on a nearby cloud. The wyvern knew she could not take on this pony, so she moved off to find something else to hunt.

Star Chaser felt satisfied that this wyvern would no longer be a problem. He turned his attention to finding this very unusual little dark gray pony he just saved. 

One thing crept into his mind. An Alicorn? Could this pony be some kind of Alicorn? If so, where did she come from? I never saw anything like her. And could she tell me anything of who or even what she is? She looks too young to be even of a good speaking age, never mind old enough to be out on her own.

He started looking about for her. He had to fly back up to where he thought she might have been dropped. He hoped she did not drop all the way to the ground.

With a feeling of relief he found her. From what he could see she is doing more running than flying now. He was not too sure if she could fly. He also felt less sure if she was even a pony at all now. 

He thought her as she moved off. At the least she can run on clouds, what ever she is.

This was not giving him any answers as to who she is, and what she is doing up here all alone. If that wyvern was on her as it was, she must be alone. Is she a runaway or something? I don't see anyone else up here protecting her. No other pony, or whatever she is, none around at all.

He was much faster than the young wyvern that was chasing her, and had no trouble getting to her. He dropped right out of the air and landed in front of her.

She gasped in fright to his sudden appearance. As she did, Star Chaser got a good look at her fags while her mouth is open. Her gasp sounded more like a hiss to him. Though he could tell this was no mere hiss. She was neither being offensive or defensive, she just looked in shock.

The yearling felt scared again. If it was not some winged reptile after me, it is a big red pegasus pony. No! He's faster than that other thing! What does he want with me? I can't just get away from this one. What do I do?

She huddled herself on the spot waiting to see what this winged pony would do. She just felt cornered by him with him just standing there.

Star Chaser felt more confused by her appearance than before. She looks almost bug like, or is she reptilian? He thought.

Her body looks smooth with a shine to it. No fur pelt or head main made of hair. Her ears looked chewed and stubby. Her legs looked as if they have holes in them, like a sponge of some sort. Her main looked more webbed, like that found on some dragons or other reptiles.

Her wings now that he could see them better seemed a transparent teal color. They also looked like a cross between a leaf, or bug wings.

She over all looked like some misshapen mix of pony, bug, and reptile to him. On top of all that, she has both a horn and wings. Only an Alicorn pony has wings and a horn, though not like those. What could she be?

What ever she is he could tell she is afraid of him. He folded in his wings so as not to look threatening. He took a slow step to her, and laid himself down in front of her. 

He was not sure what to do next. Should I take her with me? She shouldn't be left alone like this. That wyvern proved it's not safe out here for her.

Star Chaser thought of his little one. If it was my little Fluttershy out here, lost and alone like this, the most I'd hope for if I could not find her, is for some kind and caring pony to find her and take care of her till I could find her again. I would want her to be safe, even if I didn't know where she was.

He sighed some at that thought while looking at this odd young thing. She doesn't look much older then my little Fluttershy. I just can't leave her here and alone.

He made up his mind. He is going to take her with him. Though he was not sure if she would follow. He felt he might as well try and talk to her.

She was still huddled in that one spot just looking at him with those blank deep sky-blue eyes, that is a little darker than the aqua-blue eyes of his little Fluttershy.

They seemed to have a white glow in the direction see seems to be looking. The only indication that her eyes are definitely fixed on him.

He wished to know what she is thinking, and if she would come with him. So he finally asked her. "My name is Star Chaser. I mean you no harm, and I wish to help you. Who are you, and why are you out here all alone? Where is it that you belong? Did you run away from home, or are you just lost? Do you wish to find your home? Do you understand me?"

He did feel he was asking her too much all at once, but he also felt he needed answers.

She reasoned in her mind his questions. This pony is helping me? He saved me? He is not going to hurt me?

She had a quick look around, then back to him. I do not see that other thing. He does not want to hurt me or anything I guess. Yes, I want to go home. I want to find the others.

She thought back to when she saw her clan attack an outsider. It was a big individual. Easily twice the size of the adults. Even a little bigger then the Queen. It is of a grayish-blue, stood on two hooved legs, has big arms, broad chest, and two horns, one on either side of its head.

She had no idea what it was, but its size made it look quite scary to her. She did not know what it was doing, but her clan descended upon it in numbers. They used magic to make it stick in its place so it could not move. Then pelted it with more magic till it stopped moving. After, her clan made it unstuck, they dragged it into the castle. She never saw it again. Or ever found out what it was.

This action by her clan made her feel safer to be around so many of her own. She felt protected by them. Still, she did wonder what happened to the outsider.

Till now, she but almost forgot that day. The thought of this pony before her being spotted by her clan made her concerned. Not for herself, but for him. If he helps they might hurt him, and drag him away too. They don't like the ponies. And he seems nice. He did save me. I do not want to see him get hurt. So what do I tell him?

She thought quietly for a moment. I will just tell him to go away.

She sat up and gave herself the nerve to speak to this big adult pony infront of her. She tried to be demanding, but her fear of speaking to him alone, made her voice little more than a squeak. Despite what he did for her, she was still afraid of this winged pony that is so much larger than her. "You, go."

At this Star Chaser sat up as well while still looking down on her. She can talk.

Her voice sounded quite foreign. It has a reverberating hollow eco to it. The voice was small, and strange, but he could understand her.  

Why does she wish me to go? Is she in some kind of trouble? Or is she just afraid of me?

I think she does not trust me yet. I can't just leave her though. A scared little thing like this, on her own.

She does need my help, and she is going to get it whether she likes it or not. It's for her own good. She does not look like she can handle any kind of trouble on her own, even if she is smart enough to talk.

He thought he would try again. "I can't do that. I see you can talk, and possibly understand me. Whatever kind of trouble you are in, I will protect you."

He smiled to her, while trying to earn her trust. "Do you want me to bring you home?"

She gave him such sad eyes. She felt grateful to him, yet she did not want him involved with her.

She did wish to go home, but she still feared what might happen to him. She did not want him to take her home.

She shook her head, then spoke in a lower tone than before, while lowering her head in sadness for what she felt she must tell him. Her voice now near incomprehensible, but he still heard her. "No."

Chaser is not sure what to do about her. He could tell she was saddened by something, something that might have happened to her. He decided to still try and convince her to come with him, but he is not sure how.

This little thing before him seemed beside herself, lost herself as what to do. He could tell she was having a hard time deciding what to make of him as well, or what to do. "It is best you come with me little one. Till I can sort this out then, if you don't want me to take your home. Please come with me. I can't in good conscience leave you here alone. It's not safe. I only wish to help you. Do you understand? I will not do anything bad to you. I promise."

He hoped she would understand, and not fear him. He figured that is what is making her look so down and afraid in this moment. He knew he didn't know enough about her to know for sure.

If she was a regular foal, she would have been eager to go with me, mostly after what I did for her. But this strange little foal does not seem happy to be around me.

She did understand him. He is right. I am lost, and I do not know where the others are. He should not look for them. It is not safe for him to. But it is not safe for me out here alone. So what do I do? Should I go with him? Do I even have a choice? If I don't go with him, something else might get me, and I do seem safer around him then being alone. I wish I did not wander.

Star Chaser stood up fully as he waited for her to think it over. As he could see, she seemed to be having trouble deciding. Poor thing, probably never saw a pony before, and likely still does not know what to think of me yet. I will give her a moment to think about it. Maybe in time she will see I don't intend to hurt her, but that I only wish to help her.

He looked into the sky around him and thought again to his little Fluttershy and his wife Stella. Thoughts of them filled his heart, and made him long to be back home. As he did this, the little one felt this from him. It was a strong feeling. It made her feel strong as well. The feeling felt good. It lifted her spirits, and for that moment her fear of him near completely melted.  

She perked up. What is that!?

She didn't understand any of this. But it made her long to be with him more. It made her feel great. This feeling, it was like emotional candy to her, and she wanted more of it. Like the the child that she is, this new want took control over her.

The little one stood up and looked to him and smiled. This movement by her caught his attention, and he looked back down to her. He saw her smiling up at him.

Wow! I don't know what I said, or did, but I think she is ready to go with me now. I think she will follow. I wonder what made her change her mind about me so drastically?

She is now looking at me as if I am her best friend or something. No matter, she seems willing to come with me, and that will be good enough for now.

He made a motion to move in one direction as he smiled back down to her, in an attempt to encourage her, and show her he felt happy with what he hoped she had decided to do. As he took a few steps away she did move to follow. Excellent! She is going to come with me after all.

They walked for a bit, then it hit him. It is still a ways away to back home, and we will have to fly to get there. I am not sure she can fly yet.

He turned to look back down to her. "You can't fly can you?"

She shook her head. Chaser thought about this. She can't fly, so how did she get up here? This is pretty far up. So, she did not get up here on her own.

He thought to ask, "How did you get up here if you can't fly?"

The little one did not like this question. She did not wish to answer. If I told him, he might look for the others. I do not want him to know. What do I tell him?

She looked up at him with what he could determine was worry again. What in Equestria could she be so worried about. I don't think it's me anymore. Possibly whatever she ran away from at home, I guess.

like my little Fluttershy she is a little bigger then my hoofs. Something must have happened to her to make her be out here alone like this. Wish I knew what happened to her. What could she be, and who is she?

When she gave him no answer he decided to let it go. I do wish I knew more about you, but you are not saying little one.

He sighed. She can just ride on me then. I will not trouble her with more questions right now, not till we are both safe at home. Maybe she will tell me more then, if she can.

I am actually surprised that I got this much out of her. It just might be the most I will get from her.

He lay down on the cloud they were standing on and gave a head tilt to suggest she hop on. "Hop on. I will take you home with me. No more questions from me for now, OK?"

She gave a little nod and got on his back. He stood up carefully and spread open his wings. "Hold on. I will fly slowly and steady so you don't fall."

She gave him another nod. She lay down against his lower neck. Her back legs resting at the base of his wings. She put her head to one side of his neck. She laid down this way as she held tight, not knowing how well this would go. Once he felt she was settled he gave himself a slow running start, then did a small hop in the air as his wings took over carrying them both into flight.

They glided for a while in silence. Her thoughts on some more worrying.

I am doing this!? I am on a pony! I do not know where, or how far. It is all my fault. I am bad to have wondered. Now I may not ever get back home, and see the others again.

Something else caught her attention that pulled her away from those thoughts. The same feeling she felt from him before. It felt nice to her. It made her feel comfortable to be with him. He is nice. I like him. This is not so bad, she thought as she smiled to herself.

Not long into their flight she remembered what she was told of the ponies of Equestria. Not that they were seen as the enemy, but seen as an inferior race. She was also told that they were nothing like their own kind. They did not work together all the time, or live the same as one race.

This, to her, put them at odds with not only the changelings, but with each other.

There was also a show for lack of concern for one another she was told. They did not care about each other, as was impressed upon the changelings should show for each other.

This gave her the impression that the ponies were mean and not to be trusted.

She thought on this some more. This pony I am with is not bad. Not like I thought. I am not like him, but he is nice to me. He is helping me, I think. I did not know they could be like this. Do we not know them? Are we wrong about them?

She felt all the more confused by what she was told, and by what is now going on. She no longer knew what to think.

She decided to put such thoughts behind her till she could find out more about them, or at least more about him. She sighed and looked out at the scenery. It was what got her into so much trouble to begin with, but it looked nice to her just the same.

She calmed herself and tried to enjoy the ride.

She felt way in over her head, but she also felt safe with him, and this other feeling she got from him gave her all the more reason to wait it out with him and find out what was to be next.

What ever was to happen next, she felt he would help her and protect her, if and when she needed him too. She is with him now, and that is how it is to be for now, she thought.

Chapter Two: My New Home.

As Star Chaser traveled with his unusual passenger on his back, he wondered on how to explain who he has with him to his wife.

They came across what looked like a city in the sky. Star Chaser flew down closer to it. As he did, another flying pony he knew well came up to them. This was a young stallion a little younger looking than Chaser. An orange pony with a dark brown main that came about. The two landed to talk.

The young changeling felt nervous. Another one! I hope this one is not mean. 

The orange pegasus came in closer. "Hi Star Chaser. Nice to see you are back. Looking forward to getting home to your wife and foal? I must say I am envious. Can't wait myself to have one of my own. You know the pretty and nice young mare I have been seeing for a while now? Perhaps she will be the one. Yes, I think she will."

Star Chaser gave him a smirk. "Yes Kicker, I know you have been seeing Misty. She is not exactly who I thought you would end up with. Perhaps she will indeed be the one though, she is nice like you said. But not near as outgoing. Don't let her tie you down."

Cloud Kicker with a smirk of his own responded. "You know, that sounds tempting. If she is up for it. I would not mind being tied down for a bit. Could be fun!"

Chaser chuckled a little. "Leave it to you to twist that one around. I was just saying that she seems way more stalled than you. That's all."

Before Star Chaser could say more Kicker got curious about what Chaser has with him. "Say, What you got on your back there? Not seen anything like it! Bringing it home are yeh? Does not seem like the sort of thing I would bring home to a wife and kid."

Then Kicker gave a little nudge on Chaser's shoulder. "Not to say there isn't much I wouldn't do," he finished saying with a wink.

Star Chaser gave another chuckle while trying to keep his passenger on his back. "No I guess not. As for who I got, I don't know."

Kicker laughed hard, and startled the little changeling. "Don't know what you got ah? So what you plan to do with it?"

The little changeling clung on to Chaser more. She didn't like being referred to as an it. She was afraid of what this new pony must think of her. This is reminding her all the more that she is no longer among her own kind.

Star Chaser gave him a hard look. "I plan on taking her, home with me, and decide there what to do next. She is not an it. And she needed help. She has been out all alone, and was almost taken by a wyvern. So I plan on keeping her till I know what to do about her, and possibly find out more on what she is."

Kicker felt embarrassed, and scuffed at the cloud under their hooves. "Look, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to make fun of her or anything. You know me, I jest, but I don't mean to be cruel."

He changed his tune to something more cheery. "Well, I got to be off. Got a date to keep. Literally. I wish you luck at home. Bringing her home with you, not sure what Stella will have to say about that, seeing that she has a new foal to look after. She might freak out at seeing what you got. I am sure Misty would."

Kicker stood in thought of her. "Though I am finding her to be more, and more adventurous, the more I see of her. She was adventurous enough to come to me at first after all. That was a surprise. But her eyes, and face. That, that pouty face she makes. I didn't see that coming. She is too adorable when she does that. I... I got to be going. I wish you luck with Stella."

Then Kicker rolled his eyes right after saying that. "Yea, me wishing you luck. The guy with more than most already. Still, you are going to need all you got for this, my friend."

This bit of news frightened the young changeling. Chaser has more at home? The other one, Kicker said she might freak out. I do not like this. I hope Star Chaser does not have to get rid of me. I do not want to be here alone. Where would I go?

Star Chaser sighed, feeling Kicker is correct. Stella might not like this at all. And he knew it. "I know. But I couldn't just leave her alone out there. Look, can you keep this between us? For now, the fewer that know about her the better, I think."

Cloud Kicker nodded. He had no problem with such a request, mostly one from a close friend of his. "OK. I will not tell a soul. But let me know what you do find out when you do. Okay?"

Star Chaser felt pleased Kicker is willing to keep this quiet. He figured that Kicker would, he knew him well enough to think so. "I think I can do that. Not sure what I will find out though, or when. I got to go too. See you around Kicker."

The young changeling felt a little better about the other pony. He did seem friendly. She reminded herself that she has a lot to learn about them. She felt not all of them are as bad as she was lead to believe by her clan.

She hoped that things will continue to go as well at his home, or better than things have gone so far. The thought of seeing the other two makes her nervous though.

The two departed as Star Chaser moved more swiftly trying to avoid any other ponies along the way home. Not wanting to bump into another one.

~~~~~~

While Chaser is out, Stella and Fluttershy waited at home. Stella watched with amusement as Fluttershy, a very meek looking young foal, played with a big stuffed bunny. The bunny is bigger than her. Twice her size. Stella moved the bunny about in a game of tag with it. She could move it about much faster than Fluttershy could move. So Stella kept it at a pace that Fluttershy could have some fun with.

With a bound Fluttershy leaped out at the bunny. She landed on the soft fluffy thing with a giggling fit. And shouted out a near incomprehensible babble. "Got ye-ya!"

She squealed in delight as her mother in turn chased her about with it. Stella gave her a slight bump with the bunny that made Fluttershy topple over. She rolled around a bit as she regained her footing. She continued to giggle as she did so.

The cloud flooring made for a safe and soft surface for her to play on. Falling down on it was as much fun for her as tackling the fluffy big bunny, or being bumped by it. Stella had no worry that Fluttershy would get hurt by this kind of rough play. So she did not mind playing a little rough with her among such a safe environment, despite how small and young Fluttershy is.

It would help her to get strong having such physical play. And it would make her sleep better getting some exhaustive activity in.

Stella felt she was having as much fun as her little one. It reminded her of when she was little. It was nice to have such care free fun again. And her little foal gave her all the excuse to do so.

It took her mind for a time off being an adult. Though she knew having Fluttershy was not going to be all fun and games. It was a great responsibility.

Though for now much of the hard parts of being a parent was yet to come. Fluttershy is of yet too small to cause much trouble. Her little bundle is everything she hoped having a foal would be like. She revelled at enjoying her time with her newborn filly, and taking care of her as a mother should.

A knock at the door got both of their attention. Then the door opened as Star Chaser stood at the entrance. He at first looked concerned about something to Stella, but shortly started smiling at the sight he beheld.

He could already see that Stella and Fluttershy is awake and out on the floor having fun together.

Though his happy thoughts were hampered by thoughts of the other little one he brought with him. He thought at what Cloud Kicker had said to him. Telling his wife about what he brought home is not going to be easy, especially seeing that he himself did not know what he has.

Stella smiled up to Chaser while still on the floor with Fluttershy. She chimed, "Oh' you are just in time."

Chaser still felt pleased at what he saw. "I can see that. I get to see my little one up and playing." He took a few steps in, and without turning around he closed the door with a back leg. "I am so glad to be back home. And do I have a story to tell you."

At this Stella sat up more, and to give him her full attention. "Well, come on over and tell us about it." She set the bunny aside as Fluttershy pounced on it again.

Chaser walked over and sat down in front of her and Fluttershy. "Honey. I got someone for you to see. But please don't be upset. I had a good reason for bringing her home with me."

Stella perked up a bit to his news of him having someone with him, and so did Fluttershy. Stella raised an eye. "Don't tell me you brought home a stray pet. I don't like the idea of some weird wild animal around Fluttershy."

Chaser shook his head. "She is no animal, though I must admit, I don't quite know what she is."

Stella felt confused at him not knowing what he has. "Not an animal? OK, Bring her out, Let's see what you got."

Chaser knelt down and asked his rider to hop off. "You can get off now. I won't let anything happen to you."

His words to whatever he was talking to made Stella all the more curious. She also had just noticed the odd little dark gray legs partly draped around the back of his neck that was partly obscured by his main.

She felt surprised she had not noticed them till now. She figured whatever it is, is trying to hide, for some reason.

The little changeling moved to Chaser's right side and slid down off his back onto the floor. She got a good look at the other two ponies, but her eyes locked onto the little yellow and pink foal, laying on top of a big stuffed bunny.

The yellow foal is smiling at her. The changeling felt she looked friendly and happy enough.

The thing that grabbed Fluttershy's attention the most is the blue eyes. She never saw any with eyes like those. To her they have a pleasant white glow in them. Fluttershy liked them.

The changeling felt pleased and happy herself that one of them seemed to like her. This did not last long.

A moment after, Stella saw what she felt was the most unusual thing slide off Chasers back. Stella quickly grabbed a hold of Fluttershy and pulled Fluttershy closer to herself, to protect her little foal. "What in Equestria is that thing!?" Stella shouted while pointing at the changeling foal. All while holding Fluttershy huddled beneath her chest.

Stella's outburst and quick move to grab Fluttershy, frightened the young changeling, as well as Fluttershy. The young changeling felt trapped with nowhere to go. The only place she felt safe now, is right next to Chaser. She huddled herself next to Chaser while shaking.

Fluttershy wondered why her mom was so upset, this made Fluttershy momentarily afraid of this newcomer. Not knowing why her mother is upset, and wondering if she should be as well.

Though as she continued to look, all she saw was a scared little foal like herself. Though not entirely like herself. She could not see the need to be afraid of her. Fluttershy relaxed a bit. She did her best to remain quiet, and see what happens.

Chaser rubbed a hoof over the the back of this shaking little figure next to him. He decided to talk to her. "It's OK. Nothing is going to happen to you. Stella is just a little upset, is all."

He did what he could to reassure her that everything would be fine. He felt he would make sure of it.

Stella gave another outburst. "A little upset! We have our little Fluttershy to look after, and you bring something like that home! What is wrong with you!? I mean just look at those fangs! Look at her! She is like some kind of bug! How do you know that thing is even safe? Get rid of it!"

Chaser pulled the little shaking bundle beside him to in front of him, and held her just as Stella was holding Fluttershy. Partly to make a point. He wanted Stella to see what he has as something that needed to be protected, not something to be afraid of.

He said with defiant conviction. "No."

Stella got more upset about him not doing as she asked. "What do you mean no! We can't have something like that here. What if it hurts Fluttershy? How can you be sure that thing will not go after her when we are not looking? I mean just look at it. It might bite her or something."

At this, despite her being afraid of Stella, the little changeling felt offended that Stella thought of her as a bug, and that she might bite. She has no intentions of biting anyone. She now wished to be back home.

Chaser did his best to remain calm. He did not wish to get into a shouting match with her. The two little ones he could tell is both both nervous. He could see Fluttershy did not look all to happy with Stella's shouting.

He could perfectly understand Stella's concern though. He just wish he could get her to calm down enough to listen to him, and get a good look at what it is he does have.

So he did just that. He pushed the little one out away from him a bit, but still kept her close. "Yes, just look at her. Get a good look. I know she is unusual. But look at her. She is not a thing. She is some kind of little foal just like our little Fluttershy. Well, not just like her. But she is scared, and alone. She was just attacked by a wyvern. And I think she is lost without a home. She needs us. I know what she looks like, but she is not dangerous, I am sure if it. She is just some kind of unusual little filly. That is all."

Stella considered his request. She looked down at this strange thing in their home. She looked at it real good. It was shaking. It looked sad.

She gave herself a moment to consider what exactly it is she is looking at. It looks scared, just as chaser said she is. 

Stella calmed down some with a sigh. "OK. I see it, I mean her. So what now?"

Chaser wished he had a good answer. "I don't really know. For now I intend to keep her here. I had a talk with her."

Stella quickly asked, "She can talk?"

Chaser nodded. "Yes she can. She did not tell me much as I expected, but from what I can tell she might be in some kind of trouble, or she might be some kind of runaway.

"I told her I would help her to find her home, but she told me no. I can't say I understand why she would say no, but I am worried about her. She does not seem to want to go back home. At least I don't think so. Why else would she refuse, or be out alone as she was, unless she ran away?

“I think something might have happened to her where she came from, and she is possibly scared to return now."

Stella looked back down at the little odd gray filly with fangs, and full deep blue eyes. The eyes alone was making Stella feel a little more at ease with this thing before her. She could not help but feel this thing could still be dangerous. She decided to try and talk to her. "Why don't you want to go home? Who, and what are you? Can you tell me that? Do you have a name?"

Stella observed her further and saw the little one was still shaking, and not talking. She knew it was her fault.

Fluttershy felt better that her mom was no longer yelling. She wished to play with her potential new friend. But for now her mom held her put.

After a moment of silence the little changeling felt she should say something. She did not like the still-silence, anymore then the earlier yelling. She first looked back to Fluttershy who was smiling at her again. This made her feel better.

She looked back up to Stella and saw she was no longer upset. She spoke quietly to Stella with but a squeak of a voice. "I do not know where home is. I am lost. It is not safe for you at home."

She pointed up to Chaser. "He was nice, So I came here." After she finished, she put her hoof down.

She looked to Stella to see Stella's response to what she said. She still felt nervous about Stella, and hoped what she said would be enough.

The voice sounded so small and meek, as unusual as it is. A near vibrating eco to it. Stella felt this little things voice was just as odd as she looked. It was shaky and filled with stuttering fear as well. Stella could not see how this thing could be a threat. Not something this scared of her, and so young as she seemed.

It is a strange little thing indeed, but child like as well. Nothing like some dangerous wild animal like I first thought.

Stella now saw it as the lost little foal that Chaser saw her as. But also smart for something that looked so young. Stella's heart melted, and now felt sorry for her, rather than afraid of her possibly hurting Fluttershy. Stella also felt sorry for yelling, and scaring her.

But Stella is still a little concerned, mostly on what the gray foal said about it not being safe at home. Stella talked to the little figure with a much more calm and friendly voice. She spoke to her as if she was talking down to the young scared filly she seemed to be.

"I think I understand little one. I am sorry I made such a fuss about you being here. But who and what are you? Can you please tell us that? If you are going to stay here, I think we should know who it is we are keeping with us, if you can tell us that. Can you at least give me a name?"

The little changeling felt the other two has a right to some answers, though she was not sure what further she should tell them. "Sorry. No name." was all she could think to say at the moment.

At this both Stella and Chaser felt some frustration. They were not angry at her, they just truly had no idea what they had before them, and what she had to say is not much to go on.

Chaser felt the need to ask, "Why do you say it is not safe for us at home? Are you afraid of going back? Are your people dangerous to us? Did they hurt you? Will they hurt us if they come looking for you? Do you understand what I am asking? I wish to help if I can. I don't wish to bring you back if they hurt you."

These questions quickly concerned the little changeling. She was getting nervous again and did not like these questions. She felt again she should say something. She did not wish them to get mad at her for not talking. "I do not know. Hmmm... Yes, I think."

Stella was getting more upset by this lack of straight answers, but still asked calmly as not to frighten her again. She knew it was just a foal she is dealing with. "Well, which is it? What is it you are not telling us? Do you not want us to know? We can't help you, unless you tell us what has happened to you."

The little changeling is still not sure how to answer. Her mind raced trying to think. She felt this is more than she could handle, or would wish to think about. She wished they stop asking so many question.

Her thoughts turned to her clan. She was not sure if any of her others have gone out looking for her.

Now that she thought of it, she felt that the others just might be out looking for her now. It is just the sort of thing she felt they would do. They might even be upset at being unable to find her.

If they did find her here, she thinks they might indeed hurt these ponies. She saw her clan is territorial, and can be aggressive to outsiders, as she saw once before.

Now she wished she was left right where she was found. She realized that she just was not thinking of them possibly looking here. She got upset with herself at possibly putting these ponies in danger as they thought she might have.

She looked for a moment at each of them. She felt even more lost, and felt all the more that she should not have come here.

Even so, she is now still in the same fix. She can't have the nice pony Chaser bring her back, for the same reason she could not have him help her find them before. She felt her clan could be out looking, and might find them together if he tried to drop her off where he found her.

She hung her head low and felt even more sad.

This Stella and Chaser saw. They both were not sure if she was going to give them an answer, or could give one. They gave her more time to think, as they waited patiently.

Fluttershy felt sorry for the way this new guest looked. She hoped this newcomer would get better. She continued to wait and see what would happen next as well.

The little changeling felt bad for doing something she thought was foolish, something foolish right from the start.

She looked back up at Stella and decided she should tell them more. She felt they deserved to know. "I am sorry. I am bad to come here. I did not run away. I got lost. My clan do not like you. They may hurt you. I thought it okay to come here. Chaser said it be safe. Now, I do not know what to do." She hung her head again feeling bad about all of this. She truly did not mean for all of this to happen the way it did.

Aside from the shock of hearing her say so much for one that looked so young, what she had to say was troubling to both Stella and Chaser.

The blood seemed to just drain from both of them due to this revelation. Chaser's jaw went slack and he shook his head very slowly. "I had no idea, I thought she was just a runaway and did not wish to go back home. I thought they might have done something bad to her. I was only trying to protect her."

Stella turned to Chaser with as much shock to her system. "Oh' my gosh, what are we going to do!? This makes us practically foal nappers."

The young changeling felt on the verge of crying. This was a new sensation to her. She didn't know she could feel so bad about a simple mistake. "I am sorry. Is all my fault!"

She went back to shaking again. Though not in fear of the ponies around her, but from not knowing what to do about what she felt she had done, and done to them. She did not know how to fix this.

Stella felt sorry for this little foal before her. She looked back down to her. "Please, calm yourself. You're just a little foal. This was too big of a decision for you to make on your own. I am not angry with you. But we do have a decision to now make."

Stella leaned down to her and talked softly. "You told us you did not run away, but you just got lost. That is understandable. It happens. You also told us that we can't help you to find home because you feel we might get hurt if we are found out there by your clan. Is this right?

The changeling nodded her head. As far as she knew, this is the truth.

Stella continued. "And you can't go looking on your own. It is not safe for you out there either, as you found out."

None of this made the changeling feel any better.

Stella sat up again. "It is good you came here with Chaser."

At this the changeling brightened some, but felt confused. She asked herself, How Is this good?

Stella leaned down to her more. "We have little choice but to keep you for now. We never saw anything like you before. So, I doubt your clan will come looking for you here, because we never saw anything like you, ever. And we can't just send you out and hope that they do find you, before something else does again."

The little changeling kept her attention on Stella as Stella talked, while still filled with much regret. But a hint of hope as well.

Stella could see this. Stella spoke to her again but more softly. "I don't want you to blame yourself for this. You are still so young. If we can't safely take you home, the least we can do is look after you. Would you like that? Would you be okay with staying here instead of going home? I am sure you must want to go home though."

The little changeling shook her head. She wanted to go home, but also wanted to stay for different reasons. She just did not know what to decide.

Stella asked, "So would you like to stay here with us? You can if you wish. I... I would like it if you stayed." Stella finished saying that with a warm smile, and hoped that this would help make the little one feel more welcom here. Though she ment what she said when saying that she would like the little one to stay.

The little changeling choked back some of her fear and regret. She continued to look at the mare asking her to stay. She looked much more kind at the moment. The little changeling was filling with more hope that everything could be fine if she did stay. Her eyes widened as she asked, "You do that? You let me stay? The clan, what I told you. You not scared?"

Stella gave a sigh. "I must admit that does concern me. I would be lying if I said that did not worry me at all. But you let us worry about that."

She marveled, as Chaser did with how well their little guest could talk, and reason. To them she was not like a little foal with how she talked anymore.

Chaser felt this had become a bigger issue than he thought it would be. Though he realized he did not know what to expect when he first took her.

He also felt Stella was right. This was much too big of an issue for this little guest he brought home to blame herself for, or be responsible for any outcome of them deciding to keep her.

He felt he should tell her so. "Look little one. I brought you here, to protect you. I said I would take care of you, and I will. I told you so knowing that I might be taking a risk by taking you. I thought you might be in trouble, and that this trouble might follow us here if I did take you. My decision has not changed."

He pat her on the back lightly. "What you have told us does not change a thing. I still do intend to take care of you knowing that there might be some danger for me in doing so, whatever that danger might be. You need not blame yourself for what I already decided to do for you. You are much too young to have thought this through well enough on your own. You're too young to be responsible for any of this. Do you understand?"

The little changeling gave a nod.

Chaser gave a nod of his own. "Good. Now that is settled."

Chaser had a thought about the possibility of any in her clan showing up to claim her. He wished to know her side of this possible situation. "I would like to know, if any in your clan did come for you, would you want to go with them?"

The changeling knew her answer fast. "Yes! I do."

Chaser did not need to know why, the answer was obvious, they are her family. The only others she has ever possibly have known. She did not fear them, herself. Only what they might do with him, and or any other ponies.

He knew the choice he should make and told her. "I understand. If any do show up to claim you, I will let them just take you. No questions asked. And hope they will just come and go peacefully."

The changeling felt good about this. She felt if any did come, they may do as he wishes. Just take her back home peacefully.

Chaser felt okay with this plan. They would keep her, so long as she is not found by them. But he would not try to keep her from them either if they did find her. He felt she did belong with them, if she did wish to be with them again. To him it was only right, that she be with them again if possible.

Stella had a thought. "We have been going about this without any proper introductions. We still don't know who she is. That is, she does not have a name, as she said. I think I will start with telling her mine. At least by that, she can get to know us a little better.

Stella turned her attention to their guest. "My name is Stella. My little quiet yellow foal I have been holding is Fluttershy. And my husband who you already know is Star Chaser."

Chaser thought for a moment. "Perhaps we can give her a name. We will for the most part be adopting her, unofficially that is. So we might as well give her a name too."

Stella felt this should be done, she should have a name, and they could be the ones to give it. "Yes. I think that would be proper as well. Now to think of a name..."

Everyone sat in silence for a bit, till Fluttershy spoke up. "Boo I zz!" This she blurted out much too quickly to have been said well, while pointing at their guest.

Stella thought. "Blue Eyes? I do believe she said."

Everyone there looked at Fluttershy. The changeling spoke, "We all have blue eyes. We all look the same too."

Fluttershy sat and thought about that for a moment. She thought that was neat. Another thought came to mind, something she had been wanting to do since she first saw this newcomer. "Play?"

Stella and Chaser thought on what their guest said as well. The very idea they all possibly look the same. The ponies, themselves all looked different to each other. Some more different than others. So this news, is as unusual to them, as their guest looked.

The changeling thought on Fluttershy's previous statement, while considering her question about playing. "I like that. Blue Eyes. Is nice." She smiled after saying so, and for Fluttershy wishing to play with her.

Stella did not think the name Blue Eyes would be fitting. She hoped that this little guest did not wish to settle on this name. So she asked. "You sure about this?"

The changeling looked confused. "Sure about playing?"

Stella felt her confusion a little amusing. She corrected her question, so as to not confuse her again. "The name. You wish to be called Blue Eyes?"

The changeling hinted at the realization of the answer. "Oh'" She paused for a moment. "I do not know." She thought for a bit more. "No," she said in a low tone.

Stella thought this was funny. "I didn't think so. Now let's think of a more proper name."

Stella moved to let Fluttershy out of her grasp and let her go fee. "Fluttershy you can play with her right here, while your father and I think of a name for her." After Stella let go, Fluttershy went over to this unusual new guest.

Fluttershy asked again, "Play?"

The changeling did not know if she should. "I do not know." She looked up at Stella. "Can we?"

Stella gave it some thought, then gave a nod. "It's OK. I said you could," She finished saying with a smile.

Stella still marveled at just how well this new little guest could talk and reason, for one so young. She seem to be at the least two or more years ahead of Fluttershy, who could talk, but vary little.

To Stella Fluttershy only though of simple things one of her age might concern herself with. Playing and eating were the two big ones for her. Stella thought the guest concerned herself with much more.

I wonder if this has anything to do with what she is. Is she that much older than Fluttershy? Does she only look as small and young? That could be. She might be much older, but only look young. Maybe her kind is just really small and young looking. She did say they all look the same. No she must be still quite young, a foal, I am sure of it.

Fluttershy stood there for a bit with a big smile on her face. She suddenly reached right out and taped the guest on the shoulder. "Tag!" Fluttershy quickly raced off, giggling as she did.

The changeling sat for a moment in thinking about that. Then she hopped to her hoofs and chased after Fluttershy.

Both Stella and Chaser watched with amusement as the two little ones raced around in play.

Stella moved over beside Chaser. Stella whispered to him, "You know, I think we can make this work. I am still worried. Not about her, but the others. What should we do about them? We still don't know much about them."

Chaser thought for a moment. "I think we try and keep this quiet. I will see what I can find out about our guest, but as I told Cloud Kicker when he saw me with her, I think it is best that no others know about her yet. But If they come for her, her clan, they can have her. She is theirs after all."

Stella looked to him in surprise. "Kicker knows? Your friend Kicker?"

Chaser knew of Stella's concern, and that she didn't approve of him all too much. Kicker had for himself a reputation for being a prankster. One who took things he did, a little overboard. Not everyone liked him or trusted him. That is, those that did not know him best.

Chaser wished to ease her concern. "I think it will be okay if he knows."

Chaser though back on the previous subject. "As for our new guest, in time her clan might just think something wild did take her. She did wander off after all, and something wild almost did take her." 

He felt they may stop searching after a day or two. "And they are not likely to search here. We never saw anything like her. And not likely ever to. But of that, I am still not sure. Not until I know more on who and what they are."

He thought more about them, and what that clan might be thinking at losing one of their young. "I don't like the idea of keeping her from them, but she thinks it is a bad idea for us to go looking for them. I wish I knew why she thinks they don't like us. I am sure they don't. I just wish I knew why they don't."

He sighed at the thought of not knowing. It was frustrating not to have any good answers. He felt they should go with what their  little guest has said so far. "If she is worried about something like that, as young as she is, I think we should be as well. She knows far more about them then we do. And for right now, I am going with what she is saying. Finding them, for us is bad. Even if it is not so for her."

Chaser continued to watch the two foals at play. He observed their guest's movements. She has both speed and agility, as though she has been playing like this for a long time. She looked practically aggressive in both her attempts to evade and to tag back. Se looked determined as if this was no game to her. Fluttershy was out matched.

He then thought of what it would be like being surrounded by a bunch of adults like her. This thought made him shiver, and Stella felt that. He voiced his concern to her.

"Also your first reaction to her I think tells the story some. A much larger group of adults more like her does seem dangerous. Just look at her go. I don't like the idea of finding myself surrounded by a bunch of, whatever she is, and try to hope for the best. Not while I have both you and Fluttershy to consider. I don't want to leave Fluttershy fatherless, or you without a husband while having to raise her alone. And I personally don't have a death wish either, if it came to that."

Stella shook her head. She felt it was not up to them to deal with such a situation, now that she thought of it more, she did not like the idea of having to face adults of whatever their guest is either. Not if they did come for their little guest.

She also felt they can't just keep her a secret from the other ponies here either. "We can't keep something like this a secret though. Not for long. Other ponies will find out. And it is not right to keep her locked up here in our home without ever letting her out. Perhaps we can send her to the authorities. Let someone else find out where she belongs."

Chaser sighed. "Your right. But I don't like the idea of sending her away. Besides, we both sort of promised her we would take care of her. What kind of ponies would we be if we broke such a promise? Even to her? It would be betrayal of her trust in us.

“That is not something I wish to do, or live with, even if it was just her. She may not be a pony like us, not really, but that does not matter to me. It would haunt me to think I could have done better by her if something bad was to happen to her if we sent her away to any authorities to look after, and deside on what to do with her while in their care."

He continued to watch the two little ones at their game of tag. He observed that even though their guest seems good at this game, and shows determination to win, she is also being just as gentle with Fluttershy as she is being aggressive in her movements. There was a better word he had in mind to describe her movements other than aggressive, and that is nimble.

She seems to be intentionally careful not to hurt Fluttershy, even though it now looks like she possibly could, if she wished to. Much as Stella first thought she could, and might have if left alone with Fluttershy, or too close.

Chaser consider his first thoughts of her. She looked like just a scared little foal before, but looking at her at her now, she is so much more, and reflected to him what those in her clan my indeed be like. Her clan might indeed be dangerous to us if she is this skilled at her age. She plays to win, almost as if told to. However, I also see a level of affection and kind-concern for others in her, even as she plays. She is bing careful not to hur Fluttershy as she plays to win.

Despite how she is moving, she will not hurt Fluttershy. She will not let herself, she is being that careful. This would not likely be unless her clan is like this as well. She could be a dangerous brute in time, if she wished to be. I can see that. But her kindness controls her more. She is a good pony, or whatever. And she deserves to have a good home. A home that would help nurture that inner kindness I see she seems to have. And I would like to help do that. I think we can provide her with such a good home.

The little changeling bounded about as Fluttershy chased after her. For Fluttershy, chasing the big bunny her mother was playing with before, was soft, safe, and fun. But playing with this new friend, as Fluttershy saw her as, was exciting to Fluttershy. Stella had to hold the bunny close by for Fluttershy to chase it. This new chase went all over the room, and was much more fun. She did not feel afraid of her new friend. She was having too much fun to care about such a thing.

She did notice that it is hard to tag her friend. Challenging was the word she might have used, a little to the point of being frustrating to her.

The changeling was quickly getting exhausted at going all out. Her paced slowed to the point both were chasing each other, back and forth, about evenly now.

Chaser and Stella saw the change in pace to this game of tag the two foals were playing.

Chaser reinforced his decision to keep her. "I have already made her my responsibility. I am not letting her down and turning her over to others she does not know. I just can't do that. I intend to keep her. And we still have to come up with a name."

Chaser groaned while thinking of the situation more. "I must admit, the idea of giving her to the authorities is sounding better all the time, as the right thing to do. I just don't want to give up on her. Not yet. What ever she is, she is still just a little foal, one who now needs us."

Stella had to ask, "What are you thinking? Why not just give her to them? I am sure someone else could handle this better than us? Don't you think? I like her too, but we never dealt with anything like this before. This is more than looking after some lost foal. This is a cultural issue as well, now that I think of it."

Chaser shrugged. "That may be, but look at her. She is so young looking, even if she is different. She deserves a good home, not some orphanage, or some other confusion to deal with herself. Besides Fluttershy seems to like her. Do you really wish to send her away now?"

He put a hoof around Stella's back. "Didn't you see how scared she was earlier, even with just us questioning her? Could you imagine what it would be like for her to deal with interrogators trying to get info out of her. She would likely freak, and or completely clam up. This may only make them angry with her, or at the least, very annoyed. I don't see it going well."

He gave Stella a little squeeze. "I don't want to put her through all that. No. We are keeping her. Somehow. We might bring her to some authorities when she is older and can possibly handle it. Just, maybe. Till then, I am sticking with my promise to her, to take care of her for now. Not give her up to someone else. She is looking happy now while playing with Fluttershy, and I wish to keep her that way. I wish to keep them both that way."

Stella grimaced. She felt he was right. Not that the authorities would treat her poorly. She thought Chaser was being a little ridiculous with that, or just trying to make excuses to keep her here. But Stella did agree that their guest is happy here for the moment. They possibly could just keep her.

As she looked at the two at play she wished to keep Fluttershy happy with this new friend she has made as well. "Well, if that is what you want. We still need to know how we are going to get away with keeping her.

“She is a little foal like you said, and not a pet. So, we can't keep her like one. Or entirely out of the public eye. If the authorities do find out about her, and I am sure they will. We might not have a choice after, but to give her up to them."

Chaser nodded, while rubbing Stella's back. "I know. I know! I just wish I knew what to do about that. I just don't know yet. I don't want her taken from us, and we can't exactly hide her away either like you said.

“If she is found out by the authorities, we might have to fight to keep her. And I will. We will have to prove we can take care of her. That is after they decide if they are going to try and return her from where she came, or not. She might indeed be better off back with her own though, if that was to happen. That is the sad thing about all of this. I know, are we doing the right thing by keping her? I intend to, regardless."

As the two thought more, they also continued to watch the little ones at their game of tag. The two little ones raced about more as exhaustion was setting into both of them. The game turned into a back and forth tagging that did not leave the other much time to take off running.

It got to the point where the two sat in front of the other just tagging each other quickly. The two started to mimic each other as if they were tagging a mirror of themselves on the hoof. What started out as a game of tag now looked more like a fast paced game of patty cake. The two giggled as they did this, just having fun with it.

As this continued the new excitement the two felt at trying to tap each other on the hoof quickly as they sat, drove the changeling to feel odd. Her horn started to glow.

Both Stella and Chaser noticed this. They stared at each other then back at the scene in front of them. Both not sure what was going to happen.

The two sat in surprise over what they saw next. A green whirl of magic engulfed their guest playing with Fluttershy.

The moment the whirl of magic was gone what sat in her place is an identical copy of Fluttershy. To them it truly looked as if Fluttershy sat with herself in front of a mirror. Only there was no mirror.

The only difference between them is that Fluttershy is in a diaper, and this new Fluttershy isn't. But that is not what shocked everyone there who looked at her. The change itself was.

Fluttershy got startled and jumped back. Fluttershy corrected her wording as she blurted out again, "Blue Eyes!" 

Fluttershy ran over to Stella with worry in her voice. "Mom!"

Fluttershy is worried as if she possibly did something to her new friend that she didn't know she could do. She worried even more if her friend did this to herself, and wonder why.

The new Fluttershy stood up and looked over to the three looking right at her. She didn't know what was going on. She asked quickly in her confusion, "What I do?"

The new Fluttershy and the rest noticed that her voice had changed. She now sounded exactly like Fluttershy.

She felt different all over as well. Her whole body didn't feel right. This prompted her to look at herself and saw she was of the same color as Fluttershy. She has the same mane, tail, and wings. She looked up and saw her horn was gone. She saw that she did a completely full transformation. The first she ever did. She did not know she could do this yet. 

She thought to herself, This is neat! I am a true changeling now. 

She got even more excited, and started to giggle to herself at having done this. After, she voiced her excitement. "I did it, my first change!"

She had no idea what changing would feel like, but now she does. She forgot the other three were still looking right at her in disbelief.

Chaser was the first to speak. "Your first change? So, this is something you were expecting to do at some time? Do all of your kind do this as well?"

The new Fluttershy looked over to him with a smile. "Yes, and more!" She was so excited about her first change she forgot to be worried about anything they might find out about her, or even that much about her.

Chaser hit himself on the side of his head with a hoof. "I get it! Your horn! I thought because you have wings and a horn that you might be some kind of alicorn. A kind we never saw before. That must, be it then.

“You had me worried for a moment. Well, if you are some kind of alicorn, changing your looks would be only one of many things one could expect you could do with such magic. And seeing that you are so young, a spontaneous burst of magic is not so unusual either. But this was unexpected to me, just the same."

The new Fluttershy looked confused. "Al-a-corn? I do not know."

Stella breathed a sigh of relief after seeing this unexpected change, while coming to grips with what Chaser suggested about the little one possibly being just an unusual alicorn.

It did make a lot of sense to her now. She had not thought of it till just now. "OK. So we have some sort of foal alicorn, from a race of unusual alicorns. That is if they are all the same as she said."

She thought of this for a moment more. Then instantly got worried again. Only now even more so than before. "Oh' my gosh!" We have a foal alicorn from a race of alicorns!"

She turned to Chaser quickly, grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. Stating frantically, "We have a foal alicorn from a race of alicorns! This is not good!"

Chaser looked to her wide eyed at understanding what she was getting at. "No! This is not good!"

The new Fluttershy asked with concern, "Not good!? Did I do bad again!?"

Stella shook her head to this new Fluttershy, "No, you did nothing wrong. You startled us, but that is not what concerns us. You see, alicorns are among some of the most powerful of all us ponies. We only know of two. And those two rule over the rest of us. We can't protect ourselves from even one if we had to, never-mind a whole race of them. Now I fully understand why you had so much concern for us going looking for them if these alicorns don't like other ponies."

The new Fluttershy stated, "No, they don't. And... You are not, what I been told."

Chaser had to ask, "What have you been told? What is it they think of us?"

The new Fluttershy thought for a moment before answering. "You are mean. You do not help good. You do for yourself. You are bad to each other. You not care for others."

Chaser and Stella understood what she was likely talking about. Ponies can be competitive, and some can be quite self centered, or even mean to others carelessly, as she has been told, they reasoned. She was not entirely wrong. But this is hardly the truth of them all, or even most, they thought.

Chaser felt he should tell her so. "Some of what you have been told of us is true, with only a few of us though. Some of us can be unkind to one another, but only some of us. We do like competition, but mostly for fun, much like your little game of tag with Fluttershy. Can you understand that?"

This new Flutershy noded.

He thought as to how she played with Fluttershy, and how careful she was with her, and told her his thought on it. "Some do go too far in them, and some do get hurt because of it. But most ponies are like us here. We do care for one another, possibly not as well as we could, or even should, but we do care on how well others are doing. We are willing to help those in need, when we can. As you can see we are willing to do for you."

Chaser was starting to feel shaky as to what this new Fluttershy said in the past and what she said now. So this is what I have taken her from. No wonder she was afraid I might get hurt by them. If she can speak this well, be as coordinated as she is, and change form while this young, they might be very powerful, smart, and indeed do great harm to all of us if they wished.

Chaser continued to worry. This is so much more serious than I thought. Yes, as alicorns they could do a lot of damage, and none of us might be able to stop them. I am in way over my head. Not just her.

But she is right, if her clan does feel this way about us, none of us, not even the authorities can just take her to them and hope for the best. Even if other ponies go looking for her clan, for her sake.

All of this just might even start a war, if not handled right. I can't let that happen. I can't let anyone find out about her. But how? I am still back at where I started, only the stakes are much higher than I ever thought. This concerns all of us, not just her, or my family. What do I do!? 

The new Fluttershy could see the concern dripping off Chaser. She could tell he was in a state of worry like she once was when she first came here. She wondered if she could do anything about this, herself. 

She asked of herself, Can I help? 

She looked at herself, and it gave her an idea. It took no effort to stay this way. I like looking like Fluttershy. But that would look odd to others they know, to see two of us. I am sure of it. They all look different, unlike me and my clan. I should not stay this way. But if I did look like them, like I do now, my clan would never find me. These nice ponies would be safe then, I think. 

She thought she might give her idea a try. She looked at the three of them. She tried to repeat what she did when she accidentally changed into Fluttershy. She gave her idea a go. In another green swirling flash she changed again. Only now she looked red like Chaser, but kept the same pink mane and tail of Fluttershy. She also had the same green eyes of Stella.

So now she looked a little like all three of them. She was also feeling extra drained and tired, from the game of tag and changing twice.

The other three took stock of this new look of hers. Chaser shouted, "I don't care how young you are, that is brilliant!"

He had a moment of concern again. "They, the others, your clan, can they tell who you are if you look like that?"

She shook her head, "No."

They all noticed that her voice had changed again as well. Her voice was slightly deeper than Fluttershy's but not by much.

Stella had her own concerns. "How long can you stay that way?"

The new little red pegasus foal took a moment to answer as she thought about how she felt, and thought of what little she did know about the changelings abilities to change. She did not feel any strain from keeping her form, as tired as she is. She did not know how long. But she felt with all things considered, she should be able to stay this way with no trouble.

She was not sure how to tell Stella this. Such concept of time was not something she thought about much. She did her best to answer. "I not change again. If I not want to." she said while a little worried if what she said was true. She did not wish to lie to them if she was wrong.

Stella felt sorry to ask, but felt she must, "Then do you mind keeping that form? It would help if you did. It would help us a lot."

The new red pegasus foal filly nodded. "Yes," She felt a little better.

Stella breathed a sigh of relief, and so did Chaser.

Chaser felt grateful for what she has done. He can tell she is thinking of them. He felt he should tell her so. "What you are doing for us is very thoughtful little one. Thank you. I am very grateful you are willing to do this for us.

“I hope you still understand I don't feel good about keeping you from your clan. Not if you wish to be with them. I can see you do understand how important it is for me to keep my family safe though. That includes you as well now. I want nothing bad to happen to you either. That is why I intend to take care of you from now on, so long as you are with us."

Chaser added, "Well now that we are making you part of this family, we not only need to give you a name, but a backstory as to who you are, and why you are with us. Ponies will ask."

Stella nodded in agreement. "Yes, and the sooner the better."

She looked back over to the new young red pegasus foal. "I must admit you are incredibly smart for someone so young. You are helping us a lot with that trick of yours. And it was very smart of you to think of it. And very thoughtful of you to think of us and our safety. Both in telling us it is possibly not safe for us to go looking for your kind, and now in making this change for us as well. I am very, very grateful for that.

“And I must admit, this is not something many would think of, never mind one of your age. I am glad to have you here with us, so we at least got a chance to know someone like you. You are one special little filly."

The little red pegasus was beaming with pride do to the praise.

The look of their now red colored guest gave Chaser a though. She looks like one of us now. Heck she still looks exactly like Fluttershy. Her form did not change, only her body color, and voice. She looks like she could blend in as one of the family now, not just as some foal we found. She looks as if she could be one of our own, actually. A real twin sister to Fluttershy to be precise. 

This made Chaser come up with an idea of his own. He was hatching a plan as he thought about the possibilities, and how to make it work.

Once he felt he had it, he confessed his plan to Stella. "Honey, It's a long shot, but I think I have a way of telling and convincing others that she is ours."

Stella looked to him with confusion. "What! How? It's been over two months since Fluttershy and I got home from the maternity ward. Most anyone we know, knows we only had one foal."

Chaser nodded in agreement, but he was thinking of one thing Stella might have overlooked. "Yes, but the one who helped with the delivery was the only other with us then during the delivery. Only Patience would know how many we really had. She has been a friend of the family for years, and my friend for much longer. If I talk to her, I might, just might be able to have her tell another story."

Stella glared at him. She felt he has one crazy plan in mind. She also felt he spent too much time with Kicker. One that gave him enough odd ideas as it was. "And what story would that be?"

Chaser sighed. He did not know how she would take this, but he did feel it was a good plan, or at the least the best he got. "That we had two fillies, but one we thought was stillborn, and didn't make it."

Stella was wondering where he was going with this. She was already not not liking what he told her so far.

Chaser continued as he saw her still questioning this. "Patience could say she checked her over better and found her alive, even after we had left, she kept this to herself. After finding this out about our presumed lost foal, she wished to nurse her back to full health on her own. To make sure our other little one was going to live, as weak as she was, before telling us about it.

“She wanted to be sure herself before getting our hopes up that she would make a full recovery and be able to live. So we would not have known about her being alive till today. After Patience just now telling us about it."

Chaser has his front hooves out in a giving gesture, after giving that bit of revelation of an idea. As if to say, and there you have it.

Stella got frantic. "What! That is crazy talk. It's been much too long for something like that. We can't ask her to say something like that either!" Stella knew he had one crazy plan in mind, but not this crazy.

Chaser looked to her with worry, and felt defeated that she didn't just go for it. "Why not? It would be perfect. And she would officially be ours. No pony would question it. Patience would be held under confidentiality. She does not have to say it didn't happen that way. Not if this info was agreed upon by all of us to be kept between us. It is part of her profession to keep such secrets, it is for the protection of any family she deals with. Namely us, as well."

Chaser was looking practically pleading now. "Patience has always been good to us, I think she might do it if we come clean with her about the entire situation.

“If we are going to ask her to lie for us, we might as well let her in on what it is she will be asked to lie about. Please say you will do this. It is a good plan. I am sure it will work if we get her in on it. It might be, the only way."

Sella shook her head. She was not happy at all with his suggestion. But as it was, she couldn't think of anything better, at the moment. "I don't like this idea. Not one bit. But, if she does say yes, then... I just have to say, this crazy scheme of yours better work or we will have two other ponies that will know of our guest."

Chaser was visibly relieved by Stella relenting.

Stella felt all this foolishness was too much. As she thought of it more she thought it is worth a shot. This situation was thrust upon them the moment Chaser found this little lost foal. And she felt they needed to do something now. She pointed to Chaser. "You go ask Patience to come over here. And tell her to come alone. But not until after we give our new member to our family a name. Depending on what Patience says, I will go with this plan of yours. We also have Kicker to deal with after as well. You told me that he knows of her too."

Chaser gave a slight chuckle then rolled his eyes. "Cloud Kicker, again! He won't be a problem I tell you. If anything he will just get a big laugh out of this as he already has. The guy is just a big joker, but he is trustworthy.

“He will go along with this if I ask him too. He would like to be in on something like this anyway. It would be fun for him, and it would be just like him to keep this kind of secret for us."

Stella shrugged. She felt Chaser knew Kicker better than she did. Chaser did hang out with him at times, even after Stella and Chaser got married. "If you're sure about it."

Chaser shook his head some. "I am not sure about any of this. It is all a long shot. But it's what I got. Now for a name."

Stella surprised herself, as she thought of one. "Hows about Triumph? We could say we called her that after finding out she lived, even after us giving up hope that she wouldn't, in all this time."

Chaser brightened as she said this. He knew Stella could be more than reasonable at times. Even imaginative as well. He loved her for that, and more. "Oh' Honey I could just kiss you!"

And at that, he did. He leaned in, held her by her cheeks, and gently pulled her head in closer to his own. Then kissed her.

The young red pony, felt that same strong feeling that she liked before, but now it is coming from both of them. Much of her sadness and worry melted away as she took in what was going on.

She felt stronger by this as well. The earlier draw on her from her past two changes and game of tag no longer burdened her. She liked this, she liked this a lot.

Chaser smiled to Stella affectionately. "I love you so much Stella. I am glad you are willing to go along with this. And Triumph sounds like a fine name."

He now turned to the new red foal sitting in front of them who held a grin. "What do you think of it? Wish to be named Triumph?"

At this point she didn't care. She saw that they are happy with it, and she did not wish to argue.

After she gave it some thought, She felt she did like it. She was not sure if it was a fitting name, do to all the trouble she caused them so far, but she did like it.

It sounded bold and strong, like a survivor. And if that is how they wished to see her as, a survivor, then she felt she could be happy with that. She gave him a nod with a big-big smile to show her approval.

Chaser nodded, feeling she is going to be okay with this. "Well, that is settled then too. I should not waste time. I should head out to get Patience. We need to get everything with her settled quickly before anything else can happen. I can't believe we are doing this. Your right Stella, this is crazy. All of it. But sometimes crazy works. And I hope it does this time too."

Chaser got up and headed for the door. As he opened the door, Stella called out to him. "Good luck!"

Chaser turned and grimaced. He knew they all needed much more than luck on their side at the moment. "Save it. We will both need it more when I get her here."

He next continued out the door and closed it.

Stella brought her attention back to Triumph. "Well, little one, it looks like we now wait."

The little red foal Triumph felt concerned, and confused, yet something about all of this felt good too. She asked, "I am to be family?"

Stella nodded. She placed a hoof under the little red foal's chin. "That's the idea. If all goes well, you will be known after as my and Chaser's daughter. I will be your new mom. Chaser will be your new dad. Lastly, you and Fluttershy will be sisters from now on too.

Stella removed her hoof as she let Triumph think, and have time for all this to sink in.

Triumph sat in awe from all this going on. It was a little more than she thought she could take in for one moment. I have been so wrong about them! 

She looked around at the other two in the room with her, then to the floor. Her breathing got heavy. I... I don't know at all what to think. I am a changeling not a pony.

Stella could see Triumph is looking visibly upset. She wished to know what she is thinking.

Part of what Triumph is thinking pleased her. They will have me as one of them, and I would like to be, but... 

Her breathing got heavier. Do I let them? Do I have a choice? 

Her breathing got even more heavy, as heavy as the weight of the situation she felt sitting on her, the more she thought about it.

The situation felt quite final. A new life away from her clan. She did not know if she could do this, but the situation gave her few to no other options.

Can I even live as one of them, as a pony? I am not a pony! Can I do this!? Can I even pretend to be one of them? Can I really make this work?

Triumph started to panic.

Both Fluttershy and Stella could see Triumph's state change to something that worried both of them. Fluttershy looked up to her mom. "Mom, She OK?"

Stella gave Fluttershy a little squeeze. "I don't know sweetie." She turned her attention back up to Triumph. "Triumph, what's wrong honey? Please, you can tell me."

Triumph looked back up to Stella, in her panicked state. "How do I be a pony!?"

Stella took a chance to reached out to her. She leaned forward and put her hooves around her, then she pulled her in close to herself, and next to Fluttershy.

She let Triumph lean her head against her chest. With both foals in her grip, she carefully stroked Triumph's back with a hoof. "It'll be OK. Chaser and I will do everything we can for you. You are not alone. I promise."

Triumph looked up to Stella as Stella talked.

"I know you are not used to being around us. You must feel us as odd to you, as how I first felt about you when I first saw you. It's going to be hard to live another life with others you don't know. We will try to make this as easy for you as possible."

Stella paused for a moment. She talked more softly now. "But you know, you have shown so much courage in coming here as you did. You are smart for your age as well. That is for as young as you seem. You know, I don't even know how old you are."

Triumph knew what Stella is getting at. She wished to say something about it, she knew it has been on their minds. "I was told, I am less than a year."

Stella looked at her in awe, and with a gasp. "Oh' My gosh!" 

Stella forgot to say calm. "You are less than a year old!?"

She caught herself. She did not wish Triumph to think she was upset by this news. She went back to talking softly again. "Well, you do speak very very well for your ageI must say."

Stella gathered her thoughts on this entire situation. She is very smart for her age, as I keep saying to myself.

But How? She can even reason we should not go looking for her kind in fear we might get hurt by them. It is sad to see one so young have so much concern, about so much as she does.

This is not the sort of thinking I would expect for one less than a year old. Someone of four, or five, maybe. At the very least.

This is remarkable. Maybe this might have something to do with her being like an alicorn, perhaps. I wish I knew.

She seems to have what it takes to pretend to be a pony if she wishes too. She will just need some guidance. We can give her that. 

After she had a moment, Stella continued to talk to her. "I do believe that if you stay strong you will find your new given name will suit you perfectly. You will triumph as a pony, and we will help you along the way so you can. You will find it not so bad to be a pony like us.

“And in time, if you wish to find your own kind again, to be with them, we will not stop you. You can do whatever you wish."

Stella thought about that right after, knowing Triumph's ability to change form. "I just hope that if you one day do go, that you don't forget us."

Stella noticed as she held her that Triumph felt like a normal winged pony.

She took a moment to stroke across the top of her head, partly out of curiosity. Everything felt normal. She felt exactly the same as holding Fluttershy, And the horn was gone. It was not an illusion. It was a true full transformation copy, Stella knew only a strong magic could do that.

She was expecting that Triumph only looked like a pony now, but would still be something else to the touch. This was not so.

Stella also realized she would not have known what she normally felt like. Only Chaser was the one to touch her before her change into this red pony foal, and Fluttershy while playing tag with her.

Stella wondered how far this transformation went. She wondered if Triumph is a real pony now, or if she is still part of whatever she is. Stella knew Triumph could still change again, even if she didn’t seem to have her horn anymore.

She now wished to have suggested that Chaser ask Patience to bring what she needed for a small examination.

Though giving it another thought she knew that such a thing might be too much for this young foal trying her best to fit in. The sort of thing Chaser was trying to avoid putting Triumph though by keeping her, and not taking her to the authorities.

Perhaps such an examination could wait till much later, once Triumph gets more settled in. It has been a big day for her, so far. Though it has been a big day for each of us, and the day is far from over.

~~~~~~

Chapter Three: I Have A Sister.

Chaser flew over to the clinic. He hoped that Patience would be there. He reached the door. He took a deep breath, then walked in.

He made his way to the reception desk. The receptionist was not there. He looked about for her. Great. Wouldn't you know, in a rush, and no pony is here. 

He heard a voice he recognized calling to his right, and down the hall. He took a look as a mint green young mare with a light blue main was waving to him. Oh' forget the receptionist! I just found who I am looking for.

He made his way to Patience who is waiting for him after seeing him.

As he got to her she spoke first. "Why hello my Lucky Star. So how is the wife and your new bundle of joy? There isn't a problem is there? Is Fluttershy sick? Should I get my things? I should probably get my things, shouldn't I?

Patience despite her name was not always patient herself. She rifled off a few more questions before Chaser had a chance to answer even one of them. "This is about her third month home, after her four days of stay here, and problems with a newborn is not too uncommon. Even after such a time at home.

“Actually I am none to surprised that you have shown up. So what seems to be her symptoms? Does she have a cough? Is she hot to the touch? Did she try to fly? Some do try that young. Successfully I might add! Did she hurt herself? Do you think she twisted something? I'll just go get my things. Come with, you got to tell me what I need to prepare for."

Chaser loved his friend dearly, but right now he was getting rather impatient himself, while waiting for an opening to speak with her. "Please Patience, stop! It's not Fluttershy. She is fine."

Patience gave a quick nod. "Well, that I am glad to hear. So you must be here about Stella. It's not all too uncommon for the mother to develop a few complications as well, even after being home for this amount of time. So, is she feeling queasy? Is she having dizzy spells? A loss of energy? Is she sleepy. Is she hot to the touch?"

Chaser rolled his eyes, and felt he needed to interrupt her again. "No! It's not Stella. She is fine as well."

Patience gave a smirk with a touch of playful mirth to her body language. "So you came to see me for yourself, have you, for a personal need? Well, you dog you! Come to flirt with me then?"

She bat her eyes at him playfully. "You know I am not that kind of mare, I don't fool around with a married stallion."

She gave him a light playful swat with her tail as she turned around to head back into the room she was in. Before she got far she tilted her head back to him with that same smirk. "For you though, I just might make an exception," She finished with a wink.

Chaser shook his head. I can't believe her. Well, actually, yes I can. 

She had always been like this with both him and Kicker. In mild frustration he implored to her. "Patience! Please!"

She chuckled some, then turned back to him fully. "I'm sorry, just teasing you. So, what are you here for? What ails you my friend?" She finished asking with a sheepish grin.

Chaser felt relieved that she might stop, and was going to give him a moment to speak. He hoped it would last for more than a moment before she started in with the questions again. "Please just let me talk."

Patience looked a little sorry. This made him feel he just might be able to get a few more words in. "We have a situation at home. Bring a few of your things if you wish, but I don't think you are going to need any of them. It is a family issue, not an illness or injury. I can't tell you much more here, but I must ask that anything you see, you keep off the books. Literally. OK?"

Patience stood there a little confused. "Well, I am not a family counselor you know, but you come here to see me personally. Didn't you?" Chaser nodded. "Well, if you feel I can help, in that case I will have to close any appointments and transfer them to Heart Healthy till I get back. I am not leaving one of my best friends hanging."

Patience now stood in thought. "Though I am not booked, up or have any other appointments today, so I think I will skip that and just head out with you. I will at least let the desk know I am leaving. Oh' Gotta get my small personal emergency med kit. Never know when I might need that." Patience quickly headed in and out of the room she had previously came out of. She had a small light-brown faux leather bag in her mouth. She said as best she could with the bag in her mouth, "Reddy!" Then she headed to the front desk.

Patience got to the reception desk and put her little bag down. The receptionist is there this time. Patience gave her the word she is heading out. "Please direct any new appointments for me today to Heart Healthy. I am heading out today, and am not sure when I will be back. OK? Bye!"

Patience without waiting for a response picked up her little bag and headed out the door where Chaser was already waiting. Patience thought to herself, He is in a rush. I hope this is nothing too serious. Or actually, why would he be here, to see me at this moment, about something secret, if it wasn't? I will find out soon enough I guess.

The two headed off to Chaser's home. Patience had hoped that he would fill her in at least a little along the way, but he would not say a thing.

The two got to the door. Chaser turned to Patience before either one had gone in. "Patience, as I said, we have a very unusual situation in there. I need you to promise me that you not tell anyone what I show to you."

This put Patience a little on edge that he be this insistent about this, mostly with her. 

Though in her short time as a family doctor and pediatrician specialist, she has seen in her profession bad situations before. So she felt there was little he could show her that could shock her. She also trusted him. She agreed to his condition.

She put her bag down for a moment so she could tell him so. "I will treat this as patience and doctor confidentiality, as would be expected. Better yet, I promise to keep it off the books entirely, as you previously suggested. Now let's get in there, I am dying to know what this is all about."

Chaser nodded then opened the door. Patience quickly stepped inside after picking up her bag. She just as quickly squealed.

This made Chaser jump inside, as though something was wrong. Then he saw her rush inside as he followed her in.

She dropped her bag halfway in, then she gave a cooing sound, "Ooooo... She is so Cute!" She moved in to pick the little red foal up who was sitting next to Fluttershy.

As she did she looked about to the other two adults. "Who is she? She is indeed so cute! And she looks a little like each of you. Actually, other than her color, she looks exactly like Fluttershy. How odd."

Triumph was scared stiff the moment some unknown mint green pony with light blue main rushed in, and quickly picked her up. This fear melted just as quickly as she could feel that same comforting feeling she liked coming from this new pony as well.

Patience was now rubbing a hoof under the little one's chin playfully. This made Triumph giggle. That made Fluttershy giggle as well, as she watched.

Chaser closed the door as he said, "Well, I brought you here to help us establish that. You well know, she is not ours. In fact, she is not even a pony, not like us anyway."

Patience looked at the little one she is holding. "Not a pony? Well, she looks like a healthy little pony to me!"

She sat down as she continued to hold her. "So if she is not yours- Well, Yes, I know she is not yours!" She rolled her eyes after. "Who does she belong to then? Is she homeless or something?"

Stella answered, "Yes, something like that. Actually it is much more complicated than that. Please put her down and let her come to me. She has something to show you, and I think it is best you are not holding her when she does."

Patience put her down, while feeling a little hurt. "Well, okay if you insist, but you know I would never hurt her right? What is this about anyway? This is starting to seem a little strange. Well, more than this already has."

Her eyes darted back and forth between Chaser and Stella, then rested on the new little red foal.

Triumph headed back to Stella as Stella replied, "Oh' things have yet to get strange, we are no-wheres near halftime yet. Just stay sitting. You just might need to for this.

Patience felt that she might need to prepare herself to see something as odd as the little one explode or something. She got for herself an unease vibe like something bad was about to happen. She sat as quiet as she could waiting to see what was next. 

She felt herself overreacting emotionally inside. Being asked to put the little red foal down, over what might happen, made her a little extra jumpy.

Triumph was already sitting next to Stella, and Chaser sat down on the other side of Triumph. Fluttershy started to get all excited as she blurted out, "Do it, Blue Eyes!"

This made Patience lean in a little more. She knew this little pony did not have blue eyes. So what Fluttershy said did not make sense to her, and kept Patience more confused over the situation. She focused right on the red foal she was recently holding.  

Triumph prepared herself to reveal her true form to this new stranger. She felt odd about feeling uneasy at looking her normal self in front of others.

With a small will of courage she built up energy in her. In a green swirl of magic, the little red foal was replaced by a dark gray pony looking thing with fangs, deep sky-blue eye, thin transparent teal wings, and a curved little horn on her head.

Patience looked in shock, while putting her hooves to her own cheeks. "Oh' my gosh! What is that!"

Stella quickly replied, "Yes, that was my first reaction. See now, why I asked you to put her down?"

Patience never took her eyes off the unusual little gray filly as she nodded. "So what is she? Why did you need me to see her? Is she sick? You never said anything about this."

Stella shook her head. "No, not that I know of. We did need you to see her though. For another reason."

Patience continued looking at this odd foal. "Not that I am complaining or anything. She is very unusual. And look at those blue eye. Those very blue eyes. I mean WOW! Just look at them. No wonder Fluttershy mentioned them. Why, they practically make her as cute, and adorable as ever." 

She lifted her head slightly to glance up at Stella. "Can I hold her again?" Patience looked hopeful.

Stella was a bit surprise that Patience is taking this so well. "Well, I don't see why not. That is if she will let you."

Patience leaned forward and had her hooves open wide in an invitation to the little dark gray foal. "Come here. I won't hurt you. I just want to see you a little better. Is that OK?"

By this mint green pony's behavior to her, Triumph felt she was safe to be near. So with a smile she walked back to Patience's waiting hooves as requested. Plus she could not resist the temptation to find out if she would feel the same around this pony again as before.

Patience carefully picked her up again. Patience was pleased at getting to hold her once more. She found out she did not feel anything like she first thought she might. The little one's shiny exterior made Patience first think she had a bug like hard carapace shell. She was not like this at all. She was softer then she looked. Her exterior was smooth and glossy, but had give like soft leather. Over all she now seems more like an odd reptile than any kind of bug. A bit of a mix she thought. She was extraordinary to Patience. A truly alien pony to behold.

Patience remarked as she continued to tease and tickle the little one in her care. "I never saw anything like her before. I did see in an article once, something about a far off race of strange and possibly powerful ponies called changelings.

This got the attention of everyone in the room, as though everything had just stopped.

Triumph was pleased herself that she could still feel what she had while being near this new pony again. But she paused her giggling when she heard Patience mention the name changelings.

This made Patience pause at tickling her. But Patience wished to continue with what she wanted to say as she looked down on who she is holding.

This made Triumph a little uneasy, and unsure what to think. Her yes widened some while in thought. She knows of us...

Patience took note of Triumph's change in her eyes as she continued. "The findings was over six-hundred years ago. I do wonder if she is one of them. The description of them is just like her. They were described of as all Dark gray ponies. They all have full blue eye, light-green transparent bug like wings, a small curved horn, fangs, and legs with holes in them. All of them, just like her."

Stella had to ask, "Do you really think she is one of them?"

Patience gave it some thought, then looked to Stella. "I think it is very possible. I don't see why not. She fits the description perfectly. As for me, and what I truly think, I really would not know. I only know of the name from the article, as a sort of legend long ago."

Patience got herself more comfortable before she continued. She also felt unusual about holding something that might be what she is beginning to talk about. She never thought she would ever see one. "Some explores calling themselves The Outbacks had found them. But no mention of where. There was a short study made on these changelings by them, but not much info obtained, or that is given in the article. I think they were holding back much more on what they found.

"What was said is that there is a lot of them. They seemed very methodical in what they did. Some watched, while others worked, but those that watched was not looking at the workers, but looking out for them. It did not look like any kind of slavery going on.

“Patrols walked the perimeter. In and around the mass group. Again, not looking like they were keeping the others in line or anything like that, but looking for anything else.

"They lived and worked around a dark castle structure, looking like it was made of lava rock. The walls of it looked twisted and craggy. It had a foreboding feel to it they said.

"Some of these changelings left in groups all over. And brought back many things. It did not look like they farmed anything, but scavenged what they can find from all around.

"Something about it, looked like some kind of emptiness to it all, to the explorers. No art, no music, some of the young did play, but looked like structured play time. As if play was to meet some kind of goal. Play, seems more like a learning task than anything else.

"The older ones fought for sport, but it did not look like sport, or for fun. It looked like more training. The whole place was more like a structured military camp then a community of individuals."

Patience took a glance down at the little unusual thing she is holding. She noted the teeth and the horn as well as the wings. Then she imagined being around a lot more like her, but bigger. The thought bothered her a bit.

Triumph noticed this. It made her wonder more as to what this mint green pony was thinking about her.

Patience then looked back into those deep blue eyes. To see these eyes in one so young looking, made Patients feel more calm.

Seeing Patience relax more, Triumph felt she may not need to fear the ponies finding out of her being a changeling. She felt it might not matter. She wondered more about what the ponies do think of changelings. As she has been listening she been discovering the ponies did not know them well at all, it would seem. Only a few might know a little about them, like Patience does. 

Patience again went back to enjoying holding this strange foal in her care, as she continued her tail while looking at the other two adults. "The sight of them scared the explores and they did not feel safe getting to close, or sticking around for too long.

“They also put a note not to go looking for them. That is possibly why there was no mention of where they were found. How they came up with the name I do not know. That is all I know. The article was quite vague about everything. Again, I think purposely. As if the article was meant to be more of a warning than anything else. A worning on that they exist, but should not be contacted or discoverd again by any pony."

Patience stopped and looked back down to the little odd foal she is holding. She remembered the foal suddenly going still after she said changeling, and had to ask, "So you know this name, changeling?"

Triumph just stared at her while staying still, not sure if she should answer. She just blinked, but nothing else for a moment.

Triumph is considering Patience question. She fidgeted a bit as she tried not to look at Patience as she thought. They don't know what I am. They don't know what a changeling is. I don't think they would hate me for being one. I thought any of the ponies might not like me if they know I am a changeling, because my clan don't like the ponies. I thought the ponies don't like changeling either. But, that is not so. So, is it okay if I do tell them then?

Triumph looked back at Patience with both more wonder and worry. She hoped telling them would be okay, but out of fear, she still resisted.

Patience took her overall behavior as a sign of recognition. She looked back up to Stella. "I think she does know this name. But she seems reluctant to say. That is, if she can talk. I am sure she knows."

Stella and Chaser both nodded their heads. Chaser spoke. "Yes, I think she is reluctant to say as well, and she can talk. I found this out when I found her. The whole time, both Stella and I have felt she has be holding back something about herself. Despite everything else she has said to us."

Patience took on a look of interest as Chaser continued. "I found her while on my way home. She was all alone while being chased by a young wyvern."

At this Patience brought a hoof to her mouth. "Oh, no! The poor thing. She must have been terrified. Being all alone with some monster chasing after her. So, then what happened?"    

Chaser continued. "The wyvern got a hold of her. But I hit it, making it drop her. After making sure to chase the wyvern away, I went back to look for her.

"When I did find her she was on the run again. I found she was running from me after. She was actually afraid of me! I was sure of it then."

He took a moment to collect his thoughts on what happened after. "So I lowered myself to her and started to talk to her calmly, in order not to scare her more than she alredy was. That is when I found she could talk. After I brought her home, I found she can talk much better than I first thought, I might add."

He paused as he thought of her time talking. "It is amazing the vocabulary she has at her age. Actually, I have no idea just how old she is. I just assumed she is as young as Fluttershy, but she might be four or five years old for all I know, and just small for her age, or just looks small and real young to us."

Stella took that moment to interrupt, by clearing her throat. "While you were out, I had a little chat with her. She told me she is not even a yearling yet. Though this still does not give us an exact age. Still it does make her ability to talk as well as we found so far, to be rather remarkable.

“Fluttershy can say a few words, but not think as well as Triumph yet. Maybe her kind learns faster than us or something. I do wish I knew more about her. But the name is a start. That is if indeed she is one of these changelings in that article your found."

Patience nodded, "Right. So what else can you tell me? What did she tell you? And why are you sharing all of this with me? I would almost suggest giving her over to the authorities, but if that article I read was right about changelings being possibly dangerous, and none we should be dealing with, I am not so sure that would be the right move. That is to tell any that you have her."

Patience took a moment to stroke under Triumph's chin again. Not a tickle this time, but a soft caressing. Triumph liked this more, and smiled.

Patience loved the little ones. This one was no different to her. This adorable bundle Patience saw her as, please Patience to have around. As this continued Triumph felt that same feeling she liked again while with her.

Triumph thoughts swayed as she struggled with these conflicting emotions. All of them are concerned about my clan. They feel I am a changeling now. But this one holding me... She... She must know I am a changeling and she does not hate me for it. She likes me still. I can feel it. She likes me a lot. Why? And do I tell them? Should I?

Patience continued talking as she pampers the little bundle with care and affection. Patience hoped she could help make who she has, feel more at ease. "She does not seem mean or dangerous, but that does not say the rest of them are not.

“Besides, there has been no formal announcement about them to the community, and I am sure both of the Princesses knows of them. Celestia and Cadence both might. That is if I do. Neither one has said anything about this to any of us, as far as I know.

“Celestia herself might not wish for any of us to get involved with them either, if she dose know of them. This is possibly why hardly anypony has ever talked about them. 

"So, as I asked, what do you know? What did she say to you?"

Chaser gave a sigh. "We are getting to that. What little we do know, from what she said, is her kind doesn't like ponies. She did not want us looking for them. She thinks they might hurt us if we end up found by them, likely due to that they don't like us. So you might be right about that article you found, being some kind of warning. She has given us such a warning herself.

"As you can see, she has both a horn and wings like an alicorn. And as such, they all have power. Perhaps great power. She told us they can all do many sorts of magic. One thing they can do well is change form. Even at her age she was able to do it.

"You know, I now think that name changeling does fit. She got excited when she did change, as if expecting to at some time.

"Not even a unicorn goes through spontaneous form changes. Not that I know of. Perhaps some do. Unicorns do have that talent to change things, even themselves, among other magics they can cast. But her excitement about changing, that makes me wonder now."

Chaser moved himself a little closer to Patience and Triumph. He leaned down to Triumph some, and asked with a gentle voice, "Please tell me. Are you a changeling?"

Triumph nodded her head while feeling that she might as well give in, and tell him the truth. She felt she could trust him to know now.

Stella stepped in on this, "Well, we have a name for what she is now. And what we do know about about them confirms we can't just bring her back to them. Or tell anyone else about her. We just don't know what might happen after that. And Chaser and I have decided to keep her.

Patience tilted her head a little with her attention on Stella. "So, you didn't want me to help you to go find them or something? That is not why I am here? I am a doctor after all, not an explorer as you know. I don't mind doing a little traveling, but that is for having a vacation. I am not into dangerous missions, as you seem to think this might be. So I am guessing that is not what I am here for. So, then what?"

Chaser chucked some. "No, nothing like that. Something a little easier, but you may be just as reluctant at doing it, just the same. We want you to lie for us."

At this Patience laughed out loud and startled everyone, mostly Triumph and Fluttershy.

Fluttershy now hid next to Stella, and pulled the big bunny close to her and hugged its head. Triumph remained still in Patience's hold.

Patience stopped her laughing and the two foals calmed down as well. With a smile out of amusement, Patience continued. "Oh' is that all?! Alright, spill it. What is this about? From what Stella said, you do intend to keep her, right?"

Chaser sighed again. "Yes, we wish to keep her as our own. Not adopt, but say she is ours, our foal. Stella's and mine."

Patience stifled a chuckle. She eyed Chaser as she asked, "Alright, how do you intend to manage that one!? And what does this have to do with me?"

She thought for a moment then gasped, before Chaser could respond again. Her eyes went wide, then she spoke sounding a bit frantic. "Do you intend for me to tell everyone and put it on record that this unusual pony, or changeling is yours? That Stella had her the same day she had Fluttershy? Is that what you are asking me? Is that why you came specifically to see me!?"

Chaser gave a nod. "You are one smart cookie. No wonder you got through med school at your age to become a family doctor. Yes, that is what we are asking. That you say, we had two foals, but one was thought to be stillborn, but you found out later she was instead alive! Some time after, and decided to make sure she was going to stay alive before telling us about it. And that day is today! Yes, Three months after having her. But today, just the same."

Patience brought a hoof to her head as she slid it down the side of her face. "Unbelievable! I would think Kicker put you up to this. But I am guessing you came up with this yourself? This is too much!"

Chaser asked with worry in his voice. "So you won't do it?"

Patience gave him a smirk, then talked more calmly. "I didn't say that. It's just not something one hears everyday. You know?

“I mean, what you are asking is not impossible. I could do it. The paperwork would not be the problem. I can deal with that.

“It's the lie. If something goes wrong. If someone finds out the truth. My reputation could be shot. I might even lose my position in the clinic, for falsification. Do you understand what you are asking of me. What if another pony sees her like this?"

Triumph understood her worry. Part of it anyway. She did understand her worry of another finding her looking like a changeling. And that might be trouble to them all. She felt that showing her true form to others is not such a good idea anymore. Not with what everyone was saying.

She felt like doing what she did again, as an answer. She felt so good and recharged with her time spent around Patience, she felt she could easily give her trick another try.

With a glow to Triumph's horn Fluttershy came out from hiding to have a better look. Everyone else paid attention as well. A moment after, a swirl of green magic replaced her with her new look of a red foal, the same she had before turning back to normal.

Patience took a long hard look. "Hmmm. That is a nice trick. I almost forgot she can do that. Almost."

Triumph was not finished. She decided to tell her about her trick. "I can stay this way. No other will know."

Patience gave this some thought. Everyone else stayed silent as they gave her time to think after seeing she is thinking on it.

After a few minutes she spoke again. "I must admit, the idea is tempting."

She kept her eyes on the little red foal. "You say it is no trouble for you to stay looking like this?" Triumph nodded. "I really don't wish to say no." Patience thought some more. "If you can stay looking like this, and you all agree never to tell any other. Including you Fluttershy. No more, calling her Blue Eyes. OK?"

Fluttershy at this nodded feeling she understood.

Patience sighed. "I guess I will do this. But I must be informed of any other changes. This is risky for me. Chaser you do realize I am doing this for you and your family. And I just can't resist helping this lost foal to have a good family like yours. Or I would not be doing this at all."

Chaser leaned in and gave her a hug. "I knew you wouldn't let us down."

Patience giggled. "Oh' my! What did I tell you earlier. I'm not that kind of mare."

At this Stella felt like questioning the two. "Star Chaser! What is she getting at? What happened earlier?"

Chaser quickly let go of Patience and rolled his eyes. "Oh' nothing," he stated while trying to look as innocent as he was.

Patience giggled once more. "Oh’ I'm just teasing him again."

Patience had a thought. "I brought my little med kit."

She lifted Triumph up a bit. "Could I give her a quick examination? Nothing too invasive. I just wish to see how extensive her change is, and possibly how healthy she is."

Stella gave it some though. I was wondering this myself. I thought it best to put it off till much later. But if Patience does it right here, it should be okay. "I suppose so. I don't see any harm in it."

Patience while still having a hold of Triumph went over to get her bag, and brought it back where she sat. She placed Triumph in front of her. Then she opened her bag. She got out a stethoscope.

She breathed hard on it and gave it a good rubbing to warm it up. She knew the shock of a cold stethoscope is quite unpleasant, mostly for one that might not expect it to be so cold.

Patience leaned down to Triumph and stroked her on the top of her head. "I am going to give you a quick and simple examination. I will not hurt you though. I promise. This will be just a simple check up. Partly to tell how healthy of a pony you are. Understand?"

Triumph didn't understand a check up, or an examination. She never went through a checkup before, so she did not know what to expect. She did trust her and let her do as she wished. So she nodded just to let her know it was okay. She also felt she might learn something from this herself.

Patience nodded in response. "Perfect. Now just hold still, and let me guide you."

Patience first lifted Triumph's front left hoof, to get at her chest on her left side. She placed the stethoscope to her chest, and listened carefully. She could hear a heartbeat. She concentrated on the rhythm. After a moment she pulled the stethoscope away. "Well that sounded normal."

She shifted the stethoscope a little lower further back along the foal’s side. "Now breath in deep, and slowly."

Triumph did as asked. Patience repeated this on the other side. "Well that sounded normal as well."

She put the stethoscope back into her bag and pulled out a short wood stick, and a light. "Now please open your mouth." Triumph did as asked again. Patience used the stick to hold down her tongue as she leaned down to have a good look inside with the light.

A moment later she pulled the stick out. "Well, that looks normal also." But something was bugging her, something she wished to find out.

She beckoned for Fluttershy to come over. Patience got out another stick. She did the same check with her. After sitting up she said, "I thought so."

Stella had to ask, "Though what? What did you find?"

Patience held up a hoof. "Not sure yet. I wish to check a few more things." She looked at Fluttershy then back to Triumph. The two looked exactly the same to her, except the color as she noted earlier. But she could not understand at first why the voice was different. Inside the mouth was identical, but further back, there she found a slight difference. Normal, but not fully identical.

Patience placed her hoof under Fluttershy's chin and felt around her neck. Then she had Fluttershy turn to her side as she looked over Fluttershy's wings. She lifted the nearest wing out, and felt around it carefully.

She next felt along her side as she lifted the wing higher. She continued to feel around one of her front legs. After she brought out her light and looked into her ears. "Humm..." She exclaimed.

She then went back to Triumph and looked her over the same way as with Fluttershy. “Even in the ears are the same.”

She set down her light after turning it off. "I think I understand why her voice is different but not so much why the color is. She does have two main variations to Fluttershy. The color is the most visible.

“The area of her throat around her voice box looked, and felt different too. Aside from that, everything else with her seems exactly the same as Fluttershy. Her wings, overall shape, even her bone structure is identical.

"It is as if they are identical twins, yet with just the two main differences. Voice and color. But I can’t say why.

"I can't tell she was anything else other than a pony like us either. Whatever she is, or was, I can't find any signs of. For all I can tell without further test, I can say she is a perfectly healthy little pony foal, just like Fluttershy."

Patience put everything back into her bag and set it aside. She picked up Triumph again. And went back to tickling her under her chin. "And such a cute little pony she is. Just like Fluttershy," She said as she reached over and tickled Fluttershy some as well. Both the foals giggled.  

Chaser remembered something important. "One last thing. There is one other that knows of Triumph."

Patience remarked, "Triumph! So you did pick out a name already. I like it," She finished saying with a smile. That smile shortly became a frown. "So who is this other who knows of her?"

Chaser didn’t know what Patience’s reaction would be, so he said calmly, "You might not like this. It's Cloud Kicker. And I am not talking about the little filly."

Patience quickly face hoofed. "No. Not him."

She looked back to Chaser. "Tell me you're kidding. You are kidding, right?"

Chaser shook his head slightly. "Nope. He was the first to see me with her."

Patience tilted her head and asked with worry. "So, what do you intend to tell him then?"

Chaser shrugged. "The truth. He knows of her already, and he asked to let him know whatever I find out about her. He will keep this a secret."

Patience raised her voice a little. "You think that joker can keep something like this a secret?"

Chaser nodded. "Yes. Sure. We both know he is a little off at times, and he likes a little horse play every now and then. We both know that, but he is a good guy. Something else you should know, as well as I. We spent enough time with him while growing up. So, what’s the problem? 

Chaser sat while rubbing the bottom of his chin. He knew Patience use to flirt with Kicker at times. "To tell the truth, I am a little surprised that the two of you never hit it off, or even got together. The two of you are more alike than you may seem to think. At least to me, you both are.

“You gotta admit, he's fun to hang out with. He most always was. He made you laugh plenty. Even Miss. Fussy Misty has taken a shine to him lately. So how bad can he be? Why didn’t you grab him yourself?"

Patience looked down. "He is not my type."

Chaser chuckled. "Sure he isn't. And Celestia really doesn't raise the sun every morning. 

“I have seen how you were like around him. That is mostly why I am surprised the two of you are not together now. I am willing to bet you are just jealous that Misty got to him first. Am I right?"

Patience took on a look of shock, then calmed herself, and sighed. "OK. You got me. Can't fool you about it, can I? I am a little upset with him in choosing Misty instead of me. Like you said, we did spend a lot of time together. And well..."

Chaser Opened his mouth wide. "Oh' I see. You did have a crush on him after all. I thought so. You weren't just flirting with him just for laughs. So, why did you wait so long to tell him the truth?"

Patience nodded. "I did have a crush on him. I just wished he noticed I did. And not think I was just... I don't know... Having fun at his expense. You know, joking around as friends sometimes do. I wish he saw me as... You know, the successful career mare I was trying to be.

"I should have pursued him like Misty did. He probably was not even looking my way during the time I was spending on getting into my profession. And after I got it, he might have felt I was now out of his league.

“Now Misty is with him because she did what I didn't, and got to him first. Even though I knew him the longest."

Stella got in on this. "I am sorry Patience. I guess Misty was just a little quicker in asking him. That's how it goes sometimes. You can't always just leave them guessing, you got to at some point let them know how you feel. Like Chaser did with Me."

Stella worried that this might affect Patience’s decision. "But I am sorry. Is this going to be a problem? Do you not trust him with something like this? Are you not going to do this? Now you are aware that he knows, and knowing what he can be like?"

Patience looked to Stella then down to Triumph. While looking at Triumph she did not have the heart to say no. "I don't think it will be a problem. And Chaser is right, Kicker is better then he makes himself out to be with his goofing around, and jokes, and all. And Misty likely would not have anything to do with him if he wasn't trustworthy. So long as we can get him to keep his mouth shut about this, I think it will be fine that he knows."

Chaser suggested, "We have been cooped up for a bit, and I think it would be a good idea to get the little ones and ourselves some fresh air. We can hunt down Kicker and inform him of what is going on. But with your OK Patience, can we can say Triumph is ours?"

Patience nodded. "Yes. Officially, and legally she will be yours, once I get the paperwork settled." 

She next looked over at Fluttershy and said with a smile. "Looks like you have yourself a twin sister now."

Fluttershy smiled and jumped about. "Yea!" 

Fluttershy did not know or care about the concept that Triumph is not her biological sister. It was exciting for her to hear she has a sister at all.

Triumph leaped out of Patience's hold and started to jump about with Fluttershy. Not caring at all either wither Fluttershy was her real twin sister or not.

Triumph has many sisters, but somehow Fluttershy seemed more special to her. Fluttershy was unique. A concept she was told by her clan not to care about, or feel as important. But in this moment she did, just the same. 

Fluttershy was one out of many that meant more to her than any of the others she knew of in her clan of changelings as being a sister to her.

Part of it had to do with Fluttershy’s personality in liking her right away, much as Chaser did, and a pleasing physical appearance that told of a warm kindness about them both.

All the others in her clan were the same to her. Friendly, but lacking in a kind gentleness. Even with each other.

As Triumph though more about it, she thought Fluttershy to be so much more soft, kind, and fun to be around.

Stella was the only one to truly freak out at first seeing her. But Fluttershy just looked at her with interest, until Stella started yelling. Fluttershy continued to look at her with interest shortly after, and just wanted to play.

Now Fluttershy is to be her new sister she will get to live with. This made Triumph very happy.

Fluttershy came closer to Triumph and nuzzled her. Triumph received this same feeling she got from Chaser, and Stella, then Patience some time after. But now she is receiving it from Fluttershy. 

And there was something near electric about it this time. Something about it excited Triumph like never before. It was more than just comforting. Triumph was beginning to think she understood what it is she was receiving, and possibly feeling herself as well.

Chaser said it once to Stella, and Triumph thought on it. I love you, he said to her. So, I think this is what love is. I like it. I like it a lot. I am so glad to have come here. I... I can feel the love. And it is wonderful! It makes me feel better every time I feel it. Why have I never felt this before from my own?

This became a troubling question for her. That, and the idea she felt lied to about the ponies by her own clan. It was almost enough to make her wish never to return to her own clan of changelings.

She liked this life more than the life of a single changeling made to strive to be better for the sake of all the others. At first she felt it was the right way to be, and think. Something about that felt cold and empty to her now.

Now, she feels it is better to be loved for who you are, rather than be liked for what others want you to be for them. And better to be around others full of love, then be around those that feel you are important, so long as you make yourself important to all of them.

She was beginning to wonder if any of her kind can love like these ponies do. She wondered herself if she can love. Seeing that she is a changeling and not a pony. She wondered if she is just able to enjoy what is around her, and wondered if it is the same as love, or somehow something different?

She worried about this. Do I love my sister, just as she loves me? As a changeling, can I? Is it enough that I like her as much as I do? What is it that I do feel? Is it the love Chaser called it that I feel for Fluttershy?

Can they feel my love, if I do love my sister? Do they feel from me, what I do from them? They must. They seem so happy when I feel this coming from any of them. They must feel it as I do too. This must be love.

Triumph was not sure on how to go about asking on such a question. She was not sure if she understood it enough yet herself on what exactly to ask. So she left the question alone and continued to enjoy her time with them as best she could. Maybe it is not important. What I do have is nice anyway.

As she continued to nuzzle Fluttershy back in return, she continued to think, Yes, this is very nice. And on her face she kept a contented and very pleased smile.

Patience stated, I can't get over that she can change like this, a full change into a pony, and stay that way. Young foal unicorns can do magic, but not to this extent, and not hold it like this.

This is beyond an illusion, or even levitation. What is just as incredible is she thought to do it on her own, to help out the situation. She seems rather remarkable."

Chaser nodded. "Indeed. She was the one that gave me this idea of making her ours. It was her that first thought of changing into what you see now, to hide herself from her own kind. For us! Now she is doing it to hide her true form from other ponies too, for much the same reason. She is doing it to help out."

Chaser remembered what he had thought of her back when she was first playing with Fluttershy. "It's as if it is her calling to help others, or how she was raised to be. To think of others, more then herself.

"I am not too sure her people are all that bad, if they taught her to be so kind and helpful, even if they don't like us ponies. This thinking of her's might stick with her all her life, for all I know.

“It is a good way to be. And we will do our best to make sure she grows up still feeling it to be important to be as kind and thoughtful of others as she is now."

Chaser smirked. "She is sort of like you Patience, she is one smart cookie. And I like the idea of her being Fluttershy's sister, and for them to grow up together."

Fluttershy went over to her big stuffed bunny. She sits it up. "Bunny!" 

As Triumph joined her Fluttershy did as best she could to pick up the big toy, and accidentally dropped it on Triumph. Fluttershy fell over while doing this, and they both got smothered by the big Bunny. Both of them gigged after.

Stella came over to Chaser to put a hoof around him and lean on him in comfort. "Yes, as I said before, I think this will work out. Just look at those two. They love each other. They don't even care that they are not the same. But the way Triumph is, and looks now, who could tell?"

Stella brought her eyes over to Patience. "And thank you Patience for going along with this. I don't care if she is not mine. I will love her just as if she is mine. And I too think it will be good for Fluttershy to have a sister as well.

As far as I am concerned she is mine now, and that is how it is going to be. I actually wanted another foal, and now I have two."

Patience got back up after sitting to talk about Kicker. "Well, I am glad you got what you wanted Stella. Let's go and tend to this last matter."

She looked over to Chaser. "Did Cloud Kicker say where he was going to be?"

Chaser stood up and shook his head. "No. Darn it! I never asked where he was off to. But he seemed in a rush to get there."

Then Chaser smirked again "Oh' yes. He said something about not missing an important date. I think he is out somewhere with Misty."

Stella had a thought right after standing. She looked over at Fluttershy then to Triumph. Something was missing. Fluttershy being a foal has a diaper on. It dawned on Stella that Triumph didn't. Seeing how she did not have one, I am not too sure if she needs one. But if we are to be going out. It just would not look right if she didn't at her age.

Stella halted everyone. "You know, I just noticed Triumph does not have a diaper. I am not sure if she needs one, but I think she should. At least for appearance."

Triumph had no idea what Stella was talking about. She decided to ask. "What is a diaper?"

Stella thought to go with the most simple answer. "It's what Fluttershy is wearing."

Triumph felt that if Fluttershy has one that she should too, just to be more like her sister.

Triumph told Stella so by asking, "If she has one, can I have one?"

She still had no idea what it is for, other than something to wear. Though she did notice Fluttershy was the only one with one on. This she felt is a little odd to her, after she thought about it more. Why only Fluttershy?

She glanced around at the three adults. She noticed something else. All three adults has a mark on their rear flank. Each quite different.

Patience has one of a flying green Turtle with white wings. Stella has one of a red sphere, and five small blue stars in an oval around it. Chaser has one yellow star with a trailing arc-streak behind it.

Because Fluttershy's rear flank is covered, Triumph could not tell if Fluttershy has a mark or not. So she looked at her own rear flank and found it missing a mark. She didn't know what to make of it. She was nether upset, or happy about it. She didn't know enough about the marks to care if they had any importance. But she did like them.

Stella saw that Triumph was looking all about at each of them, and determined what it is she must be curious about, after Triumph looked at her own blank flank.

Stella knew she must have a question about it so she asked, just to be sure. "What is it sweetie? You want to know what these are?" Stella asked while pointing to her own cutie mark.

Triumph nodded, but had another question in mind. "Yes, do I get one?"

At this, Stella was not sure, But she could help answer part of her question.

Stella thought each of them here could tell her a little about their own cutie mark. She stared with what they are. "These we call a cutie mark. When one comes across their special talent, this mark appears as a statement as to what that talent is.

"Sadly not all of us ever finds out what it means, as with mine. I got mine while looking at the stars one night. I felt like I was floating among them for a time. I fell asleep. When I woke up, I had my mark. But I never found out why."

Triumph did not look so happy to Stella. Triumph did not know how to feel about that, but she did feel sorry for Stella. Stella though this might be the case.

Stella thought it best that Patience should explain hers. Stella felt Patience has a much-much better tail to tell on what hers is about. "Patience, would you tell Triumph what your cutie make stands for? You know it best."

Patience was delighted to have a chance to tell of this. "Of course I will."

Triumph, with curiosity piqued, she listened in on Patience's story.

"You see Triumph, I was always in a rush when I was little. At times, I still am. Never quite grew out of it."

Triumph felt this might take a while and decided to sit. Everyone else standing, did the same.

"Back when I was younger, I wanted everything, and now. Success and freedom, like most everyone else older than me has. I thought I could get it quickly. I was smart, and I knew it. But not smart enough, and I found that out the hard way."

Triumph knew what it is like to learn things the hard way. Her current situation was a reminder of that.

"One day when I was much younger, I was taking a test at school. It was a test on cloud formations. Simple things. Their names, what the properties of them are, if they are dangerous, how they might change, how one might deal with them, and other such things."

Triumph realized, she didn't know much about clouds herself. She didn't realize it could be a complex subject. They just looked nice to her at times. That is when they were not all dark and stormy.

"During that test, I was stuck. It was not because I didn't know the answers, I did know them. I just had my mind on other things. It was the last test for the week, and it was a long one. We each got to go out and play, but only after one finished. If you finished early, you got to leave early."

Triumph remembered this is how things are like back with her clan. At times, if she got something done she was asked to do, she could leave to play, but only after she finished. Most anything she was asked to do, including any task, was for her education. To one day make her useful to the clan.

"I had in my mind everything else but the test in front of me. I thought of what I might do after, but did not concentrate enough on the test itself. I just wanted it done and over with, but I was not finishing it."

Triumph felt she could relate. She often thought of other things she rather be doing than some task. Like when she wandered off to get away from flight practice. This she regret doing. But is now regretting it less and less. She wondered more as to what Patience did with what she was supposed to be doing.

"In time, I saw one finish and leave. I got envious. I looked at the test. I was thinking so fast, I did not come up with the answers I wanted."

Triumph knew this feeling. There was many times she saw others doing what she wanted to do, while stuck with some task or lesson. She wanted to get done with what she was doing, and fast.

"I took a deep breath, and focused. I cleared my mind and tried to think of only each question, one at a time. This was hard, as I kept getting distracted by each pony finishing and leaving, before me.

"I did my best to keep my mind steady and calm. I slowed myself down enough to think strait. Each answer came to me after. I continued to focus on only my work. In time I did finish, and I was far from last to do so."

Triumph felt happy for her. She knew how great it felt to get something done, and out of the way.

"I felt a sense of accomplishment, because I slowed myself down enough to think strait. I next to never did that, I most always rushed things, and did not do so well. This time was different. I felt right about doing it this way, at that time. Shortly after, I turned in my paper, and got my OK to go out, I also got my cutie mark. Later I also found I got all my questions correct."

Triumph liked this story. She felt she understood it some.

Patience pointed at her cutie mark. "If I slow down to work things out well, I get to fly freely through life like I wanted. As far as I can tell, It's what my cutie mark is telling me. My talent is, to figure things out well, if I take the time to do it right. I applied this to be who I am today."

Patience gave it over to Chaser. His story was not at all the same, but it did tell him what his cutie mark meant, or so he thinks. "Okay Chaser, it's your turn. Tell her what yours is about."

Chaser prepared his tail. Much like with Patience, his cutie mark helped shape his life. But his mark dealt more with luck than how he tried to do things.

"I was out, looking at the night sky. Just like Stella did, only I did not fall asleep or anything like that. I was a young colt then, and a friend to Patience. Out of the two of us, I got mine first."

Triumph liked Patience. She is glad Patience is a friend.

"As I looked, I saw what we call a shooting star. This one looked like it came down near by. I saw where it moved off to. I took a chance and searched for it."

Triumph thought she knew where this is going. An adventure story.

"I was a little too young to be off on my own. But I went on my own anyway."

At this Triumph felt something scary is going to happen next. She listened with anticipation to find out just what.

"It took longer than I thought to find whatever it is I was searching for. Actual I had no idea what it might be. I was drawn to search anyway."

Triumph no longer felt she knew what was to be next, she just hoped it wouldn't be anything bad and scary.

"I about gave up looking. Still I searched some more, while feeling I would not find it. In time I did give up. I was out way too late, and the sun was just starting to rise. I felt I would never find it now."

Triumph is at least glad nothing horrible happened like she thought yet, but him not finding anything was not good to her either.

"As I was headed back home, I saw something sparkle in the distance. Something was reflecting light from the sun as it came up. I went to see what it could be.

“And there in a patch of dirt that got punched out from this thing landing, I saw shiny light red crystals sticking out of the dirt. I knew this had to be it!

“Right when I thought I had lost it, I found it. I was sure it was what I was looking for. It was marvelous. Pinkeid-red gems coming out of the dirt. I went to pick it up, and found it to be hot. I found after a flat stone. I pushed this gem covered dirt ball onto the flat stone, using another rock.

At this point Triumph is getting excited. Does, he get it home safely? I sure hope so.

"At that time what I had was still covered in dirt. I had to get it home to clean it off, and so I did."

Triumph breathed a sigh of relief. She was glad that tension was over. She continued to hope nothing else bad might happen to him, even after this much has gone so well for him.

"I felt I should wait till it cooled before trying to clean it. So I did my best to hide it. Later that day I got it back out to finally clean it.

“When I did, I saw it was a bright yellow stone with those pinkeid-red gems coming out of it. It looked wonderful, far better than I first thought it might be. I thought to myself, what a find. After that, I got my cutie mark."

Triumph felt something must have been missing from this story. She decided to ask. "Why? That is it?"

Chaser laughed, at this question. He knew it was a simple story. "Sorry, hun. Nothing too exciting happened. All I did is find a pretty yellow stone, covered in light red gems. That is all."

Triumph felt confused, and that there still must be more to it. She didn't understand what all this meant. She pointed to his cutie mark. "Why you get that?"

Chaser smiled to her simple question. He realized she must not understand luck. That is, the luck of finding things that are valuable. "My talent is I tend to find things of value. And not all things of value are what you might think they are, when you find them."

Triumph still didn't understand. She still looked confused to him. "What is value?"

"Don't know what value is huh? Now, how do I explain?"

Triumph continued to stare, but gave a slight nod. She didn't understand value, or luck.

"I tell you what, I didn't understand it either at first. But since that time I kept finding things that held meaning for me in my life. That rock I found. In time it made me think of one pony I was starting to like."

Triumph felt this was going to turn into another story. Both Stella and Patience smiled knowing what he did with the rock, and who the pony is he was talking about.

"I was still young then, but I saw one filly of my age who moved to Cloudsdale. One that I wanted to get to know. Something about her looked so familiar to me. Something I enjoyed having around. It was my gem covered stone she reminded me of. I felt I found the one for me.

“It was like the stone I found, had told me who I was going to find. She was beautiful to me, and still is."

At this Stella felt charmed, and flattered by his words. He still thinks I am beautiful. 

Her smile broadened. Not going unnoticed by Chaser, who glanced at her and smiled back.

Triumph is still wondering who this pony is Chaser is talking about. She didn't notice the glance exchanged by Stella and Chaser made to each other. She only saw Chaser smile for a moment, but was not sure why.

"I went to talk to her. She was friendly enough, but she just was not all that interested in me at the time. Not the way I was with her. And I intended to gain her interest."

Triumph held still waiting for what came next, this was beginning to get more interesting to her, but she didn't understand something. What does he mean, gain her interest? Did she not want to be his friend? I wonder why. 

"The stone gave me an idea. Remember I told you things can have value?"

Triumph nodded. She felt she might get a chance to learn something about that now.

"I thought the stone just looked nice to me, and that is all. But ponies do like to have nice things, even things that just look nice.

“If a thing is something you want, it has value. How much value depends on how much you want it. Like food. Food on it's own is not worth much, until you want something to eat. And the more hungry you get, the more valuable that food becomes to you."

Triumph's eyes lit up. She understood, and Chaser felt she did by her expression.

"I liked my new found stone, but I liked this new pony I found even more. I thought I might give it to her, in order to gain her interest in me, in return. And you know what?

Triumph was not sure, so she shook her head.

"It worked! The pony I am talking about is sitting right behind you."

Triumph turned her head and saw Stella smiling down at her.

"Yes, Triumph it was me. I am the one he gave that stone to, and I still have that very stone in Chaser and my bedroom. I keep it on my side of the room, every night and morning, so I can see it, and remember how we got together.

“I first felt I should not take such a rare one of a kind stone from him. But he insisted. I did like it a lot. I felt it matched my coloring. I was so taken with it, I was pleased he insisted that I have it. I saw he cared more on how happy I was with it, then keeping it himself. That was what first got us together. His show of generosity, and fondness for me that continued from then on."

Triumph was quite happy about this, but she still didn't understand Chaser's cutie mark. She turned her head back to Chaser. After all of that, she still had that same question. What did it mean.

Chaser saw she is still looking confused.

"I guess I can't blame you if you still don't get it. I will try once more."

At this, Triumph was not too sure if she wished to sit through another story. She did enjoy them, but she was not sure if she was ever going to understand this.

"What I have to tell, might be more simple than just another story."

Triumph felt relieved in not having to hear another one. By now, she was just getting frustrated with not knowing what he was trying to tell her with them. She wished to be just told what it meant. Not try and figure it out from a story.

"Luck. It is a thing, some think we have. And some may have it more than others. It is like being strong or smart. Only it is not something you actually work at to improve. Unless one considers the idea of doing things that might help make things work out for you, and knowing on how to do that. One, in a way, can help themselves to make thier own luck. And that is something I found I am good at."

Triumph felt completely lost. She sat in more frustration. She hoped this would be over soon. She did not like being confused.

Chaser knew he was losing her.

"let's say you want food, right. Now let's say you go looking for some, and you don't know where any is, but you look just the same. If you find some, it is at times what we call being lucky. If you don't find any it is what we call being unlucky."

Triumph started to come around, but was still confused.

"Now, to help build your luck, you get a lot of food, or remember where some is, so if you go looking again, you are more likely to find some."

The wheels in Triumph's head is turning, but she is still feeling she has yet to reach full understanding about this. Though some of this did remind her of training with her clan.

Going on adventure trips to find where things are she discovered to be quite helpful, if she ever wanted to find such things again, if asked to. After a first search, she was more able to find it again, knowing where to look. This much she felt she did understand. She just did not know what it had to do with his cutie mark.

Chaser saw her change in features. She now looked less frustrated, and more interested in what he had to say.

"Though in the case of true luck, one is just real good at finding what they are looking for, without having to know where to look in the first place. That person with good luck just finds what they my want or need anyway. Things of value."

Again Triumph was not fully sure what he meant, but felt this time she was getting the idea.

"As for me, remember what I told you about things of value?"

Triumph simply nodded. She remembered the value of food when she is hungry, and wants food. This was also starting to make her feel hungry in return. She has not eaten in awhile.

"Well, I am, according to my cutie mark, one who can find things of value without having to look for it all too hard. Some times, just trying, is all I need to do."

Triumph felt she was now getting it.

Chaser saw this and went for what he thought would be the cu degraw. The last stroke that would end her confusion. "I will try and connect the dots for you. I found the stone, but only after I stopped looking. Luck helped me find it then.

“When I found Stella, the stone got me interested in her. At this, I felt Stella was valuable to me to have in my life, and the stone had value in helping me gain her interest in me when I gave it to her.

“Lastly, my luck helped me find you. And it was lucky that I did, or that wyvern would have taken you. And now you are here, with us.

“And to me, you are valuable to me. Why? Because like you. I am very happy to have found you and have you as part of our family. Do you see now?"

Triumph didn't care about that cutie mark anymore. The last few words he said to her, meant far much more to her. It made her eyes well up with tears.

But for a moment she felt she did fully understand. And this luck he was talking about was a wonderful thing to have, and she was so glad he has luck, even without fully knowing what luck is. She knew his luck helped saved her, as far as she understood.

Chaser didn't mean to make her cry. He felt bad about this. He thought he just upset her by reminding her that she was almost taken by that red winged beast. He quickly regret what he said.

Triumph surprised him. She went over to him and hugged his front left leg. She said clearly enough for him to hear, "Thank you."

She was taken over with emotion that he said to her he valued her as part of his family. This she understood perfectly well.

Chaser didn't know what she was thinking. He first thought she was upset. But her last actions, and words told him something else. He decided to just go with it, and held her with his other hoof in return.

The two had their moment together as the others watched.

Fluttershy wanted in on this. She went to join them. Fluttershy loved having Triumph around. She felt she might get lots of hugs herself by having Triumph here.

Fluttershy didn't care by who she got them, or why, so long as she did.

To Fluttershy having Triumph around was a good thing. Even if her new sister seemed sad a lot. It only made Fluttershy want to comfort her new sister more. And getting to do so, was nice to Fluttershy as well.

The three got distracted after a time by Stella. Stella felt their time was running short. Story time had taken longer than expected, and they all needed to get going.

Stella got everyone's attention. "I do hate to break this up but we should get going."

The others agreed that this distraction on cutie marks took too long. They needed to get out and find Kicker.

Stella picked up Triumph, and Fluttershy, and put them onto her back. She addressed Patience and Chaser. "I will be back in a moment."

After she walked into Fluttershy's room. She set Fluttershy in her crib, and set Triumph on the changing table. Fluttershy watched as Stella got a new diaper out of the drawer below.

Stella with practiced ease, managed to slip the new diaper on Triumph with no trouble, then stood her up on the table.

Triumph shook her hind quarters as she looked at what she was given. Something pink with puffy white clouds covering it as a pattern. It stayed snug to her rump with a hole for her new longer tale than her stubby dark gray one, a long pink one just like Fluttershy's tail.

It felt odd to her having this pink puffy diaper on. But if it made her look more like Fluttershy having it on, she liked it, and her new pink tail that matched.

Now that Triumph thought about it, being a pony like she is now, felt strange all over. It took a bit for it to grate in her mind how much different her new body feels to her.

Despite how strange it felt to be so different now, she enjoyed this new feel. Triumph also felt softer, to herself now as well. Soft like Fluttershy.

She liked her new red color, though she liked Fluttershy's light yellow color more.

She didn't know what to think about the new long tail and main. Both felt heavier, and more cumbersome than how she was, but she liked the look of it. It was a bit of a trade off for her. Nicer looking, but harder to deal with.

Stella picked her up and put her on the floor. She did the same with Fluttershy after turning around to retrieve her.

Fluttershy quickly joined Triumph. Triumph shook her rump in the air again. "I got one now too."

Fluttershy giggled at this, then Triumph did as well with her.

Fluttershy felt her new sister was being funny. Fluttershy liked her all the more for it.

Stella went to shoo them out. "OK, you two sillies, out you go."

The three of them joined the other two in the living room.

Patience had herself a giggle of her own after seeing the two foals dressed the same, and making them look all the more identical. "OK, I guess we are all ready now. Anything else we are missing?"

Stella had a look around. "Just your bag. Are you taking it?"

Patience shook her head. "No, I don't think I will be needing it right now. And I know it will be safe here, when I do need to get it again.

Stella nodded. "OK, good enough. Let's go then." With that the group headed out the door.

Chapter Four: Can I Tell?

Being out in the open while exposed for all eyes to see, made Triumph feel self conus about herself. She was in hiding, that is hiding her true form, but she felt it was not enough. She worried others might br able to tell she is a fake.

She looked over to her new sister. Fluttershy looked like a bundle of joy to her, just happy to be out. But none too eager to leave her parents.

Triumph felt Fluttershy might be good to copy as for what to do, and how to behave. She now wished to do everything Fluttershy did, in order to fit in.

This for the moment was to look happy but not wonder. The wondering part was no trouble for her, she had enough of wondering off for one day.

Looking happy while being looked at by a bunch of strange ponies was not going to be so easy to do she felt. She would give it a try just the same.

Looking to her sister helped. She decided to focus on her, and that made her smile. I think I can do this. Just keep smiling, and I will do fine. 

Smiling did make her feel better. It gave her confidence in herself. She now felt set to do this outing with her new family.

Stella browsed the territory of Cloudsdale. A bunch a busy ponies bustling about getting ready to make any necessary weather changes all over Equestria, or keep the weather as is, in any area that might be threatened by rouge whether.

The pegasi being the weather custodians had their hoofs full much of the time. There was always something to be done. The weather stopped for no pony, and was always on the move itself. Controlling it took near consistent effort, much of the time.

Both Stella and Star Chaser had accumulated the vacation time they have been saving up. Over two months worth each.

They intended to make the most of their first month off. Also to look for a place for their two foals to stay for when they went back to work.

Time grew short on this month. Part of this outing would be for setting up arrangements at some foal sitter's home.

At least that was their plan for Fluttershy. In their own mind without saying it, both was thinking much the same thing. Is it a good idea to get a sitter for Triumph? How can we leave her with someone else? She is not a normal foal like Fluttershy.

One passing pony after another stopped for a moment to see the two young foals, and to ask about the new one. 

Even Fluttershy was still not use to this much attention, and stayed close to her mother. Triumph did likewise for much the same reason. 

One who knew the group, stopped for a bit to ask about the red foal like a few of the others have.

A bright yellow pony mare like Stella named Golden Fields, with a light blond mane, and a wheat stock tip for a cutie mark came over.

She has a light gray filly of her own with a similar blonde mane, named Derpy.

Golden Fields stopped in front of Stella and glanced over at the new red foal standing closest to Chaser. "So Stella, baby sitting for someone? Didn’t know anyone new had moved to Cloudsdale."

Stella glanced over at her two foals then back at the young Mare. "Nope. They are both mine Goldie."

Golden Fields stood back a bit while looking a little excited. "Oh' wow. Really? I herd you only had one. Goes to show how much I get told around here."

Stella smiled. "You was not told wrong. That is you have been told the same as everyone else till now. I thought I only had one, that is the one that survived."

Golden Fields respond quickly. "Wow! What happened? Where has the other been all this time?"

Stella continued. "I had two. I thought one didn't make it, and so, I never told anyone about it. Patience had my foal in her care, once she found her still alive. With Patience's help, our little Triumph pulled through though. So now I have two again."

Golden Fields Jaw dropped a bit. "That sounds amazing! Well, this is wonderful news. Congratulations! I am so happy for you, and for Triumph, and for Fluttershy getting her twin sister back." Her smile could not get any bigger.

Stella thought to ask while Golden Fields is still here. "Tell me, have you seen Cloud Kicker?"

Golden Fields thought for a moment. "Yes, I did see her! She was at Sprinkle Medley's Ice Cream Frosties. I had taken Derpy there before our big move to Ponyville soon.

“I know it is a nice place, and I wish to raise her there. I feel Cloudsdale might be a little too demanding for her.

“I also feel it is safer for her on the ground, for now. And I like the idea of such a fresh start."

Stella tilted her head slightly. "Well I am sorry to see you go, but one does what one must. I do wish you luck down there.

“You know the old saying, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. But you are right, I do hear nice things about Ponyville. That is when we do visit the Apples for some of our fresh goods.

“As for Cloud Kicker, I mean the other one. We are looking for him."

Golden Fields giggled. "Oh' him, sorry. I last saw him there as well, with Misty. The two actually make quite the nice couple I think."

Patience grimaced at hearing that, but kept any comments she has to herself.

Stella's eyes went wide. "Well, thank you Goldie. We have got to go find him! Hopefully he is still there."

Golden Fields gave a wave before taking off, with Derpy waving as well. "OK, good luck to you Stella."

Stella closed her eyes in frustration after Golden Fields left. Oh' great! Yes, just our luck. He is out on a date with Misty as Chaser said he would, and we have got to get him alone. At least we have an idea on where to start looking for him. And he should still be close by, I hope.

Chaser put a hoof on Stella's shoulder after seeing the face she made. "Cheer up dear. We have to start somewhere. And it looks like we are bound for some ice cream." He looked down to his two little ones. "So who here wants some ice cream?"

Fluttershy quickly got excited. "Yea! Ice cream!"

Triumph looked to her excited sister while not knowing what ice cream was. If she is this excited about it, this ice cream must be real good. I must try some. 

Triumph nodded her head with a smile and decided to repeat Fluttershy in her excitement. "Yea! Ice cream!"

Chaser is pleased that they are both excited.

Patience moved herself between Stella and Chaser while putting a hoof around both of them. "Looks like the fillies are excited. So let's get going already!"

Both Stella and Chaser nodded in agreement, and the five of them moved off at an hastened pace.

The group stopped once they reached the edge of this cloud platform. Chaser said with a mock pout to the little ones, "Well, I guess it's the end of the line for the little ones.

“They can't make it over there. I guess no ice cream for them then."

Fluttershy was amused by her father's antics, and knew he was just kidding, but played along and pretended to look worried with a little fake pout of her own, all while looking up with sad eyes.

Triumph who did not get the joke, and saw her sister's face gave a pout of her own. Only, unlike Fluttershy she was really worried they really were not getting some ice cream, despite not knowing what it is.  

Patience saw their faces and gave Chaser a good slap on the rump with a hoof and made him jump a bit. "Oh' stop teasing them!"

Patience knelt down to the foals and said with much mirth. "Time for a pony ride!"

She grabbed hold of each one, one at a time, and put them each on a parent's back.

She picked up Fluttershy first who had her hooves out waiting to be picked up. Then she placed Fluttershy on Stella's back.

She went back down to Triumph who was now waiting just as Fluttershy was with her hooves out. Patience put her on Chaser's back.

Once the two little ones were set, each of the other three took off in the air, bound for Sprinkle Medley's Ice Cream Frosties.

Sprinkle Medley's Ice Cream Frosties is owned by Sprinkle Medley's father Floater. He started his business a few years before Sprinkle Medley was born.

It has been his dream to set up such a shop. And with saved up bits, he put his business on the map. He has had many a happy customers ever since.

He hit it big. Now it was well known for a quick stop for a smooth, creamy, and sweet treat throughout Cloudsdale.

He named his new foal filly Sprinkle Medley, after his business that he intended to one day give to her.  

In the air Triumph got a good view of the place. Not that she hadn't saw it before when she first was brought here.

She did witness a large variety of colors and looks among the pegasi out and about.

This gave her the impression that looking exactly like Fluttershy would not work, and at least having a different color indeed might look less suspicious as she first thought.

It was unlike looking at her own kind, where most everyone looks exactly alike.

This time out she was less concerned with hiding and decided to take a better look about while in the air. Colorful flying ponies everywhere as she remembered.

She notest this time that some were in groups in a task moving a mass of clouds together. She observer their efforts, and how they interacted with one another during and after the task.

She also remembered the most recent interactions with some, as the group she is with walked together.

She thought about what she saw. They work together. They help each other, and are nice to each other. We have been wrong about the ponies.

How could we have been so wrong? This is nothing like what I have been told.

I think I might like it here. If the ponies are really like this, would I ever want to go back? 

Triumph had before though she might not wish to return. Not with how she most recently felt around Fluttershy, and her parents. She even got to liking Patience a lot as well.

This new sight of the pegasi living, and working together made her decision to stay more clear. I don't wish to return and be made to dislike the ponies again.

The clan is wrong, and I don't want to live that way.

And I like the love I feel from these ponies I have been with so far. I never felt that from any in the clan. I don't know why not, but I do know I never want to be without it again. 

Her thoughts were halted as the group came to a halt as well.

They arrived near the entrance to a cloud built structure, as like any other here.

Many pegasi was coming and going through a set of double doors. Over the entrance was a sign. Sprinkle Medley's Ice Cream Frosties.

The three older pegasi of the group had a quick look about. Sella suggested, "Neither one seems to be out here, so hopefully they are still inside." With that the trio stepped inside to have a look. A line was formed at a counter. The three continued to look about.

Triumph was hit with a wide variety of smells, and all of it good to her. Wow, if this is where we get this ice cream, that is what I must be smelling. I hope we get some soon. It smells great in here. And I have not eaten in awhile. 

Both Fluttershy and Triumph felt quite eager. They both looked at each other as they smiled.

The older three were not feeling so excited anymore. Neither Kicker or Misty seems to be in here either.

Chaser scuffed at the flooring. "Dang, we must have just missed them."

He turned to see the smile Fluttershy was sharing with Triumph. He did wish to head right out and keep looking, but could not go back on his promise he made with his two little ones. He wished far less to disappoint them.

He tapped Patience. "Can you head out and have a look around to see if you can find Kicker? He might not have gotten far. There is a bit of a line here and will take some time to make our order for the little ones."

Patience responded with a frown. "Them? What about me? You think I wish to miss out on getting some as well?" Her face got a little more pouty after.

Chaser sighed. "OK. Sorry I asked! You don't have to go. It was just a suggestion anyway."

Patience giggled slightly while giving him a slight nudge on the shoulder, but not hard enough to jostle his little red passenger. "I love teasing you, you goof.

“Of cores I will go looking, but you owe me. Just order a cup for me, and I will be sure to bring Kicker back here when I see him. OK?

“Oh' and make mine Tutti Frutti! Be back soon. Bye."

Before Chaser has a chance to say anything to her, she turned and left out the door quickly. Not before giving him a long peck on the cheek.

Stella had watched this. "Is there something I should know going on between the two of you?"

Chaser has for himself a sheepish grin. "Well, you heard her honey. She likes teasing me."

Stella gave him a slight bump with her own rump as she smiled at him. "She is right, it is fun teasing you," she finished saying with a wink.

He cleared his throat. "Shale we get in line?"

He gestured with a hoof. "It's not getting any shorter as more keep coming in."

Stella agreed. "Yes, I think we should."

After they got in place she turned to see Triumph. "Have you had ice cream before?"

Triumph shook her head.

Stella thought not. "No? Well, you're in for a treat then.

“Though you would not know what flavor to try. Let's play it safe, and we will get you some vanilla. It's smooth and creamy. You should like it. It's the kind we gave to Fluttershy her first time having some."

Triumph, nodded with a smile.

Stella turned to Fluttershy who is still sitting on her back. "And You want the same again Sweetie?" Fluttershy smiled with a nod just like Triumph.

Stella looked back and forth between them. She felt the two were just too funny.

She thought on this. I had not expected this. I now have two little foals to look after, and keep happy. But I am liking this. I like having the two of them more than I thought.

I also think they will make good company for each other.

I admit, I was a little disappointed when all I had was one. Not that I wasn’t absolutely thrilled to death with having Fluttershy.

This somehow feels more complete having the two of them together. And I think I am going to enjoy telling the others that Triumph is my own as well, just as Fluttershy is. A proud mother of two. 

She smiled for a bit to herself as the others in the room took notice. There was happiness in the air for the moment, as if nothing in the world could go wrong.

~~~~~~

In the air Patience flew around looking about for her target. She tried a few places, but to no avail. None of the local shops or work stations had seen him.

Two pegasi she passed by while asking around pointed her in the direction of the Rainbow Falls. Of course! I can very well guess what Kicker has planned for there.

Well, his little outing with Misty is going to be interrupted. Not that I mind doing this. I don't like the thought of him going for her over me.

All's fare in love and war. Isn't it? He may be a big goof ball, but darn it! Chaser is right. Him and I are more alike, than him and what Chaser called her, Miss. Fussy Misty, or something like that. 

She rolled her yes as she thought of that name. It suits her.

She sighed to herself. I can't be mean to her. She has no idea I like him. At least I don't think so. Not that I made it all too obvious to him either. Didn't I? I thought I did.

I can't say I have known Misty too well, but I do know she is nice. She works in the rainbow department of the weather factory with Kicker.

It is where she must have met him. She is just not the peppy pony that Kicker is. She is a little too reserved for him, I think. And not nearly as outgoing.

So, why would she go for him in the first place? Or even him, her? No matter, I got to find them.

She swiftly moved to her next destination. She didn't go all out. This wasn't exactly an emergency, but she did not wish to lose him again. In more ways than one. I will not beat myself up over my choices. I did what I did to have the life I wanted, and now I have it.

There are plenty of other young stallions for a young mare like myself. If I do lose him to Misty, it's not the end of the world. But I want him.

I told Chaser I would be bringing Kicker back with me. I am not so sure now if I can. He might be too involved with Misty now and I might not be able to find him.That is if they are in a spot intending not to be found.

She grit her teeth some as she picked up her pace a little. I see Chaser and Stella with two foals, and here I am thinking of starting a family of my own.

And why not? I am young and successful. I am good with kids. I am quite sure Kicker would be as well.

That is one thing that I am attracted to him for the most. I feel he would make a great father.

Maybe that is what Misty sees in him as well. Who can tell why she likes him.

He does not belong to her yet though. Perhaps I still have a chance to get his attention. When have I ever just given up on what I wanted? 

Patience made her way to the big clearing at Rainbow Falls. She scouted around for a bit. Ponies of all kind where about, enjoying the day.

She landed and made her way down a trail in some wooded area near the falls. It is a well known trail for a pleasant stroll.

As she made her way around a bend she found the two she is looking for, and not in the way she wished she had. They were slightly off the trail enjoying a romantic kiss with one another under the cover of the trees.

Patience was beside herself with a choice to leave them be, or interrupt. She decided to wait just out of sight at first.

They were taking much longer than Patience was having patience for, while struggling with her own inner frustrations as she watched.

In only a minutes time, she was now developing too much frustration in making herself watch. It's bad enough she is with him, I don't need to watch this happening, and see my chances with him slip away all the more. Time to do something about this.

Patience stepped out where they could notice her. "I have been looking for you Kicker. You need to come with me right now."

Misty was not happy with this intrusion. "Can't you see we are currently preoccupied. What is so important you have to interrupt like this? Can't you see we wish to be alone?"

Patience stepped closer. "It is none of your business. But if you must know, I have to take Kicker to see Star Chaser now. Just him, as in, not with you."

Patience wanted to use this as an excuse to steal away Kicker and have some time alone with him as she took him to see Chaser.

Misty scoffed. "Look, I don't know what it is you are up too. I know you have had your eyes on Kicker for some time as well. Oh' yes, I have been well aware of you Patience. I know you have been a long time friend to Cloud Kicker, but I also know that is not all.

"I may not have the degree you have, but I do know a thing or two about relationships at least. I will not just let you have him."

The two stared daggers at each other with growing visible frustration with one another.

At the moment both Misty's and Patience's frustration with each other was quite apparent to Kicker. Kicker felt he needed to break it up. "Ladies, let's not fight over little old me! As flattering as that is. And it is."

He set his attention to Patience. "First I wish to ask. Patience, is it true you have had an interest in me? I thought you was just playing around with me. We have been friend for so long, but I did not know you truly felt this way. Not really. Is it true then? Did you want to be more than just friends?"

Patience slumped a little and nodded. "I did. I still do, but that is not what I am here for."

Kicker took a step to her. "I am sorry Patience, I truly am. I really didn't know. I would never wish to upset you by turning you down. Not you.

“But I am with Misty now. I will not just leave her for another. I just will not do that. You must understand this. Please accept my apologies Patience."

Patience did not look happy but nodded in agreement.

He turned to Misty. "You too. You must understand, no one will take me from you, so there is no need for any jealousy. Understand?"

Misty looked at him with big pleading eyes, the same she gave him when she first asked him to date her. The same eyes that made him instantly melt and left him without any resistance to saying no. "I believe you. But, must you go with her, without me? We just got our day started together. Is it that important I not come along? That we must part so soon?"

Kicker thought about this as Patience reasoned she has indeed lost Kicker to Misty. She knew Kicker may be many things, but a cheat he is not as he has just proven to her just now. He may joke about about many situations for laughs. This was no such situation though, and cheating on Misty is just the sort of thing he of all ponies would not find funny, or something to joke about Patience thought to herself.

Patience could see this. That was indeed something admirable about him to Patience, even now. She could see as to why Misty would like him. Despite the joker, and prankster he was at times, he was also loyal to those he liked. Even more so to those he loved.

Kicker came to an answer. "Yes, you can come with us."

Misty smiled, then hugged and kissed him.

Patience was in a tiz. "What do you mean she can come! No, she can't come! This is a talk for you only. She is not supposed to be involved!"

Patience was still worried about another pony finding out the truth of Triumph. She did not want Misty to know.

Misty bowed her head. "If it is something I am not supposed to know about, I don't have to go.

“Kicker, It's been fun, but maybe you can come over to my place later. I will meet you there. When you are finished with Star Chaser, come back to me. Will you?"

She gave him those big eyes again, and gave him a kiss on the cheek to reaffirm her feelings towards him.

Misty opened her wings to fly but Kicker stopped her. "No need for that. You can come with us. It'll be fun!"

Patience was getting more frustrated with Kicker. "Don't you even know what this is about?"

Kicker smiled. "Yep, I'm sure I do. Something to do with Chaser's little bundle he had with him today. He said he would tell me more about it later.

“I just was not expecting him to send for me or anything like that. At least not so soon.

“Funny he sent you. I wonder why. Enough chit chat though. Let's be off."

He opened his wings and lifted off as Misty intended to do. The two mares just looked at each other, then took off to follow him.

The two caught up to him. Patience gave Kicker a nudge. "Bringing her along is not a good idea. You are not supposed to tell anyone."

Kicker smiled. "Sure it is! Don't worry. Everything will be fine. I will talk to Chaser, alone if I must. I do know what this is about. And I have not said a thing to anyone.  And no, I have not told her anything about it. Yet. Misty can be trusted though."

He turned his attention to Misty. "Can't you honey?"

Misty had a look of worry. "What is it you are trying to get me into? Nothing we might get in trouble for, is it?"

Kicker chuckled. "To tell the truth, I have no idea if it will! I need to find that out from Chaser personally.

“Isn't this fun? The Mystery of it all!" He said in a deep dramatic voice, before chuckling some more over his own fun he was having over the situation.

Misty was still worried. "This is not another one of your pranks is it? How can you be so calm without knowing exactly what it is Chaser has to tell you?"

Kicker gave a devious smile. "I told you my dear. It's all about the Mystery! Live a little. You're gonna love it! And you need to learn to do so, if you're going to spend time with me," He finished saying with a big grin.

Patience addressed Misty. "So tell me Misty, do you think you can handle being with the likes of him?"

Misty frowned. "Don't you worry about what I can, and can't handle. And I am going to find out what this is all about."

Kicker chuckled again. "That's the spirit Misty! Life is a grand adventure, and you don't want to miss any of it. Now lead the way Patience!"

The trio left the area of Rainbow Falls, bound back to Cloudsdale. One very amused young stallion between two bemused young mares. None of them knowing exactly how this was going to go.

~~~~~~

Stella and Chaser finally got in place to make their order.

Floater is at the front desk taking orders. A big broad lite-purple stallion with a black mane now waited on them.

He looked to the little red foal then to Chaser who she is sitting on. "So, Chaser baby sitting now? Is this a new friend for Fluttershy? Out of all the foals I have seen, I never saw her before. And I thought I have seen them all. She must be new to Cloudsdale."

Both Stella and Chaser knew this was going to be a recurring question. Few knew of Triumph now, or that she is theirs. But the number are growing as the day passed on.

Chaser decided to give out the answer he felt he and Stella was going to have to give out a lot, at least for a while. He knew part of what he said is true, that she is new here. "No, she is ours Floater. Stella and I had two foals, but thought one did not make it. But as you can see she did, so now we have two again. And her name is Triumph."

Floater felt pleased by this news. With a big grin he said, "That is wonderful news. Say, for today your order is free today. Pick out anything you wish. It is on the house."

Floater was quite the business pony, but has a soft spot for the little ones. And hearing about a little foal that beat death, and lived to being able to enjoy life made him feel like being extra generous. That, and business was going so well this morning, he felt he could afford to be.

Both Stella and Chaser would not begrudge his generosity, even though they knew he is being generous due to a lie of theirs. It would practically be an insult not to either way as they saw it, and they could see he truly wished to do something nice for them, mostly for their little survivor, as they were calling her.

Her surviving death was not so much a lie, just how, when, and by what she might have died from.

Though Chaser and Stella did feel bad about the deception. They also knew they would have to play along with their own lie, if they were to be convincing, even if it meant conning others in this way, even if unintentionally.  

Chaser felt pleased with Floater's gesture. "Thank you Floater. That is most kind of you."

Floater waved it off. "Oh' forget about it. It's not everyday one hears about such good news."

Floater was practically beaming with his feeling of goodwill for the little foal. "So, what will it be then?"

Chaser started off with the order for his two foals. "OK, for the two little ones, I will have a cup of vanilla."

Floater scoffed at that. "What! is that all? Just a cup of vanilla? Look this is supposed to be special. And I know Fluttershy has already had that."

Floater raised a hoof as if to stop any further comment against what he has to say. “I know, I know, keep it simple. They are just foals after all, but I will fix it up a bit."

Floater called over an assistant. "Cirrus, Come over here." A light blue mare with a pink mane came over. "I would like you to make two small separate cups of vanilla, light on chocolate sauce, a helping of whipped cream, a small dash of chocolate sprinkles, and a cherry on top. Make them up right quick."

With a nod, Cirrus jaunted off to make the order.

Fluttershy who knew more than Triumph as to what was going on, started to get excited. Though this is her second time having some, she was eager to try all the other toppings she heard they are now getting.

Floater kept his big smile as he saw the look on Fluttershy. It filled him with joy to see such a smile on a young pony's face.

He also saw Triumph look at her too, but in puzzlement. He knew what he was giving them would brighten up their day, even if Triumph did not know it yet.

He put his attention back on Chaser and asked, "OK' What else can I get for you?"

Chaser thought for a moment. "All right, for Stella, she wants Strawberry on a cone, and make mine a Rocky Road. Also can I have a cup of Tutti Frutti for Patience, who will be joining us?"

Floater remembered her coming in with them, then taking off for some reason. He felt it not a problem, and agreed to it. "OK' Not a prob. I did say your order is free, even if you are ordering something for her as well. So, that will be free as well. Anything else?"

Chaser smiled. "No. Thank you though. I think that will do."

With a nod from Floater to Chaser, he gave the next order info to Cirrus as she returned promptly with the two cups for the foals.

The cups are well decorated with the extras she was asked to add. She placed them down as she balanced them on the edge of her top wing folds. Stella picked them up in much the same fashion, while giving her thanks to both Floater and Cirrus.

The two fillies looked with growing anticipation at the cups heaping with whip cream, and other tasty decorations.

Triumph had to admit she was getting extra hungry just from looking, and smelling them. Her eyes went wide at seeing such a tasty looking sight.

Fluttershy is feeling likewise. But she has her memories of ice cream to wet her appetite, all the more than just the look, and smell of it. They both could hardly wait to dig in.

Stella knew her little one's where bursting to have some, so she suggested she find a place for them to sit and set the cups down. "Honey, Let Triumph climb over here and I will find a place for us to sit, OK?"

Chaser, without question, moved himself over closer to Stella as she lifted her wing out of the way, so Triumph could climb over. Triumph got the idea and climbed over onto Stella's back, and sat right behind Fluttershy.

Stella giving Chaser a quick kiss on the cheek, headed off to look for a table. It was not easy, the place was packed. She would have to head outside. A stallion who saw her coming to the door opened it for her, and let her pass.

She turned to him for a moment and nodded her head to him. "Thank you."

The stallion smiled. "No, problem Miss."

Triumph was observing the exchange. These ponies are so nice to each other, and helpful. 

She felt bad about once being afraid of them. She felt bad that her clan possibly did not know these ponies well at all. And not liking them for what she felt was no good reason she could see, other than having nothing to do with them.

She wondered as to how her clan may react to being told the trouth she has been finding out about these ponies. She also found herself asking she same questions, while now unbelieving what she was once told. How could my clan have been so wrong? Would it do any good if I was to see them again and tell them what I have seen myself? Would they even listen to me?

No, I am not sure they will. And I don not want to go back anyways to find out. I am a pony now, and I want to stay here. 

There was a small hint of feeling home sick, but as time past, and with each new good experience she has among the ponies, her homesickness faded all the more.

She could not help thinking of them. Though her life with her clan was not a bad experience for her, any cravings to return was being replaced by newer and better experiences she had not had before with them.

For a young changeling foal, all of this was as mesmerizing, and inviting as the clouds that beckoned her to wander earlier that day. She had yet thouth to see anything that might make her change her mind about leaving this place, much as the wyvern had changed her mind on how good wandering among the clouds was at that moment she had faced it alone.

Stella continued to look for a table. There was plenty of options outside. She found one on the edge of one cluster of four. She set down the cup and found some convenient high chairs near by. One of the reasons she picked this location. It was also out in the open. They could be seen easy by Patience when she got back.

She set up the two high chairs, and sat each foal in one. She sat Triumph in a seat first. After she got Fluttershy all settled as Chaser was on his way over.

Each one set a cup in front of a very eager foal. Chaser tended to Triumph, while Stella Tended to Fluttershy.

It was a bit of a balancing act, as each held their own cone of ice cream in a wing while trying to feed one of the foals with a spoon.

Triumph watched as Fluttershy had her first taste. The delight on Fluttershy's face was enough for Triumph. Chaser held a spoon with a dab of chocolate covered ice cream with a touch of whip cream up to her waiting mouth.

She opened her mouth wide and took the whole thing in one mouth full. The sweet creaminess with the hint of chocolate, overtook her taste buds for the first time. Her eyes went wide as she reveled in this new experience. Delight barely described it for her, she never thought something could taste so good.

She did have sweets before. Mostly in the form of something coated in honey. A treat indeed, but nothing like this.

Triumph took a look back to Fluttershy and Fluttershy was smiling back at her. Fluttershy knew of the surprising first taste and had been watching Triumph take hers.

Fluttershy felt happy that her new sister was enjoying this. A shared moment for each of them. Then it was back for more ice cream for the two.

The back and forth routine the two parents worked went smoothly. They gave a small spooning of ice cream to their attendees, and took a lick of their own ice cream in tandem. This went on for a while. They were taking things slow so each of them could enjoy it.

Stella paused for a moment, and glanced over at the cup of Tutti Frutti for Patience. It was starting to melt. This caught Stella's attention that Patience has been gone for some time.

She got Chasers attention. "Chaser honey, I am wondering if it was such a good idea to send Patience to find Kicker. I am worried that something has gone wrong. She should have found him by now.

“Seeing Misty is with Kicker, I wonder if Patience and Misty got into a fight. Oh' I wish I knew what was keeping them."

Chaser gave Stella his full attention, much to the displeasure of Triumph in having her treat interrupted. But she could tell the two adults were worried. Stella is worried about Patience. I do not like this. 

The full interruption by this change in mood and subject, now got her worried. Stella said Patience could be in a fight. 

This worried Triumph even more. She liked Patience, she did not want to see Patience get hurt. This also made her wonder about these ponies she is with. She knew she has yet to see one get angry enough to hurt someone. She now worried if one might get mad at her at some point in time, and hurt her for some reason.

Her mood of living in a moment of delight, now went to one of fear. She continued to remind herself that she still does not know these ponies all too well. This talk of a fight made it clear to her that she still has a lot to learn about them.

She now reminded herself of the comfort of living with her clan. She was safe with them. They next to never fought over anything, or even got angry at one another. Not to the point of hurting each other. They were one group working to support one another, not fight over individual wants.

They did do fight training, but that was for the protection of the clan, not to fight with each other. Most everything they did was for the Queen and clan. These memories kicked in her desire to go home. To go back where she felt safe. Why did I ever wander away? It was good with them, even if I did not like some of the things we did. 

Both Chaser and Stella noticed Triumph's change in mood. Chaser tried to tempt Triumph with another spoon of ice cream. She did not take it, she just stared off into the distance. Something else caught her attention though as she did.

Stella decided to talk to her. "What's wrong my little Angel? Are you feeling OK?"

Stella thought for a moment that Triumph might have gotten a head freeze or something, but she did not look in pain. She just looked lost, and worried about something.

A moment after, Triumph was smiling again, much to Stella and Chaser’s relief.

Stella was about to ask Triumph something else, but got distracted as Triumph pointed in the direction she was staring. Stella turned to see what Triumph was pointing to, and saw it is Patience with two others. Kicker, and Misty.

Both Stella and Triumph felt relieved to see Patience is fine, and both felt concerned over seeing this other gray mare, but each for different reasons.

Triumph wondered if this other pony with them is this Misty she heard Stella say might get into a fight with Patience. The thought that it might be, scared her. She did not wish to be around a possibly mean pony.

The new arrivals touched down and approached the others in waiting. Stella greeted them. "Hello. Glad to see you are back. So what took you? You have been gone for so long, I got worried."

Patience took a seat next to Stella. "Sorry about that, but I had to track these two down all the way to Rainbow Falls. That is not a quick flight.

Misty is feeling a little impatient, and got a little gruff with her questions. "So, what is this about anyway? Why did Kicker, and I have to be interrupted from a perfectly good outing?"

Her mood had changed after her eyes rested on the little red foal sitting with Chaser. She cocked her head slightly. I never saw her before. I wonder who she is, and who she belongs to.

Last I heard from Kicker, is that Stella and Chaser had only one newborn, and that is Fluttershy sitting with Stella. Could this have something to do with why Kicker was called here? Does he know who she is? He did say it had something to do with a bundle Chaser had with him. Is this foal what he meant by a bundle?

Misty gave a nudge to Kicker. "Tell me, Do you know who that little red foal is with Chaser? It's so odd, other than her color, I could swear she looks exactly like Fluttershy."

Kicker did not know who she is, but the other arrival that flew in on Chasers back gave him some suspicions. It can't be. Is that what he brought in with him this morning? What he brought in looked nothing like that.

Did they find a unicorn to cast an illusion spell on her? If they did, that's a pretty neat trick, and idea. I wonder how long the spell will last if it is her sitting there.

Kicker had no idea how close to the truth he really was, as of yet. He decided to respond to Misty's question. "I'm not sure who that is, but I have my guess."

Misty was not waiting around and cut to the chase. Her outing with Kicker was cut short, and she wanted answers as to why.

She decided to ask Stella directly about the little red foal next. "Stella who is the new foal, and do you have any idea as to what Star Chaser wants with Cloud Kicker that is so urgent?"

Misty's tone was upsetting Triumph. Triumph wondered what she might do. For the moment Triumph is as curious about her as Misty is about Triumph.

Stella answered both of Triumph and Misty's questions, as to who each of them are. "She is mine Misty. And her name is Triumph. She is Fluttershy's twin sister.

“I never told anyone about her because the thought of having lost her was just too upsetting for me to talk about. But as you can see, unlike what we all had though, she lived. And now I have my other daughter back.

“As for what Chaser wants with Kicker, that is for them to discuss alone."

This satisfied only part of Misty's questions. It did not tell her why it was so urgent for Kicker to be called here. She guessed she might never know, and let it go.

The name Misty got Triumph all the more upset. She is the one who Stella said Patience might get into a fight with. And she does seem like she could be mean. I don't like her. 

At the moment Kicker was bursting inside to laugh out right, all while trying to contain himself. Oh' this is just too perfect. I just have to know now.

But I can't say a thing to Misty. They're trying to keep this a secret as to who she really is, that is if my guess is right. I am willing to bet on it.

But to say she is their foal. Do they intend to keep her now?

Wow. I never thought the two to be this crafty to have her looks changed, just so they could take in such an odd looking thing. Well, as odd as she looked before, and wish to call her their own. If that is what is really going on here. It seems to be.

Kicker walked over to Chaser. He whispered closely to his ear, "I think we got to take off for a bit, so you can tell me what is going on."

Chaser gave a nod, then got up. "Stella. Kicker and I are going to take off for a bit so we can talk. I guess you got the little ones to yourself for the moment."

Patience walked around and took Chasers spot, after giving him a slight nudge to the side. "No. Stella and I will tend to them together."

Chaser looked over at the cup of ice cream that was meant for her. It was almost soup now, or at least looked it. He felt bad about this. He pasted Patience a few bits. "Here take those, and you can get yourself another ice cream. Your other one did not last the wait."

Stella addressed Patience as well. "You go ahead dear. I got the little ones for the moment. Besides I finished mine and can handle the both of them easier now."

Patience got back up. "Well, if your both sure." Stella gave a nod. "OK, but I should be back soon."

Patience moved out of that spot and headed back inside to get herself another ice cream of her own. After losing Kicker to Misty, Patience felt like having some ice cream for comfort food, to settle her a little.

Misty decided to follow her in.

Chaser taped Kicker on the shoulder. "Are those two going to be OK together?"

Kicker shrugged his shoulders as he watched the two go inside. "I don't know. I'd give five dozen bits just to know what they are thinking right now, aside from wanting more ice cream."

He turned his head to face Chaser. "So, ready to go?"

Chaser nodded while trying not to laugh himself at Kicker's comment. "Lets fly." The two then took off together.

Stella put her attention back to her foals. "Well, it looks like it is just you and me kids. Well, for the moment anyway."

She looked to the near empty cups. "Not much in them. Want to finish them up?" Both Fluttershy and Triumph smiled and nodded in unison.

Stella could hardly get over the sight. It was as if Triumph was actually trying to copy Fluttershy at times, and doing a good job of it. She could not tell if she was really trying, or if it just seemed so. Either way, she found it humerus.

She decided to play with them a bit as she fed them. She held a spoon in each hoof then dipped them in a now a gooey mess in the cup.

She did so at the same time and held the spoons to each foal. Then they both took a taste at the same time in exactly the same manner.

Stella was finding this to be funnier to her each time they did this. I can't tell what is going on, but the two seem almost identical now, even in what they do. I do think Triumph is trying to copy Fluttershy, but I don't even see her looking in Fluttershy's direction to see what her sister is doing. She is copying her just the same.

If I didn't find this so darn funny, I might think of it as a bit creepy. 

She smiled and chuckled to herself as she gave them their last spoonful. After the two looked at each other and started a giggling fit as they watched Stella Chuckle for no apparent reason to them.

Stella started to laugh with them. It got the attention of many of the other ponies around them, and made them wonder what could have got those three laughing.

~~~~~~

Star Chaser found a secluded cloud far enough from earshot of any others, and set down on it. Cloud Kicker landed in front of him. Kicker started off with his questions. "I just got to know, what unicorn did you get to change her looks, and how did you get Stella to go along with this?

“I mean you got her telling everyone that your new odd find is her foal now. Whatever you did, or said to her, I must know. I might be able to use it on Misty someday, whenever I might need to."

Chaser glared at him. "Always the opportunist, aren't you?"

Chaser chuckled. "Can't blame you for wanting some hints on how to deal with a mare and potential wife, if, and when things go bad. But I didn't do any convincing.

“All I did was let Stella get to know who I found. After some first concerns she had, she got to liking Triumph on her own. My new find is actually quite likable. And rather smart for one her age.

“As for her new looks, Triumph did that on her own. We know she is something called a changeling. She confirmed this. And as a changeling, changing her looks is just something she can apparently do well.

“All of this may seems unbelievable, but it's true."

Kicker smirked. "Finding something unusual is not so unbelievable. Stella going with calling Triumph, as you are both calling her, her own foal now, and so soon, that is unbelievable.

“I can also tell that Patience knows all about this as well. But why does she know, what does she have to do with any of this? Did she find out about her like I did, or did you tell her?"

Chaser sighed. "I told her. But it was important to do so. You heard the story Stella gave right?" Kicker nodded. "Well, how do you think we are going to be able to pull off such a lie, without a real good witness that can back us up in it?"

Kicker raised an eye. "So you got her lying about it as well? But what is the connection? Why her?"

Chaser smirked. "Man, I don't know if you are pretending to not understand just so you can drill me with more questions, as you sometimes do.

“Patience is the one that was with us during the delivery of Fluttershy, and she was the only one who saw just how many we had. So, she is the only one who could back up our story that Triumph is really ours by saying that she was there, and she saw that we had twins. Not just Fluttershy."

Kicker leaned back a bit and rested a hoof on his head in realization. "Oh' Wow! What a story this is."

He recomposed himself and gave Chaser a pleading grin. "Can I tell Misty? Please... She would love this!

“I never thought the two of you would do something so crazy. But why keep her? Why don't you return her or something. There has got to be more to this. I don't think you would be trying to keep her otherwise."

Chaser sighed again. "The reason for that, is why you should not tell Misty. I can't tell you not to tell, but you would be protecting Misty if you didn't tell her. You would be giving her deniability of the whole situation.

“Parts of this is not good. I am still sticking with that the fewer that knows, the better."

Kicker went all serious. "OK, lay it on me. What's this about?"

Chaser moved in a little closer and got serious himself. "From what I know, Triumph is something called a changeling, as I said. But I don't even know what they are. Not really.

“Just by looking at what her true form looks like, I got the impression they are like alicorns. They can fly and have strong magic. So strong that one of their foals can change form. Not just look different, like an illusion, but actually be something else. Get it?"

Kicker tilted his head a little. "What do you mean, be something else?"

Chaser continued. "Just that. I have held her in both her forms. From what I can tell, she is a pony now. She not only looks different, but feels different as well. She feels to me the exact same as holding Fluttershy now. She didn't feel like a pony foal before her change.

“Even Patience gave her a simple examination. She can't tell she is not a pony after this change. And this is with Patience knowing she is not like us. She saw and held her in both forms as well."

Chaser shook his head slightly as if dealing with some grief. "This is some strong magic bud. Not just some faked illusion for show, as I said. Part of that has me worried, and I will tell you why.

“The other part is, she does not wish us to be looking for her kind. She said they don't like ponies. She even seems afraid they might hurt us or something. That part worries me even more.

"Think about that. Powerful and dangerous alicorn like ponies that don't like us. And we have one of their young with us. Would you want them or any others to know about that? Would you like something like them to come looking for her, as dangerous as they are, and already not happy with us as is?"

Kicker looked worried now. And for the few times Chaser ever saw him worried. Kicker let out a deep breath before responding to all of that. "I am no expert on unicorns, but I have heard and seen that some unicorn foals can and have done magic. So that much is not so unusual. But all out form changing, and sustaining it? That is heavy. As for her kind not liking us all that much, she did tell you all of this?"

Chaser nodded. "There is more. Patience is the one who gave us this name, changeling. She found something on them in a book, or some kind of reference article about them. The explorer's that found them once was spooked by them. So much so, that they abandoned any idea of contacting them, or staying to observe them for long. It seems their mere mention of them was just a warning to not go looking for them, and that they do exist."

Kicker felt concerned about what Chaser has found. "Much about this seems real creepy. Bug like looking ponies, and possibly powerful like alicorns, who can change their looks. And of unknown life agendas, that don't like ponies.

“None of that sounds good. No wonder you don't want me to say anything to Misty. That would just freak her out. It freeks me out a bit. And there would be nothing I could do about it. I don't know what I could say to her that would make any difference, or make her feel better about knowing any of it."

Chaser sighed again. "So, you see why you should not tell her?" Kicker nodded. "There is more. Patience even suggested that Princess Celestia likely knows about them.

“And if she has not made any official contact with them, or made any offichal public statement about them, I don't think it would be any good in going looking for them. I don't want any others to know what exactly what we have either. And I don't want anyone to take her from us, unless it was one of them that did it. I do feel she belongs with them.

“So long as we have her, I want her to have a normal life, and I think Stella and I can give her that.

Chaser got near pleading with his words now. "I said it before, she is quite likable, and she is just a little foal. She is nice, and sweet, but also scared, and lost.

“I promised her I would protect her, and take care of her, and I intend to do just that. Now do you understand why we intend to keep her, and why we need you to be quiet about it?"

Kicker shook his head some, but not in disagreement. "I got to say, I admire what it is you and Stella are doing. This is all heavy to take. What you say sounds like a tough decision to be making, keeping this quiet and all.

Kicker stood straight and smiled. "You have my full support. I will keep your secret. And I will not tell Misty, or any other pony for that matter."

He now got a little boisterous and silly. "Hell, I won't even tell myself. I will forget this conversation ever took place."

Chaser chuckled. "Did I ever tell you how crazy you are?"

Kicker's smile broadly. "Not nearly as crazy as you, now it seems. And I thought I was the one doing outright foolish things at times."

Kicker stood in thought over such a time. "I don't think my boss Quicksilver will ever forget the day I tried to get out of work for one day.

“I thought I would release a condensed fog into the place and sneak out, but I grabbed the wrong jar. I set loose a storm cloud instead."

Chaser smiled. "I remember that. I was called in to help break it up. You got your time off for that. A week without pay, I might add."

Kicker went serious again. "But I see you are not so crazy my friend. What you are doing for that little foal you found is honorable. I am not about to judge you for any possible wrong that might come of this. Not while in your attempt in doing what you feel is right by her.

“Whatever might happen. You have my full support in this. It seems you have Patience's support in this as well. Friends stick together, Yes?"

Chaser nodded with a smile. "Yes, we do. And, thank you my friend."

Kicker made the suggestion, "Let's get back to the others. I still have plenty left of the day to spend with Misty. And I don't wish to keep you from Stella and your two new foals either."

Kicker smirked. "This is going to seem so odd. But more for you than me. I mostly just gotta keep this from Misty. You have everyone else to try and fool that this new foal is yours.

I will try and do my part and spread the word that you and Stella have two twin foals now. I have the back story that Stella gave, and I will just stick to that. So no problem there.

“This will actually be kind of fun."

Kicker laughed out loud to himself. "I get to lie to everyone about this, and it will be for a good cause. I love it!"

Chaser shook his own head. "I knew you would. Yes, let's get back to the others."

With that the two took off again to rejoin the group.