Optional Chapter 1

Imago moved slowly, the lack of love in his body causing him to feel sluggish and irritable. Fluttershy had tried her best, feeding him everything she could offer. To the pony's eternal credit, she had even tried giving him fish, though the very idea of a pony-like creature eating meat had obviously horrified her. He yawned, his body craving sleep as a way of conserving what little energy he had left. Fluttershy had left, likely for some errands or groceries, and Imago had determined this to be a fantastic time to take a nap without worrying the pony. For all her kindness and caring, she seemed very high-strung, bordering on paranoid. Finding a nice corner of the house and taking a simple blanket, he wrapped himself in the warm cloth and allowed his body and mind to drift off.

His restful respite hadn't lasted long before he'd felt a soft, continuous thumping on his head. Opening a single eye, he faced Angel Bunny, the constant, fluffy pain in his hide. Angel had not appreciated how much attention the changeling had been getting, nor how Imago had seemingly "taken over" the house.

"What?" Imago asked, knowing he wouldn't get a word back. "Am I in your corner?" His stomach growled, reminding him even more of his foul mood. Angel was holding his basket. He pulled it up, jabbing at the corner where Imago slept. "Too bad. You can move your basket. I'm really not feeling up to moving." The commander said simply as he turned his head from the bunny. More thumps assailed his neck, no harm coming to his tough exoskeleton. Suddenly, Angel clutched the blanket Imago had been curled in and yanked it out from under the changeling, flipping the male on his back. As he tossed the cloth aside, his face showed a smirk that he was fully aware of. Imago snorted. "Ha, think I've become so soft I can't handle sleeping cold? Sorry to say, little bunny, but I'm not moving." As he stretched and moved into a more comfortable position, he felt a sudden pain flaring up his foreleg. When his howl of pain subsided, he found the cause of it. Angel smirked again, having obviously done the damage. Before Imago could stop himself, he lunged, baring his fangs and hissing loudly. The other animals didn't appreciate that, panicking at the sudden predatory hiss. Angel stepped back, but only a little. The rabbit then lunged, desperate to keep his place as king of the roost.

Hours later, the door opened. Fluttershy gasped, seeing the house in shambles, animals everywhere flying free, and her furniture scattered. In the middle of the carnage lay Imago and Angel, the former's bandage bloodied from being reopened.

"Oh my, what happened!?" She gaped, looking at the carnage. Angel suddenly looked very worried. Surely even Fluttershy would get angry abo-

"I'm sorry. I...went to pet the animals, and...well...things got out of control." The changeling spoke slowly. Angel, mouth agape, stared at Imago.

"Oh, I see. Well, that's unlike them. Just wait here, I'll get the bandages." As she headed out of the room, Imago turned his head to the bunny, grinning. He mouthed three words, and limped off after the pony.

'I own you.'