“For countless millennia the changelings have sought an evolution beyond their crippling weakness and dependency on pony affection for life. The Queens held a summit nearly two decades ago, where they made the bold decision to send their newest royal hatchling out to live in Equestria, where hopefully she would bear a clutch that wasn’t incapable of producing love.

“Fluttershy doesn’t know about any of that at all, but she does know that ponies were terrified of her insectoid form when they saw it, and she can disguise herself as a regular pegasus to keep that from happening. She has settled in the outskirts of Ponyville as an animal caretaker out of the goodness of her heart. The not-starving thing is just a bonus.”