We were informed that a fight broke out in Sunshaft. Apparently, a group of locals attempted to capture another changeling, but this time they didn’t succeed. It was bound to happen eventually. The first guards to the scene found almost two dozen ponies beaten half to death and the changeling standing over a young mare on the ground, as if trying to help her. I didn’t believe it either. Recon said it was the agent we were after, and we went to snatch him, but an entire army of changelings came out of the forest and attacked both us and the agent. That clicked with what we have learned about him, and I made the call to snatch him up before the changelings dragged him away. We were to treat him like a pony, too, for some twisted reason.
We recovered the alleged changeling agent, who showed no resistance, but more changelings intercepted our route back to the city. We dropped him and the changelings put a headpiece on him, like what a patrol obtained two days ago, which put him in a coma. Then they simply let him fall to the ground. We were held up in a fight and couldn’t rush to him immediately. Ultimately, we got him back. Officer Stone Fall suffered major wounds to his wing, and others are hurt too. I hope the changeling will be worth it.
Before the attack, I exchanged a few words with him. He didn’t even try to deny he was an agent, and was positively elated to be taken by us. It might have been a trick, but no changeling I’ve seen was able to pull off such an honest performance. Recon might have been right on this one, but I’m not convinced.
I heard Princess Luna wishes to lead his trial. I hope she can look through his act, if it is one. If not, and he is a pony in some way and they will want to keep him around, the politics alone will make me wish for an early retirement.
Excerpt from report #2354, by Commander Rush.
***
I was cold.
I hung in the place between dreams and reality, weightless, comfortable, and trouble-free.
Except some parts of me, that were closer to reality, said that they were cold. I tried to ignore them. I wanted to stay in my comfy limbo and away from reality that was filled with all manners of uncomfortable. One of those realities wiggled its way to me and began dragging me away with its cold touch. Others joined in on the effort, including one that spoke about pain, another that insisted on hearing noises, and a few more, similarly unpleasant. I wanted to grab onto something and go back where I didn’t have to deal with any of it, but the more their number grew, the more powerful they became.
As if bursting through a bubble I arrived in the real world, though the casual observer would have merely seen a twitch on my eyelids. Everything still felt kind of muffled, but the cold was stronger than ever.
I was lying on my back on a bed with my head propped up. My eyes were sticky and refused to open. I lifted a leg to clear them but something rattling held it back. The same happened with the other, and both hind legs too. I squirmed with what little strength I had, testing the boundaries, while forcing my eyes open. They opened, eventually, but as I got them to focus, I sank back into the pillow. A Royal Guard was standing beyond a window, in what appeared to be a corridor. His piercing blue eyes could have very well been the source of the cold, but not even a strict Royal Guard could freeze you with a stare.
I turned my head around. What I could only describe as a cell was only a few steps wide cubicle with a closed door before me, the window of which the guard was watching my awakening, and a second window that was responsible of waking me.
Outside the window was dark with trees swinging in the wind. I looked for a blanket, and found it tucked at the foot of the bed, out of reach. I was chained to a sturdy-looking medical bed. I focused on the window, and saw green light emanating from my forehead, but the window refused to move. Looking up, I saw an IV bag delivering clear liquid into a hole in my carapace that looked like it was cut with a knife to let the needle in. The other leg was in a white cast, up to the elbow. Something heavy sat on my horn, no doubt responsible for my lack of magic. I made eye contact with the guard again, then looked meaningfully at the open window. He merely nodded to somepony I couldn’t see then resumed his watch.
A few seconds later a pony in a lab coat appeared beyond the window. The lock clicked and he door swung open, revealing a unicorn stallion, who, without a word, went straight to the softly beeping machines on my left, shutting the window on the way. Two more unicorns marched in and took up position to either side of the door. The doctor fiddled with the dials, checked the IV bag, poked at the thing on my horn, then finally looked me in the eye.
“For the record,” he said, with a tone that matched the flatness of his gaze, “I advised against waking you so soon, but the powers that be wish to have their answers soon.”
“Powers?” I tried to say, and had to clear my throat thoroughly to form the word. “Is this Canterlot?”
I realized just then to question why I was still alive and able to remember in the first place. The last thing I remembered was Chrysalis crushing my mind. My head still hurt.
“It is,” the pony said. “How do you feel? Changelings aren’t my expertise, despite the many chances I had recently to amend that, so feel free to correct our methods. I am Quiescent, by the way.”
I waved a hoof, making the tube wiggle. “Split Horizon. I’m fine, I think, and don’t worry, I’m not an expert on the subject either.”
“So it would seem.”
“Hmm?”
He returned to poke at buttons that didn’t seem to do anything. “I was told you are a unique specimen, a changeling with the mind of a pony. I had the pleasure to care for your kind more than I would have preferred, but I never had the luck to one with such excellent conversational skills. By the way, you can thank Miss Twine for the book.”
I craned my neck to look at the book on the small table, letting his remark go unanswered. ‘Magic for babies! Ages 0-3.’
I looked at the unicorn baby at the cover proudly displaying her glowing horn, my breath turning into a shuddering exhale. The presence of the book told me about a can of worms that was waiting to be opened, and I wasn’t looking forward to doing it.
The doctor was tentatively not saying anything, and even avoided looking at me until I spoke.
“Was she here?”
“Miss Twine? Don’t be ridiculous. This clearly isn’t a hospital. One of the guards delivered it after it was subjected to thorough examination. It shouldn’t have been allowed at all, but she insisted, and considering her role in the whole issue, it was granted.”
My question was probably written all over me, because I didn’t even have time to form it before he answered.
“She is fine. She is in a hospital, not a cell like this. Luckily, she’s not under my care, so don’t even think about asking me to relay any sappy messages.”
I suppressed a smile. “Glad to hear she’s okay.”
“At least she is,” he murmured under his breath, but didn’t elaborate.
I waited for a few seconds. “How long was I out?” I asked eventually.
“I’m not allowed to tell you that, I’m afraid. I’m just here to help you get ready for your trial.” He adjusted the thing on my horn, then pointed. “Open the door.”
I looked up toward my horn, then rattled my chains.
“Just try. The inhibitor won’t let you do anything, but I need to test how much power you can muster.”
I shrugged and focused on the door this time, with the same results as the window, but Quiescent nodded regardless.
“Don’t be alarmed about the inhibitor. It’s just a security measure, so you don’t try and trick any of the guards. We’ll get it off eventually.” He tapped a dial, with the needle standing barely above zero. “Not that you’d get far. You barely register. That headpiece drained you almost to the bone.”
The recollector. It must have failed, whatever Chrysalis had planned with it. “Do you have it?”
He gave me a studying look. “Why? What do you know about it?”
Sounds of galloping came from beyond the door, as somepony approached in a dead run. The doctor gave me one last look, then looked over his shoulder expectantly. “Never mind. You can ask her the rest.”
The door slammed open, almost knocking one of the guards in the nose. The incomer was a mare, wearing the same scrub as my newest friend, panting from the run.
“Is it up already? Why didn’t anypony warn me? Brr… Why is it so cold in here?”
She looked over the stallion who stood her gaze, then pushed him aside to look at the machines, barely sparing a glance at me in the process.
“I asked to gently wake up the patient so we can prepare it for the trial, not give it a cold shock!” She adjusted the IV needle and prodded me in a few places, where ponies are usually squishy.
“He’s awake, as you wished,” Quiescent said. “Time is short, and I highly doubt a little cold would hurt a changeling.”
“It’s about the principle… Oh, whatever. Did it make any noises?”
He gave me a look and I saw a small smile sitting on his lips. “We had a lovely conversation, in fact. He was asking about the headpiece.”
She froze, and locked eyes with me for the first time. There was fear in those lovely wide eyes of hers. I couldn’t resist the opportunity.
“Hi.”
She stumbled backwards and Quiescent put a hoof on her back to steady her.
“It’s all right. Regardless of appearance, he could pass up for a regular pony. Certainly a step up from the others.”
The mare straightened her lab coat, giving her colleague a querying look. “Him? Is it not a…”
“Oh, no, he’s a regular specimen, but based on level of intelligence shown and his alleged actions in the past, I believe we should show him some respect, and based on the reports he’s been posing as a stallion all along. The princesses certainly think he’s special, too.”
The mare drew in a breath and held it for a few seconds, studying the legs of my bed. “So, the rumors were correct after all. I do have to buy that bottle, don’t I?” She stepped up to me and finally raised her eyes to meet mine. “In that case, I apologize. You must understand, the rest of the changelings we take care of were not so great in the talking department, and when we heard that the Royal Guards collected a special changeling, we made a bet you’ll be just as useless as the others.” She rounded up on her colleague again. “Your first action should have been to inform me, not set up a game. Go and inform the Princesses it’s... He’s up and ready.”
He nodded, with a smirk still on his lips, and spilled out the door. One of the guards followed him, but the other remained in place, watching me. They weren’t taking chances.
“Sorry for scaring you,” I broke the awkward silence that remained after the doctor. “I didn’t expect to wake up in a cell-hospital combo. Truth be told, I didn’t expect to wake up at all.”
“I’ve... heard things,” she said, as she fumbled with the machine. “Weird things. They made me swear not to discuss any of it with you before the trial, though.”
She disconnected the patches taped to my chest. I knew I was bound to face something like a trial, but the mention of it still sent a shiver down my spine. “When?”
She pushed a button and every light and dial on the machine went dead. “Right now.”
***
I insisted my legs were functional, but I was rolled in the audience chamber in a wheelchair by Quiescent anyway. When I saw, who was going to be leading the trial, I momentarily forgot about my dignity. Princess Luna. It made sense, but still, my case was surely not all that important? What could I possibly say that was worth the Princess’s time?
Taking my eyes off the alicorn, I inspected the room and the other occupants. One row of desks formed a half-circle around the room’s well-lit center, with the princess in the middle and four regular ponies to each side. I didn’t need my inhibitor-bound horn to tell me about the mixed feelings they were projecting towards me. I saw a few smiles and frowns as they murmured to each other, but the majority mimicked Luna’s neutral expression. I looked over the whole room once again, but Pearly wasn’t present.
Luna raised a hoof and the room fell silent. Quiescent rolled me center-stage and retreated outside of my vision. I stood the princess’s gaze for a few seconds, then lowered my eyes.
“What’s your name?” Luna addressed me with a steady voice. I looked up at her. So it begins.
“I’m Split Horizon, ma’am.” I did my best to keep the shaking from my voice, with relative success.
“Have the changelings not given you a name of their own?”
“They haven’t. They just called me Split. It was supposed to be temporary.”
“Then let’s not change that for now. I assume we can spare explaining the reason for this trial?”
“I’d prefer that, ma’am. I know what’s going on.” My own voice was getting steady and cool, almost like hers. I felt a touch of pride.
“Very well. Tell us about the events that took place at the invasion, from your point of view. Please note that everything you say is being transcribed.”
I breathed in long, and began speaking. I told them what happened to me, starting from the fall of the shield, elaborating when asked to. I went over how I was found and immediately assumed to be ready rejoin the hive. When I got to the part when I stood up against Hussk, there was a noticeable shuffling around the otherwise silent chamber. Luna raised a hoof, silencing me and the room then looked at a pony in a blue west.
“That’s impossible!” the pony said. “We confirmed the identity of the pony who captured the changeling. He had ample evidence supporting his claim. We even have witnesses, and the changeling didn’t deny it either. It was the work of the brave ponies of Sunshaft. This one must be lying.”
“The changeling in question refused to utter a word so far, Mister Gail,” another pony in glasses said, “and the reports did mention a pony who got away, who might have been changeling as well.”
“Are you saying we must take the award back?”
“All I’m saying is that there is more to the story than we previously thought.”
“We shall revisit the issue once the trial is over,” Luna said, and both ponies fell silent. She gestured me to go on. I described how I met Pearly and how she offered me her help, and predictably, I was interrupted again.
“What were your intentions with her?”
I looked at the pony, who asked the question like she asked what I ate that night. She held my gaze, and I swallowed my indignation.
“Believe me, all I wanted was a place to sleep and some bits. I planned to move out once I had a plan. It just happened that we got along.”
“Are you saying you applied no spell on her to change her attitude?”
“I don’t think so. I might have, but I still don’t fully understand how my magic works.”
“That is not a clear answer. Have you made any attempts or not?”
“I have not, at least not consciously.”
She held up a sheet of paper. “Miss Twine’s testimony includes the changelings’ signature act, the feeding on love. Are you denying it happened?”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “That happened later, with her consent, and it was instinctual. When I met her, I just wanted a place to sleep.”
“Miss Storm, that’s enough,” Luna said, then turned to me. “Be careful what you say, Split Horizon. These matters are fragile. Continue, please.”
I did. “...then we went to the forest to do training. I wanted to be able to use pony magic, but I had an idea about a spell that could mask me, so other changelings won’t recognize me. I had no specifics, and I didn’t know if it would work, but I had no other ideas. No ideas that were viable, at least. I heard there was a library in Ponyville with a proficient librarian who was good in magic, but getting there would have meant crossing an entire mountain, so you can imagine I looked for alternatives.”
The mention of the librarian stirred up some murmurs, but nopony spoke out.
“Do you know who the librarian is?” Luna said.
“I heard that she is the protégé of Princess Celestia, but I don’t know her name.”
“Then who told you to go and ask for her help?”
“Pearly. Didn’t she tell you that?”
“She did, but that is not the concern. Tell us about what she taught you in the forest.”
I described them the spells we practiced, touching on her telling me about her family, and finally on the doll.
“We found the changeling doll in Miss Twine’s indicated location,” another pony announced. “It did bear some striking potential, although the use of it as a magic source cannot be verified at the moment. It is now under investigation.”
I nodded, knowing what was coming up next. “I forgot all about it, actually. Can she get it back?”
“Eventually, I don’t see why not,” the pony shrugged. “After complete nullification, of course.”
I nodded again and waited for questions or comments, anything to delay talking about the fight. I remembered clearly all those ponies laying crushed on the ground, with Pearly looking up at me fearfully.
Everypony leaned forward, with the exception of the princess, who remained stoic. “Tell us about the incident.”
I inhaled, and laid it out to them the best I could. My memories were hazy, but I told them what I recalled. My mouth formed the monotone words, one sentence after the other, as my mind replayed the events in my head. I avoided their eyes, focusing on the floor instead, but I still felt their gazes on me. I described them what happened as if from the viewpoint of an outsider, like it wasn’t me who did it. I wanted to believe it wasn’t.
“Then you were approached by another squad of changelings, is that right?”
I didn’t see who spoke, so I continued to address the floor. “Yes. They attacked the guards and separated me from them. I tried to fight but I was exhausted and they made sure I was helpless. They held my head and forced the recollector on me. I expected to forget everything then, but it was not a recollector, at least not what they had tried on me. It connected me to their queen somehow. I don’t know how it worked or how much time it took, but she talked to me in my head.”
“Yes, we collected the device in question, too,” the pony from earlier said again. “It is a remarkable piece, very much like the first one. It created a mental link between you and the changeling queen over an impressive distance, using your reserves as a source. What you are referring to as a recollector was a similar device, with a similar spell pattern, although it was too damaged for a detailed study. This one, however, is quite intact.”
I shook my head. “Another one? What do you mean?”
A bit of murmur filled the room, until Luna raised her hoof again. “You might be unaware that our guards collected a broken device from a group in the forest, near Sunshaft.”
“Another? You mean Hussk’s group?” Fear clutched my stomach. “Are they here?”
Luna contemplated her answer. “Safe for one, they managed to elude our forces. He’s not yet capable of answering questions. We believe they might have been the same ones attempting to catch you. He is yet to tell us his name.”
Suddenly I was glad of the many guards at every corner.
“Tell us what the queen told you.”
I laid it out the best I remembered, up until the very end. “She was doing something to me, I think erasing my memories, and I can’t remember very well. I can recall something happening that might have interrupted her, a hit to my head, I think. The fact that I remember at all tells me something did happen, though you might know more about that than me.”
“We do,” a stallion said. He was wearing a hat with the Royal Guards’ emblem on it. “You may learn the details later, but something did interrupt the process. You may talk to Commander Rush at some point. He was the one who brought you back.” He looked at the princess, who was eyeing me silently during my monologue. Everypony waited, myself included, for her to say something. I reached the end of my story, and it was time for the conclusion.
“I wish to consult my advisors. The meeting is suspended for ten minutes.”
I leaned back in my chair, but somepony stepped behind me and rolled me out the door. In the hallway outside the audience chamber I was greeted by the doctor who had woken me up. I gave him a nod.
“How am I doing?”
“You may have hope their decision’s going to be favorable,” Quiescent said in a low voice. “Your presentation is quite convincing. Plus, they have the reports and speculations of many ponies who have been working on your case painting a positive picture of you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Many ponies? Working on my case?”
“Strikes you as odd? Consider the number of changelings that wanted to take you with them. You’re more important than you think.”
“When you put it like that... It’s not easy to wrap my head around it. I never was important to anypony. Except maybe...” I trailed off, but he picked up on it.
“You will see her, eventually,” he reassured me. “There is no reason to keep you two separated after the final decision.”
I nodded silently, and waited.
The time came, and I was rolled back into the spotlight. Luna didn’t waste any time getting the audit back on track.
“I must admit, I expected this day to provide us with more answers.”
I gulped. This wasn’t a good start. She looked me in the eye, and I felt like the chair was swallowing me.
“You, Split, confirmed a great deal of our suspicions and speculations, but we are not closer to the changeling queen’s motives than before. Regardless, your cooperation and general attitude earns you our trust. You will not be sharing the fate of your kin.”
I exhaled, like a boulder was rolled off my chest.
“If you are willing to help us further, Sergeant Cheval will be ready to accept your inputs.”
The pony in the hat nodded, thought there was a little frown on his lips. I looked back at Luna.
“We believe your desire to join the Royal Guard still lives. Is that correct?”
My eyes almost popped out of their sockets. No way. This was too good to be true. Judging by the tiny smile, the first emotion on her, that the princess watched my reaction with, I was right.
“Obviously, we cannot let you fulfill that particular dream, or let you take part in any military operation. You might also be disappointed to hear that we are unable to revert the effect of the spell the royal couple cast on the city a week ago, nor did we find a spell to hide you from changelings seeking you. We, however, allow you to live in Canterlot as a citizen, under certain conditions.”
She said it. I was pardoned. I couldn’t believe it. “A-anything, Princess. Thank you.”
“Very well. Listen carefully. These rules will serve your safety as much as the ponies’ around you. Welcome back to society, Split Horizon.”
***
“Well?”
I shook my head in disbelief. “It’s even better than I expected. I... I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe I’m so lucky.”
Quiescent patted me on the back, as he was pushing my chair down the corridor. He warmed up to me considerably since our first meet. “Don’t give all the credit to blind luck. You worked hard to get here.”
“I had help, though.”
“Yes, you had. Don’t let that dissuade you. You’re the first changeling to achieve this much.”
I looked back at him. “This much? Am I not the first to try?”
He hummed and shrugged. “I couldn’t say. I don’t have a perfect insight into the machinations of the government, but wouldn’t be surprised. The princesses have taken in the strangest of creatures during the years... Or, at least Celestia did... Oh, we’re almost there. Are you ready?”
I sighed. “Sure. Did you get the book from the cell?”
“It’s in the compartment in the bottom.”
“Thanks. Wish me luck.”
“Remember, she’s just a young girl. She’s not going to bite your head off, if that book is any indication.”
“It’s not my head I’m worried about. I dragged her into my mess.”
“And she followed gladly. Now go.”
We stopped in front of a nondescript double door. I inhaled deeply, and pushed one side open.
Beyond was a long room with desks and chairs and only a few ponies scattered around. They looked up at me as I rolled in, my eyes searching for a flaxen mane.
She was sitting with two other mares, with a plate in front of each of them. Upon my approach, the two ponies stood and reseated further away, leaving us room, but not too far to intervene if necessary. Quiescent left me, swiftly joining them. They exchanged a few hushed words, but didn’t leave the room, as I’d hoped. Pearly remained on her chair and followed me with her gaze as I rolled the wheelchair to her. With each passed meter, a familiar warmness grew inside me.
She looked fine, considering the events of that certain afternoon. A couple of bruises on her cheek and side showed the work of the townsponies, and she was holding her right hoof close to her stomach. Her hair flowed freely down her shoulders, her mouth a thin line.
Stopping the chair at her table, I leaned down and pulled out the book. “I got this in the mail. I suppose it means you’re not furious with me?”
She pushed her plate away and kept looking at me steadily.
“Because you should,” I went on, hitting a more serious tone. “I shouldn’t have dragged you into this. I should have...”
She picked up the book with her magic and, without warning, stuffed it in my mouth. She then proceeded to stand up, limp to me, and draw me in a one-legged hug. “Shut up, bug-pony.”
I spat the book on the table and wrapped my own hooves around her, cautious as first, but she squeezed me harder, and I let my head fall on her shoulders.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered. Her hair smelled like shampoo and fried hay. I didn’t believe I was very pleasant to hold, but she didn’t seem to mind. The warm feeling got even stronger, feeling me with strength.
“I’m sorry too. I should have known what taking you in would bring upon me, but you were terrifying.”
“Are you not afraid?”
She sighed. “A little. I’m better now. I knew changelings were dangerous, but I was too excited to care, and when you came to me to take me to safety, I got cold hooves. Icy cold hooves. I would have run straight to my clearing if I weren’t hurting so much. When the guards took you, I cried out, but they didn’t hear me.” She unfolded her legs and pulled my chair close to hers, then sat back down. “How did the audit go? I wanted to visit you, but they didn’t let me. It took a lot of time for them to even give my book to you. Did you like it?”
I looked at the prancing filly on the cover. “I didn’t know what to feel. I woke up this morning, not knowing where I was, how long I was out, how you were doing, why wasn’t I in the Hive, and so on. I did put it together that you wouldn’t have gone with an inside joke if you didn’t want to tell me something, eventually.” I looked up at her and smiled. “I’m gonna take you up on the offer, though.”
She chuckled. “We’ll see how that goes. So, what’s gonna happen to you? Nopony’s telling me anything.”
“Well, in a nutshell, I’m pardoned. I can stay in Canterlot and be a pony, but... Oh...”
She leaped up and pulled me into another hug. “That’s great! I’m so proud of you. I told them you would make a great pony.” She sat back, her good foreleg resting on mine. “What else?”
“I’m not allowed to leave the city, use more than one form, use magic of any kind, feed without consent, take certain jobs, and generally live without guards watching my every step. At least for a while. The rules are subject to change down the line, if I behave. Oh, and I have to provide aid with efforts against changelings whenever needed, and help any other changelings with my condition.”
“So, basically, you’re a war criminal and this is your bail.”
“I don’t know. Maybe. It’s not that bad, considering the alternatives.”
“That’s true... It still sounds bad, but you’re right. At least I can keep you around, even if not as an employee.”
I raised an eyebrow. “How come? I won’t be leaving Canterlot anytime soon, and you can’t just relocate...”
She put a mischievous smile on.
“...except if you already have.”
“That’s right! They brought me here along with you, and when it was time for me to leave, I told them I couldn’t go back after what had happened. They arranged a place and a job for me here. Maybe, sometime I can return to my hotel and my diner, but they can wait. My uncle promised me that he will keep an eye out for them.”
I hung my head. “I’m sorry you had to leave home because of me.”
She lifted my chin with a foreleg. “Don’t blame yourself. I’m a big girl. I know what I’m doing, and I don’t regret siding with you.”
I took her hoof in mine. “Thanks. When you didn’t want me to help you, in the town, I thought I lost you for good.”
She rubbed the back of her head. “Yeah... Not my strongest moment, I admit. You scared me half to death with that act, you freaky creature. Promise me you won’t go all hell-spawn again.”
“Deal.”
We sat in silence for a bit. I became distinctly aware of the three other ponies in the cafeteria with us. They put up a good show of not paying attention to us.
“So, uhm...” I said, shuffling my hooves. “What now?”
She poked me in the chest. “First, tell me why I had to learn your real name from the guards. Second, change into something with an actual iris so I can tell if you’re looking me in the eye.”
I felt my cheeks warming up. “I wanted to keep it secret so the changelings won’t hear somepony saying it, and I never got around telling you, I guess.”
She shook her head. “I would have told it right away. Split Horizon sounds much cooler than Mint Flower.”
I smirked. “I never noticed. Do you really want me to change? I thought you liked changelings.”
“Yeah, but in light of recent events I’d rather put that part of me on hold.”
I winced. “Sure, fair enough.” In the private areas of the complex, I was free to roam in my native body. I didn’t ask specifically, but I doubted they would be upset at me if I used my skill in the loosely populated cafeteria for a few minutes. “I have a few choices. What would you like to see?”
“What you looked like before the change. Is that okay?”
“Oh, that...? Sure, no problem. Here we go...”
I rolled backwards and, still sitting in the chair, assumed my old body. The effect was immediate.
“You?!” She exclaimed. “I mean, him? This is your old body?”
I looked over myself. I was the perfect replica of original Split. What did she mean... Oh. Right.
“Yes,” I grinned proudly. “The very one.”
“But why...”
“You spooked me when you brought in the towel,” I explained. “I was formless in that moment, and I put on this one by reflex, instead of the one you knew me by. It’s not the finest example of a stallion, but I lived with it for years, and grew rather fond of it.”
“I should have guessed. It does suit you, though. It’s a little dorky.”
I studied my well-known hoof. From all the bodies, this remained the closest to my heart. “Too bad I can’t use it anymore. They created a new one for the street.” I hid a smile with the back of my hoof.
“Is it that bad? Can I see it?”
I glanced around. Even Quiescent was openly watching us by this point. I turned back at Pearly, and gave her a big grin. “Sure. They worked extremely hard on it.”
I closed my eyes and envisioned the form. Even just picturing it, it gave me goosebumps. On came the flames.
“Oh my gosh... You look just like a Royal Guard!”
The End