I suddenly jolted awake, aware of it being very hot. I looked around me, and realised where I was.
I was back in my home in the UK. As my brain switched on, I looked down to see my skin was no longer yellow. Indeed, everything about my body had changed and increased in size. I was male again, exactly as I was before I transformed.
My clothing was a tad too small, and the remains of the boots were scattered all over the floor. My shirt was too small, as were the jeans. I removed them as best I could, and took clothes from my wardrobe. As I got changed, I looked down quickly and... yup, those were back too.
I felt my hair out of interest, and realised that the bow was gone. The very thing that had started my adventure was gone.
The happy life I’d had in Canterlot was gone, and it was never coming back.
I held my sadness in, and succeeded for a while, before breaking down. My friends in Canterlot were lost to me forever. I would never see Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle again. Never again would I walk the halls of CHS, or get shouted at by Mrs. Harshvoice for misusing a connective or getting word order jumbled. Never again would I ride on Sadie, enjoying the summer air.
It was too much to take, and I simply resorted to screaming uncontrollably at whatever entity lives up there.
“WHY? WHY DID YOU SEND ME BACK? I WAS HAPPY THERE!!”
And it was true. I was no longer truly just Tom Haddington, 20-something bloke from London who liked MLP and worked in engineering. I was now partially Apple Bloom.
I wanted to be Apple Bloom.
I attempted to cheer myself up by watching the Equestria Girls franchise in order, but that didn’t work. I simply broke down whenever the Crusaders came onto screen. I didn’t even entertain the possibility of reading Anon-a-Miss again. It saddened me to think that, out of all things, that is what the Crusaders will probably be remembered for.
I tried visiting heritage railways as well, and that helped. But eventually my mind would wander back to those days spent in happiness.
But what made it hardest was it was where I had found love, with a character who doesn’t even appear on screen! But there wasn’t anybody I could talk to. They would all think I was insane, or that I was reciting a fanfiction!
But I noticed something odd when attempting to re-watch Friendship Games. When it got to the journal scene at the beginning of the movie, the dialogue was different;
“Dear Princess Twilight, how's life treating you in Equestria? Any cool new magic spells? It's been pretty quiet here at CHS since the Battle of the Bands, although the Crusaders did cook us a pretty good meal. Boy was it spicy! We still pony up when we play music, which Rainbow Dash just loves to show off. But I still can't quite grasp what it's all about. I would love to hear what you think about it when you get a sec. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer.”
I couldn’t believe it! My actions had actually changed the series!
It was one gloomy day when everything got better. I was at my table, eating breakfast (a soggy sandwich), when there was a knock at my door. I walked over to it, and opened it. Sure enough, it was my postman!
“Hi Patrick,” I said to him.
“Good morning Tom!” he said. “I’ve got a letter here for you, and a parcel. Both of them are from the USA, from a city I’ve never heard of.”
I was surprised. Who would send me something from the USA, apart from my godfather in Houston?
“Thank you,” I said, taking them from him.
“Have a nice day,” Patrick replied, as he got back into his van and drove off.
I went inside and put the box down. I opened the letter and read it. Here is what it said;
Dear Thomas Haddington,
I imagine that you are wondering why I am writing to you. First off, I want to say sorry for the way I treated you when I first returned to Canterlot, as I realise now that you hadn’t intended to go to CHS, but were forced there instead.
I also wish to raise an issue I have been having. In the few weeks since I came back and was re-admitted into the Apple family, I’ve been struggling to fit in here. I believe it is because of the time I spent in your body and in your world. I am no longer truly Apple Bloom, just as you are no longer truly Thomas Haddington.
I came to realise that I would be happier in your world, living as you, than here on Sweet Apple Acres, as I no longer truly belong here.
Which brings me to the contents of the package I sent you. That box contains the bow that first transformed you into me. I believe that it still has some of its transformative magic left in it, and it should still work. To activate it, simply clip it into your hair.
But I would like to warn you that this switch would in all likelihood be permanent. You would not be able to return to London, nor I to Canterlot. This is not a light decision to make, so please think on it very carefully.
I know that you will make the right choice, irrespective of what you choose to do.
Your’s sincerely,
Apple Bloom.
I opened up the box, carefully removing the bubble wrap that protected the object inside. Sure enough, there was the bow, just as colourful and vivid as the day I had bought it at BronyCon. I picked it up, and thought for a moment.
If I were to put it on, I could be truly happy. But on the other hand, if I were to put it on and not be happy, I could not return to London.
Oh, stop being such a doubting Thomas! Said one voice in my head.
What if this doesn’t work? Said another.
I held the bow in front of me, trying to decide what to do.