“I just realized something my friend.” Discord frowned.

“And what would that be?” I asked.

“How does your army know where you are? Eventually they have to come back to you, correct?”

“You’re right on that. But I made precautions.” I leave it at that. Discord wasn’t satisfied. “I programmed them so that whenever they find a computer to use, they would look for me on Yahoo. Once they do, they then wait for any updates from me while they set out what I ordered them to do. While at the same time they send me updates. Plus I can tell them where I am and shit like that.”

“I see. But, why couldn't you just put that… stuff in them?” Really dude?

“I’m not stupid Discord. Inputting that kind of software would make them easy to corrupt, and vulnerable to viruses… You know what all of this means right?” He nods.

“I have been to varying versions of this planet my friend. Some more interesting than others.” He smiled wryly. I just shook my head and forwent asking questions

“Good. Now lets see if we can use the motel’s free computers.”

“Let’s shall!”

“Enough with the Spongebob references, they’re getting annoying.” Discord huffs.

“Spoilsport.”

“Eat my dust Button!” I yell as my character zooms by Button’s.

“Oh yeah!? Well take this!” A spiked blue shell is sent my way.

“Nonononono NO!” I tried to move out of the of oncoming death, but I couldn’t. It hit me, sending my character spinning in her car. And right before the finish line too. Damnit! *Wait, I can still finish before him! Go you sonavabitch, MOVE!* My character, Skelepone, a pony version of Drybones, turns the right and slowly started to accelerate. *Comeon comeon comeon go go GO!* Just as my car gets to top speed I cross the finish line, right before Button did.

“Noooooooooo!” He cried out in anguish. Dropping his controller. I pump fist in the air to celebrate my second win. “How are you that good at Mario Kart!? Nopony’s been able to beat me! My special talent is playing video games!” I laugh, not smugly, but playfully, and ruffle his hair a little.

“I used to play a lot went I was younger, Button. Particularly racers like these.” I pat his back. “But cheer up, little dude. You still are a pretty good racer yourself; I only managed to beat you two out of five times. If I didn’t know any better I’d say you’ve been playing as soon as you were born!” Button looks up at me gratefully.

“Thanks.” He turned to the game. “You wanna play some more?”

“Sure!” I grab my controller and Button gets his.

“Button! It’s dinner time!” I heared Nurse call from downstairs.

“Aww... ” He slouched a little.

“Don’t be so down kid. I’ll just come by next time I’m around. Alright?”

“I’ll hold you to it!” He pointed his hoof at me, taking the hint I bump my fist to it before I get up and pop my back and wings a few times. “Ew, that sounded like it hurt.” His ears folded back and he made a gagging face.

“It didn’t, it’s just a human thing. I bet you could do it if you stretch right.”

“Really?”

“Maybe. You can always try, just don’t hurt yourself. Alright?”

“Ok!” We both got up and went downstairs. Button went into the kitchen and I left the home after saying bye.

*I like that kid.*

“Discord, where did you get all this money?” I asked as I dumbly stared at the briefcase filled with one-hundred dollar bills.

“It was simple! I just happen to find these fine gentleman in the middle of a transaction in an alleyway.”

“I am going to stop you there Discord.” I interrupt. “You mean to tell me, you got this briefcase from two shady guys in an alley?” He nodded. “And you just… took it.” He nodded again.

“Well, it is a bit more complicated than that. But, yes.” I force out a long, frustrated sigh.

“Whatever, I’m not gonna question it. We got money, so let’s just move on.”

“Let’s shall!”

“Stop it with the fucking Spongebob jokes!”

“Hey, uh, Fluttershy?” I knock on the front door of the little cottage. “You there?” I call out.

“I’m coming! Just one more minute please! If you don’t mind.” I hear some movement from within, but I elected to wait.

In no time Fluttershy meekly opens the door, but once she sees me the door opens fully.

“Ember? What are doing here? If you don’t mind me asking. I thought you were doing something with Discord.”

“Hey Flutters. And yes, original Ember is doing some… things with Discord.” At her confused look I elaborate. “I’m magical double of Ember. Remember the last time you saw two of us?” At that realization hit her.

“Oh! Ok.”

“As to why I came by, just wanted to check up on that little guy. Lunar, if I remember correctly.” At the mention of the little kid Fluttershy perked up.

“Oh! He’s doing just fine! I can take you to him, if you want.”

“I’d like to see him.” She nodded happily and beckoned me to follow her, which I did. She lead me to the backyard of the cottage, where I a little boy, or colt or whatever, was playing wtih a few animals. Looked like he was having a good time. Some of the animals noticed me, but payed me little attention. Huh, I half expected them to freak a little…

“Lunar. Somepony’s here to see you.” Lunar turned to us and first saw Fluttershy.

“Oh, hey Fluttershy. Who’s here?” Man, his mood really has improved from when I last saw him. Must’ve been that concert.

And then he saw me. Yeah.

He kinda froze, but other that, on the outside at least, he seemed fine. But his eyes betrayed him. So I sat down on the grass to look less imposing. Also while giving him the friendliest, most disarming smile I could muster. It worked on some of the animals that were scared of me when I first got here. Some rabbits, squirrels, and other small animals cautiously went up to me and sat about a foot away from me. Even a few exotic-looking birds perched on my shoulders. Thank god none of them perched on my head.

“Oh my goodness. I had no idea you were good animals.” Fluttershy stared in awe.

“... This is actually a first for me.” I glance the small creatures gathered around me. All of them somehow giving me looks that varied from perplexed, curious, and happy. “I mean. I know how to work with dogs. But that’s pretty much it.” A look at the birds on my shoulders. To my left, a fucking bald eagle. Fucking awesome, and too my right, a blue… parrot looking bird. Reminds me of the blue ones from the old Disney movie Rio. Ah… memories.

“Really?” Fluttershy asked, pulling me back into reality.

“Uh, yeah.” I turn to Lunar, who before hand, had the same look as Fluttershy, but when I turned to him he looked down. “Hey, Lunar?” He didn’t pick his head up. “What’s bothering you?” I gently asked.

“N-nothing...” He mumbled. Then I remember when Fluttershy told me he has a fear of owls.

“Oh. Nevermind. You wanna see something cool?” He still didn’t pick his head up, but he decided to look up at me through his hair. Though he did this with one eye. “I got this really cool magic trick, but, hold on I gotta...” The critters around back up, giving me room to work with. I nod to them in thanks and they nod back. “Alright, here we go… Actually, Fluttershy, mind coming over here?” The yellow pegasus tilted her head, but obliged. “Ok, remember that transformation spell Twilight used to turn you the others to... breezies I think they’re called.”

“Um… yes.”

“Well, I’m going to do just that, so please, hold still.” Fluttershy apparently caught on as to what I got planed, if her knowing was any indication. I close my eyes and concentrate, it’s been a while since I used magic.

Soon enough, I focus on the spell I want to use and cast it on myself and Fluttershy. And then I felt my body change. My arms and legs got shorter, I my wings shrunk, a new set of ears sprouted while my human ones disappeared. It felt really weird when my neck started started stretching, same with the tial growing out my ass. And my new hair too, fuck it’s been awhile since I had actually hair.

The magic changing my body faded away and I opened my eyes. And then I look down at myself. I’m still a guy, perfect. I now have fur instead of feathers, blue fur. And from what I can see I have darker blue hair.

*So this is what it feels like when the original Ember turned himself into a changeling…* Since I’m a double I have all his memories, but actually feeling it happen to me was completely different from what my memories told me.

“Ember?” Oh, right. I’m still with Flutters and Lunar.

“Yes, Fluttershy?” I turn to her.

“I… um… you look… very handsome...” Her voice became a light whisper as she tried to hide herself behind her mane. I look down at myself once again, this time taking a good look.

*Good god I look ripped.* My front legs along looked like a mass of pure, rippling muscle. Flowing smoothly along the boones from joint to join. I must have more muscle than Big Mac.

I crane my neck to further survey myself. I was frankly a little amazed at what I saw. To me, I look like a pony version of Hercules. My entire body had an appearance of expertly crafted chiseled marble. The only indication to the contrary was when I would flex.

And best of all, I didn’t look like a meathead like Bulk Biceps. That guy is grossly muscular.

“Huh, so this is what I actually look like as a pony.” I mutter to no one in particular. “Anyway,” I return my attention to the ponies looking at me. “This better, lunar?” At the mention of his name he returned from cloud nine and looked at me. As if seeing me for the first time.

“E-ember?” He said quietly.

“Yeah?”

“Y-you’re a p-pony now?”

“Yup. Cool huh?” I smile down at Lunar. Everything seems sharper than usual. I can even see every single hair on the little guy’s head. God, these ponies have eyes like a hawks. Or maybe it just pertains to pegasi. That makes sense.

“Um… Y-yeah. You’re… pretty c-cool looking.” Lunar mumbled. I feel my smile brighten and wave a hoof to him, telling him to come closer. He looks at me hesitantly, but slowly and surely creeps closer. When he’s within range I lay down, as comfortable as I could being a little unfamiliar with this body.

“Hey, it’s ok.” I bring to hoof out and pet his hair. “You don’t have anything to worry about. Me and Fluttershy, and a few others, are here for you. I know you’ve been through a lot, Lunar, some things I do want to know. But, still, I’m here for you, so is Fluttershy, and all our other friends too. I just want you to know; You have nothing to worry about anymore. You are safe here, you understand?” Lunar looked up at with one, big, teary, hopeful eye. His hair still managing to cover his other eye. And a bright smile curved his lips.

“Th-thank you.” He said through quiet sobs as he wrapped his front legs around my neck. I hugged him back gently.

“Anytime kid.” We stayed like that for who knows how long; him quietly sobbing into my neck while I comforted him. Fluttershy stared on, teary eyed. Every once in awhile a sniffle would come out of her. Eventually Lunar pulled away. A new expression on his face: Happiness, mixed in with a little hope. There wasn’t a trace of fear or trepidation. His happy little face brightened up my day. “You wanna hang out for a bit? I can take you around town.” He nodded and I turned to Fluttershy. “You wanna come along?” She shook her head.

“I’m sorry, but I have to stay with my animals for today, maybe another time?” I smirk.

“I’ll hold ya to it.” I look back to Lunar. “C’mon, kid. Let’s start with some ice cream. I know the perfect place to go for frozen stuff...”

“How the fuck did they find us!?” Me and Discord take cover behind a barrier. Why would they come out in broad daylight!?

“I don’t know! They must have eyes and ears all over the place!” Discord shouted back.

“Alright then,” I scowl at nothing. “Then let’s teach ‘em a lesson.” I grinned wildly at him, he gets what I mean and he smiles back.

“I like where this is going!” I create a shield and we both step out. As soon as we do so a lead shower rains down on us, or more specifically, the shield. Since the area was already cleared by the bystanders, we hand nothing to worry about.

“What fuck!? Shoot them!” I hear one guy shout.

“We are!” Another shouts back. I can feel my grin widening as I turn to Discord.

“Minigun?” I ask. He nods and snaps his fingers. I hold my hands out just as a fucking six-barreled minigun with a propane tank of a magazine attached to it. *Of course he made it look like Heavy’s gun.* I turn my attention back to the gang shooting at us. And out the corner of my eye I see Discord with the exact same gun. His manic grinned filled with sharp, shark-like teeth.

“Let’s make it Hail.” I pull the trigger and the barrels start spinning.

“Let’s shall!” I barely heard Discord of our collective gun fire. The people didn’t have a chance. They. Went. Down. From our position I got to watch in sadistic glee as they got torn to pieces. At this time I heard something over the gunfire.

It was me laughing. I was laughing like a fucking maniac. I was having the time of my life. And pretty soon, the cars across the street were filled with holes and partially covered in blood.

And there were sirens closing in on us.

“Discord, we’re gonna need new looks.”

“You and I can take care of that separately. For now, we leave.” We both teleport back to the motel we’re staying at.

“That was fun!” Lunar cheered. “I didn’t know flying could be so much fun!” I land and he hops off my back.

“Told ya!” I chuckle and look. “Well, it’s getting late. I’ll ya back to Fluttershy’s. Hop back on.” The little guy grins eagerly and gets back on my back. I take off and drop his off at Fluttershy. God, besides Pipsqueak, he’s one of the very few kids I’ve met that I like.

“Can we do it again tomorrow?” Lunar asked just as we got to Fluttershy’s house. I wonder how she’s managing to take care of a kid and a bunch of animals…

“Maybe kid. If I got some free time since I plan to help out Applejack.”

“Oh, ok.” He mule scrunches up a bit. “Hey, uh… Do you mind if I ask a question?” I smile and shake my head.

“No, I don’t mind. Ask away.”

“Ok, um… Why do you call me a kid? I’m not a goat.” Luna hopped off my back and asked. I dumbly stared into his inquisitive face until I understood what he meant.

“Oh! Well, that’s what humans call their… kin. That the right word?” He confirms with a nod of his head. “Thanks, but yeah. Humans call their kin kids, or children.”

“Oh. That makes sense...” He trailed off thoughtfully.

“Glad to clear things up.” I smiled. “I’ll see ya around kid.” That got a giggle out of him. I then took off and headed home to get some shuteye. Gotta get up early if I want to start helping out the AJ and Big Mac more often.

“Ugh, and I thought feathers were a bitch to get used too.” I scratch under my arms. “And fuck being anything other than a bird.”

“I have to agree with you on that one.” Discord said as he lazily flew by me.

“Fuck you Discord.” I glare right at him.

“As promising as that proposition sounds. I’m afraid I will have to decline.” He landed right next to me. “Besides. I don’t think you would want any of this.” He gestured his hands to himself.

“You’d be surprised.” I smirk and face forward as he kind of makes this surprised face. But I could tell he was a little interested at the same time.

“... I didn’t know you were like… that.” He tried looking for a better word than gay I bet.

“I actually swing both ways.” From the corner of my eye I saw him gawk at me.

“... You too?” He eventually asked.

“Yup.” *Heh, no surprise he’d be bie.*

-No kidding-

=Right?=

“Well, that’s a bit… refreshing.” He muttered.

“I can imagine.”

“What?”

“Oh come on Discord. I’m not stupid. Who would go centuries without a good fuck every once in awhile?”

“Ah, finally someone gets it!” He claps and a few people stare. “Good on ya, boy!”

“Cool.” There was a long silence as we kept walking down the sidewalk towards our destination.

“By the by, you never told me where we’re going. I’ve gotten quite curious...”

“We’re going to were I used to work. I want to get a few things from there I forgot to grab last time I was here. If my shit’s still there anyway...”

“Ah.” This time, an awkward silence fills the air around us.

And Goat-snake decided to break it the best way he could, given the circumstances.

“So, how about them sports?” Since I was kinda enjoying the relative quietness between us his talking sort of pissed me off.

“Nothing good I heard lately. Couple baseball players got caught using steroids.” I decided to make him shut up by saying negative shit. Indirectly saying I don’t feel like talking. And I’m willing to bet he got the message just from my tone alone. Fucking hell he gets annoying without even trying. And not that I don’t like him, I don’t not like him. He’s just really annoying a lot of the time.

“We should’ve gotten a car.” He said.

“Yeah, but it’s kinda hard doing shit like that when you’re on the run from the law.” I say casually.

“You say it as if this isn't the first time...”

“It isn’t, well… it is for the whole cops thing. I had to kinda lay low from some people who were against the idea of us anthros.”

“Oh. Uh… Hey!” He said suddenly. “I think we have arrived to your destination!” I look ahead and see that we have. The DARPA building just a few blocks away.

“Oh, huh, perfect timing.” I pause. “I wonder if all my stuff’s still there...”