In the aftermath of the riot the hospital dorms were in rough shape, mostly broken windows and damage to the outside of the building from what I had overheard. Everyone was still alittle shaken up from what happened and the fact of who the latest member of our little group was did little to reassure them.

A day ago Scott eventually came to, the scream that echoed throughout the campus was more than enough proof of that. The staff had eventually found him cowering in his bed, bundled up in his bedsheets. His reaction was kind of expected considering our own experiences, however what we weren't expecting is what he had...regressed into. I should remind you all that what we know of our transformation is that it is entirely based upon the person's personality and lifestyle, meaning we end up as an Equine version of how we see ourselves mentally. Never though has a transformation been this...extreme...

A small foal, who looked no older than a four year old. He was an Earth pony covered head to hoof in dark grey plush fur, his mane and tail remained its original black colour, but his eyes were a bit brighter than they were originally. There was no sign of a cutie mark on his flank and he was very clearly afraid. He was being taken care of by a member of staff, while Antonia and Samuel were discussing what could have caused such an extreme transformation.

“Get Dr Weiss quick!” The nurse in question shouted. The young colt just gave her a confused look before taking a moment to examine himself unsure of what was wrong?

Soon enough Samuel came into to examine Scott. Samuel had a grave look of concern at the drastic change Scott's appearance, unsure of what to say to the now foalish person in front of him.

“Are...you okay Scott?” He asked, Scott just nodded slowly in response.

“I-I had a bad dream...” Scott answered, “I dreamt I was a nasty person who just hurts everyone!” Scott shook his head trying to forget the terrible dream, “I-I don't wanna be like that!” Samuel just looked at him confused but it was the next sentence that surprised him more than anything. “...Why are we where you work Daddy? Are we going to see Mommy?”

“...I-er...sure once Mommy has finished her rounds we'll go see her, just get some rest son you've had a busy day today.” Samuel decided to play along for the time being, “I'll be back soon son, I still have to finish the last of my rounds I'll tell one of the nice nurses to keep an eye on you. Just remember that bad dreams are just dreams and they can't hurt you.”

“'Kay, nighty-night...” Scott replied happily, before curling up under the blankets and falling asleep. Samuel quietly made his way out of the room and told the nurse to keep an eye on him as he promised.

“I have a bad feeling about all this, and Antonia is going freak out once she hears about this.” He muttered to himself, before he pulled out his mobile phone to get in contact with Samantha.

We eventually heard about what happened to Scott and well none of us could believe it, during Scott's check up he clearly showed signs of he had no idea of who he was.

“You can't tell me you don't find all this strange?” Shane commented, “He's been turned back into a kid with no memory of who he was besides his name, it's like all traces of who he once was were erased.” I pondered what Shane had said and it bothered me that his change was so extreme, I know I hated Scott but still having all traces of who you were erased would be one of the things I would never wish on anyone, the idea of it alone was just horrific.

“Do you think we should keep an eye on him?” Matt asked, “I mean it's one thing being regressed that far. Mark you've known him the longest what was he like as a kid?” I paused for a moment to think back.

“Well when we were foals he was always a bit of mischief maker, but I think it was a cry for attention more than anything given his poor family life.” I tried to recall further back, “He was mischievous that I can remember clearly, but after his mother died he just seemed to spiral down from there and his father is worse than Scott.” Something I said must have been off to Shane and Matt, as they were both looking at me strangely. “Erm...what's wrong?”

“When you were foals?” Shane repeated, “Mark I think something is off here, don't you mean when you were kids? I'm damn sure you weren't a pony at that age Mark.” I gave Shane a curious look.

“What do you mean? I clearly recall always being a pony...wait that can't be right?” I became lost in my own thoughts at the revelation, “I remember being a filly at that age, but something is off about my memory?” Matt began looking more worried than usual.

“Okay, how many time's have you been admitted to this hospital in the last five years?” Matt asked, “I would imagine a question like that would explain something at least.” I thought back trying to remember clearly.

“Aside from the heart check ups I get once a year, I would say three times to date?” I answered, “Once for that accident at work were I broke my foreleg, another for a broken jaw and finally all those time I fell pregnant with my daughter.” I explained as if it was clear as day. Matt and Shane exchanged a worried look with each other. “What?”

“Mark, something is definitely off with you memory. You adopted Sunshine, your not her biological mother.” I gave Shane an angry look for his comment, “You've only known her for a few weeks at the most.”

“...You've got some damn nerve to say that blondie, I clearly remember giving birth to her!” I shouted, prodding my fore hoof against his chest causing him to flinch. “I've spent the last five years raising her, just who the hell are you to say she is adopted when you were there with me when I gave birth to her!”

“Mark I'm sorry but I can't remember that ever happening, I mean we've known each other since college...we even dated for a bit...wait...” Shane stopped in mid sentence, “That can't be right...we never dated, best friends sure but we never dated. I'm sure of that.” My eyes went wide in realisation, before a resounding smack was heard in the room earning everyone's attention.

“First you have the nerve to say my daughter's adopted, and then tell me we were never in a relationship back then!” I stormed off upset, trying not to think of the horrid things Shane had said.

“Shane...as dickish that was, I'm positive something is very wrong here” Matt stated, “I think something is messing with our memories, because I can clearly remember you and Marcia dating.” Shane listened as he rubbed his saw cheek with this hoof, he was mulling over the details of what had just happened.

“I think your right, this is just going to get worse the longer we are like this.” Shane replied solemnly. Matt just nodded.

“I think it would be best for both of you if you went after her and apologised to Marcia, conflicting memories or not that was a cruel thing to say to her.” Shane just nodded and left leaving Matt alone. “You don't realise the reality of what you said Shane, you were there the entire time she was pregnant and when she gave birth to her daughter which would only mean one thing. Even if those memories are false you two always stood by each other no matter what came your way, I hate to admit it but I've always been jealous of that.”

I lay in my room crying because of the cruel things Shane had said, I still couldn't believe he said all that. Normally I wouldn't let my emotions get the better of me but this was just too much for me to bear, I know my memories were right.

We dated on and off over the past few years, like all couples we just argued a bit too much but we tried to make it work for our daughter's sake. He was so happy when I told him I was pregnant with his daughter, he put all his effort into being a good father to her. His mother didn't approve of us being together but that never bothered us. Shane did everything he could but over the recent months we just fell apart.

I was disturbed from my thoughts by a rhythmic knocking on the door, sighing I tried to ignore it.

“Mark...look I'm sorry, please let me in.” Shane shouted through the closed door. I really didn't want to talk to him right now, but he was insistent as always. I opened the door with an unamused and angry expression.

“You've got some nerve showing up after what you said!” I said coldly, Shane was left speechless at my tone of voice.

“Look...Mark I'm sorry, really I am.” Shane apologised, “But there is something wrong going on here with our memories.” My eyes narrowed.

“And what if there's nothing wrong?” I replied, “Do you realise what you said about me...about us?” Shane took a step back.

“...I-er...n-no I don't quite follow.” He stuttered awkwardly, his answer just upset me.

“Shane...you basically said...” I said trying my hardest not to break in tears again, “That I was lying...about being pregnant with our daughter...and that we...were never together...” Shane was taken aback.

“...but Mark we never were together.” He said simply.

“But...I-I remember it...every last moment...” I choked out before breaking down in tears. Shane led me back into my room doing his best to comfort me.

Matt had made his way to Samuel's office and explained to him what was happening with our memories, Samuel had frowned slightly at the revelation and asked Matt if he knew anything further about the problem.

“I've went through the every patient here and they've all showed the same signs of altered memories. From what I gather how severe it is varies from person to person.”

“How bad does it get?” Matt asked.

“Well to be honest we don't know, for some they could be transformed without any idea of how they once were like with Scott for example for others however it could be gradual so they still remember bits and pieces of their actual past but also have new memories I place of what they have forgotten.” Samuel explained, “From what I can gather the first example of this I came across was a Miss Summer Spritz I believe.”

“Is...Antonia affected by this?” Matt asked worried.

“...” Samuel remained silent, “...I don't know, really I just don't know...” Samuel had a worried look, one that was full of concern for his wife. “It looks like those who haven't changed aren't affected by all this...but still it makes me worry.” Briefly a vision of what Scott had said earlier rang throughout Samuel's mind.

“I dreamt I was a nasty person who just hurts everyone! I-I don't wanna be like that!”

“I don't know what to do about all this Matthew, I suppose this could be a chance to start over with some people but this can just as well be a terrifying thing to others.” Samuel explained, “I'm sorry to say but we are just going to have to wait and see...”

“...” Matt said nothing, coming to the conclusion that he won't find any answers here just yet. “I'll see you around Samuel, I think I'll check up on Marcia and Shane.”

“Mark please...I'm sorry.” Shane said to reassure me, “I'm so sorry but I really can't remember.” My sobbing died down a little.

“But it's just that...I do, if all these memories are lies...” I said, “...it's too cruel, it isn't fair! I remember everything we went through, every argument we ever had, every moment we shared as a family...Everything!” I cried, “I remember it all!! ...and it's not fair!” I was cut off mid-sentence by a warmth around my mouth...Shane was kissing me...

“Even if those memories are lies, and I may never remember it like you do...just please give me a chance Marcia.” Shane said warmly, “Just please give us a chance to work this out together just a step at a time.” I found myself blushing slightly, but I smiled back at him.

“Shane Evans...You really know how warm a mare's heart don't you...” I said simply

Author's Note

And the new chapter is up, with another on the way soon. I had to bring my grammar up to scratch over my absence so I hoped shows in this chapter. Also a shout out to SummerSpritz and her fic "Neither here nor mare." I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.

Edit: the whole issue and the consequences of the changes of each characters memory is the main plot point of the next story arc. I'm sorry if it seems like everyone is effected just because Scott is but I assure you this isn't the case. How bad the memory changes are will vary with each character. I was intending to introduce this gradually with this chapter being the characters just becoming aware of it.

-S.Passion