The rumours of people suffering from altered memories swept throughout the hospital, it seemed that every pony was affected to varying degrees. At the time didn't think of it as much of a problem and for the most part everyone seemed happy, but at the same time it was...a terrifying prospect when you put some thought into it. While Shane and I still had differing opinions on the matter regarding our own memories, but it couldn't be helped we both agreed that what was causing all this certainly unnatural...

“Do you think we should tell anyone...about us?” I asked Shane, I hoped he would offer some insight on what to do. “I-I know we've been through a lot recently, and we just gotten back together...” I blushed, it was rare for me to go this shy and Shane just looked at me with a small smile.

“You know...” Shane let out a laugh, “I hadn't really thought about it.” I gave a look of confusion, “Not about us I mean, but rather our whole situation. Think about it not only we've changed physically but our memories have changed and from what I've seen of other ponies like us they seem happy for it.”

“Ah well you know how they say ignorance is bliss right?” I replied.

“I know right? Everyone is remembering things differently.” Shane hesitated for a moment, “You remember us being a couple and raising a daughter for example, but I remember you as you were before all this...the man who is my best friend, the man who has stuck by me no matter what shit I went through and I'm willing to bet the he is also the man who knows me better than anyone else alive.” Shane let out a half-hearted chuckle, “It's also so ironic, do you know how bad my history with women has been?” I shook my head, honestly I had no idea I knew about his previous girlfriend but that was it.

“No, you never really talked about it and if you did I don't remember.” I answered solemnly, “I remember there was one girl before me but that's all I remember.”

“Don't worry about it.” He reassured me, “I'm not surprised you don't remember with what's going on, but that aside every girl I've dated has cheated on me aside from you of course.”

“W-What are you trying to say Shane?” I answered nervously.

“The irony is that there has always been a part of me who wished to be with a woman who would stand by me and understand me.” Shane explained, “So do tell me did you ever wish for anything like that?” I blushed, my cheeks turning a bright red.

“I-I had always wished for the freedom of just being able to be myself regardless of what anyone would think of me...” I said quietly.

“And do think you got what you wanted?” He asked, I nodded in response. Shane took a few steps closer until he was a few inches away from me, “It's funny really because I think I got what I wanted too...” There was silence as Shane leaned in, I had forgotten how warm and affectionate he was...

I soon found myself pinned on my bed with Shane on top of me, whispering how beautiful I was to him and what lewd things he would enjoy doing to me into my ear. It was making me feel...erm hot under the collar to put it simply.

“Don't you worry, if you want to tell anyone about us I'm going to leave that up to you.” He whispered, “Memories or not we're going to figure all this out a little bit at a time.”

“...” I remained silent for a moment, “Do you remember anything about us?” I couldn't help it but it had to be asked.

“Just bits and pieces, it's...slowly coming back to me...” Shane hesitated a moment before letting out a small laugh, “It's funny...I said already still remember you as you were, but I'm beginning to remember how we were as a couple.”

“It must be confusing...” I said solemnly, “I can barely remember a damn thing about who I was before.” Shane gave me a curious look, “The memories are still there...but...”

“...My guess is no matter what happens you can't change who you are at heart, and those memories are part of who and what you are huh?” Shane replied, “Some messes we get ourselves into.” We both laughed, it may have ruined the previous mood between us but we didn't care.

He told me not to worry and we'll figure this out bit by bit.

Samuel paced back and forth in his office, it was a habit he had while he was lost in thought and was a clear sign of he was getting restless. He had looked through every single medical and personal file Samantha had provided him with the patients permission of course, he was damn well determined to find the cause of all this. It was maddening to say the least.

“God damn it!” He cursed to himself as he slammed his clenched hand onto his desk with a resounding thud. “I've looked into everything, it should be physically impossible for this to be happening, there's nothing here to suggest anything out of the ordinary.”

Just then the office phone rang, he paused for a moment and just let it ring. He picked up the phone and answered hoping it would be some good news at least.

“Hello?” He answered, “Dr Samuel Weiss speaking.”

“Ah Hello.” A soft feminine voice answered, “I understand you've been looking into matters regarding the recent transformations and altered memories.” Samuel raised a brow out of curiosity, the person on the phone had his full attention now.

“Yes I have.” He replied, “May I ask who this is?”

“I'm Dr Serena Narcissa.” The woman answered, “It would seem we've both stumbled on to something and maybe we could help each other, you see I've been looking into the recent transformations and I couldn't help but notice you were doing so as well so I thought I could arrange a transfer to your hospital as a member of your staff.” Samuel considered this for a moment, looking back on his files.

“Alright Dr Narcissa, but I have to know what sort of help would you be providing, giving the fact I have exhausted every possible medical, psychological and scientific test I could think of to get to the bottom of this.” Samuel awaited her response, he could practically hear her smirking.

“Tell me Dr Weiss?” Serena asked smiling on her end of the phone, “Have you considered the possibility that they did this to themselves without realising it?” Samuel suddenly felt himself go cold.

“...I see.” Samuel didn't even think of considering that possibility, “...and how did you come to this conclusion?” He couldn't help but ask.

“I think it would be better explained in person.” Serena said bluntly.

“...” Samuel was silent for a moment, “Very well, I'll make the necessary arrangements. I expect you here within the week.”

“As you wish, I will see you then.” Serena said simply as she said goodbye.

Samuel let out a sigh as he put the phone down. He felt tired, looking at the clock which read 10 pm. He had been working the past week with little to no sleep and it was finally beginning to take it's toll on him, he let out a bitter laugh at least he knows how his wife felt when she overworked herself.

He still didn't know what to do about Scott or rather what to make of the situation. Admittedly he had treated Scott personally over since he was 13 years old, he didn't like that fact that kid had far more bruises on his body than any other teenage boy should have. Scott at the time admitted to getting into plenty of fights at school, Samuel did mention something to a social worker but the family had conveniently disappeared for a year before making a sudden reappearance.

It was sad and admittedly horrific to see whatever person he was just vanish like that, maybe it was just poetic or maybe he was given a second chance for a reason. After to getting to know his newly adopted son and trying to figure out what exactly happened to him, he found for a such a young child he was exceptionally bright, and Scott had admitted to wanting to be doctor just like this mother and father. Samuel let out a tired laugh and couldn't help but feel a bit proud of his son.

“I just wish I can be the father he needs.” He thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep.

A few hours later Matt found himself outside Shane's room, he knocked on it a few times and waited for an answer but got nothing but silence.

“He must be asleep then.” He muttered under his breath.

“Excuse me are you looking for Mr Evans?” Matt turned to the source of the voice, it was Samantha “I'm sorry to tell you this but he no longer resides in that dorm room.” She explained.

“Where is Shane residing now?” Matt asked,

“Hmm...” Samantha looked through her records, “He arranged for a room transfer to share with Ms Geary and her daughter.” Matt looked confused, briefly wondering if he had left to go back to his own home.

“...I see.” Matt said nothing further on the matter and just bid Samantha good night.

“Mr Parker?” Samantha called out, Matt just stopped in his tracks.

“Yes...” He replied somewhat coldly.

“I'm fully aware of the situation regarding everyone's memories, and so is Dr Weiss. If you have any concerns you can always talk to us.” Samantha said reassuringly, Matt said nothing in response and walked off back to his own room. While Matt did consider Shane a friend and to some extent a rival, he couldn't help but feel jealous of the friendship he and Mark had. He had hoped it wouldn't develop into something like this with their memories changed. As Matt brooded in his room, he could only think of one thing.

“So help me Evans you better not do anything to hurt her.”

The morning light came sooner than expected, and outside Samuel's office door stood Antonia and Scott. Scott seemed eager and excited to help his father with his work today after school.

“Mommy do you think daddy's alright?” Scott asked, “He didn't stop by my room last night.” Antonia gave her son a small warm smile.

“Sometimes daddy is so busy with his work and helping people it keeps him up late at night.” Antonia reassured him, “It's part of being a doctor, and he does this to help people who are sick or hurt.” Scott took a moment to take this in.

“So daddy's like a superhero!” Scott replied in amazement, “That's so cool!” Antonia let out a giggle, before knocking on the office door again.

Samuel stirred from his sleep, he looked at the time it was 7:30 am according to the clock. He shook off his drowsiness, he must have been more tired than he thought but after that rest he felt much better...he felt amazing in a matter of fact, he hadn't felt this good in a very long time. His train of thought broke as he heard the knocking on the door.

“Come on in.” He answered, Antonia and Scott entered the room, “Good morning.”

“Samuel?”!/Daddy?!” Both Antonia and Scott shouted in plain utter shock. Samuel looked confused at their reactions.

“W-What's wrong?” He asked nervously, everyone in the room remained silent as the air around them tensed.

“D-Daddy your just like me and Mommy!”

Author's Note

New chapter, first of a two parter. I hope you enjoy it. The song is question is "Moon Song" from Cave Story which pretty set the mood for this chapter.

-SPassion