Author's Note

Here's another chapter for you all, I'm having fun writing all this. So I hope you enjoy it.

I'll be answering questions about the story so if you want to ask me anything about this story or Mare and the Mirror then please feel free to pm me and I'll answer all questions in a blog post in the next few days.

• Silent out.

Downfall Arc part 4a: Morning Renewed

"Do you really think it's wise to trust her Luna?" A small icy blue Pegasus asked, "I know she's been dragged into this like the rest of us but must you really go behind your sister?"

Luna looked at the Pegasus, she was small, covered in icy blue fur and had matching eyes, her mane were a ocean blue color and she had snowflake for a cutie mark upon her flank. She was currently looking at Luna with a look of confusion hoping the moon princess would explain herself.

"Frostlit Shard, while we appreciate your concern. You have to understand that my elder sister is in no position to be managing the situation at hand." Luna answered, "The destruction of Equestria took it's tole on her, and dealing with the Memories Sentiment hasn't helped in the slightest..."

"But Princess Twilight and the others don't trust the human..." Frostlit Shard stated, "Just her being here is making everyone uneasy."

"We are aware." Luna answered back, "But you should know that this isn't there first time we've had to deal with humans, and it certainly be the last. We think it would be best if you left for the time being Frostlit Shard."

Without another word Frostlit Shard left leaving Luna all alone in the ruins of this strange world of in between.
Luna took a moment to recollect her thoughts at the recent events.

"Twilight and the others aren't exactly found of the others, or the things they've heard about the human world. So we worry she may try something rash if she isn't kept under a watchful eye." Luna had made a mental note to keep Twilight away from Marcia from the time being.

"Our sister is severely weakened from destroying Equestria, and recent events at the hospital has left her even more wary of Cillen." Luna remembered what Celestia had told her what Cillen explained to her about the relationship with the Memoria and the original Memories Sentiment.

"Cillen and the other Sentiment seems to be locked in some sort of war with each other, not to mention they have plans regarding Marcia..." Luna paused for a moment, "Cillen wants her as a weapon, while the other seems to genuinely want to look out for her and spare her from whatever fate Cillen has in mind."

"Then there's Marcia and her friends...They're going to be dragged into something that's way beyond them." Luna soon found wearing a grim expression, "There's no doubt Humanity and Equestrian kind will clash if this isn't handled with care."

"The Memoria are still running around here on earth as well, the question is how? Cillen and the other Sentiment both say they've both been eliminating any they could root out." Luna seemed to be at a loss of what to do...

"Mommy!!" A soft voice said, "Mommy time to wake up! Daddy is acting funny!"

"Muh...wha?" I stirred still half asleep, "Claire...Sunshine is it morning already?" I looked at my daughter with a half open eye.

"Uh-huh!!" Sunshine nodded enthusiastically, "Daddy is in the bathroom, I think he's acting like Mommy did a few days ago."

"What?" I raised a brow out of surprise, looking towards the bathroom, "Shane?" I knocked on the bathroom door,
"Shane are you alright?" There was no answer... "Oh for...Shaun Richard Evans open the damn door right now!"

I could practically could feel Shane wince at the mention of his full name, after last night I was not in the mood to deal with him hogging the bathroom.

"Um...could you come in alone..." Shane asked from the other side of the door.

"Why am I getting the strangest sense of deja vu?" I wondered to myself, "Sunshine just watch some cartoons for a bit while I go see what's wrong with daddy 'kay."

"'kay" Sunshine replied happily.

"Okay Shane what's wrong?" I asked as I opened the door, only to be greeted by something I wasn't expecting...

There stood Shane his waist covered in a towel, standing upright on his hind legs towering over me at 6ft in height, his fur was still the same blonde shade it was before, wings slightly outstretched, his mane and tail was a slightly dark shade of blond it was before with a few streaks of it's original color here and there.

"Um...hi?" Shane squeaked out awkwardly.

"Well I kind of figured this might happen sooner or later..." I stated, Shane didn't seem to have a happy expression about what I had said, "but before you say anything let me get you something to wear..."

"Is daddy alright?" Sunshine asked.

"He's fine..." I answered, "Daddy just got alot taller like Mommy."

On the way back with Antonia I had found out that Shane wasn't the only one who had changed, it had apparently been all over the news this morning.

"How's Scott?" I asked Antonia on a whim,

"He's doing fine." Antonia answered happily, "He doesn't seem to be having nightmares anymore, in fact he doesn't seem to remember having them before."

"That's good to hear." I replied, I don't know why I sounded so relieved. "I would be worried sick if Claire was having nightmares constantly."

"Oh that's a lovely bracelet where did you get it?" Antonia asked noticing the silver bracelet on my left arm.

"My mom gave it to me..." I lied, remembering what Luna had told me, "I've only just started to wear it recently."

"A family heirloom?" She asked, "Ah well it must be very important to you."

"It is..." I trailed off. "But I think we both have more important things to worry about at the moment...do you think you could look after Claire for a bit? Shane and I have to discuss something in private."

Antonia nodded in understanding, knowing full well her and Samuel needed privacy to deal with situations like this. Antonia's visit was short and brief, giving Shane a quick check up to make sure he was alright she took Sunshine with her leaving me and Shane alone.

"..." Shane tried to speak but didn't know where to start, "Marcia what's wrong? You weren't in bed last night."

"Shane..." I couldn't lie to him, not after everything we've been through, "I heard Sunshine screaming for help last night, I tried to wake you up...but you wouldn't wake up, it was like you were frozen in place."

"...I know." Shane stated, "I couldn't move, I couldn't scream, it was like a bad nightmare."

"Claire was attacked by those monsters we saw on TV..." I hesitated, "I rushed to help...but I ended up going berserk...again." Shane looked at me worried, he knew fine well what that meant.

"I've seen you go like that before..." He sighed, "You know I won't judge you for it hell I've been on the receiving end of it once before remember, not to mention that idiot that always seemed to harass you for whatever reason...speaking of which what was his name again? I can't seem to remember for the life of me, meh I guess it isn't important."

"...Claire saw me like that." I trialed off, "She must of have thought I'm some sort of monster. I know how scared I was when I saw Trevor go like that."

"Speaking of which..." Shane paused for a moment, "Can everyone on Trevor's side of the family do that?"

"..." I shot Shane an unamused look, "Well every male on that side of the family can, female cases are pretty much unheard of." I was pretty much reciting what my mother and aunt had told me, when I asked about it.

"I don't think Claire is afraid of you Marcia," He chuckled, "if anything I'd think she'd feel sorry for any poor bastard who's on the receiving end of it."

"Anyway, how the hell are you taller than me?" I asked, prodding his chest with an accusing finger, "When I changed I returned to my original height! So what didn't you?"

"Beats me." Shane shrugged, "Don't tell me you're jealous because I'm taller than you now?"

"..." I glared, earning myself another chuckle from Shane, "What I mean is how are you taller when I was taller than you before we turned into ponies, you know when we were human...not to mention you've got your original memories back!"

"Are you upset about that?" Shane became serious, "Is that what's been bothering you?"

"...I-I...damn it..." I muttered, "Shane...look at us now...we have a daughter, she's not some filly we met when we first came here. Claire is our daughter by blood I don't know how but she is..." I felt a tear fall down my cheek, "You know fine well I used to be a man...and if everyone regains their memories when they change like you and I have then...our friends that's how they'll remember me as."

"You know..." Shane said wrapping his arms around me, "I always thought you over think things. In fact I'm bet you're wondering right now...could we make this work somehow?"

"I-I..." I blushed in embarrassment,

"I know you Marcia...you're to damn proud to admit it," Shane continued, "It's your biggest strength and weakness, you just outright refuse to abandon the people you care about, even if it means letting yourself being consumed in your own rage you refuse to abandon us."

"S-Shane?" I blushed harder,

"You know it's fucking weird..." Shane trailed off for a moment, "You know you're the only one who can get away with calling me by my proper name, so please just call me Shaun when it's just the two of us."

"Shaun...?" I hesitated for a moment, "What are you..." The next thing I knew he was kissing me...

"Serena is this such a wise idea?" Antonia asked,

"I would think it would be a good idea." Serena replied, "Cillen sadly won't be able to continue working with me here, he said that something had come up that needed his urgent attention."

"Oh that's such a shame, he was a good doctor to have around." Antonia added, "Though I still don't understand why Marcia and Scott seemed so uneasy around him."

"Speaking of which how is Marcia?" Serena asked curious.

"Something seems to be on her mind today, she said she needed to talk with Shane in private." Antonia added, "I think it's about his recent change."

"Oh really?" Serena raised a brow out of interest.

"You seriously didn't here the news this morning?" Antonia questioned, "You'd have to be in a different dimension to not have heard about it."

"No, I guess I didn't have much time to check the news this morning I hate being late." Serena answered back, taking a sip of her coffee. "Anyway I'll be bringing in a new assistant to take over Cillen's job while he's attending to his own business."

"Speaking of which here's Marcia now." Antonia waved over to me. "Did you manage to sort things out then?"

"Yes...everything is going to be alright between us." I said happily, "In fact I think everything is going to be better for both of us."

"I'm glad to here that, but are you feeling okay Marcia?" Serena asked with a slight grin, "I couldn't help but notice you seemed to be limping a bit."

"Now that you mention it Serena, i think you're right." Antonia added, "Did you bash your leg against something?"

"Um...yeah...?" I answered a bit embarrassed, "I can be kind of clumsy sometimes."

"Speaking of which, you wouldn't know anything about the noise complaints I got from the staff a couple of hours ago?" Serena asked with a hidden smirk.

"I didn't really hear anything..." I answered trying to hid a blush, "I guess I was too busy with Shane to pay attention..." I cursed mentally, "We're we really that loud...?"

"Anyhow I thought I'd tell you Cillen won't be here for much longer and I'll be arranging for someone else to take his place." Serena explained, "I'd thought you would like to know...oh before I forget Ms Meiou said she wanted to speak with you later tonight."

"...I'll bare that in mind Serena." I told her, "I'm sure she has a lot to tell me."