It had been half a day since Shane was admitted into the hospital, he refused to come out of his room or even speak to anyone. It was rare to see him like this, in fact the only time I saw him like this he was cheated on by his ex-girlfriend. Currently Matt and I was outside his room, trying to reason with him. Antonia was letting Sunshine help her around the hospital, which Sunshine seemed very happy to do.

“Shane come on and let us in already.” Matt pleaded, “I know this is a lot to take in but you’re not alone here.”

“...” Shane said nothing.

“Shane please...” I pleaded with him, “None of us had a choice in this, the best we can do is help each other through this please let us in Shane.” He didn't answer.

Shane himself was sitting on the floor by the door, completely silent and ignoring the begging and pleas on the other side of the door. He was distraught, thoughts of How long do I have left as a human? Is all this real or is it just one sick nightmare? And would I be treated like some kind of freak?

A loud banging against the door broke Shane from his train of thought. With caution he moved away from the door, it held against the banging and remained locked.

“Shane please!” I cried as I launched myself at the door trying to break it open. “I can't bear to see you lock yourself away like this!” The door held, and I launched myself at it again. “Please...let us help...” I winced through the pain from the impact with the sturdy door.

“...”

“Shane c'mon do you really think locking yourself away from the world will solve this problem?” Matt asked, there was no response other than the sound of the door unlocking. We entered Shane's room and found him sitting in the corner of the room. He sat and just looked us.

“How long do I have left?” Shane asked solemnly, Matt and I looked at each other clueless to what to say.

“We don't know Shane; it could be hours or even days before you change.” Matt answered, Shane grimaced at the thought.

“How do you cope with all this? Knowing that you'll never be human again?” Shane asked us. We both remained silent, not sure how to answer him. Shane frowned and shook his head, cursing under his breath.

“Shane, how do you think we feel about this?” I asked him, “This has affected people around the world, there are literally over millions of people changed like we are and are stuck like this for the rest of their lives. Even if we don't like it we have to cope.” Shane realised he was asking a pointless question, sighing in defeat. “…it’s all we can do right now.”

“Look I'm sorry guys...I'm just don't know what to do about what's happening.” Shane apologised, “It just feels like my life is just falling apart because of this.”

“Shane...” Matt said, “Believe me we know the feeling, but each of us have to continue on with our lives even if we have to do it as ponies.” Shane took a moment to take what Matt said in and looked back at us both.

“But what will everyone think of us? I've seen the news and it certainly isn't pretty.” He shook his head, “The abuse and torture just make me worry, what can we do against that?”

“Then we protect ourselves, you both know I won't let anyone harm the people I care about.” I answered, “It'll be a very cold day in hell before I abandon anyone like that.” I said as I stamped my hoof down.

Shane and Matt gave each other a knowing look, though they didn't say it but they knew first-hand what happened the last time someone tried harming someone I cared for. Shane sat down on his bed unsure of what to do next.

“You’re both right.” Shane admitted, “I can't just let this get the best of me, I don't know if I'll pull through but I'll damn well try.”

Shane laid back on his bed and had a very uncomfortable feeling. He shot straight up and looked horrified.

“S-Shane what's wrong?!” I asked worried, Matt shared Shane's horrified expression. As Shane got up to see what's wrong, keeled over in pain and let out piercing scream.

“MARK GET ANTONIA AND A DOCTOR NOW!!” Matt shouted, I left and galloped to find Antonia.

I galloped through the halls searching every room for a nurse or a doctor, eventually a tripped and crashed into another person. They got up and I was still dazed.

“Mark?” He asked, getting up I looked up at the familiar man.

“Doc! You got to tell me where Antonia is!” I said in a panic, “It's Shane, he's changing as we speak! Please...you have to help him!” I pleaded to Dr Weiss, he nodded.

“Antonia's in the reception go and get her I'll see to Shane.” He reassured. We both headed off in opposite directions, picking up the pace I galloped into the reception looking for Antonia.

She was currently handing over some reports to one of the other doctors, Sunshine gave a happy squeak when she saw me but it quickly turned to a worried look when she saw how panicked I was.

“...M-Mommy...what's wrong?” Sunshine asked in a whispered voice catching Antonia's attention immediately. Antonia turned to me but before she could ask.

“Antonia, its Shane!” I practically cried, without any reply she galloped off to room 402. Sunshine continued to look at me with worry. “One of mommy's friends is hurt right now, and she's worried about him honey.” I explained to her.

“...I-Is he gonna be like us, Mommy?” Sunshine asked, I simply nodded disheartened over the fate of my best friend.

“He's frightened about all this honey.” I continued, “And to be honest I am too. Come on Sunshine I think it's best if I take you back to our room for now.” I said with a heavy heart.

“...B-but what about your friend aren't you gonna see if he's okay?” She asked, she had a point but I couldn't leave her alone and I certainly can't take her to see Shane in his current condition.

“Alright then let's go then.” I said simply. We both made our way to room 402, Matt was waiting outside for us equally as worried as I was. “How is he?” I asked simply.

“He's fine, the doctor gave him a sedative to put him to sleep while the changes finished. He should be up by morning.” Matt explained, “I don't know what's more frightening, going through the change or watching it happen...” Dr Weiss and Antonia came out of the room.

“He's going to be fine.” He reassured, “He's going to be in for a shock when he wakes up though. Much like you all were when you changed.” Matt and I gave a sigh of relief.

“Thanks Doc. It means a lot to me that you rushed to help him.” I said thankful of what he did. Sunshine looked happier now that I wasn't as worried. Dr Weiss took a look at Sunshine and knelt down so he was eye level with me.

“How is Sunshine doing?” He asked.

“...M-Mommy's been looking after me...” She whispered hiding behind my hind legs shyly. Dr Weiss raised a brow.

“How has Mommy been looking after you?” he asked, I found myself blushing in embarrassment.

“...She sings to me when I can't sleep, plays games with me, reads me lots of stories and watches cartoons with me...”Sunshine explained a small warm smile not once leaving her face, “...she makes me happy...”

“...” I hesitated, “I'm only doing what a mother should do with their daughter, and to know it makes her smile makes me happy.” I admitted, “If this is how it feels to have a daughter of my own, then I've never been happier.” Sunshine smiled at me when she heard this.

“Hold on a second...” Matt interrupted with a curious look, “You can sing Mark?” I went bright crimson again.

“Erm...I-I...er” I stuttered in embarrassment.

“That's so sweet of you Mark. I heard some of the nurses mentioning someone singing I didn't realise that was you.”
Antonia stated with a small smile, I turned redder than a tomato.

“...I-It's not something I do often...” I said in a whisper.

“...Why Mommy?” Sunshine asked.

“I...er...it's only something I do in private honey.” I answered looking for a way to change the subject. “The song I sang to you was something my grandmother used to sing to me when I was your age.”

“Well it would be best to leave Shane for the night.” Dr Weiss interrupted, “I'll have a nurse keep an eye on him overnight. I'd very well imagine he'll panic when he wakes up.” Antonia and Dr Weiss left us to discuss the situation at hand.

“Do you think anyone else we know will change like we did?” Matt asked, earning him a curious look.

“I wouldn't rule out the possibility, who knows what could happen.” I responded. “I wonder what his mother will say about all this.” Shane's mother was a kind enough woman but she and Shane always clashed for one reason or another he would never say what over though. “I'd think we'd best be going, are you coming Matt?”

“Yeah I'm coming.” Matt answered following suite, “It just seems to be getting worse isn't it Mark.”

“I know, you saw how devastated Shane was. That had to be the most frightened I've seen him.” I explained, Matt stopped mid step. “What's wrong Matt?”

“You really don't remember?” Matt inquired.

“Remember what?” I asked curiously.

“Remember that incident a few years back with those bullies attacking us.” Matt mentioned. I seemed to recall bits and pieces of it, but a majority of it was a blur.

“Not much.” I admitted, “I remember everything up until you got knifed by one of those idiots, everything after that though is a blur at best.” Matt shook his head.

“Mark, we were all beaten into the ground. The second you saw Scott stab me you went absolutely berserk on all him and his friends, I'm sorry to say this but you’re an absolute monster when you lose control like that and that mantra...”

Matt shuddered at the thought, “...made you sound like you were possessed.”

“I-I couldn't have been that bad, could I?” I asked a little worried.

“You were practically hurting yourself as you attacked them.” Matt explained, “You broke both their arms, for god’s sake man you practically yanked them out of their sockets.” A look of absolute horror graced my features, “You even dislocated their knees.”

“H-How come the police wasn't involved?” I asked,

“It was all self-defence, they started that fight and you finished it.” Matt said simply, “I know it isn't in your nature to be violent, if anything you’re a very gentle caring person but damn you are terrifying when you’re pissed.”

“Language Matt, there are children present after all.” I scolded, Matt gave us a sheepish look and apologised.

“Look that aside, I have to admit the relationship between the two of you are a little odd.” Matt said pointing at us with one of his fore hooves. Sunshine and I both looked at each other confused.

“You know now that I think about it, I really have no clue.” I wondered aloud, “All I'm doing is treating Sunshine how my grandmother treated me at that age, so if that's why Sunshine sees me as her mother then I imagine that's only part of the reason.” I paused for a moment, looking at Sunshine who was looking at me happily.

“Maybe it's instinctive.” Matt guessed, “We are ponies after all, what was it called...It's on the tip of my tongue?” Matt stumbled with his words looking for the correct expression.

“Herding wasn't it?” I asked, I quickly realised what Matt was getting at. “It may be a guess but since her...parents did this to her, then maybe on some instinctive level she recognised it as getting kicked out of that herd and given how kind and caring I've been to her.” I hesitated from the realisation.

“She accepted you as her mother without you realising it.” Matt finished, “And given that you were the first person she saw after coming to, if I remember correctly...”

“So you’re saying she imprinted on me?” I asked as confused as ever. Matt sighed.

“I think that psychologist you mentioned might have a better idea.” Matt clarified, that question would have to wait until tomorrow unfortunately.

“I think we all have a lot of questions to ask.” I answered solemnly.

Author's Note

Nothing much to change in this chapter, so I just sorted out the grammar atleast to the best of my knowledge.

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