Reignite

It was quiet for the majority of the afternoon, which wasn't unusual for this part of the hospital as far as I understand it. Sunshine was currently playing happily with some of the other colts and fillies her own age, which brought a small warm smile to my face. Antonia was telling me that some of the nurses were thinking of putting on some sort of school in the hospital for the children while they're here so they don't miss anything from the school. They even had managed to get a teacher to come in from one of the local schools to help out.

“That's such a wonderful filly that came in with you, it must make happy to see her playing despite the her situation.” A gentle voice behind me asked, I turned to the voice to see a unicorn mare much like myself, her fur was bright blue, while her mane and tail was white with a single thin orange stripe through them, her cutie mark seemed to be some sort of chalk drawing depicting 3 different coloured stars.

“Yes it does, especially after what she's been through.” I replied,

“I'm glad, I'm Jessica by the way, it's a pleasure to meet you...?” She introduced herself.

“I'm Mark.” I responded simply, she gave me a curious expression. “What's wrong?”

“Mark is an unusual name for mare like yourself, isn't it?” Jessica giggled, “Then again I'm not one to judge considering I'm in the same boat you are.” Now this caught my attention.

“Oh how so?” I asked genuinely curious, Jessica just gave a knowing smile.

“I was transitioning before I changed.” Jessica said simply.

“Hormonal therapy?” I wondered, Jessica nodded. “To be honest your the first transgendered person I've ever met, so I only know bits and pieces of goes on during the treatment.”

“I'm glad to see that you know about that.” Jessica again smiled, “How did you find out?”

“My psychologist Dr Rio recommended I look up the term Gender Identity Disorder or G.I.D as well as how it's treated.” I explained, “According to her I show some signs of it.” I admitted, it wasn't something I was proud of when I first found out about it.

“If you don't mind me asking how did your family take it?” Jessica inquired.

“They didn't find out till after I changed.” I said embarrassed, “Mom is doing her best to understand, I'm not so sure about Dad though but I'll give him some time.”

“It sucks being part of something that's beyond our understanding isn't it.” She commented looking a bit thoughtful, “Still though despite the change of species I'm glad I'm like this.”

“I'm still getting used to all this.” I admitted, “But yes I would have to agree with you there.”

We both continued to watch Sunshine play with the other colts and fillies, Jessica and I chatted about our stay in the hospital as well to pass the time.

“She is a wonderful filly, I bet you must be proud to be her mother.” Jessica asked, I returned the comment with a warm smile. “I bet the father must be just as proud as you are.” I blushed in embarrassment at Jessica's comment. As if on cue Shane entered the room and made his way over to us.

“Hey Mark...er what's wrong?” He asked, Jessica just let out a warm laugh and I felt my blush deepen. “Mark you okay there your getting all flustered.”

“She's fine just a little embarrassed, I see she's cute when she gets like this but I'm sure you already know about that.” Jessica teased.

“She's always been like that.” Shane replied, completely missing the point of what she just said. God he was dense when it came to women teasing him.

“Well as much as I would love to stay and chat, I must be going. It was a pleasure to meet you both and best of luck to the both of you.” Jessica said as she left the room to go who knows where, I got the feeling that wasn't the last I'll be seeing of her.

Sunshine saw Shane talking with us and made her way over here, she smiled warmly at Shane and at me.

“Mommy, is this your special friend Auntie Antonia told me about?” She said in a quiet but happy tone. Shane caught what she meant and turned a similar shade of red I was in embarrassment.

“I...er don't know what to say to that.” Shane stuttered embarrassed.

“Don't get any ideas blondie, trust me your far from my type...” I replied, Sunshine just looked at us confused.

“But Mommy isn't he your boyfriend?” Sunshine asked innocently, oh god how do I explain this.

“He's my best friend honey, not my boyfriend.” I explained simply, Sunshine just nodded and went back to playing with the colts and fillies her own age.

“Do you think her real parents will show up?” Shane wondered.

“I'm not gonna say it won't happen, but the fact they haven't says a lot. Not to mention that they were the ones who hurt her like that.” I said with a frown. “People like that don't deserve to be parents, you know that as well as I do.” Shane was about to say something, but was cut off by the shouting coming from the reception.

“Damn it! just tell me where they are already!” A male voice shouted in annoyance, “I know they're here!”

“For gods sake man!” The other voice who clearly belonged to Matt, “If you'll shut up and listen I'll tell you!” The other voice let out a sound of outrage.

“Who the fuck are you telling to shut up you stupid horse!” The voice insulted furious at Matt's outburst.

“Well for one Jason, there are children present and I don't think Mark would appreciate such language in front of her daughter!” Matt answered Jason's insult with a hint of venom in his voice.

“Her...daughter?” Jason said stunned, “I-er...look I obviously missed something here, how do you know my name anyway?” Jason and Matt entered the room, Jason earned a disapproving look from me for his foul language.

“I'm not surprised you didn't recognise me, Jay considering I'm like this now.” Matt said in a much more friendlier tone. “It's me Matt.” Jason just did a double take in shock.

“And I see Jay finally decided to show his face.” Shane commented, “I was wondering when our friends would begin to show up, right Mark.” Jason looked at us in confusion, as he over heard us mention his name. He pointed at us in disbelief.

“Shane...Mark is that really you?” Jason asked, not sure of what to make of the situation unfurling around him. “E-everyone has been trying to get in touch with you three for days. Is this the reason why?” The look on Jason's face had basically spelt out his surprise before him.

“It is Jay, it's been an...eventful week for us.” I replied, “Matt, Shane and I have all changed into what you see here. Sadly we're stuck like this for the rest of our lives.” I explained.

“There really isn't a way to change you back?” Jason asked, Shane just shook his head.

“We're stuck like this regardless we want to be like this or not.” Shane explained, “Our lives have changed Jason, we've all seen the news and you know what some people treat ponies like ourselves like.” Shane's tone became bitter, “Even children aren't safe from the abuse, we're just everyday people trying to live our lives and here we are being treated as if we're monsters.” Jason looked dumbfounded.

“Well your still human regardless of what you look like, right?” Jason asked.

“They certainly don't think we're human in the same way they are, though it comforts me that you think that Jay.” I answered, it relieved me greatly to hear Jason say that. Jason sat down, deep in thought trying to find the words to say.

“I'm not sure how to tell the others about this, hell I don't even know how they'll take it.” He sat back and wondered. “Do you think it would be better if they came and saw this for themselves.”

“I think it would be better if they did Jason, it would be easier to explain if they did see it for themselves.” Matt answered. “Would you mind letting Shane's mother what's going on as well. I'm positive she's worrying like crazy right now.”

“Right I'll let her know.” Jason agreed, said goodbye and left to spread the news amongst our friends and family. Not long after Sunshine came running towards us with Antonia excited about something.

“Mommy, Mommy! Guess what!” Sunshine said in excitement.

“What honey?” I asked with a smile,

“Auntie Antonia said there's gonna be a karaoke and a costume party!” Sunshine said excitedly.

“Is this true Antonia?” Shane asked, Antonia nodded.

“Yes, some of the higher ups think it would a good idea to raise some money for charity. It might raise the spirits of some of the people here as well.” Antonia explained.

“I guess this means we get to finally hear Mark sing then.” Shane said with a grin. I blushed in embarrassment.

“Yeah, Mommy's got a lovely voice.” Sunshine quipped.

“I'll tell you what if you two sing then I'll join in, how's that sound.” I suggested, which immediately shut Shane up Matt however...

“Deal.” Matt said simply, “Challenge accepted.”

“H-Hey are you guy's sure about this.” Shane replied nervously.

“Alright then Mark if you want us to sing that badly, how about we up the ante then?” Matt suggested, Matt never was one to pass up a challenge.

“G-Guys!” Shane spluttered out.

“What do you have in mind?” I asked, Matt just grinned.

“Sing in a full costume of your choice.” Matt suggested grinning, I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Song of our choice as well and your on.” I accepted. Antonia and Sunshine were laughing a little at our banter.

“It's agreed then, we even have a professional designer and stylist here to help make the costumes for everyone, just tell her what you want and she'll make it.” Antonia explained. “She'll be by your rooms later.”

“Oh for Gods sake you two...” Shane complained, “I swear your as bad as each other sometimes.” It was true, once Matt and I get started on anything that sounds like a challenge we both sometimes rush in to something without thinking. Shane usually gets dragged along for the ride as well.

“So the question is what do we go as?” Matt asked, looking deep in thought for a moment.

“Characters from our favourite games?” Shane suggested, It didn't sound like a bad idea.

“What like cosplay?” I asked, Sunshine just looked at us all confused not understanding the word.

“What's cosplay Mommy?” Sunshine asked, “Is it like playing dress up?” I nodded my head giving Sunshine a warm smile.

“What to you want to go as honey?” I asked.

“I want to go as Cinderella!” Sunshine beamed excitedly, “What are you going as Mommy?”

“Yes Mark what are you going as?” Shane teased, I mumbled something incoherent. “What was that Mark? we couldn't hear you.”

“Lightning...” I said quietly in embarrassment, Shane and Matt just gave a hearty laugh.

The rest of afternoon more or less flew over, Sunshine was currently asleep in her bed tired from playing with the other colts and fillies her own age. I on the other hand was currently reading one of the books I'd picked up from the hospital library, as I'm a bit of a nut for the science fiction and fantasy genre I picked up 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R Tolkien. It was currently floating in front of me covered in the gentle glow of my magic, since I'd been practising I no longer suffered from headaches from using the more simple forms of magic. Telekinesis was the most I could do at the moment, and to be honest having magic made up for not having hands. I've seen Shane use his new found wings as hands, but the most I've seen him do with them is open doors and use cutlery. Matt on the other hand seems to be able to pick up things with no problem with his fore hooves, how he does it though is beyond me I even asked him but he just shrugged.

There was a light knocking on the door which threw me off my concentration which caused the book I was reading to fall flat on the bed.

“Come in.” I answered, and in came Antonia. “Good evening Antonia, what brings you here at this time?”

“I'm just doing my rounds, and if you don't mind me asking how are you coping?” Antonia asked.

“I'm fine, Sunshine tired herself out earlier bless her she's been asleep since 6 pm.” I answered, “Speaking of which I have a question if you don't mind me asking.” Antonia said nothing for a moment.

“Alright, what's your question Mark?” Antonia asked, I just sighed at the unintended pun and continued.

“My question is, how did you cope with the change when it happened to you?” I asked. Antonia was caught off guard with this question and took a moment to think how she would answer.

“I...was horrified when I changed and I can tell you my husband panicked as much as I did, it as was hard coping the first few days but we pressed on supporting each other through it all.” Antonia explained, “There was the usual insults and abuse thrown my way by some of the local thugs, but my husband Samuel made sure I was safe as I could be. I wasn't the only target of the abuse, Samuel got his fair share of the bestiality insults because of me...”

“Antonia that wasn't your fault, you had no idea all this would happen.” I reassured.

“I know, I don't know if you've heard about this already but it isn't uncommon for couples to break up because of this. The ones that stay together get looked at as if they are freaks of nature...I'm thankful that Samuel stuck with me through all this.” Antonia continued. “It...makes me so happy that I have some one who loves me like that regardless of what I look like.”

“I'm glad he's stuck by you.” I commented, “As far as I've known your husband I can tell he's a good man.”

“If you want I could tell you more.” Antonia suggested.