One Pony's Curse, Is Another Man's Blessing...

Chapter Six - Not So Shy, Anymore... Part Two

The inside of the church was well kept... and kinda standard to be honest. Pews, a lectern, some stained glass...

Seen one church, you've seen them all in my opinion. There was a musky smell in the air I didn't recognize though. One I felt I should, strangely enough... Weird, but what else is new? I decided to just ignore it for now.

Mom snarled at me in a motherly fashion, making a gesture at my hood. Oh, right. Heads uncovered.

I pushed it back with a deep sigh, because I knew this wouldn't end well. I took the opportunity to swivel my ears completely around and crack my neck.

If I was going to get a ton of problems from this, then at least I intended to feel comfy getting them.

I walked into the church proper with my arms folded at my back, hoping this farce would soon be over...

A short, dusky skinned man in a priests smock, and with brown hair and glasses, hurried towards us... pausing only a single step when my appearance sank in. He was old enough for a few crow’s feet and splashes of gray in his hair, but young enough that one didn't notice until you looked for such signs. “Good day, how might I help you two?” He said.

Mom bowed her head towards him, hands clasped in-front of her. “My son is in need of guidance, father.” I rolled my eyes at this. Considering that I was over Commander Broadside's passing, surly mom should be by now? The priest noticed, but made no comment. I saw his eyes sparkle with a bit of humor, however. Huh, perhaps this might not be a complete waste after all...

“She wishes to...”

I made a sweeping gesture with a hoof. “What my mother tried to say before saying a clear lie to a priest...” Mom flinched slightly, but stood her ground. The priest simply raised an eyebrow. “...is that she is worried my ‘condition’ is a divine test and has dragged me here to see from which side.”

The priests jaw just fell. It took him a couple of slack-jawed seconds, to blurt out: “Being turned into Fluttershy? A temptation from the devil?”

I snickered, as moms cheeks turned crimson. “That's just what I told her!”

Mom looked furious. “I am worried about my son’s immortal soul. Do you both truly find this a laughing matter?”

The priest looked a bit guilty, but I just sighed. “Mom, I am fairly certain that if the devil exist... then he has more class than this...” I said, sweeping a hoof over myself.

The priest nodded sagely, even as my mom turned a little pale. “I've always thought of him as more of a generations three point five fan. It is the only explanation.”

A shudder so strong it almost made me throw my robe clean of, just from the involuntary movements of my wings, swept over me. The thought of being turned into a character from that... The horror!

Mom just looked blankly at us both, but the priest suddenly seemed very interested.

“Ah,” he said, eyes once more twinkling. “So you are Princesses Fluttershy then? It is an honor, your Highness.”

He offered his hand, and continued. “I must admit, I never thought any other god then the spirit of the Almighty would grace this place. Please forgive me for not bowing. It is in the job description. The ‘no other gods before me’ thing, you know? ”

I took it, giving him a firm shake. In the background, mom's eyes were almost popping from their sockets. “Likewise... but please don't call me that. I'm just a bloke that got a mixed blessing...”

“With all due re-” the priest said, before mom exploded.

“My son is not a god!”

I was very, very tempted to levitate her up to the ceiling to make a point... Granted, not sure which point, but I was still tempted. But then I thought better of it. My mom was furious enough I could almost see the steam coming out of her nostrils.

Besides, the priest had a better response anyway. “I simply meant it in a joking manner. I meant no disrespect to you, your daughter...” His eyes darted between me and mom in a meaningful way. I shot him a smile in response. “...or the Almighty. It was simply a joke.”

Mom seemed mollified somewhat by the answer, but her shoulders were still set hard. “...Forgive me, father. But you shouldn't joke about things like that.”

He chuckled softly. “No gods before me, child. The meaning and implication of that is clear. If He did not wish us to know that there are other forces at work in the universe, He would have not told us so frankly...”

Mom paled slightly. Had that been said by anybody but a priest... Well, I think it would have been unpleasant.

“Still,” He continued, focusing on me. “I would be honored to offer guidance, if you want it.” He glared a bit at mom, who took a step back. “I have seen too many children lost from the flock because their parents where to forceful, so I shall be blunt. If she says no, then that is the end of it. Am I clear? I will personally talk with all my brothers of the cloth in this town if I have to.”

I mentally let out a low whistle. This guy? Actually sounded like he was worth the time to listen to...

I bowed my head, clasping my hooves in front of me. “Father, I will not deny that this is more for my mother’s benefit than my own... But one should honor one's elders, should one not? And she is deeply worried from this. I would not mind a confession, if you would give it...”

He froze for a moment, before inclining his own head. “Such a polite and well-spoken child...” He shot a gaze at my mother, waiting for something.

Mom blinked a few tears away. “...Yes, I... am very proud of her.”

The following squeak echoed through the entire building, making a few other visitors look up. A quiet murmur rose, as some recognized me, and others got curious...

It was only then I actually noticed that not everybody in the building was human. I guess more than mom was having something of a crisis of faith... A few were alone, but most had a human friend or relative close by.

It did amuse and worry me how I simply hadn't noticed, however. I'm fairly certain multiple species in the same place of worship should be a sight worthy of a raised eyebrow, at least...

But the scene just seemed... normal, to me. As if some part of me simply wasn’t surprised by multiple intelligent species, being side by side.

The weird feeling at not finding the scene weird weirded me out, to be honest. Then I got weirded out by the realization my mind was so twisted it was getting weirded out by not being weirded out...

Then I started getting weirded out by being weirded out from being weirded out from not being weirded out.

I quickly shot that train of thought down, before my mind started looking like an Escher painting.

A few of the ponies started fidgeting under my gaze. I didn't recognize any of them, but that hardly meant anything... even if some ‘familiar’ faces would have been welcome. I focused back on the priest. There was no reason to intrude on their moments.

...And then I was weirded out again, because it had taken it that long for my mind to register that most of the ponies were nude. What the fuck brain?

The priest was nodding sagely again. I wonder if they get lessons or if it simply comes naturally after a few years? “I normally only offer confessions on Sundays, but in these... strange times, I have made an exception. If you would just come this way...”

I followed the man, my hooves echoing loudly against the stone. Mom stayed behind.

Note to self, make some kind of moccasins, sandals, horseshoes and padded cloth-bags hybrid. This sound is making me think too much of Monty Python...

We soon reached the confessional booths. I quickly darted inside and sat on the small bench. I heard him follow suit on the other-side.

I saw a silhouette sit down on the other-side of the cloth covered window between the two booths.

“I never got your name, father,” I asked.

I could barely see the man nod through the covered mesh. “Father William Smith, a pleasure.”

I smiled. I know he couldn't see it, but still. It was nice being treated as a person, rather than a source of worries again. “Anthony Weaver. Likewise.”

I saw his head tilt slightly in puzzlement. Or as if waiting for something…

“And I don't mind the name Fluttershy, you may call me it if you wish.”

I saw the shadow nod again. “I thought as much. My wow forbids me to tell names... but I have heard similar introductions during these strange weeks. You have... memories, then? Of your time as... her, I mean?”

I nodded. “Only fragments. But they ring too true for me to dismiss them.”

He nodded back. “Your mother is troubled by this?”

“Actually, I've told her multiple times my freaky new sewing skills are thanks to my past life... But I don't think she accepts that.”

Father Smith cleared his throat. A polite way of hiding the laugh he had almost let loose, no doubt. “...The robe is your creation, then?”

Another nod. “Didn't feel like becoming a nudist and it seemed the simplest solution. It lets me move without anything getting in the way.”

He stuck a thumb out at the side off his head, pointing out. “Some of my flock have a similar problem with their new shapes and modesty, but have not found a solution yet. May I have your permission to share it? It would help many...”

“Of course, father. I wouldn't dream of keeping something like that a secret.”

I could actually hear the smile in his voice when he spoke next and the air seemed a bit... softer and lighter, if that makes sense. Weird. “You have made many people happy today, my child. I hope you recognize this fact.”

My ears flickered in embarrassment, so I quickly changed subject... Father Smith still got a chuckle in before I did, though. “Forgive me, but shouldn't we stick to the script?”

The silhouette shrugged. “It is quite clear to me that you have no want of this. It is not my place to tell you if you have need. Only you yourself can do that.”

I gave a nod, before he continued. “A sweet gesture, though. How has your mother handled this? Because frankly, she seemed far more troubled than you...”

A shudder swept me, strong enough that the faint rustling of my wings was heard even though the fabric of my robe. “...I won’t deny it, the first couple of days before I heard I wasn't alone? Hell. I thought... I might never be able to leave the house again, to be blunt.”

“...I must admit, my imagination fails me as to what it must have been like. Most of those I have spoken with had chance to at least hear about it, beforehand.”

I nodded slowly, trying not to get... flashbacks, for lack of a better word. “I... Yes, it was nasty.”

He bowed his head slightly. “...But you have accepted the changes, then?”

I let out a small but merry laugh. “Yes, I think I can live with flight and magic powers...”

Father Smith let out a low chuckle.

I pointed at the door, exaggerating the movement so he would see it. “Please, if she agrees. I think she does needs this more than I. She is convinced this is a test... Do you have any words that may discourage that notion? I fear it is starting to weigh on her.”

He nodded sagely again. “Forgive me... but on that point alone, I must agree with your mother. It is the only explanation that makes sense, to me as well...”

“Nanovirus made by an overzealous fan... Histories weirdest pandemic... Somebody stuck a Derpy plush in the large hadron collider and some beforehand unknown quantum whatsit did it by reversing the particle flow in the world’s flux-capacitors... Really? Divine will is the first explanation you come to?”

“...Reversed the particle flow in the world’s flux-capacitors?” He answered, mirth shining through his words.

I waved a hoof. “I'm a Sci-Fi fan. Techno-babble grows on you after a while.”

Father Smith just chuckled in response.

I felt his gaze, even though the cloth window. He was silent for a while, before asking in a careful voice: “If not divine will... What do you think it is?”

I suddenly thought of Discord, the self-styled god of chaos.

Bucking fuck.

“...Would you believe me, if I told you I remembered something?” I asked in a careful voice.

“...Oh, fuck. The damn season finale was true, wasn't it? Discord didn't stop at Twilight, did he?”

I slowly scraped my jaw of the floor. A small part of me amused with that it wasn't that far from metaphor. Honestly, the pony skeleton is scary flexible.

And what did he mean with that? That's not the ending I remember... or what I remember, to be blunt.

I carefully thought my answer over, as Father Smith just put a hand against his chin and waited. “...To act as devil’s advocate, it might be simply a matter of this transformation implanting memories as well...”

Father Smith snorted. “Yeah right. Forgive me, Princesses Fluttershy... But I don't think the world is that lucky.”

I fidgeted a bit, my wings getting hot and cramped under the fabric. “...Is it alright if I let my wings out while we do this?”

He barely had time to finish his nod, before I had ripped open the Velcro and stuck my wings out the slits. I gave them a good stretch. Ahhhhh...

“...Never thought I'd actually see wings on the other-side of that screen, I must admit...” He murmured softly.

I couldn't help myself and let out a giggle.

“If it isn't too private, may I ask why you hide them?” He asked softly. “Isn't being an Alicorn a great honor or something like that?”

I shrugged, flaring my wings this time while doing so. Father Smith let out an interested little hum at the sight. “One word, paparazzi. I want to stay incognito a little while longer, before the stream of crazy fans starts.”

“Ah. Fair enough... that's the only reason?”

I thought if I should tell him... but fuck it. He seemed trustworthy. That and as a priest he does have a vow of silence. “...I'm not the leader type. Show up when needed and shot a bad-guy full of lead? Sure, I can do that if needed... But the princesses thing? I... know, it is probably a hopeless thing... But I'm hoping that I won’t have to reclaim that burden. What little I remember of the first time, was bad enough.”

Father Smith had jerked slightly at the ‘Full of lead’ part, and was now sitting quite still... I just snickered at the sight. “Forgot that I'm not the Fluttershy from the show, did you?”

Father Smith started breathing again... so I couldn't resist. “Did I mention I own a gun shop?”

Father Smith froze again, but only for a moment this time. Then he chuckled. “Forgive me. I guess I... mixed up the character and her actor, so to speak? Does that comparison make sense?”

I chuckled softly in kind. “Not at all, father. But I understand what you meant and that it’s hard seeing this face and think ‘gun-nut...’ but I hope you can forgive my little joke about it?”

“Nothing to forgive, the fault was mine.”

I stretched again. This day had featured too much sitting around for my taste. “Glad to hear it... and I must admit this has been far more pleasant than I feared, but are we done? I'd like mom to be calm and get going before sundown...”

He tilted his head at me. “...Nothing you wish to confess?”

I hesitated, but he had been nothing but pleasant so far, so... “I must admit, I no longer consider myself a catholic. I wasn't exaggerating when I said that this was for my mother’s sake, not mine.”

He nodded slowly. “I am sad to hear that. Your transformation?”

I shook my head. “I actually read the bible a couple of years ago. Things like Gomorrah, the binding of Isaac... It made me question my faith. Those questions never got answers I actually believed and made me ask more questions… Well, my faith died by inches from it, to be blunt.”

“Ah. It saddens me, but that story is one I've heard before. It is a common reaction to knowledge without guidance.”

I fidgeted a bit again, I'd never actually put this into words before and it was making me slightly uncomfortable. “...To be honest, I've flirted with both agnosticism and atheism... but mostly I just... don't consider it an important part of my life, anymore.”

He tilted his head. “Your mother doesn't know?”

I let out a deep sigh. “She doesn't want to know. In her mind, I'm still her precious little boy that can do no wrong...”

We were silent for a while. Father Smith raised his hand, palm open. “You know what this is?”

“A human appendages most commonly referred to as a hand?”

He nodded. “But it is more. With this, I could both build and destroy. Create and tear down. You know what I am talking about?”

I've always had a soft spot for philosophy. I must admit, he had me, hook, line and sinker. “You are speaking in terms of power and potential?”

He nodded again, flexing his fingers in the light. “Indeed. Hands, just as these, built both the pyramids... and burned the temple of Artemis. The moon landing... and Treblinka. The Voyager probes were built, loaded and sent off by will and hands, just like these...”

He held up his other hand, his left. “The same for Fat-man and Little-boy.” He let both his hand fall. “You seem both a clever and polite young mare... Do you have a guess, as to why I am telling you this?”

It wasn't that hard. “You are trying to remind me that no matter where this new powers of mine truly comes from, that I still have my free will and should strive to use both to my best ability?”

He nodded, a pleased note to his voice. “Indeed. It does not come from the good book, but I have always found the simple wisdom of the words ‘With great power, comes great responsibility.’ very inspiring.”

My mouth twitched into a smile. “...You a Spiderman fan?”

He raised both arms in a gesture of non-commitment. “I prefer Batman, to be honest. A single man, dedicating himself to justice no matter how dark the path, staying true to his values no matter what? I think it rings true for what any man should strive for.”

“...You know, there have been more a couple of articles figuring out the numbers for how many lives would have been saved, had the Joker stayed dead when Batman shot him. Just saying.”

He waved me off. “And in real life, few mental wards have revolving doors. It's a comic. Some sacrifices of realism must be made for the story to flow.”

I hummed in agreement.

“Anyway,” Father Smith continued. “No matter the truth of how or why you got this blessing... Well, even finding a cave and not using them, is a choice. I am simply hoping to make you think this over in that light, no matter what you do chose.”

I tilted my head. “...May I ask what your answer would be, where our positions switched?”

He hummed softly, as he gave it some thought. To my amusement, I recognized the tune.

“Hush now, quiet now...” I softly sang, making him freeze slightly again. “May I compliment your taste in music?”

He laughed softly again. “...I have ponies on the mind, it seems. I honestly didn't even think about it.”

I gave my best try at a sagely nod. Not sure if I hit it, or not. “That does some to be the word of the day, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed,” He said, nodding. Making a far better try at it then I had. “But my answer... You are aware you could become something of a rallying point?”

I grunted unhappily. “A pretty little princess for people to gawk at, you mean?”

He shifted his weight uncomfortably. “...This is dangerously close to breaking my wow... but a lot of ponies have come to me recently. I can’t say an exact number, but a distressing number confided half remembered flashes of a life as the ponies they now resembled...”

“Like me.”

He nodded once more. “Like you. And among those, more than a few also confined that they couldn't help, but hope that one of the Princesses would just... come, and fix things. One way or the other...”

I suddenly felt a lump in my stomach.

“Most couldn't tell me why they felt this way. More than a few were as, if not more, troubled by the feeling itself as the implications of their metamorphosises.... And yet, they near prayed for such... intervention. Like a part of them knows that is how things should be. If that is not faith... then what is?”

I leaned my head back. So far back I felt my horn touch wood even. I just felt so damn tired suddenly.

And I made a decision. “...Know something that always bothered me about the show?”

“What?”

“Two words repeated. The horror, the horror.”

He hummed softly again. “You think it may be better if they fight their own demons?”

I throw up my arms and wings in an irritated gesture. “I'm just so damn tired of being the caretaker of dumb-asses that never learn... and I only remember bits of my old life! Most of the animals I remember learned to deal with things easier than the average pony!”

He nodded slowly. “...It is a sad lesson, but sometimes a bit of cruelty is the greatest kindness one may offer...”

I chuckled weakly, with little humor in it. “I don't think the old Fluttershy ever learned that lesson...”

“So... you feel you need to kick them out of the nest? Weather they fly... or not?”

I lowered my head and shook it. “No, I didn't say that. I think it’s more... leaving them alone long enough to make their own conclusions. I can't hide forever... but long enough that any would be followers learn to stand on their own a bit better? That, I think I can pull off...”

“...We all must find our own giant to slay... the trick is seeing the windmills before one rushes in.”

My, aren’t you well read... “You know the really sad part?”

“Yes?”

“I wouldn't actually mind being held up as exemplar... but for what I might or might not have done in a previous life? Not a chance. I see no reason to play along with that utter nonsense.”

He shrugged. “You are an Alicorn, no matter how that came to be. Many think this alike to godhood. You truly feel no temptation to use this? Not even as a way to rally the weak and needing?”

I shrugged. “I'm no saint. I simply happen to remember a life where I bowed far too many times to what others wished of me... I had my fill, to be blunt. I want this life, to be one of my making.”

When he next spoke, there was an unmasked undercurrent of amusement to it. “...You are aware, that a prophet refusing his calling is a common reaction according to the legends?”

I nodded. “Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha, among others... I've read the tales.”

“Then I shall not bore you by repeating them... but is there not a lesson there?”

I couldn't really believe what I was hearing. “...You’re encouraging me to form a new religion?”

He barked out a laugh. “I was more thinking about struggling against the force of destiny...”

“Don't believe in it. I'm in the ‘choices have consequences, nothing more’ camp.”

He was silent for a moment. “...And your cutie mark?”

I knew he couldn't see it or my smile, but I grinned anyway. “Actually... that's changed. By choices I've made as a human...”

He let out a low whistle. “Indeed?”

I nodded. “Remember my gun-nut comment? Cross-hairs over the butterflies.”

“...Really?”

“Straight over their little hearts...”

Father Smith barked out another laugh. “Well then. Isn't that a story and a half! I wish you luck in ‘bucking’ fate in the face, then... Anything more you wish to talk about?”

I shook my head. “No, but thank you, Father. I thought this would be a waste of time, but you helped me think a bit deeper about several things.”

I saw his shadow lean forward. A tiny door slid up, under the window. A business card poked out. “My card. Don't hesitate to call me if you think I have any guidance to offer. You may not be of my flock, but it is a poor Shepherd that lets the lost wander just for something like that.”

I quickly grabbed and pocketed the card. “Thank you, I just might do that.”

“No trouble. I am always glad to for-fill my calling.”

I hesitated for a moment, before deciding that the words needed to be said. “I hate to say it... But if more priest where like you, Father? Then I'd have probably kept my faith. For what it's worth, it was a pleasure to speak with you.”

He froze once more, before slowly sitting upright. “...I have seldom heard such bittersweet words... But for what it is worth, likewise Miss Fluttershy. I hope we may speak again.”

“Likewise,” I said with a smile, as I re-inserted my wings inside the robe and got out.

And almost stumbled straight into mom. She was just standing there with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Just then Father Smith stepped out and as he saw my mom, his eyes narrowed and the air grew near black around him. Wha…? “Mrs. Weaver?” You could have etched with the acid in his words. I had to stop myself from taking a step back.

Mom turned slowly to face the Priest.

“A confession is a sacred and private thing. What you just did was beyond wrong, Mrs. Weaver.” Mom flinched, both at the words and the glare that could have given mine (pre-ascension, but still) a run for its money.

Mom started wringing her hands, looking crestfallen. “...She won’t talk with me like that. I just... didn't know what else to do...”

I let out a sight and carefully closed my eyes. “That's because whenever I tell you anything you don't want to hear, you see it as a declaration of war. Or ignore it. Frankly, the last one hurts more... So I stopped being candid with you.”

I heard mom suck in a breath and tensed accordingly... but then she just let it back out again.

I heard sobbing. I opened my eyes and stepped forward, to give her a hug. She rested her head against my shoulder, but didn't stop crying.

I turned my head to Father Smith. “I realize you may want a say in this... but would you please let me and mom work this out ourselves?”

The oppressive feeling around him had faded, and he gave me a nod in response. “I can understand her, even if I don't approve. Very well, since you where the victim I will allow it.” He lowered his head to me. “Thank you again, both for letting me share the robes idea and the chance to talk. For what it's worth, I think you have the wisdom to lead... but if that is not your path, I wish you luck on whatever it may be. May we meet again.”

I gave a smile. “Likewise. And thank you, Father Smith.”

I gave the man a wave, as he walked off. It took nearly half an hour, according to the wristwatch I was still wearing, of me going “There, there...” and pating her on the back, but finally mom stopped sobbing.

…Granted, the way she was hanging from me like a funeral shroud was not much an improvement, but details...

...Yup, still best mom. No doubt about it.

“Talk with me, mom.”

She let out a sigh. Damn, sometimes you just have one of those days, don't you? “...I... thought you were at least a deist.”

“...Actually...” I began hesitatingly.

“If you claim that you don't fit that definition anymore because you know gods exist I'm grounding you.”

My heart sank. “...Then I misspoke.”

Mom let out another sad sigh. “...I did it again, didn't I?”

“...It’s a subject you find great strength and passion in and from. It is only natural you'd want to share that with me...” I said as diplomatically as I could.

“...Yeah, but it isn't anymore, is it? It’s becoming a wedge between us...”

I almost started crying myself. She just sounded so... defeated, when she said those words.

We were both silent for a while. Mom found her words first. “...You really remember... being her?”

“Told you, mom. Freaky, freaky sewing skills. And anger powered eye-beams. Do I have the best power-set, or what?”

I actually got her laughing with that one. Felt good.

“But seriously?” She asked, after the laughter had died away.

I carefully pushed my wings through the Velcro, and embraced her with them as well. She looked down briefly, but just smiled as she realized what I'd done. I smiled back. “You know I'll be your child for as long as you let me, right? And that I don't say the words ‘I love you, mom.’ just because I like the feel of them on my lips, right?”

I saw tears at the edges on her eyes... but judging from the big, goofy grin they weren’t sad tears. She leaned in and hugged me tighter. “...I'm so, so sorry. I... was so worried I... let it slip to the background... Can you forgive me?”

I bopped her light on the head with a wing. “Ow! What was that for?” She protested.

“For apologizing for staying by me while I turned into a freaking cartoon character. So you didn't exactly act completely rationally, so what? You were still there, doing your best. You really think I'd accept an apology for that?”

Mom was just still for a moment... then she hugged me so hard I heard my ribs creak. “Whatever I did to deserve you... it simply can’t have been enough.”

I thought about Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra, The gates of Tartarus bursting open and finally... Discord again. Both what I remembered like a half forgotten dream, and what the show had shown me...

And then I leaned forward and gave my wonderful mom a hug and a nuzzle. She yelped slightly, at the sudden attention. “Likewise, mom. You’re the best damn mom I've ever had, and don't you dare forget it, OK?”

She didn't have words for that. Like it mattered, her hug tightening again said it all, anyway...

We just stood there a long while, basking in the feeling...

Then my stomach growled, breaking the spell.

Mom looked down. “...You have a tiger hidden in there?”

“Nope. Come on,” I said, leading her towards the doors with a spring in my step. “I believe somebody promised me tasty, tasty murder!”

Mom made a disgusted face, but kept up. “Do you really have to phrase it like that?”

I giggled, not caring how unmanly it sounded. “When it gets such a rise out of you...”

I stopped, mid-sentence and almost mid-step.

Every damn pony in the building except me was waiting by the exit. Father Smith was there as well, trying with some success to act as a calming presence.

I glanced around. The other humans seemed to be keeping their distance. Looking on, a bit worried looking the lot of them.

...And the damn hope burning in all their eyes almost made me wish they’d been a mob, instead.

...Well, no time like the present. I carefully tried to let go of mom's hand, but she just gripped it tighter. I turned my head to her. “Mom, I'm certain they just want to talk. Please go to the car while I deal with this?”

I carefully didn't add that that would give her a chance to get away if things turned ugly. From the worry in her eyes, I didn't need to add that part. She quickly darted off, the small crowd parting for her without fuzz.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding when I saw that. I turned to the group. Father Smith was the only one I recognized. Other than that, three pegasi, three unicorns and two earth-ponies, all looking... lost, for lack of better words.

My eyes flickered to the other humans. They looked… defensive, but not hostile. Not yet, anyway...

I turned to Father Smith. “Any pla-”

One of the unicorns stepped forward, making me lose my thread of thought. “Please,” the gray pelted and green maned stallion said, near pleading. “...we just want to ask some questions.”

“...About?” I said in a careful, neutral voice.

The spokes-‘man’ of the group sat down on his hunches, fiddling with his hooves- I noticed he was one of the ones without any clothes, and he had a rag-doll as a cutie-mark... A former toy-maker, perhaps?

Anyway, not important... “Would you please get to the point?” I tried, I really did… but I failed to keep a sharp note of irritation from my words.

He looked up and gulped. “Y-y-you're her, right? Princesses Fluttershy?”

I weighed carefully how to answer that question... Damn, is this how Celestia feels and thinks, all the time? No wonder she gets those strange joking moods... “...I have been transformed into her likeness, yes. But I'm not her. Same as you. I just got three cherries on the one-armed bandit...”

He glanced down on the wing-slits on my robe, a bit of doubt on his face... I saw no harm in it, so I let my wings slip out. I got a collective gasp from the crowd.

To my disgust a few of them even tried bowing, but I glared at them. They shoot up straight like the ground had turned into a hot skillet. “None of that foolishness, am I clear? This is America. It was founded to get away from such entitled nonsense, just in case you have forgotten. I won’t tolerate it done in my name, we clear?” I growled.

Father Smith coughed into his hand, hiding a smile... most of the ponies just gulped, however...

I felt my ears twitch as my irritation grew. “I said, are we clear?”

A chorus of “Yes, Ma'am!” rose up from the group, as Father Smith nearly bent double from restrained laughter.

...Glad one of us is finding this amusing...

I turned back to the spokesman. He looked like he wanted to be swallowed by the ground...

And he didn't seem able to take his eyes away from mine...

I relented, and closed mine with a sigh. “...Please, I've had a long day. What do you want?”

I heard the stallion gulp again. Heck, I even heard his hooves rattle against the floor.

“Say it now, or I leave. I don't have time for this.”

“...Can you change us back?”

The voice was tiny, barely a whisper. A green pegasus mare from the back, one of them that had tried bowing. The words caught in my throat, but I got them out. “...No, I can't. Sorry.”

Her sobs nearly broke my heart. I opened my eyes... This time nobody flinched, they just looked even more lost. I turned to Father Smith. “How many of these are being granted shelter by you?”

He coughed into his hands again, but looking grim. “...I believe I am not allowed to tell you that I am offering that to some of them...”

“...You and how many others?”

He shrugged. “I've put out word that this is a sanctuary. I know of a few other places, but most have been refereed here... One place, to lessen the logistics of it, you understand? We usually serve soup or sandwiches to the needing, not oats and hay. It has complicated things a bit.”

I swore under my breath and glared at the priest, but Father Smith just smiled. Tough bastard. “The one church in Albuquerque that's serving as pony shelter? That's the one mom picked on a whim?”

He just spread his arms, a barely restrained smile on his lips. “God moves in mysterious ways...”

I had to put my shaking hooves behind my back, as to not punch the man out in his own church. I hate fucking destiny.

After cooling down a bit, I carefully put my face in my hooves, rubbing my temples. “...Look, I'm just a dude that got one of everything this mess has to offer, including dick-loss. I don't know any more than any of you do. The best I could do would be the basics you’re going to get flashes of insight for about anyway, if you haven't already.”

Silence. Even the sobs had stopped. I pressed on.

“If it makes any difference... I've been like this for little more than two weeks now. You get used to it and then you start noticing the stuff you suddenly can do. Flight, magic, the whole green hooves thing. Isn't that something to look forward to?”

A hot voice I hadn't heard before suddenly said: “Easy for you to say! You got it all!”

I opened my eyes, scanning for who said that... but the whole group just flinched.

“...I came here, because my mom wanted to test if holy-ground would make me catch on fire.”

Suddenly, you could hear a pin drop again.

“Thankfully, she came to her senses. And thankfully, we managed to patch things up... And thankfully I didn't burst into flame... But she still dragged me here to see if holy-ground would make me burst into hellfire.”

Nobody would meet my gaze, not even Father Smith.

I smiled a smile so wicked that it had no place on Fluttershy's face... but it wasn't hers anymore, was it?

It was mine.

My face.

My body.

My fucking life!

Bucking fuck and fucking buck destiny!

“So yes, I did get the same as all of you. Anymore brilliant observations?”

One of the earth-ponies looked up at me, flinching a little, but looked me straight in the eye anyway. “...I'm so sorry, miss. I... didn't know.”

I closed my eyes again, letting out a deep sigh. These guys were just... lost, hoping I could do something to help. They didn't deserve me or my bad mood. “...There was no way for you to know. No apology necessary...”

I took a deep breath, and opened my eyes again.... making them flinch just from that. They slowly relaxed when they noticed I'd calmed down though. “...Look, I'm sorry. I understand. You’re just looking for answers and I'm sorry I don't have any. But I just had a bit of luck in this mess.”

Unless this is a nanovirus or something, not meant to ‘make’ Alicorns and I'm basically one giant machine-gun barrel without cooling, just waiting to overheat...

Or the ‘Fluttershy’ persona ended up overwriting me.

Either way, dead. That would be... less lucky.

The mini mob, though... seemed restless. Like they had more questions, but didn't quite have the courage...

“...Father?” I said, noting that the tough guy had actually developed a nose bled. Coincidence? Yeah right, I'm not that lucky. I pointed pointedly at my own nose.

He swiped one of his thumbs under his. He jerked slightly at the sight, but then he just chuckled. Weirdo... “...Quite the Stare you've got there...”

My ears twitched in annoyance and embarrassment, but I just cleared my throat. “Would you do me a tiny favor?”

He nodded at me.

I pointed a primary at the group. They flinched slightly, but stood firm. “It's clear there are more than a few questions for me...” I lowered the wing. The group let out a tiny sigh of relief. “...Mind if I steal one of your pews for a while?”

“Not at all...”

“Oh, and please tell mom? I don't want her to worry.”

“I can do that. No problem.”

I flashed a smile at the man. He smiled back, and then walked out.

I turned to the group. “Alright. I'm going to go sit at the front. Anybody with a question, just come up and ask, but one at a time. I leave the order to you. Any fighting and I'm walking away from this mess. Any complaints?”

A hesitant hoof went up, raised by the earth-pony that had insulted me, but apologized for it. “...Yes?”

He hesitated for just a moment, before asking. “...I... though I'd save some repetition.... You know, as a-”

I made a get on with it gesture, but made sure I had a small smile on.

His ears instantly perked up, followed by quite a few among the group. “...How come you’re walking like that?”

“A couple of reasons.” I began. “I'm not in any hurry. It keeps my front-hooves free...” I waved them in-front of me, for emphasis. “....and keeps them out of the dirt.”

I throw my arms and wings from my side in an uncaring gesture. “And it makes me look a bit more human.”

The group shot each other strange glances at the last point. Perhaps I should clarify? “I take it you wonder why?”

A few nods were my reply.

“Because I frankly still consider myself one. The important bits, anyway.” I tapped my head, and my chest. Mind and heart. I jerked my shoulders once, before letting them fall. “I thought I should look a little closer to the part.”

They started to chatter at that one. I let them. The mare that had... asked the first question raised a hoof. I nodded at her. “...You haven’t had...?”

“The flashes of…” I put my hooves up, making air-quotes. “’memory,’ you mean?”

She nodded at me, near transfixed.

“Well, who can say that they’re the real deal? And even if they are, what difference does it make?”

“...But you're one of the-” She blurted out, covering her mouth with her hooves as she realized she had acted out of line... but I just chuckled softly.

I made sure my smile was as kind as I could, before I continued. I even got down on all fours so that they would feel like I was taking down at them. I got a few interested looks, and part of me noticed I was a bit taller than average, at least in comparison... The Alicorn thing or just chance? I filled it away for later thought. “And? That kinda position is for life, right? Even if that was what even happened in a previous one... Well, see what I mean?”

The murmur started again, but it seemed to be a bit on the acknowledging side, at least...

I turned a bit, but kept my head facing them. “Well, I'm no princesses... but I don't mind helping when I can and I do have a slight ‘seniority’ in this... You guys just work out what order you want to come forth in, OK? I’ll answer any questions I can.”

I got a few nods... and smiles. I smiled back, before walking away humming.

I had to walk a bit slow so I wouldn't get my legs tangled on my robe when I was down on all fours like this, but it worked. Score one more for freaky sewing powers!

I made my way to the front and hopped up on the pew, still in four-wheel mode. I folded my legs neatly under me and waited.

I got another small ‘How weird, this doesn't feel weird.’ spiral, but I fought it down. I thought it might be better for them to see me as somepony in the same boat as them, rather than somebody in denial.

I shifted my weight a bit. Honestly, this was disturbingly comfy... but then again, I did have a bit more padding than a month ago...

My lips almost spread into a perverted grin and I had to fight down my tail from rising. I'd never been a ham-beast or anything... but looking down and seeing delicious curves? No feeling quite like it...

And I liked it.

Don't get me wrong, not having a say in acquiring them was... more than a bit disturbing.

But a part of me was more than tempted, to just... grab one of those stallions and make him take me to cloud nine, so to speak...

A frown swept over me. But it was probably more than a bit stupid to risk... that.

Mom would have kittens if I had a foal... and I'm not sure how badly the ‘out of wedlock’ thing would worsen things...

Didn't stop me from being very curious, though...

And the naked people all around weren’t helping...

I perked my ears up. Speaking of which... I raised my head a bit higher, and peaked over the backrest.

Interestingly enough, most of them were simply milling about. I guess my general answers were good enough for them...

All the pegasi were arguing about something, though. I cleared my throat. Their heads swiveled towards me near instantly.

“If you all have the same question I won’t mind. I was simply thinking about privacy...” I said, flashing a comforting smile.

They shared a single glance, before just shrugging and coming towards me. I took the opportunity to che- take a closer look at them. Two mares that seemed to be close, considering how they were almost walking side by side...

My tail and other lips twitched.

And a really cute stallion. Gray mane, looking somewhere between windswept and ‘mad scientist...’ and a pelt so white it almost shone...

Ohhhhh...!

...and he had silver eyes!

...Note to self, ask mom just how mad she'll be if I start dating like this... but that hunk is almost worth a bit more grief...

A small, small part of me was disturbed about how blasé I was being about stallions, considering I’d been a straight man last month...

The rest of me was simply very tired of feeling so hot and bothered without proper release...

The flashes of remembrance having featured far too many lonely nights in my house didn't exactly help matters.

I didn't want to make that mistake two lives in a row.

I tore my eyes of him. Now, one way or the other, this was not the time.

...No matter how much a part of me wanted to drag him to the nearest closet.

I buried all... such thing, in the back of my head as the tiny group walked up. I tried giving them my sweetest smile, but I think it looked a bit forced.

They looked at each other, before one of the mares took a step forward. She was brownish green, golden eyes and with a wild, untamed mane that was fire red with yellow streaks in it. Her build was lean and sinuous, like an arm-wrestlers and she had a sextant superimposed over a cloud as a cutie-mark. A navigator or sailor?

She reminded me of a kiwi fruit on fire, for some reason... Cute, though.

And from how she and her... mate, for lack of better word, was wearing a ring each on shoe strings around their necks I didn't even need to imagine what they were to each other before.

My smile got a bit more genuine. Or now.

She turned back to her stark-white wife, who gave her a nod of encouragement.

Her lack of color was a little freaky, to be honest. She even had white irises. You could only see them when they caught the light, and even only then because they were a bit shinier than the rest of her eyes.

Considering her color scheme and the crystal blue snowflake on her plot I was willing to bet she had been some manner of snow specialist back in Equestria.

“...We were wondering...” The flame headed one started. “...have you figured out these yet?” She flared her wings to show me what she meant.

I gave a nod. “The air is a bit too dry around here. I'd recommend asking Father Smith if he can arrange to have a humidifier put in a room. It's a really bad habit, but it makes getting off the ground the first few times easier...”

From the look of confusion, I figured I was dealing with none or small time fans, so I gave a quick rundown on what I had told mom...

...and my little accident earlier. It cheered them up immensely that even a Alicorn was having trouble adjusting.

The temporary leader blinked. “Oh, sorry.” She pointed to herself. “I'm Clear Skies slash Arnold Turner...” She pointed to her female companion, who gave me a nod and smile. “...this is my darling wife White Out slash Mrs. Anna Turner...” Called it. She then switched hoof and pointed to the hunk. He gave me a sheepish grin that made my heart flutter. “...and this is Great Scott slash...” She blinked, and turned to him. “Forgive me, but I never caught your human name...”

Scott suddenly looked more than a bit embarrassed. “...Gwendolyn Smith.” He jerked his head towards the doors. “You've met my dad.”

I gave a nod. “Anthony Weaver. You know the other one.” I got three sheepish grins for that one.

I gave him one more once over. The blush he got was just adorable. He had two gears wreathed in lightning as a cutie-mark. “You an inventor?”

He hesitated, before giving a nod... and a shake. I nodded in turn. “You were an inventor then?”

He scratched the back of his head. “...And an electrician in this life. Does that make sense?”

“Tell you what...” I said, impish grin in place. “...let me show you something.”

Then I sat up... and started to disrobe. The gulp from him and the two mares sent this delightful shiver up my spine. I was grinning like a loon when I got the robe over my head.

I noted with delight that I was being stared at. It felt wonderful. Take that, old Fluttershy!

I made no move to hide anything... but I scooted slightly to my side, showing off my plot. “How's this for a new lease on life?”

They were just transfixed by my cutie marks...

I knew I was in a church and probably shouldn't... but I fluttered my eyelids and made my voice as husky as possible. “See anything any of you like?”

I will admit, seeing three pair of wings go *fumph!* made my day. I almost lost myself and pounced, but I did manage to instead restrain myself and giggle out: “Sorry! Sorry! I really shouldn't in a church, but I just couldn’t resist!”

A mix of utter embarrassment and crushing disappointment flickered over their faces...

“Perhaps you three pretty little things would care for a drink or something, once everything has simmered down a bit?”

The only thing redder than the three ponies in front of me, was Clear Skies’ hair.

Hey, if I'm being pushed down the path to royalty, then by all things good and evil, I'm having myself a harem this time...

And my eyes drifted down. To a subtle, if somewhat eye-catching bit of movement halfway down a certain stallion...

I couldn't stop myself from licking my lips a bit.

Hung like one indeed.

Scott followed my gaze... And responded by turning one-eighty and sit down, nearly fast enough that I suspected teleportation...

But not fast enough for two certain mares not to get an eyeful. Both their jaws dropped at the sight.

I fished out the card Scot’s fa- Wait. I paused mid motion, both my robe and the card floating in my magic. “How come your father...?”

Scott turned his head, almost facing me without even rising. Oh, so deliciously flexible! “He was merrier before taking the wows. He found mom with two dogs, one woman and a bucket of lard... then he found religion.”

Scott said it in a near bored voice... but he started smirking when my cheeks caught on fire.

“...Anyway,” I said with an embarrassed cough that made all three laugh a little. “As one of three stallions here and the only one I've seen embarrassed, you want this? I'm over it, but I remember what not liking stares are like...” I unfolded the robe, making it hang in the air held only by my cyan magic.

He opened and re-closed his mouth a couple of times. Lost for words.

I giggled at him, making him blush again. “I've got more fabric at home. It's no problem.”

Granted, in the shop, not ‘home’ home. But details. He needed it more than I did.

“Er... won’t that make you...?” He stuttered out, not quite reaching eye-level with me.

I swept a hoof over the trio. “I've got a feeling clothes are going to be seen as optional for at least a part of the population from now on... Why not do some good and try it out?”

Scot hesitated again, but Clear walked over and elbowed him. “You’re not the only one that have had a involuntary sex change and is feeling weird about flaunting it due to lack of fitting clothes. Take it, or I do.”

Wordlessly, Scot extended an arm. I dropped the robe there,

Then White said, in near reverence, pointing to my chest. “...Is that...?”

I poked at the gem, noting that all their gazes had shifted to it. Even some not in the conversation, even. “To my knowledge, yup. Just appeared early morning today.”

I stroked the thing, noting with a bit of interest that the swelling was nearly gone. The fit was so good, I had to concentrate to feel where soft pelt ended and hard gem began, it was a little disconcerting, to be honest.

Jewelry shouldn't just appear from nowhere and telefrag part of you. Somehow making itself feel like a part of you? So beyond doubly so, I frankly had no words for it.

Scott broke the spell first... by whimpering.

“What's wrong?” Clear asked, worry in her voice.

Scot gulped. “This... this is... real, isn't it? Not some... hallucinogen, not some lab concoction that never should have escaped... We're really turning into ponies.”

I extended my wings and arms. Doing my best ‘angel in full glory’ impression. “Have. Not are.”

He whimpered again. The room was very quiet again.

I decided that it was time for a statement. I put the card on the pew, before I got up on both hind-hooves...

And jumped off.

Then I flew upwards, easily finding a hold this time thanks to the number of people in the room...

The swish-swish of my wings where the only sound.

They weren’t even breathing.

I flew over to, and landed on the lectern, testing slowly that it would hold. It creaked, but it did.

I hesitated, seeing mom and Father Smith standing wide-eyed in the doorway.

I fought it down. This was no time for stage fright. “Listen to me, please.”

I smiled wide, as every jaw in the building dropped. Human and pony both. Some dust drifted from the ceiling, but that was the only reaction from the building.

I'm not sure where the memory of the royal voice came from... but it did. I saw a few people scramble for cameras and phones. I made sure to smile towards them. Good. The more, the merrier.

I waited a few extra seconds, letting cameras start both record and flash.

“I know you're scared and confused,” I started, drawing in more power than I had ever before... in this life or the last. I'd noticed it before when my memories had stirred, but the land around here was near boiling with magic. I felt my mane and tail turn ethereal, like a pink cloud billowing behind me in an unseen breeze. “But just think of what you can do!”

The windows shook with my voice, as I forgot myself. A few present winced, but nobody took their awe filled eyes off me.

I carefully took my hooves from my shocked face, giving of a nervous laugh. “Sorry, I'm new at this.”

That got more than a few giggles and laughs.

I took it as a good sign. I swept my arms wide, flared my wings and gathered enough power in my horn for it to glow. The crowd sucked in a breath. “I was a gunsmith and merchant last month... and frankly, I still consider myself one.”

A murmur rose at my words. A bit unbelieving, a bit relieved, a bit mesmerized. All at once.

And so soft, it was near reverent.

“But just imagine what you may do, with your new and old insight. Do you think anybody would have done anything but shoo Anthony the gun merchant down from this improvised stage of mine?”

Another murmur, somewhat affirmative.

“Do any familiar with the...” I made air-quotes, getting another trickle of laughs. “...’show’ even think old Fluttershy would have done this without stutters and hiding behind her wings?”

Once again, an agreeing murmur rose from the crowd.

“Alloys are always stronger. Please, at least think about it. No matter how this came to be, if the memories are real or not...”

I turned slightly to my side, showing my new and improved marks. A few gasps from those that hadn't noticed before.

“...does it even matter as long as the skills and powers are?”

I turned back, my smile growing even further at the mesmerized crowd. I could get used to this part...

“Everybody here have a chance to become something more. Even those not transformed. Even if not a single skill or ability granted by this event may be replicated, we will all be stronger for it. As long as we do our best and work together...”

I gave a dramatic pause and the air pressure dropped a tiny bit, as everybody sucked in a breath again.

“...how could we not be?”

I gave a theatrical bow, as the room exploded with stomps and clapping. It made my heart soar.

I risked a glance up at my mom. She was clapping so hard her hands were white, and tears were streaming down her face again...

But considering the smile, I don't think I was in much trouble.

I jumped off as I let go off most of the power, shifting to four-wheel mode mid jump. A last second sweep of my wings made me land with only a soft thud. I levitated the card over and stuck it between my feathers, noting with glee that there were a lot of introspective faces in the crowd.

And more than my mother was crying softly.

I quickly hid my immodest grin. Not bad for an improvised speech, not bad at all...

I gave a small wave at the group of pegasi, as I walked off towards mom. They waved back, looking a bit shell shocked.

Great Scot was clutching the robe hard, a goofy grin on his face...

...and the two pretty mares, were having a very intensive whispered debate.

And all three had their wings pointing straight towards the heavens.

Gotcha.

I turned my head back, not bothering anymore to hide the grin on my face.

Gotcha all.

I barely kept myself from whistling a tune on my way out. This was way too much fun.

The last time I had this much fun it involved tequila, a barrel of rotten tomatoes, a belt of tracer rounds and a homemade mini-gun.

And this was legal! Bonus!

Mom and I didn't say a word on the way out, but I stopped in the gateway and gave a wave.

Father Smith, eyes drifting slowly between me and his son was the only one with enough presence to wave back.

But his grin was almost as big as mine.