Can You Love Me?

"Uuuuuuuggggghhhh." I let out a low moan, I hurt everywhere. I blinked and winced slightly, my right eye was swollen and it hurt to even blink. I tried sitting up but it was harder than just laying there so I decided against it.

"What day is it guys? I've lost track." I managed to croak out.

It's Saturday, some time in the morning. Clover spoke up, chipper as always.

"How many days left to my trial?" Some motion was finally coming back to my limbs.

There are no more Fucking days, This shit stain of a trial is today numb nuts. Zul stated. I sighed,

It's been two weeks already? I thought. My bladder needed to be relieved so I had to force my stiff and sore limbs to move. My face twisted into one of repressed pain as I stood. I slowly limped over to the filth encrusted toilet that I had. As I sighed in relief I gazed around. for the umptinth time, my cell. It just a square stone room, no bed, no blanket and no window, just grey walls the cell bars and this literal shit pool of a toilet.

Some would call this cell cruel and un pony, but I was an anthro, I wasn't a pony to them so they didn't care. I heard some ponies down the corridor talking so I finished my business and took my usual seat in the far corner. I was the only prisoner so They had obviously come to beat me again.

You sure you don't want me to teach them a lesson? I'd be more then happy to. Umbrus smiled evilly, cracking his knuckles loudly. I sighed and shook my head.

"As much as I'd like that, it'd just make this whole situation worse, I don't want to give them any more against us." I spoke softly. Umbrus just huffed and crossed his arms.

Always the killjoy.

HEY, ass wipe, be grateful that Caim's letting you stay out. If it was up to me your whiny bitch ass would be locked up again. Zul glared at Umbrus with clenched fists. He simply regarded her with a cold look.

I might just lock myself away, if only to get away from that uncouth, profanity spewing abyss you call a mouth. Zul looked ready to explode, so Umbrus pushed one last button

Seriously, I'm surprised we haven't drowned in sewage from how much filth spills out of your mouth in one hour's time. Zul shot forward and was nose to nose with Umbrus, her eyes blazing like stars with her rage.

If you wanted your creepy ass beat Umbrus all you had to do was fucking say so! She growled at him. Umbrus merely smirked. Orion and Clover were sitting in stadium chairs sharing a bag of popcorn while Beta was dressed in a referee's uniform.

In the left corner, we have the raging inferno, ZUL, and in the opposite corner, we have the challenger, the dark and mysterious UMBRUS. Both Zul and Umbrus blinked and found themselves in a boxing ring in opposing corners, with Beta in the middle.

Place your bets! Place your bets! 2-1 odds in favor of Umbrus! Place your bets! He called out. now normally I would've watched and laughed along with the rest of them but the sound of hooves on stone getting louder had my attention.

"Guys cool it, they're coming." I hissed softly. the craziness in my mind disappeared and was replaced by deafening silence.
We'll be here if you need us Caim. Clover said. I could feel a sense of peace wash over me and I just smiled.

"Thanks guys." I kept my head down and prepared myself for another beating. I hear the cell door swing open and hooves rush in like normal, but what I didn't expect was to be pulled into a soft embrace.

"You poor colt" I heard a female voice coo as my vision was engulfed in pink fur and a pair of hooves wrap around me.

This is new. Umbrus said in my head.

"How could they treat you like this?" The same female voice said again and the hooves stroked the back of my head. I pushed the mare off me and my eyes widened in surprise. In front of me was a pink Alicorn pony with a purple, dark pink and cream mane and tail. her purple eyes looked at me with worry and compassion that I haven't seen in a pony's eyes in a long time.

What in the deepest pits of Tartarus is Princess Cadence doing here?! My thoughts were a blur of motion as I tried to figure out what the hell was going on.

"He's an anthro Cadence, it's normal for us to be treated like dirt." My eyes were drawn to the sound of the new voice and my heart seemed to stop.

If she's here, I'm in more trouble then I thought. I started to sweat a little. Standing in the cell door way was none other then Twilight Sparkle, princess of friendship and the only anthro princess. Her lavender eyes seemed to bore into mine, trying to figure me out.

"If this is the conditions they put you in, I doubt you've met your lawyer right?" Princess Twilight asked me. I was confused.

"I have a lawyer?" I asked, not sure if I was in reality or still dreaming. The princess, just shook her head, clearly annoyed.

"They always step on us like we can't think, I'm not going to let that happen this time." She sighed and gave me a pointed look.

"Your lawyer was Murphy Law but now, I'll be representing you." She said curtly. I swear there was a clang sound as my jaw dropped.

Something smells funky here Caim. Wouldn't this be a bit over kill? Umbrus said.

That's just your Paranoia talking Umbrus Beta replied.

It's not Paranoia if it's justified. Think about it, what are the odds that one, let alone two princesses end up coming here? It can't be a coincidence. Umbrus said and I was starting to think he was right.

"What makes me so special to get the attention of two of Equestria's rulers?" I asked Twilight, keeping princess Cadence at arms length, which was a struggle with her trying to smother me in another hug. Twilight raised an eyebrow,

"I was sent here by the map room along with two of my friends, Cadence is here on Royal business so we just traveled together." She explained.

"So..." She said and looked at me with half smile.

"What can you tell me about what happened outside that restaurant two weeks ago. If I'm going to represent you I need to know everything." Her horn glowed slightly along with her hands, and two chairs and a simple blanket appeared.

Why a blanket? you're not cold as far as I know. Umbrus asked, and I had to resist the urge to facepalm.

It's for princess Cadence, she a pony and can't sit in a chair like Anthro's can.

Pay attention Umbrus

I've been locked away in Caim's subconscious most of my existence, so I'm not exactly up to date with these things. Umbrus said coolly. Beta had the brains to look sheepish.

Oh right, my bad.

Will you two be quiet, These two sexy mares are trying to have a conversations with Caim and if he plays his cards right he can end his dry spell

He might not be so upset if that happens.

"Shut up you idiots!" I said to them, but to late did I realize I had spoken out loud. My eyes bugged out of my skull as the two princesses stared at me in shock.

Fucking perfect. Zul face palmed.

You done goofed my friend. Beta was trying to contain his laughter.

Now he'll never get laid. Orion hung his head and sighed.

That wasn't a very nice thing to say Caim. Clover pouted slightly. Umbrus was quiet and had a thoughtful look on his face.

Twilight was the first to recover and narrowed her eyes at me.

"First of all that was extremely rude and second, neither of us said anything so who was talking." She raised an eyebrow at me and I started to sweat. I had heard rumors that Twilight Sparkle was a genius and could solve nearly anything that was put in front of her. The chance that she'd discover my secret was a horrifying thought. The silence hung heavy between us for a few moments, before someone I least expected spoke.

Let me talk to her Clover said, I jumped slightly at her voice.

"I can't do that! You know just as well as I do I'd be locked up quicker than a rabid manticore."

You don't know that, you're just afraid of that Her chipper voice sounding so weird when speaking serious logic.

I've got a better idea, why not just have her come here? Orion suggested. I was starting to panic.

That's even worse! How would I even ask that? Oh hey Princess, I'm innocent so please invade my mind so you can meet one of my five other selves that destroyed that restaurant... yeah that'll go over so well." i said.

Let Umbrus talk to them. Zul said. All our attentions snapped over to Zul, who just stood there with her arms crossed.

What? He's the Fucker who made the mess, He should be the fucker who cleans it up. She said bluntly. Umbrus flinched slightly. I was about to retort but She cut me off.

Look Caim, we all know you're protective of us for your sake and ours, but we all knew we weren't going to stay a secret forever. She said. I tried to find a good reason not to let this happen but my mind was coming up short. Then she nailed the proverbial coffin shut,

She could just take the information out of your brain by force you know, and that wouldn't get us on their good side. Best to just get it over with quickly, like pulling out a thorn. My shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Are you sure you're not my reasoning as well as rage?" I asked her, she just smirked.

Maybe I am, maybe I'm not.

"Okay now you're just being mean." I mentally face palmed as Beta conjured a chalk board and made a mark under Zul's name.

Zul one, Caim Zero I ignored him and asked Umbrus.

"I don't like it but Zul is right, but that being said... I paused making sure he got what I was implying.

"I expect you to behave and not do anything drastic, understand? Umbrus swallowed and nodded his head slowly.

"Good."

"Well, let's get this over with." I sighed and closed my eyes, I felt the control of my body switch from me to Umbrus.

"Let's get what over with?" Cadence asked.

"He means meeting me your Highness." Umbrus spoke lifting my head up and meeting Her gaze. They both looked completely confused. He chuckled lightly.

"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Umbrus, I'm the one who... Destroyed that eatery." He said. Twilight looked about ready to blow a gasket.

"That has to be the lamest excuse for a crime I have ever heard." She glared at me, but it was Zul who blew up first.

Why that little Bitch! Move over Umbrus! I'm taking over! She yanked Umbrus back making my physical body collapse due to not having a driver. Beta was munching on something as he watched.

Dis gonna be guud He said to me. I just threw my hands up in defeat.

"That's it! I'm dead!" I just sat down in my mindscape and waited for my death. What happened next made my jaw drop. When my body collapsed, the Princesses shouted in surprise and worry but they instantly went quiet with shock when my body started to glow.

I watched, in horrified fascination from a third person view, as my body changed. My chest expanded and pushed my shirt away as two large breast formed, I heard my bones grinding as my body went from wide shoulders to wide hips. I didn't want to know if my crotch had under gone similar changes. All the other's, Princesses included, had their jaws on the floor.

Beta was the first of us to recover,

IT'S A GIRL! he shouted, I couldn't tell if it was fear or surprise. Umbrus was just making weird noises in his throat, like he was trying to talk but nothing was coming out.

AWWW, Her's are always bigger than mine." Clover pouted. I looked and my face turned bright red because she was lifting her breasts up and looking at them.

"Why does that even matter! I just became a girl!" I yelled my face blushing violently. Orion just made it worse.

Ooooooooo, the options that just opened up! He sing-songed and grinned, his eyes sparkled with perverted glee.

"OH HELL NO!!" I screamed, but then my attention was drawn back to the box that let me see out into the world from the mindscape.

Zul was getting up and facing the pair Princesses who looked like their eyes would explode if they got any wider. She stared at Twilight hard.

"You fucking believe us now you eggheaded cunt?" My heart stopped beating after that.

"NONONONONONONONONO!" I tried to take control back but Clover got to her first.

My turn! She said as she took over my body. My body stumbled slightly as a new driver took control. Clover pulled my head up and smiled brightly at the to now very frightened and nervous princesses.

"Hi there. I'm clover and that angry girl was Zul, sorry about her bad words, she just can't seem to help it, what to be friends, I've never had any mare friends other then Zul so that would be so much fun, we could play tag, eat pie... you girls like pie right? Clover's attempts at helping didn't seem to be working, they just looked even more terrified now than before. I saw twilight mouth the words "two of them" but didn't know what that meant.

OH! can I have a go? I've wanted to try and sweet talk a real mare, let alone these two smoking hot ones." Orion asked. Beta was to busy laughing his his head off at this whole situation to say anything. I just glared at Orion as I pulled Clover back and reasserted my control.

It was an extremely weird sensation to have one's body change. It didn't hurt, it just felt odd. My chest was the first, shrinking and shifting into pecs that didn't bounce. I could feel my bones crunch and grind back into place and I learned the terrible truth, when I felt my balls return to their home sweet home. I heard Orion laugh evilly in my head.

What fun you'll have! he cackled, but he was drowned out by Beta.

He dropped the balls...PPPFFFFTT HAHAHA!

"I'm not a game of musical chairs for you guys to enjoy you know." I grumbled. I heard a thumping sound and saw that Twilight had fainted. I started to panic.

"SHIT! Now I'll be charged with assault on royalty! Why does life hate me so much?" I exclaimed. I slumped into one of the chairs Twilight had conjured. there was complete silence for at least a minute, before princess Cadence broke it.

"what in Faust's left teet just happened?" She asked. I heard Zul chuckling.

Not the best but not bad I just ignored her. Letting out a massive sigh, which I seemed to be doing a lot of lately, I tried to explain.

"First I want to apologize your Highness, You were just supposed to meet Umbrus but after, sleeping beauty over there, didn't Believe me one of the others didn't like that and took control over my body to voice her... "colorful" opinion to you princess Twilight." Zul just snorted. Cadence just looked even more confused than before.

"I guess I'll have to start from the beginning." I stated then looked over at the knocked out alicorn mare. gesturing toward her I asked,

"Is there a way to wake her up? I'd rather not tell this twice." Cadence took notice that Twilight was on the ground. She sighed and her horn flared with her magic aura. A book manifested itself and floated next to Twilight's head. Princess Cadence flipped the book open and, wincing slightly, ripped a page from the book. Princess Twilight jumped straight up into the air screaming.

"AAAAHHHHH!" Her eyes were massive as they darted around and her breaths came in quick, heavy pants. I heard hooves galloping down the hall and I threw my hands up in the air so the guard could see I didn't have anything.

"Princesses!" The unicorn guard yelled as he skidded to a stop just outside the cell door and shot a spell straight at my chest. It hit full force, sending me flying backwards and slamming into the cell wall hard enough to crack the stone and break a few of my ribs.

I couldn't even scream in pain as all the air had been forced out of my lungs on impact.

Caim/Caim/Caim/Caim/Caim! I heard them yell in my head. normally I could shake a hit like that off as nothing but I'd gone so long with little food or water my body was weakened considerably.

I some how managed a cough, and I saw a small amount of blood spatter the floor. I heard one of the princesses yelling but I was in to much pain to figure out who. I felt my eyes closing without me doing so.

"I can't pass out now! I raged in my head.

You don't have a choice Caim, your body has taken too much damage. Umbrus said. I heard Zul muttering some choice curse words.

I felt/watched my physical eyes close and I stood with my group in my mindscape. to say I was pissed was an understatement.

"Well that's just great! I growled. Clover came over and gave me a hug. I didn't want one but I didn't want to hurt her so I just let her hug me.

What now? Beta asked. I looked at him, but I couldn't think of anything.

I don't kn..." I felt another mind brush against my own, seeking entrance. I panicked and did the first thing I had been taught, grab hold, pull them in and contain. I latched onto the other mind and yanked them to me, forcing whomever it was into a mental construct of a steel cage. I turned violently to face the intruder,

"Who are you and..... Whaaaaat?" I blinked to make sure I wasn't deceived. In the cage was an angry, shaking Princess of Friendship.

"You let me out of here this instant!" She yelled and the cage blasted apart making us all duck.

What the flying fuck! Watch it! Zul yelled as she dodged shrapnel. Princess Twilight stomped over and was glaring at me something fierce.

"I try to make sure you're alright and this is the thanks I get?!" She fumed. I was fully intimidated by a mare that only came up to my chest. I could see Beta not far behind her doing a whipping motion with his hand, before he was handed an actual whip by Orion.

I glared at him,

"Don't even think about it Beta." Twilight turns and sees Beta, whip raised and ready to crack. He quickly and very poorly hid it behind his back while he smiled sheepishly.

Don't pay him any mind my beautiful dear, he was always too much of a joker. Orion walked up and took and took a very confused and now flustered Twilight's hand and gave it a small kiss. He looked up at her with a predatory like gaze and smile.

We've never had a ravishing beauty, such as yourself, grace us with her enchanting presence. I saw Twilight's face erupt red, I had to put a stop to this.

"guys give her some space, you especially Orion, I don't want a repeat of meet and greet number one." I placed myself between the princess and Orion. He huffed slightly but kept his thoughts to himself and backed off. I turned to the princess smiling nervously.

"You highness, allow me to introduce Beta...
Sup?
"Orion..."
A pleasure to meet such a lovely lady I shot him a small glare and carried on.
"Zul..."
Watch where the fuck you blow shit up next time, you nearly took my fucking head off I cringed but continued.
"Clover... Clover?" I didn't see Clover any where, then I heard a grunt and I turned and saw Clover bear hugging Princess Twilight to near breaking point.
I am sooo happy to meet you Princess! She said in her usual chipper tone as she was breaking the princesses spine in half.
"Clover let her go before she snaps!" I shrieked and clover looked surprised but let Twilight go. The princess took a massive breath to fill her crushed lungs. I patted her back lightly as she started coughing.

"Sorry, she's a bit of a hugger." I explained as Clover skipped over to the rest of the group.

"You think?" Twilight managed wheezed out. She got her breathing back to normal and I gestured over to Umbrus, who was standing apart from the rest of us.

"And this is Umbrus." I said. He nodded his head slightly. She looked at each of them for a few moments then turned to me.

"And who are they exactly?" She asked, curiosity ringing clear in her voice. I rubbed the back of my head in embarrassment.

"They are my emotions and feelings given form." I offered. Her eyebrows shot up and she looked between them and me multiple times.

"How is that even possible?!" She asked. I didn't want ther to know the truth so I came up with a half truth.

"I don't know, but they've been with me for as long as I've been alive as far as I know." i said as Twilight tried to wrap her head around this.

"So, who represents what?" Twilight asked. Beta coughed getting her attention. He waved and said,

I represent his sense of humor in all its shapes and forms. Betta gestured over to clover who smiled widely.

Clover here represents his happiness and good will. She and I are the oldest here. that caught Twilight's attention.

"Oldest?" She cocked her head slightly.

"What he means is they are the first things I felt when I was born." I said. Twilight nodded her head slightly. Zul took a breath and I became very nervous.

"The names Zul Princess, I represent Caim's rage, anger and general discontent with things. Zul said plainly, not a single curse in that whole sentence, I was impressed.

So don't go and fucking piss me off bitch And Zul was back to normal. Twilight's eyes twitched slightly as she turned to me.

"Your friend has quite the potty mouth." she narrowed her eyes at me making me sweat slightly.

Indeed she does Princess Orion said as he stepped forward and bowed slightly.

My name is Orion, my lady, I represent Caim's more... Physical love and drive as it were. He smiled softly.

"What do you mean physical love?" Twilight asked. I was going try and salvage this, but Zul and Beta got there first.

He means fucking mares brains out genius. Zul said as blunt as ever while Beta had his hands behind his head and was thrusting his hips upward.

It took a grand total of ten seconds for the info to click in Twilight's brain. When it finally sunk in her face erupted in a massive blush. I didn't have time to react as her fist came up and smacked me in the chin sending me soaring into the air as she screamed.

"PERVERT!" was all I heard before I landed on the ground, in a daze, with the world spinning. The world stopped tilting op me and I was able to get up, only to see Orion, Beta and Zul holding up score cards. A gold medal appeared around Twilight's neck much to her confusion.

And the gold medal goes to, Princess Twilight Sparkle for an impressive 13.7 feet with only a single punch. Beta had changed into a tux and was standing next to Twilight who was now on a raised platform and completely confused.

"Guys can we tone it down please? She came here for a reason and this isn't helping us fix our problems." I asked, making Beta give a pout.

I don't get to have any fun anymore He tried to put on a sad face but it failed to stop the small grin that came through. I smiled and shook my head at his antics.

Fun or no Beta, my trial is still hanging over Caim's head and we need to so what we can to soften the blow. Umbrus, who had been silent up till now, spoke up. Twilight looked at Umbrus.

"Your trial? Caim's the one who's going to court."

Yes, for my actions princess. Umbrus hung his head. A glimmer of understanding flashed in Twilight's eyes.

"What happened before you were knocked out in the cell by the guard..." She paused to look at them each in turn.

"That was all of you taking control of his body using it as you wanted to." She looked at me with wide eyes and a small smile on her lips. She marched right up to me and asked

"Has this ever happened before! I need to know, right now, if this has ever happened before." She all but demanded. I shook my head.

"This and what happened at the restaurant two weeks ago were the only times it has happened... I never even considered it a possibility until then... Why?" The princess gave me a slightly smug smirk.

"I just thought of a way to help you win this trial..." Then her eyes got huge with excitement.

"And I found something new to study!" She squeed and her image faded as she left my mind. I shivered as I felt a chill run through me. I turned to look at them and I see that Beta is dressed in odd clothes and some sort of weapon attached to his right hip.

I've got a bad feeling about this.

"Could they have made these damn things any tighter? I can still breath" I said in my head. I was in my prison orange jumpsuit and had chains on my ankles, waist, wrists and neck. I was wearing so much hardware I should've been a store and I was barely able to manage a shuffle.

Don't tempt fate Caim.Umbrus said, to which I snorted slightly in annoyance. I guess a guard didn't like that so I got a hoof to the ribs. I grunted but managed to keep my balance. I was being led through the main hall of the court house. A large set of double doors was ahead and The opened to reveal the room where my trial would take place.
You know for a room where it's decided if you're going to jail or not, it's quite nice looking... In an intimidating, shit your pants kind of way Beta commented.

"Not helping Beta." I said, gazing around the room as I shuffled in. It was a large room with auditorium like seating for the audience and jury. a waist high semicircle railing was in the center of the room for where I was to stand.
The judge's chair was raised high and had stairs leading up to a massive desk, with a scale symbol emblazoned on the wall behind it.

I looked into the crowd, there were a lot of ponies who came to see this. I guess it was a big deal or something.

More like those specisist fuck tards want to see you get sent away for life. Zul said. I couldn't help but agree with her. As my eyes swept the crowd I saw a pony i wasn't expecting to see. The mare with the weird Scorpion like tail that Umbrus fought, was sitting in the stands to my right.

Hey Umbrus... Your lady mare friend is here. Orion teased. Umbrus quirked an eyebrow.

is the "betrothal duel" still allowed? umbrus asked, clearly missing Orion's teasing

Beta just started laughing his ass off at Umbrus's cluelessness. I guess I was gawking to much, cause one of the guards yanked the chain connected to my right arm. I barely bit back a yelp of pain.

The radius of my right arm had a slight crack in it from me hitting the wall in my cell. I cradled it as I stopped and now waited for this trial to begin.

"Don't worry Caim, everything will be fine." I heard a voice say on my left. I turned my head and saw Princess Twilight standing there in a grey business suit.

"When did you have time to change? You only just left my cell about fifteen minutes ago." I asked her, to which she just smiles.

"I always come prepared for anything when I travel."

Even a whipped cream covered, hot fudge in the middle with a cherry on top Ice cream monster chasing you?] Clover asked. I blinked but relayed her question, I just wanted to hear Twilight's answer. What I didn't expect was her to shiver.

"Especially for whipped cream covered, hot fudge in the middle with a cherry on top Ice cream monsters chasing me." She said with complete seriousness. I felt my eye twitch and started doing my best impersonation of a fish. I was going to ask her to explain but I didn't get the chance.

one of the guards flanking the judge's desk stood to attention as a door next to him opened.

"All rise, the honorable judge Hard Knocks presiding." He announced, getting all ponies present to stand. Hard knocks smoothly walked up the stairs and behind his desk, gazing over every one present.

"You may be seated." He said his voice, a deep rumbling baritone, carrying easily throughout the room. He glanced at the papers on his desk, giving them a once over. looking up so he could face Twilight and I he said,

"This case is being held because a suit was filed against the defendant for the following... Destruction of property, multiple accounts of physical assault, assault with a weapon with intent to to cause harm and disorderly conduct." As Hard Knocks read each of the charges off I flinched internally. He looked at Twilight.
"I assume you are representing the defendant, Princess?" He asked. Twilight nodded and spoke in a clear voice.
"Yes your honor, I will be representing my client." Judge Knock nodded his head, satisfied.
"You have been read the charges, and how do you plead?" He asked.
"Not guilty." Twilight's voice rang loud and clear. it was dead silent of a second before the audience exploded in a mass of exclamation and angry shouts.

"ORDER! ORDER!" Judge knocks bellowed, slamming his gavel down with a loud crack. His glare seemed to dare anypony who wanted to cause a ruckus to just try it. after a few moments his face went back to neutral and he addressed Twilight.

"With as many eye witnesses that were at the scene, it would be hard to prove your client not guilty." It was subtle, if I wasn't so good at reading people I would have missed completely. Most would think he was being biased, but he had just told Twilight and I that if we could show him proof he'd take it under consideration. Twilight nodded her head.

"Indeed your honor, but I have proof that my client, Caim, was under the influence of a third party and is therefore not responsible for the crimes that took place two weeks prior." She said crisply. There were light murmurs in the audience and Judge Knocks tapped his gavel to quiet them.

"You may proceed, Your majesty." He said and twilight nodded. Twilight nodded her thanks and her horn ignited in a lavender aura. two graphs manifested themselves in holographic form in the middle of the room.

"What am I looking at your majesty?" Judge Knocks asked. Twilight pointed to the graph on the left

"This shows the magical signature of my client and was checked just over an hour ago..." She gestured to the graph on the right.

"This ones shows the magical signature was check on the day in question, right after the fight had taken place in the street." She shifted them so the holograms were lined up, and I was surprised with what I saw. The gasps and murmurs from the crowd went only added to the reveal.

"As you can clearly see your honor, the two signature's... they don't match." Twilight said. I was a bit confused, If mine was one of the signatures and the other was Umbrus', then why didn't they match up? He was a part of me so therefore he should have the same magical signature, but what was presented by Twilight was clearly saying otherwise.

Okay, I'm just gonna say it... Whaaaaaaaat?

I'd actually have to agree with the knucklehead, this is confusing.

I prefer the title wingnut.

The judge's eyebrows drew together in thought.

"They may be different but they are still close enough that the defendant may have slightly altered his signature to be harder to track." Judge Knocks pointed out.

"This would not be the first time that a pony or anthro has altered their magical core's signature to throw off pursuers." he stated, to which Twilight nodded.

"That is true your honor, there have been many case when a pony has altered the signature of their core to make it seem like they were a different pony." The judge cocked an eyebrow,

"So how does this differ from the norm?" He asked. Twilight took a deep breath and let it out before she continued.

"The affinity is different." She stated. It went way over my head but it must've been big cause the judge's eyebrows nearly leapt off his face. Twilight conjured a third holographic image. it was a chart of the different types of magic.

"it is a proven fact one can not change the affinity one holds to a type of magic." Twilight stated,

"When one is born they have a certain affinity to a certain element or type of magic and they can not be changed."
Twilight separated the two graphs again and indicated to mine.

"This one shows my clients magical signature, it also shows he has a distinct affinity to fire and air based magic." she gestured to Umbrus' graph.

"This one has a very similar signature to my clients..." She paused slightly.

Building up the tension before the drop... She's good I'll give her that. Umbrus said. Twilight let the proverbial minotaur loose in the china shop.

"But the affinity is to air and decay magic, not fire." Twilight stated. it was deafening silence that answered her. She faced the dais where judge Hard Knocks sat.

"So I submit this evidence to the court as proof that my client, Caim, was under the influence of a third party and the actions that transpired on the day in question were against his own will." Apparently some ponies in the crowd didn't like that idea and started booing. The loud crack of the Judge's gavel got them to shut up real quick.

"There will be Order in this court or I will have the guards clear this hall, is that clear?" He glared at the audience and I saw many heads shake yes. Judge Knocks grunted slightly.

"The evidence you have shown will be taken into consideration when this court passes judgment, it there any further evidence you wish to offer Your majesty?" He asked. Twilight's horn glowed again, and the holograms were replaced with a small binder of paper in her hands. One of the more on the ball guards walked over and took the binder from her and delivered it to the judge.

"That is all the files and evidence from similar case that happened in ponyville, when a Unicorn mare was taken over by a spirit that was locked inside an amulet so the court has something to cross reference with." Twilight said. The judge nodded his head.

"The court will take a small recess to discuss and decided on the best course of action, court adjourned." He tapped his gavel once and took the binder with him off the dais and out through the door. Twilight let out a sigh,

"Now it's up to the court, But I know Judge Hard Knocks is a fair judge, he doesn't take sides and approaches all cases neutral and fairly." She said, it didn't make me any less nervous. She seemed to sense my anxiety and placed a hand on my shoulder, though she had to reach above her head to do it.

"It'll be fine Caim, just be happy Umbrus has a different signature then you." she said. I turned to look at her.

"That's one of the things that's got me worried." I said. She cocked her head in a silent question.

"Umbrus is my sadness, pain and other negative emotions formed from my bad experiences in life." I explained.

"He's a part of me, so if he's a part of me, why is his signature different than mine?" I asked. I saw the the gears in her head turning as her brain digested what I had revealed.

"That is a good question Caim." She said.

"If all goes how I believe it will, and it should, It'll be something I'll help you figure out, what with you being under my care and all." She said. I blinked.

"What?" I wasn't sure I had heard her right. Before she could clarify the judge came back. all present stood and were seated as before. The judge organized some of the papers on his desk before he spoke.

"Normally a case like this would be cut and dry, but with the evidence provided by princess Twilight, the court's view had to change." He let his gaze flow over the whole room before continuing.

"Therefore, due to the evidence shown, we find the defendant not guilty on all charges set to him." The crowd exploded again and judge Knocks bellowed for order. I felt a massive weight leave my shoulders, making me heave a massive sigh of relief from the burden I didn't even know I had. when the crowd quieted he continued, making my nerves flare anew.

"However..." He said, looking at me and Twilight respectively.

"Since this is a case of possession and not based on an artifact like the Lulamoon case, the defendant will have to submit to a caretaker to ensure such an event does not repeat." Judge Hard Knocks said. twilight's comment about "Being in her care" finally made sense. I looked over to see her grinning face.

"She planned this from the start." I thought in surprise. I heard Beta laughing in my head along with Orion.

She is quite a skilled planner Umbrus said, nodding his head in approval.

Prissy princess has guts. Zul said. It was rare for Zul to give compliments, so it must be impressive.

"If it pleases the court you honor, I volunteer to be Caim's caretaker to insure no other possession will take place or if they do, they are contained." Twilight said. Judge Knocks seemed to think on this for a few moments then nodded his head.

"That is acceptable, He will be placed under your care until a time when it can be shown with certainty that no other possessions will take places. Case closed." he rapped his gavel once and walked out of the room. The guards came over and undid the chains on me, a little rougher than was needed but I didn't complain. I turned to the closest guard and asked,

"Where would I be able to pick up my things?" The guard snorted with annoyance,

"Back at the jail house, they should have your stuff in lock up." He turned and walked away. I sighed, It was just the usual response so it didn't faze me too much. I turned back to a beaming Twilight.

"If it's alright with you "Guardian"..." I teased slightly,

"I'd like to go change into something not so..."

So obvious that even a blind manticore could smell the color? Beta suggested while giggling. I ignored him.

"Orange." I said. Twilight looked at my prison jumpsuit and smiled sheepishly,

"That would be best, if my friend Rarity saw you she'd have a heart attack." She said. Twilight said she was going to find her friends and for me to wait at the front of the courthouse for her. As i walk out of the court house, out of the corner of my eye I see the mare Umbrus fought making a beeline straight for me with a massive scowl on her face.

Zul was shaking violently with rage.

What does this bitch want now? She hissed through clenched teeth. I looked around for Twilight so I could have an excuse to walk away. lady luck decided to flee from me at that moment. I felt a hoof poke at my hip and I turned nervously and looked down a t the angry mare next to me.

"Who did you tell about my tail?!" she all but demanded from me. Zul had had enough.

Move it Caim! I'm gonna rip this bitch a new flank hole! She pulled me back and took over.

"Shit!" was all I could say. My body changed once again as Zul took over. Beta was as helpful as ever,

It seems you getting more in touch with your feminine side these days He cackled. Orion, who would usually have made some kind of perverted remark, was being uncommonly quiet and observing this scene with the utmost seriousness. looking toward my window to reality, I saw Zul wasn't going easy on the mare.

“I didn't fucking say shit! How can you expect them to miss it when it's fucking waving around like a fucking ass flag?!” She yelled.

"Damn it Zul Stop! you're just making it worse!" I yell, trying to pull her back and reassert control but I couldn't. It was like trying to pull something from quicksand.

"There's a spell on it that makes it looks like a normal tail ... weren't you a guy before?" The purple mare asks.

"This isn't good." I keep trying to pull Zul back but can't make her budge.

“What the fuck are talking about? There's no spell! I can see it as plain as day, and don't you fucking change the subject!" With each second Zul and the mare argue their voices keep rising and getting louder. Zul may not have noticed but I saw the crowd we we're drawing and it made me pull at Zul all the harder.

"This isn't helping how they look at us Zul." I say, still trying to get control back. I feel Zul give slightly and started to pull even harder, but my actions were not quick enough. I saw Princess Twilight, a white anthro unicorn mare with a deep purple mane and an insanely pink earth pony mare push to the front of the crowd and quickly make their way over.

"Now now everypony calm down." the princess said, trying to be the voice of reason which I was totally behind.

"You guys shouldn't be fighting." I nodded my head furiously and pulled harder as I felt Zul's anger slowly weakening. then that pink pony opened her mouth.

"Yeah you and your boyfriend/girlfriend shouldn't be fighting, you should be kissing" She giggled. I was so shocked I lost my grip on Zul and fell off, landing flat on my face

"We're not a couple!/We're not a couple!" I here Zul and the purple mare shout in unison as I sit up and shake the birdies from my head.

"Stop copying me!/Stop copying me!"

This is gonna end well. Beta said, his face a complete deadpan.

"I mean it!/I mean it!" It was all I could do to keep Zul from tackling the mare and choking her to death and that pink one wasn't helping the situation.

"Aww there even speaking at the same time." She cooed. I was struggling to hold Zul back and she thought this was cute? She's insane! Zul clenched her fist's so hard I heard the knuckles popping like snapping twigs.

“I don't get why he's so merciful to ponies like you! All you ever do is stomp him into the dirt but he never EVER fight's back, your just lucky he doesn't.” Zul growled murderously. I turned to the others.

"A little help here would be nice, but only if your not busy!" I yelled sarcastically. It at made Clover and Umbrus run over and start pulling. Beta was still laughing at the absurdity of this situation and Orion was as still as a statue. I looked back out to the real world and saw... The purple mare was crying.

"That is not okay!" i pull all the harder. With Umbrus and Clover's help I feel Zul starting to give. The purple mare turns and starts walking away.

"I gotta train to catch and I don't wanna be late I need to say goodbye to my one friend." she says. We had almost pulled Zul back in but she couldn't let a sleeping dog lie.

"Then you have nothing to fucking gripe about! At least you have a friend!” Zul yelled just before I took back control. I felt my heart twinge at that, but I pushed it away to deal with more pressing matters.

'What the hell was that about Zul!?" I shouted in my head at her, making her flinch in startlement. I've never yelled at any of them before, but this was something I couldn't leave alone.

"What gives you the right to just fly off the handle like that!? I yell again, her ear's press flat against her head

I-I just wanted...

"You just wanted what?! To let her know how you didn't like her attitude? who rude she was being? Well good job, you let her know alright! You let her know we're just a bunch of vindictive and petty ponies and don't care about other's feelings." I snorted loudly and started after the disappearing mare, leaving Zul to think over what she'd done.

"Where are you going?" I heard Twilight call out." I turned my head but kept walking.

"To fix a mistake." I called over my shoulder and quickly made after the mare's receding form. I catch up to her and she stops and gives me an angry stare. I take a deep breath,

"look, I just wanted to apologize for my behavior in our past meetings. They weren't the best hoof forward so..." She interrupts me by raising on her back hooves and placing her front one on my chest. So she's right in my face staring at me with two big, very beautiful and very angry bright blue eyes.

"Don't tell anypony my secret and we will be just peachy, understood?" she says. that clicked in my brain and I just spoke without thinking.

"That's number 212." I say. The mare blinks in confusion.

"What?" she asks me. I try to explain, but it's hard to concentrate with a pretty mare this close to my face.

"After hearing so many threats and insults I decided to keep track of how many I'd heard. Your's was number 212." I said trying to fight the heavy blush making itself known on my face. I could help but be drawn in by her eyes. Her two, sparkling, sapphire eyes. The way her mane swept over her shoulder and down her chest in a loose braid, a small bit flowing down the side of her face in elegant waves.

Tell her she's beautiful. Orion finally spoke up. I felt my face ignite as as I blushed bright crimson.

"Like hell I'm saying that! Even if it is true, for all she knows I just verbally attacked her back there and then I comment on how lovely her eyes are, oh yeah that'll go over great." i huff at Orion who just raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms.

"Good for you, except I don't make threats, just promises." Her tail sways slightly back and forth. It adds an exotic elegance to her, like the deadly grace of a cobra waiting to strike. She has me completely entranced.

"That would be 45." I barely managed to coherently mumble out, i was a nervous wreck. I was nervous she would beat me to a bloody pulp, but was happy she was this close to me. I could hear, rather than see, Orion facepalm.

"Why are you as red as a tomato?" She asks, raising an eyebrow.

All hands abandon ship! Abandon ship! Beta screams as he runs around in circles waving his arms like a lunatic. Orion does a very un-Orion like thing and stops Beta in his track... with a punch to the face sending him sprawling and clutching his nose.

When you want something done right you have to do it yourself. He sighed

"I-it's... uh, w-well.." I stutter before I feel Orion take control of my voice.

"Your very beautiful and very close." He says to the mare. I can actually feel my eyeballs bugging out of my head as ice cold fear sends chills down my spine. I see her face go from confused, to shocked, to utter disbelief is a matter of seconds. A blush makes it way over her cheeks and her mouth opens and closes multiple times as she tries to find words.

I thought I was dead,though apparently Orion wasn't finished talking.

"That was a bit abrupt, my apologies miss, but it's hard not to see the obvious when one is this close to it." i didn't know whether to smack him or hug him for that. The mare had found her voice again, pushing off of me she started to walk backwards away.

"Okay walking away now." She said, clearly embarrassed.

"Look what you did Orion." I said, and tried to salvage this before it collapsed.

"Sorry about that, I tend to blurt stuff out when I'm nervous." I say and make my way over to her right side. She turned and walked with me down st street, giving me a confused and embarrassed sideways look.

"I'm sure." She deadpans,

"You are weird you know that." She says and I can't help but chuckle slightly.

"Number 13" I said with a small smile. I clear my throat before I continue.

"I wanted to apologize for what happened at the dinner and in front of the court house." I felt terrible for the way Zul acted toward her. Zul was a part of me so it might as well have been me yelling at her and that didn't sit right with me. I felt tears starting to form and stopped all them except one from spilling out.

"I don't like hurting anypony and I... I never wanted to be... what pulled two friends apart." I wasn't happy with this situation but I'll be damned if I don't try to at least make sure it's not bad for her.

"I'll tell you what if you want to apologize properly you should at least give me your name." The mare says. I blink like somepony just flashed a lamp in my face. I was surprised and glad, she was giving me a chance to make it right. It was kind of a 180 compared to how she acted before. I raised an eyebrow at that realization.

I guess that's fair, my name is Caim miss..." I leave it open for her to fill in the blank. She looks at me calmly and says,

"Viper, Viper Pit." I smile inwardly.

"Not a bad name, I've heard worse." I thought

Are you kidding? That name is the pits Beta says, making a rude and horrible pun joke. I heard a creaking sound, like really old, wooden hinges that hadn't been used for a while being moved.

Ooooohhhh Beeeetaaaaaaaa I heard Clover sing song sweetly, with an underlying tone of psychotic anger. He pales and chuckles nervously.

heh, heh, Mercy? Beta asks before he was dragged screaming into the deeper parts of my mind by a sweetly grinning clover. Right before I tore my attention back to viper, I heard him scream,

Not the Spoon! Anything but the Spooooooon! I felt a chill crawl down my spine. I coughed slightly to clear my throat,

"Then I apologize ms. Pit for what has transpired at the dinner and the courthouse." I said. It sounded a bit formal but I wanted to make as good an impression as possible.

"Apology accepted, now Caim, is there anything else, because I need to go." She nods her head in the direction of the train station. I wrack my brain for something nice to say but I can't think of anything.

"Uummm..." is all that's coming out of my mouth. I can almost hear Orion's eyes roll in their sockets.

Do i have to do everything myself? He asks rhetorically and I feel him grab control of my voice again.

"I hope that I will get to see you again some time. Beauty such as yours is rare for my eyes." Orion says through me. It surprised me how sweet and honest he was being, not like his usual perverted self. I saw her cheeks flare red at the compliment.

If I see you around that is, but I doubt it." She said as she turned and trotted away. I just stood there watching her leave.

Hey, at least it wasn't a flat out no. Orion offers. I felt a small smile creep onto my face.

"Why the sudden change Orion? I've never seen you act like that before. I asked him. He just shrugged,

You've never given me the chance to act like that. I flinched slightly at his blunt statement. He was right though. I'd never given him much of a chance to. I shook my head, I'd have plenty of time to think latter. I turned around and saw something that made me freeze in absolute terror.

Standing there was the princess and her two companions and behind them was a crowd of mostly mares, and all of them had that half lidded "Aww that was so sweet" look on their face. I couldn't even speak, so I pointed to them, then to me and then to where Viper had walked away.

Nothing is more freaky for a stallion, then seeing a large crowd of mares all nod their heads in complete unison. I chuckling nervously and started side stepping my way to the side so I could go around. I almost shit myself in fear when all of their eyes and head followed me the whole way. Even Orion was creeped out.

I'm all for watching but this is just wrong He seemed to be back to his perverted self. When I had deemed I'd made it far enough I sprinted down the street, away from the staring eyes of those mares. I heard a chorus of "AWWW"s" from all of them as I ran.

"I think I just felt my masculinity just drop drastically." I said.

Sadly I would agree, and I don't think you'll be getting it back anytime soon." Umbrus said. I jumped in startelement, I had forgotten he was there.

Be careful not to miss the jailhouse. Even I don't want you looking like a walking, neon pumpkin longer than necessary I couldn't have agreed more.

I made my way to the jail house and after some simple "persuasion," where I had to threaten the guard with calling Princess twilight here, I was able to get all of my things back. There were some perks to having a princess as a guardian. As I pulled my old, brown duster coat on and fitted my wide brimmed hat snuggly on my head, I heaved a sigh of relief.

"It feels good to be back in my own cloths." I gave myself a once over in the mirror and being the silly knucklehead I am, I struck a pose.

"I still got it." I said, grinning widely.

"Still got what." I heard a voice answer. I made very "Stallion like" yelp in surprise and spin around, getting into a fighting stance, only to meet a laughing princess of friendship as my assailant.

"It's not funny." I say, trying to preserve as much of my dignity as possible. She tries and fails to contain her giggles,

"Of course not." She says, not sounding sincere in the slightest.

"Our Train is scheduled to leave in the next fifteen minutes, we'll need to hurry if we want to catch it." She says, turning and walking toward the doorway.

"Our train?" I ask as I follow right behind her. She looks at me like a grew a third eye.

"I've been made your guardian, remember? That means I need to keep an eye on you and i can't do that unless you're living with me in my castle." She stated it like it was an everyday fact. My brain was smoking trying to wrap itself around this concept.

"I'll be staying... in a castle... with a princess... who's also a girl..." My face was getting redder and redder by the minute. Orion was back to normal as he was skipping in a circle and singing,

Caim's gonna live with a princes! Caims gonna live with a princess!" he sang and grinned widely.

Caims going to what? I heard Clover call out.

Not bad man, just don't do anything Orion would do I heard Beta call out weakly. I don't know what Clover did but he didn't sound good.

This should be an interesting journey Umbrus said as he rubbed his chin and grinned slightly.

Twilight and I made it to the train just before it was about to leave. I got on board, still not completely getting what was happening.

"So where are we heading?" I ask her, as I put my pack on the overhead shelf. She smiled brightly at me.

"We're going to Ponyville, that's where I live and i as of now, where you live too." My mind was completely overwhelmed with everything that had happened today. My body decided to just give up and I felt all the fatigue I should have been feeling rush me all at once. I blinked my eyes as I fought my exhaustion.

"Is there a room in this car where I can rest a bit... I'm feeling a bit put out." I asked. Twilight looked a bit worried but led me to a small bedroom in that i could use. I didn't even bother undressing, I just flopped down on the bed, utterly exhausted.

I didn't allow myself to fall asleep just yet though. I still had one last thing to do.

"Zul? I said softly. She was sitting away from the rest of us in my mind, her legs curled up and hugged against her chest. I took a deep breath and walked over to her.

"Zul, I'm sorry for yelling at you, like that, it wasn't right." I heard a slight sniffle... had she been crying? I had no clue what was up with all of them, Orion the prev acts all gentlemen like, Clover goes psycho and now Zul is crying. My emotions and their respective incarnations seemed to decide they wanted to twist everything I knew upside down.

I'm the one who should be sorry Caim Zul said. she took a shaky, deep breath.

What I did was wrong and stupid... I just... I could here the plip plop of tears as they hit the ground.

I hate it when ponies treat you like trash. Your sweet, kind, you always put others needs before yours and I can't stand the way they walk all over you. I knelt down next to her, putting my arms around her shoulder. I felt her lean into me slightly.

all this anger...It just hurts so much. She said and pressed herself close to me as she cried. I hugged her, trying to comfort her as best I could. Soon I felt another pair of arms wrap around Zul and I. I looked up and found Orion hugging us both, then Clover joined him with Beta following right behind.

I saw Umbrus standing not far off, I could tell he was envious by the wistful glances he gave us, but he didn't move to come over.

"He must think he's not welcome." I thought privately. I lifted one of my arms out of the tangle mass of bodies and gestured to Umbrus to come over. A look of startled surprise flashed over his face. He sort of twitched in our direction, like he wanted to go but couldn't move. A pained smile appeared on his face and he shook his head no.

Before I could actually call out to him, he turned into a cloud of black smoke and vanished, off to somewhere else in my mind. I was sad that he didn't accept my invitation, but I knew no one could force another to do what they weren't ready for.

I was drawn back to the others as I felt Zul shift slightly. we all drew back and found something unusual, but extremely cute. It had never happened before, but Zul had somehow fallen asleep curled up, clinging to my chest like a child. I was confused but I felt my heart warm at the sight.

I felt something change around me and soon I was on a bed with Zul snuggled up next to me.

It's been a long day, let's all get some rest, we'll need it. Orion said. Beta nodded his head in agreement.

I can't say no to that... all this excitement had left my voice "a little horse" He grinned widely. I just chuckled slightly at his terrible joke.

"I'll see you guys when we get to Ponyville I guess." I said, carefully laying back on the bed so not to disturb Zul.

Sleep well Caim Clover said. Beta, Orion and Clover all vanished into the deeper parts of my mind, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a sleeping Zul. Opening my eyes in the real world, I tilted my head slightly to look out the window at the moving scenery.

"Well..." I thought out loud.

"Let's see what this, Ponyville has in store for me." I said. I then closed my eyes and drifted off into a deep, calm sleep. I
If I had looked at the door rather than the window, I would've seen a pair of big, blue, mischievous eyes under a intensely curly pink mane staring at me. I had no idea what I was getting into and fate was laughing at my future.