Chapter 5:

Moonless Night was reading a book when the taunting started, again.

"Hey Markless Flank, how's the book?"

He sighed and attempted to ignore them.

"Here we go again."

Three pegasi approached the still-reading unicorn, smug grins on their faces.

"What are you reading, something about getting your Talent Mark?"

"Naw, if he could get his mark from reading he would have it by now. I mean, he's got enough time to read, since no one is stupid enough to spend time with a freak."

Moonless Night merely cocked an eyebrow.

"Apparently there are, or doesn't talking count as spending time anymore?"

The three bullies stared dumbly at him, and he sighed again.

"Even sarcasm isn't fun with you guys, you're too stupid to even know when you're getting insulted. now before you try to hit me, Chalk Dust walked in the room two minutes ago. And judging from his expression you are not amusing him. Have fun after school."

The bullies turned around quickly, already stammering apologies when they saw the classroom was still empty. When they turned around to vent their anger on the offending pony they noticed the classroom was even emptier.

"Come one guys, we'll get him back later."

When the pegasi had left Moonless Night dispelled his shadow cloak, got up from his hiding spot and sat down at his desk again. Grabbing his book he chuckled at his work. While he was still a blank flank he have a knack for magic. And he was happy with that, since it often helps him stave of trouble, just like today.

"Good afternoon Night, I see you're early as usual."

Chalk Dust, the old grey unicorn teacher entered the classroom and sat behind his desk.

"Yeah, I finished the assignment early so I thought I'd read for a bit."

The old teacher sighed and shook his head, a faint smile on his lips.

"You know you could've used the time to socialize a bit, the assignment isn't due for two weeks," he said, knowing too well that Moonless Night disliked crowded places like the cafeteria.

"Oh well, at least you turn it in on time."

They spent the next five minutes in silence, Night reading his book again and Chalk Dust preparing today's history lesson. At last the bell chimed and the classroom was slowly filled with students. Class went as usual, which meant that Sky Scraper and his friends continued to bother Night when Chalk Dust wasn't looking.

Apparently they didn't appreciate being humiliated, even though no one was there to witness it. Night went on trying to ignore them, but couldn't help getting more and more agitated.

After class he stayed behind, making sure everyone else had left before packing his stuff and leave as well. It was Friday, which meant he could take his time getting home since his parents would be late as well. Friday afternoon meant that the streets would be overcrowded, and because Moonless Night lived just outside downtown Manehatten it would take a while to get home. It wasn't until he took his first shortcut when he realized he was being followed.

"Hey Blankie, thought you could play smart with us did you?"

Night turned around to see Sky Scraper and Quicksilver standing behind him, angry scowls on their muzzles. He stepped back only to find himself pinned by Star Scream, who had snuck up behind him. Sky Scraper smiled cruelly.

"Guess we'll have to teach you another lessen eh? Hold him tight, this might take a while."

Moonless Night frantically tried to use his magic against them, but a quick hoof broke his concentration, along with his nose. Sky Scraper continued beating him for a couple of minutes, then Star Scream dropped him and gave him a kick for good measure.

"So, ready to apologise?"

Night looked up at him with unconcealed hatred.

"I wish you'd just drop dead."

Behind them a sinister, raspy voice spoke up.

"Wish granted."
~
"Are you certain of this? What if it goes wrong, I am quite fond of my hands you know."

Twilight sighed at Sandova's persistent paranoia.

"Do you want to come with us to Manehatten or not?"

"Well yes, but why can't I just go as myself? It worked here, eventually."

"That's only because stranger things have happened here, and the fact that we vouched for you. Even then it took time before anypony really trusted you, or have you forgotten the Chemical Trial incident already?"

Sandova grimaced and looked at the skeleton standing in the corner. It was only two weeks ago since he reanimated it, and the town was not happy when the thing went off on its own. The fact that it was possessed didn't help him convincing the town it was harmless, more or less.

"You have a point, but how in nine hells are you going to manage turning me into a pony? No offence, but I don't think even you can pull that off."

Twilight frowned, but decided not to press that issue now, he was paranoid enough at the moment. She levitated a small amulet in front of her. It looked like a sun with the sickle of the moon engraved on it, and in the middle was a small diamond that glittered in the sunlight.

"This amulet was made by the princesses, it holds and amplifies one enchantment cast on the diamond. I cast the strongest transformation spell I know on it, believe me when I say it will work. Now put it on, the train leaves soon."

Sandova sighed, he knew when he was beaten. Usually that meant he'd try to escape as soon as the victor's guard was down, but he wasn't fighting, nor did Twilight let her guard down. He took the amulet and gave it a wary look before putting it on.

Nothing happened at first, and Sandova wondered if Twilight was wrong after all. Then he felt himself warping, his bones shifting and his muscles flowing to accommodate his new skeletal structure. When the flowing stopped there was a final flash and where there used to stand a skeptical human now stood a flabbergasted unicorn.

"See? I told you it'd work. You look fine, by the way."

Twilight must admit, Sandova was a handsome stallion. She'd never admit it out loud of course, but she couldn't help but feel a little attracted to him. His mane was the shame shoulder-length blond he had as a human, and his coat was light gray. He had a slim build, not very muscular but no excess fat either. His sharp features were also transferred to his pony form, and his horn identified him as an unicorn.

Sandova felt, different. Considering the fact that he had an entirely new body this wasn't surprising in the least, but still. He walked-no trotted towards the nearest mirror and looked at himself.

"Hmm, not bad. This spell captured my likeness pretty well, considering."

He noticed something off though, and it took him a moment to realize what it was.

"Twilight, what happened to my clothes?"

"Well, they didn't seem to like the transformation."

Sandova whirled around and saw what happened to his robes and underwear, what was left of it.

"Argh, Rarity's going to kill us if she finds out. You know how long it took her to get the designs right? Five hours Twilight, five hours of playing mannequin! I admit Rarity and I get along, but those were the most tedious hours of my stay here, and now I need to do it again."

Twilight laughed, shaking her head at Sandova's antics.

"Don't worry Sandova, I'm sure she doesn't need your measurements anymore. I know Rarity long enough to know she made at least half a dozen outfits for you in her spare time. It isn't often that she gets to design clothing for something else than a pony, you know?'

Twilight smiled mischievously at Sandova, who seemed immensely relieved at her words.

"Although she might want to take the measurements of your pony form."

Before Sandova could act out on his newfound panic the door to the library opened and the other girls stepped inside.

"My my Twilight, if I had known you had company I would have waited. I knew you'd find somepony special sooner or later. Come on, introduce us."

Sandova did his best to keep a straight face at Twilights heavy blushing. He didn't expect that none of the girls recognized him, and he was planning to make the most of it before Twilight found her voice again. He stepped forward and spoke in the most posh voice he could muster.

"It is not as you think milady, I am merely an acquaintance of miss Sparkle, come for a short visit. My name is Dawn Flash, a pleasure to meet you."

He took Rarity's hoof and kissed is ever so slightly, trying to act as gentlemanlike as possible. Rarity blushed and giggled.

"Oh, a true gentlecolt. My name is Rarity, and I assure you that the pleasure is all mine."

Sandova smiled slightly, trying to hide his amusement at his plan working. Twilight seemed to have caught up what he was doing and kept silent. The rest of the ponies were in various stages of understanding, except Pinkie, who winked at him.

"It is a shame you have to leave so early, lady Rarity. But rest assured, we will meet again."

Rarity looked a bit confused at this.

"Me, leaving? I don't understand what you mean."

"Rarity, we are supposed to catch the train to Manehattan, have you forgotten already. Sheesh, and I thought Pinkie got easily sidetracked."

Rainbow emphasized her point by rolling her eyes, a slight grin on her muzzle.

"Oh my, I am terribly sorry but my friends are right. I have to catch a train, we are supposed to show a friend the City of Manehattan. He really wanted to see the ancient magics exhibit at the museum. Where is Sandova anyway?"

She looked around the room, as if the tall human could be hiding somewhere in the corner. Only when she looked at Sandova again did she see his talent mark, a human skull wreathed in black flames.

"Oh you scoundrel. I should have known it was you, even with the accent you sounded familiar. I should know better by now, a handsome single gentlecolt suddenly appearing. What was I thinking?"

Sandova smirked while the rest of the girls laughed.

"Who sais I'm not?"

Rarity 'hmpf'd' and walked away, but she couldn't hide her blush from Sandova. Sandova just chuckled and went to his room to pack for the trip.
~
"Ah, the train station. Does that bring back memories."

Sandova grimaced at said memories. Twilight, who was behind him giggled.

"Yeah, you freaked out when you saw the train for the first time. I'm still surprised at the fact that your world is less developed then ours."

"At least we have a greater arsenal of magic at our disposal. I mean, you haven't even heard of necromancy before I came here."

Twilight frowned and shook her head.

"That's not true, but it is known as dark magic. While it isn't technically forbidden it is considered taboo. Most of the darker magics are intended to harm, and that is against the law. Besides, Equestria is a peaceful country, we have no need for dark or offensive magics here. Only the military and the royal guard know true offensive spells, and they only rarely deal with situations that call for them."

Sandova raised one eyebrow.

"No need for offensive magics? You're saying that there is no crime here? I'm sorry but that is something i just can't believe."

"No, there is crime in Equestria. It's only rare, and violence is rarer still. But it sometimes happens, especially in the bigger cities. The eastern border towns also deal with more criminality, but that's mostly because the Griffin Empire is known for its militaristic nature. The situation between Equestria and the Empire has always been a little tense, and that tense atmosphere sometimes leads to violence. It's sad really, why can't we just all get along?"

Sandova pondered her words.

"So your world isn't that different than mine, your society has simply progressed towards a more peaceful state. Interesting, I believe the princesses have something to do with that."

Twilight nodded, but her answer was drowned out by the train arriving. Twilight looked around for the others, and found them quickly. It wasn't that hard, considering the fact that Pinkie was with them.

"So, all set and ready to leave?"

They all nodded and grabbed their saddlebags.

"Sandova, I know you wouldn't just do something stupid, but I have to stress you not to use your usual magics when we're there. As I said the towns near the border are a little more chaotic then the other places, this counts for Manehatten as well. The guard knows about necromancy, and if they see somepony using it will draw attention. We know you wouldn't just attack ponies left and right, but be careful ok? The fact that your talent mark hints at necromancy is suspicious enough."

Twilight sounded unusually stern, so Sandova thought it was best to listen.
"Don't worry Twilight, as you said Equestria is a peaceful country, I will probably not even think of using my powers here. Considering the fact that I will have to accommodate for my temporary new body I don't even know if I'll perform my spells properly, let alone hurt somepony. We'll be fine, what's the worst that can happen?"

Author's Note

So, chapter 5 is finally done. I am on a roll now, I expected to cover much more this chapter, in less words. It just kept flowing, so I decided to keep writing untill i felt this chapter was over. The coming chapters are semi-formed in my head already, so I will probably post them soon.

I have a thing though, I am planning on some nastier things to happen as the story progresses, and I am quite good at vividly describing atrocities(I am writing a fantasy novel and somehow my favourite part is something gruesome involving a psycjopathic jester) so i am asking if you strongly dislike the story becoming vividly gory. I think I can easily accomodate to less gory stuff, but if you're okay with it I'll bump the rating to mature and let the blood flow.

-Sandova