Like in every Cliché movie, it was raining. It was around eight PM, as the sun finally setted at the end of the horizon. Williams was filling his reports concerning the new formulas he developped with plants and precious stone's dust his team found in the everfree. The effects researched weren't lasting long enough, as well as terrible after-effects. A few tests subjects today. It clearly wasn't going to be a good report. He wondered if, by using changeling's blood, the results would last longer and have a better shape... --3 years later-- Williams exited the hospital. It has been nearly a year he was kept in the asylum wing, and the damage done to his brain ''couldn't be repaired'', as said by the doctors. But at least, his state has stabilized. The doctor's voice still echoed in his head, ''stay away from violent emotions, or long-lasting mind-challenging things. The more you'll use your brain, the worst it'll get.'' And he still had another problem to be taken care of. Effectively, the holled horn on his head wasn't going to disappear anytime soon, if he remembered the blood-transfer effects correctly. That is, if he used to be Williams Cawley, as said by the doctors. He looked at the files in his suitcase, given by the doctor's secretary when he left. 'Said it was his old things he brought when he voluntarilly asked for treatments. A lot of papers contained information about a certain ''Celestia'', wich he's been said was the ''Grand ruler of Equestria''... But wasn't his name Saul Laski, and wasn't this place Manhattten? And... why did he kept having the strange and rather hilarious illusion that every sentient lifeform was replaced by ponies? --a few years later, present-- Saul was sitting on a couch, at his house near Moosecow. The ''Russian forest'' scenery calmed him, as he felt like he was home. He remembered having to adapt to this new place, coping with the fact that he was now partaking his body with a human's soul, and that he wasn't a pegasus anymore. The feeling of the air around him wasn't what it used to be. And, most of all, Magic. He smiled. The memory of him, teached magic by Celestia herself after what he's done to her. How she cried when she saw him back after two years of his absence. Well, the new threat against her Kingdom by her old lover cooouuuld have be a part of it too... Lucky for her, Saul was now a qualified Psychologist, and his only clients were the most respected ponies of Equestria. He sipped his tea quietly. All that he could do now was remember. His only friends were his memories, the only faces he'd look at were printed in dusty books. Wasn't that safer for everyone that way? is thoughts slowly drifted about the civil war. He knew he had to do something about it, but... He lacked in something even money couldn't buy: Allies. They were all dead by now. Except that one, maybe... By Tartarus, he hoped he died. His nemesis was bettor of buried six feets under than siting on his throne of pony heads. He sighed, piercing the awkward silence he used to live in. Slowly getting up, he went to his ''letterbox'', the new gadget he got as a gift from his old client living in ManeHatten. It was actually a writing machine that could send letters, but he preferd to name it ''Letterbox'' has everyon-pony said. Cracking his neck and sitting in front of it, he started to write a letter to the Princess. ''Dear Friend, It's been a while since we last talked. Remember the old project you talked about a few weeks ago in your last letter? I think i'm finally ready to start. If you could contact that Orange pegasus you talked about, and ask him to meet me in Canterlot in two weeks at that old bar we used to go, late at night, named ''The Blinking Goat''? Also, i've thought a lot. If you still need to take proffessional meetings with me, I think i'd be able to take you back, as well as your sister. I may not be the same stallion i've used to be, but i do remember everything he did. And it looks like he was someone dear to you, seeing almost all of his good memories concerned you. Don't reply to this message, we'll see each other pretty soon anyways. Your old Psychologist, Saul Laski (Though you may prefer to call me Williams Cawley, huh?)''
Orangebolt was in cabin on the Outskirts of Ponyville. He was reading a magazine labeled, "Best fliers today." The contents contained all sorts of Pegasus related sports, including the results of recent derbies, the best and cheapest gear, as well as interviews from famous fliers. Suddenly, he heard a screech. He wasn't sure what it was, but from the sound of it, he thought it might have been a Phoenix. He wasn't an expert on animals, so he couldn't be sure. He only heard one during a trip to a zoo in Flight School. But, soon, his suspicions were confirmed. A magnificent Red, Orange and Yellow feathered bird landed on his window sill, with a letter stamped with the Royal Family's seal in it's beak. He fetched some break and water for the bird, opened the window, and layed down the food for it. "Why would I be contacted by the Royal Family?" He asked, while taking out a knife to open the envelope. He pulled out the letter, and read it, in amazement. "Dear Orangebolt, Your services are needed two weeks from now in Canterlot." Orangebolt stopped reading for a moment. "This is jury duty, isn't it?" He read on. "Please go to The Blinking Goat Pub 2 weeks from now, at 12:00 AM. I have enclosed the address and a map in this letter. It is imperative that you come. -Princess Celestia" Orangebolt looked surprised. "Why does Celestia need me? And at a bar of all places?" He asked, bewildered, before taking off the map and address. He flipped the letter over and wrote, "Well, this is a surprise, I'm not sure what you would need me for, your highness, but I will come. -Your subject, Orangebolt." He got a fresh envelope, and sealed the letter inside, before giving it back to the Phoenix. It flew off in the direction of Canterlot. "I suppose I should get to bed now.." Orange said, before going up the stairs, and dropping down onto his mattress. He spent the rest of the night wondering what he could possibly be needed for.
Saul looked around his chalet. It would be the first time in so long he'd go out of this place. He couldn't help but shiver at the very thought of leaving his little paradise. What if no one remembers him anymore? What if he'd rusted while staying under the warmths of a blanket for too long? At least, he learnt how to contain it He tripped on something, and falled face first on a stash of old letters. Ironically, the first one on top was a journal citation, talking about the incident that ruined his life. It ruined his life, he repeated himself. He stood up slowly, taking the letters with his magic. He skimmed through them, to finally find what he was looking for: the old files of the Utopia project. It all looked like.. A desillusion, to him. Like if this life was only the beginning to a thousand years of nightmares. But it was also a chance of redemption, in a way. The princesses learnt to know him after the incident, when he couldn't recognize himself anymore. During his retirement, he learnt a few things; He could control himself. He wasn't from here, at least, a part of him wasn't Unicorn. And there was the one who killed them all. That guy would most likely know wha was wrong or right with him (at this point, insanity kept him sane, he thought with a smile) He putted everything in a black leather saddlebag, took a black thorn cape, and headed for the door. He'd have plenty of time to think again, while he'd travel to Canterlot. He opened the door, the sunlight blinding him. ''Aiight... Ready or not, it's already to late to go back.'' He took his firsts steps out of the chalet, the door magically closing behind him. A shadow slided on the walls of the study.
The day before the scheduled meeting, Orangebolt took a train up to Canterlot. It was late November, and the first flakes of snow were falling. In the early morning light, he could see Canterlot, in all it's glory. He had been to Canterlot before, but never for business. His eyelids began to grow heavy. He did not get much sleep the night before. He drifted off to sleep for the rest of the ride. He awoke when the train whistled, signaling for the passengers to grab their belongings and get off. He grabbed a small suitcase from under his hooves and trotted off the train. By the time he arrived at the inn closest to the bar, he had already seen ponies setting up their lights for Hearth's Warming Eve.
the two weeks travel had it's effect on Saul; with heavy pockets under his eyes, he slowly made it's way inside the capital. He painfully made his way to the Blinking Goat; it was 10:37 in the morning. He supposedly had some time before he met that recommended pegasus... Saul sighed as he entered the bar. Seeing the early hour, there wasn't a lot of clients. The barpony looked at him, grinning. ''Hey, Isn't that our Willie? Decided to come back to Canterlot for good now?'' Saul looked up at the Barpony. He did recognize him, but... ''I'm afraid not, Sweet Liquor. I'm here on royal business, And i thought you'd still have that private room at the back?'' Sweet liquor's eyes... flashed. Like an old holographic image lagging. ''Huh, Sure. D'you have some spare time before your ''Royal Business'', though? It's been a while since we've seen you around!'' Saul sighed. ''Give me a strong coffee, Sweetie. If you want me to talk, it'll take more than your false charms. What happened to that left eye?'' Sweet liquor froze. He looked right in Saul's eyes, almost like... Like if he looked through him, Saul thought. ''Nothing happened. Don't talk about eyes, please. You do remember what happened last time we met.'' Sweet liquor slided the coffee on the bar, regaining his happy mood. ''So, What's up Willie?'' Saul took a sip of the dark coffee, it's bitterness heating his throat. ''Nothing much. A time in the Hospital's Aysylum in Moosecow, a therapy, and retirement. I've been thinking a lot since the incident... And i now know that i'll be the only judge in this case.'' Sweet liquor blinked a few times before coming up, ''I thought you went on a small 2-week vacation... And, when you didn't show up in almost 3 years, well... I feared for the worst. You know you're always my favorite client here, Willie.'' Saul took a large sip of coffee. ''Oh, and don't call me William anymore. It's Saul Laski, now.'' Sweet liquor's eyes lagged again. ''Wha-'' Saul cutted him, ''Don't wanna talk about it. You keep your secrets with that eye, i keep secrets concerning my new name.'' they looked at each other in silence. After a minute, Saul grabbed two bits from his bag, using his magic, and left them on the counter before walking up the the curtains hiding a soundproof metalic door. He opened it and went inside, and relaxed until it was almost noon. He then went outside the small room, and sat at a table next to the bar, waiting for the Pegasus to show up. Then he saw him coming in, and going to Sweet Liquor. He stood up, and cleared his throat to draw the Pegasus's attention.
"Oh, hello sir, is there something you need?" Orange asked, turning his head towards Saul. He assumed he was just another one of those high-class ponies that lived around Canterlot, to ridicule him about his posture. It had already happened 3 times this trip.
A form of black energy, making no light, stealthy came up from Saul's horn, quickly moving to the base of the orange pegasus's throat, taking the form of a dagger to make his intentions clear; If he moved, he wouldn't think twice. He hushed him by putting a hoof to his mouth. Saul's eyes flashed bright purple for a split of second, then he released the tense in his muscles and made the dark energy vanish, visibly relaxed. ''I beleived you're my contact. Get to the room beind the curtains and wait for me; i'll just make sure you weren't followed.'' He left the Pegasus to follow his order, exiting the bar slowly, while looking around him.
Saul came back a few minutes later. Taking a seat in front of the Orange Pegasus, he cleared his throat before talking. ''Sorry for putting a knife on your throat, but i just wanted to make sure you weren't one of them.''
Saul sighed. ''Alright, sit confortably, it'll be a kinda long story.'' He took the documents from his saddlebag, displaying them with his magic on the table. ''A few years ago, there's been an ''Incident'' at the Canterlot labs of universal Sciences. Some ponies wanted to get an elixir that could swap one's gender, to compensate the lack of stallions over mares in Equestria, Truth is, when they tried to transfer some Changeling's blood in a pony body, trying to give said-pony the ability to morph, thus swap between genders, they hadn't took in consideration that it would also change one's nature, and overall magic system.'' Saul shown the newspaper article, along with a few doctor's personnal identification, including him. ''I was one of those ponies. We had took a test subject first, but when he shown no effect, i personnaly took the test. Taking 50% of my blood of, in exchange of a Changeling'... '' he took a deep breath, and removed the Cloak's hood. ''As you can see, i used to be a pegasus. Now, i've got that Changeling's horn. But we're not here to talk about me.'' He took the file of another Scientist, ''Doctor Shift, who's special ability was to alter chemical's nature to other, per exemple turning iron in gold. He had the nickname of ''The Philosopher'' for that.'' He took a picture of the burnt laboratory. ''He blew up the laboratory and fled, killing two Scientists in the explosion. And we lost every single trace of his existence after that. Until a few months ago; You do know that the Government is now a democracy, and that the guards are now a millitary force known as Unity? We beleive that he's at the head of that organisation. Celestia herself doesn't trust the company anymore, but... They have luna on their side. Beeing the court's psychologist a while ago, i have reasons to fear that soon, Luna will make her own political party and oppose her Sister. And, if she's beeing manipulated by that Unity organisation, there's no way she'll loose the campagn.'' He shown a few files containing the little info Celestia gathered about Unity, as well as pictures showing luna with a black maned and black coated stallion. ''You can see luna on this picture, conversing with a strange shadow. We beleive that this shadow would be Shift, the head of Unity. Each time luna went to that meeting point, something major would happen, concerning Unity. Now to present myself: I'm Saul Laski, head of the upcoming force Utopia, that would seek to destroy that Organisation. If you join me, you'll ave to become a literral ghost and loose your identity, and be given a new one, for we'll have to act illegally. If we would happen to be caught, Celestia would deny even knowing my name, and think of me as a traitor to the throne. And i bet she'll treat you equally.'' Saul put back his hood on, and looked right in the Pegasus's eyes. ''You still have the choice to go back to your home and forget about what you heard and saw today. I have a potion that will erasse your memory; you'll just wake up tomorrow and find odd that you slept for two weeks. But, if you join me, you'd help to make Equestria return to it's past age of Glory and Peace. Celestia has given me a brief decription of you, saying that you'd be good for the job. I don't even know you; i wouldn't be able to ever contact you again if you refuse. the choice is yours, Pegasus.'' Saul left the potion on the table, and exited the room without waiting for the answer; He just went to sit at the table next to the bar.
Orange was deep in thought. "Be branded as a traitor... Or do nothing about Luna usurping the throne with help of some strange military force..." He had made up his mind. He ignored the potion, and walked out. "I'm in. Where do we start?" He asked.
Saul looked at the Pegasus. ''Surprising. I was sure to have scared you. Well, first thing to do is to get you a new identity. What's your present name, my friend?''
"If it's to help Equestria, I'm willing to do anything. And, it's Orangebolt. Nice to meet you." Orangebolt replied.
Saul offered a hoof to Orangebolt. ''Nice meeting you indeed, Patriot. Do you have a name you'd like to use?''
"Not in particular. As long as it's noting ridiculous and far out there, I'm fine with it." Orange said, while shaking hooves with Saul.
''Well... i was about to call you something concerning Tartarus's flames, but it would've been to ironic. what about... Gaisro Sirdies? It's translated has Fire Heart, last name of the princess's protector when they were only fillies.''
''Perfect, then. Now to burn all of your old identification, and simulate your Death. That's the best part in becoming a ghost!'', said Saul sarcastically. ''You might want to write a testimony and say goodbye to your familly, Orangebolt.''
