A ripple of muscle spasms started at the base of Mick's neck and spread out in all directions. It wasn't painful, exactly, but very uncomfortable, especially when it passed up through his neck and head. He heard Dan whinny in surprise and fear, and pressed against his long-time partner to provide reassurance. Twisting his head, he saw arms sprouting from Dan's neck, and the neck itself shedding hair as it became a human torso. Dan's muzzle collapsed inward, becoming a flat human face, the huge equine eyes shrinking only a little as they moved closer together. Dan stared at him as well, staying pressed close as the two of them became solid black centaurs. When the transformations ended, Mike flexed his arms experimentally. It had been along time since he'd had arms and hands. Dan still looked confused and scared, his arms hanging by his side.
Tye spoke up "The two of you are identical twins physically, but while you have your human intelligence and memories back, your partner is still a horse mentally. Are you willing to share? It will mean giving up intelligence and accepting some horse instincts and reactions."
Mike didn't hesitate. "Make us equal. As long as we can still be functional members of the party, I don't care if I'm not smart."
"You got it!" Tye chuckled. "In a lot of ways, fighters who aren't too smart are more value."
After a minute or so, Dan visibly relaxed and stretched out his new arms. He was very handsome, at least to Mike's eyes. Still a black Shire below, his new human upper body was coal black and well proportioned - solid with muscle but not overly so. His hands were three-fingered and looked to be mostly hoof-like on the ends. He had a shaggy mop of black hair with a distinctive mane that started at his forehead and ran back down his neck and spine to merge into the equine body. His face was coarse-featured, with a wide mouth and broad nostrils that protruded out in the hint of a muzzle, and his eyes were still very equine under heavy brows. Other than his eyes and the insides of his nostrils, mouth, and pointed ears, he was solid black. The overall impression was still that of a draft horse, yet Mike still thought the overall result was handsome. A good thing, he realized, since Tye had said they were remaining identical twins. A quick examination confirmed that everything he could see of his own body was a perfect match to Dan.
Dan stared at his fingers and wiggled them, then reached up and felt his face. Mike had to grin, an expression that Dan mirrored as he reached over to feel Mike's face. The open-mouthed expression made his friend look sorta dopey, at least until Mike realized he was doing the same thing. He didn't feel any different, but when he tried to figure out what might have changed in his head he got confused. It was hard to pin anything down, difficult to concentrate on anything abstract. At the same time, he didn't feel concerned about the situation. He and Dan were brothers, they were young and strong and handsome. He felt strong contentment just being with his twin, and Dan appeared to feel the same.
Tye patted Mike's equine side. "The two of you can join the party now. I've given you a kind of homing sense for the others, and you should find them in a couple of days."