Animus

Sleep.

Sleep.

Sleep.

That's what Twilight wanted to do but she just couldn't stop thinking about Altair, how he killed those ponies and is still able to sleep at night. Plus these events are not how she read them.

"Come to think of it," she thought. "I don't remember reading these events taking place at all. But even more weird, those robes, Shooting Star was wearing those when I found him." She rolled over thinking about the first time she met her crush.

(A.N this is a really long flashback so bear with me its also in twilights p.o.v)

It was a year ago, a couple of months before I moved to Ponyville, I was near the everfree forest collecting samples to see why clouds move on their own here, behind me were a couple of guards sent to protect me from the horrors here, I was collecting dirt when I heard a crash.

"What was that?" I said walking over to the source of the noise near a tree. What I saw next horrified me, it was a stallion who couldn't look any older than me, he was wearing what looked like black robes and he had a bow strapped to his back and a lot of weapons on him, he looked like a pegasus but what scared me was the red stuff round him, only one word formed in my head.

Blood.

"Guards help!" I shouted. the guards ran over to me and were also horrified like me.

"Get him to the castle quick." I ordered. They nodded and picked him up, he groaned in pain. they placed him in the chariot, I sat beside him and gave a small gasp when I saw a bad cut on one of his wings and seemed to be pouring a lot of blood

.

"Hurry!" I yelled.

Eventually we made it to Canterlot castle where the guards carried him off to the medical room, I decided to stay with the pegasus while they removed him of his items, I kept a list of his weapons. A Sword, a bow, a tomahawk, little knives, and I saw two bracers but upon closer examination I realized that there were blades hidden in them. He also had a lot of Armour on him.

Princess Celestia and Shining Armour then entered the room checking out the new pony.

"So what happened Twilight?" Celestia asked.

"Well I found him in the everfree forest, he was really injured and there was a lot of blood around him." I explained.

"Princess, you have got to see this." The doctor said.

"What is it?" Celestia asked, walking over but then gave a gasp of shock.

Me and my brother looked at each other before walking to the stallion and we gave a gasp as well. I finally got a good look at him now he had a lot of scars on him and had a yellow coat and a white mane. I looked at his wings and saw that the tips of them were blue and he didn't have a cutie mark, but what shocked me was that he had a horn.

"H-he's an alicorn." I whispered.

"Wow a male alicorn and he looks your age Twily." Shining Armour said.

"Poor pony, he has a lot of scars on him nopony should have this at their age." Celestia said. "Shining Armour can you check on the two guards who brought him here and question them."

"As you wish princess." Shining Armour replied, before leaving, I turned to the Princess.

"Can I stay with him please?" I pleaded.

"Very well Twilight, I trust you just give a call to the doctors if somethings wrong." Princess Celestia replied before also leaving. I turned to the pony who now had an oxygen mask and the doctor was now performing a spell for him.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Checking how much food he eats so the chefs can prepare for him waking up." The doctor replied before his eyes went wide and muttering "Were gonna need a LOT of food." before leaving the room. (Don't question it)

I was now alone with the pony and so I examined him seeing more of him, I found that his wings looked really strong and I looked to see how much spells he knew and was really pleased to see he was on the same level of magic as me, although most of his spells were made for hurting other ponies but when I saw his body I blushed really hard seeing how much muscle he has, he didn't have much to show he was a huge pony but just enough to see he is strong.

I heard him groaning and saw him starting to wake up. I nearly jumped away from him as his eyes started opening which I saw was now bright green, like emeralds.

"W-where am I?" He asked, he seemed to have a Scoltish accent which gave me shivers.

"Your in Canterlot Castle." I replied. "What's your name?"

"Shooting Star."

"Where are you from?" I asked.

"I-I don't know, come to think of it I can't remember anything." He said obviously worried.

"Really? Nothing at all?"

"This isn't good." I thought. "Amnesia is very rare in Equestria."

"I'll go get the Princess, I'll be right back."

"Okay, thank you." He replied, smiling at me which I returned.

While I was walking to find the princess, I saw Shining Armour standing outside the door with a grin on his face.

"What?" I asked.

"Oh nothing." Shining Armour replied. "Just couldn't help noticing you ogling him while he was unconscious, seems you have a crush Twily."

"WHAT I DO NOT!" I shouted. I only met Shooting Star today, and I don't have time for relationships, I have studies.

"Suuuuure you don't." Shining Armour said. "So whats his name?"

"Shooting Star." I replied. "And I need to get the princess, he may have amnesia."

"What? Well let's get her."

So we finally found the princess and on our way back to Shooting Stars room I explained everything that I learned from him, his accent, his amnesia, his eyes. Everything. I saw the princess staring at me.

"Fine." I sighed. "I'll try to make friends with him."

Celestia nodded but I saw her eyes filled with joy. She has been trying to get me to make friends for years now and every time I said no. We finally got to the Alicorns room and boy was I in for a shock to see him eating, it wasn't the fact he was eating, no. It was how much he was eating. There were piles of empty bowls at the side of him and he was just finishing his last one.

"Wow, the doctor wasn't kidding when he said they needed a lot of food." I thought.

"Oh by the way, Shooting Star." Shining Armour began, pulling out a silver ball with strange markings on it. "The two guards who brung you here found this in your robes, thought you might like it back." gesturing it to him, which he took greatly.

It has been 15 minutes now, princess celestia has been questioning Shooting Star and has come to the conclusion that he has amnesia, not even the silver ball helped, but now it was time to leave so he can sleep. But suddenly his horn glowed blue and his magic aura started surrounding him and then all his scars were gone.

"A masking spell." Celestia muttered. "He must be good at magic if he can pull off THAT spell."

I felt pretty jealous since I couldn't pull off that spell yet, then I realized that I was the only one yet to leave. I was just about to leave when Shooting Star said "Wait."

"Since you know my name can I know yours?"

I smiled. "sure it's Twilight, Twilight Sparkle."

(End flashback and in normal POV)

A noise jolted Twilight out of her mind she quickly made her way downstairs and she saw her friend looking at books but she blushed when she realised what he was wearing.

"H-his g-glasses." Twilight thought.

Shooting Star has to wear glasses since he has a pretty bad scar (which is now hidden) on his right eye and now he has to wear glasses when he reads, Twilight loves them since it makes him look smart.

"Hey Twi, what are you doing up." Shooting Star asked.

"I could ask you the same thing." Twilight replied.

"Just looking up the era when celestia and luna were crowned."

"Why?"

"Those ponies Twilight they all seem familiar."

"You want to use the animus again dont you?"

"Aye, but not now, yer obviously tired."

Twilight pondered for a moment. "Fine, but I'm curious about it as well but today lets just go out and have fun."

Shooting Star smiled. "Okay then it's a date."

"D-d-date?" Twilight stuttered. "YES, I'm going on a date. With SHOOTING STAR!" She thought.

"Are you okay? Your face is a little red." Shooting Star asked, concerned.

Twilight stuttered and deciding to change the subject, she focused her attention on the silver ball by Shooting Stars side.

"So you seem quite attached to that ball ever since Shining Armour gave it to you." She mused.

Shooting Star was confused that she didn't answer his question but she did have a point. He did feel like this ball means something.

"I just feel like it means something, like I'm going to need it someday." he replied.

"Well that's nice, I guess." Twilight began. "Do you need help with those books?"

"Aye, I could use some help, but I know you want to research on Starswirl am I right?" Shooting Star grinned.

"Hmmmm your right I don't remember him being an alicorn." She said sitting down next to him and both of them looked through the books, with Twilight sneaking glances at her crush every now and then.

Next Morning

Rarity was walking to Golden Oaks Library, she didn't usually get up at 6 in the morning but she needed a book on jewels for her new line of dresses. As she neared the huge tree she thought about yesterday and those robes, she recognised the material barely as it was so rare to get these days. The material is tough and ideal in all conditions but also comfortable, she has wanted that material ever since she started her shop. She snapped out of her train of thought when she reached the wooden door of the library. She knew that Twilight keeps the door unlocked because even if somepony unwanted showed up at night, Shooting Star can easily kick them back out. Rarity opened the door and was welcomed by a sleeping Twilight.

Twilight had a book over her head to stop the light shining on her, there were a lot of books around her on the floor. There was another thing on Raritys mind though.

"Where's Shooting Star?" She wondered. "He should be up at this time."

"You called?" A voice said from behind her.

"Ah Shooting Star." Rarity began as she turned around. "I was just wondering if- AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Rarity screamed when she saw Shooting Star but he was covered with his old scars.

Twilight jumped up from her book after hearing Rarity scream and Spike came running downstairs.

"Don't worry Rarity I'll save you." The little dragon shouted only to be in the same situation as Rarity when he saw his alicorn friend.

"Oh Shooting Star, did you turn off your spell?" Twilight asked.

"Twi you know the spell drains me overtime, besides you have seen me like this before." Shooting Star replied.

"Wait, you always had those scars?" Rarity screamed, on the verge of freaking out. Meanwhile Spike was looking at him in awe, Twilight had told him about Shooting Stars old wounds but hasn't really seen them for real now that he has seen them,

Spike wonders how Shooting Star doesn't even limp.

"Um aye but it's not really a big deal."

"NOT A BIG DEAL? YOUR COVERED IN THEM!"

"Rarity calm down, deep breaths your on the verge of passing out." Twilight instructed.

Rarity did as she was told and sat down on the couch whilst breathing deeply, while she was doing that Twilight was explaining about the scars and how Shooting Star can cover them with a masking spell.

"Wow Shooting Star, you scared me when I saw you." Rarity said once she calmed down. "You look really terrifying."

"Hehe I know," Shooting Star replied, rubbing his nose. He likes other ponies reactions to his injuries.

"Come to think of it, Rarity why are you here anyway?" Twilight asked.

"Well I was wanting a book on jewels for my new line of dresses." Rarity replied.

"Oh well okay, Spike can y-"

"Here you go Rarity." Spike said, handing the book Rarity needed.

"Oh thank you Spikey-Wikey." Rarity thanked giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"I will never wash this cheek again." Spike sighed happily.

Twilight looked really annoyed at Spike, ""Why can't I do that with Shooting Star." She thought.

"Well Twi now that we're up how about we go on that date you wanted?" Shooting Star suggested. Spike and Rarity looked at them both with their jaws dropped.

Twilight smiled. "Sure let's get going." Both of them walked out now leaving Rarity and Spike in that same state.

As they were walking they decided to get some breakfast first, since it was morning.

As they walked to Sugarcube Corner (Because it is the kind of shop that opens early, it's like McDonalds or Asdas) they were greeted with the smell of cakes and sweets. As they walked in they saw Mr and Mrs cake.

"Hello you two." Mrs Cake greeted. "What will it be today?"

"Apple fritters please." Twilight answered.

"I'll have 20 stacks of pancakes." Shooting Star replied. Mrs Cake smirked as she prepared for this. The first time he asked that she thought he was kidding, but she is now prepared for the black hole.

"Coming right up." Mrs Cake replied.

"Grazie (Thank You)" Shooting Star thanked.

"Shooting Star you speak Italimane?" Twilight asked, eyes wide.

"A little bit."

"W-well can you speak something.... romantic?"

Shooting Star raised an eyebrow, but complied anyway not knowing that other ponies (mostly mares) and Pinkie Pie were looking at him.

"Okay, ummmm...... Lei è Bella

I tuoi occhi sono come raggiante come il sole di Celestia

La tua risata è contagiosa

E le tue parole sono dolce come il miele. .

(You are Beautiful

Your eyes are as beaming as Celestia's sun

Your laughter is infectious

And your words are as sweet as honey. .)

Twilight was blushing really hard as was the other mares. She got caught in the moment and was about to kiss him but quickly stopped herself to avoid embarrassment.

"Mrs Cake, are all the mares sick or something? Their faces are red." Shooting Star asked.

Mrs Cake sighed and shook her head. "I swear." She thought. "Shooting Star is so dense sometimes.

It is true, Shooting Star is a smart pony but when it comes to the opposite sex he is as dense as a rock.

"Wow I guess my book was right." Twilight thought. "The Italimane charm really does exist."

After a really awkward breakfast (For Twilight that is, Shooting Star doesn't seem to notice) they were trotting through Ponyville (Pinkie decided to tag along) they noticed a group of ponies bullying a stallion. Narrowing his eyes, Shooting Star walked up to them.

"HEY!" He yelled, grabbing their attention. "Pick on somepony your own size."

"Well well boys." The leader said. "Looks like we got ourselves somepony playing hero."

"Why don't we teach him a lesson boss?" A Griffon asked.

"Go ahead Fang." The boss replied. "Show him what its like when you mess with the Wolf Pack."

"Shooting Star don't do this, please." Twilight begged. Pinkie was saying the same thing and now a crowd was forming.

"No Twilight, somepony has to teach these guys a lesson."

"Shooting Star please listen to Twilight."

He turned around and saw Spike and the rest of the Mane six pushing their way through the crowd, their eyes filled with concern.

"Yeah, Shooting Star, you can't take on an entire gang." Rainbow Dash yelled.

But Shooting Star wasn't listening, he was already looking at his enemies weak spots. "Strange." He thought. "I actually feel excited about this."

Fang was now walking up to the alicorn, not noticing his scars but the boss did. "This pony looks like he knows what he's doing." The pony mused.

"This will teach you not to mess with the Wolf Pack." Fang yelled throwing a punch but was shocked when Shooting Star blocked it and punched his face. The crowd gasped at this whilst the Mane 6 dropped their jaws in disbelief.

"So you managed to get a lucky punch in" Fang said, getting back up."Too bad your lucks RAN OUT!" Charging at him and trying a kick. Shooting Star sidestepped and gave an uppercut to the griffon.

"Your too confident." Shooting Star explained. "And that makes your movements sloppy and slow."

Fang snarled. "I'll show you slow, boys over here." The other ponies jumped into the fight. Even the boss joined in to see if he is a challenge.

"Hey that's no fair." Pinkie Pie yelled. "It's 4 against one."

"Shut up mare." The boss yelled. "GET HIM!"

One tried to grab Shooting Star but ended up getting punched by his teammate, Shooting Star then jumped over and slammed the pony against a wall a couple of times, knocking the pony out. Fang then charged at Shooting Star but the alicorn grabbed the pony who tried to grab him and threw him at Fang who ended up punching the pony, putting him out the fight as well.

Fang growled and flew up trying an aerial assault but was gobsmacked when Shooting Star flew up as well. Fang suddenly felt himself in a lot of pain and saw Shooting Star throwing him to the ground.

"B-but how?" Fang asked. "I didn't see you."

Shooting Star smirked. "Your too slow." And with that thought he plunged down and gave a sleeper hold to Fang putting him out of commission as well, he then turned to the leader who was applauding.

"Impressive, little pony. You seem to know how to fight, but that won't be enough to beat me." He then charged up and managed to strike Shooting Star in the eye. Growling, Shooting Star managed to grab the boss by the mane and gave him a couple of punches to the face before throwing him into a nearby cart smashing it.

"RETREAT RETREAT!" The boss yelled. "I should have known not to fight with him he has years of experience." As one of

the other ponies picked up Fang and joined in the run, Shooting Star yelled.

"Don't come back you hear me."

He then turned around and saw his friends staring at him in shock. "What?"

"Shooting Star... your eye." Rarity said.

Feeling it and hissed at the sharp pain he said. "Just a mark."

"Shooting Star come with me to the library." Twilight ordered.

As they were in the library, Twilight was tending to his black eye. "You idiot." She scolded. "What were you thinking?"

"Twi relax, I beat them didn't I?"

"Yeah and I have a theory how you thought that well, you fought just like Altair."

"What are you saying Twilight?"

"Let's do it.... let's do the animus again."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes now c'mon help me set up."

Shooting Star sighed but wondered what her theory was, true he is able to fight but never was he able to fight that well.

"Hmmmmm..." he mused. "Guess I'll find out soon enough." So he went to fetch Spike to help them prepare the Animus.