Chapters Cycles
The star was dying.
Massive and radiant, the solar body seemed as bright as ever, its ruby light and size were a testament to its age. Heavier and denser elements were being fused in the core, pressed together by the unrelenting gravity of their own mass.
Iron was the limit. Up until that point, the lighter elements gave energy back, fueling the nuclear furnace that raged within. It was a cosmic forge, building up the simplest and most pure of atoms into greater and more diverse forms. However, the reaction couldn't go on forever.
The star was dying.
It may not have been alive to begin with, in the strictest sense of the word, but over the uncountable eons that its light shone forth into the dark, it grew, and it changed. The celestial giant had a purpose, not one driven by conscious thought or primal urge, but fundamental and inevitable all the same. Where before it existed had merely been a cloud of simple gas and dust, after its ignition it had shaped the raw matter over the long course of time into the multitude of elements that now rested within.
The surface of the great sphere shuddered, its fuel was nearly spent. Soon there wouldn't be enough energy to keep gravity at bay. It shuddered again, seemingly trying to keep going despite itself. The contractions were starting to become rhythmic, pulsing with a beat as steady as any heart.
The star was dying.
* * *
Maxwell poured himself another cup of the rich earthy blend. The coffee was one of his favorite flavors, and he had the whole pot to himself. Aromas of chocolate and hazelnut escaped from the mug as he took a sip, wincing slightly. Carrying it gingerly in one hand, he stretched his other arm up and out, twisting his neck around as he did. Satisfying pops and maybe a crack or two issued from his joints, audible thanks for being able to move again. He had been working on the next revision of his dissertation for the better part of 4 hours, though perhaps 'working' was too strong a word as he had barely added more than a few lines during that whole time. Nothing was easy to change at this point, as everything depended on so many variables.
“Maybe I need some fresh air.” He sighed to himself as nobody else was around, but that was by design. Maxwell stepped out into the night, pulling his sweater closed in the brisk November air. The cabin was a good distance away from any city, giving him plenty of both peace and quiet. He glanced at his watch. The starlight alone was enough for him to easily read the display.
10:43
Starlight. That was the other reason he liked spending time at his family's small, but cozy cabin, the stars. In the city there was so much light pollution it made stargazing nearly impossible, but here, on a night with hardly any cloud cover, the sky was beautiful. His footsteps made pleasantly crisp noises on the scattered grass and leaves, quieting the chirp of insects nearby. A small, but prominent hill was coming into view. Maxwell took another sip of his still steaming beverage, enjoying the relaxing heat as it warmed him from the inside. Crouching down at the top of the hill, he gently positioned his mug amidst the grass, making sure it wouldn't tip before laying down completely.
The dome of the sky stretched overhead as a great resplendent tapestry, unbroken across his entire field of view. He liked this spot. It was just far enough from the trees, and just high enough off the ground, that he could see nothing else. So many stars, so many worlds, so much space. He took a deep breath and held it, doing his best to finally tear his mind away from his work.
“Why does it all have to be so complicated?” he mused, “I mean, I like complicated, it's what I do...” Maxwell squinted through his glasses, carefully removing them before wiping a smudge from the lenses with the hem of his shirt. “But that doesn't stop it from becoming tedious after a while. I wish,” he began, returning his optics to the bridge of his nose, “...I wish I could make more of a difference.”
The stars glittered in silence.
* * *
The star was dying.
The ruby giant was in its last moments. With not enough left to burn, gravity was winning. The star was falling in on itself, further compressing the iron at its core. Small stars would stop here, the forces of gravity compacting them into a tight dwarf. This celestial, however, was immense. The strength of its gravitational collapse was poised to exceed the electron degeneracy pressure. When it does, the sudden release of incalculable volumes of stored potential energy will cause one of the most violent of explosions on a stellar scale.
A supernova.
The surface continued to fall. Its once red light began to creep in intensity, becoming blindingly white as the limit approached. Gravity strained, pulling the matter inwards, deeper and tighter. In the instant the force exceeded the strength of the core, time seemed to stand still, as if something were giving it pause. The light vanished.
There was no explosion.
The star was gone.
* * *
There was a flash, brighter and more penetrating than staring into the sun itself, and it was coming from everywhere. Then it was gone. The woods were silent save the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the droning chirp of crickets.
A still hot cup of hazelnut mocha sat alone amidst the grass.
* * *
Augh! It hurt. EVERYTHING hurt. What in the hell was that? I didn't want to open my eyes, they still throbbed and I could see the telltale colors of excessive exposure. One minute I was having a pleasant, albeit one sided conversation with the night sky, and the next felt like my retina were being scorched! But more than that, my whole body felt as if it had just taken third degree burns.
Thanks SPACE! Just what I wanted, to be blind and to get skin cancer. I can cross those off my bucket list.
I tried to move my arms, but they behaved as if encased in lead and even just shifting them sent jolts of pain. Okay, arms out of commission. Ground control to legs, do you copy? I pulled one leg up, which thankfully didn't scream out in unbridled agony, but it still felt wrong. It was either mostly numb or I didn't have toes anymore.
Alright, Max, you have all your limbs at least. What about you, inner ear? I was still on the ground, and I could feel the grass. However, it seemed like I had managed to roll onto my left side sometime during the event. I was relieved that my head confirmed it thought it was on its side too, though my ear itself was giving me signals it was higher on my head than it had any right to be. Turning my face skyward, I carefully tried to open my eyes.
Nothing. I couldn't see anything. Oh god, please don't be blind, please don't be blind, please, please PLEASE! My eyes stayed open, looking for something, anything. My head was starting to loose the battle it was fighting against the migraine from hell, but I kept staring. There, amidst the dark, I could start to make out faint pinpricks of light. Stars! Thank you lord!
My elation was strong, but it couldn't keep away the pain and fatigue that was creeping back. I dropped my head once more onto the soft grass. I was tired and my mind wanted a break from all the pain. Sleep was sounding better and better, and I wasn't about to fight it. I let it take me.
* * *
Ponyville was quiet, much as it always is in the early hours of the morning before the sun is raised. A very brightly colored pink pony with a gravity defying poof for a mane bounced out of her bed, and not in a figurative sense. It was as if she was made out of a superball, and it didn't stop there.
Bounce
Bounce
Bounce
She had made it to the door of her room and was about to open it when...
“Uh oh, back shiver, hoof twitch, hair tingle, hoof twitch, *achoo* sneeze!” She gasped. “Somepony is all alone and in trouble and is going to need help just walking, which is funny, who needs help walking? I mean I walk just fine but I prefer to hop hop hop OH! Maybe he likes to hop too! Or she, I wonder-” she stopped, “tail poof, eye roll, itchy ear!” Her eyes widened and possibly the biggest smile in the universe spread across her face.
“And they're new to Ponyville!”
As if on cue, a bright flash lit up the night across the town.
Author's Note
Well, there you have it. The intro to what has begun rattling around in my head like a squirrel on a dirtbike. Let me know what you think of the science and or tone. As always, feedback is appreciated. Thanks for reading!
Chapter 1: Glasses are Windows for the Face
Glasses are Windows for the Face
I was flying.
The warm crimson sky formed a glowing backdrop against the cumulus clouds. The wind whipped through my hair as I soared, my arms straight out as if to direct my course. Over, under, and around the suspended water vapor I flew, my body enjoying the feelings of freedom that came with it.
Ka-ching.
I stared at the cloud on my left, puzzled as to why it would make such a noise, when the one above me started to speak.
“Is he okay?”
Ka-ching.
The first cloud was getting louder, a very unwelcome shade of gray bubbling up from within. I took off like a rocket, trying to get away from the sound.
“He looks burned almost everywhere.” I could barely understand the wisp of stratus I passed at breakneck speed.
Ka-ching.
It was no use! The ominous dark cloud was gaining on me, no matter how fast I went! A deep and angry thunder began to roil within. My heart was hammering in my ears.
“No you can't throw him a party until he's better, we can take it from here.”
KA-CHUNK!
My eyes snapped open, greeted by a haze of white and a sense of movement. I was still on my side, but not on grass anymore. This was on wheels.
“Oh! You're awake!” a female voice spoke out from above my head. I started to crane my neck to see who was addressing me, and a river of pain washed over my skin for the attempt. My face must have shown how much it hurt. “No, don't move! It's okay,” she reassured. In what world is being burned from head to toe anywhere near the definition of 'okay'?
The gurney continued to move down the hall, the soft clinking of its wheels the only other sound I could make out. I'm on a gurney. Then I'm in a hospital? Who...
“Miss Pie found you unconscious on the grass this morning,” the voice continued, “Can you tell me how you were injured?”
“Don't get too many who look like they pulled an Icarus, huh?” I chuckled, but I sounded hoarse, like my mouth wasn't right.
“Icarus?” She sounded confused.
“Yeah, the story of the guy who flies too close to the sun and burns his wings.”
“Oh dear, did you?” Her concern evident. While I may have been expecting this question, what I wasn't expecting was her tone. That certainly wasn't sarcasm.
“No...” My voice suddenly unsure. She couldn't have thought I was serious, right? “I'm actually not sure at all how it happened.”
We turned a corner, and the gurney must have maneuvered through a doorway. I was still having trouble making out what I was seeing. Jeez, that light must have done a real number on my eyes. The trolley came to a stop, and I definitely had some hearing damage too because I swear I heard two sets of footsteps as she walked around to where I could see. I've heard of double vision, but double audio? Strange … I didn't hear anything else with an echo...
“I'm afraid no one could recognize you, what's your name?” My blurry vision could barely make out her form as she asked. It was white with some pink on the side, and I could almost see some kind of red-ish splotch on her head.
“Maxwell Glass, ma'am.” I tried to give her a smile. At least that didn't hurt to move.
“Mack Swell Glass,” she repeated, sounding more than a little unsure and the way she said it was slightly off as she wrote it down. “Well, I'm nurse Redheart. Don't worry, we'll take good care of you here at Ponyville general hospital, Mr. Glass.”
“Thank y-” I began before the words backed up in my throat. Ponyville? I don't know of any city nearby with that name... How far did they take me to find a hospital? AND WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY EYES!? I'm getting a headache like I'm not wearing my glasses. My pupils cycled around the edge of my vision, not seeing any frames.
I'm not wearing my glasses.
“Um, I'm sorry, but I'm having a great deal of trouble without my glasses and it's giving me an incredible headache. You wouldn't happen to have them would you?” I asked with a little extra sweetness on it. Always be nice to the lady with the needles … and the drugs.
“I'm sorry,” her voice carried the frown she must have been wearing. “I'll have to ask Miss Pie if she found any prescription lenses nearby.” Miss Redheart began walking toward what must have been the door. “I'll be right back with some medicine and water.”
I sighed and kept my eyes closed. Okay, let's work this backwards. Just think of it as a logic puzzle. I'm in a hospital- correction: Ponyville general hospital. I was admitted by a 'Miss Pie' who found me unconscious. How long was I out? Wait, back up … no one recognized me? Did they not check my wallet? Focus! Okay, before I passed out I was relaxing with my coffee when that light came from-
“Here you go,” the nurse smiled, breaking me out of my thoughts as she entered the room with that same double set of footsteps. “This will make you feel much better.” Why does it sound like she was talking around something?
I could make out the shapes of a white tray with a glass of water and a pill. Knowing it would hurt, I steeled myself and took a deep breath. Thankfully, my arm was much more responsive than the last time, and the pain was at least bearable. I nabbed the pill and swallowed it before my hand had even brought the water to my lips. My fingers must be as numb as my toes. I can't even feel the glass. I downed the whole thing without a breath, returning the empty cup to the tray.
“Since I take it you're not from Ponyville,” her voice not hiding its curiosity, “Where are you from? Cloudsdale?” What is with these places, and why haven't I heard of them?
“Actually, I-”
“Nurse Reeeedheaaaaart!” Came a sing-song voice from outside the room. “I've found our mystery stallion's glasses! And gosh are they strong! When I put them on everything goes all squitchy and it makes me dizzy but not the fun kind of dizzy like when you spin around and around and around and then try to walk a straight line,” In bounced(?) a mass of pink, not even stopping to take a breath. “that's one of my favorite games, but some ponies get sick when they spin, is that like getting sick from eating too many cupcakes? they're both so fun you want more and more and more and more and-”
“Pinkie!” the nurse interjected, breaking the verbal onslaught. “Thank you! Now can you please give them back to Mr. Glass so he can see?” Even without them, I could tell she wore an exasperated expression. I'm not surprised, the pink one sounds fueled by pure sugar. Wait … did she say stallion?
“Okie dokie! Your name is Glass? And you need glasses? Glass' glasses! That's so funny!” She didn't even bother handing them to me. After hopping forward, the pink haze quickly shoved the spectacles onto my face. “Hello! My name is Pinkie Pie!” I blinked away the shock of sudden clarity.
“Thanks for … finding … my …” The words just drifted away from me. She wasn't wearing some excessively pink outfit. Her skin was literally pink! Pink with light blue eyes and a smile that was inches away from my face. “… glasses.”
“You're … welcome.” she mimicked, giggling as she stepped back. My heart began to race. My breathing heavy.
“Mr. Glass?” Nurse Redheart was sounding concerned. My eyes darted across to her. Standing there was what looked like a small horse with a white coat and a light pink mane held in a bun underneath her nurse's cap. I again focused on the pink one. That wasn't skin, it was fur. A coat of bright pink fur, with a dark pink mane with almost more bounce than her. “Is something wrong?”
My breath stopped, eyes wide, mind scrabbling for purchase as my heart beat faster than ever. This is impossible! Talking horses? I must be dreaming, but the pain … dreams never hurt like that. If this isn't a dream then I must be delusional. They aren't really … wait … I heard two sets of steps before I even saw them. Her voice was muffled because she must have been carrying the tray in her mouth! That's way more detail than I would expect from a hallucination. But if it's not in my head then why aren't they …
Slowly, agonizingly, I raised my hand. There, right in front of me, was a dark green furred limb ending in the unmistakeable shape of a hoof.
“Oh...”
So this is what going insane feels like...
Then everything went black.
Author's Note
So unlike the prologue, that switched around from third to first person, I'm toying with the idea of each chapter sticking to one perspective, with first person for the protagonist, and third person for the rest.
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Chapter 2: Star Light, Star Bright, First Star that Dies Tonight
Star Light, Star Bright, First Star that Dies Tonight.
The leaves rustled softly in the cool morning breeze. Their chorus was the only sound disturbing the pre-dawn serenity. Thousands of glittering pinpricks aided the bright and full moon in illuminating the town below, where the tree belonging to those leaves stood. It was massive, easily taller than the surrounding buildings. Doors and windows had been built into its still living trunk and the whole structure made hollow to house a library's worth of books and a place to live. Near the very top, on a carved wooden balcony, rested an impressive telescope that was currently in use.
“Uhh, Twilight?” came a groggy voice from within the great tree. “What are you doing awake this early?” Stepping into the brisk air was a rather small purple and green scaled dragon. He blinked reflexively, rubbing his eyes as they adjusted to the light of the moon and stars.
“Oh! Good morning, Spike!” smiled the lavender unicorn. “I'm trying to catch up on my stargazing. It's been so long since I had any time to really enjoy it.” A shimmering violet glow surrounded her horn as a book bound with a faded cobalt cover floated over from the table. “I've already located all of the constellations and now I'm using the telescope to get a better look at the stars that aren't usually visible by the eye alone.” The heavy looking, and still hovering tome opened, its pages fluttering to a stop. The diminutive dragon craned his head to the side, trying to get a better look.
“The Astronomical Atlas: A Comprehensive Guide to Stellar Entities , by Coltpernicus” Spike scratched his head. “There are more than just stars up there?” His eyes went wide while his claws quickly rushed to cover his mouth, but it was too late.
“There is so much more!” Twilight beamed, “Other than stars, of which there are hundreds of different types, there are also nebulae, or huge bright clouds of gas and dust, comets, which leave a trail as they pass by the night sky-” but she was suddenly cut off by a tight grip on her muzzle.
“Ok! I'm sorry I asked!” He apologized, letting go. His jaw stretched wide, releasing a hearty yawn. “I'm going to head back to bed. Wake me up when it's time for breakfast.” The librarian smiled at her number one assistant, shaking her head while suppressing her laughter. Before either one of them had a chance to resume their activities, the sky erupted in a brilliant flash, forcing them to shield their eyes. It lit up the center of town with an intensity greater than the midday sun. Twilight risked a glance just in time to see the light recede, apparently retreating amidst the stars.
“What in the name of Celestia was that?” the dragon moaned, his night vision robbed by the sudden photon invasion.
“I don't know, Spike,” answered the confused unicorn, “but it looked like it came from the park.” She looked up. Something wasn't right. Her horn glowed once again as it picked the book up from where it fell when she had lost her concentration. The pages flipped until they settled on an illustrated map of the southern sky.
“Should we go check it out?” he mumbled, sounding as cautious as he was curious.
“Hold on.” She held up a hoof, quickly darting between looking in the book and looking at the sky. “There!” Twilight pointed at a seemingly innocuous twinkling light.
“What's there?” Spike squinted in the direction of her gesture.
“That … star … wasn't there before! It's new! But stars don't just magically appear out of nowhere!” She was frantically flipping through the tome, scouring it for any information related to what she was seeing.
“Huh?”
“I mean, there are plenty of theories as to how stars are formed, but no pony has ever seen it happen!” She exclaimed. Spike watched her for a moment, eyebrow raised, before turning the telescope towards the indicated celestial target and taking a peek.
“Woah, hey Twilight. You should really see this!”
Her eyes managed to tear themselves away from the authoritative work on the subject. She walked over to the repositioned apparatus and gazed through the eyepiece.
“It's …” the words were slow in coming, “it's beautiful … that ruby light … and is it, pulsing?” She adjusted the armature, attempting to bring the object into clearer focus. “It is! I've never seen anything like it.” The star kept its steady rhythm for a while, but for how long, Twilight couldn't tell. She was broken out of her reverie when its light began to contract, paradoxically growing brighter in the process. Her eyes were locked in rapt attention, watching the dwindling mote of starstuff. Down, down, down its surface fell, becoming nothing but a blinding pinprick even in the enhanced magnification of the telescope.
Then it was gone.
Twilight slumped to the ground, inexplicably feeling a bit morose over the loss of the stellar object. It wasn't alive, and yet, a faint tickle caused her to wipe a hoof across her cheek. She stared at the drop of moisture wicking away into her coat, sniffling slightly. A warm light began to break over the eastern horizon. The sun had begun its grand procession, as orchestrated by the princess.
“Oh, it's dawn already?” Her voice shrugging off its sullen timbre. A light snore was all she received in return, compliments of the evidently still tired baby dragon. With a sisterly smile, she carefully lifted him up in the shimmering glow of her magic, and carried him inside before tucking him into his bed.
“I guess I'll let him have some more sleep,” Twilight sighed, her thoughts wandering back to what she had just seen. Whatever happened in the park, they were going to find out.
Author's Note
Ok, I apologize for this being a little shorter than the previous chapters, but since I am trying to keep perspective switching out of the chapters themselves, there are bound to be smaller chapters when the scene ends.
Otherwise, I hope you enjoy! Feedback is appreciated!
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Chapter 3: Cognitive Dissonance or: How I Learned to Start Worrying and Hate my Brain
Cognitive Dissonance or: How I Learned to Start Worrying and Hate my Brain
There was no dream.
I didn't know when I woke up, or where. The last thing I wanted to do was open my eyes and find out. I knew on some level that I was going to have to eventually, but that didn't stop me from trying to avoid it.
What are you afraid of? A few notes from an unfamiliar birdsong entered through an obviously open window while the curtains fluttered lightly.
Vociferous equines? My eyes shut tighter, a reflex that did nothing to stifle the gnawing questions.
Not knowing where you are? Muscles clenched as they ignored the still throbbing discomfort of my skin. I could feel a bead of sweat pooling above my eyebrow.
...or what you are?
Are we really doing this, brain? I shot back while a frown halfway between a grimace and a scowl played across my features. FINE! Have it your way.
What are you afraid of?
I'm not afraid of anything.
Bullshit.
...I'm terrified, not afraid.
Semantics. If it isn't the horses, the where, or the possible new you, what are you afraid of?
I was keenly aware that my heart had picked up the pace. Adrenaline had already started to flow, triggering that all too familiar fight or flight response. I needed to calm down. I must not fear, fear is the mind killer, fear is the little death that brings-
Seriously?
Hey! It helps!
You know what else helps? Addressing the issue at hand. What. Are. You. Afraid of?
The words caught in my throat, even though I wasn't speaking aloud.
...That I'm insane...
My breathing calmed down instantly. What was before an almost primal fear was now an abject mental terror. Not resolved in the slightest, but at least it was no longer in a position to compromise my faculties.
It's a good thing you started talking to yourself or we would never have figured that out.
Yeah, not easing my fears at all, brain. THANKS!
Alright, sorry. Let's take this one step at a time, every problem has a solution. What are the possibilities we're looking at?
If I really was crazy, I needed to find out where my malfunction was occurring. Since the contention was between my memories before the flare, and my senses afterward, that narrowed it down to 4 possible situations:
Scenario A: Memories True, Senses Deceived
Conclusion: I was still human, but somehow I was perceiving the world through a warped filter. The apparent self-consistency of the distortion leads to the possibility that my own actions would be seen as normal to those around me if they were normal in the perceived world's rules. Although that would be a jury-rigged solution at best, it would allow me to function, albeit uncomfortably.
Course of Action: Play along, freak out internally.
Scenario B: Memories False, Senses True
Conclusion: The world has never been how I remembered. If everything I had experienced before was at best partially fictitious, then how could I trust myself? New memories seem to be consistent with perception, which leaves the possibility of rebuilding 'correct' memories in the future.
Course of Action: Ignore past, freak out internally.
Scenario C: Memories True, Senses True
Conclusion: This doesn't even seem possible in the slightest. Mental breakdown is much more likely than a combined physical transformation and extreme relocation to a potentially alternate reality. However, since this scenario shifts all blame away from a possible problem with the subject it makes sense that this would be the preferred belief for many victims of mental disorders.
Course of Action: Freak out internally.
Scenario D: Memories False, Senses Deceived
Conclusion: Herein lies madness.
Course of Action: Freak out externally.
Well, that's a rather comprehensive list.
Thank you, I like to be thorough.
So what would you say is the optimal solution based on these possibilities?
Given that the last two are either astoundingly impossible or too terrible to consider, then staying calm, acting friendly, and … admitting to having a mental problem would be the best. I sighed. The last thing anyone wants to do is label themselves crazy by their own admission, but with any luck it would trigger a catch 22. If I think I might be insane, then I can't be … right?
The key will be to remain calm. Do you think you can handle that?
What makes you think that I can't?
Oh, I don't know, maybe the fainting at seeing your own hoof?
I shivered at the thought. I had almost forgotten about that. It felt especially wrong referring to it as mine . Whether due to a distortion of my senses or a radical shift in my mental continuity, I was going to have to adjust to my new reality.
That's what it was. My reality.
I cast my senses out, trying to acclimate myself to my surroundings before I finally lifted the veil on my sight. What greeted me was equal parts familiar and alien. The first thing I registered was that I could see just fine, thankful that my eyeglasses were still on my head. The second was my new position. I was laying on my back, with my upper torso slightly raised making it easy to look around. I had the feeling I wasn't in the same room as before. There was an open window to my right, letting in a refreshing breeze. The sterile white curtains matched the décor of a hospital to the letter. To my immediate left was a small square table, where a few violet flowers rested in a vase on top. On the furthest left wall was a row of cabinets, undoubtedly filled with blankets, sheets, and other necessities. Two doors completed the circuit of features the room had to offer. All in all a rather normal looking patient recovery area, even if everything seemed closer to the ground.
Normal. That word was going to lose its meaning very quickly. I started taking deep and controlled breaths, urging my pulse to remain calm as I slowly looked down at myself. Laying there, past what must have been my muzzle was me. I was wrapped in cotton bandages nearly everywhere, in between I could see patches of dark green. I could feel the soft wrappings and something that reminded me of aloe pressing against my … fur, now that I was concentrating on it. I raised my arms, or forelegs now I suppose, turning them around only to be shocked at their range of motion. Although perhaps I shouldn't have been if this was all a trick of my mind. Carefully I brought my hooves up to my face, exploring its new dimensions through the tactile sense of equine appendages. I found my ears resting on the top corners of my head, at which point they promptly twitched at the contact, sending all new feelings down my spine.
Ok, now that's strange. I wasn't expecting any new sensations, only remapped ones. An unsettling hollow began to form in the pit of my stomach, wherever that happened to be in my new anatomy. I let my forelegs down to rest on the bed. They still hurt when I moved them too much. I was staring down at my chest/body, noting how it wasn't as wide as before, though much more vertically pronounced.
There was a knock at the door.
“Hello? Mr. Glass, are you awake?” came a warm masculine voice I wasn't familiar with. The door was gently pushed open, and in walked a … stallion to use the correct term. “I'm Dr. Trotson. How are you feeling?” He wore a smile as well as a stethoscope around his neck and a lab coat over his back. His brown fur and deep auburn mane weren't what I was staring at however. He seemed to confuse my not so subtle look of shock for something else. “Oh, how rude of me,” he continued, shifting to the side so that I had a better look at the lavender colored mare standing next to him. “This is-”
“Twilight Sparkle.” She introduced herself, “I'm glad to see you're alright after how Pinkie said she found you.” Her tone was one of relief but tempered with curiosity.
I blinked.
The bright purple unicorn was still there.
Oh, you might want to say something before they think you're crazy-er than you're about to say you are.
“… hi?”
Smooth.
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Chapter 4: To Err is Human, To Forgive, Equine
To Err is Human, to Forgive, Equine.
“ … hi?”
That single syllable was all I could conjure up at that moment. The other 99% of my processing power was trying to uncover any explanation as to how a UNICORN was standing not but 6 feet from me. Oh my god! I'm getting worse, I have to be! Not satisfied with merely talking multicolored equines, now my dementia is throwing mythical creatures into the mix.
My breathing was becoming ragged. I was dimly aware of the doctor as he approached, but not what he was saying. My panicked eyes were glued to Miss Sparkle.
Oh? So you were paying attention when she introduced herself?
Shut up! Can't you see I'm busy freaking out here!?
And what would make you do that?
Do you not see the horn?
Her horn. And yes, I think it suits her rather well.
…
Nevermind, you're missing the important part! Stop looking at 'what', and start looking at 'who'.
Great. Now I wasn't making any sense. This was getting worse by the minute. Her ears had dropped back, a small frown having taken up residence where the smile had once been. I could easily read her expressive eyes as her brow furrowed, concern written everywhere.
She was worried .
“Mr. Glass?! Look at me!” I turned my head, the earth colored stallion's face suddenly the only thing I could see. “That's it. Breathe.” My heart was still pounding, but I could feel the anxiety draining away. “Keep focusing on me. Good.” The lead weight that had taken the place of my lungs was slowly leaving. “You're all right now. You're safe.” He finished, a grin of relief on his features.
“I'm sorry...” I choked out, feeling more than a little ashamed. My brain was right, these are still people, regardless of what they looked like.
“Don't be.” the doctor said reassuringly, “I would've been more surprised if you hadn't suffered from a little shock after an accident like that.” He pressed his stethoscope to my chest, listening to my fading heartbeat.
“An accident like what?” My voice was tired from all the panic, as if I'd just run a mile, but was still curious to hear what they thought had happened.
“Well, I was-” Twilight began before correcting herself, “-we were hoping you could tell us something about that.” She had moved closer, offering me a friendly smile. “ I mean, nopony saw what happened, and when Pinkie found you in the park you were already unconscious, surrounded by blackened grass.”
“I don't know how much I can really add to that.” I reached up, scratching the back of my head with a hoof. That is just not the same without fingers. “I remember laying down underneath the stars before a white hot light suddenly blinded me. I couldn't see for a while, and I was in a lot of pain, so I passed out. The next thing I remember was waking up in Ponyville hospital.”
The look she gave me was pensive, and perhaps a little frustrated, not that I could blame her. My account wasn't very descriptive, and it didn't seem to add anything to what she already knew. The physician continued to inspect my injuries, making approving noises as he went.
Well? Are you going to tell them or not?
I'm working up to it, okay? It's not like she's just going to ask me-
“What were you afraid of?” chimed in the lavender mare, “When you first saw us in the doorway, that is.” I stared at her again, eyes wide with shock.
Can you read my mind?
“No, just your face.” She smiled slyly, adding in a slight chuckle.
… What?
Clearing her throat she started again, “From what you've said, it didn't seem like you were too agitated about the flash or the pain.” She tilted her head a bit to the side, “What is it that had you so terrified?”
I sighed, and not the small or annoyed kind of sigh, I mean the big, heavy, 'let me lay it on you' kind. Brain, you better be right about this, or so help me …
“You're right about that,” I began, “neither of those frightened me, well, not for more than a few minutes when I thought I might have been blind anyway. What made me panic before, was this.” My hoof provided a light tap to my forehead, emphasizing the point. “I'm … afraid something's happened to my mind.” Her expression changed from inquisitive to empathetic in a heartbeat. “Everything I remember from my life before the burst of light doesn't quite match up with anything I've seen after it.” Another heavy sigh predicated my next sentence. “I don't know whether to trust my memories, or my senses …”
I fell quiet, head in my hooves, hoping I hadn't just committed myself to a psych ward. Dr. Trotson spoke up and I nearly jumped, having forgotten he was there, “Very strange. I haven't seen any signs of a concussion, and you're perfectly lucid.” He motioned for me to sit forward, giving him access to my back, continuing my examination. “Twilight, do you think Mr. Glass could be suffering from some form of magical malady?”
I snorted out a laugh. Some doctors were pretty good at humor, though I seemed to be the only one amused.
“That depends,” her brow creased, hoof on her chin in thought, “How different are your memories?” She was obviously trying to gauge the severity of my delusion. I could feel the bandages around me being loosened to give the physician a better look. Was she really not going to address the magic joke? Tough crowd.
“Well, I guess the first thing is I'd never heard of a town called Ponyville,” Her left eyebrow climbed up a few notches, “or Cloudsdale for that matter.” I shook my head, looking down at my hooves again. “I don't know if there's any easy way to say this next part.” I swallowed hard, my mouth doing a stellar impression of a desert. “I don't remember anybody, especially me, being a horse before.”
I wasn't surprised by the silence that followed. I wouldn't know how to respond to that either, but when I looked up at Twilight she was crossing her forelegs back and forth in the universal sign to get someone's attention, and get them to stop. It was my turn to tilt my head in confusion before I realized she was trying to get the doctor's attention, not mine. That's when I felt it.
Imagine you had a third arm, located on your back, that you had never known about. Now imagine someone grabbing hold of it, and extending it completely. All of those muscles you've never used, all of those nerves you've never felt, sending signals to your brain at the same time. Now layer an irritated sunburn on top of that feeling.
I whipped my head back, trying to get eyes on where those sensations were coming from. It was too much to process all at once, and when I saw it, that only made it more unsettling.
Unfolded, in the doctor's hooves, was a dark green feathered wing.
And it was attached to me .
I yelped in surprise, my whole body twisting reflexively, flailing to get away. I wasn't thinking about anything other than escape, and when my front legs left the edge of the bed, I immediately regretted it. Without proper support, or any coordination to speak of, I tumbled over the side impacting face first onto the cold ground.
“Dr. Trotson,” I mumbled through the floor, “I think I found that concussion.”
Author's Note
Ugh, I had a lot of trouble writing this bit, and I might still re-write it a few more times, but for now I'm putting it up. Thanks for reading.
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Chapter 5: Where there's a Will, there's a Neigh
Where there's a Will, there's a Neigh
“I don't know what to tell you,” muttered the brown coated stallion. “His burns are responding favorably to the treatment, and aside from that brief altercation between him and gravity,” Dr. Trotson sighed as he ran his hoof through his mane, “there isn't anything else physically wrong with him.”
“And mentally?” Twilight asked.
“Like I said before, he's lucid, responds to stimuli…” his voice trailed off. The physician took a moment to glance past the still open door and into the patient's room. Mack Swell Glass was again reclining on the bed, but this time gingerly holding an icepack to his much abused cranium. “I do feel terrible for spooking him like that.”
“You had no way of knowing he didn't remember being a pegasus.” She responded with a reassuring smile.
“I know. It's just hard to imagine anypony having amnesia that severe.”
“I don't think that's exactly right,” mused the librarian. “He did say he had memories from before the accident, just that they 'didn't match up'.” Her gaze drifted to the floor, momentarily lost in thought.
“About that,” he shifted uncomfortably. “How likely do you think his problem is magical in nature? I … admit I haven't had much experience in diagnosing arcane ailments, and I would rather avoid inviting a specialist until we know for certain.”
Her ears perked up. “Are you asking me for help with some research?” Twilight beamed as an ecstatic grin began to grow.
He swallowed hard. “Well … yes, but-”
“Say no more!” The unicorn was feeling positively giddy at the opportunity. “I've already got a few ideas on where to start looking. Perhaps in some of the works of Sigmule Freud; he pioneered the idea that not all mental illnesses have physiological causes after all!” She paused, “But … what if there aren't any records of similar conditions?”
The doctor could see her mental gears shifting, ratcheting up into euphoric overdrive.
“Ohmygosh! What if it's something completely undocumented? I could be the first pony ever to write about it!” Twilight had begun to trot in place; her hooves tapping out a happy rhythm on the hallway floor.
“Uh-”
“But I'm getting ahead of myself!” she chided, “I still have to check through all of the library's medical references, psychology texts, and thaumaturgical papers on mental magic. I've got to start right away!” The lavender mare quickly turned to leave, but only made it a few steps before turning right back again. “Oh, I almost forgot! I still have so many questions to ask him .” Her forward progress, however, was halted by the now slightly nervous physician who had taken up a bracing position in the doorway.
“I … appreciate your enthusiasm, Miss Sparkle, but what Mr. Glass needs right now is rest.”
“But, I-”
“But, nothing.” He continued, his confidence returning, “My patient's health comes first. He'll still be here by the time you get back, and you can ask the rest of your questions then.”
Twilight tilted her head around the doctor to get one more look at the confused pegasus. Surprisingly, he didn't seem to have noticed their conversation even though they hadn't exactly been quiet about it. His bespectacled eyes were fixed on a drinking glass he held suspended by a hoof in front of him. He was mouthing something she could almost make out, but wasn't sure what 'bucking' meant in that context.
A light cough reminded her how close she was standing to Dr. Trotson in order to see. “Sorry!” She backed up sheepishly, “I may have gotten a little excited before, and I apologize.” Her cheeks wore a hint of rose beneath the purple. “If you say he needs rest, then who am I to argue? I'll get started searching the literature and let you know what I find, if not tonight then tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you.”
They exchanged smiles before Twilight took her leave, hoofsteps echoing off the sparse walls of the hospital corridor. “Tomorrow morning? At the latest?” The doctor chuckled to himself. “That mare is either not planning on sleeping tonight, or is really good at what she does. I think I'd bet on the latter.”
* * *
After my spectacular reintroduction to the kinematics of falling bodies, my two visitors decided that leaving me alone for now would be the … safest. Once I had clambered back onto the bed in what was likely the worst display of equine athletics anypony had ever seen, they excused themselves but not before I was passed an icepack to soothe the growing lump on my forehead.
Wait … anypony? I meant anybody!
Did you? I thought your plan was to play along for the time being?
Yes, but what does-
You already heard Twilight say 'nopony' instead of 'nobody'. It's easy to extrapolate that in words like everybody, somebody, anybody, and nobody, the common parlance would be to replace 'body' with 'pony'.
But … why did I think it?
You're much less likely to slip-up when speaking if you're already thinking along the same lines.
… Stop making sense, I groaned inwardly. Sometimes I wish I could shut you off, logic. What I needed was something to distract me from the realization that my subconscious was better at adjusting to this than I was.
It was a great idea in theory, figuring out how these hooves worked. I remembered picking up both the medicine and the glass of water from before without even trying, but with no discernible digits or manipulators the 'how' of it all was eluding me. That left it up to experimentation.
Sitting on the square table next to the bed was a fresh cup of the clear liquid. They must have brought it in at the same time as the ice, which was doing a wonderful job easing the pain above my brow. I've done this before without thinking about it, just have to use muscle memory. I crossed my right hoof over to reach the water on my left, reflexively grasping with fingers I couldn't feel. The glass stayed in hoof, lifting off the table as I brought it up to my face.
I couldn't see or feel any suction pads, barbs, or cillia-like hairs. I frowned, carefully setting the drink down on the bed so as not to spill any before grabbing it again but from the top of the glass. Ordinarily, that would have given me a better view of the point of contact. Instead, my eyes were glued to a millimeter sized gap between hoof and glass, almost too small to see unless you were looking for it, and yet …
The cup refused to fall.
Okay, I was technically still holding it, but that's beside the point. How I was holding it at all was, to put it bluntly, im-fucking-possible . I was not making any physical contact with it, and every long range force I could think of couldn't be responsible for it. It couldn't be gravitational, as my mass did not even approach that of the earth. It couldn't be electromagnetic, as the glass wasn't holding a charge or even metallic. The nuclear forces were right out. According to everything I had studied and learned throughout my life up to this point, this was 'wrong' incarnate.
I probably should have stopped there, put down the glass, and done my best to forget. But I couldn't. My inherent curiosity wouldn't let me. I don't know what it is about scientists, but we don't respond to the formerly impossible with fear or revulsion. In fact, it only stokes our desire to know everything we can about it.
The cup remained suspended, unperturbed by my inability to classify the mechanism with which I held it. I set the icepack down on the table to free my other hoof. Slowly, gently, I prodded the side of the glass. It yielded slightly, but held fast. So the strength of the force is based on proximity to the appendage. That follows the same pattern as gravity and electromagnetism at least, which is reassuring.
I tightened my grip, willing my nonexistent fingers into action. The cup closed the gap and I smiled. Whatever muscle group I was flexing was directly responsible for the field. I wonder how far this effect extends? I began to carefully relax my hold. Gradually, the glass of water shifted further, widening the distance until it was nearly a full inch away. My hoof was shaking slightly, the effort required starting to take its toll. It was such an awkward feeling, loosening my muscles just enough to let the cup start to fall, but then squeezing harder than before to keep it in the air. Just a bit more …
“Whatcha doing?”
“Seeing how far away from my hoof I can hold this glass of water.” I explained, tongue peeking out of my mouth in concentration.
“Ooh! Is this a game? It sounds like fun! Can I play?” Exclaimed the saccharine voice.
“It's an experiment actually but-” Suddenly, my brain pulled on the emergency brakes so hard I stopped mid sentence. I jerked my head upwards only to be greeted by an inverted yet familiar pink and more pink face grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
“JESUS!” I screamed, wings snapping open instinctively. Meanwhile, the glass had quickly responded to my panic tensed muscles by ricocheting off my hoof, sending a shower of water everywhere.
“No, silly! It's Pinkie Pie!” The mare giggled, jumping off the headboard and onto the floor. She shook her whole body, drying herself off in a matter of moments while the balloons tied around her middle bobbed slightly.
I'm going to die of a heart attack before I even get out of this hospital! My heart was hammering, my breathing coarse. And how in the world did she get in here?
Just as I was about to ask her, the nurse poked her head in the doorway. “Mr. Glass, is everything alright? I heard you shout and-” Her eyes narrowed upon seeing the smiling pink one. They followed the trail up to the balloons, to the open window, then over to me:
Panting, wings extended, and covered in moisture.
“I, wha? uhh,” She stammered, her cheeks flushed, trying to look anywhere but at us. “I-I'll just … uhh, you're probably hungry so … dinner is soon!” The nurse ducked out so fast you would have thought the ward was on fire.
I stared at the empty doorway while Pinkie snickered to herself at the end of the bed.
… What?
Author's Note
I said I was going to try making these longer, and I still am, but this scene was taking so much longer to write than the previous. I don't want the updates to slow down very much, but I may not have a choice. Also, I wonder if trying to write something mostly humorous is having a side effect of making the chapters short. This deserves investigation.
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Chapter 6: Anything you can do, I can do Terribly
Anything you can do, I can do Terribly
“ … what? ” I mumbled, still transfixed on the recently vacated doorway.
“Oh, you know what!” Proclaimed the positively peppy pink pony, “That was such a good prank! Did you see the look on her face?” She quickly succumbed to another fit of giggles. “And you weren't even trying! Is pranking your special talent? Oh! We should totally pull off some together! It'll be super duper fun-tastic!” The words tumbled out of the excitable mare at an astounding rate.
I pushed my glasses up while covering my face with both hooves, and let out a huge sigh. I really wanted a few minutes to collect myself, but you don't ignore personalities like hers.
Not if you value your sanity, anyway.
“Hello again, Miss Pie.” I greeted, putting some effort into a smile. My forelegs, hair, and chest were all damp, and I could feel the water creeping deeper into my fur and bandages.
“Call me Pinkie!” She bounced like a coiled spring when mentioning her name. “Everypony else does, unless they don't, of course.” I opened my mouth, only to promptly close it again. Unfazed, she continued, “What's your name?”
Doesn't she already know my name?
Well there was that matter of fainting in front of her before a proper introduction.
My cheeks registered that familiar heat. “Maxwell Glass,” I replied, “Sorry, I'm still covered in water and it's a little distracting.”
“Oh! I've got just the thing!” Her form became a vibrant blur as it rushed out of sight. My eyes tried to follow her, but she was nowhere to be found.
“Pinkie...?” I blinked, hoping the energetic mare hadn't just taken a dive out the window.
“Here you go!” Her voice suddenly called out from the other side of the bed. My head whipped around and was met with a faceful of soft pliant fabric. I spit out some errant threads as I pulled away the offered towel.
“Where did you-? How are-?” I stammered as several questions all tried to ask themselves at the same time.
“Oh, I have towels stashed all over Ponyville, in case of hitchhiking emergencies.” She commented absently, as if making the most obvious statement in the world. The balloons were no longer tied around her and were instead arrayed around the room.
My brain, after thoroughly searching the list of appropriate responses for 'Hyperactive pink horse vanishes before returning with absorbent garment' and finding zero results, decides to go with the default. “Thanks.”
I began drying myself off, mostly as an excuse to think about anything not-Pinkie right now. My fur covered skin still stung even when I rubbed it lightly, but it was doing remarkably better. Not even sunburns heal this fast. I bit my lower lip. But how can I 'know' that at all? Everything here feels too real to be a delusion. My memories were becoming less 'real' the further into the past they moved, divorced as they were from the constant reassurance of the senses. What if it is all fake, just a persistent dream? What am I left with?
“Hey, cheer up Maxie!” Interrupted Pinkie, “You won't be stuck in this boring old hospital forever!” She must have noticed the mounting depression from my looks.
I gave her a weak smile, “I'm sure I won't be. My burns seem to be healing just fine.”
“Is something wrong with your wings too?” She questioned. Her head was tilted and wearing a concerned almost-frown.
“My what?”
“Your wings, silly!” She said, making flapping motions with her forelegs. “You've been holding them out straight ever since we surprised the nurse.”
I looked back, and sure enough, both dark green appendages stood at attention. I can't believe I keep forgetting about them, no wonder I was feeling so stiff. I started rolling my shoulders, flexing my back, activating every muscle I could think of, but they didn't so much as twitch. I imagine Pinkie must have been quite entertained watching me struggle with all the giggling she was doing, but this was getting me nowhere. I needed a different tactic.
I slowly exhaled while keeping my eyes closed. I imagined letting all the metaphorical strings controlling me going limp as they withdrew their agency from my limbs. My body sank slightly further into the bed, but I ignored it. I was waiting for a different feeling, anything out of place. It was then that a faint effervescent tingling began to brush against the edges of my consciousness. I couldn't stop the growing smile, nor the short laugh that escaped. Why does it feel like I'm being … tickled?
My vision returned as I swiveled my head to look at my left wing. There was Pinkie, sweeping her own head back and forth using just her mane to tickle the very tips of my feathers. A rippling shudder ran like fuzzy lightning through my unfamiliar limb as it snapped back into a folded position on my side. I blinked, panting slightly while the sensations faded. That feeling didn't come from my back at all, and it was more like my arms from before, only …
I focused on the receding tingle, trying to push my consciousness to follow. A small flutter was my reward and I grit my teeth, not about to give up now. My wing started to unfold. It felt like I was slowly putting on a long and tailor made glove, my arm sliding down the sleeve as it filled every inch closer and more intimately than anything I had ever worn. I stared at it- no, I stared at me . I could feel the entirety of my wing such that there was no denying it was a part of me. In the back of my mind I couldn't help feeling slightly unsettled, because it felt right , as if I was supposed to have it. I drew it back from full extension and opened it again, grinning like a madman.
“Yay!” Came a happy cheer from the bubbly pink mare, clapping her hooves together in applause. “Now do the other one!”
Other one? The smile faded as I turned to my remaining feathered appendage. Oh, right …
The second wing was much easier, and with a little more encouragement from the living pink superball I had rudimentary motor control over both equine-avian limbs, enough to open and close them. A stray drip splashed on my muzzle, momentarily startling me until I remembered what I was doing before being distracted. I picked up the towel once more and continued where I left off.
“Thank you, again , Pinkie.” I couldn't figure it out, but that mare just exuded happiness, making me feel good by proximity. “I mean, really. How can I thank you enough for finding me when I was injured, getting me to this hospital, retrieving my glasses, making me laugh, and helping me with these?” I shrugged my wings for emphasis. Not to mention keeping me from myself.
She giggled, bouncing in place while she spoke, “It's nothing! I'd do that for all my friends!”
“Friends?” I looked at her quizzically, “We've only just met, how can we be friends?”
“They always say friendships are forever, but time doesn't just go one way, so if you're friends forever then you've always been friends even before you meet them!” Her smile only grew, “And since we're going to be friends eventually, then we're friends now! See?”
I sat there stunned for a moment, trying to reboot after following that Möbius strip of logic. A theme seemed to be appearing the more time I spent with her, namely: 'Don't question the pink one.' I sighed, unable to suppress my own smile any longer. “Yes, I'm glad we're friends, and I look forward to becoming them in the future.”
Ruffling the last of my hair dry in the towel, I realized I hadn't gotten a real look at myself yet. “Hey, Pinkie, do you know if there's a mirror around here?”
“Mirror, mirror...” She tapped her chin with a hoof, “Oh! There should be one in the bathroom.” Her outstretched foreleg indicating the second door in the room.
“Perfect, then I'll just … ” My voice faded as my eyes tracked the distance between the bed and the doorway. I glanced down at my left hoof, then over to Pinkie, standing as she was on all fours. Quadruped. Right. Well I've crawled on my hands and knees before so how hard can it be?
I undulated my way to the edge of the mattress before looking down off the side. Floor, my old nemesis, we meet again. Pushing forward with my rear legs, I held my front pair down towards the ground. Slowly I slid off until my fore hooves made contact. The sensation was strange, not at all like having palms or fists for support, but at the same time … natural? The continued feeling of shifting bedding made me aware I was still moving. But ... I'm supporting myself from the front and I'm not … oh no … My face blanched.
Pinkie
My neck craned behind me, turning much farther than I would have ever expected to see the happy go lucky pony with her hooves poised. “No, don't! I've got-”
“Hurry up, slowpoke!” She cried, shoving me off the bed. “You've gotta run before you can walk!” I scrambled to keep my front legs underneath me as the rest of my carriage was ejected from the safety of the mattress.
“ohshitohshitohshit!” My legs stumbled in every direction, achieving nothing towards stopping me. One crossed hoof and I was falling forwards. The world slowed to a crawl as I saw the floor rising up to greet my face once again. I clenched my teeth and took it on the chin, a fresh blossom of pain shooting down my jaw as I slid across the ground. Thankfully, the wall was there to stop me, giving his own brand of welcome to my formerly unmolested muzzle.
“Ouch,” Pinkie cringed, “Maybe walking is supposed to come first.”
I ignored her and blinked my eyes clear of stars. There was a slightly copper tang in my mouth that I attempted to swallow away. I pulled my legs underneath me, taking a steadying breath. I wanted nothing more than to stay down and nurse my injured jaw, but something wouldn't let me. I steeled myself and pushed against the floor, raising up inch by inch until I was at my full height.
I actually felt rather stable.
My nose sniffled, feeling a warm drop pooling at the end of a nostril. I lifted a hoof to wipe it away but I began to lose my balance, and had to quickly return it to the ground. The impact jostled it loose, and I watched the fluid bauble fall leaving a crimson blot on the otherwise unblemished floor.
Scratch that, I only felt stable when all four hooves were down. I pulled my forelegs closer together, before raising one a tentative couple inches. Satisfied that I wasn't about to tip over, I repeated this with the other one, much more confident with this spacing. I turned my head around to the bathroom door. I was facing the wrong way now but was slightly closer to my goal. Great, how do I change direction on four legs without falling over?
You just do it.
No, this isn't a shoe commercial.
I mean stop thinking about it, just experiment.
I glanced down at my hooves. If coordination comes from repetition, then I guess I better get started.
* * *
“Why did I ever start?” I lamented, pushing the door open with my still bruised nose.
“Hey, you didn't fall too many times!” Pinkie reassured me, “Besides, it really looked like you had the hang of it there for a while.”
“That was after I stumbled headfirst into the table! I don't even wanna know how I walked better when I was so dizzy I couldn't even see straight.” I maneuvered into the bathroom in an absurdly robotic gait, each leg only moving when the other three were stable. It was slow, but I'll be damned if I'm going to fall any more today. “Thanks for staying with me. I'll just be a minute.”
“Okie dokie lokie!”
One carefully balanced push later and the door closed with a soft click. The bathroom was a simple utilitarian job with a sink and a toilet, but it was the square single pane mirror that hung above that sink which caught my eye. A few more jerky steps and I was in position, but I kept my head bowed. I didn't want to see my reflection until I was ready.
Two breaths, then three passed as I stayed fixed on the white porcelain. I swallowed back the lump that had been steadily growing. All I wanted to do before was get to the mirror so that I could see myself, and now that I'm here I'm terrified?
You're worried that once you see yourself, there's no going back.
Was there any?
… no
I sighed, heart heavy, and lifted my head up to gaze into my reflection.
Author's Note
I am slowly adding more words! I'm trying very hard to both keep up with one update a week, while simultaneously making each chapter longer than the last. We'll see how long I can keep this up.
As always, feedback is appreciated! Enjoy.
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Chapter 7: You put your Right Hand in, you take your Right Hoof out ...
You put your Right Hand in, you take your Right Hoof out...
“You look like hell.” I muttered.
The stallion stared back at me with a slight furrow in his brow. His nose was bruised, a few crystals of dried blood already starting the healing process. One -no, two painful looking lumps were perched on his forehead right beneath the hairline. His disheveled mane was relatively short, sporting a much lighter green hue than that of his coat. My left ear twitched, and I watched in the mirror as the motion was reciprocated.
“I look like hell.” He corrected.
My eyes continued to stare back at me. Only, instead of the dark brown irises that usually greeted me every morning, I now seemed in possession of not one, but two equally vibrant shades of impossible. The left one was a refractive scarlet while its fraternal twin bore an orange color not unlike that of a ripe pumpkin. Good lord... It didn't hit me how large everyone's eyes were until I saw my own up close. No, to say they were large would be tantamount to calling the observable universe 'a pretty big place'.
I removed my glasses and set them behind the faucet. The knobs were easy enough to work, and I soon had a font of cool water flowing. Not wanting to bother with figuring out how to balance on two hooves, I just shoved my face into the refreshing stream.
Is this really happening?
Yes.
That was quick, not even going to elucidate as to why, brain?
I don't need to.
I was right. I already knew the answer, I just didn't like it. Everything was too authentic, too consistent, and too painful to be an illusion. It was time I accepted that much. I pulled myself out from under the water and shut it off, grabbing a towel from its ring next to the sink. At least I've gotten better at standing on three legs. I smiled a little bit to myself as I dried my face for the second time in the last half hour.
Picking up my glasses, something caught my eye. The frames were large, square, and made of a dark gray material, but that wasn't what I was looking at. The part that fit around the temples didn't end in the standard earpiece hooks. I held the lenses up and studied my reflection. My ears were nowhere near where the glasses would sit on my head. How did they even stay on? I turned them over in my hoof, scouring them for answers. That was more than a little difficult, considering I needed them to see in the first place. Thankfully, I didn't have to search too long. On the inside of the arms, at the very back of the frame were two patches of small interlocking plastic hooks.
“Velcro?” I chuckled, breaking into a smile. Clever, I never would've thought of that. Replacing the optics on the bridge of my muzzle, I tilted my head to get a better view of them in the mirror. My smile briefly waned as I was reminded what I looked like. It wasn't that I didn't like my reflection, it had a bizarre familiarity about it, like an old friend. No, what bothered me was what I didn't look like anymore.
Anymore? Who's to say I ever looked like that?
I shook my head, trying to dislodge the thought before it could germinate. I can't let myself dwell on these things.
'And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you.'
Thanks, Nietzsche! Just the person I needed advice from when battling existential depression!
Despite all my internal sarcasm, the point he made was still valid. The best option I had for the time being was to stay distracted, specifically to stay focused on the now. I opened my eyes, taking in a deep breath along with my own mirrored image.
“I am still Maxwell,” I said aloud, my confidence growing as I watched myself speak. “and I'll eventually figure out what happened to me, but until then there's no reason why I can't make the best of it.” My wings flapped as if they agreed with the sentiment. Grinning, I turned to the side to get a real look at them. “Even if it is just a trick of my mind, who else gets to experience being a pegasus for the first time?” I unfurled my feathered limbs into a rather impressive wingspan. I clicked my tongue, a hint of disappointment in my voice, “It's too bad I can't fly with them. That would have been wild.”
Without warning, my stomach decided that it had been quiet long enough, and protested its emptiness vehemently. If I wasn't sure it had come from me, I would have thought a bear had snuck in.
“Well, the nurse did say that dinner was coming soon. I guess that means I missed both breakfast and lunch, no wonder I'm hungry.” Turning carefully, I took a few angular steps to the door before putting a hoof to the handle. Why would they have evolved such developed wings if they couldn't provide adequate lift? Did they fly in the past but lost that ability? No, that doesn't make sense. Maybe-
As the door swung open, I was assaulted by a burst of multicolored confetti and an explosion of streamers. “Surprise!” Pinkie whispered. Her sudden invasion into my personal space caused me to backpedal a step before stumbling into a sitting position.
“... wha?” I gaped, slack-jawed at the sight in front of me. The recovery room had undergone a serious makeover in the scant minutes that I was gone. There were balloons, a few hats, and more streamers completely covering the walls, turning the once plain sterile environment into a lively event.
“Nurse Redheart said I couldn't throw you a party until you were better, but she didn't say how much better you had to get,” I could tell she was trying to be quiet, unfortunately, her excitement is not something any mortal vessel can contain, “but after you said your burns were healing, and you were able to move your wings again I was sure that was better enough for a party!” Her resulting smile was so bright, it could have been used to warn ships of a hazardous coastline.
I managed to get back on my hooves without too much trouble, and took a few awkward steps into the room. “You put all this together, for me? Why?”
“I love throwing parties!” Pinkie bounced around me, continuing with her explanation, “buuuut, I also want to make sure my friends are happy.” She hooked a foreleg around my neck, her smile a much more personal one.
Pinkie's joy was fatally infectious. I rolled my eyes, but my grin betrayed me. “It's pretty amazing how fast you were able to decorate all of this.”
“Oh It was nothing,” she commented, releasing my shoulders, “the cannon took care of most of the work!”
My eyes narrowed at the inscrutable pink pony. Did she say cannon? Her own light blues locked with mine, returning the glare with a smirk of her own. She couldn't have... Tensions mounted as the air grew thick with words unspoken. How? Our faces were now mere inches away from each other.
The only winning move, is not to play.
“Nope,” I said defiantly, turning my head away, “I'm not even going to ask.” The mare just giggled. Her mirth was cut short by a deep cavernous rumble from within me. Tired of being ignored, my hunger was making itself known with or without my help.
“Sounds like you need 50cc's of Sugarcube Corner's finest, stat!” Pinkie exclaimed. By the time I looked back, she was wearing a nurse's cap and holding a pastel blue cupcake sporting a mountainous swirl of frosting capped by a red fruit. “The Very Berry Strawberry Supreme, guaranteed to make mouths merry and stomachs swoon.”
“Pinkie, I'm going to ask you a question, and I need you to be honest with me.” I stared at the drool-worthy dessert, pointing with my right foreleg. “Where did that come from?”
“I baked a whole batch of them this morning, so I thought I'd bring one over in lieu of a full cake. This is more of a mini-party after all, and a mini-party needs a mini-cake!” She dropped the spongy morsel into my outstretched hoof.
Leave it to Pinkie to answer my question without answering my question. The cupcake was even more appetizing up close. I swear I could taste it just by looking at it. The confectionery siren was drawing me in, and I was powerless to stop myself.
The instant before I could take my first bite of the veritable ambrosia, there was a knock and the door swung open. A familiar white mare entered pushing a small trolley. Redheart sighed heavily at the brightly colored decorations, and by association, the two of us. “Really, Mr. Glass? Pinkie I can understand, but you couldn't wait until after dinner to have some dessert? And out of bed too! You're supposed to be resting.” My ears folded back as I averted my eyes. “Honestly, you're as bad as that red and yellow maned colt we had in here the other day.”
“Sorry, I wanted to use the bathroom and then-”
“No, I understand.” the nurse dismissed me with a wave. “If you're feeling well enough to be up and about, that's a good sign. Just take it easy and-” she gasped, “What happened to your face?”
Oh, right. I had almost forgotten about my bruised nose and chin, but now that I was thinking about it again, I could feel the dull ache once more. Pinkie, meanwhile, seemed to have lost some of her usual bounce. Her eyes were downcast, and she wasn't making any moves to join the conversation.
“I fell on it when getting out of bed … again.” I hurried to add, “I'm fine though! Really!” I brushed the end of my muzzle with a foreleg, wincing as it set off lances of pain. “See?” My crooked smile fighting to hide the tear that managed to escape. … Nailed it.
Nurse Redheart covered her face with a hoof and sighed again, her eyes closed. “That's … good. Come on, Pinkie. We should let Mr. Glass eat.” She carefully unloaded a tray from the cart onto the bedside table. “I'm sure he enjoyed your company, but everypony needs food and rest in order to heal as well as medicine.”
“Okie Dokie” The pink and more pink pony chimed. She waved at me from the doorway before following the nurse out, and I responded in kind.
* * *
The two mares exited the patient's room and turned to make their way towards the front desk. Redheart was the first one to speak up, “I'm going to say it was my fault. I should have been more clear.” She shook her head before looking over at Pinkie who was grinning as always. “Why did you come back to see him so soon?
The smile on her face dimmed, but didn't go away. “You said that nopony knew who he was, right?”
“Yes, we still haven't found a single record of him, nor have any of the other nearby care centers, but what does that-”
“Because,” Pinkie interrupted, “if nopony knows him, then he probably doesn't know anypony else either.” She continued walking ahead, even though the nurse had stopped. “No one deserves to be alone.”
* * *
“Oh my god, hospital salad has never tasted this good before.” I declared between mouthfuls of the succulent greens, tomatoes, and cucumber. I am either incredibly hungry or these cooks practice witchcraft. I hadn't noticed a utensil among the dinner service, but that wasn't about to stop me. In addition to the bowl of salad that was quickly vanishing, my dinner included a square of jello, a whole-wheat sandwich, and a glass of fruit juice.
The jello was next to fall, consumed by the ravenous beast that possessed me. I moved on to the sandwich, eager to vanquish my appetite with the main course. I was halfway through chewing the second bite when I noticed something was off. The taste was good, don't get me wrong, but it definitely wasn't any protein or cheese I'd ever eaten before. I swallowed and carefully removed the top slice of bread.
Flowers.
I stared at it for who knows how long before removing one of the blossoms, sniffing it, and popping it into my mouth. I don't know how to explain its flavor. It tasted exactly like I expected a flower to taste, and yet it possessed savory notes that danced on the tongue. “Okay then,” I whispered to myself, “looks like I can eat flowers now, and they're pretty darn good too.”
After I finished, I had laid back down in bed. I really didn't have enough room for the cupcake, but I was sure it would make a great breakfast. My body, having its most pressing need met, had switched gears and I could feel my eyelids growing heavy. A yawn stretched my jaw wide. I was ready for a real night's sleep.
* * *
I bolted upright, heart pounding as I looked around. The forest was dark, the drone of insects and the rustling of leaves the only sounds that broke the silence of the night. I was still on the hill, where I was stargazing before …
My hands flew up to my face, and I could feel it break into a smile. My face was mine, my hands were mine, I was home. I slumped back onto the grass again, the stars looking much like they always did.
“I must have nodded off for a while.” I chuckled, “That was some crazy dream, vivid too.” The aroma of coffee turned my head. “It was probably from too much caffeine. I should ease up on that after ten o'clock.” I raised my arm to get a look at the time.
34:93
I rubbed my eyes and sat up, the low light must have been making the display difficult to read, or else it's time for a new watch.
88:88
I sighed, “Broken watch it is. Oh well, at least I didn't end up sleeping the whole night under the stars.”
Do you not like their company?
My head spun around, but there was nothing except the forest behind me. I stood up slowly. “Who's there?”
If I have a name, I do not know it.
The voice seemingly came from everywhere, and nowhere. Memories of playing old horror games about being lost in the woods came unbidden to my mind. My breathing grew more panicked. “What do you want with me?”
I don't want to die.
“What?” I stammered as my heart threatened to leap out of my chest. There had to be somewhere that was coming from, but where? My gaze drifted upward.
The moon wasn't there before, nor was it ever this big. As I stared, a black hued figure began to approach, seemingly from the center of the moon itself. I stumbled, falling backwards onto the hard ground. The specter was nearly upon me. It wore the ink of night as a raiment about its head, a sharp spike protruding from the top. As it touched down in front of me, it raised gloom wrought wings and struck the air.
I was buffeted with the force of a hurricane, and raised my arms to shield myself. That's when I saw it. My skin was peeling, blowing off in the wind like leaves scattered in a storm. I shut my eyes tight, crying out, willing the madness to end.
Then everything was quiet.
“Hush now, thou art safe. Thy nightmare will trouble thee no more.” The creature spoke, her voice calming and serene. I opened my eyes. What ... what's going on?
I shakily got to my ... hooves. I was on all fours again. The apparition stood before me, though now in a guise much less menacing. She stood taller than I, with a night blue coat and carrying the stars themselves in her flowing mane. I looked down at myself, once again the dark green pegasus I had seen in the mirror. Only ... something was wrong.
The mirror, something upset me at the mirror, but what was it? I strained my memory, trying to recall earlier. I looked ... different? Something about my eyes, what color were they, red and orange? No, that's what they are, what were they before?
Nothing.
Hot tears began welling up, and I let out a sob for the first time in years. Why can't I ...
“I … I can't …” My lip trembled, unable to control it anymore. I turned my face up towards her, letting the anguish run down my cheeks in streams, “I can't remember … what I looked like.”
I awoke in the dark.
Chapter 8: Celestial Mechanics
Celestial Mechanics
“Hush now, thou art safe. Thy nightmare will trouble thee no more.” Luna spoke, eager to allay his fears. The dark green pegasus opened his eyes, but the look of horror remained.
He stood up, taking in the full sight of her, before looking down at himself. Luna smiled, expecting to hear a relieved thanks, unfortunately there came none. Instead, a small sob rocked the downcast pony.
“I … I can't …” His lip trembled, turning a tear streaked face up towards her, “I can't remember … what I looked like.”
The world shattered, and the dream blew away like dust carried on the breeze. The stallion had awoken, leaving the younger diarch alone amidst a sea of black.
Slowly, her somnial chamber came back into view as the dream magic faded. The walls were of polished obsidian, carved to fit seamlessly into a great dome. Silvery arcs of thaumic energy danced over their rune-etched surface, discharging the remaining magical flux from its use as a focus.
Luna remained motionless, though her mind was anything but still.
Countless seconds passed in silence. There was no feedback, neither in affirmation nor disapproval, for she presided over the nightly vigil alone. It was her responsibility to guard the restful slumber of their subjects from the predations of bad dreams.
Fear. No society is without it, and few places suffer from it more than the subconscious. Of this, Luna was well aware.
Her eyes refocused and she let out a haggard breath before regaining her composure. A nimbus of indigo lit up her horn as she walked with measured steps towards the doorway. The same effervescent light enveloped the stone of the door as it receded with a deep rumble until it was flush with the floor. The two night guards stationed outside snapped to attention while Luna passed. She gave them a curt smile and a nod, but it quickly faded once out of their view.
The air was cool. A relaxing breeze flowed through the cavernous halls of the palace as Luna continued her somber trek down the vacant corridors. They weren't entirely empty, as there was always a watchful eye open, but compared to the castle during waking hours, it might as well have been. The soft echo of her steps on the polished marble finally came to a halt on the mezzanine.
Her moon waxed full, bathing the night in a satin glow. Canterlot sprawled beneath her, its lustrous white and gold muted in the evening light. In the north western sky the great city of Cloudsdale hung in the gloaming, a bright ornament amidst the stars. Finally, past the feet of the mountain, on the edge of the Everfree, sat the object of Luna's gaze: the quaint town of Ponyville.
Somewhere, among the rest of its sleeping residents, was the frightened pegasus from her dream-walking. Luna's brow creased and a short frown tugged at the corners of her mouth as she continued to watch the little village.
Nothing.
She drew in a deep lungful of the night and turned her eyes to the uppermost balcony of the palace, where a light was still shining in the window. With a slow exhale, she spread her navy feathers. One powerful stroke sent her skyward, soaring through the air as quietly as her namesake. The ascent was rapid, and in moments she touched down on the landing of gilded steel and stone. Luna bit her lip as she raised a hoof, but paused before knocking. Her wings fidgeted. She closed her eyes and tapped twice on the wood of the glass-paned doors.
"Come in, Luna," a regal voice called out from within. A transparent golden shimmer surrounded the handles as they turned, opening into her sibling's study. Luna entered slowly, eyes wider than usual. "Don't look so surprised," Celestia smiled through a small chuckle, "You're the only one who comes calling from my balcony, after all."
The elder diarch was seated behind an enormous desk, piled high on either side with stacks of documents. Her mane of pastel hues gently waved as she levitated a quill, signing the request in front of her before returning it to the inkwell.
"Sister, I ... " Luna's voice faded, as if it had lost the way. "I fear I may have done something terrible ... "
Celestia's smile, though no less sincere, softened considerably. She rose from her seat, and motioned for Luna to follow. "Walk with me."
The nocturnal princess' head bowed, eyes suddenly more interested in the patterns of the floor. Nevertheless, she accompanied her sister across the room until they stopped at another set of double doors. The auric glow returned as Celestia opened the way into her chambers. An audible crackle issued from the fireplace as it sprung to life, adding a warm cast to the features of the room.
"I'm sorr-" Luna began, before the solar sovereign interrupted her. A golden clad hoof gently raised her chin so that she was looking into soft amethyst irises.
"Sister, I know you. You would not do anything hurtful willingly." Celestia gestured with her wing to the throw and pillows resting in front of the fire's light. "Accidents happen. Now, why don't you start at the beginning, and tell me what happened. Then, we can see how to make it right."
Luna smiled faintly and nuzzled into her sister's neck. "Thank you," she whispered, and quietly stepped over to the cushions and took a seat. Celestia followed suit and calmly waited for her to proceed.
"Where to begin," Luna shifted, "I was making my nightly rounds through the dreamscape, providing succor to our subjects beset by nightmare's shadows, as I have always done. It was during this that I sensed an unfamiliar pony, one I had never observed dream before. Whether this was because he hardly dreamt ill, or that he was simply a visitor from beyond our borders, I know not."
Her wings were restless, starting to fret as she continued, "He was feeling lost, alone, and confused all at once. Upon entering his nightmare, I noticed he was trapped in the guise of an odd creature that walked upright, not unlike a smaller, horn-less minotaur. The creature's face was flat; however, I could clearly see the panic in his undersized eyes."
Luna's head slowly sank as she remembered. "I ... performed a straightforward spell, one I had cast many times over. I know nothing went awry, and yet the green pegasus wept when I returned his form." She stared down at her silver gilt hooves. "He said he could no longer remember what he looked like..." Her eyes closed, reliving the moment. "Then he awoke."
"Luna," Celestia inquired, gazing absently into the fire. "where was this pegasus dreaming?"
"Somewhere in Ponyville," she sniffled.
"You also said he had a green coat. Did he, by chance, have a lighter green mane, red-orange eyes, and wear glasses?"
" ... Yes, he did," Luna looked up at her sister, curiosity inflecting her speech. "How didst thou know that?"
Celestia's horn illuminated once more, and a single scroll floated in from the adjacent study. It unfurled in front of the royal sisters as Luna took hold of it with her magic and drew it close to be read.
Dear Princess Celestia,
Spike and I witnessed a very strange sight early this morning. There was a bright flash throughout the town before the light receded into the sky and behaved as a star for a short time. It eventually vanished, and aside from a single injured pony, caused no damage to the town or anypony else.
The unfortunate stallion was found unconscious by Pinkie shortly after the flash, and was admitted into Ponyville hospital with rather extensive burns. Mack Swell Glass, as he introduced himself to the nurse, is a bespectacled dark green pegasus with a short green mane, and heterochromatic eyes of red and orange. The hospital staff hasn't located any record of him, and he doesn't recall how he ended up in Ponyville either. What's more, he claims his memories from before the event are significantly different, up to and including not recalling being a pony. I've been asked by his physician to determine if this could be a result of any magical cause. I will keep you informed of what I find.
Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle
Luna looked up from the scroll, her mouth slightly agape.
"Have you uncovered anything about that stellar phenomenon both you and Twilight observed before daybreak?"
"The dwindling star?" the navy diarch blinked, "I ... Yes, we know it was not of our sky. Specifically, it was not from this realm and so the veil pulled it back." She raised an eyebrow, "Dost thou believe this pegasus accompanied it?"
"It's entirely possible."
"But if that's true," Luna mouthed, ears folding back, "then the creature I saw in his dream ... " Her magic waned and the scroll fluttered to the ground. "That was him. The real him and I ... I replaced it ..."
A downy wing gently enveloped the princess of the night, pulling her close. Luna turned sodden eyes up to her sister before burying her face into Celestia's mane. "It's alright, sister," the elder regent soothed, "You didn't know," She could feel each tear as they fell silently on her coat. "but since you did that, we now know something very important, and you probably saved his life."
Luna sniffed as her breathing quieted.
"While you did cast a True Form spell ... that wasn't all, was it?"
Her head shook, burrowing deeper into the flowing pastel hues.
Celestia sighed, "In any case, that means he's never been simply a guest. For better or for worse, he is as much a part of Equestria as any other pony, and thus deserves the same love and care." She stared into the space above the flames, lost in thought. "You've certainly made it harder for the veil to find him, but it won't stop attempting to collect until he truly belongs. It's a miracle he survived crossing it even once, he wouldn't be so lucky the next time."
"Fortune's bane..." Luna intoned as she drew herself up, away from the solace of her sister's pinions. "The veil will be after him." Her grief soaked eyes darted over to the windows and back, wings flittering with indecision. "He needs to be forewarned of this."
"I understand your concern," Celestia lamented, rising to stand beside her sibling, "You feel responsible for him, but you already know why he can't be told."
Her head bowed and her nervous motion ceased. "Yes," was her somber reply. "If he were aware this wasn't his realm ... he would never fully accept it as home."
"That doesn't mean we can't help him," the daylight princess reassured her, "but for now, he's better off believing his past is nothing but a dream." Celestia leaned in and affectionately nuzzled her sister before taking her leave.
The study was as she had left it, unchanged by the revelations that occurred in the adjacent room. Returning to her desk still laden with work, she cleared a space and brought quill to parchment.
My Faithful Student Twilight . . .
* * *
I have no idea how long I had been crying. My face ached, and not just from my repeated attempts to commune with the floor. My eyes burned as there was nothing left for them to shed. Even through the darkness, I could make out the twin trails of damp fur running down my cheeks in the mirror.
I didn't remember anything between waking up and searching through the features of my reflection. The stallion that stared back was the same one as before, only this time ...
Why can't I remember?
You've forgotten things before.
Not this much! And not completely! You don't just 'forget' something you've seen every day of your life!
... That's right. You don't.
My breath froze as a gnawing chill seized my heart. I stumbled back while my legs buckled, dropping me heavily onto my hindquarters. The pegasus in the mirror looked as if he had just witnessed the facade of the world being stripped away, leaving the horrid truth laid bare for all to see.
"What if I only thought I had seen it every day ... " my voice continued, barely above a whisper, "senses true, memories deceived."
Memories. I was losing mine, but if they vanished so quickly then they must have been made the same way. My chest shuddered, unable to stall the realization any longer.
"Oh god ... I really am crazy."
Author's Note
Finally! I've been so busy these last weeks doing my proposal for my dissertation that I'd had nearly zero time to write. Not too much humor in this chapter, hope you still like it.
As always, feedback is appreciated!
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Chapter 9: I've been through the Night as a Horse with no Name
I've been through the Night as a Horse with no Name
The light from the early morning sun cascaded through the window, faint birdsong not long behind it. I couldn't fall back asleep, not that I wanted to. Maybe I overreacted a bit calling myself 'crazy', but 'revisionist amnesiac' didn't occur to me until later. After calming down a bit from my revelation, I had wandered back to bed only to pass the rest of the night staring with tired eyes at the ceiling.
"Twenty-six." My voice sounded hollow.
How many times are you going to number the ceiling tiles?
"Twenty-seven."
They haven't changed.
"Twenty-eight."
Have you?
I stopped counting. Have I changed? The thought rang in my head. Obviously I had, but what did I really mean? I could no longer deny to myself that any number of my memories could be false, but at the same time how I've been acting was no different from what I remembered. What's more, I've not had any lapse in logic either. What is anyone other than a personality and their experiences? Just because you forget your keys, doesn't make you someone else. An ecstatic grin inched its way across my face as I started to laugh, harder and more genuine than I have in a long time.
"My operating system is fine!" I roared in triumph, thrusting my forelegs into the air. "Thank the maker that only the storage drive was corrupted!"
A faint cough from somewhere on my left caused my ear to swivel, head following reflexively after it. The lavender and purple unicorn from the day before was suddenly occupying the doorway. Her head was tilted, caught in a mix of expressions between curiosity and trepidation.
"Sorry, I uhh-" My smile faded as I cleared my throat, both trying and failing to invent a way to make this less awkward. When in doubt, restart the conversation. "Hello, Miss Sparkle." I folded my hoof across my face, as much a method to collect myself as it was to hide my burning embarrassment. "I didn't see you there."
"Obviously not," Twilight softly chuckled as her hoofsteps approached. Lowering my foreleg, I could see she was wearing a set of saddlebags emblazoned with a six pointed starburst.
"Well," I continued, coughing nervously, "What brought you back so soon?"
"Dr. Trotson asked if I could do a little research on your condition." Her eyes had grown slightly wider, if that was even possible, "So far I've exhausted every one of the academic texts on the matter, and all that's left is to question you." Twilight looked at me expectantly before quickly adding, "-oh! If that's alright, that is."
I nodded my agreement at which she beamed, clapping her hooves together in excitement. Her eyes closed momentarily as a shimmering nimbus of violet surrounded her horn, a matching glow enveloping her left satchel. The flap opened on its own, and a roll of parchment, a feather quill, and a capped inkwell literally levitated their way out of her bag. The vial of ink set itself down on the bedside table, opening to allow the plumed stylus access. Now primed, the implement hovered at the ready in front of the likewise floating parchment, both still wrapped in effervescent violet.
"Now," Twilight quipped, gleefully oblivious to the marvel she was performing. "How would you describe your pre-lucent event memories with respect to those of yesterday?"
"Unbelievable..." I whispered, jaw slack with ...well... disbelief.
"That's one way of looking at them, I suppose. Much more progressive than I would have-"
"No, wait. Hold up, full stop!" My brain was having trouble parsing what it had just seen, and this mare was acting like nothing was out of the ordinary.
"Oh? Did you think of something?" Twilight asked, her quill fervently scratching out notes on the hovering paper.
"Yes! ... wait, no ... I mean-" I stammered, struggling with the clutch on my train of thought. Not about to let a mental misfire slow me down, I quickly snatched the sheet away from the glowing field. "This! Explain! How?!" I punctuated every word as I waved the parchment back and forth.
She blinked a few times before raising one eyebrow incredulously, "Object levitation and manipulation?"
I nodded in what I hoped was a very determined yet inquisitive expression, but with how my luck's been going I probably more closely resembled a lunatic.
"It's just magic," Twilight replied matter-of-factly behind a modest smile.
"Seriously?" My calm was starting to fray; lack of sleep, memory loss, and unicorns will do that to anyone. "You did not just say it was magic..."
"What's wrong with magic?" she challenged, evidently picking up on my sarcasm.
"Because just saying 'it's magic' doesn't explain anything! Magic is just a word used by charlatans and those unwilling to learn how the world actually works." I let my frustration spill out through my words, "I don't want the trick, I want to know how it's done! Where is the force coming from? Are there magnets hidden in there, or maybe strings too small to see? Air currents? What?"
Twilight had taken a few steps back during my tirade. I must have hit a nerve somewhere because she looked at me with eyes both wounded and full of ire. "Magic is real," she spoke through grit teeth. "Does this look like just a trick to you?"
That was all the warning I received before her horn lit up, my entire field of view covered with that same violet iridescence. I yelped in surprise as the bed fell out from under me. My legs flailed about, wings awkwardly flapping in an attempt to right myself, but it was of no use. The room hung upside down, or rather I did, as I slowly floated over to be face to face with Twilight. I was entirely at her mercy.
I swallowed hard.
"Well?" she paused, impatiently awaiting a response.
"You're doing this all on your own?" I breathed.
"Yes."
"No tricks, magnets, wires or the like? Just a physical force holding me aloft?"
"That's correct."
"That's ... amazing! " My mouth curled up into a face-breaking smile.
"What?" she gasped. I barely managed to catch Twilight's expression as it pulled a one-eighty before the diffuse purple glow abruptly vanished, leaving me in a free fall that the floor was oh so happy to save me from.
"Oh!" Twilight flinched, covering her mouth, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to drop-"
"It's fine," I groaned, waving my hoof at her reassuringly. "I probably deserved that." Turning my head, I addressed the ground, "Although we have got to stop meeting like this..." My neck released a few satisfying pops as I worked out the kinks before attempting to roll over.
Her gaze remained off to the side. "Still, I shouldn't have lost my concentration like that."
"No, I'm the one who should apologize." I carefully planted my hooves and stood up, taking some satisfaction in the fact that I only wobbled a little bit. My back still twinged with the aftereffects of the impact, "I've never seen ... that before, or at least not that I can remember. I never even thought it was possible. "
"You've really never witnessed unicorn magic before?" Her voice carried the same incredulous tone that mine had only moments prior. I could almost see the gears turning in her head by the way her eyes slightly unfocused. The glow returned as she collected the parchment from where I dropped it.
"Afraid not, you're the first," I smiled, "but I meant what I said before." Twilight glanced over at me quizzically. "Could you ... tell me how it works?"
"Magic?" she asked, setting the paper down on the table.
"If there's more you don't have to go into it, but maybe just the levitation," I absently scratched the floor with a hoof, "if it's not too much trouble."
"You're actually interested to know how, even though you're not a unicorn?" Her eyes narrowed a bit, a hint of a smirk playing across her features.
I nodded, "I'm not a magnet, but that didn't stop me from learning about electromagnetism." Speaking of which, that had better not be one of my false memories or there will be hell to pay.
Twilight chuckled, "I suppose not, far be it from me to stifle anypony's scientific curiosity."
"The science of magic," I mused. "What's that called anyway?"
"Thaumaturgy, in the most general sense, with the specific types of magic and individual disciplines each having their own of course, but we won't bother with that right now." The shimmer reappeared on her horn as the quill hovered into view between us. It spun slowly, taunting me with promises of comprehension.
"In order for a unicorn to manipulate an object, they need to focus the magic fields through their horn such that it interacts with the object in question." Twilight recited, obviously quoting from some text long since committed to memory. "Once established, changes to the strength and orientation of the fields cause corresponding shifts in the motion and orientation of the object."
"Then your horn functions as a sort of magical antenna, radiating those fields outward?" I speculated, gently prodding the floating pinion.
"That's not a bad analogy. Actually," she tapped a hoof to her chin, "they do behave almost identically, with the exception that horns are capable of multiple magical field emissions simultaneously."
"Aha!" I laughed as it finally clicked, "So that's what I was missing! I wondered how you were able to isolate the effect onto one object and not everything within range. You must be setting up multiple overlapping fields so that they destructively interfere everywhere else, don't you?"
For a moment, Twilight's smile nearly rivaled that of Pinkie's, "Yes! That's it exactly!" She let out a girlish squeal, "You have no idea how long it's been since I had a chance to talk with somepony more interested in how magic works rather than just what it can do." The quill set itself down on the bed as Twilight released her hold on it.
"That reminds me," I mumbled, taking more confident albeit still clumsy steps over to the bedside table. I reached out for the thankfully still empty glass and grabbed it from the top as before. Cup in hoof, I started to turn back around towards Twilight only to be reminded by gravity that I was currently a tripod. "Shit," the curse flew out from under my breath while I instinctively braced for the collision with my unoccupied foreleg. Only, the painful reunion between face and floor never came.
I was aware that my muscles were tensed with a flexing strain almost like doing a push-up. Opening my eyes cautiously, I glanced down only to see my wings at full extension supporting me off the ground. "Well, that's a new one..."
"Are you alright?" Twilight asked, her mirth momentarily suspended as she craned her neck to get a better look.
"It's nothing. I'm just a little accident prone, that's all." I put my empty hoof down and straightened up, my wings quickly beating out any lingering stiffness before I returned them to their folded position. How can they possibly be that strong? I mean, I must weigh- My head shook as I manually rebooted. Focus! Twilight now, wings later. I held up the glass where she could see it and carefully relaxed my grip until it hung suspended nearly half an inch below my hoof.
"The field I'm using to keep this cup in the air, is it the same kind of magic field your horn produces?" I squinted intently at the glass, my concentration fixed on keeping it from falling any further.
"The type of field is the same, but the shape is not," she explained, carrying the same smile as before. "Where the fields generated by a horn are radial and very precise, those are unidirectional and rather indiscriminate..." Her voice trailed off as she leaned in closer. "You have a remarkable amount of control over it though. What do you do for a living?"
I pulled the glass back in hoof so I wouldn't need to focus on it. "Well, if those memories are to be believed, then I was a graduate student and research assistant. I mostly studied cosmology, electrodynamics, and solid state physics." My eyes found the floor rather quickly. I'd never been one for talking much about myself, whether boasting or not.
"So you were a scholar? Not terribly surprising, really, and the subjects make sense too." Twilight murmured half to herself as if she was working down a mental checklist. I didn't hear what she started saying next as my attention drifted back to the glass I was still holding, or more accurately, to the hoof beneath it.
A uniform field, huh? That sounds an awful lot like those generated by a capacitor plate, if you neglect the edge cases. I turned the glass sideways, so my hoof was on the right. Wait. Twilight said unidirectional, not uniform. Is the field only attractive? I forgot to stifle my pensive hum and immediately regretted it as I froze while the sensation of my ears falling flat only served to heighten my unease. I glanced up warily, completely expecting to see an irritated mare upset at being ignored. Instead, Twilight hadn't noticed at all, her nose remained buried in a scroll while both quill and parchment worked in tandem beside her.
I breathed a sigh of relief, quite sure that I had just dodged a bullet, and a magic one at that. With my heart still dumping velocity from its panic induced overdrive, I returned to the glass I held in front of me. That's one crisis avoided. Now where was I before- ah! Capacitors. They're not limited to only one type of charge so the field is reversible. I brought my hoof closer as I studied it. So what makes this different? Is it the fact that I'm 'charging' it by muscle action? I suppose that's a possibility since muscles are limited to only contractive force. After all, it's a whole separate set that open the fing-
With an explosive sound of shattering glass, the cup was rendered into shards after colliding with the unforgiving wall. I was dimly aware of Twilight's startled cry as I stared dumbfounded at my now awfully vacant hoof.
"What happened?" she gasped, trading glances between me and the ruined vessel.
"I think I reversed the polarity of the neutron flow ..." I mumbled absently, finally releasing the breath I had been holding. At first I thought she was going to correct me over that quote, but the way her eyes lingered on my upturned hoof told me she knew exactly what I meant.
"That's unusual," Twilight murmured, beginning to collect the fragments of glass. "N-not to say that you're unusual!" she stammered as her eyes went wide, doing her best to keep the hoof out of her mouth. "I mean, you are , but that's not what I-"
"How's my patient doing?" came a cheery greeting from outside. The lab coated doctor smiled upon seeing us as he walked in, "Up and about I see! That's good. Was that crash I heard from in here?"
"Sorry, that was my fault," I said, nervously scratching the back of my neck while deftly avoiding eye contact, "The glass kind of ... got away from me."
"Nothing to worry about, so long as nopony got hurt. Can't have that in a hospital now can we?" Dr. Trotson snickered at his attempt at a joke before addressing Twilight, "Anyway, miss Sparkle, did you have any luck narrowing down our friend's mysterious ailment?"
"Oh! Yes," she quickly turned around and gathered up her notes in that violet glow. "After combing through the books I had on hand, and few rush requests from Canterlot, I reduced the possibilities down to two: Khron's Affliction, or just amnesia coupled with an active imagination." I couldn't help but shudder. Named sicknesses are never a good sign.
Dr. Trotson made his way over to me, "You can continue, miss Sparkle. I'm just checking on his bandages."
Twilight nodded, "So I needed to either confirm it was Khron's or find something that proved it couldn't be." A green bound tome reminiscent of an encyclopedia floated its way out of her left saddlebag. The pages fluttered past as it opened up to a ribbon marked page. I tilted my head to get a good look at the title, Elminster's Compendium of Eldritch Syndromes, Diseases, and Disorders . My wings fidgeted. Comforting, it was not.
"But!" she exclaimed, her eyes scanning the passage in front of her, "I think I've just managed to rule one of them out." The doctor made appreciative noises as he undid more bandages around my midsection. "One key symptom of Khron's Affliction is a degeneration in the local inquisitivity of the subject's worldview."
I blinked. Even the physician paused for a moment to stare at her.
She rolled her eyes and sighed, "Questions. The subject stops asking questions or being curious at all."
"So that's what you were planning on asking me about?" I inquired.
"Well ... not exactly," Twilight explained, "I wasn't sure how to determine self-motivated curiosity through directed questions, but it turns out I didn't need to." She smiled.
"That's great news," Dr. Trotson added through a mouthful of cloth wrappings. "Well, other than you're still left with amnesia." With a final tug he removed the last of the bandages. "But on the bright side, it looks like your burns have finished healing."
I hadn't noticed until he mentioned it that I couldn't feel the pain anymore. I turned my head around to look, still a little unnerved by the range of motion my neck possessed. My back and sides were covered with the same dark green coat as the rest of me, except... I don't remember having a tattoo ... but then again, you can't ink fur, so what's-
"We just have a few forms to square away," the doctor began, "then we can go ahead and get you released from recovery." His voice remained upbeat and professional. "However, I'm afraid we don't have any treatment for memory loss, Mr. Glass. You'll just have to hope it returns in time."
"I'm sorry?" I puzzled, taken aback, "My name's not Glass, it's..." I started to answer, but nothing came.
I should know this!
"My name is..." I mumbled, still struggling against the mental block, even though it felt more like a hollow.
Change of pace, work it backwards. What did I say to the nurse yesterday?
"...Maxwell Glass"
That's right! Maxwell ... but then ... why does it only sound like a name, and not my name?
"Maybe," I whispered.
* * *
The sun was definitely brighter than I remembered it being, or my eyes were bigger, possibly both. I had to blink away the intensity until they adjusted to the aggressive spectrum. The town was positively vibrant. Thatched roof houses in a not quite Bavarian style, greenery, and flowers of every color filled my view.
That and the ponies.
The sheer range of hues on display must have stunned me for longer than I thought, because before I knew it Twilight had already followed me outside. She had very kindly offered to fill out what forms were left after I failed to put forth even one legible scribble. I could still taste the pencil.
"Thank you for that," I breathed as I turned towards her approaching hoofsteps. "Nothing's been going right this morning."
Twilight half-smiled, "Just this morning?"
"Ok, maybe a bit longer than that," I groaned. "The highlight of my time so far being that ungodly delicious cupcake, although I might need some insulin now. I'd swear there was more sugar in that than physically possible." I subconsciously licked my lips when mentioning the dessert. It was a shame that writing debacle ruined the lingering sweetness.
"That sounds like Pinkie's baking all right," she laughed. "I'll have to show you where Sugarcube Corner is later so you can get another."
"That reminds me," I mentioned, noting that was something I wished more things did. "What am I supposed to do now?" Twilight's eyes caught mine as I continued, "I don't know anyone, where I'm from, or even what my name is. For the first time, I'm completely lost."
"That is true," she sighed, "You don't don't know any of those things now , but with some help you might just start to remember." Her grin was genuine, but tempered with a rehearsed precision. "And I think I know just the ponies. Follow me!"
Twilight started off at a trot, a pleased canter in her gait. I did my best to keep up, but my preferred method for stable walking was giving me trouble at that pace. I've never seen someone so happy or willing to help out a stranger before.
Maybe she's not doing it for you.
I rattled my head around as if to etch-a-sketch the thought away. I've been having too many pessimistic ideas lately. From my experience, you always have more luck looking on the bright side.
A small commotion flicked my ears to the side as we passed by a garden adjacent to the hospital. There seemed to be a cluster of ponies studying an irregular hole in the ground near the recovery wing. I could tell from the row of trees that one was missing from that spot, but it was nowhere to be found. What's more curious, the two nearby conifers seemed ... bent towards their missing brethren. I squinted trying to get a better look before getting out of sight, only managing to catch a glimpse of a pink balloon in the window above it.
Twilight's hoofsteps had started to fade, and I cursed under my breath at how absent minded I can be as I hurried to catch up. Here she is, taking time out of her day to help me out by introducing me to some ponies, and I get distracted by some landscaping. The rhythmic thud of my own hooves on the hard earth had gotten louder, and it was in a pattern I recognized. I glanced downward at the galloping legs beneath me, a smile growing before it quickly evaporated just like my coordination as if fleeing from my unwanted attention.
A grunt forced its way out of my lungs as I hit the earth, tumbling end over end. This is karma for catching myself earlier isn't it? I should have known better than to avoid my fate. I coughed a bit as I shakily got back on my hooves. But I still did it, walking fluidly, running even. It only stopped when I thought about it...
I could make out the violet blur of Twilight standing there, undoubtedly giving me a concerned look along with half a dozen others who must have seen my stunning ability to trip on nothing. I swallowed the growing lump and put on the best smile I could manage. "I'm alright!" I called out with a short wave. Thankfully, that was enough for most to continue on, some laughing a little. I sighed heavily as my head hung low.
Twilight, to her credit, didn't say anything. She just tapped on my shoulder and gestured which way we were headed once I looked up. I retrieved my glasses, blowing the dust off the lenses before putting them back on. At first I thought it was going to be hard not thinking about walking, the whole pink elephants dilemma. It turns out that's not so much of a problem when that walking is taking place in a nearly fluorescent, Bavarian-styled, equine populated village. Which was good, as my tolerance for crash landings was reaching its limit.
For how large the town appeared to be, it didn't take us long to reach our destination. A great oak with a trunk that rivaled any sequoia I'd seen, although not nearly as tall stood before us. It had doors and windows carved into it as well as a balcony with an impressive telescope, yet the tree was still living. A sign out front made it clear this was a library. Four mares seemed to be waiting out front, one of whom I recognized instantly.
"Perfect! It looks like they're almost all here," Twilight excitedly trotted over, "Come on, let me introduce you to my friends!" As we approached, the three turned to face us.
Wait, three?
"Didja like the cupcake?!" Pinkie nearly shouted, bouncing along between me and Twilight.
"I'm afraid not," I feigned disinterest, flopping my ear to assuage the ringing. These things are sensitive.
"Wha-" Pinkie gaped, dropping onto her haunches as we continued walking, "b-but it was a Very Berry Strawberry Supreme..."
I couldn't hide my smirk as I turned back to look at her, "That's right, and I didn't like it. I loved it." Her frown literally imploded as she burst into a fit of giggles.
"You've obviously already met Pinkie Pie," Twilight shook her head, but not without a smile. "Allow me to introduce my friends: Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy."
"Pleasure's all mine," came a southern drawl from the freckled orange pony. Her mane and tail were of a pale sun-bleached yellow and topped with a cowboy's stetson.
"Delighted," the chalk white unicorn added. She held her head high as she teased a curl of her styled indigo blue mane.
"Um, h-hello," squeaked a pink-haired, yellow, pegasus, who had somehow managed to approach without getting any closer.
"Girls, this is uhh-" Twilight paused, "Glass ... Slide? Yes! Glass Slide. He's the stallion I told you about earlier."
"What kinda name for a pegasus is that?" scoffed a voice from behind. I turned around to catch who was speaking, but there was no one there, just the sound of ... flapping?
My gaze drifted upward, only to find a cyan blue pegasus with a full spectrum mane hovering in the air above. I thought my jaw couldn't get any lower.
"I see you can't take your eyes off me. I wouldn't be able to either. Name's Rainbow Dash! Though you've probably already heard of me."
"Rainbow! He has amnesia, he couldn't have heard of you before, and ok, maybe I made up that name for him because he doesn't remember his."
"Well, you could've picked something cooler at least!"
"Oh! Oh! What about Sergent Pepper! We could form a band!"
"Pinkie, darling, wouldn't a more ... normal sounding name be better, for once?"
"You ok there, fella? You're awfully, uhh, statue-like."
"Dashie! Did you break him?"
"Hey! Don't look at me! It's not my fault he couldn't handle how awesome I am."
"Uhm... Maxwell? Are you alright? Say something!" Twilight poked me in the side.
Her sudden impulse jarred me out of my fugue, and prompted the only four words I knew existed at that moment.
"HOW ARE YOU FLYING?!"
Author's Note
WHEW! That one took a while, eh? Sorry for the wait, I hope the longest chapter to date is to your liking!
As always, comments are appreciated!
Chapter 10: I wish it was Rocket Science...
I wish it was Rocket Science...
"What d'ya mean, 'How am I flying?'," Rainbow asked, quirking an eyebrow as she rubbed her ear. "Hello? Pegasus? Wings?" she teased, flapping her hooves in time with the last word.
"But that's just it!" I boggled as my eyes danced over her feathers, "You shouldn't be able to fly at all with those equine-avian limbs! Their surface area coupled with the rate at which you're beating them is grossly insufficient to provide the lift necessary to keep anypony of your mass aloft!"
"Huh?" she retorted while stubbornly refusing to obey the simple laws of Newton as she hovered lazily.
Twilight stifled a short giggle, "He said you weigh too much for your wings to let you fly."
"Hey!" Rainbow shoved her face into mine, pushing it back. "Are you calling me fat?"
I took a step back, but the cyan pegasus followed. "What?! No, I-"
"Captain Kiwi!" the cotton candy coated mare interjected. "That's not a nice thing to say!"
"But I didn't-" I stammered, backpedaling physically as well as mentally. "I meant-"
"What? That my wings are too small?" Rainbow huffed as she crossed her forelegs, "I'll have you know plenty of stallions have complimented me on my wingspan."
"Oh I'll bet they have, dear." Rarity piped up, flashing her a knowing smirk.
Dash's hooves landed with a clop as a faint blush colored her cheeks. "That-that's not what I meant!"
Evidently, Twilight couldn't contain her laughter any longer, "Rainbow, he really didn't mean it as an insult." She paused to wipe a tear from her eye. "He doesn't understand that pegasi don't fly the same way birds do."
"Wait a minute," I blinked, my brain sifting through the implications of what I just heard. "Are you telling me there's a source of lift other than Bernoulli's principle?"
"I think you mean 'Berneighlli', and yes, pegasi wings generate their own kind of magic fields that both compliment and magnify the lift they provide. In addition to allowing flight, these and other autonomic fields interact in various ways with clouds and other meteorological phenomena." Twilight all but instructed, her eyes closed as she spoke with that confident smile. She was only missing some graphs and diagrams to complete the lecture. Of course, I knew better than to ask, even in jest. I was sure she had them.
In any case, whatever she said next I missed entirely. I was too engrossed in my left wing, wordlessly staring as I slowly worked the primary feathers back and forth. Is she serious?
Three.
What am I talking about, she doesn't strike me as the kind to joke like that.
Two.
Besides, I did see that pegasus flying right before my-
One.
My head snapped up as the realization slammed into me with all the force of a freight train, "You mean I can actually FLY with these?" My eyes darting across my wings as they shot open, my voice climbing a couple decibels on the way.
"You're jokin' right?" Applejack ventured, her eyebrows crooked. The half-smile she wore slowly faded as I answered her question with silence. She whistled softly while adjusting her hat, "Well I'll be ... a full grown pegasus not knowin' he can fly. Now I have seen everything."
Rainbow was up in the air again, obviously much more comfortable in the sky. "No way!" She shook her head, "I don't believe it! I'd sooner forget how to walk before I forgot how to fly!"
I fell back on my haunches, ears drooping as my gaze drifted onto idle hooves pawing at the grass. A nauseous flutter was filling the pit of my stomach as I reluctantly added, "Rest assured, I had forgotten that as well," I sighed, "Pinkie can attest to that."
A warm foreleg hooked around my neck as the aforementioned mare sat next to me, "You don't have to take a test, silly!" she giggled, "Anypony can see you're walking much better now, not that you were that bad at walking before, more like you only forgot half your legs." A sudden gasp caused her face to light up, "Maybe you've only forgotten half your wings too!"
Pinkie let go as I spread my deep green feathers wide and gave them an awkward flap before I sadly repeated Rainbow's gesture. "I'm afraid not, Pinkie. It doesn't feel familiar at all." That wasn't entirely true. My wings still had that impression that I've always had them, but the ways in which they moved felt as alien as ever. The dichotomy between those sensations bothering me more than anything.
"It's okay," came a timid voice from behind Rarity. The white unicorn shifted to the right as Fluttershy walked up beside her. "I imagine it must feel terrible, not remembering things you're expected to know, not to mention waking up somewhere unfamiliar. I don't think I could ever handle that as well as you are," the soft-spoken pegasus nearly whispered. Her head remained bowed, staying closer to my own sunken eye-level. "It's not your fault, though. After all, you didn't choose to forget, right?" Fluttershy offered with a gentle smile. While she was speaking, she must have taken a few steps closer, but for the life of me I couldn't remember seeing her move.
"That's true," I mumbled, my unease slowly draining away. There was still so much I was missing, but she had a point. I shouldn't be ashamed of something I had no control over, but emotions hardly ever listen to logic.
Fluttershy added, "Twilight asked us if we might be able to help you ... um, remember. So-"
"SO!" Pinkie interrupted, bouncing around the group. "We should start with your name! I vote for Professor Plum!"
"Why in Equestria would you call him that?" Twilight trotted forward, giving her head a tilt.
The excitable mare pushed open one of the ground floor windows and leaned out from inside, "Well, we've already got the library and candlestick!" Pinkie waved a brass candle holder as Twilight covered her face with a hoof.
"I, for one, think he deserves a name a little less ... eccentric, wouldn't you say?" Rarity mused, punctuating her question with a slight toss of her mane.
"I'm partial to something simple myself," Applejack pondered as she tapped her chin, "Maybe related to his talent." Her emerald eyes glanced over in my direction. "What is your cutie mark for anyway?"
"I'm sorry ... my what?"
"Oh, you poor thing!" Rarity gasped as she covered her mouth, "You really have been dealt an awful hand." She blinked for a moment before straightening herself up. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry. Where are my manners? You asked us a question." Rarity apologized as she stepped up to her more rustic friend. "Applejack, if you'd be so kind..."
The orange mare subtly rolled her eyes and turned to present her flank, upon which was emblazoned a set of three stylized apples. As I looked around, each and every one of them had a design of their own adorning their sides in the same location. A set of gems, three butterflies, party balloons, a tri-colored lightning bolt, and a starburst made up the rest of the group. Everything else was so vibrant and new, I hadn't been paying nearly enough attention to what was right in front of me.
Or on me.
Before I could inspect my own mark, Twilight cleared her throat, "A 'Cutie Mark' is an outward representation of somepony's special talent, and what makes them happiest."
"You mean everypony's got one of these?" I raised an eyebrow, scanning the area for any other ponies. "Everyone's born knowing what they're good at?"
"If they were, it would sure save my sister a whole heck of a lot of trouble," Applejack lamented with slow shake of her head.
"They appear once you've figured out for yourself what your own talent is," Twilight clarified. "And since you've already got one, then you must have too." She flashed a hopeful smile, "Do you ... remember?"
I leaned back and gazed up at the sky as I dredged through my memories. Nothing new was coming to the surface, nothing familiar or recollected about gaining a talent illuminating emblem. But ... I have one, so it must have happened ... right? My lips began to pull into a short frown as I struggled to conjure up what I must have lost.
"I don't know when it happened," I sighed as my eyes refocused, "but I do remember what I'm good at."
"Teaching, learning, especially in the sciences. I love that jolt of insight you get right before you figure out that problem, or witnessing that same look in someone's eyes after they finally understand what you've been explaining." A smile had worked its way onto my face as I spoke. Thoughts of grateful students and their relieved expressions as they thanked me drifted through my mind's eye, but the joy was short lived as I couldn't help but notice that none of them were ponies. Were any of them real?
"Okay! So he's an egghead," Rainbow flapped over to Twilight, "but I'm not gonna let you saddle him with something un-awesome like that 'Glass Slide' nonsense."
The librarian shook her head with a soft laugh, "Alright Dash, what do you suggest, then?" Rainbow opened her mouth only to close it again with a furrow in her brow.
It was my turn to roll my eyes as I took the opportunity to get a good look at my own flank while they were occupied. I appreciated how much they were trying, but suitable names don't just arrive by serendipity. Then again, I would have said magical epiphany-tattoos don't just suddenly appear either. I pushed my glasses out of the way with a hoof while I used it to rub my tired eyes. I hope I start remembering things soon or I'm just going to get crazier.
Adjusting the lenses back onto my muzzle, I swiveled my head around to peer at my cutie mark. On a field of deep green fur was the image of a cloud with two rods sticking out of the top of it and slightly angled away from each other. Between the tips of the rods ran an arc of lightning.
"A spark gap?" I chuckled under my breath, momentarily lost in how crisp and clear the design was for being on fur.
"I'm sorry, darling. What was that?"
I looked up to see that Rarity, as well as the other five mares, had stopped talking amongst themselves at her question.
"Oh, uhh, nothing," I swallowed absently, shifting my weight between my hooves, "I just recognized that my mark was depicting a spark gap is all."
"Is that what you call it?" Applejack cocked her head to the side as if mulling something over.
"I say, it does have a nice ring to it," Rarity considered, her sapphire eyes giving me the once over. "Yes, I think he could pull it off quite nicely."
"Pull what off?"
Twilight was grinning again, "A pair of conductors that ignite a spark when the breakdown voltage is exceeded, leading to a flash of light, sound, and heat." She nodded, "Very apt for a talent centered around sudden or intuitive cognition."
"But what does that have to do with-"
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Rainbow soared in a looping arc before quickly coming to a stop inches away from my face. She floated back a half step and extended a foreleg. "Nice to meet ya, Spark Gap ."
"Ah," I replied, more than a little stunned as I automatically shook the proffered hoof. "Likewise, Ms. Dash."
Does that work? Can I just call myself Spark Gap from now on?
It's a name. What makes it different from any other?
Well it's-
A bright pink head intruded upon my inner debate, bubbly personality in tow. "You don't seem very excited about it. I can't throw you a 'New Name Party' if you're not happy!" Pinkie was already wearing a conical yellow and blue party hat and holding a hoof-full of streamers.
"The name is great, Pinkie. I was just thinking about how it's still not ... mine."
She giggled, "Think of it as a nickname until you can remember your real one! Besides, just because you may call a cupcake a muffin doesn't make it any less tasty!"
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," I quoted, the seeds of a smile taking root.
Rarity's ears perked up, "I didn't know you were a fan of Shakespony." She paused for a moment, her eyes calculating something behind a growing smile. "In fact, I've been looking for somepony to accompany me to the newest performance of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' in Canterlot."
"Uhh," I stalled. My throat was giving the Sahara a run for its money. "Thank you, but I'd hate to take that opportunity away from any of your friends here."
"Nonsense! It would be an excellent way to jog your memory," Her stare switched gears as she began sizing me up in an entirely new, and slightly uncomfortable way, "Of course, we'd have to find you some proper attire..."
"Hold up!" Rainbow called out from above. "He's not doing anything until he re-learns how to fly!"
"Do you have any idea how long that could take?" Applejack hollered up at the energetic pegasus. "We're supposed to- I mean, I'm sure he'd appreciate remembering everything sooner rather than later."
"Oh please, with me showing him the ropes, he'll be flying in no time." Rainbow shot off in a streak of colors, circling the library while deftly weaving over and under its branches and balconies.
"There's no rush, really. I'm not on any schedu-"
"Well if you're so confident about it," Applejack smirked from under the brim of her hat, "I've got a barrel of our finest cider tucked away that says you can't get him airborne in under three days."
"Three days? Isn't that a little fast?" I swallowed, my gaze jumping between the two mares.
"Hah! That's not even a challenge!" Rainbow's hooves made contact with the ground as she screeched to a halt in front of Applejack. "I'll have Spark here soaring over Sweet Apple Acres by the end of the day tomorrow or my name's not Rainbow Dash!"
"That's ... you ... what?" I stammered, "Why would you make the dare harder? "
"Are you kidding?" she scoffed, "Like I'm going to wait two extra days to get my hooves on that sweet apple cider!" Her mane fluttered as she whipped her head around to meet Applejack's challenging stare. "You just have that barrel ready," Rainbow ran her tongue across her lips before turning back to me, "And I expect to see you on the field north of Ponyville at 8 o'clock sharp, wings primed!"
I sat there stunned as a lone twitch plagued my right eye.
What have I gotten myself into.
* * *
The sun had long since set as I paced in front of the window. I never imagined Twilight would go so far as to set me up at an inn, not that I was complaining. She said it was no trouble, that it was being paid for by the princess who I guessed was their head of state, but I was too tired to press the matter further. I didn't want to try their patience any more than my questions already had.
A lamp on the bedside table illuminated what the light of the moon did not. There was a small writing desk in the corner of the room opposite the bed, whose quilted covering was appearing more inviting by the minute. At first I was surprised there wasn't a closet or a dresser, merely a trunk that sat at the foot of the bed.
Though with how few clothes, if any, they wear, I suppose it makes sense.
They?
... we
I sighed as I removed my glasses, placing them next to the lamp. A part of me knew I should be excited at the prospect of learning ... re-learning how to fly, yet my heart remained restless. Something more was bothering me, giving rise to a persistent sense of dread that I couldn't shake from my very core.
Are you afraid of her?
Who?
The mare from your dream.
The second floor window provided an excellent view of the night sky as I gazed through its panes. I drew in a deep breath while my eyes lingered on the stars before coming to rest on the nearly full moon.
No. She was just part of a dream. Random images produced by neurons firing as they attempt to sort and pack the day away.
Afraid of forgetting more, then?
My stomach tightened.
... I've made my peace with my memories. I don't look forward to losing any others, but it's out of my control.
Then that still leaves something else as the source of your distress.
The mattress sank as I slowly climbed onto its downy softness, a far cry more comfortable than the hospital's own spartan accommodations. I grabbed a corner of the blanket and pulled it about my shoulders. It was pleasantly warm, but it did nothing to thaw the chill of unease I carried.
I didn't want to acknowledge it, not even to myself, but there was something off with the way Twilight and her friends were acting. Maybe I was just being paranoid.
That doesn't mean you're wrong.
Thanks, brain, for that stunning vote of confidence.
I tapped the light off with a hoof and rolled over, doing my best to think about nothing until sleep finally took me.
* * *
"Oh, come on!" Rainbow yelled from her treetop perch, "It's like you've never even used your wings before!"
I spat out a blade of grass and dust as I struggled to stand. "Yes, Dash, that's what forgetting how to fly means!" I rebutted irritably. We had been at it for over three hours in what I can only describe as a near constant state of perpetual crashing.
"Okay, reset and give it one more shot, then we break for lunch. I'm starving!"
"You're starving?!" I grumbled, flexing my wings, "I'm the one doing all the work."
"Yeah, you're also the one eating all the dirt," she teased as she stuck out her tongue.
I narrowed my eyes at my tormentor before replying, "Touché." I spread my feathers again as I had been instructed, going through the cycle for a hovering flap in my head.
One: Wings up, tips out.
Two: Sweep down, full extension.
Three: Fold in, draw up.
My wings followed along, matching my mental practice. Satisfied, I took in a deep breath and held it, steeling myself as best I could. A light breeze played across my back, ruffling my mane just enough to let me know it was there.
Alright, here we go.
I started flapping in earnest. One-two-three. The weight on my hooves vanished as they naturally tucked in slightly. One-two-three. I slowly rose, gaining foot after foot until I was level with Rainbow. One-one-two-two-three-three. I started to wobble as one wing got ahead of the other. My teeth clenched as I tried to reign in the overeager appendage.
"Easy! Don't fight against them, let them carry you!"
It took everything I had to listen to her as I began to sway more forcefully. I shut my eyes in advance of the coming crash as I focused on just flapping and less on each wing's specific position.
One-two-three.
I gingerly opened my right eye and peered around. Everything bobbed slightly at a steady rhythm. Looking down, I noticed the tree was below me.
"Hah!" I exclaimed, grinning like a madman. "I did it!"
"Finally! It only took you all morning," Rainbow stretched as she flew up from her branch. "Now it's time for phase two: gliding."
My smile waned. I should have known that wasn't going to be the end of it.
"Now that you're up here," she continued, "you've got the altitude to start a glide." Rainbow stopped flapping and opened her wings, pulling out of a shallow dive. She soared in a wide curve, hardly loosing any height as she picked up speed. With a sharp turn she flew up, slowing her ascent until she was next to me again and resumed hovering.
"Just like that. Now remember, it's all in the feather-tips. Once you hold your wings out steady, all you need to do to adjust your course is tilt your trailing pinions."
I nodded, swallowing my nervous flutter before extending my own wings. The ground began to accelerate as I flew forward, the wind tossing my hair about. There was a giddiness welling up inside that was about to make me laugh, but something was wrong. The field was getting closer, a great deal closer, and fast .
"Pull up!" Rainbow called out from beside me.
"I'm trying!" I shouted back, frantically attempting to turn or change my path into anything other than a direct confrontation with terra firma. All I could manage was to slow my descent as I ploughed into the ground, kicking up chaff in my wake. The impact sent my glasses flying while I skid across the grass to a rather undignified stop, legs splayed behind me while my chin rested in the dirt.
"Any landing you can walk away from..." I groaned, not even bothering to lift my head.
Rainbow sighed before touching down, "You alright? That one looked pretty rough."
There was a twinge in my chest as I put my hooves under me again, "Nothing broken, I think." I stood up and wearily shook off the dust from my coat. "But I don't know how much more of this I can take. You may have the stamina to keep this up for a full day, but I'm nearly beat as it is."
"You're not trying to give up, are ya?" She stepped in front me, cutting off my escape. "We've got some cider to win!"
"There you are saying 'we' again. You're the one that made that bet, remember?" I sat down, inspecting my glasses. "I just don't think it's going to happen today."
Rainbow chewed on her lip for a moment before her eyes lit up, mischievous grin not long behind. "Tell you what. How about I take us to lunch, and then afterwards if you still don't feel like continuing, you can head back. Deal?"
I studied her up and down, unsure what she was playing at. Was she counting on swaying me with an argument to be made over lunch? In any case, I couldn't see anything wrong with it, so I agreed. "Deal."
As we walked back into town, well I was the only one who walked, she flew slightly ahead still wearing that smug expression. I wondered where we were headed. Last night we simply had some sandwiches Twilight had already prepared, though when she had the time to plan or do that I'm still not sure.
"Now just wait here a moment, I'll be right back!" Rainbow smiled, taking off in a blur which left me standing alone. We had come to a stop in front of a cafe on one of the main thoroughfares. Other ponies were seated outside the establishment enjoying their refreshments. Across the street I could see more townsfolk as they went on with their day. Aside from the species and almost storybook village, this was normal.
"Maybe I haven't forgotten everything," I mused to no one in particular.
"Watch your hooves!" A voice called out, causing me to step back as a yellow chariot with a black and white checkered stripe pulled by two grey pegasi landed in the road ahead of me. Before I could ask, Rainbow poked her head out from the vehicle.
"Hop in!" she waved, motioning me to join her, now sporting a saddlebag emblazoned with her characteristic bolt. "The restaurant I want to take you to is a little far, so I thought we'd ride." I carefully stepped into the taxi colored chariot, keenly aware that there was neither seat belts nor, well, seats. Once I was aboard, the two stallions wasted no time in taking off.
"Where are we going?" I asked, watching Ponyville fall away behind us and doing my level best to hang on with only hooves.
"Raindrop's, it's one of my favorites over in Cloudsdale." She nudged me and my heart skipped a beat as I lost traction for a second. "They have the best hay fries with cheese curds and onion gravy." Her inflection alone nearly caused me to salivate along with her.
"That does sound good, I can't remember the last time I had pub food. Will it be a long ride?"
"Nah," Rainbow shook her head and pointed at a cloud front. As we crested the rise before us, I had to hold onto my jaw.
A huge Grecian styled city hung in the distance. Flowing streams cascaded in waterfalls that faded into mist and rainbow. Everything from the mammoth columns to the land they stood on was seemingly built from pure cumulus. It shone without equal among the other clouds below.
"Wow," I gaped.
"I know, right?"
Our drivers knew exactly where they were going and soon we disembarked in front of a restaurant where above the door hung a simple sign: Raindrop's. The chariot left as Rainbow flew inside. Ordinarily I would have followed, but something had me preoccupied.
I was staring at my hooves, or more appropriately, what was under them.
"Hey, I thought you were hungry?" Rainbow's voice echoed from the doorway, "What gives?"
"We're standing on clouds!"
"And?"
"We're standing on clouds !" I repeated.
"So?"
"I ... wha- ... but..." I stammered. The muscle under my eye had begun to twitch. I drew in a breath, but I was too tired to argue my point. "... Never mind, I'll just ask Twilight later." Rainbow laughed as I followed her in.
True to her word, the food was indeed some of the best I'd ever had, even if I didn't recall eating hay fries before. Throughout the meal she remained quiet, without even an attempt to strike up a conversation to dissuade me from calling it a day. Was she hoping that the food alone would energize me? After she paid the bill we headed outside and stopped at a nearby overlook.
I could see the countryside stretching beneath us between lazy clouds. Ponyville sat only a short distance away, but noticeably much further below. There was a mountain that rose not far from either, a many spired castle town built into its side.
"Well?" Rainbow asked, drawing my attention away from the scenery. "Have you decided to give up or go home?"
I really didn't want to tell her no, not after she went to all the trouble to take me out to one of her favorite restaurants or introducing me to this marvel of a city. I just knew I wasn't going to manage flying by the end of the day, and I didn't want to see her try so hard and still lose the bet.
"Oh! One more thing," Rainbow fished around in her saddlebags before pulling out a set of goggles. "You're going to need these," she added, holding out the pair.
"I ... thank you, but I really-"
"Just try them on," she smirked, nabbing my lenses before pulling the goggles down over my eyes. I blinked away the sudden disorientation, only to find I could see just fine.
"What? How did you get corrective lenses in my prescription?"
She laughed, "Twilight knows a spell or two for shaping crystal, and Rarity was more than happy to lend her talents with the rest." Rainbow smiled, "That's why she needed to borrow your glasses yesterday after we went inside. Pretty cool, huh?"
"They're perfect, Dash. Thank you again," I hesitated, "but I don't think I've got what it takes to get flying down in just one day."
"Alright," she replied, still no hint of disappointment in her features, "so you're heading back then?"
"Yes..." I answered warily. Something was definitely fishy.
We made our way down a pillar flanked street until I spotted another chariot shaped taxi. "Excuse me," I asked the driver, "Can you take me to Ponyville?"
The navy coated stallion answered me with a smile, "Sure can, son. 12 bits."
"Oh, I don't-" My face blanched as the pieces started falling into place. I turned to Rainbow, mouth agape. "You..."
"Sorry," she apologized, "I used the last of my bits on lunch. Looks like we can't take the taxi." That same smug grin was plastered all over her face.
Without money to hail a taxi, the only way out of Cloudsdale ... was by wing. She played me and I walked straight into it.
"Clever girl," I muttered as Rainbow burst out laughing once she knew I had figured it out. I wasn't about to just stick around while she reveled in her victory, so I headed back to the overlook beside Raindrop's.
I can't believe I fell for that.
My hoof stamped the spongy cumulus, but it was not nearly as satisfying as when on land.
Not that I blame her, really, but nothing's been going right. I haven't even been able to remember a single thing!
The cloud absorbed the impact from my other foreleg.
Argh! Even this ground makes for a terrible stress reliever!
I reared back and dropped my hooves with as much force as I could muster in an attempt to work out my frustration. Only this time, I wasn't met with any resistance.
My vision was obscured in a haze of white as I had the sensation of falling end over end. I managed to shake my head with enough force to dislodge the cloudlet from my face, and immediately wished I hadn't. The wind was whipping past my ears so loudly I could barely hear myself screaming as I plummeted.
Oh, god. I'm going to die. I've got wings, and yet I'm going to die from falling out of a city in the clouds.
I couldn't get a bead on anything, the horizon was lost amidst the blur of green, blue, and white as I continued tumbling out of control, limbs flailing helplessly.
No! Focus! I need to get my bearings if I'm going to survive this. Think! How do skydivers do it?
I bit my lip and folded my wings in tight, throwing my legs straight back as far as they would go. After two more uncomfortable flips, my new drag profile had straightened me out. I was in a nosedive, looking directly at the rapidly approaching landmass. However, my attitude control came with a price. I was accelerating.
Great, now I can see what I'm going to hit, but also hit it faster. Awesome.
A sudden image of crashing into ground at terminal velocity flashed through my head before I could shake it away.
Not today.
I threw my wings out to start flapping but the sheer force of the updraft wrenched them back painfully and sent me spiraling out of control again, wasting precious seconds re-righting myself back into a dive. Now I was moving too fast to beat my wings to slow my descent.
Carefully, I extended my wings again. This time taking pains to keep them parallel to the wind so as not to lose my last chance at this. The ground was getting oppressively close as I closed my eyes. I imagined my wings were as those on a plane, and tilted up the trailing pinions on both as hard as I could. My body sagged as I could feel the centrifugal force pressing down on me, but I held on. The strain on my wings was enough to make them vibrate in the turbulent airstream. My eyes remained screwed shut, waiting for the inevitable collision.
But none came.
The wind about me slowed and gave way to a growing weightlessness. My inner ear was telling me I was no longer pointed down, but rather the opposite. I hazarded a peek just in time to catch the light of the sun dip behind a cloud as my climb upward came to a halt. Gravity reasserted itself for a moment before I remembered to start flapping. Shakily, I leveled myself out, thankful I had enough adrenaline left for that. My whole chest shuddered as I finally let out the breath I was holding.
"Nice recovery!" a familiar voice called out from above as she clapped her hooves together in applause, "I knew you'd remember how to fly with the right motivation."
I spun around to face her, "That wasn't flying! That was just ... not-falling ! I could have died!"
"But you didn't," Rainbow smirked, "Besides, I heard you take that spill and was following you the whole way. You were fine."
If this were any other situation, I'd like to think I would have reacted differently, more level headed. As it was, being subjected to hours of exhausting rote exercises, being outwitted into continuing said exercises, and plummeting thousands of feet in primal terror had worn my rationality thin.
"I ... You ... come here! " I growled, launching myself towards the cocky mare. Dash easily avoided my lunge, dropped into a dive and took off.
"That's the spirit!" she cheered over her shoulder, "Try and keep up!"
I wheeled around, clearly outclassed in such a match up, but I didn't care. Rainbow soared off in the direction of Ponyville, the town's iconic buildings plenty visible in the distance. I pushed myself to eke out what little speed I could, but I failed to gain even an inch of ground as we flew over the countryside.
Bushes and plains began to give way to a thriving orchard, with rows of trees covering the land below. Rainbow was veering towards a red barn, buzzing the tops of the apple trees as she went. "Hey! Applejack!" she howled, "Heads up!" I caught a glimpse of the orange mare shaking her head below as I passed over the the farm seconds later.
By the time we reached the town proper, I had lost Rainbow among the buildings. My breathing was getting heavy as I began to calm down from my frustrated chase. Rounding a rooftop I heard something that chilled my blood.
A scream.
Not a joyous one full of excitement, nor a short and surprise driven one, but rather this scream had the note of actual fear. Without thinking, I vaulted over a thatched cottage in the direction of the cry.
Where are you going?
I ignored the mounting protests inside as I narrowly avoided hitting a chimney. A small market was coming into view, and the source of the commotion. Even with everything I'd seen redefining to myself what 'impossible' actually meant, I was staring at something that had absolutely no reason to exist.
Hanging just above the ground near the vendor stalls was what I could only describe as a localized singularity.
In other words, a black hole.
Author's Note
Holy Moley! I've had a roller coaster of a time with this chapter. I hope you all enjoy it!
As always, comments are appreciated! Thanks!
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Chapter 11: Spacetime Flies When You've Come Undone
Spacetime Flies When You’ve Come Undone
I stared blankly as a pitch black void the size of a volleyball drew in air and loose debris like the eye of a whirlpool. Another scream managed to wrench my eyes away from the gaping hole in space and placed them squarely on a yellow coated mare not but four meters away from it, hanging onto a produce cart for dear life. One by one, the carrots that had been so nicely arranged above her were yanked off their display only to vanish soundlessly into the void. As I watched, the whole cart groaned as it slid a hair closer. She was in serious trouble, and yet ...
Nopony else in the market made a move.
“Hell," I grunted, praying I wasn't about to regret this before launching into a dive. My tired wings continued to protest as I pushed against my growing fatigue.
Something’s not right.
Obviously. Why are you moving towards danger? You need to get away.
No, I mean about the singularity. It’s too small.
You’d rather it was bigger?
My muscles ached while my lungs burned from lack of oxygen. A string of pops echoed from the stand as the canopy was ripped from its fasteners by the hungry maw. There was more than just the force of the wind whipping past me. I could feel the void tugging, threatening to pull me off course as I closed the distance.
The ground was nothing more than a green and gray blur beneath my hooves as I leveled out, rocketing past stalls and shocked ponies while my eyes remained glued to my target. More screams, including those of children, started to issue from the crowd. The mare’s cart-shaped lifeline began to shudder ever closer as the void’s gravity slowly won out over friction. I clenched my teeth.
Please be fast enough.
Her cry abruptly vanished as I slammed into the mare harder than I would have liked, wrapping my forelegs around her. We tumbled to the ground together, reawakening old bruises while making new ones. My momentum continued to carry us away from the singularity as we skid across the worn earth. I managed a quick glance where we were headed just in time to cover the mare with a hoof and brace myself before we collided with an unfortunately sturdy looking building.
White hot pain lanced through my skull as we hit the stonework serving as a foundation. Everything was blurry as I opened my eyes, and shaking my head only made it worse. Blinking through the fuzz, I turned to the mare who had started to move.
“Hey, a-are you alright?” I winced, suddenly very conscious of the fact that she had landed on top of my right wing. “Can you move? We need to-” My question was cut short by the sickening sound of splintering wood.
As the haze on my vision started to clear, I could just make out the shape of the produce cart as it was drawn into the void. Planks cracked and timber fractured with a noise uncomfortably similar to shattering bone as the stand collapsed in on itself. My skin crawled at the sight, but I couldn’t look away until finally there was nothing left.
Not even the hole in space.
I shifted up into a sitting position, ignoring my growing headache. She must have seen it too, her eyes still fixed with a blank expression where the void had been just moments prior. Looking around, there didn’t seem to be any sign of it anywhere else in the market, even the wind had calmed down.
“Are you hurt?” I asked, gingerly extending a hoof to the light yellow mare. As I touched her side, she flinched away. “Sorry! I, uhh, haven’t really had much practice landing on the ground, much less on a … mare.” My voice trailed off, struggling to finish the sentence it started. Whether that was due to simple nervousness or the sudden attention of her bright green eyes, I couldn’t say.
I cleared my throat before offering a weary smile. Before I could react, she threw both of her forelegs around me and buried her face into my mane. “Thank you,” she gasped, just above a whisper. I relaxed, returning the hug against her orange curls.
A familiar four hooved touchdown prompted me to look up. Rainbow stood there, folding her wings as two fillies hopped off her back. The third seemed content to stay on her perch.
“Glad to see I’m not the only one with a heroic streak,” Dash smirked, “Although, I’m still winning three to one.”
“Yeah!” The young orange pegasus still on her back cheered. “You should have seen her! Rainbow came in faster than a lightning bolt and before we knew it, had grabbed all of us off our wagon and scooter!” she beamed, earning a ruffling of her magenta mane from Dash.
“I sure hope everypony else is ok,” came a faint rustic twang from the yellow filly wearing a red bow. “ N-not that we had anything to do with it!” she quickly added.
“What even was that?” the small white unicorn squeaked. I had to admit, the same question was bothering me as well, besides the steadily increasing migraine of course.
The light yellow mare finally released the hug, giving me a short smile in return, but my eyes were drawn to her foreleg. A patch of darkening red had stained the fur just above her fetlock.
“You’re bleeding!” the trio of fillies gasped almost in unison.
“What?” Her eyebrows arched as she followed their gaze. Lifting her leg she cautiously probed around the wound with her other hoof. “No … it’s- There’s nothing there.”
The pounding behind my eyes was spreading, getting too big to ignore any longer. A part of me already knew where that blood came from, but I still hoped I was wrong. Reaching behind my head, fresh pain blossomed as my hoof met with something wet beneath my hair. I grimaced while pulling my foreleg back, now tinted crimson.
“No good deed, right?” I let out a lone chuckle, “I think … I need to lay down.”
The world had already started to fade, growing distant as I slumped to the ground. I could hear voices calling out to me, but I was so tired. Sleep was not going to be denied, and I just let it take me.
* * *
Darkness.
Enveloping, obscuring, darkness as far as the eye could see. Gradually, glimmers of light began to show through the expanse of black. I watched as more motes began to appear, filling the space with constellations I had never seen on any charts. Little by little, I was aware of a growing blaze behind me. Turning around, I was faced with a truly massive star, and it was getting closer.
No, I was getting closer to it. The force of gravity was increasing as I hurtled towards the ruby tinted flames. The star’s horizon continued to occupy more of my vision until it was all that I could see. It shuddered, growing brighter as I fell. I could feel the heat building as I approached, climbing through uncomfortable to painful and beyond.
My skin was the first to go as I passed through the corona, pale flesh and muscle burned away like scattered leaves. The rest of me fared no better, reduced to ash and lost amidst the all consuming atomic fire.
There was nothing left of me, and yet still I fell. Down and down, the pressure growing and heat increasing, long past any capacity I should have had to feel them. My descent was being constricted, squeezed, forced into a space smaller than nothing until I couldn’t be compressed anymore. Still, the pressure continued to build.
With no limbs left to struggle, nor mouth to scream, all I could do was endure. The strain on every point in my vicinity had finally reached a peak when suddenly, something gave way. It was as if the floor of reality had dropped out from below, and I was flying down, but not down, forced through the breach by the tremendous weight that flooded after me.
Surrounded by energetic plasma and careening through who-knows-where, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. I landed somewhere, wreathed in a mass of primal flame, with the strangest sensation prickling the boundaries of my consciousness. It was as if I was being stitched together. No, more like I was being sewn into something. My senses started coming back as I heard the crackle of fading embers and smelt the acrid stench of burnt hair.
Augh! It hurt. EVERYTHING hurt. Wait …
I struggled to open my eyes, overexposure robbing me of my sight.
That can’t have… I’m not ...
The bright darkness coating my vision slowly faded, letting in the faint pinpricks of light from the night sky. I pushed against the sluggish weight of my arm to pull it into view, where my now all too familiar green hoof moved in front of my face. My heartbeat quickened, things were starting to recompile. I was no longer on the ground, but reclining in a hospital bed. Twilight looked concerned.
Stop.
I glared at my own reflection in the mirror, red and orange eyes staring through square glasses into a face I couldn’t remember. Nurse Redheart gasped. A single drop of blood began a trail from my nose.
Stop it.
The ground warped and twisted. Gone was the hospital, replaced by grass and cobble. The library tree drew up through the earth like it was fluid. The leafy branches taking on a white cotton appearance as clouds spread out in all directions. I was looking down now, thousands of feet above the ground below.
Please.
A reverberating thundercrack shattered the space. The force of which echoed throughout my very bones. Pieces of reality were falling like broken glass, leaving a plain gray expanse in their wake. The soft steps of hooves behind me slowly brought my ears down low. I couldn’t stop turning around to face her even if I wanted to.
My breathing became erratic as our eyes met past the veil of cascading night that formed her mane. There was something I couldn’t describe, something great and sad was waiting behind those iridescent teal eyes. I sucked in a breath to scream, but she was faster.
“Wake up.”
My eyes shot open as I gasped, bolting upright with enough force to throw the blanket clean off the bed. I brought a hoof up to my temple, grimacing through the headache I just made worse.
Just a dream , I reassured myself, giving my pulse a chance to slow down. I absently rubbed the cotton bandage wrapped around my head. Well, some of it anyway.
The room was blurry without my glasses, but I could tell I was back at the inn. Trunk, writing desk, bedside table, lamp and … flowers? I squinted at the collection of shapes on the table next to me, relieved that a pair of dark square frames was among them. The world dropped into focus as I returned the familiar lenses to my muzzle.
You’d be surprised at how much easier it is to calm down when you can see again. Taking another look to my right, beside the small lamp and pair of silver rimmed goggles stood a simple glass vase. A trio of lily blossoms in a vibrant orange hue rested inside, drawing attention to the small folded card stuck to the vase beneath them. I carefully removed the note and began reading.
Spark Gap,
I don’t think I can ever thank you enough for what you did, but hopefully this is a start. I’d love to meet with you once you’ve recovered, maybe treat you to dinner if you’re up for it. It’s the least I could do.
Again, thank you,
~Carrot Top
So that’s her name. I chuckled. I never got to introduce myself either after …
Is something wrong?
I’m not sure. I really hurt myself, even to the point of passing out.
And yet they didn’t bring you to the hospital.
I slumped back on the mattress, forelegs falling to my sides. My head shook slowly. Things weren’t adding up.
No, they didn’t, and with medical bills apparently covered by national insurance it wouldn’t be because of funds, so that only leaves two options. Either I present a greater risk to the other patients, or they can’t afford the time, and neither of which make ANY sense.
Then there’s something else they’re not telling you.
My heartbeat was uncomfortably loud in the stillness of the room as I mulled over the possibilities. That's the tricky thing about puzzles, they get that much harder to put together when you don't have all the pieces.
The soft click of the latch perked my ears, snapping me back to reality. Twilight cautiously pushed the door open until she realized I was awake. With a relieved sigh, she walked in as the violet shimmer of her magic faded from the handle.
“So, uh, Spark … It sounds like you had a busy day,” Twilight offered with a crooked smile.
“Your words, not mine,” I winced, sitting up. “How long was I out?”
“Just a couple hours,” she reassured. “Dr. Trotson actually came out to see you personally. We didn’t want to move you. After he assured us you only suffered a minor concussion along with the laceration to your cranium, he bandaged you up and had you moved back to your room to recover.” The blanket had levitated up from the floor while she spoke, folding into a neat square before she set it down at the foot of the bed.
My eyes narrowed slightly, “The doctor wanted me here instead of the hospital?”
“Well, actually that was Rainbow … and I,” Twilight’s hooves began a subtle pawing at the floor as she busied herself adjusting the flowers with her magic. “A concussion doesn’t need a hospital stay, and, well, you’d only just gotten out of there …” she paused for a moment, eyes flicking back and forth as if she was reading an invisible book.
She’s hiding something from you.
“I guess it doesn’t matter,” I sighed, massaging my forehead, “At least nopony else got hurt.”
“Oh! That’s right, you hit your head!” Her face quickly brightened at the mention of my accident.
“I’m sorry?” I said under a raising eyebrow, “Was that supposed to be a good thing?”
“Yes! Wait, no, I mean-” Twilight shook her head before releasing a calculated breath. “There are cases where a blow to the head has been documented as bringing old memories back to the surface,” she paused, her gaze drifting down towards the floor, “but there are also cases that have seen the opposite.”
I pursed my lips. The vivid dream was still fresh in my mind, but that’s all it was. “Just a dream,” I whispered.
“Hmm?”
“Nothing yet,” I corrected, “Everything seems in order up here.” I tapped at the bandage with a hoof. “I can still account for everything that’s happened since I woke up with those burns.”
“And from before?” she pressed, leaning in slightly as her eyes scoured mine looking for something, but I had nothing to give.
“No.”
Twilight’s ears drooped. I wished I could give her what she wanted, hope that my condition was improving, but I couldn’t even give that to myself. The fraying thread of a question began to nag once again.
Why is she in such a hurry to see you better?
“Twilight,” I quickly added, trying to take her mind off my predicament as much as to derail my own worrisome train of thought. “What was that? In the market today.”
“I’m not sure. It was long gone by the time I arrived,” her formerly concerned stare turned pensive, “All Rainbow could tell me was that it looked like a ‘swirly black thing’.”
I suppressed a smirk. “That sounds about right, but I think I can give you a better picture.” My headache had receded to a dull throb, finally adjusting to my sitting position.
“At first,” I began, “I thought it was a black hole, however unlikely, but the more I saw, the more I realized it couldn’t be. The required mass to have a Schwarzschild Radius of that size is still tremendous, even if it isn’t on the stellar scale. That much mass at only a few meters away should exert a force of gravity millions upon millions of times greater than what we feel on the surface. I don’t even need to mention the lack of gravitic lensing around the object either.
“No, it was clear it wasn’t a black hole, but it was still some kind of singularity. It pulled in air constantly, indicating there was a rather large pressure differential.” I spread my wings only for a sharp twinge to arc across my right side as I stretched. Putting a hoof to my shoulder, I rolled the joint in a tentative circle, no doubt still a little sore from my landing.
Twilight chewed on her bottom lip, "That is curious. I'll have to check if anything matches your description, but for now just rest." Her eyes stayed slightly unfocused as she turned for the door. "Oh, and the doctor said that moving around is fine, just try to avoid any strenuous activity for a while," she paused, looking back at me over her shoulder, “but a little flying should be ok.”
The door closed behind her, leaving me alone with myself. It was the silence I was growing to dislike, or more appropriately, the lack of it.
You still think she’s just being nice?
I slid off the bed, landing with a staggered gait as I regained my balance.
… I don’t know what to think anymore.
My hooves echoed softly on the hardwood floor as it creaked faintly under my weight.
You should start by figuring out what they’re really planning.
The door pulled open easily as I gripped the handle between my teeth. The migraine was starting to return as I stepped out into the second floor hallway.
And what would that accomplish? Getting suspicious of the ones who have been trying to help me would only give me undue stress and alienate them.
I flipped the latch on the bathroom door once inside. A quick turn of the faucet brought a trickle of cool water which I readily splashed onto my face. I sighed into my foreleg as it pushed my glasses up and out of the way.
That’s only true if they’re not up to something.
I wanted to stop thinking, it only made the headache worse.
Get to the point.
The point? Some of my thoughts began to light up as if surrounded by the very concept of fire. The point is that I know you’re not crazy.
My breath froze. Whatever control I had over my expression vanished as I slowly turned to look in the mirror.
We haven’t been properly introduced.
“No, please,” I mumbled, red and orange eyes dancing across the face staring back at me. No, no, no …
The image was smiling as my glasses fell back into place.
“Hello, Maxwell,” my reflection spoke, “You can call me, Ruby.”
Author's Note
Holy Ponyfeathers Batman. That was a long wait! I'm really sorry it took as long as it did. The conflux of factors like work, research, prep for my Ph.D. defense, and wanting to get this chapter right delayed it for far too long. I know I always say this, but I do hope to have the next chapter out sooner! As always, comments are appreciated!
