The Legend Of The Lonely Ladybug

Bringing Back A Stranger

The green pegasus watched Applejack calmly as the mare's jaw still hung below her face. "No worries. How…….how did ya……..who are ya?" she managed to utter a reply to his question. Before he could answer the pegasus noticed Twilight, Rarity and Pinkie Pie approach them, Pinkie carrying Rainbow who looked battered and had a black eye but appeared to be doing fine with the earth pony's help whereas Twilight was busy eyeing the newcomer.

"Those types of questions have to wait," the unicorn stated and walked over to the calves who had gotten up from what used to be the bottom of the uprooted tree, all three mesmerized by what they had witnessed moments ago. “Okay, Vanilla, Rubber and Ginger," she told to all three, "I want you to close your eyes because there will a bright flash. It will take us back to your home. Are you ready?” The kids nodded in unison and did as she had told them. Even Lenny the cat had understood the instructions because it's eyelids shut themselves as it rested in Ginger's caring grip.

“Keep an eye on him girls. I’ll be right back," Twilight said without forgetting the pegasus who was worriedly scanning everyone around him, observed in return by everyone present.

“Thank you for helping us, mister," Vanilla shouted in gratitude right before a bright light went off. A silence followed, the strange pegasus still looking concerned and probably thinking to himself whether or not he should stay as everyone remained put.

After only a minute had passed another flash of light signalled the reappearance of Twilight who came back alone. As the smoke settled she rejoined the rest of the group, again observing the stranger who barely returned a glance, a situation that he found truly awkward from his own point of view. “Now we can discuss properly. Who are you?" Twilight asked their reluctant assistant who took a long time to reply. “Call me Ladybug Faith," the pegasus uttered quietly.

Hearing the name, Pinkie Pie and Rarity started giggling which caused Faith to blush. “Yeah, it is a rather strange name for a male pegasus," he admitted. Unlike the others Fluttershy wasn’t showing signs of bewilderment, instead resorting to a simple, warm smile. “I think it’s a beautiful name for a beautiful stallion," was her usually shy statement.

“That spider was behaving like it understood you," Twilight addressed sternly, "May you care explain it?” Faith sighed at the enquiry, reluctant to give away his secrets to those that he didn't know beforehand. “Why do you want to know that?”

“Are you kidding me? Without your intervention some us would be in it’s stomach by now," she replied, treating the question as pointless, "Speaking to an enormous creature like that isn’t something that every pony can do.”

“Uh…….I can," came awkwardly from Fluttershy. “Ya were clattering your teeth under the roots with me in case ya don’t remember," Applejack scolded her friend which gave her the turn to blush in shame. “Sorry about that," she apologized.

Wary at how the purple unicorn was speaking to him, Faith backed some steps to add breathing space between him and his newly gained companions which didn't add sought comfort because the mares immediately came closer to adjust the distance. “Seriously, when did this become an interrogation? I can talk with insects," he uttered defensively, "It’s an ability that I have, simple as that.”

“I’m sorry, Faith. We have only just met and some of us are rather shaken by that spider," Twilight added politeness to her approach, proceeding to step over and place a hoof on his shoulder, all to Faith's displease. “Thank you for your help. We owe you a favor now. I’m Twilight Sparkle.”

Rainbow Dash stretched herself next to Pinkie Pie, giving the stallion confused glares as another bone in her body relocated itself which caused a loud crack that made her sigh in utter relief. "Rainbow Dash, at your service," she greeted him half-deliriously. "Ah am Applejack, thanks for helpin', handsome", the tan earth pony exclaimed cheerily. ”I'm Rarity," the fashionist added her own greeting, "Is there anything that we can do for you in return?”

Having listened keenly, Pinkie Pie instantly changed position. Faith was already nervous from seeing how the overly ecstatic pink earth pony moved quickly as she did, her following suggestions in no way less peculiar. “Yeah, yeah, I could make you a perfect cake or something! Oh, I know! A party!!" she exclaimed in anxiety and pulled confetti out of nowhere to shower it over him. How the earth pony had concealed the party decoration without any visible bags or a harness he could not guess.

“Thank you so much for your offer but………..," he tried to talk himself out, a decline which cast a silence over everyone.

"But?” the work horse enquired.

Faith sighed again and shook his head and looked up towards the forest canopy. “I have spent much of my young life all by myself here in these woods. Guiding others back is something that I feel is all that I need to do," he explained, a sign of almost melancholic pride seen from his face. "It is a duty that I gave to myself. I'm sorry but I really want nothing in return."

The mares seemed moved by what they heard, staring wide eyed at Faith who gave them short glances with a fake smile to boot. “I get what I give. That’s my own personal belief,” he concluded, “Thanks but no thanks. Now, I think you should return to your homes. Everfree Forest is a dangerous place," the stranger advised. His wings carried him straight up where he came to a halt to give the other ponies one last glance. “Have a safe journey," he shouted one last time until his forward momentum carried him away.

Again by themselves, the group stood frozen and slack jawed until Twilight suddenly shook her head. She wasn't satisfied, in fact the contrary. The stallion had refused a good offer for ridiculously noble reasons as well as having left out crucial details about himself, details that she wanted to know now. “Now………now hold on just a moment," her loud voice exclaimed.

Some distance away Faith was unaware of the given call until he came to an abrupt stop in mid-flight when a magenta aura enveloped him. “Wha-------? Hey! Let go of me! Let go," the stallion wriggled in the magic that had closed him to an unbreakable bind and now pulled him back towards the clearing and the group. Having returned Faith to their reach, Twilight finally let go, somewhat careless because the pegasus landed on his butt, quickly back on all fours.

“What are you doing? Didn’t I tell you that I don’t want anything?!" Faith protested in fear. “Don’t be afraid," Twilight attempted to ease his mind in turn, "We don’t wish you any harm.”

“Then……….why are you looking at me like that," the doubtful pegasus asked slowly before Pinkie Pie popped up right beside him which motivated the stallion himself to jump sideways. “Relax! We just want to reward you for helping us. I'm Pinkie Pie, by the way," she finally introduced and winked an eye at him which was followed by her dropping out of view as quickly as she had taken position.

“Please! I don't want anything,” a now startled Faith kept protesting and swallowed quietly as his eyes darted side to side like Pong dots to keep track of everyone around him, a tragically comical sight that brough a smile to Twilight's face.

"Okay, that’s it, I’m out!” Faith claimed nervously and made a run for it in an attempt to escape but was instantly pulled back by Twilight who dropped him back to his now shaky hooves with the same feat of magic. Trying to flee appeared futile. “I’m warning you! I know some martial arts! What do you want from me?!" Faith asked half-heartedly and put up his hooves to a mock fighting stance in an attempt to perform his way out, already knowing that his pretended toughness looked pathetically fake, an argument that was only returned with affection and kindness. “To help you in return for your help, " Twilight communicated, "Why don’t you come to Ponyville with us.”

“What?!" the pegasus' surprised yelp answered, "Everfree Forest is my home," came the claim that only brought a grin of bewilderment to the unicorn's exterior. “No it isn’t. You just said it yourself. It’s dangerous here even for you. Please, come with us," she pleaded.

“Why? Why do I have to? I’m doing fine here," Faith whimpered, "Can’t you just let me be? Seriously, you're starting to creep me out,” came the new part of the debate which helped maintain Twilight's amusement.

“I’m……..afraid we can’t just leave you here," she giggled, "You said you're all by yourself. You really shouldn’t be alone, Faith, not when you are still young," she explained and approached him, helping the stallion back on his trembly hooves. “Despite your attempt you won’t be able to conceal that there is more to your story than what you have told," she added confidently. "We’d love to learn all of it but can’t do that here. It means that you have to swallow your pride and come back with us.”

“Why am I so special all of a sudden that you actually give a darn about my problems?" Faith argued with more depression seeping through during which his face flopped towards the ground. “I just know," Twilight claimed, "Come on, Faith. Let’s get you to a more comfortable place to discuss.”

Not willing to do as told for his own reasons, Faith bit his lip and kept backing away. “Please, you don’t understand," he spoke in panic, "I have been isolated too long to follow you. Please, Twilight Sparkle! Don’t force me to go against my own will. I’ll be fine, I'll be fine!”

Twilight gave a wink at her friends who immediately guessed her intentions which they signalled with a returned gesture which is when she spotted a tear roll down Faith’s cheek. Smiling affectionately, she reached over to gently set a hoof on his shoulder after wiping it off. “I understand you, Faith," she again tried soothing his mind a claim that came out of the blue for it's listener.

“You...do?" he asked in disbelief. “Uh-huh," Twilight answered with a nod, suddenly filled by anticipation. “Girls…..”

“Aye aye, captain!” came from five energetic mares who rushed over with a look on their faces that spoke against the belief of the stallion who's eyes filled with fear at the instant when he realized what was happening, already finding himself tackled and held against the ground. Faith struggled under the mares, their combined weight effectively trapping him in place. They were planning something that demanded for him to remain stationary. “Let me go!! I don’t want to come with you! Don't force me!”

”Stop wriggling, Faith! We’re making this easy for ya,” Applejack barked without releasing the grip that she had gained from around his back limb. ”Help!! Help!! Somepony!! Anyone!! I’m being violated by crazy ponies!!" a deafening shout from Faith's vocal chords rang in the woods which the mares giggled at. They knew that he was overreacting. As they struggled with him Twilight rested down beside the others in preparation after she had ensured that they would manage without her help.

“Faith, we are in Everfree Forest. Stop being ridiculous and relax. We're trying to help,” she reassured until her eyes shut themselves. The unicorn's horn lit up and gained incremental brightness which brought back the image of the unicorn teleporting the three calves to Faith's mind, a spell that she was obviously going to use again only this time with everyone else who held him pinned.

“No Twilight! No! No! No! Please! Listen to me! Don't do it!" Faith begged desperately, instantly stopped from crawling away by the steady grip of the other mares. “Keep him still, girls," Twilight instructed them, "We don’t want him to slip away at the wrong moment. Teleporting all of us back to the library eats up a lot of my energy."

“I don't want anythiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!!!!," one final desperate cry left the pegasus.

The glow at the tip of her horn grew blinding and a white orb took shape as she clenched her teeth, still hearing Faith's loud sobbing. The time was late for him to scramble.

A bright flash swallowed Twilight and her friends, leaving behind the empty forest clearing which again became disturbed when the giant spider peeked from under it's lid to confirm itself that they had gone, a short inspection that ended when the lid fell back down.

***

It was an hour past midnight as Twilight's living room sat empty, in peaceful quietness, a scene quickly broken by a bright flash that went off in thin air and dropped seven tumbling ponies to the middle of the wooden floor.

“I d-don’t w-want………anything," a stuttery voice whispered from underneath the pile.

Twilight rested on her side, breathing heavily from the teleportation that had taken a lot from her stamina. Lying on top of the others until the unicorn's strength slowly re-charged, she rolled off Applejack and Rarity, flopping to her stomach on the floor which a short whistle followed. "That might be the longest distance that I have travelled by teleportation so far with six ponies no less," the mare stated in exhaustion, still breathing with heavy gulps until she finally gained enough energy to get up standing, "Well, it worked." Satisfied, her steps brought her through the living room, leaving the rest of her friends to gather themselves up from the floor. "Come on everyone. Let's have some tea," she told them while navigating her apartment.

Rainbow Dash was rubbing her blackened eye, barely managing to stay on the support of her hooves. The mare's stubbornness had allowed her to assist the others in holding Faith still but only barely because her injury made it difficult. Secretly ashamed, she was forced to admit to herself that the giant spider had not only given a beat up to her physical essence but also the mare's self-esteem that currently ached more than the facial bruise. "I hope you got coffee because I could use some right now. I'm a smashed potato."

Applejack noticed Faith who wasn't moving. "Come on, handsome, it's over now. Please join us, you're the honored guest here," she tried to cheer him, "Don't be afraid, you’re in good company." Faith didn't respond nor move, nudged and tapped with the work horse's hoof until a sigh expressed her fristration.

"Twilight. Mind coming here for a second?" AJ shouted for Twilight who was already approaching them from the kitchen. "I put some water boiling," she told the farm mare and inspected the stallion who had by now began to hyperventilate. "Please try to co-operate, Faith. Relax, we only want to help you," she repeated calmly yet in growing concern as she sat down beside him.

It was then that Faith's eyes snapped open and stared at the ceiling. Two grown dishes that were his retinas were dampened. "It's no use! I can't do it! I can't do it," he murmured, sounding nearly broken and barely capabloe to whisper, "You have taken me out of my own personal solitude against my will. I will never last in the civilized world. Don't you understand? I'm finished!"

"Aww, don't be such a pessimist," Applejack cooed like a mother speaking to a complaining child and gently touched his shoulder, "We'll help ya find your place." The mares lifted Faith up from the floor. A work horse, a badass and a caring friend to those in need, Applejack followed her instincts by catching the falling stallion against her shoulder as he began to tip sideways. "We can't just leave you alone in your own devices, Faith. You need friends. And a good place to stay at," Twilight encouraged him almost as if she knew of some underlying potential. Combining their effort, the duo carried him to the long couch located very close which Faith flopped down on.

Deciding that she had helped enough, Applejack went to the kitchen to join the others. Left behind, Twilight gently stroked Faith's brown-to-red mane and took in his facial features that made him look surprisingly mare-like, a mixed trait that she had yet to encounter in opposite genders. The stallion was skinny and barely clean enough to be considered hygienic from living in the forest for a time that had yet to be defined.

"Just give us a chance to help you. Rest here while I bring you some biscuits to eat. You look tired," she told her guest and went away momentarily, soon returning with a plate of and set it down to a chair beside the couch. Faith kept his eyes at the ceiling as another tear rolled down the feminine cheek. "You seriously believe that you can help me. "

"Uh-huh. I do," Twilight nodded.

"Then I sadly must inform you that it won't be possible," The pegasus sniffed, "You can't help me. No pony in Equestria can." He paused hesitantly. "The name Ladybug Faith, it's something that I made up for myself. I have no original memories of who I am, who my family was and where I used to live. I do not remember anything from my past. I can't..............remember...........," was the last thing that came from his lips before the stallion's eyes took a roll back after which he began to snore quietly. The stallion's tired mind had slipped away to sleep.

Grabbing the blanket on the sofa, Twilight pulled it over his shoulders to walk back towards the kitchen with a moved smile. Even so her mind found itself greatly disturbed by the reveal that concerned the memory loss of the pony who called himself Faith.

***