An Unexpected Tripby Shadow FallChaptersChapter 1Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 2Chapter 1I sat there in English, struggling to keep my eyes open. It wasn't that I disliked it I was just exhausted from staying up every night. I knew I'd be up, but I thought it'd be because of homework. Everyone said my senior year would be busy, but the work was easy. No. I stayed up writing stories or making music or working on my own star map or drawing. I couldn't stop what I was doing once I started, but I had made it a point to stop adding things to my list of projects. I vaguely heard something about the new writing assignment which peaked my interest a little. "Now this is just for me to see if you've learned what I've been trying to teach you. I want you to write about anything you want. If you have any questions please-" Her voice was cut off by an intense ringing in my ears. The world seemed to spin. Colors melded. Sound became naught but ringing. Then all was black. Then there was sound. Twittering birds and the light swoosh of wind rolling along. I opened my eyes slowly, looking up to the sky. The sky?! My eyes shot open and I sat up. I felt weird. Very weird. It was only when I looked down that I realized just why I felt weird. "Oh nonononononononono!" I said as I raised up my arm. Or was it foreleg? I had...hooves! My fingers were gone. And my toes. I looked behind my back to see a wing and tail and hair. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. I decided to look at my surroundings. I was on a small hill next to a lake and forest. There was nothing living in sight except for a few birds. I crossed my eyes for a moment, looking at my nose which protruded further then I was used to. Then I remembered the lake. I stood shakily on my feet, or hooves. Hind legs? I stood for maybe a moment before falling foreword. I closed my eyes and held my arms out, stopping my fall. Suddenly I felt right. At least standing wise. I slowly took a step foreword, then another. I couldn't seem to figure out how all my limbs were supposed to move. It was just odd, but I made it to the lake side eventually. I was afraid to look into the water for a moment. I wasn't sure what I'd see when I looked. Hesitantly, I leaned over and looked down into the still waters. "Yup. I'm a horse.... No, a pony." I muttered as I looked myself over. "This is just weird. I mean I understand a dark grey coat, but blue and even darker grey mane? And I didn't even know hor- ponies could have blue eyes." I criticized. "This is by far the weirdest dream I've ever had. And it's rather...realistic." I shook my head and headed away from the lake, my steps still unorthodox. I just made it to the top of the hill I had been on when I saw a pink flash then a face right in front of me. "HI!" Of course I did the only logical thing I could thing of. I reared up, screaming, before falling upon my back with a thud. For the second time today I found myself staring at the sky. This time however the view was almost immediately blocked by a brightly smiling, brightly colored, pink face. "I've never seen you before! Where'd you come from? Are you staying or just visiting? Do you have any friends? Ooooh! Do you like parties? I love parties and-" She stopped, gasping before taking off. That left me to stare at the sky once again, feeling utterly confused. For some reason the main though of mine was how that pony was pink. Bright... pink. Slowly, I sat up. I looked around for the excited pink pony, but she was nowhere in sight. I did, however, see a dust trail leading away. Shrugging, I followed after the quickly dissipating trail while taking the time to master my walking. I felt a little proud of myself as I managed a trot without falling on my face. My joy was only matched when I saw a town ahead. "Yes!" I said, happy that I could finally find someone to tell me just what was going on. So I trotted towards it with a smile upon my face. That smile wasn't one to last however as I got close enough to see those milling around the small town. My jaw dropped. There were ponies. Ponies of so many colors as to put the rainbow to shame. "Weirdest... dream... ever." I muttered to myself. Author's Note Yeah, I know. It's cliche, but I felt like writing it. Chapter 3She had led me to a tree. Or rather... a house made into a tree. Not out of a tree, but literally a house in a tree. And not only that but inside was a library! A library... inside of a tree. And I thought this place was weird enough before. And that mare was way too energetic. The entire way there she had bounced. And bouncing... gets annoying after a while. Luckily, when we reached the - tree house... library...? - place, the bouncing stopped. The mare knocked on the door and waited until a purple unicorn with a purple mane and tail, which had two streaks of lighter shades in them, answered the door. "Oh, hey Pinkie. What are you doing here?" The purple mare asked before noticing me, "And who is this?" The pink mare, Pinkie, almost immediately replied, "Well I was on my way to the lake to try and find Rainbow Dash when I saw him. I went up to him to get see if I recognized him and when I didn't I," She did the gasp that she had done before when I had first met her before continuing, "and then I ran back here to get everything ready for tonight. When that was done I went out and found him again just outside Ponyville. He was talking to himself and he said 'Well that simplifies things' and then I asked 'What simplifies things' and then he fell on his back and-" She was cut off by the purple mare raising her hoof. "Pinkie. Get to the point." She told her. Pinkie nodded and continued, "Well I brought him here because he says he doesn't have a home and he doesn't know how he got here. I was hoping you could help Twilight." The purple mare, Twilight, looked me over for a moment. "What's your name?" She asked me. I started to reply, but it was at that moment when I realized something extremely important. I couldn't remember... anything. "I.... I don't know. I don't remember. I don't remember anything." I replied, no longer sure of what to do. Twilight looked from me to Pinkie before walking inside. "Come in." I glanced at Pinkie as she stepped inside before following after them. As soon as I entered the room I saw books flying off shelves and had to duck to avoid being knocked in the head by one. The books, surrounded by some kind of glowing purple aura… thing, all went to Twilight and she gave each a quick glance before tossing them in a pile where they lost their glow. It was then that I noticed that Twilight’s horn was surrounded by a similar glow. My guess was that they were probably connected. “Oh, where is it? Spike! Where’s-“ Twilight started to ask before being cut off by a voice I didn’t recognize. “Mind, Memory, and Remembrance. Right here.” I looked to see where the voice had come from and saw a small purple dragon with green spikes along his back slide down a ladder with a book in his hand… claws…. I give up. “Ah, thank you Spike,” She said before taking the book from him with her magic, or at least that’s what I guessed the purple glow was. The book floated up to her and opened, the pages flipping quickly before stopping on what I guess Twilight’s intended page was. “Is that book supposed to help?” I couldn’t help but ask. “Well of course. There’s a spell right here that should help with your memory,” She answered as if it was obvious, “Now just stand still.” With that she put down the book. I was about to ask why when her horn began to glow again. I took that as a sign to not move. I didn’t know what she was capable of and I really didn’t want to find out, so I stood still as asked. Suddenly the room was filled with a blinding light and I couldn’t see anything. Luckily, after a few moments of continuous blinking, my vision returned. Only somehow I was staring at the roof… and I was on my back… again. This time instead of one face, there were two that appeared to block my view. “Do you remember anything?” Twilight asked, stepping back as I sat up. “No,” I muttered as I rubbed my head which had begun to smart. Probably from the fall. “But that should have worked,” Twilight said, obviously confused. She picked the book up again and read through it. “Oh, wait. It says here that you’ll need some sort of jolt or something exciting.” “Something exciting? Like what?” I asked, confused. The reply was simple. Twilight and Pinkie smiled at each other and said two words. “Rainbow Dash.” Chapter 4I followed after Pinkie and Twilight. Once again Pinkie was bouncing instead of walking, though this time she and Twilight were having a conversation about something. I wasn't really paying attention to them. I was too busy looking around as they led me through town. Most of the buildings looked pretty much the same, though I did spot a couple that looked different from the rest. Businesses I guessed. "How ma-" I started to ask before I accidentally ran into Twilight's flank. I hadn't realized they had stopped and I took a quick step back, smiling apologetically. "Sorry 'bout that," I said to apologize when I realized she wasn't looking at me. She was looking up at the sky. I looked up as well, but only saw a small cloud hanging lazily in the sky. "Rainbow Dash!" Twilight called out. I looked back down at her to see that she was still looking up. At what I couldn't te- "Oh, hey Twilight," came a voice I didn't recognize. I looked up again to see a blue pegasus with a rainbow colored mane peering over the edge of the cloud, which I now realized was a lot closer to the ground then I had previously thought. "Can you come down here?" Twilight asked her. Rainbow Dash then jumped off of the cloud and dived down, pulling up and the last second and landing perfectly. I couldn't say I wasn't impressed, and a little confused on her she was on a cloud in the first place. "What do you need?" She asked Twilight. "Was she laying... on a cloud?" I asked, utterly confused. Then I felt rude for interrupting and stupid when Rainbow gave me a 'duh' look. "Yeah. All pegasi can remember," she said, looking me over, "You should know that. You are a pegasus. Wait, who are you anyways?" Thankfully Twilight decided to answer that question for me, "That's kind of why we came to find you. He can't remember who he is. I tried a spell, but for it to take effect he needs a shock of some sort." "So you thought of me naturally," Rainbow said, looking rather smug, "I might have a few ideas. Actually...." She smiled suddenly before whispering something in Twilight and Pinkie's ears. They all nodded after a moment and the Rainbow Dash bolted into the air mere inches from my head, leaving my hair a little more blown back and messy then it already was. "Where'd she fly off to?" I asked, glancing behind me. "You'll see," was my only reply before there was a sudden flash. I stumbled back a little as my vision blurred. Then there was a loud crack, which made me jump, followed by my muscles tightening as electricity surged through my body. After a few moments of being tense my muscles finally relax and I slump to the ground. "Ow...." I managed. I looked up to see Rainbow Dash trying to hold back a laugh before failing and flopping back on a particularly dark cloud, laughing hard. "Rainbow Dash!" I heard Twilight exclaim, "You were supposed to shock him, but not actually hit him with lightning." After a moment of more laughter Rainbow showed back over the edge of the cloud. "Oh, come on. How was I supposed to know he was going to jump in the way?" She asked before continuing, "Besides, maybe he needed that kind of shock." With that she flew down and hovered right in front of me at a rather uncomfortably close distance. I glanced away before looking back at her. "Do you remember anything?" She asked me. I thought for a moment, hard as it was with her staring me down like she was, but came up with nothing. "No," I replied sadly. Rainbow sighed and flew over to Twilight. "I've got nothing." "Well maybe Zecora can help," Twilight said before giving me a second look over, "Actually let's go see Rarity first." Suddenly Pinkie jumped out of nowhere, making me jump again. "Oh goodie! That'll be the perfect time to invite her for this afternoon's event!" I was about to ask what she meant when there was another bright flash. Chapter 5I blinked a couple of times at the flash. I stand still, expecting to be shocked again. Instead I saw that we were in some sort of dress shop. All around there were manikins and cloths and dresses. I also spotted a couple of suits. It was about this time that I heard a voice coming from the stairs. It was most assuredly feminine. “Well of course I’ll come to the party, but you haven’t even told me who it’s for,” the voice said. It came from a pure white unicorn mare with a flowing purple mane and tail. I also noticed she had three diamonds on her flank. Huh. Guess she likes tattoo-. I stop mid thought as I glanced at Pinkie, who was somehow already there and was following the other mare down the stairs, and noticed she had three balloons on her flank. And as Twilight walked over to the others I saw that she had a star on hers. They all had different designs in the same place, and it made me curious as to why. At least until a shocked gasp grabbed my attention. “What happened to your mane?! It’s singed and frizzy and it looks like you've been struck by lightning!” The white mare exclaimed, making me blush with embarrassment. “Actually he was,” Twilight said, “which is why we came to you Rarity. We were hoping you could clean him up.” Pinkie nodded. “Yeah, that and it’s kinda our fault he got hit with lightning.” Rarity gave the other two a look of curiosity before turning to me. She gave me a quick look over before smiling and nodding. “Of course I can, but first I want you to get cleaned up before I can work with you,” she said to me. With that she ushered me upstairs and into a bathroom. “Towels are over there,” she said, pointing to the, “Take your time and don’t make a mess. Come downstairs when you’re ready.” Then she left, closing the door and leaving me in a very feminine bathroom. I sighed and went over to the shower, turning on the hot water with surprising ease. I stepped in, smiling as the water ran over me. I stood there for a moment before I started thinking about how I was going to clean myself. I didn't want to try and stand on my hind legs after the first failure and flying was out of the question because the area was too small and I didn't know how to fly anyways. Instead I sat down and leaned back. I almost lost balance, but my wings reflexively shot out a little and helped me retain it. I looked back at them and nodded After spending a few moments looking, I found the shampoo. I got a little out and sniffed it. Fruity. I sighed again and got a little more out before I proceeded to rub it into my fur to remove all the grime. I was surprised how dirty I had gotten over the short amount of time, though I’m sure some of it was the scorched fur. Drying off proved to be just as difficult as washing, especially my wings. After several minutes of effort I finished and looked at myself in the mirror. I was impressed at how silky my fur looked. My mane was still messy though, but I remembered Rarity was going to fix that. I suddenly realized how long I had been in there. I quickly put my towel in the hamper and headed downstairs. I trotted back into the room, but they weren't there. I looked around for a moment, confused, before I heard them from another room. I went over to the door and was about to open it when it swung open suddenly. It hit me hard in the face and I fell back on my haunches before losing balance as my front hooves went to my nose. This time my wings didn't catch me and I fell on my back, holding my nose as I groaned. “Oh dear, are you alright?!” Rarity asked as I saw her stand above me. I lifted a hoof off of my nose and thankfully saw I wasn't bleeding. “I’m fine,” I said as I pushed myself up and rubbed my nose. “Well that’s a relief,” she said, smiling as she looked me over, “You do clean up nice, but we still need to work on that mane.” As soon as she finishes talking I’m surrounded by a blue glow. I then felt myself lift into the air and get carried in the magical field. I’m set down as she draws across some sort of foldable wall thing. Almost immediately after she puts it in place, several different items float around me in the same magic I was in earlier. I saw a brush, scissors, a spray bottle and a tape measurer. That confused me a little and even more when she started taking measurements of me. “I thought you were going to do my mane,” I said, confused as I stood there. “Don’t worry darling, I’ll get to it,” she said, getting a measurement of my neck before continuing, “I just had the most fabulous idea for you.” “And that is?” I asked. She tutted, “I can’t tell you that yet,” she replied before floating the measuring tape away, “There. Now for that mane of your.” Now the comb, brush, and other items came foreword. “Need me to do anything?” “Just sit and don’t move,” she told me and I did as she said. As she started brushing my hair I closed my eyes, finding it extremely relaxing. Something about the brush running through my mane was very pleasing. “You seem to be enjoying this,” Rarity commented as she worked. “Yeah, it’s very… soothing.” “Well you’re definitely less talkative then most.” I smiled a little, “Yeah. I tend to listen more then I talk.” “Well I can’t say it’s a bad thing, and I’ve been told your story so I guess there’s not much to be said. Plus I think I get done faster without all the talking,” Rarity said before she stopped working on my mane, “Speaking of done you can open your eyes now.” I opened my eyes and saw myself in a large mirror that she must have brought over while she worked. My mane was no longer as messy as it was before, but it wasn’t completely smooth either. It was straight and the ends were spiked. The single blue streak was jagged as it went back, like a lightning bolt. “I love it, thank you,” I said gratefully. “You’re welcome darling. I couldn’t have a handsome stallion like you leave looking like a ruffian now could I?” “Well thank you again,” I said, smiling at the comment. My stomach chose that moment to remind me that I hadn’t eaten all day. “Sounds like somepony’s hungry. I’d take you, but I simply must get started on this new project if I am to get it done by tonight.” I started to tell her it was fine when Twilight and Pinkie walked back into the room. “Pinkie and I are going over to Sweet Apple Acres to check on Applejack. Do you mind watching him for a while?” Twilight asked Rarity, making me feel like a bit of a child. “I would sweetie, but I must start on this project and I can’t have any distractions. Besides, the poor stallion is starving, and you know the Apples will make sure he gets something to eat,” Rarity replied as she brought out a bunch of different materials. “Oh, that’s great!” Pinkie exclaimed, “Now he can meet Applejack!” “Who?” I asked as I followed them out. “You’ll see,” Twilight replied simply as we headed out. Chapter 6I followed after Twilight and Pinkie, feeling more confused as the day went on. When we had left I had glanced at my flank - still felt weird for me to think that word - and saw that I didn't have a symbol. The others hadn't said anything so I hadn't guessed it wasn't unusual. That is until I started paying attention to all of the other ponies and saw that they all had some sort of mark on their flanks. Then I decided they were trying to be nice and not mention it. Though the more I thought about it, the more I wondered what they were for and why they were so important. Surely there had to be a reason if everypony had one. "Hey, Twilight?" I called to get her attention, hoping she would tell me. "Yes?" She asked, looking back at me as we walked. "What are those-" "Tail twitch!" Pinkie exclaimed suddenly before ducking for cover. Twilight looked up before following Pinkie's example. Me? I just stopped and looked at them, wondering why they were acting so odd. "Tail twitch? What does a tail twitch have to do with anything?" I asked. "It means something's going to fall, silly," Pinkie replied as if I should know this already. I started to ask how the possibility of something falling could be predicted by a mere tail twitch when I heard a soft voice above me. I also began to realize, though the thought was brief, that I simply couldn't seem to ask any of my questions. "Don't worry Angel! I'll catch you!" The soft voice cried out. I turned and looked up to see a soft yellow pegasus with a light pink mane and tail flying backwards as she looked up. I tried to see what she was looking at when I saw something small and white falling towards her. I watched as she caught the white fluff ball and I smiled a little, but then I saw her glance down. Her wings shut against her side and she fell straight towards me. I pushed myself onto my hind legs, my wings flapping to help me keep my balance, and reached my forelegs out to catch her. I felt, for a moment, that I could have done something better like flying up and catching her, but it was too late. She collided with me. I fell, hitting the ground. Hard. I lost all of my air in that moment and I'm sure - for the who-knows-how-many times - that I would have been staring at the sky if there wasn't a tail in my face as the pegasus sat up, still on to of me. Thankfully she wasn't heavy, but since she was sitting directly on my stomach I still couldn't catch my breath. "Oh Angel. I'm so glad you're okay," I heard the mare say, guessing from her voice. "Fluttershy! Are you alright?" Twilight's voice asked. I heard hooves approach, but I still couldn't see. "Oh, hi Twilight. Yes, I'm okay," Fluttershy responded, "Thankfully I landed on something soft." I chose this moment to reach up and tap on her back somewhere. I heard an "eep!" and suddenly her tail and weight were no longer there. I took a long, grateful gulp of air before looking around for Fluttershy. As I glanced past Twilight I saw a pair of light blue eyes peek around her before swiftly hiding again. "Didn't mean to scare ya," I said after I managed to catch my breath, "I just couldn't breath." Twilight nodded. "She's just really shy. When we first met I had the hardest time trying to figure out her name, but she's great once you get to know her." She explained as she stepped aside, revealing Fluttershy. Fluttershy's face was partially hidden behind her mane, though I could still see one blue eye. I stood up and gave a friendly smile as I dusted myself off. "It's a pleasure to meet you Fluttershy." She seemed to shy more away from me at first, but I guess my smile gave her reason not to as she hid less of her face. She had a softer kind of beauty, unlike Rarity's striking kind. "So what's your name?" Fluttershy asked, smiling back at me. I opened my mouth to reply, but closed it as I remembered that I still couldn't remember. I frowned slightly, lowering my gaze slightly. "Actually, Fluttershy, that's a problem we've been trying to solve," Twilight stepped in, "He can't remember anything before today." Faster than I though was possible from the shy mare, she was by my side. "Poor thing. You mean he can't remember his family or home or anything?" She asked Twilight. I felt she was just short of coddling me to try and make me feel better. I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but I did know that I did not want to be a sob story. "Twilight has a plan," I said quickly before looking at Twilight for confirmation, "Don't you?" "Well...." "Of course she has a plan!" Pinkie cut in, surprising me since she was so quiet earlier, "I mean it's Twilight. She always has a plan, and her plans have back-up plans, and those back-up plans have back-up plans, and-" "I think we get it Pinkie, and actually I was planning on seeing if Zecora could help after we see Applejack," Twilight said, giving a more straight foreword answer and raising my hopes. "Well I hope she can help," Fluttershy said as she flew over and picked up what I now realized was a rabbit, "I would come with you but I need to get home and ask Rainbow Dash to put her catapult away from my house so we don't have another incident." She gave me another soft smile before flying off, staying not too high off the ground. "So that's why Angel was so high in the sky," I heard Twilight muse as I looked back down at her. "So I wanted to ask wh-," I was interrupted as my stomach growled, "Actually it can wait until we get something to eat." "Race you!" Pinkie shouted quickly before crouching, "One, two, three go!" And then she took off quickly. I wasn't sure why, but I smiled and took off after her. Still unknowing of how long this day was going to be. Chapter 7"Come on slowpoke!" Pinkie called back to me as I made my way towards her slowly. Once I finally made it to her I collapsed with a huff. Groaning, I rolled over and stared up at the cerulean sky. I was started getting used to seeing it by now. "I'm out of shape," I muttered, feeling tired and more hungry than before. "Well you could work on the farm with Applejack," Pinkie suggested, "I'm sure she wouldn't mind an extra hoof and it would help get you in shape!" "Get who in shape?" I heard somepony say in an obviously southern country accent. I turned my head to look at who was talking. At first I couldn't see who it was because the sun was right behind her and it blinded me. It wasn't until she stepped into the way of the sun that I saw her. Her coat was orange, of what kind I'm not sure, and her mane, and tail, were straw blonde. They were also tied in buns at the end. She also wore a stetson hat which complimented her southern bell looks. I rolled over and stood up, quickly brushing myself off. "Me," I answered, feeling embarrassed for having to get in shape in the first place. The orange mare looked at me and looked me over before asking, "Who're you?" "He doesn't know," Twilight said as she trotted over to us, surprising me since she came from the opposite direction we had. "I thought you were were going to be at the barn cleaning up today." "Well ah was, but we fell a bit behind so ah'm helpin' Big Mac buck some trees today." Applejack explained. "Bucking trees?" I asked, completely confused. "Yeah, ta get the apples down," Applejacke explained, giving me a look not unlike the one Rainbow Dash had given me when I had asked if she had been laying on a could. Again, I felt foolish. "He doesn't remember who he is," Twilight said in my defense, "In fact I don't think he remembers anything besides the basic everyday things." Applejack looked me over again before turning to Twilight. "Well what d'ya plan ta do Twi?" "Well we're going to see Zecora to see if she can help us, but we decided to stop by to see you first," Twilight explained, "Partially because Pinkie wanted to see you and partially because he's hungry." My stomach chose that moment to growl, supporting Twilight's statement. "Well ah'm a bit busy right now Twi, but if ya'll c'n help ah wouldn' mind gettin' ya some food," Applejack told us. I nodded immediately. "I'll help." "Sure, Applejack. You know we don't mind helping." Twilight agreed. "Great! You already know what to do Twi, and," Applejack looked around, "Pinkie'll show up sooner or later. You follow me." With that she started trotting away and I followed after. We passed by several trees. All of them full of ripe apples and all of the looking extremely delicious. My stomach let out a quiet, insistent growl, begging me to eat one. I I hadn't already been offered food for work, and if I didn't feel it was morally wrong, I might have listened my stomach. Instead I followed after Applejack until she stopped by a tree. "Now pay attention. 'T ain't that hard ta learn. The hard part come from the actual buckin'," She told me. Then she turned her back to the tree, leaned on her front hooves with her backs up, and bucked the tree. I watched as the whole tree shook and then the apples fall into baskets or buckets placed beneath the tree. "Wow," I said, impressed. Applejack smiled and trotted over to the next tree. "You try this one." I nodded and headed over. I moved right up to the tree and turned around, but when I looked over my shoulder I saw I was too close. I took a step foreword and looked again before nodding. I pushed onto my front hooves, but almost immediately started losing my balance. Luckily I flapped my wings and managed to keep myself from falling on my face as I land back on four hooves. I heard a soft chuckle from Applejack. "Try again sugarcube," Applejack said, though as to why she called me sugarcube I'm not sure. I nod again, setting my hooves determinately. I push back onto my front hooves, managing to keep my balance long enough for me to buck out, kicking the tree. It shook, though not near as much as it had when Applejack had bucked the tree, but enough to get a decent amount of the apples down. I grinned, feeling accomplished before looking to Applejack. "Not bad for yer first time. Now all ya gotta do is get those tree," she said, pointing down a long row of trees with buckets next to them, "Once yer done head over to the barn. We'll have some food ready for ya." "Thanks. I'll get it done as fast as I can," I assure her, smiling. She gave me a smile and a small nod before trotting off, leaving me to my work. I let out a small sigh as I head to the next tree. I knew it'd be a long day, but I also knew that when I got the chance to eat that I wouldn't waste a single bit. I groaned as I made my way to the barn. I felt sore and tired and hungrier than ever. When the smell of hot, fresh food hit my nose I sniffed deeply. My mouth watered at the smell of the fragrant aroma. That was all the encouragement I needed to pick up the pace as I trotted quickly to the barn. When I reached it I saw a large picnic like area set out with food all in the center. Everypony else was already there, plus a couple I didn't recognize. A dark red stallion with a light brown mane and tail who was large and very well built, a small filly with a pinkish red mane and tail and a tan coat, and an elderly looking mare with a light green coat and a white mane and tail. As I trot closer, Applejack looks up and spots me. I smiled back as she smiled at me. "Well look here. Our new bucker's finally done an's come fer chow," she said, patting the spot next to her, "Have a seat sugarcube." I smiled, trotting over and sitting next to her. The food smelled delicious and the family smiled at me. Twilight was there also, and Pinkie had decided to show up. Though I still didn't know who the three others were. Applejack must have noticed my confusion or realized she hadn't introduced them yet. "This here's Big Mac. He's a big fella fer sure and hard worker," she said, patting the large red stallion on the back before pointing to the filly, "That there's Apple Bloom. Best little sister one could ask for, and that's Granny Smith." She pointed to the elderly mare who smiled at me. I nodded to each in turn before my stomach growled again and I blushed, a bit embarrassed. Applejack chuckled, smiling. "Well ah'll take as the sign ta start eatin'. Dig in, ya'll." And with that we all did. I especially didn't waste time. I was so hungry I felt I could eat it all, and I sure tried. Author's Note If you feel any of the descriptions are lacking or off, sorry. I tried to make sure I described colors properly and yes I know I didn't say eye color or their cutie mark, but that's because I don't believe that he would have payed enough attention with the food right there. Chapter 8Author's Note Okay, so doing this chapter has taken me a bit of a while. Not because it is long, but because I was "planning" on putting the dream into this as well as him waking up. Problem is I ran into some major blockage not to mention my friend deviated my attention to a different story. So instead of incorporating the dream into this chapter I shall put it in the next. Funny thing is I've had this entire chapter essentially finished for quite a while now. Chapter 8 I almost regretted eating as much as I did, but I was glad I wasn't hungry anymore. I yawned, watching the sun change to soft shades of red and orange with blue and violet following it's descent across the horizon. Granny Smith had already gone in, along with Big Mac, and Applebloom looked ready to fall asleep. Applejack must have noticed as well because she stood and nudged her little sister. "C'mon. Let's get ya ta bed." I couldn't help but smile as the little filly yawned and stood before heading towards their house. "Tell Pinkie ah'll be there soon," Applejack told Twilight before heading after her sister. Twilight nodded as she stood and I followed suit. "Well it's too late to go see Zecora today," Twilight mused as she gazed at the setting sun, "We can do that tomorrow. Oh, and until you can remember where you live I've arranged for you to stay in one of my spare rooms." That bit of news was probably the best I'd heard that day, but I had to wonder. "You're sure it's not too much trouble?" I asked, following after her as she trotted down the way. Even though I questioned it a small smile spread across my face. "Of course not," She replied, "You need a place to stay and I have a room. Besides, with you closer that'll make it all the easier to see what might be suppressing your memories." I nod, continuing after her. As we walked I asked Twilight many questions. Questions about the towns and places and about Equestria itself. I wanted to know more about where I was in case I couldn't remember. Thankfully, Twilight didn't seem to mind my many questions and answered every one of them with textbook efficiency. I found it unsurprising since she did live in a library. When we arrived at Twilight's home she stopped me at the door. "Let me make sure everything is cleaned up first," she told me before there was a flash and she was gone. Having no other choice but to wait, I waited. It wasn't long until I heard Twilight call for me to come in. I opened the door to a dark room. It was almost pitch black, which confused me. I stepped in, taking slow, cautious steps foreword as I glanced around. I was about to call out to see if anypony was there when suddenly the lights flashed on and there was a loud yell all around me. I jump, my heart racing at the suddenness. Once my vision cleared I saw that there were streamers, and balloons, and cake, and punch, and confetti, and all these other party things and around me were several ponies. Some I had yet to meet and six that I already had. Pinkie Pie bounced up to me, her smile wide. "Scared ya didn't we?" She asked rhetorically before continuing, "Well, scaring wasn't really the main intention. I actually threw this party for you! I mean at first when I saw you I knew I didn't recognize you so the first thought that came to mind was that you're new and being new means making new friends and making new friends can be hard so I invited a bunch of my friends so you can meet them and make friends. That was the original idea anyways. After I saw you the second time I and you told me how you couldn't remember anything I had to make this party even better and make it into a "Get your memories soon" party and I've spent all day getting it together which is part of the reason I couldn't help out Apple-" "Pinkie, I think he gets it," Rainbow stepped in before flying over and landing next to Pinkie in front of me. "So what should we call you anyways? Until you remember your name that is." This threw me off a bit. I hadn't put much thought into what my name might be, let alone if I even had one. The thought just seemed to have slipped my mind. "Well...." "Oh! We can call him Fall since he always falls on his back," Pinkie offered, smiling. Rainbow gave her a skeptical look. "Maybe something a bit cooler. Like Shadow." Rainbow suggested. "Fall can be cool! In fact it's one of the cooler seasons," Pinkie retorted. "Yeah, but Shadow are all dark and mysterious which is way better," Rainbow shot back. Thankfully, Twilight stepped in as the voice of reason. "How about we use both of the names and call him Shadow Fall." Pinkie and Rainbow looked at each other before nodding. "Deal," they both said at once. I couldn't help but chuckle a little at the whole situation. They'd pretty much given me a name, a home, food, and cleaned me up. I wasn't sure why they did so, but I was indebted to them. My thoughts were broken when Rarity held a glass of punch with her magic out to me. I smile, taking it and taking a sip as Pinkie spoke. "Alright everypony. This party's for my new friend, Shadow Fall! Please make him feel welcome. Now, let's get this party started." And with that the party did indeed start. I was approached by several ponies who greeted me kindly and a couple I even held a small conversation with. None of them asked me anything about my past. My guess was that Pinkie had explained to them that I couldn't remember yet. Nonetheless the conversations were kind and offered me more insight on things that I hadn't thought to ask Twilight. Things like classical music, and modern, as well as market foods and the varying types of muffins. Sometimes I talked with Rarity, or listened really. Rainbow Dash told me that she would be teaching me to fly tomorrow and Applejack told me I could work out on the farm for some bits. Fluttershy generally offered me a kind smile. She still seemed to be a bit shy around me. I noticed Twilight several times checking her bottle as if to make sure there wasn't some toxic symbol on there. And so the party went on until the time came for everypony to leave. As much as I had enjoyed the party, the long day had exhausted me and all I wished for was nice comfy bed to sleep in. Once everypony had left, Twilight led me to the spare room and told me that if I needed anything than all I'd have to do is ask. With that she left to go to her own room. The spare bedroom was simple with a bed in the center and a nightstand with a lamp to the side. The room was colored much like the rest of the room and there was a window above the bed. That bed. Never had a bed looked so inviting. I climbed under the blankets, covering myself with the silky indulgence that helped lull me into a much needed sleep. And sleep came quickly, dragging me down into it. With it, came a dream. Chapter 9Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Chapter 2I stood there just staring at the ponies that milled about. Of all the things I thought I'd see in my lifetime this would not have been it. I was so shocked I felt like I could have stood there forever, and I would have if my stomach hadn't growled. I suddenly thought of money. I looked back and realized something I hadn't before. I wasn't wearing any clothes. I could clearly feel my cheeks heat up with embarrassment. I turned my attention to the other ponies to see what they wore. I felt both relieved and a little more embarrassed. The didn't wear clothes either. "Well that simplifies things," I muttered. "What simplifies things?" The sudden voice made me jump, scream, and fall on my back. Three times. Three times I've been looking at the sky today. I thought just before a familiar pink face blocked my view. "Do you always have to sneak up on me?" I asked, not yet realizing the flood of words that was about to come. "Oh no, not always though I can if you want me to. Oh! Right. I was thinking of this great party for you since I've never seen you before so I was about to get everything ready when I realized I had no idea where you lived so I went looking for you and then I saw you and I ran over and I heard you say, 'Well that simplifies things,' and I asked, 'What simplifies things?' and you jumped and screamed and fell on your back and then you asked, 'Do you always have to sneak up on me?' and then I said 'Oh no, not really,' and here we are," She paused for a moment before continuing. "I just came to find out where you live. So, where do you live?" My head was reeling with the sudden influx of words. "Uh.... I um.... I don't - I don't have a home," I told her. This seemed to shock her. "What?! Everypony in Equestria has a home." "Well I don't. I don't even know where I am or how I got here." "Oh, well that's easy. You're in Ponyville and you got here by walking," She said cheerily. "No, I meant-" "Don't you worry about a thing. Your good friend Pinkie Pie will help you out," She said as she wrapped a foreleg over my shoulders. "But I-" "C'mon! I know just the pony." She said, pushing me towards the town. I had a feeling that she wouldn't take no for an answer and I didn't have a better idea, so I followed after the bouncy pink mare with poofy hair. . . . . Wait.... Did I just think mare? I groaned. This was going to be a long day.
Chapter 1I sat there in English, struggling to keep my eyes open. It wasn't that I disliked it I was just exhausted from staying up every night. I knew I'd be up, but I thought it'd be because of homework. Everyone said my senior year would be busy, but the work was easy. No. I stayed up writing stories or making music or working on my own star map or drawing. I couldn't stop what I was doing once I started, but I had made it a point to stop adding things to my list of projects. I vaguely heard something about the new writing assignment which peaked my interest a little. "Now this is just for me to see if you've learned what I've been trying to teach you. I want you to write about anything you want. If you have any questions please-" Her voice was cut off by an intense ringing in my ears. The world seemed to spin. Colors melded. Sound became naught but ringing. Then all was black. Then there was sound. Twittering birds and the light swoosh of wind rolling along. I opened my eyes slowly, looking up to the sky. The sky?! My eyes shot open and I sat up. I felt weird. Very weird. It was only when I looked down that I realized just why I felt weird. "Oh nonononononononono!" I said as I raised up my arm. Or was it foreleg? I had...hooves! My fingers were gone. And my toes. I looked behind my back to see a wing and tail and hair. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. I decided to look at my surroundings. I was on a small hill next to a lake and forest. There was nothing living in sight except for a few birds. I crossed my eyes for a moment, looking at my nose which protruded further then I was used to. Then I remembered the lake. I stood shakily on my feet, or hooves. Hind legs? I stood for maybe a moment before falling foreword. I closed my eyes and held my arms out, stopping my fall. Suddenly I felt right. At least standing wise. I slowly took a step foreword, then another. I couldn't seem to figure out how all my limbs were supposed to move. It was just odd, but I made it to the lake side eventually. I was afraid to look into the water for a moment. I wasn't sure what I'd see when I looked. Hesitantly, I leaned over and looked down into the still waters. "Yup. I'm a horse.... No, a pony." I muttered as I looked myself over. "This is just weird. I mean I understand a dark grey coat, but blue and even darker grey mane? And I didn't even know hor- ponies could have blue eyes." I criticized. "This is by far the weirdest dream I've ever had. And it's rather...realistic." I shook my head and headed away from the lake, my steps still unorthodox. I just made it to the top of the hill I had been on when I saw a pink flash then a face right in front of me. "HI!" Of course I did the only logical thing I could thing of. I reared up, screaming, before falling upon my back with a thud. For the second time today I found myself staring at the sky. This time however the view was almost immediately blocked by a brightly smiling, brightly colored, pink face. "I've never seen you before! Where'd you come from? Are you staying or just visiting? Do you have any friends? Ooooh! Do you like parties? I love parties and-" She stopped, gasping before taking off. That left me to stare at the sky once again, feeling utterly confused. For some reason the main though of mine was how that pony was pink. Bright... pink. Slowly, I sat up. I looked around for the excited pink pony, but she was nowhere in sight. I did, however, see a dust trail leading away. Shrugging, I followed after the quickly dissipating trail while taking the time to master my walking. I felt a little proud of myself as I managed a trot without falling on my face. My joy was only matched when I saw a town ahead. "Yes!" I said, happy that I could finally find someone to tell me just what was going on. So I trotted towards it with a smile upon my face. That smile wasn't one to last however as I got close enough to see those milling around the small town. My jaw dropped. There were ponies. Ponies of so many colors as to put the rainbow to shame. "Weirdest... dream... ever." I muttered to myself. Author's Note Yeah, I know. It's cliche, but I felt like writing it.
Chapter 3She had led me to a tree. Or rather... a house made into a tree. Not out of a tree, but literally a house in a tree. And not only that but inside was a library! A library... inside of a tree. And I thought this place was weird enough before. And that mare was way too energetic. The entire way there she had bounced. And bouncing... gets annoying after a while. Luckily, when we reached the - tree house... library...? - place, the bouncing stopped. The mare knocked on the door and waited until a purple unicorn with a purple mane and tail, which had two streaks of lighter shades in them, answered the door. "Oh, hey Pinkie. What are you doing here?" The purple mare asked before noticing me, "And who is this?" The pink mare, Pinkie, almost immediately replied, "Well I was on my way to the lake to try and find Rainbow Dash when I saw him. I went up to him to get see if I recognized him and when I didn't I," She did the gasp that she had done before when I had first met her before continuing, "and then I ran back here to get everything ready for tonight. When that was done I went out and found him again just outside Ponyville. He was talking to himself and he said 'Well that simplifies things' and then I asked 'What simplifies things' and then he fell on his back and-" She was cut off by the purple mare raising her hoof. "Pinkie. Get to the point." She told her. Pinkie nodded and continued, "Well I brought him here because he says he doesn't have a home and he doesn't know how he got here. I was hoping you could help Twilight." The purple mare, Twilight, looked me over for a moment. "What's your name?" She asked me. I started to reply, but it was at that moment when I realized something extremely important. I couldn't remember... anything. "I.... I don't know. I don't remember. I don't remember anything." I replied, no longer sure of what to do. Twilight looked from me to Pinkie before walking inside. "Come in." I glanced at Pinkie as she stepped inside before following after them. As soon as I entered the room I saw books flying off shelves and had to duck to avoid being knocked in the head by one. The books, surrounded by some kind of glowing purple aura… thing, all went to Twilight and she gave each a quick glance before tossing them in a pile where they lost their glow. It was then that I noticed that Twilight’s horn was surrounded by a similar glow. My guess was that they were probably connected. “Oh, where is it? Spike! Where’s-“ Twilight started to ask before being cut off by a voice I didn’t recognize. “Mind, Memory, and Remembrance. Right here.” I looked to see where the voice had come from and saw a small purple dragon with green spikes along his back slide down a ladder with a book in his hand… claws…. I give up. “Ah, thank you Spike,” She said before taking the book from him with her magic, or at least that’s what I guessed the purple glow was. The book floated up to her and opened, the pages flipping quickly before stopping on what I guess Twilight’s intended page was. “Is that book supposed to help?” I couldn’t help but ask. “Well of course. There’s a spell right here that should help with your memory,” She answered as if it was obvious, “Now just stand still.” With that she put down the book. I was about to ask why when her horn began to glow again. I took that as a sign to not move. I didn’t know what she was capable of and I really didn’t want to find out, so I stood still as asked. Suddenly the room was filled with a blinding light and I couldn’t see anything. Luckily, after a few moments of continuous blinking, my vision returned. Only somehow I was staring at the roof… and I was on my back… again. This time instead of one face, there were two that appeared to block my view. “Do you remember anything?” Twilight asked, stepping back as I sat up. “No,” I muttered as I rubbed my head which had begun to smart. Probably from the fall. “But that should have worked,” Twilight said, obviously confused. She picked the book up again and read through it. “Oh, wait. It says here that you’ll need some sort of jolt or something exciting.” “Something exciting? Like what?” I asked, confused. The reply was simple. Twilight and Pinkie smiled at each other and said two words. “Rainbow Dash.”
Chapter 4I followed after Pinkie and Twilight. Once again Pinkie was bouncing instead of walking, though this time she and Twilight were having a conversation about something. I wasn't really paying attention to them. I was too busy looking around as they led me through town. Most of the buildings looked pretty much the same, though I did spot a couple that looked different from the rest. Businesses I guessed. "How ma-" I started to ask before I accidentally ran into Twilight's flank. I hadn't realized they had stopped and I took a quick step back, smiling apologetically. "Sorry 'bout that," I said to apologize when I realized she wasn't looking at me. She was looking up at the sky. I looked up as well, but only saw a small cloud hanging lazily in the sky. "Rainbow Dash!" Twilight called out. I looked back down at her to see that she was still looking up. At what I couldn't te- "Oh, hey Twilight," came a voice I didn't recognize. I looked up again to see a blue pegasus with a rainbow colored mane peering over the edge of the cloud, which I now realized was a lot closer to the ground then I had previously thought. "Can you come down here?" Twilight asked her. Rainbow Dash then jumped off of the cloud and dived down, pulling up and the last second and landing perfectly. I couldn't say I wasn't impressed, and a little confused on her she was on a cloud in the first place. "What do you need?" She asked Twilight. "Was she laying... on a cloud?" I asked, utterly confused. Then I felt rude for interrupting and stupid when Rainbow gave me a 'duh' look. "Yeah. All pegasi can remember," she said, looking me over, "You should know that. You are a pegasus. Wait, who are you anyways?" Thankfully Twilight decided to answer that question for me, "That's kind of why we came to find you. He can't remember who he is. I tried a spell, but for it to take effect he needs a shock of some sort." "So you thought of me naturally," Rainbow said, looking rather smug, "I might have a few ideas. Actually...." She smiled suddenly before whispering something in Twilight and Pinkie's ears. They all nodded after a moment and the Rainbow Dash bolted into the air mere inches from my head, leaving my hair a little more blown back and messy then it already was. "Where'd she fly off to?" I asked, glancing behind me. "You'll see," was my only reply before there was a sudden flash. I stumbled back a little as my vision blurred. Then there was a loud crack, which made me jump, followed by my muscles tightening as electricity surged through my body. After a few moments of being tense my muscles finally relax and I slump to the ground. "Ow...." I managed. I looked up to see Rainbow Dash trying to hold back a laugh before failing and flopping back on a particularly dark cloud, laughing hard. "Rainbow Dash!" I heard Twilight exclaim, "You were supposed to shock him, but not actually hit him with lightning." After a moment of more laughter Rainbow showed back over the edge of the cloud. "Oh, come on. How was I supposed to know he was going to jump in the way?" She asked before continuing, "Besides, maybe he needed that kind of shock." With that she flew down and hovered right in front of me at a rather uncomfortably close distance. I glanced away before looking back at her. "Do you remember anything?" She asked me. I thought for a moment, hard as it was with her staring me down like she was, but came up with nothing. "No," I replied sadly. Rainbow sighed and flew over to Twilight. "I've got nothing." "Well maybe Zecora can help," Twilight said before giving me a second look over, "Actually let's go see Rarity first." Suddenly Pinkie jumped out of nowhere, making me jump again. "Oh goodie! That'll be the perfect time to invite her for this afternoon's event!" I was about to ask what she meant when there was another bright flash.
Chapter 5I blinked a couple of times at the flash. I stand still, expecting to be shocked again. Instead I saw that we were in some sort of dress shop. All around there were manikins and cloths and dresses. I also spotted a couple of suits. It was about this time that I heard a voice coming from the stairs. It was most assuredly feminine. “Well of course I’ll come to the party, but you haven’t even told me who it’s for,” the voice said. It came from a pure white unicorn mare with a flowing purple mane and tail. I also noticed she had three diamonds on her flank. Huh. Guess she likes tattoo-. I stop mid thought as I glanced at Pinkie, who was somehow already there and was following the other mare down the stairs, and noticed she had three balloons on her flank. And as Twilight walked over to the others I saw that she had a star on hers. They all had different designs in the same place, and it made me curious as to why. At least until a shocked gasp grabbed my attention. “What happened to your mane?! It’s singed and frizzy and it looks like you've been struck by lightning!” The white mare exclaimed, making me blush with embarrassment. “Actually he was,” Twilight said, “which is why we came to you Rarity. We were hoping you could clean him up.” Pinkie nodded. “Yeah, that and it’s kinda our fault he got hit with lightning.” Rarity gave the other two a look of curiosity before turning to me. She gave me a quick look over before smiling and nodding. “Of course I can, but first I want you to get cleaned up before I can work with you,” she said to me. With that she ushered me upstairs and into a bathroom. “Towels are over there,” she said, pointing to the, “Take your time and don’t make a mess. Come downstairs when you’re ready.” Then she left, closing the door and leaving me in a very feminine bathroom. I sighed and went over to the shower, turning on the hot water with surprising ease. I stepped in, smiling as the water ran over me. I stood there for a moment before I started thinking about how I was going to clean myself. I didn't want to try and stand on my hind legs after the first failure and flying was out of the question because the area was too small and I didn't know how to fly anyways. Instead I sat down and leaned back. I almost lost balance, but my wings reflexively shot out a little and helped me retain it. I looked back at them and nodded After spending a few moments looking, I found the shampoo. I got a little out and sniffed it. Fruity. I sighed again and got a little more out before I proceeded to rub it into my fur to remove all the grime. I was surprised how dirty I had gotten over the short amount of time, though I’m sure some of it was the scorched fur. Drying off proved to be just as difficult as washing, especially my wings. After several minutes of effort I finished and looked at myself in the mirror. I was impressed at how silky my fur looked. My mane was still messy though, but I remembered Rarity was going to fix that. I suddenly realized how long I had been in there. I quickly put my towel in the hamper and headed downstairs. I trotted back into the room, but they weren't there. I looked around for a moment, confused, before I heard them from another room. I went over to the door and was about to open it when it swung open suddenly. It hit me hard in the face and I fell back on my haunches before losing balance as my front hooves went to my nose. This time my wings didn't catch me and I fell on my back, holding my nose as I groaned. “Oh dear, are you alright?!” Rarity asked as I saw her stand above me. I lifted a hoof off of my nose and thankfully saw I wasn't bleeding. “I’m fine,” I said as I pushed myself up and rubbed my nose. “Well that’s a relief,” she said, smiling as she looked me over, “You do clean up nice, but we still need to work on that mane.” As soon as she finishes talking I’m surrounded by a blue glow. I then felt myself lift into the air and get carried in the magical field. I’m set down as she draws across some sort of foldable wall thing. Almost immediately after she puts it in place, several different items float around me in the same magic I was in earlier. I saw a brush, scissors, a spray bottle and a tape measurer. That confused me a little and even more when she started taking measurements of me. “I thought you were going to do my mane,” I said, confused as I stood there. “Don’t worry darling, I’ll get to it,” she said, getting a measurement of my neck before continuing, “I just had the most fabulous idea for you.” “And that is?” I asked. She tutted, “I can’t tell you that yet,” she replied before floating the measuring tape away, “There. Now for that mane of your.” Now the comb, brush, and other items came foreword. “Need me to do anything?” “Just sit and don’t move,” she told me and I did as she said. As she started brushing my hair I closed my eyes, finding it extremely relaxing. Something about the brush running through my mane was very pleasing. “You seem to be enjoying this,” Rarity commented as she worked. “Yeah, it’s very… soothing.” “Well you’re definitely less talkative then most.” I smiled a little, “Yeah. I tend to listen more then I talk.” “Well I can’t say it’s a bad thing, and I’ve been told your story so I guess there’s not much to be said. Plus I think I get done faster without all the talking,” Rarity said before she stopped working on my mane, “Speaking of done you can open your eyes now.” I opened my eyes and saw myself in a large mirror that she must have brought over while she worked. My mane was no longer as messy as it was before, but it wasn’t completely smooth either. It was straight and the ends were spiked. The single blue streak was jagged as it went back, like a lightning bolt. “I love it, thank you,” I said gratefully. “You’re welcome darling. I couldn’t have a handsome stallion like you leave looking like a ruffian now could I?” “Well thank you again,” I said, smiling at the comment. My stomach chose that moment to remind me that I hadn’t eaten all day. “Sounds like somepony’s hungry. I’d take you, but I simply must get started on this new project if I am to get it done by tonight.” I started to tell her it was fine when Twilight and Pinkie walked back into the room. “Pinkie and I are going over to Sweet Apple Acres to check on Applejack. Do you mind watching him for a while?” Twilight asked Rarity, making me feel like a bit of a child. “I would sweetie, but I must start on this project and I can’t have any distractions. Besides, the poor stallion is starving, and you know the Apples will make sure he gets something to eat,” Rarity replied as she brought out a bunch of different materials. “Oh, that’s great!” Pinkie exclaimed, “Now he can meet Applejack!” “Who?” I asked as I followed them out. “You’ll see,” Twilight replied simply as we headed out.
Chapter 6I followed after Twilight and Pinkie, feeling more confused as the day went on. When we had left I had glanced at my flank - still felt weird for me to think that word - and saw that I didn't have a symbol. The others hadn't said anything so I hadn't guessed it wasn't unusual. That is until I started paying attention to all of the other ponies and saw that they all had some sort of mark on their flanks. Then I decided they were trying to be nice and not mention it. Though the more I thought about it, the more I wondered what they were for and why they were so important. Surely there had to be a reason if everypony had one. "Hey, Twilight?" I called to get her attention, hoping she would tell me. "Yes?" She asked, looking back at me as we walked. "What are those-" "Tail twitch!" Pinkie exclaimed suddenly before ducking for cover. Twilight looked up before following Pinkie's example. Me? I just stopped and looked at them, wondering why they were acting so odd. "Tail twitch? What does a tail twitch have to do with anything?" I asked. "It means something's going to fall, silly," Pinkie replied as if I should know this already. I started to ask how the possibility of something falling could be predicted by a mere tail twitch when I heard a soft voice above me. I also began to realize, though the thought was brief, that I simply couldn't seem to ask any of my questions. "Don't worry Angel! I'll catch you!" The soft voice cried out. I turned and looked up to see a soft yellow pegasus with a light pink mane and tail flying backwards as she looked up. I tried to see what she was looking at when I saw something small and white falling towards her. I watched as she caught the white fluff ball and I smiled a little, but then I saw her glance down. Her wings shut against her side and she fell straight towards me. I pushed myself onto my hind legs, my wings flapping to help me keep my balance, and reached my forelegs out to catch her. I felt, for a moment, that I could have done something better like flying up and catching her, but it was too late. She collided with me. I fell, hitting the ground. Hard. I lost all of my air in that moment and I'm sure - for the who-knows-how-many times - that I would have been staring at the sky if there wasn't a tail in my face as the pegasus sat up, still on to of me. Thankfully she wasn't heavy, but since she was sitting directly on my stomach I still couldn't catch my breath. "Oh Angel. I'm so glad you're okay," I heard the mare say, guessing from her voice. "Fluttershy! Are you alright?" Twilight's voice asked. I heard hooves approach, but I still couldn't see. "Oh, hi Twilight. Yes, I'm okay," Fluttershy responded, "Thankfully I landed on something soft." I chose this moment to reach up and tap on her back somewhere. I heard an "eep!" and suddenly her tail and weight were no longer there. I took a long, grateful gulp of air before looking around for Fluttershy. As I glanced past Twilight I saw a pair of light blue eyes peek around her before swiftly hiding again. "Didn't mean to scare ya," I said after I managed to catch my breath, "I just couldn't breath." Twilight nodded. "She's just really shy. When we first met I had the hardest time trying to figure out her name, but she's great once you get to know her." She explained as she stepped aside, revealing Fluttershy. Fluttershy's face was partially hidden behind her mane, though I could still see one blue eye. I stood up and gave a friendly smile as I dusted myself off. "It's a pleasure to meet you Fluttershy." She seemed to shy more away from me at first, but I guess my smile gave her reason not to as she hid less of her face. She had a softer kind of beauty, unlike Rarity's striking kind. "So what's your name?" Fluttershy asked, smiling back at me. I opened my mouth to reply, but closed it as I remembered that I still couldn't remember. I frowned slightly, lowering my gaze slightly. "Actually, Fluttershy, that's a problem we've been trying to solve," Twilight stepped in, "He can't remember anything before today." Faster than I though was possible from the shy mare, she was by my side. "Poor thing. You mean he can't remember his family or home or anything?" She asked Twilight. I felt she was just short of coddling me to try and make me feel better. I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but I did know that I did not want to be a sob story. "Twilight has a plan," I said quickly before looking at Twilight for confirmation, "Don't you?" "Well...." "Of course she has a plan!" Pinkie cut in, surprising me since she was so quiet earlier, "I mean it's Twilight. She always has a plan, and her plans have back-up plans, and those back-up plans have back-up plans, and-" "I think we get it Pinkie, and actually I was planning on seeing if Zecora could help after we see Applejack," Twilight said, giving a more straight foreword answer and raising my hopes. "Well I hope she can help," Fluttershy said as she flew over and picked up what I now realized was a rabbit, "I would come with you but I need to get home and ask Rainbow Dash to put her catapult away from my house so we don't have another incident." She gave me another soft smile before flying off, staying not too high off the ground. "So that's why Angel was so high in the sky," I heard Twilight muse as I looked back down at her. "So I wanted to ask wh-," I was interrupted as my stomach growled, "Actually it can wait until we get something to eat." "Race you!" Pinkie shouted quickly before crouching, "One, two, three go!" And then she took off quickly. I wasn't sure why, but I smiled and took off after her. Still unknowing of how long this day was going to be.
Chapter 7"Come on slowpoke!" Pinkie called back to me as I made my way towards her slowly. Once I finally made it to her I collapsed with a huff. Groaning, I rolled over and stared up at the cerulean sky. I was started getting used to seeing it by now. "I'm out of shape," I muttered, feeling tired and more hungry than before. "Well you could work on the farm with Applejack," Pinkie suggested, "I'm sure she wouldn't mind an extra hoof and it would help get you in shape!" "Get who in shape?" I heard somepony say in an obviously southern country accent. I turned my head to look at who was talking. At first I couldn't see who it was because the sun was right behind her and it blinded me. It wasn't until she stepped into the way of the sun that I saw her. Her coat was orange, of what kind I'm not sure, and her mane, and tail, were straw blonde. They were also tied in buns at the end. She also wore a stetson hat which complimented her southern bell looks. I rolled over and stood up, quickly brushing myself off. "Me," I answered, feeling embarrassed for having to get in shape in the first place. The orange mare looked at me and looked me over before asking, "Who're you?" "He doesn't know," Twilight said as she trotted over to us, surprising me since she came from the opposite direction we had. "I thought you were were going to be at the barn cleaning up today." "Well ah was, but we fell a bit behind so ah'm helpin' Big Mac buck some trees today." Applejack explained. "Bucking trees?" I asked, completely confused. "Yeah, ta get the apples down," Applejacke explained, giving me a look not unlike the one Rainbow Dash had given me when I had asked if she had been laying on a could. Again, I felt foolish. "He doesn't remember who he is," Twilight said in my defense, "In fact I don't think he remembers anything besides the basic everyday things." Applejack looked me over again before turning to Twilight. "Well what d'ya plan ta do Twi?" "Well we're going to see Zecora to see if she can help us, but we decided to stop by to see you first," Twilight explained, "Partially because Pinkie wanted to see you and partially because he's hungry." My stomach chose that moment to growl, supporting Twilight's statement. "Well ah'm a bit busy right now Twi, but if ya'll c'n help ah wouldn' mind gettin' ya some food," Applejack told us. I nodded immediately. "I'll help." "Sure, Applejack. You know we don't mind helping." Twilight agreed. "Great! You already know what to do Twi, and," Applejack looked around, "Pinkie'll show up sooner or later. You follow me." With that she started trotting away and I followed after. We passed by several trees. All of them full of ripe apples and all of the looking extremely delicious. My stomach let out a quiet, insistent growl, begging me to eat one. I I hadn't already been offered food for work, and if I didn't feel it was morally wrong, I might have listened my stomach. Instead I followed after Applejack until she stopped by a tree. "Now pay attention. 'T ain't that hard ta learn. The hard part come from the actual buckin'," She told me. Then she turned her back to the tree, leaned on her front hooves with her backs up, and bucked the tree. I watched as the whole tree shook and then the apples fall into baskets or buckets placed beneath the tree. "Wow," I said, impressed. Applejack smiled and trotted over to the next tree. "You try this one." I nodded and headed over. I moved right up to the tree and turned around, but when I looked over my shoulder I saw I was too close. I took a step foreword and looked again before nodding. I pushed onto my front hooves, but almost immediately started losing my balance. Luckily I flapped my wings and managed to keep myself from falling on my face as I land back on four hooves. I heard a soft chuckle from Applejack. "Try again sugarcube," Applejack said, though as to why she called me sugarcube I'm not sure. I nod again, setting my hooves determinately. I push back onto my front hooves, managing to keep my balance long enough for me to buck out, kicking the tree. It shook, though not near as much as it had when Applejack had bucked the tree, but enough to get a decent amount of the apples down. I grinned, feeling accomplished before looking to Applejack. "Not bad for yer first time. Now all ya gotta do is get those tree," she said, pointing down a long row of trees with buckets next to them, "Once yer done head over to the barn. We'll have some food ready for ya." "Thanks. I'll get it done as fast as I can," I assure her, smiling. She gave me a smile and a small nod before trotting off, leaving me to my work. I let out a small sigh as I head to the next tree. I knew it'd be a long day, but I also knew that when I got the chance to eat that I wouldn't waste a single bit. I groaned as I made my way to the barn. I felt sore and tired and hungrier than ever. When the smell of hot, fresh food hit my nose I sniffed deeply. My mouth watered at the smell of the fragrant aroma. That was all the encouragement I needed to pick up the pace as I trotted quickly to the barn. When I reached it I saw a large picnic like area set out with food all in the center. Everypony else was already there, plus a couple I didn't recognize. A dark red stallion with a light brown mane and tail who was large and very well built, a small filly with a pinkish red mane and tail and a tan coat, and an elderly looking mare with a light green coat and a white mane and tail. As I trot closer, Applejack looks up and spots me. I smiled back as she smiled at me. "Well look here. Our new bucker's finally done an's come fer chow," she said, patting the spot next to her, "Have a seat sugarcube." I smiled, trotting over and sitting next to her. The food smelled delicious and the family smiled at me. Twilight was there also, and Pinkie had decided to show up. Though I still didn't know who the three others were. Applejack must have noticed my confusion or realized she hadn't introduced them yet. "This here's Big Mac. He's a big fella fer sure and hard worker," she said, patting the large red stallion on the back before pointing to the filly, "That there's Apple Bloom. Best little sister one could ask for, and that's Granny Smith." She pointed to the elderly mare who smiled at me. I nodded to each in turn before my stomach growled again and I blushed, a bit embarrassed. Applejack chuckled, smiling. "Well ah'll take as the sign ta start eatin'. Dig in, ya'll." And with that we all did. I especially didn't waste time. I was so hungry I felt I could eat it all, and I sure tried. Author's Note If you feel any of the descriptions are lacking or off, sorry. I tried to make sure I described colors properly and yes I know I didn't say eye color or their cutie mark, but that's because I don't believe that he would have payed enough attention with the food right there.
Chapter 8Author's Note Okay, so doing this chapter has taken me a bit of a while. Not because it is long, but because I was "planning" on putting the dream into this as well as him waking up. Problem is I ran into some major blockage not to mention my friend deviated my attention to a different story. So instead of incorporating the dream into this chapter I shall put it in the next. Funny thing is I've had this entire chapter essentially finished for quite a while now. Chapter 8 I almost regretted eating as much as I did, but I was glad I wasn't hungry anymore. I yawned, watching the sun change to soft shades of red and orange with blue and violet following it's descent across the horizon. Granny Smith had already gone in, along with Big Mac, and Applebloom looked ready to fall asleep. Applejack must have noticed as well because she stood and nudged her little sister. "C'mon. Let's get ya ta bed." I couldn't help but smile as the little filly yawned and stood before heading towards their house. "Tell Pinkie ah'll be there soon," Applejack told Twilight before heading after her sister. Twilight nodded as she stood and I followed suit. "Well it's too late to go see Zecora today," Twilight mused as she gazed at the setting sun, "We can do that tomorrow. Oh, and until you can remember where you live I've arranged for you to stay in one of my spare rooms." That bit of news was probably the best I'd heard that day, but I had to wonder. "You're sure it's not too much trouble?" I asked, following after her as she trotted down the way. Even though I questioned it a small smile spread across my face. "Of course not," She replied, "You need a place to stay and I have a room. Besides, with you closer that'll make it all the easier to see what might be suppressing your memories." I nod, continuing after her. As we walked I asked Twilight many questions. Questions about the towns and places and about Equestria itself. I wanted to know more about where I was in case I couldn't remember. Thankfully, Twilight didn't seem to mind my many questions and answered every one of them with textbook efficiency. I found it unsurprising since she did live in a library. When we arrived at Twilight's home she stopped me at the door. "Let me make sure everything is cleaned up first," she told me before there was a flash and she was gone. Having no other choice but to wait, I waited. It wasn't long until I heard Twilight call for me to come in. I opened the door to a dark room. It was almost pitch black, which confused me. I stepped in, taking slow, cautious steps foreword as I glanced around. I was about to call out to see if anypony was there when suddenly the lights flashed on and there was a loud yell all around me. I jump, my heart racing at the suddenness. Once my vision cleared I saw that there were streamers, and balloons, and cake, and punch, and confetti, and all these other party things and around me were several ponies. Some I had yet to meet and six that I already had. Pinkie Pie bounced up to me, her smile wide. "Scared ya didn't we?" She asked rhetorically before continuing, "Well, scaring wasn't really the main intention. I actually threw this party for you! I mean at first when I saw you I knew I didn't recognize you so the first thought that came to mind was that you're new and being new means making new friends and making new friends can be hard so I invited a bunch of my friends so you can meet them and make friends. That was the original idea anyways. After I saw you the second time I and you told me how you couldn't remember anything I had to make this party even better and make it into a "Get your memories soon" party and I've spent all day getting it together which is part of the reason I couldn't help out Apple-" "Pinkie, I think he gets it," Rainbow stepped in before flying over and landing next to Pinkie in front of me. "So what should we call you anyways? Until you remember your name that is." This threw me off a bit. I hadn't put much thought into what my name might be, let alone if I even had one. The thought just seemed to have slipped my mind. "Well...." "Oh! We can call him Fall since he always falls on his back," Pinkie offered, smiling. Rainbow gave her a skeptical look. "Maybe something a bit cooler. Like Shadow." Rainbow suggested. "Fall can be cool! In fact it's one of the cooler seasons," Pinkie retorted. "Yeah, but Shadow are all dark and mysterious which is way better," Rainbow shot back. Thankfully, Twilight stepped in as the voice of reason. "How about we use both of the names and call him Shadow Fall." Pinkie and Rainbow looked at each other before nodding. "Deal," they both said at once. I couldn't help but chuckle a little at the whole situation. They'd pretty much given me a name, a home, food, and cleaned me up. I wasn't sure why they did so, but I was indebted to them. My thoughts were broken when Rarity held a glass of punch with her magic out to me. I smile, taking it and taking a sip as Pinkie spoke. "Alright everypony. This party's for my new friend, Shadow Fall! Please make him feel welcome. Now, let's get this party started." And with that the party did indeed start. I was approached by several ponies who greeted me kindly and a couple I even held a small conversation with. None of them asked me anything about my past. My guess was that Pinkie had explained to them that I couldn't remember yet. Nonetheless the conversations were kind and offered me more insight on things that I hadn't thought to ask Twilight. Things like classical music, and modern, as well as market foods and the varying types of muffins. Sometimes I talked with Rarity, or listened really. Rainbow Dash told me that she would be teaching me to fly tomorrow and Applejack told me I could work out on the farm for some bits. Fluttershy generally offered me a kind smile. She still seemed to be a bit shy around me. I noticed Twilight several times checking her bottle as if to make sure there wasn't some toxic symbol on there. And so the party went on until the time came for everypony to leave. As much as I had enjoyed the party, the long day had exhausted me and all I wished for was nice comfy bed to sleep in. Once everypony had left, Twilight led me to the spare room and told me that if I needed anything than all I'd have to do is ask. With that she left to go to her own room. The spare bedroom was simple with a bed in the center and a nightstand with a lamp to the side. The room was colored much like the rest of the room and there was a window above the bed. That bed. Never had a bed looked so inviting. I climbed under the blankets, covering myself with the silky indulgence that helped lull me into a much needed sleep. And sleep came quickly, dragging me down into it. With it, came a dream.
Chapter 2I stood there just staring at the ponies that milled about. Of all the things I thought I'd see in my lifetime this would not have been it. I was so shocked I felt like I could have stood there forever, and I would have if my stomach hadn't growled. I suddenly thought of money. I looked back and realized something I hadn't before. I wasn't wearing any clothes. I could clearly feel my cheeks heat up with embarrassment. I turned my attention to the other ponies to see what they wore. I felt both relieved and a little more embarrassed. The didn't wear clothes either. "Well that simplifies things," I muttered. "What simplifies things?" The sudden voice made me jump, scream, and fall on my back. Three times. Three times I've been looking at the sky today. I thought just before a familiar pink face blocked my view. "Do you always have to sneak up on me?" I asked, not yet realizing the flood of words that was about to come. "Oh no, not always though I can if you want me to. Oh! Right. I was thinking of this great party for you since I've never seen you before so I was about to get everything ready when I realized I had no idea where you lived so I went looking for you and then I saw you and I ran over and I heard you say, 'Well that simplifies things,' and I asked, 'What simplifies things?' and you jumped and screamed and fell on your back and then you asked, 'Do you always have to sneak up on me?' and then I said 'Oh no, not really,' and here we are," She paused for a moment before continuing. "I just came to find out where you live. So, where do you live?" My head was reeling with the sudden influx of words. "Uh.... I um.... I don't - I don't have a home," I told her. This seemed to shock her. "What?! Everypony in Equestria has a home." "Well I don't. I don't even know where I am or how I got here." "Oh, well that's easy. You're in Ponyville and you got here by walking," She said cheerily. "No, I meant-" "Don't you worry about a thing. Your good friend Pinkie Pie will help you out," She said as she wrapped a foreleg over my shoulders. "But I-" "C'mon! I know just the pony." She said, pushing me towards the town. I had a feeling that she wouldn't take no for an answer and I didn't have a better idea, so I followed after the bouncy pink mare with poofy hair. . . . . Wait.... Did I just think mare? I groaned. This was going to be a long day.
