Author'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.