First Eclipse

Today is a day that will go down in history for me. My name is Josh Del Arte, and I am a human from Earth. I live in Provo, Utah in the year 2023 AD. I have lived in Provo for all of my life. I've been through a lot at this point, seeing as I've been teased through most of Elementary School, all of Middle School, and some of High School. Before I went on to college, I experienced a other-worldly place by traveling through a black wormhole on my 18th birthday, and somehow ended up on a world that was created by my future, deified self (still not sure how that works out, seeing as I'm as far from that as the sun is from the center of the universe). I went on to college to pursue my Bachelor's Degree in Visual Arts, and had very little trouble with that. After just barely having established myself as a somewhat well-known artist, I found a good home to keep myself safe from the elements. It wasn't very large, but it was home. It was somewhat near my house where I grew up, but I'm pretty sure my parents and 4 siblings wouldn't recognize me. After all, just after finishing college, I supposedly "died". What really happened was that I faked my death in order to have a fresh start as an artist with no connections to anyone else. In order to do so, I went through a procedure to change my face, and luckily for me, somebody had already paid for it. After that, I legally changed my name so that I was no longer Joshua Castle, but rather Josh Del Arte. Because of the name change, I also got a new ID card from the state to make things official.

The first of February was a normal Saturday, as far as I could tell, with the usual routine of Breakfast, brushing teeth, and getting dressed. I went out dressed normally, (Long sleeved shirt, jeans, socks and shoes, that kind of outfit, plus my glasses of course, and I made sure I had my wallet with me, of course) for I wasn't nearly as well-known as some other people. I set out to Provo Town Centre Mall with some of my paintings and my guitar to buy provisions.

After a walk down some familiar streets such as University Avenue, I arrived at the Mall. I bought some provisions, such as new paints and brushes, and ventured to Pioneer Park, (which was a few miles away, and near the Museum), where I used to play as a child. I sat down on the bench near the gutter that I remember swimming in when I was young (unfortunately, it was now filled in, but it still brought back good memories). I was contemplating my life-  From my fist days in my Middle-Class home, to my first friends, to the disappearance of my little sister, to my Elementary School years, to when I first got my glasses, to that November Day in Second Grade (I think it might've been November 19th, National "Have a bad day" Day, but I'm not sure), to my first crush, to my Middle School years, to my High School years, to my first heartbreak, to my College years, and finally, all that time spent trying to establish myself as an artist and singer. It was amidst these thoughts on my past when a large vortex opened up. Drat, just as I was about to use this park for inspiration, I thought to myself. I remembered something similar happening on my 18th birthday in 2013, but this vortex was vastly different, especially because it was rainbow colored, when the previous one I ran into was plain black.

I was about to have a flashback of that time when I noticed it was sucking in things around it. It sucked me in, and took me on a wild and uncomfortable ride, but that wasn’t all. I could feel something about me changing. Was I entering a Fisher Kingdom, then? Before I could see the result of the change, something bonked me on the head, and I blacked out.

------ Bright-Eyes ------

It was a beautiful day in winter when I found a strange unicorn collapsed on the edge of Ponyville. Who was this strange pony, and why was he lying on the ground like that? His coat was a shade of teal, as far as I could tell, and he had a pair of blue glasses on his face. His mane and tail were both a dark brown. He was wearing strange clothing that I'd never seen before, and had a blue guitar strapped to his back.

I hoisted him up, and dragged him to the hospital, to have him checked. While on the way there, a few other ponies were staring, but I didn't pay them any mind.

------- Josh -------

Before I came to my senses, the thoughts of Who am I? Where am I? What am I? floated through my head, meaning I had amnesia. I didn't quite recall hitting my head, though.

I then heard a female saying: "Is he going to be OK, doctor?"

Then, a male voice, most likely the doctor, said: "He'll be fine. There's no major damage, but he did hit his head."

I then opened my eyes, to see a hospital scene. There were white curtains surrounding my raised bed. I then said: "Doc, pardon my asking, but who am I? I've seemed to have forgotten."

The doctor came into the room, and said: "Oh dear, he's got amnesia! That's certainly not good."

I then took a good look at him, and noticed that he was a horse of some sort. I then looked down at myself, and saw a teal coat and hooves, meaning that a talking horse was normal. I then said: "Yeah, absolutely nothing in this head of mine, just a blank. I can't quite explain how I got here, though."

Then the female, a gray Pegasus with a blonde mane, trotted in, and said: "I found you on the edge of Ponyville and brought you here."

I then said: "So this is the Ponyville hospital? Pretty spacious for a small town hospital. Say, doc, is it lunch time? I'm quite starved."

The doctor then said: "Yes, it is. Please, stop calling me 'doc' though. I'm Dr. Stable, the main doctor in Ponyville. I knew you'd be hungry when you woke up, so I brought you some food."

When he wheeled in the food tray, I took it, and said: "Thanks, Stable. I appreciate it" I then looked at the spread: an apple, two carrots, a bowl of vegetables, a glass of milk, and oats. I was expecting... I dunno, a bit more, perhaps? But I didn't complain, and dug in. after I finish snarfing it all down, I belched, and said: "Oops, excuse me. Bad habit of mine, I guess!"

As I got out of the bed, Dr. Stable then said: "Are you sure you should be up and about, sir?"

I took a look in the mirror, saw my horn, and found a rather curious mark on my flank: a blue musical note overlapping a paintbrush. I looked around, and saw that the other two in the room had different marks. Dr. Stable had a syringe, while the pegasus had a bunch of bubbles. I then said: "Say, what's this mark mean, anyway?"

The pegasus then said: "That's your cutie mark. It represents your special talent."

I then said: "Ah. I guess that means I'm an artist and a singer, eh? Now that I say it out loud, it does seem... right, somehow. Still doesn't solve the problem of me not knowing my own name... ... Unless it does! Until I can remember my real name, I'll just go by Magic Brushnote. Yeah, it fits me perfectly!"

Then, the pegasus said: "So, Magic, do you have anyplace to stay?"

I then frowned, and said: "Sadly, no. I'm a 27-year old stallion with no roof over my head. The only two ponies I know are you and Dr. Stable, and I don't even know your name."

She then said: "I'm Bright-Eyes, nice to meet you."

I then said: "Well, then Bright-Eyes, if you would be so kind, please show me around town."

She then escorted me out of the hospital, and started showing me around. We saw the Post office (where she worked), Apple Acres, Imperial Frames, Carrousel  Boutique, and Clock Emporium. As we neared Sugarcube corner, a pink pony ran me down, and said: "Whoa! A new pony's in town! What's your name? What's you're favorite food? What's your favorite cake? What's your favorite color? What's your favorite drink? Wh-"

I then shouted: "Pinkie! Let me speak!"

She then said: "Wowza! How'd you know my name?"

I then said: "Wild guess, I suppose. But! Let me answer your questions. My name is Magic Brushnote. My favorite foods... I'd say strawberries, pears, chocolate, and a few others I can't remember. My favorite cake... I'm kinda divided between Chocolate Cake and Strawberry Cake. As for my favorite color... I'd have to say turquoise, hooves down. Though, I do like green and regular blue. My favorite drink...? I dunno, really. Perhaps apple cider? Or was it something else? Bah, this amnesia of mine is getting on my nerves."

Pinkie then said: "So, anything else I should know?"

I then said: "Hmm... Oh yeah! Absolutely no alcoholic drinks. I can't stand those!"

Pinkie then said: "I'll make sure Applejack knows! Bye!" She then galloped away.

I then said: "She certainly has a lot of energy. On with the tour?"

Bright-Eyes nodded, and showed me to Sugercube corner.

I took a good sniff, and said: "Ah! I definitely know where I'm gonna go to satiate my sweet-tooth for as long as I'm in Ponyville. I haven't smelt such delicious confections in a long time..."

We continued with the tour, and showed me to the library.

I then said: "Whoa... That's a large library. It could easily hold over 3000 books! Or, even perhaps over 4000. It's hard to tell just by looking at the outside of it." Just then, a purple unicorn with lavender hair came out and said: "Oh! Who are you? I haven't seen you here before."

I then said: "I'm new in town. My name is Magic Brushnote. It's a pleasure to meet you, Twilight."

She gasped, and said: "How do you know my name If you've never been to Ponyville before?"

I then scratched my head, and said: "I'm not sure myself. Your name just... came to me. I can't really explain it any other way."

Twilight then said: "I see... That is rather intriguing. Well, I'll see you later, Mr. Brushnote."

As she turned to leave, I said: "Please, there's no need for formalities. Just call me Magic."

She nodded, and went in the library.

After walking for a while, we met some other ponies, including one Trixie, a light blue unicorn with silvery hair,  who seemed nice enough, I suppose, but she was a bit full of herself. As we neared the Post office again, we ran into a blue unicorn mare with light blue eyes. Her mark was intriguing, seeing as it was a wand crossed with a star-burst of sorts. Her mane and tail were a deep midnight blue. She then said: "Oh, terribly sorry, sir. I'm Janice Dazzle, I'm new in town." Ithen said: "You're name's... Janice? Why does that seem so... familiar?" I then scratched my head for a bit, ten shook it, and continued: "Bah! Blast this amnesia of mine. But, there's no need to apologize, Janice. My name's Magic Brushnote. I'm new in town as well, but I don't know much about myself, sadly." I then sighed. Janice then said: "That's too bad. I hope you remember soon enough. Bye!" She then trotted off into the Post office. I then said: "Something about her bothers me. I just don't know why." We then continued walking. Bright-Eyes then showed me to her house, which was the door to the second floor of the Post office, and said: "Since you have nowhere to stay, you can spend the night at my house."

I then said: "Are you sure about this, Bright-Eyes? I may not have a place to live, but I don't want to impose. And besides, I'll just be a burden until I can sell some paintings."

She then said: "It's just one night. I'm the only one who even knows you, so you might as well stay the night."

I realized that there was no way I was getting out of this, and gave in.

We went inside, and it was dark for a split second. Then, the lights came on, and Pinkie and some other ponies popped out, and shouted: "SURPRISE!"

I took a good look around. Turquoise and green and blue were literally everywhere- Balloons, streamers, banners, everything. I then spotted the cake, and said: "Oh my goodness gracious me! It looks so... so... PERFECT! It's such a masterpiece that I don't know if I can bring myself to eat it! But, alas, food is food, no matter how artsy it looks!" I then cut the cake that was a perfect replica of my cutie mark. Everyone loved the cake, and the drinks and other food was delicious as well. I was a bit unimpressed for some reason that I couldn't explain. Had I been to one of Pinkie's parties before? No, I was pretty sure that I hadn't. Then why- I the decided to just have a bit of fun and not worry about this conundrum. After a few party games, the party came to a close. after most of them had left, I stopped Pinkie before she left.

I then said: "That... was a great party, Pinkie. I haven't had a party that good since... I don't know when! I'll be sure to contact you if an important event I want celebrated is coming up. See you soon!"

After Pinkie walked out, Bright-Eyes then said: "What did you do that for?"

I then said: "What? I just feel like I can count on Pinkie to make the events important to me grand occasions! I rather liked that party. I'd love to see what she'd do for my Birthday."

Bright-Eyes then said: "I don't get you. You do realize that you'll be stuck in a party loop, right?"

I shrugged, then said: "I don't see what's so wrong with that. As long as I have no more than four parties a year, I'll be fine. I best go to sleep."

Bright-Eyes went upstairs, rolling her eyes, and I shook my head. I went into the living room, and I took out some of my abstract paintings I'd brought with me, which had the names printed on the Master Copy of each painting: the Yellow smile, the Blue laugh, the Orange calm, the Great Sun, the Silent Moon, and of course, the one I'd never sold as far as I could recall, simply called "Loneliness". I worked into the night to replicate as many copies as I could, and with magic at my hooftips, it made things much easier than I remembered. I just looked at the painting I wanted to replicate, and envisioned it as I worked on a blank canvas. Soon enough, I had 10 more copies of each painting, except for Loneliness, which I opted to not replicate, added with the original amount that I'd brought with me, that was a total of 30 copies of each, except for Loneliness, which only had 3. Monday would be my first sales day, and I was hoping to gauge what the ponies here wanted from my paintings. I then went to sleep, and tossed and turned in the night as usual.

Elsewhere, Princess Luna enters the Dreamscape and looks for nightmares. She does a quick sweep of the towns, getting to Ponyville last. On said excursion, she doesn't run into many harmful nightmares, and lets them be. But, as she goes to Ponyville, she starts feeling a certain nightmare grow in strength as she gets closer. It is coming from the guest room in Bright-Eyes' house. When Luna attempts to peer into the dream of the sleeping stallion, Bronze locks and chains appear to block her sight. She then starts to try and destroy the nightmare, but the locks and chains form a strong barricade that resists her attempts quite well. Before she leaves, she tries her strongest Nightmare Destruction spell, but alas, it only leaves a piddly scratch, and then she leaves, feeling defeated.

In the night the Thestrals come out of hiding, and open up their night-life businesses. One said Thestral sells paintings to her fellow Thestrals. This night-life of Ponyville is unknown to its day-walking inhabitants, and is meant to remain that way. However, that will soon change...