Chapter One
Only darkness fills my vision as my eyes would not have the desire to be opened. My arms and legs are also having not much luck responding as well as it felt like they haven't moved in ages. My mind has been clouded ever since I have slowly regain consciousness and haven't shown any signs of dispersing. The only thing that is working with me is my sense of hearing since nothing was heard besides my slow, heavy breaths and the occasional sounds of muffled clops as if they tease me of companionship as they grew louder only to fade away. Neither my mind and body still wants to cooperate with each other but my fingers have now become alive as they start to twitch. As I wait for my body to wake itself from its eternal slumber, I started to get a cool feeling on my upper body. It only took me a second that I was not wearing any clothing on my body and the cooling sensation I was feeling was the touch of mother nature. It was either that or death was mocking me.
A few moments later, it seems my eyes have finally gave away as I slowly fluttered them open but only to close them due to the brightness of the room I was in. Blinking slowly, my neck muscles strained as I slowly looked around but the room was blurred for a moment before returning to normal. I slowly turned my head to the right where the damned light source is. A pair of dull purple curtains hanged over the large windows which is slightly opened, giving the room a small breeze as well as pushing the curtains; giving the sun enough room to rear it's ugly head. Mentally cursing at it, I continued to gaze around the room. A simple, small desk next to the bed with a glass looking lamp placed on top of it. A blue stylish wardrobe stands in the far right corner; matching its style to the rest of the room. A simple door located across from the bed itself, slightly ajar. And finally a heavy wooden door placed on the left side of the room; most likely where the noises that mocked me were coming from.
With a heavy groan, I forced my stiff body up into a sit up position. Slowly pulling the quilt off, gladly revealing that I still have undergarments on; I steadily made my way out of the bed, facing towards the window. I stopped myself as my feet touched the cold floor and looked at the desk and opened its single compartment, hoping that it has clues of what's going on but only to be disappointing. With a small sigh, I mentally prepared myself as I slowly stood but only to crumble onto my hands and knees in pain. I hold my tongue back as I slowly crawled to the wall and raised myself against it. Using the wall, I made my way towards wardrobe but not without stopping in front of the windows of the outside world.
Words cannot describe how beautiful the structures outside. The shapes, the layouts, the designs...every building looks like it was carved from diamonds and emeralds! With how everything was designed, all the roads was connected into one single point and that it where the building I am. I continued to gaze out of the windows till I realized the locals are out and about. I couldn't see who they were but they are colorful, that's for sure. With a final glance, I made my way to the wardrobe.
Upon opening the wardrobe, there was nothing left except for a simple black pair of pants, a white long-sleeve linen shirt and a pair of black shoes to go with it. After taking a bit of time and now fully clothed, my next destination was to the closest door to me but again, not without hugging the wall. The door slowly groaned as I made my way inside. It appears to be a small bathroom with the a sink and mirror placed across the entrance, a simple shower with a reflective glass wall blocking the view on the right and a wooden toilet on the opposite side. When I stared at the mirror...I did not know who is stared back at me. I knew it was me but yet...I staring at a complete stranger. I played with my dark brown hair and so did the reflection. My covered my left eye and the reflection stared back with its right blue eye. Placing both my hands on either sides of the mirror, I glared at the mirror and with a raspy voice I asked...
"...Just who the Tartarus hell are you?"
The mirror only mimicked of what I did. I knew it wasn't going to answer me but my mind was weak and clouded so I allowed my emotions get the better of me.
"Tell me! Tell me who I am!"
...an idiot and a fool you are...
I fell onto my knees with both my hands around my head as I felt a throb in my head when I heard...that. I'm certain that the mirror didn't talked back and I am hoping that I didn't went mad in a short period of time. But even so...what was that?
With both hands on the wall, I slowly rise on my shaking legs till reaching my full height. The door was a couple of steps away so despite both my legs are slightly shaking, I slowly paced myself as I exited the bathroom and made my way towards the other door, without the help of the wall. I reached the door handle without falling over but I definitely wasn't going to do anything that requires jogging. The door groaned as I slowly made my way out and closing it behind me. The hallway I was in has the same style the room had but I didn't care since I was already making my move to find someone. I know someone is out here because I heard them before.
It wasn't long before I turned a corner and bumped into two crystal ponies in armor and everyone definitely got different reactions from the situation. I wasn't surprised it was a pony but more that they are made out of crystals. One guard stared at me for a second before taking off in the opposite direction while the other one took a step back and putting himself in a aggressive stance.
"D-Don't move, sir or I-I'll have to use force," he said as he puts one of his front hooves on his hip.
At a second glace, I can clearly see that he has a sword strapped onto his hip. I was going to asked him a question before more guards appeared and surrounded me, drawing swords in the process.
One the guards step forward and with a demanding voice, "By order of the crown, submit now and come with us peacefully or we shall use force."
I honestly did not know what just happened. Fate saw that I was in dire need of companionship and gave me some...who are also feel threatened enough to reach for their weapons. So with a confused face, I raised both my hands above my head and said, "...I submit."
Almost all of the guards visible relaxed when I said that but I don't know what they're worried about, I'm the one who has swords being pointed at. With that I was shackled both my wrists and ankles like the prisoner I was and now getting escorted to wherever they are taking me.
Not long after, we reached what appears to be a throne room with only three ponies occupying the room for the moment who were finishing their conversation.
"...letter to Canterlot if you would please," the pink winged unicorn said as she gave a scroll to a crystal pony.
"Yes, your majesty," the crystal pony bowing down to her before turning around in time to see us entering the throne room. The guards and I approached the pink and white ponies while the crystal pony gave us a wide berth then galloping out through the heavy set of doors we came from.
With the crystal pony gone, they now turn their attention towards me as we made our way towards them before stopping. The pink mare took a step forward as she starts introduction.
"I am Princess Mi Amore Candenza of the Crystal Empire and..."
...Crystal Empire will...
...the Crystal Empire...
...the Empire....
Again the same thing happened at the mirror but except instead of one voice, a few more had joined, chanting the same words; some with different expressions in the voices but still. The Crystal Empire. So that is where I am but...I could not remember anything about the place yet the word is so familiar.
"Are you all right?" This...princess has either noticed that I'd stop paying attention to her little speech or she has seen me flinched in pain as I did not fell to my knees nor showed most of it onto my face.
"Wha...oh yes. I am fine...thank you. But I'm afraid that I didn't hear what you just said."
Cadence didn't look too pleased to repeat herself. "Like I said, I am Princess Mi Amore Candenza and this here-" pointing towards the white stallion "-is my husband Shining Armour. Now..." She is now pointing her hoof towards me. I think she wants my introduction but my mind is still clouded to remember anything so there might be a problem with that.
"Oh...uhh, it is a pleasure to meet you acquaintance Princess. Umm...I would grace you with my name but for the moment, my memories have eluded me," I finished with a small bow.
She seems surprised for the moment as well as everyone else but she shortly recovered. "You mean...you don't remember your name?"
"As well as the memories of my past life."
"Oh...huh," She turned to her husband who was glaring at me throughout the whole conversation just shrugged.
"If it's not too much problem, may I sit down since my body is a bit frail for the moment," It was hard to stand in my current conditions. Just getting here was a hassle.
She turned to me and gave me a proper look over before asking, "Are you hungry as well?"
My stomach answered her question as it growled, "I guess that answers that," I was quite famished actually.
She stood there for a second before turning towards the guards, "If you kindly remove his binds for him," The guards flinched at that, even her husband step forward.
"Cadence, I don't think-"
"Shining, please trust me," she said before she nodded to the guards. One of the guards released both shackles while the rest held their places. With that done, she escorted us to a large dining area. Cadence sat at one end of the table, her husband sat to her left, the guards took their positions around the room while I didn't know where to sit but Cadence answered that for as she smiled and patted the seat next to her. I can feel her husband trying to glare a hole through my head as I made my to the seat.
Shortly after, a crystal pony servant showed up and asked to take our order. Both Cadence and Shining got salad and some wine. When it was my turn to order, I asked if they have any mutton but the servant answered with a shaky no, so I ended ordering some salad with water and bread to go with it.
"Princess Candenza, while we wait for the food to be prepared, I was wondering if you can answer a question for me?"
"First off, you can call me Cadence. I really don't like ponies calling me by my full name and secondly, I'll be happy to answer your questions," she never lost that smile from before but her husband doesn't look too pleased about it but said nothing.
"Of course Cadence, I was wondering since I could not recall anything about my life, I was hoping if you know anything about me? Like my name or something like that."
She looked at me for a bit before turning to her husband, her hoof tapping softly on the table as she seems to be pondering about answering so I gave her a little push.
"Please... I'll be ever so grateful if you can tell me something," I don't know why but begging puts me off somehow but I was desperate for the answers.
Cadence begins to bit her cheek while her husband is subtly shaking his, thinking that I wasn't paying attention to him but atlas...
"We...don't know much about you," She turned to me as I give my saddest face I could do. She paused for a moment then... "But... we do know your name...it's Articus"
Articus. My name is...Articus?
...Articus my boy...
...an idiot Articus...
...hey Articus...
...Articus!..
The voices...they scream, they cry...I don't know in what though. In pain? Happiness? For attention? It was just like having a conversation with multiple ponies at the same time, all of them in different moods. I didn't realized that Cadence had her hoof on my shoulder until she asked me if I was ok.
"Wha...oh...yea, I'm fine. All I need is a glass of water," As soon as I said that, two servants came back with wine and a jug of water and place them on the table. Cadence immediately poured a glass which then I greedily chugged down. With a small sigh, I thanked Cadence for that.
"It's alright, besides you sorta froze when I said your name. Are you sure you're fine?"
"I'm...fine, nothing to worry about," I said as I refilled the glass and starting to take sips.
This time Shining Armour was the one who spoke up this time, "Good, now we are wondering if you answer some questions for us," I don't know if that was a request or an order but Cadence didn't look too pleased.
"Honey, can we do this after we eat?"
Before he got the chance to spoke, the servants returned and started to place the foods before us. With that I grabbed the fork and said to Cadence, "I don't mind answering your questions if you don't mind answering mine."
With that said, we started to eat on the salads. It wasn't long before Shining started to ask his questions.
"So Articus, do you truly couldn't remember anything?"
Articus, what a weird name I have, "The only memories that are still with me are the ones after waking up. Now I believe its my turn so..." I paused looked down at my salad before asking, "Why can't I recall anything before I awoke?"
It was a short brief moment before Shining answered, "We don't know. You were found...unconscious, here at the castle so you were moved into one of the bedrooms until you awoke," So something happened, either I was knocked unconscious and lost my memories or something else happened. My thoughts was interrupted when he asked his next question, "What kind of creature are you?"
Now I was more confused, since now even I don't what I am, "I...was hoping if you knew that answer."
Cadence started to think before quietly answering, "I think I've seen your species in a book before but what was it..."
We went back to our meals before another question popped into my head, "Why does everyone seemed afraid of me?"
Cadence was confused but Shining was the one who asked, "...What do you mean?"
"What I mean is that your guards acted like I was going to attack at anytime and your servants avoided their gaze like I have the plague or something," I couldn't help myself but to raise my voice a little near the end.
"L-Like what we said before, nopony know what you are so eheh...heh," Cadence quickly answered with her gaze going left to right in quick motions.
"Right..." sighing, I put the fork down on the empty plate. I wasn't full but it was enough to get me by.
"Listen, we've sent a letter to someone who...might have answers for you," I've perked up a bit when she said that, "and we're hoping that she'll arrive by tomorrow morning. If not, she might send somepony else in her place instead."
Answers. That is all I care about now and if Cadence said is true, I might actually get them...hopefully. Just who is this pony? But my thoughts was interrupted by Shining once again, "Now Articus, I must ask you to return to your room for the rest of the day, until dinner that is."
"What, why?!" I was already annoyed that I have now more questions than answers but to remain in a room like I was a scolded foal.
Cadence calmly answered, "Just think Articus, if the guards and servants were...startled by you, imagine how everypony else will feel if they see you," I can see the reason behind it but it didn't made me any better.
"Fine, but I demand that I get a novel to read and not a kind of novel I can easily get bored of."
Shining was going to retaliate but Cadence answered, "Done, and I know just the perfect book for you."
With that, I was escorted back by two to the room where I was first woken up with a book I received from Cadence called Daring Do and the Legend of the Lost City.
Author's Note
First time writing a story as you can tell by the writing.
Like I said in the description, they're most likely to have mistakes
So point them out and I'll fix them as soon as I can
Thanks :)
Chapter Two
I have conflicted feelings about this novel, especially this Ahuizotl character. I mean, his ambitions to get enough power to take over the world is admirable but he's so overconfident that he believes his traps and minions can stop this Daring Do. By the time I closed the book, the sun had started to set and the moon began to rise in it's place. Setting the book down on the drawer, I lay down on the bed waiting for the answers to pop into my head. But nothing came, not at least without provoking a reaction from certain words like the Crystal Empire or Articus, my name. But now the voices stayed silent, nothing was heard but the silent hum from the crystal lamp on the drawer or the occasional mumble from the crystal guards outside. My stomach interrupted the silence as it demanded to be satisfied. I slowly made my way to the door and opened enough to see one of the guards. The moment the door opened, their attention immediately was on me. I was expecting to have some sort of reaction like the first time I ran into the guards but the only reaction I've got no reaction at all. About time.
"When will tonight's feast begin?"
The guards looked at each other for a moment before one of them nod to the other. One of them left their post, heading towards the throne room while the other one stayed and answered, "We'll find that now sir. It shouldn't be long now."
I hope so, it feels like I may pass out from hunger. I thanked the guard and retreated back into the room. I made my way to the window as it's the only way to see the outside world. Opening the window, a small gentle breeze was felt, enough to make me shiver a bit. The stars slowly started to appear in the night sky and the moon illuminated the dark area's of the city. A few locals are still out and about, guessing they're heading to their respected homes. Where is my home anyway? Is it here or is it somewhere out there, beyond the mountains? What about family or friends? Surely someone is out there look for me...then again, the princess didn't even recognize my own kind and her words might be true.
The princess...I'm not sure how I feel about her. I guess she wants to help me but she's intentionally hiding information as well but for what reasons? What doesn't she want me to know?
And there's Shining Armour...he doesn't even hide his distaste from me. The mark on his flank is a shield so he is or used to be part of the military. That or he was a royal consort and did a very impressive job to get the princess to marry him. So does that make him a prince...or a king? And does that make Cadence a queen? But she introduced herself as a princess and Shining Armour as her husband...I need to stop thinking about this, it's making my headache worse as it is.
Luckily, there was a knock on the door before the guard from the door entered.
"Dinner is ready sir. We'll take you there."
I thanked him as I closed the window and made my way to him. Exiting the room, both guards escorted me to the dining room. Cadence and Shining Armour are already there as well as the food. Vegetarian food mind you but food is food and my stomach is famished for the moment so no time to be picky.
Their little conversation stopped when I got near and sat in the same spot from before.
"Evening Articus, how was the book I've given you?" Cadence asked as I poured myself a glass of water.
"The book was...interesting in a matter of speaking. I wouldn't mind reading another one like this," Might as well since I finished reading the book and the story sorta stopped at the end as it revealed Daring Do's partner was actually working for the enemy.
"Good, I was hoping you like it, I'll give you the second part afterwards," With that, we started to gather our own little dinner from the plates. Salad, vegetables, bread ... and pie. And looks to be an apple pie as well. So grabbing a big slice of pie, earning a chuckle from Cadence and a disapproval stare for Shining, we started to dig in.
"Oh Articus, we received an answer from the letter we sent before and she'll be coming tomorrow around noon time," Ah yes, this mysterious pony who apparently have the answers I need.
"Who is this pony by the way?"
"Well, she's a princess like me and..." She starts to smirk, "Well, I guess you have to find out tomorrow."
...I swear, I'm going to hurt someone in a moment. But she did get someone to answer the questions for me so I settled glaring at her which earned me another giggle.
We continued to eat until a question popped into my head so I asked, "When will I have free reign to wonder around the castle?"
"You can leave the room when we say you can leave," Shining answering immediately. Well that quick and cold from him and it seems that Cadence didn't like that answer as well since she's glaring at him.
We ate in silent after that, giving me time to let my mind wander around again like how can there be ponies made out of actual crystals? Why does everything feel so familiar yet I could not recognize anything? And why can my mind find more questions but not answers? Curse these bloody memories.
After we have satisfied our hunger, they went their own ways while I was escorted back into my room but not without receiving Daring Do and the Lost City, Part Two. I barley got passed the first few chapters before my eyes could not maintain it's awareness and soon after the darkness comfort me in my sleep.
"Thou are too kind to thy opponents."
"I rather be respected by those who are loyal then to be feared."
"It is those kind of words that make thou weak and to be defeated."
"Then I shall train to be even stronger than before, stronger than the two sisters combined!"
"Heh, I shall hold up thy word, son."
The sudden knock on the door startled me awake. I slowly looked around the room before remembering where I was. I sighed as I covered my face with my hands, remembering the dream I had. The dream itself was a blur but the voices was not. I knew one of them was mine but who was the deeper voice belong to? And the two sisters? And did the other voice said son? Was it a dream or was it a memory? So many bloody questions that needed to be answered...
My thoughts were interrupted as there was another set of knocks, reminding me there was someone at the door.
"Enter!" I groggily answered and in comes a light purple maid, a shy one at that who also brings food.
"B-Breakfast sir..." She quietly said as she approached the bed, trying to make eye contact but failing by a large margin.
Sighing, I slowly got up in a sitting position as she placed the tray onto my lap, "...What is this?" I asked the maid pointing to the plate.
"O-Oh..um..I-It's pancakes with syrup and orange juice." She squeaked when she finished.
Pancakes, huh...might as well give them a try. I grabbed the cutlery before cut a small piece of the pancakes and popping it into my mouth.
...The rest was devoured in a matter of seconds. Giving a small burp, I proudly said to the maid, "These pancakes, I like it...another!" I shoved the plate in front of her.
"O-Of course sir..." She grabs both the tray and plate and placing onto her back, "B-Before I leave sir, Princess C-Cadence wishes to remind you of the guest who is to arrive at noon.
I greedily gulped down the orange juice and sighed as she said that. The mysterious pony, a princess at that as well if I remember correctly.
"What time is it now?"
"I-It's umm...around nine o'clock, sir..." So I've got a few more hours to prepare myself. Good, more time to eat pancakes then!
"Good...now pancakes. Chop, chop!" The maid squeaked before dashing out of the room with the tray on her back. I realized I forgot to give her the cup so I placed it on the books and laid back down. So the plans for today are eat, shower, greet and then we improvise from there. I guess I can read more of the book while I wait.
Soon after, the maid came with the food from the heavens and just as before, they were gone in mere seconds. Once the maid left with the plate and glass which I almost forgotten again, it was time for a shower. I stripped off when I entered the bathroom, gave myself a quick look over in the mirror before jumping into the shower and turning it on.
...Then I immediately jumped out with my teeth chattering away. The water was freezing that even death himself would be put off by it. The water quickly warmed itself up to be bearable so in I go. A bar of soap was the only thing to clean myself with but I decided just stand there in the water and just relax.
It was nice. Just to stand there, imaging myself to have no worries about anything. But it was short lived since my mind keeps wandering back to the questions and the doubts I'm starting to have. What if this pony doesn't have the answers I need? What if I never find the answers at all? What if I don't want the answers at all?...
...No. I will get the answers no matter what. I don't care if it takes my all my life to find my memories and I will accept the truth of it, no matter how painful it will be. With my new found determination, I properly showered myself and stepped out but a new problem rises, there was no bloody towel. So I opened the door to get the guards to grab me a towel...
...only to greet the shy maid with my genitals. She turn red and started stammering before ending with a quiet squeak. Rolling my eyes, I knelt down in front of the mare and placed both my hands in either side of her head, facing her towards me.
"Would you kindly go and grab a towel for me, please?"
"I-I..I...ummm..." she started off but she just nodded instead and took off out of the room, her face still blushing up a storm.
I returned back into the bathroom and waited for the maid. She didn't take long but she was gone when I took the towel from her. After toweling off, I got dressed in the same clothes and went back to bed and continued reading from where I left off.
I need to ask someone about getting new clothes.
Why?! Why did you do this?! You were my friend!" shouted Daring Do as she was forced back by the tribal ponies wielding spears.
"Why? As in why did I betray you? It's very simple," Bright Arrow chuckled as he held the glowing orb with his magic, "...revenge."
"Wha-"
"You see Miss Do, you may see me as the lovable sidekick but I was somepony else before that," he stated as he started to glare at her, "I had power, I had money, I had everything! And all of that is GONE. All because of you..."
"...What are you talki-" Daring whispered before a sudden realization hit her, "...no."
Bright smirked at Daring's expression, "Yes, that's right Daring, I am-'
*Knock* *Knock*
...Bloody hell. Just as I was getting to the good part.
I placed the book down on the bed as I got up and made way to answer the door. On the other side, a mare guard upon seeing me raised her hoof to her chest but suddenly stopped as she placed it back down.
"Princess Cadence request your presences...sir."
I thanked her as I stepped out of the room, closed the door and followed the mare. Both of the other guards took their place beside me as we made our way to the throne room.
Upon entering, Cadence and Shining was already talking to a pony. This one is white like Shining but taller than Cadence herself and she has both wings and horn. Her back was towards us when we entered but she turned around when we got close enough.
Cadence smiled when she saw me approached, "Ah Articus, we were just talking about you. Come, this is who I want you to meet."
As she finished, the mare in question fully turned around towards me. The guards bowed down to her in respect but I was to busy as we both gazed at each other. Her body looked so young but her eyes...I don't know how I feel about this mare.
But I didn't want to disrespect the pony who suppose to know me so I bowed my head, "Just as Cadence have said, I am Articus...and may I ask who you are?"
She didn't answer right away but continued to stare at me. But it wasn't too long before she gave a gentle smile and answered.
"Greetings Articus. I am Princess Celestia; Co-ruler of Equestria..."
Celestia...I...huh...
She's the one who's going to tell me who I am so I should be joyous about the occasion...so why do I feel anger instead?