There are far too many voices around me right now. Hearing voices isn't exactly strange for me, but then again few things are. Though I haven't heard them in years I wonder why they'd show up again now. Maybe to tell me about their new wife and kids, and their shit jobs. Either that or there are a bunch of people around me which-oddly enough-I'm less comfortable with than the voices.**
Hesitantly he opened his eyes to look around him and see who exactly had kidnapped him/broken into his room. First thing he noticed was this was not his room whatever it was he didn't recognize it. Second thing he noticed was his body felt stiff and out of sorts. The third thing he noticed when he looked around where the two other occupants. Brightly colored quadruped equines.
He was seriously beginning to wonder if he was in fact just insane. Or maybe he was just the recipient of one of several possible scenarios running through his head at light speed. Anyway his star ship of thought was brought to a screeching halt when one of the equines gasped. His eyes immediately fell to the creature causing her to flinch ever so slightly under his gaze.
He reached up to rub his aching head only to hear and feel a soft clunk. He looked where his hand should have been and saw instead a dark blue hoof that blended in seamlessly with the rest of his leg. Just like the creatures before him. He dropped his hoof back to the covers and looked over to the pair of equines before him.
"Um hello," he said rather groggily.
"H-hello?" came the unmistakably feminine voice from the grey one-which he only now noticed had wings.
"Um how uh are you feeling sir?" came the more masculine voice from the Green one that lacked wings.
Hmm a Pegasus. Kind of a diminutive one but a Pegasus none the less.
He was beginning to notice a lot of things about them. First and foremost were their big expressive eyes, that showed more than a little apprehension. Not quite fear, but they were definitely uncomfortable. second were their colors. The female had a light grey coat almost as if covered in dust. The hair, or mane as it were was a dark red and very curly, as was the tail.
The male one had a dark green coat and short straight Ocean blue hair. It was then that he remembered he had been asked a question.
"I have a massive headache and I feel very stiff. But other than that I feel fine," he stated very calmly.
The one with wings and the one without wings looked at each other before grinning nervously back at him.
"That uh, is wonderful to hear um, sir," the green one said nervously.
Hmm a brain dead snail could see that these two are nervous so being forward will not yield favorable results. A subtle approach it is then.
He put on his most calming smile and spoke softly but with a definite grace to his words.
"Thank you for your concern for my well being. Also thank you for the use of what I can only assume is one of your beds. I am in your debt kind strangers," He bowed his head slightly and closing his eyes, feeling only a little awkward at the new shape of his neck.
The others looked taken aback and very much surprised when he opened his eyes to look at them. He smiled softly again and began to get up moving his back legs first off the bed. Standing on them for a few moments before settling down onto all fours as he suspected would be more natural. His suspicions were correct as he found this to be far more stable.
So I'm now a quadruped eh? Well this will be interesting. Wait the female has wings maybe I have wings? Or maybe I have something else entirely and that's why they're looking at me funny. Come to think of it I am about a foot taller than both of them maybe that's it?
He looked to his back to notice that he did in fact have wings. He leaned forward with his new neck with a large grin on his face he was grateful his hosts couldn't see. He nuzzled one wing, dropped the grin turned and nuzzled the other, the grin back in full force. Now that he had a feeling for where the muscles were he shifted the wings just a bit. Then he spread them out full length gave a few light flaps and folded them again.
Odd this is far easier than I suspected it would be. Perhaps my new muscles are the same as the old ones just in different places. Or perhaps whatever force changed my shape wanted this to be easy, so it gave me the instincts for my new body. In any case I will think on it later. Now is the time for information gathering.
He looked to his gracious hosts after his fun with his wings was done and gave another soft smile.
"So may I ask where exactly I am?" was his first and most important question.
"Uh you're in our house in Canterlots lower district. Do you not know how you got here?" the green one asked.
It was here that he noticed they were still rather uncomfortable. He tilted his head slightly and gave a small sad frown. He also noticed they were not making prolonged eye contact. The frown only stayed for a second before it was replaced by another smile.
"I tell you what let's do this. I'll ask a question then you two can ask me one. Feel free to ask me anything you want. and seeing as how I've already got my first question answered that makes it your turn,"
"ARE YOU ROYALTY?!" the female spoke up first, blurting out her question and wincing as she did.
He flinched backwards but only slightly before regaining his smiled though this one was a bit confused.
"Um no. No I am not. For my next question I'll ask why you thought I was royalty."
The mare spoke up again likely wanting to make up for her outburst.
"Well it's just that you're an Alicorn and I thought only royalty could be Alicorns,"
"Well I am not royalty,"
"So uh how exactly did you wind up passed out on the outskirts of town?" came the male.
"I have no recollection of that or really much else for that matter. Speaking of which my next question shall be, what is an Alicorn?"
They both looked at him for a moment then to each other then back to him.
"Yo-you mean you don't even know that you're an Alicorn?" came the female.
He shook his head and tilted it to the right ever so slightly.
"I don't really know what's going on right now at all. But I do remember my manners even if a bit late. My next question. What are your names?"
The male spoke up first. "I'm Tidbit,"
"And I'm Kind Word,"
Very odd names in comparison to the ones i'm used to. Good thing I didn't introduce myself first. Oh well let's see what I ca- wait a minute. What is that on their sides?
It was here that he realized both of them had marks on both sides of their flanks. The male had what appeared to be a pair of foaming mugs banging together as if in a toast. The female had what appeared to be a roll of bandages. They were far to colorful to be a brand and far to precise to be a dye job. He put his eyes back on their faces before speaking again.
"Well thank you again Tidbit and Kind Word. For both your hospitality and helpfulness in answering my questions. I would offer you my name but as it stands now I do not know it. Now I do not wish to impose upon you any longer and should really be on my way," he said as he stood up moving to leave.
Amazingly he only wobbled once. Though this may have been due to the fact that he only took three steps before being stopped by the grey Pegasus. Putting a hoof squarely on his chest.
"Oh no you don't Alicorn or not you only just woke up and are clearly not one hundred percent steady yet. You sit right back down and rest until you're feeling better. I am not letting you go until at least after dinner and even then only if you're feeling well enough," came the sudden change in personality.
This caught him off guard for a moment. Only for a moment though before he smiled softly.
Ah yes good. They're hospitable. They thought I was royalty. That would explain why they let me use the bed. Now that they know I am not they still offer their aid. Now I must be careful to use this as much to my advantage as I can without being too greedy. I still need questions answered and food and a roof over my head is always good. I'm very concerned that me simply being this Alicorn thing made them think I was royalty. What is so special about being an Alicorn that could make me automatically royalty? This could be very good or very bad.
He sat down on his haunches looking much like a dog. It felt very natural to his body but his mind was unsettled by the completely natural feeling to it.
"Very well. How could I say no to your generosity?" he said with that smile.
The mare returned the smile to him and also sat down.
"Besides it's my turn to ask a question,"
Oh ho ho! I like this one. She was so meek and quiet before. But now that I'm no longer potential royalty she seems okay with me. This is going to be more fun than I thought.
"So What exactly do you remember?"
"Nothing really besides waking up here and everything that followed. What exactly is an Alicorn?"
"You are an Alicorn. As to more specifics you are a combination of all three mundane ponies. The strength and affinity for nature of an earth pony much like my brother here. The wings of a Pegasus and our weather manipulating abilities, much like myself. And last but not least the horn and magic of a unicorn,"
This was where his mind came to a screeching halt dragging time along with it.
Wait just a minute. So I am a combination of all the *MUNDANE PONIES?!?!?!?!* Okay ignoring that this species is called PONIES and that they actually have Pegasus and Unicorns. I am apparently the combination of those and an "Earth pony". I stick out like a sore thumb. Oh god I'm stupid. How could I not see it. The way they were so nervous around me the assumption of royalty status. All because I'm this Alicorn thing.
I-i-I'm an anomaly. I'm an anomaly that sticks out. I can't hide I can't blend in, I can run, I can't even. . . . Wait. Did she say magic?
"I have magic?" He said almost a whisper as he looked up focusing on the horn her could just see in his vision.
Kind Word giggled into a fetlock but smiled and said, "it was my turn for a question but I'll still answer yours. Yes you do have magic. Everypony with a horn has magic."
"Well I've no idea how to use it. So I'll definitely need to learn. Especially if being an Alicorn is as important as you say. Because if it is I'm going to need a disguise before I step outside. Ugh I guess while I'm here I'm going to be doing a lot of educating and upsetting of pre-established orders," came his grudging reply accompanied by an eye roll.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Tidbit.
"Well magic isn't real. There is no such thing as magic. Every thing has a logical and reasonable explanation. The very idea of magic is that some things are a mystery and it cannot truly ever be understood. In other words magic just happens. That's complete and utter shit and I refuse to put up with it. If I can use it I can eventually understand it. Hence no such thing as real magic," he said with a smile.
The two of them just looked at him dumbfounded before shaking themselves out of it.
"Would uh you excuse us for just a second?" asked Tidbit.
He nodded and they stepped outside the door which he noticed had only a latch instead of a knob.
Hmm well I suppose that makes sense for a species with hooves instead of hands. But in any case it appears I have already stepped on some of those hooves; seeing as how they don't have toes. Oh god getting side tracked. I really should keep focused but I'm having some difficulty. Wait a minute I'm actually forgetting something. I just know it. But what?
Wait I remember!
"Rosie!" he said in a harsh whisper.
"Rosie are you there!?"
His vision blurred and a large amount of information began scrolling over his line of sight. Eventually it all stopped and he now saw several things pop up in the corners of his eyes before disappearing.
"H.U.D. online. Activating A.I. system Rosie. This may take a few moments, please be patient as your system is prepared," came a computerized voice in his ear.
After a few nail-hoof-biting minutes a second voice this one less computerized and with a female voice spoke in his ear.
*Marcus? Oh good I'm glad you're okay! I was worried you'd forgotten about me,* the voice said.
"Rosie, how could I forget about you? Okay I'm just glad that whatever caused me to shift into this form left you intact. I need a full biological rundown and status on all the built in systems," he said in a slight whisper.
*Of course Marcus I'll start it right now. But why are you whispering?* Rosie inquired.
"There are locals in the next room. I'm guessing from the rustic look of this room and the fact that they're bed they let me use is filled with feathers instead of foam or even springs they aren't too technologically advanced. How would they react if I told them I had a hyper advanced A.I. in my head that only I can hear and talk to. Even back home that's a bit of a stretch,"
*Okay yes I see your point there. Wait does this mean you'll have to communicate with me via neural patterns when they're around?*
"Unfortunately yes."
*Aw but they take so much more effort to read than simple audio patterns.*
"Hey you're a hyper advanced A.I. It takes you like ten seconds to figure out what many of the smartest humans in existence spend their whole lives trying and failing to understand."
*Yes but they're not the smartest. That would have to go to the human who created the Hyper advanced A.I..*
"Jeez I didn't realize I programmed you with so much flattery. Though you aren't wrong."
*You didn't program anything other than my base O.S. smart ass. I learned everything else on my own. Oh and by the way I have those diagnostics ready for you whenever you want them.*
"Ooh I love how efficient you are. Okay I'll look even crazier mumbling to myself so I'm switching over to thought now."
*Okay I'll just list off what's wrong with you then. This could be a while.*
He rolled his eyes at her sarcasm but smiled all the same as she began her list.
*You are currently no longer human meaning there are about a three thousand or so things wrong with you that we're going to ignore. You are currently suffering from slight vertigo that shouldn't last longer than a few hours. Limbs are stiff and slow to respond. Should also clear up with time. Your new wing muscles and part of your brain that connect to your horn are completely foreign to me and therefore cannot be diagnosed.
In terms of my functions the internal compass is working so long as this places magnetic north and south are the same as Earths. Mapping is not working either, I am 98.2% sure this is due to a lack of any satellites in orbit. The lack of satellites and cell towers mean a large number of other functions aren't working. However thermometer-internal and external-are both working as is the internal camera. You currently have three hundred gigabytes of memory left in the secondary drive. Also audio and visual playback are functioning.*
She continued to rattled off several items that were online and working, and many more that were not. He silently listened as he moved over to the bed to lie down and wait for the two ponies-he still could not believe they were called that-to return.
* * * * *
"Okay sis I think we might; just might, have a crazy amnesiac God pony on our hooves." Tidbits' voice dripped with nervousness and the tiniest twinges of fear.
"Oh come on Tid, look at the guy! He said he's not royalty and he's been nothing but polite to us since waking up probably very confused. Most amnesia patients wake up disoriented and either afraid or aggressive. And a God? Really? First of all Queen Celestia isn't even a Goddess. Secondly simply being an Alicorn doesn't give you incredible power. I mean sure it helps but he is so obviously not a deity. Besides did you see how much he stumbled when he got out of bed? He's still feeling a little weak."
Taking advantage of the pause in her rant Tidbit spoke up. "That's another thing little miss Kindness. I know full well what's going on here. You're going into full on nurse mode. You aren't going to top until you think he's better," he paused to rub his head with a hoof.
"Look Tid I know you're worried about me but I'll be fine. I know what I'm doing. Just trust me okay?"
Tidbit frowned down at her for just a moment before sighing.
"Why did you even bother asking me when you know I can't say no to you?"
"Because it's only polite. No let's go check up on him!" she said moving towards the door.
Both of them stopped as they heard him mumbling to himself on the other side of the door. Kind Word smiled sheepishly at Tidbit who merely facehoofed.
"I'm already regretting this," was all he said before turning around and walking to a set of stairs.
"If you need me I'll be in the basement cooking."
Kind Word sighed until she realized the mumbling had stopped.
Well better not put this off any longer than I need to.
And with that she opened the door. Entering the room she looked to see their guest looking contemplative before turning to her and smiling.
"Ah Kind Word. Where is Tidbit?"
"He's downstairs in the cellar cooking. I figured we could continue asking each other questions while my brother finishes cooking."
Brother? I guess cross breeding between the types is something that happens here.
"I hadn't realized he was your brother. Well I'm just grateful he's willing to cook for me. Now I'll let you go ahead and ask your question first," he smiled that same smile while he spoke to her.
"Well I was kind of wondering if maybe you remember what your cutie mark means?" she said pointing to his flank.
He looked down to see he also had a mark on both of his sides. His however was what appeared to be a completely black hole with white lines swirling around it.
That looks like the event horizon for a black hole. Wait! this gives me an idea.
*Good idea or bad idea Marcus? Because I know how you can get sometimes.*
Not now Rosie!
"Oh. Um no not really. But I think I'm remembering something. A name. I think it might be my name!" he exclaimed happily.
"What is it?" asked Kind Word.
"It's Event Horizon." he said smiling at her.
But this time it was different. His smile was different. It gave Kind Word an uncomfortable feeling, deep in her stomach. It was the look of a predator who had just tricked it's prey into it's mouth. It was only there for a moment before he went back to his usual smile and Kind Word calmed considerably.
"So mister Event it's your turn to ask a question."
"Right so what's a cutie mark?"
She face hoofed and could tell it would be a long night. So they settled in and talked for hours before dinner was ready. In that time he learned so much including things about magic and what little Kind Word could tell him about it. He was fairly certain he would need it before long. It also itched at the back of his mind to disassemble the exact mechanics of his magic. And he knew he would in time, but practice was always nice. Hence he was levitating several objects around the room and trying a smattering of other small spells until Tidbit came in and announced that dinner had been prepared.
Well. I guess I'll have to think of a way to disguise myself while I eat. I do tend to think better with a full stomach anyway.
He began to walk with Kind Word and Tidbit downstairs into their cellar where they had a kitchen and dining room set up. It looked rather rustic to Marcus but it could have very well been quite modern by their standards. A wood burning stove and crudely carved chairs and a table. It was all so old looking to him that he had to restrain himself from chuckling at it.
Marcus waited for his hosts to sit before doing so himself. The food was served and they all began to eat. Marcus noticed that his suspicions about them being herbivores was correct.
Goodbye meat. You shall be missed.
*You were getting pudgy anyway.*
Ignoring Rosie's snark he continued eating conversing a little bit more with his hosts as they asked him minor questions about what he could remember. After dinner Marcus stood up and spoke.
"I think I will take you up on your offer to stay the night after all. It has gotten late and I think it would be wise, to say yes to a roof over my head. And even more wise to say thank you. So, thank you two for your hospitality."
They smiled at him and took him back up to the room he was in before.
"Well I hope you feel better in the morning Event. If you'd like I can show you around Canterlot a bit."
"That would be lovely Kind Word. Thank you."
"Don't mention it. Good night Event."
"Yes. Good night."