Chapter 5- Connecting

“You have to go!”

“What do you mean I have to go? What’s going on?”

“Whatever you said to her, whatever you did, it’s pushed her over the edge. She’s lost herself Isaac. You have to hide. She’s going to be coming after you!”

Isaac looked away for a moment. He didn’t want this, he never wanted this. He didn’t want to hurt anyone or anypony. Finally he looked back to his friend and shivered slightly.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” He said, chewing on his tongue while staring at the female before him. She smiled and moved closer to him, a sad look in her eyes. “It’s alright Isaac. I know you didn’t. But you need to go now, You need to hide while I take care of her.”

Isaac sighed and looked at her, reaching a hand out, stopping it inches from her before pulling back. “Okay, I’ll head to one of the observation facilities. I’ll come back once things calm down, to help you if I can.” He moved away from her and looked to the north. He wouldn’t tell her where he was, to protect her, to protect them both. “Just… please make her right C-.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Isaac jerked awake, looking around slowly. He was cold, his body was sore. His wings were weak and stiff, much like the rest of him still. This certainly wasn’t a luxury hotel room that was for sure. It took a moment for him to gain his bearings once more. That’s right, he was in a cell, because he was caught trying to steal clothes from someone or rather somepony. He sat up slowly, swinging his legs off the too small cot within the cell and looked towards the bars. It was quiet, save for the soft snoring of the jailer who had apparently fallen asleep at his desk. For some reason, that brought a smile to Isaac.

He frowned immediately after as he thought back to the dream he had just had. There had to be more to it. He knew he said a name just before he woke up, but it was foggy, hard to remember. C-something. It didn’t matter, it was most likely just a dream. He couldn’t even remember the features of her body or face. No point in thinking too hard on it right now. Instead he got up and made his way to the cell doors and rapped on it gently with his hand, trying to get the guards attention and wake him up.

When it didn’t work he sighed, shaking his head a bit and banging harder on the bars. After a moment the noise must have finally penetrated his sleep as he snorted awake and looked around, rubbing his eyes with a hoof. “Yeah I’m up what-” He stopped when he saw Isaac and shook his head slightly, a wide yawn escaping him. “Ugh, right right.” He muttered, getting off his seat and making his way to the cell door. “What do you need?” He asked as he stared at Isaac. The human looked thoughtful for a moment before miming drinking. The guard nodded to him and made his way over to the bathroom after levitating a cup to his side. Isaac glanced around the room while he waited, his ears focused on the sounds of his guard as he turned on the water.

It only took a moment for him to return with the cup and levitate it between the bars or Isaac to take a sip from it. The cool liquid felt good on his throat and he let out a sigh before sitting down with his back to the wall. Law was curious about the creature that called itself hyoomahn. So he sat down a few feet from the bars of the cell and looked at him.

“You’re a strange creature,” Law said as he looked at him. “You’re like a hairless Minotaur. Except you have wings, and no horn, and… whatever those are.” He said, motioning with a hoof towards Isaac’s feet. He understood the hands well enough, Minotaur had them as well. But he had hand like objects where hooves should have been. “Speaking of wings, do those even work? You look far too heavy for those to do anything other than be for looks.”

Isaac rolled his eyes and glanced at Law for a moment. Did he really want to spend energy communicating with the guard to explain what he was? He did look over his shoulders though at his unkempt wings. His last question brought about a question of his own. Why did he have those? He must have them for a reason but he can’t remember why at the moment. Perhaps his memories would come back to him in time. And if they didn’t he’d just have to hope he would be allowed to live so he could try and make new memories. Eventually he turned to the guard, shrugging his shoulders in response.

This caused Law to shake his head and grip the empty cup from Isaac once he downed the rest of the water in his aura.

“More?” He asked.

Isaac nodded to him, he was incredibly thirsty. Then again, judging by how he felt his body probably really needed it. He watched as Law returned to the bathroom and sighed, looking around the cell once more. His mind drifted to the ones who had come by earlier. Twilight had asked him quite a few questions, noted down everything she had asked and every answer he provided. She was most likely a scholar. Maybe he should ask her some questions of his own, try and learn more about where he was at the moment. She seemed nice enough, and while some of her friends were somewhat… off the wall, they all appeared to be rather nice as well.

Still he couldn’t entirely trust them, just like they couldn’t entirely trust him either. Isaac didn’t expect them to come in later and say he was free to go and that everything would be okay. No he was expecting a lot more inquiries about his species, about him. Much of which he would most likely be unable to answer until his memories came back. If he was lucky they would come back soon. Though of course that’s not how the world worked. If luck worked like that he’d never be in this situation in the first place now would he?

“Here you go,” Law said as the cup moved into his field of view. “Some more water for you.”

Isaac jerked his head back a bit. Had he been so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn’t even heard the clop of the guards hooves on the stone floor? Shaking his head Isaac took the cup with a smile and nod, this time sipping at it as he watched Law. The guard watched him with his tail flicking back and forth, swatting at the air from a few flies that decided to move around his back side.

“So uhm…” Law scuffed the stone a bit with a hoof, appearing to try and figure out some kind of conversation to make. He knew that guards were not supposed to talk with prisoners, but dear Celestia it got boring when you were in this little rink-a-dink jail with no one but yourself and your shadows to speak too. It wasn’t as if crime was common here. Heck this had been the first crime here in a few months now. “Isaac right?” He remembered hearing the voice in his head earlier. He’d chosen NOT to write that down in his report just in case his Lieutenant decided he was a bit of a nut case.

Isaac nodded to him. While not overly trusting, a least these ponies were nice enough not to treat him like an animal. So he decided he’d spend a bit of energy, talk with the guard a bit.

“Yes, my name is Isaac.” He said, standing up finally and stretching. Loud pops and snaps were heard, joints and tendons re-aligning themselves, causing him to let out a soft sigh. “And you are?”

Law smiled a bit as he heard the voice. A few hours ago he had been shocked and a bit scared, hearing something in his head. But now he was surprised by how relaxed it made him. What’s more, it didn’t feel as if Isaac was forcing his thoughts into his head. No it felt as if he was brushing his mind lightly, touching it with those thoughts.

“My name is Law,” he said. “As you already know I am one of the local guard ponies. It’s not exactly a high stress job though. Crime isn’t very common here.” It felt nice to talk to another for once. It was a shame he wasn’t going to be here longer. Law mentally kicked himself for that thought. Not only was it a selfish thought, but it was just wrong. Wanting somepony here just because you had no one else to talk to. He cleared his throat and continued, “It’s a nice town, though it’s covered in snow almost year round. I suppose it could be worse you know? The ponies are kind, the tourists aren’t too mean though I have seen a few that made me want to buck them right on the muzzle at times.”

This caused Isaac to laugh. He wasn’t sure why he found that so funny but for some reason he did. He could understand how being a guard could cause those kind of reactions once in a while. He figured it was like any other job that dealt with the public. After a while you just get to the point where you feel like making a statement. Suffice to say that’s a good way to lose a job of course. “So you don’t remember anything about your past… do you?” Law suddenly asked, snapping Isaac out of his bout of laughter. With a sigh he shook his head, running his fingers through his hair slowly.

“No, I can’t say I do, Law.” He replied, staring off at the wall, appearing to zone out for a moment. Law watched him, waiting to see if he had anything further to say. This stretched on for a moment before he heard Isaac once more, “You know the interesting thing about not remembering your past?” He suddenly asked, looking over at Law. The guards pony shook his head slowly. He didn’t know what could be even remotely interesting about that kind of situation. “After a while you start to think. ‘What if I don’t want to remember my past, what if… what if I had done horrible things?’.”

This caused Law to tilt his head in thought. Isaac brought up a point, if he had lost his memory, would he want to remember his past? If he had done terrible things would he not want to forget them so he could start life over? He shook his head slowly and smiled at Isaac before reaching up and removing his helmet. Law laid it aside then let out a slow breath as he ran a hoof along his mane. “Well Isaac, since you don’t remember your past, how about I talk a bit about mine?”

Twilight watched as Pinkie rolled across the ground, her mouth hanging open slightly. She wasn’t entirely sure what had brought about the sudden antics of her friend, but she had been doing it for the past half hour now. Eventually the mare stopped her rolling and sat up. She glanced left, then right, then up before looking right at Twilight. The Princess jerked her head back slightly, “Uh… something on your mind, Pinkie?” She asked.

For a moment, Pinkie looked like she was lost in thought before blinking rapidly and looking at the wall. The others had gone down to the lobby to get something to eat. Twilight was too busy at the time writing down thoughts and theories on the human creature at the local jail to join them. And Pinkie had been asleep at the time. A half hour ago though, she had sprung awake and started rolling about, for no reason that Twilight could come up with.

“That hyoomahn in the jail. What’s going to happen to him?” Pinkie asked in a quiet, innocent voice. That was rather unlike her, was the first thought that crossed Twilights mind. The next was why Pinkie would be concerned or worried. “Pinkie why are you asking that?” She ended up asking. To be honest, Twilight was a bit concerned about the state Pinkie was in. Yes she was rather random and incredibly hyper. But for her to act as she just had, then to only stop and ask such a question… Twilight sighed and swished her tail gently as Pinkie chewed on her lip.

“Because, he doesn’t seem like he’s going to hurt anypony, Twilight. If anything I think he needs some friends. He’s alone and lost, as far as we know, Twilight, there are no others like him.” Her tail twitched back and forth gently. Twilight couldn’t help but smile, leave it to at least one of her friends to worry about a stranger. She was surprised it wasn’t Fluttershy, honestly. “Well, Pinkie-” she said while bringing her hoof up to her lip in thought, “-he may, or may not be friendly. We have no way to know until Celestia can talk to him. I understand you’re worried something bad may happen to him. But let me assure you Pinkie that will not happen. We just need to be safe is all. And I’m sure he understands that.”

Pinkie lowered her head slightly, her gaze following until she was staring at the floor. “I know Twilight. He may not have shown it, but I could feel it Twilight. He’s scared, and sad. And I don’t like seeing anypony scared or sad. I like them happy and smiling!” She said, lifting her head up with that trademark Pinkie smile of hers. “So as soon as Princess Celestia says he’s okay I’m going to throw him the most biggest, most awesomest party EVER!” She jumped into the air, forehooves stretched out wide to put emphasis in her statement. The action startled Twilight slightly, having not expected the sudden shift in mood .But she quickly recovered with a giggle. That was more like the Pinkie she knew.

Without another word Pinkie shot out of the room, leaving Twilight alone to her own thoughts. She was right, and Twilight knew it. The male didn’t seem like he wanted to harm anyone, but Twilight also knew that they HAD to keep him ‘contained’ until they could be absolutely sure. Ultimately they had no idea what he was capable of, how much power he had within him. Her tail thudded on the ground before she was startled out of her thoughts by the door opening, rather loudly. “GYAH!” She nearly decided to break the laws of physics by attempting to occupy the same space as the ceiling. Her wings stuck straight up in the air as she panted and quivered.

Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash blinked as they stared at the scared alicorn. “Uh… Twi, are ya ah’right?” Applejack asked.

Twilight let out a soft squeak before managing to swallow the lump in her throat. “Yeah.. yeah I’m fine Applejack, I was just lost in my thoughts and you startled me is all.”

“Were ya thinkin’ ‘bout that thing tha’s locked up?” Applejack asked as she trotted over to the table pushed against the wall. Only now did Twilight notice the tray with coffee and hot chocolate upon Applejack’s back. The earth pony turned her body and tilted it to the side, sliding the tray onto the table.

Before Applejack could move Twilight had grasped one of the cups of coffee in her aura and yanked it over to herself, sipping on it and letting out a soft sigh. “No-” she looked at the stare she was given by Applejack, “-maybe.” The stare only intensified as Applejack moved closer to her, turning her head a bit while closing an eye, looking oddly like a bird who was staring at something of interest. “Okay yes!” She said with a slight huff. Wait why did Applejack care if she was thinking about Isaac? She voiced that question, which caused Applejack to shrug. “No reason Twilight. Ah was jus’ wonderin’ is all. We all have been discussing what might be done ‘bout him. He’s nuthin that has been seen before in Equestria. He doesn’t seem dangerous Twi. But we have no idea of what he was in the past.” Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement.

“I think that this is an even harder situation made by the fact that he doesn’t remember anything of his past!” Rainbow threw in, bringing her hooves up slightly. “I mean, what if he was some evil… killer or something?” She crossed her forelegs over her chest, lifting herself off the ground and hovering with gentle flaps of her wings. “I don’t want to have somepony around who can hurt my friends! And if he tries, I’m going to give him a buck to his chin he won’t ever forget!” She mimed the motion by turning and thrusting her rear hooves out in a buckin fashion.

“Rainbow I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Twilight said.

“I’m just sayin’ Twilight, you never know.” Rainbow replied.

They all glanced at Rarity suddenly, all of them having just realized just how quiet the fashionista had been. Rarity froze in place, a cup of hot chocolate halfway to her lips. “I uh…” She cleared her throat nervously. “I really have nothing to contribute to this.” She said, looking down and moving the cup over to the table. “While I agree darlings, that he cannot immediately be trusted, I cannot say that we should just immediately judge him either, even if he does have a rather filthy appearance.” She said with a grimace and stuck out tongue.

“I suppose at this point all we can do is figure out what Princess Celestia would want to do with him.” She continued, adjusting her seated posture. “Of course it may not hurt to go back down and ask a few more questions. Twilight darling, what do you think?”

They all turned their attention back to Twilight, who shuffled from hoof to hoof before letting out a soft sigh. “Well I suppose i-”

A knock to the hotel room door cut her off. She got up and made her way over to it and opened it up. On the other side was a pegasus mail carrier, an envelope held in his mouth.”Me’ffage fo Prin’fef Fwirite”

Twilight stared at him for a moment before he brought his hoof up and removed the letter. “My apologies ma’am. It was an incredibly long flight. I have forgotten my manners. A message for you Princess Twilight, from Princess Celestia.” He held the letter out to her, which she grasped in her aura and brought close. “Thank you, sir.” She smiled. The mail pony bowed his head low and trotted off. Twilight opened the letter up and read over it.

“Well Twi, what’s it say?” Applejack asked.

Twilight blinked, and read it again before looking to them. “Rainbow Dash, go find Pinkie and Fluttershy. Then meet us at the jail house. Princess Celestia wants Isaac transported to Canterlot. She wishes to speak to him.”

“After I snagged the bits I ran, tried to get away from the guards. Course I sorta ran into a wall of ‘em. Seems like they weren’t happy about this being the third time I had done this, AND got caught!” Law said with a soft laugh. He had removed most of his gear by now and set it aside. A mug of coffee was in his aura, another cup held by Isaac. “So when they took me in they gave me a choice, 10 years in the dungeons or work for the guard. Naturally, as you know, I chose to work for the guard. I didn’t feel like rotting in a dungeon for the next 10 years.” He sipped some of the coffee and let out a soft sigh, leaning back until his mane brushed the wall behind him. “That was 4 years ago. I’m honestly glad they gave me that chance. Yeah I’m up here in this frigid climate but I’m glad.” He smiled a bit.

Isaac sipped his coffee with a chuckle and looked at him. “So your name is Law, and you went against the Law before. In other words you’ve come full circle. I’m glad for you, my friend. It would be a shame if you were sitting in a jail cell somewhere and I was stuck with a rather nasty guard.” His smirk was hidden behind his cup of coffee as he looked at him over the rim of the cup, sipping at it once more. Law shook his head with a small smile, his tail brushing some dust across the ground as it swished side to side slowly.

“If you could take back everything you had done before, would you?” Isaac suddenly asked, causing Law to lift his head and blink at him.

“No, honestly. If I changed anything in the past I may not be where I am now. If anything, I may possibly be dead from my own foolishness. So I’d much rather have had everything happen as it did, Isaac.” He walked over to the coffee maker and poured himself some more. He turned back to Isaac before motioning to the coffee maker. Isaac looked down at his cup then held it out between the bars. Law took it in his aura and poured him another cup before floating it back to him.

“Thank you.”

“Not a problem,” Law replied.

They sat in silence for a while after that. Neither pony or human speaking. It was oddly comfortable. The guard had shown a level of compassion that Isaac was thankful for. He understood their fears and wariness. But knowing that at least one pony had lost their nervousness while around him made it easier for Isaac to let himself calm down. That peace wasn’t entirely long lasting though as the door swung open and a pink blur shot in before a pair of large blue orbs were staring at him through the bars. “HIIII!!!” Pinkie shouted, causing Isaac to jump and nearly drop his coffee.

“Pinkie don’t be scaring the fella like that!” Applejack said as she yanked Pinkie away from the bars when he got close enough. The only response given was a giggle and apology. The others filed in and sat in a semicircle around the cell door, Twilight in the center of them.

“To what do I owe the pleasure, Princess?” Law said with a low bow. “I didn’t think you would return so quickly.”

Twilight blushed hard at the title and show of respect. “You may rise, and please just call me Twilight. I-I’m not entirely used to that yet.” She cleared her throat as Law raised himself up and nodded to her. “As for why I am here. I got a letter from Princess Celestia earlier. They want him transported to Canterlot.”

“Well ma’am, how is he going to be transported?” Law asked curiously.

Twilight swished her tail gently, her wings fluttering. “A chariot shall arrive in a few hours with a squad of Solar Guards. You will perform an exchange with the guards and they shall place him within the chariot to transport him to Canterlot. From there-” she shrugged, “-I don’t know what the Princess is planning.” Her wings stretched before laying back against her sides, the feathers quivering a bit.

Law’s eyes went a bit wide at this and Twilight quickly spoke up. “N-nothing like that good sir. If you want my opinion. I think they just wish to speak with him and find out a bit more about him, maybe help get his memories back.” Law relaxed and nodded to her. Curious, the guard seemed concerned. She glanced between Law and Isaac. There was some level of trust between the two, perhaps.

“I’m also requesting personally Law that you accompany Isaac to the castle to give the Princess your own account and thoughts on him.” She watched for a reaction and was not disappointed. Law took a few steps back, surprise on his face before he shook slowly. Three times he attempted to speak, and each time he failed. In the end he settled for bowing his head and nodding to her in response. “Very good. Now uhm… go get ready for the trip. We’ll stay and watch over Isaac.”

Law hesitated a bit, looking towards Isaac, then to Twilight and finally to his desk. He didn’t want his commander throwing a fit that he had left a post.

“That’s an order.” Twilight said suddenly, causing Law to jump.

Without another word the guard bolted, a smile on Twilight’s face. She turned back towards Isaac and stared at him. What did his memories hold? Hopefully the Princess would be able to help him get them back.

Author's Note

So sorry for taking so long for this chapter. What with moving and needing to get a new laptop I've been busy doing so many other things. But here you are! The next chapter! Hope you all like it mates! And thanks to Zephyr again for being an awesome editor. Still looking for ideas for a new title. So feel free to PM me your thoughts and idea's on it!