A Different Shade of Red

Author jazz: Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh! My best f**king friend forever aka Roxy Shot aka the editor of this story let me use one of his songs for the theme of this fic. F5U7, aka fffffuuuuuuu. It's called One Ghost. It's also up on FA If you're in to that kinda thing.

I found myself in the comforting void once again. Something was wrong though. I could feel. This was not sleep. This was not a comforting void. Everything ached. Everything hurt. From the state of light consciousness, I could only tell that I was lying down, rather than hanging from the ceiling. I tried to move one of my fore hooves, but a wave of numbness washed through my body. I tried to lift my eyelids, but they might as well be sown shut. I took a shallow breath and fell back to darkness.

The next time my unconsciousness was interrupted by a steady beeping noise. The ache and pain had increased from the last time, but this time my eyes fluttered open with success. I was in a dark room. The walls were featureless and plain. They were not made of brick.

I tried to think back to my last memory. I was strapped to a concrete wall. A series of explosive noises. Unrivaled pain. I was going to die. I should have died. I… wanted to die. Why was I still here? Who or what kept me in this world? I took a breath and fell back to darkness.

I was awoken by voices. Two of them. My eyes slowly opened and I saw a white pony. Standing next to her was a taller, dark blue pony with a horn. I could hear their voices, but I could not make out the words. I watched the two while my senses slowly come back to me. As soon as I was able to understand their words, the dark blue unicorn noticed my state of consciousness and stopped speaking.

“Thou have awoken. Speak, how dost thou feel?” She asked while wearing a smile. I remembered her voice. She was the reason I was alive. It was her fault.

“…Why?” I managed to speak in a cracked voice. The unicorn tilted her head as if she misunderstood me.

“…Why didn’t you let me die?” I spoke in a voice barely above a whisper. The unicorn responded with a look of shock, but quickly composed herself. She then spoke something in reply, but I couldn’t hear her. I took a deep breath and fell back to darkness.

* * *

The next time I woke up, I felt better. Well… Maybe ‘better’ is too strong of a word. Everything still ached, but the pain was gone. I moved my right fore hoof and I can feel again. I brushed up against something soft. A blanket. I was lying in a bed. A steady beeping noise sounded to my right. My fore hoof traveled further up and it hit something solid on my body.

I pulled the blanket aside and found a needle stuck into my skin. A thin and clear tube ran from the needle to a bag. There was a clear liquid in the bag, but I did not know what it was. I pulled the needle from my skin without as much as a whimper. The hole the needle left started to bleed, but it’s nothing I was not used too.

I inspected my body further and find small pads of white material stuck to my coat. I pulled off twelve in all and the beeping machine stopped. A white pony with a bubblegum pink mane rushed in as soon as the machine stopped its noise. The two of us stared at each other for a few moments before I retreated under the blanket.

The white pony stated to approach me. I could hear her hoof steps. I started to tremble as she made her way beside me. Now what? Was I relieved of one torture chamber to trade it for another? Would the ponies holding me here treat me worse than the griffins did? A soft voice broke my thoughts.

“It’s alright. Nopony is going to hurt you. I promise,” The pony spoke delicately. I remained under the covers. After a few moments of silence, she spoke again.

“You must be thirsty, I’m going to get you a glass of water, okay?” She asked. I didn’t respond. After a few more moments I heard her leave the room.

I then slowly emerged from the covers and inspected the room. Light spilled into the room from a window to my left, illuminating every corner. After being so long without sunlight, it felt nice. I could vaguely remember the sun as a filly. The memory was not detailed, but I could remember enjoying the sun. My ear flickered as a noise came from the doorway.

“We would like to see her,” a voice said. It sounded like the blue unicorn that saved me.

“Of course your majesty, but she’s very confused and scared right now,” a voice responded that I recognized as the white pony.

The two then entered, but I didn’t retreat under the covers, even though every fiber of my being urged me too. I remained silent as they approached. Up close and finally fully conscious, I noticed that the dark blue unicorn also had a pair of wings at her side. Was that even possible? I had memories of unicorns and pegasi, but I don’t remember any ponies with both wings and a horn.

Another thing that struck me was how regal she looked. A black crown adored her head, and a necklace with the image of the moon hung from her neck. Her mane seemed to be made of the stars themselves, and it responded to the gentle breeze of a wind that was not present. She was elegant, beautiful, and somewhat intimidating. Then she spoke.

“We… I was wondering how you are feeling. The situation looked very grim when we found you,” she said. I responded the same way I always did when a vocal response was expected. I didn’t.

The three of us remained in silence until the white pony decided to break it by setting down a glass of water on a table next to me. I stared at the glass of water. The last time I was offered clean water to drink, the griffin offering it swiped it away before I could reach it. He then laughed and drank it himself.

“Go ahead,” the white pony spoke and nudged the glass towards me. I hesitantly extended my two hooves forward and touched the glass. I glanced between the two ponies for a few moments before quickly taking the glass of water and chugging it. In my haste however, I started to choke halfway through the liquid. The water cut off my airway and I began to hack and cough. The regal pony was quick to put her hooves on my back and coax the liquid out. A red fluid now mixed with the water and dotted the blankets. I could feel my cheeks flush in embarrassment.

“It is alright. No need to be embarrassed,” the regal pony said. I finished my coughing and looked back at the two ponies. They seemed so kind, gentle, and caring. I wanted so much to believe them, to feel safe, but I could only compare this moment to the rest of my memories. I retreated under the covers again. I heard the regal pony let out a sigh. Then the two left the room.

* * *

The next time I woke up, there were two ponies beside me. One was the regal dark blue pony from before. The other was a new pony. She looked just as regal, if not more so, than the dark blue pony. This one however, had a coat as white as the purest snow. Golden jewelry decorated her body and her hair was a mix of blue, green, and pink that also blew to the breeze on a wind that was not there. She spoke first.

“My name is Celestia. It is good to see your recovery, my little pony,” she said. Her voice was sweet and calming, but there was also an aged undertone to it. I responded in the usual way until she tried again.

“Could you tell us your name, my little pony?” she asked softly. I slowly shook my head. Even if I wanted to tell her, I couldn’t. I don’t remember a name. Celestia didn’t press the issue though. The dark blue pony nudged Celestia.

“Excuse us for a moment,” Celestia said. The two then left the room, but I could still hear their voices as they talked from behind a closed door.

“Sister, I am worried,” the blue pony spoke.

“I know Luna, but I think she will be alright. Remember how you were when you first came back?”

“…I know. I wouldn’t speak to anypony except you for three months.”

“And you turned out just fine. We just need to give her time.”

“Very well.”

The two then re-entered the room. This time Luna spoke first.

“We believe you have recovered to the point that physical therapy can begin,” Luna stated. I hadn’t the faintest idea of what she meant. I had never heard the term ‘physical therapy’. Luna was quick to pick up on my blank expression and explained it for me.

“Your hind leg was crushed. You may have difficulty walking for a time, but with physical therapy we can help you in recover faster than if you were on your own. There are certain techniques and practices that will build your strength up,” she explained. I nodded, remembering the unbearable pain the metal ball had caused. Maybe I could give this a chance. Just maybe, they really did want to help me.

* * *

The next few weeks were uneventful. As soon as I was able to walk with assistance, two nurses took me to a bath and worked on the years and years of dirt, grime, and blood that tainted my coat. It took three separate baths to restore my coat to normal. Next I was taken to get my hair cut. After having all the impurities washed from my mane, it curled up in waves and hung loosely from my neck. I had to be held down and cooed as the haircutter approached me with the pair of scissors, but her work was quick and fortunately for me, painless. She cut my hair to my shoulders and said it was cute, very Marelyn Maneroe.

The physical therapy Luna talked about involved me being put into what was called a trotting brace. A metal contraption was strapped to each of my legs and I was made to trot with them attached. I didn’t see the point of wearing them or how they would make me better, but I feared saying ‘no’.

Speaking of which, I still hadn’t spoken a word since I awoke. Both Celestia and Luna tried asking me questions like: What is your name? What happened in the camp? Where were you taken from? Even simple questions I refused to answer: What do you like to eat? What is your favorite color? I just didn’t feel comfortable speaking. Everypony felt so intimidating.
Until I met her. She was a light pink mare with a three toned mane of white, pink, and purple named Cadence. She had something the other white ponies, or nurses I learned, didn’t have. I felt the Cadence truly cared for me as a pony. The other nurses treated ponies like a job, but Cadence treated me like a pony.

One day she convinced Princess Celestia, I had also learned that Celestia, Luna, and Cadence were all princesses, that I needed to get out of the castle. She took me to a sweets shop and bought me something that called ice cream. The shop had so many flavors that it started to overwhelm me, so I just picked the simplest looking one. Vanilla. It was cold, but good.

As we sat and ate, Cadence asked me about my name again. I shook my head in response, like I did every other time. She then asked again and put on a pout. I…really didn’t know what to do at that point. For the first time since I cursed at the Lieutenant, I spoke again. I don’t know why I did. I suppose I felt like I owed her something for all of her kindness.

“I don’t know,” I said meekly. It felt strange hearing my own voice. My vocal response shocked her, but she quickly regained her composure.

“You don’t know why you can’t tell me your name?” she asked.

“No… I don’t know my name,” I responded. This time sorrow overtook her features. We sat in silence for a time, until she decided to speak again.

“I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay.” We ate the rest of our treat in silence.

* * *

The next day I was summoned to see Princess Celestia. Two guards approached my bed in the infirmary; I refused to move to a guest room, and asked me to follow them. I didn’t question and I didn’t resist their request. In a sense, I kind of liked the guards. They only talked when they needed too. They were content in being quiet and gentle, never once did a guard make physical contact with me.

Once in Princess Celestia’s personal room, the two guards escorted themselves out and closed the doors behind them. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Cadence stood before me.

Princess Celestia’s room was… simple. Much more so than I expected for the royalty of a princess. A large four poster bed coated with white and golden sheets rested in the corner of the room, illuminated by the sunlight spilling in from a window. A small cabinet stood by the bed and on the other corner of the room a small desk with papers stacked almost to the ceiling sat. The guest rooms I was offered to have looked more extravagant.

“Good afternoon,” Cadence smiled. I didn’t need to wonder why I was brought here. Since I had spoken to Cadence the day before, I had a strong feeling she would tell the Princesses since they wanted to ask so many questions. I nervously locked my gaze on the ground, knowing both Celestia and Luna were expecting a vocal response. I cleared my throat and attempted to reply.

“H-… He… Heeel-,” I choked out quieter than a mouse. I couldn’t even say ‘Hello’.

“You don’t need to be afraid,” Cadence began as she approached me, “I know the Princesses can be intimidating, but I’m a Princess too and we’ve become friends right?”

I nodded.

“Celestia and Luna need to ask you some important questions. How about you whisper to me and I can do the talking?” Cadence suggested. I nodded again, relieved that she understood how I felt.

The four of us then sat in a circle around an expensive looking tea set. For the first few minutes, the four of us just sat and drank tea. Well, the three princesses did. I didn’t think I could manage to lift my glass with the way my hooves were shaking. It smelt good though, like apples and cinnamon. I knew they wanted to give me a few moments of silence to relax, and I tried my best to, but I just couldn’t stop my shaking. There was a little voice picking at the back of my mind, telling me they couldn’t be trusted.

“Do you know how old you are?” Princess Celestia quietly broke the silence. I shook my head.

“Do you remember how old you were when you were… taken?” Again I shake my head.

“The griffin camp was built nine years ago. There are only a few pony settlements that border the griffin territories. In six years, four settlements were attacked,” the Princess explained. I then closed my eyes.

A birthday. Nothing big, just a simple birthday with family and a few select friends. A male earth pony and a female pegasus sat beside their daughter. The earth pony had a cream coat that has lost most of its vibrancy. The earth pony worked in the mines, but he was happy to work hard for the family he loved.

The pegasus was a beautiful mare. Her coat was a pale red that was easily forgotten in a crowd of the bright colors of other ponies, but where her coat failed to gather attention, her mane more than made up for it. Some ponies said her mane was so pure, that it had to be made from the sun’s own golden rays.

The couple’s daughter was blessed with the best of both of her parents. She had received her father’s cream coat, but it was subdued like her mother’s. Her mane was once again a gift from her mother. Golden curls bounced from the top of her head and rolled down to the top of her shoulders. Her father’s bright blue eyes shone from under her golden locks.

Everypony present was singing to the little filly. After the song was over, the crowed looked expectantly to the filly. The filly sucked in a mouthful of air, made a wish, and blew out her candles. Ten candles.

“…ey…Hey. Are you alright?” A voice broke my daydream. The first thing I noticed was Cadence extending her hoof. Her hoof was pressed up against my cheek.

The griffin extended his claw and struck me across the cheek.

I recoiled violently, knocking over my glass of tea and tumbling into one of the legs on Princess Celestia’s bed. I rubbed the back of my head softly as Cadence rushed to my side. Princess Luna stood as if she wanted to come to my aid as well, but Princess Celestia remained sitting down with a sad look in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Cadence exclaimed, worry thick in her voice. It was then I felt wetness on my cheek. I lifted my hoof to my cheek and wiped the dampness from my face. That’s why Cadence had her hoof to my cheek.

“It’s not your fault, I just… I… Ten,” I spoke so only she could hear.

“Ten?” Cadence repeated.

“The age I was taken,” I clarified. Cadence embraced me in her hooves and pulled my body against hers. This time I didn’t push her away. It was a simple gesture, but it felt so warm and familiar. I then felt wetness on my shoulder and could faintly feel Cadence’s body shaking.

“A-are you alright?” I voiced.

“No. Nopony should ever have to go through what you did. Especially not at such a tender age,” she replied. She held on a few moments more, giving the occasional sniff, before letting go.

Cadence relayed the information to the two princesses. A shocked expression lit Luna’s face for a few moments before she could regain her composure whereas Celestia was able to conceal her expression with a sip of tea.
“All of your injuries took place at the complex, correct?” Celestia asked next. I nodded.

“Alright, that is enough about morbid topics. How about we speak of something on a lighter note?” Celestia spoke to nopony in particular. “Cadence, would you like to tell her my idea?”

“We know you’re not too happy here in Canterlot. To put it bluntly, there are too many stuck up nobles and high class figures for you to be comfortable. It’s hard to make friends here unless you’re enrolled in a school or working at a job. Neither of which you are ready for.” Cadence explained. I nodded as she spoke. It was true. The attitudes of most ponies around made them hard to approach, not that I would be so bold to in the first place. The only ponies I had once thought of speaking to besides Cadence were Princess Luna and the palace guards. School and a job meant being exposed to groups of ponies, something I just wasn’t ready for.

“The three of us think it would be best for you if you move to a small village called Ponyville,” Cadence finished. No. No, no, no. I was not ready for that. I was not ready for another change. I shook my head rapidly from side to side.
“We know change is a hard think for thou to get used to. It was a difficult thing for us as well, but you will be staying with the Twilight Sparkle. The unicorn that helped us make friends,” Princess Luna spoke.

“I took care of Twilight when she was just a filly. The two of you are a lot alike. I think you will get along with her,” Cadence smiled.

“I-I-I’m scared,” I forced out.

“Trust me, please?”

“…okay.”