The Legacy of Belladonna

Chapter III: Surprises

Belladonna groaned as she awoke in her bed. While the majority of the pain she had experienced the previous day was gone, there were still remnants that would fade in a matter of hours. She only wished that these visions of hers didn't cause so much pain. She soon felt a newer pain as she wrapped her hooves over her stomach.

"Guess it's time for breakfast."

The grey unicorn proceeded to leave and make her bed before heading into the kitchen for a bite. However, when she opened a cupboard, reality hit her in the face as she found her cupboards bare.

"Right. Yesterday I was supposed to stock up."

Seeing her cloak hanging on a wall hook, Belladonna sighed as she used her magic to don the cloak once again as she opened a cabinet that held a small chest. Inside were the bits she had saved over the months. Pouring a small amount of bits into her money pouch, Belladonna closed the cabinet before retrieving her saddlebags. She looked inside and found her list was still there.

Now that she was all set, Belladonna was ready to make her first second-visit-that-week to Ponyville.

What she wasn't ready for was the sight of Twilight Sparkle at the other side of her door.

Upon opening the door, Belladonna jumped as she saw the purple princess in front of her home. Clutching her heart, the grey mare spoke.

"Twilight? What are you doing here?"

Twilight turned her head to her sides, which held saddlebags, as she spoke.

"After you left, yesterday, I got worried about you. Since I saw your list when you dropped it, I'd figure I'd help you with your shopping."

This surprised Belladonna. Such an act of charity was unheard of to her. Yet, she could not help but feel embarrassed secretly. She was dead certain that even in her forgotten past she despised being made helpless.

Remembering the pouch bits in her saddlebag, Belladonna allowed the princess inside as she used her magic to man the door.

"Well…th-thank you. But you didn't have to do that. I could've gotten them eventually."

Twilight used her magic to lift the saddlebags from her own back as she spoke to the mistress of the cottage.

"It's alright, Belladonna. I wanted to. And I wasn't sure of your condition after yesterday, so I'd thought I'd help."

"Then at least let me pay you. To ease my own guilt."

Twilight took note at Belladonna's reaction to her generosity. She could tell the lone mare did not wish to be a burden on anypony and could sense the guilt before she even mentioned it. She was another mystery added to Twilight's mental list. "It's nothing to worry about. You don't have to pay me." She then got an idea. One that could help the two of them out. To rid Belladonna of her loneliness, and help Twilight learn more about her.

"How about you accompany me back to Ponyville?"

Belladonna raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Why?"

Twilight answered her as she used her magic to take out the items in her saddlebags and assorted them by food group, color, and size.

"I was unable to show you around yesterday because of what happened. I'm hoping that now that you're better, we can at least meet the rest of my friends."

Belladonna began to ponder the princess as she began placing items in their proper place.

"I don't know. After what happened yesterday I'm afraid of a similar experience."

In truth, she was afraid of having another vision so soon.

It was then that Twilight answered her, having predicted this and practiced on what to say.

"Princess Celestia told me about you this morning. She told me about how she and Princess Luna found you in the old castle and how you've been keeping to yourself in order to reclaim your memories. But I'm afraid for you."

This caught Belladonna by surprise.

"Afraid? For me?"

Twilight looked sadly at the grey unicorn as she explained.

"Before I came to Ponyville, I was a recluse. A shut-in. I thought that things like friendship was nonsense. But after meeting my friends, I realized at how lonely I was. Sure, I had my family, Princess Celestia, and my assistant, Spike. But outside that, I was alone. You, however, have nopony to talk to. How often do you get to speak to the princesses?"

Belladonna pondered this for a moment before she answered.

"Once a week."

"It is not a total lie. Outside the visions, I just give weekly updates." She thought.

"And do you talk to anypony that doesn't involve bartering?"

Belladonna fell silent for a moment. Outside bartering, she didn't talk to anypony. The only time that she did was the day before, when she met the new princess and Applejack. Well, formally for the latter.

She then felt a hoof on her shoulder. Looking up, Belladonna found that it was Twilight Sparkle's hoof that was on said shoulder.

"I hate to see anypony go through such loneliness. Please. Come back to Ponyville with me and meet my friends. I can assure you they won't harm you."

Belladonna was hesitant. She wasn't sure if she should accept such a thing. However, it's a bit sad when the only pony she could have a conversation with was with herself.

"Who knows? Maybe this is the key to getting my memory back."

Sighing, Belladonna gave a soft smile.

"Alright. I'll go."

Twilight beamed when she heard this.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"Thank you for giving this a chance, Belladonna. Now what say we finish up?"

Belladonna nodded as she helped Twilight place the groceries away. Once the last of the goods were put away, Belladonna levitated two apples and a bottle before they left her home. She opened the bottle to reveal its contents: blood-red gel capsules. Taking three and placing two of them in a small pouch, Belladonna sealed the bottle and replaced it with a glass of water. She took the pill she left out and consumed it, using the water to aid it down.

Twilight noticed this and spoke.

"What's that?"

Belladonna's eyes widened as she realized her action and to who she performed it in front of. Swallowing the water, Belladonna answered with carefully chosen words as she set the glass down and closing the cabinet were the rest of the pills were kept.

"Before I moved here, I was examined by a physician employed by the princesses. Apparently, in addition to my migraines, I have a 'condition' that causes me to faint. I have to take one of these pills three times a day to tend to it. I failed to take one yesterday and after I got home, I fainted."

Belladonna then left the cottage with Twilight, locking the door behind her. She handed one of the apples to Twilight while she ate the other one. Twilight happily accepted the offer as they began the slow trek to town, though she kept a careful eye on Belladonna.

As they walked, Belladonna realized something.

"How were you able to carry those heavy saddlebags to my home? It must have been a trying task."

Twilight's pride grew as she happily explained.

"I used a weight adjustment spell before I started on my way. The saddlebags were as light as feathers when I came over."

Twilight then decided to take a turn at the Question Game.

"I saw your garden. It's beautiful and very organized. Is your special talent gardening?"

Belladonna shook her head as she answered the princess.

"I don't remember what my special talent is, but I am good at gardening. But what I'm better at is making potions."

This caught Twilight's interest.

"You make potions?"

Belladonna nodded.

"Hmm-mm. I make all sorts of potions from healing tonics to poisons. But by far nopony has purchased any of my poisons unless it's for pest control."

This make Twilight curious as she remembered something.

"A little while ago, Princess Celestia gave me an ointment to heal some injuries I got during the royal wedding. I remember the flask bearing two different flowers on the glass. One of them I think was a coneflower."

Belladonna nodded, remembering the potion.

"That's one of mine. The flowers is a form of label letting ponies know what's in it. You were given an ointment made with purple coneflowers and calendula. Those flowers are often used in treating wounds."

This information surprised Twilight.

"So…I was healed by you and a bouquet of flowers?"

"In a way, yes." Belladonna replied.

Twilight continued to inquire Belladonna about the medicinal use of plants until they reached the edge of town, where Belladonna fell silent. Twilight led the grey mare through town until they reached a building that looked like it came from the story of Hansel and Gretel.

"This is Sugarcube Corner. It's the local bakery and sweet shop. One of my friend's lives and works there."

As they approached the door, Twilight remembered something and stopped Belladonna. "Is everything alright?" Belladonna asked.

"Before we go in," Twilight began, "I must warn you that my friend is a little…energetic. As well as a wee bit…off. But I can assure you she means well."

Belladonna raised an eyebrow as the pair went inside.

The smell of freshly baked bread assaulted Belladonna's senses, causing her stomach to growl. A tint of red appeared on the unicorn's cheeks as she stuttered.

"S-sorry."

Twilight gave a soft giggle as she approached the counter.

"What say we get something to eat here?"

Belladonna raised an eyebrow again.

"But we just had a couple of apples."

The growl in the mare's stomach argued, much to Belladonna's embarrassment.

"Is that a grumbly-tummy I hear?"

A high-pitched voice giggled out of nowhere, causing Belladonna to jump. Her eyes turned to the counter and located the owner of the voice.

She was a bubblegum pink Earth Pony with a hot pink mane that was the curliest, and frizziest, that Belladonna had ever seen. Over the counter, the grey mare could see that the Earth pony's Cutie Mark was a trio of balloons, one yellow and two blue. Her aquamarine eyes immediately took notice of Belladonna.

"Ooo! Who's this? Is she new in town? What's her name? What kind of treats does she like? What-!"

But Twilight held up a hoof to stop the mare from her constant questioning, giving the alicorn time to speak.

"Pinkie, please."

She then gestured to the grey mare accompanying her.

"This is Belladonna. She's been living outside of Ponyville for six months. And before you ask, she's lost her memory and I am showing her around town. She's a bit shy, so please calm yourself."

But Belladonna could see the mare before them was growing more excited with Twilight's description of her. Something inside Belladonna told her that this mare would definitely make things more…interesting.

Once Twilight removed her hoof, the mare introduced herself.

"Nice to meet ya, Belladonna. My name's Pinkie Pie. Well, it's short for Pinkamena Diane Pie. But 'Pinkie's" fine."

Pinkie then squinted her eyes for a moment, making Belladonna nervous, before the pink mare gasped in realization.

"I know you! Mr. and Mrs. Cake said you buy bread from their stall and leave without saying a word. I've been trying to find a way to meet you for a long time!"

Belladonna's stomach began to knot up until Twilight stepped in.

"Pinkie."

Realizing she was making the new mare uncomfortable, Pinkie gave a light gasp.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I'm just really, really, really, really, really happy to meet you at last. Now I can get to work on that 'Welcome to Ponyville' party for you."

Belladonna flushed in embarrassment as Twilight spoke.

"Pinkie, best keep it small."

Getting the hint, Pinkie saluted.

"Ookie-Dokie-Lokkie."

She then leaned on the counter.

"But for now, what can I get you?"

Twilight placed an order.

"I'll have a blueberry jumbo muffin and a glass of milk."

They then looked to Belladonna, who blushed.

"Um…if you can, a glass of milk and a couple slices of that fresh bread and jam."

"What kind of jam?" Pinkie asked.

Belladonna wanted to correct the impression she gave Pinkie earlier and after learning that the pony had a thing for parties, gave her answer.

"Surprise me."

That made Pinkie's day. "Surprise" was one of her favorite words.

"Ookie-Dokie-Lokkie!"

The bubblegum mare then sprung into the kitchen, leaving the two mares at their table.

Literally seconds later, Pinkie returned with their orders: two glasses of milk, a blueberry jumbo muffin, and two slices of fresh bread with a dark pink shimmering jam spread on them. Twilight noticed this and decided to ask her friend.

"Pinkie. What kind of jam is this?"

Pinkie smiled.

"Crystal Berry Jam, all the way from the Crystal Empire!"

As Twilight remembered the sweet-tasting berries from her brother's kingdom, Belladonna was puzzled.

"Crystal? Isn't that a hard stone?"

Pinkie giggled.

"No, silly. The berries came from the Crystal Empire with the shimmering gleam. They're not made of crystal, silly filly."

Wanting to forget her latest embarrassment, Belladonna used her magic to levitate one of the slices and brought it up to her mouth before she took a bite. To her surprise, the jam was not only soft as jam should be, but it was very sweet.

This was enough for Belladonna to begin to devour the bread with semi-controlled vigor. Twilight smiled at the grey mare before turning to Pinkie.

"Mind if I have a sample to have with my muffin?"

Pinkie lifted up a hoof, revealing a jar of the tasty jam.

"I'd thought you'd ask."

Twilight waited until Pinkie joined them with some cupcakes before the three began to talk.

So far, things were going very well. Now to introduce the rest.