Dark Sparks

Dr. Skyline walks with me through the many hallways of the hospital. We go past a section of the hospital im familiar with. It was practically burnt into my memory, the countless times I had to go there. I just hope I don't forget. Toys scattered the floor from a knocked over box. I was bound to have played with them when I was a kid, waiting for my procedures.

"Ironic, I know, but I remember this place. I have been here my fair share of times." I say, trying to brake the silence.

"Yeah? You used to live here?" Skyline replies.

"That's right. Why is this town so empty anyway?"

"I couldn't tell you. Everypony just sort of...left..."

"Strange." I finish.

He opens the door to a room with a chair that you lie down in.

"If it makes you more comfortable, you can lie back in the seat. All I will do is ask you a series of questions and give a verdict, ok?"

"Got it."

I continue to lie back into the chair.

"My name is Ember, by the way."

"Ok. So Ember, how long has this memory issue been troubling you?"

"Ever since I was born, but for the past 3 years it's seriously been affecting me, and I'm getting concerned."

"Is there any obvious indication that might be causing these problems that I should know?"

I stop to think. Has my mind always been broken? Or is it just now breaking?

"Well, when I was born, my wings, as well as where they join by body, weren't developed like I should have been. So I had to have operations and check-ups periodically. Hence why I mentioned I remembered this place before. Maybe those weren't my only problems."

"That could explain the memory loss. It's not normal for somepony of your age to be suffering from this."

"I know. Doctor, I'm worried. I don't want to forget my family. Because if I don't remember them, who will?"

I sit up in the chair.

"And I have met some truly amazing ponys! Like...what was her name?! I said It earlier! Oh Celestia! What was her name?!?"

Skyline pushes me back into the chair gently.

"Ember. Calm. Your just going to stress yourself."

I was panicking. My breathing was faster than before, I couldn't even remember something I said five minutes ago.

"Now, I know memory loss isn't the nicest of things, but try to stay calm if you can. It will make life easier for both of us." Skyline says.

"...I'll try..."

"Now, the name. Try your hardest to remember, but if you can't, just stop."

"Ok...we met...about 4 years ago. I should remember it right off, but I can't...she wore a hat...Apple...something..."

"Good! Baby steps, Ember. Can you remember anything else at all?"

"I...I...can't..."

I turn to face the wall on the other side of me, slightly curl up, and then broke down into tears. The doctor was silent. I was starting to lose all hope of remembering the past, even what the pony did for me was beyond my recollection.

"Celestia...ok, when you are feeling a bit better, we will try again. Stay here and get some rest if you need it." Finishes Skyline.

The doctor exits the room. I sat back up in the chair, still determined to recall who the pony was.

"...Apple...oh no...Apple..."

Still no luck. I slam my head back into the the chair, glimmering tears still rolling from my eyes. As being as I had already forgot the pony, I wasn't going to let my parents slip away from my mind.

"Melancholy Teardrops...Future Pixel...Ascending Shadows..." I repeated, until my voice became exhausted.

Only thoughts remained now. Dr. Skyline came in to check up on me.

"Are you feeling any better, Ember?"

No reply came from me. I just stares out of the window to my right. Watching Pegasus, gracefully moving the clouds to bring out the sun. The doctor takes the seat beside me again, and watches the Pegasus with me.

I remember something.

"There was a book...a diary I wrote in. I can't remember where it is, though. It just...vanished..."

"Can you remember anything you wrote in it? Anything that could bring forward a smidgen of memory?"

"It's colour...was it blue? Or purple? Purple Spark? No, that doesn't sound right! It MUST be blue!"

I could feel a memory trying to break into my thoughts.

"...somepony took me to a house...no, a barn...it was Apple...Apple something...and four...no...five others?" I struggled.

"Your doing brilliant, Ember!" The doctor exclaimed.

The stress was killing me.

"...yeah, five! What were there names? I...darn it...c'mon Sparks, think!"

The doctor just watched as I struggled to piece together the story.

"...no! I just had it! One of there names!"

" I think you should give it some more rest. Your going to give yourself a headache." Skyline suggests.

I give out a huge exhale, and fall back into the chair once again.

"...I can't do it...it's so hard..."

"You did good though! Progress, Ember."

I was exhausted...from trying to remember something. This really isn't good. And what if I did remember the ponys name? Would I forget something else? Or would it leave my memory once again?

The Pegasi were still shifting clouds from one place to another. Quite entertaining to watch, I thought. Suddenly, two of the countless Pegasi collided with one another, when trying to impress the others with tricks. They tumble toward the ground, when two more swoop in and try to catch them. This does work, slightly. They slow the two Pegasi down enough so the fall doesn't do considerable damage.

I bet they thanked their stars it happened outside a hospital.

The two Pegasus were taken into the hospital. I overheard that their injuries were rather minor, luckily. Only one of the two who saved the unfortunate ponys stayed with them. They are taken past the room im in, and I hear them bickering about what happened.

"No, you shouldn't have got in my way! I was doing awesome, until you show up!"

"You shouldn't be performing while on the job! That's how accidents happen"

"I was only gonna do one!"

The pony who caught them then spoke.

"Would the both of you just shut up?! I mean, really?! Your giving everypony a headache!"

That voice. There was something about it.

Dr. Skyline had proceeded to the door at this point, to check what was going on. He stood in the doorway, and watched as the three Pegasi walked the door. When I caught a glimpse of the third pony, something clicked. I know her! But from where? That mane. I just couldn't put my hoof on why I recognised her.

"Doc," she asks. "could you check this rash under my wing? It's so irritating!"

"Hmmm...it's just your wing rubbing against your side. Some cream may suffice. Wait here, I'll go get some."

Skyline exits. The Pegasi looks at me.

"Oops, was I interrupt..." The pony just stares at me, expressionless.

"No, you weren't. It's fine."

"Sp-Sparks?!?"

She runs over to me, exited.

"Oh my gosh! I finally found you! The girls were so shocked when you left us, we couldn't believe it! We searched for you for a few days, but you were just gone!"

"I'm sorry, but who are you? And how do you know my name?"

"...huh? D-don't you...remember me?"

"No, I don't?"

The ponys voice started to shake.

"But...but I'm RainbowDash, remember...I found you...in that forest?"

Even with her name, I couldn't recall ever seeing her.

"How...how could you...forget...? I saved your life!"

"I'm sorry, but-"

She began to get teary eyed.

"You...you read that...poem to me...and the girls...at...at the library? I cried with you!? You don't remember any of this?!"

She runs out of the room.

"Rainbow! Wait!" I shout.

She doesn't listen. Skyline had witnessed the whole thing, standing in front of the doorway, mouth agape.

I didn't even know who the mare was, and I was crying. I must have forgot her, completely. She saved me? When? I read a poem at the library? What poem? What library?! Why does my memory have to be this bad?

Is there any point in trying anymore?

I can't believe all this is happening to me