Times Forgotten

At first it was darkness... but then... came... light.

Or at least what I assumed was light. My vision was a little blurry but it cleared up eventually. Before me were tall frost covered trees, hundreds of them. Cold air swept through my coat as I felt the discomfort of something beneath me. It felt hard and damp. I lift up my head as white snow fell from my head and muzzle. I looked up and saw the glimmer of moonlight from under the tree's branches.

A blanket of snow covered the forest floor. The moonlight shone upon the snow making it seem... whiter. The air was cold sure, but at least it was not windy; a cold breeze would be enough to make me shiver to death. I had hoped it was not the case.

The sight of it is breathtaking... but... what am I doing here?

My body shook from head to tail, goose eggs appeared on my coat. It was obvious--I was freezing. I need to find a place to be kept warm from this weather, but where would I go?

Alas, I do not know where I would find warmth in such a dense forest.

I put all my strength into getting up, straining and shaking to lift myself up. When I got myself up I wanted to make sure I stood on my hooves. I looked around to see if there were any signs of shelter close by, but it looked like there weren't. I tried lifting my hoof up as it sunk in the cold wet snow. Sooner than that I started trudging through the snow not knowing where to go. I knew I had to find refuge but I won't find anything here.

There has to be somewhere safe out here!

The snow was thick and hard to to move through, the trees were either very close together or farther apart. The perpetual moonlight still shone in the night sky so it was not so hard to see where I was going. My body kept shivering from the cold, steam coming out of my mouth as I took each breath.

Every hoofstep was a struggle; it was like I was never used to this weather! I probably wasn't, I don't remember. I could not hear anything except for myself, my breathing, and my hoofsteps. All I saw before me was more snow covered trees packed even more denser than ever. Darkness was its entrance, tall shadows fell upon the blanket of snow.

I'm not sure if I prefer this route I decided, unnerved by its imposing appearance, I should probably turn back and head in another direction.

Something about the way these trees looked gave me an uncomfortable chill. It wasn't just the thick trees but darkness coursed through through the wood in ways I dare not repeat. I then heard a more than unnerving sound; a deep moan which came from those very trees. My fur stood on end and I immediately turned around to face behind me.

I tried to be quick and run away from the sounds that came from those trees. It did not matter if I dove down into the snow, as long as I was far from whatever made that hideous noise I would be alright... I hope.

It became a little bit easier for me to move through the snow, perhaps I was getting used to moving around in it. I was thankfully able to get more than a hundred yards away from those trees. With each trot I panted out more steam from my mouth. I trudged through more snow despite whatever chunks of it clung to my coat and muzzle.

I hoped I was heading in a safer direction than where I was originally going. It would have been a blessing if I had a compass, then I would know exactly which direction I'm headed. However since I don't I would have to rely on my intuition which, I am sure, was flawed.

I mustn't be too doubtful, I'm sure there is a place where I can be secure.

I walked for what seemed an eternity. My hooves ached and chapped from walking so much. The trees started to part around me as I came upon a clearing. As I got closer I realized that there was a mound or a small hill within the center. The mound had an opening which had an overhang. Hopefully this would be the shelter he was looking for.

I hope this won't be too perilous

I approached the mound carefully, hoping there wasn't something sleeping within it. I squinted to get a better look inside. It didn't seem like anything was residing in the mound, so I got even closer. The mound was roughly bigger than I was and the opening should be large enough for me to fit inside. I did my best to crawl under the overhang, braving the cold wet feeling of snow under my stomach. Once I managed to get inside I bumped my head on the roof of the mound, sending bits of dirt over my face and muzzle. I shook it off.

Well, it is a little warmer in here. Not by much though. Still, it's better than sleeping out in the cold.

As little room as it had I had to cope with it... at least for the rest of the night. Since I was already on the ground I should have no trouble finding some comfort. I shifted, tossed and turned until I found my comfort spot.

I have to get out of this forest. Tomorrow must be the day.

"Ugh..." I groaned tiredly.

My body ached when I awoke. I felt the sudden chill of morning air from the opening. Some of the snow from the mound started to melt over; water dripped from the overhang onto the snow. I looked through the opening and saw that the snow on the ground was also beginning to melt, leaving patches of grass to sprout from the ground.

I wanted to get a better look, so I decided to crawl out of the mound. Dirt poured over me when I bumped my head again in my attempt to do so.

Dang it!

Once I got out I ended up barreling onto the snow outside; yelping as I somersaulted on the forest floor. Once I stopped I was covered in dirt snow and clippings of grass. I even got some into my mouth which I spat out. I got back up from my tumble to see more of the landscape in front of me. Not so different from before, only now in the daytime.

There were more patches of grass in the snow and from what I started to feel the air was getting warmer. I looked up to the skies only to find an overcast sky, grey with a small spot for the sun to shine. The brightness of it was enough to make me squint my eyes. I averted my eyes from it to focus on a more important task: getting out of this forest.

I wasn't sure where to go. I only found this place to rest, that was the only reason. This forest seemed huge but I was sure that I would find a way out and soon.

I decided to make my way back from where I began and continue from there. It became easier to move with the snow melting; it was not as thick as last night. Every hoofstep I took left prints in the crunchy snow and the dirt beneath it. Every tree looked no different from the rest much like before. They were still covered in frost and snow but less as much this time around.

I came upon the parting trees once more, signalling that I had to be on the right path to... wherever I was going. What I haven't noticed before was how the branches connected from tree to tree. It was like they were somehow grown that way, or maybe something else entirely but I probably won't know for sure.

It was at this time where I started to think about the unnerving trees again. Before it didn't seem clear but now I started to remember them vividly.

Those trees... they had some sort of dark aura around them... like black snakes slithering between the branches...

But then I remembered the worst thing about them: the moaning. The eerie moan of the trees didn't get to me as much as it did remembering it. It was like there were lost souls crying out to be saved, only to have them suffer instead.

No. I can't torment myself with whatever little thing bothers me. I must press on!

As I continued my trek I came across some familiar grounds. I could even see the hoofprints I left from last night. They had to be mine. The hoofprints in question were deep and led back to where I began. I picked up my pace and followed where my hoofsteps led.

I suppose this is one way of "retracing my steps".

The tree which I last laid upon was now in sight. There was still a crunched up area from where I woke up. I wasn't sure WHAT I was thinking when I walked up to the tree... but then I noticed something. There seemed to have been something on the tree that he missed entirely. As I got closer I realized there was a symbol right above where I last lay. The symbol depicted a six pointed star surrounded by five smaller ones.

What is this? I wondered.

Something about this symbol... it must have been familiar to me in some way. But... I couldn't remember. It's like a nagging feeling, except nothing comes up. Did it have any significance? Was it made here recently? Does it belong to a pony?

What is this symbol... and why do I feel like I should know what this is?

As sudden as the wind, I heard crunching hoofsteps approaching me from behind. I turned to face another pony who walked up to me. It was an older stallion by the looks of him. He was an Earth pony who had baggy eyes, a coarse beard, and a salt and pepper colored mane. His cutie mark was covered by all the luggage he carried around his waist.

"Good morn'n." He greeted in a very deep voice.

"Uh... hello." I said nervously.

"How'v y'been?"

I didn't know how to answer without sounding insane. "Confused, I guess. Who are you?"

"Name's Oak. Some ponies call me Ronny." he introduced himself before he asked curiously, "What'cha do'n out here this deep in the forest?"

"I honestly don't know, Mr. Oak."

He raised a brow but nodded understandably. "How 'bout you? Ya gotta name?"

I searched in my thoughts for an answer... but then I felt a continuous sinking feeling in my chest. For some reason I unable to find the appropriate answer.

"Um, sir?" He sounded concerned. "It's a just a simple question."

"I... I don't know!" I was frightened. "I can't remember!"

The older stallion's eyes widened in surprise, "You can't remember your own name?"

What is wrong with me? Why can't I remember my own name?!

It may be possible that my name wasn't the only thing I had forgotten... but rather my older memories entirely. The only thing I could remember was waking up under this very tree, anything before that seemed nonexistent. All of the memories I've collected were more recent. I didn't just start wondering what my name was... but who I WAS!

"I'm sorry," I apologized, "I can't seem to remember my name, or why I'm in this forest."

"No need to be sorry 'bout it." He told me calmly, "Ya must have amnesia or something."

"Amnesia..." It made sense. "That must be why I'm having trouble remembering."

It shouldn't have been to surprising to me. Waking up in a forest, not knowing who you are or why you're here... It was obvious. And because I can't remember anything prior to waking up in a forest, I couldn't think of how it happened in the first place.

"Anyway, I have to git go'n." He decided, "My wife is wait'n for me now."

"Wait!" I suddenly said, "Do you know the way out of this place?"

"Eh? You don't know your way outta here?"

"No sir."

"All right. I'll help ya."

I got very excited when he acquiesced, "You will? Thank you so much!"

"Eh, no problem." He smiled before he turned to face the opposite direction. "Just follow me and you'll be good."

As he began to trot, I rushed to his side before he got too far away. He started humming a cheery and upbeat tune I wasn't familiar with. I would have hummed with him if it wasn't for another question that bothered me so.

"Excuse me, Mr. Oak?"

"Something on yer mind?"

"Do you know what that symbol on that tree means?" I asked him politely.

He turned his head back towards the tree I mentioned and turned back to me, "I don't think I do. I've never seen a star like that on anything before. Sorry if that don't answer yer question."

"That's alright." I told him, "Maybe I'll find out soon."

It had to have been at least half an hour before we finally made it out. The trees were behind us now and all that's left before us was... a vast open plain. It was blanketed with snow yet there were several patches of ground all across the land. There was not another tree in sight. It seemed very open yet... empty.

"Well, we made it out." The other stallion assured. "Would you prefer if I help you navigate across this place?"

"What is this place?" I asked in awe--but not in a good sense.

"This is simply a plain. It's usually grassy, but with all this snow still around it makes it pretty hard for ANYTHING to grow!" Oak then started to laugh.

I was very confused, "Why are you laughing? What's so funny?"

"Haha! Nothing. I'm just try'n ta light'n the mood is all."

After that we stopped talking and continued moving. As I walked I started to become aware of my surroundings, everything from eyeing large hills to listening to the hollow sound of the wind that picked up. The ground beneath my hooves felt a little different from when I was in the forest. The patches revealed a lighter colored dirt, beige in color. Withered plants were dotted everywhere, dying from dehydration. Looking up at the sky I noticed it was still overcast, but the sun was blocked by the grey clouds.

What kind of place is this? What happened here?

"Are ya hungry?" He asked me.

I could hear my stomach start to growl and rumble as we walked. "Um... Yes."

"Lets stop here for a bit." He went over to the side close to a large rock.

"What about your wife?" I reminded him. "Didn't you say she would be waiting for you?"

"Ah, she can wait a little longer." He said nonchalantly.

For a time we both sat down next to the boulder and started eating. He had unpacked a few sandwiches shaped like a cat's face. Inside it was stuffed with lettuce, tomato, among other condiments. When I took a bite I felt the juices from the tomato drip down my muzzle. I savored every bite from this creation.

"This is really good!" I complimented. "But why is it shaped like a cat?"

"Yeah, ma little one always makes the bread into the shapes of cats. She's quite the creative one."

"I'm guessing she likes cats?"

"I dunno." He took several bites before he spoke once again, "We've never had one before. Though our neighbors have one that wanders the block where we live. Maybe that's where she got her inspiration."

Hmm... odd. But not completely out of the ordina--

"I have something to ask." I didn't know what I was thinking when I said

"What? What is it?" Ronny seemed confused and worried. "Something else bother'n ya?"

"In the forest... there were trees I saw..." I had trouble with answering. "They... they were surrounded by... a dark aura."

He looked at me as if I was crazy (I hoped I wasn't), frowning and raising his brow again. It was clear he didn't believe me, that much is true.

"Dark aura, eh?" By the tone in his voice, he was not convinced. "Boy, I've been in that forest all ma life and I ain't ever seen any 'dark aura' on any tree."

It couldn't hurt to ask him another question.

"Do you know anything about dark aura, Mr. Oak?"

His brow came down when I asked. "I'm afraid I don't know much about that kinda thing. Sorry."

"Well... do you know anypony who does?" I continued to pry.

"Hmm..." Once he finished his meal he put a hoof on his chin. "Ah--no, no wait..."

As he was thinking, I continued to finish my sandwich. He kept muttering on the topic for almost a good two minutes. A slight breeze had swept through the land which felt rather chilly to me, yet it didn't seem to bother the older stallion.

"Oh! Now I remember!" He found the answer. "I don't know anypony specifically, but I do know a place where they talk about that sort of thing; a town so to speak."

"A town?"

"Yep. Stargarde's the name of it. I've never been there m'self but it's not that far from my hometown."

Stargarde. Strange name... yet it sounds... very familiar, somehow.