A Whole New World

I waited in the living room with Derpy sitting by my side. Sparkler and Dinky sat nearby. I look up to Dinky and Sparkler and they both give me smiles which I return.

“Everything's going to be fine Michael.” Derpy says. “Just relax.”

“Yeah, we're here for you!” Dinky states smiling broadly.

I sigh. “I know you all are but I'm not nervous about the the mind thing. I'm afraid that I might remember who I am and not love any of you anymore.” I lower my head. “I don't want to forget you.”

Derpy puts a wing over my shoulders and nuzzles my neck. “You won't forget us, you love us too much for that to happen.”

I return Derpy's wing by wrapping my right arm around her body. I pull her closer and give her a squeeze. I snap my gaze towards the front door when I hear several knocks. I feel my heart rate increase.

Derpy places a hoof on my shoulder as she moves to answer the front door. “Just relax.” Derpy adds looking back as she exits.

I hear the front door open and Derpy greet someone. I watch the entrance to the living room with angst. My heart stops when Derpy returns with Celestia and Luna close behind. I stand on reflex.

“Princesses!” I say a little louder than normal and follow it with a forced grin.

Celestia smiles. “Michael, it's nice to see you again.”

“Indeed. I hope the last few days haven't been stressful for you?” Luna adds.

“N-No! I've been fine!” I say, slowly losing my mind.

Derpy sighs. “He's been freaking out everyday since he got back from Canterlot.”

“Traitor...” I mumble.

“I know.” Derpy replies giving me a hug.

Luna steps forward. “There is nothing to be concerned about Michael. I have gone through my meditations and I am highly positive the mind link will be successful.”

I sigh. “I'm not worried about the mind link princess. I'm worried that I might regain my memories and forget the ones I love.” I look to Derpy. “I don't want to lose them.” I turn my gaze back to Luna as I feel a hoof on my shoulder.

“You will not forget them Michael. New memories cannot be easily erased.” Luna states giving me a smile. “Though if you would like to postpone the link, we can reschedule.”

I shake my head. “No, I think the quicker we do this the better.”

Luna nods and gestures for me to lie down on the couch. “It will be less taxing on you if you lie down.”

I nod and lie down on the couch. I look to Derpy who had moved and sat with Dinky and Sparkler. I sign and look to Luna. “Let's do this.”

Luna turns to look at Celestia. “Sister what ever happens you must not get involved.”

“You have my word.” Celestia answers before looking to Derpy. “You too Miss Hooves.”

“You have my word too Princesses.” My marefriend replies.

I watch with baited breath as Luna gives me a smile as her horn lights with magic. I tense as Luna's horn inches towards me and finally touches my forehead. The whole world goes black.

I awake to find my body floating in a bright white room. I turn my head and look around at the glowing walls and ceiling. I get startled when Luna appears next to me, her dark blue coat a huge contrast against the white background.

“Hmm, This is certainly a bright mind you have.” Luna says twisting and turning beside me.

“This is my mind?” I ask surprised.

Luna nods. “Every mind is different, some have different shapes colours even dimensions. It can sometimes be difficult to adjust but I find this soothing.”

I stare at the white ceiling and float on my back. “I expected more...”

Luna laughs. “And there shall be.” Luna activates her horn and we float to the ground as thirty orbs appear around us. I notice all but a few are hazy which makes them hard to make out. “This isn't right...” Luna says.

“What isn't right?” I question.

“These orbs are representations of your memories. I expected some to be blanked out but this many...I just don't know what to say....it shouldn't be possible.” Luna reaches up and touches an orb, I see it ripple but not much else. “I think we should begin as soon as possible. If you go too long without these memories you could suffer long term damage.”

“What kind of damage?” I ask now worried.

“It could lead to serious brain damage.”

I go to reply when one of the orbs draws my attention. I walk up to it and it brightens. “Uh, Luna! You might what to see this!” I call out.

Luna trots up to the orb and scans it. “It seems this is the first memory that needs a repair or a good place to start.”

“So how does this work? I mean I'm new to the whole in my mind sort of thing.”

Luna smiles and gestures to the orb. “You just place your hand on the orb and your mind will do the rest.”

“How many do you think need to be repaired?”

Luna taps her chin. “I'm not sure. I usually only have to deal with one or two but all these...” Luna gestures widely to the other orbs. “...I've never had to deal with this many.”

I swallow hard as I raise up my hand to an orb. “So I just touch it?” Luna nods. “OK..here goes.” I place my hand on the orb and watch as the light it was emanating grew and engulfed Luna and I.

Derpy sat now for over two hours as her coltfriend and Princess Luna sat immobile. Sparkler and Dinky were still encased in her wings and all four females in the room watched intently. Derpy was still aware of the other princess in the room and had thought about offering her a cup of tea or something. Derpy knew this was probably nerve racking for Celestia too as it was Luna putting her life on the line to help a stranger, even when Luna was the only one who could help said stranger.

“Mummy...I need to go pee...” Dinky said giving Derpy a pout.

“OK my muffin.” Derpy replies opening her wing.

Derpy watches as Dinky trots by Celestia but not before giving her a bow to which the princess dips her head.

“What do you think is happening in there?” Sparkler asks drawing both Celestia and Derpys gaze.

“I'm never really sure what happens when Luna does this type of magic but she did say it's like entering a dream where the pony is in full control.” Celestia turns her gaze back to her sister. “But I still worry...”

I push Luna out the way as another blast sends mud and sand up into the air. I cough before looking back at the princess. My eyes go wide as Luna just stood in the centre of the beach, the bullets whizzing pass her.

“Princess get down!” I shout and more fire rakes the small mound of sand I was lying behind.

Luna turns to me and smiles. “Why are you hiding? You can't be hurt here Michael, not with me around.”

I take deep breaths before standing up and turn to gaze upon the world we have entered into. I don't remember ever being in something like this but slowly I started see flashes of what this place was in my head. Luna seeing me put a hand to my head trots over and the noise and screams around us die down.

“Are you remembering something?” Luna asks.

“I'm not sure. I'm having flashes in my head about this place.” I look at the large structures pouring the bullets down into the others of my kind on the beach. A pain shoots through my heart as I see the men cut down. I couldn't hurt them but I could see their faces screaming and the blood was everywhere. “I think this was a conflict on my old world, a war of some kind but I can't recall the name or when it happened.”

Luna touches my arm with a wing. “Don't force the memories Michael let them come naturally.”

I nod and close my eyes. “I see this beach before the men. I remember 'Normandy'.” I open my eyes and look to Luna. “This beach is called Normandy or at least the attack is called that I'm not sure.” I point up to the structures. “Those are structures that belong to a nation called Germany, this attack was a turning point..I..I..” I shake my head. “I can't remember much else, it's just not there.” I look to Luna when I feel a wing touch my shoulder. “Sorry...”

Luna smiles. “Don't be hard on yourself Michael, this is a start.” Luna gestures to the battle around us. “The fact you can recall as much as you did means this is a viable treatment. I'm not saying this is something that's going to work in the short term.” Luna's horn lights up and the memory vanishes. “I think we should get back.”

I nod. “Thank you Luna for this.”

Luna bows her head. “To be honest the chance to see an alien mind is more than enough incentive to help.” Luna chuckles. “I would be honoured to help you open more memories but today has been taxing on our minds, we should leave.”

I nod as Luna lights her horn and the white 'room' of my mind fades.

Derpy shifts forward when Princess Luna opens her eyes and sighs. Derpy grabs Sparkler in a crushing hug when Michael opens his eyes and puts his hands to his face.

Sparkler gasps. “Mum! Can't breathe!”

Derpy let's Sparkler go. “Sorry Sparkler.”

Sparkler waves a hoof as she catches her breath again. “N-No problem mum.”

“Wow, that was some rush.” Michael says.

“How are you feeling?” Luna asks.

“Little woozy but OK.” Michael replies. “Though I think I need my grey Pegasus.”

Derpy suddenly jumps off the chair and runs to Michael wrapping her legs around his neck.

“I'm so glad your OK.” Derpy states nuzzling Michael's neck.

Michael wraps his arms around Derpy and sighs into her mane. “It wasn't as bad as I thought it was. You were right, I shouldn't have worried.”

Derpy chuckles. “Told you.”

“I am pleased you are fine Michael.” Celestia says walking forward. “I was worried your mind would be too different for the link.”

“I to was sceptical about the link but it proved fruitful. I think with more links Michaels memory could be restored.” Luna says, now recovering. “Though at the moment we both need rest, the link was taxing.”

Michael nods from the couch. “Thank you Princess.”

Luna turns and smiles. “It was my pleasure Michael.” Luna stands and heads for the exit with Celestia in tow. Luna looks back once more and nods before leaving.

I watch as Luna and Celestia exit the living room and I give Derpy a squeeze. I look around and notice Sparkler was giving me a smile. I hold out my arm and gesture for her to join in something she wasn't going to hesitate in doing. I sigh when Sparkler piles on and hugs me to. I feel a third weight press down a few seconds later as Dinky jumps on top.

“I love all of you and I think a change needs to happen.” I say.

Derpy lifts her head up. “What change?”

I smile and give her a quick peck on the lips. “I need to get a job, I can't lay about here all day.” I look to Dinky and Sparkler. “What do you girls think?”

Dinky nods. “I don't know what to think since I don't work.”

“I think is a great idea!” Sparkler says with a grin before turning to Derpy. “Mum you always said they where looking for somepony to work in the mail centre. Maybe Michael could do it?”

Derpy looks to me with worry. “If they do say yes, are you sure you're up for it?”

I smile and nod. “I have to get out sometime and if your bosses do let me work there then at least I'll be with you.”

Derpy squeals in joy and hugs me tighter. I hug back with what I could muster in this family pony pile. Tomorrow I'm going job hunting and I couldn't be more excited.