A Whole New World

I kept Dinky close to my chest, even when her tears dried up and she hugged me back. I noticed Dinky's breathing got shallower and I looked down, the little pony had fallen asleep in my arms.

“Aww! That's so cute!”

I snap my gaze to the door and see Sparkler standing there with a large grin on her face.

“Hey Sparkler...” I say in a hushed voice. “I guess she cried herself to sleep.” I look back to Dinky and give her mane a stroke. “She told me about the bullying, I gave her the chance to let it all out.”

Sparkler walked to the bed. “You're lucky, she doesn't tell me or mother much about it. I think she doesn't want us to worry.” Sparkler lifts up a hoof and moves a strand of Dinky's hair out of her face. “You know, it's a natural look for you.”

I give Sparkler a raised eyebrow. “Natural look?”

Sparkler's face turns red. “Oh nothing! Just forget I said anything! I'll take Dinky to her room, let her rest for a bit.”

“Would I be ok if you let her rest here?” I ask.

“You want her to stay with you?” I nod. “If that is what you want, I don't see anything wrong with it.” Sparkler smiles and heads for the door. “I'll let mother know where Dinky is, I'll come get her when tea is ready.”

I lay Dinky down beside me and put the covers over her. “Thanks Sparkler.”

“You just rest up Michael, I'll see you later.”

Sparkler closes the door and I look back down to Dinky, I slide further down into the bed and turn over so my back was to Dinky. I close my eyes for several seconds when I feel something press against my back, I turn my head to see Dinky had moved over in the bed and now had her back pressed against mine. I smile and allow Dinky to press against me. I lay my head back down and close my eyes again drifting off into a deep sleep.

Sparkler was putting plate on to the table and one on to a tray for Michael, she couldn't help but feel slightly giddy.

“You should have seen it mum, he had Dinky in his fore legs! It was so cute!”

“Sparkler his fore legs are arms, or have you forgotten your Minotaur anatomy?”

Sparkler looked a little crestfallen. “Sorry mum, but it still doesn't change that it was adorable!” Sparkler squealed.

“I do have to admit, he is kind of cute.” Derpy adds, a little blush coming to her cheeks.

“I knew it!” Sparkler shouts rounding on her mother. “You like him!”

“I do not! I just think he's easy on the eyes.” Derpy replies, her cheeks getting redder.

“Don't lie to me!” Sparkler says, lunging at Derpy.

Derpy squeals as Sparkler lands on her and starts to give her the tickle treatment.

“You little horror!” Derpy shouts and begins her own tickle retort.

Derpy and Sparkler spend the next several minutes tickling each other until they stop gasping for air and laughing.

“B-Been...awhile...since...we...did...that!” Derpy says between breaths.

“Yeah...felt...good.” Sparkler replies blowing a her mane out of her face. “Do you think Michael is ticklish?”

“I-I don't know, should we ask?” Derpy says. “Or would that be a personal question?”

“I'm not sure myself, I wonder how his species expresses joy, do you think it's similar to us?” Sparkler asks unsure.

“Maybe this is a line of questioning we could ask him, but for now...” Derpy states getting to her hooves. “I should get dinner finished.” Derpy walks to the stove and stirs the soup boiling on top. “Ah, I think it's done!” Derpy chirps.

“I'll go and get Dinky and see if Michael can join us out here.” Sparkler says walking out of the kitchen.

“Ok!” Derpy calls in reply.

Sparkler walks down the hallway to the bedroom but stops when she hears talking coming from inside.

“So you don't know much right now?”

“No, I know my name and where I came from but I don't know much more than that. I just hope it comes back in time if not I may have suffered more damage than I thought.”

“I'm glad your ok Michael, I like you and I'm sure Sparkler and my mum do too! If you need any help you can just ask us!”

Sparkler hears hooves thump on the bedroom floor and she steps away from the door when it opens. Sparkler watches as Dinky walks out and turns her head back.

“I'll ask mum if dinners ready yet!”

“You don't have to little muffin!” Sparkler says causing Dinky to almost jump out her fur.

“Sparkler~! I almost wet myself!” Dinky cries. “And in front of Michael too!”

Sparkler looks in through the door and smile when she sees Michael trying to hold in his laughter. Sparkler pulls back her head.

“Dinks, mom is getting the dinner ready, you go wash your hooves and report to the dinner table.”

Dinky salutes. “Yes mam!” Dinky runs off and Sparkler walks back in to her mums room.

Michael gives Sparkler a smile when she enters and Sparkler returns it.

“Michael, mum was wondering if you would like to join us for dinner?”

“Really?”

“Yes, we thought it would be nicer if you joined us at the table.”

Sparkler watches Michael think about it and then nod. “I would like it very much. I might need some help however, I might not be able to walk correctly by myself.”

Sparkler smiles. “Of course I would be happy to help you, you can just use me to lean on.”

“Ok.” Michael replies as Sparkler walks to the bed side and stands at an angle so Michael could place on of his hands on her back. “Ok, here goes.”

I place my hand on Sparkler's back as I swing my legs out, I watch as Sparkler adjusts her stance to take my weight. Sparkler gives me a nod before I push myself off the bed and instantly I collapse as my legs don't seem to work correctly. I wince and close my eyes as I fall forward but I find I don't hit the floor. I open my eyes and I see Sparkler looking back at me and she had a small hint of pink to her cheeks. I raise an eyebrow before I suddenly realise where I just fell, I might not be a pony but even with my memory loss I know how compromising the way I'm lying on her back is.

I push off her back and fall back onto the bed, I look up at her and I couldn't help but feel the slight increase of blood go to my cheeks.

“Sorry, guess I should have made sure my legs work first.”

Sparkler coughs. “I-It's ok, no harm done.” It was then Sparkler got an evil grin on her face and headed for the door. “Mum! Could you come here! Michael needs some help!”

My eyes go wide. “Sparkler no! What if I fall on your mother like I did with you...” My brain clicks. “You sly little, DERPY HEY!” I shout as Derpy walks into the room.

Derpy gives me a raised eyebrow. “What's the problem?”

Sparkler walks to me and gestures to my legs. “Michael's legs don't work he needs some help to get them moving before he can join us.”

Derpy suddenly flies the few feet from the door to me and places both of her fore hooves on my legs.

“Oh, does he need somepony to rub them awake?”

“What!?” I splutter. “N-No! I just someone to hold on to and Sparkler said you were stronger than her.” I look to Sparkler and smirk, Sparkler gives me a glare. Two can play this game. “Are you ok with me leaning on you?”

Derpy looks me over like she was sizing me up. “I should be able to handle it, if not you could just drape over my back.”

“MUM!” Sparkler shouts. “That wasn't very subtle!”

“What?” Derpy says, clearly unaware of what she just implied. I watch as Derpy's face goes from confusion to realisation then to shame as her face turns bright red. “I..I didn't mean...”

I hold a up a hand and chuckle. “I know what you meant.” I hold out a hand and Derpy moves to stand by the bed. I place my hand on her back and notice how different her fur was to Sparklers, I didn't realise I was stroking Derpy's fur until she gave a slight cough. “Sorry! Sorry!” I say removing my hand, I could feel the heat in my cheeks. God this is embarrassing. I look up to find both Sparkler and Derpy giving me confused looks. “What?”

“Why are you apologising?” Derpy asks.

My eyes go wide, was she serious? “I just felt you up....” I reply.

“You stroked my fur, so what?”

I rubbed my face. “Ok, so ponies don't have personal space.”

Sparkler laughs. “We do have personal space it's just not very large.”

I shake my head as the bedroom door creaks and I see Dinky stick her head around the corner.

“Is everything ok?” Dinky asks.

“Everythings fine Muffin.” Derpy replies, giving Dinky a smile. “Now, let's get you to the table.” Derpy adds turning to face me. “Are you ready?”

I put on a serious expression and give her a nod. I place my hand on Derpy's back and slide to the beds edge, I give Derpy one more look and push off. I stand and wobble for a few seconds before I finally stand proper.

“Well, that's step one.” I say, giving Sparkler and Derpy a quick glance. “Now let's see if my legs can walk.” Derpy takes one step forward and I move my right foot forward to match her steps. I silently cheer when I manage a few steps and don't fall over.

“I think we should make sure you can walk around the room before we try for the table.” Derpy says and I give her a nod. “Ok, don't rush yourself.”

I laugh. “I feel like a kid trying to walk for the first time.”

“And your doing great!” Sparkler cheers from the door making me heat up a bit.

Derpy and I spend the next several minutes walking around the bedroom when we both feel I can make the table. I move with my hand still on Derpy though it has now moved to her neck. We both move slowly as we approach the door and step through, I glance around when I notice the house was more modern looking than I thought. I keep my balance as Derpy keeps moving down the small hallway and leads me towards a room that made my nose twitch. I enter the room and find it was a small kitchen complete with a dining table.

I frown when I can remember what a kitchen table is but not how I got here. I clench my fist but I clench the hand holding Derpy's back and I make her cry out when I dig her skin under her fur. I let go of her back and shuffle away as Derpy looks over shoulder and I notice I drew blood. I step back until I hit a wall and slide down to my ass, I put my head in my hands. I feel something touch my arm and I look up to see Derpy smiling down at me.

“I don't deserve that smile...” I whisper to her. “I'm sorry I hurt you.”

Derpy steps forward and presses her nose against mine, she lets her nose linger for a few seconds before pulling away. I stare at her in disbelief at what just happened. I watch as Derpy backs off now realising what she just did.

“I..I..” Derpy stutters before running off, I hear a door slam seconds later.

“What just happened?” I ask, looking to Sparkler only to find her blushing heavily. “Sparkler? What in hell just happened?”

Sparkler walks forward and gives me a nose nudge aswell. I sit there wide eyed as Sparkler walks into the kitchen giggling to herself. I cast a glance to Dinky nearby and all she could give me was a shake of her head before smiling and walking after Sparkler.

“Can someone gives me an explanation on what just happened!?” I shout to myself.

I get no reply so I decided to get off the floor, I use my arms to slide myself back up the wall and to my feet. I stumble forward and grab my chest but I manage to stay standing. I shuffle to the kitchen and see Sparkler and Dinky whispering to each other. Dinky had a look of happiness as she giggled.

“OK you two.” I say getting their attention. “I do not wish to curse in front of Dinky so I will ask once more, what happened?” I walk forward and drop myself into the nearest chair. I look to Sparkler as she clears her throat.

“I'm not really sure but I have read about some pegasis interactions.” I nod for her to continue. “I think but don't quote me on this...I think my mum really likes you.”

“How much is really?” I ask.

“Well, If the nose bump was anything to go by, I would say mother REALLY likes you.”

“You mean...?” Sparkler nods. “I think...I think...yup!” I say as I drop my head to the table and blackout.