A loud crisp, popping sound filled the air and slowly faded to a soft hum. My muscles tensed and my heart pulsed. My eyes opened and went wide upon the sight of the metal walls and doors. I rose up with little grogginess almost like I had a perfect nap. I thought this was very strange as I didn't remember falling asleep, especially when I found myself on such a... hard metal surface.

I jumped up, but not too fast as to not stress my wings. Popping my bones as I stretched, my eyes wandered around the room. How did I even get into this room was the first question on my mind, but I quickly moved the thought aside upon seeing four other ponies in the room as well. They were still unconscious, though from the smell of them and me, I could tell we haven't been here that long. I walked over to the nearest one to me, the turquoise mare looked vaguely familiar to me. She was slightly beautiful with her wavy pure white mane, or maybe it was the lighting.

I leaned over, rubbing her shoulders and she slowly awoke. Her eyes timidly opened before going wide. Fear poured over her face and her hands went to flailing. My back hit the ground pretty hard, though I doubt I would openly admit the pain especially in my wings, too much pride. I simply shrugged it off.

"Who are you? Where am I?" The mare’s voice sounded hysterical at first as she rose, but once her back was to the wall, it became more equable and the fear upon her face faded to fury. "Where am I?!"

"I don't know," I answered back with a slight growl as I stood up. After rubbing my back and wings, I looked at her with concern as she searched herself for... "Are you looking for pockets?"

"Yeah, I have some pepper spray on me at all times in case of creeps like y--"

"Look," I gladly interrupted her, "first of all, you have no pockets, in fact," I searched myself to show my point, "I don't have pockets either. Secondly, all I did was wake you... Fleetfoot." Her name came to me before I could even think of it.

"How do you know my name? Where am I?!" She jumped and moved away from me and toward another mare before stopping to catch her breath.

"Calm down, just calm down. I don't know where we are." I held up my hands in a defensive gesture. "Look, please listen." She gave little sign if any that she was even listening to me, but I had to get this out; maybe it would calm her down. "I'm Thunderlane, I was student under you at flight academy for four years."

"You are?" She looked at me strangely, like the name didn't seem to phase her at all. She took two steps back and adjusted her stance. "Impossible, I just started teaching at the academy today, I haven't even met my students."

"Look..." I stopped, her words made no sense. Did she lose her memory? "Yes, I am your student. We are old friends. You even saw me graduate with flying colors." These memories flew into my head faster than I could even process, but I hoped these words were enough to get through to her, maybe help her remember. My hand slowly reached over to her and she pulled away more. Fear grew back over her face and she let out a scream as she jumped back and crouched down.

The scream bounced off the wall and echoed through the room very fast. My eyes wandered around as other ponies began to move. I knew if she kept screaming the others would panic as well upon awakening. I had to do something, anything to calm her or else everypony would be too wild up to think straight. I decided on impulse and rushed at her, grabbing her by the mouth to silence her screams. "Please stop screaming, we need to keep calm." She struggled and hit me to make me let go, but I refused. "Please, just stop and I will stop." Her eyes filled with tears, and she hit me harder. "Please, I'm not going to hurt you. I promise."

Her screams stopped at that word. Promise... it was such a strong word. Her calm breath followed and I released my grip once she stopped flailing. "Thank you." I slowly pulled away and knocked the sweat off my face. "Now we need to figure out what is going on--" My words were cut off as my feet flew off the floor. I looked with my now blurring vision to see a donkey with anger covering his face. "Where... did... you... come... from...?

******

"Did he hurt you?"

"Yes... I mean no. He acted as if he knew me."

"Do you know him?"

"No, I don't know who any of you are?... Where are we? Where am I?"

******

Author's Note

Before you ask, the shortness if this chapter has nothing to do with April Fools day, I just ran out of things to do for this. And yes the first few chapters will be going over nearly everypony's moment of waking up before they can start with the maze. I know that seems rather slow, but hey this is the path I'm taking it. I want every single character to be fully fleshed out. This doesn't mean so many chapters of just that, I've slipped some hints in them too that will lead into bigger stuff.