Dear Princess Celestia,

I hope life has been treating you just as kindly it was the last time I written you. But unfortunately I am not writing this simply to catch up on recent events in our personal lives. Not that I don’t care enough to ask about such things! It’s just today has been a rather long day, and I believe I will need your assistance in a matter of...I wouldn’t say utmost importance, but one that has acquired my intrigue.

Earlier today, I had learned that Fluttershy had discovered a mysterious, wounded creature in the Everfree Forest. Now, mysterious creatures in the Everfree is nothing new. It’s one of the many features that makes the forest such a big source of local legends and lore. But in all of my time in Ponyville, and within the Everfree Forest due to...well, you know, I have never seen a creature quite like this one before. For the sake of ease, I will just let you know now that we’ve learned that this creature is called a HyuumonHugh Mann Human. ((Spike here. Sorry about that. We had to go ask him how to spell it.))

If I had to compare him to anything, the closest comparison would be some kind of mostly hairless primate. I say “mostly” because he has a large patch of hair atop his head. And unlike any primate I’ve ever seen, who all move around using a combination of their arms and legs, this human is a completely bipedal, not unlike a Minotaur. Standing at about my height, give or take a few inches, this creature is certainly an oddity. But that’s not where the strangeness stops.

When he was found in Everfree, the human was wearing clothes. And not clothes stolen from somepony or simple coverings made from leaves and vines. Actual clothes, made of fabric and the like, tailored for somepony of his body type. I’m still unsure if he crafted these items himself, or if a member of his tribe/clan/herd did, but they seemed fairly well made, at least from what I can tell from their current state. They were ripped up pretty bad when he was found.

Now I’m sure your interest has already been peaked by this human, I know mine was peaked by this point, but that isn’t even the icing on the cake. And I’m also sure you’ve realized that this creature must have some sort of higher intellectual capacity. So it may come as no surprise when I tell you that this human is capable of speech! And not simple mimicry like a parrot or similar animals. He is fully capable of forming full sentences, and responding to questions. From what I can tell after only a few hours of talking with him, he is fully capable of cognitive thought and emotion. ((Spike again. We already knew he had emotion. You should hear him SCREAM, he’s pretty loud. And pretty easy to scare.))

I’m positive you’ve begun to ask yourself by now, why is this an issue? If this human knows what he is, and can talk, where’s the problem? Well, that’s just the thing. That’s about all he knows. While he has retained some basic knowledge, he has unfortunately developed some form of retrograde amnesia. He has absolutely no idea who he is, or where he came from. He doesn’t even know what his own name is! If you’re curious, we’ve decided to call him “Drew,” due to some “clever” wordplay that Pinkie Pie came up with. ((Spike for the third time. I thought it was actually pretty funny. So did he. I’ll tell you later.)) We’re fairly certain he isn’t a native to Everfree, as our good friend Zecora was unable to identify him, and one of his only memories is that of just appearing in the middle of the forest.

And that’s why I’ve elected to send you this letter tonight, Princess. If any location in Equestria has documentation of these humans, it would be the Canterlot Royal Archives. Now I know for a fact that you are a rather busy pony, but if at some point you find yourself in a situation where you can, could help us find any information involving humans? Past sightings, migration patterns, anything you can to help would be more then appreciated. In the meantime, Starlight and I will be working on trying to cure his amnesia in any way we can. Starlight’s already flipping through a few spell books looking for a memory spell.

Regardless, I would like to thank you for any time you dedicate to helping us with this situation, it is most appreciated.

Sincerely, your ever faithful student and friend,
Twilight Sparkle.
((And Spike))

Taking a deep breath after dictating her latest letter to her mentor, the lavender Alicorn takes a few drinks of water from a nearby glass. She watches out of the corner of her eye as her ever helpful assistant rolls up the scroll and sets it ablaze in emerald flames. The magical smoke flying out the window towards its destination. It took a few rough drafts, but they were able to get a coherent letter out.

“She probably won’t get to it until tomorrow,” Spike comments while looking out the window and watching as the sun sets, the moon raising in its place. “And like that, it’s time to call it a day...literally.” He places the quill back into the small jar of ink, and begins to make his way out of the large study. “Good night Twi, night Starlight!” And with that he made his leave, but quickly ducks back into the room.

"Hey, you still want me to put that journal in his room?" He asks, gesturing over to a plain looking book on one of the tables.

"Yes, please!" Twilight responds, trotting over to the library's desk as her assistant begins his final task for the day.

“Why does memory magic have to be so finicky?” The voice of Starlight Glimmer could be heard coming from behind a large stack of books. “There’s a memory spell specifically for ponies, griffons, dogs, and just about everything else! Argh! Why can’t there just be ONE memory spell made for everypony?” She plops the final book down on the table and rests her head on the oak wood surface.

“If I had to guess...it’s probably because different species have different brain chemistry, so a memory spell that works for a pony may not have much of an effect on griffons, for example,” Twilight explains, walking around the pile of books on the desk to see her friend’s tired and irritated face. “Come on. We can look more tomorrow. No need to pull an all nighter.”

Starlight’s grimace shifts to a teasing smile at that regard. “That’s hilarious coming from you.”

“Do as I say, not as I do.”

The two magic casters get a laugh out of the little exchange as they make their way out of the room. As they turn to head to their personal bedrooms, Twilight’s eyes catch the ever so slight hint of a magical aura in the distance enveloping...something. Based on the color, it was more then certainly Rarity’s. Giving roll of her eyes and a small chuckle, Twilight quickly trots over to where the magical light was emanating, the sight she finds causing her to laugh just a bit under her breath.

Drew the human, standing with his legs pressed up together and his arms outstretched in such a way as to make him look like a giant letter “T.” His bandages were no longer applied thanks to a few quick healing spells Twilight had cast before going to dictate her letter. Around him, several strands of measuring tape warped around various points of his body. Several spots on his arms, his legs, his waist, near his chest, and one around his neck. Walking around him, Rarity observed each of the measurements carefully, jotting down various notes in a little notepad. Upon seeing the approaching Alicorn, a spark of hope lit up in the human’s eyes.

“...Help...me...” he whispers carefully, trying his best not to alert his tormentor. “All I did was ask for clothes...and I’ve been standing here for nearly an hor--epp!” Drew’s plea for help is cut off by a small but sharp tug from the measuring tape.

“Drew, darling, the more you move the longer this will take!” Rarity says in an upbeat tone, not looking away from her notes. “The more you fidget, the more I have to remeasure!”

“Umm, Rarity? What’s going on?” Twilight asks, taking a few steps closer to try and get the fashionista’s attention.

“Oh, Twilight! I didn’t see you there!” The unicorn shouts happily, turning away from her latest project. “I was simply getting the measurements of our new friend Drew here. I can’t just let him run around in ruined clothes like he has been, as I believe I stated earlier. So after we finished up the little meeting, I ran home and gathered some supplies so I could take his measurements. After all, I’ve never made clothing for somepony quite of his...posture before.”

With a small fluctuation of light from her horn, the notepad was closed and it along with the various strands of measuring tape were neatly tucked into the saddle bags that Twilight had failed to notice until just now. “And I’ve gotten what I’ve needed. I should have some new clothes for you soon, Drew!” And with that, the unicorn trots off with a determined bounce in her step. Clearly reveling in the prospect of a new challenge.

“Your friends are a little...extreme,” Drew comments, stretching various parts of his body after the session of statue impersonating.

“You'll get used to them after awhile, trust me,” Twilight reassures with a smile and a yawn. “Now come on. I bet you’re tired, and I still need to fix your window.” She begins walking towards the guest room she had set the human up in.

“Wait, fix the window? Tonight?!” Drew asks, following the Alicorn down the hall. “Can’t you just set me up in a different room? Fixing that thing will take hours!”

Twilight couldn’t help but giggle at the statement. “You realize I have magic, right?”

The human’s worried visage shifts to a contemplative one. “Well...your Rarity friend was able to move all that stuff with her mind or something...and you did do...something that made my cuts and bruises go away...probably should have put two and two together on that one...” There was a hint of shame in that realization.

Again, the lavender Alicorn wasn’t able to hold back a small laugh at the human’s reaction. Eventually reaching the guest room where she had set the new arrival up. Walking inside and looking at the small pile of broken glass on the floor, Twilight’s horn lights up with a magical hue, the pile of glass quickly moving back into place. Repairing the window as if Rainbow Dash had never flew threw it.

“See? No big deal.”

Though, evidently, it was a VERY big deal to Drew. Stepping around the Princess and rushing over to the window, he gently knocks the glass with the back of his hand, sending “tink tink” sounds out with every light tap. The expression on his face speaking a thousand words.

“...So can anybody with a horn do that?”

“If they know the spell, and practice it enough, then yes!”

“That’s amazing...” Drew continues to stare at the window in amazement. If Twilight didn’t know any better, she’d say today was the human’s first time seeing magic in action. Though due to the memory loss, it may as well have been. His mind was currently ablaze with all sorts of possibilities this magic could do.

“Well you’ll be seeing a lot more magic during your stay here, so don’t waste all the wonder on some simple healing or repair spells,” Twilight advises gleefully, walking towards the door. “Now get some sleep, tomorrow we’re going to start working on that memory problem of yours.”

Turning back to the Alicorn to ask what she ment, Drew's eye catches sight of something that wasn't on the night stand before. It looked to be a simple journal, with ink and quill ready to be used. Walking over and picking the book up, he gestures it towards Twilight with a confused expression.

"...What's this for?"

"Well, I'm sure you have a lot on your mind right now. Writing journal entries has always been a way for me to organize and process my thoughts. I figured it might help you...adjust to everything." The Princess explains with a bright smile. "Besides, I'm sure you'll have plenty of stories to tell your human friends when you get back home. Good night," she finishes, closing the door behind her as she left. Drew simply looks over the currently empty book in his hands.

Today had truly been an...interesting one for Twilight. An all night book session followed by the dreaded Grocery Day, further followed by Drew’s sudden appearance and dealing with that had taken quite a bit out of her. The nap from earlier may had helped her recover in the short term, but she might need to sleep in tomorrow to help fully revitalize her being. Wrapped tightly in her bedding, the Princess of Friendship had long since drifted away to dream land. And the past several hours of rest had been magical in their own right, sleep truly was the--

*thud*

*thud*

*thud*

“...And now I’m awake again,” Twilight grumbled to herself, her eyes shooting open as she thinks of what the sound could have been.

*thud*

It was closer this time. It sounded like...a door slamming shut?

*thud*

Even closer this time. Whoever was doing this, they were looking for something. Quickly. Desperately. Pulling herself out of bed, she opens it and leans her head out into the hallway, horn aglow with a simple light spell. The magical radiance illuminates the crystal hallway. The sudden light reveals the human now known as Drew opening doors, looking inside, only to close them a bit too quickly, only to repeat the process on the next door. His frantic search for...something is interrupted when he notices the sudden illumination. The human glances over to the grumpy and tired Alicorn, revealing his panicked visage.

“Oh, hey Twilight...did I wake you up?” Drew asks, trying to act as casually as possible.

“It’s the middle of the night. What’re you doing slamming every door in the castle?!”

The human’s panicked expression becomes one of embarrassment. “...Where’s the bathroom?”

The Alicorn simply let out a half grown, pointing a hoof further down the hallway. “Very last door on the left, I put up a sign. You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you!” The human states happily, dashing down the hallway at maximum speed.

Twilight merely lets out a half groan half yawn as she turns back to her bed, and makes her way back into her bed to reunite with the land of slumber. Despite her grumpy outward appearance, internally she was chuckling a bit at the Human’s dilemma.

'Just like my first night here.'

Canterlot. Anything but a quaint little town like the village to the south. As Equestria's capital city, it was a place of wealthy ponies and nobles of all sorts. Over the city's term as the capital, it had seen many things of great importance in Equestria's history. The rise of empires, the fall of dictators, the return of chaos to the world, and a few social gatherings that could have probably gone better. Despite being home to any number of noble ponies and leaders, there were two that stood above them all. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. The Monarch of the Sun and the Ruler of the Moon. These two had been Equestria's highest rulers since the beginning of recorded history...save for that one time a thousand years ago where Celestia had to take up her sister's duties, but you already know that story.

The morning had not been a kind one to Princess Celestia of Canterlot. Every day was more or less the same for the radiant Alicorn, signing bills and approving/revising laws, any number of public appearances, as well as dealing with the various problems coming through the Day Court to deal with. But it was all worth it to the Monarch of the Sun. The strict routine, while a bit strenuous at times, did more then enough to keep her occupied. And helping to make the lives of her little ponies easier was always more then enough to help her keep occupied. But some days were more tiring then others, and today had just been one of those days that had just worn her out. Thankfully she was able to wrap most of everything up before two O’ clock, so she had some to herself before she was required for more of her royal duties. Not much, but enough to recuperate.

“Oh, what’s this now?” Entering her private study, Celestia was surprised to see a scroll waiting for her on her desk. The rolled paper floating towards her, wrapped in a golden light. “How long has this been here?”

Unraveling the small ribbon tied around the paper, the Alicorn Ruler was happy to see that it was a letter from her dear student. It had been quite some time since she had received a letter from her, and these always helped to add a little sunshine to her day, in a manor of speaking. Even when her beloved student was in trouble or asking for help, there was always a hint of pride that sparked up whenever she had any interaction with her most accomplished pupil.

However, today’s was a bit...different. Particularly when the Princess had read the word “human.” The reaction wasn’t anything bad, just one of surprise. And not the "you threw me a surprise party!" kind of surprise.

“That’s a word I haven’t heard in awhile...”

Continuing to read the letter, Celestia was a bit surprised to learn just how much Twilight had managed to learn about the creature in such a short time. Though, in hindsight, it really shouldn’t have been so shocking. Twilight had a knack for soaking up knowledge, like a sponge had a knack for soaking up water. It was one of her more admirable qualities, even if it had gotten her into trouble in the past. Her student also had a talent for getting attracted to...unique situations, to say the very least.

But having found a human in Equestira? That was something else entirely. While she was aware of the existence of those creatures, and had some basic knowledge, it had been a very long time since she had seen one in Equestria.

“And virtually right in the very center of it...how did they get here?” Celestia couldn’t help but ask herself, looking towards a map of her country mounted on her wall. Just as she had said, Ponyville and the Everfree Forest were about as close to the center of her country as possible, there was no way a human could have gotten this deep into Equestrian soil without somepony noticing it.

Turning her gaze back to the letter she had been sent the previous night, Celestia grew a bit concerned when the word “amnesia” was brought up. She couldn’t speak from personal experience, but she had seen ponies forget who they were on several occasions in the past. It wasn’t a fun thing to go through for anypony involved, and she could only imagine how scared the human must be. Finding itself in a foreign land surrounded by individuals completely unlike itself, it must've been terrified. Though these worries were diminished as she recalled that one of the first ponies that this human had found was her student, the Princess of Friendship. If anything, it was the ideal situation. Perhaps a bit to ideal...

“...Oh, they gave him a name. That's cute,” Celesita spoke alloud as she continued reading, finding some relief in the fact that the human seemed to be handling the situation well. “...Drew? What possible wordplay could somepony come up with for Drew?”

As she finished up the letter, she swiftly rolled it back up and acquired a quill from her desk. Quickly scribbling the date on the outside of the message, the scroll was placed into a large cabinet filled with a seemingly impossible number of identical scrolls, each one with its own date inscribed onto one side. Closing the cabinet back up, she quickly went over to her desk and acquired a blank piece of parchment to write a response on.

“Now what should I say?” The princess asked herself, using her magic to tickle the feather lightly against her chin in contemplation. “I should choose my words very carefully. I don't think it would be wise to tell Twilight everything...not yet, she already has enough on her plate with this Drew fellow, I shouldn't overwhelm her right now...”

And that was the last thing Celestia wanted to do with her reply. But at the same time, she’d be lying if she said the idea of a human just popping into her country out of nowhere didn’t put a bit of worry into her head. It had been hundreds of years since a human had been seen by pony eyes, by her eyes, so why was one all of a sudden in the middle of Equestria? How did it even get into the middle of Equestria? And why now, after so many years of them being entirely absent?

She thought back to her first interaction with their kind, and the circumstances that caused said situation. Celestia suddenly got the very strong feeling that a certain entity of chaos had a pretty good idea of what was going on. And with that, she thought of what to tell the Princess of Friendship in her reply, and quickly began to write a reply to her beloved student.

Author's Note

So Celestia has prior knowledge of humanity? That's neat.
And if that gut feeling of hers is true, then so does Discord.
That's totally not ominous at all, and can only lead to good things. Probably. Maybe.
...Actually this is probably really bad.
OR MAYBE I'M JUST PLAYING WITH YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
But we won't know for sure until we see what she writes back in her letter!

Also, feel free to check out the spinoff story: Drawing a Blank: An Amnesiac's Journal! That should be out around the same time as this chapter!