Fugue - Volume 1

"I heard the pair of you caused quite a disturbance today."

Luna and Huey glanced at each other from their respective places at the dinner table, before looking at Celestia, who was smiling mischievously at them. Huey rolled his eyes and returned the gesture, while Luna looked away with a hint of embarrassment.

"We weren't expecting the press or local residents to be so interested," Huey protested. "However, Luna coped brilliantly with it. She even gave her first public statement and photograph!"

"That's wonderful, Luna!" Celestia congratulated warmly. "I hope it wasn't too stressful."

"Worry not, dear sister," Luna replied calmly with a dismissive wave. "We were, thanks to Huey's presence, more than capable of coping with the situation."

"I'm glad, Lulu," Celestia remarked with a loving smile. "If I'd known that you would be ambushed like that, I would have asked more than two guards to accompany you."

"Privates Spearhead and Flash Sentry performed their function admirably and without fear," Luna declared. "They are soldiers who, we are sure, will become credits to the Equestrian military!"

"Hear, hear!" Huey concurred. "Meanwhile, I was able to get some clothes and a souvenir, thanks to Luna!"

"Oh, really?" Celestia asked inquisitively. "What kind of souvenir?"

Huey reached into a shopping bag he had placed beside his chair and retrieved a brand new instant camera.

"The reporter who took Luna's photograph was kind enough to tell me where she bought her camera," Huey explained. "So, I decided, since I wish to remember as much as I can... I'll take photos! I was able to obtain plenty of film and such, so I'll never be unable to take a quick snap, if the opportunity arises."

"I'm glad to see you're settling into Equestrian life so smoothly, Huey," Celestia remarked. "I was worried that it may be a little bit tumultuous."

"On the contrary," Huey countered. "The locals have been just fine. Sure, I've noticed that they may point and stare a little, but what can you expect? I'm unique, so I don't let their curiosity bother me. Regardless, I have you two, Twilight and her friends, who have accepted me with open hooves. So, it's all good!"

Celestia and Luna smiled at Huey and nodded appreciatively.

"Which reminds us," Luna said. "We must ask if you intend to return to Ponyville any time soon?"

"Why? Eager to get rid of me?" Huey teased, causing Luna and her sibling to share a saddened glance. "Did I say something wrong?"

"N-No," Luna replied despondently. "We just... Didn't know that you considered us to be so... Heartless."

"What!? No!" Huey protested in alarm. "It was a joke! Honestly, I was just making a joke! I'm so, so sorry!"

"Let's just forget this happened," Celestia interjected firmly. "Luna misinterpreted the joke and you regret it. May we quickly move on?"

Luna and Huey eagerly nodded, but traces of sadness still remained in both.

"Although, I am rather keen to hear your true response too," Celestia admitted. "Do you have any plans regarding when you'll return to Ponyville?"

"To be perfectly frank," Huey began. "I'm not sure. My new clothes will be sent to Ponyville when they're done, but that's not really a compelling reason to go. The only reason I can think of is to help Twilight with cataloguing everything there is to know about my kind. Although, considering the fact that I'm kind of stuck here, that's not really urgent either!"

The two princess' shared another uneasy glance, which Huey failed to notice as he focused on eating his meal.

"What about you, Celestia?" Huey asked. "I've not spent much time with you over the past day and a bit. How have you been?"

"I've been better than I have been for a while," Celestia said thoughtfully. "Having yourself and Lulu around for company have truly brightened my life."

"We must say the same," Luna added. "It is truly wonderful to be able to spend time with you again, dear sister."

Huey smiled as the two siblings gazed fondly at each other.

"I'm glad I was able to help both of you," He said, attracting the pair's attention. "I guess we can all learn that no matter how powerful an individual becomes, friendship is still a necessity for having a happy and fulfilling life."

"My dear Huey," She chuckled. "One could be forgiven for thinking I had entrusted you with the task of studying the magic of friendship, instead of Twilight."

"My apologies," Huey said. "I felt that making such an observation was appropriate."

"No need to be sorry," Luna reassured. "It is accurate and true. One must admit that we lost sight of that a long time ago."

"But now we know better," Celestia added tenderly. "And we will use what we've learnt to enrich ourselves and those around us."

"Excellent!" Huey remarked before standing up. "If you'll excuse me for a moment, I need to use the facilities."

"No need to ask," Celestia replied with a dismissive wave. Huey bowed slightly before leaving the room. As soon as the door shut, the two princess' looked towards each other frantically.

"Did you hear what he said, Tia!?" Luna panicked. "Do you suspect he wishes to go home?"

"I don't know, Lulu!" Celestia hissed. "He didn't ask if we'd made any progress on finding him a way home!"

"Has any progress been made!?"

"Of course not! We could put the entire kingdom to work on finding out how we could send him home... And he'd STILL die before we even came close!"

"We can't hide it from him!" Luna muttered. "It's not fair to keep him in the dark about this!"

"But who should tell him?" Celestia mused. "Do we do it together or just one of us?"

"Flip a coin?" Luna suggested, her hoof retrieving a bit from the remnants of the money she had taken with her earlier that day. Celestia nodded and shuffled her seat a bit closer to her sibling.

"Ready?" Celestia whispered. Luna nodded nervously before tossing the coin into the air.

"Heads!" Luna hissed.

"Tails!" Celestia called out quietly. The pair watched as the coin fell onto the table and began rolling around. Hearts pounding, the bit eventually ran out of steam and fell onto its side. Gingerly, the two princess' leaned forwards to examine the result.

"Heads," Luna declared. "You tell him."

Celestia scrunched her muzzle up and looked at Luna, who frowned in response and gently gave her back a pat.

"If you find that you can't do it alone, Tia," Luna said tenderly. "We will do it together."

Celestia nodded her head and took a deep breath. After waiting a few moments, she exhaled and returned her chair to its original position. As soon as she had sat back down, Huey reentered the room, which caused both monarchs to jump in surprise.

"Sorry!" Huey said with his hands raised apologetically. "I didn't mean to startle you both!"

"I-It's quite alright, Huey!" Celestia stammered. "Please, rejoin us!"

Huey nodded and sat back down, unaware of the conversation the royal siblings had just concluded.

"Once again," He remarked. "I must send my compliments to the catering staff. Everything they cook tastes glorious!"

Luna and Celestia smiled and nodded in acknowledgement, but their expressions still held traces of worry.

"If I may be so bold," Celestia probed warily. "What plans do you have once this period of twilight ends and the night begins?"

"That depends," Huey replied thoughtfully. "What plans do you have, Luna?"

"We will be retreating to our quarters for a nap," Luna stated. "It is necessary to ensure that we are alert and well-rested for our duties!"

"I could do with going to sleep myself," Huey mused. "Today may have ended without any escalation of that mob outside Honey Dew's shop, but it was still a tiring time. Canterlot really is big!"

"It is much larger than I remember it," Luna added. "However, we have been absent for a while, so it is inevitable that things will have changed."

"Maybe we should consider expanding the castle staff," Celestia murmured. "After all, with a third princess around..."

Huey and Luna's eyes widened, followed by them both spitting out their respective mouthfuls of food before looking at Celestia in shock.

"Third princess!?" Huey repeated.

"What are you saying, Tia!?" Luna demanded. Celestia looked at them both blankly before gasping in surprise.

"Oh my gosh!" She exclaimed apologetically. "I didn't tell either of you. I'm so sorry!"

"That's fine, but you just said 'third princess'!" Huey spluttered. "I thought there were only two princess' in Equestria!"

"No, there is now three," Celestia explained. "My sister and I are the first two, but during Luna's absence... A third emerged."

"Who!?" Luna enquired forcefully. "Who, pray, hath become the third princess of the realm!"

"Well, her name is Cadance," Celestia said calmly. " She's young, bright, lovely."

"An alicorn." Huey added drily. "How could this possibly slip by me? Twilight would have told me about this Princess Cadance when I asked her about Equestrian royalty!"

"She didn't?" Celestia said in surprise. "I did not expect that at all. Princess Cadance was Twilight's foal-sitter when she was younger."

"How is this meant to explain anything!?" Huey ranted. "Surely that's even more reason for her to know and tell me that there was a third princess kicking around here! You don't forget being given child care by a princess!"

Celestia waved a hoof authoritatively, causing Huey to grumble and sit back down with his arms folded.

"I cannot explain why Twilight failed to mention her," She said honestly. "Maybe the amount of time they spent together made her consider her more like family than royalty? I do not know, you would have to ask her yourself. As for Luna, you didn't wish to see anyone... I didn't think it was appropriate to tell you until I felt you had settled back in. I'm sorry."

"You are forgiven, sister," Luna said gravely. "However, we wish to meet this new princess as soon as possible!"

"I'm confident that can be arranged," Celestia responded cheerfully. "Sadly, not today."

Luna nodded in understanding before finishing the remnants of her meal. As soon as she placed her cutlery on her plate, the door opened and Silver Platter, the castle butler, escorted the dessert trolley into the room

"Your Highness', Mister Huey," He announced monotonously. "Your final courses have arrived"

"Excellent!" Huey remarked, his annoyance immediately vanishing. "Oh, which reminds me! My compliments to the staff, yourself included!"

"I shall relay those compliments, sir," Silver acknowledged. "As you have requested at every meal."

"Credit should be given where credit is due!" Huey said nonchalantly. "And I believe that the catering staff deserve plenty of it!"

"Of course, sir."

"Thank you, Huey."

The human bowed his head solemnly as he held the bedroom door open for Celestia. After dinner, Luna had bid them farewell and retreated to her quarters. Huey was about to follow her before being stopped by Celestia, who requested that he accompany her to her bedchambers. Unwilling to decline, he had accepted.

"Please, come in."

Huey obeyed and entered the room before shutting the door behind him. He watched as Celestia breathed a heavy sigh of relief and let her ethereal mane transform into its normal, lifeless, sea of pink hair, before levitated her regalia off her body.

"I'm grateful that you accompanied me, Huey," Celestia admitted. "You see, there's something I wish to talk to you about."

"What would that be, Your Highness?" Huey enquired, his heart rate leaping slightly at the ominous turn the conversation had taken.

"It concerns getting you home to your kind... On Earth." Celestia said. Huey pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, observing the despondent tone and inability to make eye contact, he was quick to deduce where this was going.

"You can't do it, can you?"

Celestia's gaze fleetingly looked up into Huey's eyes before falling back to the floor. The princess nodded solemnly, causing Huey to sigh heavily and sit down on the edge of her bed.

"I'm sorry, Huey."

He shook his head and waved dismissively, causing Celestia to fall silent as she crawled onto the bed and softly massaged Huey's shoulders to comfort him.

"I'm not sure how to feel about that," Huey murmured. "I feel... Sad... Trapped."

"Understandable." Celestia whispered and gently nuzzled his cheek. Huey buried his face into his hands.

"But I feel like... It's a blessing."

"How so?"

"I don't know," Huey muttered. "It feels like... I don't really belong on Earth anymore. I mean... I've not even been here a week, but... Everything's so familiar. Probably because I know bugger all about what my life was like before this happened."

"Still nothing regarding your memory returning?"

"Nothing at all," Huey confirmed. "But that's just it..."

"What do you mean?"

Huey stood up, leaving Celestia to watch him from her bed as he paced the room.

"I sometimes wonder whether I want to remember," Huey said miserably. "I feel like having my memory back, in conjunction with the new ones I've made here, will ruin it all. Who am I, Celestia? If my memory comes back... I could find out that I'm an evil person. A criminal, true scum that's unworthy of all the kindness I've been given here. I suddenly appear and you and your kind just welcome me with open hooves!"

Celestia merely blinked as Huey laughed maniacally.

"Ha! I've even picked up the mannerisms!" He remarked. "Hooves instead of arms, hearing 'everypony' doesn't grate anymore... I just... This is a blank slate for me. I'm scared of finding out what my past is, because it may ruin the wonderful present I'm experiencing now... Does that make sense to you?"

"I can understand your point of view, Huey."

"I don't want to remember," Huey admitted with a sigh. "I'm terrified that I'll end up finding out something about myself that I will hate. I'd rather I just remain clueless about who I really am forever than risk finding out that I'm a horrible person. Does that make me horrible?"

"No, Huey," Celestia insisted, while climbing off the bed and wrapping her wings round the human in a motherly embrace. "No matter what your memory turns out to be, if they return, I will not forget what you've done for me and my sister."

Huey laughed weakly before turning around and returning the embrace, his face buried into Celestia's chest.

"I'm scared."

"Shhhhhh... Be brave, Huey," Celestia soothed, her hoof gently stroking his brunette hair. "If you do end up facing your memories, remember that you won't face them alone."

Huey merely choked back a sob, tears rolling freely down his cheeks and onto Celestia's chest. The princess frowned and gently tightened the embrace, cocooning Huey within a shield of alabaster feathers.

"Hush now, Huey," Celestia whispered as her horn ignited. "Rest."

As soon as her glowing horn touched Huey's forehead, the sobbing was replaced by gentle breathing. The princess frowned with worry as she cradled the sleeping human in her hooves and carried him to her bed to be tucked in.

"Huey."

The human's eyes opened at the sudden calling of his name. Glancing around, he could see that he was still in Celestia's bed, but she was nowhere to be seen.

"Yes?" Huey responded warily, while climbing out of bed.

"Huey."

Ears pricking up, he ventured to the door and opened it. To his surprise, it linked the bedroom to the throne room. The entire room was filled with ponies of all descriptions, all of whom were glaring at him in disgust. Huey immediately lost his nerve and attempted to shrink back into the safety of the bedchamber, but found himself backing into something sharp.

"AH!" He yelped in pain. Whirling round, he found Spearhead and Flash Sentry levelling their spears at him.

"Move." They ordered, their spears jabbing aggressively towards Huey. Raising his hands defensively, he turned and began walking towards Celestia's throne. The sun princess was sat upon the throne, while her sister stood beside her, and Twilight, along with her friends, were operating a cordon round the steps leading up to the throne.

"What a monster."

"After all our princess' did for him."

"I bet he's just sad because he's been found out."

Huey's gaze flicked through the crowd in search of those who were talking, but he could not see them due to the sheer amount of whispering the crowd was doing amongst itself. Fear crept in and consolidated as he took the last few steps that separated him from the cordon.

"No further," Twilight ordered, an expression oozing pure hatred plastered over her face. "You don't deserve to stand any closer to Princess Celestia."

"Twilight, What's going on?" Huey asked with worry. "Why is everyone staring?"

"Hey, you don't have permission to talk, buster!" Rainbow Dash suddenly yelled, while leaping into the air and hovering above the terrified human. "So, shut it!"

Huey shrank away from the furious pegasus.

"Enough," Celestia stated, causing the cyan pegasus to return to her place in the cordon. "Human."

"Celestia?"

"Princess Celestia to you." She corrected hatefully. "I considered you to be a friend."

"Considered!?" Huey spluttered in surprise. "What do you mean? We ARE friends, not WERE friends!"

"SILENCE!"

Huey covered his eyes with his arm as the sudden usage of the 'Royal Canterlot Voice' threatened to send him flying.

"All I feel now is disappointment," Celestia continued. "What you've done is unforgivable."

Huey opened his mouth to ask for clarification, but stopped when Twilight, and her friends, took a threatening step towards him.

"We welcomed you with open hooves," She said gravely. "Fed you, cared for you, even clothed you... And this is how you repay that kindness and generosity?"

Huey glanced towards Luna for support, but the blue alicorn merely looked away. With his fear maturing into terror, the human shook his head and threw his arms open in confusion.

"I don't understand!" He whimpered. "What is it that I've done?"

"Even now he pleads ignorance!" Luna ranted furiously. "It is clear that he does not wish to accept what he has done was wrong."

"What did I do wrong!?" Huey shouted back, tears welling up within him. "I honestly don't know what you're talking about!"

Suddenly, Huey gagged as an intangible force wrapped around his neck and constricted it. Grasping his throat in panic, he feebly attempted to claw away whatever it was that was choking him, but to no avail.

"It pains me deeply that you would betray us, after all we've done for you." Celestia said tearfully, her glowing horn indicating to Huey that she was the one responsible for choking him. Huey merely gurgled in response, the magic crushing his throat too strong to permit his vocal cords the ability to form legible words.

"It is with a heavy heart that I must pass judgement and punishment upon you," The sun princess muttered. "There is only one sentence I can impose upon you."

Huey's eyes widened in preparation for Celestia's announcement.

"Death."

The crowd suddenly exploded with applause and cheers. Cries commending the princess' choice of punishment rang out and reverberated within his ears. Huey suddenly felt the rest of his body become immersed within Celestia's golden aura. Once he had been levitated above the crowd, permitting them all a perfect view of him. A cold breeze wrapped around him as his clothes were magically torn from his body, leaving him completely naked in front of the crowd, who redoubled their cries for his blood. Huey shut his eyes and wept silently.

"Ready, girls?" Twilight said, earning a nod from her friends. The lavender unicorn levitated The Elements of Harmony towards the helpless human. Huey opened his eyes to find that the familiar gemstones were spinning round him, each of them glowing brightly. The six friends rose into the air and gasped when their respective element floated towards them and attached itself to their forehead. Their eyes now glowing a pure white light, Huey sighed heavily and let his head slump forward in resignation.

Moments later, he felt an intense burning sensation engulf him. Huey threw his head back and screamed with all his might as he felt his entire body detected the presence of extreme heat. His vision turned white as he felt every last atom of flesh burn off his skeleton. As swiftly as the agony and anguish began, it ended.

"Huey..."

The human gasped in surprise and looked up, his eyes fluttering open warily. All around him was a white void, whiteness without end or beginning.

"Huey..."

A small, dark speck appeared within the miasma of nothingness, causing Huey to squint at it in a vain attempt to discern what it was. Realising that it was too far away, he began taking small steps towards the speck. The steps soon turned into a walk, swiftly followed by a sprint.

"Huey..."

"I'm coming!" He shouted back as he ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Eventually, the speck began to grow larger, revealing its colour to be blue. Encouraged by this, Huey continued to pound the void, disregarding the complaints his aching legs were crying about. Stumbling, Huey lost his footing and fell to the floor. Much to his relief, the ground, though firm, did not harm him. As he reached out to put his hand on the ground to pick himself back up, he touched something hairy.

Nervously, he gave it a gentle squeeze and ran his hand up and down it. To his confusion, the base of the object was metal, which swiftly gave way to hair, flesh and bone.

"Huey."

He slowly looked up. To his horror, he saw the face of Princess Luna staring down at him. Releasing a terrified whimper, Huey curled up into a ball and sobbed. However, it stopped when he felt Luna's hoof gently pat his head.

"You're safe now, Huey," She whispered tenderly. "Have no fear."

"L-Luna?" The terrorised human stammered. "I-Is that really you!?"

The princess nodded and laid down beside him, her wing unfurled and wrapped around his naked body protectively.

"Am I dead?" Huey asked. "Is this death?"

"No," Luna replied softly. "This is a dream."

"I'm dreaming!?"

Luna nodded and nuzzled his forehead.

"My sister used a minor sleeping spell to help you overcome your despair regarding your memory. However, when you began having a nightmare she could not wake you up from... She came to me."

"So, all of those ponies... You... Celestia... T-Twilight... It was all fake?"

"Correct," She reassured him. "What you witnessed was a nightmare. We are sorry for not saving you from it sooner."

Huey shook his head and began sobbing loudly.

"I thought you'd killed me!" He wailed. "I honestly thought I'd done something horrible, but I didn't know what!"

"Shhhhh..." Luna hushed, her wing tightening its grip round the bare human. "You're safe now. We promise you."

"It was still so real!" Huey exclaimed. "I could feel myself being burnt to a crisp by Twilight and her friends! They executed me!"

"It was merely a product of your subconscious," She explained. "At this very moment, Tia is watching over your real, physical form. She's worried about you... Just as much as I am."

Huey whimpered and nestled his head against Luna's chest. The alicorn draped a hoof over him and gently stroked his back.

"Will this become a recurring dream or something?" Huey murmured. "Am I going to have to experience that every night?"

"We are afraid that we cannot say," Luna admitted. "However, we can guarantee that we watch over all of Equestria's residents. That, my little human, includes yourself."

Huey huffed and wiped away his tears before gazing up at the dark blue alicorn.

"You mean... You'll watch over my dreams too?"

"We will."

Huey let out a strained laugh before wrapping his arms around the princess and hugging her tight.

"Thank you," He whispered into her ear. "Thank you so much."

"It's okay," Luna whispered back. "However, I'm afraid it's time for you to wake up."

"I-If you say so," Huey stuttered. "Celestia must be really frightened."

"We both were, but not to worry, she will be most relieved once you have awoken."

Luna's horn ignited and gently touched Huey's forehead, which prompted his vision to instantly black out.

"Urgh..."

Huey's eyes flickered open. Immediately recognising the decor as that of Celestia's bedroom, he sat up and found Celestia watching him, her eyes bloodshot and puffy, while her cheeks were matted with tears. A few seconds of silence passed before the two simultaneously threw their respective appendages round each other in an embrace.

"I was so worried about you, Huey!" Celestia hissed tearfully. "No matter how hard I tried, you would not wake up. Y-You were screaming!"

Huey sniffled and buried his face firmly into the sun princess' neck for comfort. The realisation that he was wearing clothing and the real princess was with him brought invaluable relief to him.

"I had a nightmare..." Huey murmured. "You sentenced me to death for something. I think it had something to do my memories."

"Shhhhh..." Celestia hushed, her hooves gently petting the traumatised human. "It's over now, Huey."

Whimpering, Huey nestled himself deeper into the embrace, his face brushing against royal hair as he milked every last drop of comfort from the distraught princess' hug. It became apparent that the monarch was just as affected as Huey was, when she unfurled her wings and cocooned him within them.

"Celestia..."

"What is it, Huey?"

"Can I ask a massive favour?"

The princess looked into the terrified blue eyes of her universe's only human and nodded.

"Is there some kind of magic out there that can remove memories?" Huey asked weakly.

"What are you hoping to achieve?"

"I can't handle getting my memory back," Huey explained with a hint of panic bleeding into his voice. "I can't! If anything like what I just dreamed can happen... I-"

Celestia gently pressed a hoof to his lips and shushed. The alabaster alicorn then leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead.

"That's enough, Huey," She ordered, earning her a submissive nod from him. "You're safe, but distressed. We can discuss what you wish to do once you've had a proper sleep... Without any traumatic disturbances."

Huey could not bring himself to press the issue, so opted to simply whimper in agreement and nod again. As soon as Celestia attempted to retract her wings, his eyes widened and he released a distressed squeal.

"What is it?" Celestia asked, her expression showed no annoyance, only concern, at Huey's actions.

"Please..." Huey begged. "Don't go."

Her eyes twinkled softly in understanding before nodding and let her wings wrap round him once more.

"I won't, Huey," She reassured him with another kiss on the forehead. "I will stay right here with you."

The human exhaled a massive sigh of relief.

"Thank you."