The Other Life

Chapters

Chapter 1: His Beginning
Chapter 3: The Boy
Chapter 4: Intoxicated With Knowledge
Chapter 5: Insight
Chapter 6: The Beginning Of The End
Chapter 7: Archard
Chapter 2: The Best Day Of His Life

Chapter 1: His Beginning

"Where am I?" he mumbled while looking carefully around.

He was standing in an endless universe made of this very strange white space. He could hear nothing, smell nothing, feel nothing nor see anything else than this white realm. For a few minutes ago was he falling through the sky, like a fallen angel, till he hit the hard cruel soil.

"But now this?" the person asked himself once again, staggered by the outcome of the act.

"You chose a rather pathetic path, don't you think?"

The confused person's body automatically reversed to the direction where the rigid hard voice was heard. "This voice can't be..." began his thoughts.

A person concealed by a thick shadow was standing a few feet's away from him. This black shadow with no face nor a detailed body, however. Resembled a human, spoke like a human, with a familiar voice.

"Is this... Heaven, Hell, or the beginning of something new, Archard?" he whispered to the shadowy being almost a little blissful with tearful eyes. At the same time confused that he chose such a question.

The shadowy person coughed a short stiffly laugh filling the white space with wonder and tension.

"You could say this is the beginning of something new, Cecilio..." the creature began while Cecilio could feel how his heart snatched when the name was mentioned.” I, you, can reach a realm where you will find true happiness, the core that has been missing your whole miserable life." the shadow continued while pronouncing the last two words with a sharper voice.

"This could be the true enlightenment which will guide your senses to the right path or maybe, even that realm, will be engulfed by your own pathetic shadow. Your destiny will simply be in your own hands."

Cecilio's lips was sealed for a few moments, making sure he was done with his speech, until his mouth cracked by curiosity. ”You knew my name and with that voice too, so you really are Archard? So this place is some sort of dimension for the dead, waiting for a new life? Or as you mentioned, that realm which would make me happy?!" he spat out, while waiting impatiently for an answer.

"I'm Archard, or your mother Jamelia, or everything, or nothing, or you." he replied with a loud voice while pointing towards Cecilio. "Everything depends on how open your eyes are and what path you will choose."

"What does that even mean...?”

"Your questions will sooner or later be answered but even more important choices are at the stake. Are you ready to move on, to the plane where you will achieve true happiness?"

"Yes, no, I mean... What is that place?" Cecilio asked confused while shaking the head slowly from the right to the left.

"It differs from person to person, an illusion which will become a reality for that individual, the place where all mortals seeks whether they are aware of it or not."

"Like a paradise?"

"...At the costs of one important fragment, an important part in order to reach, your so-called “paradise”."

A curiosity mixed by uncertainty spread over Cecilio while he stared intensively on the mystical figure.

"The past, your last life will be forgotten and instead will you spring as a new person in your new universe!" the strong voice rang around us.

"That's, that's..."

"...The only way or else will you never become truly happy. Do you really want to remember your old life? The painful memories? The darkness which made you take your own precious life, just so you could move on."

Those words silenced Cecilio's throat. Small droplets sank slowly on the chin while remembering what he had escaped from, the reality which never brought happiness. The life which felt like a prison and every night painfully letting him enforcing hope. That the next day would become a day where he could feel useful, happy, loved and remembered by someone else. Especially from Jamelia... Not sitting everyday in the gloomy timeless room trapped by personal fears and imagination, the imagination to be in another world. A world full of magic and friendship...

"That place will be your enlightenment, your paradise" the being ended while waking Cecilio from his slumber.

He got quite shocked how he ended the sentence, almost as if the shadow knew what he was thinking about. While thoughts about everything tried to hammer inside Cecilio's mind, the other person merely stood there, in the bright universe while reaching a shadowy hand towards Cecilio.

Someone suspicious as Cecilio would never agreed to something like this but wasn't that the old him? The one who got nothing, while now...

Cecilio's sight got suddenly lowered to his feet where he could see his naked legs, stomach and body?! A tingling uncomfortable feeling sneaked upon him when he realized that he's been naked in front of a stranger this whole time. At the same time didn't that really matter because that creature before Cecilio felt so familiar, someone he knew very well.

Cecilio woke suddenly up from dormancy when his sight met the shadow being and more serious thoughts began to pounder inside him. Losing memories would mean Cecilio would forget about Archard and Jamelia... When thinking about mother, the way she had just lost another man in the family made him shed tears. Not only because of her loss of Cecilio but because she would nonetheless be able to comprehend the situation. Jamelia, the kindest, the most beautiful woman in the world. Now merely a shell of her past, sealed away forever in the white building, never to see the light again. Now, only live to hear even more sorrows...

"Now then..." Cecilio began with a low and wounded voice after been thinking and whimpering for awhile.

"Now then!" he repeated with a stronger voice, more confident.

He walked slowly towards the shadow while trying to focus on the happier aspects of his last life. The time before he passed away, before she was locked away. The times when he was that naive happy child with round healthy cheeks. Always smiling towards the world that in the end would only rip it off from his face.

A sudden smile cracked on Cecilio's stiffed cold face.

"Finally.... Will I be reborn." Cecilio whispered for himself while looking with determination towards the shadow that held the new future.

******

The soothing night shrouded over Ponyville while the small golden stars slightly made the soil more visible. Most creatures in this area were at ease after having absorbing yet another harmonic day. Contrasted to the creatures of the light was this the time of the other side of the environment. Those who simply wasn't created or accepted by the bright light, those living in the dark, adored the sweet summer night. The lush trees around the green field swayed as the wind exhaled through the earth, water and air. On the most dignified trees of them all, barely outside the small village, sat the Night Templar. Those small yellow eyes peered intensively around him, a vision seeking through the dark atmosphere, surely hunting its prey. However, he was most surprised when he instead saw a pink pony, jumping around on her four hooves in high spirits. Her pink cotton-like mane bouncing up and down while her voice shaping sweet thin sounds vibrating around in the empty darkness. Her big black-blue puppy eyes suddenly met the yellow mystic and fearful eyes who had been watching her. Even though she was one of those creatures of the day, those who are afraid of the darkness and of the obscure, she simply smiled to the owl. Her ability to see through the fear of the unknown frightened the so called Templar of the Night. He left his proud and humble oak tree and as he flew he could feel her impenetrable smile behind his neck.

"Oh well, here I thought I found Owlowiscious." Pinkie Pie giggled for herself while continuing leaping on the small natural grass trail.

An infinite energy of happiness was firing inside her itchy liveliness body and she had such a desire to share this joy to every pony around her. Even if Pinkie Pie didn't see a soul before her she still imagined herself as a firefly lamp who attracted every sad being in Equestria to her and after seeing her light they would never feel any grief again. "And then they would be my friends and we could have had a lot of fun parties, cakes and and... try to get even MORE friends so we could have even more parties!" Pinkie Pie cheered to herself while jumping even higher up in the air.

"Best party ever" had countless faces said to her this night at Applejacks barn. The place was filled with catering, food, cakes, and balloons in Celestia-know-how many colors, entertainment, games and most important of all: Happy party guests! Everypony knew about Pinkie Pie's crazy-funny parties but this one truly took the cake!

"And WE ate it too!" Pinkie Pie said to herself for unexplained reasons.

Pinkie Pie continued to reminisce about tonight's party till her body suddenly started to shake, her pupils grew while her legs forced her to jump around uncontrolled. "I-is Th-i-i-s my p-pink-kie s-s-enses?"her teeth clattered while she made weird movements which resembled something you would see on a rodeo show. Her head went up and down and it was then she noticed something very strange. On the black sky filled with thousands of bright stars was it a certain red glowing star which was falling down. The glowing dark red star released a red cloud of smoke behind it while it lit up the dark night, a reality she had never witnessed before. Finally it was approaching the earth and eventually landed in the frightening and dangerous, Everfree Forest.

"Wohoo!!!" Pinkie Pie shrieked with an abnormal squeaky high pitched voice as she did one last jump into the air and ultimately landed on a few soft bushes. She quickly jumped back to her hooves and watched carefully on the open land before her while scratching her chin keenly and painstakingly.

"Hmmm..." she uttered thoughtfully while looking even further, watching the harsh and barren trees that were the beginning of the Everfree Forest. Her pinkie senses lasted no longer and the star ended up in the Everfree forest. During night.

"Twilight Sparkle, whatever shall I do?" Pinkie Pie said while imitating Rarity.

"You should not travel to the Ever Free Forest during night, at the very least not alone! Celestia says many foul creatures lives there whom can become a serious hazard. Besides, you should go back and get some sleep. You have been partying the whole night and needs some sleep or else you can create sleep deprivation and even- bla bla bla..." ended Pinkie Pie the sentenced with while imitating her left front hoof being Twilight Sparkle.

"Hmm... most interesting dear Twilight Sparkle. However, what is your opinion about this matter, dear Rainbow Dash?"

"Charge towards the forest! Find the red star! Kick the enemies the buck outta there! In ten seconds... flat" "answered" the right hoof.

"Yeey, good idea Dashie." Pinkie Pie divulged while she turned to another path towards the forest.

"My words always fall for deaf ears" Pinkie Pie whispered suddenly while letting her left hoof touching her ear.

"Silly you! I can hear you perfectly fine." Pinkie Pie answered her own hoof with a cheerful voice.

Two yellow eyes found it somewhat interesting to look on the pink pony bouncing on her way towards the dark forest. When his eyes lost track of her began this mysterious bird to fly towards the black night. Away from her towards another goal.

******

The tall grass, the thick branches, the strong and dark shades, the frightening shadows and the sounds of animals in an almost complete darkness frightens most ponies. Pinkie Pie, however, found it very funny to jump in random bushes to find insects or flowers she never seen before. At times when the forest would get a little too quiet she simply pulled out her trombone from the backpack and started playing a gentle melody in order to spree happiness around her. However, her cheerful personality also made her less aware of her situation that is, not noticing the one who were moving in the shadows...

"Where could that pretty star be? Weird, I can't see that red light like be-"

Pinkie Pie gasped when she suddenly entered a smooth meadow, shaped like a small circle with no trees. In the middle of this flower meadow there was a red stone, almost as fine as a shining sapphire. As fast as lightning sprinted Pinkie Pie towards the stone and began carefully to inspect the item. She laid down comfortably in the soft meadow and started playing with the stone between her hooves.

"Oooh, its sooo… shiny. I bet Rarity would want a falling star as a gem."

Less than a second flashed Pinkie Pie's eyes and something occurred to her.

"A falling star.... and I saw it fall! I can wish for... ANYTHING!"

She put a big smile on her face while sitting amongst the flowers. Hundreds of ideas flowed chaotic in the head and the more she thought about it the happier she became. It really was tingling in the stomach when she thought more of it, she could wish for the world's largest cupcake, an everlasting balloon with disco lights or wish for a rainbow canon or...

Pinkie Pie swallowed, feeling her heart pumping more blood while her body got goose bumps of excitement.
"... I could wish for true friendship." mumbled Pinkie Pie for herself while gazing with an empty stare in front of her.

"Um, Hello..?" a dry voice broke the peaceful atmosphere.

Pinkie Pie turned her soft head automatically to her left and saw something very unfamiliar.

"Hello there, you startled me, almost gave me a hiccup.” she started happily with a humorous undertone. “That's okay because I'm sure you didn't want to scare me, you probably just wanted to be friendly and who are you? Do you come from the Everfree forest?" flew friendly words out from the pink pony.

The creature was standing on two legs with long black dirty clothes, worn shoes and a face full of small marks, short messy black hair while having a weird scar across his light brown right chin. He looked very confused to the pink pony, almost a little scared of her.

"Well, I'm Pinkie Pie and I come from Ponyville. The pony village outside this forest." she continued while giving a big smile to the confused fellow.

An awkward silent broke out between them when Pinkie Pie had ended her sentence. He merely stood there, with a hanging jaw and look.

"...But did you hear my... ehmm… wish?" the pink pony asked suddenly out of the blue, with an uncertain voice.

"Yeah." the two legged creature spat the sentence out but quickly took his hands over the mouth. As if he answered automatically without thinking.

Pinkie Pie was just about to feel as her heart turned into a heavy stone. One thing was that she didn't want any pony to hear that. Also because she revealed her wish and it is said a wish from a falling star can't come to true if you reveal it... She quickly forgot about that when noticing his weird front hooves he put in front of his mouth. They reminded her of Iron Will's; just these were even stranger. Her curiosity began to approach the limit.

"Are you... some kind of minotaur?" she asked naively with big puppy-like eyes.

A particular interest in her question flourished from the unique creature and his eyes slid suddenly down to the stone Pinkie Pie held in her hooves.

"I'm not a minotaur I'm a... human. Do you know if there exist more humans, like me?"

Pinkie Pie merely shook her head from right to left.

The human felt a pricking tension on his back and how he started sweating from nervousness.

"My name is Cecilio and I can't really remember anything." he said while feeling how his face got redder. ”I mean... I can only remember, minimal... I don't come from this place, I fell from the sky and landed, there." Cecilio said slowly while pointing one of his fingers towards the pony.

"From the sky?" Pinkie Pie tasted a little on the last word in the sentence, and suddenly she made a high pitched shriek. Cecilio screamed in fear and fell on the soft flowers on the meadow in front of her. He slightly looked up and met a big smile in front of him.

"So YOU are the star who fell here? Wow isn't that cool? I mean, I saw you from Ponyville while walking in the night after having a great party and you were this red falling star which got my attention so I just had to check out for the star and then I found this stone and-" Pinkie Pie took a break from her talking and looked down on the stone she held. "This one must belong to you." grinned Pinkie Pie while giving Cecilio the weird stone.

He looked somewhat amazed on the beautiful gem-filled-stone and was at once surprised that it belonged to him. What surprised him even more was the energy this little pony had. Not only was she talking a lot but she ran around, threw balloons around him for welcoming him to Equestria and now... playing quite beautiful on a trombone.

Pinkie Pie's funny actions painted a smile on Cecilio's face and he fell on the flowers, laughing. She decided suddenly to join as well and jumped down beside him, laying at his side laughing. Their laughter slowly transformed into a pigs cough and even further, the pink pony got a cute high pitched hiccup.

"You really know how to make a per-...someone happy, don't you?" Cecilio smiled while looking towards Pinkie Pie.

She answered back by putting on a happy expression.

That expression and her kindness penetrated Cecilio's body and warmed him up. The feeling was so strong that it almost hurt, while the confusion and fear transformed into happiness.

"Oh? What's that? Even more of you ponies?" the human continued while stretching his body slightly higher up, while looking towards the darker part of the forest.

Pinkie Pie flew up and looked intensely against the shadow coated trees. The happy frivolous pony had suddenly a serious frown over her face while her body shook strangely.

"Cecilio... Get up! Get ready to run."

He quickly got on his feet and gave Pinkie Pie a beclouded look.

"What is ha-"

Before Cecilio was able to finish his sentence a dark brown animal with yellow dense eyes was standing in front of him. Cecilio stared in horror while the creature began slowly to approach its prey.

"Get lost timber wolf!" the pony roared towards the drooling bloodthirsty wolf.

The human stood petrified and looked at the pony. Both these creatures walked around in a circle, together with intense gaze, ready to attack or become attacked. The night wind swept across the landscape and refreshed the hot, disturbed mortals.

A sudden leap shattered the suspensive silence and the monster's jaw approached her throat. Smoothly moved the pony slightly to the right and when the wolf's head was beside her, ascended her left front hoof in the air and quickly smashed the enemy's cranium towards the earth.

"Wha...Wow..." Cecilio uttered amazed.

The timber wolf laid still on the ground for a few seconds and felt the pain, the anger of being humiliated like this. His furious gaze met eyes filled with fury, fear but also forgiveness.

"I'm sorry, do you want to be my friend?" giggled Pinkie Pie while giving a happy expression to her former enemy.

With a pitiful sound escaped the wolf from the supreme creaturely. Such kindness wasn't this beast familiar with and it scared him more than her strength and reflexes.

With a trembling body began Cecilio to slowly walk towards this indescribable, admirable and merciful character. Every step was heavy, the legs felt like matches while the stomach was filled with butterflies. Cecilio wasn't consumed by fear but of tension and happiness. He stretched out his shaky arm while the small distance that remained between them felt like an eternity. Pinkie Pie looked both happy and a little insecure to Cecilio.

"Why are you shaking so much? Are you dancing or did you get bitten by ants?"

Cecilio crouched down so their faces were in the same level and met her puzzled face with a smile.

"I'm so glad, so filled with life after meeting you. I don't know where I'm, I don't know anything about my past but... somehow, it feels like I've never felt happiness like this before. My chest..." Cecilio grabbed Pinkie Pie's hoof and put it over his hot, throbbing chest. "No longer feels empty as it did when I was walking, alone, in this dark forest.”

He could feel that he had spoken quickly, too quickly. The breathing was heavy while salivary fell on the ground. At the same time, felt it so good to be able to "vent" his feelings to another individual.

"Aww thank you Cecilio, that was really nice of you to say" Pinkie Pie replied while hugging him like a stuffed up teddy bear.

"I-Its nothing..." Cecilio said while he became even more heated with joy. Pinkie Pie jumped around with him.”But how about you, are you okay after the wolf attacked you?"

Pinkie Pie ignored his words and instead continued to talk and jump around in happiness while he was joining without free will. Cecilio wanted to join, dance, talk, sing with her, but the body could simply not keep up. His sight became more and more devoured by darkness, the sounds became heavier, while the feelings in his arms and legs became more lax. The last thing he heard before everything vanished from him was that the next day was going to be:

“...the best day of your life.”

Chapter 3: The Boy

Cecilio sat on the mighty green hill while inspecting beneath him. Filly and colts who had played all day outside in the green fresh fields were on their way home, now that the sun was halfway down and colored the sky orange-yellow. Cecilio's eyes rolled to his left where he could see Big Macintosh far away at his farm. It seemed he was on his way home, "Finally" sighed Cecilio. Now would Big Macintosh have some time to talk - but then again, he was probably tired after such a hectic day, since Applejack wasn't back yet.

Cecilio leaned back to the grass like he'd done many times before but this time without having Pinkie Pie as company. He touched his relatively short hair through his fingers and smiled "I gotta tell Rarity when she comes back that she did a great job and no matter what she thinks, I still love my new hairstyle."

Everything Cecilio was told was that the six mane would travel far north to resolve a minor conflict between the powerful mountain goats and ponies who lived in the snowy mountain - society.

The rest was merely secrets protected for the masses - him included.

A second deep sigh came from him while he looked at the clear evening sky, just like that time after his first party, just like many times since then. Which reminded Cecilio of different events he had experienced during his new life, no, his real life:

The first following days were happy-fun days with Pinkie Pie and other individuals in Ponyville. Especially the day when I was visiting the elementary school. It was the beginning of many trips with the cutiemark crusaders who made sure it was my mission to find my cutiemark aswell. "Should a human like me also have a cutiemark?" That very question brought me to the next adventure. One evening visited I Twilight Sparkle, as I had done several times before but this time for a specific reason. "Learning magic?!" had she asked me rather astoundingly, as if a human would never be able to reach such a level. The result however was shocking but also crucial for my later adventures.

Then something more sinister happened.

Just a week after my celebration in Ponyville occurred there a problem during an unfamiliar situation. A horde of timberwolfs attacked Ponyville one otherwise normal day. Chaos sprouted by the inhabitants who either did their best to defend themselves or got devoured by their own fear. The mayor and Twilight Sparkle attained control over the situation by collecting the villagers in a massive force outside the villages hospital. For one was it easier to treat the injured at the same time were we many enough to become a massive shield against the intruders. The first phase of the war was a relatively easy victory thanks to Rainbow Dash and the other pegasuses from Cloudsdale. However, many in general suffered from their injuries. An unknown sight for me which, I must confess, did heavily influence my mind. During the break between the two factions began the ponies to plan new strategies while also trying to comprehend why the timberwolfs suddenly waged a war against them. It was then a disgusting feeling climbed inside me. It was supposedly very rare for a timberwolf nowadays to attack another being for no reason. The last time somepony was attacked by them was years ago - however that wasn't really true. Pinkie Pie was attacked by one during our first meeting, never been attacked before by one. Ponyville was attacked, at the same time when I was there. Another interesting fact was that an attack of this scale by timberwolfs had never occurred even once during the villages history. A disgusting truth had I discovered and the responsibility was on my shoulders.

My good conscience and stupidity overwhelmed myself.

Like a snake slipped I from the other presences towards the occult forest with an innocent desire yet a selfish act. Every step with cautiousness , every breath calmly - a mind focused only to achieve one specific goal.

"And where do you think your going?" growled a deep voice.

What I saw before me was a red big earth pony, light-yellow mane, who looked with a serious face towards me. A stallion I usually didn't payed much attention to otherwise.

"I will help you" Big Macintosh added before I was able to mention anything at all.

Our eyes met and without a word understood we each other. The situation first and foremost, but also each other as beings. We went far through the narrow forest until we could not walk anymore, that was, being surrounded by the enemy, the ones I searched for. I tried to ask the timberwolfs if the war was about me, if my death could prevent another attack. Those words easily slipped through my tongue without even consider what kind of selfish act that would have been towards my friends.

Cecilio who still laid in the grass and thought about the past was still not sure till today if his words back then fell for deaf ears or not.

Anyways,three of them suddenly charged towards me.

I automatically raised my right hand and shot a lightning beam towards one of the wolfs who got knockpacked quite a distance away. At the same time was I surprised how my magic - skills suddenly was increased. That thought lasted until the other two tackled me down to the ground, with their jaws scraping against my skin. Not too long however, like a red tank forced Big Macintosh them away with his brute strength.

With blood dripping from my left cheek stuttered I a "thank you" while looking at the enemies who got even more furious. "Now run away Big Macintosh, I think they only want me" I added whispering.

"I knew this would happen, the difference is that at least you are not alone now." Big Macintosh replied while I felt how my heart got warmed up by his words even though we knew we would meet our end soon.

What happened next was beyond the word epic.

A white alicorn landed with a crash between us and the wolves, while shining so bright it almost hurt the eyes. One warning, one sentence was uttered from her and the timberwolfs ran away, never to be seen again. She then walked towards me, represented herself as Celestia, one of the princesses over Equestria.

Cecilio's right hand touched his scar on the face while memorizing further.

The rest ended happily with the village became restored to its natural prime thanks to Celestia, both Big Macintosh and I got appointed as heroes by our princess and everything ended in a orgies of long parties. Well, I did also get yelled at by Twilight who thought I was way too arrogant, stupid - but also so relived over that I made it out alive. Pinkie Pie merely cried rivers of happiness and I promised her to never do something that stupid again.

Up to now have I been practicing physical exercises by Rainbow Dash who thinks I'm still way too weak, helped Fluttershy with her animals and been baby sitting with Pinkie Pie, helped the Apple family as best I could (although I understood in the end that my "help" on the farm was minimal compared to their effectiveness), also helped Rarity and Spike to find more gems. Of course also been hanging around with most of the ponies from Ponyville, everything from horticultural works, competitions to small talking. Oh that's right, one of the funniest things ever was the cider - festival period, who would believe that some of them could become SO fun after a little cider. Especially Cheerilee...

Cecilio stood up and began to walk slowly down, home to Pinkie Pie's residence where he has been living. He was happy to have been able to stay with her because every day had been a blessing when being with such a positive pony. Just her way of saying good morning, or her voice in general sparked a feeling of happiness inside Cecilio. Just the thought of her...

He stopped his track and thoughts when he asudden saw a small creature in front of him. A cold chill shivered through his body when he saw the creature's clothes, the familiar design, looking up towards him. The small pale boy with his tousled black hair smiled at Cecilio.

Chapter 4: Intoxicated With Knowledge

What is happening? I've lived here now over a month, in a world where someone like me, a human, never been seen before. Even Princess Celestia was surprised over my very existence. Somepony who have lived thousands of years had never seen anyone like me. Maybe there is a reason behind this. Maybe he is merely an illusion, maybe...

Thousands of questions and suggestions pondered inside Cecilio's head while he looked towards the smiling boy who played with a beautiful butterfly.

Just who is he?

"I see, you are very confused over my appearance which is understandable." the boy began with a soft voice while letting the butterfly sit on his small fragile finger. "Just give me some time and I will do my best to guide you - to the right path."

The whole setting was almost a little absurd for Cecilio. For one did this human magically appear a random summer evening on an empty country trail. Secondly, did he speak way too complicated for his age. Cecilio had never seen a human child before, or rather didn't remember one - but still remembered it the same moment one appeared before him.

"And this is no illusion, I'm very real and the same as you." the boy continued while showing him his right hand which he had kept behind his back, thus showing the red beautiful gem he was holding.

"T-that's the same s-stone I have..." Cecilio stammered while he took up his rock from the jacket pocket.

The boy threw his stone towards Cecilio while he said "Keep it". Both of these two stones were two halves belonging to each other. Nervous fingers connected the two of them and the pieces became one - shaped like a heart. "So Pinkie Pie was right.." mumbled Cecilio for himself, thinking back to the first night on the hill. What was even more interesting was that the gem changed color into a harmony between black and white, each side also having a small section of each color. Cecilio continued to stare at his new stone while an interest in knowing more flourished inside him.

"Who are you?" Cecilio asked while looking curious towards the boy.

"My name and existence is irrelevant but if I would describe myself, I'm the one who will bring you the truth."

Here we go again, way too complex talk for a child like him.

"I know you have been studying with Twilight in order to find your past from your last life. I know you have that itching feeling inside you, even though you are living happily with your new life, still seeking the actuality of your own life. In the end of the day is that really worth it? Why can't you live the life you always wanted, instead, focusing on what was the root of your problems."

Cecilio looked confused to the child.

Live the life I always wanted? The root of my problems?

"How do you know about Twilight? What do you mean and who is you?" flew desperate and curious words from the larger man.

The boy ignored his words while letting the butterfly climb around his fingers.

A sudden hot repelling feeling took control over Cecilio and he grabbed the shoulders of the boy while looking with a more intense look towards him.

"Who are you?"

A smile cracked on the boy's sugary lips.

"You shouldn't let yourself slip into darkness that easily."

The butterfly seemed to get startled by Cecilio's sudden movements and left the little young man's finger while dancing in the air between the two of them. It instantly grew and transformed itself into another being with a black long robe, silken black hair and intense yellow eyes. The peering eyes and event startled Cecilio who took a few steps back. The creature however grabbed Cecilio's left hand while giving him two quick kicks in the stomach. A gurgling puny sound were heard from Cecilio who fell to the ground, looking up towards his superior.

"You gotta be kidding me." the fallen human panted while realizing his situation.

Two humans were standing before him now. The one standing next to the boy was slightly longer and slightly more muscular than Cecilio and had a beastly face. He looked disgusted on the miserable creep laying on the ground.

"You shouldn't have interfered, yet." the boy spoke calmly.

"A perplexed toy like him, touching the very essence of the ultimate truth." the other answered with a hateful voice." He shouldn't even have the chance of rising from the ashes created by his own flames."

"It was inevitable that this would happen to him. After all, He gave this chance to Cecilio and it's our duty to tell him the differences between the two paths."

The other merely grunted without looking to the boy.

"Will you try to solve your own little puzzle by so called knowledge or instead try to live as you should be here. You are earthbound, stay that way." the boy stated with a stiff voice.

Cecilio's strength had by now returned to him and he slowly returned to his feet. Every word had been sunken deep within him.

"Until the next time...Cecilio" continued his soft voice.

"- No, wait!" yelled Cecilio while going further towards them.

"Remember, we will be watching you" ended the boy with a hiss.

"Wait!" yelled Cecilio even louder while running towards them.

With a swish were them gone, as if their existence had never been there. Cecilio fell trembling down on his knees.

"M-magic..?" he stuttered silently.

Of course it's magic! The violent one was first a butterfly and was able to transform into a human, like me, besides they teleported, so of course can they use magic!

Cecilio grabbed a small rock beside him and hit himself with it on his forehead. The pain eliminated the stupid thoughts while reason stepped in.

Think now... Think carefully. First I should begin to doubt, degrading everything they done, said, in order to come up with an answer. That's what Twilight have tried to teach me, one of the reasons why I visited her every evening. So I could learn and use that awareness into good use. Was this just an illusion?

Cecilio picked up the heart shaped black and white stone.

Of course not! Why else would I have this item now?!

Cecilio bit his lips while concentrating even harder.

One of them could change his very subsistence into another, could he be a changeling which Twilight mentioned earlier? No, that would still mean they must have met these humans before and that wouldn't explain the fact how knowledgeable they were of me. Actually, it seemed they knew more of me than I do myself...

"Two paths eh? According to that kid should I spend more time living my life instead of finding more about my past... " Cecilio talked to himself while sitting down on the grass trail.

But how can I trust them? Maybe their inference was simply indoctrination of a lie, maybe finding out about my past is indeed more importantly than I think..?

SWOOOSH

And Cecilio was laying on the ground while having a happy Pinkie Pie sitting on his stomach.

"We are baaaaaack" Pinkie Pie yelled mirthful while hugging Cecilio like crazy. "Have you missed us? Have you? Have you? Because I sure did miss you!"

"You know, the day isn't the same without you." Cecilio replied quite flirtatious while blinking with one eye.

"Silly you!" Pinkie Pie answered with red cheeks while filling his mouth with pink cupcakes.

The other five ponies from the mane six joined Cecilio while he asked them how the trip went.

"Meh, the conflict ended peacefully even before we were able to be there." Rainbow Dash answered with a bored voice, "I was expecting some action, drama and -" she interrupted herself by flying high up in the air.

"It was a wonderful trip, Cecilio. We saw so many animals and we didn't have to get involved with a scary war." Fluttershy whispered glad with the sweetest voice.

"Awesomeness!" Rainbow Dash ended her sentence by landing infront of him.

"Darling please..." uttered a voice filled with elegance while looking somewhat annoyed to Rainbow Dash."Yes, as you can see Cecilio so are we back just after two days and yes, we had the most magnificent of a trip. However I would like to remind my friends that Celestia wished the content of our trip to be a secret." Rarity ended the sentence with a rather sharp tone while looking to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.

"Oh...I'm sorry..." squeaked a tiny voice.

"But we didn't do anyth-"

An orange hoof was placed in Rainbow Dash mouth for a second.

"Ah suppose dat's right Rarity. But who were YOU talking to Cecilio? We could'a hear ya voice while we were walkin' from the hill." Apple Jack interrogated with an innocent desire of knowing.

Before Cecilio had even the time to open his mouth interrupted Twilight with a speech of how tired she was and it was getting pretty late. This made it naturally to end the conversation with a "Goodbye, have a pleasant evening etc". Everypony eventually split up and went home and Cecilio gave Twilight a grateful glance, however, she answered back by a worried brief look.

*****

Pinkie Pie and Cecilio walked back in the middle of Ponyville to Sugarcube corner. Pinkie Pie wanted to make him some very delicious muffins which she just knew he was going to love. She then continued to talk dashing about the trip she was told not to talk about. Cecilio merely smiled and occasionally laughed while hes thoughts where somewhere else. Even Pinkie Pie understood something was not too right and tried cleverly to make him tell her the problem.

"FINE! Just tell me what's wrong already!" She shrieked friendly.

"Oh that's right!" Cecilio unexpected raised his voice."Thank you for reminding me of what I was thinking about Pinkie. I forgot my stone at Twilight's house a few days ago before you left to that adventure." He hugged Pinkie Pie while running towards Twilight's house.

"Okay, I'll be baking those muffins then!" Pinkie Pie shouted while waving her front legs towards the running human.

"Thank you Pinkie! I'll be back soon!"

He ran as fast as he could while holding the stone in his jacket pocket, feeling guilty of his lie. At the same time didn't he want to scare her with such a petty situation, at least not yet...

Cecilio knocked carefully on the wooden door while waiting impatiently.

"Oh hello Cecilio, good timing! Twilight have just arri-"

"It's okay Spike, just let him in" Twilight's voice was heard from the living room.

Both Spike and Cecilio got surprised by her sudden interruption but he listened to her and began to continuing his duties.

"Isn't it a little late for you to washing floors Spike?" Cecilio asked carefully.

"Well... I didn't expect Twilight to come home so early so I have been doing - nothing. Except for eating ice cream, that is" Spike ended the sentence while dreaming about better times. "Besides, don't you have anything better to do then reading some books with Twilight?" Spike asked a little cheeky.

"Apparently not." Cecilio replied with a smile.

Twilight was reading a thick book while walking around the room. She immediately closed it and put the book away when she noticed him. Instead levitated Twilight Sparkle two chairs and pointed her hoof to one the chairs. At the same moment his lower part of the body touched the chair she asked "Now, who did you really talk to back then?"

Cecilio looked surprised to Twilight, amazed over the mare's usually sharpness.

He told her everything. Every detail of what he remembered.

She was simply shocked but at the same time focused and wrote down everything he said.

After a cup of tea and way too many words uttered, broke a silence between them. It was all so amazing and scary that they didn't have words for it. One specific question was inevitable though.

"What do you want to do Cecilio? Try to learn more about your past with the help of magic and books or stop it, so maybe, they will leave."

I don't know Twilight, the way the boy ended everything seemed almost like we would meet each other at least one more time. Besides, what if something important happened in my past which they want to hide from me?"

Twilight closed her eyes while nodding.

"Let us continue the evening-lessons and at the same time prepare us. I won't tell anypony about this, not even..." Twilight gulped."Princess Celestia, but then you have to pinkie-promise if these weird humans hurt you or somepony else. You have to inform me."

"I promise to-"

"Pinkie-promise." interrupted Twilight with a worried voice.

Cecilio committed the act and she seemed instantly to get a bit more relieved.

"The only reason I won't tell anypony or the princess about this is only because I'm afraid it could make you suffer even more... Just be careful, okay?"

Cecilio hugged her before making his leave.

Wow one hour already? I hope Pinkie isn't angry or worried about my late arrival...

Cecilio ran through the empty village that was covered with a nice summer feeling. Cecilio saw the spore who danced around in the wind and heard the sounds of talking and laughing ponies who sat indoors having a great time. Ponyville were always so cozy, always filled with so many good memories. He arrived a few minutes later outside Mr and Mrs Cakes house, as quiet as possible he crept through the house making sure he wouldn't disturb the twins nor the parents. He then slowly went upstairs, opened the door and

"SURPRISE!"

Balloons, confectionery and glitter was thrown in his face while a pink pony jumped around while playing on her trombone. Cecilio quickly shut the door, worried the others would wake up from such noise. He then walked in the room and saw a round table covered with muffins, together forming a heart.

"Wow..." Cecilio said almost speechless.

Pinkie Pie landed in front of him and gave him a kiss on his chin.

"I think I really like-like you"

Like-like?

A happy expression glowed from him.

He gave her a kiss on her forehead.

Whispered in her right ear "Thank you."

The rest of the evening got spend on eating muffins, chatting and playing boardgames, until they fell asleep in her soft bed in his arms. All the negative he had witnessed during the day did no longer exist, when he was with his closest friend, Pinkie Pie.

Chapter 5: Insight

The window suddenly explodes, thousands of pieces of glass flying across the room. The sound, the nippy summer breeze and two voices, raises Cecilio and Pinkie Pie instantly. Drowsy, confused and scared of the action squinted them towards the destroyed window. It's hard to see in the dark but two shadows emerges.One of them larger than the other. The smaller shadow points his right finger towards Pinkie Pie. A sudden light discharges as a projectile towards her and explodes. The whole room illuminates by the light and dazzles the humans vision for a few seconds. When his eyes finally is accustomed to the brightness are the intruders finally revealed.

"So, this is "until the next time" huh?" Cecilio ask in frustration while he sits up in the bed. "Pinkie, run away, they are after me."

No answer, only silence.

"Pinkie..?"

Two empty eyes looks in front of her while her disheveled mane hides her abandoned face, while a red color devours the pink quilt. Cecilio quickly throw the quilt to the floor and sees before him -

Blood dripping.

Blood flooding, dripping on the floor.

Blood creating a sea due to a fleshy wound from her stomach.

"PINKIE!!!" Cecilio screams while trying to seal her stomach with his bare hands.

Continuous it streams between his fingers. His body trembles without any logical control and he witnesses what was not supposed to happen. Tears, white pure tears leaves his eyes while he lays his head into Pinkie Pie. The smell of iron makes him almost vomit while feeling how her body heat slowly passes out. Cecilio's fingers slowly drills towards her mane while he can barely see because of the tears.

A sudden small chuckle awaken Cecilio who barely looks behind him.

The boy's mouth transforming into a deformed happy face, continuing his chuckle louder and louder into it changes completely into a hysterical scream. With a deep sigh ends the screaming and two black unfilled eyes looks hungry towards Cecilio.

"Everything has its price, now its your turn to pay for it" the boy whispers while the left finger points towards Cecilio.

A large mass of shadows overwhelms Cecilio who's being lifted up to the ceiling at the same time as his legs and arms are stretched by even more shadows. While floating in the air, the shadows also slowly bends his arms and legs. A voice filled with torment yells and begs - to no avail. When his limbs finally reaches its limit the sound of broken bones cuts through the room. A roar louder than everything from before only rises the adrenaline from the little boy.

"AND NOW WILL I SHOW YOU THE TRUTH OF YOUR PAST" the boy continues.

Other shadows suddenly finds Pinkie Pie's body while bringing her down to the floor. Her front legs binded by shadows while her back legs barely touching the floor. Cecilio also got lowered to the floor, his legs barely touching the floor, while only his arms are controlled by the shadows. A bizarre show starts. Like puppets is he and her controlled by the shadows, jumping around, dancing, together.

"Stop this..." Cecilio whimper.

While the puppet master ignores his words.

"STOP THIS, STOP EVERYTHING!"

The scream explodes. The puppet master and the spectator disappears while the room changes back to its former self. The blood, the broken window are no more while Pinkie Pie is asleep while embracing a pillow. Cecilio is standing up, in the middle of the room cold sweating. He stares half awake at Pinkie Pie and smiles. In peace that she didn't awakened yet again of his dreams.

******

Pinkie Pie woke up with a big yawn while her eyes rolled up to the strong sunshine. "What a beautiful day" she whispered while jumping out of the bead. Outside she could see birds flying in the blue sky and the yellow flowers that delicately swayed in the wind. She was about to run downstairs and prepare some breakfast for Cecilio when she noticed the crumbled paper on the bed. She grabbed it while reading quickly through.

Another day you are going to spend with Twilight, eh?

Pinkie Pie snuggled down in bed again and stared up at the white ceiling. Farther to the ceiling you could still see the pink marks.

She giggled a little while pictures jumped around in her head.

Wow, not even when I'm just laying on my bed can I stop thinking about you. It's so weird to think about but, how would my life have been if he had never come here? I would still have my friends, parties and exciting adventure but not a friend who understands me. That's what I wished for that night, and then he came! Think how much fun we have had, every day a new day filled with joy. Especially the cider - festival day when you bragged about how you were going to beat everyone, even Big Macintosh. Well, at least you did have a great time even though you were bad, days afterwards. Weird, Cheerliee handled it so well... Speaking about her, she also gave you a kiss on the chin...

Even at this moment. Several weeks later and the fact that Cheerilee had said sorry to Cecilio about that incident, the very thought about it hurt Pinkie Pie.

Why am I still thinking about it? Am I jealous?

Pinkie Pie quickly shook her head while trying to think about something else.

I will never forget that time when I was alone, crying, outside the clocktower. It rarely happened and was the first time since you arrived. I was thinking about my family, them who never had time to listen to me. Ponies who in general never asked to be with me, except if I invited them to a party or if the mane six had to go on a quest. Well, I love my closest friends Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity but... even they often only treat me as a random joke. I don't blame them though. Sometimes, it's just easier to play so random and happy than to reveal your true feelings. Sometimes it's just so much easier to be somepony else than yourself... I remember I had cried a lot, that night, until a warm hand touched my head. You said you wanted to listen to my grief, wanted to understand me and most importantly: "show your true self for me." Since that day have I never cried again.

Even now, when just thinking about it, Pinkie Pie's eyes got wet.

So why can't you show your true self towards me? I know you are hiding something, I've talked to Twilight. She said it had something to do with your past and your wish that nopony would get hurt from it. I still don't understand. I thought that, when you loved somepony you would tell...her...everything. The only answer Twilight had for that was "Sometimes it's the opposite - he want's you to live a normal life without knowing anything, because he loves you".

That's why, I've forgiven you for lying to me that time you said you forgot your gem at Twilight's house.

That's why I have continuing to spread happiness when I'm with you.

Because...

I love you...

Tears were shed from Pinkie Pie, while she was lost, in her own memories.

******

During another afternoon in the peaceful village of Ponyville walked a certain man towards the Sugarcube Corner. During the whole day had he practiced and honed various spells. The body was heavy and his legs were shaking from fatigue while he sleepily were heading to Pinkie Pie. A sting of conscience ached inside him. That's why Cecilio had roses with him, that's why he was so nervous.

"Don't you get it? She loves you!" Twilight had almost screamed towards him.

I know we are friends but actually love, me?

First was he almost a little scared of the thought but that quickly turned into a warmer feeling he never felt before. The pony, Cecilio liked most was obviously Pinkie Pie. For the first time of his life understood he, what this warm feeling inside him truly was:

Love.

When he finally was outside the door it almost hurt a little inside him of happy nervousness.

He opened the door and -

to his surprise he found a note, instead of a happy Pinkie Pie.

"Oh... A surprise party at the clocktower?" Cecilio read slowly to himself.

It was beyond him how that party could be a surprise party for him when she already had told him but - "That's my beloved Pinkie Pie" he said with a cozy voice.

The human began his journey while walking through Ponyville. He obviously met happy friendly ponies, as usual but today was he the happiest being alive. When he had arrived outside the city, he could already see the tower and something pink!

Pinkie Pie...

He began to run.

I'm sorry, finally, can I tell you how I feel.

Faster, even faster.

I will ignore all my research about my past. Throw it away. If only, I can live with you.

His eyes opened even more when he saw Pinkie Pie.

Laying on the grass.

With marks over her beautiful body.

Bloody.

While the little boy had one of his foot on top of her head.

"Surprise..." he said.

With a smile.

Chapter 6: The Beginning Of The End

I have never seen somepo...thing being able to master this many spells in such a short time. Even mastered his own spell - creating and controlling electricity. No, that's no the most amazing about him. The fact that he have even learned magic is beyond me. How can something that apparently do not belong to this universe adapt itself so easily? I have no answer for that. I know however that his passion for seeking and learning is an important key. However, I believe there are two more factors. He still wants to understand about his last life, in order to comprehend the whole picture. Sometimes this very thought is almost corrupting him, making him only thinking about it and nothing else. Almost as if he takes everything good he have experienced for granted. Then the second factor is also the cure of the first one. Pinkie Pie. She is his light which will paint away the shadow that is inside his heart. Together are they complete.

I envy that.

Their happiness and maybe even...

The love.

After have been learning with him, about him, so many evenings, I too starts to like him.

That's not important now.

Because I believe he must never lose Pinkie Pie because then...

He would lose an important part of himself.

******

The boy dried of the bloody waste of his shoe on her beautiful mane while beginning to laugh. Once again flied a butterfly around him which like last time transformed himself to a human. He didn't laugh though, only looking with a strict furious face towards Cecilio.

This is almost like my dreams.

This can't be happening...

No.

NO.

"NOT PINKIE PIE!" Cecilio screamed while his body was engulfed by blue - light electricity.

The boy stopped laughing while walking slowly towards Cecilio with a curious glance.

"You love her but couldn't confess your true feelings towards her? Feelings should never be trapped inside an unstable soul. Now when she is soon gone you want to undo what you have NOT experienced with her? That is simply greedy. We gave you, a chance to redeem yourself from seeking your painful past. However, your pride and intense desire to know the occult was your own downfall. Like most humans..." the boy talked with a boastful voice. "You really think you are ready to meet the truth?"

She is soon gone? There is still a chance?

The smaller hominal pointed his left arm towards Cecilio.

Her eyes slightly opened and met Cecilio's.

"This will..." he began.

This is..

While his finger stretched towards its target.

...NOT OVER YET!

"... Be painful for you."

A sudden energy created by him took control over the human and flew uncontrollably in the air. With an unbounded pattern struck it the little boy while he got overwhelmed by its power. The light - blue color got stronger and created an air bubble around the boy. When it finally burst with a loud sound he flew like a bumblebee, lost in the wind, with a smell of burnt flesh.

A butterfly appeared unanticipatedly in the air before Cecilio.

Oh no!

Cecilio jumped to his left and avoided the timber wolf's jaw. Cecilio turned his body towards the wolf who charged towards him again. The wolf jumped in the air and unexpectedly got stuck there.

"You are caught in my levitation spell." Cecilio began with a rigid voice. "Now tell me... WHO ARE YOU?!"

The wolf transformed back into a human and looked moonstruck towards Cecilio while dangling in the air.

"You really think someone who can't even figure out the answer for himself is ready to handle the reality?" he roared.

" WELL INSTEAD OF TALKING IN RIDDLES WHY DON'T YOU MAKE IT CLEARER TO ME. SO I ACTUALLY CAN UNDERSTAND YOU !!!" Cecilio screamed making his whole body shake.

"You just... don't get it..." panted a weak voice behind Cecilio.

Darkness and light hustled around Cecilio while forcing him down to the earth. The shadow's transforming into black hands grabbed Cecilio's body while pushed him harder, harder, towards the ground. The light pierced through his legs while Cecilio screamed in agony. The intense smell of burnt flesh was stronger now, making Cecilio's stomach almost turn upside and forget about his own pain.

Impossible! How could he be standing after being hit with THAT?

The small creature was standing on top of Cecilio's stomach, panting heavily with the clothes of his left side mixed with brown flesh and blood, smelted on his very body. His thick hair on the left side was mostly gone and his face somewhat deformed. However, not even a scream, a sound from his lips, merely deep breaths.

"You see... Only a corrupted heart could have done such a thing to a child. Your research of the past slowly made you grow more into a human, a mortal if you wish. No, you are not even worthy of being called a human any longer... beast.

A hard kick found its targets face while more blood painted the grass. The larger man had escaped the spell and was eager to give him another one but got stopped by a shadowy hand.

"It is enough..."

The boy and the man listened immediately to the third man who was engulfed by a strange shadow. The lights and shadows also got instantly removed while the boy and the man knelt before the newcomer.

"You have done enough. Even though he may seem lost he still got a choice - It is up to HIM now."

The person hiding behind the shadow snapped his fingers and the three of them disappeared. Leaving no trace behind them except the result of a bloody scene. Cecilio didn't care anymore, while he crawled painfully towards Pinkie Pie. His legs were in no use, slowly, he approached to her. The hands snatching towards the high grass and thus pulling himself forward. The only goal which mattered for him.

"Pinkie!" he almost screamed with tearful eyes.

Her mouth barely moved while the dry throat whispered:

"Why..?"

More tears ran over his dirty bloody cheeks while his vision slowly got darker.

"I'm..sorry..." Cecilio whispered before passing out.

******

Everything is my fault...

Cecilio was sitting lonely on the mighty grass hill while looking below him. The happy filly and colts played with a soft ball, while they talked and laughed. Their joy could almost describe that nothing could erase those cute little expression.

Exactly how I... We felt for only two weeks ago?

The whole village was turned upside down after what had happened two weeks ago. What had been their innocent paradise, where they have always lived in peace had suddenly changed.

The situation scared them.

There were people like Cecilio, who had attacked Pinkie Pie.

A flower of insecurity and hatred had begun to sprout among hearts who was not accustomed to it.

Twilight had nevertheless defended Cecilio, as a true friend. He didn't blame the other ponies who rejected his story but was still more than happy that Twilight believed him. Until something happened a few days ago. Another daily visit at the hospital, another smile Pinkie Pie forced herself to show, more tears to shed, something more happened. After his visit, Twilight wanted to visit Pinkie Pie and after that time, even Twilight seemed to almost...

Hate me.

During the past days have she almost tried to avoid me. Only a few sentences each day, a few glances, filled with bitterness. It hurts so much inside me... Because if I just had spent all my time with Pinkie Pie and simply not dwelling about my past then everything would have been so much better! They would probably never arrived and everything would have been, so much, better.

Cecilio pressed the stone in his hand consumed by anger and emptiness. The stone who seemed to get darker by each day, not that something trivial like that mattered anymore.

"If there is such a thing as a supreme being, please, I beg you, cure Pinkie . That smile, I, no... everypony needs to see it again. She is the spark in my life, she is the spark which paints the world brighter. Even if it costs my life, please, just save her..."

Cecilio burst into tears.

He quickly tried to wipe them away, to suppress his own emotions. He had been told it was a bad thing but at this very moment, he had simply no more strength to continuing crying. Eventually he began to walk, towards Twilight's house. The cold autumn wind was not easy to deal with. He missed his old house but even he understood that the Cake family was more or less terrified of him. What if these scary humans would attack them as well?

Cecilio sighed while continuing walking.

Sometimes he wished nopony would understand that it was actually humans who attacked Pinkie Pie and him. Then again, it was a promise to tell Twilight and in this case, Princess Celestia the truth. Even though the princess didn't particular blamed him, she aswell, had that negative tone in her voice.

A cold chill shivered through him. Just the thought of her serious eyes could truly scare one.

Well, even during these dark times I must be thankfully. The fact that Pinkie Pie is alive, can communicate and still love me. It was maybe under weird circumstances but I had confessed for her during the hospital. The moment my legs was healed I went to her room. A smile had cracked on her face, however, her eyes had told me something else.

"I guess I deserves it, after been hiding so much behind her back" Cecilio mumbled with clenched teeth for himself.

Outside her house, he knocked carefully, not too sure if he wanted to meet her glance or not. The door slowly opened itself, not by Spike but of purple magic.

Weird.

Cecilio walked carefully inside, while his heart pumped for full. Noiseless, too silent. He hugged the wall while looking inside the living room and then -

A purple unicorn hugged him with eyes filled with sorrow.

"I'm s-so sor-ry" Twilight stammered while hulking.

"Its okay, I know you hate me. Its okay, it's my fault that they went after Pinkie Pie" he answered while trying to let go of Twilight.

She held him even harder while drilling her face into his chest.

"She has passed away!" Twilight almost screamed while her body collapsed on the floor.

"Wha..." Cecilio said without being able to comprehend.

"Pinkie Pie... IS DEAD!"

The human stood while the mare cried beneath him.

No tears.

No words.

Nothing.

The shock was too much for the human, who in denial, didn't want to understand. However, as soon as Twilight's words dug into his mind, the stone he had so hard kept holding, slowly slipped through his fingers.

Just like that.

And the ones black and white heart - shaped stone, turned into completely darkness, while shattering into thousands of pieces when hitting the

cold,

hard,

world.

Chapter 7: Archard

"Did you see? He didn't even show up!" Bon Bon whispered towards the very light aquamarine unicorn.

"Yeah... It's weird isn't it?" Lyra Heartstring whispered back with a low suffering voice.

"If you loved somepony you should at least meet up at hers funeral. Maybe he's even the one who - "

"Who what, exactly?" Twilight's annoyed voice disturbed the mares conversation. "Killed her, is that what you think?"

The two mares quickly moved away from the somewhat angry unicorn.

" - But then again why isn't he showing up?" Rainbow Dash talked with clenched teeth's while more tears began to overwhelm her. "You know what? I've had enough of him, I should never have trusted him!"

The pegasus quickly flew away while the other from mane six quickly went home to themselves. No pony had the strength to argue and frankly, had they barely enough strength to enjoy the upcoming days. Twilight sighed while she looked towards the chest, over decorated with flowers - cakes and balloons. The chairs were adorned by the most beautiful gems Rarity could find, a choir of the most amazing birds Fluttershy had trained up and the most delicious apple pies somepony could eat after the long ceremony. Because they had a feeling that Pinkie Pie would have liked a little more lively funeral. However, only tears had almost overflooded the funeral. Even after the ceremony would barely somepony talk to each other.

I know this is a funeral but I know you would have wanted a more... cheerful funeral. This may have been the funeral you deserved but obviously not the one you wanted.

A claw grabbed Twilight's mane and a small dragon with sorrowful eyes met the unicorn's.

"Can we go home now..?" Spike whispered hoarse.

Twilight nodded and they slowly left the magnificent pink chest.

I pinkie promise that... I will do my best to protect Cecilio, Pinkie Pie.

Hooves and claws trampled in the damp grass. The weak sun glittered in the humid air which was filled with smoke created by warm alterations. Small droplets fell from the green - yellow trees who together created small puddles. When the small droplets in the air was illuminated by the weak sun was different colors created, eventually a rainbow.

"Look how beautiful Spike" Twilight said out of a sudden while pointing one of her hooves towards the sky.

The small dragon barely looked up while continuing walking home with his head looking down at the ground.

I guess this mood will last for awhile for all of us.

When they finally ended up at the front door, it opened. A human with dark tired eyes, dry lips, bony cheeks and too pale for his original light brown color, whispered quietly "I'm just going for a little walk"

No eye contact.

No hug.

I doubt that you are just going out for a little walk, whatever you do just

" - Be careful" Twilight expressed with a soft worried voice.

While Spike entered the house, she continued to watch the human. He walked for himself with a rigid body. The same course Spike and her just walked on.

*****

"I'm so sorry Pinkie Pie but soon enough will happiness be restored to Ponyville" Cecilio uttered while holding his cold hands on the drippy chest.

His black thin trousers were wet due to him sitting on the knees on the wet grass. His forehead touched the chest while his last tears fell towards it. It was barely anypony left. Good. Instead of feeling the suspicious looks could he concentrate his final thoughts to Pinkie Pie. Everything he wanted to say, which he sadly, wasn't able to. Why did he wait? Afraid of her reaction? it's not until it's too late, one regrets what he haven't done during his life.

" Ah knew you would, eventually, come." a deep voice hummed.

Cecilio who got slightly startled looked behind him and as expected, was that stallion standing there.

"Ah knows what kind of plan you have. I won't stop you but please reconsider it. You still 'ave ponies who cares about you in Ponyville" Big Macintosh continued

A pleased face met Big Macintosh while Cecilio whispered as his last goodbye:

"Sorry for not competing during the next years cider - festival."

A tear were shed by the red stallion.

A last friendly hug as a goodbye between the two of them.

Maybe we just spent a day here and there together but still, it always felt like you somehow understood how I worked as a being.

The human continued then towards his final path, while recollecting the letter he had left for Twilight.

Dear Twilight.

Do you remember the first time we met each other? That goofy atmosphere and curiosity we had towards each other? I sure do remember that. Ever since that day have you been one of my closest friends. You have learned me so much about this wonderful world and at the same time, I hope you learned something from me. Everytime I've had a dark cloud over my head you have done your best to understand my problem, while finding a resolution to it. Sadly, I wish I had contributed the same towards you. Even though you understand me so well, I think it's one thing your brilliant mind have simply overseen. The fact that I'm a failed being. I had everything but my curiosity of my past have done so much damage to everypony, that I have only one way to go. Kill the ones who took my beloved away from everypony and thus, will peace be restored to the village. The reason I didn't tell you this personally is simply because you wouldn't let me, also because I can't let you, another friend, close to my heart - End like Pinkie Pie.

- Cecilio

"You idiot" Twilight said to herself while galloping." If my theory is right, your little mission will only hurt yourself."

And if I'm right there is another reason I must stop you - Even though I love you.

The owl, also called the Night Templar, found the tension very interesting. Even though it was day - time, it flew, towards its destination.

*****

With the help of some wind magic cut Cecilio through the hard branches. Instead of gently avoiding trees and such he turned them into nothingness. Birds and insects quickly fled while the plant life itself had to suffer. Such trivial things wasn't on his mind, only the thirst of revenge. When finally reaching the flower meadow, the same one he had landed on that night, the same one he had met Pinkie Pie on, he saw an owl. The owl simply stood there, while looking towards him. Cecilio charged rapidly a weak lightning bolt and aimed it towards the owl. The owl smoothly transformed into a human while dodging the spell.

"As expected, you can alter yourself into anything you wish, however, with some limitations if I'm not too wrong?" Cecilio began emotionless.

The metamorphose simply looked towards Cecilio, a disgusted sight mixed with a turned - up face.

"So then, the puzzle is slowly becoming complete? You also figured out that the timberwolf who appeared here for a few months ago, at this very place was me as well?

"And you were probably the one who made the timberwolfs attack Ponyville?" Cecilio added.

"The emotional little tool is beginning to understand more and more, almost a little interesting."

"During the past few days have I been thinking, analyzing every tiny detail so in the end, I will be able to take down this time that is unlit."

"Do you really th-"

Another, much stronger lightning bolt flew towards the alterer who quickly evaded that attack as well by transforming his arms into wings and lift his body in the air.

"-INK YOU CAN DEFEAT ME?" he yelled.

With a beastly roar transformed he into a big, red - green lizard, with sharp a sharp tail and claws, with his very wings blotting out the sun.

"Become ashes and never arise again!"

Cecilio quickly conjured a small fireball and shot it towards the dragon's head, who swallowed the flame with ease.

"You really think a spell, even worst, fire could harm me? No, not even the lightning of yours can harm the hardened shell which is covering my body. What he thought you could accomplish was merely a hope which is about to vanish very soon."

"The preparations are finished, let us see how well the inside of your body can take my spell."

Before the beast was able to react the spell within his stomach suddenly expanded and a storm of lightning got alive. While the dragon screamed it also quickly altered back to the human form. The human then grabbed his hand inside his throat and puked a massive energy of lightning which burnt through the beautiful meadow.

"I didn't expect that however" Cecilio began.

An inferno of lightning and black flames was created by little time and washed everything living in front of him into merely remains. Cecilio quickly absorbed it back to his very hands while looking at the destruction before him.

" - That's all you could do? After been looking down towards me?" Cecilio continued arrogant while smiling mockingly towards his ashes.

Several shadowy hands emerged from Cecilio's very shadow, grabbed him and tried to pull him down towards the soil. Cecilio summoned his lightning magic towards the shadow and as expected, his magic created a lot of light which illuminated the shadows.

A clapping sound.

"You have improved." the boy smiled towards Cecilio while walking out of the forest towards the destroyed meadow. With half of his face and arm hidden in bandages he still managed to smile. "No that's wrong. Last time had we simply better opportunities against you. Now I assume you have prepared well. I mean, you did after all defeat that boastful idiot." he ended the sentence with a laugh.

"Not even you cared about your ally, that's sad..."

"AT THE SAME TIME MAKES IT MUCH EASIER TO KILL YOU!" Cecilio roared towards the boy, the one who had attacked Pinkie Pie, the one who had killed her.

Cecilio summoned another wall of fire and lightning towards the boy, however, a purple shield-force protected the kid. Cecilio looked furiously around him, trying to find the responsible for this.

"I did it." Twilight looked with a serious face towards Cecilio.

At her side walked the occult one, the person hiding behind his own shadows.

"Twilight, at your right side! He is the leader over the ones who killed Pinkie Pie. RUN AWAY! Cecilio screamed hysterical while making wild gestures towards her.

Twilight looked tormented towards Cecilio and shook her head.

"I-I don't k-know how t-to explain th-is. Just watch this t-through m-my memory" Twilight stammered.

A sparkle was created by her horn and flashed before him.

Suddenly was he somewhere else.

*****

It was a bright small room. Placed within the big window was a bed placed, on the bed laid Pinkie Pie. She crawled further up on the bed when she saw me and gave me a weak smile. Poor soul. Her whole body wrapped with bandages. Except a small part of her face and the powerful disordered beautiful mane which still gleamed with joy.

Why did she want to see alone out of the sudden?

"Twilight... " she began weakly. "I have finally forced up some courage, but you must promise not to say anything, especially not mention it to Cecilio."

I gulped while looking almost a little scared towards Pinkie Pie.

Something she wants to tell only me?

Something Cecilio must not know about?

"The reason why I waited so long before saying this is because I still love Cecilio and I know he didn't want it to turn out like this. "

I could feel how I began to sweat more while listening carefully.

"You see the one who attacked me during that day was....

"NO OTHER THAN YOU..." Twilight said loudly while pointing her right front hoof towards Cecilio.

He immediately awoke from the memory - spell as Pinkie Pie and Twilight had uttered those words.

He trembled.

"What..?" Cecilio stuttered dismissal.

Twilight didn't say anything but simply nodded.

"No.. wait a second here..."

That was Twilight's memory and did it seemed so real but if that's true then

"...Who are they?! That boy? That being standing next to you now!

"Your imagination..." Twilight answered calmed.

"What? No that's impossible! Open your eyes, can't you see - "

Cecilio was suddenly not able to talk and saw how Twilight's horn glowed.

Silencing magic?

"Listen now carefully" she began. "Don't you think it was a bit weird of Applejack to ask you who you talked to, back then, when we had arrived after our mission? The reason she asked was simply because back then, we could actually see you in the distance, talking to yourself. You later that day explained your experienced and said they teleported away and I believed you. After all I had just seen you in the distance, maybe I wasn't able to see them in time before disappearing. Now then, remember back to the day when Pinkie Pie got attacked. The very same day had you written a letter to her saying you were training at my place during the day. That never happened because we have always had our discussions and practices at evening.

That's true we always had that except on that day! If that's a lie how can I remember it?

"The reason you can't comprehend the situation is because of your alter - ego."

What?

"Your other personality, the one who acted as the other human - The one who killed Pinkie Pie."

No....

"Your alter ego had plenty of time that day, to prepare the notes, to lure Pinkie Pie to the clock tower, to lure you, the other personality, to the clock tower."

This doesn't make sense...

"Even Pinkie Pie herself said she saw you, after beating her almost senseless, fought yourself, almost killed yourself!"

Twilight ended her sentence with a deep breath and removed the curse from Cecilio's lips.

"...Who was that timberwolf who attacked me during that night, the one Pinkie herself defeated? What about the timberwolfs who attacked Ponyville!? Cecilio quickly spat the words out.

"That have nothing to do with this Cecilio... The timberwolf who attacked Pinkie Pie and you that night really happened and one week later they attacked Ponyville. It could maybe be because of revenge? Still, Cecilio, you need help. I haven't told anypony about this... I can help you... I can cure you."

"What about that gem that was originally with me? It turned into a black and white stone! You have seen it, it was created thanks to the boy wh-."

Cecilio got silenced, he knew the answer.

"You created the stone thanks to magic. That boy was you, is you..." Twilight ended the sentence while she gave Cecilio a worried glance.

Cecilio saw before him the shrouded person merely standing there. Cecilio turned his head and saw the boy, standing there. The hot rage had for long ago ceased to be and instead was his mind discorded. Everything made suddenly so much more sense to him. The fact that these beings never had targeted anypony, only him. The fact that these beings knew so much about him, sometimes they knew more than himself.

Everything makes perfect sense, which means...

My hands.

The same hands who have stroked her mane...

The same voice which had laughed together with her also...

Laughed at her.

While standing on top of her, leaving her in a bloody mess!?

He screamed. His voice, body and soul roared in despair through the dangerous Everfree forest. A beastly howl scaring every living being in the forest, a voice filled with so much torment only wishing -

This would end

"As I wish" the boy whispered in Cecilio's mind.

A sudden magic mixed between shadow and light pierced through Cecilio's heart and stomach while he fell towards the burnt plants.

"CECILIO!" Twilight screamed crazed as she teleported towards him.

"What... happened...?" he mumbled while coughing up blood.

"You just stabbed yourself with both of your hands enchanted with lightning and black flames. Please stay with me! I will first stop that bleeding and then teleport you back to Ponyville. We can lie to the others, even Celestia! You just defeated the enemy! Okay? Just survive, please, I will do more research. I will cure that split personality!

His eyes slowly began to slip from the reality.

"CECILIO!"

It's so cold... Why is it so cold?

"I"

The colors and sounds are slowly vanishing.

"...Always loved you!!!"

A bloody hand reached towards Twilight. As the mortal summoned his final spell in his palm, creating with his last strength a heart by flames.

*****

"Where am I?" Cecilio mumbled while looking carefully around.

"But now this?" Cecilio asked himself once again.

"You chose yet again a rather pathetic path, don't you think?"

"You... That shadowy person? No wait, you are just a part of my mind! I'm supposed to be dead! Where am I ?" Cecilio asked confused.

"You have been here before. You had a free ticket to your paradise and you failed. However, since you are here I will tell you the final truth. The truth about your past." His voice echoed mightily.

Cecilio looked intensive towards the mysterious figure.

"Now then... Become one with your past and present, thus a new person!"

Cecilio fell towards his knees when the painful memories intruded his mind.

"STOP THIS!!!"

This is what you sought for. This is why you should have lived in denial in your new paradise. Never remember what you once was, simply living in the present. You know, knowledge can sometimes be a dangerous apple."

Cecilio panted heavily while holding his hands against his head.

Everything... I remember everything!

Please, stop this!

Jamelia.

Archard...

"By now you may also understand the different representations? Hmm? Well, let me enlighten you...

Pinkie Pie: Represented the core of your happiness, something you had lost for a long time ago.

Twilight Sparkle: Was simply a mirror of your quest to find your past and knowledge. Remember, when you at one point wasn't sure if you wanted to continuing searching for your past she was the sparkle which made you continuing...

The boy was the once pure child which lived inside you. However, who just like you - Eventually got corrupted by his own reality.

His duality, the man in rage, your rage... In the end a pathetic being who had to alter himself. Simply too scared to show his true face towards others."

"So... When Pinkie died?" Cecilio asked while forcing his mind to concentrate.

"Was the same time as you killed your own happiness by seeking knowledge. When you killed the man who was corrupted by his own anger was the same time you killed your own anger through hate - Thus moving on the next level."

"This illusion was destined to such an outcome?"

"Of course not, you could have had a happy ending. In an illusion which was your other life."

Suddenly felt Cecilio how his body got lighter, saw how he slowly was beginning to dematerialize.

"Wait, please, I have more questions! Why did I have an alter ego? Who are you? I want to come back to Equestria, give me a second chance, PLEASE!" Cecilio cried while he crawled towards the more - knowing creature.

" You and I... Archard, created all these persons inside your mind! Every character you have met in Equestria have you created, new empty persons, ready to become one with you!" Archard's voice clanged through the white space while looking down on the soon vanished human.

"Father... Please don't take me back to that place" Cecilio sobbed while he looked towards his master.

"This is the whole purpose of your journey:

THIS

VERY

MOMENT!"

His eyes opened!

The human was strapped to a white bed in a colorful room. Several doctors were around him, smiling friendly towards him. One of them, him with the short white beard, looked pleased towards Cecilio.

"F-father-r?" Cecilio stammered while he peered into that loving face. "Why does my body hurt? Why are you -"

"Shush, my child. You have started to forget about your painful past, that's very good. Soon you will forget everything" he spoke civil which calmed Cecilio.

"When this lobotomy is done correctly, this time, you will soon be cleaned as an empty paper. Such a strong mind you posses is perfect. Will become the perfect monarch mind victim. Just like your mother Jamelia, will you too go over the rainbow."

THE END

Now then, please think a little about this fanfiction.
Was it a cheap ending or maybe I wrote it for a reason?
Was there any symbolism which hinted towards a tragic ending, was there any symbolism at all?
Thomas Bergersen - Illusions
Illusions... a fitting title, listen to it if you wish. I listened to it while I wrote this fanfiction.

Ps: Author's note will soon come as well, f.ex: Explaining the reason why I chose to write such a fanfiction.

Chapter 2: The Best Day Of His Life

Big dark brown eyes suddenly expanded and saw a bright light. Further in this light changed the brightness till other colors and tangible subjects. A brown small chair, golden oak floor, the big disk and a shaped window who bleated light that dazzled him. Cecilio raised his upper body and sat up in the small comfortable bedtick filled with plume. His eyes were still dull, contrasts were mixed with each other, but he could instead feel a distinguished smell. An odor mixed with ink and old paper filled his nostrils and as expected - the room was crowded with books. Great old shelves filled with books, the table filled with papers, ink and candle stubs, brown feathers mixed with dust on the floor, where even more piles of books were.

"Where am I?" Cecilio muttered while looking confused around him.

Then it hit him.

A delighted look infected his face and spread through his body. The rigid muscles became more relaxed and he fell down with a happy sigh. The memories and emotions jumped around in his heavy head and the nervous excited feeling that he had when he had met Pinkie Pie wrapped up his mind.

"Good morning, did you have a good sleep?" asked a slightly nervous voice.

The wooden door across the room got carefully open and thus entered a lavender unicorn with a mane colored in purple, dark indigo and pink wisps. The human got startled and moved a little further into the bed corner. Cecilio was once again very surprised for seeing a pony and simply answered with a silent nod.

"Well... I'm Twilight Sparkle and your name was Cecilio, right?" Twilight continued with a more secured voice while moving slightly closer to him.

"Yes." Cecilio replied while he met her innocent big violet eyes. "Is this Ponyville?"

A small sparkle flashed before Twilight's eyes.

"Pinkie Pie probably mentioned about Ponyville for you. By that brief information was you able to comprehend your location even though you have lost your memory of your past, am I right?" Twilight asked with an important but still sweet voice, while she went around for herself.

Cecilio looked both frightened and surprised over how knowledgeable the pony was.

"So then... you are a friend of Pinkie Pie? Where is she and why am I in your house?"

" Yes we are good friends" Twilight continued with a cheerful smile."At the moment is she in the town, probably preparing a welcome party. She has been eager to throw a party for you. Even though, she was a bit worried for you since you have been sleeping for almost two days now..."

"For that long?!" Cecilio interrupted surprised with a loud voice. He saw how he startled Twilight and felt how his cheeks got hotter and noticeable more colorful.

The unicorn giggled over the humans weird reaction.

"Don't be worry though. I have timidly you with nutrition with the help of my magic and Nurse Redheart has advised me, as good as she could ... well, our anatomy is slightly different." Twilight said while looking curious at Cecilio's hands.

Cecilio saw the glow in her eyes and therefore lifted his hands in the air and started to make different movements with his fingers. He also tried to explain as good as possible how other part of his body functioned. Until he realized how strange it was that he remembered such information but nothing about him as a person. Even Twilight pointed that out, which started the beginning of several hours long conversation about anything and everything. During this conversation learned Cecilio so much more about his new world. Everything from the structure and history of Equestria to what a cutiemark is. Eventually also some hot - topic gossip about certain characters in Ponyville, which was rather hard for Cecilio to grasp since he didn't knew about anypony in Ponyville. Even though, she tried to explain every character, every street in the town, was it a tremendous amount of information which got forgotten the second he heard of it. However, some aspects of her "lecture" such as the beginning of the mane six and all their battles so far was very exciting to hear.

Cecilio smiled with the thought how exciting their lives had been.

That smile quickly turned into a more sad frown when Twilight asked about how much he remembered about his life. He was surprised when Twilight seemed pleased with what little information he could provide with. She even wrote down everything he said, saying "Information is maybe not knowledge, but to a certain extent an important tool in order to understand more."

Cecilio had perhaps only known this pony for merely a few hours but her hospitality and awareness truly did ache an impression on him. She filled him with such joy and even more: A new life

After awhile invited twilight him downstairs and it wasn't until now he saw how beautiful the house was. Cecilio praised the idea of her living in an old oak tree. "Even your own house represents what kind of character who lives there" had Cecilio remarked . Even though Twilight made a silly joke of it, she still couldn't hide her sparkling expression.

"Don't be too sad I will do my best to help you. I'm sure there exist some sort of spell which will be useful for you." Twilight continued in yet another conversation while serving him some more tea.

Cecilio nodded while enjoying the sweet green tea in the living room. They sat in a circle surrounded by candles and fluffy pillows while relaxing from the pleasant atmosphere and cozy feeling. Twilight showed some of her magic to Cecilio who were utterly impressed. Until she magically gave him a black smooth mustache. She showed him the result and quickly corrected her silliness, unsure if her joke went a little too far. Cecilio on the other hand burst into laughter and started rolling around in the cushions. His conspicuous mood spread also to Twilight who joined with a cuter laugh. Yet, another memory which would forever be sealed as a beautiful memory for Cecilio.

"Wow, look at the clock, she's already 8.00 PM. We have been talking to each other for over four hours huh?" Twilight interrupted suddenly.

"Sorry. Maybe you are busy with something else or-" Cecilio excused himself, while feeling guilty of being the reason of her time loss.

"No no, it's not that, actually it's the opposite. Not too often my other friends actually enjoys talking to me about history and science and-" She stopped her sentence suddenly.

"Ehm I mean, Cecilio, not friend but - I mean, we have only been knowing each other for a fe-"

"You can call me a friend, if you want, at least I see you as a friend of mine now. You have done so much for me, at the same time, I love to hear about everything you know about" Cecilio replied gaily.

Twilight smiled to him and threw an apple towards Cecilio with her levitation magic while calling him a liar. He smoothly dodged the apple but instead got hit by two pillows. "Are you still going to lie to me?" Twilight repeated smirking.

"I don't remember anything, I don't even know what that word means" Cecilio announced while sending back both a pillow and a foul smile.

The game had a sudden turn when the door suddenly opened.

A pink pony flew towards Cecilio and knocked him over. When he opened his eyes saw he those two happy-going eyes while she whispered merrily:

"Now it's time for you to party - Pinkie Pie style!".

******

The inside of the barn was cleaned of all hay and dirt. It's soil was adorned by conjured colors which reflected off of the mirrored disco ball that hung on top of the roof. The ceiling was also filled with balloons, streamers hanging down to the floor and giant overfilled piñatas. The tables and chairs on the floor enhanced the room with its neat and luxurious tablecloths, glasses and plates. At the same time was the room filled with candies, such as: Cupcakes and muffins in different colors, different pies and apple desserts, sarsaparillas, spearmints, sugar cubes, sugared strawberries, crunchy honey-peanuts, toffees, fudges, chewy treats, boiled sweets, coconut candies, sweet pumpkin juice, carbonated sugar water and a huge birthdaycake covered in chocolate, white frosting and hundreds of candles. The most amazing though, was all the guests who arrived. As Pinkie Pie said before - it seemed everypony in Ponyville had joined.

"Welcome to Ponyville, Cecilio the human!" the party guests screamed when he entered the building.

Silently fell small silvery droplets down on his cheeks while he hugged Pinkie Pie, whispering "Thank you... Thank you..." She wiped away his tears with her smile and grabbed his hand, where he got led further into the room where the party started in full swing.

Obviously was the ponies mighty interested in this strange being and he got flooded by questions and sentences. Cecilio tried his best to acknowledge everypony, a hard task when meeting so many for his first time, however: Truly an interesting and fun experience. After hundreds of questions, cake's and candies stepped Pinkie Pie in as a host and started a dance competition. Ponies started to dance to the music, mixed between light, sweet melodies to electronic harder tones which together achieved heavenly music. Most ponies were dancing together with somepony or in groups, while Cecilio tried to find an empty seat. He wanted to join the competition aswell but since he didn't knew anypony too well, he rather wanted to sit then dancing alone.

"And where do you think your going?" asked a rather serious voice while patting him on the shoulder.

Pinkie Pie was standing in front of him in a weird, colorful dress decorated with candies. Cecilio looked on his shiny silk trousers and was relived over the fact that Rarity had made such a suit for him in merely two days. Another pony he was interested to know more about...

"Quit your thinking, it's time to move your body and be my partner!" Pinkie Pie declared suddenly and escorted Cecilio forwards.

Against his will was he dragged to the floor but still overjoyed that just Pinkie Pie brought him to the dance floor.

The flawless beings moved their bodies energetic in a rhythmic pace against, beside, around each other while the music gave them even more vibrant. Their flowing movements was a perfect duality - the perfect mix between the graceful to the more wild. Merely from the dance of these two individuals could the spectators almost feel the friendly harmony they created. With little surprise, was Cecilio and Pinkie Pie nominated as the winners.

Exuberant happy with tousled hairstyles, sat they down at a large table with five other ponies where Cecilio at least recognized Twilight and Rarity. However, these mares were actually the representation of harmony, the mane six. As Twilight had explained earlier to him, all had their own unique characters. A lot of laughs, games and candies ravaged the table while he learned and understood more what Twilight meant. Applejack, the honest farmer did a pretty bad job during poker but was still a good loser and somepony you could easily talk to. Rarity, was as Twilight described her, beautiful and quite generous since she insisted on making even more cloths to Cecilio. Fluttershy was described as a shy pony however, her shyness was significantly more subdued and a lot more talkative this evening. The only one in general Cecilio met who was more suspicious of him than happy was probably Rainbow Dash but even she was agreeable towards him. The table conversation ended with a balloon war which Twilight and Rainbow Dash conquered everypony in, an upset Rarity who got her dress somewhat dirty because of Pinkie Pie's excellent pie throwing skills and Fluttershy who for some reason flew outside, carried away by a beautiful bird song.

The party continued in high spirits throughout the night, celebrating the splendor of the new man in the magical land of Equestria.

******

"I want to show you something" had she said and thus leading him on a long and large grassy hill slightly outside the city.

The smell of sweat and sugar swirled around Cecilio while he struggled with his tired legs and deep breaths. His sight was concentrated on his pink friend who withstood the acclivity with ease. While walking, existed a natural stillness between them, where words were not necessary without suppressing the atmosphere between them. It was an ambrosial feeling which increased the closer they reached the top. When finally being at the top could Cecilio understand why Pinkie Pie was so enthusiastic about taking him up there. The night sky was in a transition between light and darkness, which slowly got illumed by a stronger light in the distance. The beautiful stars was getting more obscured by every minute and slowly was the sun raised in the background.

"It's beautiful Pinkie Pie. So, is Celestia raising the sun now?" Cecilio stated while sitting down on the cushioned grass.

"Mmhmm" Pinkie Pie answered and placed herself next to him.

Cecilio uttered another "wow" while continuing looking at the mystical event. He simply couldn't grasp everything he had seen, learned, smelled and felt during this day. Every friendly face and soul he met made such an impression on him.

"Did you like the welcome - party?" Pinkie Pie asked still, with her usual high pitched voice. Her smiling frown met Cecilio who just laughed at the question.

"Liked? I LOVED it. Seriously, I don't remember anything about parties but I'm still pretty sure this was the best one I've ever been on before" Cecilio almost howled excited.

Pinkie Pie twittered while she carried out a victory dance.

"Join my after - party dance!" she humorous commanded Cecilio who happily joined.

They jumped around in the grass without purpose and meaning until they finally landed on their backs next to each other. This incident reminded Cecilio about the first time he met Pinkie Pie - same warm anxious butterflies were in his stomach then as now.

"When you fainted back then, you almost dropped your red stone." Pinkie Pie said unexpectedly "Don't you think it looks like a heart that have been split up?"

Cecilio raised his neck slightly and looked at the weird artifact. "Yes, maybe it does..." he mumbled while inspecting it. "But when I was fainted, did you carry me the whole back home to Twilight's house or..?"

"Oh no, Twilight found us and teleported us home to herself"

"But how did she-?

"Her owl Owlawicious had seen me entered the Everfree forest at night alone and said that to Twilight Sparkle." Pinkie Pie interrupted unperturbed.

"I see..." mumbled Cecilio once again while he stretched his body on the grass

"I'm really glad I met you though" Cecilio spoke while concentrating on the sky."All of you, of course" he added quickly. For some reason a bit nervous.

Her soft hoof touched his fingers while she gave Cecilio back his stone.

"I'm also really glad that I met you" Pinkie Pie replied with a slightly deeper voice while she looked up at the clear morning's sky.

From below, where the hill ended, peered two yellow eyes on these figures. Especially one of them seemed to interest the entity. He quickly headed back to the Everfree forest as when the morning-light sprouted to the soil.