Guiding Light

Guiding Light:

CHAPTER III -

Short Ride to Nowhere

* * *

Pinkie Pie could talk - I’m going to make that clear. She could talk for hours if you didn’t stop her.

“Well,” she began, still smiling and energetic, “Both of them were unicorns, and one had a red mane and a purple coat, and the other had a yellow coat and orange mane. They -”

“Hold on,” I interrupted her, “Were they stallions or mares?”

“Oh, they were stallions, all right! They were big and buff and weren’t smiling, even though they must have been soooo tired both pulling the cart and wearing all that heavy armor. I couldn’t -”

“Stop. The armor. Describe it.”

“It wasn’t like Princess Celestia’s Royal Guards in their shiny gold armor, nuh-uh. It was nighttime when they strolled in, but I’m sure their armor was black. I couldn’t see their Cutie Marks, and that’s not good because everypony should want to show off their special talent and ponies deserve to -”

I coughed once.

“Oh, right, sorry. Their armor had a lot of spikes everywhere and their helmets covered a lot of their face. The top of the helmets had crests that let their manes flow through. Aaand... They were carrying swords in slings, too. That’s about it.”

“And you saw them passing by, pulling a carriage with me in it? What was I doing?”

“You were sleeping, silly!”

Well, that was helpful, I thought.

“And you didn’t say anything to them?” I tested. Pinkie just had to be coaxed sometimes.

“There was this other pony that wasn’t pulling the carriage, but walking with the big armor-ponies.”

“What did he look like? Did you talk to him?”

“Well, I couldn’t see his Cutie Mark either, because he was wearing a robe with a hood over his head, but I could see that he had a red coat and a burgundy mane. I was just locking up Sugarcube Corner when they passed. I wanted to know if they were staying, so I could plan a party for them, so I asked the cloaked pony where they were from and if they were staying.”

“And?”

“The cloaked pony said they were from ‘Blackhoof’ and that they were just passing by. But before I could say anything else, he just turned and walked away! So then the two armor-ponies and the Mystery McRude-pants stopped in front of your house and carried you inside while you were still sleeping. They came out after an hour, and then they just went back the same way they came. The end!”

Well, the only thing I could get out of this was ‘Blackhoof,’ whatever that was. Oh well.

“Alright, thanks, Pinkie. That helps a lot,” I lied.

“No problemo! If you ever need anything, just ask!”

I yawned, and looked over to Twilight, still fast asleep.

“Okay, Pinkie. Can you wake the two of us up in the morning?”

“Gotcha!”

“And leave the candle burning, please.”

“Okie dokey lokey!”

I yawned again, stretching myself out on the couch. I fell asleep quickly, exhausted from this evening’s feat of heroism (If you can call it that) and dreamt of that muffin that I had wanted ever-so-badly.

* * *

“Wake up, sleepyhead! It’s morning~”

Struggling not to empty the contents of my stomach, I had to shove Pinkie Pie off of my drowsy body because she was shaking the life out of me.

After I had escaped the vice-like grip of the energetic mare, and tumbled to the floor, I groggily shook my head, attempting to rid myself of the last few traces of sleep.

“Pinkie,” I groaned, “When I asked you to wake me up in the morning, I didn’t mean ‘shake me so hard I’ll vomit.’ That is the exact wrong way to do it, in fact.”

“Sorry, Steel,” she said, still bouncing around happily, a smile on her face. “On the bright side, your house is all shiny and clean!”

I looked around. It was spotless. Not a single speck of dirt or dust was visible, and I trusted every surface was sterile. As crazy as Pinkie could be, she was a damn good friend.

And then I noticed the time on the grandfather clock in the corner.

It was five in the morning.

I was about to burst with anger, but I just managed to keep it all in. Instead, I just sighed.

“Thanks, Pinkie. This place really needed a good cleaning.”

“You’re welcome! Oh, and Twilight woke up and left a couple of hours ago.”

I looked over to where Twilight had been sleeping when Pinkie had explained the details of the ponies that had brought me here. The couch was empty.

“She’s an early riser,” Pinkie continued, “And she always wakes up around this time to open up the library.”

I wasn’t surprised. I had guessed as much the first morning I had met her.

“Uh-huh,” I said half-heartedly, repeating my normal practice of mapping out my day.

“Well, I’ve got to get going, I need to go to work. Seeya!” Pinkie bounced out the front door and closed it behind her.

With a nice clean house and some peace and quiet, I trundled up to my desk and sat down behind it, slouching in the ornate chair. I spent a couple minutes in thought before I pulled open drawers, retrieving the items I would need for the day.

With my saddlebags in place and my mind set, I had a quick breakfast and was out of the house by six o’clock.

Although I could of used another hour or two of sleep, it was good to be out in the early morning and inhale the crisp, cold morning air.

Ponies were out and about as usual, and I was satisfied that I fit in with the rest of the community seamlessly. In no time, I was at the front door of the library. Like the first time I had come here, I knocked.

And likewise, Twilight answered, slightly confused.

“Steel? I wasn’t expecting you - didn’t Rarity give you a whole sack full of bits?”

“You’re right, but it doesn’t feel right just walking away without a ‘thank you’ or ‘goodbye.’ Oh, and...” I opened my saddlebag and withdrew the spellbooks I had borrowed. “I believe I have some outstanding loans.” Walking inside, I laid the books down on the desk.

“Oh, thanks, Steel. I had forgotten all about those.” She rubbed her head with a hoof. “But I have a sneaking suspicion that’s not all...?”

“Well, yes. I have to thank you for your generosity in my time of need. I doubt I could have found a better pony to ask for help.”

She blushed a little. “Heh... well, I don’t know... Anyway, thank you, Steel Tempest, for the extra help, and for saving those fillies... and for being a good friend.”

It was my turn to blush. I laughed a little bit. “Well, Twilight, if we keep this up, we’re just going to keep thanking each other forever.” Twilight laughed with me.

“Actually, since I’m here, I guess one more day of work couldn’t hurt, could it?”

“Steel, you don’t have to -”

“I insist.”

Twilight rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Alright. I’ll go tell Spike.” And with that, she ascended the stairs, while I got to sweeping. And so, today was just another day of calm work. Did this library even see a single day when it did not need to be cleaned?

* * *

I was no Pinkie Pie when it came to cleaning. But I did my best, and Twilight was happy with my work. That’s all I needed to hear.

“No studying today?” Twilight asked.

“No, unfortunately. I’m going to be heading out for Manehattan soon.”

“Going to see your parents?”

“Yeah, hopefully.”

“Well, good luck, Steel.”

“I’ve had it so far - I intend to keep it. It was a pleasure meeting you, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Same goes to you, Steel Tempest. Come back to Ponyville one day, would you?”

“Don’t worry, Twilight. I promise you I’ll be back.” I looked up to the top of the stairs, where Spike was waiting. “Seeya, Spike!”

“Bye!”

I turned my attention back to the purple unicorn in front of me. “Goodbye, Twilight. I’ll see you when I come back.”

“Bye, Steel. Safe travels!”

And with that, I was off, out of the library, and out on a new journey. I might just find out everything I had once known in only a few hours.

Returning home, I gathered up everything I’d need - All my bits, my legal documents, and a couple of apples. I’d need to purchase a train ticket first, though, if I were to go anywhere at all. I should have bought one before.

The last thing that just barely caught my attention was the candle that had been burning for... Since I had lit it? Wasn’t that days ago?

I shook my head. I needed to hurry. The last train could be out of here in ten minutes, for all I knew. In a split decision, I brought the candle along with me - It was dark out, and I needed it to locate the trainstation on my map. And I had to return the maps, too. I was running short on time. I burst out of my house, not bothering to take one last good look around, and locked the door behind me.

Holding both the candle and my map with my magic, navigating towards the trainstation, and watching that I didn’t bump into anypony all at the same time proved to be quite the challenge. However, I just about managed to gallop through the front doors of the Town Hall to drop off the maps without tripping over my own hooves and tumbling to the floor. I had memorised the local map, and I was pretty sure I knew where I was going. Soon, I found myself at the doorstep of the trainstation.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I put the cap over the candle and stowed it. I quickly made my way across the empty hall towards the clerk sitting behind his booth.

Out of breath, I asked him when the next train to Manehattan left. He shuffled through a few papers on a clipboard. “Next train leaves in an hour and fifteen minutes. Need a ticket?”

Thoroughly calmed now that I knew I had some time, I bought a ticket and decided how I was going to spend the waiting time I had just, well, bought myself. Then, I suddenly knew.

I’m going to go buy that muffin from Sugarcube Corner.

* * *

Happily chomping down on that delicacy from the divines, I uncapped my candle, only to find that the flame was still burning steadily.

I pondered for a while on how that was physically possible - a candle that wouldn’t go out - but, like my other dilemmas, I simply dismissed the notion and continued to enjoy my muffin without any sort of negativity to spoil the moment.

I had forty-five minutes to get back to the trainstation, more than enough time. With the marketplace behind me for the last time, I was about to rediscover myself. My parents would most likely explain everything to me. I’d be my old self, and be rid of whatever questions still nagged at my mind.

I passed my house. Would this be the last time I saw it? Would I actually be able to fill out my promise to Twilight and return to Ponyville? I would make sure I did, whatever knowledge I would gain. I’d see my house again someday.

With ten minutes on the clock, I’d finished the muffin, and cursed myself for not buying another for the trip. I’d just have to have one when I returned to the town. All the more reason. I arrived back at the trainstation and quickly boarded my train.

There were only a few other ponies onboard, and I had myself a seat in the middle of the cabin. An attendant came around to check everypony’s tickets. When she finished, I lay back in the seat and shut my eyes. Suddenly, the doors closed and I heard the train whistle. We started moving. I cracked open my eyes, and took one last look at Ponyville. I had that feeling that I would never see anypony here again, and that one thought brought up all the topics and confusing scenarios that I didn’t want to worry about.

Shutting my eyes again and willing my brain to sleep, it readily complied, and I spent the trip in a doze. I had, after all, woken up at five in the morning and then worked without a break. My dreams were of the calm mornings of Ponyville, with its fresh air; The insane party in my overcrowded home, the huge mess of decorations and the loud music; And of the Everfree Forest, and it’s threatening branches and evil creatures lurking within. Everything smudged together into a single blur of color and sound and pure feeling. I wished the dream would never end.

* * *

To my displeasure, it did.

The screeching of brakes and loss of momentum as the train slowed woke me from my slumber.

Rubbing my eyes to wake myself to functioning capacity, I righted my posture from my slouched position and checked that I had all my belongings. Looking out the window, I could see it was early morning - the train ride had lasted all night. If I recalled correctly from the map of Equestria, Manehattan was west of Ponyville, near the edge of the perilous Badlands - A rocky, mountainous, dry region that many feared because of what sort of life might lurk in its extensive network of caves and caverns. Manehattan, however was still in the lush, green mainland of Equestria, which allowed the city to thrive with life.

I took my first glimpse at Manehattan. Tall buildings, stretching over the height of even the Town Hall in Ponyville, were scattered everywhere, and the houses and shops and other buildings were arranged on a grid, with roads and sidestreets and alleyways running everywhere.

Unlike Ponyville, the buildings were more similar in design, bearing ornate and fancy design, rather than a colorful mess of different styles and materials. Everything about this city was different.

There were certainly more ponies in this city than Ponyville, that was for sure. But, relative to the amount of space the large populous took up, a smaller percent were out on the street this early in the morning.

When the train came to a halt at the station, I gathered my belongings and stepped out onto the checkered marble of the platform. I had to wander around a little bit to find what I was looking for - local maps. Thankfully, they were easy to read and clearly labelled. I had an address, but how was I supposed to find it in the city? The map took care of that.

Scanning over the street names and holding up one of my documents, I was soon able to locate Manehattan’s trainstation, the street my parent’s lived on - Stonetail Road - and the route in between.

Slowly making my way down the roads, more ponies awoke and joined the others already on the street. The large inflow of new ponies proved a hazard - I had to keep one eye on my map and one eye on the roads, and it was much more difficult than in Ponyville.

Soon, I was able to find my way to the sidestreet I was looking for, and finally stowed my map as I walked down Stonetail Road. Carefully eyeing each side of the street, I found the house I was searching for: 23 Stonetail Road, a steel-blue house made out of perfectly cut bricks and stained wood. Stepping up the porch stairs, I breathed once and knocked.

This was it - I had done it. I had found my parents. Would just the sight of them jog my memory? Would I remember them at all? Would they have to re-explain everything to me? It didn’t matter - I was going to find out either way. I’d be whoever I once was before my dilemma. I could push past and defeat the amnesia, and I’d learn why some of the things I had discovered didn’t add up. I’d done it. I’d found myself.

The door opened.

Standing there was not someone I recognized. Okay, maybe I didn’t remember my parents.

But it was a young pegasus mare, probably my age. She couldn’t have been my mother.

“Can I help you?” She asked. Yes, she was definitely too young to be a mother. And on top of that, she didn’t recognize me. Still, I didn’t panic.

“Oh, uh, sorry,” I flustered, “I must have the wrong address. Could you tell me where I could find this street and house?” I held up the document with the details of my parents.

“Well,” she said, “this is that address...”

“No one else is living here?”

“Afraid not.”

“Could they have moved out some time ago?”

“Not possible. I’ve lived here since the house’s construction.”

“Well, I guess I’m out of options, then. Sorry to have disturbed you.”

“It’s no problem. Goodbye.”

She shut the door, and I turned and walked to the middle of the street. I was filled with anger. I can’t explain how I felt. That was two for two - first my bank information, then this. Who was to say that all of my legal documents were false? Who was to say ‘Steel Tempest’ was my real name? Was that why it didn’t match up with my Cutie Mark? Was all I knew about myself a hoax?

Frustrated, I kicked at the dirt. What was I to do now? I was out of options. I couldn’t find my real parents, and I had enough bits for two meals, or a train ticket. I made up my mind. I was going back to Ponyville. I was going to see Twilight again alot sooner than I had intended.

Slowly and angrily trundling up to the trainstation, I approached the clerk.

I was just about to ask for a ticket to Ponyville, when I noticed the train schedule behind him. One town stood out from all the others.

Blackhoof.

What was it Pinkie Pie had said? The ponies that had brought me to Ponyville had come from some place called Blackhoof. Was that where I lived? Could it possibly be the place I should be looking for? I decided to chance it. I had the bits for the ticket. Going back to Ponyville wouldn’t solve anything. Worst case scenario, Blackhoof wouldn’t provide anything either, and I’d have to work to get another ticket. Besides, it was my last lead. Everything else I had investigated had turned up false. It was my strongest lead, too. It had been said through word of mouth, and not on a sheet of paper that could easily lie without the simplest change of emotion. I was going to Blackhoof. But not uninformed.

“Excuse me, could you tell me exactly what Blackhoof is?”

“Blackhoof,” said the clerk, “Is a fairly new colony located in the Badlands. Apparently, the rock in the ‘Lands is full of precious minerals and it’s a nice place to live.”

That sounded good. “Alright, I’ll buy a train ticket for there.”

With a simple transaction, it was done. I had my ticket, and I would leave in a couple hours. Sitting on a bench in the station, I munched on the apples I had brought along, and prepared myself for what would be next. I was delving into unfamiliar territory, much like I had been in the Everfree. But, taking the word of the clerk to mind, I knew it would be a much better place than the threatening evil of the forest.

The time flew, and I was on the train, along with a sizable amount of other ponies. Apparently a lot of ponies wanted to go to Blackhoof. At least the buzz of conversation wouldn’t bore me to death. It was late afternoon, and I wasn’t ready to sleep just yet. With the tickets checked, the doors closed and the train started moving.

I was heading off into a new adventure, to an outcome I couldn’t be sure of.