Brothers or Strangers

Chapter Three

The Journey

The warden walked up to Aura’s cell. The pony was slightly bigger than Aura, and had a chestnut brown coat and a red mane.

“Oh no, don’t tell me you’re the warden... And which one of us are you calling a ruffian and a scoundrel!?” Aura said, his voice filled with annoyance.

“You would be both” The warden answered with a mocking voice “And by the looks of it, you’ve been a bad boy Aura. What did you do? Steal candy from a filly?”

“I did no such thing; I just tried to kill my friend here. But the guards didn’t think it a good idea, so they dragged me here” Aura said pointing at the wall separating him and Soundflux.

“Murder? An alicorn? That’s a very serious crime. Things aren’t looking good for you, you know” The warden said as he looked at Soundflux.

“Hi!” Soundflux said, waving at the warden.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before, where do you come from?” the warden asked.

“I don’t know” Soundflux said flatly.

“You don’t know?”

“Yeah he doesn’t know, and he’s an idiot” Aura interrupted.

“Oi! Be nice” Soundflux said.

“This is new, you two wait here while i fetch the princesses” The warden said as he left.

“Sounded like you knew this guy, who is he?” Soundflux asked.

“That guy is the biggest featherbrain in all of Equestria, maybe the entire world even” Aura said

“Where do you know this “Featherbrain” from?”

“It was back when we were both still on school, he was one class above me. And by the looks of it, he’s still an idiot”

“What’s his name?”

“It’s” Aura stopped just before he said his name “This could be fun” He thought to himself “His name is Featherbrain” Aura said with a smug smile.

“That’s a funny name for a unicorn, he seemed a little “Light headed”

Aura couldn’t help but to snicker at Soundflux’s bad pun “I guess you could call him that”

________________________________________________________________________________

Moments later “Featherbrain” returned with the princess.

“This is the pony” He paused for a second before pointing at Soundflux “And the alicorn we apprehended”

“Very good warden, would you excuse us for a second?” Celestia said

“Of course your majesty” Warden Featherbrain said as he bowed to the princess and left.

“What is your name?” Celestia asked Soundflux politely.

“It isn’t polite to ask for a stranger’s name before introducing oneself” Soundflux said

The sound of something hitting the wall very hard came from Aura’s cell.

“You are right, how rude of me. My name is Princess Celestia, but you can call me Celestia”

“Soundflux, nice to meet you princ- Celestia”

“Would you mind coming with me for a second?”

“As long as i don’t have to stay in this cell” Aura said.

“I’ll get to you in a moment but first i would like to talk to Soundflux alone” Celestia said as she opened Soundflux’s cell door.

“Sweet I’m out of here” Soundflux said as he exited the cell “Lead on princess”

Celestia led Soundflux out into the castle gardens

“So was there anything in specific you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Yes and i think you should have figured that out by now” Celestia said as she turned to face Soundflux with a serious look upon her face.

“uuuuuuuuuuh... Of course, it’s five past ten”

Soundflux could have sworn he heard a small thud coming from the castle dungeon.

“Uh no, I wanted to ask you what you were doing here in Canterlot”

“Oh that. For some reason everypony keeps asking me that”

“Well that may be because you’re an alicorn walking around Canterlot”

“So do you!”

“I’m the princess”

“Well I guess that makes sense”

They arrived at a bench where Celestia motioned for Soundflux to sit next to her.

“Well, honestly I have no idea why I’m here or where I came from for that matter”

“So it’s true that you don’t remember anything. What is the first thing you remember?”

“A ditch.”

“And how long ago was that?”

“One and a half month ago.”

“So you’ve walked around in Canterlot for one and a half month without being noticed? That is quite a feat. And an even better question would be, how have you managed not to die of starvation?”

“Wearing a cloak and controlling sound can get you a long way. And as for the ways of money I... ehh... That’s not important.”

There was a few seconds of awkward silence.

“Hmm alright, I think I need to talk to your friend, would you mind waiting here for a while, while I talk to your friend?”

“I guess I can wait”

“Great, I will return with your friend in a moment” She said and got up, and walked back towards to castle.

________________________________________________________________________________

Aura was almost bored to death, when Celestia arrived.

“Hey princess, you here to get me out?”

“Not just yet, I need to make sure you won’t try you burn anything as soon as i open the door. I saw what you did to the city” Celestia said with a serious look.

“Yeah sorry about that, I’ll try not to kill Soundflux again, as long as he doesn’t make me deaf again”

“He actually made you deaf?” Celestia said with a surprised look.

“Yes, but he gave back my hearing... ten fold.”

“This is more important than I thought it seems.” Celestia said with a worried look.

“What do you mean important? He’s a simpleton.”

“He lost his memory, and I do not believe it just “happened” Aura; it may have been altered by someone, for a reason. According to his story, this must have happened one and half month ago, and he has already gained a great amount of magical power and strength. Recovering power much faster than most alicorns would do.” Celestia explained with a serious tone in her voice.

“yeah, well... he drinks a lot of whiskey, so.”

“What? Never mind it does not matter, I will let you out of your cell now, please don’t burn anything” Celestia said as she motioned for the guard to open the cell door.

“Well then, was there anything you wanted to ask me about?”

“Yes Aura, I have some questions for you”

“Very well princess”

“Good, let’s go see Soundflux in the gardens, we will talk on the way”

________________________________________________________________________________

Soundflux sat in the gardens, bored out of his mind.

“Celestia has been gone for more than five minutes now, what’s taking her so long?”

“I don’t know, usual royal business I suppose” a voice said from behind Soundflux.

Soundflux skyrocketed into the air with unbelievable speed in pure shock, and landed face first into to ground.

“mo goes twere” he mumbled in the dirt.

“The name is Luna” Luna said, and bent down to lift Soundflux up from the dirt with her front hooves. “There we go, what’s your name?” she said with a softer voice.

As Soundflux came to his hooves again, he opened his eyes and stood face to face with the most beautiful mare he had ever seen, Luna. A coat as dark blue as the night sky, and the most beautiful light blue eyes, sparkling in the sun. and the wind carrying away her ethereal mane. And that flank.

“Name’s Sou... So... Pwetty” Soundflux said with a stupid smile on his face.

“Way to make a first impression” Luna chuckled.

“Sorry, my name is Soundflux.” He said with a smile.

“Nice to meet you Soundflux” Lune said, and returned the smile.

“So now that introductions are in place, what are you doing here?” Soundflux asked, almost an interrogation.

“What I’m doing here? I live here. What are you doing here; you don’t look like one from Canterlot I’ve ever seen before.” Luna stated with curiosity in her eyes. Starting to pace around Soundflux to inspect him. “You’re random” she said returning to stare Soundflux in the eye.

“I’m random!? You’re random!” Soundflux said with a puzzled look.

Luna giggled at Soundflux and smiled. “Yes, I think I might.”

“Bwuah, huh what? What’s that supposed to mean!?” Soundflux said totally dumbfounded. “Wait a minute, you live here?”

“Welcome back to reality” Luna said with a laugh.

Soundflux just looked back at her with a dull expression. “So you’re like the Luna, THE Princess Luna, or, nightmare mooooon” Soundflux thought about what he just said. “HOLY MOLY! YOU’RE NIGHTMARE MOOOON! RUUUN!” Soundflux yelled in panic and started running in circles.

Luna pushed her front hoof into Soundflux’s circle of disaster and, “WOAH!” *thud* Soundflux got back to his hooves and was again face to face with Luna. “Deja vu” They said simultaneously.

“Calm down” Luna chuckled, “I’m no longer nightmare moon, The elements of harmony freed me a long time ago, where have you been?”

“To the mooo..” Soundflux quickly noticed the dull expression on Luna’s face, “No?” He shrugged.

“Really?” Luna said with a deadpan look.

“Sorry” Soundflux apologized and frowned a bit.

“Don’t worry about it, but where have you been though? And where are you from?”

“Oi! One question at a time, my attention span isn’t that big!” Soundflux said holding a hoof to his head, feeling a headache coming on. “Lemme think, yes, okay... I have been in Canterlot for the past one and half month as far as I remember, which is a feat. I don’t remember anything from before that, certainly not where I’m from.” Soundflux said with sadness in his voice and a frown on his face, looking down to the ground.

Luna put a hoof to his chin and lifted his head back up to hers, holding eye contact. “I’m sure you will figure it out someday” she said with a smile, she turned her head and saw Celestia and Aura approaching from the castle and looked back at Soundflux “Looks like your friend is coming back, I also better go, can’t stand here all day.” she said with a chuckle.

“Will you at least kiss me before you leave?” Soundflux thought.

“Didn’t I already answer that” Luna said with a smile moving closer to Soundflux, kissing him on the cheek.

Soundflux’s eyes were sparkling like lights on Hearth’s Warming Eve, and his head flying between the clouds.
Luna moved back and looked Soundflux in the eye again, “Yes, Most definitely.” Luna said with a smile and walked away towards the castle.

“Will i see you aga... Wait a minute... what the!?” Soundflux said and fell to his rump. “What just happened?...”

________________________________________________________________________________

“you must never tell him this Aura, do you understand me” Celestia said very seriously.

“yes of course princess” Aura nodded.

Aura had noticed Luna and Soundflux’s little scene, and decided the first and most obvious thing to do as they greeted each other, was to mock him about it of course.

As Aura and the princess got closer, Soundflux noticed Aura was wearing a top-hat.

“Well, well, well. Looks like somepony is getting some action” Aura said with a slight grin on his face.

“Wha... I was just... Oh go buck yourself, you’re just jealous!”

“Wha? but... I’m not jea... Shut up.” Said with a deadpan look on his face.

“What is going on?” Celestia interrupted.

“Your... sister... was... in... my... MIND! Can she do that?”

“She tends to do that, I’m sorry if it caused any inconvenience.” Celestia apologized.

“Oh i am most certainly not sorry” Soundflux thought. “I suppose I will just have to tell her not to do that again then.” he said, trying to put on a more serious face. “When i see her again.” he finished, spacing out again making it all obvious.

One would not think it possible but Aura AND the princess facehoofed simultaneously.

Aura took place next to Soundflux “Soundflux, the princess has something to say”

Soundflux looked at Aura a bit confused, but then focused on the princess. The princess only nodded.

“Soundflux, you need to regain your memory. I don’t exactly know how, but I’m sure the answer is out there somewhere, and since nopony here in Canterlot seems to know you, your best guess would be to look outside Canterlot. I’ve asked Aura to accompany you on this journey”

“WHAT!?! HIM!?! He tried to kill me, remember?”

“Don’t worry about that, he has promised me not to kill you” Celestia said “Or at least try not to” she muttered under her breath.

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to feel safe with him just promising”

“I’ll try to be nice” Aura said. “She gave me top-hat, how can i say no!?”

“Really? My life, for a top-hat?”

“It was the only way I could make him accept my offer” Celestia said as she turned towards the door “Please follow me, I will show you to the front gates.”

Soundflux and Aura follow Celestia as they walked through the castle, Soundflux not able to take his eyes of that stupid top-hat.

“Don’t even think about it!” Aura said.

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Soundflux said, trying to look innocent.

They soon reached the front gates, and Celestia stopped and asked the guards to open the gates. “Here we are. Good luck to you Soundflux and Aura, be careful.” Celestia said as she waved them off through the front gates of the castle.

“We will” Aura and Soundflux said in unison, and then looked at each other. “Stop that” They both said.

The front gates closed behind them and they started walking toward the City gates.

“So where do we begin?” Soundflux asked as they walked. The top-hat still annoying him greatly.

“Celestia told me that she had a student in ponyville with great knowledge, Twillight Sparkle I think her name was, maybe we should try and ask her if she knows anything?”

“Sounds good to me.” Soundflux said with a smile, then looked at the hat again. “What is it with that thing on your head anyways!”

“It’s a top-hat! I wear a top-hat now. Top-hat are cool!” Aura stated.

“It looks stupid!” Soundflux Said.

“Does not!”

“Does too!”

“DOES NOT!”

“Fine...” Soundflux finished and they walked for a few minutes in silence.

“May I try it?”

“YOU DO NOT! TOUCH! THE TOP-HAT!” Aura’s voice suddenly turned into something Soundflux could only call a growl.

“Okay fine! Chill!” Soundflux said. “Now will you look at all those beautiful birds... with small top-hats on!”

“WHERE!” Aura said quickly looking around for the birds realizing too late what he had just done. In the blink of an eye Soundflux had snatched the top-hat off Aura’s head and started running faster than ever before!

“I WILL END YOU! GIVE THAT BACK RIGHT NAO!” Aura yelled in anger.

In the distance Aura heard Soundflux yelling something back at him, “If you can catch me! ALLONS-Y!”