Gale Break

by FDSuprema

Rating: everyone
Tags: Adventure, Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Original Character
Length: 5208

A story of an unusual pegasus who found himself in the Everfree Forest, devoid of his past. Join this pegasus on his journey full of friendship, magic, and secrets in hopes of uncovering his past, and protecting the world!

A story of an unusual pegasus who found himself in the Everfree Forest, devoid of his past. Join this pegasus on his journey full of friendship, magic, and secrets in hopes of uncovering his past, and protecting the world! Over the course of his journey, he'll meet many familiar faces as he overcomes obstacles to finally remember who he is, and where he came from!

Takes place after the end of Season 2, but before the start of Season 3.

Published 2013-04-13 16:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-04-13 16:00:02 UTC

Prologue - The Nameless One

In the gap between worlds, two beings were locked in combat. A being enveloped in darkness, wanting nothing short of destruction. The other standing against it, in hopes that mistakes can be corrected, and so that life may continue. Both beings struck one another blow for blow, matching each strike, each hoping that the other would tire first. Eventually, the two beings powers were depleted, and they fell... Down and down, through the vortex, into the abyss of time...

"...Hey, ...ake up...ou...kay? ...Are you okay? Oh no, this is bad, this is bad. Maybe if I..." A red unicorn stallion paced, panicked as a blue colored pegasus stallion lay on the forest floor his green mane was covered with dirt, "Oh! I know!" He reaches into his saddlebag and pulls out a small vial containing a red liquid, "I only have a little, but this should do the trick..." He pops the seal out and approaches the unconscious pegasus, leaning down and pouring the liquid into the pegasus' mouth. "This will help... I hope." The liquid trickled down the pegasus' throat, and he instinctively swallowed.

"Ugh..." The pegasus began to stir. "Wh...Where am I...?"

"Oh, good, I was afraid you'd bit the big one, so to speak..." The unicorn sighed in relief. "I found you unconscious out here, right smack dab in the middle of the forest."

"Er... The forest?" The pegasus attempted to stand, but fell over almost immediately. "Wha...? Something's wrong... It's... difficult to walk..."

"You probably just need to recover your strength... Like I said, you were out cold when I found you. What were you doing out here anyway?" The unicorn spoke as he walked over and assisted the pegasus up.

"I'm not sure why I was out here... I don't even know where I am... You said it's a forest? And... I don't think it's my strength... I feel fine, I just... can't walk... It's an odd sensation..." The pegasus frowned, obviously confused and disturbed at his inability to walk.

"I see... Well, for starters, we're in the Everfree Forest." The unicorn frowned, "So, basically you just can't walk...? Hmm... Well, you don't seem physically harmed, I suppose I can take you back to the library, I don't think Twilight would mind, in this situation..." He blinked, then continued, "By the way, my name is Heavy Flame. I'm staying in Ponyville's library with an acquaintance of mine. What's your name?"

"I'm... Hm... I can't remember." The pegasus frowned as he stretched his legs, moving them around, "Well, I think I should be able to walk, at least." He took a few steps forward, "Yeah, I should be fine, now... I think."

"Hmm, Amnesia, I suppose. But... I have noticed a faint magical aura... Miss Twilight will definitely be interested in this, and maybe she can decipher it... For all we know it could be the cause of your amnesia." Heavy Flame brought his hoof to his chin contemplatively as he spoke. “Right then, no use standing around here. Let’s head to the library.”

“Well, thanks for the help, Heavy Flame was it? I just wish I could remember who I was...” The pegasus smiled awkwardly before tripping over his own feet and falling flat on his face. “...I also wish walking were easier...”

“Heh, just call me ‘Vee’, it’s what everypony else calls me.” Vee chuckled slightly as the pegasus fell over.

“Alright then, Vee it is.” The pegasus stood back up, “Hopefully I can get this whole walking thing under control on the way there...”

“Don’t worry about it, I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Vee smiled as he led the pegasus out of the forest, towards Ponyville.

“Miss Twilight! I’m back!” Vee called out as he opened the front door to the Library. “I need your help with something real quick, It’s kind of an emergency!”

A purple unicorn with a darker purple mane and tail that has a pink streak through them descended the stairs into the front reading room, “What’s wrong, Vee? Were you able to collect what you needed?”

“Yes, well, I ran into some trouble. Namely, I found this pony unconscious in the forest. He seems alright, but he can’t remember anything, even his name...” Vee frowned as he spoke.

“And you brought him here...? Why didn’t you just take him to the hospital? If he’s got amnesia shouldn’t we bring him to get medical attention?” Twilight frowned, obviously confused at Vee’s action.

“Well... I’m sure if you pay close attention, he’s got some sort of magical aura around him, and I can’t make heads or tails of it... I figured it might have something to do with his amnesia, and you’re the most apt with magic around, so...” Vee grinned sheepishly, realizing the folly of his reasoning.

Twilight sighs audibly. “Right then... But afterwards, we should take him straight to the hospital.” She approached the pegasus, and closed her eyes as her horn began to glow. A dim but dark aura began to appear around the pegasus.
“Uhh... What’s this? What are you doing...? Is that...Magic?” The pegasus frowned as the aura began to emanate around him. He was obviously feeling uncomfortable at the whole situation.
The magic around Twilight’s horn suddenly sputtered out and her eyes opened widely, she stepped back cautiously. “There’s no way... That aura... It feels so... Evil.” She looked over the pegasus curiously but cautiously. As she did so she noticed his Cutie Mark, it was a tornado, but the color from it was drained completely. “Your Cutie Mark... Just who are you...?”

The pegasus frowned and looked toward the ground. “I wish I knew... I can’t remember anything, really...” Suddenly, he raised his head and his eyes widened, “What’s that...?” He turned his head towards the door.

Twilight and Vee looked at one another with a confused expression, before turning back to the pegasus. “What’s what?” Twilight asked, worriedly.

“I... Don’t know, but... I feel something coming. Something terrible.” He turned towards the door, “I have to find out what this is.” Twilight frowned. “No, no, no! You’re going to the hospital. I don’t want anypony with a spell as dark as the one around you walking around unsupervised.”

“Plus, your memory still isn’t back. You couldn’t even walk when I found you, how do you expect to find anything out there?” Vee added. The pegasus payed no mind and immediately ran out of the Library and took off down the street! Vee blinked, then grunted, “Stubborn pony...!” He turned to Twilight, “Miss Twilight, you comin-” He cut himself off mid-sentence, realizing Twilight had taken off after the pegasus already! “Oh for the love of Celestia...” Vee sighed, running after the other two.

Vee caught up to Twilight as they continued their pursuit of the pegasus. “He’s faster than I anticipated... I thought you said he could barely walk when you found him?” Twilight questioned Vee as the two ponies galloped away.

“He couldn’t... He said he didn’t know how, I don’t know if it was an act or something else... Maybe that strange magic has something to do with it?” Vee answered, continuing his pace.

Twilight shook her head, “I don’t know, something’s off about that pony... Besides that, have you noticed where he’s headed?” She asked, worriedly.

“I don’t... Oh no. He’s headed for the Everfree Forest... What could that pony be after?” Vee frowned, increasing his speed. Twilight narrowed her eyes, “Whatever he’s up to, we have to make sure he doesn’t hurt himself. That forest is dangerous, and he’s not well. We have to hurry!”

Twilight and Vee kept their pace, following the pegasus as fast as they could. It was all they could do to just keep up barely, though his head start kept him some distance in front of them. Eventually, the border of the Everfree Forest came into view, and the pegasus stopped running, looking out towards the forest.

“It’s in there... It’s coming this way.” The pegasus spoke with a worried, but determined tone. His expression was somber as he stood there, watching the forest, as though waiting for something to happen.

Twilight and Vee stopped behind the pegasus, finally catching up to him. “Are you CRAZY? What are you thinking coming out here all alone? You don’t even remember who you are!” Twilight yelled at the pony, obviously concerned.

The pegasus turned toward Twilight. “Why do you care? You don’t even know me. For all you know I could be dangerous.” He glared at her, his eyes felt like they were piercing her very being.

“I’m worried about you because I don’t know you. For all I know you’re all on your own out here, and the thought of that loneliness... hurts.” Twilight frowned. The pegasus’ expression lightened and a smile crossed his face. “Heh, you’ve got a good heart. Don’t ever lose that...” He turned back towards the forest.

Twilight raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to respond when suddenly, a powerful shockwave burst outward from the forest, and above the trees could be seen the formation of a funnel cloud. “No way... There hasn’t been a natural storm like this from the Everfree Forest in 300 years! We have to call the emergency weather ponies!”

“Unbelievable... We’re in danger here, we have to go!” Vee began to panic. “Come on, you guys!”

“No.” The pegasus took a step forward. “If everyone here is as considerate as you two, then I have to do what I can... I can feel it deep inside me. Like an instinct... I have to protect it all!” As he spoke the funnel cloud moved out of the boundaries of the Everfree Forest and towards the three ponies, and towards Ponyville. It touched the ground, becoming a full fledged tornado.

“You’re suicidal! It would take at LEAST ten ponies to reverse that thing! We have to go! Now!” Vee shouted at the pegasus.

Twilight frowned, looking towards the pegasus then back at Vee. “There’s no way... It would take at least an hour to organize a team coordinated enough to st-”

“No.” The pegasus spoke again, interrupting Twilight. “Miss Twilight, was it? Don’t worry. That’s what my gut is telling me.” He looked back at Vee and Twilight and smiled. It was then that the two unicorns noticed his eyes were glowing a soft green color. His Cutie Mark was also glowing in that same soft green color, as though it were returning to life. He then turned back toward the tornado, “It’s now or never!” He suddenly started running towards the tornado as fast as he could!

Twilight reached out her hoof towards the pegasus, “Don’t! You’ll just get yourself killed!” She tried to run after him, but Vee grabbed her, “Stop! Miss Twilight, he’s faster than us! You’ll never make it!”

The pegasus’ wings suddenly stretched out as he was running, and he took to the air! Strangely, his wings weren’t flapping at all yet he was gaining altitude and even speed as he continued! As he approached the tornado its winds began to affect him, and he was nearly taken out of his trajectory, but he persevered, pulling his right front hoof back as though he were readying a punch! “I must protect such a pure heart...!” He swung his hoof forward and punched the tornado! A visible green aura appeared around the pony, as though it were combating the tornado!

The energy of the aura and the power of the winds ground against one another, struggling for supremacy! “Geh... I have to... I can’t die now!” The pegasus shouted, and as he did so the aura surrounding his body increased in size, completely overwhelming the power of the tornado! He pushed forward, when suddenly a large black aura erupted from the core of the tornado! He kept pushing as hard as he could, until suddenly the black aura shattered, fading from existance, and the tornado began to subside!

Twilight and Vee watched in awe of the spectacle. Vee spoke, “Incredible... What kind of pony IS he...? Was that... Magic?” The amazement in his voice apparent.

“I’m not sure... But... I can’t believe he actually did it.” Twilight responded, watching with her mouth agape.

As the wind subsided, so too, did the aura surrounding the pegasus, and he fell from the sky, heading straight for the ground! “Oh no!” Twilight took off running towards the pegasus, her horn starting to glow, “I hope this works...!” The pegasus was falling at an alarming rate, and Twilight was running as fast as she could. “And... Now!” Her magic expanded around her body and in a large sparkly bang, she vanished, and reappeared mid-air, next to the pegasus. She grabbed him as she appeared next to him and teleported once again.

They reappeared a few feet from the ground, and fell, slamming into the ground with the remaining momentum that had been built up. “Agh!” the pegasus shouted as he hit the ground. Twilight, on the other hand, had fainted from the sudden and overuse of her magic, as teleporting such a distance and in succession in such a short amount of time had drained her physical stamina.

Vee rushed to their sides, “Oh no. I'm all out of the elixir. I’ve got to get somepony...!” Vee rushed off back towards Ponyville shouting.

The next day, the pegasus awoke, laying in a hospital bed. “Ugh... My aching head.” He raised his hoof to his head and rubbed it, then looked around his room only to find Twilight speaking with a group of ponies he hadn’t seen before. “Er... Miss Twilight...? Wait... I remember... The tornado! What happ-” He tried to get up, but as he did so a sharp pain shot through his side, “ARGH!” he fell back to a laying position, “What in the world...?!”

Twilight walked over to the pegasus with the 5 other ponies in tow, “Try not to move, the doctor says you’ve got a broken rib from that nasty fall you took.” She smiled, “I’m just glad you’re still alive after what happened yesterday.”

“Oh boy I can’t believe you saved the whole town and I wasn’t there to see it and now I’ve gotta throw you a party for both your welcome and your heroism and I even get to make a new friend how lucky is that I’m so excited and happy and-”

“Pinkie! A party can wait ‘til he’s out of the hospital at least. Geez.” A blue rainbow haired pony reprimanded the pink overly bouncy and energetic pony.

“How ya’ feelin’ sugarcube? From what Twi’s told us you took on a class A tornado all on yer own. Pretty amazin’ ya survived ya crazy pony.” the orange blonde haired pony spoke to the pegasus.

“Indeed, the tale was quite riveting, though it DOES seem a bit sketchy, to me.” the white purple haired pony spoke though the pegasus wasn’t sure whether that was praise or not.

“Wh- What we mean to say w-was, um, thank you, for, um, saving Ponyville.” the yellow, pink haired pony spoke lightly, it was obvious she was incredibly shy.

The pegasus shook his head, “Um... Who are all of you...? The last thing I remember was that tornado... I spoke to Miss Twilight after it appeared and then... a blank.” he frowned, looking down at his bed cover in thought.

Twilight smiled, “These are my friends, they were actually the first to arrive after we fell unconscious after you stopped that tornado.” She motioned to each Pony as she introduced them, “This is Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy.” She turned back to the pegasus, “And, since I haven’t formally introduced myself to you... My name is Twilight Sparkle.”

The pegasus blinked, “Um, I see. Nice to meet you all. I’m... Oh shoot, I still can’t even remember my own name...” he sighed, “I’m hopeless...”

“Well, about that, we do need to be able to call you something, even if you can’t remember your real name... So how about Gale Break?” Twilight smiled then pointed to a board on the side of the room, “I needed to be able to give the hospital a name for you, so that’s what they’ll refer to you as, at least. If you don’t like it you can decide on something else after you’re discharged, but...”

The pegasus put his hoof to his chin, “Gale Break, huh? Hmm... Then, you can call me Gale. I like it.” He smiled, “Thank you, Miss Twilight. In that case, let me finish my own introduction...” He sat up, wincing at the pain, but made sure to keep movement as minimal as possible. “It’s nice to meet you all, I’m Gale Break.”

Chapter One - New Beginnings

Gale’s injuries weren't serious, and he was released from the hospital after only a few days. Though his physical injuries had healed, he still was alone, not knowing who he was. Because of his predicament, Twilight offered Gale a room in the library, seeing as he had nowhere else to go. He accepted for the time being, though he felt like he didn’t wanna stay long.

As thanks, Gale helped out all he could throughout the library, though he spent a lot of time studying books and learning about Equestria. Everything seemed so... foreign to him, as though the more he learned, the less sense anything seemed to make. Twilight had suggested that learning new information, reading through these books, might jog his memory somehow. Though at this point, it seemed a lost cause.

Regardless, Gale kept diligent and continued studying, hanging onto that strand of hope. A month had past since he awoke in the forest that day... He sat in the library, reading a book on the basics of flying.

“Ooh no! Nononono!” Twilight walked down the stairs, muttering to herself, and began pacing around the library.

Gale looked up from his book, “Um... Miss Twilight? Is something the matter?”

“Is something the matter? YES, something’s the matter. Princess Celestia has requested an audience with YOU! But you’re not ready! You don’t know the first thing about the proper etiquette around royalty!” Twilight snapped at Gale, “What to do... What if I...?” She resumed muttering to herself, seemingly trying to come up with a plot to fix the situation.

Gale sighed, “Geez, Miss Twilight. It seems like you don’t trust me at all...” He said halfheartedly, with a light smile crossing his face.

Twilight shook her head, “It’s not like that, I just want you to make a good impression... I mean, what if she doesn't like you? What if you accidentally say something wrong and she sends you to the dungeon! Or worse, the MOON!”

“Would she really do that...?” Gale inquired, tilting his head inquisitively, “I thought she was supposed to be a really kind and benevolent Princess...”

Twilight frowns, “Well, maybe it’s a bit of an exaggeration, but still!”

Gale chuckles, “It’s kinda funny, you’re way more nervous than I am about this. Personally, I don’t think worrying will help. Besides, you’ve helped me so much as it is, if you keep worrying like this you’re gonna get wrinkles.”

Twilight pouted. “Well excuse me for worrying about your well being.”

Gale shook his head, “That’s not what I mean... Well, you’ve just been so much help, I can’t imagine where I’d be now if I hadn’t met you and Vee. You’ve both helped so much, I just at this point feel bad for putting you out so much, like a burden...”

Twilight smiled, “Oh shush, you’re not a burden." she waved her hoof at Gale dismissively, then turned and looked around, "But, come to think of it... Where IS Vee? Honestly, that lazy pony always seems to disappear on me...” She holds her hoof to her chin, then turns to Gale. “Well, since Vee seems to be missing, and Spike’s off helping Rarity today, do you think you could pick up some supplies in town for me...?”

Gale nodded, “Sure, no problem. I’m pretty sure I've got the layout of the area down now.”

Twilight pulled out a paper, written on it were the supplies she needed. She walked over and gave it to Gale, as well as a pouch full of coins, “There should be more than enough here... Just get what you can. If there’s any you can’t get, don’t worry about it.”

Gale took the list and money and pocketed it. “No problem.” He walked over to the door, but stopped before stepping outside, “And... Miss Twilight... Thank you again... Really. Thank you so much.”

Twilight smiled awkwardly, “Oh come off it. It’s what friends do.”

“Friends, huh? I suppose you’re right...” Gale smiled as he walked out the door.

“Alright, I’ve got the quills, paper, ink... Now to go and pick up the perishables from the market.” Gale looked at his list and spoke to himself, before turning and walking down the road. As he walked, he thought to himself. ‘Still... I wonder what the Princess could want with me...? Maybe she knows something about my past... Miss Twilight said something about a strange magical aura around me... Maybe it has something to do with that...? Ugh, this is making my head hurt...’

As Gale continued walking along and thinking to himself, suddenly a flash of light blinded him, and a strange tingly feeling covered his body. “What in the world...?!” He raised his hoof in front of his face to shield himself from the light. As the light died down, he lowered his hoof and looked around. He noticed that the scenery had changed. He was no longer on a road in Ponyville. It seemed to be a large castle hall, lined with stained glass windows.

“Ah, there you are... It’s been awhile since I’ve used a teleportation spell quite like that... I wasn’t so sure where exactly in the castle you’d show up.” A woman’s voice rang out through the hall. Gale turned around, only to find himself standing in front of a tall white alicorn mare with flowing multicolored hair.

“P-Princess Celestia...?” he blinked, confused.

“I see you’ve been studying then, though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised at that, considering you’ve been staying with my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” Princess Celestia smiled warmly, “Regardless, young Gale Break, I do have something I wish to discuss with you.”

Gale opened his mouth, about to say something, then shut it, looked as though he was thinking, then finally spoke. “...Can I, uh, ask a few questions first?”

The Princess nodded. “Of course you may.”

Gale sighed, “Okay, barring the obvious ‘Why’d you teleport me without any warning’... What do you want with ME? I’m just a Pegasus. Sure, I happen to not know who I am or anything, but... There’s really nothing special about me.”

Princess Celestia chuckled, “That, my little pony, is where you are wrong. I’m sure you sensed the darkness inside that twister the day you woke up, because I did as well, and there was no way ordinary pegasi could have taken care of it, even with the entire emergency weather team stationed in the Ponyville region,, let alone singlehoofedly. In fact, I was just about to take care of it personally when the dark presence faded. When I later learned about what you did, I knew there was something special about you.”

“How can there possibly be anything special about me...? I don’t even know who I am...” Gale frowned, his eyes narrowing and looking to the ground.

“All that really matters, Gale Break, is who you are now, not who you were.” Princess Celestia placed her hoof on Gale’s shoulder. “Now, I have a question for you. Rather, a request. I would like your help in protecting peace and order in the land. I believe your talents are just what we need.”

Gale looked up at The Princess, “You mean like... Join the Royal Guard...?”

Celestia shook her head, “No. I have another unit in mind. There are many creatures across Equestria, and even more beyond our borders. This unit I assign missions to protect ponies from the dangers of magical creatures and beasts that might threaten the safety of the citizens of Equestria, and I make sure that only the best of the best are part of it. They are the only full unit that serves directly under me.”

Gale frowns and his eyes begin glowing green “So basically you just want me to fight for you... Tch, typical royalty." He pulls away from the Princess and looks out a window, "Listen, I don’t like fighting. I don’t fight because I enjoy it. I fight because I have to. To protect what’s dear to me.”

Celestia smiles, “I know. I don’t expect you to fight in any real battles. But... There’s something out there. Something far darker than anything I’ve ever felt before. I fear that the entire planet is at risk, not just Equestria. That is what I’m asking you to fight. I want your help to protect everything that’s dear to me.”

Gale looks to the floor, “I... I really shouldn’t. I need to focus on getting my memory back... I keep seeing these faces in my mind; In my dreams. I feel so sad when I see them, but I can’t remember who they are. I just want to remember...” The glowing subsided from Gale’s eyes as he recounted.

Celestia nodded, “And I believe this force might be connected to you. I sense a similar power inside you. It’s likely- No. I’m certain that if you confront this darkness, you’ll remember.”

Gale looked to the ground, “I’ll think about it... This is just all so sudden.”

The Princess smiled, “No need to decide now. After all, I still expect you to come along with Twilight Sparkle soon. Give me your answer then.”

Gale Break turned towards the Princess and nodded. “Alright then. Now, uhh... Could you send me back, please? I was actually doing some shopping when you zapped me here...”

“Of course. I’ll be eagerly awaiting your answer. Until next time, young Gale Break.” Princess Celestia raised her horn upwards as it started glowing. A magical aura took hold of Gale Break, and he was once again teleported. This time, back to where he was before... Give or take a few feet.

About an hour later, Gale returns to the library holding a number of bags full of supplies and groceries. “Miss Twilight! I’m back!” He shouted, announcing his return as he walked into the kitchen, placing the groceries down on the table.

“Gale! There you are! You took a bit longer than I expected. I was starting to get worried that you got lost again...” Twilight entered the kitchen, using her magic to grab the supply bags that Gale had carried in. “Did you find everything okay?”

“Yeah, not a problem. Except for that Quill you wanted... Davenport said he should have them back in stock in a few days though. ” Gale ran his hoof through his mane.

Twilight shook her head, “Don’t worry about it. I swear, that pony runs out of quills faster than me.”

“Heh, yeah... Well, uh, while I was out, I did run into somepony... Kinda...” Gale kicked the ground nervously. “While I was out shopping, suddenly I was surrounded by a veil of light, and then was somewhere entirely different. It was some kind of teleportation spell.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, “Teleportation...? Are you alright?! That’s a dangerous spell if used improperly!" she frowned angrily, "Do you know who it was?!”

Gale furrowed his brow as Twilight ranted, “Well... Uhh... When the light dimmed... I found myself in Canterlot Castle. Princess Celestia was the caster.”

“What.” Twilight's expression suddenly blanked at the mention of Princess Celestia.

“Yeah... Imagine my surprise, out shopping then suddenly in a completely different city, let alone in the company of the Princess.” Gale smiled sheepishly.

Twilight frowned, “You didn’t speak inappropriately or be disrespectful did you?! Oh this is exactly why I wanted to be with you when you met with her!”

Gale shook his head, “Relax. I didn’t say anything that would get anypony in trouble. I don’t think I did, anyway...”

Twilight grimaced, “How reassuring... What did Princess Celestia want with you, anyway?”

Gale frowned, “About that... Basically, she offered me a job.”

Twilight blinked, “She... offered you a job? As in, with the royal guard? But you’ve got to train for years before they’ll even think about recruiting you!”

Gale shook his head, “No, she said it’s a unit separate from the Royal Guard, that answers directly to her. Something about the unit existing to protect Equestria from magical creatures such as those in the Everfree Forest.”

Twilight brought her hoof to her chin, “Hmm... Maybe she was referring to Clarion...”

Gale tilted his head curiously, “Clarion...?”

Twilight nodded, “All I know about Clarion is that it’s a small and secretive group of ponies that Princess Celestia trusts with her life. I met a few of them, which is why I know about the group... If she wants you in Clarion, she must definitely know something about your past. This isn’t a decision she’d take lightly...”

Gale sighed, “I still don’t get it... Honestly, I don’t like fighting. I only fight when absolutely necessary. But here she’s asking me to fight for her... She says if I do, I might get my memory back.”

Twilight put a hoof on Gale’s shoulder, “Gale, I think you should do it. You’ll get to travel all over Equestria, and even beyond its borders. The things that you would see could definitely help with your memory. Besides, I've seen you training outside, you’re incredibly skilled.”

“That’s... Muscle memory. ...I think. Instinct. Just something I start doing without thinking about it." Gale shrugged Twilight off and looked away, "As for my memory... I’ve started having second thoughts. I had a bit of time to think about it after I got back and finished the shopping. I... Don’t know if I really want to remember anymore... What if I turn out out to be someone completely different than I am now? What if I forget all that I’ve learned from everypony here; What if I-”

Gale was interrupted as Twilight slapped him. “Oh, shut up! You won’t forget your friends. And even if you do, we’ll make you remember, just like you’d remember your past!”

Gale rubbed his cheek. “Ow. That’s one heck of a right hook you got there." he smiled, "Thanks, though. I think I’ll sleep on it. Princess Celestia still wants us both to come to the castle soon, so I’ll think about it and give my answer then.”

Twilight smiled, “You do that. In the end, it is your decision after all.”

Gale nodded, “Right then! In that case, I thought I’d try my hoof at cooking tonight! I found a really interesting recipe in a book earlier, I thought I’d try it out and see if maybe I was a cook before I lost my memory. You never know, you know?”