Troy's Fate

An aura of uneasiness was present since the pilot’s awakening. Twilight was directed to a doctor’s office by a nurse and now, she was more anxious than ever. The pilot was undergoing tests as she waited. She refused to believe that the pilot had forgotten his name. In her head, she already had an idea on why, but in her heart, she hoped that it wasn’t true. She grew more and more impatient as the clock on the wall kept on ticking. Its ticking was gradually getting louder and louder.  Before long, a unicorn in a doctor’s outfit came in with some folders and sat behind his desk.

“Well?” Twilight asked. “How is he?”

The doctor let out a deep sigh, “The pilot is awake and appears to be fine physically. I cannot say the same for his mental state. He has suffered memory loss or amnesia. He was unable to answer any of my questions. I feared that this would happen due to the skull fracture he had.”

“Will he get his memories back?”

“I’m not entirely sure, Miss Sparkle. It might take days, weeks, months, years or possibly never. I wish I could help him, but I cannot. I lack the abilities to do so.”

“Abilities? Do you mean there is a way to get them back?”

“There is. The only safe method I know of that might help is that Personality Recall spell.”

Twilight’s eyes lit up. She knew that spell. It was the one that freed her friends from Discord’s corruption.

“I can do that spell!” she shouted excitedly. “That means I can cast it and he’ll be back to normal!”

The doctor smiled, “That’s great news! You need to remember that a certain requirement is needed for the spell to work. You must exist in his lost memories and he must exist in yours.”

Twilight felt her heart drop.

“I…I don’t know who he is and I don’t think he knows me.”

The doctor’s smile had faded. He remained quiet for a few seconds and looked at Twilight in disappointment.

“There goes our only shot at recovery.”

“Hold on, doctor. I’m sure that there are more spells to help him recover.”

“Don’t look for any! Most of them do not work in this situation and do not try to recover him yourself; this would only result in impairing his mental state further. We can’t risk it!”

After the doctor’s outburst, there was a long silence. Eventually, Twilight left the office to see the pilot once again. Night had fallen and she decided to make her visit quick. When she arrived, the pilot was asleep.  She decided not to wake him up and she left a note on a table by his bedside. She kissed his forehead and left for home.

***

At the library, Spike was waiting for Twilight. He had grown used to Twilight’s frequent visits to the hospital. Despite this, the feelings of dread had not left him. He looked at the clock and realized that she was twenty minutes late. This got him very concerned.

“I can’t wait any longer!” he told Owlowiscious. “I must find her! You watch the library while I’m gone!”

“Hoot!” answered the owl.

With that, Spike set off to find Twilight. The night sky was filled with beautiful stars and the moon lit the ground below. Spike ran across Ponyville in the path Twilight took to go to the hospital. Clouds began to block the moon and the area grew darker and darker. As he ran, he saw a figure walking towards him. Spike tried to get out of the way, but it was too late. They collided and Spike was thrown to the ground. When Spike looked up, he realized that he had walked into Twilight.

“Spike?” questioned Twilight. “What are you doing out here?”

“I came looking for you!” replied Spike. “You’re late! I thought that something happened to you.”

“Something did happen, Spike.”

“Huh?”

“The pilot…he’s awake.”

“He is?! How is he?”

Twilight paused. Spike looked at her eyes. They looked hurt.

“Spike. He…he lost his memories.”

***

“All right, just a few more.” thought the pilot as he saw Ponyville below him.

He then noticed the storm clouds ahead. “No!  I cannot just turn around. I must land now!”

He eyed an empty field beyond the Everfree Forest. It was a perfect area for him to land.

Then, an incredible force pushes his plane downwards.

“A microburst! No. Not now! I’m so close!”

He tries to climb the plane, but to no avail. His plane is now dangerously close to the ground below.

“Come on!” he yelled. “Come on! I can’t fail now!”

Then, his plane gets hit again and this time, he is only a few feet above the trees. He prepared himself for impact. His hand hovered over the eject button and he pushes it. Unfortunately, it malfunctions and causes his seat to eject after he impacted the trees. His body hits a few branches and rocks as he tumbles down the trees. As he hit the ground, he loses consciousness as his plane is scattered into several pieces.

***

The pilot awoke suddenly in a cold sweat. He panted heavily as he tried to calm himself down. He realized that he now remembered the last minute of the plane crash. Now he had questions in his mind. Why was he so eager to get to land under a storm? Why was he coming to Ponyville? Who was he? He decided that he’ll wait for his memories to come back to answer everything. He closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

By the time the sun came out, he stretched himself awake and noticed that a nurse was already preparing his breakfast. When he finished his breakfast, he saw a folded piece of paper on the table next to him. He picked it up and unfolded the note.

It read: “Dear pilot. It’s me, Twilight Sparkle. I know that these past couple of hours must have been frightening. I’ve been feeling down due to your amnesia. I’m sure you are as well. I want you to know that you are not alone. I have a group of amazing friends that will help you in any way they can. I want you to be happy regardless of what your future holds. You can stay with me once you’re out of this room.  I owe you. I hope that everything gets better soon. I hope…Sincerely, Twilight.”

When he finished reading it, he hugged the note against his body. He felt truly happy and a single tear was shed. Eventually, he grew bored on his bed and he decided to pick a book off the bookshelf. One book in particular stood out from the rest. It was a book that was goldenrod in color and its spine had golden letters that spelt out: “Equestrian Legends” He picked it up and looked at its table of contents. He picked a chapter and began to read.

The chapter was about a hero known as Telemachus Rhesus Odysseus Ypsilon. He was better known as Troy. Thousands of years ago, a city was under the rule by an evil king. The Earth ponies were considered weak by the king due to their lack of wings and horns. He had sent them into prisons where the Earth ponies were slaved and tormented. This went on for years until one fateful day; a hero changed their destinies forever. A mysterious Alicorn named Troy entered the castle and demanded the release of the Earth ponies. The king laughed and Troy challenged him to a magical duel. The king agreed and they fought with all their strength. Troy had managed to defeat the king and the Earth ponies were freed. He then flew away and was never seen again.

The pilot found himself attached to the story and he secretly wished that he was Troy. Just then, he heard footsteps in the hallway. He looked up and saw a glassed pony and two others enter his room.

“Who are you?” the pilot asked.

“So I see you’re finally awake,” smiled Air Marshall.

Marshall then talked to the pilot about the accident and asked if he recalled anything. He explained that he was pushed down by microbursts during the last minute of the flight. The investigators were very pleased and invited the pilot to visit the ETSB HQ on a later date. The pilot accepted the offer and the investigators left the room. Later, a nurse arrived and told the pilot that the media wanted to interview him and she had told them not to. The plane crash was on the newspapers three month before. As time went by, the crash was less and less talked about. Now, they wanted to know his identity. The nurse had told them that the pilot lost his memory and wouldn’t be able to answer their questions. The pilot thanked the nurse and he dozed off into a nap. By the time he woke up, six multicolored ponies were looking at him.

“Wake up sleepyhead!” joked Twilight. “It’s time for you to meet my friends!”

Applejack started, “I’m Applejack!” I buck apples for a living and I’m one honest pony!”

Rarity continued, “I’m Rarity! I’m the most glamorous dress maker of all of Ponyville! I’m also extremely generous!”

Rainbow Dash cried, “I’m Rainbow Dash! The most awesome flyer ever! Oh and I’m also very loyal to my friends.”

Fluttershy whispered, “I-I’m Fluttershy. I…I love animals. I love them all and I am kind…very kind.”

Pinkie Pie screeched, “I’m Pinkie Pie! I love parties! I wanna make one right now! If you need a smile, call Pinkie Pie!”

The pilot had no words to say. He felt welcome by their presence. Applejack then asked, “So, have you decided on a name yet?”

“Oh! Oh! I know!” squeaked Pinkie Pie. “Flyer McFly! Storm Chaser? Montgolfier?”

Twilight interrupted, “I think it’s best to let him decide.”

“But what about his cutie mark?! Wouldn’t that give such a little yet giant, super shocking, plot twist clue?”

The pilot rose off his bed and looked at himself in the mirror. He still felt unsure if the stallion in the mirror really was him. He had a short black mane, teal eyes, blue fur and his cutie mark is a simple gray cloud.

The pilot spoke at last, “I think I’ll name myself Troy.”

“Troy?!” the mane six said together.

“But that’s the legendary hero, isn’t it?” questioned Rainbow Dash.

“Yes,” he answered.  “Troy will be my new name.”

“You named yourself after the legendary hero?” replied Twilight.

“I read about him earlier. I cannot explain it, but I felt that he and I are similar. I don’t know why, but I just like him. I wish I could meet him someday.”

The mares looked at each other with concern.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but he ain’t real.” voiced Applejack.

The pilot’s eyes grew. “What do you mean?”

“Troy may not be real,” continued Twilight. “That hero is a legend. There is no proof if he really existed or not. However, if you want to be named so, then we’re okay with that.”

“I hope he’s real, Twilight. I hope he is. Oh, that reminds me. Some ponies from the ETSB came here today to talk to me about the plane crash. I actually remember the last minute of it.”

“You do? What happened?”

“I was urgent to land on the empty field after the forest when I was hit by microbursts. I don’t remember anything else after that.”

Twilight was relieved. Now, she knew that Troy didn’t crash the plane on purpose. After an hour, they had to leave and Twilight kissed him goodnight.

“Goodnight, Troy,” cooed Twilight. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You too, Twilight,” replied Troy sleepily.

Troy closed his eyes and drifted into sleep. He received another dream, but all he dreamt about was him piloting his plane. Throughout the dream, he stared silently into the sky as he traveled across different cities. At last, he saw Ponyville below him. He remembered himself say: “Showtime” The dream ends abruptly much to his disappointment.

When he woke up, he underwent more tests. Eventually, Twilight arrived as he was resting in his bed. The doctor from before was present in the room. He had a smile on his face.

“Good news, Miss Sparkle,” the doctor announced. “Troy is being discharged today.”

“That’s wonderful!” rejoiced Twilight.

“Before we can let him go, we need to sign some legal papers.”

After signing the documents, Twilight was now declared Troy’s caregiver. The doctor warned Twilight not to recover his memories by force. She promised in her head, but in her heart, she wanted to solve the problem as soon as possible. How she would solve it was the question she now faced. She didn’t know any other spells concerning memory, at least of her level.

As they arrived to the library, Troy was greeted by a baby dragon. Spike had prepared himself for the day Troy arrived. As Troy stood outside, he put on his biggest smile.

“Hello Troy! It’s so good to see you!” Spike exclaimed. “My name is Spike and this is Owlowiscious, the owl. We are pleased to have you stay with us.”

Troy had a slight feeling of discomfort inside him. All this was so new to him. Twilight showed him his bed, which was opposite to Twilight’s.

Twilight spoke to him in a calming voice, “I know this is hard for you, but trust me it gets better. You need rest now.”

Troy yawned. He realized just how right Twilight was. He was stunned at how soft his new bed was. He closed his eyes and Twilight kissed him goodnight. Troy hoped that his memories came back soon. Twilight had wished for the same. She closed her eyes and crossed her heart for hope.