//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: The Memory Mystery // Story: Sun's Equestria Girls Adventure: Forgotten Friendship // by Pinkie Pie Sweets //------------------------------// Twilight and the others are stunned to what Sun is saying. Even Sun is having trouble believing what she is saying. Rainbow is the first to speak up, "Alright, that has got to be the most craziest thing I ever heard." "I know it sounds strange. But for some reason, when I looks into your memories, I was there with you… then suddenly, I fade away. It was like I was being erased from your minds," Sun explains. "Alright, that is a little weird," Aria comments. "I heard of shrinks, but this is a little strange," Falling Star replies. "What's more, how could someone erase our memories? Wouldn't they need to be close to us or do this hypno thingy on t.v?" Sonata asks. "Don't tell me you actually watch that hypnosis mumbo jumbo? It's all staged and fake," Twilight firmly replies. "Hey don't call it mumbo jumbo! So what if it's fake, most of the books you read are," Sonata protest. Sun giggles, "Sonata there is a difference between fiction and illusions." "Oh. Right," Sonata replies with a straight look. "But still, if what you're saying is true, then… does that mean we're friends?" Pinkie questions. "That does seem like it. But the question is, why don't we remember we're friends now?" Twilight asks. The girls and Sun are trying to think of a way to get their answer. Just then, Sun snaps her fingers as she has an idea, "I know, I can talk to Princess Twilight. Maybe magic is involved in our problem and she can help us with it." "Oh, so you know Princess Twilight too. That is great, but we don't have anything to contact her with," Rarity says. "I do. I'll start heading towards the school, and I'll let her know what's going on," Sun says. Then she runs off to catch the bus back to town. Fluttershy calls out, "Take your time!" After quickly changing to her normal clothes and grabbing her things, Sun is already on the bus back to Canterlot City. She is waiting until she gets to her destination: Canterlot High School. While on the bus, Sun opens her journal and has her pen with her. She is worried on what she should write to her friends and fellow princess. But Princess Twilight is her friends. She knows that she can help her with any trouble she has, And this a good time for her to ask. Sun begins to write as she says in her thoughts, " Hey Princess Twilight, this is going to sound strange, but… are we friends? Am I friends with the human you and her friends?" Sun asks herself, "Please answer. Please answer." Suddenly the book begins to glow, and words appear on the page. Princess Twilight writes, " Of course we're friends. And of course your friends with my counterpart and the others. Is there something wrong? What's going on?" Sun writes the entry in the book saying, " Honestly Princess Twilight, I'm having trouble understanding this myself. I think this is best to talk to each other in person… more specifically talk to you in pony. I'm on my way to Canterlot High right now. I see you soon." After a half hour on the bus, Sun has reach Canterlot High School. Sun quickly gets off the bus, and make her way to the statue where the portal is. Making sure no one is around, Sun phases through the base of the statue to get to Princess Twilight's castle in Equestria. Sun screams as she flies through a vortex of rainbow colors. On the other side of the portal, Princess Twilight is in the library of her castle waiting for Sun to arrive. After receiving her message, Princess Twilight can't help but be concerned about it. She continues to pass herself in front of the portal. Suddenly the portal glows, and Sun walks outside of it. She tries to walk on her two hoofs, but falls back on fours. Sun giggles, "Sorry about that." "It's alright," Princess Twilight replies. Then the two mares pull each other to a hug. After letting each other go, Princess Twilight gets right to the point, asking, "Now, what's been happening?" Sun explains to Princess Twilight what has happen on the beach, and what she thinks might have happened. The two are now walking down the halls of her castle. "This is bad Sun. It's beyond anything I've ever heard of," Princess Twilight says. "I know. I feel like what happen to me is repeating itself," Sun says. "What do you mean?" Princess Twilight asks. Sun sighs, "Remember how I was able to regain my memories about my old life in Equestria?" "Uh huh," Princess Twilight answers. "It made me feel like there was a huge piece of me that was missing, and realizing on the kind of life I left behind. Realizing those girls are really my friends, I'm feeling the exact same way," Sun explains. Princess Twilight hugs Sun, and says, "I understand. You feel that pieces of your life have been a blank until you got them back. I'm sorry you had to go through this all over again. But this time, you lost memories of the friends who helped you and you helped over the years." "Yeah. I seems that way," Sun says. "Don't worry, I'm going to help you. I think Princess Celestia and Princess Luna might be able to help us too," Princess Twilight says. "Thanks Twilight," Sun replies. In the Canterlot Castle throne room, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are going over their royal duties. From the looks of it, they also seem to be talking to someone, When Princess Twilight and Sun walk into the throne room. Princess Celestia smiles, and says, " Hello Twilight. Hello Sun. I didn't expect a visit today." "Yes. We already had a pair of surprised visitors," Princess Luna says. "Um who?" Princess Twilight asks. The two princesses move out of the way to reveal Starswirl and Stygian. "Starswirl?!" Princess Twilight shockley exclaims. Then Sun surprisingly says, "Stygian?!" "Hello Princess Twilight and Princess Sun, it's nice to see you two," Starswirl says. "It's nice to see you two here. What are you doing here?" Princess Twilight says, still sounding surprised. "Well, we decided to come to Canterlot for a visit. I guess we didn't expect to see you here today," Stygian explains. Sun giggles, "Nether did we." Princess Twilight turns to Princess Celestia, "Princess Celestia, there is something we need to discuss. It's urgent." Sun explains everypony on what has happened in the human world. The royals and great wizard know that this can't be ignored. Luckily, Princess Celestia knows what to do about the situation. Soon the six ponies are walking down the halls of the castle as they discuss the situation. "I am not familiar with the exact spell that could have erased you and your friends' memories. But it sounds like Equestrian magic is at work in your world," Princess Celestia says. "That's what I think. And after what I've been through, I wouldn't be too surprised," Sun replies. "Hmm. Indeed. The toilings of this nefarious enchantment could portend unimaginable catastrophe if left unchecked," Princess Luna says, as Sun is trying hard not to laugh. Princess Twilight hits Sun on the head with her wing. Princess Luna turns to Sun looking a bit confused. Sun calmly says, "Sorry. I'm just used to hearing you say no student parking in the faculty lot." This 'faculty lot' you speak of sounds like a place of great power," Princess Luna says looking serious. Princess Twilight and Sun stop for a minute and begin to giggle. Sun is like 'If Princess Luna knows what a faculty lot is.' "Still, I never heard of a spell or any kind of magic that can erase somepony's memories," Stygian says. "Whatever it is, this cannot go without checking. Though, I believed I have heard of something like this before. Sadly, it was a long time ago so I don't funny remember the details," Starswirl says. "That's okay," Sun replies. Then Princess Celestia says, "The answers you seek are in the Canterlot Library." Sometime later, the group of ponies arrived in the Canterlot Library. It has been long since Sun has been in this library, but remember on how many books are in here. Sun looks around as she says, "I forgot there are over a million books in here." "I wish! But don't worry. You're looking at somepony who knows this place like the back of her hoof," Princess Twilight says, sounding excited. Stygian giggles, "Sounds like you really like researching. I do too, but I don't think I researched here thought." "I'll be happy to show you around if you like," Princess Twilight says. The three look to see the princesses and Starswirl are walking off somewhere. "Where are you going, Princess Celesta?" Princess Twilight asks. "To the restricted section," Princess Celestia answers. Princess Twilight becomes stunned as she stammers, "There's a... a reh... a reh... a reh…" Then she begins to inhale and exhale very fast. Sun rubs Princess Twilight on the head as she says, "Breathe, Twilight." "Sun? Princess Twilight? Stygian?" A familiar voice questions out. The two girls and unicorn Stallion look over to see Falling Star. the pony version of her that is. "Falling Star?" Sun questions. Soon enough, Falling Star has tagged along with Sun and the others. Sun also explain to Falling Star about the situation she is in right now. "What?! Someone has erased you and the girls' memories?!" Falling Star exclaims in shock. "I know it's hard to believe, but Princess Celestia think the answer should be here," Sun says. "I hope so. The last thing you need is to go through another memory shortage," Falling Star says. Then happily says, "But I'm here to help, so I'm coming along." "Thanks for the help," Sun says. "We can use all the help we get," Princess Twilight adds. After going down the secret staircase, down the halls where there are a few bats around. Falling Star doesn't like bats, so she yelps and hide behind Sun when some fly past them. Soon, they all reach to a double sided door. Princess Celestia uses her magic to open it. Everypony walk into the library to see the old library full of books, ancient artifacts, and other items that has been hidden over the years. Princess Twilight is so amazed to see the books that she begins to get into a panic in excitement, "Oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh! So many books all unread! Ancient historical artifacts!" "I just... I thought...! I can't...!" Princess Twilight adds, levitating the books to her as she is starting to have trouble breathing. "You sure you're up for helping me go through all this stuff?" Sun remarks. Princess Twilight hugs Sun as she screams, "Don't take this away from me!" "I should warn you, however. The archives' mechanical catalog has not been... well-maintained," Princess Celestia says, looking a bit concern. Sun looks at the mechanical catalog that looks very old. There are some gears chains, and a few levers. Sun pulls one of the levers down, but it begins to shake, rattle and, break. Soon the gears falls out, and the machine is broken. "Well, that's machine's a goner," Falling Star says. Suddenly, Princess Twilight happily cheers, "Guess we'll have to read everything! C'mon!" Princess Twilight flies off to look at the ancient books. She levitates three books close to her to see the covers on it. Princess Twilight happily shouts, "No way! Can you believe they have Canterlot Cantabiles Volume Thirty-One? You heard me! Thirty-One!" "Sun, that's when it gets goooooooood!" Princess Twilight squeals as she holds the book. She gasps, rushes over, as she screams in excitement, "Over here! An original Windigo Weather Warning from the pre-Equestrian era! Oh, my goodness! I can't! I just can't!" Starswirl chuckles, "I never seen a student so eager to research as much as Princess Twilight." "She maybe be crazy for researching, but that's one of the good qualities I like about her," Sun says. Soon, Princess Celestia, Sun, Falling Star, Stygian, and Starswirl begin laughing to see Princess Twilight is over excited about seeing the ancient section on the library. Soon everypony begin to search through the library for anything about the memory erasing mystery. They've search, and search for a clue, but it feels like they've been here for a while. Sometime later, Sun has just closes the book she is just reading. Sun yawns and says, "Did you know Chancellor Puddinghead tried to pass a law mandating Earth ponies drink carrot juice at every meal?" " I do. Know that. Now." Sun bluntly says, as she places her chin and hooves on the table. "Awww. Sounds like you got to read all the fun books," Princess Twilight replies. "More like the boring ones," Falling Star mutters with a bored look on her face. Stygian looks at one of the books, "Many of them are very old. Probably before the founding of Equestria." "Yes. Some of the books contain events that happened during my time," Starswirl adds. Princess Twilight yawns, and says, "We should probably take a break from looking…" Sun yawns and puts the book on the ground. Princess Twilight comes to Sun, and happily cheers, "Because I found something!" Hearing Princess Twilight has found a clue, everypony else gather by the table. "You're familiar with The Seven Trials of Clover the Clever?" Princess Twilight asks, levitating a chest to the table. "I believe so," Sun answers. "So have I," Falling Star star "Well, first of all, these date back to before the founding of Equestria." Princess Twilight says, opening the chest and opening the scroll that has been inside. Then she says, "Look at this." Everyone look to read what the scroll says. "The Memory Stone?" Falling Star questions. "That sounds promising," Sun says. Starswirl looks at the scroll, and says looking serious, "Now I remember, my apprentice Clover only told me about it sometime ago. And I know who it belong to." "You do?" Stygian asks. "Yes. Her name was Regana. She was a young unicorn who was born with weak magic. I tried to help her learn how to use and increase her powers. Sadly, many of the ponies kept making fun of her because of her magic. Clover and I tried to help her, but eventually she decided to abandon her studies and pursue her own path. One that has sadly lead to creating that stone," Starswirl explains. "That's awful," Sun quietly replies. "Yes it was. I tried to stop her, but she refused to listen to reason. Before long, she used her magic to create the stone and use it to harm the ponies. With the Memory Stone, she could erase any memory from anypony. Even fragments of memories," Starswirl explains. "Fragments like... memories of me and the girls were friends with each other?" Sun suspects. Princess Twilight nods her head, and reads the scroll, "Clover the Clever knew Regana had to be stopped and the Stone destroyed, so he chased her across land and sea. But every time he got close, the sorceress would erase his memory and escape. But he kept finding her." "How?" Falling Star asks. "These scraps of parchment. He secretly wrote everything down so he'd know what had happened and where to go next. Like a trail of breadcrumbs," Princess Twilight answers. "Clever!" Sun says. "Ohhhh. Clover the…" Falling Star says, getting the joke. But bluntly says, "Yeah, got it." Sun notices the picture on the scroll. The picture shows Clover chasing Regana through a portal. "What happened on the other side of this portal?" Sun asks. Twilight uses her magic to unroll the scroll. Everyone are shocked to see that a piece of the scroll has been ripped out. "The last page is missing," Stygian says in shock. Starswirl says, "I remember Clover telling me that he wanted to make sure the stone was never found. So only he knows what has happened to the stone." "What about the sorceress, Regana? What happened to her?" Falling Star adds. "He never mention to me about it. But what Clover did mention, is that he was able to defeat her and took the Memory Stone form her," Starswirl answers. Suddenly, Princess Twilight has thought of something important, "Sun, what if the Memory Stone ended up in your world?" "Then someone must have found it, and used it to erase our memories so the girls and I can't be friends with each other," Sun says, agreeing to the same conclusion Then everyone asks, "But who?"