//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 - Memoriae Desuetae* // Story: Fallen Stars // by Zachurra //------------------------------// Despite the Changeling threat, Canterlot remained in ignorant bliss. The residents had all been warned by the Princesses themselves of the possibility of attack, and were asked to take great caution around anypony acting strangely. Some ponies took the announcement seriously and began preparing for any such attack. Most, however, retained their normal procedures and went about business as if it were any other day. One such pony, a Unicorn who had heard of the threat but decided against precaution, walked casually down the road. It was rather early in the day, leaving Canterlot in a relatively quiet state of tranquility. She greeted the few ponies she came across as if they were close friends, but in reality she knew very little about them. Her coat and mane matched almost perfectly in their snowy white color. Her eyes were a beautiful turquoise, falling in serenity with the morning sky. She was alone on the street, save for about half a dozen other residents. Three ponies, each from the different races, followed not far behind her. Even further behind them was a pony who was draped in a cloak and hood, the only distinctions left visible were the locks of his own mane, as white as hers, and a red stained scarf with white blotches that hung around his neck. He had been watching both the pale Unicorn that lead them unknowingly, and the three that had been stalking her through the streets for some time now. He watched intently as they looked back and forth at each other, speaking in hushed whispers and snickering. He noticed the way that they would occasionally look towards the pony they followed, and saw that their devilish smiles only widened. The cloaked pony stood far enough away that the three believed themselves to be alone, but remained close enough to watch their every movements. Finally, they put their secret plan into action. As they neared an alley way between two buildings, still closed at this early hour, they quickened their pace and forcefully led her into it. The silent pony peered around the corner and watched momentarily as they tried to hold her against the wall. When she failed to comply, one, a Unicorn, used his magic to hold her down on the ground. They watched and laughed as she struggled and began to make their way towards their prey. The Pegasus, being furthest back in the group, suddenly found himself nearly on his back with a leg wrapped tightly around his neck. He tried to call for his friends, but all that came out were quiet whimpers. Nonetheless, they heard their accomplice’s cries and turned to see him fade from consciousness. The hooded pony let go of him and he slumped over. The two remaining assailants looked back and forth between their friend and the newcomer who stood before them. The white pony watched with her mouth agape, surprised to see such a mysterious pony come to her rescue. The Unicorn gestured to his remaining friend, and the earth pony moved between them and lowered his head, raising dust as he pawed at the ground, signaling a charge. The hooded pony was surprised at such a stupid and desperate attempt to stop him. He lowered his hood, revealing a horn on his forehead and a dark grey coat. His blue eyes glared at his opponent, daring him to strike first. The attacker complied and charged full speed towards his enemy. The grey Unicorn waited, unafraid. At the last moment he dodged away, spinning his body around as the pony charged past and grabbed his tail in his mouth. He snapped his neck to the right, causing the earth pony to come to a sudden halt and soon found himself dazed from being thrown into a group of trash cans. The earth pony shook the feeling from his head and looked towards the cloaked pony. He remained unphased, despite seeing the anger emanating out of his opponents eyes from such an embarrassing failure. He charged blindly again, this time much faster. The Unicorn made no attempts at dodging this time, only rearing his hoof back and connecting it to the bull-headed earth pony. The force knocked him onto his back, where he writhed around, holding tightly to his muzzle. He moved his hooves after a moment only to see the hooded one standing above him. He pulled his hoof back once more and brought it down, this time knocking out the earth pony. Now only the other Unicorn remained. The hooded pony turned around and stopped as soon as he tried to advance. The Unicorn had had a dagger hidden somewhere on his body, and now held it to the white pony’s neck. “Let me go, or she dies!” he shouted. He made no signs retreating, despite such threats. His horn began to glow and from under his cloak glided six daggers, each enveloped in a grey magical aura. They raised up and each of the blades turned to face the final attacker. “How much do you want to bet that I’m faster than you?” the grey pony asked quietly and casually. The Unicorn’s eyes darted around at each of the floating blades, his fear beginning to show. He quickly pulled his own dagger away, dropping it as he ran away as quickly as his legs could take him. He skidded to a halt as each of the six blades fell from the sky like rain around him, making a small circle. He tried to turn around and make another attempt at running, but the grey Unicorn was now mere inches from him. The attacker looked like he was about to cry. “I’d break each of your legs if it didn’t mean I’d be a murderer.” He said quietly. “Now get out of this city, or I won’t be so merciful.” Without giving an answer, the Unicorn dashed past him and ran out of the alleyway, leaving behind his two unconscious friends. When he had run away from him the first time, he lost all focus on the girl and the spell was easily broken. She rose to her hooves and brushed the dust off her radiant body. She turned to thank her savior, but he was already walking further down the alley. “Wait!” she shouted, following after him. Despite her running, she seemed to be covering no ground between the two of them. She turned around a corner he had disappeared around just moments ago, “I wanted to—“ Empty. The alley came to an abrupt stop, and he was nowhere to be found. “—thank you…” ------------- “Ladies and gentlecolts, I give you… Serene Dream!” The lights began to dim and the crowd of noble ponies lightly tapped their hooves on the ground in response to the announcement. An ensemble of musicians stood upon the stage, each holding to their instruments. A spotlight shined upon a beautiful white Unicorn that stood center stage. The room was completely silent and all eyes rested upon her. Her eyes were closed, and her lips gently parted. Mirror… Tell me something… Tell me who’s the loneliest of all… The sound of her voice echoed throughout the room, wrapping itself around every pony in the room. It penetrated their very minds, filling them with a feeling of ecstasy that only made them want to listen even more intently. When her song finished, it took them all a few moments to fall out of their trance before they stamped their hooves with vigor. Even the musicians were clapping their hooves. Serene smiled at the applause and bowed gracefully. When she raised her head her eyes glided across the crowd before her. Her eyes came to a sudden halt when one pony in particular caught her eyes. He stood far in the back, amongst the shadows. Her eyes stuck to him, even as he turned and began slowly walking away. When her ovation finally ceased and she was able to leave the stage, she quickly ignored the many congratulations from her peers and moved past the crowd. Opening the door to the balcony, she found herself alone with him. He was fully aware that she had entered the secluded balcony, but made no acknowledgement. He simply stared up at the newly arisen moon. Quietly, she came to his side and looked up with him. The two sat in silence for a few moments. “They are probably wanting an encore.” He said. “If they want it badly enough, they can wait.” He cocked his eyebrow at her, and she gave him a playful smile. “Besides, I’m more interested in talking to the stallion that saved my life right now.” His eyes returned to the moon. “It was nothing.” “Nothing? You risked your life to save me. Me, a mare you don’t even know.” He said nothing for a time. Finally, he let out a quiet sigh and closed his eyes, “Memento mori.” When he heard no response, he opened his eyes and looked at her, only to be met with a puzzled expression. “It means that death is inevitable. I’m going to die sooner or later. I’d rather it be sooner, and die by trying to help someone, than later, and watch it all happen.” They both turned and eyed the moon as it shone brightly in the night sky, illuminating the stage they stoop upon. Serene was smiling. “Memento mori…” she muttered a few times. “Strange words to live by… but I like it. It sounds kind of pretty.” She gave him another smile. Her smiles were beautiful and whenever he saw them, the stallion felt a thump in his chest. He returned a small smile of his own. “So, does my mysterious savior have a name? I’m sure you already know mine. After all, you’ve been to every show I’ve done within the past week.” He looked at her with surprise in his eyes. She gave him a playful shove, “Oh, don’t think you’re so sneaky. Just because you sit in the darkest corner doesn’t mean I can’t see you.” If she didn’t know any better, she could have sworn she saw some blush come into the Unicorn’s cheeks. “So,” she tried again, “what’s your name?” He looked at her for a moment, the color in his face returning to normal. His eyes turned back to the moon, “I… don’t know.” “You don’t know your own name..?” He shook his head gently. “I don’t know anything about myself… All I remember is waking up about a week and a half ago with a huge bruise on my head. The family that found me said I’m probably lucky to be alive.” “I’m so sorry…” she said as she placed a hoof on his shoulder. He normally didn’t like ever being touched by anypony, even the family that had found him. But for some reason he didn’t seem to mind when she did it. “There’s no need for you to be sorry. It’s not like it’s your fault.” “Still…” “But… there is something I know. When I first saw you, something in my head just clicked. I was drawn to you… I feel like I’ve seen you before.” “Well, I do like to think I’m pretty famous.” She said with a smirk. They laughed quietly together. Before long, Serene’s entourage found her and told her that it was time to leave. “It seems I must take my leave of you. I’m sure I will see you again soon.” She smiled and kissed his cheek, causing color to arise. She walked towards the door slowly, “So long, Speicher.” His eyes followed her, “Speicher?” She turned back to him, her smile still gleaming, “Where I come from, it means ‘memory’.”