Dash and Cassius set themselves up on a line drawn in the dirt beside the sidewalk.
They braced themselves for takeoff, as the wind sped up and the trees around them began to rustle.
"Before we start I think I should warn you, I'm the winner of the young flyers competition for creating the sonic rainboom." Dash elated to her opponent.
"Congratulations Dash, but what is a sonic rainboom?" Cassius asked fixing his eye on the path ahead.
"I'll show you soon enough." Dash replied in a confident tone.
Cassius just looked at her and gave her a warm smile then looked ahead once again and asked, "Well do you mind if I have a test flight? My wing was broken after all."
Dash relaxed her posture to sit in the grass and replied with a grin,
"Go right ahead Cassius. I really want to see you in action first anyway."
She wanted to seize her opponent up before taking this challenge head on. It looked as though Cassius didn't hear the last part because he had started walking. On instinct he sped up his walk and spread his wings out and started flapping as hard as he could sending dust away with each movement of his mighty gray wings. The gray pegasus increased the speed of flapping and entered a run. His body screamed in protest as the exertion filled him with pain to the point of collapse. Suddenly he achieved lift and soared into the cool night sky. He was exhausted from the exertion but the pain slowly went away as all of his limbs tucked themselves under his body allowing them to rest. He was back in the air and it felt great, the wind through his mane, the weightlessness of being airborne and the freshness of the breeze. Cassius heard somepony yelling to him.
He looked down to see Dash jumping and hollering with joy. Cassius figured he would gave her a show. He increased his speed and busted through several clouds. Picking up even more speed Cassius looked back to see he was leaving a trail of gray color. He started to make sharp turns and continued to pick up more and more speed. From Dash's point of view Cassius was skywriting. He started to form letters R-A-I-N-B. With the end of the B Cassius broke the sound barrier and released an explosion with a streak blue, white, gray, and crimson red following him.
Suddenly Cassius started to wobble and lose altitude. Without warning he gave out altogether and fell into a free fall. With quick reflexes Dash spun into action. She spread her wings and flew toward him. At the speed she going she had caught up in no time and she flew underneath him and pushed up. She managed to slow him down but his overwhelming weight was to mush and the ground grew ever closer with each passing second. Without warning Fluttershy had appeared and was pushing with Dash.
"Fluttershy?" Dash grunted under the weight.
Suddenly there was an aura of purple around them helping to slow his descent.
They softly landed on the ground and Twilight ran over to them.
"Twilight What are you two doing here?" Dash asked in surprise.
"Spike and I were heading home when Fluttershy stopped me and we started talking.
Then we saw Cassius flying, so we figured we would see what was going on. When Whatever that was, happened I started running here and Fluttershy flew to help you." Twilight reported as she took long breaths.
"Why was he flying Rainbow Dash? His injuries have reopened and he's breathing is erratic." Fluttershy asked as she inspected the damage the exertion and sonic boob had inflicted on Cassius's weakened body.
The wrappings around Cassius began to turn red with blood.
Fluttershy looked to Twilight and said, "We need to get him to the library. I left my medical bag there for Spike to use if this happened."
"Come on we aren't that far." said Twilight as she used her magic to move Cassius.
This time the presence was there but didn't try to stop her and Twilight didn't like that.
***********************************
Cassius felt a falling sensation that was followed by the painful explosion.
He wasn't sure if he was awake. The pain was there but very dulled and his body wasn't responding to his commands. He suddenly felt a pair of hooves on his back followed shortly after by another. finally He felt the impact of the earth which intensified the pain. He couldn't open his eye but he could hear Rainbow Dash and Twilight. What was Twilight doing here. Their voices grow more and more distant and he found himself in a plain of pure darkness and a black mist to match it. He could barely even see his own hooves inches from his muzzle.
"You can't die yet little Cassius." Called a voice that echoed loudly.
"So much has to happen in so little time. You are a rare find by the way. Not many get an opportunity that you have, or is it had. Then again you've always had it. How unfortunate you lost your memory, and don't know what to do." the voice mocked Cassius."
"Who are you!?" Cassius yelled at the voice.
"I'm truly hurt Cassius, you knew so many of us but now. You have lost everything, how sad. Maybe that's for the best though. Still you will be a deciding factor for events to come." called the voice from somewhere in the mist for darkness.
"What are you talking about? Who am I!?" yelled Cassius as he looked around the darkness franticly for the source.
"I'm surprised Celestia hasn't sensed you yet. So it did work, clever girl. Cassius the elements of Harmony need your help. Go to them and only remember this of our little conversation. You are needed by the elements of harmony alive not dead." The voice said as it faded.
Cassius awoke on his cot. He looked around to find he wasn't in the main chamber of the library, but in the upstairs living quarters. He couldn't move his body, but he could look around. It had to be night because the moon was visible through an open window on the upper floor.
There were books all around on the walls in shelves, much like the main library but with a few on the ground scattered around him. A desk sat in one corner and two large piles of books towered over it like two titans, guarding the gates of hell. There was a another staircase leading up to a form of balcony where he could see very little from his vantage point. Cassius looked himself over and found he was covered with a thick white blanket. He heard hoof steps coming from the stairs that lead to what he guessed was the main chamber of the library. He placed his head down on a pillow and closed his uncovered eye. As the source of the sound entered he cracked his eye open just enough to see Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy coming up.
"Twilight." Rainbow Dash started, "Has he woken up since last night?"
Twilight shook her head.
"Dash he will be fine. Sleep is good for injuries. It helps them heal faster." Fluttershy said try to comfort her friend.
"I feel like an idiot. I knew he was hurt and I was going to race him. I shouldn't had taunted him like that." Dash started to beat herself up.
"Dash I chose to push myself, I wanted to fly anyway, if you weren't there I probably wouldn't be here now." Cassius weakly interrupted the conversation turning to face them.
"You're awake! How are you feeling?" Fluttershy asked as she galloped to him in concern.
With a deep breath Cassius replied, "I can't move and I'm sore, but I'll live. Thanks to you again, I'm sorry I'm putting you all through this."
"Don't be, your hurt and need help." Twilight said immediately.
"Its only the right thing to do when somepony needs help." Fluttershy said in a quiet tone as she carefully checked the wrappings for blood or gapes.
"You needed help, so don't feel bad about getting it. I'm sure if one of us was in the same bout you would do the same. You're a nice stallion and don't forget that the next time you lose your memory." Dash said with a stern look that a mother would give her filly when they disobeyed her.
Cassius chuckled a little then using what energy he had to abruptly stop.
His face grew serious and in a lower voice than normal he asked, "How can you know what kind of stallion I am when I don't even know who I really am?"
"Now don't talk like that. You are a good pony there is no doubt about it." Fluttershy spoke softly to the irritated gray pegasus.
"Sorry." Cassius said turning away.
Fluttershy finished her inspection of the bandages and walked over to Twilight.
She sat down beside her friend and said, "I've asked Discord to watch the cottage so I can stay here to make sure Cassius heals properly. He agreed and wants to make amends with Angel for giving him elk legs. So is it okay if I stay here for the night?"
"Of course Fluttershy. There is guest bed up the steps next to mine." Twilight replied with a smile as she walked to the steps.
Fluttershy walked back to Cassius with a smile and asked, "So what has you so upset Cassius?"
Cassius turned to face her with anger in his eye, anger at himself. He sternly said, "I'm sorry, but it's so frustrating Fluttershy. I've been confused for few days and all I learned about myself is I'm nocturnal. I have been nearly killed by Celestia knows what. I'm suppose to help something called the elements of Harmony."
All three ponies looked to one another sharing a look of surprise and worry.
"Who told you that Cassius?" Fluttershy asked leaning in with suspense and worry very visible on her muzzle.
"I-I don't know. A voice told me when I lost cautiousness after I broke the sound barrier. I- I can't remember anything else it said, but it told me I needed to help the Elements." Cassius muttered to the yellow pegasus.
"Give it time. You will remember eventually." Fluttershy told him with a warm smile and the worry still visible in her eyes.
Cassius looked into her aqua blue eyes and whispered, "Thank you Fluttershy for being a kind friend."
Hours passed and Cassius learned about Twilight's and Fluttershy's pasts. How Fluttershy had set up her cottage and became a medical professional by taking care of all types of animals and a few ponies. Twilight being Celestia's Protégé and Celestia being the Goddess of the Sun also hit him hard. They had opened up to him and told him about all the fun they have had over the last few years. Dash had told him about the Rainbow Dash fan club and about Cloudsdale.
The floating city had caught Cassius's attention. When Dash found out Cassius hadn't heard of it she explained it as the most wonderful place in all of Equestria besides Ponyville.
"So do you mind if I ask." Dash began looking at Cassius. "What do you remember about yourself or your home?"
Cassius looked at her with the uncovered eye and sighed. "Nothing. When I woke up I was here and Spike was trying to calm me down. My mind was a blank slate in a way of speaking. But I do know I belong in the moonlight. So wherever my home is, it must be night when ponies are awake and day when they sleep."
"That sounds like you worship Princess Luna Cassius." Twilight said.
"Princess Luna." Cassius Repeated slowly.
Suddenly a sharp pain filled the back of his mind. He curled up and held his head trying desperately to stop the throbbing.
"Cassius what's wrong!" Fluttershy quickly asked as she looked around for her bag.
"My head is killing me." Cassius grunted. Once again, any outside voices Cassius could hear were fading.
The three friends watched Cassius quiver then lay still on the cot looking lifeless.
Fluttershy panicked and placed her head over his chest. She heard a faint heartbeat and gave a sigh of relief. He went to put his hoof down when his eye opened. Startled Fluttershy jumped back giving a moderately loud yelp. Cassius started to get out of the cot. Twilight went to use her magic to force him down, but the presence was back and at full strength. The spell was deflected and was used to push Twilight back instead. She slid on her hooves before coming to a complete stop inched from the wall behind her. Cassius looked as though he was in a trance like state.
He walked past the three and began down the stairs to the library as he muttered something that none of them could hear. He was moving slow enough as to not reopen any wounds but everything the three did was useless, they couldn't stop him.
Fluttershy flew over him and landed at the base of the steps and said, "Cassius if you don't stop and go back to your cot you will leave me no choice. I'll have to use, the stare."
Paying no mind to the yellow Pegasus Cassius continued down until he was muzzle to muzzle with her then walked right past.
"I sorry Cassius." She said with regret for doing what she had to do to him.
She flew inches from his muzzle and began the stare. Cassius stopped and looked into the aqua orbs. Fluttershy looked back into the odd blue ball with gray rings in it. Suddenly a flash of light broke her concentration and Cassius gave a slight smirk.
"Kindness meets Selfishness." Cassius suddenly said.
Fluttershy looked Puzzled by his comment then noticed that one of the rings in his eye turned red. Suddenly Fluttershy felt Cassius using her stare on her. Her wings stopped and she fell to the floor, but as she did Cassius never broke eye contact with her. His head was straight out like it was when they were eye to eye but his eye was looking down at her and his grin was a toothy smile. She couldn't move and was at his mercy, paralyzed by the fear and power of his stare. Twilight and Dash sat at the edge of the steps unable to look away or move at the sight before them. Cassius was using Fluttershy's stare on her. He walked passed her and out the door leaving the yellow pegasus in a daze.
****************************************************
"Back again are we? You aren't dying again are you Cassius?" The same voice from the last time he was in the dark mist asked.
"Who are you!? Where am I!? Answer me damn it!" Cassius yelled to the mist, angry with all of the mind games and uneasiness of not knowing anything about himself.
"Oh come now Cassius, you are pushing my promise to her. Very well I suppose, I owe you this much." The voice called out forcing the mist to retreat with it.
As the mist of darkness fled, a field of luscious green grass was left in its wake. As it did, the makings of a massive crater started to appear. Cassius walked over to it noting that the sky was still as black as ever. There at the bottom of the crater stood a very unhappy creature with folded arms standing on a boulder in the center of the crater. It had the head of a goat. the body of a pony, a red tail and green foot of a dragon, a griffin claw and a lions paw.
"My name my dear boy is Discord, Spirit of Chaos. Currently reformed, but still the king of chaos." the unhappy creature said with a frown.
"You know who I am! Tell me!" Cassius barked at Discord as he stomped a hoof on the ground and exhaled hard pushing steam out of his nostrils.
"I can't answer that one, sorry." he replied to the angry pegasus.
"Why the hell not!?" Cassius yelled as he got even more angry.
"I promised to help you in times of need. She wanted you to be ready on your own without much of my help. I'm breaking the rules of our agreement by letting you see me." Discord said shaking his head. "Oh, by the way you are learning fast."
"What are you talking about? " Cassius said as he tried to calm himself.
Discord threw him a large white rectangle made of stone. It landed in front of him with a thud kicking up dust. It had a picture of Fluttershy looking at him in fear as she sat on the ground. No this wasn't a picture she was shaking. It was a one way visual portal. Cassius looked at it with fear of what he could had done to her.
"Don't worry my boy you just scared her and used her own stare on her. She will be fine." Discord told him with a slight tone of anger in his voice. "You heard a trigger she left and you entered a trance like state and are on the move. You haven't and won't hurt anypony during this and you won't reopen any of your wounds. I am currently on an intercept course to make sure nothing bad happens. But I am Not to stop whatever you are doing. I have to keep my promises after all." Discord explained as Cassius stared at the portal as he or what was controlling him left the library.
"Oh one last thing before I go and leave you here." Discord blurted as he began to turn away. "When this is over I will tell our friends that you entered a trance after recovering a little memory fragment. So I'll leave you two here to talk. And Cassius you remind me of a song I once heard. Something about the moon and sleeping in the afternoon. You should look it up later, anyway arrivederci." Discord finished and faded when he stepped off of the boulder and walked away.
The portal faded with him and Cassius sat alone with his head down still staring at the spot where the portal use to be, as the mist started to consume the field like a hungry dog with a scrap of meat. Cassius looked up to see the comforting sight of the moon, but he quickly noticed the Mare in to Moon was missing. Suddenly Cassius heard a voice behind him. He turned to see a ghostly pegasus mare behind him. She was as white as snow with rose red eyes and a golden mane and tail that covered her cutie mark. She was as tall as he was and look as young as he did. Raze of light emanated from her as she walked over to him.
"Cassius, come on the Princesses have requested us on an urgent summands that requires our attention." She said with a loving voice that could calm anything in the world from a blood rage.
Her voice echoed in the mist and Cassius slowly stepped closer to her. Before he could speak he heard his own voice and saw a transparent version of himself.
"What was it about Sereen? Has something happened?"
"We will have to see. Lets go, if we keep them waiting its our heads on the block." Sereen replied spreading her wings and flying off with his doppelganger.
Cassius sat there wide eyed with a tear falling from his uncovered eye. For the first time in days he remembered something that he held near and dear to in his heart.