> Downfall > by Icu Zelith > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Past: Origination > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cloud Watcher. An early aged unicorn stallion with lots to live for. He lives for a special somebody; a pegasus named Midnight. Little does he know, his journey will begin soon, and it will have great cost. Will he achieve happiness? Only time will tell. I quickly jump away as the growl in the bushes grew louder. It felt as if time had stopped and stayed still for minutes until continuing once again. 'This is what I get for entering the forest unprepared' I think to myself. Shortly, another growl followed, tending me up even more. I observe closer what produced the threatening sound, just to see a pair of dark scarlet eyes peering at me. Feeling weightless, I clench my teeth and turn as quickly as I can. Once I see my escape rout, I briskly follow the path that my head was leading me to. With a slight growl, I hear the unknown animal catch up to me. I involuntary start to limp. As if the animal had ripped through my skin and into my muscle. Doing my best to completely neglect my pain, I rotate my head to catch a glimpse of this beast and sure enough, I have never seen anything like it. It has a similar head shape that of a timberwolf, but its body was relative to a lion or something to that matter. 'Hay feathers! I wish I would've known a teleportation spell about now!' I think to myself as I face back in front of me. I now see what looks like to be a dead end; a cliff that covers two sides, and a large visious-flowing river blocking another side. I quickly sprint to the end, hoping it would buy me a few more seconds to live. Then I turn around and face the relentless beast. "I never thought I would go out like this. This is how I die isn't it?!..." I said in a clearly petrified tone. Once the beast comes to a halt, it intimidatingly raises its paw, then reveals its claws that were hidden beneath its fur. All I do is tightly close my eyes and look away, hoping that there won't be much pain involved. Without warning, I suddenly feel something pull around my chest. I prepare myself for the worst as I continue to keep my eyes unpeeled. 'Goodbye World...' ... 'Strange. I should be dead by now... Why do I feel a breeze running into my face?... Should I open my eyes?' Two questions turn into thousands, each one building even more curiosity to what I previously had. Oblivious to the situation, I slightly peek through my right eye just to see a bird's view of the forest. Instant panic hits me as I start to worry. I struggle a bit, but once I did, I hear a soft grunt, followed by an 'angelic', feminine voice. "Hey... Quit tussling around. It's hard enough carrying a pony around... let alone a pony who wrangles... a lot." My eyes widen. 'Who is This? Is it a mare? A pegasus? Who?!' I attempt to look at my savior, but before I could take a peek, the mare unexpectedly lets go of me and I soon find myself falling towards the breeze... And a cold, hard, ground... "Ugh, W-what happen?..." I slowly regenerate my consciousness. Observing my surroundings, I notice I'm not in the forest anymore. No, I'm actually in a hospital. "W-wha wah, what am I doing here?" 'All I can remember is running away from the beast and reaching a dead-end. ...Strange... I can't remember anything else... But what am I doing in a hospital. I don't look, nor feel, like I've been mauled. Other than my right hind leg.' My thoughts had been interrupted as a nurse conveniently trots in my room and sends my a welcoming smile. "Oh, hello. You're awake!" She politely says. Gently rubbing the back of my neck with my hoof, I respond "Y-yeah, I woke up a little while ago." I meant with literal meaning. "That's great. My name is Redheart, what's yours?" 'My name... What's my name...?' "Uh, I-I don't remember." I say in a serious tone. Redheart soon replied saying "Oh, I need to contact the doctor. I'll be back as soon as I can." And with a gentle smile she left the room. I stare at the ceiling, trying to recall what had happened. 'How, exactly, did I manage to get out of the forest, and into here?' I think to myself. Without any warning, the docto, followed by the nurse, comes inside my room and greets me. "Hello there, Mr. My name is Dr. Hooveslock." He simply states as I stay silent. "Nurse Redheart here explained to me that you might have lost your memory." "I... lost my memory...?' "Don't worry, we'll do the best we can to get you back on track." Dr. Hooveslock says. "So tell me, what's the last thing you remember?" He asks. "The last thing I remember... is running away from a monster." I say flatly. "A monster you say? Hmm... Do remember anything shortly before you started running away?" "I c-can't remember..." I struggle to say. "Hmm... It seems you have amnesia. Whether or not it's transient, is uncertain to say. Hopefully, over time, you can regain your. memories." I'm not entirely sure why, but I don't know how to respond to something like this. For all I know, I probably just 'popped' up out of nowhere, and into a body of a unicorn. "Okay. Try hard and think of anything else that has happened to you." The doctor implies. I stare blankly in front of me as I try to recall any other memories. 'Wait, how did I get here in the first place? Maybe I should ask. "Umm, I you don't mind me asking, how did I get here?" I politely ask. Nurse Redheart is first to speak up. "A mare escorded you here. She says she feels help but feel partly responsible for your state of unconsciousness." A mare? Slowly, mental image returns of the pegasus that saved me from a ruthless demise. "The mare... May I see her?" I question. "Of course you may." They respond as they both left to get her. Two minutes later... A purple pegasus shyly peeks into my room with a slight smile mixed with another emotion... Guilt. As soon as she spots me, she starts to tear up. She quickly runs up to me and catches me in a warm embrace. "I'm so sorry!" > The Past: Alleviation > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I'm so sorry!" The violet tinted pegasus apologizes. "You got to understand, I didn't want to hurt you." She cries out. "Your horn, it jabbed my neck... I had to let go..." She finishes with a faint inhale. Slowly, I start to recall the last thing I was doing before ending up here. She saved me. Then I must have poked her while trying to catch a glimpse of her. Then she did what anypony's instincts would do. That's what led me to start free falling and preparing for impact, while waiting for the inevitable. I can't help it but to feel guilty as well. I made this beautiful mare cry, just because she feels responsible for something she didn't really do. "I'm sorry... can you forgive me?" She questions. "...I should be asking for forgiveness. I really didn't mean to make you stress over me." I eventually say. "So... can you forgive me?" The purplish mare stands still, with tears still in her eyes. Her mouth stays slightly agate as she looks at me in surprise. She continues to stay silent for a few seconds until saying "I-I f-forgive you." She stutters out. 'Evidently, she isn't feeling any better. How can I cheer her up?' I ask myself. ''I'm so glad you were there to save me. What were you doing there anyways?" I ask her. This question seems to have caught her off guard as she shudders a bit, then she responds with a stuttering, uncertain voice. "Uh, I w-was out... doing... one of my... daily routines. Um, daily flying routines! Yes." I give her a concerned look as I shrug off her answer before it got too awkward. I look away for a few moments then quietly look back just to find her lost in a deep thought. She quietly stares at me without moving an inch. Her eyes also stay stationary as I start to uncomfortably shift around. 'Okay, now I'm really concerned. I think I should probably snap her out of it.' "Hey, are you alright? Is anything wrong?" She then quickly tunes back to reality as she starts to look away; probably ashamed or embarrassed that she was caught staring at me. "By the way, my name's Midnight. What's yours?" ... "...I don't remember..." I bluntly respond. She softly clears her throat as she looks away once again. Her tears completly gone now. Still avoiding eye contact, she looks at the bandage around my leg and asks "Is that what the monster did to you?" "Yeah, I kinda wasn't fit enough to outrun a bloodthirsty beast." I say adding a vast amount of sarcasm and exaggeration at the last part. We both let out a small, nervous laugh. ... 'It's starting to get a little awkward again.' As if on queue, the doctor knocks on the wall to my room with his hooves, and enters. 'Saved by the bell.' Hoovelock begins "Hello there." He nods at Midnight, greeting her as well. He returns to me and begins. "Hmm, it looks like you aren't physically injured too badly. If you'd like, I think it might be okay if you'd want to leave." "B-but, what about my amnesia? I still don't remember if I even have a house or not." I refute. An imaginary light bulb seemed to have appeared above Midnight's head as her pupils dilate. "You could stay with me, u-until you remember t-things. That is." She shyly suggests. "I guess that could work. But are you sure your home is adequate for a pony without any wings?" The doctor questions. "Well, my house isn't airborne, so I think he'll be fine staying at my place for a while." She answers. They both redirect their glances back towards me. "Are you okay with staying with this mare until you're all better?" The doctor asks me. They both wear a face of interest as they wait for my response. Embarassingly, I immediately start to cough as I feel my saliva travel to my lungs. "*Cough* *Cough* Y-yeah... *Cough* Ill be alright. *Cough*" "Very well then, we'll send you to the front, were you'll fill out what you can, then you will be discharged from the hospital." "Ugh, paperwork. That's one thing I still remember. That dreaded paperwork' Soon enough, a nurse and the doctor helped me to a conveniently placed wheelchair. The nurse pushes me to the front of the hospital as Midnight follows shorlty behind. After a few long moments of paperwork, I finally get discharged from the hospital. I could've skipped the paperwork by saying I don't remember anything, but for some reason, I knew it wasn't the right thing to do. "So, do you remember why, you went inside the Everfree Forest?" Midnight asks. "N-not that I can remember, no. By the way, it looks like it's going to rain today." I point upwards at the now forming cumulonimbus clouds. "Huh, I guess we better hurry if we don't want to get caught in the rain." Midnight states. After hurrying through the light-grey dimmed light that the atmosphere beautifuly created. 'Thank you nature.' We soon reached a house on the outskirts of Ponyville. 'For a house this far out of town, it sure is large.' I think to myself. The house looked to be a two story house with no noticeable flaws. The door was neatly designed and made from an expensive looking material. "You see this house?" She asks. "Yeah..." I respond with a look of awe to my face. "It's not mine." She deadpans I give her an unamused look as I notice she's trying hard not to laugh. She loses herself and starts to laugh uncontrollably. Confused, I start to stare at her so she can elaborate further. "It was a joke! Haha! This is my house. Oh you shoulda' seen the look on your face!" She voice cracks. She starts to blush madly as she covers her mouth. 'I don't understand why people get so embarrassed when their voice cracks. Though when she does it... It's kinda adorable.' I mentally explain to myself. She seems to have recovered from her 'embarrassing' moment, and she now pushes me into her home. Apon entering, I am met with amazing pictures on the wall to my right. To my left, stands a huge glass window, that extends over the whole wall. That's were the living room is. A bit further from The glass wall, is a staircase that, obviously, leads upstairs. "Like what you see huh?... How about we get something to eat." She offers as she starts directing me to the kitchen. A food preparing montage later... We sit at the kitchen table, enjoying our food as raindrops start hit and drip off the reasonably large windows. "You know, you got to have a name so I can address you properly. So I've been thinking... since your cutie mark is a cloud, and you noticed the rain clouds way before I would have noticed them, I figured I'd call you Cloud Watcher." She states while closing her eyes and giving me a warm-hearted smile. "Hmm, that name isn't half bad... 'kinda' I guess it'll work." I tell her. She responds with another smile, then she continues eating her food. All I do, is stare out the window, and observe the flat land, where the grass is a brilliant green. The sun also seems to slightly pierce through the rain clouds as little droplets of rain fall throughout the sky. A gloomy scene, is presented in front of me, as I start to lose myself in the marvelous view. 'My food's starting to get cold!' Back to reality I go. > The Past: Intentional > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The day was finally over; the clouds died out, the sun overpasses the horizon, and the ambience is filled with the sound of nocturnal animals. I relax on the couch in the living area when I sense somepony approach behind me. "Tired yet?" Midnight asks "Kinda." I answer. "Well then, what are you waiting for? Follow me." She walks off then turns around to see that I have not moved an inch. While she blankly stares at me, I signal my leg. She then realizes I'm not voluntarily mobile, so she returns to my presence, and attempts to assist me up. Confused, I look for the wheelchair. 'Where's the wheelchair? That's strange, it suddenly disappeared. Is she literally thinking of supporting me?' Yes. She was. She leaned inwards a tad bit, allowing me to push myself off the couch and onto her shoulder. I support a bit of my own weight while leaning against her shoulder, my cheek mere inches from her own. 'Um, this is a bit uncomfortable. I should just ignore this...' I avoid eye contact as she slowly starts leading me to a room. Occasionally, I sneak a peek at her beautiful facial features. 'How could I ignore this? This mare is beautiful. How in the hay wou-' I'm thoughts we're interrupted by a strange feeling on my side. It was unusual feeling... It wasn't a forceful touch, more like a brush. I try to look behind me. But in the process, she quickly shudders her shoulders, causing me to lose balance. "Ouch!" It takes time for her to realize that I'm face first, on the floor. "Oh, my apologies." She says as she cautiously helps me up again. "It's alright. I guess it happens now and then." 'It would've been nice if I hadn't fallen flat on my nose. I also have a slight feeling that she did that intentionally.' She eventually leads me to a door. "Well, here we are" she exclaims. I glanced inside to see a modern looking room. It had a reasonable sized bed and a bathroom just across from it. "Umm, you need help getting ready for bed?" she shyly asks. Confused, I answer "Uh, no.'' "Oh, if you ever need anything, just yell out my name okay?" "Will do." I respond. She wishes me a good night then almost immediately, she exits the room, leaving me to myself. Wait, what if I need to use the bathroom?' 'Bah, I can get there on my own, no worries.' ... 'I should've asked her to tuck me in...' I close my eyes and relax my mind, in hope of sleep. Soon enough, I fall in a nice and needed sleep. 2:24 AM I feel a disturbance, something bothering me. I lay there slowly opening my eyelids as I find that I need to use the restroom. 'Uh-oh. This might be a problem. Should I get up? Or should I call her like she told me to? While I lay there contemplating on whether or not I should call her, my mind redirects its attention to my, now full, bladder. 'Ehm, I should just go. She's probably sleeping anyways, and the last thing I want to be is a bother.' 'The first thing you'd want to be is her coltfriend, wouldn't it?' 'S-shut up mind!' I talk-back to myself. I finish up my soliloquy, then I try to get up off the comfortable matress. I figure it might be a bit difficult, since there doesn't seem to be any source of light. On second thought, I think I should call on her, just to help guide me to the restroom.' I impatiently call out her name, but she doesn't show any response. A bit frustrated, I get up myself and head to the restroom. I consistently put one hoof over another slowly, as I finally reach the bathroom. Upon opening it I am met with a luxerious-like accessories. The toilet was shiny. So shiny. After doing my business I slowly, and carefully, leave the restroom. 'It's too dark, I can see a thing!' Everythingthing in my surroundings was obscured. I only had to guess to where the bed was. On my third step, I immediately feel an intense pain. Specifically, the pain was coming from my knee area. I soon realised I basically smashed upwards into my carpus using the corner of a short coffee table. "Ahhh! Horse Feathers!!!" Within a few seconds, I spontaneously collapse on the floor, nursing my aching fore leg. I was also rolling around on the carpet, trying to release the vast amount of adrenaline I had stored. *Thud* The knob of the door dented into the wall behind it as Midnight flicked on the light switch. When she finally adapts to the differentiation of the two light tones, she is shocked to see me on the floor. She runs towards me "What happened?" "I h-had to use t-the r-restroom, ouch, and I think I hurt myself!" I manage to get an explanation out. "A-are you okay? Do you think it's bad? Should we go back to the hospital?" She starts to hyperventilate, not knowing what to do. "I-I d-don't know-w. I don't t-think so. Ow! It hurts!" I yell out. As she starts to regain herself, she indicates "Here, let me help you get on the bed." She puts her hoof around my neck and manages to keep me standing up while getting me to the bed. The pain started to slowly die out, but it wasn't completely gone, it still sting quite a bit. "Why didn't you call me?" She asks with a hint of aggressiveness in her voice. "I did! I think you weren't able to hear me though." I say. "Oh... really? Sorry, I guess I'm a heavier sleeper than I thought." She says as her face begins to flush with a red hue. "It's fine. The good thing is that I feel ALL better now that you're here." Her face is now drenched in the colour of embarrassment. Afraid she might of taken that the wrong way, I continue to try to ease the situation. "B-because y-yo-out helped me." I add a fake grin, still nursing my earlier accident. ... 'Okay, now this is beginning to get awkward again.' "Umm maybe w-we should head back to sleep." She breaks the silence. "Okay, sounds good." She was about to turn around, when she suddenly stops and looks at me. "Umm, I uh, maybe, if its alright, I think I should probably, stay here just in case anything else h-happens." She shyly says. Suprised, I simply say. "Ok." I start to feel myself blush as she climbs on the bed with me. I do a well job hiding it by rolling over. When she finally gets comfortable, she stays still for a few seconds until finally saying "Goodnight." "Goodnight." A couple minutes pass. I start to wonder where I would be if I had never met Midnight. 'Oh Yeah. Dead. I would have been dead.' I reminisce on part of my life, just to be overtaken by sleep, once again. > The Past: Acquiescence > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Midnight p.o.v. It was early in the morning, as a matter of fact, it was too early. The sun wasn't completely out yet. I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling. 'I can't go back to sleep' I think to myself. I quietly stare at the ceiling for what seems to be hours, until I start to wonder. 'Has Storm woken up yet? I quietly turn on my side to check if he has awaken from his slumber. ... 'Nope, he's fast asleep' I conclude. I tend to get lost while staring at his sleeping state. 'Wow, he looks... so peaceful. And cute. What if I ask him out? Will he say yes? Probably not. Hmm, what if I lead him up to it. Yeah, I think that might work... He seems really nice. I think he might be perfect for me. I would love to be with him for the rest of my life. We would be a nice couple. I bet I would make SO many mares jealous. I could already picture it: me and Storm, heading to the movies, on our first date. Ahh, that would be sooo great! I tell myself. I start to 'fantasize' even more. Without realizing two things. One: a blush started to completely cover my cheeks. Two: during my... Daydream... he was slowly creaking open his eyelids. His stare was as surprised as mine. I started to feel more embarrassed, but yet, I couldn't look away from his captivating eyes. With every second passing by, I started to feel drawn towards him. I was about to het closer to him, but I was snapped out of my trance by him lightly clearing his throat. Unexpectedly, Storm gestures a disturbed action, and backs off while turning away from me. His eyes averted towards the wall. 'Great, look what you've done Midnight! He's definately not going to want to be with you anymore.' I started to worry then he says "Um, sleep well?" 'Is he gonna let that slide? Maybe I still got a chance.' "Yes! Uh I mean-yes." I awkwardly grin. "You want to head out so we can eat?" I continue. "Sure" Storm answers. We were just about done with breakfast. I don't usually make my own breakfast so I might of been a bit rusty. But it doesn't seem too bad. His leg was healing to the point where he could partially stand on his own. So I start to think what we should do today, I don't work, I mean, not anymore... Maybe that's not a bad thing. Still deciding what we should do, Storm says finishing his mouthful "Mmm, that was delicious. You're a great cook." "Aww, you're just saying that." I say while building up a red tint on my muzzle. "No really, it was the best thing I had eaten in a long time. That hospital food was not the best, but this, on the other hoof, doesn't compare." He flatters "Thanks, I'm glad you liked It." My heart starts to feel comfortably warm. After putting everything back, I lead him back to the living room where he slumps on the couch. "Well anyways, were do you want to go today?" He looks at me with a confused look. "What? You honestly think I can go anywhere with This dreaded leg of mine? I don't think I can." "Sure you can! I'll help you if you ever seem to struggle." I rebuddle. "Uh, I think it might be a better idea if I just stay here." He responds. With a look of unamusement, I walk over to him, and start picking him up. "W-what are you doing?" He questions shockingly. "Come on! Where's the fun if you just stay on the couch all day?" I reason. "No, I'd rather stay on the couch! It's much more comfortable anyways." "Why? You're already outside, and by the looks of it, you are completely capable of holding your own weight." I say as he stands on three hooves completely outside. The sun was shining extremely bright, and the clouds were fairly scattered. Storm accepted defeat as he turned towards the town and starts to walk towards it. I see he was limping, so I walked over to his injured side, just in case if he ever collapses, I would have a chance to catch him. "So where do you want to go?" He asks with no emotion. I start to ponder, "Hmm, how about the park? Does that sound okay?" "Sure, it does seem like a nice day out here." He answers. "Ok let's go." I signal towards the park, and we soon make our way to our destination. After a bit of walking, I conclude that this walk might take a while. I hadn't really noticed I lived this far out of town. We soon arrive at the park in the afternoon. The place was rather empty. We decided to relax at the park bench. Sitting down, I notice he looked like he had something on his mind. So I ask "Is something bothering you?" "Uh, no. I'm alright..." "Are you sure?" "Y-yeah... I'm fine..." I take notice that he hasn't changed expression, so I stay persistent. "Come on, I know something is on your mind, you can tell me." "I'm okay." He says "Please tell me, I want to help you." "I said I'm okay!!!" He growls. My heart sunk when I heard him yell. I sat quietly in the still of the awkwardness. His face turned into one of concernment as he apologizes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to raise my voice, I don't know what went over me-" "It's okay, understand." "I lost control. Please forgive me. Can you forgive me-" "Hey, I said it's okay." I interrupt. "...You're not mad?" He questions. "No, I understand. It's something you don't want to talk about." He sits in silence while staring at the blades of grass in front if him. "..." "So, you want to go eat or something." I ask. "I mean, I know we ate a few hours ago but we can get something small, like a snack." "Alright, let's go." He gets up slowly and starts walking off. We get to a stand where they sell small servings of salads. We decide this is good enough. I order a daisy salad while Storm asks for a simple one. Almost instantly, the salemare hoofed us a small container of our food, and we sat down at the nearest table. We talked for what seemed to be hours. We noticed the mare at the stand was starting to pack up her things. We decided we should head back to the park as well. The sun was setting, but it wasn't too dark. I would describe it as a perfect time of day to watch the sun. We reached the park once again, and made out way towards the same bench we arrived at last time. We sat down and Storm started "Hey Midnight?" I grow curious to what he has to say. "Yeah?" "I just w-wanted to say, t-that I'm sorry about earlier today." "Don't worry about that. I said I it was okay." "No, I don't think you understand, I never meant to harm you in any way. I also want you to know that I kinda li-uh..." He says. ... "I uh..." He stutters. "...I kinda l-like you, a lot."