> Mist of Memory > by Rusty20 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1: The Awakening > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Purple Unicorn started to wake up on the grass in a forest, She was groggy and still kinda out of it. "Ugh, What happened and where am I?" said the Purple Unicorn. She got up and looked around seeing five other mares and a dragon lying asleep on the grass nearby. "And who are they?" The Pink Earth-pony then jumps up and says, "Who, What, When, Where, Why, How? Oh my head, What happened this is worse than the time my sister mistook my head for a rock when I went to visit the rock-farm." The Blue Pegasus nearby started to stir, "What happened I don't remember anything?" she said, Then she looks around. "Who are they, Also why do I have this horrible headache? It's even worse than the one I had after that crash last week." The Purple Unicorn stayed silent waiting for the other to wake up before starting introductions. As it would be easier and less rude that way, So she just sat and watched patiently. The Orange Earth-pony started to groan and then opened her eyes, "My achin' head, What the hay happened last night?" she said. "This is even worse than the time, Big Mac hit me with the apple-cart." The White Unicorn's eyes started to flutter opened and she groaned a bit. Then she said, "Why am I sleeping on the ground in the woods?" Then she screams jumps up and starts brushing bits of dirt, leaves, and grass off her body quickly. "Eww, eww, eww! How unsanitary!" The Yellow Pegasus then started to lithely moan as she started to wake up, A small rabbit came up to her and started to stomp it's foot impatiently. "Oh hello are you hungry, Little one?" she said as she reached into her saddlebags and pulled out a carrot for him which he ate with slight displeasure once she gave it to him. The Yellow Pegasus then noticed the others, "Meep," she said quietly as she shyly tried to hide under her own front hooves. The Dragon yawned and opened his eyes, "What happened? I feel like I got hit by a train," He said. Then he noticed everypony else and said, "And who are all these ponies the last thing I remember is being an assistant at a library somewhere." The Pink Earth-pony noticed everypony else and then she gasped in excitement and quickly started bouncing around to everyone saying, "Hi I'm Pinkie Pie!" And speedily going on to the next one before they can even start to answer her. The Purple Mare stood up and looked at everyone else, "Okay everyone I think we should start by introducing ourselves, I'm Twilight Sparkle and I love learning and books," said Twilight. "I think I live in a library and am the student of somepony really important, But sadly I'm not sure because my memory seems foggy." The Blue Pegasus flew up and looked Twilight straight in the eyes. "Hey wait just a second who put the, Egghead in charge?" She said in a defensive manner. "I'm not a egghead!" Yelled Twilight upset. "And I'm not in charge I'm just trying to keep things organized while trying to figure out what's going on." The Blue Pegasus lands, "Fair enough. I'm Rainbow Dash the fastest and coolest pegasus anywhere, I love racing and looking cool but winning is the best of all!" Said Rainbow Dash. The Orange Earth-pony looked at the insulted and irritated Twilight and said, "Calm down, Sugarcube I don't reckon Rainbow here meant anythin' by that egghead remark. Even though she could have been nicer about it." Rainbow Dash looked at the Orange Earth-pony slightly upset and confused. Then she said with irritation in her voice, "And what is that supposed to mean." The Orange Earth-pony looked at Rainbow and said, "Exactly what it sounds like it means, Sugarcube!" Then she looks at everyone else and says, "By the way I'm Applejack or AJ for short I love good ole hard work, Especially on a farm and I also love apples." The White Unicorn finished cleaning herself and said, "Ladies, ladies please let's be civilized about this there's no need for fighting or name calling." Rainbow Dash turns around and pretends to cough. And says under her breath, "Says the pony afraid of a leaf." The White Unicorn looks at Rainbow Dash upset and annoyed and says, "I heard that, Rainbow and excuse me for wanting to look my best!" Then she looks at everyone else and says, "I'm Rarity, Darlings and I love everything fashion and high-class, So much in fact I make clothes and own my very own boutique." Rarity looks to the Yellow Pegasus hiding her head under her hooves. And said, "There's no need to be afraid of us, Darling and you are?" The Yellow Pegasus jumps a bit with her head still hidden under her front legs. And she whispered in a shaky barely audible voice, "I'm Fluttershy." Everypony looked at each other and then back at the Yellow Pegasus. Then Twilight said, "Excuse me we didn't quite get that?" She opens up her hooves a little and peeks towards Twilight, "I'm Fluter-" She notices the dragon and her shyness completely disappears then she runs over to him excited and says, "Oh a Baby Dragon, you're so cute!" "Well, Well, Well finally somepony sees how special I am. It's nice to meet you I'm Spike and you are?" Said Spike. "I'm Fluttershy nice to meet you, Spike. I love the forest and animals and I live in the forest with my animal friends who I take care of. And I can sometimes be a little bit shy around ponies," said Fluttershy. "Nice to meet you then, Fluttershy. I like working as a assistant in a library as I said before, Nice long naps, And eating gems," Said Spike. Pinkie then started bouncing around again and said, "Let's have a giant awesome party so everypony can get to know everypony better! I'll bring the balloons and party supplies!" She pulls some balloons from behind her back blows them up quickly then gives everypony a party blower and a party hat. She then proceeds to pull a cake from behind her back, While everypony else looks on stunned about how she can do what she just did. Then Pinkie cuts the cake and passes out a piece to everypony, That they start eating happily. Then Applejack said, "This cake is incredible, Pinkie what's your secret?" Rarity then eats some more cake dainty and said, "Yum this cake is really to die for! You really must tell us your secret, Darling!" Pinkie looks around suspiciously making sure nopony else was around. Then she pulls everypony close to her and whispers, "The secret ingredient is... sugar." Twilight finished her cake then said, "Okay then. That's enough goofing off now we should figure out what happened, I say we find out what we have then discuss why we have it and what we remember about it." Twilight then starts going through her saddlebags and says, "Okay I have, The big book of magic, The idiot's guide to travel, The experts guide to research, This crown with a jewel that looks like my cutie-mark in it, And strangely enough a picture of all of us signed by all of us that says, 'Best friends forever!' Even though none of seem to have meet before right now." "My turn, My turn!" Says Pinkie going through her saddle-bags. Then she said, "This is fun! I have several cupcakes, A joke book, A party-cannon, Various party supplies, And a necklace with a jewel that looks like my cutie-mark in it! How exciting and amazing-tastic!" Everypony gives Pinkie a confused look. Then Twilight facehoofs and says, "Um Pinkie that isn't even a... you know what? Something tells me there's no point even trying with her." "Okay I'll go through my stuff, Said Rainbow Dash. "But I'm not doing it because you're asking I'm just doing it because I'm curious, Okay?" She then looks inside her saddlebags, "Okay we have a bunch of pictures of me because I'm awesome, A group picture of the Wonderbolts signed by them, A few Daring Do books, And a necklace with a jewel in it that looks like my cutie-mark," Said Rainbow Dash. "Well at least you didn't call me a egghead this time it's a start at least you're trying to get along," Replied Twilight. "And Daring Do is awesome I completely agree on that, I have the whole series in my library back at home... wherever that is." "She sure is she got me into reading!" Said Rainbow Dash. "All of A. K. Yearling's books are extremely awesome." "Well I reckon I could see what I have, Sugarcube," Said Applejack. She then starts going through her saddle-bags, "Well I have a bunch of apples, Some campin' supplies, Some food, And a necklace with a jewel that looks like my cutie-mark in it." "Well I guess I could see what I got in bags girls," Said Rarity. Well I have various hair-care products, A few sets of clothing, and some jewelry including a necklace that has a jewel looks like my cutie-mark." Applejack looked a bit surprised, "Wow Rarity you sure care a lot about your appearance don't ya? Down on the farm we don't have time to get all prissed up." "Rarity gets an insulted look on her face, "Well excuse me some of us actually care about our appearance and don't want to look we just came back from wrestling hogs in the mud," Said Rarity. "No offense meant Applejack darling, But fashion just isn't your thing." "None taken Rarity, I'd be happier wrestlin' hogs or buckin' apples then I could ever be at one of them high-class parties and I'd say you be happier at one of them their parties I mentioned," Applejack replied. "Each to her own I always say." "Darling I couldn't agree more each pony his or her own fashion sense and who am I to tell them it's wrong. After all your look does have certain country charm," Said Rarity in agreement. Aj tipped her hat to Rarity and Twilight said, "That's the spirit girls! If we act more like these two and put our differences aside we'll figure out what happened faster!" Fluttershy still a bit shy says, "I guess I can go though mine too. It looks like I have a lot of animal food, A first aid kit for animals, A first aid kit for ponies, And a necklace with a jewel that looks like my cutie-mark on it." "Let me check what I got in my little bag here," Said Spike. "It looks like I got some paper, A feather pen, A small jar of ink, A picture or Rarity, And a few gems." Rarity gives him a confused look. "I'm flattered darling, But why do you have a picture of me in your bag?" Said Rarity. "I'm not sure Rarity," Said Spike. Then he thinks, "She is pretty hot though so I think I'll hold onto this picture." "Well at any rate we should go find a city or a town if we can," Said Twilight. "And Rainbow I've studied a lot of maps and geography with is why I'm leading here." "Okay I guess, But you're still not in charge though!" She said defensively while starting to follow Twilight with the others. "Fair enough Rainbow fair enough," Said Twilight. And they all started moving through the deep dark woods. > Chapter 2: The Knight > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- On a dark and stormy night a family of ponies are walking down an overgrown path in a dark forest, The father Dusk Knight is trying to make sure they don't lose the path in the darkness. While the mother Nightshine makes sure her daughters Midnight and Rose stay close. Young Midnight and Rose are huddled together while staying close to their parents. Midnight was really scared, So she looked around worried. "Daddy when are we going to get there?" she asked. Dusk Knight looked back at his daughter and smiled, "Soon Midnight soon, Only another hour at the most." She looked back up at him, "Okay daddy I'll try to be brave until then." As they walked on Midnight and Rose thought they saw weird shapes in the forest and the trees seemed scarier, They huddled closer to each other while trying to get closer to their mother. "I'm scared Midnight," whimpered Rose. "Don't worry daddy will protect us," replied Midnight. All the sudden there was a loud burst of thunder then with loud crash a lightning bolt hit a nearby tree and it fell across the path. A terrified Rose then trotted up and hugged her mom hard while shaking like a leaf, "Mommy protect me from the storm!" Nightshine hugged her back smiling warmly, "Of course I'll protect you my little flower. I'd never let anyone hurt you." Rose looks up at her mother not letting go, "You promise?" she said looking up at her mom with scared and hopeful eyes. Nightshine smiles at her still hugging her, "Of course. I love you more then anything in the world after all." Then they all slowly make their way around the fallen tree though the darkness careful not to lose the path. All the while unaware of the eyes just ahead near the path watching them. When they finally made it around and back on to the path three ponies in black cloaks with a red inner lining jumped out and stabbed Nightshine viciously multiple times leaving her on the ground bleeding. "Mommy!" screamed Midnight and Rose as they trotted over and hugged there dying mother. "No!" screamed Dusk Night, as he jumped forward and stabbed one of the three though the heart instantly killing him. Then he ran at the other one knocking his sword away and cutting off his head with a swipe of his sword. The third one then drew his weapon. "You've beaten my lackeys now you have to deal with the best," Crimson Death leader of the Crimson Death's!" He says as he jumps at Dusk Night and they start exchanging blows Crimson Death parring Dusk Night's every attack easily. They fight back and forth for awhile Dusk Knight not getting in any hits and Crimson Death not even trying, "Yawn, Are you even trying?" says Crimson Death. Dusk Knight continues to attack getting in no hits and getting angry and a bit sloppy. Dusk Knight then slashes at Crimson Death's legs accidentally leaving himself opened, And then Crimson Death hits his legs with the flat of his sword extremely hard shattering the bones in them. "You're so pathetic you're not even worth killing." Dusk Night screams in horrible pain as he falls to the ground, Then quickly tries to crawl towards his wife and Rose. "Must protect family, Must protect family, Must protect family," he repeats as he crawls towards them. Then Crimson Death goes over and grabs a screaming and kicking Rose, "I think I'll take this one as my prize, You'll never be worth my time. But maybe your other daughter will someday, I'll come back to test her someday.""No!" screamed Dusk Night as his wife lay dying on the ground with his daughter Midnight crying over her. Crimson Death walks off with Rose. "Daddy help me!" Screams Rose. Crimson Death Just walked on laughing while Dusk Knight and Midnight cried. Then time started to fast forward, After they got home Dusk Knight locked them away from everything and everyone and trained Midnight every waking minute. He never showed her love anymore and rarely spoke to her if he did it was just what she should do next in training. Then a few years later he decided he had taught Midnight everything he could, So he gave her a book on his order of knights, A protective amulet, His sword, and shield and he died to be with his wife Nightshine. Then Midnight Jumps up in her bed sweating. "The dream of that night ten years ago again no matter how many times I have that dream I never get used to it, But I've always wondered who that other filly was? I never remember seeing her before that," she says as she scratches her head and starts to get up. "Well seeing as it happened when I was so young I may have blacked out her memory, But it is a dream after all so I'll probably never know, I better get on with my day can't stay in bed all day after all." Midnight then gets up and goes to her mom and dad's grave, "Well guys I had that dream again and I miss you both. Mom it has been ten years and I'm sorry I was too young to save you, And dad I'm sorry I couldn't save mom and thank you for staying around to train me after mom's death even though you were miserable all that time. And thank you both of you for the time you did give me." She cleans the grave and puts some flowers in front of it. She then goes and feeds her goat Nanny who she milks while feeding, During which Nanny burps in her face, "Eww Nanny what type of weeds have you been eating!" says a slightly nauseated Midnight. She then feeds her pet wolf Moon also giving her a bit of Nanny's milk. She then thinks back about how she had got them Nanny was a mountain goat she had caught young and tamed, But Moon was a different story. After a particularly disastrous training session that had broken a few of her bones Midnight was dragging herself home and she found an abandoned wolf cub, She brought the wolf cub home with her and named her Moon raising her on Nanny the goats milk. After which she brings in and puts Nanny's milk in the icebox, Then she makes a breakfast of oats and goat milk for herself and sits down to eat. After eating she goes into her house's library and curls up in a comfy chair reading one of her favorite adventure novels for a few hours. The story was of a reluctant hero who had to save the world, She loved the insight into the hero as he wondered, "Why me," and why he was doing this, The reason she liked it she guessed was because the hero kinda reminded her of herself being forced into something he hadn't asked for. She had to become a knight to keep her father Dusk Knight order of knight from dying out. Not that she really disliked being a Knight she just wishes that she would have had a choice in the matter. Afterwards she goes to the small orchard a few miles away from her house that was long ago planted by her grandfather and brings Moon with her. Midnight goes through the orchard picking fresh fruit and eats one apple while collecting the rest of the fresh fruit for later. She then goes to a nearby patch of safe -to-eat mushrooms and picked some of the better ones putting them in another bag she had brought. "Well that takes care of what to have for dinner fried mushroom and green bell pepper should make a pretty good supper," She mumbled to herself. Moon then goes and visits with the local wolf pack and runs with them a bit. After awhile she come back to Midnight really dirty, "Moon what have you been doing? You're a mess." Complains Midnight, Then they head home together. After which she starts cleaning her house, Washing counters, Sweeping/mopping floors, Organizing the library, Arranging the equipment in the training area, And washing dishes. She then gives Moon a bath, With she doesn't actually appreciate and she struggles a bit. "Moon be good!" scolds Midnight. After which Moon puts up with it even though she's still not happy about it. Then she goes into her training room and picks up her sword she does a few complicated moves including a triple-slash with a downward-slash finish and a power-stab with a quick pull out and slashes on a magical training-dummy which quickly repairs itself when she's done training on it. After with she does a a few hundred push-up, pull-ups, and then ends with a dead-lifting session of lifting four hundred pounds three times. Midnight then goes behind her house and takes a bath in the cold river behind her house to wash off the sweat, She washes her mane and tail and scrubs her body with goat soap she made herself, After bathing she goes and waters her garden while pulling weeds and harvesting a few crops. Then she takes them to the river and washes them. She then takes them into her house and puts them on her counter and chops them up, After that she take some bread out of the icebox and chops it up to make herself a sandwich. Then she sits down for a nice lunch at the table her grandfather made. After eating she takes a walk in the woods because she enjoys the wildlife, She bird watches and feeds them some bread crumbs, She also feeds the squirrels some nuts she got from the trees behind her house. After walking for a while she gets a bit bored. She then decides to challenge that grumpy old bear, So she makes her way to his cave and upon going in finds him awake. As Midnight looks at him she was once again amazed such a giant old bear lived in these woods, She then nods at him and he rushes at her slamming her into the cave wall. Midnight jumps back up then slams the bear with her shield and whacks him hard with the flat of her sword. With of course just makes him mad the bear the growls and slams her into the ground with his massive paw. In reaction she slams her shield into his stomach knocking him off balance, With he reacts to by biting her hard in the front leg. Midnight jumps up and puts her sword to his neck and then stops sheathing her sword, The bear turning around and goes back into a corner of the cave. "Until next time you old grump!" she says before leaving with obvious pain in her voice. Midnight falls against a tree in pain, "Darn it I think he broke a few of my ribs and one of my legs," she says in pain. She then slides down to the ground and starts crawling towards home, The pain continues to increase and once she gets to the path the pain becomes too much and she blacks out.