Upon reading the letter, the princess of the day dropped her glass onto the marble floor, shattering as only one thought crossed her mind.
He was back… the impossible. She shook and smiled, looking up and mouthing the words “Thank you” and in a spell of magic, her horn lit up and she teleported to Ponyville, to join her sister, who smiled at her.
“Sister, he's-”
“I know… send out as many units as possible. We must find him im-”
“No, sister you don't understand… He said your name. He remembers you!” She said as Celestia looked down and thought to herself.
“How can this be… that's impossible… but...”
“How?” She asked, her breath all but withered away, her eyes beginning to water as she tried to remain strong for her subjects.
“He has departed into the forest, Sister… let us go and find him, and bring him back.” Luna said, her voice piercing into her sister's ears.
“I-I… I don't-” She stammered as Luna put her hoof around her sister and smiled. Celestia nodded back weakly and they walked to the forest.
It was then, whence they entered it, when Celestia began having urges for him. To find him, to love him, to adore him.
“Emerald… EMERAAAALLLD!” She screamed, running through the forest as the lone human sat against a tree and embraced his imminent fate.
“Dash it all...” He said and slowly stumbled to his feet as he saw the white pony stop, as she was side on to him, her head cocked to the left to see him properly as he retracted at the sight.
“Look, I don't want any trouble, I just-”
“EMY!” She screamed and charged him, leaping onto him, hitting his back against the tree and recoiling in pain.
“Em… is it really you?” She said, her voice wavering.
“Y… yes.” He said shyly, it was his name after all.
She held him tight and began to cry for him, as he was powerless to do anything at the moment. Her sadness somehow kept him frozen as he was unable to fight against his urge to embrace her.
“How come you're so sad?” He asked, unknowing to himself why he'd as such a question.
“I'm not… I'm joyful, Em, because you, my love, has returned.” She said and kissed his chest softly as he pushed her away.
“Look,” he held his hand out to stop her and put one hand in his coat pocket in a skeptical stance, “I don't know who you're talking about, but I am not your “love”, as you say.” He said and looked behind to see the blue pony standing there, smiling.
He walked past Celestia, who was both joyful and starstruck at his words.
“And you, who are you? You're familiar as well… but I don't recall having met either of you. Is this a test?” He asked, turning around and feeling two blue wings wrap around him and embrace him softly, but tightly.
“That is because you have met us.” She sighed in relief as she rested her head against his back for a moment before she smiled and nuzzled his neck and disappeared in a flash of white.
“I have?”
“Have you?” Celestia looked at him dead in the face as he jumped at her stealth capabilities.
“No, I haven't, I asked you if-”
“In case you didn't know, my name is Celestia...” She said and waited as she could see the gears in his head move.
“… I know what you're thinking, Celestia, it's impossible. There is no way you are-”
“Tia. Just say it. Please… just once.”
… he felt the words come to his mouth but he fought himself to say it.
“Just let it out, Emerald… say my name. Please.” She beckoned him softly as she began to kiss him softly around his face, his chin, his nose, before stopping over his mouth, as he eyes rolled up to his.
He reached up to her face and caressed it softly, as he spoke to her with a confidence he'd not known previously.
“… Tia.” He whispered breathlessly as she shivered and fought her urges to stand, as she slowly leaned in, staring at his lips as her breath coated his.
He stared into her eyes as he, despite his mind screaming at him to never go there, he leaned in and kissed her softly, caressing her face softly again as he broke away and kissed her hoof and stopped for a moment, looking at her in confusion.
“How did you do… how?” He said as she kissed him softly again.
“Would any other be able to make you do what I did?” She asked, as if he knew.
“… no.”
“Would you feel any other way towards me?”
…
“… no.” He said with a twinge of guilt. He kissed a complete stranger, and this fact was beginning to scare him.
“O-Okay, I don't know how you're doing this, but-” He stopped as a memory of his began to play out for him, what looked like Celestia and himself sitting against a tree, in each other's embrace as he smiled and looked at her, kissing her softly and telling her remarks on her beauty.
“I love you so much, Emerald… I hope you stay with me forever.”
“I will be yours forever, Tia. Never doubt this, my love.”
…
And with that, she disappeared, leaving only him. He looked at the man in the here-and-now and gave him one quick salute and disappeared like
dust…
… throughout all of this, Em found himself crying at the sight of the two in loving embrace, as they were separated in his memory in the symbol of her leaving like dust in the wind… and how the salute was to him telling that he had a second chance…
… this was his shot to make the impossible, possible. He looked into her eyes, tasting the salty embrace of sadness, as he looked into the sky and heard echoes of the memory.
“I hope you stay with me forever.”
“What's happening?” He said as his world began to spin, memories began to blossom as he could remember few details, but details nonetheless.
“… hope you stay with me forever...”
“Em? EMERALD?!” She panicked as he grew limp and fell into her arms, passing out…
“… stay with me forever.”
…
“… forever...”
…
-----Later-----
…
“Ugh… I feel terrible… where am I?” Em thought to himself as he opened his eyes. Sitting up he noticed how this room felt so familiar.
Yet so alien.
“Em? Are you alright?” A voice called him as he looked to his left, the blue princess sitting on the bed in an inquisitive stance.
“Uhh...”
“How do you feel?” She asked, touching his forehead and feeling for the temperature.
“I… fine.” He said, climbing out of bed. He noticed he was without a shirt, only wearing his black dress bottoms.
“Where is my shirt?” He asked, looking around for it.
She pointed to the drawer next to the bed in the nightstand and behold, his shirt and coat were there, folded neatly.
He slipped his shirt on, buttoning it up and then slipped his coat on, straightening it.
Walking towards the door, he turning the handle and opening it widely, to be met with the face of the Princess of the Day.
He simply walked past her and looked around, beginning his journey through the castle.
“Em, you're awake! How are you feeling?”
He did not respond. The lack of response from him was immediately worrying her, as she has never seen him like this.
“Em, what's wrong?” She asked, grabbing his arms gently and turning him to her, as her face gave a worried expression.
“Nothing… nothing at all.” He said with a coldness in his voice.
“What's going on? What happened to you?” She asked, on the verge of panicking.
“I realize that… during my weakness I presented a sense of vulnerability that I cannot recover from quickly. I let my guard down and was tricked.” He replied coldly, his eyes flashing a glare at her and her sister.
“But there was no trick! I promise you!” Luna said, joining the conversation.
“I've never met you before, and you tell me my name, who I am, and other personal things I'd rather not discuss, and yet I know nothing of you. You've put words in my mouth, made me see things… and I still don't know who you are.” He said as their hearts sank.
“That's because when you… left, I had to… I had to...” She strained to speak as he rolled his eyes.
“Yes, yes, I know, let's not talk about that night, it gives me chills.” He said as he shook his head as both princesses perked up at the sound of his familiarity.
“You remember...” Celestia said, breathlessly as she collapsed onto him.
“Then you must know how much I love you.” She said as he pushed her away for a moment.
…
“I don't know what I just said but it came out like that. I'm getting these flashes in my mind every now and then… I don't understand it, it's like nothing I've seen yet. Like parts of a picture revealed to you in a random sequence, but you cannot figure out the picture yet.” He said and sat down on the bench next to him.
They sat down with him, in front, giving him their undivided attention.
“That is because the spell is wearing off. You will remember everything soon! The night we met… our first kiss… the night we fell asleep in each others arms...” She said and sniffled before bursting into tears, as her sister comforted her.
“I just want you to remember!” She strained and spoke through clenched teeth. She was not angry, no, but depressed beyond doubt.
“Great… now I feel like a villain.” He thought to himself.
“If what you said is true, then I really do know you… then the “spell” will wear off.”
“Y-You believe me?” Celestia said, looking up into his eyes as he ran his fingers through his hair.
“Well, I have no reason not to… thinking about it, letting my guard down may not have been a bad thing.” He sat and leaned back as she leaped onto him yet again and holding him tight, afraid he might wither away like last time.
“Woah, easy. I didn't say I loved you…” He said as she kissed him softly, biting at his lower lip softly. After she broke away, he looked into her eyes.
“Although I must admit I love that.” She smiled and kissed him again.
“Although...” He started as he put two fingers on her lips to stop her, “I don't know anything about this place. Virtually every memory is about you, so… is there like a place I can go to learn about this place… whatever it's called."
“Well, there is a class that is starting tomorrow on learning Equestria's culture, history and such.” Luna piped in.
“Well, I'm not sure I'll be attending… anything.” He stood up as Celestia shot a glare at her sister.
“As for now… I don't know what to do.” He sat back down and thought.
“Would you mind having a cup of coffee with me, princesses?” He asked innocently as they both blushed and nodded.
“Why, Em, are you asking me on a date?” She breathed as he blushed.
“N-No, i-i-its just that-”
“It's fine… follow me.” She said and patted his knee and they led him to the dining area, where they ordered two cups of coffee and a cup of tea.
“Not much of a coffee, drinker, eh Luna? You never were, you were a tea person. Its-” Em spoke as he covered his mouth and sighed quietly as Celestia smiled. She smiled to see him becoming more familiar with the environment… with her, and her sister.
“Celestia, what is it your role as a princess?” He turned to her, as Em sat at the end of the table with the two princesses sitting by his sides.
“Well, it's mostly like… well, it's like the President of the United States, really.” She nodded as Em looked at her strangely.
“And you know this how?” He raised an eyebrow in wonder.
“I… when you were recovering, I took the opportunity to read your mind… your thoughts. To get an understanding of who you are.” She said quietly as he was clearly angered by this.
“That's utter trespassing! Those are my thoughts, not yours. Would you like it if a total stranger invaded your mind and spilled your secrets to the world?!” He said and stood up in a rage, as he paced back and forth.
It hurt her to know he mentioned her a “total stranger”.
“God, that was so inconsiderate!” He said as she stood up, thinking of ways to comfort him or make him feel better.
“Em, please, don't be mad, I-I was only trying to help!”
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions, princess. Being of such age of wisdom I am surprised you don't know that or have forgotten it. I am not a citizen here, therefore I am not going to be used like a tool! Furthermore, why am I still here?” He said as her heart sank and her pupils turned to needlepoint.
He wanted to leave.
“… what?”
“I asked why I am still here. I have no reason to stay other than the word of some stranger… which isn't so believable now.” He said as Luna stood up and shook her head at him.
“Uhh, that isn't such a good idea, Em, you see, Celestia-”
“What? I mean, I have responsibilities at home. Earth is my home, Luna. I must return in a reasonable amount of time.”
After this, Celestia was quiet, mumbling things under her breath, shaking noticeably as both Emerald and Luna looked at her in worry.
“Sister, what is it? What's wrong?”
“Leave. He cannot leave. Never.” She finally said, jolting her speech awkwardly as he shook his head.
“As much as I would like to stay, I've no reason to. I don't want to have to learn a new way of life, I like my old one. Now as for-”
“And what does your world have to offer that I don't?!” Celestia stepped up and looked into his eyes angrily. She was using an old trick that worked on him so many centuries ago.
“It's not what it has to offer, it's my life. MY LIFE.” He said as that was completely different to what she was expecting.
“Oh no.” She said to herself as Luna realized her mistake.
“Here I can stay and have as much as I want. Back home it's the same way, but better. You ponies don't have what we have. Of course, you have magic, but what does that get me? I don't get anything out of it. I mean, I know you're crazy in love with me, but I barely know you, and to be honest, it scares me a little.” He finished and sighed, running his fingers through his hair as his voice was reflecting is homesick feeling.
“I miss being back, home, Celestia, I-” He stopped as he immediately was thrusted into a memory from so long ago…
It was Equestria's 1000th Royal Gala, and to show it's happiness among the surrounding nations, all species allied with Equestria were able to attend, Griffons, Dragons, and many more.
And even humans, when they were alive.
As of this moment, the Princess in charge, Princess Celestia, was speaking with a rather intriguing group consisting of a human, two ponies, a griffon, and a dragon.
“Well, it sucks even more when you get outta bed and realize you're late for work. I had that happen once, I was an hour late.” The human was speaking as Celestia smiled and stared into his eyes. Something about him attracted her… as did it the ponies around him.
“Worst case scenario would be I got fired, and boy did that scare me. So I got ready, lookin' good, and I marched into the office, and then it hit me.”
“What?” The dragon said.
“Today was a holiday. A freakin' holiday.” He said as they all laughed as he shook his head in glee at himself and how stupid he was.
“So don't get drunk or try anything new on a weekday. Try it on the weekend, take it from me. You might, no, you will end up regretting it.”
And then the memory flashed to a scene where all that was left was her, speaking with this mysterious human in her castle, quite some time after the Gala.
“Please, Em… don't leave yet, I have something to tell you.”
“What?” He said, grabbing his coat.
“Don't go back home… please. Stay in Equestria.”
“But-”
“Please.” She pleaded as her violet eyes begged him passionately.
“I miss being back home, Celestia.” He said as he opened the door.
“I'll see you again, sometime.” He smiled and tipped his hat down a little before walking out and down the hallway,
“I love you, Em. I always have, ever since I saw you. I'm begging you not to leave.” She pleaded and confessed her love as he stopped and looked back, and forward, and back at her.
He slowly began to walk back as her heart began to flutter, beating harder with each step she took, as he grasped her cheek and kissed her passionately, dropping his duffel bag and caressing her softly.
“Then I shall stay, and be with you for as long as you want me.” He smiled as they faded away like dust and the memory faded away.
…
“Huh?!” Em said as he was being shaken by Luna as he looked at her, still a little dazed.
“What happened? You were out for almost a half-an-hour!” She said as he looked at her.
“I shall stay… and be with you...” He said quietly as Celestia listened.
“What did you say?” Luna asked as he looked into Celestia's eyes.
“That's what my memory says… that's what I said...”
“What did you say?”
“I said: “Then I shall stay, and be with you for as long as you want me”. That is what I said to you, Tia… plain as day.” He said as she felt her heart flutter just like it did that night so long ago.
“I used to love you… I loved you… I...”
“… love you.” He said as Luna smiled to hear those words again. Celestia was on cloud nine when she heard those words.
“And as I said before, I love you. Em, I always have, ever since I saw you. I'm begging you not to leave.” She hugged him closely as he rested his head on her shoulder and embraced her.
“I don't want to go back… just be with me.” He said quietly as he felt uncomfortable without her embrace.
“I will. Always.” She said and slowly began to step away.
“Just hug me… hold me… please.” He shook as she smiled and obliged. She loved it when he was vulnerable. It was a small part of him she absolutely adored.
Luna walked over and mouthed the words “good job” to her sister, before walking away to leave them alone for a while.
… And the two of them stood there for what seemed like hours. He never wanted to leave her embrace, and she never wanted to let go. They held each other and kissed softly, as Em began to understand. Slowly he was understanding her love.
“I love you, Em. I love you so much. Even if you don't feel the same way, it's ok… I can wait for you.”
After this, he nodded and he let go, to his body's dismay.
“… Did I have any relatives? You know, back then?” He asked her as she nodded.
“You did. You told me all about your younger brother and older sister. You three were the adventurous type. That is why you wanted to leave. Your brother died… and your sister was frozen in ice somewhere in the-”
“Frozen North.” He finished as she nodded.
“Yes, how did you know?”
“I just do. Where in there?”
“No one really knows. Some say it was because of Sombra, wanting to get revenge on everypony, some say it was because the Yaks, and some say it was just the natural course of things. We tried desperately to find her, but couldn't.” She explained.
“She was… I think in the caves at the time. Nopony ever dared to walk into the caves, it is much to dangerous.”
“Oh… is she still alive?”
“Well… yes and no. Being frozen makes your body halt it's aging… she must now be over a thousand years old, so… no, she isn't.”
Em was furious at this. He always wanted a family, and the only one alive was his sister from long ago. He felt as if he was supposed to find her, to rescue her… but that was the last thing on his mind, considering she was allegedly dead.
“Do you think we could send out ponies to get her out? Or ask for help from the Yaks?”
“Maybe… but for now, let us worry about things present… I'm sure you are hungry, yes?”
“Yeah… I am, actually.”
She grabbed his hand and they walked to the kitchen where they asked for a lunch together.
“Come with me, Em, let us eat in the garden.”
“Garden?”
End of Chapter 2