//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Girl trouble and self exploration // Story: The Mare to Heart // by Veridian Phantom //------------------------------// You took a moment to ponder what had just occurred, not remembering those memories, and now all of a sudden you're a human? “N-no that c-can't be right, i-i-it just can't! I was born of a mother and father, and I had a sister, all of them were ponies, like me and the rest of Equestria's inhabitants.” Some stuttered words caused Twilight to believe she may just have scared the living goddesses out of you. Boy was she close to right... “Bu-I-I don't even... Hold on a moment” Twilight was at a loss for words, just as she finished stuttering like you had, she immediately called on Spike to help search for a book about humans, and ran up to one of the many bookshelves that surround the lobby of the library. After a few moments she returned and floated a book in front of you with her magic. “This book explains of a species known to of have lived in Equestria once called humans. At about chapter 3 it explains that humans were exiled from Equestria and with the magic of Princess Celestia and Discord, they were banished to another world, forever. In chapter 4 it says the reason this harsh decision was called upon was because humans were war-hungry and would fight for resources of a land, conquering different places around our world for their own due to resources that another land possessed, greed, war, strife, and power. The human race searched for those wherever they went and 1000 years ago had staged an attack on Equestria to gain the teachings of magic from us ponies, it say's there was a huge war and at the turning point for the humans to win. That's when the Princess and Discord decided to banish them forever. But there was one pony who sided with the humans. Nightmare Moon, and of course being Princess Celestia's sister, she couldn't banish her forever, so she decided 1000 years of punishment to the moon would suffice.” Sitting there listening to all this makes you feel guilty inside, and a little hateful towards humans. Especially being one, or rather having been one. “It's uncanny though to think that humans may still remember Equestria and have created some sort of moving picture from it. And they didn't skip a beat with missing anypony from here either.” “Enough about humans, can we get back to how I am a human? Or was... a human?” You were frustrated now, thinking that your entire existence was now a lie. “Well remember when you clicked that “link” on some sort of weird looking book?” “I remember that being called a computer. It displays information much like a book, but in one machine.” “Right well, right after that no memories of being human came into view, just memories of when you were born and so on.” “And your point is what? That the link I clicked on was a magical portal into the land of Equestria?” Twilight missed the sarcasm in your voice “Precisely. There is a chance that clicking that link has sent you into this world by means of being reborn into a pony.” “Now then about that so-called computer, how do you make one? Books all neatly put into one machine? I'd love to learn more about that!” “Woah, woah there Twilight, I don't remember everything from my life as a human, and I definitely don't remember how to make one. Perhaps one day some egghead genius will come up with the first ever computer.” “So what was it you wanted to talk to me about? Something about Rarity I presume?” “Wow, how did you know?” “I read your memories. Remember?” Her face tilted to the side like you may have been crazy not to remember. “Oh right...” You looked down sheepishly and embarrassed at that statement. “Well if you've read my memories you probably guessed I really like her, and that she's dating that Fancyface guy now.” “Yes I know about that, she doesn't really like him in that way, she just said yes because of his fame and wealth. She may in the end dump him.” “Really?” You ask pleadingly. “Really.” Twilight assured. “Now then, seeing as Rarity is a lady and likes being clean and proper, it's always bonus points for you to be clean and well... proper. But I believe you already have that covered, what with your little incident at your first meeting with her.” Twilight let out a slight giggle. “Laughing at my expense? That really hurt y'know.” You replied coyly. “Yes well, moving on. You need to do something big, however, I don't know much about this whole dating thing, from what i've read in books you can't really tell the outcome until you've had a first date. So how about after she goes out with Fancypants on monday night, you ask her out the next day?” “So there really isn't anything big I can do? Well that's helpful, I guess i'll do what you say then. Thanks Twilight.” “No problem, oh and your secret Thunder. Is safe with me.” With that you trotted over to the door, smiled back and bid farewell as you now had to wait until tomorrow night's date to end to finally ask Rarity out. --------------------Tuesday------------------------------------------------ You wake up in your comfy bed after having a really good sleep, a good omen to start the day off. You practice the daily morning ritual that is: slumping out of bed, brushing your teeth, combing your mane, and of course making breakfast after barely making it down the stairs to the kitchen without falling down them. After a quick shower (yes you take a shower after combing your mane), you head down the stairs yet again and head out the door to run a few errands before doing one of the biggest things you'll ever do besides moving to Ponyville. Asking Rarity on a date. After all the mundane tasks that were laid out before you were done such as groceries, wood for repairs and nails, and of course a new blanket as the old one was getting old, you set out to find Rarity, your heart was thumping heavily as you got closer and closer to the boutique. It was like you were about to enter a haunted house, as your heart was thumping at the speed of a Formula One Car. Must be those weird human thoughts again. You muttered. Just as you got up to the door, your heart was now in your throat, you felt it thumping so hard you thought an earthquake had struck near you. The ultimate decision was now, do you go for it? Or just let fate handle it. You gained up the courage to finally knock. Knock, knock, knock You wait about a few seconds, not a peep or movement from inside. Knock, knock, knock Still nothing, now you're starting to get worried that something might be wrong. You decide to knock again just in-case. Knock, knock, knock Giving up and worried that something might've happened, you decide to head into town and ask Ponyville's residents if they have seen Rarity since last night. You asked Bon Bon and Lyra, Applejack and The Cutie Mark Crusaders, Fluttershy, Zecora, Rainbow Dash, and the Mayor. You've asked just about every pony in Ponyville, even the ones not mentioned. No pony has seen her since after her date with Fancypants. They all suggested she may be with Fancypants at the hotel on the northern side of Ponyville. So you begin to trot your way up the hotel and you asked the clerk what room Fancypants was in. It was time to ask the pony you didn't want to have to ask. As you got to his room you knocked on the door, waited a few moments and out came one tall, handsome white coated gentlecolt. Fancypants. “Yes how may I help you young lad?” “I've been looking for Rarity, and I know you had a date with her last night, do you know where she went?” “She didn't make it home?” That comment blew you aback. “What? What do you mean didn't make it home?” Now you were furious. “Calm down and let me tell you, after our meals we went to part ways for the night, she said she would like one more date to finalize her decision, Celestia forbid what decision that may have been but I insisted I walk her home but she refused and left before I could say another word.” If looks could kill, this colt would be dead right now. Remembering to calm down as he probably had nothing to do with it, and jealousy was more than likely the cause of this anger, you decided to ask calmly. “Where did you two go for your date, and which way was she headed?” “We went to Sugar Cube Corner for some cupcakes, not really a meal, but she insisted because her friend works there. After our “meals” she went home through a back alley she said was shortcut home, more than likely it was, and judging from the boutique's location, it was.” “Alright then, thank you.” You said your goodbyes and took off for Sugar Cube Corner, this time however, you felt extremely worried that the alley he mentioned didn't have something anypony would want to see in there. As you arrived at Sugar Cube Corner you went inside and decided to ask Pinkie Pie what had happened. “Hey Pinkie Pie, how's it going?” “Oh hey Thunder, I was just helping Mr. And Mrs. Cake finish up their MMMM” “Their MMMM?” At that point she said it so fast you couldn't make heads or tails or what it stood for, sounded like just a bunch of “mmm” sounds to you like someone had their lips shut with tape. “Okay, anyway, do you know which alleyway Rarity took to get home last night?” “Yeah actually it's the one 2 houses down, next to some furniture store. Why? Is there some sort of surprise in there, or perhaps an alleyway party?” Her face was covered in just the biggest smile known to pony. Easily a Guinness world record here. “Thanks Pinkie!” “No problemo Thunder!” You left the shop and headed for the alleyway that may hold the events of monday night's date. As you arrived at the alleyway you noted that it was about noon seeing as the alley was bright with the suns rays, perfect for seeing down the alley, you begin to trot down the alley when you note a sizeable hole in the ground. Looks big enough for a pony to fit through, maybe she fell down the hole? Looking down you see that it's dirt that looks clawed, not hoof marks, and some signs of a struggle surrounding the area as if she was taken. Wait that can only mean. “Diamond Dogs.” Your face deadpanned, at this point, you may have made a Rambo reference because you were dead serious like you were ready to murder them. You bolted back to the hotel to tell her coltfriend Fancypantsy. Not sure why, but he seemed like his build may put up a better fight than your own. As you go to the hotel you bolted up the stairs ignoring the elevator this time and arrived at his door with amazing speed. Taking a few deep breaths after just having run what felt like a marathon, you knocked on the door and out popped the stallion you were looking for. “I... Know... What happened... To... Rarity” You were out of breath and needed a breather before you could utter another word. “Allow me to get you a glass of water, come in, sit down, and please do tell.” He was still calm and collected after you found out? Odd. He gave you the glass of water and you gulped it down faster than a fish can swim, letting out a hearty “ahhh” you could now feel air returning to your lungs as you calmed down a bit. “The alley she took, was booby trapped, and what I mean by this, is that Diamond Dogs were waiting in ambush, for I could only guess her specifically, the dirt seemed like it was dug out a while back, but the hoof marks and struggle marks are fresh from monday night.” “My word... Do you know if she's alright?” “No, I didn't go down there, i'm not exactly built for combat. So I came to tell you.” “Well I shall let the authorities know right away and allow them to help her. Certainly they will do a lot better.” That comment made you perk up, did he just say to let someone else handle it? “What? You're not going to rescue her? The very same stallion that intruded a party full of ponies from Ponyville, and gallantly asked her out in front of everyone, won't go to rescue her from a few measly dogs?” You were now more infuriated than before, you were ready to set off the Hindenberg just with your anger alone. “But it's dirty, and i'm not one for combat, it's just brutal, I'm not one to get into the affairs of the police.” He whined. “ARE YOU BUCKING KIDDING ME?” You screamed at the top of your lungs and bolted out the door towards the alleyway which Rarity was kidnapped. “It seems I have to do this myself.” You angrily muttered to yourself.