//------------------------------//
// 3 — A New Name 
// Story: Zero Fate 
// by GreyNimbus 
//------------------------------//

I was drifting.

Drifting into a black void.

Everything around me was pure darkness.

The only sound I could make out was a heartbeat in the direction I was drifting.

I don't know what awaited me, but something tells me that the heartbeat was my destination. But is that where I really want to go?

I lived my whole life wanting to make my own decisions. Some of them are worth following, and some of them I heavily regret. That was nobody's fault but my own.

Even now, I start to wonder if my somewhat carelessness, in some people's opinion, is why I now find myself surrounded by the loneliness and darkness that is this void.

I took a moment to look around. Is this what my life led to? Is this my punishment for not realizing my full potential? For not finding the ambition to fulfill my... destiny?

I shook those thoughts of doubt away and followed the heartbeat. Anyone with common sense would realize that this is the only path available. As I move closer, the heartbeat gets louder and a wisp of light starts to form in my path.

I reached out to touch it as it got closer and louder every second.

Finally, I grabbed the small wisp of light. It suddenly shines as bright as the sun as it blinded me. The heartbeat continues its soothing symphony.





I gasped as I was startled out of my sleep by the blinding light. I opened my eyes widely, surprisingly they didn't feel so sensitive after I was aware that I was dreaming.

But what stayed the same was the sound of that heartbeat.

I look around to see nothing but pink fur less than an inch in front of my face. I look up to see Starlight Glimmer, sleeping like a puppy. She still had her forearm laying across my body.

I smiled as I now realized that the heartbeat was coming from Starlight's chest. I wonder how I was also able to hear it in my dream? Oh, well. Who cares?

Not wanting to wake her up, I slowly slide out of her grasp. I throw my legs over the side of the bed as I carefully try to stand back up. With little trouble, I stood up stretching my arms to wake up my tired muscles and bones. I hope the sound of popping bones as I stretch doesn't become a bother to any of the ponies here.

Unsure of what time I went to sleep, or when I woke up, I walked over to a window and looked out at the sky. As well as what a portion of this new world looked like.

I look up. It was still nighttime. I can't see the moon. It must be on the other side of this castle. I look down. There was a town or a village of sorts. There were dirt roads and buildings that look far more primitive than the ones back on Earth. They all looked like typical cottages. The roofs were all covered with straw (or hay) and they had timber frames with distinct thatched roofs and overhanging upper floors.

Not exactly what I'm used to, but when it comes to not having hands, I guess there are limits to what ponies can accomplish at carpentering. I'm sure I'll get used to it in no time. I was actually born in a cottage.

Taking the sights several minutes later, I hear a slight moan coming from the bed. I turn to see Starlight shifting in her sleep. I smile at her, thinking about everything she's done for me in my short time here.

She was the first pony out of her group of friends who comforted me when I was feeling sad and alone. She makes me feel like an arrow that found its target. She acted like a guardian angel, with me under her protection.

I was a lost soul when I ended up here, without a home or a goal in life (not that I ever had one)—not caring how or why I got here because nobody can tell me what my future holds. Only I can make that decision. That is why I have decided to go by the new name...


Zero Fate.


After remembering all the names of Starlight's friends, I realized that their names sounded more like a combination of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. They weren't like human names at all. So I figured that going with a name like 'Zero Fate' should make me fit in more. I think 'Zero' for short is a viable nickname too.

I can't wait to see Starlight's reaction when I tell her my new name. But unfortunately, there's nothing else to do but wait.

I've had more than enough sleep, so I wasn't going to go back to sleep for at least another day. Wanting to find something else to do, I scaled the room for anything of interest.

On the opposite wall from the bed was a bookshelf, stocked with... well, books. I limped over to it and tilted my head, trying to read some of the titles on the spines of the books.

Daring Do and the Marked Thief of Marapore.

This first book's title piqued my interest in a split second already. I always was a bit of a novel fanatic. I pulled it out and saw the cover. It showed a Pegasus mare wearing an explorer's hat and vest standing on a rock over a pit of lava in a volcanic environment. There was also a line-up of woodland critters on one side of the cover and a villainous-looking pony in a cowl holding a staff on the other side.

Upon closer inspection, this mare looked a lot like Rainbow Dash, but with different colors. Coincidence? Eh, probably.

I like to read and this book seemed interesting, but I don't just jump right into the first book I pick up. I wanted to see what else is on this metaphorical menu.

I pull out another one. The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide. Nope. Sounds pretty boring. And a guidebook doesn't count as a story. The cover looked well-made, though. Next one!

The Star in Yellow. This one looks like it was written by a child with too much time on his/her hands... er, hooves. It just had a big crudely-drawn yellow star in the center with the title written below it like it was the fine print. Who's book is this? Anyway, moving on.

Fifty Shades of Hay. Okay, perhaps I shouldn't read this. I mean, I'm no stranger to erotic literature, but this one had an 'Adults Only' sticker on the corner of the cover. I don't think ponies would take kindly to watching a child read a book for mature audiences.  Back you go!

I've suddenly lost my taste for reading at the moment. I'll find something else to do. After putting back all the books and placing them back into their rightful places, I made my way to a desk with a few rolled-up scrolls that were tied with ribbons and an inkwell with a quill sticking out of it. I wonder how ponies write? Do they just get a Unicorn to do it or do they use a special kind of pen that they can attach to their hooves? Maybe I'll find that out when I'm enrolled in school... again?

I also see a short stack of parchments next to the inkwell. That's when an idea came to me. Not only was I a bit of a bookworm, but I was also confident in my artistic skills. I wanted to show Starlight how much I appreciate her comfort, so I hop onto the chair and pull out a parchment, and took the quill. I let the excess ink drip back into the inkwell before bringing it to the parchment. I then got to work.





It's a good thing that night in Equestria wasn't as dark as Earth's night, otherwise, this would've taken me much longer. It's almost like the moon is full every night or something.

After an hour of careful positioning and stroking of my quill, I've successfully drawn the mark on Starlight's flank.

I still don't know what those marks are or what they mean, but I get the feeling that they are most important to whoever they are imprinted on.

Oops, almost forgot to sign it.

I wasn't sure how I was going to show Starlight my drawing, but for now, I left it on the desk so the ink can dry. I was starting to get bored again until I noticed a sudden increase in brightness in the room. I looked out the window and saw the sun rising over the horizon at a speed that was a hundred times faster than the ascension of Earth's sun. How is that possible!? Was something actually controlling the sun's positioning? I was so taken back by this that I lost balance and tripped over. I landed with a thud.

"Owww..." That hurt more than I was expecting.

"Huh?"

I briefly heard Starlight as she started to wake up. Either from the sound of my tumble or the sun's rays, I can't say for sure.

"S-starlight?"

"Little guy? Wait, where are you?"

"I'm..." I struggle to continue my sentence as I hiss in pain, "I'm on the floor."

Starlight looked down and gasped in shock. "Oh, no! Are you alright? Did you fall out of bed?"

"Not exactly. Can you help me up, please?"

Starlight complied and lifted my whole body with her magic. She levitated me up and gently landed me back on the bed, lying right next to her.

Starlight quickly examined me for signs of any new bruises. "Are you hurt?", She asked worriedly.

I shook my head, "No, I'll be alright. I didn't actually fall out of bed. I tripped over."

"Tripped over?" Starlight asked, raising an eyebrow, "You mean you were walking around? You remember what Fluttershy told you, right? You have to stay off your legs for just a couple more days. I know you probably don't like laying in bed all day, but it's for your own good."

"I know, but..." I said, feeling guilty for acting so careless, "I just wanted to make something nice for you, that's all." I start to feel a tear building up in my eye.

"You... made something for me? What was it?" She said, starting to feel bad for scolding me.

I pointed to the desk where the drawing was still sitting. "On the desk."

She turned to where I was pointing and saw an unfamiliar parchment with something drawn on it. She hopped off the bed and made her way toward it.

This isn't how I had planned to show her, but I suppose it'll have to do. I didn't want to lie to her about how I fell.

When Starlight finally got close enough to the table, she let out a gasp and moved a hoof to her muzzle. I was sure that she liked what she saw.

After a few seconds of waiting for a reaction, she turned to face me. She was smiling and had a tear rolling down her cheek.

"This... this is so sweet of you. You drew my Cutie Mark with such grace and detail. I love it so much!" She then trotted towards me and grabbed me in a tight embrace. "Thank you... Zero Fate."

I was a little taken back by how she knew my new name. But then I remembered that I wrote it down in fine print at the corner of the picture as my signature.

So those marks on her flanks are called 'Cutie Marks', huh? Cute name...

"You're welcome... Starlight Glimmer."







After our mutual bonding, Starlight took the drawing and left the room, saying she'll be right back. I assume she went to show Twilight and her assistant, whom I have yet to meet.

I waited patiently in bed, rubbing the slight bruise that I got on my knee when I fell down. The pain went away in no time.

After several minutes of waiting, Starlight returned, holding a picture frame with her magic. "Sorry for the wait." She said, "I just ran to the storage room to find a frame for your drawing."

So that's what she did when she left. I figured she liked my drawing, but not enough that she had to find a frame for it right away. It actually made me quite happy to know that my artistic skills can brighten someone's day like that.

She then took down a different framed picture from the wall. This one was just an equal sign with a negation symbol over it. I wonder what that one's about. She then replaced it with the new framed drawing and threw the old one in the trash bin next to her desk.

"There we go!" She said "Now whenever I'm in my room, I will always have this drawing to remember you by. Not that you would just disappear out of thin air and never come back, right?"

I laughed nervously "Eheheh, yeah."

Wow, talk about foreshadowing.

"Anyway," Starlight said, "would you like me to bring you some breakfast? I can make whatever you like."

How generous of her. "I'd like that, but could you please escort me to the lavatory first? I haven't gone in 2 days." I said as my legs began to fidget, signaling to Starlight that I'm trying to hold it in.

"Oh, of course, Zero. Here, let me help you out of bed." She says as she lifts me up with her magic again. She looked like she was going to sit me on her back and carry me to the little boy's room. But before I could sit on her, I interrupted.

"Uh, Starlight? Would it be alright if I walk there?" I asked. I know I was busting to make a little waterfall, but I still wanted to try getting there myself. I just needed an escort so I wouldn't get lost.

"No can do, kid. You've already put too much strain on your legs. Take another step and you can lay in that bed for an extra day, mister." She says, acting all responsible.

I guess she has a point. She finally puts me on her back and walks out of the room.





After going Number 1 in what their version of a lavatory is, Starlight and I went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. On the way there I got a good look at the other parts of the castle. I'm more surprised how anyone can't get lost in this place. All the interior looks the same as anywhere else and there are no signs telling me which room is which. It's a freakin' maze here.

After a few minutes of wandering through this crystalline fortress, we arrived at the kitchen. It looks decent enough. They got a pantry, a large refrigerator, a couple of stoves, sinks, ovens, and a big prep table in the center. They also had a collection of cooking utensils, pots, and pans hanging from the walls. This is probably the best-looking kitchen anyone with a cooking career could ever want.

As we walked inside, Starlight lifted me once again and sat me down on a stool next to the prep table.

"So, what are you in the mood for today, Zero?" Starlight asks.

On our way here, I didn't even stop to consider what I want for breakfast. I was too distracted by the castle's interior design.

"Umm... pancakes?" I said shyly.

"Great!" She exclaimed "Let's get started, then! Wanna help me make them?"

"Uh, sure. Why not?" I was a little bit hesitant because I wasn't very good at making pancakes. But for Starlight, I'll gladly follow her instructions. "What do you want me to do?"





After what I thought would take all morning, we had finished making pancakes with cream, maple syrup, chocolate sauce, and blueberries. This is probably the most beautiful and attractive breakfast I've ever seen. No one on Earth would put enough effort to make pancakes with this many toppings... or in more than 3 stacks! My stack was a tower of 8 pancakes. I'm not sure if I can eat all this.

I don't know who taught her but Starlight really knew her stuff when it came to cooking. I hope she'll teach me a thing or two when I'm older.

She and I both sat next to each other at this round crystalline table with, what appeared to be, six thrones (seven if you count the little one). I just sat there nervously with my stack on a plate in front of me. As Starlight was eating her own stack, using a fork with her magic, she took notice of my uncomfortable expression.

"Is something wrong, Zero? You haven't even touched your food," she asked.

I don't make eye contact, I just look down at my lap, twiddling my thumbs nervously. "Oh, it's nothing, really. I just... feel a bit guilty for not being of much help in... making such good-looking pancakes."

Starlight was about to take her next bite before she stopped with her mouth wide open. She then thought of a slightly embarrassing idea (for both of them). She may come to either regret it later or cherish the moment to come.

She puts down her fork and uses her magic to grab my own fork. She stabs my pancakes to get a chunk out of one and playfully brings it to my face.

"Say 'Aah'!"

I notice the food floating toward me, causing me to back off in my seat.

"What the heck is she doing?" I thought.

I turn to look at her, showing me a smile that showed nearly all her teeth like she was forcing herself to smile. I can tell she was just treating me like a... oh, I see what she's doing; She's trying to spoil me.

Alright, I'll play along.

I lazily close my eyes as I open my mouth as wide as I can, waiting for my prize. "Aaahhh~!"

The next thing I felt was the unmistakable texture of the heavenly pancakes. Just feeling them on my tongue was enough to judge its scrumptious taste.

I closed my mouth and chewed slowly. "Mmm~." I moaned in bliss as I took in the combined flavors of the pancakes and all their toppings.

"So, what do you think?" Starlight asked.

I re-opened my eyes to look at her as I answered professionally.

"They're delicious! I love them!" I shouted after swallowing my food. If I could have breakfast like this every day, I would be so happy.

"Good to see you in better spirits." She said with a smile, which made me blush. "Now, finish your breakfast and I'll give you the grand tour of Ponyville. Sound good?"

I raised my fork in the air, feeling like a flag-bearer saluting for a Warband. "Yes, ma'am!"

I then proceeded to wolf down my most important meal of the day like a man possessed.