//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Memory Lost and Found // by BoredAuthor817 //------------------------------// Starlight jumped off the train and looked about the town. It wasn't at all what she imagined. However, she only had a drawn map to go by. Sunburst said he had spent some time here on layovers during his travels. So, hopefully, that meant there was at least something to do here. She exited the station and took a survey of the area. It looked quaint. Not large like Ponyville was, and not quite small like the town she founded. Still, it seemed a nice change of pace. And, the way things were going, she needed that. “Starlight!” a voice called out. Starlight turned. “Sunburst!” She ran to meet him, wrapping her hooves around him in a hug. “You been here long?” “Only an hour.” the stallion adjusted his glasses, “Made good time on the train. I've picked out a place for us to have brunch. Figured you'd be a little hungry after your trip.” “You're talking to somepony who missed breakfast.” Sunburst lead the way to a delightful-looking little bistro. “This place is amazing” he said, opening the door for Starlight. “Everything is all homemade and is cooked from scratch every morning. You just might want to watch the portion sizes, though. They really like to feed you here.” Starlight let out a chuckle. “Well then, it's a good thing I'm famished.” With their orders placed, the two settled down to light chatting over their cups of hot tea. “So,” Sunburst cleared his throat, “you mentioned something about an emergency. Wanna talk about it?” Starlight's expression fell slightly. “It's complicated.” “Oh...” “A friend of mine has had an accident.” “Starlight, I'm so sorr—” “She's okay, but has lost her memories.” Sunburst's eyes widened “All of them?” “Just the past couple years. She currently thinks she's a filly.” “What happened?” Starlight stirred her tea. “Kinda hard to tell. The accident happened outside of Equestria.” “Wait, is this that friend you said has been studying magic abroad?” Starlight nodded. “Which is partially why I'm here. Princess Twilight is wondering if maybe you could help us.” “Me? How?” “Not here” she sipped her tea. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the waiter approaching with their food. “Too many ponies, and I'd like to enjoy my breakfast.” Sunburst was not kidding on the portion sizes. Starlight felt a little intimated as three heavily-filled platters were set before her. However, after devouring three eggs, a healthy helping of grits, several hay hash browns, a buttered biscuit, and a large stack of pancakes ,she was a happy pony. To watch a single pony eat that much amused Sunburst. He, himself, enjoyed a cheesy garden-stuffed omelet, coupled with toast and a large bowl of fresh fruit. “Now then,” he said, tending to the cheque, “you all ready to go?” The pair made their way to a small park. It was fairly secluded and had many places to sit. Starlight figured this would be the best place to brief Sunburst. They settled by the pond and Starlight produced a scroll from her saddle bag. Sunburst took the document with great wonder. “What would princess Twilight need help wi—Gasp! The Memory Stone!” Starlight's eyebrows raised. “You've heard of it?” “Only in lore!” his smile gradually grew wider, “Did you know that it is said the Clover the Clever traveled to alternate worlds and dimensions in pursuit of this stone?” Starlight maintained a neutral expression. “You don't say.” “Oh, can you imagine it?” Sunburst beamed dreamily, “Worlds beyond our own! Strange and beautiful creatures unlike the kinds we have ever seen!” “Yeah... does sound pretty amazing...” “Wouldn't you want to go to such a place?” “I suppose...” “All the dangers!” “Sounds like a nice vacation...” “Who knows? Maybe there are some worlds out there without magic!” Starlight paused. “You've given a lot of thought to this, haven't you?” “What can I say? I'm a huge fan of Hooves Ferne.” He pulled out the small note which came with the scroll. His eyes darted about the paper as excitement rose to his lips and escaped in a cry of delight. “A secret mission for the princess?” Thankfully, Starlight had the foresight to enact a dome of silence around them. Otherwise, the entire town would have been privy to their conversation. “A secret message?” Sunburst continued reading his note, “Oh, this just keeps getting better!” He held up the first scroll and began examining it from different angles. “Tell me, little one, what secrets do you hold?” “It's only a copy, Sunburst. The paper is new.” “Quite right” Sunburst cleared his throat, “Even so, often times, the parchment itself was infused with an enchantment of some kind. Sometimes, even multiple. You should have Princess Twilight thoroughly inspect the original.” “I'll be sure to pass on the message.” Her spirits fell as she watched Sunburst survey his new project with glee. “I hope this isn't going to be our whole day.” “Hm? Uh, no... 'course not.” He tucked his papers into an inner pocket of his robe for safekeeping. “We intended this to spend the day together and that's exactly what we're gonna do! So, uh, what do you wanna do?” “Well,” She said with a smile, “I saw an antique store on my way in. I thought that, maybe, we could do some antiquing for a while.” “Well, um,” Sunburst coughed and adjusted his glasses, “I saw a hobbies and crafts store on my way in. I thought maybe we could check that out.” Starlight produced a coin. “Tell you what: heads we do antiquing first, tails we do hobbies first. And we can sort out lunch somewhere in the middle.” “Deal!”