//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Broken // by Bicyclette //------------------------------// Shining got out of bed, his head still spinning. He was sure he had been dreaming, but he couldn't recall anything. Of course, it wasn't exactly common for him to remember his unconscious wranders of thought, but that didn't explain the strange sense of guilt he felt permeating him. Shaking away the confusion, which for some reason made his head hurt, he set to making his bed, clad with O&O bedsheets and dragon pillowcases. He quickly went downstairs, making no sound on the usually creaky steps covered in carpeting. It was a practiced art, obtained through years of necessary training, also known as sneaking out at midnight.  Arriving in the kitchen, his mother was sitting at the table with his father and sister, who looked at him with concern. Raising an eyebrow, he looked around, wondering what was off. "Why are you three staring at me like that?" Twilight mimicked Shining at that. "Do you not remember what happened?" "Uhh, no? Am I missing something?" Shining said, walking over to the table and taking a seat. While everypony exchanged odd looks, Shining tried to pick up some bread only to get a sharp pain in his cranium and an unmoved loaf.  "Careful! You'll hurt yourself," Twilight Velvet reprimanded, Shining holding his head in his hooves. "Oooww, what just happened?" Shining whined in discomfort. Did something happen to him? Had he forgotten it? Night Light frowned. "Son, you do know your horn is broken, right?" "What?" Shining looked around for a mirror, which Twilight provided quickly. To his horror, his horn was indeed damaged. For some reason, it wasn't terribly surprising, but it still wasn't a pleasant sight. Taking his eyes off his reflection, he turned to his family. "What happened?" Again, they looked at each with concern, not saying anything. "Well, sweetie, it seems like you've forgotten a few things," Velvet said, taking charge. "How about you go for a walk?" Shining's stomach growled. "But I haven't eaten yet!" Just on cue, a picnic basket dropped on the table. Twilight began filling it with loaves of bread, giving more than enough for a breakfast meal. For some reason, the sight made Shining's stomach twist even further, and he knew for a fact it wasn't because of hunger. The basket rose into the air and was set onto his back via magic. "There you go Shiny, enough bread to last 'till evening! Now, go clear your head. We can talk about this later, alright?" Twilight reasoned, her empathetic eyes convincing him it would be fine. Letting out a breath, he gave a stout nod. "Okay. But, you know I don't like being left in the dark, Twily. I'm getting to the bottom of this later," he said with a playful smile. Twilight giggled. "If you say so, my dear Watson." Night Light set a hoof on Shining's withers. "I want you to have a fun day out there. Maybe you could have a real picnic?" he said with a chuckle. "And be safe!" Velvet chipped in. Shining smiled, but inside he wasn't sure what to make of everything. Why so much attention? He was a colt at heart, but that didn't mean ponies tended to treat him like one. Not to mention the weird feeling he got whenever the picnic basket was mentioned.  He supposed it was all in his head. Shining trotted through Canterlot, an uneasy frown. Surely, he would have remembered a broken horn. At least, he thought so. He wasn't exactly sure on what damages it caused other than the obvious loss of magic. Oh well, Shining thought, it'll heal in time. Today was a surprisingly relaxed day for Canterlot, even with this region of the city being mostly unpopulated. The more Shining thought about it, the more everything began to hurt.  So he didn't.  He decided to take his dad's advice and scout for a picnic spot, no matter how strangely uncomfortable it made him. Looking around, there weren't exactly many places for him to use. An idea came to him, recalling a small hill by Royal Glen Park. It was vivid in his mind, so he figured it was a sign. Luckily, it was also close by. Nearing the park, the odd feeling stirred again, but this time it was stronger than before. Shaking it off, he walked to the top of the hill, a giant maple tree towering over him and casting a shadow on him. Opening the basket, he grabbed a blanket; a last minute addition from his sister. Setting it down on the grass, he had to admit, he had missed nature.  His head started to ache, and his mind became hazy. The shadow accompanying him and the tree looked darker than usual. What was happening to him? Did this have to do with his broken horn? How did he even get here? He was supposed to be at his parents house eating breakfast, but here he was, sitting on plaid fabric atop a hill. His stomach complained. Noticing the basket, he opened it and grabbed a loaf of bread. The scent was intoxicating, almost teasing him. It made him sick, and he wanted to taste it. It was the best thing he'd ever smelled, but the feelings it gave him felt both familiar and unknown at the same time.  He took a bite.  “How could you?!" they yelled at him. Why were they mad? He forgot. He didn't understand why, but he knew who it was. "Auburn?" Shining woke up.