Cuatro

by Dirty Bit

Capítulo Seis

Twilight took point with Spike on her back as she led the group towards their next destination: Sugarcube Corner. Strangely, there wasn't any pony in sight around Ponyville. While they trotted with Cuatro tailing the group once more, Spike whispered to Twilight "Hey, Twilight? What's an 'Ichigo'?"

Twilight turned to Spike with a befuddled glance "An Ichigo?"

Spike nodded "Yeah. Cuatro said it earlier while he had that headache of his. You think it might have something to do with his memory?"

Twilight looked ahead in thought "Not that I know of. I don't think he's really been showing any signals of memory acquisation towards us. Maybe we can talk about it later tonight."

Spike looked back at Cuatro and scratched his head "You think that maybe his headaches are connected with his amnesia? I mean, amnesia's a mental illness, right? Maybe the pain going through his head could be a sign of sorts!"

Twilight sighed "We can't just simply jump to conclusions, Spike! We'll talk about it later." She noticed a building that looked as if it was made of sweets and smiled "We're here!"

Cuatro looked up and tilted his head "Are you sure this is the place?"

Rainbow Dash chuckled "Trust us, C! This is exactly the place! In fact, you should definitely go first!" Cuatro shifted his eyes to Rainbow Dash and stared in silence, causing her to frown "Well, aren't you going in?"

Cuatro was silent before he replied "You're hiding something..."

Rainbow Dash flinched before she grinned nervously "C'mon, Cuatro! What do I have to hide from you?"

Cuatro replied instantly "Nothing that I know of for certain, but my senses tell me that you're keeping something from me. This doesn't have something to do with the conversation at the spa, does it?"

Twilight frowned 'Uh oh. I think we're making him uncomfortable with this...' She trotted over to Cuatro's side "Don't worry, Cuatro. We're at your side the whole step of the way! This may seem like we're hiding something, but we'll come with you and help you see it through! We wouldn't be friends if we didn't..." She gave a reassuring smile.

Cuatro stared at Twilight for a moment before he nodded "That much is true...Thank you for your support..."

Applejack smiled and nodded respectfully 'Nice save, Twi...' The group then opened the front door to reveal nothing but darkness "We're right behind ya, Cuatro. Watch yer step!"

When everypony was inside, Rarity carefully shut the door and caused everything to be pitch black "Just bear with us for a short moment, darling. Let me just get the light..."

The lights turned on, and it showed that the room was decorated in party favors and full of several ponies, Pinkie included, with smiles on their faces. The moment they were revealed, they yelled a big "SURPRISE!" in unison. Some confetti flew in the room while some party blowers sounded.

Cuatro only looked around when the noise died down, some of the confetti getting in his mane "I see...A surprise party, correct?"

Pinkie zipped up to Cuatro "Were you surprised at all, Cuaty? Were you? Were you!?" She flashed an expectant grin at his face.

Cuatro stared back at Pinkie after he shook the confetti out of his mane and responded "Not entirely. However, I did not think you would host a party like this...What is the occasion?" He looked around.

Pinkie huffed "Don't you get it? It's a welcome party! For you, silly!" She smiled "You're gonna have so much fun in Ponyville, and we'll make sure you do!" She held out a hoof "We're super glad to have you here today, Cuaty!"

Cuatro was not too keen on his newly-earned nickname, but he was polite enough to have his hoof meet Pinkie's. When he did, however, he grunted when he felt a shock throughout his body. He drew back his hoof and saw Pinkie giggling hysterically as she revealed a buzzer strapped to her hoof. The strange alicorn was instantly confused at this, not being fully aware of the item on Pinkie's hoof from the beginning.

"Why would she do that? Is this a joke?"

Pinkie ceased her laughter as she smiled up at Cuatro "C'mon, Cuaty! I'm sure you'd appreciate a good joke even though you don't look all that happy!"

Cuatro looked away "To be truthful, I was caught by surprise that time much rather than when the party had started..."

Pinkie giggled "I guess I'll take that one then!" She then tossed away her buzzer and pulled one of Cuatro's forehooves with both of her own "You gotta meet everypony since you're gonna be here a while! Let's go!"

Cuatro reluctantly followed while he was being pulled by Pinkie and looked back to see the others flash awkward smiles at his departure. Twilight mouthed the words 'Just go with it' before he stopped for a moment.

Pinkie placed Cuatro in front of a yellow mare with an orange mane and tail, with carrots for a cutie mark "Carrot Top, I'd like you to meet my new friend, Cuatro!!"

When she was looked at by the strange alicorn, Carrot Top winced and forced a smiled "Um...H-Hello?" She waved slightly.

Cuatro looked down and responded in his monotonous tone "Hello..."

Pinkie nodded "Good! Next pony!" She went behind Cuatro and began pushing him away from Carrot Top with her head onto the next pony. Soon, the strange alicorn found himself standing in front of a group of mares with flowers for cutie marks. Pinkie grinned "Cuatro, meet Daisy, Lily, and Roseluck!! They have the prettiest flowers!!"

Cuatro looked at the group as they backed away with visible fear. He then turned to Pinkie "This is pointless, Pinkie...They're only afraid of me..."

Pinkie perked up "Oh yeah, I forgot!" She turned to the group of mares "Cuaty here has amnesia, and he's VERY sad about it!"

As if enchanted by a spell, the mares' previous fear had vanished and they trotted up to Cuatro with 'Awwww's' and sympathetic smiles. Roseluck spoke up "You poor dear...I do hope you enjoy your stay here in Ponyville."

Cuatro went to respond, but was then pushed away from the group by Pinkie "Next pony!" The strange alicorn directed his gaze to Pinkie while she pushed him.

"She must seem very confident in having me accepted by the other ponies..."

Rainbow Dash watched Pinkie and Cuatro from the air with a barely-contained grin on her face as she descended to her friends "He's going through introductions pretty well!" She said with amusement in her voice.

Fluttershy frowned "Oh, I hope he doesn't feel bad around Pinkie..."

Applejack munched on a cupcake and spoke after swallowing a bite "Maybe he'll warm up t' her somehow. Ah'm more worried about tomorro', though..."

Twilight turned to Applejack "You mean with the princess?"

Applejack frowned "Sure he's polite an' stuff, but Cuatro hasn't shown a lick o' emotion with us at all! He even admitted that there wasn't any point for 'im smilin'!"

Rainbow Dash was dumbfounded "He SAID that? Looks like Pinkie's gonna have her work cut out for her..."

Twilight took Applejack's words into consideration and looked lightly stressed "You're right...What if his dispassionate background causes the visit with Princess Celestia to go awry? This can't be good at all!" She nearly shouted out her last sentence.

Fluttershy fidgeted with her hooves "Maybe she wouldn't mind it...I'm sure she could understand where Cuatro is coming from with how he acts..."

Rarity held a look of thought "What if I get him into a suit that dictates his character? He'll need to look his best if he's willing to make a first impression!"

Rainbow Dash sighed "He'll be fine without clothes, Rarity. This is about how he acts, not how he looks!"

Fluttershy cringed "Even though he does look pretty scary..." She murmured to herself.

Applejack sighed "Well, let's jus' hope Celestia knows Cuatro. Otherwise, we're in fer an awkward night tomorro'..."
_____

Applebloom smiled up at Cuatro while two other fillies, one unicorn and one pegasus, gasped up at his figure. Pinkie grinned "Hey Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo! Have you met our new awesome friend Cuatro?"

Applebloom nodded "Ah already met 'im, Pinkie! Though Ah never thought that would be his name..." She craned her head back in confusion before she looked up at the strange alicorn "How're my sister an' 'er friends treatin' ya, Cuatro?"

Cuatro looked down "Fairly well, Applebloom..." He spoke in his monotonous tone.

Sweetie Belle looked up with awe in her eyes "Wow...Another alicorn!"

Scootaloo grinned "And he looks so cool, too!!" She looked over at his cutie mark and her face contorted into confusion "What's with his cutie mark?"

Cuatro looked at his cutie mark and replied "I am not too certain myself...But it must bear significant meaning if that is what I was born with..."

Scootaloo's eyes then trailed over to Cuatro's tail "And how'd you get your tail like that? It's so long!" She galloped over and examined it up close.

Sweetie Belle trotted up in front of Cuatro and glanced at his eyes, tilting her head in confusion "You don't look too happy, Cuatro. Are you sick or sad?"

Applebloom came up to her friend's side "That's how he always looks, Sweetie Belle. It'll take some gettin' used to, but he's really nice!" She smiled up at the strange alicorn "Ain't ya, Cuatro?"

Cuatro paused before he looked away "I suppose...I musn't disregard those that have cared for me." He looked back to see Scootaloo feeling his tail. The orange filly noticed him looking and sheepishly trotted back to her friends.

Pinkie giggled "Okie Dokie Loki, Cuatro! Just a few more ponies and you can have some nice delicious cake! Let's get you moving!" She then pushed Cuatro off towards others.

Scootaloo watched in befuddlement "How does he live without smiling like that?"

Sweetie Belle watched as well "I don't know. I'm actually surprised Rarity likes him a lot!" She turned to Applebloom "Didn't you say that he has amnesia?"

Applebloom nodded "Uh huh! Don't know why he chooses t' act like that, though...Maybe he's sad that he doesn't remember much..."

Scootaloo smiled "Maybe we can help Pinkie into cheering him up! We could probably get a cutie mark out of it!!"

The crusaders looked at each other before they grinned and shouted in unison

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS ENTERTAINING SQUAD! YAY!!"

With that, they zipped after Pinkie and Cuatro in hopes of lifting the strange alicorn's spirits.
_____

Spike held out his claws as he looked at his friends "So do any of you know what an Ichigo is? Cuz' I sure as hay don't!"

Rainbow Dash tilted her head "Ichigo? You mean that random word he said at the spa? No clue. What's gotten you fixed up about it?"

Twilight explained clearly "Spike has a theory that that particular word may be connected to his memories. At one point I'm willing to agree with him, but its sounds too farfetched to be connected with him somehow..."

Rainbow Dash deadpanned "You mean as farfetched as Hueco Mundo?"

Twilight narrowed her eyes at the cyan pegasus "Well that one didn't make any sense neither! I mean, have you ever even seen a place in Equestria called Hueco Mundo?"

Fluttershy held up a hoof "Maybe Cuatro needs some medical treatment?"

Applejack shook her head "No need. Ah could tell jus' by lookin' at 'im that he's 'bout as right as rain! Th' headaches 're a different story, though..."

Spike flailed his arms lightly "Don't you think THAT might be another thing connected to his amnesia somehow?"

Rarity looked concerned "Well, it musn't be so good to endure such pain on random occasions! But perhaps Spike is onto something, maybe?"

Twilight waved a hoof "Maybe I can talk with him about it after the party. Besides, there's that and trying to coerce his seemingly cold demeanor! Let's just have Cuatro enjoy himself for now and we'll see what we can do later."
_____

Pinkie narrowed her eyes in determined "Are you ready for this?"

The CMC stood, looking as determined as Pinkie as they said "Ready!" In unison.

Pinkie licked her lips "Prepare the instruments! This is ain't gonna be pretty..." She pulled out a goose feather with her teeth.

The CMC did as they were told as each filly held a feather in their teeth.

The group of mares kept a glare on Cuatro as he looked over at the snack table. Pinkie muffled between her teeth "Rea-ee..." The group planted their hooves in a pouncing position "Gu!" They then charged at the strange alicorn, the CMC jumping at him when they were close.

Cuatro looked at the food, but stopped when he heard Pinkie. He then looked to see Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo slowly approach him in the air with their eyes narrowed. Their speed was similar to when he was confronted by the manticore in the Everfree Forest.

"Do they wish to attack me? Why are they using feathers?"

Cuatro stared at the airborne fillies before nonchalantly moving a few paces to his left to avoid them trying to jump on him. They then fell onto the floor in a pile "You shouldn't be so bold as to attack during a party..."

Pinkie appeared behind Cuatro with a grin, her feather now in one of her hooves "A diversionary tactic!!" She then began stroking the feather on his left side "Gotcha! C'mon, girls!!"

The CMC then got up and took their feathers as they stroked them along different parts of Cuatro's body. Applebloom moved her feather up and down his right hindleg, Sweetie Belle stroked her feather under Cuatro's chin, and Scootaloo stroked her feather behind one of his wings.

Cuatro only stood and looked around at his attackers before he sweatdropped in realization.

"They aren't trying to attack me, are they?"

Pinkie held her devious grin "Double time, girls! He's sure to crack somehow!"

Sweetie Belle stopped and looked up at Cuatro's face before she frowned "I don't think it's working, girls..."

Pinkie picked up the pace in stroking her feather "Nonsense! If this doesn't work, I don't know what will!"

"It's not working..."

Pinkie stopped and looked at Cuatro's face to see that he indeed hadn't reacted to Pinkie's random offensive "Oh...You're good~!!" She squinted her eyes as if she thought Cuatro acted suspicious. The party pony then turned to the fillies "Fall back, girls! We need another plan!"

The group of mares then quickly fled away from Cuatro as he stared at them disappearing into the crowd.

"Along with Pinkie, these ponies are rather...strange..."