Cuatro

by Dirty Bit

Capítulo Diez

The train ride was moving along swimmingly for the group, though they had to deal with the fearful glances from the departing passengers and being stared at from all angles on the way to Canterlot. None of the group said a word, as to not draw any more unneeded attention towards them, namely Cuatro.

On the ride there, he peered out of the window next to his seat and looked upon the moving landscape and the brisk winter sky outside. A new sight caught his eye, consisting of a mountain with a castle hanging on its edge as it grew in size.

"So that's Canterlot...It does seem sublime in appearance. But one would think if the inhabitants of this place act the same way..."

They moved along the rails, through the tunnels, and train finally touched Canterlot station as it came to a halt. Everypony on board exited their carts and made their way into the city. Cuatro looked around to see that the inside of the city was composed of many lavish structures, from stores to regular homes. The folks trotting around were dressed in formal attire with their noses in the air, as if giving somepony the cold shoulder. When they took notice of Cuatro trotting with his friends, however, they flinched before they quickly bowed in reverance.

Spike looked around before he smiled up at Cuatro "And here you thought they would be afraid of you!"

Cuatro replied flatly "I can feel their fear from where I trot..."

Applejack rolled her eyes "Only cuz they know yer an alicorn. Y'all 're pretty much a royal icon here in Canterlot!"

Twilight looked back to her friends "Well now that we're here, we have plenty of time to tour around before we meet with the princess!"

Cuatro looked around and then turned to Twilight "As much as I would enjoy another tour, I would like to see Princess Celestia now..."

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow "You're pretty antsy to meet her, huh?"

Cuatro looked back at the cyan pegasus "I want to see if Twilight's praise proves truthful to my standards...I do not wish to be kept in the dark for too long..."

Twilight paused at Cuatro's words 'So much for searching around Canterlot for anything familiar...' She then nodded "Okay. We'll make for the castle so you can talk to the Princess! Let's go, everypony!" The group then made a beeline for the castle, dealing with several passing residents bowing to Cuatro on sight. Twilight stole a brief glance back at the strange alicorn before looking ahead with slight worry 'Oh, I hope this goes well once we arrive...'

Pinkie trotted next to Cuatro's right side and looked up at him with a smirk "You know, Cuaty...Princess Celestia REALLY likes it if her guests smile! Ever gave it a try?" She grinned up at Cuatro.

Cuatro shifted his eyes to Pinkie "While I'm aware that you're familiar with the princess yourself, Pinkie, I'm afraid I doubt your words on account of your previous actions..."

Pinkie frowned "Oh, but I'm super serious! The Princess is really kind, and enjoys it when her guests are kind as well! Smiles included! You just gotta give it a try when we get there, Cuaty!"

Cuatro kept his stare on Pinkie "There's a difference between being kind and smiling...I know when to regard higher powers with proper respect, and I'll only do just that." He looked away "I wish to see what will transpire from this little visit, hopefully something productive..."

Fluttershy trotted on Cuatro's left and frowned up at the strange alicorn "Cuatro, I hope this won't bother you. I wouldn't be happy if it did...We only want what's best for you, and we're doing the best we can to see it through."

Cuatro shifted his gaze to Fluttershy for a moment, and he looked away with a sigh as he closed his eyes. He then looked ahead once again "You're right. You and your friends have indeed helped me out, but I can only hope your princess can do the same..."

Rainbow Dash hovered over Cuatro and looked down "Have a little faith, will ya? The princess is like the best pony in Equestria!! Nopony would be lost with her around!!"

Applejack smiled over at Cuatro "Doncha worry 'bout a thing, sugarcube! Yer in good hooves th' moment we get t' th' castle!"

The group finally made it to the castle gates, where they were met with two guards standing in front of it, brandishing spears in their hooves. They noticed the ponies and nodded with thin smiles, but when they gazed upon Cuatro, their eyes widened as they stifled a gasp. They gave a curt bow before they opened the gates and quickly stepped out of the way, allowing the group to pass.

Cuatro grew confused as to the mixture of fear and respect being tossed around him frequently, wondering if he even was of royal blood in Equestria before his memories were lost.

"But I cannot be considered royalty if I'm affiliated under a ruler according to my memories...What could this mean?"

"Hey, Cuatro!"

The strange alicorn snapped out of his gaze upon hearing Rainbow Dash's voice and looked to see his friends already ten paces ahead of him. The cyan pegasus spoke again with a slightly annoyed face "What's keeping you from stepping inside? Are you having second thoughts?"

Cuatro shook his head before he caught up to the others "My apologies...I was lost in thought for a brief moment. I'm coming..." The group then trotted through the royal courtyard until they reached the entrance to the castle's vestibule. Cuatro had a better look around the interior and nodded to himself "An interesting structure...Do you know where the throne room is, Twilight?"

Twilight turned to Cuatro with a smile "It's not a small walk from here! Just follow my lead!" The group trotted up the main staircase with Twilight taking point. While they trotted, Twilight stopped and noticed a guard up ahead, only he was different from the ones seen outside. He was wearing a purple suit of armor and his coat was as white as Rarity's. His dutiful blue eyes were another trait to behold while he trotted near the group. Twilight galloped from her friends with a smile "Shining! Hey!"

The guard's hardened gaze instantly vanished when he noticed Twilight approaching him and he smiled as he spoke in an enthusiastic tone "Hey, Twily!" The two shared a hug when the lavender bookworm closed the distance. He looked over Twilight to see the others gather behind her "I see you brought your friends, too!" The guard then took noticed of Cuatro and felt his heart sink at his appearance. He held a serious look "Who's this?" The guard asked with curiousity laced with caution.

Twilight smiled up at the guard "Don't worry, he's a friend! In fact, Celestia invited us here to get a better look at him! We might have found a missing alicorn in Equestria's history!" She turned to Cuatro and pointed at the guard "Cuatro, I'd like for you to meet my older brother Shining Armor, captain of the Royal Guard!"

Cuatro gave a curt nod "A pleasure to meet you..." He spoke in his emotionless tone.

Shining Armor examined Cuatro's features and hummed in thought "So you're saying he might know the princess somehow, Twilight? If so, then why haven't we known about him yet?"

Twilight looked away, embarrassed about her brother's logic "We'd figure that maybe Celestia could help out with that note. We were just on our way to the throne room to confirm our presence to her!"

Shining Armor looked up at Cuatro before looking down at Twilight "Let me come with you. I need to know about this myself, considering she hasn't informed me of this yet. Follow me, everypony!" The guard captain led the group across the hall towards their destination.

They finally reached a set of two large doors which Cuatro deduced was the entrance to the throne room. Both were then enveloped in different magenta-colored auras of magic courtesy of Shining Armor and Twilight as they were opened up to reveal the room's interior.

Inside was a vast audience chamber with a red carpet leading up to two thrones, one being vacant. The other was occupied by a majestic white alicorn with a rainbow-hued mane and tail that both flowed in a nonexistent breeze, her cutie mark being that of a sun. She wore a set of shoes, a breastplate, and a crown that were all decorated in gold, and her magenta eyes were glistening with wisdom and care when she noticed the group come inside.

"An alicorn. This must be the aforementioned Princess Celestia I heard so much about. All that remains now is to see if she can actually help me..."

When they stopped in front of the alicorn, Shining Armor was the first to bow, followed by the rest of the group. Even Cuatro was formal enough to regard the alicorn in front of him with a proper bow while he hung his head in reverance. Shining Armor regarded the alicorn while he bowed "Princess Celestia, I come with the Elements of Harmony and another guest!"

Celestia nodded "Thank you, Shining Armor. You all may rise." She spoke in a warm motherly tone. The group rose, and Cuatro looked up at Celestia while she looked back into his catlike eyes. The others watched in anticipation on her opinion while they locked gazes. Celestia then turned to the group "You all have arrived early today, I see. Is this the alicorn that you've mentioned in your letter, Twilight?"

Twilight nodded with a smile "Yes, your majesty!" She then frowned "But sadly, he lost his memory and we cannot be certain where in Equestria he hails from! We came to you to help us out!"

Princess Celestia looked over at Cuatro and rose from her throne as she trotted over to him so she could examine the strange alicorn up close. She hummed to herself when she looked him in the eye with a neutral gaze, Cuatro looking back at her with only a blink.

"Perhaps she can easily judge character through sight? She doesn't seem to consider me a familiarity in her life to take this long..."

The solar princess stopped and smiled at Cuatro "It is good to see you. Do you remember your name at all? Before your memories were lost?"

Cuatro shook his head "No, I do not...But the name I currently go by is Cuatro, as per my cutie mark..." He directed Celestia to the ominous cutie mark resting on his flank.

Celestia was confused, but did not show it while she studied the strange alicorn's cutie mark 'This doesn't make any sense...' She thought to herself before she looked back at Cuatro "I will gladly talk to you about your problem, Cuatro, but first I must ask that you be temporarily dismissed while I have a word with my faithful student."

Cuatro looked back at Celestia with his unchanged expression "A conversation with Twilight? Very well...I shall wait patiently if it means ridding myself of amnesia..."

Celestia nodded gratefully to Cuatro as he and the others sought themselves out of the throne room, Shining Armor being the last one out and shutting the doors behind him. When Celestia and Twilight were the only ones remaining, the solar princess turned to her student with a stoic glance "Twilight, I'm afraid you've made a mistake today..."

The lavender bookworm instantly grew flustered as she stammered in anxiety "Wh-What did I do!? Was it about the letter I sent to you the other day?"

Celestia nodded "Yes, but don't think it is a mistake of catastrophic proportion. I say it is a mistake because..." She looked at the doors with intrigue "I was unfamiliar with Cuatro when I first laid eyes on him...I've never seen him in my life."

Twilight calmed herself, but grew baffled at the response "Are you serious, princess? You've never even met Cuatro before? But he's an alicorn! Surely you must have known each other for some time!"

Celestia shook her head "Alas, you're gravely mistaken, my faithful student. This would be considered the first alicorn to have spontaneously appeared into existence in Equestria...Unless of course I try to restore his memories."

Twilight smiled "So if you restore his memories, we can sort this whole thing out nonetheless? This is great!! Thank you so much for your help, princess!" She galloped over to the Celestia's side and leaned her head on her breastplate, the solar princess lowering her head as the two shared a brief hug "We thought we'd never get Cuatro the help he needed! Why don't we call him inside so we can give it a try?"

The two broke their embrace as Celestia smiled down at Twilight "Sure. Let's welcome them back inside here so we can get down to business." She said as she turned to the door with her horn glowing in a yellow aura. The doors were covered in the same aura as they opened to show the group standing outside.

Assuming they had permission to step inside, the group approached Princess Celestia while she trotted up to Cuatro "I shall bring back your memories, Cuatro. From there, we'll see to it that your life shall be put back in order. Are you ready?"

Cuatro nodded "As I'll ever be. Thank you for doing this, your majesty..." He spoke gratefully, though his tone said otherwise.

Celestia dismissed his emotionless tone and held up a hoof "Close your eyes and try to focus while I bring out your memories. This shouldn't be a difficult process..." Cuatro did as commanded while Celestia readied her horn. It glowed once more in a yellow aura, and she carefully touched the strange alicorn's forehead with it.

The others watched in anticipation to see who Cuatro really was. Twilight gulped 'This is it...Time to see where he came from before we met!'

Celestia had her own eyes closed while she rested her horn on Cuatro's forehead, and while seconds passed, she frowned, then her eyes shot opened as she lightly gasped shortly after. The aura on her horn canceled out while she distanced herself from Cuatro "I don't believe it! It's not working!"

The entire group, except for Cuatro, wore incredulous expressions as they chorused "What!?"

Cuatro opened his eyes to look at Celestia "What happened? Was there a tactical error in your spell?" He asked, confused.

Celestia frowned "I'm sorry, Cuatro, but something inside you is preventing me from unlocking your memories...I'm not entirely certain what it is, but I'm afraid to say that your amnesia is out of my hooves. However, we can discuss fruitful alternatives to this problem. It would be against my code to turn my back on a pony in need. Please understand." She gave a curt bow of apology.

Cuatro only stared before he sighed "I see...I should at least commend your efforts in assisting me, princess. You and your student have been helpful to me thus far..."

Celestia nodded with a thin smile "Think nothing of it. We'll be sure to talk all of this over dinner. In the mean time, perhaps Twilight and the others can give you a tour around the castle before dinner is made?"

Cuatro turned to look at his group of friends, then turned to Celestia "Very well. I could use a small walk to clear my thoughts about this minor situation."

Shining Armor turned to the door "I better get back on duty before I can actually join all of you. Sorry that I can't join you on your little tour."

Celestia waved a hoof "You're excused, Shining Armor." The guard captain bowed and made his way out of the throne room. She admired Shining Armor's dedication to the Royal Guard, always remaining vigilant for when the time for action is needed. She then turned to the others "I suppose I shouldn't keep you all here. There are certain priorities I have to take care of myself as well."

Pinkie nodded "Okie Dokie Loki, Princess Celestia! We can wait!" She then lightly tugged on Cuatro's tail with a smile "C'mon, Cuaty! We gotta show you around the castle!"

Fluttershy smiled "I think you might like the animals they keep in the courtyards. That is...if you want to..." She shied away after her murmur.

Cuatro turned and went to follow the group in silence, but stopped when Twilight piped up "I'll catch up with you, everypony! I wanna talk with the princess a little more!"

Spike shrugged "Whatever floats your boat, Twi!" He then hopped onto Applejack's back "We'll be waiting for you!"

Applejack tipped her hat "Don't take too long now! Wouldn't be much of a tour without ya guiding Cuatro along with th' rest o' us!"

Twilight smiled "Don't worry, I'll only be here for a brief moment. Then I can reach you all and we can talk for a moment!"

The group then made their way out of the throne room while Twilight and Celestia remained. Cuatro looked back to see Celestia regard him with a stare, but it wasn't as neutral as he beheld earlier. He was confused, but the strange alicorn considered Celestia to be more wary and cautious with the vibe she was giving off in her stare. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt Pinkie tug on his tail and coax him into picking up his pace.

When they were out of earshot, Twilight turned to Celestia with worry and confusion in her eyes "Princess Celestia, what happened!? Your memory spell is one of the best there is! Do you have an assumption on what is keeping Cuatro from getting his memories back?"

Celestia paused while she stared at the vast hall past her open doors, and sighed as she shut the doors and turned to Twilight "I...I cannot say...But I can say that we can try to create new memories before he comes to re-obtain his old ones."

Twilight tilted her head as she grew more confused "What are you talking about? There has to be something preventing the spell! Could there be some powerful dormant magic inside of Cuatro that's allowing him to easily resist the spell? Could somepony have cursed him before we met him? What happened?"

Celestia frowned "It is best we save that discussion for a later time, my faithful student. You should probably catch up with the others so you can explore together. I'm sure we'll sort this out another way." She managed a smile down at Twilight after her last sentence.

Twilight paused despondently, feeling guilty that she couldn't help her newest friend. But at least her mentor was willing to try something else to help Cuatro regain his memories. She smiled up at Celestia and they shared a small embrace once more before Twilight took her leave. When she reached the doors, the lavender bookworm perked up when she remembered something and looked back at Celestia "Oh, and princess?" Celestia looked ahead intently "When's Luna gonna come back?" She smiled "I think it would be more interesting if she was here..."

Celestia tilted her head at Twilight, not expecting this kind of question. But she was able to answer with a smile "She was away on royal business the day before, but she'll be able to join us for dinner. Any other questions, Twilight?"

Twilight shook her head "No, that's all for now. Like you said, it's better to discuss it together. Thank you for taking the time to help us, Princess. We really appreciate it!" She smiled at her mentor

Celestia managed a warm smile and nodded "You're quite welcome. Now you should hurry while I tend to my own activities." Twilight then opened the doors and left the throne room in a gallop after her friends. When she was gone, Celestia sighed to herself and turned away with a regretful and distant frown, her eyes closed 'I am very sorry for keeping you in the dark, my faithful student...But I cannot return his memories...' An image of a battle-worn bipedal figure came into her mind. He had a piece of a strange helmet on his head, a hole in his sternum, and the same soulless eyes as Cuatro, standing with his white jacket ripped open, revealing a familiar 4 on the left part of his chest '...Not yet...'