Cuatro

by Dirty Bit


Capítulo Doce

Capítulo Doce

Feelings

Cuatro continued staring unconsciously at Luna, then snapped out of it with a quiet grunt. He shook his head and drank more tea.

"I'm not sure what happened, but it shouldn't happen again...Perhaps this is because I now know that Luna is responsible for the moon, as to Celestia with the sun. I should focus more on my memories..."

Realizing his cup was empty, he turned to his meal: A fine daisy salad that remained untouched ever since dinner had started. He levitated a fork and dug into the plate of food, then brought the skewered food to his muzzle as he gingerly nibbled on it. The salad was delicious, as expected from the expertise of the royal chefs. While he ate, though, his thoughts were not on his memories. He halted his next bite as he continued to think.

"...Why is she in my thoughts? What is this?"

"Cuatro?"

The strange alicorn perked up at the sound of Celestia's voice and lowered his fork to the table. He looked to see that everypony else but Pinkie had stopped eating and had their eyes on him. The solar princess spoke "I'm ready to state my alternatives to restoring your memory. As an act of goodwill, I'll let you decide between what I present to you..." She held a calculating glance "With how the Elements of Harmony have easily welcomed you into Ponyville with open hooves and have aided you in terms of food and shelter, they already deem fit to help you in reclaiming your memories. You can stay with them in Ponyville for the time being and even learn the Magic of Friendship under the guidance of my student Twilight Sparkle."

Pinkie gulped her portion of food and grinned "That's it! We could teach Cuaty about the Magic of Friendship and THEN he'll definitely be happy enough to smile!! That's a great idea!!"

Celestia continued despite Pinkie's mirthful interruption "As for your second choice..." She hesitated before she spoke "I can gladly allow you to stay here in Canterlot, where you will be monitored by me and Luna. You will also re-educate yourself in all of Equestria's customs. From there, we can even bring back your memories when we find a more adequate method."

Cuatro was silent as he listened intently to both choices. On one hoof, he would go back to Ponyville with his new friends and try to remember his old self as he goes through his everyday life. While on the other hoof, he could learn about Equestria in the comfort of the castle being watched by Celestia and Luna. He looked over at the Princess of the Night as she held a calculating stare of her own. Once again, the strange feeling from before emerged inside of Cuatro as he looked into her turquoise eyes.

Rarity saw this from the other side of the table, looking at both alicorns before grinning like Pinkie with a cute giggle 'I knew it! This is simply adorable to watch!'

Applejack gave a befuddled look to the entranced alicorn next to her and prodded his shoulder "Ya alright there, sugarcube?"

Cuatro snapped out of his trance and looked over at Applejack, then around the rest of the room. He sighed before he pushed back his chair and stood up "I would like to be excused from the table for the time being...This kind of decision I will need to think over."

Celestia frowned "I understand. Take all the time you need to make your decision, Cuatro."

Cuatro nodded "Thank you for the meal..." He responded dryly before he trotted to the doors leading to the halls. When he opened them with his magic, he looked back at the group watching him leave. Twilight and Fluttershy looked mildly worried. Rarity and Pinkie couldn't contain their grins. Spike, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack shared equal glances of confusion. The three alicorn princesses all watched with their own curious gazes, and all Cuatro could focus on when looking at the entire group was Luna again. When it happened that time, however, another migraine made its way into Cuatro's head, prompting him to close his eyes and grunt in pain. Another scene played with a familiar voice.

"Under the dome of Las Noches. One is an-...-a's cero, the-..."
"And the other, is for anyone above Cuatro to unleash their power...Both are so powerful that they would easily destroy Las Noches"
"Bind...Murciélago."

Cuatro's pain left him as he tried to contemplate what had went through his head.

"Las Noches...Cero...and Murciélago...More and more, these terms grow more fortuitous and at the same time familiar..."

He opened his eyes, and wasn't surprised to see several looks of concern from the others. Cuatro sighed and looked away "I'll return shortly..." He trotted out of the door and shut it.

Luna blinked "His is but a strange and distant world..." She turned to Celestia "Is he sick?"

Twilight looked at Luna "If you're referring to his migraine, it wasn't his first time. He's had several the past two days so far and he claims them to be common."

Celestia nodded "I see...Did these migraines happen at the same moment he found fragments of his old life?"

Twilight looked down "Spike came to that same conclusion yesterday. I'm beginning to think he may be right about it..."

Spike huffed "And here you thought we didn't have to jump to conclusions!" Twilight shot him a look, easily making the purple dragon flinch "S-Sorry..."

Luna hummed while she looked at the door. She then raised herself from her chair "We shalt be excused as well, Tia." Luna trotted to the doors and levitated them open.

Celestia called to Luna "What are you planning to do, Luna? Is this about Cuatro?"

Luna looked back with a nod "Verily. We wish to know more about Sir Cuatro and see if there is a way we can help him! Doth not wait for our return." She then trotted out and closed the door.

Celestia sighed 'I should probably let her know about what I've come across later depending on the choice he makes...'

The silence was lush in the banquet hall as Luna left, but a certain dragon was the first to break it "So now that they're gone, can anypony PLEASE tell me what an Ichigo is?" He asked in a slightly impatient and curious tone.
_____

Cuatro trotted along the halls by himself, his head hung down while he thought to himself.

"I spoke again, but why did I refer to myself in third person? Was Cuatro actually my name at the time? What raises further question is that phrase, Murciélago...Perhaps I should speak with Twilight about that since she's seemingly fluent in Mexicolt..."

"Sir Cuatro?"

The strange alicorn instantly stopped and lifted his head at the sound of Luna's voice. Did she honestly skip dinner to find him? He looked behind to see the Princess of the Night trot up and stop in front of him with a smile "Greetings to thee. Art thou in a state of unrest?"

Cuatro was almost paralyzed when he looked into Luna's eyes, but he found his movement and turned to face her, then bowed as if he were a regular pony looking upon him in the past "Greetings, your majesty..."

Luna blinked with a confused glance before she smiled awkwardly "There is no need to be so formal, Sir Cuatro! Rise so that we make speak with thee as a fellow alicorn!" The strange alicorn did what he was told and stared silently at Luna as she continued "We were aware of thy irritable migraine earlier. Art thou in good spirits and health?"

Cuatro was silent before he looked away with a light sigh "Of course...I was only pondering on what could be the right choice to make with what Celestia has offered me in the banquet hall. While I've only met them for a short amount of time, I am satisfied to live with my new friends in Ponyville, and yet..." He looked back into Luna's eyes and paused. She saw this and blinked as she tilted her head in curiousity while Cuatro tried finding his voice.

"This feeling is troublesome...I cannot talk eloquently enough..."

Cuatro looked away again and felt himself able to focus in his speech "...And yet I wish to retrieve my memories as soon as possible so I wouldn't feel so lost in my life. Your sister claims that she could find another way for my memories to return while I stay at the castle, but I do not think her to be entirely trustworthy..."

Luna frowned "Thou doubt our sister's capabilities?"

Cuatro shifted his eyes to Luna "It is not that I doubt her, but how I considered her my only hope of eliminating my amnesia. To be truthful, my road to reclaiming my old life has been moving swiftly while I was in the care of Twilight Sparkle and her friends..."

Luna was silent before she smiled "In that case, shouldn't thou stay with them?" Cuatro hummed in question "Thou claimeth that thou hath had more fruitful results in thy struggle with amnesia with the aid of the Elements of Harmony. Surely they are the better of both choices if it means retrieving thy memories posthaste."

Cuatro was lucky to listen to Luna's words while he looked into her eyes again, and looked away to think it over.

"...She's right. I've had more progress with memory retrieval in Ponyville than I've ever had in Canterlot...Twilight and the others even agreed to help me despite me being a stranger to them. I should remember to return the favor for their help once this is all over..."

Cuatro looked back at Luna and nodded "Your words are indeed wise. Thank you for your advice, Princess Luna. I couldn't have done it better without you..." He sounded emotionless, but as grateful as possible according to his standards.

Luna nodded with a warm smile "Thou art welcome, friend. We should head back to the others and declare thy decision now that it hath been made!"

Cuatro nodded "Yes, lead the way..." He then followed Luna back to the banquet hall as they trotted side-by-side. The strange alicorn was confused when the strange feeling had built up inside of him while he trotted with Luna.

"This is unacceptable...She is a princess and the way I am acting around her is unacceptable..."

When they arrived, Luna had opened the doors and let herself and Cuatro enter back into the banquet hall, where the others acknowledged their presence.

Pinkie grinned "Hey there, Cuaty! Did you make your decision yet? You're gonna come back with us to Ponyville, right? Right? PLEASE tell me yes!!"

Spike frowned "No offense, Cuatro, but your terms really are strange! I just figured out that Ichigo is strawberry in Neighponese!"

Pinkie gasped "Hey! Maybe he likes strawberries! They could help with his memories!!"

Celestia looked at Cuatro and spoke "Well, Cuatro? Has your decision been made finally?"

Cuatro nodded "Yes...I'm planning to stay with my friends in Ponyville. They have helped me greatly and I couldn't ask for anymore than what they have offered me..."

Pinkie leaped from her chair and latched herself onto Cuatro's neck in a crushing hug "Yay!! Cuaty's coming back with us!! This calls for another party!!"

Celestia only looked ahead at Cuatro without a reaction "Very well. From this point on, you will be under the care of my student while you reacquire your memories step by step. Know that you can turn to us whenever you feel the need for our guidance."

Cuatro nodded "I shall. In fact, I may visit Canterlot at my own accord if Twilight ever sees fit. Thank you for letting me make this choice, your majesty."

Celestia managed a smile "It's the least I can do for your well-being, Cuatro. I hope you can obtain a peaceful and fulfilling life while you find yourself in Ponyville."

Cuatro bowed once more "Your blessing is acknowledged..." He then stood to see his friends smile at him, then turned to his side to see Luna doing the same. Once more, the strange feeling from before had welled up inside of him as he looked at the Princess of the Night.

"I hope that I may find myself soon enough...Thank you, Luna..."

To be continued...