//------------------------------// // Capítulo Catorce // Story: Cuatro // by Dirty Bit //------------------------------// Capítulo Catorce Trust Twilight speechlessly stared at the elements with a quivering lip and eyes the size of dinner plates 'Why would Princess Celestia just GIVE me the elements like this!? What is she trying to say!?' She quickly turned to the window 'This has to involve Cuatro somehow! I have to find him!!' Spike recovered from his stomachache and brushed himself off when he got up. When he got a look at the element chest, he jumped and yelped "Th-The Elements? Twilight, what's going on!?" Twilight shook her head as she uttered through her shock "I don't know, Spike...But whatever it is, it has to involve our visit with the princess!" She looked back at Spike "She couldn't just give us the elements without something dire happening in Equestria, but everything's fine! Why would she do this?" Spike looked out the window with Twilight "The better question is, what's the danger? Last time we left Canterlot, there wasn't much to worry about! I think Celestia's getting a bit paranoid lately, don't you?" Twilight frowned "I can't be sure about paranoid, but she's been acting strange since she tried to restore Cuatro's memory through her memory spell! But what went wrong? Why is she choosing to act like this!? This doesn't make any sense at all!" The lavender bookworm tensed up further after each question. Spike looked out the window in silence before he squinted his eyes suspiciously "You don't think...." He turned to Twilight in worry "This doesn't involve Cuatro, does it?" Twilight turned to Spike "What?" Spike looked outside again, only with dialated and trembling pupils "Think about it! He's an alicorn that looks super scary, is super fast, and possibly super strong! What if Celestia might've found out something sinister about him while we visited her earlier today!?" Twilight wanted to disprove Spike's theory, but more and more, it sounded almost convincing. She looked outside and frowned sadly "But it can't be..." Twilight whispered as she focused her attention to the element chest. She closed it up and levitated it as she stared at it in thought 'Celestia couldn't possibly consider Cuatro to be evil. If so, why would she just give me the elements now!?' She shook her head and set it down and turned to Spike with a determined glance "Spike, I'm going after Cuatro!" Spike was more than worried at Twilight's statement "But you can't just go alone!! What if what Celestia's thinking is true!?" Twilight frowned "That's what I'm willing to prove right now. As much as I look up to Celestia, Cuatro can't be all that bad, especially since he's lost his memories!! Stay here while I go outside and find him!" She galloped to the front door, then looked back "Be sure to hide the elements in a safe place if I do come back with Cuatro, alright?" Satisfied with seeing the purple dragon nod to her request, Twilight opened the front door and galloped out into the cold snow. _____ Cuatro stood in the middle of a wide-ranged plain covered in snow outside of Ponyville. True to his word, he was both far from the town, and at a safe distance to boot. He looked up to the sky and noticed the moon hanging high with several twinkling stars. "...No...I'm here to practice magic, not think of her..." Cuatro closed his eyes and sifted through his head for the knowledge he obtained from reading both the basic and intermediate spellbooks. He figured that since he was far enough, he could practice firing a magic beam. The strange alicorn looked around and wondered if it was even safe to fire one off horizontally. It wouldn't be right to see how far it would go before it hits somepony's house, or even somepony altogether. He sighed and looked up at the sky again. "Then I shall aim for the stars...Time to see if I hold capable magic within myself other than demonstrating levitation..." Cuatro closed his eyes and his horn began to glow green. On the tip of his horn, a ball of green energy slowly began to expand while particles formed around it and added to its mass. While he focused, one of the fragmented memories he collected back then that somehow tied to what he was about to perform crept into his mind. "...Cero..." When the energy he focused became the size of his own head, he fired his beam in the air as it gave off a strange sound similar to a deep whirring rumble quickly rising and descending in its pitch. The beam itself was phenomonal in width and brightness, traveling into the air like a large green column. ______ Luna stared out at her night sky and sighed to herself. She was still fixated on wanting to know more about Cuatro and his supposed threatening presence according to Celestia. She was irked to no end to see her not only write a message to Twilight, but to give her the chest containing the Elements of Harmony as well. She narrowed her eyes as she stared out into the sky "Sister, we're beginning to question thy methods of monitoring this situation...Especially since thou art not explaining it clearly enough!! What could be wrong with Cuatro?" She said to herself. The princess of the night was reminded by the nobles that talking to one's self is not a good habit to keep, but she did not mind it considering she was alone most of her life. She trotted into her bedroom and climbed onto her bed, wondering why her older sister chose to act this way all of the sudden "Granted that Cuatro is a strange one with his appearance...As well as his speech." She looked down curiously "He does seem rather hesitant in his dialect when talking, especially around us. Could he be feigning his amnesia? Is he plotting something sinister?" She turned to the balcony and noticed nothing out of the ordinary, then looked back down in thought "Should we traverse to Ponyville for a little night watch to ensure that our little ponies are safe and sound?" Luna hummed as she poked her chin with a hoof "A tempting thought, since we've nary a task to uphold at the current moment..." She looked over at the other tower "And no doubt Tia could be sleeping soundly thinking she hath accomplished her goal." While she thought it over, a faint brightness was caught from the corner of her eye. The princess of the night looked outside, and gasped with widened eyes to see a large green beacon coming from near Ponyville tear into the skies. She instantly found a reason to fly to Ponyville as she unfurled her wingspan and took flight. _____ Twilight galloped out of the nearest exit of Ponyville and made for the snow-covered plains in search of Cuatro, stress building inside of her heart 'Where could he be? I need to find him and prove his intentions!!' She continued through the plains and stopped when she heard a nearby sound along with a small tremor. Twilight was slackjawed when she noticed a large green beam traveling upward into the stars 'Was that...Cuatro!?' Following her instinct, she went back into a gallop and tried to locate the beam at its source before it began to fade. When it faded completely, she was lucky to catch the image of Cuatro with his horn pointed upward. While she galloped, the strange alicorn turned to see her approach him "Twilight? What's wrong?" He asked in his usual tone and expression as he noticed the stressed look on his friend's face. Twilight stopped in front of Cuatro and caught her breath as her head was hung down. Afterwards, she raised her head and looked the strange alicorn in the eye "Cuatro, did you fire that giant beam of magic just now?" Cuatro stared back at Twilight as he answered cooly "Yes...though, it would seem that I may have exerted too much energy at the time..." He looked up "It's strange, really...While I have focused my magic, I thought about another term from my memory..." Twilight's expression grew worse 'Could the beam he fired trigger his memory? Oh no...What if Celestia's right!? What if she-' Cuatro looked down at Twilight "I believe what I've just demonstrated might not be a beam of magic, but something else...Are you familiar with the term 'Cero'?" He asked with genuine curiousity despite his unchanged tone of voice. Twilight paused before she answered "Only that it means zero...But does it honestly bear significance to your memory?" Cuatro nodded "The beam I fired is connected to that term...It could very well be what I just stated. But I digress..." He took a step forward "Tell me, Twilight...What's wrong with you right now? Why do you approach me as a nervous wreck? Is there an emergency I should know about back in Ponyville?" Twilight looked back at Cuatro while he stared down at her. The more they stared, the more Twilight thought to herself 'I don't want to believe it! This can't be the evil alicorn Celestia makes him out to be! If his memories are that of a villainous being's then...then that means...' While she looked at Cuatro, tears began to form in her eyes. Cuatro blinked at Twilight as she leaked her sadness "Tears? Twilight, why are you crying?" Instead of a worded answer, the lavender bookworm wrapped her hooves around Cuatro's neck and buried her face in his chest. He stared down in silence while she sobbed lightly. Twilight was able to speak while she held Cuatro in her desperate hug "I-I'm sorry about this, Cuatro! I only came here because I-..." She hiccuped mid-sentence "because I was worried about you!" Cuatro continued staring down at the sobbing mare "Worried? Why exactly? I've told you that I wanted to practice my magic at a safe distance...I didn't want anypony to get hurt...Is there something else to your worry?" The strange alicorn did not feel uncomfortable being hugged by Twilight, but he was inwardly bothered at how she had to feel so sad all of the sudden. Twilight sniffled as she looked up at Cuatro while tears streamed down her face 'He seems so innocent...so different...if only I could make him a better stallion before he gets all of his memories back...' She wiped her tears "Cuatro, the only thing I'm worried about is...is what might happen if your memories return! I couldn't bear to wonder what would happen next! I can only hope if you even look at us the same way the moment that time comes!" She cried more as she tried wiping more of her tears. While she did, she felt a brush of fur under her left eye. She looked to see that it was the bushed end of Cuatro's long whiplike tail as he stared down at her with his unchanged expression "Twilight...Know that even I am uncertain about what the future holds...and that alone is what everypony has to depend upon. As for your thoughts about my memories, you musn't fuss over it so much since it is my own burden to carry...However, I am grateful that you and your friends would even help me like this, as well as teaching me new things that I've yet to understand. I may not trust Princess Celestia...but I trust you instead...because that's what friends are for, correct?" Twilight stared up at Cuatro, and wiped away the remainder of her tears as she sniffled and managed a smile at the strange alicorn "You're right...You're absolutely right, Cuatro!" She hugged him again, with her spirits slightly lifted "I'm glad that you would think that way...It may be hard, but before we get your memories back, we'll turn you into the best stallion Equestria has ever seen!" Cuatro looked down at Twilight while he was being hugged, and he returned the embrace by resting a hoof on her back to give her comfort. He closed his eyes while the two stood in their moment. "I wonder if I'll ever come to know the Magic of Friendship completely..." As they shared their hug, Cuatro's eyes shot open when he heard a distant sound in the air grow in volume. "Wingbeats...From a powerful wingspan...Coming this way..." He looked up in the sky, and his eyes slightly dialated when he noticed the sight of Luna flying towards him and Twilight. When she landed, Twilight looked over and was equally stunned "Princess Luna? What are you doing here so late at night??" Cuatro envied how Twilight was able to communicate so easily with the princess of the night considering how he fell silent upon seeing her. Strangely, a small part of him wanted to push Twilight away with how Luna caught the two hugging. Luna held a hardened gaze "We hath just observed a beam of massive proportions from the castle! And now suddenly, thou art standing with Sir Cuatro outside of Ponyville...What is the meaning of this?" Twilight broke the embrace between her and Cuatro as she faced Luna with a look of worry "Luna, it's not what it looks like at all! Cuatro was just practicing magic out here where he wouldn't harm anypony nearby! He hasn't caused any trouble at all! Honest!" Luna frowned "A beam like his could possibly be seen all the way from Stalliongrad! His demonstration of magic could very well disturb the peace of thy fellow villagers!" Cuatro found his voice as he bowed to Luna despite being out in the snow "Forgive me...The suggestion to practice my magic was my decision. I shall accept any consequence from my actions if they prove intolerable to other ponies..." He said in a straight tone. Twilight stared at Cuatro blankly 'No need to be too apologetic around her...' She then turned to Luna "If the others in Ponyville have been disturbed by this, I'll be sure to let them know it was Cuatro! I swear that he hasn't done anything wrong ever since we arrived back home!" Luna looked upon Twilight and Cuatro and hummed 'There is truth in her words...But if that were the case, then could our sister be overreacting when she issued the elements to Twilight Sparkle?' She looked over at Cuatro, who was still bowing to her, and trotted up to him "Sir Cuatro, please rise..." The strange alicorn did as commanded as he looked into Luna's eyes. She stared back at him for a moment before she continued "Pray tell, why doth thou chooseth to practice thy magic so late at night?" Cuatro felt his heart quiver when the question was asked, but even he wouldn't hide the truth from anypony, especially Luna. He built enough courage to talk to her again as he replied firmly "I was practically curious about my magical expertise with what I've collected from Twilight's spellbooks. I wanted to see if my magic was strong enough, and my thought was answered earlier by my own mistake...The reason for doing it around this time is..." He looked away as he uttered a light grunt. Luna waited patiently for him to finish, and Cuatro continued after a small moment of pause "...The night...I favor the night. The moon especially...Your moon..." He looked back at Luna "I'm not sure how you would react to that statement, but that is the entirety of my reason for being out here..." Luna's expression softened at Cuatro's words. She smiled as she looked at Cuatro "Tis truth from thy lips? Dost thou truly favor our night?" The strange alicorn nodded as he looked back at her 'We musn't be overtaken by this statement, especially since he is still deemed suspicious...But then again, he is still suffering amnesia and Twilight Sparkle and her friends are teaching him the Magic of Friendship...' She took a deep breath before she spoke again "We suppose we could let thee off with a warning just this once..." Luna smiled playfully as she continued "But we appreciate thy chivarly and enthusiasm, Sir Cuatro. Perhaps next time, thou could try and - how they say - take it down a notch?" Cuatro nodded "I shall...Thank you for your pardon, your majesty..." He bowed again. Luna giggled "We hath informed thee not to act so formal around us. And please..." She lifted Cuatro's chin to where they looked at each other "Call us Luna from now on." The princess of the night smiled warmly at the nearly dumbfounded alicorn, lucky not to laugh at his expression. She then turned away and her horn began to glow "We should return to the castle and carry out our duties soon to come. It was nice to see you all." She looked back at Cuatro with a smile "Especially thee, Sir Cuatro. Fare thee well!" There was a small flash, and Luna winked out of existence the next moment. Cuatro was mildly surprised "She can use Sonido as well?" Twilight laughed at Cuatro's question "No, Cuatro! What you just saw was a teleportation spell! It usually helps if you wish to travel very far!" She then shivered and cringed "Brrr...I think we might've stayed out here for too long. And the library's a long way from here." Cuatro looked at Twilight, then back at Ponyville. He remembered the exact location of the library, and with that, he rested a hoof on Twilight's shoulder "Hang on..." Before Twilight could answer, she was swept away by Cuatro as he activated his Sonido. Soon, the two were at the front of the library, and Cuatro stood idly by as if nothing happened, while Twilight looked shocked, her mane slightly disheveled "Wow...I can't believe I lived through that experience!" She said in an overwhelmed tone. Cuatro activated his horn as he opened the door "My apologies if I left you in poor condition. You should go inside where it's warm and get off to bed..." Twilight smiled as she trotted inside "Okay. Thanks for getting us home so quickly..." When she saw Cuatro not entering, she tilted her head "You're not coming in?" Cuatro shook his head "No...I'll be on the roof of the library before I retire back inside..." Twilight smiled "Okay then. Try not to catch a cold, alright? I want you in top physical condition for tomorrow since we've got a lot to teach you!" She went inside and shut the door as Cuatro remained in the cold. The strange alicorn then unfurled his bat wings and flew upward until he reached the top of the library and perched himself on the highest branch. From there, he stared up at the moon as he did the night before, only he felt warmth while he did so. _____ When Twilight came inside, she noticed Spike waddling towards her instantly "Twilight! Are you alright? Where's Cuatro!?" He asked in a startled tone. Twilight frowned "Take it easy, Spike. Before I answer, can you tell me where you hid the elements?" Spike looked at the floor "I hid them in the basement behind one of your machines!" He then looked back up "But what happened back there!? I looked outside and saw a giant green light earlier while you were gone! Where is Cuatro right now?" Twilight smiled at her assistant "Up on the roof right now. Turns out it was just a false alarm to consider Cuatro the enemy. As for the light, that was him practicing magic!" Spike winced "Seriously?" He uttered in a frightened tone. Twilight gave Spike a reassuring nuzzle "Don't worry, Spike. Cuatro isn't the problem now. In fact, we'll do our best to help him tomorrow! If you share my faith in him, then you won't have to act so scared around him!" Spike stared before he arched an eyebrow "Are you sure you aren't hypnotized...?" Twilight's face instantly grew annoyed as he flinched "O-Okay! Okay! Was just making sure is all..." He then smiled "I'm glad that's been sorted out, though...Can you imagine if Cuatro really was some kind of monster with so much power to match his appearance?" Twilight frowned when she thought back to her earlier talk with Cuatro. "Twilight...Know that even I am uncertain about what the future holds...and that alone is what everypony has to depend upon. As for your thoughts about my memories, you musn't fuss over it so much since it is my own burden to carry...However, I am grateful that you and your friends would even help me like this, as well as teaching me new things that I've yet to understand. I may not trust Princess Celestia...but I trust you instead...because that's what friends are for, correct?" The lavender bookworm sighed before she smiled again "Can't say I do, Spike. Now let's go to bed. We have a big day tomorrow!" Spike yawned and stretched "Don't have to tell me twice! I'm pretty bushed now that everything's been cleared up..." The purple dragon then waddled up the stairs into his bed, Twilight following him up into her own. When they covered up and doused the lights, Twilight curled up into her bed with a satisfied smile on her face 'Cuatro...I mean it when I say that before we get your memories back, we'll turn you into the best stallion Equestria has ever seen!' To be continued...