//------------------------------// // Capitulo Dieciocho // Story: Cuatro // by Dirty Bit //------------------------------// Capítulo Dieciocho Heart Applejack stared blankly at Cuatro "Beggin' yer pardon? Did Ah hear ya right with what y'all said jus' now?" Cuatro replied "Yes...I want to know what a heart is. Can you share with me the concept?" The Apple siblings traded confused glances with each other while Pinkie smiled "Of course we can! The heart is this little thing you keep in your tummy that helps you live! Or was it the brain? There IS a connection with the two, but I can't really put my hoof on it!" Cuatro shook his head "I am not referring to internal organs, Pinkie...I want to know about the full value of a heart." Pinkie paused before she looked up in realization "Oooooooooooh~! THAT kind of heart!" She grinned at Cuatro "I thought you'd never ask, Cuaty! There are plenty of ways to talk about a heart! Like...ummm...." The party pony held up a hoof while she took a bit of a lecturing tone "It's kinda like with Harmony, you know? A heart is a pretty splendorific thing that anypony can enjoy while they live their lives!" She smiled at Cuatro "It helps them to feel things that they never thought they had! They can feel happy, sad, scared, mad, and all other sorts of feelings!! It's loads of fun!!" Applejack nodded knowingly to Pinkie's lecture "Pinkie's right on th' marker with that one! She's even right in sayin' there's plenty o' ways t' talk 'bout a heart!" She frowned at Cuatro "But why do ya wanna know about it so much, Cuatro? Somethin' on yer mind?" The farmpony asked with concern. Cuatro stared at Applejack "It is connected to my recently-acquired memory...and according to that, I'm still lost on the explanation of a heart..." Applebloom frowned sadly "Wow...That's jus' plum depressin' right there!" Big Macintosh nodded with a sad frown of his own "Eeyup..." Applejack trotted over to Cuatro and patted his back "Yer checkin' out with yer honesty, so Ah think it's best t' let ya off easy, Cuatro. Ya seem mighty fixed on this thought 'bout a heart!" Cuatro turned to Applejack "Can you not explain it to me yourself?" Applejack smiled "Ah can share my thoughts with ya, iffin' it'll give ya somethin' t' ponder 'bout! Ya see, Cuatro, my way o' explainin' 'bout a heart is sorta what Pinkie said, only Ah make sure t' be faithful an' strong as well as honest! It's th' best policy, after all! Also, there ain't nothin' better than puttin' yer heart and soul int' somethin' ya enjoy doin', even if it ain't yer special talent! That's what Ah consider a heart is!" Cuatro looked down in thought while he took the information in with silence. "An honest heart...faithful and strong...and pouring my heart and soul into something I enjoy...No...It's not enough..." The strange alicorn lifted his head and turned to Applebloom and Big Macintosh "What of you two?" Applebloom piped up "T' me, a heart is havin' good friends around with ya! But Ah'm sure everypony else thinks th' same way!" Big Macintosh nodded with a smirk "Eeyup..." Cuatro nodded "I see..." He turned to Applejack, but she held up a hoof to silence him. The farmpony shook her head "Say no more, sugarcube! Yer free t' go an' think 'bout this! Th' only thing Ah'll say in terms o' yer session is try not t' lie to everypony ya talk to!" She smiled at the strange alicorn "Other than that, y'all did nicely here!" Cuatro stared, but nodded as he lifted himself from his seat "I should go then...Thank you for your time Applejack, and tell Granny Smith the tea was delicious..." Applejack chuckled when she remembered the elderly mare sleeping "Can do! Happy trails, partner!" With that, Cuatro trotted out to the front door, and Pinkie hopped after him. _____ Cuatro trotted in the snow while Pinkie hopped next to him, wondering where to go next while the thought lingered in his mind. "Where else can I go to know about a heart? While the earlier explanations were fruitful, they were not sufficient for full comprehension to my question..." "Hey, Cuaty!" Cuatro continued trotting "I'm in no mood for pranks, Pinkie..." Pinkie smiled "Actually, I was saying if you really wanna know about a heart, why not ask Fluttershy?" Cuatro stopped with Pinkie and turned to her "Would that be best?" Pinkie scoffed "Duh! You wanna know what a heart is right? C'mon! Let's go!" She hopped forward "I know the way!" Cuatro stared, then followed after her as he thought to himself. "...Something about Fluttershy...Her demeanor...her grace...who does she remind me of?" Following Pinkie, Cuatro was led near an edge of town as he crossed a bridge and noticed the Everfree Forest in the distance. But when he focused on Pinkie, she hopped towards a cottage that looked well-suited for the winter. As he crossed the bridges leading towards it, he noticed some deer in the backyard. "Ah, yes...She is an animal caretaker...But wouldn't most of them be hibernating this time of year?" He managed to meet Pinkie while she knocked on Fluttershy's door and the two waited in silence. The door then creaked open slightly to reveal the timid pony peering out cautiously before opening it up all the way "Oh, hello, Pinkie and Cuatro. What brings you here?" She asked with a kind smile. Cuatro stared at Fluttershy and tried to seek any familiarity in her eyes as she looked back at him. It was almost maddening, but there ws something about the timid pegasus that triggered his memory. "Are you scared? You're useless to Aizen now. There is no one left to protect you. It's over...You will die alone here, where no one can touch you..." Fluttershy grew nervous with how Cuatro stared at her in silence "U-Um...Is something wrong, Cuatro?" Pinkie turned to the strange alicorn "C'mon, Cuaty! Ask her!" Cuatro snapped out of his thought without moving and spoke "I have to ask you two questions..." Fluttershy looked up at him curiously "While you claimed otherwise in the past, I have to make sure...are you still afraid of me?" Fluttershy blinked "Is that why you were silent?" She shook her head "Oh no. Not at all." The timid pony regarded Cuatro with a smile "In fact, you're okay the way you are. I was scared at first, but it was only because of your appearance. I have to remember not to judge a pony for their looks..." "...I'm not scared. Everyone came to save me, so my heart is already with them!" Pinkie tilted her head with an arched eyebrow "Why would Cuatro want Fluttershy to ask THAT question?" Cuatro nodded to Fluttershy "My next question is...can you tell me what a heart is?" "What is a heart? If I rip it out of your chest, will I see it? If I crack open your skull, will I find it in there?" Fluttershy blinked "A heart? Of course I can tell you. Please, come in so you won't get cold." She said as she gave room for Pinkie and Cuatro to enter the cottage. Cuatro looked around at the cottage's living room to see several houses for small animals, even mouse holes. It was clear to him that Fluttershy values her job as well as the lives of many animals. He felt a kick at one of his forelegs and looked down to see a rabbit leering up at him with his paws on his hips. Fluttershy trotted over and bowed apologetically "I'm so sorry about Angel Bunny, Cuatro. He doesn't do so well around strangers like I do..." She nudged the rabbit away as it scampered off "Go on, Angel. I'll give you your carrot later." Cuatro watched the rabbit scamper onto the couch and squint his eyes at the strange alicorn "...Is he protective?" Fluttershy nodded "That's one way of putting it. He can be a little difficult, but deep down inside, he's a really good little bunny!" She smiled warmly at her little companion while he kept his glare. Cuatro stared back "So you say..." He turned to Fluttershy "Now about your explanation..." Fluttershy perked up "Oh, yes! Um, could you two make yourselves comfortable while I make some tea?" Cuatro replied "Politely declined. I've already had tea at Sweet Apple Acres..." He sat himself down on a chair, then turned to see that Angel was not taking his eyes off of him. "...He must really value Fluttershy if he's willing to consider me an enemy at first glance..." Fluttershy smiled "Okay then. Their tea is actually nice with a little cinnamon in it." Pinkie nodded "Yeppers! Where there's apples, there's cinnamon! That's why they call her Applejack!" She ignored the blank stares she received from Fluttershy, Cuatro, and Angel. The timid pony recovered and smiled awkwardly "U-Um, anyways..." She sat herself on the couch next to Angel and took a deep breath "So you want to know what a heart is..." She looked down in thought "Well, a heart can be very special, be it yours or anypony elses...sometimes it helps to decide for you whenever you feel lost or alone. It can even give you courage when you least expect it." Fluttershy looked at Cuatro with a smile "And with me, I try to stand up for my friends like Rainbow Dash, and stay true to my element whenever I meet new ponies." She cringed as she grew slightly introverted in tone "E-Even if I'm not good at first impressions..." She hid part of her face in her mane "You understand, right?" Cuatro nodded "Yes, I understand your concept. You were helpful with giving me your opinion of a heart, Fluttershy. Thank you..." Fluttershy revealed her face and smiled "You're very welcome, Cuatro. It's always nice to share. But, can I ask you why you want to know about a heart?" Pinkie frowned "He doesn't really get the picture even in his previous life! Can you believe that? He acts like he never had a heart to begin with!" She then paused in realization "Hey...Maybe THAT'S why he doesn't laugh or smile! Could Cuatro possibly not have a heart?" Fluttershy gasped as she looked concerned "Oh dear..." She trotted over to Cuatro and gave him a hug "I'm very sorry to hear that, Cuatro. If it makes you feel any better, I would say that you have a big heart..." Cuatro looked down at Fluttershy "How can I be sure? What if I lack what can be considered a heart?" Fluttershy frowned up at Cuatro "Now, Cuatro, that's not a good way to think...You're making it seem like you actually were born with sadness or emptiness..." Cuatro stared down for a moment, then took a step back as he gently broke the embrace "Perhaps I don't see the bigger picture. I should look elsewhere for a proper explanation..." Fluttershy nodded "If it's what it takes for you to be happy, then I won't stop you. I hope you'll be able to find out what a heart is for yourself, Cuatro..." She smiled empathetically at the strange alicorn. Pinkie chimed in "He sure will since he's learning the Magic of Friendship! We better get going since Cuaty's antsy about answers! See ya later, Fluttershy!" Cuatro bowed politely before making his leave, but looked to see that Angel continued to glare at him while Fluttershy waved. He made his way outside with Pinkie as the two trotted into Ponyville. While they trotted, Cuatro remained silent as he thought to himself "...What if Fluttershy was right? What if I am born to feel this way? Certainly, Rainbow Dash thinks the same way with how she refers to me as a 'zombie'...Wait..." Cuatro turned to Pinkie as they trotted "Pinkie, do you know where Rainbow Dash lives?" Pinkie nodded while she beamed "Sure do!" She trotted to a random tree and dug a hoof into the knothole, fishing out a pair of binoculars. Cuatro stared for a long moment before asking "How long have you kept those in that tree?" Pinkie giggled "Oh, you don't know about this, Cuaty! I stash binoculars all over Ponyville, in case of binocular emergency!" Cuatro blinked "But this isn't an emergency..." Pinkie huffed "I'm just showing you where to find Dashie's place!" She presented the binoculars to the strange alicorn with a smile "Go on!" Cuatro sighed as he levitated the binoculars and used them to look up in the sky. As he looked around, he finally noticed a large patch of clouds forming a unique home with columns and rainbows around it. There was even a rainbow pond. "That is indeed Rainbow Dash's house..." Pinkie grinned "Do ya see it yet?" Cuatro levitated the binoculars away while looking up "Yes, and it also appears to be moving slightly..." He levitated the binoculars into Pinkie's hooves as he unfurled his wings, then activated his Sonido. Pinkie looked miffed at his disappearance "Hey!" _____ Cuatro appeared in front of Rainbow Dash's home and landed on the clouds as he approached the door. He knocked on it, and the cyan pegasus answered it. She looked mildly surprised before she smiled "Hey there, Cuatro! What's up? You gonna teach me your Sonido trick?" Cuatro shook his head "I actually came to ask a question that I hope you can answer..." Rainbow Dash tilted her head "Is it about last night?" Cuatro shook his head "No...I need to ask you about your definition of a heart..." Rainbow Dash stared with a slight wince "Are you serious? Is Pinkie trying to use you to prank me or something?" Cuatro sighed "Far from it...I'm not fond of her tendency to try and make a fool out of me. I am serious about my question, though. What exactly is a heart?" Rainbow Dash blinked "Are you talking about a-" "Don't worry, Dashie! He's not talking about the heart in his body!" Cuatro and Rainbow Dash turned to see Pinkie floating in the air with her midsection tied to a slew of multicolored balloons. "...How did she-..." Rainbow Dash giggled "Hey, Pinkie! How's it hanging?" Pinkie looked at the balloons that gave her support "They're hanging pretty good! Not a single one popped yet!" She smiled "Thanks for asking, Dashie!" The cyan pegasus shook her head in amusement "Pinkie Pie, you are so random!" Cuatro stared at the floating pink pony "I agree..." He stated flatly. Pinkie pointed to Cuatro "Dashie, Cuatro's super serious about his question. He thinks he doesn't have a heart at all!" Rainbow Dash stared before she bursted out into hysterics. When she turned to Cuatro, his very stare bore into her soul, gradually stifling her laughter as she stared in realization "You're serious? What's gotten you thinking that all of the sudden?" Cuatro looked away "My memories...I was not affiliated with a heart in the past as I've recently collected..." Rainbow Dash stared dumbfounded at the strange alicorn "Talk about weird..." She uttered to herself before recovering "E-Er, sorry, C! I shouldn't have laughed like that or said what I've said earlier! It was uncalled for..." She then smiled "But I think I can help you out with a pretty fast explanation! Having a heart can give you the drive to do things that are nearly impossible! Like doing cool stunts, or going on dangerous adventures like Daring Do!" Cuatro blinked "You mean that fictitious adventurer?" Rainbow Dash nodded with a smile "Yep. She's so awesome!! But anyways, it's like I said before! With a heart, anything like big adventures is possible!!" She caught herself with her unneeded exaggeration "Well...ALMOST anything..." The cyan pegasus added in a corrective tone. Pinkie wiggled her legs "Like me and getting all these balloons in so little time!! I already told you that it's tons of fun! Make a note of that, Cuaty! Tons! Of! Fun!" Cuatro nodded "If that is your full explanation, then thank you for your time, Rainbow Dash. Now to make my leave-" Rainbow Dash hopped in front of Cuatro "Wait a minute! Can't you teach me how to Sonido? You said you would!!" Cuatro looked at Rainbow Dash "I said I would someday..." Pinkie nodded "He's right, Dashie! You should've made him Pinkie Promise!" Rainbow Dash scoffed "Figures...Well, mind if I tag along and hang with you guys? I wanna get my time in before I have to move some clouds in for another scheduled snowstorm." Pinkie grinned "Sure thing! The more the merrier, right? Let's mosey on over to Rarity's! She then pulled out a random pin and began popping the balloons over her as she began to descend. Cuatro and Rainbow Dash watched her go down "She really is random..." The strange alicorn uttered. The cyan pegasus laughed "You'll get used to it! C'mon, let's get going! I'll race-" The sound of booming static stopped Rainbow Dash in her tracks as she donned a sour expression "Darn it..." She muttered to herself. _____ Cuatro appeared at the front of Carousel Boutique, looking back to see Pinkie and Rainbow Dash meeting up with him. The trio then approached the door, Cuatro knocking on it and waiting for Rarity. As expected, the fashionista opened the door, but she appeared to be a wreck. Her mane was disheveled, and she wore glasses and a measuring tape over her neck "Hello, everypony. Can I help you all?" She said while catching her breath. Rainbow Dash winced "Whoa. Sorry to catch you at a bad time, Rarity. We didn't know you were working!" Rarity shook her head "It's no problem at all, darling! I'm only taking a short break before I get back to my order. There's this mare all the way from Trottingham requesting a very decorative ballroom dress for a party she plans on hosting!" Pinkie grinned at the word 'party' "Sounds like my kind of customer!" Rarity sighed with a smile "It would be nice to spend the break with you three if you've come to visit." Rainbow Dash chuckled "You and me both. Working can sometimes be a real pain in the flank, you know?" Rarity rolled her eyes "Don't I always?" She opened the door all the way "Come on in." The trio trotted inside the boutique as Rarity shut the door behind them. She tilted her head "I'm curious actually. Normally, I wouldn't expect any of you to visit unless there's a special event taking place, or if you need another outfit. What brings you here?" Rainbow Dash piped up "I just started following Cuatro and Pinkie. This might sound a little weird, but he wants to know what a heart is." Rarity frowned "That DOES sound weird, and at the same time confusing." She turned to the strange alicorn "Cuatro, darling, what do you hope to accomplish from this, if you don't mind me asking? This seems to sound like you're getting anal about your journey of self-discovery." Rainbow Dash snickered, and Rarity shot her a look that caused her to stop before the fashionista continued "But if it's what you really want, I can enlighten you with my own description!" Cuatro questioned dryly "Am I to guess that your description involves generosity?" Rarity smiled "Always the perceptive one, aren't you? It is one of the key traits of what I think makes a good heart. What also helps is to know that the heart stands as a reminder that anypony can be unique in their own special way with how they project their feelings! In retrospect, the heart itself can be a beautiful thing depending on those that cherish it!" A scream was heard, and the group turned to see Sweetie Belle galloping down the stairs followed by an angry Opal as she chased after the filly. Sweetie Belle hid behind Cuatro and yelled "Rarity, do something about Opal! She's acting crazy just because I accidentally touched one of her toys!" Rarity noticed Opal's aggresive ire and lifted her up with her magic. The cat meowed as it flailed "Opal, please calm down! Sweetie Belle didn't mean it!" Rainbow Dash scoffed "Your cat's freaking out because your sister touched one of her toys? That's pretty spoiled, don't you think?" Rarity sighed "Opal has been getting rather fussy as of late. I should probably send her to Fluttershy's to calm her down." A claw nicked her cheek and she yelped "Oh, Opal! Look what you did to mommy!!" She scoffed as she trotted over to a cage and locked her in there "Now I know this is beneath you, but mommy has work to do after talking with her friends! This is only a minor punishment for your actions!" Her cat's response came in the form of a spiteful hiss, to which Rarity sighed "Fluttershy makes it look so easy to raise pets..." Sweetie Belle glared at Opal as she sat in her cage "Or maybe Opal's a total jerk!" Rarity casted a stern look "Sweetie Belle, that is no way to talk to family!" Sweetie Belle huffed "Only because you chose to keep her!" She then realized who she hid behind and looked up with a smile "Hi, Cuatro!" Cuatro looked down at the filly "Hello, Sweetie Belle..." Sweetie Belle giggled "I'm starting to get used to how you look and talk. It's really growing on me!" She beamed up at the strange alicorn's dispassionate face. Pinkie held a determined smirk "Don't get too comfortable, Sweetie Belle! He's bound to smile one way or another!!" Rarity chuckled "Pinkie, I think you may be going too far with this one!" Rainbow Dash smiled "Rarity, don't you think that matters to her with Cuatro?" Rarity frowned "Good point..." She muttered. The fashionista then sighed "Well, I think I've collected myself well enough to finish my order. It was nice to see you all, but I should really get back to work!" Rainbow Dash nodded "No problem!" Pinkie saluted with a smile "You get that dress prepped for the party planner, okay?" Sweetie Belle nuzzled Cuatro's left foreleg "It was nice to see you again, Cuatro! I hope you find what you're looking for!" Cuatro lightly patted Sweetie Belle's head and turned to leave with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie following him. Sweetie Belle turned to Rarity "Have you thought about declawing Opal at all?" Rarity went back to her work room "Don't get me started, Sweetie Belle! Just go back to reading that dictionary you're fond of!" She snapped as she shut the door. Sweetie Belle huffed "Maybe I will! It could get me into a good school in Canterlot!" She snapped back as she trotted off to her room with her nose in the air. _____ Cuatro looked up to see that the sun was beginning to set. It would seem that he had spent too much time wandering to and fro in search of a good answer to his cryptic question. He turned to Rainbow Dash and Pinkie "If there isn't much to be said, I am returning to the library...I need to think on what I've learned." Rainbow Dash hovered in the air "Already? I still got time before I have to move the clouds tonight!" Pinkie grinned "It's not SO bad, Dashie!" She pulled down the cyan pegasus and whispered into her ear. Rainbow Dash's face was one of confusion, switching to realization, followed by a devious grin. Rainbow Dash nodded "You got it!" She turned to Cuatro "Yeah, we'll leave you be, Cuatro! You're probably gonna be lost in thought with all of this heart stuff! Me and Pinkie are gonna go do stuff! See ya!" The two sped off in a pair of blurs, one prismatic, the other pink. Cuatro sighed to himself and trotted back to the library. "Big adventures...tons of fun...a beautiful heart that can be faithful and strong...Sharing kindness can be an easy feat for anypony..." He stopped in front of the library and stared at the entrance "...Does magic make it all complete?" To be continued...