//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Entering the Truth // Story: Memories Are Magic // by Lunatic Cake //------------------------------// When Ocean opened his eyes, he was greeted by Doctor Whooves. "You can leave the hospital now, Ocean. You seem to be perfectly fine, all I can tell you is to not overdo it." "Thanks, Doc." Ocean replied, as he got out of his bed. It was still early in the morning so Ocean figured most ponies might still be asleep so he decided to look for a beach. When he arrived at the beach, staring out on the horizon, he noticed that he stood there in his dream as well, he just knew. He turned around, hoping, he could go into that house again to maybe find any clues on his identity, but there was no house. What does this mean? Was it really only a dream and not real? Ocean then decided to go into the forest that was supposed to be behind the house. "But why is there a forest and not a house?" Ocean mumbled to himself. Five minutes inside the woods, he felt like somepony was watching him. Ocean felt really uneasy, when suddenly a familiar face showed up in front of him. "What's up, Ocean?" It was Spike. "Oh, hey there Spike. What is the best Assistant of Equestria doing so early in a forest?" Ocean replied. "Twilight sent me to look for one of her books she thinks she dropped when she got attacked." "What? She got attacked? By whom?" Ocean asked. "You know, just some Timberwolf, there are many of them out here. Besides, what are you doing in the forest, don't you know it is dangerous in here?" "I was just walking around a little and happened to end up here. Ocean said in a laughing voice. "However, I somehow got the feeling I've been watched ever since I got in here." "Maybe you should head back to Ponyville. Since you're out of the hospital you might as well tell the others you are fine. It would be pretty bad if they ended up coming to the hospital for you only to hear that you already left. They would probably worry about you again." "Alright then, could you maybe tell Twilight that I'll be at her house this evening for the spell once you're back?" "Will do, see you later then!" Spike shouted as they parted ways. When Ocean got out of the forest, he noticed Fluttershy's house was right in front of him. "So she lives at the other side of the entrance." He thought. When Ocean approached the door, he noticed some giggling from inside the house. However when he entered, nopony was to be seen. However, as he closed the door, He heard Pinkie Pie's voice. "Surpriiiise!" she shouted. Ocean quickly turned around as he noticed Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Twilight and Fluttershy presenting a very big cake. "Welcome Home" was written on it. "Aw, you guys, I don't know what to say." Ocean could do nothing but smile, his eyes started shining, he feels like it's been a long time since he has been this happy. "How did you know I was here?" "Since you were going to live here, we figured you'd be coming here." Twilight said. "Come on then! It's party time!" Pinkie Shouted. "No party's like a Pinkie Pie party!" "You might actually be right." Ocean replied. Morning passed quickly as they celebrated Ocean's return. They played many games, had a lot of fun. "Must've been pretty boring in that hospital eh?" Rainbow Dash said, looking at Ocean. "Well, it could've been worse. I had some time to relax and think about things so I guess it wasn't that bad. Besides how could a day be boring when you have friends visiting you everyday?" "Yes, I guess so. But doing nothing like lying in a bed is the worst thing for me. After all I love fast things, races, speed and such." "That's Rainbow Dash for you." Ocean replied grinning. "By the way, Twilight. What was that book you sent Spike out for this morning? I happened to walk into him this morning." "Oh that, it was nothing really, just some stuff about the Elements of Harmony." Twilight said. "Elements of Harmony? What's that?" Ocean wanted to know. "You don't know? The Elements of Harmony behold the strongest magic in all of Equestria. However to use them, you need Loyalty, Generosity, Honesty, Kindness, Laughter and Magic. You are pretty lucky since we are the ones who hold the power for it. Rainbow Dash represents Loyalty, Rarity presents Generosity, Applejack represents Honesty, Fluttershy represents Kindness, Pinkie Pie represents Laughter and I represent Magic." Twilight explained. This sounds familiar to Ocean, he finally figured out the meaning of the book, Twilight gave him. "Thanks, Twilight, you really helped me out. I finally understand it. Thank you for leaving that book for me." Ocean said happily. It already started to get dark, the ponies decided to go home each. When Rainbow Dash passed by Ocean, he whispered in her ear. "Could you come to Twilight's house later as well? It would be great if you could help me." Rainbow Dash then looked at Ocean for a moment and then left the house with a small grin. Ocean and Fluttershy are left alone. "Uhm Fluttershy? Do you have a minute? I'd like to talk with you for a second." "Sure, what is it, Ocean?" "Do you remember when I had that nightmare?" "Yes, I do, you were talking in your dreams. You said something like "I can't hear you." or "Who are you?" What about it?" "Well you know, I kept having these dreams. They seemed so real, I have a feeling they want to tell me something that something terrible is going to happen. Back at the hospital the dreams got more intense. My sister appeared in my dream, telling me to save her. At first it was just a shadow, it was really scary. However the next night's dream was very different from the one I had before. It was like somepony moved me, I was unable to do anything. I ended up in a house on the beach where my family lived, my mother told me to go to bed, then my vision got blank, it felt like I was tied up in a dark room where I can't see anything. When I came to, I noticed her lying on the ground, not moving, my sister, talking to me, but I didn't hear her voice. We then ended up in the forest. She said, she'd free me from that curse. She walked up to me and touched me with her horn. That scene was the exact same scene I experienced with that shadow the night before. I still was unable to move on my own. I then became sleepy and collapsed as she walked off. I wanted to shout wait but there was no voice coming out of my mouth. I was so terrified at that moment." "That is horrible, I feel really sorry for you to remember something like that. So you finally know about yourself right?" "Not really, I don't know who I am, what her name was, all I remember is that one night. And it is terrifying me. I'm afraid." "Maybe it is best if you don't remember then, Ocean." Fluttershy smiled at him. "Thank you for your kindness, but I really need to know, I have to save my sister. I can feel she is around somewhere but I don't know where. I actually wanted to ask you to come with me at Twilight's. She gave me a book I should read. It stated something about Loyalty and Kindness and that they are the key to open the gate with Magic. And that way I can find out the truth. I think, you and Rainbow Dash are the keys to open that gate. It all makes sense. You represent Kindness and Loyalty, I am supposed to meet Twilight, where I'm supposed to be when I fall asleep. And since the "gate" should be opened with magic, it has to be Twilight, who leads me there. Do you understand?" "I don't really understand what you mean with all that but if I'm able to help you if I come along, I will come of course." "Thanks Fluttershy." "Is that the reason you talked to Dashie earlier?" "Exactly, I need the help of both of you." "Shall we get going then? We don't want Twilight to wait, right?" The two of them decided to go to Twilight's then, in front of the house they noticed Rainbow Dash waving at them. "You're so slow, hurry it up a bit, slowpoke!" Rainbow Dash shouted reckless. When they knocked at the door, Twilight welcomed them. "Good, the preparations are done, I knew you'd figure it out. Come on in then." Twilight lead Ocean up the stairs and pointed at the bed. At the head of the bed, there was a helmet. "What's that helmet for?" Ocean asked. "We're going to monitor your dream. We will not be able to see what is happening, neither will we hear anything. This helmet only reacts to your emotions and feelings. If we notice you could be harmed, we will make sure to wake you up before that happens so there should be no danger for you. Now lie down please so we can start." "Alright then, but Twilight? What if I remember? What if I know my identity, what am I supposed to do then?" "Well, you can just live in Ponyville with us, why shouldn't you?" "Yeah, silly question of mine, let's go." Ocean has a feeling of uneasiness when he lied down on the bed, the helmet adjusted to his head. "You should try to sleep now. We'll be watching over you." "Hey why am I here then? Just sitting here watching you sleep is so boring!" Rainbow Dash said. "Well, it would be best if Fluttershy would explain you. Could you do that for me, Fluttershy?" "Oh, um yes, don't worry, Ocean." Fluttershy replied. Ocean then closed his eyes, he suddenly felt really sleepy, is it because of the helmet? When he came to, he noticed, he was in a house, as he went outside he noticed it didn't look like ponyville at all. It seemed like a cold world. Neither sun, nor moon was visible on the sky. As he went on on the street he noticed a filly in the distance. He ran up to her, as she noticed him and ran off, however this time, Ocean was able to catch up to her. It was some filly he didn't know. She had black fur and a blue mane but something about her reminded him of her sister. "Who are you?" Ocean asked. "Sorry I can't tell you." she replied. "Please, I need to know." The filly then ran off again, however Ocean was faster than the filly and eventually caught up to her again. "I won't let you leave until you tell me." "I think, you already know who I am. Leave me alone, I don't want you to follow me!" She started running off again, however no matter how fast she ran, Ocean always caught up to her. "Listen, I really need to be alone, you're not even supposed to see me. How come you are wandering around here anyway? I thought everypony was gone." "What do you mean by everypony was gone?" The filly then rammed Ocean who staggered a little. She ran off again. Ocean knew she was hiding something and he caught up to her again. This time they ended up in front of a huge run down house. "Listen, you'll regret following me if you follow me again, stay out of my business, I don't want to hurt you." "I told you already I won't let you leave until you tell me." Ocean then pinned the pony down. "Care to tell me now? I won't let you leave, didn't I tell you?" "Why are you even doing this? Can't you leave me already!?" "Oh no..." The filly screamed, asked Ocean to let her go. "Let me go already, I told you, you'll regret it! Leave now! Ocean didn't think of leaving, still having her pinned down, he noticed the filly started to change her color. Ocean then noticed this filly was a filly he knew, it was her sister. But why did she have black fur, why can she change her color. What happened to her? Shocked, Ocean let go of his sister as she ran into the building. Ocean could do nothing but stare at the house her sister just went inside. "Just what the buck happened to you...?" Ocean then decided to take a look into the big house, hoping to find his sister and the answers he was looking for. Why doesn't he remember anything. Who is he? What happened to him? Who is his sister? So far all he has found are more questions that need to be answered.