After Foal Games- Lost Memories

by DuskShadowBrony


Chapter II- Chronicle Sequence 1- First Flight

Chapter II- Chronicle Sequence 1- First Flight

“You’re home a bit late.” My mother, Corona commented, smiling.

“Just went out for a drink with friends.” I slid off my cloak, hanging it on the coat rack.

“Want some dinner?” Mother asked, trotting over to me. “I made some fresh apple cobbler.”

“Not tonight, Mother. I’ve got a lot of research to do.” I answered. “I appreciate it anyway. I work better when my stomach isn’t filled.”
She sighed, shaking her head. “All right then, dear. Be sure to go to bed at a reasonable time. If you change your mind, it’ll be on the dinner table.”

I headed straight for my room, meeting Talon along the way, one of her servants. His Griffon body was always well-groomed, and his tone friendly. “Evening, Master Arcan. Would you like some tea? I’m sure it’ll help you focus on your studies.”

I gave him a small smile. “I told you many times before, Talon. There’s no need to use that title.”

He chuckled. “I’ll use it as I see fit. I feel it would be disrespectful otherwise. Now how about that tea?”

“Just one cup.” I nodded. Talon gave a short bow as I entered my room.

The walls were lined with hundreds of books, stacked and piles of papers scattered around the room. Arcane symbols dotted the walls, and a set of potions equipment bubbled in the back corner. I gave a soft sigh and settled down at my desk, unfurling my newest piece of research. I picked up a quill, dipped it in the ink, and began writing.

The candle burned lower as the minutes passed, then there was a knock at my door.

“Master Arcan, your tea. May I come in?” It was Talon.

“Door’s open.” I didn’t look up from my writings.

Talon came up behind me, and set a steaming cup on my table. “Spiced Apple Chai, with a touch of milk and a scoop of sugar.” He bowed. “Just the way you like it.”

“Thanks, Talon.” I lifted the cup to my mouth with my magic, and blew on it, taking a small sip. Perfectly brewed and flavored, just like always. “It’s flawless, as usual, Talon. Thank you.”

Talon bowed once more before exiting. I worked late into the night, the papers in my room growing, before yawning. I laid my head down on my desk. Just a little time to rest, then I would go right back to my work. Before I knew it, the blanket of sleep had covered me

***

“Come on, little bro, you can do it!” The green Pegasus shouted up at me.

“I really don’t think so.” I called back, giving my small blue wings a gentle flap. “Promise to catch me if I fall? Again?”

“Of course! But I know you’ll do fine!” He flew up a short distance. “Go for it!”

I took a deep breath, and closed my eyes to calm myself. My hooves started moving into a trot, then breaking into a gallop. Spreading my wings, I flapped them hard and leapt off the cloud. First, there was the terrible feeling of falling. But then, a burst of wind caught in my wings, and I soared higher into the air. I was flying! I laughed along with my brother as he flew up next to me. “I told you so!” He said, as we glided across the sky, climbing even higher.

The feeling was exhilarating. The entire skies were ours. The endless expanse stretched on, and was our domain. It felt like freedom.

***

“Gah!” I woke up with a start. The candle had dripped hot wax onto my nose. Picking it off, I looked around. I was in my research room, and it was just as disorganized- if not more- than it was before. I closed my eyes again. What was that dream? It was like the flashes of images I got, but it was never this defined before. It had never been a complete sequence. I groaned and leaned back in my chair, looking out the window. To my surprise, I saw the sun rising. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I left my room to start my day. When I reached the kitchen, Torrent was already up, cooking up some pancakes.

“Breakfast, Master Arcan?” he asked. “You know what Miss Corona says, it’s the most important meal of the day.”

“No time for a full breakfast.” I answered, grabbing an apple and taking a bite. “See you later.”

“Master Arcan, I must insist, please have at least something more than an apple.” I heard him call after me.

“I’ll eat something when I get there!” I shouted back.

***

“So you had a dream… about flying?” Swift asked, as he polished his armor. “Big deal. A lot of non-Pegasi have those kinds of dreams.”

“I told you, it didn’t feel like a dream.” I insisted. “It was so real. It wasn’t like a dream at all. I felt the wings, the wind current, the feeling of flying into the open air… It was like I was in another pony’s memory or something.”

Swift frowned as he turned to me. “And what time did you say you went to sleep? Did you do it on an empty stomach again?”

“You’re not taking me seriously, are you?”

“Nope.” He pulled on his armor. “It’s hard to take somepony ‘s dream seriously. It was just a dream, Arcan. Nothing more.”

I followed him outside to the training grounds. My unit was already waiting.

“Morning, sir.” A female pink unicorn, named Blossom, had her spear stuck in the ground.

“Looks like you’ve got something on your mind.” A yellow Pegasus added. “Want to talk about it?” he spun his halberd expertly.

“He never talks about anything, Spark.” Chuckled a deep blue unicorn, firing her two small crossbows into a target, reloading quickly and firing again.

“Quiet, Ocean Mist.” Swift leaned his longsword against his shoulder. “Let him make his morning brief.”

They turned and faced me, Swift taking his place amongst them.

“All right, everypony. We’ve been training very hard for the past few days. I’m proud of all of you. We’ve increased our combat power by almost two hundred percent. Let’s keep at it. Everypony, partner up.” Swift and Ocean Mist joined up with each other, while Blossom and Spark trotted off to the side to continue their training.

I watched them spar for some time, giving them pointers here and there. The clash of weapons rang through the air, as the magically shielded blades and bolts struck each other. It was Ocean who developed that spell. Even if the weapons made contact with another pony, it would leave no more damage than a bruise.

Suddenly, my vision swam, and I fell to my front knees, as dizziness took over. I could hear my unit clamoring over to me, shouting. But their words melted into obscurity as I fell to the ground, falling into an abyss.