“I must say, you are truly a worthy opponent. But I’m afraid your next move will be your last,” I said to the muscular white Pegasus in front of me on the other side of the chess board. Bulk Biceps was his name but for reason everypony just calls him Snowflake, I really should ask him about that later. I watched as Snowflake’s eyes darted over the board in the hopes of trying to find a way out of my trap. I smiled and leaned back in my chair, there is no way out. I took a deep breath of the clean park air. I closed my eyes and thought about the past week in Ponyville.
Despite the odd circumstances of me just appearing here, and being in the body of a Pegasus pony instead of my normal human one. It really hadn’t been that bad. The day after my arrival I was treated with the normal initiation ritual for new arrivals, a Pinkie Pie party. It was actually kind of fun, even though I’ve been prematurely given the title of the new town drunk, apparently beating the old town drunk gave me the right to her title. Not that I mind, it’s just that I wish there was something in this world strong enough to get me drunk. But hopefully soon that problem will be solved. The rest of the week was pretty uneventful Rainbow Dash took the time to take me around town, and show me where everything of importance is, which was nice. I had a meeting with Twilight, where she asked me to come to her library at least once a week, so she could help me with regaining my memories. Even though I told her, and every other pony that would listen, that I haven’t lost my memories and suffering from some form of ‘Amnesia’, but in fact that I am from another world.
No one listened.
I even had a meeting with the Apple Family about a possible business venture. All in all it really wasn’t a bad week. Well except for when Scootaloo and her friends got the idea that hitting me hard enough in the back of the head would cure my “Amnesia” and hopefully make me remember that I’m Scootaloo’s Father. I spent the whole day hiding from the three fillies, until Rainbow Dash was able to convince them to stop.
“CHECKMATE YEAAAAA!”
I brought my attention back to the game and I saw that Snowflake had decided to flip the chess table…again. “Was that really necessary?”
“YEAAA, it’s time for my workout.”
I watched as Bulk picked up the table and proceeded to do bicep curls with it, “Spot me Bro.”
“I’m beginning to question why I decided to hang out with you today, but anyway I can’t. I have to go pickup Scootaloo from school.”
“Doesn't Rainbow normally do that?” he grunted out.
“Yea but she’s got to work late all week, and since I’m basically just bumming out at her place. I said I’ll help out and pick up Scoot’s and stuff this week.”
He stopped his workout and looked at me. “Does she still think that you’re her Father?”
I sighed, “Yea she does, but at least she’s not chasing me around with a lead pipe anymore.” I shuddered at the thought. “Well anyway I’ll see you later Snowflake.” I said grabbing my saddle bag that Pinkie gave me at my welcome to Ponyville party.
Snowflake gave me a wave as I walked off.
I made my way out of the park and into the bustling little town. Ponies are out and about doing their business. Some are shopping, some are selling, some are at the cafes eating, and others are just out enjoying the nice day. A few called out and said hello as I walked by, having met me at Pinkie’s Party, I just nodded my head in reply. The overfriendliness of the ponies in the town was slowly starting to get to me. It’s not like I’m antisocial and rude, it’s just I find extreme friendliness just creepy, although I had met a few ponies that I’ve enjoyed the company of this past week.
I heard the school bell ring just as I reached the gate. I sat and watched the mass of children run out of the school as quickly as there little hooves could take them. Three fillies saw me sitting off to the side of the gate and made their way towards me.
“Hi Dad,” Scootaloo shouted waving one of her hooves as she and her two friends, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, came walking up.
“I’m not your Dad Scoot’s we’ve been over this.” I accidently yelled out.
Scootaloo face went somber, her ears going flat against her head, and she looked down at the ground and began pawing it with one of her hooves.
“Scootaloo I didn’t mean to…” I began but a light yellow hoof tugging at my leg diverted my attention.
“Are you sure you’re not Scoot’s Daddy, Mr. Jones?” Apple Bloom asked.
I sighed and noticed one of Scootaloo’s ears perking up, in the corner of my eye. “Girls we went over this last week. I know that everypony thinks that I’m suffering from some form of ‘Amnesia’ but I’m not. Just trust me.” Scoot’s ears go back against her head.
“So you’re just crazy then?” Sweetie Belle asked.
I stood there silently for a second then shrugged me shoulders. “Eh possibly…I do write erotica for a living after all.”
“What’s Erotica?” they both chimed out.
“Uhhhh”
“SWEETIE BELLE, APPLE BLOOM!” a voice shouted.
I looked over and saw Rarity galloping quickly towards us. She noticed me and slowed down to a light trot. “Well hello there Osaka. What are you doing here?”
“I’m just picking up Scootaloo for Rainbow.”
“Oh, that’s nice of you dear.” She smiled softly then turned her attention to the two fillies in front of her. “Sorry I’m late you two. I was in the middle of finishing up an order and I lost track of the time.”
“That’s alright Rarity.” Sweetie Belle said giving her sister a huge smile. “Mr. Jones was kind enough to keep us company.”
“So that’s what I was doing.”
Rarity giggled, “Well thank you Osaka. Now Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom we better get going if we want to make our spa appointment.”
“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS SPA RELAXATION” the two fillies yelled out.
Rarity smiled, she looked at Scootaloo who was still staring at the ground depressingly. “Scootaloo are you sure you don’t want to come? I promise you’ll enjoy it.” Scootaloo shook her head. Rarity looked at me with concern.
“Don’t worry I’ll take care of it.” I silently mouthed at her.
Rarity gave me a hard look that said “you better”, and nodded her head. “Alright girls lets go. Have a nice afternoon Osaka, and you
too Scootaloo.” She said walking away.
“Bye Scootaloo, Bye Mr. Jones!” Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom yelled out following Rarity, leaving us alone.
“So why didn’t you want to go to the spa with your friends?”
“I don’t like girly stuff like that.” She muttered out, not looking up from the ground.
“I see…” I sighed “I’m sorry Scootaloo I really didn't mean to yell at you like that. It kind of just slipped out.”
“It’s alright Mr. Jones.”
“You can call me Osaka you know? I mean I am living with you and Rainbow Dash after all, so I think that gives you the rights to call me by my first name.”
She gave her head a nod, not looking at me.
“Alright Osaka think what’s the perfect way to cheer up a depressed kid….wait…got it!” I smiled. “You know Rainbow gave me some bits, and she won’t be off work for at least another three hours. So why don’t we go over to Sugarcube Corner and get a little snack?”
Scootaloo’s ears twitched at my proposal and she lifted her head up to look at me. “Can I get a chocolate shake and a cupcake?”
“Sure” I gave her a smile and she returned it. I lowered myself down so she could climb onto my back. She got on and I took off for the bakery.
I carefully landed outside the ginger bread style house making sure not to hit any pony on my decent. I kneeled down and let Scootaloo jump off my back. She looked up to me and gave me a smile. “Thanks Da…I mean Osaka.” Her smile turned to a sheepish one.
I opened the door to the bakery/restaurant ignoring her slight slip of the tongue. “Don’t mention it kid,” I said ruffling her hair as she walked past me into the building. I followed her in and the smells of fresh baked muffins and various cakes assaulted my nose. I inhaled and took it all in. I looked around the bakery and noticed that besides the yellow stallion behind the counter, we had the place to ourselves at the moment. Scootaloo took off and ran to the counter looked at all the baked delights behind the glass display case.
“Well hello there Scootaloo, how are you this fine afternoon?” I heard the stallion ask Scoot’s as I walked up and joined her at the counter.
“I’m fine Mr. Cake.” She said with a huge smile. “Osaka is treating me to a snack.”
“Osaka?” he raised a brow. He turned to me and his brow lowers in recognition. “OH! Osaka, that’s right you’re the pony that crashed here last week.”
“Yup, that’s me. So Scoots what would you like?”
“Can I get a chocolate shake and uhh.” She stopped her eyes glancing around the cupcakes in the display case. “OH, and that chocolate cupcake with the rainbow frosting.” She said taping the glass with her hoof.
Mr. Cake let out a soft chuckle, “You betcha, and for you sir?”
“I’ll just have a chocolate chip muffin and some coffee.”
“Cream? Sugar?”
“Just black”
“No problem I’ll have that right out.”
Mr. Cake went about making Scootaloo’s milkshake, poured my cup of coffee, and grabbed the muffin and cupcake out of the display case. I reached into my saddle bag and fished out some bits. Scoot’s and I grabbed our stuff and headed to a booth in the corner.
“Thanks again Osaka,” she said just before taking a huge bite of her cupcake. Her wings buzzed slightly in excitement.
“Heh, she acts just like…”
I shook my head. “Don’t mention it.” I mumbled out. I took a sip of the piping hot coffee and I felt it burn my mouth.
We sat in relative silence as Scootaloo happily munched on the rest of her cupcake and sipped on her shake. While I just sipped my coffee and picked at my muffin. After a bit I noticed Scoot’s looking at me then quickly looking away a few times avoiding my gaze. “Is something wrong Scootaloo?” I asked. She shook her head and grabbed her milkshake and proceeded to finish it off. I gave her a stern look, “Sootaloo?”
She finished her shake and pushed it out of the way. “Well…umm…” she finally muttered out.
“What is it Scootaloo? I promise I won’t get mad or upset.”
She looked down at the table refusing to look at me. “It’s just I was thinking about what Apple Bloom asked you earlier…”
“And?”
“How do you know you’re not my Dad?” I heard her faintly whisper.
“Scootaloo we've been…”
“I know” she interrupted. “I know you say you’re not suffering from that ‘Amnesia’ Rainbow and the others say you are suffering from, but how would you know? They say it had something to do with your near death experience and your brain not being able to handle it or something like that. So how would you know?”
I looked down. “Well she does have a point how would I know….But I do know…” I looked back up and saw Scootaloo staring at me trying to fight back tears.
“Well?” she asked.
I got up from my side of the booth and walked over and sat next to her. I draped one of my wings over her and pulled her in close. “Scoots” I said comfortingly “I know this must be very confusing for you, but I’m sorry. I’m not your dad,” She started to softly cry into my coat, making me glad that the place was empty of customers. I took a quick glance at Mr. Cake who was at the other side of the building and see him just minding his own business. I brought my attention back to the crying filly, and began to lightly stroke her mane with my hoof.
“How do you know?” She lightly squeaked out.
“In all honesty I guess I don’t Scootaloo after all everypony is saying that I’m suffering from that ‘Amnesia’ even though I’m pretty sure I’m not. But like you said I could be and just not even know it which is a scary thought. But an even scarier thought is the possibility that most of my memories are not even real, and that frightens me more than the idea that I’ve been a talking pony all my life and just don’t recall it. So you’re just going to have to trust me on this Scoots. I’m sorry.”
She let out a light sniffle, “I’m not going to give up hoping that you might turn out to be him.”
I smiled and let out a little chuckle, “I’m not asking you to give up hope if you want to keep hoping. Just don’t be disappointed if you are proven wrong okay, after all I admit you do have a point, even though I am sure of the answer. Just you know don’t chase me around town with a lead pie again.” I chuckled and I heard her do so as well.
We sat there in silence with Scoots wrapped up in one of my wings and me petting her mane softly with my hoof, she slowly started to calm down. She wiggled from my embrace and I retracted my wing. She siat back up and wiped her few remaining tears with one of her forelegs. She gave me a bashful smile and scratched the back of her head, “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay don’t mention it. I’m sure this is very confusing for you. Hel…heck I’m surprised I haven’t had a mental break down from everything yet.” I lightly laughed, she joined me.
“Umm do you mind if I go to the restroom and clean up a bit? I don’t want every pony that passes us on the way home to know I was crying.”
“Go for it.” I slid out of the booth and watched her run off to a nearby hallway which I assumed lead to the bathrooms. I slid back into the booth and leaned back against the seat. I closed my eyes and let out a deep sigh. “Good job Osaka you try to take her out and cheer her up and you just end up making her cry and install false hope into her…..at least I hope it’s false hope…I can’t just be crazy can I? If I am that means…” The sound of the bell on the door ringing and the clopping of hoof steps coming towards me brought me out of my musing. I opened my eyes and turned to the source of the sound. A light yellow mare with a navy blue and pink mane, and a cutie mark consisting of three wrapped candies was looking at me.
“You’re Osaka Jones right?” she asked.
I just nodded my head and continued to stare at her trying to remember her name. “I know I’ve met her before” then it hit me. “Oh yea, you’re Bon Bon right? You own the candy shop in town. We met at the party Pinkie threw for me.”
“Yup that’s me, it’s nice to see you again Osaka.” She smiled then her eyes glanced to a nearby window. “Hey is that Big Mac in one of his Grannies girdles?” she said pointing a hoof at the window.
“Wait what?” I turned around to look, and I felt a quick stab of pain at the back of my skull.
Then Blackness