//------------------------------// // Ch 20: More Questions // Story: Out of the Darkness // by SergeantShenanigans //------------------------------// Star's heart skipped a beat, "Could Luna have really found a solution to my memory problem?" he read on I believe that I have found an answer at least, I have been studying some tomes, err, I mean, what are they called as of recent? Books! Yes books, sorry about the mess up, I am using an automatic quill. As I was saying, I have been studying some books that have to do with memory loss, and there is a spell that is recommended to help remember things, if you would allow I would like to try this spell on you to see if it would help. Please respond accordingly with your answer on the matter. Your Friend Princess Luna Star stared at the letter "Could it really be that easy? All it takes is a spell to end all of my trouble and make me remember my past?" Star shook his head "I better not get too hopeful, it might not work out and I don't want to be too letdown if it doesn't" Deciding that he should just worry about all of this in the morning he got back onto his bed and went to sleep. He woke in the morning with a muddled mind; he didn't know what to think about anything right then. He went into his kitchen and made himself some cereal. After finishing his breakfast he got to writing a reply to Luna Dear Princc Princess Luna, I am sorrry sorry for any mistackes mistakes in this letter, I am still getttng getting used to riting writing. To make this letter short, I would apprecate appreciate the help, would you like me to go to Cantorlot Canterlot or were you planng planning on coming to Ponivillle Ponyville? Your friend Midnite Midnight Star Star looked over the letter and sighed "I really need to work on writing and spelling" he stared at the letter for a moment longer before deciding to look for a way to send the letter back. He searched for a spell that would make his quill be used as an automatic quill like Princess Luna had been using, he did not find a spell like that though, he did find a spell to send the letter and a spell that would change an objects color for a short while. He sent the letter hoping that the princess would be able to read it and decided to practice spells in the park as he usually did. He arrived after about a half an hour of walking, going to his usual spot off to the side of the park under the shade of a tall tree where he wouldn't disturb any of the other ponies with his practicing. First he did his usual levitation practice; he had learned to use magic without taking out his amulet, he lifted a rock into the air and carefully put it down onto a crevice in the tree. Then he practiced picking up more than one rock at a time and stacking them on top of each other. After a while of practicing that, he started to practice his teleporting, first he teleported to the top of a hill not so far away, then back, and continued like that for a few times before trying for distance, he would teleport to the other end of the park. When he reappeared at the other end of the park he was run into by a rainbow blur "Ouch!" he exclaimed "Watch where you're going!" Rainbow snapped "Sorry Rainbow" he apologized Just then they were approached by their other five friends and their pets "What are you doing here Star?" Twilight asked "Practicing magic" Star explained "What happened?" Rarity asked "I was practicing teleportation and I teleported in front of Rainbow on accident" he said standing up "What are you girls doing here?" "We are having our weekly pony pet play day" Fluttershy answered "That's nice, sorry for interrupting, I will just get back to practicing magic" Star said happily teleporting back to where he had been just moments before When he reappeared he picked up the spell book to see if there was anything else he should be practicing, suddenly a dark blue envelope appeared in front of him, he smiled and opened it Dear Midnight Star, It is quite alright about your hoofwriting, though I recommend using an automatic quill spell, it is very useful. I will arrive in ponyville tomorrow evening to attempt the spell, I will see you then. Your friend Princess Luna Star smiled brightly while reading this letter, until he remembered that it might not work, then his smile drained, he turned to get his book and saw his six friends looking over his shoulder at the letter, as soon as he turned to see them they all zoomed back to their pets and pretended that they were there the whole time. Ignoring this Star picked up his magic book and skimmed through looking for a spell, he eventually came upon a spell that would change one item into another, such as turning a tree into a rock, or a book into an apple. First he grabbed a nearby rock and attempted to change it into an apple. He succeeded, but when he took a bite out of it, it turned back into rock and he had a mouth full of rock. He spit it out and heard giggling from behind him, he turned and saw his friends once again watching him curiously but rushing back to their pets. Star approached them "Am I really that interesting?" They stared at him "I don't know what you're talking about" Rainbow lied "I was just wondering why you are all watching me then pretending that you weren't" Star pursued "We saw you get that letter then we watched you bec-" Pinkie started "Pinkie!" Rainbow shouted tackling her and holding a hoof to her mouth "What is so wrong with wanting to know what the letter contained?" he asked them "Rarity got us all really suspicious, you have been acting happier and different lately and she has us convinced that you have a marefriend" Twilight admitted "Why would that change the way I act?" Star questioned "Love changes many ponies, it was the most rational answer to your attitude change" Rarity stated "It was a letter from Princess Luna-" Star started "YOU'RE MAREFRIEND IS PRINCESS LUNA!" Twilight shouted "N-n-no! She's just-" he started to say "How did you get a mare like Princess Luna without showing her your face?" Rainbow asked "I didn't-" he tried to explain "He was obviously a romantic pony and caught her attention to his actions and personality, not his looks" Rarity explained "But I'm not-" he tried again "It's good that Star found a marefriend" Fluttershy commented quietly "Ah didn't think that ya were really interested in all that romance stuff Star" Applejack admitted "I'm not-" he started "We need to celebrate your new relationship!" Pinkie exclaimed "WILL YOU ALL JUST STOP!" Star shouted, they all stared at him before he continued "I am not in a relationship with Princess Luna and I do not have a marefriend, where did you get such ideas?" Five sets of eyes fell to rest on Rarity "I'm sorry, I convinced the others that the most rational reason you changed your attitude was that you had a marefriend" she explained "I am just changing because I don't have to worry about my past as much anymore, it isn't as important as it was before" he explained "Sorry for jumping to conclusions, I was just confused as to who you would be dating" she explained "It's okay, now if you don't mind, I would like to continue with my spell practice" Star said walking back to his spot across the park He once again picked up a rock but this time, instead of turning it into an apple, he turned it into a replica of the book he had read the spell from. The spell worked but the book was empty, after a few seconds it turned back to a rock. He continued like this for a small while, sometimes the transformation time would stay for a few seconds longer or sometimes it wouldn't change at all. Satisfied that he had thoroughly practiced this spell he searched for something else to occupy his time. He looked in his saddlebag and found the book he was looking for, Starswirls journal. He attempted to decipher more out of the book, and on his first try he deciphered a new page. It explained how Starswirl had been planning a surprise for Star on his birthday, which would be on the winter celebration day. It also went into detail saying that he had brought up this plan before, but it was shot down by Star, but when he accomplished this task, Star would be unimaginably happy. He turned the page to read more to find that the runes (he had taken to calling the symbols runes) continued on from this page. Sighing he decided to ask one of his friends about this "winter celebration". Looking over he saw that they had left; he had apparently spent more time practicing than he had thought. He decided to ask Twilight, the library was close to the park anyway. When he arrived at the library Twilight looked as if she had been there all day reading because of the amount of books that surrounded her "Hey Twilight" "Hello Star, how are you today?" she asked "I am good; I have to ask you something, what is the "winter celebration?"" Star asked "That would be Hearth's warming day" she explained "And what is this celebration about?" he questioned "It is about the day that all three types of ponies finally got along and founded Equestria" she answered "That's a good thing to celebrate" he commented "Why did you want to know?" Twilight asked "I deciphered another page of the journal and apparently that is my birthday, unless there is another winter celebration" he explained "Nope, guess we found out when your birthday is, but why did you want to know?" she asked "If I study the history of the event maybe it will say something about Equestria's worst known evil being born" Star guessed "That would make sense, seeing as things at random have triggered your memories." Twilight agreed "Do you have any books on the history of Hearth's warming?" he asked "I have a few, feel free to borrow them all" she said levitating Star 3 books He thanked her and went on his way back to his house. As he had arrived he saw that it was late in the afternoon, he had spent a lot longer than he thought into practicing his spells. He opened up one of the books and sure enough the entire celebration on hearth's warming eve was about the treaty between the three types of ponies. He read through the other two books too, but none of them said anything about a significant event happening during Hearth's warming. After reading through each of the books again to see if he had missed anything he went to sleep. The next morning was just as his others were usually; he ate breakfast and practiced spells in the park. It was around noon when he was practicing his transformation spell again. As he was about to transform a rock into a tree there was a bright blue flash in front of him that took his concentration off of the spell and the rock turned into a stump. Turning to the light he saw Princess Luna who had just teleported to the side of him "Greetings Star" she said cheerfully "Hello Luna" Star greeted almost as cheerful as she sounded "Are you ready for me to attempt the spell?" she asked him "As I will ever be" he admitted "You seem troubled, is something wrong?" she asked "I am trying not to get my hopes up, there is a chance that this won't work" he answered "We will have to see about that" she said her horn glowing Star felt her presence pushing through his mind and he heard her speaking to him mentally "Now, for this spell to work I have to find where your memories are being hidden, would you have any idea where that would be?" "I remember Twilight saying something about the presence of Discord's magic in my subconscious, why don't you start there?" Star guessed. He felt her consciousness stir within his, it was a strange experience, it was as if she was actually inside his head. She soon stopped near the recesses of his mind as far as he could tell "Did you find anything?" he asked "There is a wall here, but the wall isn't made of magic from Discord, the magic feels as though it is coming from….. this can't be, why would she do that?" Luna sounded surprised "What? Who do what?" Star asked urgently "My sister is shielding your memory, I never thought that she would have a hoof in this, why would she do that?" Luna said sounding upset "Why don't we ask her?" Star asked "She is in Fillydelphia at the moment, she is taking care of some problem or another." Luna explained "Will you tell me when she gets back so that I can speak with her?" Star asked "Sur-" Luna was cut off by a commanding voice from nowhere "Luna, stop with your interference with this pony" the voice sounded upset But sister! This pony is trying to figure out who he was and you are stopping that! Luna countered "I would prefer that this pony not remember who he was and what happened to him…. He has been through too much, I would prefer him not to remember what happened" said the voice of who he assumed was Celestia "But Celly, he is a kind pony who just wants to know what he has forgotten" Luna persisted They suddenly felt what could only be described as anger flash through his mind "Luna persist this matter no longer!" Celestia shouted "…. As you wish. Sorry Star, I guess that you are on your own" Luna said retreating from his mind "It is okay, I have no idea why Celestia didn't want me to remember who I was, but it must have upset her greatly" Star said a little disappointed "I apologize again, I will be leaving now, I will see you another time" Luna said sounding a little disappointed In a bright flash of blue she disappeared just as she had appeared. Star stood still for what seemed like an eternity, trying to come up with reasons that Celestia might not want him to remember his past; she had said something about him being through too much "Did something bad happen before I lost my memory?" he thought morbidly. He was still standing still when he was approached by his six friends "Are you okay?" Twilight asked "Why are you six always watching me?" Star asked them "We just wanted to know whether or not you got your memory back" Pinkie explained "No" he responded in disappointment "The spell didn't work?" Fluttershy asked "I don't know if the spell would have worked" he answered "Why not?" Pinkie asked "Apparently along with Discord, Celestia is trying to block off any further memories of mine" Star explained "Why would she do such a thing? I don't believe you" Twilight said in disbelief "She said that I had gone through too much and she would prefer that I didn't know what happened to me" he answered Twilight's eyes softened "That sounds more like her, but I don't understand what could have been so bad that you shouldn't remember it?" "Well, from what we know so far, it was on my birthday, the same day that my father died, and one of the worst evils Equestria has ever known was born, and apparently something worse than that happened, so I don't know if I should know or not" Star said half jokingly "If you put it that way it sounds horrible," Rainbow commented "Which it is!" she threw in quickly "But I think that you should still try to find out what happened to you, if you don't it will bother you for the rest of your life" "Rainbow! How could ya say such a thing!" Applejack said in disbelief "She is right, I wasn't going to give up on it yet" Star admitted "Even after Princess Celestia said not to?" Twilight asked "Yes" he said resolutely "I don't approve going against Celestia's orders, but I think that I should help you because you are just as much of a friend to me as she is" Twilight said reluctantly "Thanks" he said appreciatively "So, where are you going to start?" Rarity asked "Well I- ummm…. I don't know honestly" Star admitted "We could try to decipher more from the books, or we could find the key to open the locked box, or we could try to explore more of the library" Twilight listed "I hadn't thought of those, once again Twilight, you show your genius" he said happily Twilight blushed slightly "Oh, I don't know if I would say genius, but…." She left the statement hanging "I will speak to you all another time, hopefully with more information about my past" he said walking away He was stopped by Rainbow "Woah woah woah, didn't you hear her say WE could try that?" "Most of it is very tedious work, are you sure you want to Rainbow?" Star said trying to appeal to her fast moving nature "I don't want to, but I will for a friend" she said showing a lot of loyalty "You are very loyal Rainbow" Star commented "I wouldn't be the element of Loyalty if I wasn't" she said proudly "Element of Loyalty?" he questioned "I forgot to mention, the six of us are the bearers of the elements of harmony, the ones that banished Nightmare moon and the ones who cleansed her too. I am the element of magic, Applejack is the element of honesty, Rarity is the element of generosity, Pinkie is the element of laughter, Fluttershy is the element of kindness and as you now know, Rainbow is the element of loyalty" Twilight explained "I didn't know that, but onto the matter at hoof, would you all really want to go through the tedious work of deciphering the books or helping me search for the key to the box or exploring more of the library?" he asked "I would love to, mostly because your entire backstory has me very curious" Twilight admitted "And what about you girls? If any of you don't want to you don't have to, I don't really think we need the help" he asked them "I will help" Fluttershy said quietly "I'll help" Applejack offered "Me too" Rainbow agreed "Ooooohhhhh! I wanna help! Pickmepickmepickmepickme!" Pinkie said bouncing up and down holding her hoof in the air "I would love to help" Rarity answered "I guess it's settled then. Since nopony besides Star can decipher the books, he will be doing that. Pinkie, Rainbow, and Applejack, you girls can explore the cave, Rarity, Fluttershy and I will be searching for Starswirl’s old home so that we can find the key to the box" Twilight explained "It sounds like you thought this out before you even got the answer from me, did you even think that the spell would work?" Star asked in a hurt tone "I was hopeful, but I planned for both inevitabilities" she explained "Now, let's go girls" Twilight said leaving Star to his thoughts "I wonder why Celestia was angry when Luna tried to help me with my memories? I guess I will find out when we find out more about my past" Star concluded. Picking up both the books full of symbols he started to do what he always did to decipher them, he would transfer magic from his amulet to the books and think about the words being translated, it is the only thing that he had tried that had even worked. He felt something happen as he transferred the energy to the books, one of the books started to shake. The book that had started to shake was the title less book that he had yet to decipher anything from, a title started to appear on the front. The title read Star's journal.