I stumbled along the path, cursing my lack of ability to walk straight. The forest around me grew darker, and I couldn't help but feel that something was terribly wrong. Something about this...forest just gave me the creeps. It was just...chaotic and unnatural. Funny talking that way about something that was about as natural as you could get.
I heard howling again, this time closer.
And right in front of me.
I spared no time. I ran in the opposite direction.
I don't know how I managed it; I had trouble walking a minute ago, but I suppose imminent death does that to you.
I skirted around the crater, running as fast as I could.
I looked back, getting a good glimpse of them. Wolves, made of wood, with glowing green eyes, were chasing me.
Timberwolves. Oh, I get it now.
They were gaining on me. They didn't quite have the disability I did; they could easily just run through the jagged crystal with no apparent pain. That bit about the forest being unnatural came back to me. It made a whole lot more sense. But it was a bit too late now.
I sped up. My breathing became labored. I needed another way to escape. There was no way I could outrun beasts that didn't tire. I looked back at my wings.
Of course.
I flapped them.
Nothing happened.
I tried again.
No effect.
Panicking I looked back to see what was wrong with my wings. They were getting closer. I flapped my wings as hard as I could---
And I slammed into a tree, which knocked me out instantly.
I woke up to the smell of antiseptic.
"---fine. He just got a nasty bump on his head. I don't think the wolves got to him by the time you got there. It's really rather lucky. A colt his age in the Everfree..."
"Yeah, it was lucky. If Twilight hadn't insisted that we visit that old castle again, we wouldn't have been there. I mean, what's the point? We already defeated Nightmare Moon! And right during the celebration? Anyway, it was still lucky."
"For your information, Rainbow, I didn't force you to come along. You're the one that wanted to come with."
"If only to keep you from getting into too much danger. Which you did."
I opened my eyes, looking at the speakers. Rainbow was a light blue pegasus with---you guessed it---a rainbow mane. Twilight was a purple unicorn with an even more purple mane. Another pony stood in the corner, obviously a doctor based on his clothes.
"I think he's waking up."
"You had quite the accident back there. What's your name?"
"I--I don't really know. I don't remember much."
"Do you know who your parents are?"
"No."
"That doesn't really give us much to work with. Do you remember anything? Anything we can use to identify you?"
"Well, I do remember one thing. It might be my name."
"Sidereus."
"Hmm... interesting. Unusual name. But that way it's easier to find out who your folks are. In the meantime, Twilight here has offered you a place to stay."
Twilight gave a little wave.
"Well, anyway, you aren't really injured that much. You should be free to go, but I'll go deal with the paperwork."
As he turned to leave, I heard him mutter, "Memory loss, with no concussion..."
That did absolutely nothing to cheer me up. I turned back to Twilight and Rainbow again. Rainbow was hovering near the ceiling, obviously not wanting to be there.
"Well, thanks, I guess, for saving me."
"Of course, you're welcome," said Twilight. "But what were you doing in the forest in the first place? Nopony goes in there."
"Well, you were."
The doctor poked his head through the door.
"You're free to go. Please don't stay too long, we need to clean the room for the next patient."
He went back out.
Rainbow jumped at the chance. "Well, we don't want to keep them waiting. Let's go already."
And with that, she practically ran through the door.
"Well, I guess we can talk later. We should probably get home, first."
Twilight led me through Ponyville, pointing out the different areas. Everything seemed so new, but at the same time, strangely familiar. Every last building, every last pony, and every last market stall all looked way too familiar. It looked like a festival had just taken place.
"What's with all the decorations?"
"It's a welcome-back party for Princess Luna. Pinkie Pie planned it."
"Welcome-back?"
"Oh, right, you don't remember anything. Nightmare Moon returned last night---or would it be this morning?---and we freed her from the darkness. Now she's Princess Luna again."
Now that was familiar, all right. But he still couldn't access the memory.
At last they reached the library, Twilight's home. Even this seemed way too familiar.
"Here we are: the Golden Oaks Library. I just moved in a few days ago, myself, but I couldn't ask for a better place."
"You live in a library? Cool!"
"I think you and I are going to get along pretty well."