Lost and Found in Equestria

by darbselah

Settling In

Twilight was all about getting down to business, and after letting me sit for a bit and serving me a delightful lunch of berries and oats, she asked me to demonstrate how I was able to perform the healing magic.

“Well, thanks for the grub and thank you for, ya know, saving my life and all, but I think I’m gonna head out. Got some serious zzz’s to catch up on,” Rainbow waved to us heading out the door.

“Wait!” I called after her. I really didn’t want to see the Pegasus go, not before I could assure that I’d be seeing her again soon. I hadn’t figured out quite what to say as Rainbow turned back. She tilted her head giving a quizzical look as the silence lengthened. “Umm... I just think that the best way to demonstrate how I did the healing is to show her on the pony I healed.”

Rainbow put hoof to chin thinking it over. “I guess that makes sense, but it’s gotta be quick.”

It actually did make sense and she didn’t even have to suspect that I had ulterior motives for keeping her nearby. Rainbow Dash made her way back over to where Twilight and I waited and looked at me expectedly. “Well, what do you need to do?”

“-Right,” I made my way to her side with Twilight in tow. I placed my hoof gently on the small of her back, relishing the opportunity for contact again, and slowly started probing with magic.

“Oh, I see,” Twilight said as she placed her hoof on top of mine and moved along the pony’s back with me. It didn’t take long before I could feel the magic from Twilight perfectly mirroring my own.

“Wow!” I complimented her, “you picked up on that very fast.”

“Thanks. So this is how you were able to feel where her injuries were. Now how did you actually heal them?”

I moved my hoof, with Twilight’s on top, along Rainbow’s back towards her rear leg. I couldn’t help but think I was doing something wrong as my hoof caressed over Rainbow’s rear hip and along her thigh, but I reminded myself that I was only helping Twilight.

“You can feel, in the leg here, where it was broken.” I rubbed up and down the Pegasus’ thigh, just below the cutie mark, sending magic pulses into the repaired bone so Twilight could follow the path.

“I think I get it, but I could never do what you did. You used magic like a needle and thread, meshing magic with the bone.” She looked at me, shock in her eyes. “I-It’s amazing! I never thought magic could be used to heal like this.” Her eyes widened as she continued excitedly. “If you ever have a need to do this again I hope I can be there.” I could feel her using the probing technique I had taught her as she repeatedly examined the repaired leg.

“Super interesting and all, but could you guys maybe find another pony’s leg to fawn over?” Rainbow chided.

I reluctantly pulled my hoof from Rainbow’s thigh as Twilight did the same. “Sorry,” I said feeling blush. The Pegasus had made me blush more in a day than I had in years.

“Well, if you guys are done I really do have things to do.” With that she started on her way once again sending my mind reeling for a reason to stop her once more.

“One more thing,” I said.

She stopped again with a huge sigh. “Yes?” she asked sounding slightly annoyed.

“I was just wondering if you could help me with something later?”

“Probably. What’s up?”

“It’s just that these wings,” I tried to spread the wings at my side but found the muscles didn’t react the way I wanted them to. The result was a shaky pathetic flutter of my wings. “They don’t really do me any good right now. I can’t seem to figure out how to use them properly.”

“Rainbow might be the best flyer in all of Equestria. I’m sure she could help you learn how to fly again,” Twilight chimed in.

“Now you’re talkin’ my language,” Rainbow said with an enthusiastic leap into the air. “Everypony around here knows I’m the best flyer around.” She zipped back and forth in the library bumping into Twilight’s globe and knocking a few books off the shelf.
“Rainbow! Enough! Save it for your lessons,” Twilight scolded as she replaced books on the shelves using magic.
“Sweet, just let me finish a few things and maybe we could start practicing tonight, or early tomorrow.”

“Where should I meet you?” I asked.

“Don’t worry, I’ll find you. You kind of stand out,” she said with a shy smile.

I thought I detected a slight reddening of her cheeks as she left and once again wondered what it was about me that kept earning me strange looks.

“Hey, Twilight. Do you have a mirror I could use?” I needed to see what was going on.

“Umm, yeah,” she had just finished cleaning up the mess Rainbow Dash had left. “I’ve got one in my room upstairs.” She started up the stairs looking somewhat unsure. “I don’t usually let anyone but my friends up here, but I guess it’s ok.”

“Sorry, I just haven’t had a good look at myself for a while; I’m probably a mess.”

She smiled timidly, “Yeah, I don’t think I would call you a mess.” Now she blushed outright and turned her head from me. Clearing her throat she gestured toward a full size mirror. “There you are.”

I looked at what I had become. It was quite disorienting; there was nothing recognizable left over from my former self. I was covered in a dark ash-gray coat with a mane black as the void, my eyes where a smoky color but bright and intense just the same, my face was very angular with sharp edges very clear and defined, and my body was surprisingly muscular. I was glad my body felt as strong as it did; I had worked tirelessly on my former body and was happy to see it had transferred over. I deduced that I was probably considered quite handsome thus the reason for the looks I kept receiving.

I noticed another pair of admiring eyes in the mirror and turned to face Twilight.

“Thank you,” was all I could think to say.

“Yeah, no problem,” she giggled nervously. “So I was thinking, with no memory and probably no money what do you intend to do now?”

I didn’t really know what to do. My memories were, of course, as intact as ever, but I still had no idea why I was here.

“I’m willing to do whatever I can , of course,” she added quickly.

“Well, it’s clear that I should stay here in Ponyville for a while,” I said, descending the stairs back into the main library. “I guess I could find some work and a place to stay, but I need to figure out what was going on with the creature that attacked Rainbow Dash. I can’t help but feel that he might hold the answers to a lot of questions.” I began pacing back and forth now. “He said he would come back to battle me later, that it would be some sort of epic battle, but frankly I don’t know how well I’d do in a battle.”

I stopped for a moment, realizing that part of my answer was right in front of me. “Hey Twilight?”

“Yes?”

“Rainbow Dash is going to be helping me with my flying, but I also need someone to help me with magic.” I looked pointedly at her.

She looked startled. “Wh-what you did for Dash is far- it was far beyond anything I could do,” she stammered.

“Right, so you’ve said,” I said shaking my head. “But I told you I did that out of instinct and necessity. I don’t know how to do – well – anything else,” I said truthfully. “You’ve got to help me.”

She looked down, visibly mulling the idea over.

“I really need the help,” I added, pleading.

She closed her eyes tightly and nodded. “Alright. I’ll help.”

“Great! When can we get started?”

“I need to gather some materials and I also need to apprise Princess Celestia of the situation...”

She continued speaking, but I focused on the last bit I’d heard. “Princess Celestia?” I interrupted.

She looked up at me with a smile “Well, yeah. I mean an Alicorn showing up in Ponyville with no memory and an unknown past is kind of a big deal.”

I didn’t really like the idea of getting more ponies, important ones at that, involved. “Why is it such a big deal? I mean, you’re obviously an Alicorn,” I gestured at her. “No need to bother a princess is there?”

“Well,” she reddened, withdrawing slightly, “I’m a Princess.”

I knew my mouth was hanging open, but it seemed to be ignoring my mental commands for it to close. After a few seconds of derpiness I was able to respond. “I’m sorry, I had no idea,” I admitted, making an attempt at a clumsy bow.

“Oh, that’s okay. Really, there’s no need for that.”

It hit home again how little I understood this new world. A Princess! How could I have known? She was, after all, living in a library. I felt foolish and decided I needed to say something. “In my world a princess would wear a crown and live in a castle, I’m really sorry I didn’t realize you were royalty.”

“No-no,” she said, obviously feeling awkward. “I have a castle and a crown, I just really like the library here and I don’t really like wearing a crown. It’s not your fault you didn’t know,” she assured me as she began magically pulling books from the shelves looking each of them over.

“Well, can I do anything to help?” I didn’t want her to dismiss me as I really had no idea what to do next.

“No-no, you should probably go inquire about work somewhere. If you’re going to be here for any extended time you’ll want to find a way to contribute. That’s the way things work in Ponyville.”

“But...” I started, sounding feeble, “I don’t know anyone, and frankly I don’t really understand the culture here.” I really did sound pathetic.

Twilight chuckled at my lack of confidence. “Hey, Spike.” I had forgotten about the little dragon. “Why don’t you take Fireblade over to Sugarcube Corner, the Cakes are always looking for a little help.”

“Uh, yeah, sure thing Twilight.” The young dragon seemed excited to get out of the library and led the way at an alarmingly quick pace for a creature with such little legs.

I followed him out, back into the streets of the charming little town and back into the sea of awkward gazes and whispers. Everywhere I looked the scene was the same; ponies looking away as soon as I made eye contact and then the hissing of quiet gossip. The hushed buzz seemed to continue to grow, grating against my ears. I was extremely relieved when Spike led me into a quaint little shop and out of the disorienting cacophony of sound in the streets.

Now instead of my hearing being assaulted it was my sense of smell’s turn for attention. Luckily it was in stark contrast to my hearing as the smells in the shop were quite divine. I felt engulfed by the environment and felt my mood improve dramatically. An absolutely pleasant looking pony stood behind a counter and greeted me and Spike with a motherly smile. “Hi Spike it’s a pleasure as always to see you, and who is your handsome friend?” she nodded at me and gave me another smile that sent the last of my tension and trepidation running.

“I’m Fireblade, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Oh, how very polite. I’m Mrs. Cup Cake and this is our shop Sugarcube Corner. What brings you here Fireblade?”

I wasn’t quite sure exactly what to say, but I mentioned that Twilight had sent me and told her, without going into any details, that I’d lost my memory and that I was looking for work. She listened attentively, gasping at the part about me losing my memory, and when I finished she patted my shoulder caringly.

“Don’t worry young pony, we’ve always got a little extra work around here, especially when Pinkie Pie isn’t here helping out.” She motioned for me to follow her into the kitchen and began rummaging through many drawers while I patiently waited. “Here we go,” she said, producing a brightly colored apron. I couldn’t help but show a genuine smile at the idea of me wearing such a ridiculous thing.

I didn’t complain and even allowed her to help me get the apron on; it felt good to see how excited she got when I was finally dressed in the full baker ensemble. I spent the next few hours doing as I was told and discovering that I didn’t make all that bad of a baker. Finally, she let me know that I was done for the day and handed me a small bag that clanked satisfyingly with bits. I ventured back out into the street, which was thankfully a whole lot emptier than earlier, and began to make my way back to Twilight’s library.

I reached the Library about the same time as the sun began to sink below the distant mountains. I reached to open the door and found, to my surprise, that it was locked.

“Umm, Twilight?” I called as I knocked gently on the door. No answer. I rapped a little harder. “Are you there, Twilight?” Again, no answer. I sighed, resigned to making a shelter in the forest as I had for the previous few nights. As I began the voyage back to the forest a familiar voice called out to me.

“Hey, Fireblade, where are you headed?” Rainbow Dash asked as she hovered just above my eye level.

“Just heading into the forest to find a place to crash for the night.”

“What!?” she sounded shocked. “After what just happened there today? No way!” She was genuinely concerned. “You can’t!”

“Well,” I shrugged, “I was going to ask Twilight if she had a place for me but the library is all locked up.”

“Did you try knocking?”

“Of course,” I answered. “A couple of times actually.”

“Hmmm,” Rainbow Dash slowly lowered herself to the ground, hoof to chin. She nodded to herself as if she had just made up her mind about something. “You can stay at my place in Cloudsdale.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course, I mean, you did save my life.”

“Alright,” I chuckled. I couldn’t believe my luck, if there was anypony I could choose to stay with it would be Rainbow Dash. “So where do you live?”

“In Cloudsdale, like I said.”

“And where is Cloudsdale?”

She pointed up in the sky. “In the clouds, of course.”

I laughed at the idea. “I really can’t fly you know. It wasn’t just an act.”

“Well, we don’t have to get you flying perfect, just well enough for me to help guide you.”

She sounded confident but I had my doubts. “I don’t know. I can’t even spread my wings, let alone flap them or do anything else with them.”

“Duh, that’s why I’m here,” she said as she hovered to just above my back. “Feel this spot here?” she asked rubbing just underneath and behind each of my wing joints.

“Umm, yeah.” The blush had returned once again.

“Just flex these muscles.”

I concentrated on where she was rubbing as I worked all the muscles around it trying to pinpoint the correct spot.

“Ow!” Rainbow yelped as my wings suddenly struck out catching the little pony in the jaw and sending her sprawling.

“Sorry – Sorry!” I ran over to the Pegasus and offered her a hoof up.

“Ha-ha, serves me right,” she laughed, accepting my hoof. As she regained her footing she smiled shyly at me. It was too much for me to handle, before I knew it my hoof was brushing her mane out of her eyes which opened wide in shock and I knew instantly that I had made a mistake.

“Umm... yeah- are you okay?” The words rushed out of my mouth in an attempt to cover the uncomfortable situation.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she turned her head and backed away a few steps.

“Sorry,” was all I could muster.

“Oh, no biggie.” She was obviously bothered by what happened and refused to meet my eyes. I couldn’t believe how clumsy and dense I had been. We didn’t really know each other at all and I had tried to make a move. I didn’t want things to be awkward between us and I definitely didn’t want her to start avoiding me so I tried to pretend that nothing had happened at all.

“Wow! You are a great teacher! Check this out,” I opened and folded my wings over and over, legitimately impressed with how much she had helped.

“Not bad,” she smiled. “Not bad at all.” Some of her uneasiness seemed to fade.

“Well, it’s a start, but I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it to Cloudsdale tonight.” I figured that by not insisting on staying at her place it would allow her to feel even more comfortable. My plan obviously worked as she seemed to perk up completely.

“Yeah, maybe not. Come on,” she started off back towards the library, “I’m sure Twilight is home she probably just didn’t hear you knock. I’ll fly up to her balcony and get her attention.”

I followed the little Pegasus, thankful that her cheery mood had returned. My mind reflected on the events of the day and I determined that I hadn’t had a day this exciting in recent memory. I knew there was still a lot to learn and probably danger ahead as well, but I felt better knowing I had already made a few friends.

“Rainbow?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.”

Rainbow Dash turned toward me, blushing deeply, and offered her most beautiful smile yet.

Author's Note:

I'm all about receiving criticism. I really enjoy writing and I'm very serious about getting better.

Comments

[Starlight Nova]

Fireblade doesn't sound like a very human name. Why is he called that?

[darbselah]

6186471 I will explain later, but I do mention that he knows this is his new name