> Portentous - Lone Star's Chronicles
>  by Einzel
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: The first day of my new life
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 1: The first day of my new life


This day... I remember perfectly how it started, I could never forget it since it was the craziest day of my entire life, or what I could remember. 

My head was a mess. Last night probably was really crazy, because I don’t know where I am, what I am doing here or the most important: who I am.

First things first, after looking around I noticed I was in a room, I could hear voices outside. For my own sake I kept trying to remember what happened last night but it was of no use, nothing came to mind.

I moved outside just to discover I’m in a hotel. Not good. Things took a turn to worse when I realized I didn’t have any money with me, not a single bit. That could put me in serious trouble in the check-out.

For some reason I couldn’t just sneak out of that place, I just felt I shouldn’t do that. Heck, who am I trying to impress, I simply COULDN’T because I was in panic and completely disoriented. I woke up in a hotel room completely memory-less and also money-less too.

After hyperventilating for a few minutes I pulled myself together and gathered enough courage to talk to the responsible in the counter.

“Good morning,” I said in a nervous tone tapping one of my hoofs on the counter.

The lady in the counter looked at me and spoke casually, “Good morning, sir.” She fixed her glasses and gave me a puzzled look as she already knew I was in trouble (as if there could be any doubt).

After breathing deep I managed to calm myself and then speak again, “I beg your pardon, but may I ask you a question?”

“Yes, of course,” she said concerned, by now she had noticed my uneasiness.

I had to begin somehow, the first question that popped on my head was: “Was I, um, accompanied last night?” 

That question may sound weird, but before anything I had to be sure that I didn’t have an ill-intentioned roommate. In case I had it was a good start for my search.

“No, sir. You were alone and seemed to be in a hurry,” she spoke now casting a somewhat suspicious look on me.

“Oh, good!” I nearly yelled with a very awkward smile.

Heh, “good”. Really? Clearly my situation was anything except good.

“Will you be staying with us for another day I presume?” she asked expectantly with a smile even though how weirdly I was acting.

I had my share of troubles so naturally the answer was: “No, thanks. May I ask how much I owe for my room?”

She laughed heartily, “Sir, it is this humble hotel that is in your debt as you honored this simple, yet comfortable, place with your presence.”

Why was she treating me as if I were some kind of celebrity? Heck and hay with it, I decided to play along, the last thing I needed was to somepony to notice I barely could remember how to walk, let alone that I don’t even know where I am, or worse, if I am who they really think I am.

And now for the critical question I that was making me sweat bullets and my heart bump so much a medic could easily confuse it with a drum roll.

“So, do I have any extra fees here before I check-out?” I breathed deep and gulped, I still didn’t know what in the wild world I’d you do if I had, actually I was more worried on what THEY would do...

“No, you paid everything in advance during your check-in.” She confirmed after flipping through her log book.

I calmed considerably down once I knew I had no debts with the place and went right back to my room. My situation got a little better when I found some money, not much, though, in a small pocket I forgot to check inside my saddlebag. The problem is that I didn’t find anything that could tell my real name or if I had some business where I am now (wherever this place is). So many questions and so little information alongside my own confusion was getting under my skin.

A little later I checked the heck out of that place before anything could’ve happened and started to wander around the streets of that city. I could remember nothing about anything at all, I had to overhear people chattering to understand I was in one of the biggest cities of Equestria, Canterlot, which houses the castle of our ruler, Princess Celestia, and something about an experiment with magic that went wrong which resulted in several holes being opened on the city’s defenses and many other pointless gossips such as the princesses manes, a royal marriage that nearly ended in disaster a while ago and stuff.

This Canterlot certainly was impressive, it had high buildings and all sort of shops and people, but unfortunately especially the upper crust. They were everywhere in that place, it started to make me sick just see those haughty bums in every corner, all of them dressed in the best and eating the best while everypony else was working themselves to no end.

I was amnesiac but my consciousness and persona seemed to be intact for some reason. The first good news I had ever since I woke up today.

Unfortunately, what happened next really made me bite my tongue: a couple of guards noticed me waltzing around and halted me immediately. 

“Horse apples”, I muttered. 

After a quick questioning they spoke to each other while I waited and then they decided to take me to that ginormous castle, the Canterlot castle.

I sighed. I REALLY should’ve stayed sleeping today. 

I entered the castle after few security procedures and the guards were still taking me somewhere, probably an interrogation room or just a dungeon. I had nothing to say mainly because my memory was just as clear as a swamp in a new moon night. 

I was in panic. Again. Have you ever felt panic? I felt this feeling so much then I could even lecture ponies about it. Anyway met me elucidate: you feel helpless, you know that something really bad is about to happen but you can’t do anything about it. You can only go on or wait (which wasn’t my case) and pray for whoever your believed for some kind of intervention. That’s how I felt there and those feelings only grew bigger once I entered that room. The throne room.

A majestic figure was in the deepest part of said room and I felt my mere presence inside that place was an unforgiving offense. One of the guards went to talk to her and called her “Princess Celestia”. The other guard told me to go further and upon reach at sufficient distance she stopped writing and gazed on me, I instantly froze, my instincts made be instantly bow before her.

“Do you know why you are here?” her voice echoed through the room while she gazed at me solemnly.

Horse apples, horse apples, horse apples. Definitely not a good start. Whenever you hear this, it doesn’t matter where or from who, you know you’re in DEEP. No matter how hard, or desperately, I couldn’t speak anything coherent for about half minute until she chuckled and told me to calm down.

“Please, be calm. I am sure you’ve been startled as you were practically dragged to this room by my guards. I apologize for that but our meeting could not be delayed any further,” said Celestia still looking at me as if she were analyzing me.

I was still in panic, the guards wouldn’t have brought me like that if I hadn’t anything of utmost importance to report to the princess, but my I couldn’t remember anything yet. Well, when in front of the judge sincerity is probably the best way to get some mercy. 

“Your majesty, I am truly sorry for whatever trouble I may have caused to be here, but--!” even in panic I somehow managed to pull all those words together.

Before I could go on she told me to calm down again and to rise my head. But I simply couldn’t chill, my head was a complete mess, I was in front of a princess with no clues of why I was even brought to her in first place, I was afraid that she would get angry at me for wasting her time and throw me in a dungeon or something.

“You are not here for such reasons, Lone Star,” she spoke with a gentler tone trying to calm me, “I've accepted your request for an audience and I should add you were quite eager for this moment.”

That name she mentioned, Lone Star. It rang a bell in my head, it sounded so familiar. 

“Lone Star,” I murmured. With a puzzled look in my eyes I asked Celestia, “Lone Star... Is that really my name?”

The question apparently surprised her as much as it did me.

“How... How come you can’t remember your own name?” Celestia asked with a confused expression, she looked so confident and imposing few moments ago that it surprised me even more to her face like that.

“I am sorry your majesty. Today has been a very strange and confusing day for me,” I spoke much less nervous although I was still tapping one of my hoofs on the carpet.

“Please tell me what happened,” she asked with a compassionate voice.

To be honest I wasn’t sure if I really should, but Princess Celestia seemed really worried, or should I say concerned, about my current situation, besides she probably was my best chance to discover or at least get a clue on what happened to me.

I took a deep breath before starting, “Not even I really understood what happened, I just woke up today but most of my memories seems to have been wiped out. I couldn’t remember anything, not even that this is Canterlot nor even about you, your highness. I can’t even begin to think on how this could be possible-- or that it was even possible.”

I saw Princess Celestia’s face frown in perplexity as I did when I woke up. I wasn’t sure if she was thinking on what could have happened to me or if I was just pretending to be amnesiac for some reason. That quiet moment seemed to last forever as I felt I was being judged, just waiting for the verdict to come out from her.

“How come you can be so certain of it?” she asked in a rather gentle tone, but looking at me expectantly.

I sighed dispirited because I felt that the princess wasn’t believing it, but then again, who would? With a disheartened voice I said, “I didn’t even remember my own name up until now, your majesty, and you certainly noted how uneasy I felt upon entering here. If I had an audience with you, your highness, I certainly would at least remember the issue we had to discuss.”

Princess Celestia just stood there pondering everything I had related. I was much calmer, but that didn't mean I was satisfied with my situation, being dragged to the castle sure wasn't a nice way to know I had an audience with our ruler.

“But why have you summoned me?” I asked drown in confusion, “I am nothing but a mere earth pony unworthy of even being here.”

The princess shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t help you with your doubt, Lone Star.”

“Princess, I’m sorry for being such waste of your time,” I humbly apologized.

The Princess looked at me and spoke calmly, “It cannot be helped, what happened to you is most unfortunate, however I will do what I can to help you.”

Princess Celestia was an amazing mare, she deserved her reputation, she knew how to conduct a talk perfectly calming me down just as you’d expect from a leader talking to their subordinates.

“If you’ve lost your memories then I can assume you are without home to live, am I correct?” 

“Yes, your majesty,” I confirmed embarrassed.

“I cannot leave my subject in such situation, can I?” Celestia said smiling gently. 

With a mere look and a signal, she had one of her assistants to bring a scripture and hand it over to me, after a quick glance through it I saw it was the scripture of a house.

“Your highness...” I muttered nervously.

“Please do accept it. You’ll be able to fully recover resting in the place I’ve chosen for you, Lone Star. As much as Canterlot has to offer, there isn’t any better remedy to restore lost memories better than time itself,” she spoke before grabbing another scripture, signing it and giving to her assistant.

“Th-thank you! Thank you so very much, your highness!” again I nearly yelled, but this time in satisfaction, relived and grateful for her kindness.

After few formalities I zoomed to the train station and started my trek to my new home. I felt so happy I could jump sky high, I wouldn’t have to bother in finding a place to live! During my train ride I was finally able to relax and think clearly about everything that happened in this long weird day, it was then that I cursed my own ignorance, I realized I could have solved the name mystery by simply asking the lady in the counter to check the hotel guest book. I face hoofed myself. Fear and hurry had gotten the better of me there.

In any case I was so happy. I was so anxious.

> Chapter 2: A place to call home
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 2: A place to call home


I felt so deluded. I felt so fooled.

“Dang”, that was the only thing that ringed in my mind when I saw that cottage. Poor thing was in shambles, possibly abandoned for who knows how long and so full of dust it could easily top the dirt coughed from a waking volcano.

But if life give you lemons... I really couldn’t complain, I had nowhere to go and after checking I could tell the outer structure was just fine and firm there wasn’t risk of having the floor dropping on my head. 

My cottage wasn’t too far from the town, but it was somewhat close to a place folks don’t like very much, a forest, the dark and creepy type and though they say almost nothing comes out of it I figured I should put few locks and something for illumination just for safety.

Once I was finished with my thoughts I started by cleaning the dirt outside since it was giving that cottage and even creepier air to it, the weeds surrounding it didn’t help either and there was also those darned vines growing around the walls. I had a full day of work ahead of me.

Thankfully my frustration was brief, when I walked inside to see how it looked like that cottage surprised me having nearly everything I needed to live: well conserved furniture, a food store without pests and the bedroom will had a nice bed with, though dusty, great mattress.

On my first night in that old, but comfortable, place my mind dwell on Princess Celestia’s words before my departure: “Your memories will eventually come back, when it happens I request you to either come back or write a report to me. I will be waiting with high expectations”. Anyway if someone as important as her is willing to aid me I must have something she needs, that’s how things work. The bad news is that I don’t have even the slightest clue of what this “something” could be.

Nevertheless my life in this town already started. I was so anxious to see what my place would look like I didn’t even care to meet anyone, but to be honest I’m not enthusiastic on meeting anyone either. Life would be easier if we hadn’t to rely all the time on other people...

The next morning was a nice and bright day, I woke up with the sun flashing through the thin curtains of my bedroom but didn’t want to get up, I was tired and still couldn’t remember anything. Silly me, to think, hope, that my memories would come back as easy as they were gone.

Just to make certain I haven’t overlooked anything I double-checked my saddlebags meticulously, but nothing new. Not even a single note nor anything that could give me a clue. But something really didn’t add up, if I had something the royalty needed why couldn’t they help me recover my memories instead of sending to this place? I’m not one to judge stuff but whatever I had they needed it and sounded like serious business.

I spent half of the morning thinking on this, on the other half I’ve decided to go out and find a job. I had no food in the store and I was starting to get hungry too. 

I moved to the town nearby (I think it’s called Ponyville) and started looking for places where I could work. The only problem was that I didn’t remember on what I could actually help since I had no memories or whatever I used to do for a living. 

My first attempts weren’t very encouraging as some of them would not even let me ask properly for a job who knows why, it seemed that they avoided me like I had Influenza and would barely let me even explain my situation. I was saddened by their behavior and thought on going back home and call it a day, but my belly begged to differ and kept me on another few unsuccessful attempts.

The situation went the same for the following days, my disappointment aided by my hunger made my levels of frustration grow steadily reaching its peak on my last attempt at one of the very few places I still hadn’t applied for. The prompt refusal of the owner, who didn’t even LOOK at me, made me throw a tantrum and out of sheer anger I kicked a wagon full of hay that was in my way hard enough to flip it, after that the folks living there were glaring on me and I did the same back at them.

I got really tired of them. Why they were acting like that? What was wrong with all of them? Are they always that hostile towards newcomers? Have I ever done something against any of them? So many questions, no answers and my stomach was growling so much I could barely hear my own thoughts.

I lost the track of time while looking for a job, but it had been days since I last ate anything and if the situation persists I’m afraid I’ll have to leave this place. Perhaps I’ll have more luck in that big city, in Canterlot.

What really bugs me is how I am going to tell the princess this. I had shivers just to think on how she would react on my complete failure to socialize.

Heh, I guess the name “Lone Star” really suited me. A little bit too well for comfort.
> Chapter 3: Hope comes in orange and apple flavored
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 3: Hope comes in orange and apple flavored


It was bright day and the weather was great but I was so hungry and frustrated not even that made me crack a smile. I didn’t know what I was going to do, for some reason not a single living soul in Ponyville would let me work there and I doubt the ones living a bit outside would be any friendlier. 

I was in a real pinch, starved and jobless I couldn’t think of anything else besides moving back to Canterlot but then a terrible realization stroke my mind: I had spent the last few bits I to travel to this hole. As soon as I realized this fact I started to bang my head repeatedly on the table.

I barely could hear the sound of somepony knocking on my door, but even so I was feeling so frustrated I didn’t even care at first. The knocks continued even though I first ignored them, and judging by how hard I bumped my head I didn’t think the one at the door didn’t notice it. Since I wanted to be left alone I went there just to dismiss the possible visit. As soon as I attended the door I was cheerfully greeted by an earth pony, “Mornin’, how ya doing?” she had orange coat and a blonde mane and was wearing a brown cowboy hat, her voice had a curious accent.

Feeling upbeat like I was I should’ve answered like this: “Hi! I’m feeling super! I’m starving, no one wants to give me a darn job and I’m stuck in this town because I don’t have a single bit, I don’t know how things can get any better!” that’s what I really wanted to say, but I held my tongue.

“Fine, I guess,” I replied indifferent, “May I know who are you?”

“The name’s Applejack,” she politely raised her hat, “I’ve heard you’re new here so I’ve came to talk to ya.”

As much as it’s nice to have somepony to welcome you I just wasn’t in the mood for it, I replied with the same indifference, “I’m Lone Star.”

Applejack looked around and saw how poorly tended my cottage still was and with said deadpan, “Well, your name sure suits you since you are all alone here isolatin’ yourself an’ stuff.” 

Well, seriously? I just wasn’t in the mood for puns with my name and I wasn’t isolating myself, the folks in that town were running from me for some reason. I just knew that joke got the small piece of patience I had and I ended up answering angrier than I intended, “Listen Miss Applejack, I really need to get some urgent stuff done pronto and can’t waste more time, so if we’re finished here...”

I saw Applejack’s smile leave her face before she talked again, this time a little disappointed, “I thought you may have been interest in a job, but nah, heh?” as she talked she turned around and was leaving.

“Horse apples!”, I grunted and face hoofed myself. I had to act fast since this could be my only chance to find a job in this place. “Wait!” – I sprinted to her, thankfully Applejack heard me, – “I really need a job!... But how did you know?”

“You and a wagon, r‘member? You’ve caused quite a scene yesterday back in Ponyville, y’didn’t think you’d simply pass unnoticed, did you?” while talking she was fiddling with the grass in her mouth. 

“Oh, because of that,” I laughed very embarrassed. My legs were still kind of sore because of that kick.

“Before anythin’ I just wanna know why you were so angry,” now Applejack was looking at me right in the eyes, but she wasn’t glaring and I didn’t feel even slightly uneasy with that for some reason.

I scratched my head before starting, “You see... I just moved from Canterlot and I had no problems up until now, I need a job to live here and after few days looking for one I still didn’t find any.”

Applejack frowned and her tone changed from tender to scolding, “I still think that wasn’t reason to get that angry to take it out on somepony’s wagon. You could’ve hurt somepony there y’know!”

I tapped my hoof on the ground a few times embarrassed, “I know... The problem was that they didn’t even let me explain my situation. The moment I asked they would simply refuse as if I did something really wrong.”

“Well, now that’s strange... You sure you’re tellin’ me the whole truth?” she looked right into my eyes again.

“Yes.”

“You told me you were from Canterlot, Lone?”

“I moved from there recently.”

“Did you live here befor’ that?”

“Sorry, but what’s with all this questioning?”

“Now there,” she shook one of her hooves, “If you want to work in my place I need to trust you at least a little don’ you think?”

“Oh, right. Sorry,” my hunger and impatience had gotten the better of me.

“So, did you live here before anythin’?” Applejack insisted on that question.

“No.”

I know I should had told Applejack about my memory stuff, but what if she had thought I was making excuses and refused to give me the job? I just couldn’t take the risk. Applejack kept looking into my eyes for a while, I will never really know what she was thinking, but this time I felt as intimidated as I was when facing Princess Celestia. 

When she finally made her decision she fixed her hat and talked to me with a firm tone, “Listen I knew about everything you passed through these days you were in Ponyville, but I had to be sure you’d tell me the truth. I REALLY don’t like liars and I don’t normally call newcomers to work in my farm.”

I had barely met Applejack but even after few minutes talking to her I could notice she was a transparent liar, while I didn’t think she was lying she most certainly wasn’t telling me everything but why should I care, I was too happy  for finally getting a chance to work in Ponyville. “Thanks... Sorry about my mood, it’s just that I’m out of money and didn’t eat anything in all those days I was looking for a job.”

“What? You serious? Bet’cha you’re starving then!” 

“Yea, kind of,” what an understatement.

“Come on now, don’t be hangin’ there!”

And so I left following Applejack until we reached a farm called Sweet Apple Acres, easily the biggest propriety in that town. Applejack lead me to a table close to a barn and told me to wait there, while I was waiting I could smell something delicious cooking, whatever it was smelt really good and stirred my hunger even further. Few minutes later Applejack appeared and handled me a plate full of fritters which I scarfed in a blink of eyes. I was on the verge of tears when I finished, even without memories I felt that was the most delicious meal I’ve ever had, and the fact it was given by somepony who I had met for few minutes made me it even more special, the word “generosity” wouldn’t be adequate for it.

“Y’were THAT hungry, huh? Sheesh,” Applejack said fixing her hat smiling and chuckling.

“Y-yeah. Sorry about that, I mean, the way I chomped the fritters.” I pigged out those fritters in a less than polite fashion, I thought she would be disgusted with my table manners instead of saying a jolly “sheesh”.

“Hey, don’ worry about table manners here, Lone, I know how bad is to do have an empty belly. It just took a bit more for ‘em to come since I had to be sure the Apple Fritters were warm or else you could’ve burnt your tongue,” Applejack said proud of her cooking and happy to see I did enjoy the meal.

The fritters had finally hit my belly and I lied down my head on the table to relax satisfied before talking MUCH more relived, “Thanks again, I think I wouldn’t be exaggerating saying you just have saved my life.”

“In that case you better work the best and hardest you can now!” Applejack said with liveliness. 

“Will do,” once I had at least one of the fritters digested I forgot to add.

Later when I had relaxed enough Applejack introduced me to the rest of her family, her brother Big McIntosh and Granny Smith, she also had a sister but she was at school. Once the introductions and formalities were done Applejack lead me to the place where I would have to work, it was a very big field and there was two plows.

“There it is, you’ll have to plow all this field. My brother Big Mac will do one part and you’ll do another,” she pointed with her hoof the part I was supposed to do.

“Sounds simple,” I said confident ignoring the fact that “simple” not always means “easy”.

“It is, now try to make it quick. We’re late on schedule for plantin’ here,” she spoke firmly as you would expect from a boss giving orders to an employee.

“Yes ma’am.” 

I saw Applejack frowning a bit and scratch her neck, she surely didn’t like to be called like that.

“Applejack. Call me Applejack, ‘kay?”

“Right, Appeljack.”

My first job in the Sweet Apple Acres was simple enough: to plow a field. But it was then I discovered how out of shape I was. Big McIntosh was pulling that plow like it was nothing while I was struggling to barely move it, my hurting legs didn’t help either but it was my first job and probably the only opportunity I’d get in that town, so I didn’t want to screw it. I had put every last bit of my strength and in the end I managed to almost catch up the pace of Big McIntosh. However it still took me nearly twice the time Big McIntosh needed to finish his part so I could finish mine’s and when I finished I almost collapsed, I barely could feel my legs and my back. 

Big McIntosh came close to me and took a good look on the field I plowed (he didn’t look even a little, tiny bit tired by the way). Since I took so long to finish it when they were in a hurry I was expecting to get one BIG scolding incoming, but he only said “Eeyup, good job,” told me to stay where I was and walked away. Applejack came running few minutes later carrying some baskets.

“Y’looking pretty tired there. Wanna give it a rest?” sounded more like she was taunting me instead of being concerned.

“I’m still good.” I tried to sound confident, but that job really had drained me.

“Don’t need to push yourself ‘ere, you’re not used to this routine after all, city boy,” her snarky tone definitely made sure she was challenging me.

“I’m not that weak. Come on, what do you got for me now, Applejack?”

“Follow me and I’ll show ya!”

She sprinted ahead and I had a lot of trouble just keeping up with her, my legs were killing me and every step made my back ache even more. Thankfully it didn’t take too long until we reached a field full of apple trees and buckets everywhere.

“I’ll have to harvest all these trees ‘ere and there, I don’t want it to take the rest of the day so I’m gonna need your help, Lone,” she said while trotting in place to warm up.

“That’s... A lot of trees,” so many I lost count.

“If you’re feeling you ain’t up for it you can go and do somethin’ else. You’ll need to use your legs to kick all you can here!” Applejack exclaimed while kicking with her back legs.

“No problem. That’s what I signed for, right?” Applejack chuckled and zoomed to her job, she told me to watch closely how it was done.

My second job: apple bucking. That would be a lot easier if I didn’t exhaust myself plowing that field, Applejack needed only one good kick to drop all the apples flawlessly on the buckets bellow it or even in her baskets. Me? I had to kick four, five times and even so the apples simply wouldn’t fall inside the buckets or the baskets and I almost always had to pick every single apple from the ground. 

How did she manage to do that so perfectly? Was she using some kind of magic? Homing apples? Apple family secret? I guess I’ll never really know. Anyway Applejack finished her part so fast that I wasn’t even a third part done, while I was at it I could see her evaluating me during task, I could hear her sighing from time to time just to make even clearer how poorly I was doing.

A few hours later I was finally done, Applejack watched me moving towards her very slowly, utterly bushed and I braced myself for whatever it was coming. “Well, it surely took you long enough, Lone.” Applejack shook her head.

“Sorry, I’m a little tired.” I was gasping for air while struggling to keep myself on feet.

Sure, I was just a little tired, so little tired I barely could keep myself standing. My legs were visibly shaking and the only thing keeping me from fainting was the fear I’d throw my only chance to stay in Ponyville. If I lost that job I’d probably have to move away to anywhere I could get money to live.

“You didn’t do a spectacular job there, but you got it finished. Gotta admit I didn’t think you’d do it, I thought you’d give up after the second tree,”  she raised her hat and looked all trees I had bucked.

“I told you, I signed for that. S-so, what’s next?” I tried my best to keep a straight face, but the pain in my legs and backs were too much.

Applejack looked at me and this time she was really worried and before I could take another step she halted me, “Simmer down, Lone. You need to rest now.”

“I’m still fine, I can do whatever you ask me,” I said visibly tired and still walking, or rather, dragging myself forward. 

Applejack stomped fiercely in order to make me stop and look at her, “No, you can’t. Think you can fool anypony shaking like that? You need to rest before you faint!”

She didn’t need to tell me twice, the moment I relaxed I fell right where I was standing nearly passing out there. Applejack chuckled and hurried to bring me some apple juice to help me recover. While I was drinking and trying to feel my legs again she looked at me satisfied.

“You worked really hard there, Lone. But you looked so nervous, why?”

I slurped the that tasty juice and talked while remembering on how all ponies in Ponyville would simply deny my requests, “With not a single pony willing to give me a job I had to do my best here to ensure you wouldn’t fire me...”

“Good gravy!” She stomped again showing irritation. “You didn’t have to work yourself that hard.”

“Yes, I had to make it count. But it looks like I only end up delaying you all even more.” I looked down a bit disheartened.

“You sure did.” Applejack said kicking a pebble on me and cracking up when she saw my face. Brutal honesty, huzzah.

In the end I was laughing too, laughing so much not even my achy back could make me stop, “Sorry, Applejack,” I said in the middle of my laughs.

“Y’don’t need to be.” she said while stretching her legs. “But do you wanna know why folks didn’t let you get a job in Ponyville?”

“Of course I do!” it was about time to understand and solve that mystery.

“Y’see... You don’t have a cutie mark.”

The word cutie mark sounded familiar, but I couldn’t remember anything regarding it, out of curiosity I asked her: “Cutie mark? What’s that?”

I’m not sure how to describe Applejack’s expression when she heard that question, at first she thought I was joking but when she saw my face straight and expecting an answer she probably felt baffled on how an adult stallion couldn’t know something like that.

Applejack face hoofed before starting, “Sheesh, Lone Star! A cutie mark!”

I simply shrugged. “Yeah, and I repeat, what’s that?”

She couldn’t believe that and while walking in circles she nearly yelled, “How come you don’t know what a cutie mark is? It’s something we learn when we are fillies!”

“I guess I didn’t explain something.” Applejack then looked at me with suspicious eyes. “That I, well, I lost my memories.”

“But that’s common knowledge!” she exclaimed rolling her eyes. 

I shrugged again. “Common knowledge included too.”

“I just can’t believe this...” 

I think I had noticed that by now.

I had to wait for Applejack to settle down, while she was walking in circles mumbling something, maybe thinking I was crazy, weird, dumb or just really amnesiac.	When she finally took a break from her reflection I got my chance to get things clear, “Anyway, what does this mark thing has to do with my job hunting problem?”

Applejack sighed and decided to accept that I really didn’t know about cutie marks, “You see... We all earn our cutie marks when we find a trait that differ us from everypony else, something that makes us special, unique.”

“I still don’t know how that explains my situation.” I said growing impatient as I remembered the ponies of Ponyville.

“Lone, I’ve never seen any adult pony, stallion or mare, without a cutie mark. If you still don’t have one that means you might have done nothin’ your entire life. Nopony would ever want to take a slacker as their employee”

Mystery solved they thought I was a slacker. I face hoofed myself and shook my head, “So that’s why. But then why did you come and offered me a job?”

Applejack looked me in the eyes and spoke sincerely, “I think everypony needs a chance to prove himself. I’m glad I wasn’t wrong.”

That feeling again, she was being honest but I couldn’t stop thinking she wasn’t telling me the whole reason she decided to employ me. But still she gave me a chance and since she was being honest I felt I had to be too, “I still caused more trouble than any actual help here.”

Applejack gave me a small tap on my head and said nearly laughing, “I wasn’t lookin’ for help, Lone. I just wanted to see if  you were up for some hard work. I put you to work with Big Mac first on purpose since that would tire you really fast. The apple bucking was just ‘nother test, no lazy pony would even start doing that if they were bushed like you were.”

“All of this was only a test?” I wasn’t really sure what kind of results I should expect out this disastrous test.

Applejack seemed to love my confused face and had a good laugh, “Yes, but don’ worry, this wasn’t for nothin’! Once I tell the folks in Ponyville they will be more than happy to let you work there!”

Applejack was confident about it and I felt honesty coming from her, I couldn’t bring myself to even to start doubting her statement. “I hope you can help me with the ponies there, Applejack... No offense, but I’m not cut for the hard work here,” I said stretching my achy back legs, I had finally gathered enough strength to stand again.

“Don’ say things like that, Lone, nopony does a perfect job on their first try. You only need practice and maybe get in shape,” she said poking my flank practically saying “get some muscles!”.

“You bet...” I snorted a laugh once I remembered how stupid I should’ve looked struggling to pull that plow.

“Oh, Lone, you better also study I a little bit more so you don’ look so—”

“Ignorant?” I questioned cutting her.

“Clueless,” Applejack corrected.

“And where I can cure my cluelessness?” I said looking upwards.

“A friend o’ mine works in the library of Ponyville, it’s inside a really big tree so you can’t miss it.”

“Oh, there. I ran around that place quite few times, but never thought there could be a library inside,” I was surprised that anypony could live there in first place.

“Surprises, surprises.” Applejack spoke cheerfully, she really found fun my confused face. It made me wonder how goofy I look when amazed.

Applejack walked me until the gates of the farm and gave me the direction to the library again. My day of work was done there for the Apples had the rest of the day ahead of them, Applejack couldn’t afford to lose any other minute and bolted away to another chore.

Impressive. Applejack was working even while I rested and still was full of strength, compared to her I was nothing, yet she treated me with respect and never said I was useless. Words will never be enough for I to tell entirely how much respect I had for her and her family too. The Apples were sure fantastic not only because of that, but also because they were kind and generous. When nopony would even let me explain my problem they would simply give me a chance to prove myself and hopefully I didn’t waste it.

Although I still had several hours before the sunset I decided I’d visit the library on the next day. I was too tired from the work in the farm and I wanted to go see a small lake I overheard the folks in Ponyville saying it was great to relax.

Well, Ponyville could not be so bad to live after all. So as long as I could count on somepony that place would still be my home.

> Chapter 4: Knowledge in purple
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 4: Knowledge in purple


Ponyville. It’s been a while since I had the help of an earth pony called Applejack, she gave me a chance to prove myself and thanks to it folks in that town weren’t avoiding me like before, my apologies for the scene I caused (flipping a wagon full of hay with a kick) also helped I guess.

I was going to Ponyville’s library, the Golden Oaks Library, to study a little about Equestria. When I asked Applejack a question that sounded like “is water wet?”, she really told me I really should study at least a little bit so I didn’t look so “clueless” about our own land.

Applejack told me the Golden Oaks Library was inside a really big tree in the midst of Ponyville, naturally it didn’t take long to find it, that place wasn’t exactly subtle anyway. I knocked on the door few times but no one answered, at first I thought I had came to the wrong place, but after peeking through the window and seeing the large number of books everywhere I had the faint feeling that this was the place.

I knocked on the door again and waited for few minutes but no one answered. I shrugged and prepared to go do something else, but then I heard footsteps coming in a hurry. The door opened but before I could say anything an unicorn of purple coat zoomed through me as if I wasn’t even there, she shouted something but I couldn’t understand whatever it was). Shortly after a small purple dragon appeared in the door and sighed, “Overreacting like always,” he said still looking in the direction she ran.

“Excuse me,” I said still a bit baffled with the scene.

“Oh, hi there, do you need something?” he asked surprised to see me, I don’t really stand out but this was getting a bit ridiculous.

“Um, yes. My name is Lone Star, I’m here to use the library.”

“I’m Spike! Ah, you’re that pony who destroyed the hay shipment for the restaurant,” he said pointing one of his claws to me.

“Yes I am, and I need to add that I already paid for that,” which broke me, I had to find another job.

“I know, that was a nice way to get attention here, but if you needed to meet everypony you just had to ask Pinkie Pie,” he spoke walking inside.

“That was, well, a mishap of my part, I didn’t do that to get attention,” it worked like that anyway. And who was Pinkie Pie?

“Well, if you say so.” Spike shrugged.

“Anyway. Spike, do you have any books about Equestria’s story?” I said a little fazed, that place sure looked a lot bigger from the inside.

Spike grunted and crossed his arms, “We sure have lots of them, but I don’t know where they are now.”

This time I was the one who grunted. “How come? I thought you worked here.”

“I do, but Twilight re-shelved all the books last night because she couldn’t get any sleep. You’ll need to wait her to come back if you need a book.” Spike said while pointing a place for me to sit.

“Twilight?” I wondered if that was that unicorn.

“Yes, she is the one who takes care of all books that you can rent here,” he said while picking some papers and scrolls that were lying on the floor, “She went to finish something, but I think she’ll be back soon.”

“I don’t think a librarian should leave her working place during the expedient like that,” I snorted upset about it.

“Twilight doesn’t do that all the time, only when she needs to finish something really urgent, besides movement in library has been slow lately,” Spike spoke while pilling some books that were scattered on the table.

While I waited for the library’s curator Spike gave me something to eat and we chattered a little more. The dragon was a young energetic fella, he certainly had a lot going for him. 

Although Spike was a dragon living in midst of ponies he had a lot of proud in being a dragon and bragged about several feats like fighting Diamond Dogs, fighting an adult dragon, participating in a majestic gala in Canterlot, migrating with other dragons to wastelands and saving a phoenix egg from other dragons and even helping to save an entire empire, the Crystal Empire. Obviously I thought he was hyping himself to no point, but I praised him for every good deed, the little guy could barely contain himself and was being more boastful every time I praised him.

That until a voice echoed through the library, “Alright, I think our visitor knows how brave and courageous you are, Spike.”

“Twilight!” Spike said happily running to her.

“Sorry about Spike, he can get a little carried away sometimes,” she gently tapped Spike’s head.

“Come on, Twilight, you know I’m not lying!” Spike stuffed and slapped his chest proudly.

Twilight giggled and nuzzled Spike’s head, “I know you aren’t, but you should be a little humbler when telling your achievements, Spike.”

A simple glimpse was enough for me to notice how close these two were, how Spike called her so casually and cheerfully and she answered to him; there was no way this Twilight ever treated him as her employee or something.

Twilight walked towards me and started to talk with a very respectful tone, “I don’t think we have ever met. I’m Twilight Sparkle, welcome to Ponyville.”

“I’m Lone Star, pleased to meet you.”

Twilight was a unicorn with purple coat and had a very peculiar mane, part of it was dyed in magenta giving her a distinctive appearance.

“So, Lone Star, what can I do for you?” she asked while putting the books Spike had piled in the shelves with her magic.

I scratched my head and asked mildly embarrassed, “Do you have any books about Equestria’s history?”

“Of course we have, personally I recommend this one,” Twilight said happily handling me a thick book entitled “Comprehending Equestria”.

I flipped through the first ten or twelve pages of the book and my first impression was simple enough to describe: complete cluelessness. The book was written in a kind of Equestrian alphabet I wasn’t familiar and even though I tried my best to understand it I could barely read some pages at all.

“Twilight, is this book recent?” I asked while flipping each page hopping I could read something.

Twilight appeared to be confused, in the same fashion Applejack did, and only by the look in her face I knew what was coming.

“Yes,” she said looking at me as if I had said something extremely perplexing, “Yes, this book is very recent, I think it is the most up to date. Why?”

“No, it’s just that... I can’t read this,” I mumbled the last part.

“What?” Twilight questioned staring at me.

“I don’t understand some of these characters... Since when do we use this alphabet anyway?” I questioned while flipping other pages, I could read a thing or two, but there were certain parts I could barely form a word of two.

Twilight suddenly grew quiet and kept staring at me for a while until she finally broke into a laughing fit. Personally I really preferred Applejack’s reaction over Twilight’s, not only that was shorter, it didn’t make feel like a complete idiot and it was much shorter too.

Spike had to poke Twilight a few times in order to make her stop laughing, I just didn’t understand really what could be so funny.

Twilight wiped some tears off her eyes before she talked again. “I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. But that had to be the best joke I heard since I’ve ever got in Ponyville!” she was nearly slapping her legs while chuckling.

“Uh, Twi,” Spike poked her side, “I think that wasn’t a joke.”

And then Twilight’s mood swung again, this made me wonder if she was bipolar or something.

“You REALLY don’t know how to read?” she closed to my face startled as if I was about to tell a top classified secret.

“I didn’t say I don’t know how to read,” I answered a bit upset, “I just don’t understand some of these characters,” I told her pointing the page that gave me the most trouble, “It’s not like I am completely illiterate.”

Twilight went to look at the page and started pondering for a few moments, she tapped her chin while thinking and taking her conclusions. Once she was done she took another book and put in front of me.

“This book should help you with your problem, Lone,” she said smiling.

It was a book for grade school fillies, I didn’t know if I felt offended or misunderstood, but in any case my frown was quickly noted.

Twilight was quick to start her explanation as she saw I was visibly upset by the book she gave me. “Lone, the characters you couldn’t understand we usually learn still in school. You have the basic knowledge of the Equestrian alphabet, but you have a lot of difficulties in reading more complex combinations.”

I sighed and put the book on the table. “I wonder if I don’t remember even this because of my amnesia.”

“You lost your memories?” Spike asked more curious than concerned.

Then I told them my story, from the day I woke without memories in that hotel room until the moment I was there talking to them. Twilight entered again in that state of focus and concentration looking at the ground and humming, Spike told me I had to go and visit a doctor to see if they could help me, it wasn’t a bad idea, but I had already thought about that and felt it would be useless and waste of time (and money) since Princess Celestia herself told me time was the best medicine for sore memories.

Twilight moved to the center of the library without saying a word and started searching for a another book, she picked one after another and pilled those who wasn’t the one she was looking for, Spike simply suggested me to start reading the grade school book because that could take a while.

In the end Spike was right, I lost track of time, but I had read about thirty pages when Twilight found the book she was looking, it was another thick book and when she dropped on the table a cloud of dust arose.

“This! This is what I was looking for!” she exclaimed triumphant.

“What’s this book?” I asked intrigued.

Spike hung on the table to read the cover, “Mysteries of the Mind? What did you pick this book for?”

“Lone, you said you woke without any memories at all, right?” Twilight sounded like a doctor right now.

“Yes, what about it?” I shrugged.

Twilight flipped through a series of pages and bookmarked it. “You don’t remember anything about your past, not even when you were a filly, am I right?”

“Yep,” I answered casually. Maybe I should’ve reacted a little bit more scared or dramatic, but what for, what if my past was gloom and full of sadness, then I’d be more than glad that somepony had erased my memories.

“What’s this all about, Twilight? You’re starting to scare him,” Spike said and I cracked a smile, he was the one scared for whatever reason.

“Oh, don’t be silly, Spike! Just another question, do you remember if somepony hit your head?”

“My head was perfectly healthy by the time I woke up, except, well, for the memory.”

Twilight kept reading the book for some time occasionally asking for Spike to bring other reference books and soon the table had about four or five books aside the one I wanted. Spike and Twilight discussed quietly about the information she gathered until they had finally came to a conclusion.

“So, did you find the cause of my amnesia, Twilight?” I asked with a bit of sarcasm in my voice.

Twilight nodded her head. “I may have an idea.”

I was doubtful, Princess Celestia didn’t say anything about my memory loss, so how could a simple unicorn in a countryside village understand anything about it? Sure, Twilight looked talented with magic and she had a vast amount of knowledge at her disposal (and she certainly knew how to put it to good use), but I simply couldn’t believe her words.

“So what do you think it may be?” I asked skeptic.

“If you didn’t suffer any kind of trauma, mental or physical, I think there can be only one  possibility, a Mind Override Spell,” Twilight said confidently.

My look of cluelessness was quickly perceived once again.

“It’s simple enough,” Twilight started, “Something, or somepony, casted a spell in order to muddle all your memories. That’s the best idea I’ve got so far at least,” Twilight said while pondering the information on the book, “I think my theory is reinforced because you forgot only a part of the Equestrian alphabet, you may have even remembered some of your memories, but you’re still unaware of it.”

I snorted and shook my head bewildered. “How come I have memories, but am unaware of them? It just don’t make any sense!”

“Actually it’s very easy to happen to any of us,” Spike replied waving to get my attention. “It’s like when you know something, but forgets it because you don’t think too much about it. But when somepony talks about this something, you suddenly remember!”

“Exactly!” Twilight supported Spike’s explanation.

That actually made a lot of sense because after I read few pages of that kiddies book I was slowly remembering the characters I couldn’t even start figuring out in couple of minutes ago and honestly, I don’t think I could learn such thing that fast.

“That makes sense I guess,” I spoke while thinking, “But do you know if there’s a way to, uh, fix or remove the thing messing my memory? I could really use the help of remembering everything.”

Twilight sighed and shook her head. “Unfortunately the best way to do it is to wait. Normally these kind of spells will fade with time unless somepony re-cast it on you.”

I stood quiet for a while and then asked, “You said it was the best way, but is it the only?”

Twilight shook her head again. “It’s too risky to try break this kind of spell, Lone. Even somepony very skilled could miss it making you forget everything for good.”

I sighed disheartened about this, but at least I had a clue on what might have caused my memory loss.

It was a rewarding afternoon in Golden Oaks Library, all the information I gathered there, from the Equestrian alphabet to my amnesia, would be very useful for me in a way or another. I thanked Twilight Sparkle and Spike sincerely for their help and rented few books to read before anything, two were about Equestrian alphabet (another grade school and the other in-depth for advanced study) and the book about our land of Equestria.

The fact Twilight and Spike didn’t even notice (or mention) my blank flank was also something, I felt relived and happy to see there were ponies who helped me without judging me beforehand.

I finally started to feel at home.

> Chapter 5: "Lone-less" Star
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 5: Lone-less Star


I wasn’t quite sure how much time has passed ever since I moved to Ponyville. My days had been pretty much the same by this period: I worked in a part-time job, earned enough bits to survive and then I’d go do anything else for the rest of the day. 

I was using my free time to read books that I rented from Golden Oaks Library. I would go there every so often not only to read but also to check how my orthography was doing with Twilight, the unicorn who took care of that place. Yeah, thanks to my muddled memory I forgot even how to freaking write in Equestrian alphabet and I was too embarrassed to go to Ponyville’s school and ask the teacher there. I’m sure Cherilee wouldn’t make fun of my situation, but the idea of having somepony seeing me like that was enough to fluster me.

Anyway I was going back to the library so I could return some books (they were overdue too) and hope to find something else to read. I didn’t have many acquaintances in Ponyville and I sure wasn’t the kind of pony who wanted to make friends all over, I was fine as long as I had work to earn money, food and something to entertain me in my free time. 

At the Golden Oaks Library everything was as organized as always, Spike was sweeping the floor and Twilight was cataloging a pile of new books, she was so focused she barely noticed me when I talked to her. While looking at the big pile of books I talked to her, “Twilight,” she answered with a simple hum while cataloging all books in the scroll, “I’m here to return these books.”

“Yes, yes. Please talk to Spike.” she replied rather aloofly not even looking at me.

Spike approached me and sighed. “Forget it, Lone. Twilight is busy selecting, marking, and sorting all those books, she probably didn’t even notice it was you.”

“Now that’s some serious focus,” I said putting the book on another table and the bits for the overdue fee.

“Well, she’s like that when she puts her mind in something,” Spike said while leaning on the broom.

“Then forget I’ve ever said she didn’t take her job seriously,” I said still looking at Twilight.

I was done at the library and prepared to go outside, but then something happened. Something that would change my stay in Ponyville forever. Something I will never forget, because thanks to this something my life took a change I’d never expect.

I walked straight to the exit after taking my leave, Spike told me something so I didn’t notice another pony coming through the door and bumped right into her. Her. A pink pony with pinker mane, my first thought about her was “too much pink.”

I apologized for my carelessness while she massaged her nose, I thought she would scold me, but she didn’t seemed to be the kind of pony that would get angry at this. For some reason she just kept staring at me and after a while that was starting to make me feel really uncomfortable, however before I could say anything, anything at all, she gasped loudly and zoomed faster than lightning outside. I turned back and Spike was chuckling and shrugging.

I could never expect what was waiting for me then, but even if I did, I don’t think it would matter.

That day I worked as a gardener helping in the maintenance of Ponyville’s park, it wasn’t the most thrilling job and I wasn’t very fond of plants either, but the earth pony teaching me (I guess his name was Pine Breeze) told I was doing good handling the plants. Of course I was, I was being paid for that. The day was more tiresome than I thought, I didn’t think handling flowers could be so difficult. After finishing everything and calling it a day I went straight home, I normally would go and pick another book to read, but Twilight was still busy with her cataloging and I didn’t want to disturb her.

After an entire day working all I could think was to get in my bed and revise the texts I had written to see how my orthography was doing before writing my first report to Princess Celestia, I didn’t want to write wrong characters and send to her risking to look even more “clueless” that I already seemed to be in that fateful day. After that I would get some well-deserved resting and ready myself for another day in Ponyville.

Boy, I could never be so wrong when I thought my day was finished and I’d get some rest.

I opened the door to my cottage and sighed relived, then suddenly I saw a bunch of ponies I had never met before yelling “surprise!” to me, and how surprised I was. Maybe surprised wasn’t the best way to describe me back then, I guess the word “scared” would fit better.

The first thing I did there was to yell asking what in the holy name of Celestia was happening there making even the music go dead. 

Alright, some might say I was being unfriendly or even hostile, but honestly how would you react if a bunch of strange ponies broke into your house, your safe haven, your sanctuary and threw a party out of blue?

While people muttered some commentaries here and there staring at me somepony went to talk to me coming with a distinctive hopping sound and a grin that I’ll never forget. “Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie! How d’you like your welcome party?” she said happily even though I was visibly taken by anger.

“What’s the meaning of this?!” I asked again raspier, but she didn’t seem to notice or care and kept her smile.

“Well, duh! It’s a welcome party! When I saw in the library I noted I didn’t know you then I was like *GASP* because I know everypony in Ponyville, well except for, duh, you! So I figured you were new here and then I thought you must be SO lonely and decided to throw a surprise party so you could meet everypony and everypony meet you so you wouldn’t be alone! Because being alone is really, really sad and sad is bad!” she said everything without taking a single breath, “What’s your name by the way?” she asked with a huge grin in her face in contrast with to my scowl.

“Lone Star and You should’ve asked BEFORE breaking into my house and throwing a party!”

“Lone! So that means you’re lonely! Now you don’t have to worry about being alone, Starry! You have everypony here! You should name yourself Lone-less Star now!” Pinkie said hopping and giggling around me.

That was the last straw for me, I left my own cottage slamming the door furious about that unnecessary party. Not only she had used my house for a silly party as she kept making fun of my me. I stood outside my cottage ranting by myself, I didn’t want to leave my house full of strangers unguarded taking the risk of having something stolen or broken. Although I was outside I could hear some commentaries from other ponies enjoying the party.

“Whoa, did you see that pony? He nearly ruined the mood!”

Sure, let a crazy pink pony throw a party out of blue at your house when all you wanted is to sleep and relax, let’s see how you would react on that.

“Whatever, it’s all good now. Why did Pinkie throw this party again?”

Seriously? SERIOUSLY? They were partying and did not even know the reason? Good Celestia...

“Who cares, whatever the subject is all parties she organize is sure to be the best!”

Face hoof, face hoof, face freaking hoof.

“You said it!”

I waited outside pouting, scowling, ranting and mumbling kicking whatever I found in my way trying to spout my anger. 

The party still kept going for some time and eventually ponies started to come out of my cottage to talk more and play games, I decided to go inside since now it was much calmer and picked something to eat. Somehow my furniture was still standing and everything seemed to be intact. I sighed in relief and enjoyed a brief moment of peace, a moment that I could swear it was ruined by my thought as Pinkie Pie found me and yelled “Finally!” and dragged me outside saying that everypony was waiting for me.

Standing by my side she presented me literally to everypony who was in the party, from earth ponies to unicorns and the pegasi, and I was feeling really uncomfortable with the situation I was at. This lasted until I saw a unicorn who stirred my mind, I tried to focus on whatever I was trying to remember but Pinkie’s pushing made me lose my concentration. I tried to remember her name, but there were so many I couldn’t, at least I had her coat and mane memorized.

Anyway that simple thing really improved my mood for some reason and I actually started to enjoy the party. I played some games and talked to ponies (who still didn’t know the reason for the party) telling them how I end up in that town and met some interesting folks, but I couldn’t find that unicorn again. Pinkie saw me finally having fun and started singing much to the enjoyment of some and annoyance of others.

The party ended on a high note and everypony left satisfied. But a single pony had to stay there because he lived there and he would have to clean all the mess from the party. Before I could start Pinkie Pie appeared again out of freaking nowhere scaring me colorless.

“Heck and hay! Would you stop doing that?!” I yelled gasping for air as she laughed and helped me get on feet.

“I’m just that glad you enjoyed my par-tay!” she bouncing in front of me.

“Yeah, I guess I actually did somehow,” I started picking all the trash in my garden as Pinkie hopped around, “Not because of the surprise, though.”

“Awww,” she sighed and stop hopping, “But I did it especially for you!”

“Breaking into my house and putting a bunch of strange ponies inside... That’s not exactly a good way to make me a surprise,” as I finished talking she sulked saddened.

“But I did it so you could meet everypony... I didn’t want you to be alone, Lone, uh, Lone-less,” Pinkie said much less enthusiastic.

“My name is Lone Star, not Lone-less nor Starry,” I said still a little upset, “Pinkie, listen, I really appreciate it, but I didn’t need this. I really don’t feel good being in a place with a lot of ponies, especially when I am the main reason of everypony being there.”

When I turned to see Pinkie Pie she was poking the ground and mumbling something as if she was trying to find words to answer me, I could feel she was on the verge of tears. That face made me feel the worst pony that ever walked on Equestria. I could feel guilt crushing me, I didn’t think Pinkie Pie was that sensible.

I walked towards her pondering carefully what words I would use. “Sorry, hey, I’m really sorry,” I sat beside her, “Pinkie, it’s just that I’m, uh, not used to have ponies actually trying to befriend me,” I spoke mildly embarrassed.

“I noticed that. Is it because you are Lone-ly Star?” Pinkie said looking at me a little bit more animated.

I grunted and tapped my head, “My name has nothing to do with my personality.” Well mostly anyway.

“But you like to be alone!” Pinkie said upset.

“Everypony likes to be alone sometimes, especially when they come back from a busy day,” I told her while tapping her forehead.

“Everypony who want to be always alone says something like that as an excuse!” Pinkie exclaimed, “Sometimes a nice somepony just need a little pushy-push to meet other nice ponies!”

That sounded weird, but meaningful. I wondered if she was always like that. Anyway it made me laugh more in embarrassment than fun.

After she cheered up Pinkie helped me clean my garden and my cottage, she claimed she knew everypony in Ponyville and cited several ponies names and birthdays, I wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth, though.

We were almost finished when Pinkie was spreading the tablecloth and noted something on the shelf, she went and picked whatever it was and put on the table, she called me immediately after peeking on the cover for a while.

“What is it, Pinkie. Whoa, where did you find this?” I was surprised, how I didn’t notice those things before?

“It was in your house, but it’s so dusty!” she said blowing the dust off the book and the small chest.

“I didn’t even notice it was there,” I scratched my head, “Wait a minute, were you snooping around?”

Pinkie giggled a little embarrassed, “It looked funny!” she tried to explain, “What if it was something dangerous or spooky?” she waved her hooves.

“Another reason you shouldn’t have messed around,” I said still looking at the old stuff laid on my table, “It must be from the old owner of this cottage... I think they forgot when moving from here or something.”

“Aren’t you going to take a look?” Pinkie said eager to open the small chest.

I tried to open the chest but it was locked, the book was nothing but a REALLY old blank journal. I thought on forcing the chest or even breaking it, but it was so well made, so perfectly crafted I just couldn’t bring myself to break it, besides I think Pinkie would freak out if I did it in front of her.

“Oh gosh, what a bummer. Just boring stuff.” Pinkie Pie laid her head on the table disappointed.

Pinkie helped finish everything and went back to Ponyville. She certainly was a curious mare, trying to cheer up a stranger and make him socialize with other ponies. To be honest at first I thought she was annoying, but if it weren’t for her I wouldn’t have ever found two things that would help me a lot in the future: the chest and the journal. 

But there was something else I was feeling I did forget. I decided not to think about it, it was a very strange day for me and all I wanted to do was to rest.

> Chapter 6: With scents and sounds
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 6: With scents and sounds


Ponyville Clinic. I had finally decided to pay a visit to a doctor after an entire month since I wasn’t getting any signs of recovery even though Princess Celestia and Twilight told me I’d remember everything with time.

I was getting impatient with my condition, although my amnesia wasn’t affecting how lived in Ponyville it was my life I had forgotten, I really wanted to know at least if I had any relatives or if was working on something worth remembering.

The waiting in the hospital was killing me, for some reason I felt extremely uncomfortable in that place, the smell was making me feel weird, the ambient was also making me remember of some novels where the main character loses her loved one, which definitely wasn’t helping. However my will to understand or at least get a hint of what was happening to my head was stronger and I managed to stay put until the doctor arrived.

“Lone Star,” the doctor called looking at his clipboard.

I went inside his room silently, the doctor introduced himself as Doctor Stable and told me to take a sit and tell me what was afflicting me. I told him all about my amnesia, the day I woke up memory-less in that hotel room and even about Twilight Sparkle’s theory on what could have caused or forced my amnesia.

“Your friend’s theory sounds very plausible in fact, Lone Star,” Doctor Stable said while taking notes.

“So I can’t do anything to help myself?” I asked a bit saddened.

“Well, let’s not jump into conclusions. I am going to need some exams to check your body, if you were victim of a mind erasing spell then we will know,” the doctor said with an uplifting smile.

And so I went through exams checking every last bit of my head. I remember that some of those machines gave me the creeps and the doctor would have to explain me twice, thrice and even have one of the nurses to use it so I would believe him that the machine wouldn’t suck my brains out, brainwash me or something.

After a long time waiting in the lobby Doctor Stable came bringing the results with his magic, but he was pretty serious. When a medic comes with a frown towards you can only brace yourself for the worst.

“I’m not sure if this will be good news for you, Lone Star, but your head seems to be perfectly normal with no signs of magical interference or anything,” Doctor Stable said giving me the results.

“How come?” I asked still not sure if relived or disappointed, “I didn’t suffer any traumas, and now you’re telling me it wasn’t a spell that did it?”

A mare, a nurse, approached and talked to me. “Just because the exams didn’t detect any vestige of magic it doesn’t mean there wasn’t any magic involved in your case, Lone Star, especially because you said you didn’t suffer any kind of trauma.”

I was confused. I just wish there could be something to be done, a spell to force my memories to come back. 

“Heck and hay, if it’s so easy to erase memories, why is it so difficult to bring them back?” I asked upset.

The Doctor put a hoof on my shoulder and said, “I’m not an authority when it comes to in-depth spells and magic, but amnesia spells are relatively easy to create and use since they only need to do something simple: make you forget. On the other hoof creating a memory restoration spell is incredibly difficult, you’d need a meticulously crafted and analyzed spell for each pony since nopony’s mind is the same.”

“Compare to a puzzle, breaking it in pieces is very easy, but re-building takes time and you can’t do it the same way with other puzzles since the pieces would be different,” the nurse complemented the doctor’s explanation.

I nodded and tried to cope with my situation, staying angry over it wouldn’t help anything at all. In fact, grieving over something never did any good to anypony, anger clouds the mind and makes you only think on the problem instead of looking for a solution. Before going out I still had one last question regarding my amnesia, “Doctor, nurse, is there a possibility that this amnesia could be the reason that I don’t have my flank mark?”

“Flank mark?” the nurse asked confused.

“It’s another term for cutie mark,” I explained. Well, say whatever you want but it just felt weird for me to say something sappy like “cutie mark”.

The doctor hummed before answering. “I’m not quite sure, I’ve never heard of any case of somepony losing their cutie mark, but since your case is unique I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility.”

I paid what I had to, thanked them and left after looking at the results again. One thing I was certain after everything in there: I sure had never thought my head was shaped like that.

The chat with Doctor Stable and the nurse reminded of something I had read some time ago; that memories can be restored via outer stimulus like smells or sounds so I decided to go to a café first since it was one of the best-smelling places of Ponyville. 

I wasn’t feeling like working that day and thankfully I had some extra bits so I decided to slack off for one day while trying to recover my memories somehow. I stopped at the café and looked at the results and all those negatives again, if anything I was more satisfied with the fact I could read everything without needing that grade school book than the results themselves.

I had ordered a bunch of hay fries since I was in the mood for anything but oat that day, the meal was served and the smell was deliciously not helpful in recovery. I ate everything lazily, savoring each bite as much as I could having my mind off the amnesia thing at least for that moment.

For once in a good while I trotted around Ponyville without any worries or anything else burdening my mind, I didn’t have anything else to do and wasn’t in the mood for reading or even sleeping, I just wanted to walk around appreciating the scenery.

Like such idea could ever last living in Ponyville.

The second idea, sound, came even without looking for it. I was passing around several houses when I could hear a beautiful song from somewhere and started to look frantically for it. It was the most soothing music I’ve ever heard. 

I knew it was the most entrancing music I’ve ever heard, I just knew, it was just like part of my amnesia decided to vanish and let me remember of this at very least.

I kept searching in several places until I had finally found the source of that beautiful song in an alley from a pony, a unicorn, playing the lyre. She didn’t notice me, she was completely absorbed by her own music and I sat there watching her play such beautiful song until she finally finished, however she didn’t seem to be even mildly satisfied with her own performance and sighed upset. I didn’t feel that way, not even slightly, and applauded her which made her note me and smile a bit embarrassed.

“Thank you, thank you,” she said shyly.

“That was the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard,” as I talked she frowned a little.

“Oh, that’s good... Yeah, good...” she said putting her lyre aside.

I don’t know about you, but whenever I hear somepony saying “good” twice I’m sure they are all but satisfied with whatever they just did.

“Did I say something wrong?” I asked while she turned serious and a bit sad.

“No, thanks for appreciating my music. You’re like the first pony here that ever did it, must be out of pity,” she jumped off the barrel she was at and put her lyre in her saddlebag.

“Are you kidding me? That song was the most soothing and beautiful music I’ve ever heard!” I said enthusiastic, but that didn’t budge her frown.

The unicorn looked at me with expectant eyes. “You’re not a critic or a talent chaser, are you?” she asked then returning to pack her things.

I shook my head. “No, my name is Lone Star. I moved from Canterlot a while ago.”

“Oh, I know you!” she said looking at me surprised.

That caught me completely off guard, how did she know me, was she from my past, a relative, a friend? My heart raced and my mind was stroke by a mental storm. “You… You know me?”

“Yes, you’re that pony who destroyed an entire hay shipment about a month ago!”

I face hoofed myself so hard I think it left a mark on my forehead, am I never going to live that down? For Celestia’s sake it was just a hay shipment, not even big, that I had already paid, I didn’t hurt anypony and noppony was starving! At least she laughed from my reaction, it was better than her previous mood. “My name is Lyra, Lyra Heartstrings, nice to meet you, Lone Star.”

“Nice to meet you too. Anyway why are you playing in this alley? You should be playing at the square so everypony here could hear your music!” as I finished talking Lyra scowled again.

“Do you really think I am that good? You must be really easy to please,” Lyra said in a rude, mildly haughty tone.

“So, you’re just disregarding somepony’s honest opinion about your music?” I said upset on how she had replied.

“No. Sorry about that,” Lyra apologized looking aside flustered.

“Anyway. Were you only practicing or just tuning up before making a presentation?”

Lyra looked at me for a second or two and then let out a sarcastic snicker, she turned around to trash some papers and then talked without looking at me. “No, I was just practicing here. Nothing fancy at all.”

“I think there are better places to practice, like your home for example.”

Lyra sighed and shook her head. “My neighbors would complain about the noise and Mayor Mare already told me to stop causing quarrels because of that. This alley is probably the most calm place to practice, I’d go to the Everfree Forest, but then I think the ones living close to that place would start complaining too.”

“Is it because your neighbors complain about your practicing you think your music isn’t good enough to make a public presentation?” 

After I said that Lyra looked at me and proudly declared, “Of course not! I’m not so insecure of my skills that random complaints would make me feel like that,” Lyra exclaimed almost overly confident.

“So, what gives? If you are so certain of your lyre skills you shouldn’t be here hiding yourself as if you wanted to keep your music secret to everypony,” I said trying to cheer her up.

Lyra wasn’t so understanding though, she stomped and glared at me visibly upset. “What’s your problem? Why do you even care? Listen, I’m glad you liked my song, but you weren’t even supposed to hear it! That was just a shabby work in progress and I was here because I wanted some privacy! Do you understand now or I have to draw you a picture?” she raised her voice for every small pause but she wasn’t finished with her rant, “I’m pretty sure you don’t even understand music, let alone appreciate a real talent, so why I really should consider your opinion?”

“Because I am being honest when I said I liked your song, isn’t that enough?” That’s what I wanted to say, but she left me speechless with those words.

Lyra left without saying anything else with a depressed look in her eyes. I noticed the papers she trashed and went to look on it, it was scrapped music sheets. I’m no music specialist but I could note several mistakes here and there and I started to understand why Lyra could be so angry.

When I let my mind rest I realized I had my first piece of memory back. Finally! It was small, maybe even vague but finally a start. I liked music, especially classic music like the one Lyra was playing. I didn’t like anything too fancy though and preferred solo concerts over orchestras. A start at long last.

I walked around Ponyville for some time humming, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Lyra, not because of her music or the way she had left, there was something about her that started to stir my mind as if I knew her before. The problem was that it didn’t make any sense, if I had known her then she certainly would have recognized me too. Maybe it was one of those cases when you confuse somepony with an acquaintance, in my case an acquaintance I still don’t remember.

While strolling around Ponyville I passed by the public mural I usually go when looking for a job and saw an announcement about Canterlot’s Royal Orchestra coming to Ponyville for a single presentation with the nobility alongside Princess Celestia and Princess Luna coming to watch. I felt that Lyra’s distress could have something to do with this. Whatever, I had nothing to do with it and Lyra made it loud and clear as her song.

After more aimless strolling I was feeling hungry again. I walked until I was at Sugarcube Corner, after a set of hay fries I was ready for something sweet. As soon as I stepped inside a known face greeted me in all her pinky cheerfulness and glee.

“Hi, Lone-less! Whaddya doing here?” she was taking care of the counter today.

“Just passing by. Oh, I’m hungry too.” I answered while window shopping.

“If you need something really good I can suggest these cupcakes!” Pinkie shoved a plate of cupcakes close to my face. “I’ve baked them myself!” she finished saying with her typical grin.

Regardless of how much grateful I was for Pinkie to have introduced me to the population of Ponyville and helped me improve my status in town by a large margin I didn’t think it was safe for me to eat those cupcakes, Pinkie was nice and everything, but she really didn’t look like the kind of pony that can cook.

“Er, I think... I think I’ll have a small cake. Yeah, I’m feeling like eating cake now!” I tried to make an excuse to get away from those cupcakes.

Pinkie backed the plate to the counter. “Aww, but I’ve just made them, they are fresh and ready to be eaten.”

There she was making those puppy eyes again, it was always like that when she wanted me to buy something. I’m a sucker for this kind of thing and I’m pretty sure she had noted by now. “Alright, I’ll have two of them,” I said pointing to the ones I’d take and placing the bits on the counter.

“You’ll love them!” Pinkie said putting the cupcakes on the counter so I could eat them.

I stared for a couple of seconds at those cupcakes. I was hesitant, I didn’t know what to expect from the food made by such random mind and I really wasn’t all that curious to discover. After taking a deep breath I ate the first one as Pinkie looked at me expectant.

I can’t say it was the most striking experience of my life, but I surely was surprised as heck when the flavor filled my mouth and nearly clouded my mind. It was delicious. That cupcake had such soft texture and its flavor so perfectly balanced and distributed it was impressive. It was even better than the ones Mr. and Mrs. cake used to sell in the bakery.

“Did you really make these cupcakes?” I asked still surprised.

“Yep! I usually make them here every day!” Pinkie answered cheerfully.

“This is even better than the ones I usually buy here—wait a moment—are you saying YOU bake the cupcakes?”

“Well, duh!” she said rolling her eyes.

Surprise, surprise. I used to buy cupcakes every now and then at Sugarcube Corner but could never expect that Pinkie was the one who made them, it was just hard to believe somepony like her could be so good at this.

“These ones are even better than the ones I’m used to buy here, what did you do?” I asked while eating a third cupcake.

“Uh-uhn, not telling, chef’s secret!” she said shaking her hooves.

“Could you tell me at least if it’s new recipe?”

“Yes, I’m trying new ones since the same cupcakes gets bo-o-oring fast!” Pinkie said while she watched me eat the cupcakes, she was satisfied seeing me eating them.

I couldn’t help but feel that I was being her guinea pig at that moment. Well, whatever those cupcakes were really good and worth every bit. I thanked Pinkie for the cupcakes (even though I paid for them) and left the bakery. I was satisfied for the time being and strolled around Ponyville once again in hope to find something to help with my memory again.

The rest of the day was pretty much the same, it was a pretty weird day to be honest, I passed the rest of the afternoon strolling aimlessly around Ponyville while keeping an eye for anything that made me thoughtful. 

How was I supposed to remember anything from my past? I wonder what I did for a living, if there was anypony I knew looking for me or something, I couldn’t help but worry especially about my family (if I had one).

I just went back to my cottage after the lazy day and planned to go straight to my bedroom sleep. But something was different in my house, somepony visited my cottage while I was away. I knew somepony had been here because of the smell, it was a strange fragrance that was by the dining room, something too refined even for the finest perfume of the finest perfumist of Ponyville, if only I had a way to get that fragrance and get to somepony analyze...

Oh, wait, I had. I “held” that scent with a strange fabric I bought indenting to use as curtain, but it didn’t quite work since the strong smell of the plants outside my bedroom kept me awake for the first two days I used it. Anyway I waved the fabric around the dining room for a while, put it inside a bag and then inside my saddlebag to make sure it wouldn’t lose the scent.

I would go ask what kind of perfume this was and if somepony around wore it. I had locked my house before going out today and whoever broke inside must have done it with magic since the door lock seemed to be intact.

If he or she thinks that somepony amnesiac means “stupid” I’m sure as heck will prove how wrong this pony is.

What a way to end to a lazy day. At least nothing got robbed (as if there was anything to steal here anyway).

> Chapter 7: Cutie Mark Squire
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 7: Cutie Mark Squire


Sweet Apple Acres. I’ve been working there almost daily for weeks now. I usually went to help harvesting crops, fixing broken fences and tending animals. I really liked working there especially because I had a lot of fun talking to Big Mac, Granny Smith and Applejack, besides they always had excellent food there and also always let me take leftovers home. I didn’t worry too much about the payment, the Apples were on a string of bad luck and some plagues took a good chunk of the other crops they usually sell, but even so what they paid was more than enough to live and save.

At that place the only pony I still hadn’t met was the youngest member of the family, a filly called Apple Bloom. Applejack had explained me that thanks to new programs at school she had to stay the entire afternoon studying there, and since my job was usually done by the middle afternoon, sometimes even earlier, I never staid long enough to meet her.

To be honest I think it was better that way, Applejack often told on how crazy that filly was to get her cutie mark and what kind of trouble she’d put herself into trying to get it. I’m really not sure what would be her reaction if she ever saw an adult pony without its cutie mark.

That day I would have to work carrying and organizing the hay shipment the Apples had bought, it would be a heavy job but I was feeling super that day. 

Before I could start Applejack went there to sign all the paperwork and as soon I approached the wagon she gleefully cracked that old joke to the pony who brought the shipment while poking my flank, “Careful with him, he has a thing for hay wagons.”

Very funny Applejack, very funny.

It seems that I was getting some muscular mass working there, the hay packs surely were heavy as heck, but I could carry most of them without draining myself and finished the job after some hours, it was a lot faster than even I had expected. Big Mac was satisfied with my work and then told me to help Applejack harvesting grapes, I was a bit tired, but still good to go so I rushed to the direction he had indicated me.

Harvesting grapes was no easy task, it may not be heavy duty but you must be very picky and keen-eyed to spot bad grapes that could ruin an entire shipment if left there. It took us a lot longer than we had thought to finish the job since there were a lot of bad, or rotten, grapes. While we were walking back Applejack grunted upset saying that a pest ruined a good amount of nice grapes and that the sales wouldn’t be nearly as good as the last year, I tried to cheer her up giving a nice apple I was saving for when I got home, but the best I could get was a forced smile.

At the end of another hard work day (for me) it was past half afternoon, I had my usual “all-you-can-carry leftovers buffet”, decided to go home where I’d leave the food in the storage and go to the library. I was still feeling great and Twilight told me few days ago she had some new novels and a brand new book about magic, that she had already finished reading, of course. After going to Golden Oaks Library I would spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing, eating a plate of delicious Corn Chips while reading a good book.

That what I was intended, but hey, I keep forgetting this is Ponyville and there is no such thing as plans here.

I was at the gates of Sweet Apple Acres and Applejack was thanking me for another day of help. As she was ready to go back I could hear a voice of a perky filly zooming towards the gates, I’d bet my precious leftovers that it was her little sister, Apple Bloom.

Bullseye. 

As soon I saw Apple Bloom, her obsession for getting her cutie mark came to my mind and I naturally tried to zoom to the opposite way, but that filly was faster than a lightning and as I turned she was already at the gates hugging her big sister.

“Sorry, Applejack, but I’m late for the cutie mark crusaders meeting!” Apple Bloom said giving her saddlebag to Applejack and trying to run towards another part of the farm, but Applejack halted her.

“Whoa there, missy! Don’t you have any homework to do?” Applejack inquired with a strong, motherly tone.

“Not today! I finished everythin’ so I could be free, now please let me go Applejack?” Apple Bloom pleaded with big, puppy eyes.

Applejack still had another question for her. “But what are you doin’ this early home? I thought Cherilee had more classes for you!”

“Nope! Today we had less appointments at school, now let me go please?” Apple Bloom was hopping ready to rush as soon Applejack gave her clearance.

I could tell Applejack grew suspicious of her sister thinking she was skipping classes for her cutie mark hunting. I’d feel the same way. The thing was that Apple Bloom was talking eye-to-eye with Applejack, there’s no way a filly like her would be able to lie like that.

“Let her go, Applejack. She’s being really honest here,” I talked in Apple Bloom’s favor as I approached the Apple sisters.

“Whoa, Lone. I thought you already had left,” Applejack spoke surprised.

“Huh, who are you, mister?” Apple Bloom asked looking at me.

“His name is Lone Star, he’s been helpin’ us here in the farm lately,” Applejack said introducing me, I waved my hoof at Apple Bloom.

“I’m Apple Bloom, nice t’meet you,” she said still anxious.

“Nice to meet you too,” I replied

“Now Applejack, pleeease!” Apple Bloom started to hop again.

“Alright, alright,” as soon Applejack said it the young filly grinned and bolted so fast I barely could keep my eye on her “But don’ come back late!” Applejack yelled and her sister shouted back agreeing.

Applejack put her sister’s saddlebags on her back and looked at me curious. “Well, care to tell me why did you stand for ‘er?”

“Come on, Applejack,” I shrugged. “Did you really think your sister would have the nerve to lie to you looking you in the eye? You, who are a living lie-detector?”

“You got a point there, city boy, but my sister is smarter and braver than you think,” she said fiddling the grass in her mouth.

“I think ‘crazy’ would describe better somepony who tries to cross your trust,” I said chuckling. 

Applejack stood silently looking at the ground, she was obviously worried about her sister and after thinking enough she turned to me with a serious face. “Hey, Lone I have a favor to ask you,” Applejack said while looking in the same direction Apple Bloom zoomed.

Her tone was much more serious this time, I wonder what Applejack had in her mind. “Sure, what is it?” I asked concerned.

“These kids have been up to somethin’. Lately they’ve been meeting and plannin’ all the time, but didn’t go for a cutie mark activity fer days,” Applejack sounded very worried, “I’m afraid they are going to do somethin’ reckless or even dangerous, so I’m needing somepony to look out for them and I think you’ll be perfect for that.”

I don’t really know what happened to me when Applejack merely suggested that I should take care of fillies. My heart raced, my chest tightened like it was going to crush my internal organs, my head went AWOL and my eyes deadened. I shivered and clenched my teeth so hard it scared Applejack. Apparently I wasn’t good with kids. That was the result of a mere thought of having to take care of a filly.

“Whoa! You just got cold all of sudden, Lone! What happened?” Applejack asked putting her hoof on my forehead.

“I, uh, I don’t think that will work. Sorry, Applejack,” I said gasping for air.

“Why are you saying this, what just happened to you?” she said visibly worried as I was still pale.

I was trying to get my head off that line of thinking, so I tried to dodge the question. “Er, why do you need ME to go check on whatever your sister and her friends are doing?”

Applejack sighed and took the grass out of her mouth before starting, “I already told ya my sister is part of a group called Cutie Mark Crusaders, didn’t I?” I nodded. “Well, they are fillies, non-cutie-marked, lookin’ for their cutie marks and I think you’d be the perfect pony to keep an eye on the girls at least until you can tell me what they are up to.”

I rolled eyes. “Uh, Applejack, I don’t have my flank mark either.”

Then Applejack tapped my back. “That’s why I’ve just told ya you’d be perfect to keep an eye on ‘em.”

My face changed from rigid of nervousness to a mildly sarcastic frown, “I think they would freak out if they saw an adult without flank mark, don’t you think?”

Appleajck tapped her chin a few times, that definitely was a bad idea and I’m sure she would admit it.

“Not really,” she said. That answer nearly made me want to bump my head on the closest fence.

“That IS a bad idea, Applejack,” I declared confident.

“You’re just being a stubborn mule, Lone,” she replied bluntly.

I closed to her face giving her a glare. “What? Who’s being stubborn here?”

“Sorry, my mistake, you’re not being stubborn,” Applejack paused to think. “You are bein’ UNHELPFUL!” she yelled almost making me lose my balance. “Lone, I’m asking you this little favor. All you need to do is go and see what they are planning there and tell me,” she said with a mellower tone looking in my eyes, “If you don’ want to do it because I’m not payin’ you, then tell me already.”

I’ll admit those words did hurt. Applejack may have said it because I’m the type that is always talking about saving money for this and that, but I really didn’t want the pony who saved me from starvation thinking that I was a “hired good-doer”. I groaned annoyed and then gave my final answer. “Alright, I’ll go!”

“Thanks, Lone, don’t worry about you not having a cutie mark, I’m sure you can even become part of their group like that,” Applejack said teasingly.

Not fun. Anyway, Applejack gave the direction to where I had to go and thanked me again before going back to the farm. 

Midway to my destination I started sweating cold and my breath became short and fast-paced. Why I was so nervous about it, it was just kids and all I had was to check on them, report to Applejack and done, no secret, no difficulties, no nothing.

I found the tree house after walking for a while, and getting lost for a few minutes on the way, and I could hear three voices discussing feverously inside it. I went closer so I could hear what they were talking about, but as soon as I stepped on the ramp that thing broke and I felt right on my face.

The noise obviously startled the fillies inside and they came out running to check what in Celestia’s name was happening outside. I was dizzy from the fall and the next thing I remember was to have a small white unicorn with purple, slightly coiled, mane  saying something to me, Apple Bloom was doing something still inside the tree house and there was another filly, an orange pegasus with purple mane yelling something.

It took me some minutes until I was clear-headed again, but then I felt something hard and cold hitting my head, I guess it was an ice bag or something.

“Careful, you’re going to hurt him even more!” the unicorn shouted in a little squeaky tone.

“I told you we should’ve fixed that ramp last week!” the pegasus said smugly.

“Oh, quiet, Scoot! I was going to fix it when we finished plannin’!” Apple Bloom answered angrily.

“At least it wasn’t one of us that fell, that looked like it hurt!” I guess I should’ve gave the pegasus a trophy for that statement.

“Are you okay?” at last one of them showed some concern, it was the unicorn.

I shook my head making the ice bag fell off and put my hoof to see if anything was broken but luckily for me nothing aside of a small bump on my head. “I’m fine, I’m fine, I’ve had worse since I got here,” I replied and put the ice bag back on my head.

“But hey, what are you doing here, were you spying on us?!” the orange pegasus inquired glaring at me.

“Quit it you kiwi, he’s hurt!” the unicorn intervened in my defense.

“I already told you to stop calling me… Whatever that was!” the pegasus answered irritated and flapping her wings frenetically.

“Hey, that’s enough, stop shouting you two!” I said in a loud, upset tone making both stopping argue for a moment, but then the pegasus looked at me again.

“Humph, I guess we might need to change our club’s location if stranges keep popping like that!” she said bad-mannered turning from me.

“He’s not a strange, he’s Applejack’s friend,” Apple Bloom said staying on my side.

“I’m Lone Star—“ I introduced myself, but before I could explain why I was there the spunky pegasus stepped ahead and cut me off.

“You’re a snooper,” she said straightforwardly.

“Am not,” I responded upset.

“Are too,” she said closing to my face visibly angrier.

“Am not and stop calling me that,” I spoke keeping my cool.

“Are too and no, because you are!” she said even more upset.

“I wasn’t snooping around,” I said still trying to keep calm.

“Yes you were, that ramp was a good thing after all!” she said with a mean smile.

I guess that just had claimed my last bit of patience. “Say that again?”

“Stop it you two!” the unicorn shouted visibly distressed.

The orange pegasus went away, crossed her arms and pouted, I sighed and shook my head. Getting upset with kids certainly is not the way to earn their trust.

“Sorry about Scootaloo, she doesn’t trust ponies she don’t know,” Apple Bloom apologized on behalf of the pegasus while she blew a raspberry to annoy me.

“It’s alright, none of you got hurt and that’s what matters,” I said getting on feet and taking the ice bag off my head again.

“Sorry, that was my fault, I didn’t fix the ramp like I should had,” Apple Bloom said anxious and looking at the pieces of what formerly was a wooden ramp.

I pilled the pieces of wood scattered under the tree house’s entrance. “It’s fine, besides this wood was rotting already, it would be dangerous to keep using it even if you had it reinforced. You need a new plank.”

“Please don’t tell Applejack about this! She’s gonna get really mad at me and ground me for the rest o’ my life!” Apple Bloom said looking at me nervously.

“Yes, she was going to fix it! We promise!” the unicorn aided her friend.

“Yeah, she would fix it if you hadn’t break it!” the pegasus also went aside Apple Bloom defending her friend.

I didn’t even think about that to be honest, I was more relived it was me that broke that stupid ramp than one of them. The fall didn’t really hurt that much, but it could have injured one of them and seriously. “I’ll have to tell Applejack what happened here, you know that,” they all gulped, but I wasn’t finished, “I’ll also tell that it was ME who broke the ramp and why this was a good thing without blaming any of you, but you three has to promise me that you all are going to be more careful with things like this. Alright?” I made my point there speaking firmly, but not scolding.

“Thanks, Lone, we promise!” Apple Bloom smiled relived.

Finally I was getting somewhere, with this done I was finally able to gain a bit of their trust and begin to do what I was intending in first place. “So, what were you all planning after all?”

“Nothing that a non-member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders has to know!” the pegasus exclaimed as unmannerly as she could.

“Scootaloo!” the unicorn yelled at her friend.

The pegasus looked directly at me and proclaimed: “We are a secret society, we can’t share everything we do with strange ponies!”

“Since when we are a secret society?” the unicorn asked Apple Bloom whispering, Apple Bloom answered with a simple shurg.

“What do you need to be part of this ‘secret society’ then? I guess the part of discovering it was already done,” I couldn’t hold the sarcasm while talking which infuriated the pegasus.

Bad decision, Lone Star. That made the pegasus nearly turn red from angry and now she was glaring at me defiantly while flapping her wings. Heck and hay, I was there just to check on them, not to get on their bad side. I had to act fast to fix my mistake.

“Listen here snooper—" before she could start spouting her anger on me I was faster and talked ahead.

“Hey, sorry! I didn’t want to mock your group or anything, I’m really sorry,” I spoke without raising my voice. When she had calmed down I continued, “Listen I think we started all wrong here, so can we try again?”

The pegasus looked at me still angry, but lightened a bit and didn’t shout anything else.

After a deep breath I started. “I’m Lone Star, I’m a friend of Applejack and she asked me here to check how you all were doing.”

“… Scootaloo,” she spoke grumpy.

“I’m Sweetie Belle!” finally I had learned the name of the unicorn.

“Applejack told you to come here?” Apple Bloom asked a bit irritated, I guess I shouldn’t have told she had sent me. Oh well.

“Yes, but she just wanted me to see what you were doing, that’s all,” I tried to explain hoping to fend off an incoming argue between sisters and one heck of reprimand from a certain mare.

“We were planning our next move towards our cutie mark!” Sweetie Belle said enthusiastic.

“Really? What were you planning?” I asked curious.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle smiled cheerfully and the unicorn filly bolted to the tree house, via rope ladder, she picked something in there and threw it through the door accidentally (or maybe not) hitting Scootaloo’s head who grumbled.

Apple Bloom opened the case and spread the paper revealing it to be a map, a rather detailed and well-drawn map of somewhere.

“Planning on going in a treasure hunting?” I asked, but as Sweetie Belle slid back she negated my theory.

“Uh-uhn! This is a map to a VERY secret place!” Sweetie Belle said almost whispering as if she was afraid that somepony else could hear.

“What place?” I wanted to know so I could tell Applejack but I’d never admit in front of them that I’m a sucker for this kind of stuff, just thinking on the word “treasure hunting” made me smile.

“If we tell it won’t be a secret anymore!” Apple Bloom declared shaking her hoof.

“Besides you’re not even a Cutie Mark Crusader!” Scootaloo approached and looked at the map.

I sighed. I had to keep an eye on these fillies in case they wanted to do something crazy or go somewhere dangerous or else Applejack would eat me alive with candy apples for dessert. For the sake of my word, and well-being, I decided to play along.

“What do I need to do to become a member then, Scootaloo?” I humbly asked.

The moment I said that I could swear I saw a mischievous light shimmer in her eyes, the way she rubbed her hooves while giggling with that grin didn’t help either I guess.

“Sorry, but you need not to have a cutie mark,” Sweetie Belle said a bit sad.

“In that case I still fit in,” I said rolling eyes.

I couldn’t believe that they still hadn’t notice I didn’t have my cutie mark so far, but I still braced myself for reactions. Apple Bloom kept giving me a blank stare, Sweetie Belle asking me why I didn’t have my cutie mark and Scootaloo laughing and mocking me.

Apple Bloom then broke the light-hearted mood with a shriek scaring me and the other two colorless. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were hugging each other completely frightened.

“Good Celestia, Apple Bloom!” I uttered with wide open eyes, “What’s gotten into you?”

To be honest I already knew why she had done that. Horse apples, I told Applejack that would happen, but did she hear me? Well, heck and hay, now I had to control a filly from freaking out and to top that the shriek gave me the same panic-like sensation I was feeling until I bumped my head. I was looking to every side while my mind was being clouded by the sheer amount of adrenaline rushing through my body at that moment. Thankfully I managed to pull myself together and hear what Apple Bloom said.

“I-if you don’t have your cutie mark th-then that means we can grow up and still not find ours!” Apple Bloom said stuttering and still staring at me.

I could see Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo sharing the same opinion of Apple Bloom and they started to look at me with eyes filled and taken by fear.

I had to think fast (again) to control this situation, I wasn’t feeling like being responsible for traumatizing a couple of fillies. “Applejack, you’re gonna get it when I’m done here,” I thought to myself while still thinking what I would do. The best shot I could think I had was to tell them my story.

As soon I mentioned the word “amnesia” I noticed Scootaloo’s eyes shimmering again, but this time in interest. I told about my brief life in Canterlot and how everything happened until I was sitting there. The story bored them, but Apple Bloom was calmer. Fortunately she believed I lost my cutie mark because of my amnesia and returned to her cheerful self. Calamity averted, huzzah!

“Amnesia!” Scootaloo exclaimed strangely enthusiastic, I figured it was because she didn’t like me, but then… “That means your past is a mystery!” 

And the trophy for “Captain Obvious” goes to Scootaloo!

“You almost make it sound interesting,” I replied making a colossal effort to hold my sarcasm. Kids...

“Because it is!” she said flapping her wings this time animated.

“Because it didn’t happen to you,” I almost let it escape, but I just shrugged and said in a meek tone, “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

“Then you should join us to help yourself get a cutie mark!” Sweetie Belle prompted with a cheerful voice.

“Yes! You could help us too! It’s a win-win!” Apple Bloom said with the same enthusiasm as her friend.

“Wait a minute, he isn’t a member yet!” Scootaloo opposed the idea. 

“Come on Scootaloo, he can help us with lots of things!” Apple Bloom started, when Scootaloo gave a look that practically asked what I could do Apple Bloom continued, “He can help us with the map, and besides since he’s looking for his cutie mark he’s gonna let we go there!”

I couldn’t care less about my cutie mark, I was just intending to keep an eye on these three.

“No!” Scootaloo protested, “I think we should call Rainbow Dash! She’s a lot cooler AND reliable than him!”

Just who the heck was this Rainbow Dash?

“I don’t think Rainbow would let we go inside the Everfree Forest…” Sweetie Belle countered the argument.

Scootaloo grunted upset admitting Sweetie’s point. “Maybe you’re right…”

Then they gathered and started to mumble, I barely could understand what they were saying. “But if Applejack knows we even thought about going there… I bet she’s gonna tell Rainbow and Rarity…” Apple Bloom muttered fearfully, Sweetie and Scootaloo shivered upon realizing the consequences that would ensue, whatever they were.

“He has amnesia, so he might not know about the Everfree Forest,” Scootaloo mumbled, but I still could hear it. I was amnesiac, not deaf.

“Maybe if we tell him…” Sweetie suggested something.

Then they started whispering so low I couldn’t hear anything else, they occasionally looked at me while discussing between themselves. 

While they were pondering what to do I tried to think what information I had heard or read about this “Evenfree Forest”, it was a dark, creepy place and some said it was haunted, other say it was a jinxed and caused whoever went too far inside to have a streak of bad luck. Most of it were just rumors and superstitions, so I naturally ignored them. 

Then finally the fillies finished talking and they approached walking confidently. I could only wonder what they had decided.

“We’ve decided to name you a temporary member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, you are now a Cutie Mark, uh, Squire!” Apple Bloom said tapping my shoulder.

Wohoo.

“Lone! You can come with us to the secret place!” Sweetie cheerfully said while carrying the map with her magic.

“Yeah, besides if we find something cool you’ll carry it for us!” Scootaloo said blatantly like always, “You can start by carrying the map case!”

I shrugged and rolled with it, even if they didn’t let me go with them I’d still follow these little adventurers. It’s really not good to let them to go into a place where nopony likes to be.

I should’ve told Applejack what the hay was going on, but then I was afraid I’d earn the wrath of three determined fillies, besides I was planning on exploring that forest anyway.

Later in that afternoon we were all at the entrance of the Everfree Forest, a name that didn’t suit that creepy place not even slightly. The Cutie Mark Crusaders stopped and stood there for a moment until Apple Bloom poked Sweetie Belle so she could start reading the map. Once the filly was ready they started marching to the insides that place that made even I feel uncomfortable. The last two things I could do before going into that forest was look behind for a last time and sigh, unaware of what was lying ahead of me.


A decision I’d regret later.