Chapter 2: Memories

I could feel myself slowly coming back into consciousness. My mind slowly piecing it's fragmented self back together. I started to remember last night. The sounds, feelings, it was all coming back to me now. But something was different. I felt a soft fabric against my head. I could smell the sweet smell of eggs around me. My stomach ached at this thought. I couldn't remember the last time I ate. It was warmer to, I did not feel any cold breeze brush up against me. But I sensed something, something was near by. I could almost feel its presence in the room.

"Good morning." Said a soft feminine voice. "Nice to see you awake."

What? Who was that?

"I know you are awake. I saw you move. Don't pretend like you can't hear me" The voice seemed a little irritated now.

I rolled over towards the voice.

"Ah so you are awake." The voice said.

I didn't know what to do. I was afraid now. Where had I ended up in know?

"Fluttershy, please bring out guest some breakfast. He just woke up."

I sat up and heard as I heard the sound of fine china making contact with the surface of a stained hard wood. I would hear silverware placed in front of me and I could make out the sweet odor of freshly made eggs.

"You aren't going to eat with your eyes closed now, are you?" said the voice.

I was silent for a little bit, not knowing what to do next, but slowly I opened my eyes.

What I saw I could not comprehend. In front of me were two small glass-like orbs hovering in front of me. I looked at one, it was light purple, lavender maybe, with that seemed to be a purple aura slowly dancing around it like a flame. The second was a light yellow, but it had a different effect. I could see it shake just a little bit as I felt the sensation of cold air slowly roll over me along with a small 'eep' from the trembling sphere.

"Fluttershy, he must be blind..." Said the flame.

"I heard that." I replied.

The purple flame instantly went out.

~~~~~

I saw Fluttershy come in with some food. Just a simple over-easy egg on a small plate. She set silverware next to the pegasus and for a long time, no one said anything.

"You aren't going to eat with your eyes closed now, are you?" I said.

The room was silent. There was a long moment of silence but slowly, very slowly, the beige pony opened his eyes.

What I saw I was not prepared for.

Most of the Ponies I have encountered had a certain glow to them, I knew many brightly colored ponies, Pinky for example, she was the pinkest pink I ever seen. Rainbow Dash even, she had the entire color spectrum over her mane and tail. Not to mention those deep red eyes, always ablaze with determination.

But this pony was different.

His eyes were dull. The irises were a light gray and his pupils had a light haze to them.

I have read about this before. I leaned over to Fluttershy and whispered quietly into her ear.

"Fluttershy, he must be blind..."

"I head that." The pegasus said.

I was in shock, how did he hear me? Was I that loud...?

I looked at the tan pegasus again. He was shaking a bit. He must be afraid, not knowing where he is. I should introduce ourselves to calm the poor pony down.

"Oh we should probably introduce ourselves, You might also want to know where you are right now too." I said. "My name is Twilight Sparkle." I looked at him again. This calmed him down, I could see him loosen up a little bit.

I could hear a faint mumbling coming from Fluttershy. I couldn't make out a single word.

"It is nice to meet you too Fluttershy, and thank you Twilight. I really appreciated it." said the pony.

What? How did he hear Fluttershy? How could anypony hear her? I looked over at her, if she was in as much shock as I was in she didn't show it. All I saw was a small smile appear on her face.

~~~~~

"My name is Twilight Sparkle." Said the purple sphere. That is good to know.

I heard a voice. It was reserved and low but I could still make out each word.

"Um, hi, my name is Fluttershy. Nice to meet you, um, Twilight brought you here to my cottage last night. You were unconscious..."

So now I am at a cottage of a stranger? That is just great. Oh well, any place is better than that unforgiving forest.

"It is nice to meet you too Fluttershy, and thank you Twilight. I really appreciated it." I said sincerely.

I felt a radiating warmth emanate from the yellow sphere, it was pleasant and inviting. I looked over to the other sphere in front of me. I couldn't tell at first, but what I could make out, a little bit of the color drained from the orb.

"What is your name?" Twilight said hesitantly.

My... Name...? I thought, nothing came to mind, I didn't remember my own name! Spending that much time in the forest does a number on ones mind. But then a voice spoke to me. I could faintly make it out coming from quite a ways away. It whispered softly to me;

Rustic Silver...

I could hear Twilight's voice speak to me as I shifted my attention to her.

"Are you okay...?"

I gathered my thoughts and spoke.

"My name is... Rustic Silver." I said. I hope she will buy it.

I could see the color slowly seep back into the purple sphere as Twilight spoke up.

"Well, it is nice to meet you Rustic Silver. You might want to know where you are right now." Twilight said.

I nodded politely.

"Yeah that would be nice, Fluttershy said that we were in her cottage?" I said.

"That would be correct. We are currently in Fluttershy's cottage, just on the outskirts of Ponyville." Twilight said "We could take you there if you want, but I promised somepony that you would be here in the morning. Is that okay?" She said.

"That would be fine. I don't mind to wait."

I heard my stomach growl in protest. I have not eaten in a long time... I could smell the eggs in front of me and I turned to face them. "Thank you for making me breakfast. I really appreciate it. I am a little hungry." I said quietly.

Gently, I felt around the table in front of me. I moved my hoof around the surface of the table. I must of touched every part of the table by now. I was never going to find the silverware...

A felt gentle hoof touch mine.

"Here let me help you with that."

I shifted my head to face Fluttershy's voice. My face lit up and I was sure I was smiling foolishly at my hostess.

I heard the plate of eggs slide towards me. Judging by the direction the sound was coming from I lowered my utensils onto the plate, carefully cutting the eggs. I took note of every detail, the shape of the cut, the length, the location. Carefully picking up a small piece of the egg I have just cut with my fork, I took a bite, it might of just been my hunger making this good, but the taste was indescribable. If irresistible had a flavor then this would describe it with no problem. The plate was clean in no time.

"Where is that pony? Why does she always have to be late?" Twilight said flatly. I positioned myself so that I was looking at her. The small glass orb was its normal lavender purple, but something was different. Tiny sparks periodically appeared around the sphere before slowly disappearing.

I turned my attention to the my surroundings.

There was nothing.

'I really must be blind' I thought...

The only things I could see where the little glass spheres that represented the two mares.

But there was a third smaller sphere, out in the distance. It was small at first, slowly though, it grew in size until it was about the same size. From what I could tell it was situated just a bit farther back in my vision. It was a deep, full red, no a vibrant orange... It shifted colors gradually, from bright and warm colors to deep and full cool colors.

"Where is that pony...?" Twilight said with a hint of aggravation in her voice. "She should of been here half an hour ago." There was a short pause. "Maybe we should just leave without her Fluttershy."

"No need. I think she has just arrived." I said.

With that I heard the door open in front of me.

I could sense the cold air hanging in the room again and I could see the color fade again from two orbs beside me, but the multicolored orb in front of was diffrent.

The rooms temperature suddenly plummeted, as I shivered ever so slightly.

~~~~~

My thoughts have been running uncontrollably. I could not take my mind of this peculiar pegasus.

How did he hear me whisper to Fluttershy? Was I really that loud?

How could he so eat like that? He did not look at the plate at all. A cut here, a cut there and then he picked up the egg with his silverware.

What else can he do? I must write the Princess. Surly she would know more about this pegasus. I needed to get back to Ponyville so I could have Spike write a letter for me.

"Where is that pony...? She should of been here half an hour ago." I was wasting time. "Maybe we should just leave without her Fluttershy."

"No need." Said the tan pegasus. "I think she has just arrived."

I looked over at the door to see it swing open. I was in shock. I didn't hear the cyan pegasus approach the cottage, I did not even hear her land! How did he do that?

I looked over at Rainbow Dash. Her expression was shock, pure shock. I knew I had to act quickly.

"Uh, Rainbow Dash? Can I talk to you outside for just a second?"

I quickly made my way out the door and next to the frozen pony.

"Rainbow, are you okay?" I asked.

"Okay?" She said. "Okay?! Did you see that pegasus? He was like, all messed up last night, but now just look at him!" She squeaked. "He must heal up fast! No scars either. So cool." She said as she smiled at me.

I was shocked, but then again...

"Oh, so your fine with this?" I said.

"Pfft, yeah no big deal. He is a little weird looking though. Did you see his eyes?" she said tracing an imaginary circle around her eyes. "They were all gray and stuff. It was a little hazy looking too. Weird huh?"

"Rainbow Dash that's because he is blind. Let's not be so loud okay?"

Rainbow Dash was basically screaming at the top of her lungs at this point, no doubt Rustic Silver heard us.

"He is a pegasus. Do you know what it would be like to be a blind pegasus?" I questioned her quietly.

This thought struck her hard. I thought about this for a second too.

A blind pegasus...? Being severely impaired like that with all the freedom and mobility of a pegasus? It must be crushing.

"Oh... Sorry..." Rainbow said.

She must of been beating at herself again for I could see that the thought really struck her. She must be thinking the very same thoughts as I was.

"It's okay, Let's just be a little more considerate around Rustic Silver."

"Oh so that's his name huh? I wouldn't have guessed." She said sarcastically, her usual amount of enthusiasm showing again.

I smiled at Rainbow Dash. Nice to see her back to normal.

"We should go inside. I said we would be leaving for Ponyville after you came. I wanted to do somethings. You should introduce yourself while we get ready." I said as I opened the door.

We both looked at the tan pegasus. He was slowly moving his head from side to side sweeping the room with his senses. As we entered, he looked at us and smiled politely.

"Sorry we had to keep you waiting Rustic Silver. I hope you don't mind." I said,

"No, no. I am very grateful for you two bringing me in from the woods. It would be selfish of me to rush either of you. Those woods are unforgiving." He said with a little laugh. This was answered with a small laugh coming from Rainbow Dash.

"And please, just call me Silver."

"Whatever Scan." Rainbow said with her usual edge.

He stopped for a moment to think. But his face brightened up with an honest smile.

~~~~~

The four of us were making our way down the path into Ponyville slowly, but surly. The air was still dry and crisp for it was still fall. The sun shone down on us though, there had not been a cloud in the sky.

Rainbow kept from flying the entire time. I could see her getting antsy. She must of wanted to stretch her wings and fly out into the sky, but I think she didn't want to sadden our new friend.

Nothing much was said for there was not much to talk about.

"So." Said Silver. "What is Ponyville like?"

"You've never been to Ponyville Scan? It's only like the 'awesomeest' place ever." Rainbow said. 'Awesomeest'. Rainbow and her word choices.

"I actually have never heard of it until you mentioned it back at Fluttershy's cottage." Silver said.

Rainbow shot a confused look at Silver. She walked up to him and punched him playfully on the shoulder.

"What? Where are you from? Like everyone has heard of Ponyville! Everything happens here!"

This was my chance to get some information on this pegasus.

"What were you doing wandering in the forest?" I said.

I looked at Silver. He was thinking hard and I could tell.

"Well... Honsetly, I can't remember..." He said quietly. He tried to smile, but his attempts fell apart as his face had anguish plastered all over it.

"How can you not remember where you live? That's so weird. Everypony should know where they live!" Said Dash.

"Yeah Silver, how come you don't know where you live?" I said. I had a serious tone layered onto my sentences, knowing he couldn't see my expression.

"Well..." He stuttered. " I haven't told anypony before, but I don't think you will believe me."

"No it's really fine. What did you want to say." Fluttershy said.

He looked a little hesitant and for a while he said nothing, conflicting emotions holding him back.

"Well..." He started "Well, I woke up in the forest. I didn't know at the time because well..." He stopped, afraid to talk.

"Well because, I am blind."

I felt something strike at my very being. I couldn't imagine how terrible it would be blind. But then again, how did he pick out our conversations and predict these things?

"I guessed it was night when I awoke. The night was cold and I could feel the wind brush up against me. There were some really thick bandages around me and I had no idea where they came from. There was this burning sensation coming from my sides though. It hurt to stand and just move around in general." He explained.

"I don't really know what happened after that. I woke up the next morning with you ponies."

"Wow Scan, That's really weird..." Rainbow said. She flew over to me and was about to say something, but I quickly stopped her. Through a series of visual gestures I told her that Silver had a very good hearing.

The rest of the walk to Ponyville was silent. There was some small talk here and there, mostly Rainbow trying to strike up an interesting conversation with Silver. I tuned out for it was mostly Rainbow giving an over-exaggerated auto-biography about herself.

"Oh that is pretty cool. So Twilight, what do you and Fluttershy do?" Silver said,

I snapped out of my daydreams and quickly gathered my thoughts and spoke.

"Well I am the librarian at the Ponyville library and Fluttershy here takes care of animals at her cottage." I said. I was about to explain what Rainbow Dash did but she beat me to it.

"Yeah and I am the Fastest Flier in all of Equestria!" She blurted out springing up into the air.

It was amazing, he tracked Rainbow's movements in the sky like he could actually see her fly.

"Have you ever heard of a sonic rainboom Scan?" She said fovering just inches from his face.

"What's that? You haven't said anything about that before." He said with a small grin.

"Only the coolest trick ever! It's where I break the sound barrier and the light spectrum at the same time!" She had a smile that stretched end to end now. She flew up higher and higher.

"Rainbow Dash! We are here!" I shouted. "Don't do it over Ponyville! You remember the last time you did? It was not that easy to fix all those windows."

Rainbow blushed a little bit as she reluctantly came back down to the ground.

"Oh, heh heh. Sorry, I just kinda got in the moment. You know what I mean." Rainbow said.

"Yeah I know." I said reminding her about Silver again.

"Yeah, so anyway Scan, Everypony just thought is was an old mare's tale but I proved them wrong." She said. "I did it, twice!"

I looked over at Silver, he was smiling, but something seemed off about him.

"Rainbow Dash, don't you have somethings to do? Like practice or something?"

"Nah, I'd rather stay and chat actually. I didn't tell you wh-" She looked over to me finally getting the hint. "Oh yeah, I did want to practice that new stunt I was working on, the... Well I haven't named it yet, but I'm sure I'll get it while I practice it." She said. "I am going to be a future WonderBolt! WAIT, Scan do you know who the WonderBolts are?" She said close to Silver again.

"Rainbow." I said.

"Er, I'll talk to you later Scan. Somepony is getting grumpy." She said with a little snicker as she flew off.

"Oh I, um, need to pick up some groceries... Talk to you later Silver." Fluttershy said walking off.

"Alright, see you later." Silver said.

Now I was walking with Silver towards the library. I took a good look at him, he was still smiling, taking in his surroundings with his senses. Concentrating hard on everything around him.

"Well are we headed Twilight?" He said.

I needed to go to the library so I could get Spike to send a letter to Celestia.

"We are heading to the library. You can stay there for now until we sort things out."

"Alright." He said. With that we continued our walk to the library. Not much happened. I mean we did get the occasional stare from all the other ponies. I could see what they were looking at. They we looking at Silver's eyes. It must of been strange for them to see them. Luckily for Silver though, he couldn't see them.

We finally arrived at the library. The bright orange sun low in the sky ready to recede and make way for the moon. I opened the door slowly seeing Spike slowly pacing around the floor.

"Hey Spike." I said.

Spike turned to face us.

"Twilight! I was wondering where you went! I know you like to take your walks out in the woods but it has been almost an entire day and I know you wouldn't walk out in the forest for an entire day so I started getting worried so I was going to get Rainbow Dash to go look for you but when I asked her she said she was busy and needed to go somewhere and-" Spike rambled. He stopped looking at Silver.

"Who's your friend here Twilight?" Spike said.

"Spike, this is Rustic Silver. I found him out in the woods injured. Rainbow Dash and I took him to Fluttershy's cottage to make sure he would be okay. Sorry I stayed overnight to keep an eye on him." I said.

"Nice to meet you Spike." Silver said extending a hoof. Spike had a look of confusion on him since Silver was looking right over him.

Oh yeah.

"Oh yeah Spike, Rustic Silver here is blind."

"Oh....!" Spike said quickly extending his claws to shake Silvers hoof. "Nice to meet you Rustic Silver."

"Nice to meet you to Spike, call me Silver." He said as he smiled cheerfully.

"Alright Silver. Nice to meet you." Spike said with a sweet smile to match Silver's.

I couldn't help smiling myself.

"Nice to see you two get acquainted." I said. "Now if you will excuse me Silver. I need to attend to some things. I haven't been at the library all day. I really need to do some things. Feel free to make yourself at home."

"Thank's again Twilight." Silver said.

"Your welcome. By the way Silver, I suppose you don't have anywhere to stay. Feel free to stay here until you can find yourself a place here in Ponyville." I said.

"Wow, really? Thanks!" His expression was pure joy. If he was faking it, he was doing a pretty good job at it.

"Well now I have to go do those.. Things, come on Spike let's go." I said as I shoved Spike through the door leading to my room. Once we were inside I used my magic to close the door.

"Quickly Spike, take a note."

"Uh, what?"

"Take a note! I need to write to Princess Celestia!" I said under my breath.

"Uh, okay..." Spike said pulling out a pen and paper.

~~~~~

Dear Princess Celestia,

Last night while on one of my nightly walks in the woods I came across a strange pegasus. Rainbow Dash and I found him out in the middle of the Everfree Forest injured and unconscious. Rainbow Dash carried him to Fluttershy's cottage where we cared for him until he awoke the next day. When we removed his bandages, we found out that he had no scars of gashes anywhere on himself. He is blind but the rest of his senses are very acute. He can pick out the slightest changes in his environment.

We walked him over to Ponyville and I have him currently staying at the library. Please Princess, if you could shed any light on the situation then please do. He said his name was Rustic Silver.

Your Faithful Student.,

Twilight Sparkle.

~~~~~

Author's Note: Holy crap. This one took much much longer to write than the last chapter. Mostly because I have been writing on weekdays. Well this chapter is really dialog intensive but that is how I wanted to turn out, I like it. Again, I would really appreciate any form of comments, suggestions, critique, etc. I am still looking for Pre-Readers and an Editor. So if you are interested and are willing to take a moment out of your busy lives to sit down and read my stories I would be so grateful.

Thank you all for just reading my stories, I enjoy writing so much and this is just so much fun. It has so much potential in my opinion and I have a good idea of where I want to go with it. These next two weeks I have a lot time to write so I am hoping to churn out some chapters. Now I'm talking good long chapters, not ~1,000 word rushed chapters. Anyway, Thanks once more!

~Athanix,

Peace.

ALSO, I know it is ironic for Silver to say 'Alright, see you later.'

Edit'd on 12/22/11 - I though it needed some 'Spit and Polish'.