The next week or two passed as something of a blur for Whiplash. It was a routine of being asked questions, be it about who he was, or how he felt, and of taking strange capsules called “Pills”. He was lost in thought almost the entire time, and asked questions whenever, and wherever he could. He knew that his surroundings had changed, in more than just a few ways. When he wasn’t with the doctors or nurses being treated, he was looking through his memories. They were all there, but very many of them were fuzzy, or even silent. The images were burned forever into his mind, but any sound refused to go with the images.

On the third day of his third week, his thought process was disrupted when the door to his room was opened. The doctor walked in, same as the first time he had showed up. The doctor’s warm smile somehow gave Whiplash a hint of unease. Something was about to happen, his instincts were telling him. However, whatever it was eluded him. The doctor came to Whiplashes side. “Well, Whiplash. I’ve got good news.” He said, with an air of pleasure and satisfaction.

“Good news?” Whiplash asked. He had had a lot of news, most of it middle of the road. Either a limb was healing, but would take a while or something like that.

“Yes. You are getting released.” The doctor said. Whiplashes ears fell slightly. After a moment, the doctor continued. “I understand that you’re confused, and don’t have any place to stay. But we can’t house you forever.”

“What am I supposed to do? I mean, I have no home or family…” Whiplash trailed off and his voice grew faint.

“Don’t worry too much. If I recall, Twilight sparkle had requested to see you when you were well. If you don’t have anypony to go to, then go to her. She’s a kind mare, and I’m sure she can help you find your place more than I could.” The doctor smiled reassuringly. Whiplash relaxed a little bit, but still felt a little uneasy.

<><><><><>

After a short time, some files were signed, and Whiplash walked out into the sun. He had almost forgotten what it had felt like, being under that chaotic storm for so long. It felt great. He paused, closed his eyes, and just let himself relax. He stood for the better part of four minutes, before opening his eyes, and he began to walk again. His mind was racing with questions, but he shoved most of them down, bringing up two of the most immediate ones. Where is this Twilight Sparkle? And how can she help me?

For a while, he meandered through town, simply taking in the sights and landmarks, using them to put a mental map in his head. It was a fairly sizeable town, though not a city by any means. He asked around a bit, and after a few long roads, a number of wrong turns, and a lot of irritation, Whiplash finally came to the house of Twilight sparkle, or more rather, the tree of Twilight Sparkle. It was a literal tree house, something which Whiplash was distinctly unused to. He took a deep breath, and knocked at the door.
<><><><><>

Twilights head poked up from the book she’d been reading. She had spent the first week after the strange pony crashed just investigating strange magical occurrences. But much to her displeasure, she found nothing that related to crazy southern auroras, or ponies falling from the sky unless they were a Pegasus who simply lost control. About halfway through the second week, she had dropped the matter mostly. She still revisited her notes on occasion, but could never piece together any conclusions.

Whatever the case was, a knock resounded from her door. Picking herself up off of the couch, she approached the door, and opened it with her magic. She was only momentarily startled when she saw the same pony that had crashed into the town plaza. She stared at him for a moment, before clearing her throat and smiling. “Hello. I’m Twilight Sparkle. I see you were told I wanted to see you.” Twilight said, her curiosity officially spiking back to their original levels.

“Yeah, I heard. And I’m here. So what did you want to see me about?” The pony asked. Twilight stepped back.

“Come on in, and we can get started.” She said. Somewhat nervously, the green pony walked into the main room of the library. Twilight closed the door behind him. He looked around, dumbfounded.

“So many books…” He muttered, transfixed. Twilight looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

“Trust me, this is nothing overly special. The real library is at Canterlot castle.” Twilight said. The green pony turned to her, his eyes suddenly wide.

“Where in Equestria did you find so many books? I always thought they were few and far between.” He seemed completely mesmerized.

“Uh, well, not overly so. They’ve gotten more common over the years.” Twilight said, taking in her collection. She never viewed it as being as extensive and impressive as her old library back at Canterlot, but it was still a good enough collection to get her through most of the troubles her and her friends had faced.

“Well, I guess…” The pony looked around again, sitting on his haunches.

“Well, I called you here for more than just looking at my books. I was hoping to learn more about you.” Twilight said, putting on her official business smile.

“Oh, right. What do you want to know?” The pony turned to look at Twilight.

“Well, your name would be nice.” Twilight said.

“Whiplash.” Whiplash stated his name simply, and without much hesitation.
Twilight nodded.

“Ok then. Now, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but your arrival here was preceded by an odd form of light in the night sky. I was wondering if you knew anything about that.” Twilight asked, pulling up some notes with her magic.

“I’m afraid not. My memories are a little fuzzy, and jumbled up. I… Just can’t get a good picture out of it.” Whiplash stated grimly. Twilight nodded slowly.

“Given your impact, I’m amazed you don’t have amnesia.” Twilight said. She lifted another sheet of paper in front of her. “Alright, So…” this carried on for quite a while. Twilight asking questions, and not getting very enlightening answers. By the time an hour had passed, she had exhausted all of her questions, and got almost no answers. By the end of the day, not a single connection could be made. It was the middle of the afternoon when Twilight finished with her questions.

Whiplash looked down at the floor, noticing twilights mild frustration at her lack of solid information. “I’m sorry I wasn’t of more help.” Whiplash hesitated, and then started for the door.

“Where are you going?” Twilight asked, causing Whiplash to pause. He thought hard about it for a moment.

“I don’t know. I honestly don’t. I don’t have a home.” His eyes lowered.

“You don’t have any place to stay?” Twilight asked, surprised.

“I don’t. The world around me seems to have changed completely. I have no idea what’s what. But I’ll manage. I’ll figure things out.” He looked back to Twilight. “So, goodbye, Twilight sparkle.” He started for the door again.

“Wait, maybe you could stay with me? Who knows, maybe I can help you get your memories figured out?” Twilight asked, figuring she might be able to get better answers if she did get his memories worked out.

“I don’t want to be a burden. I’ve always been something of a loner. Thanks for the offer, though.” Whiplash confirmed, and stepped outside, closing the door behind him. Twilight looked after him for a moment. After a short while, she decided she’d see him again, and went back to her notes, jotting down what little she had figured out.

<><><><><>

It had only been a few hours since Whiplash had talked with Twilight, and already he was beginning to reconsider Twilights offer. From what Whiplash understood, ‘Weather teams’ controlled the weather. And they were whipping up a storm, it seemed. Rain had started pouring, and winds were picking up. No lightning, thankfully. But it wasn’t just the bad weather that was making Whiplash reconsider. It was also that he had no plan. No direction. No goal. Before he came here, he had two goals: Survive, and something else, something important.

His mind was drawing a blank. He groaned miserably as his previous assumption of there being no lightning was abruptly shattered by a loud thunderclap overhead. Overhead, pegasi darted back and forth, presumably trying to keep the weather under control. He didn’t know much about weather teams, but he could only assume that it was going poorly for them. What was worse was a worsening headache that was plaguing his mind. Grumbling with frustration, he looked for a possible shelter from this downpour.

He turned his head just in time for a wooden sign to fly off of its hinges, and strike him in the head. Only slightly dazed, Whiplash shook his head to clear the stars from his vision. Finally, he spotted a large tree just outside of town. Coming closer, he found the grass to be only slightly damp. He found the driest spot he could, settled down, closed his eyes, and tried to get some sleep.

<><><><><>

My legs buckled, my eyes watered, and my nerves along my back screamed for salvation. The ship came again, lancing across my back, drawing blood. I could feel the warm dribbles of my blood running form multiple spots on my back. My forelegs were stretched far on either side of me, tied to the wooden wall. My hind legs suffered similarly. I held back tears. She hadn’t done anything. SHE did NOTHING. Yet out of some perverse, maniacal desire for blood, she was now dead. Slaughtered like some animal. I had tried to get to her before they could do her in, and I failed.

And when I realized this, unspeakable rage filled me. I attacked Hopelock, and in my rage, had almost killed him. I remember the satisfactions of listening to HIM beg for mercy, instead of ME or those I could loosely call my companions. The glee of watching HIS blood hit the ground, as I struck at him in any way I could; Teeth, hooves, horn, and magic. But I couldn’t kill him… I just couldn’t. I hesitated, and he was able to fight back.

I knew what was coming. I had almost killed a superior, and I had shown rebellious nature. I knew of the shipment, and so I knew of one of his darkest secrets. If I was allowed to live, I would escape, and I would tell the newly founded celestial resistance of that shipment. They were going to kill me. My life was forfeit.

But first, a bit of pain and a little more blood. The whip came again, the thorns along the length digging harshly into my back. I winced harshly, but didn’t scream; I would never give them the satisfaction of hearing my scream again. No more begging, no more apologies. If my life was to end, Then I would spend it how I so chose. And I chose to die with dignity. The whip struck home once more. Finally, after the next lash, I heard the still wounded Hopelock speak. “Enough. It’s time.”

The whip ceased its agonizing strokes, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hopelock approaching. “Aren’t you going to beg, Whiplash? Beg for your life to be spared?” He smirked broadly.

“Why in Equestria… Would I, after what you did, give you the pleasure of hearing me beg? Why, would I beg for my life, when I no longer wish to keep it?” I snarled, gasping for breath. Hopelock Shrugged.

“Fair enough.” His horn glowed its familiar blood red. Truth be told, I was terrified. I wanted nothing more than to curl up into a shivering ball and cry. It wasn’t so much dying that scared me, no. It was what death might hold. Will it just be an empty void, empty of all feeling? Will it be some new life? I honestly had no idea. Whatever it was, though, that primal instinct to survive was screaming at me.

But before the horn could cast whatever deathly spell it had curled around it, there was a sudden sound from the door, or, more accurately, the now splintered remains of a door. Three lightly armored pegasi charged in, and one of them tackled Hopelock to the ground. Another attacked the lasher, while the third began to untie me. I collapsed to the ground, and the sudden spikes of pain up and down my ravaged back caused me to begin to black out. I looked up to catch a glimpse of my saviors. Three armored pegasi, and a tall pony, much taller than most I’d ever seen walked in with a pink mane flowing in an invisible breeze.

“Get the medics in here, now!” She said in an elegant, majestic voice. And then my vision faded to black, and I lost consciousness.