>Celestia froze as she heard these words and understood their implications.
>All at once, the pure joy she had felt was replaced with agony.
>The alicorn pulled away from the human and looked at him, trying to discern who he was.
>It was him. There was not a single doubt in her mind.
>Maybe she was delusional; maybe she was helpless to assume this very creature could somehow be him.
>But if he couldn’t remember anything, then he was still in that grave, eternally separated from her.
“Celestia... I am Celestia, the ruler of Equestria.”
>At this moment, she saw just how disoriented Anonymous was.
>His hair was disheveled, and his clothes were battered and dirty.
>Below his eyes were the sunken lines of a tired and fearful soul.
>Seeing him like this... it was heartbreaking.
>Yet there was seemingly nothing Celestia could do to comfort this stranger.
>He looked at her oddly, and then spoke.
>”Okay… Why am I here?”
>There was an unfortunate irritated edge to his voice.
>With his bindings and the guards gone, Anonymous was regaining his bearings; regaining his confidence.
>Celestia could only worry about the negative impression she had made on him.
>Needless to say, after having been erratically shoved around and then suddenly hugged by this mythical creature, Anonymous thought she was bipolar.
>But now he was asking questions, and Celestia was being put on the spot.
>She couldn’t just tell him about his resurrection, especially if he couldn’t remember anything.
>If he couldn’t remember her…
 
>Celestia shook the pain from her head and chose her words carefully.
“This morning it had been reported to me a crime had been committed.”
>While she was being vague, she wasn’t lying.
“My guards were looking for the culprit, so when they found you they brought you to me. That would be why I- er…”
>She realized she had not yet apologized for earlier.
“Sorry about that, by the way.”
>Anonymous sighed at the earlier mistake.
>”Yeah, I could have told you I didn’t do it, whatever it was.”
>What she had done, however unharmful, still gnawed at Celestia.
>”But, still, how exactly did I end up here, in ponyland or what was it... Equestria?”
>All the memories of previous research returned to Celestia at this question.
>Before, she had found no answer, and no way for Anonymous to return home.
>Such was to be the same.
>Celestia could remember the pain of telling him once before, and now she would have to do it once more.
“I… I do not know. Here in Equestria there no others of your kind, I’m afraid.”
>Perhaps it was selfishness that made her choose these words.
>”Yeah, well I could say the same about you. For talking to some new creature, you don’t seem too weirded out.”
“Stranger things have happened.”
>Like an old friend rising from the dead with a newfound case of amnesia.
“Besides, neither do you.”
>”I think I’m past that stage by now. How did I get here?”
 
>His sarcastic remark only reminded Celestia how she and Anonymous played off of each other in their conversations.
>Now, she was purposefully withholding information from him.
“I’m afraid I do not know how you came to be.”
>This statement was true in two ways.
>”Then how do I get back home?”
>Celestia could see the worry start to appear in his eyes, and she knew she couldn’t thrust all she knew onto Anonymous at once.
>It was in order to protect him that she feigned her lack of knowledge.
>Surely that justified it all.
“...That would be a mystery to me.”
>Even that was hard for her to say.
>Anonymous’s shoulders slumped down, and his expression dropped.
>”So I’m stuck here then? Is that what you’re saying?”
>He was correct, but Celestia couldn’t do this to him, not now, not yet.
“No. What I am saying is that I am not certain. There very well could be a way…”
>She was almost beginning to convince even herself.
>However, her words did not seem to ease Anonymous.
>Instinctively, she stepped forward to comfort him, only barely remembering to stop herself before she got too close.
“Do not ever give up hope, Anon. Through whatever comes, do not give up.”
>As futile as it was, her words rang true.
>Anon looked up at her, and a hesitant understanding and acceptance washed over his face.
>”Okay.”
>Celestia was happy for this line of questioning to be over with, but Anonymous was not done yet.
 
>”But what was up with all that stuff back there? You said all those weird things, and then you grabbed me with that… magic of yours. But then ten seconds later you’re all nice and friendly?”
>Once again, embarrassment over her previous brutishness washed over Celestia.
“As I said before, I am terribly sorry about all that… I didn’t know what you were, and couldn’t take any risks.”
>”But you still don’t.”
>The reality of Anonymous’s perspective sank in.
>She would never be able to hide her familiarity of him.
>”Just now, you called me Anon… you couldn’t have known that was my nickname.”
>Another mistake.
>”What did you mean by ‘there was only one Anonymous?’”
>Then, from behind them, the double doors roared open.
>”Princess Celestia, Princess Luna would like to speak to you.”
>Shining Armor’s sudden interruption was very welcome to Celestia.
>This would give her time to assess the scenario more thoroughly.
>Maybe then she would know exactly what to say.
“Very well. Anonymous, I would be happy to speak to you more at a later time, until then you will be staying here in the castle. Shining Armor, if you’d please.”
>Nodding to attention, the captain stepped forward into the large room.
“Anonymous, Shining Armor here will be able to escort you to a room where you can stay for now.”
>Turning to the captain, she gave him his instructions.
“Anonymous here is to be treated as an honored guest and no less, understood?”
>Shining Armor’s face, for a moment, contorted into a look of confusion before he nodded in understanding.
 
>The sudden distraction had apparently done well on making Anonymous forget his questions.
>But now, Celestia could only expect to face another barrage of questioning from none other than her sister.
“Please do send in my sister now.”
>Following her orders to the best of his ability, Shining Armor escorted the human away.
>As they stepped out of the room, Anonymous gave Celestia one final passing look.
>And then he was gone.
>After Shining Armor and Anonymous left the princess’s presence, she sat down on the cold floor and sighed.
>She had grown tense and weary from that talk with Anonymous, however brief.
>It was as if she were talking to a ghost.
>How poorly she had handled things struck her as unacceptable.
>Celestia heard Luna enter the throne room before she saw her.
>”So, you canceled all your plans for the day? Why, sister, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you taking an early vacation.”
>Celestia looked at the princess with tired and sullen eyes.
“Luna, believe me, this anything but a day off.”
>The night princess knew something was amiss.
>”What is it then? The guards have been put on full alert, and now I’ve seen Shining Armor escorting that... creature. Please do fill me in on what I’ve missed these past few hours.”
>If there was anypony in the world Celestia could be honest with, surely it would be her sister.
>But even then, this entire scenario must seem outlandishly absurd to an outside observer.
 
“It is a very… confusing topic for me to disclose.”
>Luna approached her sister and knelt down beside her, pressing herself against her side.
>”Tia, I’m here for you.”
>Celestia found her sister’s voice comforting.
>The elder sister let out another sigh.
“It is quite the tale, sister.”
>Luna nodded in understanding.
>”Then perhaps a change of scenery would do you some good?”
>A change in setting sounded lovely to Celestia, who was quite tired of her stuffy throne room.
>The two sisters walked undisturbed to Celestia’s room.
>Hopefully the more intimate setting there would help ease the weary princess.
>Entering the room, the two settled down on some plush pillows.
>Once they were comfortable, Celestia searched for the words to begin.
“As I said before Luna, this is quite the… interesting story. But it is true, I promise you.”
>”I would expect no less from you.”
>With that vote of confidence, Celestia began.
“Centuries ago, a creature appeared mysteriously in Canterlot. There was no explanation for his arrival, and there was no record of any sort of thing like him before.”
>In her head, Celestia remembered the scene vividly.
>Anonymous was confused and scared out of his wits.
>He had referred to her as the ‘big horse’.
>Oh how even now that amused her so.
“With no way of knowing how he had arrived in this world, there was no possibility of sending him back. He was stuck here, and so he chose to live amongst the ponies in Canterlot.”
 
>There was so much more to the story than that.
>Anonymous had withdrawn from contact upon hearing the news.
>After three days, Celestia had caught him on a balcony, staring off into the landscape.
>He didn’t even look at her as he recited his grievances over being abysmally alone.
>A painful silence followed, and Celestia draped him in her wing.
>One and the same.
“Luna, you were not here for me during these times. I held him close; someone who I could relate to and could relate back.”
>Two creatures so different, yet holding so much in common.
>It was a strange dichotomy.
“He was appointed to the position of being my royal scribe. And for those many years, I felt less alone.”
>And this is where Celestia’s story got caught in her throat.
>Had losing him once not been enough?
“Today his grave was dug up, and now he walks once more, young and very much alive. But now he remembers not his past life, nor me.”
>For the second time today, Celestia felt like she was on the verge of tears.
“That’s who that creature was, Luna. His name is Anonymous, the lone human in a world of ponies. Assistant to the princess, but so much more than that…”
>She looked down, and closed her eyes as she recited those very words emblazoned on his tombstone.
“Her friend.”
>Luna sat silently, her head littered with questions after having such a story recounted to her.
>”And you’re sure this is not some sort of fake?”
 
>Celestia nodded her head.
>In her magical grasp, she had been aware of every aspect of Anonymous’s body.
>She had known his heart, and the one she felt back then was his.
“I am certain, Luna. This really is the same Anonymous… it has to be.”
>Even Luna was reluctant to believe this could be so.
>For her sister’s sake, however, she knew not to doubt her.
>”Very well. But then how? How is he here now when he’s been deceased for so long?”
“That is exactly what I can’t figure out, and it worries me.”
>”We can’t dismiss the possibility of outside forces acting here.”
>The younger sister was quick to grow worried over the possibilities resulting in the resurrection.
“Even so, you are the first pony to learn about Anonymous in a very long time. Maybe long ago there used to be rumors, but now all have faded into obscurity. No pony knows who Anon was, so if an outside force is to blame, they would need to have known of his existence somehow.”
>”So maybe that isn’t as likely as I thought... but that still begs to question how this has happened.”
>Celestia let out a resigned sigh.
“Yes… but sister, I am not as worried about how this happened as I am about what I tell Anonymous.”
>”What have you told him so far?”
“Simply that he is a being unlike any I have seen before and I will look into the details surrounding his arrival. He’ll be staying here in the castle for the foreseeable future, but I believe he’s aware I know more than I’m saying.”
 
>”Well, sister, do you want him to learn all that you’ve told me?”
>Celestia looked at her sister, and in a pained voice, answered.
“I just want my friend back.”
>Luna looked on at her sad sister and couldn’t even begin to understand her plight.
>Celestia was much lonelier having Anonymous back than she was when he was gone.
>Before, she had the solace of memories, but now they seemed only to have been a dream swept away.
>The younger sister embraced her elder in a hug.
>”You should focus on making him comfortable here in Equestria. The past can wait, for now the present should be your focus.”
“You’re right... Anonymous’s well being comes first.”
>The two broke from their contact and smiled at each other.
“Thank you, Luna.”
>”I’d recommend checking up on Anonymous now. See that his needs are being met.”
“Right. I imagine Shining Armor was confused by my instructions.”
>Celestia got up and went to leave her room.
>Before she left, her sister called out to her.
>”Sister, just remember that this is not a chance for things to return to the way they were. History is not meant to repeat itself. Look not to the past nor the future, but the present.”
>Celestia looked back at her sister, and for a moment, thought she looked concerned.
>Did Luna suspect she was going to try something?
>She discarded that thought and continued on her way through the castle.
>Celestia wasn’t looking to have a long conversation with Anonymous at this time, only to make sure he was being taken care of.
 
>But first things first, she needed to know which room he was being housed in.
>Luckily for her, she soon found Shining Armor walking down the same hall she was.
>The captain told the princess which room Anonymous had been taken to, and then resumed his walk.
>As Celestia processed through the halls, she worried about Anonymous’s disposition.
>He might still be upset about how she treated him, and with good reason.
>All the words she let slip during that time… she hadn’t thought it could truly be him.
>What was done was done, and now she needed to clean up the mess.
>She arrived at last in front of the door that would lead her to Anonymous.
>Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door with her magic and stepped over the threshold.
>At least Shining Armor had followed her instructions.
>The room was absolutely embellished.
>It practically shined in a pristine whiteness.
>Celestia glanced about the room, looking for Anonymous.
>Due to its size, she could quickly tell he was not here.
>For one moment, she worried he had run away in an attempt to escape the place that had mistreated him.
>However, a slight breeze brushed against Celestia’s side, alerting her to the slightly ajar balcony door.
>Stepping towards the door, Anonymous entered her view.
>He was standing there, leaning over the edge, looking out over the landscapes.
>Like a scene from the past.
>Her footsteps alerted him to her presence, but he did not withdraw his gaze.
>It was something as if from a fantasy to him.
 
>Celestia stepped onto the balcony slowly.
>She stopped herself two paces behind him to his right.
>Maybe she could pretend...
>”It’s beautiful.”
>His words cut the silence, snapping Celestia back to reality.
>”I keep thinking that this has to be a dream or something. So bizarre…”
>Perhaps she could not only try to comfort him, but gather information as well.
“It is lovely here. But what do you remember? About your home?”
>”It’s all blurry… I had friends and family, I- I think.”
>Temporary amnesia maybe…
>Maybe that’s why he couldn’t remember her!
>This thought exploded into Celestia’s mind with great speed.
>He can’t remember anything, not because this isn’t Anonymous, but because he has amnesia.
>Celestia grew anxious.
>How could she spark his memories?
>What if she-
>”Am I ever going to see them again?”
>Once again, Celestia had to pull herself from her thoughts.
>She had been so distracted by…
>Luna’s words entered her mind.
>’Look not to the past nor the future, but the present.’
>She couldn’t get sucked into the possibilities.
>Right now, all that mattered was Anonymous’s grief.
>He was still looking out upon the landscape when he felt the wing drape over him, almost caressing him gently.
>”You- thanks but, you don’t have to…”
>Celestia had embarrassed herself once again by her quick advances.
>Silently, she stepped back.
>Some other time, maybe.
>Relationships aren’t made in a day.
“Is there anything you need?”
>”Something to eat I guess… I’m starving.”
“Of course, I’ll have something prepared for you right away.”
 
>Eager to begin anew, Celestia hurried back into the castle halls.
>The speed of her departure surprised Anonymous.
>He turned around and saw the door to his room close.
>At once he realized he had not told her what his kind eat.
--
>Luna sat in Celestia’s room, mulling things over in her mind.
>The Anonymous situation was a strange one indeed, but one that could not be confined to the castles.
>It was a new age of Ponykind, much different from when he had first entered the world.
>Things needed to be handled differently this time.
>For Anonymous’s sake.
>For her sister’s sake.
>Luna stood and wandered over a desk situated in a corner.
>She laid out a piece of parchment, pulled up a quill with her magic, and began to write.
>”Greetings and salutations Princess Twilight Sparkle…”
 
 
 
Completed September 15th.