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Description
He was a pegasus, yet he walked instead of flew. He didn't have the motivation to fly. He had been travelling for a long time, from town to town, never staying longer than needed to trade manual labor for supplies. He had gotten good at it, but recently he had hit the worst luck. He had run out of food and water, was nearing exhaustion, and was miles from anywhere. He was tough, but weeks of beaming summer sun will take a toll on a pony, not to mention lack of food and water. Conscious decisions had proven out of his grasp hours ago, so now all that was left was to keep walking on the dirt road. Walk, and think. He had been trying to escape the memories and the guilt, but instead had left behind everything but. So he walked, and remembered everything he wanted to forget. Pain, regret, hate, sorrow, and sadness all raced throughout his head like thunder in storm clouds.

In the late afternoon, clouds began to gather in the sky to match the ones in his head. Before long, it was raining. Not the usual refreshing and cleansing summer rains, this storm was cold and harsh. The apathetic pegasus ignored the shivering that went deep into his bones and his sore hooves as he trudged on through the mud. His steel grey coat was matted with mud, his slightly darker grey mane was knotted and tangled, and his grey eyes were bloodshot and barely focused on the road ahead of him.

After a time, the rain stopped, and the clouds parted to reveal a sun low on the horizon. Trees stood tall, grass stood green, the birds flew and the clouds glowed a plethora of reds, blues, purples, and every color in between. The grey pegasus saw none of this, still trapped in his own head, thoughts running rampant, barely conscious of putting one hoof in front of another.

The sun went down, the moon rose. Still, the pegasus walked. He payed no heed to the mud caked over most of his legs, his disheveled mane and tail, or the growing weakness in his legs. He was barely aware of falling onto his side into a puddle of mud. Nor was he aware of the cries of shock from the pony that found him like this an hour later.

***

He woke, feeling soft sunshine on his face, and laying on a soft surface. Every inch of his body screamed in agony.

I'm awake. I shouldn't be. I don't want to be. Where am I?

He opened his eyes and looked around. He was on a bed. The room he was in was small, but cozy. There were a handful of desks and dressers, but every surface had scraps of fabric draped over it. A manikin stood in the corner. There was a tall and wide mirror on the wall next to him, as well as a small nightstand with a glass of water, a small plate of food, and a vase with a single blue flower in it.

He barely had time to examine the room when the door opened. In walked a white unicorn, with a perfectly styled purple mane and tail. Her azure eyes settled on his, and she smiled. He thought it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. Then the mouth opened, and her soft voice washed over him like warm water.

"Good morning! How are you feeling?"

The pegasus had to think for a moment before answering. His voice was scratchy and hoarse, as he hadn't used it in several days. He spoke in an accent that made the unicorn twitch her ears, but didn't comment.

"I..... I am sore..."

"Well, eat. You'll feel better. Come on, now, I promise it'll help."

The gorgeous mare watched him closely as he picked up the plate and began to eat. Just as she said, he started to feel exponentially better as soon as the food touched his toungue. He guessed the food was enriched with healing magic. After making sure he was eating, the mare began to tidy the room, using her magic to stack the scraps of cloth neatly in a closet. After doing that, she turned back to him and spoke again.

"My name is Rarity. I found you laying in the road last night, unconscious and ever so dirty. I couldn't just leave you there, so I brought you home. I cleaned you thoroughly before putting you in bed, of course. I can't have you getting mud all over my nice guest bed! What's your name?"

He hesitated before answering. He had come to hate his name, along with everything else about who he was. Suddenly, he had a revelation.

She doesn't even know who I am, yet she took me in. She doesn't know my name, who I am, what I've done. Such generosity..... Maybe.......

By now, Rarity had noticed the grey pegasus's consternation. She put her hoof on his shoulder.

"It's okay, darling. Take your time. If you want I can bring you more food, or let you sleep."

She's serious. She's concerned about me, a random stranger she found on the road. I can't give her my real name. It's not me anymore. Who should I be?

The mysterious pegasus smiled as he found the perfect alias. Something unassuming and neutral.

"My name... Is Cloud."

"Well it is a pleasure to meet you, Cloud. I must ask you, where were you going? And what happened? You don't seem injured that I can see, yet you were out cold in the rain and mud."

Cloud did not speak for a moment, instead choosing to smile at Rarity.

"I was not going anywhere. I was just walking for the sake of walking. I have been travelling long, and had simply become too exhausted to continue."

If Rarity found this odd, she didn't mention it. She simply continued with her questions.

"Where are you from?"

"Nowhere. I used to have a home, a place very far from here. But I was not happy there. So I left."

"I see. Well, feel free to stay here in Ponyville for a time! It's a sweet little town, I'm sure you'll be happy here. You might even decide to stay!"

"Thank you. I will think about it."

Cloud's outward appearance was calm, but inside his mind was racing.

Dare I stay anywhere? Can I remake myself as "Cloud" and live a nice life? Can I escape what I was?

As Cloud thought about this, Rarity began to walk towards the door.

"Cloud, you may stay in bed as long as you like. I will bring you some food later if you want. But if you feel strong enough, you may come downstairs whenever you feel like it. But no pressure, dear."

"Thank you, Rarity. I may try in a little while. I think now I want to sleep."

"That's fine. Sweet dreams."

Then she smiled at him and left. Cloud rolled over onto his side and realized he was smiling to himself.

First smile in a long time. If the rest of the town is as nice as her, I think I may stay. I've heard of Ponyville. Near Canterlot, I believe. That should be far enough. I don't think they will know of me here.

By force of will, Cloud silenced his mind from further thoughts before it turned to something he didn't want to think about. Closing his eyes, he fell asleep quickly and easily.

***

Fire. Smoke. Screams. Blood all over him. Why is there blood everywhere? His head. The falling beam had opened a gash in his head. His thoughts were still fuzzy. Where did the objective go? Why did the fool have to set the place on fire? It won't stop him from completing his mission. He was the best. That's why they sent him. He stumbled down a hallway before noticing the other end was blocked by fire. As he turned, he saw an open door, and inside, a terrified pony. He was shocked at who it was laying there. It was a red earth pony stallion, very large and strong. The stallion looked up at him from his place on the floor. Part of the ceiling had collapsed, trapping the stallion's back legs so he couldn't move. The pinned stallion looked up at him and shouted in a foreign language.

"Bitte! Freund! Hilf mir!"
Please! Friend! Help me!

He merely shook his head and leaned over the panicked pony, responding in the same language.

"Ich habe dir vertraut! Du hast uns verraten!"
I trusted you! You have betrayed us!

He stood, and left. The helpless victim screamed for him to return, to save him. The screams followed him all the way down the stairs and out the front door. They follow him still.

Cloud woke up gasping and sweating. He realized how hot it was under the tangled blanket. He threw it off and leaned over the side of the bed, trying to supress the urge to vomit. After a moment, he became aware of Rarity standing in the doorway. Her eyes were filled with concern.

"Are you okay? I heard you thrashing about in your sleep. It seemed like you were having a bad dream."

"I am fine. It was a very bad dream."

"Okay then. Do you need anything? Food? Water?"

"No, please, do not bother yourself. I will get it myself. I need to get up anyway."

Rarity smiled at Cloud. He felt his stomache turn upside down.

"Alright. The kitchen is down the hallway here to the right. I'll be downstairs if you need anything at all, or just want to talk."

And she left. To Cloud is was as if the room suddenly got darker and more dreary. Rarity's white coat seemed to light up the room. He shook his head at the thoughts.

She is just a mare. She saved your life, even though you didn't want saving. You barely know her. She's pretty, that's all, so stop thinking like that.

Cloud decided to take his mind off the subject by trying to stand. He was still very sore and weak, but felt well enough to walk. He pulled off the blue blanket covering him and stood. He closed his eyes for a moment as he felt a wave of dizzyness pass, then proceeded to the kitchen down the hall.

He was halfway through devouring a dandelion sandwich he had made when he heard hoofsteps coming down the hall. He paniked a little, and it took him a second to realize why.

My cutie mark! She won't like it! She'll panic and kick me out! What can I do? There's only one exit down the hall. Window is too far off the ground, nothing soft to land on. No table, so I can't sit behind it and hide. Well, I guess I can try...

Cloud heard the hooves stop at his room for a moment, then continue towards the kitchen. Rarity entered a moment later to find Cloud facing straight at her, sandwich in one hoof.

"Oh, hello Cloud. I hope I didn't startle you. Just checking to see if you need anything, but I can see you're up and well."

"Yes, Rarity. I did not want you to go through the trouble of bringing food, so I made a sandwich myself. I hope you do not mind, I used the last of the dandelions."

"Oh, don't worry, dear. They were a tad bit old anyways, and needed to be eaten. I'm not much of a dandelion person anyways. Say, would you be more comfortable in the sitting room? You can put the sandwich on a plate and bring it with you."

"That sounds nice."

A glow surrounded Rarity's horn before extending to one of the shelves above the counter. A plate was deftly lifted, then placed under the sandwich. It floated away in the deep blue cloud as Rarity turned and exited the room.

"Come along, Cloud! It's right down this way."

The beautiful unicorn led Cloud past his room, down the stairs at the end of the hall, then through another doorway to a large, well decorated room. There were a few piles of big cushions at one end, clustered around a small table and a fireplace, which was not lit. Rarity set the sandwich down on the table and sat on one of the pillows. Cloud stood just inside the doorway, as he had realized that to sit, he would expose his cutie mark to Rarity. She saw his standing uncomfortably abd gestured to the pillows opposite her.

"Come, sit. I promise they won't bite!"

Cloud took a few steps toward the pillows.

I guess I can't hide it forever.

As he walked in front of Rarity to sit on the pillows, he heard a slight gasp from the mare. He stopped where he stood, broadside to her so she could see his cutie mark clearly. On his flank was a equine skull with two black wings forming a V around it and connecting at the bottom. Cloud looked at Rarity to guage her reaction. Her eyes were slightly wider than normal, but she seemed to trying to hide her reaction.

"It is alright, Rarity. I know my cutie mark is.... Unique."

"It just took me surprise, that's all. I do not judge a pony by their mark."

"If you are not afraid of it, maybe I should explain. Who I am, why I was travelling, my real name, everything. It is only right you know who you are sheltering."

"I shall not pressure you, but if you want to, feel free to discuss. I have not known you for long, but I can tell you are not a bad pony. Besides, I've seen scarier things than a skull cutie mark. As long as you are not a criminal, I am not afraid."

"I am not. Get comfortable. It is not a short tale. I have never told anypony this story, but I feel if I do not tell somepony I will go insane."

Cloud started his tale, and Rarity listened.

Description
He was a pegasus, yet he walked instead of flew. He didn't have the motivation to fly. He had been travelling for a long time, from town to town, never staying longer than needed to trade manual labor for supplies. He had gotten good at it, but recently he had hit the worst luck. He had run out of food and water, was nearing exhaustion, and was miles from anywhere. He was tough, but weeks of beaming summer sun will take a toll on a pony, not to mention lack of food and water. Conscious decisions had proven out of his grasp hours ago, so now all that was left was to keep walking on the dirt road. Walk, and think. He had been trying to escape the memories and the guilt, but instead had left behind everything but. So he walked, and remembered everything he wanted to forget. Pain, regret, hate, sorrow, and sadness all raced throughout his head like thunder in storm clouds.

In the late afternoon, clouds began to gather in the sky to match the ones in his head. Before long, it was raining. Not the usual refreshing and cleansing summer rains, this storm was cold and harsh. The apathetic pegasus ignored the shivering that went deep into his bones and his sore hooves as he trudged on through the mud. His steel grey coat was matted with mud, his slightly darker grey mane was knotted and tangled, and his grey eyes were bloodshot and barely focused on the road ahead of him.

After a time, the rain stopped, and the clouds parted to reveal a sun low on the horizon. Trees stood tall, grass stood green, the birds flew and the clouds glowed a plethora of reds, blues, purples, and every color in between. The grey pegasus saw none of this, still trapped in his own head, thoughts running rampant, barely conscious of putting one hoof in front of another.

The sun went down, the moon rose. Still, the pegasus walked. He payed no heed to the mud caked over most of his legs, his disheveled mane and tail, or the growing weakness in his legs. He was barely aware of falling onto his side into a puddle of mud. Nor was he aware of the cries of shock from the pony that found him like this an hour later.

***

He woke, feeling soft sunshine on his face, and laying on a soft surface. Every inch of his body screamed in agony.

I'm awake. I shouldn't be. I don't want to be. Where am I?

He opened his eyes and looked around. He was on a bed. The room he was in was small, but cozy. There were a handful of desks and dressers, but every surface had scraps of fabric draped over it. A manikin stood in the corner. There was a tall and wide mirror on the wall next to him, as well as a small nightstand with a glass of water, a small plate of food, and a vase with a single blue flower in it.

He barely had time to examine the room when the door opened. In walked a white unicorn, with a perfectly styled purple mane and tail. Her azure eyes settled on his, and she smiled. He thought it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. Then the mouth opened, and her soft voice washed over him like warm water.

"Good morning! How are you feeling?"

The pegasus had to think for a moment before answering. His voice was scratchy and hoarse, as he hadn't used it in several days. He spoke in an accent that made the unicorn twitch her ears, but didn't comment.

"I..... I am sore..."

"Well, eat. You'll feel better. Come on, now, I promise it'll help."

The gorgeous mare watched him closely as he picked up the plate and began to eat. Just as she said, he started to feel exponentially better as soon as the food touched his toungue. He guessed the food was enriched with healing magic. After making sure he was eating, the mare began to tidy the room, using her magic to stack the scraps of cloth neatly in a closet. After doing that, she turned back to him and spoke again.

"My name is Rarity. I found you laying in the road last night, unconscious and ever so dirty. I couldn't just leave you there, so I brought you home. I cleaned you thoroughly before putting you in bed, of course. I can't have you getting mud all over my nice guest bed! What's your name?"

He hesitated before answering. He had come to hate his name, along with everything else about who he was. Suddenly, he had a revelation.

She doesn't even know who I am, yet she took me in. She doesn't know my name, who I am, what I've done. Such generosity..... Maybe.......

By now, Rarity had noticed the grey pegasus's consternation. She put her hoof on his shoulder.

"It's okay, darling. Take your time. If you want I can bring you more food, or let you sleep."

She's serious. She's concerned about me, a random stranger she found on the road. I can't give her my real name. It's not me anymore. Who should I be?

The mysterious pegasus smiled as he found the perfect alias. Something unassuming and neutral.

"My name... Is Cloud."

"Well it is a pleasure to meet you, Cloud. I must ask you, where were you going? And what happened? You don't seem injured that I can see, yet you were out cold in the rain and mud."

Cloud did not speak for a moment, instead choosing to smile at Rarity.

"I was not going anywhere. I was just walking for the sake of walking. I have been travelling long, and had simply become too exhausted to continue."

If Rarity found this odd, she didn't mention it. She simply continued with her questions.

"Where are you from?"

"Nowhere. I used to have a home, a place very far from here. But I was not happy there. So I left."

"I see. Well, feel free to stay here in Ponyville for a time! It's a sweet little town, I'm sure you'll be happy here. You might even decide to stay!"

"Thank you. I will think about it."

Cloud's outward appearance was calm, but inside his mind was racing.

Dare I stay anywhere? Can I remake myself as "Cloud" and live a nice life? Can I escape what I was?

As Cloud thought about this, Rarity began to walk towards the door.

"Cloud, you may stay in bed as long as you like. I will bring you some food later if you want. But if you feel strong enough, you may come downstairs whenever you feel like it. But no pressure, dear."

"Thank you, Rarity. I may try in a little while. I think now I want to sleep."

"That's fine. Sweet dreams."

Then she smiled at him and left. Cloud rolled over onto his side and realized he was smiling to himself.

First smile in a long time. If the rest of the town is as nice as her, I think I may stay. I've heard of Ponyville. Near Canterlot, I believe. That should be far enough. I don't think they will know of me here.

By force of will, Cloud silenced his mind from further thoughts before it turned to something he didn't want to think about. Closing his eyes, he fell asleep quickly and easily.

***

Fire. Smoke. Screams. Blood all over him. Why is there blood everywhere? His head. The falling beam had opened a gash in his head. His thoughts were still fuzzy. Where did the objective go? Why did the fool have to set the place on fire? It won't stop him from completing his mission. He was the best. That's why they sent him. He stumbled down a hallway before noticing the other end was blocked by fire. As he turned, he saw an open door, and inside, a terrified pony. He was shocked at who it was laying there. It was a red earth pony stallion, very large and strong. The stallion looked up at him from his place on the floor. Part of the ceiling had collapsed, trapping the stallion's back legs so he couldn't move. The pinned stallion looked up at him and shouted in a foreign language.

"Bitte! Freund! Hilf mir!"
Please! Friend! Help me!

He merely shook his head and leaned over the panicked pony, responding in the same language.

"Ich habe dir vertraut! Du hast uns verraten!"
I trusted you! You have betrayed us!

He stood, and left. The helpless victim screamed for him to return, to save him. The screams followed him all the way down the stairs and out the front door. They follow him still.

Cloud woke up gasping and sweating. He realized how hot it was under the tangled blanket. He threw it off and leaned over the side of the bed, trying to supress the urge to vomit. After a moment, he became aware of Rarity standing in the doorway. Her eyes were filled with concern.

"Are you okay? I heard you thrashing about in your sleep. It seemed like you were having a bad dream."

"I am fine. It was a very bad dream."

"Okay then. Do you need anything? Food? Water?"

"No, please, do not bother yourself. I will get it myself. I need to get up anyway."

Rarity smiled at Cloud. He felt his stomache turn upside down.

"Alright. The kitchen is down the hallway here to the right. I'll be downstairs if you need anything at all, or just want to talk."

And she left. To Cloud is was as if the room suddenly got darker and more dreary. Rarity's white coat seemed to light up the room. He shook his head at the thoughts.

She is just a mare. She saved your life, even though you didn't want saving. You barely know her. She's pretty, that's all, so stop thinking like that.

Cloud decided to take his mind off the subject by trying to stand. He was still very sore and weak, but felt well enough to walk. He pulled off the blue blanket covering him and stood. He closed his eyes for a moment as he felt a wave of dizzyness pass, then proceeded to the kitchen down the hall.

He was halfway through devouring a dandelion sandwich he had made when he heard hoofsteps coming down the hall. He paniked a little, and it took him a second to realize why.

My cutie mark! She won't like it! She'll panic and kick me out! What can I do? There's only one exit down the hall. Window is too far off the ground, nothing soft to land on. No table, so I can't sit behind it and hide. Well, I guess I can try...

Cloud heard the hooves stop at his room for a moment, then continue towards the kitchen. Rarity entered a moment later to find Cloud facing straight at her, sandwich in one hoof.

"Oh, hello Cloud. I hope I didn't startle you. Just checking to see if you need anything, but I can see you're up and well."

"Yes, Rarity. I did not want you to go through the trouble of bringing food, so I made a sandwich myself. I hope you do not mind, I used the last of the dandelions."

"Oh, don't worry, dear. They were a tad bit old anyways, and needed to be eaten. I'm not much of a dandelion person anyways. Say, would you be more comfortable in the sitting room? You can put the sandwich on a plate and bring it with you."

"That sounds nice."

A glow surrounded Rarity's horn before extending to one of the shelves above the counter. A plate was deftly lifted, then placed under the sandwich. It floated away in the deep blue cloud as Rarity turned and exited the room.

"Come along, Cloud! It's right down this way."

The beautiful unicorn led Cloud past his room, down the stairs at the end of the hall, then through another doorway to a large, well decorated room. There were a few piles of big cushions at one end, clustered around a small table and a fireplace, which was not lit. Rarity set the sandwich down on the table and sat on one of the pillows. Cloud stood just inside the doorway, as he had realized that to sit, he would expose his cutie mark to Rarity. She saw his standing uncomfortably abd gestured to the pillows opposite her.

"Come, sit. I promise they won't bite!"

Cloud took a few steps toward the pillows.

I guess I can't hide it forever.

As he walked in front of Rarity to sit on the pillows, he heard a slight gasp from the mare. He stopped where he stood, broadside to her so she could see his cutie mark clearly. On his flank was a equine skull with two black wings forming a V around it and connecting at the bottom. Cloud looked at Rarity to guage her reaction. Her eyes were slightly wider than normal, but she seemed to trying to hide her reaction.

"It is alright, Rarity. I know my cutie mark is.... Unique."

"It just took me surprise, that's all. I do not judge a pony by their mark."

"If you are not afraid of it, maybe I should explain. Who I am, why I was travelling, my real name, everything. It is only right you know who you are sheltering."

"I shall not pressure you, but if you want to, feel free to discuss. I have not known you for long, but I can tell you are not a bad pony. Besides, I've seen scarier things than a skull cutie mark. As long as you are not a criminal, I am not afraid."

"I am not. Get comfortable. It is not a short tale. I have never told anypony this story, but I feel if I do not tell somepony I will go insane."

Cloud started his tale, and Rarity listened.