Memories Lost (Anthros Cars Project fanfiction)

[ebonyviper]

Memories Lost

Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction that was written for Eva's Project. Not sure if it'll be published with the others, but I felt like writing it anyway and may make this a continuation series later. The idea of this story is to show how an anthropomorphic car deals with a horrible wreck and amnesia. I had a similar experience, minus the amnesia, once and am using that for reference. Sapphire Sky, Peter Kensworth, Ebony, Flint, Rosa, Michael Cunningham, and Amanda Cunningham belong to me. Anyway, enjoy.

One more thing. I'm reposting this, so can I please have some comments on this story? Thanks.


“Ugh...”

She opened emerald green eyes to darkness and was suddenly wracked with pain arcing through her severely battered frame. Her body shook as she went into a series of violent coughs that brought up a mixture of anti-freeze and oil that dribbled out of the corner of her mouth, to which she was completely oblivious, as well as leaving a sizable puddle on the ground in front of her.

There was more coughing before the pain finally subsided... for the time being. Ebony lay there badly injured, temporarily blind, and feverishly sick. She felt dizzy and it always seemed that her insides wanted to become her outsides in the most unpleasant way.

What had happened to me? The question seemed to burn in her mind, but she couldn't find an answer. Beyond waking up just now, Ebony's mind was a total blank before that. She couldn't remember the past. Her past. Nor could she remember what she had done before.

Gasping in sudden pain when she tried to stand up, Ebony's wheels buckled from underneath her and she found herself in the same position that she was in when she fist woke up. After waiting for a couple of minutes, Ebony made another effort to stand up. She coughed up some more oil/anti-freeze mixture and started to limp across the desert in a sort of jerky motion.

Must find help...

It wasn't long until she came to the Interstate, but she had to go cautiously slow and drive, or try to drive, on the berm. She was still blind and did not want to get hit. Her body was still shaking and her breathing ragged and thick. She could feel the Doppler Effect of cars driving past her at a faster clip. No one stopped to help her... yet.

Eventually, a Superbird couple came upon her.

“Oh, my lord,” exclaimed one, a female by the sound of the voice, “What happened to you, Dear?”

Ebony stopped and focused on the voice. Her own voice came out thick and shaky. “I... can't... remember... but... I... hurt... so... much... please... help... me...”

“Don't worry,” said the other, a male, “I've already called 911. The ambulance will be here as soon as possible. We'll stay here with you until it arrives, okay?”

Pausing to take a couple of ragged breaths, Ebony replied, “Thank... you...”

It wasn't until fifteen minutes later when the ambulance arrived that Ebony was on the verge of passing out from the pain. The Superbird couple had been trying all they could to keep her awake during that time by asking her questions and making positive comments on her modifications. They learned that her name was Ebony, which was the only thing that she could really remember.

She was finally stabilized enough to be transferred into the back of the ambulance and taken to the nearest hospital where doctors worked to repair the worst of her damage, which lasted for a couple of hours until they were sure that she was out of immediate danger. Now the only thing that anyone has to worry about now was that her blindness and illness would hopefully fade away.

Ebony's first visitors were, of course, the Superbird couple. She was still groggy from surgery, but she heard them come into her private room.

“Hey, there, Sweetheart,” the female greeted softly, “How are you feeling?”

“Not that... much pain... anymore...” Ebony replied slowly, “but I'm... still really... sick... and I can't see...”

“Don't worry, that'll clear up soon,” the female 'Bird assured the tuner girl, “You'll be back up on your treads soon.”

“You helped... me... didn't you...? Who are... you...?” asked Ebony.

“We didn't want to leave you on the side of the road because of how bad you looked,” answered the male, “And allow me to introduce ourselves. My name is Michael Cunningham and this is my wife, Amanda Cunningham.”

“Ebony? Do you have family?” asked Amanda.

Here, Ebony paused for a minute, thinking this over, but could not come up with an answer for that question. “I don't... remember...”

Amanda rubbed Ebony's fender lightly in reassurance. Whatever this girl had gone through could've possibly wiped out her memory. It would be a hard blow to Ebony if she learns that she is suffering from amnesia. They will have to go about this delicately.

But Ebony had already figured it out. What she could not remember beyond her own name, she could not remember at all. There was nothing there. Just... a blank slate. She could not even remember if whether or not she had any friends before. But, she took this calmly, though, as if it was an everyday occurrence to her.

For about an hour, Michael and Amanda stayed with her until she fell asleep as the sedatives and painkillers she had been given took effect on her mind and body. She relaxed completely on her sleeping pad. The Superbird couple left her, knowing that Ebony needed peace and quiet to recover. But they'd be back later.

Ebony's dreams were all just a jumble of rainbow colors that crisscrossed each other and not having a definite pattern in which to follow. This didn't reveal any answers to what her supposed past was like, if she had one at all. This occurred several nights in a row and then stopped, seemingly to have given up hope of ever triggering at least one little fragment of memory.

Then came the day when the doctors decided that Ebony was allowed to leave the hospital. Her illness and blindness had cleared up, just like Amanda had said, but Ebony was a little startled when she saw herself in a mirror. She was a black Dodge Viper with a tuned appearance. There were even these sharp thorn-like spikes that looked to be grafted onto the sides of her front fender. She saw that she had three nitrous oxide canisters on her back window and a shogun wing.

“Kinda cool,” she said as she admired her image, which she had just seen for the first time since she had gotten her sight back.

“There you are, Sweetheart,” Amanda said as she came up to where Ebony was looking at herself in the mirror, “The doctors told us that you had been released and left the hospital. We came to find you.”

Ebony recognized the voice and turned to greet the Superbird couple who had saved her life. “H'lo.”

“Like I said before,” Michael said appreciatively, “You have a wickedly tuned appearance there, Ebony.”

“Thanks,” Ebony scuffed a tire in a sheepish attempt to hide her shyness, “but I have no idea how or why I look like this in the first place.”

“Maybe a memory will surface soon,” offered Amanda, “Anyway, would you like to come with us for something to eat? I know you must be hungry for some real food, instead of that bland stuff they served in the hospital.”

“Well, if you don't mind, I'm feeling super hungry,” replied Ebony. She had barely been able to eat while she was ill.

The Cunninghams took Ebony across town to a nice little cafe with an inviting atmosphere and a friendly appearance. It might have seemed strange to the other patrons to see a pair of Superbirds accompanied by a Viper, but neither Michael or Amanda cared at the moment and just focused on being kind to Ebony. They had taken pity on Ebony when she had said that she couldn't remember who her family and friends were, if she really had those, as well as not having a home. But they decided not to crowd or push her, but just let her decide on her own if she wants to stay with them.

But there are questions in Ebony's mind. Questions that she cannot find any answers to for the time being. What happened to me? How did my memory get erased? Is Ebony my real name? Will I ever know my past? Is there anybody out there that misses me?

It'll be a long, hard journey for Ebony to figure this all out. But she is going to have help.

[dodgesuperbee]

I like it! The way it's written, I get the impression that the Good Samaritan Superbirds are a really nice couple and I like the way Ebony was shocked by her appearance when she saw herself in the mirror for the "first" time.

This would make a good continuation series, especially once she tries out the boost canisters.

[ebonyviper]

Aw, thank you, Rollerwings. *hugs*

I so much appreciate the comment. Right now, I writing another part to this story, since I'm making it a continuation series anyway.

[Insane Pirate Dragon]

Neat little story... I'm liking it so far.

[ebonyviper]

Memories Lost, 2


“Are you sure you want to do this, Ebony?” asked the lavender 'Bird that the Viper had come to know as Amanda, “It's already been a week since you got out of the hospital.”

Ebony nodded sadly, “Yeah. I appreciate what you guys have done for me, but I feel as if something is missing and I need to find it.”

Michael, the hunter green 'Bird, “nodded understandably. “Well, we won't make you stay here against your will,” he replied, “Although, you have become almost like a daughter we never had to us. I, for one, respect your need to be on your own.”

“Thanks, guys,” Ebony smiled and nuzzled both 'Birds, yet she was tearing up, “I'll miss you both, but I will never forget you.”

“Same here,” said Amanda.

Ebony just hated teary goodbyes, so it was apparent that the young tuner was having trouble in this area. Both Michael and Amanda could see her discomfiture and understood the situation.

“Go on and go, Hon,” Amanda told Ebony, “We'll keep in touch, okay?”

Ebony nodded, “Okay.”

With that, Ebony turned and drove away. She didn't let herself cry because the burden of separation hurt her so much. Why she had this problem with separation in the first place, she couldn't quite remember, but she might be able to learn this during her journey.

As soon as she was on the highway, Ebony was alone again, driving in silence, her thoughts elsewhere. She couldn't remember beyond that time where she had woken up sick and hurt in the desert.

How long have I been out there? What happened to cause me to be out there in the first place?

She couldn't find the answers to those questions. It was if any memories she might have had before the accident had been locked away forever. Her mind was still a blank and it looked as if she were going to stay that way if it wasn't for Ebony's incessant need to look for answers.

Soon, Ebony arrived at the scene of her supposed accident. It had now been two weeks since she was found by the Cunninghams, but something still bugged her about this site. Ebony already knew that she had been in a serious accident, but she couldn't figure out how the accident happened. She had been pretty banged up and leaking that anti-freeze and oil mixture which had been making it hard for her to breathe.

Unfortunately, the site offered very little clues and Ebony turned away, disappointed and forlorn.

“Maybe,” she said aloud to herself, “I was meant to end up like this. With no memories of my past. Maybe it's the Manufacturer's Will that I stay this way for the rest of my life!”

She stomped the ground angrily with a foretire as tears threatened to fall. Turning away from the site, she looked toward the desert horizon.

“HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME? WHY DO I DESERVE SUCH TREATMENT? WHAT HAVE I DONE TO MAKE YOU ANGRY WITH ME? TELL ME WHY!!” Ebony shouted angrily up at the sky, but she received no reply. She hadn't expected one anyway.

She couldn't hold back now, starting to cry right then and there. Tears began to flow and Ebony collapsed on the ground sobbing. She stayed like that for a long while before she managed to collect herself and stand up.

Ebony then began to take stock of herself. There were the modifications. In the past week, she had gotten used to the presence of the spikes, the shogun wing, and the nitrous oxide canisters.

What do these canisters do? She thought.

She had to admit that she had never tried them out besides the spikes and wondered if she should test them out since she was out in the desert and not near a road with a posted speed limit.

It didn't take long for her to make the decision as there was nobody around to tell her not to. Ebony first wanted to get away from her wreck site.

Once she had gotten a good distance away, Ebony opened up the throttle a bit, gradually gaining speed on the flat, dry surface. When she was sure she was at a fast enough speed, she quickly figured out how to activate the nitrous oxide canisters and switched them on.

Ebony gave a startled yelp as she felt the force of the canisters give her a strong push forward. She managed to get her steering and handling under control, much to her relief.

Wow! That's fast! She thought as she steered to the left to avoid running over a sagebrush.

It took her a few minutes to figure out how to shut off the nitrous. Ebony slowed to a stop, panting from the exertion, but at the same time exhilarated by the experience of going extremely fast.

“Okay,” she said to herself, “Now I know what those do. But what gets me is... Why do I have them in the first place?”

Ebony pondered this for a few minutes, not really knowing what reasons she'd have for installing them. It was all a mystery to her.

She decided to leave the desert and continue her journey. The memories weren't going to be rushed and were things that Ebony was just going to discover on her own time.

As she was traveling, Ebony had her radio on and was listening to some music while she drove. It was at this point that a news bulletin came on:

“We interrupt this program to bring you a special news bulletin. There has been a report of a girl who has become missing near the vicinity of the Interstate. She is a black Dodge Viper with green eyes and a tuned appearance. She answers to the name of Ebony. If she is sighted, please contact the nearest local authorities. Thank you. We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.”

Even after the music came back on, this announcement piqued Ebony's interest. So there really was someone out there looking for her, but who was this person, or people if it was more than one? She was curious and suspicious at the same time.

Stopping at a truck stop for gas and food, Ebony thought that this might be the best place for her to get some rest. After filling up tank, the Viper slunk off toward the corner where there was adequate shelter from the elements and from prying eyes.

This time her dreams were much sharper. In them, she saw herself and another car, red in color. Who was that? What were they doing together? Ebony had no idea, but she was getting the very vague feeling that she somehow knew this car.

Another dream image appeared before her mind's eye. This was one of a car that looked nearly like her, but with less drastic modifications than her own. And even though she didn't even know it, this car looked male. Who was this? Ebony also had the vague feeling that she knew this car as well.

She didn't have long to dwell on what her dreams were showing he when she was brought back to consciousness by the blare of a truck horn. Ebony opened her eyes and peered through the trees at the newcomer. Who was this?

Her answer came shortly when the truck pulled the trailer to a stop a short distances from her shelter of trees. Ebony discreetly studied the trailer, taking note of its paint and the racing decals on it. She saw what looked like a portrait of a racecar on the side with the name of the sponsor on the bottom.

Sapphire Sky? Who is Sapphire Sky? She thought, puzzled by the appearance of professional racecar in a truck stop.

Again, Ebony's unspoken question was answered when the back of the trailer opened and a cobalt blue racecar drove down the ramp. So this is Sapphire Sky. And she looks like a woman who has a lot of confidence in herself. Which is something I don't have.

Ebony watched as Sapphire drove around the truck stop, stretching her suspension and getting some exercise. However, the Viper froze when she saw the racecar come this way. Had she been spotted? She wasn't sure, but she now felt very tense.

“Hey, Ebony,” the racecar was suddenly in front of her, “What are you doing here?”

Ebony was startled and jumped a bit. She managed to calm herself down and looked into the violet eyes of the stocker.

“Uh... what...?” she asked, peering closely at Sapphire, “Do I know you?”

Puzzled, Sapphire looked back at Ebony, “You should. I'm your friend, Sapphire Sky.”

“I'm sorry, but I can't seem to recall who you are,” Ebony said apologetically, “Everything is a total blank to me.”

At this confession, Sapphire's eyes widened at the realization. Was it possible that Ebony had lost those memories that allowed her to recognize her friends?”

“Sapphire?”

The question brought the stocker back to reality. She turned her attention back to Ebony.

“Yes?”

“You seem to know my name,” said the tuner, “but I don't even know your name until you told me. How come?”

“Well...” Sapphire hesitated, “It must be because I placed you as someone I know.”

Ebony looked, at first, confused, then, thoughtful, “Do you think that I am that someone? Please, will you tell me?”

Sapphire nodded, “Yes, you are. You have the same mannerisms, personality, and movements of an Ebony that I know and am friends with.”

Ebony looked skeptical, “I'm not sure if I can believe that.” She started to pull further back into the trees, “Don't force me to remember anything.”

“I won't,” Sapphire replied simply.

Watching the stocker head off somewhere else, Ebony settled back within her tree shelter. Now all she wanted to do was to find a place to hide. She didn't like to be taken by surprise or have anyone cornering her.

As it was still a few hours before dawn, Ebony figured that she could snag a couple more of those same hours to sleep before she had to leave again.

Unbeknownst to her, Ebony was going to have an adventure...

[ebonyviper]

Memories Lost, 3

Her short nap turned into a day-long snooze. She hadn't intended for that to happen, but accepted as fact that she was dead tired from driving almost nonstop for two days straight.

Oh, what the heck, she thought, I deserve the rest. It's not like I'm in a hurry or anything.

It wasn't until later that evening that Ebony awoke from yet another incomprehensible dream. They have become like blurry images to her, which she could not understand or figure out what they all mean.

Ebony slowly picked herself up off the ground and rolled quietly to the edge of the trees to peer out. She saw that Sapphire's trailer was still there and wondered how long the stocker was going to stay at the truckstop. It was fortunate that the stocker hadn't bothered her all day, but when she didn't see Sapphire up and about, Ebony thought that something might be wrong.

She silently pulled out of the trees and approached the trailer carefully. There was soft breathing inside, indicating that someone was asleep. Ebony tried to peer through the narrow cracks of the viewing window on the side, but could only see a darkened form of a car resting inside.

“Sapphire?” Ebony called softly, not wanting to wake the stocker up if she were, indeed, sleeping, “Are you alright?”

“Don't bother her,” a voice came from behind the Viper, “Sapphire's a little under the weather.”

Ebony jumped slightly and turned around to find herself face-to-face with a semi truck, whose name, she recalled from meeting him from before, was Peter Kensworth.

“I-is she gonna be alright?” Ebony asked, trying to keep her fear out of her voice.

“As long as she gets enough rest she should be okay in just a few days,” replied Peter.

“Oh, okay,” nodded Ebony, not really sure what to say other than, “I hope she's feeling better soon.”

With that, she drove away. Ebony really didn't know Sapphire that well, but she did, for some reason, know when someone was sick, they needed a bit of reassurance to help them cope better with their situation. She really did hope that Sapphire would get better and wondered if she would meet up with the stocker again someday.

Back on the highway, Ebony drove alone, as always, and caught up in her own thoughts. She didn't seem to mind the night traffic and preferred it that way.

For several nights she drove in this manner, sleeping somewhere dark and cool during the day. She found that she rather liked the night better than the day.

Must be an old habit, she thought.

She spied a small group of tuners gathered at the next truckstop she had decided to spend the day at sleeping. They were talking and curious about what the topic of conversation was about, Ebony drew closer to listen in, while still keeping herself concealed in whatever shade that she could find to shelter herself in.

“Look Man,” said one of the tuners with a crazy green and purple paintjob and a tall spoiler, “I know you miss her, but ya gotta accept that the fact that she's gone.”

“Yeah Man. Nobody could've survived that crash,” agreed another tuner with a built-in boombox, “I mean, we all saw the wreckage, didn't we,guys?”

There were a chorus of “yeahs” and “uh huhs” from the others. But there was no answer coming from the tuner with the purple-flaked paintjob and boost canisters on his back, which Ebony noted were similar to her own. His face was set in a grim, yet determined expression.

Wait a minute, Ebony thought as she studied him, He's the same car I saw in my dreams. I should know him, but for some reason I can't remember who he is. It's like my memory's gone blank. But why does he look like me?

“Don't you dare say that my sister is dead?” the purple tuner hissed angrily, rising on his tires, “She's alive... somewhere out there... hurt... afraid... alone...”

The green-purple tuner made a grimacing sneer, “Oh, come off it! You're getting way too sentimental on us! Cut it out!”

Ebony, still hidden from view, chose this moment to slip away to think about what she had just overheard from that conversation.

I really have a brother? But how can I know for sure that this guy is related to me?

Again, as she dreamed, images began to get less fuzzy and more sharper, as if she could actually see the scene more clearly. Two names jumped out at her: Flint and Rosa. Who were they? Already an image was linking itself with one of the names.

She woke up with a start. The tuner who had spoken so passionately about his sister still being alive is my brother? What was his name? Flint?

Peeking out of the trees to see if she could still see the group of tuners that she had seen before, Ebony spotted them over by the corner lot of the truckstop, as she still managed to keep herself concealed from their view. But then she saw another tuner with them. One that was a scarlet red color. Who was that?

A piece of memory presented itself to her. Scarlet red. Spikes. Rosa. So this was Rosa. Now what kind of car was she? Oh yes. A Ford Probe with spikes that made her profile look pointy.

So the purple one is a Dodge Viper and my brother, Ebony thought as more memories began to surface, And the scarlet one is a Ford Probe and my agemate.

Then she paused, Wait a minute. What Sapphire said about me reminding her of the Ebony that she knew and was friends with must be true of these tuners as well. They must know me. So, if that's true, than I must know them.

As she sat there, Ebony began to remember more. She remembered who her friends were, her family, as well as that horrible crash that had put her in the hospital for a week with amnesia. She would've died if it hadn't been for the Superbird couple, Michael and Amanda Cunningham, coming to her rescue and staying until her eventual physical recovery. She sent silent thanks to them for helping her.

Ebony decided to emerge from her hiding place and drove over to the group. They were very surprised and couldn't believe that she was still alive. Her brother was especially overjoyed to see her.

“Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated,” she quipped, smiling, “I'm back guys, but I just had a very interesting trip. I'll tell you all about it over lunch.”

Finis