//------------------------------// // Lies, Truth, and Grace // Story: From the Ashes of the Phoenix (Part 1) // by ChappyYoung //------------------------------// I was in a dark room with no sign of light; I couldn’t even see a foot in front of me. “Twilight” I yelled, there was no reply. The room seemed to be different than before, I yelled again “Twilight” still no answer. I was getting scared, had something happened to her? Had something happened to me? Suddenly a fire broke out in the center of the dark room; the room was still pitch black, I couldn’t see anything but the fire. Then from the fire came the figure of a young colt, but not just any colt, the colt whose father I had taken away from him. He was crying, crying for his father. I tried running towards him but my body seem to be paralyzed and couldn’t move. The flame soon fully engulfed the colt and like that the fire was gone, leaving nothing but a small skeleton. I awoke in a cold sweet; it was all just a dream. But the face of that boy still greatly bothered me, he still haunted me in my dreams even after almost a year had passed, I guess the alcohol and painkillers really didn’t help, maybe I should really quit. The sun didn’t quite hurt my eyes like it did yesterday; I was feeling much better now that the alcohol was out of my system. I took a look around and she had already brought the TV into my room, it was a small flat screen, she had also brought a gaming system and a movie player with a few games and movies. It was all on an AV type of stand, the kind you would see in schools, and all the remotes and game controller were on the nightstand. I could smell eggs and bacon in the air; Twilight must have been making breakfast. I reached over and grabbed the TV remote and switched it on, “Phoenix Corp. providing Equestria with all sorts of goods and services, from household appliances to foods and goods, Phoenix Corp. putting the U in Us!” said a female announcer. “What a load of garbage!” I say as I turned the channel As I channel flipped there was nothing on but infomercials, crappy reality show and cheap sitcoms, finally I found a news channel, with a male reporter saying “Today the skeletal remains of two pony were found buried out in a small lake outside of Detrott the date of death is still unknown but records show they could be over 20 years old…” I switch the channel; news like that always depresses me. I found a channel that was playing old cartoons, the type I watched when I was young, it was something about cartoon that always made me feel better. I lay in bed for some time watching cartoons, my leg still hurt badly but at least not as bad as yesterday. It didn’t take long before I heard hoofsteps headed towards the room, not one but two sets of hoofsteps. As suspected there was Twilight, but with her wasn’t another pony but a dragon. The dragon was small and a light purple with green spikes, judging by its size I would say it was still young, I’ve never seen a real dragon before. I switched off the TV and Twilight came in carrying a tray with food on it, it was bacon and eggs just as I had smelled also on the tray was a glass of orange juice, I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a glass of orange juice without a shot of vodka in it. “Good morning!” she said with a smile “And I don’t think you’ve met but this is my assistant Spike, he’s a baby dragon. I’ve also made you some breakfast; I wasn’t sure how you take your eggs so I just scrambled them” She laid the tray on my lap, the food in front of me smelled great, and come to think of it I haven’t eaten in days I was starved. I took my eyes off the food and looked back up at her saying “Wow! It looks wonderful and scrambled is just fine, but next time if you don’t mind sunny side up would be nice, and it’s also nice to meet you Spike, I’m Ace by the way.” “Nice to meet you too, if you even need anything let me know okay.” Spike said. “And I’m going to leave you with this bell, if you ever need anything just ring it and either me or Spike will help you.” Twilight added “Now come on Spike let’s leave him to eat, I hope you enjoy your breakfast.” I started at my breakfast, first the eggs, they were pretty good but could have used more seasoning or something, and then the bacon, and it was a bit crisp for my liking but it was still good. I pretty much licked the plate clean, all that was left was the glass of orange juice, I took a sip of it, it wasn’t real orange juice but the drink made to taste like it. Either way I still drank the whole glass and set the tray aside. I switched back on the TV and left it on the cartoon channel. I was able to sit up in bed and started to stretch. I then leaned over to the movie player and took a look at the stack of movies she had left for me. There was whole mixes of blockbusters, a few were actions, a few were scifi, and a few were comedies and romances; I’ve seen trailers for all of these films on TV. I thought I’d try one of the comedies; I put in the disc, lay back, and started the film. The movie was pretty dumb filled with unfunny jokes, I’m sure younger ponies would have found the jokes funny, but it wasn’t the movie for me. After a long hour and a half of stupid humor the movie was finally over. It was still only 10 o’clock; I decided to put in a second movie this time an action film. It was okay, the writing was pretty good but the actions scenes and stunts were unrealistic since I’ve been in similar scenarios and it was nothing like that, and there were also way too many explosions. The movie end and it was now around 12 o’clock now and I was getting hungry again, I thought of ringing the bell and ask for lunch but I really didn’t want to be a bother since I am only a guest. I laid in silence staring at the ceiling because I didn’t feel like watching anything else. I didn’t lay there for long before she came back up; she opened the door carrying not one plate with a sandwich on it but two. She walked over to me and laid the plate on my lap and sat a glass of water at the nightstand and pulled up a chair and took a seat. “I hope you don’t mind if I join you for lunch.” she said. “No not at all, I enjoy the company.” I replied. I looked down the sandwich; it was a turkey sandwich with tomato, lettuce and mayo on white bread, I wasn’t much of a fan of tomato but I wasn’t going to complain since I was hunger and it was a kind jester. I took a bite of the sandwich, it was pretty good, well other then the slice of tomato on it. It didn’t take long for me to finish my two halves of sandwich and drink my glass of water. When I looked over at Twilight she only had only taken a few bites of her sandwich. She put her sandwich back on her plate and set it off to the side; she then looked for to me and asked. “I never seen you around Ponyville before, you’re not from around here are you?” I thought for a while maybe it would be okay to let her know some detail of my life while keeping most of it a secret, for some reason I wanted tell her the truth I really liked her, she was kind and caring, she also always gave me a smile when she saw me. I decided to let her know my past, well at least the stuff that didn’t have to do with my mercenary work, and lie about the rest. I replied “No I’m not, I’m from Detrott.” “Detrott!?” she said in shock “That really far away, what are you doing all the way here?” Crap, I didn’t think this though, I can’t let her know I came all the way here when I was drunk do to depression, it’s a good thing I could think on the spot, I replied with a lie “I came here for inspiration for my line of work.” It was the first think of. “Oh you must be a musician.” She said A musician where was she getting that from, then I remembered I had my guitar case full of my weapons, she must have seen it and thinks I can play guitar. “Yes and no, you see I help compose for an indie band up in Detrott. I help write some of their music, I had a bit of writers block and come here for inspiration.” With every reply I feel like I’m digging myself in deeper and deeper. “Wow! That’s amazing; you’ll have to play for me when you get better.” She said. I think I’ve gotten too deep this time; I had to think of an excuse or find a way to change the subject. “I would but I fell and broke it shortly after I got here, it was a real shame I know, I’ve been looking for a guitar shop to fix but have been no luck.” “Oh that is a real shame, I was hoping to hear you play, and I’m sure if there is a place to get it fixed around here. We should keep in touch so that when you get it fixed I can finally hear you play. What about your band they’re not worried about you are they?” she said. We were finally off that topic, if worse came to worse I could always buy a guitar and learn to play it “No it’s fine I told them that I needed a while to find myself, so I still have awhile before they start to worry.” I replied. “Well since you can’t play me a song, keep you at least hum me a few notes or something?” she asked. Without much thought I started to whistle the first song I could think of, it wasn’t a song I made up on the spot but one that’s been with me since I was a young colt. Back when I went to the orphanage the head caretaker was the kindest pony in all of Equestria, her name was Grace, every night she would tuck in all the children and she would always tuck me in last. She seemed to really care for me, she once told me I reminded her of her own son that she had lost when he was very young and liked having me around. But when she finally came over to tuck me in she would sing me this song. Come little child shut eyes When you wake you’ll see bright blue skies If you are not tired then count some sheep And some you’ll fall to this land of sleep Come little child no more tears For I will show you there is nothing to fear Do not fear the rising tide And know I’ll always be at your side Together always me and you Know this child that I love you That’s all I could remember of the song, I know it was silly but I still loved it and I loved her, she was the mother I never had. Things were good with her around and I was happy, but when I was ten she fell very ill and most days wouldn’t come in. not long after she passed on, when I heard the news it was the worst day of my life, I think it hit me the worst then anypony else, no one could get me out bed and I spent most days crying. Not long after she passed they replaced her with one of the cruelest ponies I’ve ever met, her name was Fate. She seemed to be the opposite of Grace, she never cared about us children only the money, many days we didn’t get the food we needed. I hated her, I wish Grace never had to go. I finished whistling the rest the song, my eyes had started to water just from thinking of her. “Wow! That was really beautiful, what’s it called?” she asked. The song never really had a name but I thought of something that was fitting “It’s called To Remember Grace” I said. “That’s a wonderful name; I’d love to hear it when it’s done.” she smiled. “Yeah of course I’ll play it when it’s finished.” I replied. “So what were you doing in that bar the other night?” “I went there thinking a drink or two would help clear my mind and help me think better, what were you doing there?” I asked. “That night was my twenty first birthday and my friends wanted to celebrate by getting a few drinks in me, but I ended up only having a couple, but we still had a good time… well for the most part, until you know happened.” She seemed a little upset answering the question; I shouldn’t have brought it up. “So you really seem to be close to your friends, yes? You really care about them and they care about you don’t they?” “Yeah I do, they’re the best friends a pony could have, and what about you are you close to your friends? They’re probability worried about you.” I’ve really thought about it until now but I haven’t had a friend until Sliver Dash. I’ve always been on my own, not even a pet to keep me company. I answered truthfully “No I don’t really have friends I’m close with just a few acquaintances like the ponies I write songs for, we’ve never really hung out, but I did have a close friend high school, his name was Silver Dash, but I haven’t seen him in a few years.” She had a bit of a surprised look on her face and said. “Silver Dash, he wouldn’t be related to somepony named Rainbow Dash would he?” I’ve never thought that Silver had a sister or anything like that, but now that I think of it there was a pony with a rainbow colored mane at the bar with her and to think of it they seemed very similar I a way “I don’t think he had any sisters, but I guess she could be a cousin or something.” “Oh, well I’ll just ask her sometime.” She said. We ended up talking about ourselves until about dinner time; she told me more about herself, about how she used to live in Canterlot until the princess sent her to Ponyville to learn about friendship and that how she met all her friends, she also stated that the princess once wanted her to return to Canterlot but she refused so she could stay with her friends in Ponyville. She told me that her brother was the head of the Royal Guard and married to the princess niece who I guess is also a princess. She then went on to saying that she and her friends defeated the legendary Nightmare Night, along with a god of chaos, a group of changelings, an evil king, and many other odd things like that. It was a bit hard to believe but I just felt like I could believe her it was just a thing about her. I continued telling her about my made up past, but I did still her some truth. I felt good talking to her, it’s the closest I been to a woman since Grace and certain details reminded me of her. Of anypony that could have taking care of me I’m glad it was her. She seemed like a pony that would stick her neck out for anypony, just like Grace. It was dinner time and by using her magic she helped me in to a wheelchair and wheeled me out of my room, there were even more books and it seemed the house was built into a tree. She wheeled me up to the table which had already had plates with food set up with drinks and everything; it was pasta with a white sauce and chicken, it’s been too long since I’ve had food that looked this good. The dragon must have made it while we were talking, but it didn’t matter because I was hungry and it smelled delicious. It tasted as good as it looked and smelled. Twilight gave me some painkillers and something to help me sleep and wheeled me back to my room and put back in bed. I turned on the TV and fell asleep. I was in a dark room with no one around, suddenly somepony appeared from nowhere… it was Twilight, she was tied up, then I started to make out three other ponies, they were all faceless and they all had gun pointing at her, I tried to run towards her but the more I ran the farther away she got, then the three ponies with guns looked at me with crooked smiles and fired. I again woke up in a cold sweat, another nightmare. I looked over at the clock located in the room it was only 7:30 and I didn’t feel tired enough to go back to sleep so I just laid there for an hour until I heard a voice coming from outside my room, it was Twilight I think she was on the phone with somepony. I know it was rude but I listened in, “Oh, hi Rainbow.” She said “No I’m free to talk…. No he’s still asleep I think…. What do you mean what I think of…. Oh,” She giggled. “Well he’s kind, he’s really nice to me, he also seems different then other guys I’m met and hung out with, and well he’s kinda cute in a rugged kind of way.” I stopped listening in, she thinks I’m cute, but in a rugged way what does she mean by that, I noticed a mirror over on the nightstand and knew what she meant I did look “rugged” my face was dirty, my mane was long, messy and has started to gray from all the years of stress even though I was still fairly young, and my facial hair was unkempt, I could really use a bath. Maybe if I asked she would run me one. I put the mirror back and switched on the TV, not long after I heard her say “Oh… I think he’s awake now, I have to go, Bye.” She hung up the phone, and came over to my room and opened the door. “Oh you’re up.” She said acting like she didn’t know I was already up. “I’ve been up for awhile now, I couldn’t go back to sleep once I woke up, so I’m been lying in bed until I decided to turn on the TV and you came in.” I replied. “Oh, well did you sleep alright last night?” She asked. I didn’t want to tell her about the terrible nightmare I had about her last night. “Yeah, I slept great last best sleep I had in awhile.” I still felt bad lying to her. “That’s good” she said with a smile. “You ready for breakfast, I made it special.” “Yeah I’m pretty hungry, I could eat.” I said with a smile. She helped me out of bed and into a wheelchair and over to the table, breakfast had already been set up, it was eggs again but this time instead of bacon it was sausage. It all looked good she wheeled me up to the table and asked. “Can I get you anything to drink? I thought about the question for a bit and answered “I’ll just take black coffee.” “Okay I get it for you” she went over to the coffee pot and poured me a cup and brought it to me “Here you go, nice and hot.” I slowly sipped on my coffee it was hot enough to burn my tongue, it was extremely bitter but that’s the way I liked it. I put down the cup and started at my eggs, they tasted the same as they did yesterday, but still good though. I completely finished my meal and drank my coffee and set my dishes aside. Twilight saw I was finished and asked. “Did everything taste okay?” “Yeah everything tasted great, just like everything else you’ve made for me.” I replied She smiled and seemed happy with my answer and said “Well I’m glad you like everything, because I’ve never been the best cook...” she paused. “so would you mind if I asked you something a little personal?” I thought for a moment, whatever the question was i’d probably have to lie about it. “Sure what do you want to know?” I answered. She look nervus when asking “I was just wondering how old are you?” I could see why she would be nervus and why she would ask that. even that I was only twenty eight I looked a lot older from so many years of stress. My hair had already started to gray, there were bags under my eyes and my eyes just look like the eyes of a man that has many things. “Believe it or not I’m only Twenty Seven.” She looked a little surprised by my answer and replied “Oh... I’m sorry I asked that.” “It’s okay I’m not mad or anything, I realize I look old.” I laughed. “And if you don’t mind can I ask you something?” She blushed and said “ no I don’t mind either” “Could run me a bath so I can get cleaned up a bit?” I asked. She continued to blush, smiled and said “sure no problem, I’ll run you one right away.” I waited in my wheelchair for about ten minutes until she came and got me. I Stripped off my coat and undershirt and she helped me into the tub full of hot, soapy water. The hot water immediately soothed my pain, Twilight left me in peace. All the the shampoos and soaps surrounding me were all female scented, but I didn’t care I wanted to get clean. I lathered some soap on my hoof and used it to wash my body, then used the shampoo to clean my mane. I saw a pair of scissors over on a stand, I was able to reach them with no hassle. With the scissors I cut the gray out of my hair making sure not to get any in the tub and all in a trash bin, too bad there wasn’t a razor too or I would also shave. When I was done she helped me out of the tube and dry off. “You look much better now that you're clean.” She said and smiled “Thank you.” I blushed and replied. As the weeks went by my leg continued to heal, and also as time went by I continued to get to know Twilight better. I learned that her brother and his wife are expecting a child. I also got to meet all of Twilight’s friends there was Pinkie Pie who said she was going throw a party when I got better, Rarity who offered to find me a better outfit then and I quote “the rags you are wearing”, there was Applejack who brought me in some of her homemade apple pie, there was Fluttershy who didn’t say much of anything and finally there was Rainbow Dash who was in fact related to Silver Dash. I felt really welcome in Ponyville and considered staying when I got better, and Twilight, I think I’ve fallen In love with her, she’s more than you can ask for in a mare, Smart, Pretty, and kind hearted. But I could never let her know my feelings for her, if she ever found out about my past it could hurt her in many ways, so when I get better it would be best just to stay away from her. And I could tell she was falling for me too, I could see it in her behavior when she was around me, how she smiled, how she laugh at things I said even though they weren't that funny. We even started to become physically closer too, we would sometimes share a couch, she’d hug me once and awhile, and once we even shared my bed and watched T.V..