//------------------------------// // A Journey's End // Story: Stolen Memories // by ShootingStar81 //------------------------------// Has it really only been a week...? Sentry mused the idea quietly to himself as he trudged through the streets of the Crystal Empire. The sun had just about finished it's decent by that point of the day, casting long shadows that mirrored the lone pony's mood. Most of the citizens had returned home for the evening, to eat their dinners, spend time with their families. The kinds of things that stung him to think of. He...he's really gone... He'd hardly let up on that thought since that day. No matter what the conditions, no matter his state of mind, he still couldn't come to terms with it. He had killed his own brother, and nothing anypony said could change that. It may have been true that Abacus faced that end to save him, but that didn't make it hurt any less. Time heals all wounds, they say. That adage echoed in his mind, but was of little comfort. It had been a week, but it felt like an eternity to him. All of the activities and events that had followed all were little more than a blur in his trouble mind. Twilight Sparkle had used the magic his brother had taught her to free the cities. All of them. Sentry couldn't have done it himself anyway. Whatever warped state of mind that had enabled him to perform such a feat left him when Abacus broke Sombra's curse on his memory. After that, they had done what they could to comfort the heartbroken soldier, but it was of little aid to him. He couldn't even determine if it was a gift or an insult that he had been spared judgment for his part in all of this. Perhaps they think my brother's death is punishment enough, he thought dryly, finding such a thing rather hollow. Of course, it wouldn't have mattered either way. Nothing he could endure now would ease the burden or the guilt. He hadn't been able to take part in the celebration they'd held in Canterlot upon Twilight Sparkle's return, along with everypony that had been lost. To a small extent, he was happy they had all be reunited in light of what he had done, but that easily became lost against the overwhelming guilt. It was getting harder with every passing day...so hard that he had almost considered joining him. It was Twilight once more that had saved the day, or so her friends claimed. Of course, this time they referred to Sentry himself. She had spoken to him when he was at his lowest, and insisted that he should visit the Crystal Empire before he was to do anything else, even the worst. She pushed the issue to the point that she wouldn't leave him alone until he swore an oath over it. However, when he'd asked what was so important that he had to see it himself, she would only say that it mattered enough to see it. Cryptic. As such, he found himself here, making his way back to his brother's home within the Empire, dreading what he might find there. Memory. He almost scoffed at the idea now. The very thing that had driven him to desperation to begin with was now going to be his curse. Memory was all he had of his beloved brother, or of Emberheart, the queen he'd loved so greatly. Poetic justice really, that the thing he had sought so desperately would now be his curse. It was only fitting, really. As such thought swirled within his troubled mind, he found that time had passed a little too quickly; he had arrived at the home his brother had once occupied. Looking up at the small, two-story home, he felt his heart sink to a new low. It was highly likely that a trip in here would only help remind him of Abacus, remind him of the terrible things he'd done, and what it had cost not only him, but every pony in all of Equestria. All for the sake of a lost memory... Taking a deep breath, he struggled to push those thoughts aside, instead focusing on what Twilight had told him. There was something here he needed to see, so much so that she had insisted on it. Little did he know that he wouldn't have to search. It was going to find him. Before he could reach for the door, it slowly opened, much to his surprise. This was multiplied perhaps a hundred fold when he saw who had opened it. A young mare, sporting that familiar, rusty-red coloration both he and Abacus were known for, but with a fiercely blonde mane that shined even in the fading light, even though it was streaked with deep gray. She had calm, green eyes that focused intently on him, which he found almost unnerving after a moment or two. She seems so innocent... Fidgeting after a few moments, he took a long, deep breath, ready to bring voice to the very idea that weighed so heavily on him. "Are you...is Abacus..." He found it difficult to ask, and silently cursed Twilight. If this is what she expected him to find, it was worse than anything he could have done to himself. He had not only killed his own brother, but destroyed a family, too? What little heart he had left was quickly abandoning him, and it showed on his face despite his best efforts to maintain a somber expression. Much to his surprise, she just smiled at him, a smile so warm that it managed to still his tumultuous thoughts for a moment. "I know a lot about you, Sentry," she began, seeming as if to dismiss his attempted query. "Abacus spoke rather fondly of you all the time." Sentry felt his mouth dry out and his throat constrict when she said those words. That would have been like him. "I'm sorry, but he...he's..." he croaked out, though she abruptly held up a hoof to silence him. With that same gentle expression, she smiled once more before turning to head back in. Glancing back over her shoulder, she tilted her head to imply that he follow. "There's something you should see," she said in an even tone, which made her unreadable to the older pony. While hesitant over his state of mind, he felt compelled to do as she said. If his assumption was correct, he owed at least that much, if not more. After all, what price could be paid for the loss of a loved one? As such, he followed her into the home, and thus into the same room Twilight had entered when she visited. With the general lack of decor, there wasn't much to look at. This was well and good, as the mare turned to face him, then gesturing to one of the seats. Glancing toward it, he then gave her a quick nod before he sat down. He wasn't about to argue, after all. Once he was seated, she moved to the closer bookshelf, and retrieving a small, carefully folded note, move to hand it wordlessly to him. Sentry gently accepted it, giving her a somewhat confused look as she simply watched him, that same smile on her face, though it took on a more 'knowing' appearance. Hesitantly, he opened the note, and immediately spotted a familiar, flowing script, which on it's own brought tears to his eyes. "Abacus..." My dearest brother, I know that by the time you read this, I will be gone. The odds have played out to this end, and it is the only outcome that may save you from the curse Sombra has placed upon your mind. I know not his strength when he did so, but I do know that love alone, and the magic it bears, can break you free of it. As I was fond of telling you, love does come with a terrible price, and to free you, I will be the one to pay it. It will be power enough to save you, and perhaps all of Equestria in Twilight's capable hooves. Keep in mind that I know you, brother. I know you will be burdened by this turn of events, but always remember, it was my choice. All that has come to pass is that you've truly learned what that terrible price is; a broken heart. You have taught all of us that a broken heart is incredibly dangerous when it is allowed to fester. You were capable of what you did to the cities not because of hate, but because of a warped sense of love. Your memories took with them your beloved, but your heart ached for the loss, and you desperately wished to know why. Do not become this monster again, not after what I have paid to free you of it. Know that I love you, brother. It does not end with my death, nor will it end with yours. I will love you forever and always, and I hope you carry that with you for the rest of your days. I am sorry it came to this, for I know what it must have done to you, but I would encourage you to remember that all things happen for a reason, and this is no different. I am sure you met the mare that has been in my care since she was but a tiny foal. I will trust her to reveal her name in good time, but I know what the first thought that crossed your mind when you saw her was...and no, she is not. I have been like a father to her, yes, but I am not in truth such a thing. She knows this too, for I have never lied to her or taught her any less than everything I know to be true. Take care of her in my absence, brother. She is the greatest treasure in the world to you now. Know that I paid this price so that you, nor she, would have to. Abacus The soft 'pap' of a droplet of water striking paper was the only sound that broke the long silence that followed, accompanied by a sniff as Sentry struggled in vain to keep his composure. Lowering the note, he emitted a choked sob as all the memory, thoughts, love and emotion flooded his mind, overwhelming whatever resistance he'd used to keep himself functional up to that point. He didn't care anymore if anypony saw it. He had loved his brother, and he would no longer hid that fact. That, and there was something more. Even as tears streaked down his face, he looked upon the mare that had been silently watching him, a more calm expression writ upon her features as she looked on. For a time, not a word passed between them, she clearly waiting, and he unable to speak for a time as he worked to calm himself. When he finally spoke, it was in a low, somewhat gravelly tone, the kind you'd expect from somepony who'd been crying. "So...not Abacus, but...but..." She just smiled that warm smile of hers, and in light of the note he'd read, he was suddenly reminded of somepony he once knew, the one he once loved. Awe took light upon his face as his jaw slowly fell open with realization. Memories he'd yet to recall flooded his mind at that moment, reminding him of just what it was Abacus had implied, just what he had told him. "No, Abacus was my uncle," she said in a calm, almost lyrical tone that sounded eerily familiar to Sentry. She paused for a moment before she continued, as if collecting her thoughts. "My name is Memory. Abacus said it was fitting when my mother chose it for me. I cannot claim to remember such a thing, but he told me about it. Sadly, she passed on soon after...uncle Abacus said it was a broken heart. "Emberheart..." he whispered hoarsely, feeling a jab at his very heart as she uttered those words. She was gone, and it had been because of what Sombra did to him almost an eon ago. Learning just that would have been enough to shatter him but an hour ago, save that now...now things were coming together in a new light. Twilight had sent him to find something here, something she believed he needed to see for himself... "Abacus told me about you because he loved his brother. He told me who you were because you are my father." Even though he'd figured it out by now, it was still jarring to hear that word, 'father'. He had never thought himself to be one, nor did he expect he would have been back in those days. What surprises life could hold for you. To be fair, he did not dislike the idea. He was more shocked at the suddenness...and the lost time. She was already a grown mare, and he was only just now meeting her for the first time. "I...I'm so sorry, Memory..." he murmured meekly, bowing his head as if he had become unable to look upon her, and indeed felt that way. "I've missed so much of your life now, haven't I? Abacus was far better a father than I..." Silence followed, and for a moment, he feared that she had simply walked away. Yet, after a time, he felt a hoof against his chin as she slowly lifted his gaze. As his head came up, she smiled once more before she simply gave him a gentle hug, which caught him rather off-guard, his breath catching in his throat. At that very moment, he felt every dread, fear, heartache and sadness he carried simply melt away, and it was all he could do but return the gesture, tears springing anew in his eyes as he leaned into her neck. "I'm so sorry...so sorry..." After what felt like an eternity, Memory slowly pulled away, placing a hoof upon his chin once more as she looked upon him. Of course, he was surprised to see that tears had begun to form in her own eyes, though the why was soon to follow. "There is one thing you can do for me, father. The one thing even uncle Abacus couldn't, if you really wish to make this all up to me." Sentry sniffled softly, rubbing at his reddening eyes as he worked to regain his composure. It would be easier to talk if he didn't spend the whole night crying, after all. "Anything, Memory. I would do anything to make it up to you." At those words, she smiled softly, shifting idly in place before she lowered her head, collecting her thoughts. Her expression became more somber when she looked back up, though her eyes never lost that soft touch Emberheart had always claimed of his own. "Tell me about my mother...?" Sentry felt a wrench in his heart just then, but this time, it wasn't a pain. It stung a little, to be sure, but this was different. It was sad, really; she didn't know either of her parents, save what Abacus had told her, and he knew Abacus hadn't known Emberheart nearly as well as he did. Taking a long, deep breath, he finally offered his daughter a warm smile, feeling the last of his trouble thoughts fading away. He would have been loathe to think of her even an hour ago, but now? This was going to be different. Gesturing to the other seat, he settled in better as she moved to sit down. Taking another deep breath to clear his mind, he began. "Your mother was...somepony special. She loved everypony with all of her heart, and everything she did was always to better those around her. She never truly thought of herself, and that was what I loved the most about her. She was such a caring soul. That would be the first thing I'd say about her...." "I love her. With every inch of my heart, I love her."