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//Story: Whats Left of Us
//Author: Graybard
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//Chapter Five: Hope for the Future
A warm bed, sunlight through the window, a cool breeze, and the pleasant smell of apples. These are the things Orpheus woke to. At first it seemed so simple, then he remembered where he had been recently. What he was doing, and where he needed to be.
He shot up, a sharp pain running down his arm as he pulled out the needle in his arm, the IV leaking from the end of the needle and down his arm as he did so. He jumped from the bed and straight to the door.
He wobbled and fell, his legs weak from the ordeal. How long had it been, he wondered, and was there still enough time to warn Celestia?
He heard someone down the hall, their feet making a, clop clop sound as they fell. Orpheus was greeted with the sight of a large red horse, actually pony, with a crop of orange atop his head. This was a good sign, pony's made up the most of the citizenry of Equestria.
"Heya." said the big red pony his expression barely moving into a grin
"Hello, is this the farmhouse?" he asked as he struggled to his feet
The red pony walked over to help "Eyup."
"Are we in Equestria right now?"
"Eyup" the pony reached out a hoof to help him up.
Orpheus took it, and stood. It took everything he had to make a step, he felt so tired...and hungry. The red pony was there letting him lean against him for support.
"Big Mac, the apple fritters are ready!" yelled a kind old voice
"So your Big Mac?"
"His full name is Big Macintosh, but thats his nickname, yes."
Orpheus looked up, it was a white pony with wings, a pegasus, her mane and tail green and a stethoscope around her neck. She had a...symbol oh her flank, the rod of Asklepios, a scepter with snakes wrapped around it.
"I am Doctor Able. You really shouldn't be up and about just yet."
"I'm sorry doc, but I can't do this now, I need to speak to your queen immediately."
The doctor stepped forward "Princess Celestia? You can't go anywhere in your condition! You need to rest that arm, you've been through a great deal and stress will only make it worse." The pony's eyes were full of sincere worry.
"Fine, but I need an audience with her, as soon as possible."
"Well arn't you spirited?" the kind old voice spoke again, now coming from a little old green pony, her hair stark white, a symbol of a pie on her flank. "Must be somethin' urgent if it involves Guardians!"
Orpheus was shocked "Wait how do you know I'm a..."
"The doc found this 'round yer neck." she held up his necklace "I know that symbol anywher'. Not ta' mention all of ya' dragonkins ARE Guardians! You nice folks been orderin shipments of our apples since afore Macitosh here was born."
Orpheus reached out for the pendant, it had never left his neck before today. Now that he realized he wasn't wearing it, he felt naked, vulnerable.
"We've already sent a letter to the princess." piped in Able "She should be arriving to ponyville any day now. So will you do me a favor and rest, we'll bring your food to you in awhile."
"In that case, would you help me back to my room..." it took Orpheus a second to remember the name "its Big Macintosh right?"
"Eyup." Big Mac turned around, supporting Orpheus back to his room
"Is that all you can say Big Mac?"
"Nope."
Orpheus threw a pebble in the small lake, its velocity carried it across smooth surface of the water and almost to the middle. It had been several day of sitting and waiting, he had been okayed by the doc to walk around after the fourth day, but not to go farther than the outlying property.
It had been a tough wait, if those mosters still walked the lands somewhere out there, they could be apon them any day now. With each day passing less and less time was available to prepare.
What would happen to these innocent people, if they weren't ready in time?
Orpheus wandered, moving through orchard after orchard of apple trees. It was a good thing their land was immense, reaching from the Everfree forest to the farthest road to the town of ponyville, all the way to the river surrounding the town. The massive scope of the land, filled with nothing but appletrees, explained why even the Guradians got shipments from Sweet Apple Acres.
Which is why Granny Smith had taken the news so hard. She wept openly at the loss of his people, friends of hers from a long life in this business. After her youngest grandchild had left for the city, only a few days prior, this hammered the poor old mare's emotions even more.
He could still here her crying when he had left the house. There was no time for him to cry now, though. No matter how much he wanted to, he had to consentrate on every detail, remember everything he'd heard and seen. Something wasn't right about what had happened, the beasts almost appearing from nothing during that strange eclipse.
It was his consentration that had led his feet astray, walking onward without real direction. He ambled on, directly into a wooden beam. His face hurt when he looked up, he had face planted against the shell of a...house? He thought standing, no it was to large, a barn? Yes that seemed to fit.
Orpheus leaned on the beam, shaking it with what strength he had. It may have been unfinished but it was sturdy. He pulled vines away from between the walls empty framework, walking in between the beams. On closer inspection the wood seemed old, as if exposed for to long. Orpheus walked to where the doors should be, the bridge across the big river into the town close to the right of the entrance.
"It was so close to ponyville, then why was it never finished?" Orpheus thought out loud
"Big storm whipped through, oversoaked and ruined the wood."
Orpheus jumped slamming himself, yet again, into the barns frame. He fell with a thump against the wooden floor of the unfinished barn. His head shooting up to see Big Mac standing there, his face screwed up trying not to laugh "Ya have a visitor" he choked out.
From behind him walked a small white pony, her hair purple in a fine curl, a white horn protruding from the locks, a unicorn. At her sides, a set of small saddlebags. Orpheus picked himself up off the floor. "Hello there!" the little pony spit out, her face breaking ito a ear to ear smile. "I heard about your ordeal, and thought I'd come to visit, figuring it would be so dreadfully dull out here alone all day."
Orpheus looked up at Big Mac, the red pony just as confused as he, only shrugged
"And you are?"
"Oh! Of course, how rude of me! You may call me Rarity. As I was saying, I live in ponyville just over there and I heard all about your sad ordeal. I figured you could use some more company up here all alone, so I figured I'd stop by while I waited for the rehearsal of the school play. I, of course, am designing the costumes."
"Wait, wait, wait...you know why I'm here? Who told you all of that?"
"Why the whole town knows, and might I say their best wishes go out to you. Anyway I figured I would stop by and give you these." The little white pony reached in her bag and pulled out a simple shirt and pants. "I appologize if their small, but as I had yet to meet you, I had no idea how large you were."
Orpheus took the shirt and held it up, a fine red cotton well stitched and probably more comfortable than the dirty torn clothes he wore now. "I know it seems simple, but I hadn't much material left for making them."
"No, this is great, thank you Rarity, that was very generous of you."
The little pony lifted herself onto her back feet, claping her forehooves together, "Oh wonderful, I'm glad you like them! And you must look presentable to meet the princess! Speaking of presentation, would you like to attend my school play? Its the thursday after next and I would just love for a Guardian to attend! It would be the talk of the town!"
Orpheus smiled "Well how could I say no to someone so kind, yes I will be there."
Rarity opened her mouth to respond, the words failing as a great yell was heard across the grounds. It was calling Orpheus' name trying to find him, it was Doctor Able from the sound of it. "We're here!" He called back.
She ran up in a huff, out of breath she struggled to form her words. "The princess, town hall, need you immediately."
They went to the farmhouse, to gather Orpheus' affects. After he changed into his new attire and collected his things they were off. With all haste they made their way into town, the eyes of all the many colored ponies following them as they walked. Orpheus felt like a creature on display, the many eyes following him up every street to town hall. It had finally sunk in, he was truely alien here to these kind people.
It did not matter, they were people under the watch of Heavensgate, therefore they were in his charge to protect.
His heart sunk as they reached the towns center, no princess was there, only an empty chariot, two royal looking pegasi, adorned in golden armor, at its front. One of them motioned for Orpheus to come forward, stuffing a letter into his claw, and it read.
Young Guardian,
I have recieved your letter and will accept your call for audience.
This Chariot will take you to Canterlot with all speed where I will be waiting to recieve your grave news.
I appologize for the how long this response took to reach you, our mailing system has become overtaxed from a flood of concerned letters about large billows of smoke from the east.
As the smokes origin seems to have been from the mountain of Heavensgate, I can only assume your news coincides with these reports.
As such I have dispatched a contingent of my finest soldiers to investigate your home and with their due haste a report of the state of your home will arrive for you soon.
Please know my best wishes go out to you in this seeming time of crysis.
Princess Celestia
Orpheus read this aloud, his heart jumping at the news of an investigation into his home. At this he jumped into the chariot, looking back he saw the kind ponies who had taken care of him. All of them looking back onto him smiling with hope and well wishes in their eyes.
"Thank you all for what you've done, you have given me strength to go on in these past days. I will never forget your kindness." Orpheus caught sight of Rarity, her head down, shyly hiding behing Big Mac, sadness in her eyes. "And Rarity, I said I would see your play, and I plan to!"
Rarity jumped out from behind Mac, a glow across her face "You promise!?"
"I promise! And remember this, a Guardian NEVER breaks a promise! I will see you all soon!"
The chariot lifted off the ground, speeding away into the sky. Orpheus looked back, watching the waving ponies shrink in the distance, he turned, now looking forward to the task at hand. He had a message to deliver.
It was amazing, its clever design giving it the structural stability to hold itself to the side of a mountain. Only one mountainside road led in or out making it umatched in defensibility. Its towers, and walls, soaring into the sky over her land, letting all below know that this city and its ruler were always watching. This was a truely Guardian-like city.
They began to decend, carrying the chariot to an oustretched balcony at the base of the castle, its garden entrance lush and green, covered in all forms of colorful plantlife. There stood yet another guard, this one an orange unicorn, he motioned for Orpheus to follow, and he did. His footsteps echoed in the grand hallways, every guard pony along the way bowing to him, an unnecessary gesture. The more he saw this, the more worried he became.
They stopped at a set of humongous doors, their wood surface carved into the most complex of shapes. They slowly parted to reveal an even grander throneroom. The floors were pure marble, the walls and pillars of clean white stone, decorated with the finest tapestries depicting the sun. Its windows grand stained glass murels of days gone by, one in particular Orpheus recognised as the fall of Nightmare moon. And there at the center of the room a gold throne, its backing a red velvet.
There sat Princess Celestia, easily diserned from any other pony in the room. Tall and powerful in comparison to her nearby guards, she had both wings and a horn, her body a white that seemed to shine. Her mane a collection of many colors, flowing of its own accord. She talked to a pony in robes, his head hung low as if saddened by something.
Celestia looked up, her eyes seemingly full of the same sadness. "Greeting, young Guardian. It is ill tidings that have brought you, and yet I now have even darker news for you. Come, I must tell you this in private."
Orpheus' heart sank. How could it be any worse now, than it was when he left. He followed Celestia through the castle to one of the highest towers, her study, where two unicorns waited with parchment and quills. Orpheus looked on at them confused, didn't she say in private?
"Before my news to you, I must record what you have come to tell me. I've heard it is a long tale, but I must stress that every detail that can be remembered, must be remembered. I need to know whatever it was that could do that to your home."
The way she had said it made him feel as though it had gotten worse. Orpheus pushed those thoughts away, this message nearly took his life delivering, and he will damn well retell it. And so he began, calling forth all his memory into the smallest details about the attack, the way the sun was eclipsed, the dark smog, how they had been within the sanctuary, and most importantly what the beasts looked like.
The recording unicorns never missed a beat as they scribbled every word down from the long tale, all the while Celestia's face twisted from horror to shock to sadness and pity for what Orpheus had experienced.. It was almost sundown when he finished.
It was a long time before anyone spoke, the princess shooed the two unicorns, coming back to Orpheus. Her face now showed dark gloom, her news coming back to mind.
"It has been a long time Orpheus, you don't really remember me, but I was a friend of your fathers and met you once, when you were but a baby. I wish that we could have met again under better circumstances. As the letter I sent stated, I sent a team of my guards to investigate the smoke from your home. What they have found is...tragic."
Celestia was unable to meet Orpheus' gaze, she stepped out to the balcony and stared out. "Many of my unicorn mystics went along on the mission. What they found were hundreds of thousands of small runes beyond the walls, these runes were of a dark nature, and as soon as they had all been cleansed, they were studied. They were runes of summoning, bringing forth the darkest and foulest creatured that the underworld could produce, in mass. You may be comforted by the fact that the mosters no longer exist in this plane." She was right, it was a relief.
"...you will however be saddened in the fact that this attack was directed at only the Guardians. And if not for you fleeing, whoever summoned the creatures, would have succeeded in what I believe to be their goal. A few days prior to this event, your father sent me a list of instructions, and expected a possible evacuation, asking for sanctuary here. Somehow he knew, or at least suspected, the attack."
Orpheus was shocked at this, his father had KNOWN! It must have been for a short time, otherwise he was sure that they would all be sitting in this castle now, leaving the dark creatures dumbfounded to find an empty city.
"On the day in question the guards on the outter wall found a small glowing bird. It was magically created, a farmiliar spell from one of your fathers comrades, I believe his name was Seragi. It had in its clutches a note, written by your father during the attack."
Orpheus' jaw dropped open, how could it have been written then! They were overrun and he stopped to write a note!?
"The note too, was made magically, created directly from Thraseus' thoughts. In this note it entailed to certain parts of your code, which I am farmiliar with, along with instructions for you. He knew your caretaker, Raine, would get you to safety. It detailed vaults of money and the books in Heavensgates' central library, most importantly books on certain Guardian teachings, would now be yours. Most of these things are have been collected and are on their way here as we speak."
His eyes began to well with tears, this was a last will, even in the face of death his father thought of nothing but making sure Orpheus would be ready without him. He began to shake, his father knew he would die, and all he thought about was him. Celestia put a hoof on the crying boys shoulder.
Celestias voice was sad and quiet now, trying to be comforting. "I am sorry to have to lay this final burden apon you. The scouts searched through the castle and outlying grounds. Many detection spells were cast, searching for the creatures or other Guardians, all they found were..."
Orpheus could not here her now, over his own sobs. He was at the center of a great travisty. His home now destroyed and family gone. The few others who had escaped must feel like him now, helpless and so alone. She raised his head with her hoof now. Her eyes were tearing up, yet she held her composure, her voice took on an edge of seriousness.
"Orpheus, son of Thraseus, son of Ireseus. You have been noble, risking life and limb to warn my people. You are your father's son. So with his loss, and the loss of so many others, I regret to lay this final burden on your shoulders."
Final burden? He thought this, as he heard others enter the room. He turned, the unicorns, and one of the pegasus guards at the door entered.
"Under the athority, granted me by my father and mother's consent to the Guardians code of protection, and with my subjects," she nodded toward the ponies at the door "as witnesses, I hereby bestow apon you the title of Hyperion, lord of all Guardians."
"Hyperion!?" he stammered, not able to comprehend the news behind this title.
At the passing of a Hyperion, the next in rank would inherit the title, and if he should pass, the next down, and so on. This was the system of passage, belonging to their heirarchy. Orpheus, a blacksmiths apprentice, actually sat at the bottom of these ranks.
Surely there were others that would inherit the title before him, though he was the son of the last Hyperion. Blood had nothing to do with it, only rank, so why was he Hyperion now? She must have been mistaken!
Silence fell once more, as the gears ticked away in the dragon boys head. What rule or law made the heirachy jump down to him. Celestia spoke now, trying to remain clear through her now uncontrollable sobs. "I did all I could, used ever ounce of my magic to detect all over this continent, this planet, in hopes of finding someone."
The true meaning behind her words began to sink in, the tears in his eyes pouring away. He looked on at her in blank disbelief. It all hit him like an avalanche, his brain jumping from one thought to the next connecting the dots as the truest sadness and horror anyone had ever felt filled him, she was wrong, she had to be wrong! There was no way after all his race had accomplished, after all they had saved and done!
"You...are all that is left. You are the last of your kind."
Celestia collapsed now, crying into her hooves, the guard dashing across the room to comfort his princess. Quiet sniffles coming the two unicorns behind him.
Orpheus couldn't comprehend it, he couldn't accept it. He flew out of the room in blind rage, unable to control himself. His tears felt like a river to him, soaking his shirt and the floor beneath him as he ran to somewhere, anywhere to escape this horrible fate that he had been dealt. He fell in the grass, a courtyard maybe, he didn't know or care. He curled up, crying and shaking.
That night, the cries of a broken hearted dragon boy echoed all over Canterlot. And the city wept for him.
Orpheus wandered the halls of the castle, unable to think or act. Like a ghost he drifted along, at times, weeping or curling up and remaining motionless for hours. He was alone now, the only Dragonkin left alive, there was nowhere for him to go. His father had insured that Orpheus would have enough, to live comfortably and without worry of debt.
Yet the boy wished not to live at all, only fade away and be forgotten. He believed he should not have lived, that this only ensured future torment to him, that he would be without his kind for the rest of his days, the last of an endangered species.
All over Equestria and beyond, the news was passed to those who knew the Guardians. They came from far and wide, hoping to wish him well, appologize for his loss and give him hope. He would here none of it, only close himself away and weep. Every moment his eyes were closed, he saw their faces. His father Thraseus, Heimenger, Seragi, Hagan, Raine...
On the ninth day Celestia came to him, begging to speak to him. Bah! A princess begging to speak to HIM! He thought, he was no Hyperion, not even a Guardian, if he were a Guardian then he would have fought, would have stayed and defended his home...not ran away like a coward!
Celestia shouted through the door "Orpheus please, come out! You must listen to reason. You have to be strong now, as your father would have wanted."
"My father! What do you know about my father! The great and powerful hyperion." Orpheus' took a mocking tone "He was a cold hearted old man! He never cared about me, always away, never enough time for his family! To him I was only his legacy! I was to sybolize HIS greatness! "
The doors to his room flew wide, exploding off the hinges with great force. In walked Celestia, her wings spread wide, her horn glowing, a fury on her face. "Your father was a great man! He cared about you with all his heart! In all the years we talked, he only wished to cast down his mantle as Hyperion and spend his remaining days taking care of you!"
Orpheus sat there, is eyes lined yet again with tears, ashamed with his own words.
Celestia began again, calmly "I know your pain, I am, as well one of the last of my kind, yet I also cannot know your anguish. Some of my kin remain, and a hope of my species continuing remains with them. You must go on, you must live for them. All your father wanted was for you to be happy, don't dishonor his memory by living with nothing but pain."
"There is noone to teach me. I am alone and unready to fight monsters or evil or be the Hyperion. There is no way I can live up to what my father would have wanted."
Celestia walked over to his side, she sat with him on the bed "You are young, yes, and you have been ill prepared for this, but you are not alone. He was the man who gave me strength, stood beside me through the hardest part of my life. He was my greatest friend...maybe even a little bit more."
Orpheus looked up at her, her eyes averted from his, as her face turned a bright red. She turned her gaze back on him now, looking on at him, like everything would be alright.
"He was family to me, and therefore so are you. You will never be alone Orpheus. You will be challenged in you life, and there will be doubt, but you must live on, not as a Guardian, but simply as a person. Thats what your father would have wanted."
Orpheus' sobs slowed, the comfort of her words finally washing over him. He still had his doubts, but he knew he had people to count on. People who cared, one even now sitting right next to him.
It was on impulse, he sprung toward Celestia, wrapping his arms around her neck an a tight hug, crying into her as he did so, and she hugged him back. She whispered to him now "Remember when you are in doubt, there will be signs from those who care and they will drive you on. Look for those signs."
Orpheus pulled back and looked at her now, she was no longer the great and powerful ruler, simply a friend, a kind pony who cared.
"Your father's letter told me to tell you that when you were ready. I figured now was the best time."
He smiled now, looking out over the land from the many balconies and windows. He thought hard, knowing the challenge to come, but still in doubt. Celestia was a sign, like his father had said. A sign of kindness in these cruel days.
He still felt weak, unsure of what to do now, of where to go from here. Even as he sat now, next to the princess, in the gardens. His future was now of his own design, but what to do? He could stay here train, guard the princess. Maybe he could travel back to ponyville and work for the Apple family, have a simple life. With all the vaults contents that his father had left, he could do anything. They talked about it, coming up with options, but none seemed to fit.
"I am sorry Orpheus, but I have to cut this short. I have to go meet with some examiners from the school for gifted unicorns in a little while and I can't be late."
"Its okay Tia, I'll be here when you get back..." He had begun using the same pet name her sister had once called her by, at first he thought it disrespectful, but she insisted. Orpheus layed back in the grass, huffing at the thought.
"You should try and meet with some of those who came here to see you, they really do care. And it would be healthy for them to be allowed closure."
"I'll try..."
With that she was gone, off to her royal duties.
Orpheus just lay there, looking up at the clouds, wondering what to wonder, there were so many things swimming in his head, so much to think. He had to many choices, and didn't know how to even get started on any of them.
"When in doubt, look for signs."
The thought shuffled to the front, it seemed so important for him to know this, but what signs?
Orpheus felt a strange stillness.
Almost an unnatural calm. He sat up, listening for the feintest sound, and heard voices far away, in the castle most likely. All the people that came to see him. He stood and looked out over the horizon, back to ponyville where they were just beginning their day. Bustling about, he imagined, doing everything day by day, simple and carefree.
It came at first, a simple gust, then the sound of rushing air aplified a hundred fold, like rolling thunder, all other sounds being snuffed out by it. The sky lit up, an explosion of rainbow cascading in all directions flowing through the sky like a tidal wave. All the wonders in the world would never compare this awe inspiring sight. In its wake a gale of wind, strong enough to throw him to his back, like a wall of force heading outward from the center. A rainbow seeming to flow to ponyville below, lighting up the sky in its wake.
He lay there on his back, now staring into the blue sky. Joy, pure clear as crystal joy, Orpheus had only once felt near that before, the moment he succeeded at his trial. He reached down to the pendant at his neck, his whole body filled with electricity. He knew what to do.
Orpheus shot up and ran for the castle, throwing open the doors to the throne room, grabbing the nearest pony and lifting them in a great hug, spinning around in circles. "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" He cried
"You're welcome?"
Orpheus knew that voice, he leaned back, it was Big Mac. Big Mac had come in his grandmothers stead to wish him the best. He gave Orpheus a letter from Granny Smith, speaking of a Belotis, the man who ran the caravan that collected the apples, Orpheus knew Belotis, bought apples from him ever day.
Orpheus turned to the next pony, a gray maned fellow, his tale about a Medusa killing innocent ponies in manehattan, the gray pony's brother was saved by a Guardian named Nylo, giving up his right arm in the process. Nylo had been the guard captain for the eastern wing of the castle, that included the library where Orpheus had spent most of his days, he knew the captain well.
He turned to another pony, then another, and another, and all the while he knew these brave souls who risked their lives to better all of these people. They did deeds belonging in song and story, and here were their legacies, standing before him giving him blessings in these Guardians names.
He left that day happy, knowing that what he had to do now. He brought Macintosh along, that was important, because he had a few plans for that old barn near the edge of Sweet Apple Acres, and he needed to start now. He was finally ready. Ready to dive into the unknown and live again, ready for a brilliant life ahead.
"Ahh there you are Orpheus! I've been looking everywhere for, whoa!" Celestia was cut short as Orpheus rushed past her with all haste, his room now a mess covered in papers and scrolls from the royal library, him all the while sketching away at Celestia...a blueprint?
"I have it Tia, everything I need to do, I've decided I will do as I've always really wanted and devote my life to knowledge!"
"Knowledge?" Celestia face twisted up in confusion
"Yes! Specifically Guardian knowledge, I will learn from them, be the best of them, be the best person I can be, I will craft and tinker, and make this world a better place. And when the time comes I will show the righteous hand of the Guardians has not been defeated yet!"
"Thats alot to handle Orpheus, you said not a few days ago that you weren't ready for anything big."
"Thats right, not yet I'm not, but I have a whole life to prepare, to enjoy and read and make into a wonderful adventure. I talked to those ponies like you said, and what they said spoke volumes. All the things Guardians had done, all those they had touched with their kindness. They went out of their way to make others lives wonderful, and I can't be asked to do any less. I have to be something now, a good Guardian, but a better person."
Celestia smiled at him, her face beaming with happyness for the little dragons revalation.
"Oh, how was your day anyway? Probably really boring talking to teachers."
"Quite the opposite, I believe I have finally found a pony powerful enough to become my personal pupil here at the palace! Her name is Twilight Sparkle, in fact she's in the main hall now, maybe you should go meet her, she's probably intrested in making a few friends."
How wrong she was, other than asking certain questions about his species and background Twilight never talked to him, being to busy wrapped up in her books. He could hardly blame her, books were the same way to him. This would change one day, becoming friends and having adventures, but that was for another time.
The little white unicorn stood backstage, her head poking out to see the audience as they oohed and ahhed over the many gems in the costumes. The teacher beamed down at her for all of her great work, Rarity had done it. She was destined to be a fashion star, she looked down to her blank flank and saw a set of three diamonds appear, she was overjoyed.
She looked back out over the audience, and noticed a certain somepony not there, she frowned, she had heard about his family, and all the other Guardians. She thought if he just could have made it, seen the play, maybe for a little while at least he wouldn't be sad.
She heard a high whistle from the audience as the applause picked up, it made her raise her head, and there he was. Orpheus stood in the crowd applauding, he had made it! Rarity walked out with the rest of the cast and bowed, Orpheus waving to her the whole time. She ran down off the stage to her parents, they smiled and told her how well she had done.
"Those were spectacular costumes Rarity!"
It was Orpheus smiling as if he never had a trouble in the world
"Thanks for coming to the play Orpheus!"
"Well I promised didn't I? And besides, what are friends for!"
They smiled together, Orpheus thought again, "Look for signs" and thought a little white pony, coming out of the blue to do nothing but be kind, had to be some sort of sign.
The small celebration at sugar cube corner following the play, had lasted many hours. Hours of games and laughing and Rarity priding over her new cutie mark.
The sun had just risen, its soft light casting ghostly shadows in the orchards. The birds sang sweet notes, noone in ponyville awake yet to hear them. Orpheus sat on the wooden floor of the half built barn looking out onto the river, this view he hoped, was that of his new home.
He heard a rustle from the trees behind him, it moved to fast for him to catch more than...orange and yellow?
Orpheus hit the barn floor, the small orange blob sitting on his chest. "GRANNY SMITH! BIG MAC! I CAUGHT AN APPLE THIEF!"
The accent of the orange blob was similar to the friendly residents here at Sweet Apple Acres, but this pony was far from being friendly right now. Orpheus tried to raise his head, explain who he was, and was rewarded with a hoof to the face.
"What in 'tarnation is all the hubub!" Granny Smith ambled up, her eyes squited in confusion. Big Mac came dashing out from the behind her, a baseball bat in one hoof.
"Mind getting off, I need to breath ya know."
"Not till the athorities can get here! Big Mac call the police!"
Nobody moved, finally causing the orange pony to look around in confusion. "Aren't yall gonna do somethin?"
Big Mac couldn't help but laugh now, shaking his head "He's not a thief."
"If he's not a thief, then what in tarnation's he doin here?"
"Deary, thats Orpheus."
The color of her face began to match their famous apples, "Oh, gosh I'm sorry Orpheus." She hopped off him, giving him a hoof up.
"Sorry for that, didn't mean ta' attack ya. Umm, I just figured..."
"Its alright, you were doing what you thought was right. More importantly you did it regardless of personal safety, thats shows guts. Figured the big city life was to dull for you?"
"Thanks, I'm Applejack by the way. Not exactly lacking in excitement, its just that it doesn't fit me. And you wouldn't believe the reason I decided to come back."
"Umm...A super explosion, followed by an intense rainbow streaming back home, inspiring you to come back?" Orpheus smiled, figuring the look on Applejacks face to be one of confusion.
It was of suprise "How the hay did you know that!?"
Orpheus had a double take. Seriously, the same explosion made her come home? At this he couldn't help but laugh harder, Applejack joining in with him. They spent the day from there talking and telling stories, trying to one up each other in a sort of compitition. It was late afternoon when Orpheus' chariot to Canterlot arrived, he needed to go through the mess of books that had been delivered and decide on their fate.
He would definitely see Applejack again, they got along so well, yet another good friend for him to trust. And if a orange attacker in an old barn wasn't a sign, he didn't know what was.
It had been three years. He had stayed at the castle for most of it, training his swordmanship and hand-to-hand with the guards, studying the combined books and scrolls from the moved Guardian library (which had its own wing built for it) and the Canterlot archives.
He was happy, trecking through the large hallways, or dropping in on Twilight or Celestia and pulling pranks on the snoodier officials of the court.
It had been a long wonderful three years, and now his home was completed, he bought a small piece of the apple family farm and turned the old soaked barn into his home. It was stripped down and rebuilt then added onto, basically a barn with a house glued on the side.
But did it look good now! Its was spared no expense with the money his father had left him. The barn half, a blacksmithy for Orpheus' needed crafting and repairs, and a loft and tower where he could place a plathura of random projects and doodads, all the while watching out for ponyville. The house was everything needed to live, 4 bedroom (even though he mostly slept in the loft) 3 bathroom, full kitchen/dining and small personal library.
The whole thing made of the purest oak, then strutted, renforced and binded with quarter inch steel on all sides to take the most brutal of punishments.
He would finally move there in a few days, and they had a party planned. The whole town had gotten to know him. However only his closest friends and a few others had been inside the house. Apparently they had hired a young, up and coming party planner for the job. She was new to town, but came recommended from sugar cube corner, so it was worth a shot.
"I want you to have this, Tia. Its a going away gift." Orpheus stood near the chariot, packed with the last of his things. He held up the package and smiled, "I figured I owed you for all the hospitality."
With a wisp of magic, Celestia lifted the package from Orpheus and began to tear the wrapping. "You didn't have to get anything for me. Oh my goodness!"
It was a perfect glass sphere with a base of marble. It was slightly filled with small shining flecks that floated in the clear liquid when it was shook. Inside was a small copy of his pendant, the tree on the shield glowing faintly. On the shields reverse was her symbol, that of a sun.
"It shows our closeness, our friendship. Wherever one of us is, the other will always be right there behind them. You taught me that."
The princess wiped her eye. With one last hug he was off to ponyville, a short trip now from his years of flying it over and over. Their landing was greeted with early partygoers, it seemed the festivities were already if full swing.
He began to unload, going up to the loft to check on the party from above. There sat an all pink pony, looking out the tower windows bouncing all the while.
"Hello?"
"Oh hi! You must be the man of the hour!" she hopped down the tower stairs and right in front of him. She reached out a hoof and began to shake his claw wildly.
"I'm new to town so I was super exited when you decided to hire me so I could meet everypony while I made this such an extra special party, and I'm sorry about the punch, there wasn't enough for everypony to drink but more should be arriving soon so it wont be to much trouble but I might need to run to town for more after so everyones happy because all I want is everyone to smile and I hope you had a great flight in because I heard the weather was rough in Canterlot earlier which is why I could only use my party cannon this morning..."
Orpheus was dumbfounded, he put his free hand over the pink pony's mouth "Wait wait wait, your the party planner? There was a problem with the punch? And what in the great galloping wargods in a PARTY CANNON?"
She released the hand she was shaking "Yes, I know I'm kinda young, but the best time to start is early. As I said I fixed the punch problem. And the party cannons my personal invention, it quick fires decorations for easy party setup...still working the bugs out though, got your doors covered in cake earlier, a tad mixup, I sorta loaded the first salvo with cake mix, found the balloons and streamers in the oven later on."
"Slow down, you haven't even told me your name."
"Oh, thats easy, I'm Pinky Pie!"
This pony drove Orpheus to smile uncontrollably, she was insane and surely driven by the purest of sugars. But she was sincere, and funny and always tried to keep your spirits up. She led Orpheus out into the party, never stopping her speech for a second, but he never minded. She hopped and skipped about without a single care. She was a bright pink, crazy, out of control sign.
The whole night was laughing and dancing and singing. Orpheus introduced little Pinkie to Rarity and Applejack, and the three hit it off, immediately being friends. He saw it here, surrounded by those who cared, what he would aim for the rest of his life. A wonderful adventure.
Three more years, some self-teaching incidents, alot of reading, and a kind yellow, and loyal cyan pony later.
The small magical candle exploded into a bright silver flame, from its center formed a letter, its middle of the note wrapped and stamped with the royal seal, it read.
My dear friend Orpheus,
Twilight Sparkle, will be arriving today to check up on the festivities for this years Summer Sun Celebration.
She will need someone to guide her, and so I ask this of you.
I would send someone with her, but she knows you and you know the town well.
She is to cooped up here in the castle, and I believe she needs to try and make some friends.
The best place to start is familiar ground so try and be nice to her...as in no more pranks.
If you cannot do this, please send back a rebuttal post-haste.
Otherwise she will be arriving in Ponyville square just outside town hall, sometime around early morning tomorrow.
Your friend, Celestia
"So Twilights coming to town, huh?" Orpheus thought aloud "Well this will be exciting!" He rolled his eyes, little did he know, he would be right...
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Well that was long huh? Hope you had as much fun reading it as I did writing it.
Special thanks to zabrath, spark, sheep, and element for all the support... :D
Thanks to all of you who support me, I need constructive criticism so don't feel bashful to go over these stories with a fine tooth comb.
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