//------------------------------// // Promises and memories // Story: The Little Pony Legend: A New Generation // by MaggiesHeartLove //------------------------------// In the first floor section of the lighthouse, Argyle stored the last of his supplies into his saddlebag. Amongst the few essential items, his bag also included some parchment, a few quills, some containers of ink, and even some camping gear. As he heaved the bag over his shoulder with a sigh, he made his way toward the door. He paused for a moment to see the picture frame of himself along with Sunny and Keith, smiling happily. He smiled softly as he adjusted the frame before reaching for the doorknob. “Mr. Argyle?” Argyle froze where he stood but did not turn right away. Keith Kogan groggily climbed down the steps. His vision took a moment to adjust as he spotted the old pony by the front door. “Do you have to go?” A sigh escaped Argyle’s lips before he slowly turned around, a soft smile along his face. “Keith…” Argyle spoke softly. “I won’t be gone long, I promise. I’ve already asked Hitch’s parents to watch you and Sunny while I’m away. I believe this expedition will be crucial to my hypothesis.” “Why can’t we come with you?” A reluctant sigh escaped Argyle’s lips, especially after hearing the eagerness in Keith’s voice. “If only I could let you. But the place I’m going to is very far away. I promise, I will only be gone for a few weeks… ‘three’ at the latest. I swear I won’t take longer than that. I trust you to watch over Sunny while I’m away. Tell her stories about the Paladins.” “Will you find the paladins, Mr. Argyle?” Keith asked innocently. “I’m hoping.” Argyle lifted Keith’s chin with his hoof. “Keith, have I ever told you why the Paladins of Harmony were so special?” “Because they were chosen by the Maiden and Mares of the lake?” “Not just that,” Argyle chuckled softly. “They were chosen because of their bravery, kindness, loyalty, sincerity, and their powerful bond with one another. When an Elf and a Pony are truly one, they are bonded for life. And so long as they have each other to look out for, no greater force in this land can ever bend them down. Very few ever find that bond, but you and Sunny share something special. I’ve known it the moment you came into our lives. She’s going to need someone by her side to guide through a world that doesn’t understand her. I need you to make this promise for me Keith. Whatever happens, you will always be there to look out for Sunny. Can you do that?” Keith took a very deep breath after hearing all the words. His one response was a nod to Argyle, which made him smile. “That’s my boy,” Argyle spoke. “I’ll write to you kids every chance I get, and let you know how everything’s going.” Argyle proceeded to turn around for the door, preparing to head off. “Mr. Argyle, wait!” Keith called out. The pony turned back toward Keith just as the door was open, and still waited to hear what he had to say. “Yes, Keith?” “I… I’ll miss you.” Argyle knew what Keith really meant by those words. “I’ll miss you too, my brave paladin.” And just like that, Argyle stepped through the door. Keith walked out to peer out toward the departing Earth pony in the distance. He looked on silently until Argyle disappeared over the hills and into the great unknown beyond Maretime Bay. When Argyle was no longer in view, Keith turned toward the heavens as if hoping to see some higher power in the sky. “Paladins… if you’re even out there…” Keith prayed. “Please keep my Dad safe. Help him find whatever it is he’s looking for and that he comes back home. Please…” *** Keith couldn’t sleep, not with so many thoughts running through his head. Earlier tonight, he revealed his true heritage to Hunk and Hitch. Though he was relieved that they accepted him, it didn’t ease his worries. Everything he had seen so far, though still not one hundred percent concrete, was beginning to look like real evidence that the paladins, and all of Argyle’s stories, could be real. But then he suddenly thought of Argyle… and it made his heart especially hurt. Argyle had said he’d be back in two-to-three weeks. Those three weeks became four, then five. Before long, months and even a full year had passed to the point where the letters started coming less and less. At first Keith and Sunny made nothing of it, thinking that maybe Argyle was slightly delayed with his work. Or maybe he ran into a detour… or perhaps he was doing extra exploring. But it was only during the later few months when they really started to worry. The tragic conclusion came upon Sunny and Keith that Argyle had long since passed away, especially when they found his body washed up on the shoreline. Aside from his wide-open frozen eyes and mouth agape, they couldn’t figure out ‘how’ he died… or if there was evidence of a ‘who’ involved. After the funeral, Sunny and Keith were given his pendant and glasses, one of the lenses cracked. Since that faithful day, Keith always regretted never having said ‘I love you’ when he had the change. Either because it was his stubborn man pride… or because he feared that by saying ‘I love you’ it was sadder way of saying ‘Goodbye’. Either way, he regretted never having the courage to address him as his ‘father’. But he knew the reason for that one. He didn’t think he deserved it, thinking someone like Keith was too different for Argyle to ever be his real father. It wasn’t till he was no longer with him that Keith realized how foolish those concerns were. With a heavy sigh, Keith looked up toward the stars gleaming in the night sky. “I wish you were here, Dad…” He whispered. Keith suddenly jumped when he heard someone approaching him. Everyone else was asleep around the now diminished fire. Each elf was curled next to their respected pony, except for Sunny who subconsciously curled closer towards Hitch. A tiny smile tugged on his face. Keith snorted when he looked up only to realize it was Allura who startled him. “Couldn’t sleep either?” Allura asked. Keith shook his head, as Allura sat next to him on the grass. “You miss your father too?” She asked. “You heard that?” “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. It was by accident.” “No, it’s okay,” Keith reassured her. “What happened to your dad?” “Oh, you know… ‘illness’. Never got better.” Keith hung his head in sadness. “What about Zipp and Pipp?” “He left.” “O-Oh…” Keith froze. “Yeah. He wasn’t really cut out to be a father, much less a king. I suppose that explains why Aunt Haven is such an attention hog.” “I’m so sorry.” “It’s okay. It’s not your fault.” Allura hugged her legs closed, and Keith looked at her with concern. Even though she claimed it was alright, he could tell it bothered her. He could empathize with sharing the pain of a pony close to you. “So… you were a mage the entire time?” Allura questioned. Keith chuckled, feeling a tad nervous. He wasn’t good at holding a conversation with new people. Yet, somehow, with Allura it felt easy. Probably because she’s so relaxed. “Yeah, I’ll spare you the story of poor little orphan Keith. It’s… well, it’s kind of a downer.” Allura scooted closer, resting her chin on her palms, like a little kid eagerly waiting for story time. To which Keith chuckled. “Before Argyle and Sunny took me in, I used to live in a cottage with my father. My ‘biological’ father, I mean.” “I guessed as much,” Allura teased. Keith smiled over just how adorable she was. “He was a very strong, independent guy. He taught me to fend for myself but was also very attentive. He’d take care of me when I got sick, and whenever I was scared of a thunderstorm.” “What happened to him?” Keith was silent for a moment before he continued. “Well… that’s where the storm part came in. Practically came out of nowhere. The wind was so strong I was sure it would tear our house right out of the ground. So much lightning and thunder. Dad and I were outside cutting wood when it happened. My foot got caught in a fallen log, my dad rushed in to save me. He did, but… a bolt of lightning struck the massive oak tree behind our house and… it landed on our house… and him.” Allura gasped. The story was not only tragic, but it also sounded like the stuff of nightmares. Her heart broke for Keith. “Oh, Keith…” “After that, I just wandered around hoping to find some place to live. I stumbled into Maretime Bay and the rest is history.” “Why didn’t you just return to Bridlewood?” “Tell you the truth I never even heard of Bridlewood till later in life. Dad and I lived pretty far from other mages and unicorns. He never used magic, which I found a bit strange. He just told me we didn’t need it so long as we had each other. As I got older and Argyle taught me and Sunny about mage magic, I just assumed mine was defective. I kept telling myself that my father was trying to spare my feelings, but now...” Keith realized how silly it sounded out loud. But, to his surprise and relief, Allura didn’t judge him. She didn’t laugh or make any snarky comment. She just sat there… listening. “Like I said… it’s a real downer.” “No, I… okay, no you’re right, it’s downright depressing. But it does have a happy ending. You found a new family that loves you.” “I sure did… only to lose one half of that family a while later.” Keith looked up toward the sky again, trying to make out the shapes of the stars. “Seems I have the worst luck when it comes to fathers.” “Then I guess we have something in common,” Allura spoke. Keith turned his head to face her. “My family doesn’t have the best of luck with fathers, either.” Keith knew he shouldn’t have snorted, but the way Allura said it, with that joking tone of hers, he just couldn’t help it. Much to his relief, she didn’t seem to take any offense at all. “Sunny’s incredibly lucky to have you,” Allura spoke softly. The gentle tone in Allura’s voice made Keith’s face grow hot, as he tried looking at anything but her. All he knew was that if he stared any longer he’d get lost in her big, deep blue eyes. “Zipp’s lucky to have you too,” Keith said. He tried to sound casual, but from the looks of it Allura wasn’t buying it. But again, she didn’t mind. “I think we’re all pretty lucky to have each other. Fairies, mages, earth elves, Pegasi, unicorn, earth ponies. Just like the paladins from your stories.” Keith frowned at the mention of the paladins. “You know, after losing Argyle, I started losing hope and my faith in those stories. That maybe they really were just relics of a bygone era; that the world was just too broken. Nobody trusts anyone anymore.” “Maybe it’s broken… because we don’t trust each other. Or at the very least give each a chance.” “What about you? Do you trust us?” “Hmm… let’s see. I broke you out of prison, tried stealing my aunt’s crown, became a fugitive, and now heading into the heart of the Jewel-Horn forest. Gee, I wonder.” This time Keith laughed even harder. “Okay, okay! Point taken.” The laughed until they heard Izzy yawning, muttering something in her sleep. “I think Iz’s got the right idea,” Keith said. Allura agreed, and the two returned to their respected ponies. “Allura…” “Yes, Keith?” “Thank you… for rescuing us back there.” The two elves smiled toward one another; their cheeks flushed red until they fell asleep. And so it was that Keith found his place in the divided world of Equestria. Here in this camp, with Sunny and all their new friends (And yes… even Lance). And for the first in a long time, he was happy even in his dreams.