//------------------------------// // Remember // Story: Statues: Continuation // by TypewriterError //------------------------------// A/N: btw... these stories will not be in order :P What was it with these towers and winding staircases? Yeah, the view is breathtaking from the top but I just cannot see the appeal of trekking up long cramped staircases where the walls scratch your shield and going up or down could make somepony dizzy. Of course if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t even go up these stairs in the first place. As I reach the top landing I stop to catch my breath before slamming the door open with magic. The orange earth stallion jumps and his shadow, a convalescing tabby cat, disappears behind him. “So here you are... again...” He traces the carpet edge with his eyes. “What’s your excuse this time?” Shrug. “No excuse?” Shrug. “What am I supposed to tell Princess Celestia?” Shrug. “I’m sorry...” he offers weakly. A sniff soon followed. “No, you’re not. You tell you you’re sorry and then during the next practice I find you missing again. We need your muscle out there but for you to be of any help you need to train with the rest of us... Have you got that?” Heart Forge sits down and pets the tabby as she slides in between his forelegs and rubs her head against his fetlock. Was he even listening? I am about to speak again when he finally answers. “Yes...” “And you’ll be there when we train again after lunch?” I ask, not as a suggestion but a command. Heart Forge doesn’t reply. My blood pressure is growing to match my impatience. “Yeah...” he mumbles before he lets out a violent sneeze. “Why so you spend all that time with that stupid cat?” “She needs company.” he mumbles again, wiping his nose with his hoof. “Well, we have plenty of other ponies not on duty who can take care of her. “ Another sneeze. “Ponies who aren’t allergic to cats.” “She only likes me.” Sniff. “Forge! We can’t have you sick all the time because of some silly pet!” I shout a little more harshly than I normally would. Two months ago I would have been more understanding but this... this is ridiculous. I hate it when he looks at me like that. Why did the strongest pony have to be the most sentimental? Why did he have to act so... sensitive around me? Having Forge look at me as if he was hurt and... disappointed... it just bothers me and I doubt if it’s appropriate. This is a time for war, not emotion. We had waited for thousands and thousands of years to fight and that was what we all had to do now. We have to survive. I keep my eyes firmly fixed on his own until he finally looks away. I’m still in charge. “I don’t even know what her name is...” he whispers so softly I almost don’t hear. “Why... why does that even matter?” His sniffling was all that I hear to accompany the purring cat. “I spent five thousand years wrapping her bandage... and I have no clue what her name is... Majesty... I can’t remember...” “You don’t need to.” I snap. “But why am I fighting..?” “Just, stop it! You know why. For the future of Equestria! That’s always has been the reason...” “No it hasn’t... don’t you remember?” I don’t like where this is going. I don’t want this again. I turn to leave. “I’ll see you after lunch.” “You’ve forgotten, haven’t you?” He needs to stop talking... He doesn’t understand. An orange hoof is held between me and the door. “This is highly inappropriate, Heart Forge.Must I remind you of protocol?” I remind him pointedly. “Aren’t you the pony who sneaked into the garden...” “At ease!” “You forgot why Princess Celestia put you in that garden in the first place! You don’t even know what you’re fighting for!” I could feel his hot breath heat my already burning face. “I’m fighting for Equ...” “You’re fighting because of your parents. They loved you. They raised you. They visited that statue every year so as long as they lived...” “Thank you for the history report but...” “Your family used to matter to you...” “I am needed now. I will see you after lunch” “Majesty... you’re needed but you don’t even exist anymore.” he spits out. Everything building up in me releases as I strike him across the muzzle. His cheek is soft as my hoof makes contact... it feels so wrong. But, I stop him. He keeps his eyes scrunched for a moment. His face stays turned away from me. He doesn’t hit me back. Despite my training he doesn’t return the blow I gave him. He needs to fight me. He needs to forget that I know him. He needs to fight. He opens his eyes. I hate that look. How could the strongest pony... be such a child? “This is for your own good, Forge.” I say, fighting the squeezing sensation in my throat, “You need a be a soldier. It’s just clockwork now. The past doesn’t help you fight. It won’t help you live if you don’t fight back... I’ll see you after lunch.” I leave. I don’t want to remember. I want to be stone.