//------------------------------// // ACT 1: Big Brother Fall Down (Chapter 6) // Story: The Vanishing Star // by NocturneD85 //------------------------------// The Vanishing Star by NocturneD note: Let's get ready to rumble! ooo To make this blunt. My older brother beat me up... again. I made some comments I probably should not have had but my prejudice against him was still strong. I did not want to give him another chance. It was my childhood all over again. Him on top of me. Proving his superiority. I had no idea why he hated me so much and only me. Maybe I did know and just did not want to admit it. But seriously what did I do to get pinned down and beaten so many times? Everything was so hazy. The blood from my wounds dribbled down onto my shirt. My sister was trying to wipe it all away while grandma Lucrecia to bandage me. Swan just supported me in her arms, crying for my sake as she also tried to wipe the blood away but not as quickly. Some more ponies wandered over to my side. I had no idea who some of them where but I think I recognized uncle Arius. A guard was requesting a medic to come in and whisk me away. Ghendi... Just took one look at me. He knew my pain. He knew who Shining Armor was finally. With the stories I told him. I never saw him so agitated. Seeing that he was an older brother himself. Usually he's calm and act like a goof if you lead him on but I respect him. The closet thing to a brother I ever had. Was going to fight the brother that I wished I never had... I begged him to reconsider because the odds were pretty much against him but I gagged and gagged more blood coming out from my mouth. Shining Armor really did a number on me. The crowd fell silent as Ghendi shouted. "HEY!" He hollered. Every pony's dead eyes were set on him. "You knocked him down... Why don't you try knocking me down?" He challenged. Shining Armor only frowned, "My fight is not with you." He pressed his hoof against his own lip to feel the swelling I managed to give him. "As I made a judgment in error.. I'm not fighting. Even if your boss deserved every second of it." That just ticked him off but it did not read on his face. Ghendi walked up to how much he could against Shining Armor but the guards were in the way. They did not want another fight on their hooves I could tell. Worse was princess Celestia and Luna were in the banquet as well. Celestia saw enough as she was about to stand in and command every pony to stand down. But the tension in the room... "Out of my way..." Ghendi warned, no emotion in his voice but still it felt commanding. "Stand down officer." One of the guards looked down at Ghendi. "I won't warn you again." The smaller white unicorn just stood there. Not biding to the guards orders that stood in his way. "By the order of princess Celestia we are enforced to stop this. We'll arrest you if you continue to pursue." The other tall guard looked down. The big mistake happened. They put their hoofs on him. And he surprised them by slipping through their grasp using close quarters combat and then slammed them both onto the hardwood marble ground using his weight as pressure. Many gasped and screamed. Shining Armor, was not very impressed. He was standing his ground as well. Ghendi walked over the fallen guards and right up into Shining Armor's face. He looked up, my older brother looked down. Their eyes shooting daggers at each other.. The size difference was easy to point out. Ghendi was not any bigger than maybe an inch or two than Twilight. It was like David vs. Goliath, okay so maybe Shining Armor is not a giant but he feels like one to me. "My ring is outside..." Ghendi snarled. There was some more words exchanged, harsh words, reasonable words but it all boiled down to them both walking outside into the courtyard. Much to the princesses' protest, it was not going to be fought inside where there were guests. Many of the guests left... or tried to leave as some were too focused on me or the fight. Paramedic did arrive to take me away but I forbid it, told them to just make the swelling stop. I was too stubborn. They loaded me into the carriage outside. Just as soon as the attention was away from me I cloaked myself again to sneak away to watch. And of course, the courtyard did occupy the two. Twilight again and again tried to make the two not to fight but they decided. Decided to communicate through their hoofs. Neither one of them was willing to throw the first punch. Shining Armor probably felt a little too guilty but still Ghendi wanted to mess him up. And he had to get the fight started and in fights, usually the first pony who starts usually leaves them self open for the opponent to find an opening. I hope he knows what he's doing. I got a good view of the courtyard from where I was standing. Though I'm still cloaked I had to make sure to not let any pony run into me. Losing concentration makes me visible again. I knew Swan was chasing after me but to her, I'm going to have to stay this way. I was not bleeding as much anymore but still felt a bit of pain. Twilight yelled again and again. Some ponies having the sense to try and stop. Celestia herself, tired of her own roars just sat back and asked the two if it was necessary. Ghendi replied that there was some honor to restore while Shining Armor said it was to defend his family name and faction. I only rolled my eyes. And to my surprise, Celestia only allowed it as long as no pony else got involved the courtyard is their ring. But after the fight, the two will face punishment and it will be written off as a training exhibition if any pony asks. The fight got off to an interesting start with simple punches and kicks. As expected Ghendi would fly further back then I did when he was on the receiving end. But he would just come back and was very agile. I looked around, there were some guests that decided to stick around and watch from the terrace or around the barracks above the courtyard walls. Some spectacle this turned out to be. *BAM* "JEEZ!" One pony shouted. "The little guy can really take a punch." Another commented. I watched in awe. As in terms of size and maybe stricter military training my brother had the edge with his barrier but I would not count Ghendi out with his agility and tricks, I seen him perform magic that even I can question. But yet was amazed, perhaps he was a ninja that I claimed he was one time. He even learned some stuff from the Lucrecia tutorial. You'll have to see to believe... *BAM* "OH!" A group of males shouted. My brother threw a punch but Ghendi swerved to the side, grabbing the large white arm he tried to use it to his advantage. Shining Armor denied that chance by using his other arm to swat Ghendi away, only for my boy to do an amazing backflip and a swift kick to Shining's face with his prosthetic leg. CLUNK. "OH!" The crowd went again. Shining moved back to feel part of his face. If I'm right, the limb can hit about five times harder. Which brought a slight smile to my face. A taste of your own medicine big might hit like a giant, but my boy can hit like a bus if you piss him off. By now, Shining Armor was not taking any chances as he would throw his barrier up a bit more often. Things were being muttered among the crowd as I paid attention. From what should be an easy fight by visuals, Shining should of had this long over with. But some ponies took interest in what Ghendi performed again and again. Rumors floating around of them saying they have not seen something like him in a while. I watched Celestia next. Her eyes wandered as she watched the fight. Still not amused. My parents begging for the fight to stop. My thoughts of them wanting their reputation to not further dwindle, but the look on my sister as she sadly looked on. By at this time. Shining managed to finally get a hold of Ghendi with a grabbing spell and wrestled him to the ground. A weird purple glow covered the smaller white stallions body from shoulders to waist rendering his front arms useless. "Well that's it..." Another pony claimed, "Captain finally got a hold of the little zip." "Don't count him out too quickly..." I muttered. They forgot Ghendi was a unicorn as well along with his jitsu or alchemy whatever. But it did look bad. By the looks of that grasping spell it looks like it was a submit or suffer spell. "BIG BROTHER!" Synn shouted from the barracks. Yes cliche but you really have to give it to Synn. Not in a while did I see for myself that Synn stuck by Ghendi through all the bad times. They were homeless for Celestia sakes. Ghendi really put Synn first before himself despite having only two limbs at the time. How he made sure Synn always had his fair share of food and made sure they had enough. Taught him even in the worst of times, even if all things go bad for them they always had each other. And that's what I envy from them. I almost could see myself in Synn wanting to learn everything and enjoy life that was not always so scary. But in front of him, the worst thing is to see one of the strongest ponies he knew and practically worshiped being pulverized. Ghendi looked up to see something he never wanted to see ever. Synn begging him with tears. "Please don't die!" Shining approached Ghendi finally a bit roughed up. "Are we finished yet?" "N..n...no." Ghendi struggled, the spell pulled tighter. "I told you there was nothing to prove on your end." Shining frowned. "Ther...there is!" Ghendi shouted in pain. "Then what?" Shining looked down at the struggling pony. "From... from one older brother to another..." The smaller unicorn breathed, "I can't stand it when big brothers... have to make their younger siblings feel unsafe even in their own home." He managed to slowly rise to his hoofs but still struggled. Shining paused. Slowly Ghendi walked up to Shining Armor. "Big brothers are supposed to protect!" He arched his neck back and then delivered a hard head butt into the captain's face. Shining staggered back a little. "Big brothers are supposed to care!" He delivered an another. "Supposed to always look out for them!" Another head butt then another, "What's your excuse?" Shining Armor kept backing away. The pain I know was oozing from his forehead. Again he stood straight back up, "What are you talking about?" "About your mistreatment of Vanishing Star!" Ghendi shouted as he head butted Shining Armor for a fifth time. This time. That really set off Shining Armor to get his second wind as he used his magic to pull up his barrier as Ghendi was going to head butt him for a sixth time. The force knocked Ghendi onto his back. Shining Armor wasted no time rushing over to sit on his chest. Oh how familiar this was when I was younger. Shining Armor raised his hoof and struck Ghendi again and again. "I..." *BAM* "NEVER..." *BAM* "WANT..." *BAM* "TO HEAR HIS NAME AGAIN!" *BAM* "IT'S HIS FAULT WHY ITS LIKE THIS!" *BAM* "HIS FAULT WHY TWILIGHT AND I HAD TO LEAVE!" *BAM* I'm sorry. I know it was tough. But I had my reasons for what I did. At this point Synn was dying at the sight. Swan and Betsy trying to comfort him and making him look away. Come on. Get up. *BAM* *BAM* "I WASN'T A BAD BROTHER!" *BAM* ooo It was another day in the Sparkle family household. Dad was sorting through his papers because of work again, mom was finishing up the cleaning. Twilight was reading her books as usual. Shining Armor was in his room jerking off again or something while I was playing with my toys in my own room. "Transform!" I said to myself. I pressed the button on my carriage toy. It transformed into a robotic pony. How fun this toy was to me back then. Just then I heard mom talking to Shining Armor in the next room. And much to my disappointment I kept hearing my name be brought up. I know. Mom was asking him to go pick up some stuff from the grocery store since she was so embarrassed on what Twilight did there. She wanted him and I to go together. I would object to this but Shining Armor already opened my door and told me to get ready. But I knew his game. I was cautious around him. Mom wanted us to pick up a few things. Couple gallons of milk. Vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Apples. Carrots. The works. I brought my wagon for easy carrying. Mom given us the right amount of money for the food with her card and a little treat for ourselves like a pack of gum or candy bar. I did not say much to him during the trip. But Celestia his ass head friends Sticks and Stones. A skinny brown unicorn and a grey bulky earth pony, often the upper middle class bullies that live in these parts and go to Shining Armor's school. He hung out with them and really dragged him down. Let alone, they find any pony to pick on. Practically the reason why Shining Armor ever gave me a hard time was because of these two that gave him the idea. And as usual, Sticks and Stones were playing it all casual while I just dragged my feet with the wagon. Shining talked to them normally. Sticks would always taunt me while Stones would rough me up while Shining just took afterwards. The whole trip these two would not shut up. Sticks kept tipping over my wagon and Stones making me flinch. I told Shining Armor many times if they did not stop I was going home and telling mom. Sticks and Stones took lightly to the threat, Shining just told me to suck it up and keep on going. So pretty much the trip to the store was a disaster. Sticks and Stones just can't see that we're busy and yet Shining Armor does not tell them to go away. They just kept throwing stuff into the cart. I could barely even see the apples we originally came for in the cart. From what I saw a bunch of naughty magazines, beer and junk food. Funny thing, I knew how much our original total was supposed to be. Around forty dollars. But this, slowly I calculated in my head had to be worth over three hundred some odd bits. Went to the check out and bought what we had. Shining Armor had a fake ID on him and pretended to be Mr. Light Bright from time to time. Yeah. Picture that. A small colt pulling a wagon full of beer home. Cute ain't it? Only that it was not for home. I had to wait outside their special hideout in some dark alleyway. Yes. Shining Armor used my mom's card to buy porn and beer. I sat outside with the right items hoping he would come out soon. Tired of waiting I went inside to find it. Well I thought the place was on fire at first because of the smoke but they had another of Shining's friends at the place. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce Pots. And he's known for that not just because of cooking. Hint. Hint. Pots saw me and thought I was the police. Shining just hit him in the head and told him who I was and was not supposed to be in here. He was about to throw me outside when I told him for the hundredth time that we needed to get home. If he won't then I'll just tell mom. Cut to Sticks and Stones not liking this as they held me down. Shining warning me not to tell, I told him I would not but. Well sometimes that's not good enough for them. These were like three teen stallions teaming up on a seven year old colt twisting my arm. Well. I was flung against a wall by those two. Pots just sat there and did what he did best... smoke. Shining finally took me home and told me just to lie to mom saying we got held up at the store and had to make some detours. But I think for that one moment seeing how his friends were treating me, he was having thoughts. That night I cried. I did not even feel safe in my own home set aside from dad. Here I got an older brother who beat the crap out of me whenever I saw him do stuff and made me swear not to tell. Just one day... I wished some pony would beat up on him to show how it feels ooo *BAM* *BAM* Come on... Ghendi get up! *BAM* *BAM* And with that... Ghendi used one of his special spells. He opened his mouth wide. A familiar blue light glowed from the back of his throat. Shining kept punching until he noticed. But it was too late. A blue spell blast launched from Ghendi's mouth, a beam of light if you want to describe it. Or if you saw a Godzilla movie its sort of like that. With that Shining Armor was sent flying across the courtyard. Hitting the opposite wall hard. Ghendi finally casted a cancellation spell on the restraints Shining Armor put on him earlier, soon his arms were free. "What do they call those things?" One pony asked. "Lizard ponies?" Another one replied. "No no. Kirin I think." One brought up. "I thought it was Qilin?" Another asked. I soon wandered over to Big Tex and stood next to him. Him steadily watching the fight but I knew he was tense. He was not one for fighting himself. Not worried that his company could look bad, he just cared for Ghendi as he shouted from the side lines. The fight continued as Shining Armor started shooting magic attacks of his own. Ghendi soon started to run quickly avoiding the blasts, running up along the concrete walls and soon vanishing from here to there. His agility gave him a great advantage to wear down Shining Armor. Ghendi quickly threw smoke bombs and would run up along the blind side to punch Shining Armor. ooo Just weeks after Ghendi's transplants I offered for him and his brother to stay with us. Both of them were in terrible shape and needed pretty much everything. Check ups, food, rest. I gave them all that. Big Tex and Betsy did not mind any of that. At first the thought of taking in two homeless ponies to a rich lifestyle seems radical. But these two been through a lot. One day. Ghendi was testing his arms and legs. Practicing his martial arts out in the backyard. I watched him throw those weird kunai knives at the target a bunch of times. I saw him use his magic to climb up the trees by just running up them. Sword training. Surely I was impressed and would watch him. Almost like he was an actual ninja soldier living right there in the backyard. He never asked for too much and was always polite. He knew his place but I would always invite him to stuff. We soon started catching on as friends. Until one day. I asked him about his past while he was training again. He strained his normal leg while practicing apple bucking and had to sit out. My orders. He sat under the big oak in the backyard and explained his story. As I sat idly, it was tough for him to remember those days. "Ghendi..." I sat next to him. "I'm just curious. If it's too horrible then I withdrawal my question and leave you alone." He looked at me, his hair dangled over his face as he tried blowing it away. He parted it to the side. Those eyes of his. Filled with uncertainty. "Nah..." He sighed. "I think its alright if I shared this..." The equipment he was holding prior to our conversation from kunai knives to smoke pellets. He settled them away back in his side bags. "I was born in the Eastern side of Equestria. I am indeed a unicorn and was trained by some of the masters back where I used to call home." He was born into a clan that is pretty much half pony, half dragon called the Kirin. I eyed him a little. But to him he explained he was only half Kirin or whatever. A normal town like Canterlot that the Kirin took it upon themselves to protect from outsiders. But each child had to make a pilgrimage, well unfortunately for Ghendi he had his while he signed himself up to be part of the royal army at a young age that had jurisdictions all over Equestria. He was in the army for about couple years while the war between the Griffinns was just ending. During his trip home for vacation. His town was hit pretty hard and engulfed in flames. Only that, Griffins were not responsible as they were really a different colony of Changelings in disguise. Attacks were swift and surprising as his town practically was taken over. His family were separated during the attack and had to leave. Only to find out that his little brother had gotten lost somehow and separated from their mother. Father ended up turning into stone then buried somewhere in the ruins of the town. The changeling queen of that colony was in more of a shape of a dragon fly pony and had an puke orangish color scheme. The queen taunted Ghendi many times, his unit slain. The queen also had Synn in her possession, disguised herself as their mother to fool the little kirin unicorn. Would not take long as the queen put Synn in a sticky prison and reveal that their mother and other pony clan was in statue crystal form as well. Ghendi was soon faced with over a hundred orange changeling creatures with only his sword and his experience behind him. Ghendi roared and attacked... Only thing that stood was him and the queen. The fight was brutal. But the queen bested him by shooting her goo at him. It stuck to him as he fell to the ground. The queen circled around him, taunting him, trying to persuade him becoming her king to breed a new army. Ghendi told her to buck off. She wandered over to Synn and threatened to bite his little head off. Ghendi pleaded to not touch him. But she ignored him, toyed with him. Synn panicked and wanted his mother. Ghendi shot his fire beam at her causing her to fall back. To him back then, the fire beam spell took awhile to charge back up and had to be used sparingly through out the day. The queen got back up and had enough. The queen walked over to Ghendi and gloated. With his magic he tried to fend her off but she was too strong. She oozed some substance over his horn so he could not perform any magic. He was stuck. The queen wanted his brother next. He could not let that happen. He tried to reach for his sword... He did and... Cut his leg off. He used his fire beam again to hit the queen at full blast roasting her alive. He gathered enough power to use his fire beam again and blew off his own arm. What happened after that... Synn had to learn to use the radio by himself to call for help. Ghendi was found and treated by a neighboring trader. Back up would soon arrive to find the town in ruins. Crystallized stone kirins and ponies all over the place. Some of them had eggs laid around their proximity. Learning that, this colony of Changelings eat crystal stone victims. The eggs were taken care of. Ghendi however was never the same... He could not find a spell that could reverse the effects. And soon he had the idea to search all across Equestria for it. He was discharged from the guard because his condition. Now left with no home to go back to, can't work, most possessions were burned up. Family heirloom promised to be handed down either melted or stolen by pickers who tried to salvage the ruined town. Ghendi decided to continue the pilgrimage. To find a way to revert his clan back to normal or at least try to restore the family name of Kirin. With a young child in tow, he had no choice. He sold a few things to get by. They wandered and wandered. Money troubles happened where they sold more of their salvaged things. Soon they hit rock bottom of sleeping in alleyways and dumpsters. Begging for money... And that's where I came in... His problems seem a hell of a lot greater than mine. This pony lost his family was a tragedy. I just left my family because I was tired of their bull shit. I grew huge respect out of Ghendi for telling me that story. All that they had left was each other, some photos and a family crest. He never wanted to talk about himself much and always offered to help. I tried to get him into more things but he had his limits. His little brother is what he said he needed, all that he needed. Even told me he did not plan to stay long and off to continue their journey to right the wrongs. But I offered my hoof to help. He vowed to protect us for this great honor that I bestowed upon him. I still wondered if he still plans on leaving. I actually liked having him around. He did his job that I provided for him and knew the rules. But I worry about him sometimes. At nights when I take a stroll outside the house I find him perched on a balcony looking on in the distance. He was in deep though. Probably missing his home. Thinking about what he wanted best for his baby brother. So we had our talks here and there. He felt more like party of the family week after week. Synn had no objections as Big Tex and Betsy took a shine to him, gave him whatever a child needed. Little guy reminds me of myself when I first came to live with Big Tex and Betsy. Filled with hope. Filled with the idea that... everything was going to be okay. Though a big question Ghendi asked me one day... "If something to ever happen to me... I want you to take care of Synn from now on." ooo Punch after punch. Kick after kick. Spell after spell. The fight went on. Shining Armor put up another barrier. Ghendi started punching the barrier over and over again like a jack hammer. You could feel the force as if there was a thunderstorm roaring in. Again and again he punched the barrier. Part of me started to think he was out of ideas. *BAM BAM BAM BAM* Ghendi punched the barrier again and again. I could see shock wave impulses flux through the barrier as if it was like crowd continue to watch, some with interests. Others with disgust. But slowly, I discovered that the prosthetic arm was not bending as it should be. Ghendi must have worked it to its limit. If he keeps this up he could lose that arm. The barrier fluxed again and again. Rippling. Ghendi must have found a weak point somewhere as he dove towards the barrier and put his hoofs jutted forward. Almost like he was trying to pry open the bubble with his own bare hoofs. Shining Armor tried to stabilize the spell from rupturing. "You can do it big brother!" Synn cheered. Down there... I saw Ghendi's mouth form the words, "Thank you..." He put on a determined look as the inside of his mouth started to glow again. A little piece of me was smiling. But another side just felt sorry. OOO As you already know. My brother and I don't get along very well. He hits me. Barks at me. All because I did not want to see him get in with the wrong crowd. Sticks and Stones hung around as his friends for awhile. But lately those two have really ramped up the bullying sessions on me whenever I walk home from school. Everyday I would come home with a new scrap or bruise. I hated myself. Shining Armor only watched me as I walked up the stairs slowly, crying and trying to find the band aids. I must have used an entire pack in two weeks. Day after day. My brother would watch me head up to my room. Probably was the last time he was ever a dick to me I remembered before I disappeared. Shining Armor would not do anything. Those two were his friends. One day which really set the bar is when those two started chasing me with paint ball guns. They managed to get a lot of shots off on me. I went home covered in paint... and pain. Mom and dad were not home. Shining was. Slowly I slumped in and went upstairs again. Looked at myself in the mirror. Covered in all sorts of colors. I think one got in my mouth and busted a tooth. I just sat in the bathtub and moaned. Suddenly he stuck his head in. My own brother just to watch me wallow in pain. "Hey..." I just looked at him. "Sticks and Stones again?" He asked. His tone was not the same this time. Not taunting me. "Y..yes." I muttered. He wasted no time checking me over. This was foreign to me. He turned on the water and started scrubbing me down to get rid of the paint. Washed me from head to hoof. This was totally different. This was the friendly Shining Armor tending to me, just like back at Pony Canyon who stood beside me shooting zombies. He tried me off and rubbed alcohol on me and told me to just lie down on my bed. This was too good to be true. Wonder how long it would last. Mom and dad came home and asked, some more yelling as expected. Shining brought up my dinner and sat with me. We had a small talk. Was not very heart felt but at least gave him something to think about. Well the next day Sticks and Stones caught me down the baseball field. Ready to practice for their try outs. Shining Armor was a bit behind me as I walked up to home plate. We were going to make a fun day out of this. But as usual Stick and Stones took this opportunity to grab onto me again and tried to swing me up into the air for the other to hit me with the bat. Shining told them to wait as he would do it. Oh man... I knew it was too good to be true. So I sweated nervously. Showed him fear. His friends pressured him. I knew it was coming. But it never did. I heard a bat crack over some pony's head. I watched as Shining Armor literally crack the bat against Stone's face then took another swing to snap Stick's arm easily. Or at least I think he did. Shining yelled again and again how dare they even lay a hoof on me and how stupid he was for letting it happen. About the fourth or fifth strike the bat finally broke. Did not matter anymore. Sticks and Stones ran off to go tell that Shining beat them. Well as expected the police did try to take Shining Away but I stepped in for him telling he was only trying to protect me as Sticks and Stones were about to beat me as usual. Well words were said. Families were threatened with law suits. But in the end, it was dropped. Those two were sent to juvi for other things that they did. I really don't want to tell. Their families tried to bribe their way out but it did not help them this time. Heard those two do trash pick up down the high way now. One of them is being stallion handled by a cell mate, won't tell you which one. As for Shining Armor. I respected him a bit more for what he did for me. Might have been violent but he finally stepped in before it got nasty. Still we had our fights but Shining finally lightened up. He had it enough to hear with those two that made him do things. Sure it was hard to explain once mom opened up her credit card bill but I think there was something left to explore of him. Dad and mom were still a big issue though. Slowly he turned into somewhat of a friend... like a best big brother friends forever kind of friend. Twilight even came up with a song for it. My big brother... best friends forever... We still had our issues though. But they were not as bad as I remembered them... OOO Ghendi somehow forged a hole in the barrier. Soon ponies started screaming, knowing that this could be it. Shining tried his best to close the hole. But Ghendi... fired off inside the barrier and hit Shining Armor again. The barrier shattered like glass. My brother had some burn marks on his chest as he landed onto the ground. He moaned in pain. And slowly got back up. I can't believe this, how could he still be walking after this? Unless... Ghendi was not putting one hundred percent into this? They exchanged blows. Each one getting weaker than the last. Shining Armor used up the last bit of his energy to manipulate the barrier into his right hoof. Ghendi casted a spell onto his prosthetic arm. The two punched and punched each other. When Shining punched Ghendi, Ghendi slowly got back up and punched him. The same with Shining Armor. Both were exhausted. Punch. Punch. Shining Armor used the last bit of energy to punch Ghendi again in the face. Only for Ghendi to do the same and in the result, the prosthetic arm reached its limit and snapped apart. Both stallions fell to the ground. Breathing slowly looking up at the barracks where we all where. The fight was over... It was a draw from the looks of it. I jumped down and rushed over to the two. The other ponies took the stairs or flew down as well. Still cloaked I listened in. "Can you move?" Shining breathed in question. "Not really..." Ghendi coughed. "Can you?" "No..." Shining heaved. "Want to call it a draw?" "Su...sure..." Ghendi heaved as well. "The force field you used. Holds up pretty well. I heard stories... heard stories about the Sparkle clan famous for those... Ow..." He cringed, Shining Armor really put a lot of stress on my guard's body. "Thanks..." Shining coughed. "That magic spell you shot from your mouth... you a kirin?" Ghendi coughed again and ached, "Half..." "Heh..." Shining managed to smile through his pain, "I fought with a half kirin and lived to tell about it... Ow.." "Yeah..." Ghendi tried to chuckle, "Don't get... too cocky, I might challenge you again someday..." "I'll be waiting..." They both chuckled. Ghendi turned his head over to look at his opponent, "I'm... sorry to hear about your brother... and your family..." Shining was silent for a few seconds. "Worst part of it.. I never got to say I'm sorry... for the eight years of his life... he trusted me... he had to..." He coughed again and again. "But... I was a bad brother... I let things happen to him, I never stood up for him and worst of all... I was a little envious of him sometimes but... he was the only one who never said I was a complete failure..." I looked down at his face. Did I just see a tear? "I couldn't protect him... just hurts thinking about. Whatever I never gave Vanishing Star... I gave to Twilight Sparkle to sooth my guilty conscience... But sometimes... when I look into her eyes... I see him staring right back at me..." "I... would have never thought of such a thing to do to my own brother..." Ghendi coughed and rested his broken arm on top of his chest. "I had others... but Synn... He's the only thing I got in this world right now... the only thing that holds me together... the only thing that reminds me that things were worth living for.." He coughed, "Shining... We're not tools. Fighting was mostly the thing I was good at.. that's why I lied about my age to enlist and never looked ahead... But my home was ravaged by Changelings and their own queen... I lost everything. Had to sacrifice my own limbs to save my little brother..." I saw another tear, this time from Ghendi. "I was discharged because I could not fight anymore... I took my brother and wandered Equestria for awhile... but soon as things were about to go dark... Fade Away showed up and offered me another chance at life... I thought about it, but my brother was going to die if he did not get the proper medicine... I took it and every day... I thank Fade Away graciously..." "Oh..." Shining looked back up at the sky to notice the stars. "You fight like a real guard... heh..." "Want to say... it was an honor fighting you captain..." Ghendi looked back up at the sky, "Maybe one day we'll be on the same side..." "I'd... like that..." Shining smiled. He sighed, "I still got a heavy burden... I just wonder... up there somewhere... he's looking down on me... hoping that he forgives me... I was cruel back then... but I just could not take it no more with my friends telling me what to do..." He choked up... "Van... I know I'm not perfect and really sorry on how I treated you... just wished to know if you forgive me or not... If not then I deserve it..." Shining Armor... Though you gave me a hard time. You really did try to live up to your role. Though you can have a short fuse sometimes, you made up for it later. I guess I was not entirely honest with him but he was rough in our childhood... He had a way of saying sorry... even if did not come from his own mouth. From either sneaking a piece of pie from the kitchen or finding me new tools to use with my toys. He always got me a gift, was never anything special but... to me it showed that he was not entirely a vile bastard. He showed me how to use a yo-yo and let me try his Nickelodeon moon boots... We always teamed up for game night as he was the brawn, I was the brains together we were almost unstoppable. He actually felt like a friend... I watched as the paramedic loaded them both on cots and other ponies ready to take them away... I lowered my head to my brother's ear... My own tears dropping onto his face. And whispered... "I forgive you..." I watched as his eyes shot open as he tried to look around but was ordered not to move around much. Ghendi was taken along side of him but trailed a bit behind. No surprise for Cadence and Synn to be by their loved ones. I don't know why but... I think those two grew some respect for each other. Carried away until they were out of my site. My big brother... best friends forever...