//------------------------------// // The Sins of Predecessors, Part 1 // Story: A Reflection of sorts // by thetaleweaver //------------------------------// Chapter 8 The Sins of Predecessors, Part 1 -------------------------------------------------- 875 years since Luna's Disappearance -------------------------------------------------- 21 years ago, a string of events occured in Manehattan. The mayor of the city, Edgar Brickmason, had been arrested under various charges, the most serious of which being murder. He was to be executed in the square, but ahd been liberated by his right hoof, Colin Linshire. They slipped away without a trace, along with several other ponies who were connected to them through various means. Captain Valorous of the city guard had his men keep their eyes peeled for signs of the refugees, even all those years later. Little did Valorous know, they never went so far as a day away. Tucked in the forest along the path between Manehattan and a smaller settlement known as Ponyville was a farm house. There lived six ponies who chose to forsake their identities so that they might perhaps live a peaceful life. They, along with their families that have sprung up over the last two decades, lived in relative secrecy in that clearing, as they only left when they needed supplies and when taking the foals to school. The single farm house was slightly cramped, what with their being four families of at least three ponies living in it. Roland Mason, the head of the house, was aware of this issue, but seemed to avoid action. One day, as he was preparing to head to Ponyville to escort the young ponies home from school, his son rushed out to meet him. Being a gray stallion with a blonde mane, he was a near mirror image of his father. The fact that he often times kept his wings hidden under a waitcoat helped further improve their similarity in appearance. "Father? Can we talk?" asked Colton. Roland merely nodded his head, and the two began walking along the path that would bring them to the school building in Ponyville, where all of the colts and fillies from the four families were waiting for one of the adults to come get them. "It's about the lack of space in the house. I think we should consider attempting to expand". "It is a bit cramped, son. However, there's not much I can do, you see" replied Roland. "You always say that, but you never explain why. Can't you tell me?" "It's none of your concern, Colton. It's best if we stay off of the subject". The two then walked together in silence until arriving at the school house. Five foals ran over to the pair, and they turned around to head back into the forest. They walked along, the children scampering about and horsing around as they followed the stallions. "What do you suppose will happen when all of the foals grow up and have foals?" asked Colton, curiously. "I thought we agreed to drop- Lanca! Stay with the group! This conversation". replied Roland. "You can't dodge the is-If you wore it to school, it stays on until we get home, Ignaceous! Issue forever, Father. You'll have to explain why you won't answer me at some point. I'm fully grown, I can handle it". "There's no need to explain, Colton. You- For the love of Celestia, Noir! If you don't get out of that puddle, no sweet roll after supper!" exclaimed Roland. He regained his composure briefly before resuming. "The foals are awfully rambunctious today, aren't they?" "You're still dodging the issue, Father. Again, whatever the reason, I'm sure I can comprehend it. I'm a stallion, and I want to start taking some responsibility around the house". Roland sighed and shook his head in response to hearing this. "Fine. The truth is, I accidentally left the deed to our property back in Manehattan, where I used to live. Besides that, we'd need to purchase more land. That's something we can't really afford to begin with. So there, now you know. Any further questions?" "What did happen in Manehattan? Why have you forbidden us from going there?" "You'll learn that some other time. For now, let's just get these foals home". The two continued walking along the path, snapping at the foals whenever they began playing around too much. Within a short span of time, they arrived back at the farm house in the middle of the forest, and the foals dispersed to be with their parents once again. Colton immediately marched to his shared bedroom and found his twin sister, Filia, reading a book by the window. "You're back" she stated, eyes still glued to the book. "Indeed" replied Colton, climbing into the bed. "And you tried talking to Father about the issue of space?" "Indeed". "And he dodged the issue as per usual?" "At first. He gave me some more information this time around, though". Hearing this, Filia turned her nose away from the information-rich leaflets and towards her brother. "He said we can't because it's out of our price range and the deed to the land is in his old home". "That being the proof that he owns the property. I imagine it's in-" "Manehattan, yes". Filia sighed in response to this. "Well, then I guess that's all the more reason not to go there..." "What? Why not?" asked Colton, having almost guessed his sister would say the opposite. "If he never went back to get it himself, then he must have a good reason. Think about it" she stated, matter-of-factly. "Or maybe he forgot?" "If he hasn't forgotten what happened when he let you help him re-paint the house 16 years ago, I doubt he'd forget that". "I was under the impression that word meant something else, I swear!" he exclaimed. Taking a moment to recompose himself, he continued. "Okay, so that's definitely not the case. But what does matter is we still need that deed!" "There's nothing we can do about it, Colt". "So says you, dear Sister" he retorted playfully. "I mean it!" "Come now, where's your sense of adventure?" "Buried under that wondrous thing most ponies have. It's called 'Logic'. Please research it sometime" she retorted. "Yeah? Stick to your logic and you'll live a boring life, I say". "That might be true, but at least it'll be safe". Colton got up and left the room, playfully giving his sister a raspberry on his way out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ That night, both of the twins had trouble sleeping. For Colton, it was because he was planning how to go about getting his hooves on the deed. For Filia, it was due to the fear that Colton might try to do something asinine. Unable to sleep due to these worried thoughts, she turned to the floor where Colton slept. "You're not planning on going, are you?" she asked, hopeful he might not stay true to his usual sort of nature. "It's got to be done, Filia. We need more room, and the answer to our prayers sits in wait for us. Or perhaps someone else. We can't wait any longer, for risk of the latter" he replied, his determination ever-present despite the drowsy tone of his voice. Filia couldn't entirely disagree with what he was saying and, while she wanted to just tell him 'No' anyways, she knew that no matter what he would do it anyways. She could report this to her parents, but she knew that the punishment would be severe. Besides, perhaps the fear of such would dissuade him from going. "Alright" she conceded. "But promise me one thing: Be careful when you do this. There's a reason Father wants us to stay away from there. And, on the note of Father, be prepared to face the consequences when you get home". "I can't imagine him doing otherwise. Of course, I'll be careful" replied Colton, chuckling. The two finally fell asleep, dreaming of what they thought would come the next day.