//------------------------------//
// Dreams of a Thief 
// Story: Memoirs of a Thief 
// by grey mane 
//------------------------------//


All the things one has forgotten scream for help in dreams. - Elias Canetti, The human Province, 1978.





As days passed Greymane's memory slowly came back to him in his sleep. Though this reduced the amount of pain that he would feel, it also made him think it was his fear venting out through his dreams. Where as unknown to him it was the steps he took that made him become the thief he once was and still is.

The memories started back with his oldest ones. Back when he was an orphan, helping run an orphanage along side his adoptive sister who was also an orphan. The two of them didn't have a name and where known around the place as brother and sister. While his sister took care of the books and trying to keep the place up and running, he helped the the few workers there keep an eye on the foals.

Till one day he learns the truth in his sister's office, that the orphanage was being closed down, shocked by what he has heard his pupils narrowed as he slammed his hoof down on the desk, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHERE CLOSING THE ORPHANAGE...DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY YOUNG PONIES NEED US TO STAY OPEN JUST SO THEY HAVE A HOME AND FOOD!?"

Sitting there resting her head on one hoof his sister simply looked up at him, "Yes. Including us and the staff there is a total of one thousand five hundred seven, but we are out of bits to keep this place going. We've been out of bits since you and I first got here fifteen years ago, when you were only a few months old. And to add to the problem we have only five years left until this place closes. And unless we can come up with ten thousand bits to cover the debt this place has accumulated over the years as well as another five thousand to keep us on our hooves then there is nothing we can do."

As the pupils in his eyes slowly began to fade from his anger he ran through his mind attempting to make sense of everything, and trying to come up with a solution, "NO, there's nothing you can do...you need to stay here and keep running this place, I'm going out into the world to help us get more bits...even if I have to work till I drop."

From the many years she knew him, she could tell when he was messing around like a foal and when he was serious and this was one of those times he was serious and it made her worry, "And what should I tell every pony here? Namely the young one's, you know they all look up to you." She replied as she shook her head.

Knowing they would cry from being separated from not just each other but from him leaving he turned and walked to the door saying the first thing that came to mind, "Tell them...tell them what they should know, and that I left to help them."

As he walked to his old chest his head hung low and his eyes were barely open, many knew there was something wrong but the foals ran up to him with toys thinking that he was just sad. Believing his sadness was just because no pony would play with him several of them had surrounded him. He said nothing, only reaching to give them a long hug goodbye with tears in his eyes not knowing how long he would be gone, or how far he was going to go. Other foals rushed over to join in. After five minutes he let them go and gathered a few of his best work clothes and what bits he had saved up over the years and walked to the door. As many said goodbye to him the foals all asked if he had finally been adopted by a family.

Knowing she couldn't tell them all the truth regardless of how much she wanted to, his sister reached down and gave the filly a small hug with tears in her eyes, "Yes...he has."





He traveled far and wide asking any who would help him, going from town to town, village to village, door to door, and even from one pony to the next asking if there was anything they could give to help out the orphanage or were willing to give him some work. Many looked down on him thinking he was just some beggar, others would spit in his face, and the rare few would tell him a lie just to draw him into an alley and beat him within an inch of his life, only to hear them say at the end 'why don't you just get a job?' This did little to stop him knowing what was at stake, after many months of searching he found a tavern full of ponies that called themselves day laborers.

Having found a place that would grant him work he spent three years taking any and all jobs that came up. It didn't matter how dirty, how humiliating, or how hard it was, he would answer the call for work. Near the end of the third year he started feeling down from working in a distant land as a day laborer, while asking every noble pony he could find for a little extra help only to be turned down day in and day out. He slowly started to lose hope and began to doubt himself. Believing he failed not just his sister, but the orphanage as well this caused him to attempted to drown his sorrow in a pint of ale
.
The thought of what could happen to everypony there just made his heart sink farther, and drag him deeper into disrepair. Looking over from the far end of the bar the tavern keeper who kept a close eye on everypony there and knew their drinking habits, found it odd to see him with his new choice knowing he had never seen him drink ale or any kind of alcohol since the first day he walked in. Knowing that a change like this could only mean one thing he pulled out the house special cider, a warm brew made fresh every day and served with a bit of cinnamon and no added alcohol then flew over.

"Oi, me laddy have a pint of cider on the house." He said with a smile while placing the tall wooden glass on the table.

He looked up with his eyes pinkish red and full of tears, and saw him holding the large steaming glass with a grin, "Uh...oh thanks umm?" he said with a tremble in his voice as he reached up for the glass.

With a cheerful tone to try and keep his spirits high he chuckled, "McTavern, and ye must be brother...or so I hear them lazy lay about call ye any way. But that's not the point, ye seem down...more so than usual...and ye've been here for three years now, and each month you look worse. Now I know ye the best day laborer here so finding work can't be that hard for ya. It's a mare isn't it, ye be havin girl trouble?"

"Don't listen to McTavern when it comes to the ladies, he gets shot down faster than he can down a pint." Claimed the other pegasi as he flew past them with a tray full of drinks and food
.
With a smile on his face McTavern turned and pointed at him, "Now what have I told ye John?"

As he took the first sip of cider he felt a warm feeling grow from within himself, "You could say I'm having some trouble with a mare."

With a slap on Brothers' back McTavern pulled up a stool and sat down, "Ah aye knew it...tell old McTavern all about it."

"I'm telling ya, you don't want his advice in this. Unless you're looking for a one night stand or a quickie, then he has all the answers." John stated as he flew back behind the counter.

With a big grin across his face McTavern pulled out a bat with the words engraved on it 'Whacking Stick', and pointed it at John, "I'm warnin' ye."

"Put that damn thing away..." Raising his hooves as he looked around as he smiled, "...nopony here want's to see you're stick. No matter how small it is." John joked as he grabbed several bottles and loaded his tray.

Putting the bat back under the bar as he chuckled, "Get ye mind out of the gutter."

"It's my sister." The young stallion managed to mutter out between light sobs.

Seeing the distraught look on his face the smile he had slowly began to leave his own face, "... ...John...that group in the far corner is about to start their poker game. Go take my place and clean 'em out." As John left with several bottles to join the game, McTavern started to read his face, "Aye...family...come now tell me all about it."

"Well to start she and I are orphans we adopted each other, we...were orphans to begin with. We took over the orphanage almost four years ago, and now we are about to lose it. All because of unpaid taxes, and the ponies coming to collect will just toss us out even the foals." As he explained tears started to form and roll down his face.

"Here...drink up, it'll calm ye nerves. Now I see what ye problem is, but ye work so hard. Days, nights, weekends, even holidays. For the first month ye was here I thought ye might have been a puppet of one of these unicorns, that is till ye passed out on me bar. Now is there anything old McTavern can do to help ye?"

As he drank the cider it calmed his nerves but he was still full of doubt as he turned to look at McTavern, "Not unless you have fifteen thousand bits just laying around here."

As he started to laugh he attempted to contain it under by letting it out through his teeth, "Fifteen thousand...I wish I had that much to give...aye, and as hard as ye work ye should have at least three times that by now."

Expecting him not to believe anything he told him, from the many years of getting beaten down and called a liar he took another gulp in the hopes he could get through his next statement, "I would...but most of the ponies that I've worked for promised a lot of bits but only give me less than ten percent of what they promise, then they either fly away or threaten my life with magic or guards. I've only made enough to cover the rent here for the next few months and that's without food and drink...I had four years to come up with the money and I haven't even come close in the three years I've been here." As the tears filled his eyes and rolled down his face his head fell onto the counter, "I failed them."

Knowing how bad it was he replied with a mono tone in his voice, "Aye...that be too much burden for a pony of ye age to bare. And I know the ponies ye talking about, undesirables we call them. Clients that nopony here wants to work for, be they corrupt guards, politicians, or rich, none here will take work from them. And I wish I had that much...but I can still help ye."

With half the cider gone and his eyes watering up he stared at the pegasi with a small hint of hope, "How you said you didn't have that much bits."

Gulping down the untouched pint of ale with a twinkle in his eye he slammed down the glass, "Ye right I did say that...but I can still help. What would ye say if I told ye there be a pony that could help ye get all ye need and then some, to help keep ye orphanage open for a long time."

Finishing off the last bit of cider in his glass he arose to his hooves as he rushed for the door not realizing that he had no clue as to where he was going, "If that's the case then what are we doing here wasting valuable time? The orphanage only has another six months to a year left, and I don't want to waste a second."

"HAA HA...that be the spirit...Cake John, keep an eye on the place till I get back it'll be about a month or two!" He shouted with excitement in his voice.

With the sound of anger and annoyance in his voice he floated into the air, "For the last time it's John Cake. Ya alcohol loving twit."

Rushing out the door he grabbed his bowl hat and exclaimed, "Atta boy ye know how to hold down the fort."

Not fully knowing the area around the tavern the young stallion pondered and thought about all the places that could take a month to travel to "Where are we going that takes a month?"

Knowing the danger of what could come if followed he shut the door and whispered into his ear, "There be a cavern far to the north, the trip only take about two days but I need the extra time off."





As they traveled McTavern looked back behind him not just to make sure the young earth pony was keeping up, but to make sure that no pony was following them. The location had to remain a secret from all for many, especially anypony associated with any of the royal guards in the world, for reasons that he would not explain. For two days he kept this up, knowing that many would jump at the chance for fame the likes of which no pony could fathom, till late in the evening on the second day they came across the side of a mountain.

As they approached it McTavern took to the sky and flew as fast as he could giving the surrounding area one last glance before landing. "Aye...it's clear. Now here be the situation the pony we've come to see is not very well liked, but he be the only one that can help."

Looking around in disappointment the young stallion slammed his hoof down, "What are you talking about there's nothing here, you said there was a cavern but all I see is just the face of a mountain."

Grabbing a small stone as he laughed the wall slowly vanished as he picked it up and put it back, "That is because he made it appear this way. It may be an illusion but while it's active it's real to the touch, not sure how it works but then again I'm not able to use magic."

As they walked in McTavern reached up and pulled a small rock out of place and watched as an illusion spell sealed the entrance so no pony could follow them, once this was done he reached out in the darkness for a hidden torch as well as a flint and steel to light. Once the flame was lit they traveled deep into the cavern until they met an earth pony whose appearance, though shrouded by the shadows he sat in made it difficult to see him, was so aged it seemed as if death forgot him… or chose to mock him by granting a continued existence without youth.

With a boastful smile full of confidence McTavern walked forth "Oi, I tink I found the one ye been look'n for."

Watching the old pony rise to his hooves and walk around a stone pillar that seemed to be holding the roof up he vanished and reappeared behind them still concealed by the shadows, "McTavern, is it already time for you to come by...I still have plenty of your grand cider to last me the next year."

"Aye, it not be the time for me to come by. However this one be in need of ye help, and I think he can help ye in some small way as well."

As the young stallion turned around the old pony once again vanished and reappeared where he once was when they first walked in, "How are you doing that? Earth ponies and pegasi can't cast magic."

"You're right we can't due to the fact that we let ourselves become narrow minded...but we can still perform illusions."

"That's just another form of magic." He stated with nothing but doubt.

"Wrong, an illusion is optical, audio, physical, and in some cases mental deception. You see me standing here but when I step behind the pillar you thought I would walk around the other end, instead I took a step back and slipped behind you. All suffer from tunnel vision it is this trick I use to appear as if I'm casting magic when in truth I'm just walking, running, or just simply moving around you."

Trying to keep his eyes on the old stallion he watched him as he stood there, "So then all I have to do is just make sure you don't trick me then?"

As his eyes never left the pony that stood in the shadows he heard his voice come from the far right, "Well you could but I know all the ins and outs of illusions, I've even tricked a unicorn who proclaimed to be the master of illusion spells."

Having fallen over on the floor laughing McTavern found it hard to breath, "Oh Greymane when are ye gonna stop play'n with the poor boy?"

"Wait...did you just say Greymane? As in the legendary thief Greymane? The old ponies tale Greymane?" He exclaimed in disbelief.

Barely managing to get back on his hooves McTavern let out a sigh of relief, "Aye he be the one and only laddy."

In shock the young stallion turned to McTavern with his mouth hung open, "How do you know him?"

Letting out a laugh that almost seemed to shake the cave McTavern slapped Brother on his back a few times, "Oh boy'o few ponies back at the tavern knows he's real and even fewer have met him." As he began to explain his voice took a dark and hateful tone as tears started to form and roll down his face, "I was just a young colt when I first met him, twenty five years to the day it be now. I grew up much like ye, an orphan, but unlike ye I grew up in the streets. Never knew me parents, all I can remember is the beatings I would get from this one small group of corrupt guards at the end of each week. One night while I was sleep'n they came to me in a drunk'n rage, ye could still smell the alcohol on 'em. The first hit that woke me up shattered me lower rib, the beaten felt like it lasted for hours. Then when I lost all hope, Greymane came and saved me without hurting the guards, he just put them to sleep with a wave of his hoof. Few days later I awoke here under his care and protection right here in this cave, and if not for him neither ye nor them other ponies would have a tavern to call home away from home. He done more for me than any pony ever have, he saved me life, and I know I can never repay that debt."

As McTavern tried to cover his face to hide the tears Greymane walked up to him and put his hoof on his shoulder, "Let it all go, what's in the past must stay in the past. You have done more than enough to repay me, you have given back the life I saved a thousand fold. And that is far more than I could have ever asked of you."

Wrapping his hooves around Greymane knowing he could not hold back his emotions as he fell to his flank McTavern nearly let out a screech as he cried, "And what would ye have asked of me?"

Pulling McTavern in closer Greymane started to pat him on the back to calm his nerves, "To live your life as you see fit, and you have more than done that. You have given a home to ponies that need it, food to the starving, and drink to the thirsty. I could never have asked for anything more from you or John."

Astounded the young stallion looked at the two of them, "Wait... ...John knows of him as well?"

As he dried the tears from his eyes the tone in his voice seemed to calm itself, "Aye..." Looking at the young stallion he wiped the tears from his eyes as he let out a sniffle, "...John was saved by Greymane as well, his story starts off happy but turns tragic real fast. He was the son of a captain to one of the pegasi armies, but his father knew too much about one corrupt politician who payed off his commanding officer for a few dirty deeds as well as a few other soldiers. This same politician didn't want to have any loose ends so he paid off the same guards to have him killed. So in the dead of the night they burned him and his family alive, John barely survived. His burns were so horrible he would have died, but like me Greymane found him and brought him here. I know not what be in that gourd of his, but it saved John's life. A few ponies back at the tavern found out about us thanks to him as well, but that's a different story for another time."

Lifting his gourd and taking a small sip the stallion gave his guest a small look over, "And as I said what's in the past must remain behind us, otherwise we can never move on. Speaking of which, you said he can be of help to me, but all things have their price. What is it that you ask of me?"

With a teary smile on his face McTavern nudged him forth, "Go on boy'o tell him."

As he stumbled forward his eyes jumbled around as he tried to find the right words only to turn around and question the situation, "When you said he could help I didn't think it would be the legendary thief...who by the way is suppose to be just some old ponies tale. But at this point in time I can't be picky, now can I? I come here to ask you for fifteen thousand bits to help save a failing orphanage, I'll do anything you ask...just please don't let anything happen to the ponies that live there."

As Greymane carefully walked around he pulled on his beard pondering the situation that was presented before him.

As he slowly walked around the room he pondered how far this young stallion was willing to go, "Anything I ask of you...well then I have to ask you, how much are you willing to give up for this orphanage?"

Without missing a beat he shouted, "EVERYTHING...I was born an orphan and I know what it's like out there, and I would rather die than to see a single filly or colt go without a roof over their head; food in their bellies; or even a warm bed to sleep in, not even for a second."

Without a shadow of a doubt in his mind Greymane smiled, "One in exchange for many...McTavern you were right, this one is different. You know where I keep my money take ten times the amount and go give it to his orphanage."

Walking to the small rolling hills of gold McTavern bowed then raised his head with a smile, "Aye...consider it done."

With a surprised, yet shocked, smile on his face the young stallion started to cry, but with held the tears as best he could, "What about me?"

Knowing he had finally found his replacement, or his heir, Greymane smiled as he walked up, "Stay with me. For I have chosen to adopt you. The only thing I ask of you is that you take my name. Here is a map mark where McTavorn is to take the bits."

Confused as to what was going on he marked the location down and watched McTavern leave with a cart full of bits, "What...but...hold on, why would you need me to take your name?"

Once McTavern was out of earshot Greymane gave a grim but blank stare as he pulled back the hood of his cloak, "Simple...I am dying and the world still needs there to be a Greymane to help keep the balance of power."

Still unsure of what was going on he inquired with doubt filling his mind, "What do you mean by that 'keep the balance of power'...you're just a thief, how can a thief keep the balance of power?"

He chuckled as he began to explain, "The current balance of power is with all the royal families that are out there in the world. And they all have kingdoms of their own, however without a common enemy they will go to war with each other for power and domination. That is where we come in, to be that common enemy for them."

Knowing the old story he stared for a moment pondering how an immortal such as him became as aged as he was, "But according to every pony you can't die...in fact many say you've outlived thousands of alicorns and will continue to do so."

With a chuckle in his voice he thought back as to how he once made the same statement, "Is that what they have said about me… well let's set that straight. I am the forty-ninth Greymane to have lived we each live for about a thousand to two thousand or more years longer than our normal life span. And I only outlived one alicorn, he was the captain of a royal guard and he died of exhaustion from hunting me down, all be cause I stole the heart of the unicorn he loved...but hey these things happen. So what do you say?"

With a smile full of acceptance knowing that not only could he continue to help the orphanage, he had also finally been adopted by somepony after all these many years, never knowing who his real parents where, "When do we start father?"

After taking the time to walk over he put his hoof on the young stallion's shoulder, "First there is a vow I would like for you to take."

"A vow?" He inquired as he pondered what a thief would need a vow for.

"Yes, it will help you in your darkest hour, to make the hardest of choices, ones that no pony can ever make. The ones that only we can make."

With a dumbfounded look on his face he tilted his head ever so slightly, "What kind of choices do you mean?"

As the smile slowly left his face his bright blue eyes slowly faded as storm clouds appeared to take the place of his true eye color, "Life altering ones, the kind that can make or break ponies."

Feeling the small change in his attitude he could see how dire the topic had become, "And you say this vow will help... ...in some small way?"

As the young stallion stared into his eyes he could faintly make out images that seemed to be past choices, and former regrets that Greymane once dealt with, "In some small way... ...no. It helps us in a big way each choice we make could change the path or fate of the ones we love as well as the ones around us. Do not take these choices lightly, or this vow lightly either. Do you understand?"

Looking deep into his eyes he could tell how this was not something to simply brush to the side, "I understand."

As he took the vow he stared deep into Greymane's eyes and watched as the storm clouds slowly receded and his natural blue eyes slowly returned. As the vow came to an end he pondered if he was right for the task, could he carry on such a task as if he had done so his entire life? Whether he liked it or not the new path he had chosen in life was now to be the next Greymane, the only thing he did like about this was the orphanage was saved.

As he finished reciting the vow he could see the playful nature that was once in Greymane's eyes had returned, "So... ...what do I get to learn first, picking locks, pouches, how to trick ponies into believing I can perform magic, or what about..."

As he stopped the young stallion in mid sentence, he put his hoof on his chest and gave a small shove, "We'll start with eh...working on your balance and hoof work to better prepare you."

As he stumbled to keep standing only to fall over the young stallion slightly chuckled, "Prepare me...for what?"

As Greymane walked over he moved his adoptive son's hooves into place, "For fighting, though it is best that you avoid any and all conflict as much as possible, it is also best that you know how to defend yourself. I'll teach you the improvised style that has been passed down and perfected with each new Greymane. This hoof to hoof fighting style was developed by the third Greymane, She was the first to ever really get into a fight, sadly it was against a minion of Tartaros. Having barely survived the fight she ran to the closest kingdom and hid for a while, it was there she learned the basics of what she later developed as the improvised style, over time we each learn something new and adapt it to our fighting style to give us an edge over others. Be warned this is only to defend yourself, or others that need it otherwise stick to the shadows and remain unseen."

As he began training his adoptive son a familiar voice came forth to the old ponies mind from the astral plane showing its serpent like form only to Greymane, *Greymane...is this one the right one?*

Without losing focus on teaching he carried on the telepathic conversation, *Yes he is the one to take my place.*

Knowing the danger of picking the wrong pony the voice reminded him of what could happen, *Just so you know, if he is the one from the prophecy...I will end him and pick a new one.*

Knowing full well what he spoke of he repeated the old warning, *The prophecy claims that 'A foolish, arrogant Greymane could cause the destruction of an entire nation because of a single choice.' Not that one will do so on a whim.*

With what could arguably be considered a hint of hate the voice let out a worrisome grunt, *And that is what worries me.*

*Yes I know but it's says he could, not he will.* Greymane stated with the greatest of optimism.

*Then I have no choice other than to trust you and hope for the best, and I expect no less from him as I did for you and that means his training must be finished in one and a half years*

As he showed the young stallion proper hoof movement, and several hoof stances he gave a small smile as he carried on the telepathic conversation, *For an all powerful creature you do a lot of that...but I understand why. I just hope one day he does as well.*





Having made the choice to stay he learned all he could from his father. Days turned to weeks, weeks into months, each passing second brought something new for him to learn. Each day he started growing stronger, faster, far more cunning, and also bonding to his adoptive father.

He learned how to read a ponies movements from just looking at the tiniest reflection out of the corner of his eye. He learned the hoof to hoof style known only to the Greymane's as improvised fighting, mixing all the different styles of the world, and throughout all of time it had been perfected with the first lesson being that this style will never have a master due to its constant change. Once he learned to defend himself properly in any situation he learned when it was best not to engage in a fight and when to use stealth to get around as well as use it to take out large groups one by one if it was necessary.

The hardest lesson that took him weeks to learn, was fighting an opponent he couldn't see, "Okay tell me again why are we in the crystal caverns, and why am I blindfolded? It's pitch black in here, I couldn't see in here even if I tried."

With a slight chuckle the forty ninth Greymane fastened the blindfold, "Now don't lie to me my son, I've taught you how to adjust your eyes to see in the dimmest of lights."

"Ya that's dim lights not dark." The young stallion sarcastically replied.

"It's not that dark in here and you know it, light constantly shines into this place through the small opening at the far end, its reflections make it near dark and I know you can see just fine in that."

"Fine you've caught me there...now why the blindfold? ... ...Father?" For a moment he felt scared that his father had left him blindfolded in a cave till he felt his father strike him to the ground, "...AHH!!!"

"Come now my son have you learned nothing? When you can't see your must..." He paused for an extended time to see if his son could figure it out as he slipped back into the shadows of the cave.

"Learn to hear, feel, and anticipate everything. My eyes are good but they can always be fooled, just like my other senses. So when one is being tricked I must use the others."

"Good. Now lets try again. And this time really try and expand your mind, the slightest vibration from the ground, sound in the air, even a gentle breeze all these things can tell you where I am, when I will come at you, and how."

It was weeks before he learned what it took to fight when he could not see. As the weeks passed he got better at it, there wasn't a single movement that he couldn't anticipate coming. Feeling the vibrations from the ground told him how many and how fast they would come, the sounds he heard echoed in the cave but this only made locating his father easier. The sound of dripping water echoed through the cave drowning out and separating his own breathing from that of his father's hoof steps.

As the old stallion lightly pounced off the wall he cocked back his front left hove and prepared to attack with all that he could. As his hoof slowly made contact with the back of his son's head he saw him make a quick yet fluid motion bending his body around the punch and quickly grabbing his father's leg tossing him to a wall. Just as his body was about to make contact he spun himself around and landed safely on his hooves making him parallel to the wall as he pounced off it kicking a small piece of crystal in the opposite direction in an attempt to draw his son's attention elsewhere.

As he landed behind a small mound of crystals he looked to where his son was only to see he had used the opportunity to vanish from his last known location, as he started to ponder where he had gone a hoof found its way to his left shoulder, "Looks like I finally managed to land my hoof on you."

As he closed his eyes he sighed with a great smile finding its way across his face, "Indeed you have my son. I thought you would have tried to hit me."

"You taught me better than that. If I recall the lesson you said, defuse the situation with little to no conflict and if at all possible break the line of sight and escape, and if I can not then I must single out the one that refuses to give up and put him to sleep without truly harming them. It is better to not to harm, for if we hurt anypony we are no better than bandits, or common thugs and have failed in our task to protect this world."

As he turned around he wrapped his hooves around his son's neck and hugged him as he whispered into his ear, "You make me so proud my son. You've learned well and have mastered your senses. You may remove the blindfold."

As he removed the blindfold his eyes adjusted to what little light was in the cave, "Finally it feels good to see again, sort of, I think I tied this thing too tight."

As the old stallion smiled he gave a small chuckle as he turned to walk away. "Come now you must learn how to pick locks of all types then following that I sh..." As he began to set out a list of what was next for his son to learn he fell to the floor with a feverish sweat, coughing up blood.

"FATHER!!!" Rushing to his aid the young stallion removed the gourd from his father's hip and popped the cork to pour no more than a swig down his father's mouth, "Hold on you're going to be okay."

As the small amount of clear liquid made its way down his throat, his sweating stopped, and his coughing came to a slow yet steady halt and his breathing returned to normal, "Thank you my son."

Giving a small sigh of relief as he sat down as he put the cork back into the gourd and gave it back, "You really shouldn't over do it, that was way too close. And I would hate to think of what could happen if I wasn't here."

As the old stallion smiled his ears twitched to what he thought was a faint sound of a bell, and behind his son he could see a shadowy hooded figure holding an hourglass in its bony fingers with the sand nearly gone, and the last bit brought to a slow stand still, "It's okay my son, for when my time comes a friend will be there waiting for me."

As the old pony took the gourd and put it back on his belt line he looked up and saw the saddened expression on his son's face, "Father...I..." Trying to find the right words he turned the topic of death off into a new direction, "You're gourd is nearly empty, perhaps we should make more of the medicine."

Knowing he had hid the truth from him it became harder for him to tell his son the truth, "Oh don't worry about it... ...I'll make some more later...now where was I. Ah yes after learning to pick locks of all kinds, then I shall teach you how to make a powder that can teleport you. And I shall also teach you a small amount of ventriloquism to make ponies think you're moving around or in many places at once. Then after that I shall teach you the more advanced techniques in the improvised style."

Knowing his father was dodging the conversation he chose to follow his example, seeing as to how one of his earlier lessons was to avoid any and all questions that could compromise who he was, "After I learn the advanced techniques will have mastered the the improvised style?"

"Oh my no..." Letting out a chuckle as he looked back the old stallion smiled, "...the improvised style can never be mastered, so long as there is still much to learn and adapt to it there can never be a master."

"Okay but answer me this, when will I learn to get past magical locks or even barriers?"

"In time it will come to you."





As his lessons continued he learned how to pick locks with what most ponies would say is impossible to do. Using a toothpick to just knock a few of the more important components loose causing them to fall out of place and releasing the locks. At first it seemed impossible to do this but once he had it down his next lesson was to pick the lock just as he learned but while under attack, and much later while he was also blind folded and under attack to better prepare him for any and all situations.

His final lessons comprised of making tools for scaling walls, and picking locks. Making a powder for teleporting, and putting an opponent to sleep when they least expect it with a grappling maneuver or a sleeping powder when necessary, with every lesson he had to learn the meaning to each phrase of a vow he would one day take to not just his heart; but within the very fiber of his being. His last and final lesson was learning how to deal with magic of all types, and how to get past barriers or magical locks. Once all that he could learn had been taught his father passed down his cloak, an old but specially enchanted item that had been passed down since the first, the enchantment on the cloak was a difficult and rare spell for slowing descent.

"This enchantment my son is what has granted us the illusion that we can fly even if we are not pegasi...though many of your forefathers and mothers where pegasi they tried to keep the idea that we were always earth ponies. Funny now that I think about it, many ponies are coming up with the belief that we could be an alicorn...though there was one of us that was an alicorn. Sadly his life was short lived even for his kind, he was dying of a rare disease that no pony could cure at his time. It is more than likely it has been cured by now, or the disease itself had died off over these many years. Now as for the spell we picked it up from a distant land filled with a race of ponies called zebra, they have learned how to cast magic using rune like symbols, I shall teach you the one that was used on this cloak here should you ever need to use it later. Though don’t get me wrong there were several tribes of ponies throughout the ages to learn how to use runes, some are just better at adapting it than others."

Hearing that he was going to be using magic drew up red flags in his mind, "Hold on, first of all you said that you couldn't use magic. And second even if you lied to me, we still can't cast magic due to the fact that we are earth ponies."

Giving a small chuckle as he started to draw a circle with strange writings in side of it. "Well I never lied to you, I merely bent the truth. And we can cast magic if we expand our minds and learn how, for you see having a closed mind is what makes it easier for anypony to be deceived. This is also true for ponies that have an open mind, that is why it is important for you to learn to see through all kinds of deception. I shall also teach you how to see through them, starting with this." As his son watched on he saw a faint wave in front of his eyes as a horn made its way into sight, "I've been concealing my true look from you with an illusion spell, but this enchantment believe it or not was taught to me by an earth pony, the Greymane that came before me to be more specific. I'm showing this to you now not only because you must know, but because I've grown too tired to hold up the spell."

As time went on he slowly mastered even this basic enchantment, alongside making the two powders he would be using later. Once he learned all that his father had to teach him, he was fully dressed in the same appearance. His tools, and powders well hidden to appear as if he never had them, his cloak enchanted for a slow descent from high areas under his control. As he looked toward his father he could see nothing but pride in his eyes, as a final test to make sure he was ready; he was required to review everything he had learned with his blindfold on.

As the time they spent slowly came to an end the old stallion constantly hinted away that his time was nearly up, "My son...do you hear a bell?"

"Father I can hear many things in this cave but no bell." As he peeked up from his blindfold he could see his father slowly growing weaker by the minute, barely able to stand. Frowning at what he saw he slowly started to learn that time would never be on his side ever again, "Father...are you alright...do I need to get you your gourd?"

He gave a small smile of reassurance as he looked back hoping not to scare him, "No my son it's quite alright...when you get to be my age you start to hear things that aren't really there. Come now come now, on with your training, I want you to be more than prepared for what is out there in the world."

All in the span of one and a half years he trained and learned everything from crafting tools out of just plain old garbage, to picking a lock with nothing more than just a toothpick or several splinters if necessary. Being that the old stallion was a unicorn that used an illusion spell to conceal his horn, he even trained him to handle himself in a fight with creature that can use magic. Until one faithful morning when the old stallion fell gripping his heart.

Being blindfolded for months on end he heard him fall and rushed to his aid tearing off the rag shouting in fear, "FATHER!!!"

Knowing he could no longer hide his condition he gave a mournful smile as he spoke between gasps of air, "So...(wheeze)...this...(wheeze)...is it."

With the fear of his father dying he started to cry and give words of hope, "No it's not you just need your medicine where is your gourd?"

Reaching beneath his cloak he pulled out the gourd he had been hiding as not to worry his son, "It's here...(wheeze)...beside me where its always been...(wheeze)...but its empty...(wheeze)...there isn't anything any pony can do my son."

Fearful of what came next and how he had no idea how to handle the oncoming situation as he began to doubt what was happening before his very eyes, "NO...NO...there is still something I can do...tell me how to make the medicine. I can still save you."

Knowing that the time had come he smiled once more and put his hoof on his son's shoulder as he told him the truth, "You can't make it...(wheeze)...it was filled with water...(wheeze)...from the fountain of youth."

Stunned with the truth he had no idea how to react, "What are you talking about?"

Passing the gourd to his son he started to explain, "That is how all of the Greymanes have lived thousands of years past their time...to tell the truth, I was already dead long before you ever came to me. The only reason I have been alive so far is because I have been sipping on the water all this time."

Knowing the tails of the fountain he looked at him and thought it was a lie, "But you've been aging all this time how can it be..."

"Because my son, over time the water stops regressing one's age from its constant use, until all it can do is ward off death until there is no more. It's the curse of the water, if one wants to use it to live by drinking the water they can never go too far from the fountain."

As his fear took hold he started sobbing as he starting thinking of ways to save his father's life, "But there has to be something I can do."

"There is...(wheeze)...in fact there are a few things you can do."

Without hesitation and a smile full of hope he asked, "Tell me...what can I do."

"Take the gourd it is the only thing of value here to all the Greymanes...and here...this necklace as well...it was a gift from my beloved. I want you to have it now. And as for the gold...(wheeze)...the trinkets; they mean nothing it's just there to let us help ponies that need it the most. The second thing you can do is this...(wheeze)...take my body..." Pointing over to a table at the far end of the room his hoof fell to the ground, "...and all three books over there to the sacred burial site of the Greymanes...in the middle of the site is an old library lost to all but us, and I want you to add my books to the library."

"But...I'm not ready, I'm not ready to be Greymane...to take your place...I don't think I can do this."

"Oh you're ready my son...though you may have only trained for only a year and a half, you are more than ready. If you have any doubts take the time to read for the next six months and learn from us all, there is a map with the books to guide you there...just remember this, you will be ready for all things physically and mentally. Spiritually and emotionally however...you will never be ready, I know this because I was never spiritually or emotionally ready."

"What do you mean...was any Greymane ready spiritually or emotionally?" He asked with tears flowing down his face.

As the smile faded from his face he started to explain, "No...none of us ever where...not until the end. Which brings me to the last thing I would like for you to do. It is when the black bell rings for you at the moment when your time comes, do as I do...as we all have done. When the Reaper comes for us we've all greeted the Reaper as a friend."

As the smile left his face he looked at his son and started to frown as he confessed the few things in his life he regretted, "I'll tell you the one thing I never told anypony...that unicorn I fell in love with...(wheeze)...when she died I was at her bedside...(wheeze)...and I cried my heart and soul out. She and I wanted to have a family, but I knew that it would never work and she would always be in danger...not following my heart...that's what I truly regret...but in the end you came to me. And became my son, I finally got what I wanted. And the alicorn...(wheeze)...the captain of the guard I mentioned, when he died I was at his bedside and even then I cried, and when I did he woke up one last time he asked me, 'Why do you cry? Are you not glad that I am passing from this world to no longer chase you?' To which I replied, 'No...for you are the closest to a friend I have or will ever come to have.' He passed from this world with a smile on his face to know this. I even cried when the Greymane that trained me died. Just remember this vow my son. I take upon the name Greymane and title legendary thief; not for fame and fortune; but for life and love; though I know that my life is forfeit no matter what, I shall not harm the young and innocent, and I will not take a life for all life is precious and must not be wasted; let it be known in this life and the next that I will never sway from this path...even when tempted with one filled with my hopes and dreams. Now go my son...and live...and live...live...free..." With his final words his eyes closed as his last thought was, 'Though I leave this world to be with the ones I love, I shall always mourn over my son who still lives in this dark and unforgiving world.'

He felt his father's life leave his body as he held him in his hooves and began to cry, "Father...FATHER...FATHER..."

As he cried a voice spoke into his mind that felt as if it came from everywhere, *Greymane I know that now is a painful time for you but you must continue on without him and do as he asked...this world needs you to help keep the balance go now.*

As the tears continued to fill his eyes he shouted out with a voice full of rage, "Keep the balance? WHO ARE YOU...WHAT ARE YOU...ANSWER ME!"

*I don't answer to the Greymanes...for they are my advocates, go now and be as free as the wind but know this...when the time comes I will call upon you to do a task that only you can handle.*

"I shall...but only because it's the least I can do for him; my father and every pony that needs me."

*That's what I expect out of you now go.*





Though full of sorrow Greymane traveled to the far north west, following the map and transporting his father's body and his books filled with research, notes, and his dairy. The trip took him three weeks through rugged terrain and winding paths until not even the map could tell him where to go, let alone tell him where he was. As he stared out to the ocean he gave the map one last look and saw the words inscribed 'Iftah ya simsim'. As he uttered the words a path shot up from out of the water that seemed to go on for days.

As he walked the path he saw that for every ten steps he took the ten behind him crumbled back into the ocean, an odd spell he thought, if it was indeed truly a spell of some kind. He walked for what seemed like days until he came to a large burial site and just as he was tolled off in the distance  he could see a building untouched by time, and on the metal sign it read 'Their LOVE IS A MEMORY; A GHOST IN THE FOG'. Almost seemed like a joke of some kind since the island was shrouded by a thick fog and sealed off by a large stone dome, and the path that lead him had fallen back into the ocean, it was truly hidden either by some kind of natural force or a magical one. He could not tell which nor did he care as he saw this place was safe for his father to be buried, where none could desecrate his grave.

As he looked around he could see many headstones, each one bearing the name Greymane and a number. Seeing this he now knew the truth, and how it must be kept a secret at all costs till the world was ready for the truth. Having one last look around he saw an open grave with a headstone marked 'GREYMANE 49TH' no date was inscribed for his birth, and noticing the one's next to it neither was theirs, nor the date of death. An Illusion for immortality if he head ever seen one, his father was right deception was one of the many key tricks he was going to use.

Having a good look at the open grave he noticed a pile to dirt that the grass had not grown over with a shovel sticking out of it, "This must be the place...hmm...father, you dug your grave years ago...its...its just waiting for you...like a friend...or a lover."

Carefully lowering his father's body into the grave brought back many memories of the time they spent together, though short, it had made a large impact on his life. All his praises, words of wisdom, and encouragement, it brought forth tears of joy that he found hard to hold back. Once he finished burying his father he closed his eyes and lowered his head giving him a much needed moment of silence.

Once the task was done he took the hint to dig his own grave and prepare for what will one day be his turn to join the other Greymanes whom have long past. Following this he took the time to read every book in the library as he was instructed and learned everything that his father could not teach him. Far more advanced tricks and skills his father didn't have time to teach him even one such trick known as the ‘Demonic Curse', using a demons name to bind them to one's will required three key things. He would need to know their name, where they draw their power from, and what their purpose in life was; what made this even more interesting was that there was a list of demons and descriptions of what they look like, as well as their purpose in life, and where they draw their power. As he took the time to read all of them each one holding a new trick for sneaking around or rendering an opponent unconscious with just a simple tap or pinch, even secret tricks hidden between words should this place ever be discovered by the outside world. Until one day in his father's books he learned about how like the last five before him had started searching for another alternative for the fountain, or even if it came to more drastic measures the purist form of immortality they even referenced something they called the leviathan and how it was always there to help; but it often spoke against such an action saying that it was unnecessary for them to become immortal.

What drew his attention even more was his father's search for immortality, knowing how his father passed from this world with a faint smile and greeting death as a long lost friend or family member his mind started to question the reason for it, "Immortality? What would father want with that...now that I think about it all of the Greymanes made a reference to immortality, and three ways to get it. Not that I would ever need it...now that I think about time and life, I need to go and see every pony at the orphanage."

As he rushed off for the orphanage he heard a voice that seemed to come from every here calling out his name. As it does everything starts to turn a dark milky grey as the world around him began to wash away as if water was poured over it. As he awakened from his dream he saw a construction pony standing over him and giving him a small shake.

"Greymane...Greymane...Greymane...hey Greymane."

"Uh..."