//------------------------------// // My Endless Darkness Chapter 2 Our Five Days of Hell part 2 // Story: My Endless Darkness // by Garfield23 //------------------------------// There was a studded silence in the room, we were in the same room as a legend of Equestria, and he looked at us as if he had just offered us a cup of tea but none of us could believe it. This was Starswirled the bearded, the stallion that more stories had been written about than any other combined but that was impossible. It was said that Starswirled had died just before the rise of Nightmare Moon, it had been said without him the princess had been tempted down the root of darkness but then again no one knew where he was buried. Before we could say anything Starswirled said “I want to make you an offer” he directed his attention to Silverlight “I need an apprentice, you seem headstrong, intelligent and capable of learning the complicated magic of this world and others beyond it” I couldn’t help myself but say “Yeah right. If your Starswirled, you could walk up to Canterlot, they would give you five apprentices at the drop of a hat but you choose a pony whose special talent is writing!” I looked at him with the most confident stare I could muster “you’re nothing but a liar!” “Bravesteel, do not accuse me of lying, when you’re lying to yourself and pretending you haven’t been visited in your dreams!” he said giving me a look that clearly stated don’t lie to me or else suffer my endless wroth. “How?” my voice was working properly but confusion was gumming up my jaws “You know!” The faces on the wall contorted into frowns “I have travelled throughout time and space! You think your mind is safe from me! I can see your destiny before you and change it in a heartbeat!” his voice boomed as if all his previous lives were speaking at once, the room was darkening as they spoke and I could feel my resolve leaving me “Your sister’s destiny and your own are separate rivers that flow. If I ask her to become my apprentice, don’t let your jealousy blind you and accept her decision!” In my heart, I knew, I had no right to stop Silverlight, this was a once in a entirety offer and it was unlikely she would ever receive such an offer ever again. Silverlight was my sister and as a brother I had to support whatever her decision she took. Silverlight then asked “Can I talk with my brother alone?” to which Starswirled and Applebliss both nodded, they walked out of the door and once it was shut “Tell me something, what happened to the pony that use to be my brother?” I couldn’t see her face in the darkness. I looked at the door unable to face her “I’m here” I said in a voice that neither confirmed nor denied. I then heard her sniff “You know, my brother used to be a pony, who would put others ahead of himself but Starswirled was right” she cried, as I turned I saw tears leaking down her face “You don’t care anymore about doing the right thing! Please accept my decision and please be my brother again!” Then I couldn’t stop myself, I stepped forward and put a hoof round my sister “You know, you mean the world to me and I will support you in whatever decision you make” I sobbed, tears were now running down both our faces “Please don’t forget” We then spend twenty minutes talking about Starswirled’s offer and Silverlight made me swear to protect Applebliss no matter what. I spend the time thinking about how I would say goodbye and it tore me up inside. There then came a knock on the door, it then swung open and there stood Starswirled and Applebliss. We stood up from the floor, I couldn’t stand the tension in the room but in my soul I knew, I was about to say goodbye to my last family member and no amount of mental prep could prepare me. Applebliss was hugging Silverlight “Please don’t go!” Applebliss said with tears streaming down her face. I knew how Applebliss felt but there was nothing either of us could do to stop what was about to happen. I did what I had to, I put a hoof round Applebliss and pulled her away “Please, Bravesteel…no…you can’t!” she screamed into my chest. Starswirled’s horn then glowed, and then before I knew it Applebliss was sound asleep “I’m sorry, I do not mean to cause you this pain but understand that Equestria needs powerful unicorn like your sister and that time is drawing near” he said as he reached into a drawer and pulled out a strange looking neckless that had a strange white coloured stone on it “Here, this necklace will guide you through the forest safely and it will guide you to a safe spot for sleep tomorrow night” he placed the necklace around my neck “Oh and I suppose I should undo that troublesome Discord spell” I was suddenly aware that I had my wings back “Thank you” was all I managed as I looked to Silverlight “Good luck” I then took my leave with a brief hug from my sister, I carried Applebliss on my back and I knew if I looked back my heart would break. I’ve never been one for big shows of affections when it comes to saying goodbye and if I had tried it would have made the pain worse. By this point it must have been the really early morning, even though I couldn’t see the sun, the forest seemed somewhat lighter and it was safe to continue on to Ponyville. As I walked I was aware that the necklace was guiding me, it was practically pulling me along and I hardly noticed the time slip by. I was walking past a patch of poison ivy when I heard a groan from Applebliss and I stopped to put her on the ground. As she awoke, she started to dart her eyes around “Where’s Silverlight?” was the first thing she said, she then noticed the look on my face “We have to go back!” to which I just shook my head “You have to!” It was then that my resolve broke “I..I..I can’t” I cried, tears were now flowing like a river down my face “She made her decision. I want to so much but I must respect her decision” Applebliss and I then hugged each other unable to stop the tears, we were there for what felt like hours as we cried and then I stood to my full height staring at the young mare, she looked at me and said “So how far till we get to Ponyville?” I looked towards where the necklace was pulling me and sighed “Not too long, another day and we’ll be there” I then began to walk “Come on; we’ll need to ensure we get there soon and then we can grab some hay fries” I joked trying weakly to crack a smile. It was hard to look at the bright side but despite my down to earth nature, I always try my upmost to look at the bright side and then I needed to be able to. Applebliss then smiled “Oh and some Apple pie!” she giggled “With some Strawberry juice!” I couldn’t help but smile “Looks like we could do with some lunch” I joked as I reached into my bag and pulled out our last bag of food which was the oats, I got from the Buffalo “Well looks like we’ll have to make it to Ponyville sooner, rather than later but we should be fine” We ate our lunch when Applebliss asked “When we get to Ponyville, when will we see the princess?” looking at me expecting me to know. “I suppose whenever she can see us” I said without thinking, she was staring at me with a look that assumed was that of respect “We might have to find a place to stay when we get there” “Bravesteel, can I just ask, when did you get your cutie mark?” she asked staring intently at me “What does it mean?” I had to think back, unlike most ponies, getting my cutie mark was not a moment of pride for me and I rarely gave it much thought “I think I was about your age, I was in the forest, you remember the one by Honeydue’s place” to which she nodded “I then heard a scream, as I ran from the forest, I saw a foal from my class standing with her back to a house trapped by an enraged bull!” Applebliss looked excited “So what ya do?” I thought back “I did what came naturally, I ran forward getting myself between the bull and the foal” I explained. “Weren’t you scared?” “I didn’t really have time to be scared, I suppose if I had given it any thought then maybe but then it seemed so natural” I recalled “Anyway the bull walked toward me, I was ready to defend my classmate, then I jumped into the air and then I rammed my hoof up its shout!” I sat there still remembering the feeling of triumph “Wow, was that when you earned your cutie mark?” Applebliss asked her eyes widening. “No. I noticed the bull was barely fazed, it put its head under my stomach, then it flicked its head and I was then tossed into the air!” I said with a blush “it was then that my wings filled with strength, I then flew down at speed, and slammed my full weight into the bull’s back legs. There was a sickening crunch as I knew the bull’s legs were broken and it was then I felt a strange feeling on my flank” “Your cutie mark!” Applebliss said in awe I then couldn’t help but frown “Yes, but when I looked back there it was and I couldn’t help but cry” I said with bitterness filling my words “Despite the praise I received for saving my classmate, no pony praised me for getting my cutie mark, only Silverlight and even then I was filled with regret” “Why?” Applebliss asked I hoofed the ground “My cutie mark is the mark of a warrior” I mumbled “In this land, life matters more than anything else, therefore any pony that has fighting as their special talent are less than worms and I therefore wish my mark had never appeared” Applebliss frowned “But your mark is beautiful and unique!” “Then you can have it” I cried “I never wanted it, I wanted to save lives like my father but instead, I’m destined to take them and the pony that should have lived, died. I don’t want to live and I look for the battle that will take my life from me” Applebliss looked at me and said “Without you, none of us would have made it this far and you always seem so brave” she paused as I continued to feel sorry for myself “You are like the big brother, I never had and if it hadn’t been for your kindness, I might not be here” “Exactly, look where we are, in the most accursed forest in all of Equestria, so why do I continue?” I asked “Because you have a kind heart” “What part of warrior pony don’t you get?!” I fumed “No kindness exists in my heart!” There was silence as we finished our lunch, Applebliss looked at me with a mixture of what must have been anger and sympathy, and I then began to tidy up our few remaining supplies. “Are we leaving?” Applebliss asked me in barely more than a whisper “Yeah” I said as I waited to feel the tug of the necklace “This way” As we walked on, we did come across a few problems, including a lone Timberwolf which I dispatched before it could howl and then we proceeded. After a few hours the forest seemed to darken, it was then that we spotted the light of a lamp in the distance and we walked towards it. As we drew closer we noticed the lamp was being held by a pony! Except it was unlike any pony I had seen before, it had black and white stripes all over it and was looking for something. “Applebliss hide, behind that tree!” I whispered, indicating to a tree on our right, I had a terrible feeling this creature knew we were coming and we had to be careful. I knelt down, trying to stay out of the lamp’s glow, the strange pony then turned its back to me and I knew my moment was then. I charged forward, put my hoof around the pony’s neck and pinned it “Your clearly looking for something, care to tell me what it is and I might consider letting you go” The strange pony seemed unusually calm “You have no need to fear me, Bravesteel. I received message to request that I might take you and care for you within my home” the mare said “Where is young Applebliss?” I nodded in the direction of Applebliss, as she approached, I did not let the stranger up and maybe I should have relaxed but here’s the thing, I’m stupid “They call me, Zecora” I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow “Who’s they?” I growled “Tell me!” Zecora then said “The ponies I have met do” Applebliss then tugged on my tail gently whispering “Let her go” I couldn’t help but fume “Fine” releasing my tight grip on Zecora’s neck. Zecora stood up rubbing her neck “My home is a short distance from here, follow me” she said pointing towards a clearing behind her “We should hurry, the dangers within this forest destroy the ignorant and none are obvious” we then walked towards the clearing and as we approached I could feel my hooves exhaustion adding to my eagerness to get to safety but never willing to drop my guard. A question was bugging me “Hey Zecora, why do you live here?” Zecora turned her head “First you must tell me, why you are ashamed of your cutie mark?” she said, my surprise very clear as she looked at me “Is it that you fear your power or do you want something more?” I looked away unable to find the words “I..I wanted to be like my father, a healing pony, instead I’m meant to take lives and that makes me sad” I said despair making me search my heart for the answers “My father was a lead in Equestrian medicine and my destiny is almost meant to undo his work” Applebliss stared at me “I didn’t know that, was your father the unicorn, Mr Swiftmane?” she said her voice in awe, I didn’t answer but I did nod. As we discussed this we walked through the door of Zecora’s home what struck me was how spacious the place was Zecora reached for my hoof “All ponies are given a talent for the betterment of all” she said and she smiled “You act like your talent is the worst” I felt anger fill me “You don’t get it, it is the worst and no amount of denying the truth will change that! My talent means I will always be fighting! When I got the blasted thing I broke the legs of a Bull! He didn’t survive that blow!” I screamed remembering the day my father had told me and just how ashamed he had looked “I’m nothing but a murderer and not worth saving!” Applebliss started to cry “Bravesteel, ya’re so busy putting yourself down that ya don’t see it!” her tears were splashing onto the floor and my heart grew heavy “Your talent might mean more than ya think!” Zecora patted Applebliss on the back “You must look beyond your experiences and answer me this question” she said with a flat tone “Could your talent mean something different from what you think it does?” I stopped myself from replying, what did she mean, my cutie mark was a sword and shield, weapons, used to take lives and I had never questioned that fact “What other meaning is there?” I asked “Have you ever heard stories told of an Earth pony with a cutie mark in shape of an axe?” Zecora asked “Known as Ironblade” I thought back, Ironblade was known as the first knight of Equestria but might as well have been the only knight, the earth pony was famed for the twin axes he wore on his hide legs as well as his marvellous strength, he had disappeared in a battle with a creature named Tirek and since then he was the only pony to earn the title of knight. His axes were now the possessions of the Unicorn, Shining Armour, it had been said no pony had been able to wield them since Ironblade and I frowned. “Yeah, so what? An old legend of an old fool” I sneered, there was no way I would take this seriously “The loss of Ironblade made the princesses so sad, that no pony has earned the title and even though ponies like Shining armour have deserved the title, that won’t change and I’m not buying into this fairy tale!” It was then that a voice filled the room from the direction of Zecora “What is there in a title? You can still live your life by the code of the knight! Go to the castle in Ponyville and you’ll find the book with the code!” the voice sounded like that of Starswirled “Unless you’re nothing more than a Pegasus that deserves to have your wings clipped!” Anger began to bubble within me “Is that a threat?!” I yelled “I don’t make threats, but I do make promises!” Starswirled voice boomed now coming from Applebliss “I hereby promise that Discord’s task will be your greatest undertaking!” “How do you know..?” I began “I’m talking to you through every lifeform around you and you ask how I know about Discord’s task. I know all that happens in Equestria!” his voice now boomed from a fly in the corner of the room, the first words in my mind were what a bunch of bull pie “Do not assume, you know of my power!” I had to admit that was a fair point, to this day I have no knowledge of Starswirled power, anyway I stood defiant and said “So what is Discord planning?” Zecora then spoke in her own voice, thank Celesta, “The answer will come from Kindness’s hoofs” I looked at her with what must have been a dumbfounded look “You must relax your guard” I still look back on this and I realize there must have been an unparalleled look of confusion on my face “What in the name of sweet Celesta, does that mean? Other than I should walk out there and let a wolf eat me!” I yelled unable to contain my now complete frustration “Do I look like one of your sick magic experiments, Starswirled? Have you forgotten that my home and family are gone?!” Applebliss mumbled “I have as well” Starswirled voice sounded from a mouse this time but he sounded deeply apologetic “I know not who was responsible for Hopetown’s fate. I’m sorry if you feel you’re being used” I then grumbled “I thought you knew all that happened in Equestria?” The voice seemed to pause “Well, I thought I did but some events are hidden from even my mighty view” he said “Whoever was responsible had power beyond what we previously thought possible!” I just shook my head “Then the danger might as well have the words bucking invincible plastered across its bucking front! That’s just perfect!” I said allowing for a moment for the information to sink in “I’ll need to sleep on this. Zecora is there a place I can go and sleep?” Zecora smiled at me, nodded and after showing me to a corner of the place, I laid down on a pile of leaves that were in the corner, surprisingly enough it was very comfortable and I fell asleep almost as soon as my head were on my hooves. I don’t remember having any dreams that night, one moment I was putting my head down to sleep the next moment I was being shaken awake by Applebliss. She was smiling as if the most wonderful thing possible had happened “Bravesteel, there’s a pony here to see you!” She said barely able to keep the excitement from her voice. I got up; as I did I saw a yellow mare Pegasus pony with a long pink mane sitting at the table with her back to me “Can I help you?” I asked it was then she turned around and my heart stopped. She was the most beautiful mare I had ever seen and I wanted to know more about her. “I..I..um..…came…to mhdm” she barely said in a whisper, so I didn’t catch the last word but I suppose I wanted the moment to last forever. She seemed so gentle and everything I wasn't. Zecora took over saying “This is Fluttershy” I couldn’t help but be thankful that Zecora was here “I send word to her, after you went to sleep, for her to come and guide you to Ponyville” “Thank you, Zecora we owe you so much” I said with a smile on my face, I then turned to Fluttershy keeping a smile on my face and was relieved that she had a small smile on her face “We’re ready” We then walked out of Zecora’s place, the forest was so calm but unlike when we had entered the forest it didn’t seem to possess any malice, the sun’s rays were now penetrating through the branches of the trees above and I felt more at ease. I was so glad that we were leaving, the goal was in sight, it meant that our journey was nearly over and it wouldn’t be too long before I could find Applebliss some pony to look after her. The thought had an unexpected result; I couldn’t help but feel down. Applebliss then turned to me “What will happen after we meet the princess?” she asked clearly concerned. This of course made my depression worse. It was then that we heard a little sound came from Fluttershy “Um, why do you want to meet Twilight?” I stared at her for a moment “We’re from the former town of Hopetown” I said Fluttershy smiled “I was there a two weeks ago, it’s nice but what do you mean former?” her voice was still small but after she asked the question her face fell “I mean Hopetown has been wiped from the map” I growled, Applebliss had tears in her eyes and Fluttershy gasped “We were lucky but there’s nothing left” Fluttershy suddenly stopped and turned to me the expression was of pure horror and I never wanted to see it again “Why didn’t you mention that?” her voice was still quiet but her words had an element of danger “Come on, we have to hurry, Twilight needs to know and she’ll want to know as soon as possible!” It was then that our slow walk turned to a rapid run, we were soon out of the forest barely minutes later and I could see a small town in the distance. There was a massive castle overlooking the town, it was bigger than Hopetown but what amazed me was how beautiful it was. As we ran along another Pegasus pony suddenly appeared next to me flying before she touched down joining us in the run, I didn’t need an introduction for this pony, even in Hopetown, there was almost a legend that surrounded the famed Rainbow Dash and her legendary sonic rainboom. As a fellow pegasus pony I couldn't help but stare in awe. Rainbow Dash suddenly yelled to Fluttershy “Fluttershy what’s the matter?!” Fluttershy didn’t stop instead she yelled back thou strangely her voice still sounded quiet “These ponies just told me that Hopetown has been wiped out!” Rainbow Dash expression couldn’t have been more studded “No way, is this true?” she asked me to which I nodded “So that’s why you’re here?!” I nodded again. As we ran into the outskirts of the town, more ponies were turning their heads and a few began to follow us. Looking back this was stupid, it didn’t change anything, it just drew every pony’s attention and I couldn’t help but feel the growth of my natural shyness. A voice then suddenly rang out “Braves!” I stopped and turned to behold the colt who trained me back at camp, Shining armour “What are you doing here? Last time I checked you lived in Hopetown, I just send word for your deployment, lucky I’m here visiting Twilly!” Rainbow Dash then appeared at my side “Hopetown had been wiped out!” Shining armour said “So what happened?” he looked at me with a mixture of sympathy and anger “Who did it?” I mumbled “I don’t know. My sister, Applebliss and I were the only survivors” Shining armour gave me a hard look “The attack was so quick, we didn’t see who did it and we lost my sister in the Everfree forest” I know I lied but I didn’t think any pony would believe me about Starswirled. Shining armour looked at me “I have changed my mind, you will be assigned to my personal guard and the foal will be left with the Apple family of Ponyville!” he said clearly thinking this over “You’ll have to tell my wife and sister, what you just told me” I didn’t care who else I had to tell, what bugged me was he was separating Applebliss from me and wasn’t asking “What! You can’t be serious!?” I said with anger thick in my voice “You may be my superior officer but I promised I’d protect Applebliss!” Shining Armour was looking me dead in the eye “I’m sorry Braves, but I must insist, she is an apple and it is Equestrian law!” he said with a voice that told me to listen to reason “You also have a contract with Equestria’s army! You won’t have the time to look after a foal!” Applebliss suddenly wrapped her hooves around my leg “Don’t take Mr Bravesteel from me!” she cried Shining armour turned to Fluttershy “Take this foal to Applejack, tell her what happened and I’ll take Bravesteel to the Princesses” he said to her and two guard ponies that were standing beside her. I couldn’t do anything, Applebliss was pulled from my leg and I felt useless “Sorry, Braves, but you have to think what’s best for the foal” Looking back he had a point, according to Equestrian law, I was a pony with no way to provide for Applebliss and as it was I was too young to even have a foal. It didn’t change how painful the experience was but I still consider it a learning experience. Fluttershy led Applebliss away, before they got out of sight I decided “Applebliss!” I yelled every pony looked at me “Look after yourself! Don’t cause too much trouble now!” Applebliss smiled back “Thank you!” she screamed back and in that moment I was convinced I saw a smile. Then she turned round a corner that led round behind a house. Shining Armour put a hoof on my back “Hey, you know that can’t have been easy but you did what was for the best” He smiled at me to which I couldn’t help but smile back “Now, come on, the princesses await” I looked at him with a look of complete confusion “Wait?! Princesses?” “Yes, Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight” He told me “Oh okay” I said, in that moment my nerves were really getting to me. The doors of castle opened up to reveal a small purple dragon! I jumped forward, putting a hoof on the dragon’s neck and pinning him “Dragon!” I yelled Shining Armour pulled me off “Relax, this is Spike, he’s a friend and I consider him my brother!” he explained, I was astonished but Shining Armour continued “Spike is Twilight’s number one assistant” I stared at the dragon confused but realized that I had been silly “I’m sorry, Spike, I overreacted but please don’t be upset” I said feeling very ashamed, I looked at Spike hoping that he’d forgive me but thinking those chances were in the zero area Spike walked towards me and said “Are you Bravesteel?” his voice seemed curious but at the same time worried, as to what he was worried about I felt should have been obvious and I could hardly blame him “Twilight has been expecting you!” “How?!” I asked “We received word from Princess Luna to expect three ponies from Hopetown” he said “The description of the colt matches you perfectly, she told us she wasn’t able to find out what happened to Hopetown but she told us that you were heading here” I nodded numbly “Yeah, she came into my dreams twice and scared me silly” I explained Shining Armour then interrupted “Then shouldn’t we send word to Princess Celesta and Princess Luna that Bravesteel has arrived” Spike sighed “Sadly, they have been busy with an issue concerning Saddle Arabia and have decided to leave Twilight to deal with it” I suddenly felt anger overtake me “Oh, great, the newest Princess is going to take care of the massacre of my home!” I said unable to contain my anger Spike looked stunned “A massacre!” “Did I bucking stutter?” I said feeling my frustration from the last few days overtake me “Yes, Hopetown is no more!” Shining armour embraced me in a hug “It’s okay let it all out” he said, I then began to cry “There, there, you have been through a lot and we have no right to ask you to step up one more time but we need you to tell us what you know!” Rainbow Dash who had been silent for a good while suddenly said “Come on, Twilight won’t wait forever and Fluttershy will return with Applejack soon” I turned to Rainbow Dash, tears still in my eyes “Why should they matter?” Rainbow Dash smiled “Twilight has a council of six other members, including your truly, Applejack, Fluttershy, an earth pony called Pinkie Pie, Spike and a unicorn called Rarity” she explained “So including Twilight and Cadence, you’ll have to tell seven others oh and Shining Armour here your story” I was horrified “But…but” fear was all I felt. Spike showed me to a room deep in the castle with a desk and Shining Armour told me I’d have to wait till the council was ready. As the door shut, I was left alone to dwell on my thoughts and my thoughts were riddled with doubt. Suddenly there was a knock on my door. As the door opened, a big red Earth Pony walked in and he smiled. “Are they ready for me?” I asked “Nope” he said as he produced a plate with a slice of pie on it. “Is that for me?” “Yep” I took the pie and suddenly noticed my hunger, ate the pie and was thrilled to realize it was an apple pie “Thank you” I said with a content smile on my face. Suddenly an older green earth pony walked in “We all came here to give Applebliss a chance to say a proper goodbye” she said it was then I was winded by the force of a small earth pony ramming into me. I looked down and smiled “Applebliss!” Applebliss stared up at me “What will you do? I don’t want to think about you fighting and dying” she said tears in her eyes “Please, don’t” I pulled myself free of her “Applebliss, you made me thankful for being alive but you have a family to look after you” I said to her not wanting to look her in the eyes “After today, you’ll have to forget about me and Silverlight or you’ll never be able to move on” Applebliss said “But how can I?” “As I said, forget about me!” “No, I need you” “Take her away from me!” I said directing my focus on the big red pony “Nope” he said pity seemed to be coming from him “Applebliss needs you as much as family” The old green pony then looked at me “You think, your life is laid out before you but if you want we can offer you a home!” The big red Earth pony then said “I know you must think there is no place for ya but I can tell ya that your heart is big and strong” he extended his hoof “Yep or nope” I won’t lie the offer was tempting “No, I have a mission to complete and besides look at my cutie mark!” I fumed all the apples in the room looked and my flank “This is a mark of how I’m going to have to live my life and I will not rid myself of my fate” Suddenly a voice filled the room “Hoho, is that what you think” with an almighty pop, Discord appeared. So the next couple of moments would decide my fate and I had to be ready for anything that might be placed at my doorstep. My purpose might even be in danger of being changed forever. I was never going to give up to this foolish creature. Let it be said fate will not defeat me!