//------------------------------//
// Chapter 10: The Sword of the Lost Alicorn 
// Story: The Fourth Alicorn 
// by Cobalt the Kitsune 
//------------------------------//

	The rocking of the boat had becoming soothing to the adolescent Sirius. He was craving a piece of wood into a feminine alicorn figurine with spread wings. He was just finishing some of the details on the left eye when he heard footsteps coming down the wooden stairs to the galley. He slid both his hoofs behind his back. A silver filly with a cannis pup then nipping at her hoofs then appeared in his sight.
“Which hoof?” Sirius asked. Andromeda didn’t realized he was trying to give her something.
“Right.” She guessed. Sirius then moved the figurine in front of him.
“Sirius, it’s amazing!” Andromeda said.
“It’s yours” Sirius said moving it towards her.
“Really?!?” The young filly said in surprize.
“Yes, take it.” Sirius said. The figurine was then enveloped in a light blue glow.
“Thank you, Sirius.” Andromeda said throwing her hooves around his neck. “Thank you...”
Suddenly the dream violently sifted.
It was a rainy morning in Everfree Castle’s courtyard. All three guard towers of the castle where flying white flag of victory...at half mast. There was an white marble cylinder with a brass plate with indescribable engravings on it. Both Celestia and Luna were adorned in black.
One of the other mourners whispered to another, “It’s enough that they lost their only brother, but to lose a sister on the same night.”
An regal white unicorn then stepped up with something wrapped in a purple cloth. “The tribal leaders were going to give him this after the battle.” She then opened the cloth and revealed a sword with a brilliant blue blade. “It is only fitting that it becomes part of his monument.” 
“Thank you Platinum.” Celestia said sliding it into a tight slot on top of the marble pillar.
“Also,” The princess unhooked her golden necklace. “I want you to have this.”
“No, I can’t.” Celestia said. 
“I insist take it.” She said bantering the gold chain at the white mare.
“Thank you.” Celestia said putting It around her neck. “Thank you...”
Horus gave Cobalt a sharp peck. “I’m up, I’m up. Just let me write a quick letter.” The falcon rolled his eyes. The drowsy Cobalt fumbled with the desks drawers. He was able to find ink and parchment but not quills.
“Um, Horus, If you would?” The falcon stretched out his wing grumpily. “Thanks,” Cobalt then grabbed a feather and wrote.
“My dearest Celestia,
        Have we ever gone on a long sea journey?
Your L.B.B.B.F.F.,
                Cobalt.”
Cobalt then rolled it up and zapped it with magic to send it. “See told you that be quick.” Cobalt told his flacon.

…......

After Cobalt took Horus out for his fly-around Cobalt came to finish the last few chapters 
of the book Sweetie Belle gave him. But there was something he didn’t really pay attention to on the cover was a sword with a blue blade stuck into a marble pillar. 


        “Whoa, hey slow down there. Looks like you're prepared for an adventure there.” Twilight said.
        “That’s kinda the idea.” Cobalt said anxious to get out.
        “Well then where are you off to Mr.Adventurer.” Twilight asked inquisitively.
“The ruins in the Everfree forest.” Cobalt said trying to sneak away.
“Why are you going there?” Twilight said worriedly.
“Um, well I think I left something there.” Cobalt said while magically tucking the book deeper in the bag.
“Well I guess you can go.” Twilight started.
“Thanks, Twi.” Cobalt said quickly flying towards his destination.
“But only if Reese goes with you.” She called out to him.
“Uuuggghhh, ok.” Cobalt said. Cobalt then flew over to Reese’s smithery. The stormgate was actually clam today. It was a fluffy white. Cobalt was able to just punch through it.
“Reese? you home.” Cobalt asked.
“Just let yourself in Cobalt.” Trixie replied. As Cobalt open the door he was met with several loud pops in rapid succession.
“What in Sirius’ name is that!?!” Cobalt shouted.
“Spir, calls it a ‘machine gun’” Trixie said. Reese was in his own shooting range. He pulled back the bolt, and removed the magazine. He took off his hearing protection and came out of the range.
“So, Cobalt what brings you here?” Reese asked.
“Well I was planing on going to the ruins today.” Cobalt started.
“So what stoppin ya?” Reese said.
“Your sister, She insists that you come along.” Cobalt said.
“Sounds good to me, I always up for some amateur archeology.” Reese said. “You want to come along Trixie.”
“No, thanks. I was going to go over to sugar cube corner later today.” Trixie said. 
“Cobalt what are you doing?” Reese asked. While Trixie and Reese were talking the colt started poking around the shop looking for a sheath that would fit the sword he saw in his dream.
“This looks like it will work.” Cobalt said lifting out a simple leather sheath.
“Work for what?” Reese asked. 
“You’ll see when where then we get there.” Cobalt said as he slipped the sheath into his bag.
“Ok,” Reese said with a discontent for Cobalt’s answer.

…......

        “Ok, here we are.” Reese said when they arrived at the ruins. “Now, what are we here for?” 
        Cobalt currently had his nose stuck in the sky blue adventure novel he was carrying with him. He then mumbled to himself. “The book says it’s supposed to be on the north west wall.”
        “What supposedly on the north west wall?” Reese asked. But the colt had already flew off. When Reese found him he was by a stone pillar with a beautiful golden hilt with about one and a half foot of blade protruding from the top.
“Amazing how preserved it is.” Cobalt said. “It almost looks like time hasn't laid a hoof on it.”  The monument did look like it was built the day before. A perfectly pristine stretch of wall amidst the corruption and dust of over a thousand years. Directly behind the pillar was a stone arch. On the slab of marble it framed was a caving of the alicorn emblem.
“Now, I see why you grabbed the sheath.” Reese said finally understanding. “You want the sword.” Reese leaned in to grab it with his mouth.
“Reese, No!” Cobalt tried to warn him. As his teeth clamped down on the hilt, Reese was thrown back into a pile of rubble by a bolt of lightning.
“This sword was made for Sirius, and only Sirius!” Cobalt scolded. “It contains a great power that only he can utilize and control. No other pony may weald it while he is alive....” He then turned towards the pillar. “While I am alive.” 
He then he made his way towards the sword which was arching with electricity. He then grabbed the hilt with his white glow. He then pulled out another foot of blade and pointed it skyward. Then a brilliant bolt of lightning erupted from it. Reese shielded his eyes with his wing. When the lightning subsided Cobalt slid it into the sheath.
“Whoa, now that was a light show.” Reese said stunned. “I guess, we can go home now?”
“Yeah,” Cobalt said. But as they turned to leave the sound of ancient gears moving and stone rubbing against stone emanated from behind them. He turned around to see the marble slab that beared the alicorn emblem slowly sinking into the ground revealing a stone staircase descending into the deep,dark ground.
“Looks like we have something else to explore.” Reese said. He went inside. “Torch, Torch.” He said softly while groping the wall.
Cobalt then said. “Who needs a torch?” He then unsheathed his new sword. It emitted a neon blue glow with illuminated their path for a good ten to fifteen yards.
“A cool sword, That shoots lightning bolts, and glows in the dark? Man thats the gift that just keeps on giving right there!” Reese said in awe of Cobalts new weapon.
“Watch your step.” Cobalt said as they descended into the darkness. The two alicorns went down the steps for what seemed like an eternity. Suddenly a new glow mixed with the sword’s and faint whispers could be heard
Cobalt sheathed the sword. The glow was coming from a camber at the base of the stair. Along the walls there were scenes of bloody battles, long journeyings, and the coronation of the alicorns. In the center of the room was an brass basin held up by figures of the alicorn siblings. Inside the basin was a cloudy liquid. Cobalt ran his hoof though the liquid. When he lifted it out there was nothing on it except water. Cobalt raised his eye at Reese. They then both leaned in to get a closer look at the liquid. They then both tumbled into darkness. 


…......

When Cobalt came to he felt solid ground underneath his hooves. But all around him, blackness.
“Reese?” Cobalt called out. 
“Here Cobalt.” Reese replied. Cobalt looked to his side. The grey alicorn was fully visible against the blackness.
“What is this place?” Cobalt said looking all around him.
“This is your spring of knowledge ,dear brother.” said an echoing voice from behind them. Reese and Cobalt quickly spined around to see crystalline alicorn mare with no visible mouth.
“Who are you?” Cobalt asked.
“ The third of four,” The mare said.
“Andromeda?” Cobalt said in surprise. The mare nodded her head.
“I thought Andromeda died over a thousand years ago?” Reese said.
“I am dead but yet alive.” Andromeda said.
“Ok, that just doesn’t make sense.” Reese said.
“My body is dead, but my spirit lives on.” She said only getting more and more vague. “This place will reveal things that were, things that are, and thinks that could be.”
“Could be,” Cobalt said “Divination is often quite touchy.” Andromeda nodded again.
“Is there a chance that you can come back to the mortal world.” Cobal asked.
“Dearest brother, I am already with you.” Andromeda said. “This is how I’ll make myself known to you: When the dark one once again lies in his prison, I shall come on healing wings.” The mare then exploded into a fiery phoenix.” After the flames subsided. Reese and Cobalt found themselves in the basin camber. On the stone floor there was something that wasn’t there before. A small wooden figurine.