It was already late in the afternoon when Twilight finnaly reaches Sugercube Corner. As she enters the shop, Harbinger was already waiting at one corner, slowly munching on a cupcake. She greets Mrs Cake as she walks by the counter towards Harbinger.
" Your're surprising late for a very hardworking unicorn if I must say..." Harbinger waves at Mrs Cake for another cupcake as Twilight get comfortable.
" I just got a little sidetracked...so what is it that you wanted to tell me? " Twilight takes a mouthfull of the cupcakes.
" I've decided. I'm gonna leave Ponyville and stay in Canterlot. " As soon as Harbinger mention Canterlot, she lay the already half-bitten cupcake down.
" Ohhh? What are you going to do there? " Twilight ask.
" The only thing I'm capable of...I'm voluntering to join the ranks of the Royal Guards. " Harbinger takes another bite at his cupcakes as he end his words.
" Wow, the Royal Guards. I heard that the requirement are quite tough..."
" I'll see it through without any problem....."
" How? " She raise an eyebrow at him.
" Twilight please...you've seen what I'm capable off first hand, what more could the requirement of being a Royal Guard do to me? " Harbinger gives Twilight a low glare. She laughs a little.
" Hmmm...your're right. Well I hope my brother doesn't give you too much problem, since he's like the captain of the Royal Guard and sort. When are you leaving if you don't mind me asking."
" Tomorrow by noon."
"TOMORROW?! " Twilight gasp.
" What is the matter Twilight? You seems surprise." Harbinger calmly reply to her comment.
" Well, first thing first why so fast? I mean it's not like your're rushing for time or anything. And to top it off, don't you think its pretty sudden? " Twilight started to pour out more and more question, but Harbinger just sat there calmly until Twilight finnaly slows down. Harbinger shakes his head and laughs a little.
" Anyway...are you going to visit us soon then? " Twilight ask.
As soon as that question reaches his ears, Harbinger changes mood. Twilight waits for his answer but Harbinger simply refuse to comply. He looks away towards the window, the scene of the everyday life of the resident of ponyville comes into view, but he quiclky shuns away.
" Twilight...I won't and will not return to Ponyville, ever again...." Harbinger stares at what remainds of his cupcakes, althought there is still a large portion of it left, he refuse to take another bite. He has lost his appeatite.
" Why? "
" I....I simply can't Twilight. There are things I must do, and I must do it alone."
" I don't understand. Is there something require by the Royal Guards? I can always personally request..."
" No Twilight...it's my own decision. Also, do not come and find me when I'm in Canterlot..."
Twilight was totally caught by surprise by Harbinger's words. She felt strange all of a sudden, like a feeling she's gonna lose something precious to her. As hard as she tries to mutter a word, nothing seems to come out of her mouth.
" You see Twilight, have you ever wonder what your cutie mark mean? " Twilight simply nods. " Althought it's generally assumed that the cutie marks that appears on our flanks represent the talent one pony could have, but there are some cuite marks have totally different purpose..."
" What do you mean? "
" Duty, destiny, fate...My role in this world has already been set placed a long time ago and there's no absolute way to change it. My marks simply symbolise my place in this world. I have a task I must uphold till the day of my passing. Until then I've plan to keep my promise I made towards the Princesses." Harbinger sigh a little.
" But I still don't understand. I-i...."
" Twilight.." Harbinger interupt. " I think I've lived in this world longer than any pony besides the Princess. I've done many thiings that I'm not proud off and I'm afraid that I might do more. It's best for me and everypony that way. "
Twilight seems devasated by Harbinger's reply.She turned away from him in an attempt to hide the tears building at the corners of her eyes. Harbinger slowly gets up and trots beside her. He raise his hoof and brush aside her mane, wiping aways the teary eyes of hers.
" Do not shed this innocent tears for me. You deserve somepony else better than me. " Harbinger brush her mane, trying to calm her down. " I know you have feeling for me Twilight, and I'm truly sorry I have to be the one to break it. I cannot choose this path while I still have my own road to travel down on. "
Twilight stayed silent. Feeling uneased, she stides quickly outside, leaving Harbinger alone.
************************************************
It was already night when Harbinger return to the library. As he walk in it was rather dark. Normally it would have been bright with candles litted all over to illuminate the room. He sigh as he close the door behind him. He procede to lit the candles, which it then immediatly lit the entire library. Worried about Twilight, he strides slowly to her room, which was just upstairs. As he reaches the door of Twilight's room , he gently gave a couple of knocks.
" Twilight, you're ok? " No answer. He knew Twilight has started to fall head over hoofs for him, thats why if it's possible he would let her down gently before it gets too deep. Harbinger gave a couple more knocks but there was still silence. Concerned, he gently opens the door. As he enter, he saw Twilight on her bed, but she wasn't movning. As he close in she was asleep but her pillow was wet and her face buried in it. Harbinger sigh, but proceed to cover her with a sheet of blanket.
" She must have cried herself to sleep. Maybe I was a little selfish in my decision, but it must be done. I'm sorry Twilight. " Harbinger procede to the door. As he reach the door, he stop awhile, looking back at the sleeping purple mare. A surge of a very familiar emotions floods his hearts. Quickly he hinders it and closes the door behind him.
Harbinger proceeds into his room. As he lit the candle, the light immediatly illuminate the whole room. He stood in place for a brief moment, the thoughts of him seeing this place for the last time haunts him. He smiles, knowing how true it will be. The only regrets, is that he could have done it sooner. He close the door behind him, but as it was about to close, a purple hoof suddenly stuck itself between it, preventing the door from closing.
" Twilight, I asume you were already asleep...." Harbinger turn around to face the purple mare, her face was cleary still bitter from the crying. Without warning, she bury her face into Harbinger's chest, wet tears soak into the grey coat of his. Harbinger sigh, but force a smile as he gently runs his hoof through her messy mane.
" Harbinger...ca-can I spend....this last night with you..." Her words she mutter softly, her voice clearly effected by her crying.
" Su-sure...why not. " Harbinger tightly hug the purple mare, embracing her as she continue to cry her heart out.
***********************************************************
Day breaks as the suns rose high into the sky, replacing the daily routine of night and day. Bright light gleam into the room where it slowly shine onto the bed. The warm sensation lay across the face of the purple mare as the sun slowly rose. She wakes up moments later, rubbing her eyes, trying to graps her blury vision. She takes a look around, looking for Harbinger, whom he was suppose to be with her. Her eyes dart quickly around, only to realise he has long left the room.
Twilight got up,as she prepare to leave the room, she notice a glowing piece of patchment on the table, where Harbinger used to write.A large book, covered in a faint red glow hover next to the piece of patchment. As she trots closer to the patchment, it gently floats towards Twilight, as if it know what her intention were. The patchment open up, and then it reads.......
" I know it's selfish of me to do this, but it's for the best for you and me. I know you have fallen in love for me, and I'm selfish not to think it through. But I had to do this. I cannot afford to carry my duty with you clinging close to me. I'm truly sorry Twilight, but have faith in my decision. I hope you would promise me that you would not attemtp to find me in Canterlot. For a mare of your caliber, you derserve a better somepony other than me. Do not waste your time sheding tears for me, instead save it for somepony else important in your life....
I am born a weapon, for it was my own stupidity that brought this misfortune upon me. I am but a tool, design to destroy, fated to bring reckoning to those who would foolishly dare to take me on, and destined to carry the curse as long as Discord still lives. What has been start long ago....I must finish it.....no matter how long it will take.....
I'm truly sorry that I'm the one that has to break your heart, but I hope you understand there are no way for a cursed soul like mine to have his way, not to a mare of your type. I bid you farewell...until next time...some other time, we might meet again......
Your's truly......Harbinger "
As Twilight finish reading the content of the letter, a drop of tears flow from her eyes, breaking the silence as it drops on the floor. She holds her hoofs close to her chest, bearing the heartache she's feeling in her. Twilight wipes her tears away, then she took a deep breath in attempt to calmdown.
" You know Twilight, he's probably right..." Spike appear from behind her, pating her back trying to calm her down. " Come, go get yourself cleanup. I've got your favourite sandwich ready just for you. "
Twilight glance at that small purple dragon. She puts a smile on her face, happy to see Spike trying to confort her. She pats that small little head, ever glad that she always has Spike. She nods, as Spike leaves the room. Twilight decide to follow suits, but then she notice a study looking book earlier on the table. She stops for a moment, looking at the book.
Twilight remembers that book. It was the same the book that Harbinger wrote on. As she retrieve it, a small patch of paper slips from between one of the page, landing infront of Twilight.
" Thank you Twilight, for all you've done for me. So here's a book to repay those deeds.... From Harbinger..
Twilight sigh for a moment, thinking back of the time she first meet him.Soon enough, she's too engrosed reading whatever Harbinger wrote in the book.
(Special Thanks for loststone for his help in proofreading *salute* )