//------------------------------// // Chapter 14, Even If I can't see you // Story: An Unexpected Life // by alejin //------------------------------// (STEEL’S DIARY P.O.V) Day - - - - Today we buried Onyx, all our comrades from the market helped a little to buy a coffin and a place in the city’s graveyard, the funeral was quiet and nice, many minotaurs, gryphins and zebras assisted, it didn’t surprise me, he was a good minotaur, we also turned over the criminals to the autories, they were sent to Minus’s capital city to be judged, they were lucky Onyx convinced me to not deal with them myself. Onyx didn’t exactly leave a Will but no creature opossed to the idea of me keeping the cave we lived for 6 years, Mrs Margaret proposed me to move to her place, I respectfully declined, I didn’t want to be a burner for her, she told me the invitation was always open, I really like that lady. Day - - - - I told Mrs Margaret and Mr Jilt about the journey I was going to make, they didn’t oppose at all since the thought Onyx was right, early today, Mr Jilt came and took Onyx’s guard armor, I asked why he needed that but the told me it was a secret and it was one of Onyx last commands to him, he also took some measures of my body, when I asked him why he was doing it, he told me Mrs Margaret wanted to make more clothes and sneakers for me, it made me happy, when he left, I realized something. . . Didn’t Mrs Margaret already knew my actual measures? Day - - - - It’s been a month since I’ve been training with Mrs Margaret, Since I found out about her being a Royal guard in her past, in Onyx’s absence, Mrs Margaret insisted in teaching me what she knew, I can’t believe how skilled she is, she wasn’t easy on me, shesh, I have to make sure to never anger her and I need to do something to pay her back all her generosity, she gave me clothes and now this? Yep, I have to thank her somehow. Day - - - - I prepared a little party for Mr Jilt and Mrs Margaret in my cave, I cooked some meat and vegetables, bought the best cyder I could find, they were pleased, she even hugged me with tears in her eyes, I told them how gratefull I was for all what they have done for me, we ate with gusto and said our farewells after the dinner, when they were out of sight I only thought: “I’m really gonna miss them when I go” Day - - - - Today is the day, I’ve been studying the scrolls Onyx left me, after comparing some draws with the Minus map, I think I finally know where I should go, according to my findings, I must go to the Sacred Woods, near Gryphonia and Minus frontier, a little tricky to get there but maybe somecreature near there can show me where exactly it is. For what I heard, those Woods are really dangerous since they are like a big labirith, there is a legend in the center of the forest, an amazing treasure can be found, it’s amazing how right they are, ironically, in that forest, there are no monsters, not even they can live there for so long, only the feeling of silent and lost surounding the forest is enough for someone to become crazy and keep walking until he or she dies. Thank God for Onyx’s instructions, I really hope they are not wrong, anyway, I need to go and say good bye to my friends before leaving early tomorrow. (END OF P.O.V) - - - - - - - - - - - - - After closing his diary, he proceded to visit Mrs Margaret, when he knocked the door, he heard her voice: “Come in sweetie” “Ok” When he entered the cabin, he found the inside was all dark, he closed the door behind him and said: “Mrs Margaret? Where are. . .” “SURPRISE!!” Steel fell down on his butt, he almost had a heart attack, he then noticed all his few friends were there, Margaret, Jilt, the Market sellers. With widened eyes he said: “Whoa!. . .what is this?” Jilt and Margaret aproached to him: “It’s your farewell party dear, you didn’t think you could avoid one did you?” “hehehehe, I guess not” Steel and the rest celebrated for hours, Margaret’s snacks were the best as always, at night, only the trio left in the house, after helping Margaret washing the dishes, the three of them proceded to relax in the living room, Steel then said: “I’m really gonna miss your cooking Mrs Margaret” “Oh thank you darling, we are gonna miss you too, right Jilt?” “Indeed we will, please be carefull kid, the places you are going is dangerous but if you remember everything Onyx and us tought you, I’m sure you will be fine” “Thanks Mr Jilt, Don’t worry, I will” Margaret and Jilt looked at each other and noded. The gryphin then searched for something in the wardrobe, it was a wooden box, Steel looked at it confused until Jilt said: “We have a present for you Steel” “A present?” “Yeah, something me, Margaret and Onyx prepared for you?” Jilt then opened the box and looked at the content with marveled eyes, the gryphin chuckled and said: “The gray parts are the one that will give you mayor protection, the Black and brown ones can deflect a knife or a spear, depending the angle. . . maybe not, its entirely made of darkness stone even the fabric have little pieces, magical creatures will not have any advantage againts you, even the more powerfull ones. . . I can’t guarantee if it will work againts an alicorn or something at their same level, still . . what you think?” “What I think? I can just say WOW! But how? I thought there was so little Darkness stone in existence” “Of what do you think Onyx’s armor was made of? We used it to sintetize this one more fited for you, we even made an Axe, arrows points and throwing knives from it” Jilt handed over Steel his new arsenal and something more, a pair of bracelets and a pendant. “And these are for you to always have it with you, after all, you can’t go on your armor all the time, it will not be the same but at least you will have a chance againts average magical creatures” “Thanks Mr Jilt. . .Mrs Margaret, this really will come in handy” “They sure will, and don’t worry, we have enough darkness stone left to make some spares but please, take good care of these ones” “I promise I will Mr Jilt” “Good, now come here!” Jilt then dragged Steel in a crushing hug, Margaret joined as well. “Please never forget about us, I don’t know what you are going to see or encounter but remember, you have a home to return in case there is nothing waiting for you in Equestria” “Thank you. . . to both of you” Steel said trying to keep his tears under control. After the tender hug, Steel proceded to put on his new gift, it was awesome, It felt great, it didn’t weight a bit, he could move freely but then he noticed something in the shoulder protections, it was a mark or a draw, it looked like the skull of a minotaur and it looked evil, he LOVED it! “Mr Jilt, what is this mark?” “Oh! That’s Onyx’s logo, he told me how he wanted you to use it when you were a little older, I hope you don’t mind have it in your armor” “And clothes!” Margaret added by giving Steel a new set of Tshirts, all of them with Onyx’s logo in the shoulders.” Steel looked at his new T-shirts and smiled, he looked at his friends and hugged them again. “Thank you! I’m honored to be honest, I’ll use it with pride. . . ok, it’s been fun but I guess It’s time for me to go to my cave. . . see you later. . .much later my friends” “See you later Steel” both of them said. Steel then proceded to go to his cave for a good sleep, his last sleep there for a long time. . . maybe forever. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (EQUESTRIA) Twilight was entering to her house, when she opened the door. . . “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TWILIGHT!!” She lost her balance and landed in her butt. “What is this?” Cadence was the one to answer. “Silly Twilight, it’s your birthday party of course, did you forget you turned 16 years old today?” “. . . . wow! I can’t believe I forgot my own birthday! Thanks everypony!” “You are welcome little sis” – Shinning Armor said and proceded to hug his sister. “Thanks bbbff” “I must say, you have become a beautiful mare Twilight” a motherly voice said behind her. When Twilight turned to see who it was, with a grin, she hugged her mentor, Princess Celestia. “Thank you Princess Celestia” – Twilight said while everypony bowed to her. “Please, there is no need to bowing, we all are family here” Everypony noded and started to celebrate, Twilight Parents also gave her a hug, the party was nice, her mother prepared all her favorite dishes and snacks, she was so happy to have everypony she cared in her party. . .well, almost everypony she cared, she started to feel a little sad, not wanting to spoil the party with her mood, she proceded to go up to her room’s balcony, noticing this, Cadence, a little worried, asked Twilight Velvet: “Mrs Velvet. . . is Twilight Ok?” (Sigh) “I’m afraid she is not entirely ok, even now. . . she thinks a lot in my sweet nephew Bright” “. . . she still hasn’t let him go, right?” “Nope. . . and I’m afraid she will never do it, since the day we lost him, she took her studies more seriously, claiming she would never lose another pony or creature close to her again, she even is very overprotective with little Spike as well but I’m afraid she is too focus studying that she doesn’t hang out with the “few” friends she has, some nights, I can even hear her crying and whispering his name, I’m worried Cadence, I’m worried my little angel will end alone. . . why our little Bright had to die?” Cadence, noticing Velvet crying, proceded to hug her and said: “I can’t answer that Mrs Velvet, even I sometimes ask me that question, I’m pretty sure many things would be diferent if he were alive, but I can asure you he is here, with all of us, we loved him and he loved us, I hope some day Twilight find the strenght to finally move on as his mother did, we can only pray and hope” Velvet noded and kept hugging Cadence, meanwhile, Twilight was already in her balcony, gazing the stars she whispered: “It’s a beautifull night. . . Right Bright? Like the ones we used to watch as kids, Princess Celestia always made an extra effort the nights she knew you were going to watch, please be happy up there” “Twilight dear” – her mother screamed from below – “It’s time to cut the cake, come down sweetie” “I’m on my way mom!” Twilight started to walk but one more time watched the stars, she said: “Bright. . . if you are up there, please. . .keep watching over us. . . watching over me from Elisium, and remember. . . I will carry your memory forever” She then proceded to reunite with the rest of her family. - - - - - - - - - - - - - Steel woke up very early, not knowing why, he had a smile in his face, even though it was strange, he didn’t have time to think about it, he stood up, packed his stuff and started to leave, he looked the cave for the last time, there were so many memories about this place, it almost broke his heart to leave but he made a promise to his friend and he intended to keep it. He opened his compass and started his Journey, his first destination. . . the Sacred Forest to get the the Axe or die in the try, the weather was good and the breeze refreshing, breathing heavily, he started to walk. “Look at me Onyx!” – He said while looking at the sky, at that moment, there was no one watching him leaving, but if there were, they would probably had seen their human friend walking on the road and by his side. . .a mirage of a minotaur, proudly walking next to him.”