> Forgotten Memories > by Star Saber > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Rebirth > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forgotten Memories Chapter 1 Rebirth The Everfree forest was large, dark and filled ponies full of fear, there was something about it that turned everypony away in fear of the danger that lurked behind the beautiful treeline bordering the small bustling town of Ponyville. The trees seemed alive, the very air was opposing and oppressive, there was one pony though, who was more afraid than the others, she had only recently been found scared for her life at the edges of the forest, with no memories, and a single message that made her keeper even more afraid of the forest "The evil one is back." No name, no description, just those words had sent a chill up and down the stallion's spine. There was no reason not to doubt the young mare with no memory of where she came from or who she was, but the fear in her voice at that time when he found her was too real not to believe. Now she was sleeping in his only bed while he was on the couch, simply waiting for her to wake up, it was dark outside, just like that night, the pegasi who ran the weather had been told that tonight was a clear night, he wished it would rain, he liked the rain, the soft sounds of the pitter patter on his roof, the relaxing sounds of thunder and the flash of lightning, it soothed him for some strange reason. Although, there was one thing that seemed to soothe him more, the grip of steel in his hooves, and the sound of a blade going through one who sought him harm. "S-swords......" He blinked when he heard the word and turned to see the pale white earth pony mare with ice blue mane and tail standing in the entranceway to the hall. Even while he thought of what she could mean, he had a sword, but it hadn't been used in years, and was safely hidden away in a small place underneath his bed, but with what this mare didn't remember, it was a dangerous time, even though the Princesses had made sure all was peaceful in the kingdom, there were things that never truly added up, call him a theorist, but when a pony arrives with no memory telling him something is back, all the peace goes down the drain, and with the Elements no longer active, or living, it doesn't look too good. After closing his eyes for a moment to sort things out he opened them and nodded. "Alright...what swords? I only have one here." "The legend blades, their aura is alive..." "Aura? Like...what? You mean the swords are alive?" "Yes. And you have one under your bed." He opened his mouth to say something further when a crash rumbled his one bedroom home sending dust from the rafters, being a pegasus meant he needed a high vaulted roof just in case somepony came to rob or kill him, he had done some atrocious things in his past, things that were better left forgotten, but with his home shaking like there was an earthquake rocking the land beneath him, tossing his and his guest's balance before he could get into the air. "Your sword! Go and get your sword Star Breaker!" He was in the air faster than he he knew he could and jetting past the nameless mare towards his bedroom watching as the roof began to splinter sending shards of wood and glass down around him, his thoughts were only on her words, she knew his name and she knew he had a blade, how was out of his thoughts as years of training hit him, he NEEDED that sword in his hooves, if only to get rid of this...whatever it was attacking his home, needed to go away, and if this was the only way, then so be it. A scream sounded from the hall that sent him into a protective mode as he ripped floorboards away and grabbed the case that held a blade that was curved in a deadly way, had a bit grip that fit him perfectly, and in any other hooves, would be heavier than they could lift, how was unknown, all he knew was that he could lift it, and he could use it to deadly means. "LET ME GO!!! PLEASE I DON'T WANT TO GO WITH YOU!!!" "......No......Princess....." Princess?! There was more after that but he didn't understand it at all, the thing was talking nonsense, another language entirely as the house crashed down around him while he fought to get out of the ruined wood and glass structure he had adored and lived in for the last ten years, that was before he fell, adrenaline was running high in his body so he never noticed the single shard of glass coming at him until it had pierced his chest stopping him cold mid takeoff. His eyes widened as his breathing quickened and blood flowed like a river down the glass staining it red while his vision became clouded and unfocused as the pain started to become apparent and then dulled as every heartbeat created a new laceration from the glass speared through the life giving muscle. 'No....It can't....it can't end like this....' Thump thump 'What did I do to deserve this?' Thump thump 'I've lost.....everything....' Thump......thump 'Am I.....going to die here?' Thump...........thump 'I....I can't die here....' ........Thump..........thump 'I don't want to die!' "Do you truly not want to die?" 'Who...who said that?' "Do you truly not want to die here?" 'No! I have....I have someone that needs me!' "Then stop thinking and do something about it." 'But......I'm dying...there's....I can't breathe....I can't...move...' "Then I'll move for you. How does that sound?" No more beats, no more sound, he was dead to the world as his body spasmed and he released his final breath and the glass cracked as his eyes closed, there was a soft pulsing from the blade that had been dropped, as if it were truly a living entity. The pulsing grew as a light enveloped the length of it, changing it to form an ethereal ponylike form with the blade at it's center pulsing like a heart would as the being removed the shard from his owner's chest and flowed into him blade and all. "I will change you. I will live inside you, keeping you alive until you have fulfilled what you so desire." Star Breaker's body glowed for a mere moment in the shattered remains of his home, the darkness gone with the captive mare believing her protector was dead. In a mere hour of time Star Breaker was healed a mark appearing on his chest where a scar should have been, it was a flower, it looked like a lotus at first glance. Before it started pulsing. ......Thump....Thump ...Thump....Thump Thump....Thump Thump thump Breaker gasped as his eyes flew open and he tooking heaving lungfuls of air and stood shakily in a pool of his own blood and looked around at his broken home before he closed his eyes, he had lost everything in one night, his home, his guest, his life. He looked at himself and blinked, he hadn't been changed, he still felt the same, but didn't he just die? He was breathing, his heart was thumping in his chest, he shook his head and trotted out of the wreckage before sitting down and thinking. 'What in Celestia's name just happened? I died...but...I'm not...' "No. You did die, I brought you back from that dark place." He heard the voice and searched for it seeing nopony around him he shook his head again. 'I must be hearing things...' "No Star Breaker. You are not hearing things. You are hearing me. You are hearing the one thing you have kept in your possession since your father gave it to you." "My...Sword?" "Yes. Though...I am not your sword anymore. I am part of you now, but...I can still become that blade which you have carried with you." This was not happening, not to him, not to the calmest pony in Ponyville, something like this just didn't happen to him, something like this hasn't happened since the Elements were around, evil didn't just spring up on a whim anymore and threaten the world, so why now, why of all times did this have to happen, and why is that mare so important to whatever kidnapped her? He needed to find somepony who knew about this, he needed to go to the Sparkle memorial library in the center of Ponyville. > Clues > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forgotten Memories Chapter 2 Clues It had been a day, a single day since that night and Breaker was eager to get details about what had taken that unknown mare. Walking through the town was a different experience than usual, Ponyville was a bustle of activity, moreso than usual, and everypony seemed to be talking about something that was dark, and wondering if the Princesses knew about it. In all likelyhood they did not seeing as it had taken a pony and destroyed a home during the night. Shaking his head he found the larger than life tree that housed the library, there was a single plaque beside the door and he turned his head towards it, reminding himself of what it said. "Twilight Sparkle Memorial Library. Dedicated to the Element of Magic that gathered friends wherever she went and supressed darkness until the day she left us. We will miss her always." He sighed and simply walked in, there was always a pony in here. Taking stock, keeping records, pretending to be the late Miss Sparkle. It was horrid how they chose to keep her alive even though she had been gone for about five years now. "Welcome to the Sparkle Memor- Star Breaker is that you?" The voice was familiar and grating, it was funny how a few select ponies had voices that annoyed him to the point of insanity, one of those ponies was standing infront of him now, a unicorn mare with coat, mane and tail all dyed to mimic the dead record keeper and protector of Harmony. "Yeah....it's me. I have things I need to look up Angel Heart." "Don't call me that while I'm at work. It's Twilight Sparkle." "You aren't her so stop pretending." "It's my job to be her....I know you miss her bu-" "THAT'S NOT THE POINT HERE!" "Then what is Breaker?" "That thing that destroyed my home and took that amnesiac mare I was taking care of." Angel Heart knew when to stop prying and simply nodded before walking to a shelf marked Mythical mystery history and tapped the shelf. "Here...Nopony knows what happened....nopony knows what it could be, so...you'll have to look here." "Thank you Angel Heart." "She reminds you of her doesn't she?" "Shut it Heart, before I rip your's out." "Alright...alright I'll leave you be Breaker." "Thank you." He didn't want to be reminded of that mare right now, one of his only friends, the only one out of the six thatcould read him like a....well like a book. He started with a few more well known texts and only found traces that led him to more books and more barely there references that led him to even more books that led him to scrolls that led him nowhere. He was all but absorbed in doing the research that he barely noticed the door opening. It would have gone unnoticed if it weren't for Angel Heart's damn greeting. "Welcome to the Sparkle Memorial Library, I'm Twilight Sparkle. How can I help you?" "Yeah...I'm looking for a stallion. About this tall, cutie mark of a super nova, probably staring at me right now. Has a flower on his chest...and a really really nasty look like he's about to kill me." "Oh..well...Go on then, if you know what he looks like. Have a good day, and always remember to be Sparklerific!" There was a giggle from Heart and he shook his head before going back to reading, ignoring the earth pony mare that sauntered up to him and sat, not saying a single word to him as he tried to piece together all the obscure references and clues that had gathered in a few hours. "Hey Breaker." "Applebloom." "So what are you doing?" "Research." "Want some help?" "No." "Aww come on..." "No Applebloom, I dont need help." "But....but...your doing it wrong." His eyes turned from the scroll he was looking at and he stared at her wondering what she meant. "It's a cypher, look here....this word here means something different, it doesn't go there. And this one here isn't spelled right. Hey Twilight?" "That's not Twilight." "I know it isn't. Her horn is wrong, but it's nice to have the comfort." "Whatever Applebloom." Angel walked to them, with a piece of paper and a quill hovering in her magic and set them down before Applebloom started writing, spelling words correctly and putting them in their proper places, what she wrote was making no sense though. When Harmony is gone And everything is dark The moonlight on high Reveals the secrets we shared Gather the blades And bring them to life Five and one to bring light To bring the balance back to the world And make Harmony reign once more With the flowers of life The five and one bring everlasting peace "That makes no sense whatsoever Applebloom." "A course it does!" "What? You made sense of all that?" "Yeah, can't you?" "Not at all...it's a damn poem that means nothing." "Five and one, it's a reference to the Elements. The five that existed and the one that brought them together." "The elements....but those have been gone for a long time now." "Five years right? But it also talks of blades...I think that means swords. Didn't you have one?" "Yeah...but now I don't. I lost it a while ago." "You lost it?" "Yeah. Now what's this about flowers of life?" "That flower one yer chest Breaker!" "On...my...chest? Yeah? What of it?" "It's a lotus. Twilight taught me that a Lotus is the flower of life. You already got yer cutie mark, and nopony has ever had a second...well...I did when I got ahold of Zecora's Hearts Desire stuff....But that's besides the point! That flower means yer one of tha five and one!" "You...got all that from a poem made from obscure references in scrolls and books?" "Well yeah! I don't have a intelligence cutie mark fer nuthin ya know!" "You....got your mark?" "Yep sure did wanna see?" "No." "Awww...." With a sigh breaker took and folded the paper wanting to keep it with him for some strange reason, Applebloom had made sense of it when he couldn't, so it was a good thing she dropped by, even if her deep southern accent grated sometimes, at least she lost the squeakiness of her foal years, now she was shaping up into a fine mare, one that would make any stallion happy. If she didn't drive them off with her insistent rambling about this and that, and the best way to grow apples. It was only her friends that could deal with her, and yet, he hadn't seen Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo, those girls always hung out together. "Hey...Applebloom?" "Yeah Breaker?" "Where's Sweetie and Scoots?" "At Rarity's Fashion Boutique...Picking out outfits for their date..." "Wait...without you? Why?" "I'm a third wheel...Aint got nopony special to me...not that Mac'll let me have a coltfriend...he always scares 'em off....ain't nopony brave enough to ask me out." He shrugged and sighed before nudging her towards the door and smiling while she looked at him with a curious look on her face that made her look so cute. "What're ya doin that for?" "Because your coming with me to search for these other four...I have a feeling I know where the last one is. So we got to be as quick as we can. I don't think she'll last long wherever she was taken." Applebloom was instantly beaming as he told her that he was taking her on an adventure, and one that could rival what her sister had been on before. She quickly rushed out of the library and Breaker smiled, that young mare wouldn't be sad around him on this adventure. He would be the one to make sure of that. Nodding at Angel Heart as he left she nodded back with a telling smile on her face and her eyes lit with knowledge, like she knew something he didn't, but he brushed her off and left the library. It seemed that the clues were going to be hard to come by, so if there was going to be one to find, he was sure that Bloomy could find it. Wait, Bloomy? When did he start thinking of her as Bloomy? That would be something else to figure out on this adventure they were about to set out on. > The Adventure Begins > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forgotten Memories Chapter 3 The Adventure Begins Shaking his head as he went Breaker smiled at Applebloom as she trotted next to him with her head held high going on and on about how she had never gone on a real adventure before. It had always been various silly things done by her and her two best friends to try and get their cutie marks. He chuckled at each little story, and the way it was enthusiastically told by the southern accented mare. However, there was an underlying pain and sadness he could feel coming from her voice, for now, he was just going to let her talk, her voice had lost the annoyance it once had and was now actually pretty nice to listen to. He shook his head one more time and then stopped her with a hoof in front of her face. "Applebloom?" "Yeah?" "As much as these stories are fun to listen to, don't you think we should talk about how to start our adventure?" "Oh yeah! I was gonna get to that...I'm just so excited you know?" "I understand that Applebloom, but we have to get on track with this." "Alright Breaker. Maybe we should head to Pinkie's Snack Shack?" "Why? What's there?" "Sweets! I'm hungry ain't you?" He closed his eyes and smiled as his stomach rumbled in hunger, he had forgotten to get anything to eat this morning when he went to the library. He nodded at her thinking and followed her towards the old home of Pinkie Pie. Sugarcube Corner had been renamed in the hyper pink pony's name. "So...Any other reason you wanted to go there other than to eat?" "Well yeah...it's so we can avoid...so we can talk about where to start with the living sword things." "I heard that. Want to tell me what the real problem is Applebloom?" "No. I don't want to talk about how lonely I am." Before she knew what she said it had come out. After slapping a hoof over her mouth and looking away Breaker chuckled as the root of the problem came out. "So...you're jealous of Sweetie and Scoots right?" "Yeah...I guess I am." "Well come on then. Let's go and get some sweets and talk about this. Alright?" "You know my big brother is gonna kick the snot outta you when he learns what you're doing, right?" "He can try Applebloom. He can try." After their course started back up it was a quiet trip, neither finding anything to talk about. Once they got to the gingerbread-esque house and wandered inside they were greeted by a Pink bouncing ball of energy that was talking too fast to truly understand. "Damn it...shut up Plasma Streak. You aren't Pinkie. You may look like her but you aren't the element of laughter." "Well...Star Breaker....sit down and make your order then. I'm at least trying to make everypony a little happier...what have you done?" "Lost my home, my guest was kidnapped, and I died. So fuck off." Applebloom and Plasma both became shocked on hearing this, it would seem that this news was new to them, they hadn't heard of a house being destroyed, or a pony being kidnapped, but the disbelief that was seen was the fact that Breaker had died, though there was no visible indication of anything new except the flower on his chest, which was currently too pale to be seen without squinting. "Wait a minute Breaker....how can you be dead if your sitting here living and breathing in this bakery?" "Yeah..I want to know that too Breaker!" "I'm not sure myself. So I can't really say. But it happened just last night....the same night I lost my sword." "Star Breaker...You lost...your sword....YOU ABSOLUTE FUCKTARD HOW COULD YOU LOSE THAT!!!" Plasma's voice echoed throughout the building making Applebloom recoil, she had never seen the pony get angry like this before, and it scared her, but it seemed to have no effect on Breaker at all and he just shrugged. "No clue. Now calm your voice Plasma. You're scaring Applebloom." "What the fuck do you care? You lost an heirloom, you lost your home, you failed to protect your guest, and supposedly you lost your Celestia damned life! I can't believe you! This is just like the last time we ever had a mission. You absolutely fai-" Plasma's voice was cut off as he saw the effect he was having on Breaker, Applebloom noticed as well. Breaker's face had twisted into one of such pure rage it made her want to bolt from the bakery, but she also wanted to know what happened, and so, curiosity won out and she remained glued to the chair. "You...don't know....anything Plasma." "I-I'm sorry Breaker..." "No...No you aren't. You want to know what happened?" "I know what happened." "No. No you don't. You don't know at all." "Then I don't want to know." "Then don't make assumptions that could get you killed." "I'm so sorry Breaker...I...I didn't..." "You let your temper get to you. That's not how Pinkie would have acted." With a few deep breaths Breaker's face regained the calm demeanor he usually had, Applebloom was stunned, usually Star Breaker was calm, controlled, she admired that in him, he could stay so calm in the face of anything, but to seem him take on a face of pure rage like that, over a misunderstanding like that, it had to have some deep rooted memories of something that had happened, and it seemed horrible. "Leave it be Applebloom, if he wants to tell you, then he will." "I...I don't think I want to know." "Alright..so what'll you both have?" "I want some of the specialty cupcakes." "Alright and you Breaker?" "I..I'll have the same." "Alright. I'll go and get them." "Thank you Plasma." With that, Plasma left the two be while he went to the back to make some fresh cupcakes, in the style that Pinkie Pie used to make them, it would take awhile so the two could talk. "So...You died?" "Yes Applebloom. I did." "But...how are you still here?" "I don't know Applebloom." "Does it have something to do with your sword?" "I imagine so." "Can...can you tell me?" "I'm not sure I can. It's not something a sweet young mare should hear though." "I'm not a young mare...I'm an adult." At that moment the flower lit up and Breaker's mind went elsewhere as his eyes changed to a bright ice blue, glowing lightly. Applebloom was now entranced in his eyes and tilted her head curiously. "Applebloom. This is not a story for now. It would be best if you left it be for him to tell you when he thinks you're ready. Alright?" "Who...Who are you? What did you do with Breaker?" "That will be revealed in time. For now, just trust him. Let him make the decision. Do not pressure him to reveal painful memories to you." "A-alright....I....I guess....Can...can you let him back? You're....kinda creeping me out...." "Yes Applebloom. Just remember to let him protect you, and do not do anything brash." Before she could answer Breaker slumped over and was breathing heavily, as if whatever had happened had taken a real toll on his body. She was worried to say the least, but he snapped to as soon as he smelled the cupcakes and was smiling like nothing had happend. "Uh...Breaker?" "Yeah?" "What just happened?" "What do you mean?" "Your eyes....they went all shiny....and...and your voice changed...it was almost marish...." "Really? Huh...Strange..." "And...and your flower lit up...." "It...lit up?" "Yeah...almost like something went wonky inside you....But...it wasn't PTSD...it was....something else...I'm sure we'll figure it out. Now...we need to figure out where we're going first." "Alright...any thoughts?" He shook his head as Plasma brought out a platter piled high with a mountain of delicious smelling cupcakes. They all smiled as it was sat in front of Bloomy and Breaker. "Well here you go, two orders of Pinkie Cakes! Have fun and always remember to keep your spirits up and smile smile smile!" "Thanks Plasma. We'll take this to go, we have some more things we need to do." 'Not really you don't. Stay and enjoy the cupcakes Star Breaker.' "Plasma...did you just say something?" "No." "Applebloom?" "Nuh uh." "Hmmm...Strange..." 'Not at all. However, we'll be leaving in a week for Alamante. Make sure you get what you need before you leave. We won't be coming back for a long while.' "Alamante? Why? There's nothing there but elemental ponies and zebras...." "Did you say Alamante?" "Yeah Plasma...I did..." "Why?" "I have no clue Applebloom, but I have a feeling we'll be there for a long time. We set out in a week." It seemed that with the strange thoughts in his head, that the sword was talking to him, and that it wanted them to go to Alamante was disconcerting. This left all of them in a wave of confusion, but they would go along with it, whatever was leading them across the ocean was doing so for a good reason. As they ate their cupcakes in silence there was a strange unease in both Breaker and Applebloom. It seemed that things would not be going as they first thought. If they were going there, then it was a fact that things were only going to get much, much harder. > Sweet Apple Acres > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forgotten Memories Chapter 4 Sweet Apple Acres Breaker had gone back to where his ruined home was after parting with Applebloom so she could go and pack some of her things for the trip ahead. It was dark now and the stars were all alight, casting there glow with the full moon high above leaving the land awash in a silvery glow, turning everything more beautiful than it had been during the day. It was times like this that Breaker fully appreciated where his life had taken him. /// "Breaker! Breaker where are you?!" "On your six Plasma!" It was just another mission, he and his three man team had been sent out with the elements on a diplomatic mission to Alamante. It wasn't an unusual thing to do, a war had just ended and there were still pockets of resistance everywhere. Breaker had next to know time to avoid the boulder coming at him from an unknown attacker. Angel managed to catch an earth pony that was only one of their attackers, there were plenty more surrounding them as they went deep into Geo territory. "Capture, don't kill them! We'll bring them to Terra!" "Alright Twilight! As you say." Of course, this didn't mean that the Geokinetics were going to take it easy on them. Twi didn't want any deaths, but it was obvious that the earth movers were out for blood, theirs. "Twilight come on! These guys don't care about our lives!" "That ain't up to us Sugarcube, that's the law round these parts, nopony wants anymore death, so we got to try! Now git to it, we've been barred from fighting by the princess." "We're trying Applejack! They aren't making it easy!" Another boulder flew by, this time barely missing Plasma, but a scream still split the air as Angel's horn was hit while trying to catch the boulder, it had been going too fast, with their magic user now all but useless Breaker decided they needed to retreat. "Full retreat! Cover the Elements and get Heart out of here!" "Yes sir!!" "Let's git out of here!" "Okie dokie lokie" "Tactical retreat is good!" "This is atrocious! I agree with you Star!" "Not cool..." "Rainbow Dash.....no!" Nopony had noticed the rush of wind as Rainbow Dash took to the sky and dove from above, a high pitched whining was all that was heard from her dive, she was going to use the sonic rainboom as a weapon! "TAKE COVER! RAINBOOM IS INBOUND!" "Rainbow Dash! No casualties! Please we have to go!" /// He was woken from the dream with a start, looking around and then sighing, that had been it. The final mission Plasma, Angel, and he had been on. The one that he had failed, he had failed to protect Angel Heart, Plasma, and the Elements. He closed his eyes and then looked to the sky for answers. "Why....why did I fail?" "It wasn't your fault Star Breaker. It was the Cryokinetic rogues." "But I still failed....I should have seen it coming." "There was no way you could have." "Then....why didn't you say something?" "Because I had not been awakened." "I really need to stop talking to myself..." "But you aren't." "That's not what it looks like to other ponies." "Whatever the case may be Star Breaker. We must go and see Applebloom." "Why? It's barely the morning." "Trust me as you have before." "You never talked back then." The voice of the blade didn't answer causing Breaker to shake his head and chuckle before getting to his hooves and sighing. "This is...We have to see the Princesses...." He was going to go and get Applebloom first, which meant heading to Sweet Apple Acres right off the bat. It wasn't too far from where his home once stood, the Apple family had helped him build it as a thank you for something he no longer remembered. It had something to do with the Apple family, but he couldn't remember now. That was ten years ago when he first moved to Ponyville and needed a home. Upon arrival he heard the two distinct voices of Big Macintosh and Applebloom arguing from the barn. It seemed like he may need to get involved but for now he would listen to them from a safe distance. "I told you once and I'll tell you again. You ain't going on some adventure where there's a chance you won't be seen again Applebloom." "But Big Mac! I'll be protected...I want to go!" "No Applebloom now you get inside the house and put that bag away." "No Mac....I have to go...Star Break-" "And what if he can't protect you? What if the same thing that happened to AppleJack happens to you?" "He won't let that happen! I know he wont Mac!" "How do you know? He couldn't protect our sister. What makes you think he'll be able to protect you over there?" "I....I don't know...it's...something inside me that's telling me I need to go....Please Big Mac..." "If you....if somethin happens to you Applebloom...I'll be going to jail fer murder...." "If I let you get that far." Both of their heads turned to find Breaker standing in the doorway. Applebloom with a somewhat embarrassed look that she had been arguing with her brother over something silly, and Mac with a stern look, staring right at Breaker. "If she gets hurt or anything....I'll be coming after you. I may not have been able to do anything for AJ, but I'll be bucked if I let anything happen to my little sister." "You know Fluttershy wouldn't like that." "How dare you bring mah wife's name into this! I lost her because of you! Because you and that team of yours couldn't protect her! Git.....Git out of here before I decide to throw you out! You may have helped us before...but you took away our sister, you took away mah wife....and now your taking Applebloom away...just....git....I don't want to see you here ever again Star Breaker...." "Fine by me Macintosh....My home was destroyed two nights ago...I got nothing left here anyway. I just came to get Bloomy, and a few provisions, we're heading to Canterlot on the first available train." "Fine. There's some cider up top, and take any apples you can buck. From three trees. That's all I'll let you have." "Thank you Mac." "Don't thank me. It's what Aj would do." "You're right Big Mac. I'm going to visit her and the rest of them before we leave." Mac shook his head and then left the barn passing by Breaker with a sigh, leaving them alone. "You didn't have to do that you know..." "Yeah..I did....siblings shouldn't fight like that." "Was that how you acted?" "Yeah...before..." He fell silent as he remembered that night that felt like it was so long ago. /// His bags were packed and he was ready to go, his father had given him his old sword as a parting gift, but his sister hadn't wanted him to leave. "Star you can't!" "I have to. This mission was given by Princess Celestia. I can't disobey her." "Why? Why do you have to go?!" "Because it's an order. The Elements asked for my team specifically." "They can go rot in Tartarus! I'm not going to let you go!" "Don't talk like that sis! Those six have kept equestria safe since they were young! They kept us safe!" "No they didn't! Momma's gone because of them!" A slap echoed through the cloudhome they lived in with their father as Star Breaker's hoof connected to his sister's cheek. "Dont you ever say that again! Mom was taken by a criminal! An evil being that Celestia herself couldn't get rid of!" Tears hit the floor as his sister stared at him. He had struck her, he had actually laid a hoof on her in anger. She ran from the room her last words echoing in his ears. "I never want to see you again! I hate you!" /// He sighed, that was the last time he had seen his sister and father. He didn't think they would want to see him either. Not now, it had been ten years since the last time he saw them. "You don't want to talk about it do you?" "Not really no." "Alright. You don't have to." "Thanks....it was a rough time." "Well we should go. I got all the stuff while you were off in your little space." "Thanks Bloomy." "Want to....go walk through the Orchard?" He nodded, it had been longer than he knew since he had walked the massive orchard that made up the farm. Once he started walking Applebloom began to walk next to him, both absorbed in their thoughts more than the beauty around them. 'The last time I did this was with AppleJack...' 'The Element of Honesty?' 'Yeah...' 'Before that mission right?' 'That's right sword....you know something?' 'What's that Star Breaker?' 'I never got your name. I mean..you are alive right?' 'Yeah.' 'So what's your name?' 'I don't....I don't have one....least...not that I can remember.' 'Do you want one?' 'I....I guess...Why do you care? I'm just a sword...' 'You saved my life. It's the least I could do.' "Breaker?" "Hmmm? Yeah Applebloom?" "You remember this tree?" He looked up from the ground and saw one tree in front of him before shaking his head. "Yeah...yeah I do. This is where you tried to get a cutie mark for cheering a pony up." "It sure is! But...it didn't work..." "Yeah but you cheered the pony up didn't you?" /// A few days had passed since the mission and it's failure and Star Breaker was sitting under an apple tree after delivering the news to the Apples that their sister didn't make it back home. Tears were falling from his face to the ground below. Twilight may have been able to read him like a book, but it was AppleJack he had connected with the most, she was his best friend, the one that closest to him, even though it wasn't romantic. They had looked at each other like a brother and sister did. "Hey mister Breaker?" "Leave me alone..." "Why?" "Because I did something bad." "Like what?" "I failed...." "No you didn't." "Yeah...yeah kid I did." "How? And my name's not kid...It's Applebloom!" "Apple...bloom? You're the kid sis of AJ right?" "Yeah!" "You're annoying me..." He looked at her from where he was, a pale orange earth pony with red mane and tail and a bright red bow on her head was staring at him, she couldn't be much older than seventeen, just finishing puberty and he shook his head at her eyes, they were as big as saucers and looked too cute and sad to do anything but try and cheer her up. "I...I'm annoyin ya?" "Nah kid...I'm just feeling bad is all...I didn't bring everypony back from where I went...I'm sorry." "Ya did yer best right?" "Yeah...and I still failed them all..." "No ya didn't. If ya tried yer best then ya didn't fail." "How do you figure kid?" "Well...its like mah sis always said. If'n ya try yer best then ya can't fail. Even if you didn't win or do somethin the right way...as long as ya tried yer best then you know where ya need ta improve." He smiled, this little mare in front of him was right, even if it didn't feel that way. Soon he began to chuckle and shook his head. "Ya know kid...that's exactly what she would say...you even sounded like her for a minute there." "I...I did?" "Yeah kid...you'll grow up to be a fine mare one day. Just keep on thinking like that and you'll do just fine in your life." "Did...did I cheer ya up?" "Yeah kid...you did." She had an excited look on her face and looked at her flank only to let out an aww of disappointment and Breaker became curious. "What's wrong?" "I didn't git mah cutie mark...." "Your still a blank flank?" "Yeah..." "Don't worry about it...you'll get it one day, and when you do I want to see it." "Do ya promise?" "Cross my heart and hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye." "Ya...ya made a Pinkie promise?" "I sure did." She wrapped him in a hug and whispered in his ear saying thank you and he shook his head before standing. "Well I'd better be off....I have a few things to do..I have to tell everypony else what happened. You be good alright?" "Alright! I'm glad I could cheer you up mister Breaker!" "It's just Breaker." /// The memory faded and he sighed with a smile before noticing something on the tree, it looked like a carving of some kind, a heart, with initials in it and he raised his eyebrow before Applebloom blocked it from his view. "Well...we should probably be going now..Don't we have to go to Canterlot before we go to Alamante?" He blinked for a moment and then nodded. "Yeah Applebloom...we have to tell the princesses what we're going to go and do." "Well come on then we don't have any time to waste!" She turned him around and pushed him in the direction of Ponyville and the train station before looking back at the tree and smiling. The heart that was carved had been done after he had left that day, when she first developed a small crush on Star Breaker. It was clear to her. The initials in it were SB & AB. She sighed happily remembering when she had done it and then began to follow him. First Canterlot, and then to Alamante. They had six days to spend together before their adventure really began, and she would try her hardest to help him stay happy. She didn't want to see him cry like he had that day five years ago. > Canterlot > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forgotten Memories Chapter 5 Canterlot The train ride was boring, much to everyone's dismay, there were no delays or anything to make it frustratingly interesting. The only thing that had managed to keep Breaker awake were his thoughts and a singular voice in his skull, one that he was quickly growing accustomed to. "Breaker?" 'Yeah?' "You never gave me my name." 'Oh...yeah...alright give me a few moments.' "Alright. Take your time, it has been so long since I've been awake like this. Over a thousand years by my reckoning." 'More than a thousand years?! How old are you?' "I don't know Breaker." 'Alright...alright...let me think on it for awhile.' "Alright Star Breaker." While he was absorbed in his thoughts Applebloom was thinking of things to do with him, things that she could do to keep him smiling. She knew herself that going to Canterlot would make him frown and remember things he didn't need to dwell on, like the statues of six ponies that were no longer here, including her sister, the one he was as close to as a relative. "Applebloom?" "Yeah?" "I need a name." "A..name? But you have one already..." "Not for me, for my sword." "Your...sword? But ya lost it didn't ya?" "I wasn't being completely honest back in Ponyville." "Really? Mah sis wouldn't be too happy with ya for that." "I didn't have a choice. She would understand." "Alright. Well be honest with me from now on alright?" "I'll try to Bloomy..." "Why do ya keep calling me that?" "I don't have a clue." "Alright. Well...I'll think of a name, you just focus on happy things alright?" "Alright, I'll do that." The rest of the ride was silent, brooding, and full of nothing more than tension. Star had wanted to avoid coming back to Canterlot for more than one reason, there were seven to be exact, six statues and one Princess. /// It was dark out, the moon was full but it shed no light on Luna's tower as Breaker flew to the spire to the meeting with his superior. "Princess Luna." He bowed in a show of respect despite having been told numerous times that he didn't have to during these meetings. "Star Breaker. You know you don't have to bow to me when we are alone like this." "I know Princess. I do it out of respect for you." "And you don't have to call me princess...how many times do I have to tell you that?" "Always once more Princess." "You are incorrigible Star Breaker." They chuckled a little bit and then got down to business. "I suppose you know why I contacted you once more?" "Another Pony trying to do away with the proper government?" "I hate asking you to do such a thing over and over." "If it means keeping the peace I am willing to do whatever I am asked." "I know...and that's what worries me." "Worry? The Princess of the night? Nothing should worry you Princess." "You do. Ever since that mission was over you haven't been yourself. What hapened over there?" "I would rather not speak of such a failure Princess." "Keep yourself healthy Star." "I will Princess." He knew what he had to do, ever since that mission failed he had thrown himself into his job, doing whatever was asked of him. He didn't question a thing, he merely went about his duties with silent understanding and vicious grace. Even his comrades had begun to be afraid of him, but he didn't care about them, he just wanted to become stronger, able to do more to protect what he had to. /// It wasn't until later that he had found out that that had been a sham, Luna had forced him into retirement, a suprise party meant to be his retirement from Luna's court guard. He felt terrible coming back to this place, he didn't want to but the royalty needed to know about the incoming danger that nopony had ever seen before. It wasn't until the train stopped and the announcement blared that he came from his own thoughts enough to hear Applebloom talking to him. "Breaker? Breaker are you alright?" "Yeah...I'll be fine Applebloom. Let's just get this over with." "Are ya sure that your alright?" "Yes Applebloom. I'll be fine." "That's not what I asked." "I'm fine Applebloom." "Alright...well let's go then." They disembarked from the train to the hustle and bustle of Canterlot city, they didn't have anything to do except go to the castle for an unscheduled meeting with the Princesses, so that was the first stop here. "I wanna go and see the sights." "We will later." "Why not now?" "Because we need to talk to the princesses." "And that can't wait right?" "No...it can't...after that...we're going to go and...see them." "Them?" "Yes, them." "Whose them?" "The....the elements." "Oh..." They fell silent as they approached the castle gates, the guards there were obviously new and barred their way inside. "Halt. What business do you have inside the castle?" "We wish to speak to the Princesses." "Do you have an appointment?" "No." "Then leave now." "I'm afraid we can't do that. It's a matter of urgency." "I'm sorry. But there are no civilians allowed in the castle at this time." "Stand down guards. If you knew who you were speaking to then you would have allowed him inside without a problem." They all looked up to see none other than Princess Celestia floating down from one of the spires to land gracefully in front of Star and Applebloom. Applebloom and the guards bowed but Breaker did not, there was only one Princess he bowed to and Celestia was not her. "Princess Celestia. How...nice to see you again." "I am certain that that is not why you are here. Come now Star Breaker. Let us go and talk of what you need." The guards were stunned, Celestia had never spoken in such an informal way to a civilian unless it was her prodigy student. "Of course. Do you mind if I bring Applebloom along? She's already involved with this seeing as she found-" "The prophecy that was hidden thousands of years ago by my sister and I along with the original six gods of Equuis?" "Yes. Why am I not surprised you know more about this than I do." "Because I am meant to know." "Of course Princess." He shook his head as Celestia escorted them inside without another word to the guard, this was going to be harder than he thought. Applebloom trotted after them after a mere moment of surprise, the only one she had seen able to talk to Celestia like that had been Twilight, seeing her talk to another like that was mind boggling, just what had Star breaker been to the Princesses? "I was Luna's court guard. And personal assassin. I could go where nopony would ever dare to. Me and my team were the best of the best. Until the failure." "The...failure?" "Yeah." "What happened?" Breaker was silent for a moment reliving that awful memory as they walked along the familiar corridors of the castle. /// It had been more than four years since they had all been home, so far the mission was a success, but it wouldn't stop until everything was over. Not many Alamantians liked the fact that six ponies who had abandoned them were now the leaders of the tribes. It meant hell for everypony who backed them up and said that they were what the country needed. Everypony on this peace mission was starting to wonder if it was all for naught. "This mission is of the upmost importance. We have to get this country to be at peace before we leave. We can't abandon it." "But there's nothing we can do anymore." 'I agree dahling....we've done enough..." "No. We haven't. It's been almost five years since any of us has seen home. Look forward to that when this is over." "B-but...what about all of my cutesy wittle animals? They must be missing me by now..." "Fluttershy...we have enough to worry about here. I have to make sure that Angel is alright, and we all need our rest. I'll be taking first watch tonight. Get some sleep." "This is not awesome...it's completely ridiculous...we're stuck here without anypony but you three...and so far you haven't really done jack to help." "Ah won't agree there Rainbow. Star Breaker has done mroe than enough to keep us safe. He's done nuthing but look out fer us ever since we got here. So he's made a few mistakes. Everypony aint perfect sugarcube. Let him do what he needs ta do so we can finish and get out of he-" "AppleJack?" "AJ?" The next sounds from AppleJacks mouth were strangled and nopony knew what was going on. It seemed that in the darkness there were some water movers, and one had a hold to the liquid in AJ's throat, drowning her. Soon more strangled cries were heard as all around the elements were drowning, but the enemy wasn't able to be seen. "Angel! Light us up!" "Sorry Breaker...I can't do a damn thing right now! My horn is still cracked!" "FUCK! PLASMA?!" "No can do Captain! We're not equipped to handle this!" "FUCK!" The elements were dying, and there was nothing he or his team could do besides charge blindly, which would get them killed. "We have to get them out of here!" "On it Breaker!" "Sir yes Sir!" With two per pony they were dragging the six slower than what needed to be done, something had to be done fast, but there was nothing to do, Breaker alone couldn't carry them into the sky, it was too much weight for him to bear, Plasma's horn was still slightly cracked limiting her magic, and Plasma was doing his best to get everpony away. Sooner than expected there was silence, no more gurgling or sounds of strangling ponies, no breathing save for the three that were carrying two per, the sounds of hooves on the ground echoed in his ears before he stop. "Company....halt..." "What? Why Captain? This is hostile territory!" "It's not hostile anymore Plasma..." 'What...what do you mean?" "We....we failed..." It took his two team mates a moment before it dawned on them, the elements weren't breathing or moving. They looked at Breaker when he stopped walking and closed his eyes. "Breaker?" "Captain?" "Shit....Breaker?" "Star?" He set down Applejack and Twilight's bodies and began to breath harshly, this was the first mission he had failed in his entire career, and it cost the six most important ponies in history their lives, right now, he wanted to disappear forever, he didn't want to show his face back home, but he knew he was going to have to do that, he was going to have to tell everypony that the elements were dead, that they would never be able to keep the land safe again, and it was his fault, he had failed to keep them safe. He took a deep breath, deeper than any he had before and the force of his inhale was audible. "FUCK! FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!!" His voice echoed in the darkness and made his mates cover their ears from the sudden scream that was given off. "We...we failed...." /// He was tapped on the shoulder lightly before he came back to reality, Applebloom was trying to snap him out of it. From what he saw through blurred vision was her, Celestia, and Luna all worried for him, that was before he felt the warmth of tears on his face. Had he been crying? He wiped his eyes with a hoof and shook his head before even attempting to speak. "I'm fine. Stop with the looks." "Breaker...you were crying...." "No Applebloom I wasn't." "Don't lie ta me! You were crying...you were lost in a memory weren't you?" "He was indeed Applebloom." "Don't...Luna....Just don't." "As you wish Star Breaker." "Thank....thank you." "You are here to tell us something are you not?" "Yes...." "Then please. Tell us what is going on." It took him awhile to collect himself and then he told the story of why he was here, and why he had brought Applebloom along, what had happened to his house and guest, his death, he spared no detail of what had gone on in the final days he had been in Ponyville. Both of them looked at him with incredulous looks, like he was never meant to survive, he shouldn't have in all honesty, his heart had taken it's last beat, he himself didn't know how he was still here. He had even gone on to tell them about the voice of the sword he kept hearing in his head, and how it hadnt been active for over a thousand years. It took the span of three hours to say everything before he fell silent. "Well....this is not good..." "I agree dear sister. It is fortunate that he has told us all of this. Now we can prepare for it." "No Luna. We cannot prepare for this. There is no way to defend or beat this darkness." "Art thou sure dear sister? Is there truly no way to defeat this foe?" "There is one way." Tia and Luna looked at the new voice, it had a feminine tint to it. What they saw were ice blue eyes and a lotus flower that was glowing on Breaker's chest, it seemed that the inner voice he had spoken about was speaking through him. "Who...are you?" "I am the blade that saved his life that night." "Do you have a name?" "Not yet I don't Celestia." "All...right...Well tell us what you know." "I am a blade meant to fight darkness. Forged from the very heavens when they were born. There are five others like me. All meant for the same purpose. To destroy evil in it's entirety. We are more powerful than the elements. More powerful than either you or your sister." "Skip to the part where you tell us how you plan to defend us from what Breaker was talking about." "Yes Princess. Me and my brethren blades have the strength to defeat this foe. We were crafted from what you would now call Star Metal. We were entrusted with the souls of the stars themselves to protect this world from harm. We were made even before you were born." "How is that..." "Possible? Simply put....we were part of the universe itself when it was made." "I don't see..." "How? Of course you wouldn't. You are still a mere foal compared to us." "Where will you go now?" "To find my brethren. One of which is in Alamante. Of that I am certain." "Alamante...you know it's going to hurt him to go back there." "To gain strength one must be reminded of the past. He has yet to move on from it." There was a sigh from next to him and he looked at Applebloom with a soft smile. "Come. We have tended to business here. Now we shall go and see the elements of harmony." "Alright...but give Breaker back first...It's weird hearing a mare's voice coming from him...." "As you wish Applebloom." The glowing eyes dulled back to Breaker's normal color and the lotus on his chest faded once more before he blinked and then sagged on his hooves before Applebloom caught him and supported him. "It...happened again didn't it?" "Again?" "I too am curious of this again." "He did the same thing while we were at Sugarcube Corner...Ah mean...Pinkie's Snack Shack..." "You have conversed with this being before?" "Yeah..Ah have...it told me not to pry into his business and let him protect me..." Tia and Luna shared a look before nodding and staring at the two before them. "It would seem that there is more than you know going on between you and he Applebloom. That being will only confuse you to it. But listen to what it says. If it speaks the truth then more is at stake than just our world. Keep him well Applebloom. The truth may just surprise you." "Ah...Ah don't understand Princess...." "You will in time Sister of AppleJack." "Well...Ah guess we'll be going then..." "Farewell." "Goodbye." Applebloom supported Breaker until he could walk on his own and they left the castle, the whole thing left him in a world of confusion, what the hell was going on with him? He had never blanked out like this before, these memories never surfaced unless it was a nightmare, he still didn't know what to think of his sword being part of him and speaking through him, he didn't like this a single bit, and if he could go back and change everything, he would, but he wasn't a unicorn, and he didn't have access to the specialty magic required to go and change the past. It took a while of walking through Canterlot before they stood at a large statue depicting six ponies wearing six nearly identical necklaces. This was it, the memorial and burying ground of the Elements of Harmony. He had things he needed to say to it before they could go and rest at an inn, it was here where things that were better left forgotten would come up. It was at this very spot where he would lay out his past to his companion, even if his words were not directed towards her ears. Maybe he could speed things up and leave for Alamante on the morrow. It would be easier than staying in this place where his mind would recoil at every thing that reminded of the six he had inadvertently killed. > In Nomine Memorandum > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forgotten Memories Chapter 6 In Nomine Memorandum The statue, the statue that held six mares, two each of earth, sky, and magic, every one of them beautiful, regal in appearance and yet, they were not without sadness. Each of the six had been immortalized in magic hewn stone right here in the courtyard of Canterlot Castle. "Breaker?" "Give me a moment Applebloom." "Alright...." Breaker looked upon them and sighed before going to the first, Twilight Sparkle, the element of Magic and looked at her. "Twilight...with all your knowledge and skill in your mind...even you could not foresee that danger that fell on us...even I could not see what would happen over there." Next was Rainbow Dash. "Loyal Rainbow...you followed your friends into whatever happened with a brash personality and unflinching courage...You could do what none could and I was the one that could not portect you..." Rarity "I'm so sorry that your new line was canceled before it took off...I looked forward to trying on a few of your regal ensembles....with the way you spoke of them....it's my fault all this happened..." Pinkie Pie was next "Pinkamena Diane Pie....you always found a way to cheer us up whenever we were down...whenever things seemed hopeless you were always the one who smiled and did the craziest things...and now the world is without you...without your smiles and laughter..." AppleJack "Damn...just...Damn it AJ....You told me things that were true about myself that I would never have believed from anypony else but you...I was blind...I was stubborn...I was emotionless...it was all true..from the first word to the last one..." And finally...Fluttershy. He looked at her statue with more sadness than the others, she had been so kind and patient with him and all he had done was push her into things she would have run from. "Flutters....it was my fault...it was my fault for making you witness those atrocities...Your kind heart...your forgiving nature...damn it Shy...I'm so sorry...I...I made you lose something precious to you while doing nothing....I did nothing to save you...and now...now I have to go back....I have to go back on another ridiculous mission....I don't know how long I'll be gone this time....Big Mac misses you....we all miss you Fluttershy...." "Breaker?" "What Applebloom?" "Yer...crying again...." "Let me...let me cry...let me....remember...." /// It had been a few days since they arrived in the fire tribe, this was the first place they needed to be, so they could meet with the chief. "Star Breaker?" "I'll be alright long as nopony attacks us Twilight." "We're safe here. This is Pyro's tribe. He won't let anypony do anything to hurt us." "I know...but I can't be certain of that." "Quit bein so stubborn Breaker...It aint good for the morality of the group." "Let me run my team how I need to AJ. Twilight...since you were partnered with him once he's all yours." "Alright. I'll be right back." "Listen Sugarcube...you can't be going around looking like yer about to kill somepony...it scares ponies. Look there...that foal would normally come runnin ta see us...now he just looks." Breaker looked and shook his head before looking at the sky and scanning it for anything that could be hostile. "Come on Breaker...quit being so lame. You heard AJ! Relax you uptight snark." "I'm not uptight..I just have a duty to carry out." "You're just as uptight as those Canterlot ponies." "Dash...stop..." "Why Fluttershy? He's been nothing but an uptight asswad the whole trip..he wouldn't even let me fly ahead and stretch my wings!" "It was for safety. You six are the Elements of Harmony. Everything is meant to keep you as safe as possible." Dash snickered and rolled her eyes while Fluttershy shook her head and approached Star Breaker, Plasma and Angel were doing patrols through the village making sure everything was safe while the meeting went on. "You...you have to be kinder Star...It's not very nice to scare ponies." "It's my job to be scary Fluttershy." "Not when yer scarin foals away it's not. Listen to us Breaker. We've been at this fer a long time." "Ten years three days and fourteen hours since the elements chose you six and Nightmare Moon was defeated....We've kept count." "We who Sugarcube?" "We being the Elite Security Force or ESF for short. Hand-picked by both Princesses for our talents and services to the country. We are the best of the best and have never failed a single mission as of yet. And I don't plan on failing now." Fluttershy sighed as Twilight approached once more saying that the meeting was over and everything was going right. Nopony had noticed that Fluttershy had a stomach that was bigger than usual....nopony except Breaker, and he intended to get her alone to talk about it soon. /// "So...was Fluttershy?" "Not here Applebloom...We'll talk when we get there." "Alright....Is there anything else?" "Yeah...there is." He sighed and sat down in front of the statues, tears stinging his eyes as he looked upon them, his friends, his family...they were gone as surely as he still breathed. It wasn't until he felt the hooves of Applebloom around him that he completely broke down and the tears that had fallen fell even more. Wracking sobs left him as he clenched to her like she was a stone in a typhoon of doubt and pain. This was only the second time this had happened in front of the mare, the first had been when she had cheered him up, and now this. He must look the foal right now, clinging to a mare whose sister was dead and gone, and yet...she didn't blame him, she didn't judge him for failing or getting her sister killed, she....she didn't care. "Shhh....shhh...it's alright Breaker....it's alright...just let it all out now...we're alone...." She was even being supportive, there wasn't a single thing she was doing to stop this mental and emotional breakdown, and the sword was silent as well, simply letting him have this moment of weakness. "Why.....why don't you judge me? I got her killed...I got them all killed...." "Now now Breaker...there isn't a doubt in mah mind that it wasn't yer fault. Yeah...they died...and it hurts...but there ain't a thing we can do ta change that....All we can do is move forward." "I...I'm sorry...." She shook her head and smiled as she wiped away a final tear that fell as she looked into his eyes with a soft smile of understanding and forgiveness. "It's alright Breaker....Ah don't blame ya. Ya didn't know what was gonna happen....there wasn't any way fer ya ta know." "But I could have done something...." "Naw Breaker...ya couldn't. Now stop beaten yerself up...I don't like seeing you like this....It....Hurts..." Breaker nodded and sniffed a little before closing his eyes and nodding turning away from the statues and Applebloom, a more determined look on his face, with them gone it rested on him and whoever he found...and Bloomy, to protect their home, this wasn't going to be for anypony other than themselves, their families, and their homes. Piss on what Celestia wanted, Breaker wasn't concerned about the 'mission' that had been given, all he cared about was the fact that his home was suddenly in danger from something that nopony knew about except for him, Applebloom, and the Princesses...and his old unit but they were negligible in this. It took them a couple of hours to get from the memorial in the courtyard to the public teleportation annex and paid to go, the service unicorn told them everything would be ready tommorow, to go and get some rest, relax, spend time with his marefriend before they left. The whole thing had caused Applebloom to laugh and Star to blush near crimson from the insinuation as they left for a hotel, how in Tartarus could they have been confused with being a couple...oh wait...it was how they acted around each other, completely relaxed and teasingly joking with one another, like they had actually been together, it was a strange thought to be sure, one that had led him to another memory of a conversation with AppleJack, but he would revisit that at a later time, right now they needed to prepare to leave, much MUCH sooner than anticipated. > Secrets and Deceit > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forgotten Memories Chapter 7 Secrets and Deceit It was going to be a long night, one that would not be forgotten anytime soon. Star Breaker lay in his bed in the hotel having opted for this rather than the lush insecurities of the castle he had been invited to stay in, Applebloom lay just across the hall, hopefully fast asleep by this time as the rustling of wings was heard outside of the window to his room. A familiar royal blue form greeted him and he sighed. "Princess Luna...come to see your grandest retiree go back to action? Or is this another trick to get me to do something I don't want to do." "Star Breaker, I regret doing that to you, but it needed to be done. As for why I am here, it is merely to ask a few questions as to your mental health." "I'm fine." "Is that the truth?" "It is to me." "Then it is a lie." "I hate it when you do that." "I know you do Star. How are you taking this?" "As best I can. It's all I can do." "And does Applebloom know?" "Not yet she doesn't...but she will soon." "Then we hope for the best from her. Did you know?" "At the time....no I didn't, I had thought she was just eating a bit much." "Breaker..." "Don't take that tone with me Princess. I did what I had to do and then it was done. How am I supposed to keep track of a foal in another land? And how in the depths of bloody Tartarus am I supposed to tell Applebloom that we'll be having a foal fight with us? That mare has a protective streak to rival...to rival my mother's...." He sighed then and shook his head before ruffling his feathers and looking away trying to hide the rampant emotion that his mind had concerning his mother. It was all he could do to remain emotionless in front of Luna. "She was strong. And wise. We wish We had known before it was too late for her." "Shut it Luna...please..." "She knew you were destined for greatness when your cutie mark appeared. A dying star, shattered into countless pieces, each one signifying something different, the complexities of a life surrounded by despair and hope at the same exact time. When Solar had come to Us seeking aid for you...We freely gave it." "No...Luna I'm asking you...don't do this..." "We raised you as Our own when she left the mortal world. We were there for both you and she...until the end." It was all he could take and he shut his eyes lips pursing to keep emotion at bay before there was a knock at the door. "Remain wise, she cares for you in a way that We could not do. Keep her safe always. And do not let a thing touch her in neither anger nor violence." He turned to the door and then back to find Luna gone, he wasn't sure what any of that had meant, but one thing was for certain, Applebloom couldn't know a damn thing about his past besides what she already knew. She wasn't going to know that Luna was a mother to him when his own had died, she wasn't going to know that she had hoof-trained him to fight like death was on his flank. "Star Breaker? Are y'all alright in there?" "Yeah Appleboom. I'm fine...." "Can Ah come in?" "Sure...I don't mind." She was supposed to have been asleep, why was she awake? Did she have a nightmare, or was it something else. Before he could find an answer he smelled the sweet scent of Jasmine and Vanilla as the door opened revealing Applebloom with her mane down and no bow atop her head. He swallowed as he drank in the sight of her in his doorframe. Deep red mane and tail down and flowing, orange eyes half lidded, almost sultry, but cute. It struck a chord in him. He didn't think he had ever seen her like this before. She walked in sort-of half swaying her hips, an attempt to be sexy but it was just plain cute. "Breaker?" "Uh..." "Star?" "Huh? What?" "Ah said...Do y'all mind if Ah sleep with you tonight?" Had he heard that right? She wanted to sleep with him? "What kind of sleep?" "Does yer mind always go that way when ya got a pretty mare in front of ya?" "Only you Applebloom..." "What was 'at?" "I said no. And I wouldn't mind sleeping with you tonight." "Alright...Ah was gettin a little lonely..." "I can imagine so..." "Yeah..." She sighed and stopped her cute attempt to be sexy and just walked to him nuzzling against his cheek in either affection or thanks, of which he couldn't be sure. He nuzzled back with a soft smile 'She loves you Breaker.' 'Shut up Proteus...' 'Pro....teus?' 'Your name.' 'Nope.' 'What do you mean nope?' 'I don't like it.' "Breaker? Equuis to Breaker...." "Huh?" "Ya gonna climb in or do Ah have to drag ya?" "I'm coming Bloomy." "Not yet you ain't." "What?" "Nothing..just get in bed will ya?" Stranger and stranger his thoughts turned after seeing Applebloom like that, the scent of Jasmine and Vanilla hung heavily as he climbed into the bed beside Applebloom, wondering what had gotten into her, and why she smelled so delicious, of course that could be his mind playing with him, lonliness had a way of doing when a stallion went without for too long. The night passed and Breaker felt warmth in front of him, and the smell of flowers as well, when he cracked his eyes open he had a face full of deep red hair and he pulled back with startled eyes as he realized just who he was curled around like a marefriend. "Applebloom?!" "Mmm...Let me sleep just awhile longer sis..." "Applebloom wake up...We have to leave." "Mmm....Breaker?" "Yeah Bloomy...its me." Applebloom woke up with a start and then shook her head as if dispelling a dream and smiled as she rolled over and looked at him. "Do we really have to leave?" "Yes Applebloom...we do." "Awright...let me get ready." She roused and as she stood Breaker saw her mark, it was a strange thing, a book that had a hammer and screwdriver on it, it was for construction, not intelligence, so how did she know more about puzzles and such than he did? 'It's because her destiny is to build knowledge in others as well as herself.' "How does it do that..." "How does what do what?" "The sword.." "Oh." "Yeah...let's just...get ready to go. We have to be at the teleporter in a couple of hours...if there's anything you want to ask...ask it now." With a shake of her head she declined the offer, but then she nodded and blew out a breath. Breaker tilted his head and raised his brow at the small change in her demeanor as she stood there, the scent of jasmine and vanilla still clinging to her like a dream. "What was Princess Luna doin here las' night?" "She was just checking on me...that's all Bloomy." "Are ya sure? it sounded like a whole bunch of hush hush secret business..." "Yes Bloomy..she wanted to make sure I was okay with going back to Alamante after so many years have passed." She eyed him suspiciously and then smiled before giving him a small peck on his lips making his eyes widen as he backed away in surprise. "Applebloom! What the hell was that?" She simply smiled and gave him a wink before going to the hallway "Tell Caliburn Ah said hey and come on! We're gonna miss our appointment!" 'Caliburn? What a strange name....' 'Shut it sword...' 'I like the name. It denotes power and respect as well as a fierce desire to protect...yes..that will be my name from here on out.' 'Celestia damn it...' 'I heard that.' He jumped to attention and then turned around looking for her majesty's voice and then rolled his eyes before proceeding into the plain hall after Applebloom, that was certainly strange. /// Breaker wandered down a hallway as a foal, it was lavishly decorated, something that only a Princess would see fit in a castle and he smiled looking at a stain-glassed window that showed the fall of Discord and the resulting reign of Princess Celestia and Luna. He always favored the royal blue alicorn, of course his mother had always told him stories of the strong and majestic Luna who bent the nighttime to her will and watched over everypony as they slept. "Starry? Where are you Starry?" "Over here mama...I'm just looking at the picture again! Princess Luna is sooooo pretty in it." A soft but happy sigh filled his ears as a pale grey pegasus wandered around a corner and saw him. She was beautiful even like this, Solar Flare, his mother. Of course she was beautiful, she was his mother after all. "I know she's pretty Starry....but she won't be yours...especially not while your a small little colt. You have to look higher than her. She protects us while we sleep...or rather..while we are awake. She can't be distracted by things such as love." "Higher than a Princess? I don't think I can do that mama..." "Of course you can. And she'll be right in front of you when you realize that. She'll love you for all your faults...even your stubborness when you don't want to take a bath mister...now come on it's that time again." He shrieked out a single note and tried to take off to run away from the dreaded bath but didn't make it three feet before his mother had his tail in her mouth and stopped him cold. "Nooooooo!!!! I don't wanna mama! The monster is gonna eat me!!!" "Silly foal there -is- no monster in your bath. It's just the sponge! Now come on!" "Noooooooo!!!!" The sight of a mother dragging her screaming colt to take a bath was quite the sight to a few of the guards and made them chuckle a bit, even as one smiled at the sight, even if his child didn't know it, his father was watching with love and dedication, Solar Flare knew who the single guard that had fathered Star was, and they were keeping it a secret from him for a reason. 'Why do you not tell him Sky Striker?' 'Because if he knew....he would think he was entitled. If he lives like this then he will know the hardships of normal ponies.' 'I understand that...but why drag it out like this? He's going to find out evenually.' 'I know...and by that time I will be retired and on death's door, and you will have gone to sleep long before then. In all reality you should be asleep now. I'm not your owner and never have been.' 'Perhaps it is because young Star Breaker is close that I talk. Perhaps I am awake because I will myself to be.' The stallion shook his head and went back to his duties amidst the tantrum of a colt unwilling to take a bath /// "What?" 'I apologize for that....it would seem that a memory floated through while we walked the grand halls of the castle.' 'You knew? You knew who my father was? You...talked...to him? And I didn't know a damn thing about him until he sent me a letter after his retirement...that....' 'Bastard? I agree there. Anytime you were around he was just a nameless guard your mother talked to on occasion....' "Fucking asshole...and I was so happy to meet him too...turns out he knew me the whole fucking time..." Everpony in the room turned to look at him as he spoke his thoughts instead of thinking them. It seemed that while the memory had played out they had traversed the distance to the teleporter where seven unicorns stood ready to send them to Alamante, Applebloom too, was staring at him and he smiled and shook his head. "It was nothing...just something I remembered from a long time ago." Each of the seven nodded as he went to the platform where Applebloom was waiting and waited for this to be done with. As soon as they were gone something shook the room and screamed out causing the whole place to collapse underneath it's brutal rage, killing the unicorns that had just sent the two to another continent. "Star...Breaker!......Not....Succeed....Die!" The voice echoed through the cavernous halls to the throne room where Celestia and Luna waited with resigned looks on their faces. "So this is it dear sister?" "I believe so Luna. We have to resist it with everything we have....even if we should perish." "As you say Tia...I went to him last night." "And?" "He does not have a single clue as We perceived." "Good...then he believes that Solar Flare is still his mother?" "Yes....it is a secret We have kept for too long." "Then may we live to tell him of how great his mother truly is."