The 3 Paths of the Unborn

by The Steam Engineer

First published 6th of February, 2013

Here are three stories of three "unborn" pegasi and how they twisted the very fate they were given by The Lady of many Faces.

Here you will follow three pegasi, each the first given the three paths of the Unborn (Pegasi born with one wing). They are known as half-hearts. Each path the pegasi go through many obstacles to break what the Lady gave them and choose their own destinies and not the one given by the Lady of many Faces. You will follow Jade Lockheart the first mare ever to be judged down the path of wisdom. How she breaks the curse and becomes on of the best military strategist known to ponykind. Them you will follow Bryant Stronghold who was the first to be judged by the "Her" to follow the path of Bravery and to be turned into a Steel Feather. You will see that no matter how hard you break a pony that giving up is something you don't wanna do. Learning these skills how he becomes the leader in technological advances. And the last and sad path. You follow Jade's sister that is unknown to her, Dusza Lockheart...the path of Sorrow. In which they filly/colt is to be discarded upon judgment. Follow her on her journey of survival and sacrifice and how she became one of the legends of the pegasi race.

The Unwanted Contract

The 3 Paths of the Unborn

It is known among many of races the ways of the “ponies”, but little is known about the birthrights of one race in particular. The defender race known as the skyrunners, or as it is more formally known as the Pegasus. Equestria's defender of the skies and everything above.

What is known is that the race is the known protectors of the equestrian skies. They have two branches for the ones that are brave enough to fight for it. The Dawn the Pegasi that show no fear, and the Dusk the ponies that show no mercy. Enough of that let us begin on our both very intricate and very grim journey through the world of…The Paths of Pegasi.

Before we venture any further how about you know what these paths are yes? Every pony knows that pegasi bear two wings, but it is not always known that of which the mother and the father are not to expect. What many races do not know is that there is a subliminal race of pegasi. They are known as the half-hearts. Being born as a half-heart can be a blessing and very much so be a dark curse. It may bring the child much praise of the very things only the deceased do.

Once every few moons some pegasi are born under the Trickster constellation and are born with one of Pegasus’s worst fears. Under those stars the Pegasus is born with only one wing, which bares much weight for not only the parents, but the very fate of the little one. All those born under this “generous” constellation are taken to a patron of the stars known as “Her” or “Lady of Many Faces”. It is she who decides which of the three paths to send the soul through. Why is she the one to judge this? No pony knows, but it is said that she is the three paths. Formed and molded hideously into one being. It is also said that she is the descendant of the very constellation. Scholars barely believe she even exist, but some bow to her and serve her very cause on bringing all half-hearts to her to be judged. Those who serve her are known as Phantoms or Roots. Those who serve her are granted internal beauty. That of which the lady was denied since birth. As torture the Trickster bestowed upon her a mirror to look upon every night as feat to know whom she serves for eternity. She whispers to herself, “How cruel it is to bestow a mirror upon a being with no face.” And with those words it is etched upon her back in blood.

Once given upon her blessing it is said she judges the filly or colt by its soul. Doing this she will either choose to deal with this half-heart in one of the three paths of the unborn. And the parents of the unborn are dealt with accordingly.

If she so finds a spark in the mind of the unborn she will bestow the mother of the unborn a blue pendant the shape of a circular shape representing the soul of a scholar. If this is given the unborn is chosen to follow the path of the Wise. Unto this path the unborn is taught to be a scholar and to teach the younger generations of Pegasi the ways and teachings. These pegasi are usually left to live their life freely, but most know that these ponies are constantly monitored by the Lady of many Faces for reason only she knows.

If she so see’s fire she bestows the father a circlet made of crystal flame representing the heart of a warrior. If this is given the unborn is to be taught the ways of the Shields. Upon this path the pegasi is taken by the military and enlisted into the ranks. Within these ranks the unborn are taught to use their curse of bearing one wing to become some of the best defenders of the castles and personal bodyguards of royalty. They teach the unborn to strengthen their wing to become nearly impenetrable. They are also known as Steel Feathers. Some even say they are the most soulless of pegasi as they are subservient to one being and will do anything to complete its task, even if it means killing every pony and everything. They are often seen wearing armor and heavy arsenals. It is said they have eyes as well, but that is not yet confirmed.

And the last and one which no pegasi would want to hear. The Lady of many Faces bestows a black mark across its chest representing the mark of a rampant soul. Usually the parents are notified more formally, but that is not always the case. If this is given it is taken to the “Hollows” and is simply…discarded. Upon this path the child is never seen ever again, but it is said some make it from its searing grasp and live to tell the tale. Not many stories of those who escaped deaths grasp are told as the ones who survived are afraid to be taken back to the lady and “properly” dealt with ash she so fits to her liking. As for the parents they are given a statue of the lady to worship for her “blessing” every other moon. With this the parents are forced to accept the lady as their patron and are forced to bestow her offerings of red mountain flowers to represent the beauty that she never had.

Enough history lessons let us begin with the tale of Jade Lockheart a strong and proud young filly that never gives up. The very first filly ever judged under the path of wisdom by the Lady of Many Faces. This tale bares happiness, sorrow, and friendship. A tale on how not even death will break a spirit of an unborn dreams of becoming the best military strategist that had ever lived in the history of the pegasi.