A New Era

A New Era

Story 7

Chapter 1: History

By: SleeplessScribe

It didn’t take me long at all to reach the castle, and it would’ve taken me even less time had I just gone in a straight line. The guards opened the way for me without question, giving me a full view of the long hallway leading up to the throne. I had been in the castle before for the one Grand Galloping Gala I went to, and I hold fast to my claim that I will never go to another for the rest of my days.

The dim light provided by the moon and the stars made the interior feel like it wasn’t even the same place, considering the lights were on all night for the Gala. It was also a surprise to see Princess Luna waiting for me at the end of the long corridor, but not her sister.

“Good evening, Nova Dash. I trust your trip here was relatively peaceful?” News of her return was everywhere when it happened, and still continued to be a big attention grabber for at least another week, but photographs did not do the alicorn justice. Not only that, but her voice was a whole lot more… gentle than I expected.

I bowed courteously, giving the princess a nod. “It was, Your Highness.”

Another thing I noticed was that, in every photo I had seen, Princess Luna wasn’t really smiling. This, too, came as quite a surprise when I saw the corners of her mouth turn up. “Rise, dear Nova, and come with me. I have much to discuss with you.”

Anypony that knows me will tell you I was never one to follow orders, but even I knew better than to even hesitate before doing as one of the sisters told me. She led me down the left hallway that was next to the throne the throne, showing me various stained glass windows depicting major events in Equestria’s history.

She cleared her throat before she spoke, and her attention seemed drawn to one certain window as we passed by it. “Before I begin, I must tell you that this information is to stay between you and I, just as my sister instructed me only to relay it to you.”

My mind was all sorts of scrambled right now. I’m pretty sure Twilight’s last words before I came here were what started the scrambling, but all this random stuff was only making it worse. I tried to speak, but the princess made it clear that it wasn’t my turn.

“My sister and I both agree that it is time to begin making decisions. A new era is about to begin for Equestria, but before that era can be ushered in, the last remaining pieces of the old one must be dealt with. Nova Dash, one day Celestia and I will have to relinquish leadership of this land. While we may not be dying, the time is almost upon us to ascend beyond the throne, and assume our positions as guardians of the entire world.”

As terrible a thing as it was to do, I couldn’t help it at this point. With my hooves up, and my wings spread out, I nearly shouted, “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Princess Luna, why in the world are you telling me this? What does all this have to do with me?”

Luna turned to me, and I was very relieved to not be met with an angry expression. “All will be made clear in time, but I am permitted to tell you that you will play a vital role in the beginning of this new age. Though I cannot tell you what that role is yet, I believe I will not need to when I am through with you. That being said, I would like to ask that you remain in my company for a week. I have very much to show you, and it must remain between us.”

This was getting way too serious for me. For the past three days, I had been learning about thinking before I acted or spoke, but I needed a joke to lighten things up. I only hoped she would see it as one. “You’re not coming onto me, are you?”

It was my lucky day. The only thing more pleasing to the ears than Luna’s voice was her laugh, and it was echoing through the halls like a Hearth’s Warming carol. “Good heavens, Nova Dash, no! There are many things I must tell you, and many things you must learn. As I have said, all will be revealed in time, but I can tell you now that your tremendous courage will be invaluable in the coming days.”

The joke helped quite a bit, but it was kind of disappointing that she only laughed for a little bit before shifting right back into her seriousness. “Princess Luna, I’m nothing but a racer. Speed and competition-with a little reading and learning on the side-is my passion. I’m not sure I can give that up if this ‘role’ I have to play demands it.”

It now occurred to me that we were simply wandering the castle, as we now passed the main room that hosted the Gala each year. The princess remained calm,and she seemed to have expected such a response. “This I realize. However, I believe that by the end of this week, you will find it in yourself to release the things that hold you down, including your career, should it come to that.”

This was all way too heavy for me, and I even tried biting one of my wings to wake myself up. Unfortunately, the only thing that came out of that was a stinging spot on my wing. Luna noticed this as she set a hoof on my shoulder. “I know this is a bit much for you to take in, and I realize that the lack of information I’m giving you may be frustrating, but would it do your heart good to know that you will not be separated from your new friends? Better still is the fact that you will make more friends, and you won’t be separated from them, either.” The hoof on my shoulder relocated to my lips, preventing me from responding like I wanted to. “Furthermore, your role is intertwined with that of Twilight Sparkle, whom I know you are quite attached to.”

I’m pretty sure that comment right there is the reason why that night still holds the record for the most times I’ve blushed in a day. In the end, I gave up trying to speak until I was positive the princess was finished with her own speech.

“There is still one thing I can reveal to you this night, and after that, I’d like to ask that you take some time in the castle to rest and let this all soak in. I can assure you that your role in the near future will not require any goodbyes that you are unable to say, and I believe that you are more than qualified for this role.”

She was finished, but at this point I didn’t have anything to say. I was led to a room of the castle I didn’t even know existed. It was beyond what I believe was Celestia’s personal chambers, and down that hallway was a door that, for some reason, they had disguised as a dead end. Luna revealed the illusion with her magic, taking me through the door where I stood facing what looked like a big, circular closet.

“There are details of this secret area I am not yet permitted to reveal, though the contents behind the door before you I am.” She slowly slid the two sides open, revealing a statue of a pony with what looked like a crown cast in Luna’s color scheme. It had two spikes on either side of the top, and I began to draw connections when I saw the gem embedded in it that resembled the flame of my cutie mark.

“Princess Luna… is that an Element of Harmony?”

The princess of the night slowly shook her head, removing it from the statue and holding it before me. “It is similar, but not the same. I am not yet permitted to tell you what it is, but given your reaction and its obvious appearance, I believe you are beginning to realize what this role I have been speaking about truly is. A few things must be put in order before you take on that role, but during the coming week, I shall teach you all you will need to know.”

Finally, I managed to find something to say, and I was generally curious when I asked, “Are there five more of these things?”

She gave a small nod. “You have knowledge that I have not been permitted to give you, and even though you have figured this out on your own, I request that you ask no more questions regarding this artifact. My sister has been preparing Twilight Sparkle for her role for months now, but I am afraid I have but a week to prepare you. The fact that you are not a unicorn makes things more difficult, but the necessities you must know do not require you to be. I can sense that you have business that you would like to attend to now, so go. Let there be nothing to hold you back.”

I was surprised that she actually realized that. There was just one thing I had to make sure of, and it required me to head to the Wonderbolt headquarters in Cloudsdale. Spitfire had her own living area in the building, and I knew she wouldn’t mind an interruption from me. Getting in wasn’t hard, either; buildings in Cloudsdale don’t have windows.

My talk with Luna took a lot longer than I thought, as the sun was just beginning to rise. She’d be waking up in about an hour anyway, so I took the liberty of blowing into her ear to make her freak out. Mission accomplished: Spitfire was now wide-eyed and on the floor. “Wakey wakey.”

The Pegasus mare jumped up, her eyes darting from side to side for a moment. “Nova, what in Celestia’s name are you doing here?”

I pressed my hoof to her mouth, letting out a low “sshh”. After a nod from her, I removed the hoof. “Spitfire, you’re going to be left with a lot of questions, and none of them I can answer right now, but please just go along with this. I think, very soon, I’m going to have to quit racing.” My hoof found itself on her lips again, and this time I didn’t bother to take it off. “Again, I can’t tell you why just yet, but when I do, I’m going to ask my sister to take my place. If she accepts, does my being barred from selection apply to her?”

Once she shook her head, I moved my hoof, but not too far to keep me from silencing her again if she started unloading questions at me. Fortunately, she didn’t. “Nova, we’ve known each other for most of our lives. I won’t ask questions, but I will say this: if you really are quitting, I’m going to miss you.”

After a sigh, I set that same hoof under her chin. “I’m glad you brought that up, because I feel like I owe you something that you should’ve gotten long ago.” The possibilities in my future made me restrict the gesture to her cheek, but it still had the same effect. It felt pretty good to make somepony else as flustered as Twilight had made me that night, and now it was time to return to Princess Luna.

* * *

Luna’s teaching went a little over my head, but I did find them interesting. I learned a lot about the history of Equestria, save for a large gap that she told me she could not yet reveal to me. Two days in, Canterlot was attacked by an assailant, but he was brought down with the help of two rather powerful unicorns. Princess Luna both allowed me to help with the reconstruction of the damaged areas as well as informed me that one of the unicorns was another of the six she had chosen.

Then, after the reconstruction was over, it happened. I was asked to stay hidden in the castle away from the actual ceremony, but when everyone was gone, I decided to make my exit. There on the balcony stood Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, the recently wed Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, my sister, and one other.

Princess Twilight Sparkle.

I was informed that she had been crowned as an alicorn princess after passing a final test given to her by Princess Celestia, and I had two reactions that battled for release: the temptation to run away now and never return to Canterlot for the rest of my life, and the one I ended up going with. After everything was all said and done, I waited for Twilight and her friends to leave before approaching them and grabbing her from the group.

“Nova? Where have you been? What are you doing here, I thought you went back to Ponyville?”

My hoof was touching a lot of lips lately. “Ssh, I could get in big trouble for this.” She gave me a nod, and I led her to the room where Luna first revealed my “destiny” to me. Twilight stared at the crown with her mouth agape.

“Is that what I think it is?”

I nodded, my attention focused on her rather than the headgear. “Twilight, seeing you now tells me exactly what’s going to happen to me. Princess Luna told me that there are a lot of things she can’t tell me until the time is right, but she has told me that our fates are connected. I have absolutely no idea what makes me so freaking special, but it looks like I don’t have any choice.”

Her eyes widened as she gazed at me, turning from me to the statue and back to me repeatedly. “Wait… does that mean they plan to-“

Well, now I could add Twilight’s to the list of lips that my hoof touched in the last few days. Her face turned redder than Applejack’s older brother, and in all honesty it was pretty cute. “Sorry, I only know as much as you do, and can only assume the same.”

The newly crowned alicorn simply stood there, tapping the floor with a hoof. “I… I don’t know what to say. This is all happening way too fast, Nova. I mean, you apparently saw me get crowned, do you honestly think I’m ready for a bombshell like this? Let’s just… wait until there are no more secrets, okay?”

It wasn’t exactly a response I could argue with, so I simply gave her a nod and let her return to her friends.

* * *

Finally, the last day of Luna’s teachings came and went. I’ll admit, while there was still quite a bit of concern with having to quit racing, I felt a lot more confident about my future than I did the night the Princess first spoke to me. My first few days back in Ponyville were surprisingly quiet, which lead me to believe somepony told all my friends not to ask questions.

As soon as I arrived, I thought about talking to my sister, but after the confusion with Twilight I decided it was best to wait until this all came to a head. In fact, nopony really seemed that eager to go out of their way to say hi. They all simply acted as if the only thing that had happened in recent days was Twilight’s crowning, and I was perfectly fine with that. After talking with the new alicorn, she agreed to let me stay with her in the library as opposed to staying with Rainbow, and the only thing I needed to feel comfortable was a cloud on her balcony. We avoided the subject of our “fates” for a while, but we both knew one of us would crack eventually and say something. I also found out that Gilda made a full recovery, and somehow even managed to apologize to the whole town for what she had done, which was another thing my sis forgot to mention to me.

The peace was broken when Applejack returned from a trip to Manehattan accompanied by a big, grey stallion. They revealed that there was this jerkbag in Manehattan making everyone’s lives a complete pain, and they presented evidence of illegal actions this guy had taken to Twilight, who gave them permission to take him out. Rainbow and I served as their means to get back to Manehattan quickly, and I even helped the vigilante group the stallion was leading take their enemy down. That day I learned that cool guys didn’t look at explosions.

After that ordeal, I discovered that the stallion AJ had brought home was not only her new coltfriend named Jet Rush, but he was also the third piece of Luna’s puzzle. In addition, he and I became instant friends thanks to our love of goofy shenanigans, and the fact that, despite being an earth pony, this guy could climb stuff and run along buildings. He even managed to keep up with me in the air by jumping along trees!

Some time after that, Luna told me a story about a city between the Crystal Empire and the northernmost mountain range in Equestria. Apparently that’s where Gilda was now calling home. Apparently the city had been the victim of numerous murders, and eventually this lead to an all out attack. I wasn’t given any details aside from that the captain of that city’s guard was meant to be the fourth piece. I made a mental note to ask him what happened if we met.

That next week, I was informed that the fourth piece was now in its place, though I didn’t know exactly who it was, and the next day, music sensation Beat Tempo came to Ponyville. I won’t talk about what happened those following days to protect his privacy, but man, did he have to do a lot to get Vinyl back. He even gave up his fame and fortune for her, and as a result ended up being the fifth piece.

Finally, Luna herself informed me that she believed she had located the final fragment. I hadn’t noticed the new mechanic that moved to Ponyville until she mentioned something, and from what I understand, he had been here for a few days already. It took a while, but he was finally given his pendant by quite the unlikely source: Ditzy Doo, everyone’s favorite klutz! Judging from what I had been told, the ponies began to date not too long after he moved in, and about a month after the start of Autumn the two decided to marry, and I found that Luna had given the Pegasus the last shard of her plan for her to give to her new husband as a gift.

This was probably the worst of the five, seeing as how the first four came up relatively close to each other, and this one came up much later. However, that did give me a chance to spend more time with Twilight, and we both enjoyed every single day together.

With that, everything was now in place. It took about a day for Twilight and I to receive a summons to the castle, but when we had, we both made haste. Poor Twi still didn’t have the hang of flying despite my attempts at teaching her, so I pretty much held her the entire way.

Just as I had predicted, the subject inevitably came up. “Nova, can you slow down a bit? I’d like to talk to you.”

I did as asked, looking down at her. “About our destinies?”

She let out a sigh, looking down at the land we called home. “I’m sure the princesses will enlighten me in regards to the deep, supernatural meaning of their words, but something has been nagging me for a while. It’s strange, but I really like you, Nova. We’ve spent more time together than I ever thought we would, and I can definitely say I would’ve never imagined I’d feel this way about the colt that knocked me over the first time we met.”

The nervous chuckle I let out was impossible to hold back. “I’m still sorry about that.”

“Oh, stop, that was months ago.” Even with my decreased speed, we were already in the courtyard before either of us realized it. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, especially after the ordeal with Sunset Shimmer. Meeting Flash Sentry made me realize that I have feelings for a few stallions that I’ve met, but there’s something about you in particular that draws me close.”

I couldn’t help myself as I raised both my brows, giving her a slick grin. “Ladies can’t resist the eyes.”

Twilight giggled, nudging my shoulder. “I think it’s that I can’t resist. You’re just a lot of fun without being over the top like Pinkie or limited in your interests like your sister. You’re also really sweet… when you want to be. Nova, if all of this is really happening and this isn’t just some dream I’m about to wake up from, I hope we’re able to stay in this together. Initially I was afraid of having to rule my own kingdom, but knowing I won’t be alone makes things just a little easier.”

All I really could manage was a smile and a few words. “Thanks, Twilight. You’re right, you’re not alone. You’ve been a good friend in the months we’ve known each other, and that means a lot to me. I can promise you that no matter what, we’re in this together.”

Her hoof met mine before I even had my foreleg out all the way, and she had the sweetest smile on her face. I wanted to say something, but decided that a silent walk into the castle would’ve been better. Both princesses met us about halfway into the entrance foyer, and Princess Luna wasted no time. I’m sure Celestia wanted to speak, but I guess I was Luna’s domain. “Are you prepared, Nova Dash?”

After a long sigh, I looked up at her, still unsure if I actually was. “Not like I have a choice, so I suppose I have to be.”

She gave a nod. “Indeed you do.”

The elder princess approached my friend, turning her attention to her sister and I. “Twilight’s friends shall be here momentarily. I’d like to have a few words with them myself before your chosen arrive. In the meantime, tell Nova all there is that relates to him, and him alone.”

Once again she nodded before turning to face me. “Come, Nova Dash. This is a matter of great importance.”

Call me crazy, but as Princess Luna led me out to the garden behind the castle, I could’ve sworn I heard… music. I probably didn’t hear anything actually, and my mind just made it up because for some odd reason Luna began singing. Hey, I couldn’t complain, though. As odd as it was, she had a beautiful voice.

“I know this is all so sudden

But just stay still and listen

I’ll help you through.”

Holy mother of all pegasi, was this a movie? Like, it was both incredibly awkward, but at the same time oddly fitting for her to sing her message to me. In all honesty, that made it a little easier to take in. Don’t ask me how that works.

“The life you live, the life you know

It has allowed you to grow

But it’s not you.

It is time for you to rise

And answer Equestria’s cries

I’ll show you who you truly are.

Friends will stand by your side

You’ll bring hope and you’ll bring pride

You are more than you know

You are—.”

As wonderful as she sounded, I had to cut her off. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! What’cha talkin’ bout, Luna?”

She let out a long, drawn out sigh before addressing my question. “Nova Dash… you are not who you think you are. I’m sensing you’d rather me be straightforward, so I will be. The family that cared for you, Rainbowshine and Thunder Dash, are not your real parents.”

Well this was an eye opener, and a brow raiser, and a whole lot of other things. “Excuse me?”

After another long sigh, she took me back into the castle and revealed to me a map of Equestria. However, something was very, very different about this map. It had much more down south, and beyond the San Palomino Desert was a large castle labeled El Dorbronco.

“Nova Dash, this land here is where you were born. It’s a desert kingdom known for producing fiery ponies like you. At the very least, you have to agree that this would explain your difference in appearance from the rest of your family.”

Luna did have a point there. Apparently she read my mind, as she set a hoof on my mouth to keep me from speaking. “I know you have many questions, so allow me to tackle them one at a time. First off, I’m sure you’ve noticed that modern iterations of our maps do not include this kingdom. That is because it was attacked by the very same threat my sister and I believe is starting to truly awaken. Nova Dash, this force is so powerful, it caused a fissure so large that it broke the El Dorbronco off of Equestria, sinking it down into the ocean. The only reason you still live is because my sister and I managed to save you. We also helped a few others, but your parents were long gone before we could get to them.”

Again I tried to open my mouth and was met with the same results. “That being said… your parents, child, were the king and queen of that kingdom.”

If I had been taking a drink of something, I definitely would have spit it out. “Homenahomenahomena say what?”

The princess nodded slowly. “Celestia and I thought that the evil that destroyed your home might try to find you, so we hid you away. You were only three months old when we brought you to Cloudsdale in search of a family that would take you in. It had to be Cloudsdale, as your entire family consisted of pegasi, so we could easily form a fake story behind your drastically different appearance from your surrogate family. The both of us tried desperately to find a couple that looked somewhat similar to you, but had no luck. In fact, most that we asked were a little too frightened to take you, until we met the mare and stallion you now call your parents.”

She set a hoof on my shoulder when she saw the look on my face. “Your true name is Solar Flare. That is what the king named you when you were first born. Child, you may not realize this, but your leadership skills, your confidence, your courage, it’s all just natural. That all comes from who and what you are: a born leader.”

As disrespectful as it was, I moved her hoof off of me. To be honest, I was surprised at myself for not flying off the deep end and shouting some kind of obscenity yet. “Are you done?”

“For now I am. You seem rather… calm, given what I just told you.”

I just rolled my eyes. “You know, Princess, I believe you. You’ve no reason to lie to me, but you may not realize you’re only telling a half truth. I may have been born to the king and queen of some lost kingdom, but to be honest, I don’t care."

I half-stomped half-tapped my hoof on the floor, attempting to show the princess that I was dead set on finishing my thoughts. "Rainbowshine and Thunder Dash raised me, and renamed me. Rainbow Dash was, is, and always will be, the best sister I could have ever asked for. Racing will never get out of my system, either. I know now what I have to do, but I must say this: you say who I think I am isn’t truly who I am, but you’re wrong. I’m not some Solar Flare guy, Princess, I am Nova Dash.”

Luna’s eyes widened a bit as she listened to me. “As cool as the name Solar Flare sounds to me, or maybe Blaze, or something, Nova Dash is who I am and will continue to be. Regardless of what changes I go through and what I become, Rainbow Dash is still my sister, and Thunder Dash and Rainbowshine are my parents. There’s a difference between what a pony is and who a pony is, Princess. According to you, what I am is the last surviving member of the royalty of a lost kingdom. However, who I am is Nova Dash, EAAR racer sporting the number 3 uniform and sponsored by, at the moment, Engage Repairs. Son of Thunder Dash, the Wonderbolt, and Rainbowshine, head manager of the rainbow production facilities. Brother of Rainbow Dash, who was there in the hospital looking at his mom hold the newborn foal. You told me that to take on the role I’m truly meant to play, I have to give up my old life, but the only thing I'm really being forced to give up is my career.”

Once I was done, I took a huge gasp of air when I realized how much I had actually said at once. Of course, giving that up was a task in itself. Racing is just as much a part of who I am as my fear of water or my love for my sister.

The night princess was doing a lot of nodding today. “I suppose I understand. Of course, I would like to wait until all necessary parties are present, but I assume you know what will be done. I’d like you to come here a moment.”

As I did what I was told, Luna lowered her head and brought me into a gentle embrace with her neck around mine somewhat. “It will not be easy, but you are not in this alone. Now then, shall we return to the castle and await the others?”

It’s not like I had much choice, but I was feeling a little better knowing Luna actually wanted to help me deal with this. “By all means, Princess Luna, lead the way. However, I expect a much more detailed explanation at some point. Preferably without the singing, despite your nice voice.”

“Of course.”

As we made our way back to the castle, the gravity of this situation truly began to tighten its grip around me. My sister and I were the only ones who truly knew what had to be done, and what was at stake if we failed. Not only that, but the fear of bringing back memories that I had pressed into the farthest, darkest corners of my mind began to add to the tightness in my chest caused by my knowledge.

My elder sibling already had both her own chosen and mine with her when we entered. The expressions of worry and fear I was met with did nothing to ease my own tension, though they also told me that Celestia had charged them not to speak. Had that not been the case, I’d have expected Pinkie Pie, if not a few of the colts as well, to be speaking. Once Nova had joined them and I was at my sister’s side, we began the short trek towards one of the very few areas here that we had deemed off limits to all.

Save for what happened earlier, I rarely every spoke before my sister, and this was no exception. Though it was a little unnerving to see Celestia’s cheery smile replaced by a rather forlorn frown. “I’m sure you’re all wondering why I have asked you to come here. I realize some of you are strangers to one another, but please allow us to explain. You are the first ponies in over six thousand years to ever set hoof in the place we are about to enter."

Her voice was low and held back, as if she was forcing herself to speak. For the longest time, I had always thought of my older sister as an invincible, almost saintly mare incapable of falling prey to petty emotions. Over the years, however, I learned that she was just as prone to feeling as I was, and it became clear to me that she was just as fearful of this situation as me, if not more so.

We led them up to what appeared to be a simple wall. However, one small spark of magic from the both of us caused the wall to fade away and reveal a massive door. Upon the door was an image that brought back memories both fond and painful: the sun stood high in the sky on the left door, my bright, shimmering moon slightly lower on the right door, and in between them stood a massive, mighty tree. The doors slowly opened, revealing a long hallway with stained glass windows depicting images of both my sister, myself, and an alicorn stallion.

My sister must have noticed the looks some windows were getting as we passed by ones telling the story of a time I would have loved to forget. “What you are seeing now is the story of how the Elements came to be. Long ago, mere centuries after the three tribes of ponies first settled in Equestria, there were not two, but three alicorns that ruled the land.”

I stepped up to match my sister’s pace. Her pause led me to assume she wanted me to continue. “My sister is the oldest of us. As you know, she is responsible for bringing the sun out every day. I am the middle sibling, and have been tasked with raising the moon every night. However, what none know anymore is that we had a younger brother. His name was Terrario, and it was his job to keep the earth fertile and capable of producing life. He gave rise to towering forests, gorgeous meadows, and bountiful harvests.”

As we passed by the windows showing our struggle, my sister began speaking again. “Equestria was in perfect, balanced harmony. That is, until the day our brother began to grow angry. Over the years, the ponies of our land had begun to take him for granted. They used to thank him and honor him every harvest season, they used to respect his flowery meadows and even create their own gardens in his honor, but as he continued to provide, they continued to credit themselves.”

She paused when we came to the door I had taken Nova to, but did not open it. Instead, she turned and faced all our small ones, even going so far as to press her hoof on Twilight Sparkle’s lips to keep her silent.

“In time, he began to resent our subjects, believing that they no longer even cared about him. It’s a story not unlike the tale of Nightmare Moon, though I fear the ending is much more… unfortunate. His anger eventually took hold of him, and the darkness in his heart changed him, just as it did my sister. The image of vibrant life his body once displayed was replaced by a feeling of decay and death. Trees began to die, flowers began to wilt, and harvests became thinner and thinner until we were forced to take action.”

As she spoke, my mind was taken back to those fateful years. It was a flashback I truly didn’t want to relive, but in the current situation, there was no way for me to avoid it.