The Forgotten Brother

Chapters

Chapter 1: Iron Smith
Chapter 2: Forgotten Times
Chapter 3: Life and Death
Chapter 4: The Promise
Chapter 5: Future Visions

Chapter 1: Iron Smith

It was a cold winters night, but to Iron Smith everyday was cold and gloomy here in the forgotten country that no longer had a name. Iron Smith recalled his arrival at the depressing town whose name was, to him, of minimal importance. He didn’t care to learn it, nor the names and faces of the ponies that trotted its streets. He did not feel at much of a loss for not knowing his neighbors, they were incurable gossips anyways, always ready to come up with stories on why he never left his home. They would talk for ages about how he seemed to never age, and how even the town elders couldn’t remember when he came.

He was never known as a friendly pony. Anytime anypony tried to talk to him he would yell at them through his closed door. "Go away! I have no to time to talk to the likes of you".

Iron Smith hated ponies who couldn’t mind their own business."Ponies these days." he would scoff. "Thinking that they need to be friends with everypony, that they need to know every little detail about each other. Sometimes, I wish this town was back to the way it used to be, peaceful and quiet."

The gossip wore on outside of the barrier of his door, with Iron Smith and all his secrets hidden from their prying questions. He would never let them discover his greatest secret, the reason that he seemed to always have been in his home at the edge of town. In all truth, he had arrived at the town over 1000 years ago.

Iron Smith sighed at the contemplation of his life, but the sigh morphed into an irritated growl as there was a knock on the door. He peered out from a corner of his shuttered windows to find a purple mare with her hoof resting on his door. He groaned to himself in anger, pushing the shutter he had been peering through back into its place. She was his least favorite and rarest type of pony… an Alicorn. Seeing this pony brought out a hidden rage from within him, a rage that had been lingering with him for countless years. When the mare didn’t leave after a long time of silence, he yelled through the door.

"What do you want?" He shouted impatiently.

"Hello?" The purple mare called, stepping even closer to his home.

"Yes, what do you want?" Iron Smith snorted in agitation.

"I simply wish to speak to you."

Iron Smith rolled his eyes. This mare was wasting his time.

“Leave me be, I have no time for ponies like you.”

“I want to know about your past.”

That line sent a sudden chill down Iron Smith's spine. His door flew open, the hinges squealing in protest of their activity after not being used in so long. Once the door was open, he eyed the alicorn suspiciously. She had a polite but curious smile on her muzzle, and a star cutie mark.

"Hello there, my name is Twilight Sparkle. Who might you be?”

"You knock on my door and claim to be curious about me, but don’t know my name?” Iron Smith sighed. “It’s Iron Smith."

"No, it isn't." Twilight stated matter-of-factly, her smile dipping into an irritated frown. "We both know that isn't your real name"

Iron Smith blinked in shock. How in the world did this strange alicorn know that?

"Get in here, now," He growled, almost dragging Twilight inside. "Before somepony else comes to pester me.”

His house was probably one of the dustiest houses in all the land, mostly due to the fact that Iron Smith had stopped caring for it years ago. His entire ceiling appeared to be covered in cobwebs old enough to disintegrate into dust with a single breath. The house itself was small, containing only 2 small rooms. Its age and condition made it seem as if it would come tumbling down at any minute, and Twilight cringed to see the disrepair.

Behind her, Iron Smith shook his head. He could not believe what he was doing. Why in the world had he let this pony into his home? With the knowledge she seemed to have, he simply had to hope that she wasn’t here for cruel intentions. It would be a nice change from the alicorns he knew.

In his experience, alicorns were cruel, untrustworthy, and unforgiving ponies. They were the reason why he had come so far from Equestria, into this distant place

With a stifled sigh, Iron Smith turned to his guest. "Tell me,Twilight Sparkle, why have you come to my home?"

"I'm here to talk about the past, like I said earlier." Her previous grin returned as she levitated a notebook, quill and ink out from her saddlebags. "I have always been interested in learning more about the past of Equestria, and I traveled quite the distance to get here because somepony informed me that you know quite a lot about the subject."

Iron Smith sighed inwardly in relief. This alicorn only wanted to know the history of Equestria. Something about her attitude still didn’t sit right with him, and he raised an eyebrow at her.

“Why did you ask about my specific past when you came if you wanted to know the history of Equestria?” His eyes narrowed at her. “Why didn’t you ask an Equestrian history expert about this subject instead of coming out here?”

Twilight’s grin grew more strained with every second, and Iron Smith knew that she was trying to form a good excuse. He held up a hoof to stop her, his glare still locked on her nervous eyes.

"You do want to know my past as well, don't you?” He tiredly asked Twilight.

"Yes, I would love to as well." She said quickly, the words flowing as if they had burst from a dam. Her nervous look shifted to a more serious demeanor, and she cleared her throat.

"It has come to my attention that you are not nearly as old as you appear. In fact,
I believe you might be thousands of years old.”

Iron Smith looked at her, dumbfounded. This pony knew a disturbing amount about him, and wanted to know more! Well, his past was not something he would just tell anyone, in fact it was something he hated to dwell on.

His ears fell flat against his head as memories of years long gone filled his thoughts. It was all he could do not to hang his head and sigh.

"Oh, my sweet sisters," Iron Smith mumbled under his breath "I am so sorry."

"What was that?" Twilight asked, concerned about the sudden change in his attitude. "Did you say something?"

"No, no I didn't." Iron Smith said defensively, before settling for a stern look at the curious pony before him. There was no use in delaying any longer.
"You wish to learn about my past.”

"Yes please,” Twilight nodded, her look much more subdued after seeing Iron Smith’s sadness. “Would you be fine with showing it to me?”

Once again, Iron Smith felt flooded with doubt. How could he trust her not to leave afterward and go babbling on about him? He worried about her trustworthiness with good reason, his past could forever change the way that the monarchs of Equestria were seen.

"I will show you. However, you must promise me one thing." Iron Smith spoke gravely. "You must promise never to tell anyone what I'm about to show you. It is the greatest secret that anypony has ever known. If you break my promise once you leave here, I will find you and wipe your memory of me and what I have told you."

"I promise." She quickly replied, making a strange crossing motion over her chest before putting her hoof over her eye.

The fast answer made Iron Smith smile a little. Her enthusiasm was refreshing, though it was reminding him more and more of his past. He felt as if she was a key to a door that had not been opened in a long time.

"In that case, I will show you my past through the eyes of a younger me." Iron Smith took a breath to steady himself, aiming his horn at her.

Twilight shut her eyes tight and braced herself for the spell.

"One more thing." Iron Smith said as if he had almost forgotten. "You asked for my real name?”

"Yes, it would be nice to know your name before I see your past." Twilight said with a small smirk.

"My real name is Fallen Leaves." Iron Smith said.

As he finished speaking his horn lit up with magical energy, though it sputtered slightly. He had not performed a spell in such a long time, he almost wasn't sure if he would be able to do it. Just as he thought about giving up, a small white flash shone out of his horn, blinding Twilight. She blinked a few times, then fell into a hush, sitting with a blank look on her face. She failed to respond to anything that he would do or say to her.

A small smile of pride spread across Iron Smith’s muzzle, but it fell as he remembered what he had done. With a small shake of his head, he spoke to the pony who could no longer hear him.

"When you return from this spell, Twilight Sparkle, you will regret ever asking me to see it."

Chapter 2: Forgotten Times

Fallen Leaves hated it when his parents argued. It seemed that every day they would find a way to start an argument, even on his 7th birthday.

It was supposed to be special, but his parents were ruining that with their yelling. He knew what they were arguing about; if they should enroll him into Magic School. He did have a unicorn horn, but he also had wings. Doctors could never explain why he had both, but it hadn’t seemed to bother Fallen Leaves.

Sadly, it was a problem for his parents. He thought it was because they feared he would be bullied for his differences by jealous ponies. With a sigh, Fallen Leaves sat down on his bed. His thoughts were tossed aside when his mother entered the room, her belly swollen with the two little ponies that were growing inside her.

"Hello, my little Fallen Leaves. How are we doing today?" She asked in a voice as sweet as honey.

"Good Mom.” He mumbled, but fidgeted uncomfortably. "Why do you and Dad always have to fight"?

Fallen Leaves thought he saw his mother’s smile falter, but it returned before he could know for sure. "Dear, Mom and Dad don't always get along, and we argue when things get heated.”

"But you still love each other right?” Fallen Leaves asked, his eyes wide with concern.

"Of course we do, sweetie. It’s just…” His mother sighed. “Your father insists on helping the council look for a new home.”

Fallen Leaves was always confused on this subject of the council. He only knew that they were looking for a home with better weather. The place they lived in now was strange, and it confused him whenever the weather changed suddenly. It could rapidly change from a nice, warm summer to a frigid and dangerous winter.

"Why don't you let him help?" He asked.

"He needs to accept that we are going to have a big family to take care of once your sisters come into the world.” His mom said sternly. "I told him that he could go this once, but no more."

"Are they going to be like me?” Fallen Leaves asked, reaching out a hoof to point at his mom’s rounded stomach. He didn't want to be the only pony with wings and a unicorn horn.

He felt a hoof tossle his white mane, and looked up at his mother’s smiling face. She wrapped her hoof around his faded brown hooves reassuringly.

"Yes, I think they will be." She said, smiling down at her unborn foals. When she turned to look at him again, there was a question in her gaze. "I know this may be a bit sudden, but how would you like to go to Magic School?”

Fallen Leaves’ head drooped. "To be honest, mom, I don't want to go. I would rather help you and dad with the chores in the house like I always do.”

Fallen Leaves knew that Magic School was very important, but what he said was the truth. Another reason he had left unspoken was that he didn't really want to socialize with other ponies. He just didn't trust them.

If his mother was disappointed with his answer, she didn’t show it. She simply let go of his hooves, her smile still warm. "I think its time for you to go bed, my sweet."

"But mom!” Fallen Leaves groaned. “I'm not even tired yet."

"No protesting now. Even if it is your birthday, you need to get to bed on time."

Fallen Leaves figured he had no choice.

"Ok, Mom. I'll see you in the morning."

His mother walked out of the room, leaving him to sigh into the silence.

“Happy Birthday.” He mumbled.

Chapter 3: Life and Death

Fallen Leaves awoke with a jerk to hear his mom screaming at the top of her lungs.

"No! You’re lying! I won’t believe a word you’re saying!"

Fallen Leaves was confused, why was his mom yelling so early in the morning? He usually only heard her yelling when she was arguing with his dad. He was about to dismiss it as his parents arguing when an unfamiliar voice spoke.

"I'm sorry, Twilight Night, but I'm telling you the truth. I… I know you’re upset.” There was a tense silence, that was eventually broken by the strange voice sighing. “I should be going. Goodbye ma'am."

Once he heard the front door close, Fallen Leaves walked over to his mother, who still stood by the door.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

The question seemed to surprise her as if she was completely lost in thought. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying and her mane was ruffled as if she was woken up just as Fallen Leaves was.

"I-It's...." His mom stuttered as if she hesitated to tell Fallen Leaves exactly what was going on, but then she opened her mouth and the words came tumbling out.

"It’s dad. He's... He’s gone."

"Gone?” Fallen Leaves tilted his head in confusion. “Is he on a trip? When is he going to come back?"

"No, not like that. My sweet, he's... dead."

Fallen Leaves couldn’t believe what he was hearing, it just wasn't possible. His father couldn't be dead, he was always so strong and unbeatable.

"How Mom?” He asked, his voice cracking slightly.

His mom seemed as if she was about to break down again, but at the look of sadness in Fallen Leaves’ eyes she tried to smile soothingly. She told him that his dad was out exploring for a new land where a terrible snowstorm had been blowing. While trying to climb a mountain an avalanche had started, and had buried his dad and his most of his team in the snow. His father's body was found a few hours later by a rescue crew.

They said he had not died from suffocation, but from his back being crushed by the sheer pressure of the snow that had fallen on him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fallen Leaves simply stood in disbelief as if he thought that he was in a terrible dream. It looked to him like his mother felt the same.

"What are we going to do now, mom?" His mom sniffled slightly, but a hopeful smile appeared on her muzzle. It was a brave question for a child; how would they move on? Fallen Leaves felt his mom pull him into a comforting hug.

"We wait for your sisters, to come into the world. You should name them, since you are the man in the house.” His mom shook slightly, as if in pain, and her hoof instinctively went to her swollen midsection. “Go to your room. I'll call you when your sisters arrive.”

Fallen Leaves smiled and ran to his room. He waited for what felt like eons, trying to think of names that would fit his new sisters. After a few minutes, he realized that it was impossible to find a name until he was able to see his sisters. With that thought gone, his mind drifted back to what his mom had told him.

The last time he had seen his dad, he was arguing like always. Fallen Leaves wished that he could have had a better last memory of his father, but that was what fate had decided to give him. He felt that he was going to hate fate, and it infuriated him that there was nothing he could do to change it. The steadily growing scowl on his face was replaced by a look of excitement when he heard his mom call for him. He ran as quickly as he could to her room, and found her cradling two little fillies. One of them was white with a pink mane, while the other was a dark blue with a pale blue mane.

"Aren't they beautiful?” Twilight Night asked with tired smile "Have you thought of any names?”

"Well..." Fallen Leaves was unsure, he still had no idea what to name them. Right then, the rising sun sent a burst of brilliant light across the horizon and shone on the filly with the white coat, causing her to sparkle softly in the sunlight. Fallen Leaves smiled. It seemed the name was obvious now.

"I think the white one should be called Celestia, because of the sun shining down on her coat causing it to shine." Fallen Leaves liked the name, but his mother’s slight frown made him wonder whether she liked the name too.

"If that is the name you want.” She said, wrapping her hooves around the dark blue filly. “Luna would be a wonderful name for her, don’t you think?"

Fallen Leaves nodded happily at his mother’s choice. Celestia and Luna were his new sisters, and he knew that he was going to have so much fun with them.

Shivering with a sudden cold, he looked out the window to find a raging snowstorm howling. With a sigh, his mother pulled the newborn foals close to her, trying to guard them against the chill seeping into the house. Fallen Leaves sighed too; the weather was getting even more rapid.

"We must find a new home soon, if my sisters are going to grow up and live a happy life.” He said, his voice barely louder than a whisper. The look in his mom’s eyes told him that she knew it was true, but the loss of life in that very pursuit was too close. Within a matter of seconds, the snowstorm died out, leaving behind piles of white under a warm sun.

Fallen Leaves flashed a small smile at his mom before trotting out the front door and into the sunlight. He knew from the look on her face that she was still thinking about his dad, and he wanted to give her some time alone.

He pushed open the front door, only to come face to face with a strange, clear pony. The pony smiled at him, and Fallen Leaves recognised him with a small gasp. It was his dad. Excited, he reached a hoof out to his father, but it passed right through his body. The excitement on Fallen Leaves’ face evaporated like the snow, and his father’s look grew into one of calm sadness, as if he had accepted that he was separated from his son by impassible bonds.

"Hello my son. I am sorry that I never returned to tell you happy Birthday, but fate had already been set. I was never destined to return here alive. I been sent here to tell you that you must keep an eye on your sisters, for they will play an important role in helping everyone find a new home."

"Ok Dad. I will.” Fallen Leaves shuffled his hooves dejectedly, saddened that his father hadn’t returned for him. “What do you want me to tell Mom?"

His dad’s expression fell into careful neutrality, and he sighed lightly. "Nothing. Don't tell her you saw me. I don't want her to be even more sad than she is right now. She…” He trailed off, his expression hardening in resolve, as if he had convinced himself of a difficult decision. “She needs to forget that I ever existed. Fallen Leaves, I know this will be hard for you, but I want you to cast a memory erasing spell on your mom. I don't want her to remember anything about me, do you understand?"

Fallen Leaves was shocked. How could his father want to be forgotten? Even though he didn’t agree, he nodded his head."Yes dad. But... Why must I erase her memory of you? Don't you love her?"

"Of course I do, and that is why you must do this. Please, just do what I ask."

With his final words spoken, he faded into mist that dispersed quickly in the growing heat of the sun. Fallen Leaves sniffled as tears dripped down his muzzle, and he collapsed into a sobbing heap. How could he bring himself to erase his mom's memory of his own father? He would be the only one to ever even remember him.

Even though it pained him, he couldn’t bring himself to disobey his father's last wish. He walked back into the house, finding his way numbly to his mother’s room. She seemed worn out from giving birth, and was napping with the two newborn fillies. He brought his head to rest against hers, and his horn lit up with the soft glow of his spell, the light illuminating the fresh tears streaming down his face.

Chapter 4: The Promise

Fallen Leaves just couldn't believe it. He had two little sisters that he could play with. No longer did he have to sit around the house bored out of his mind. Now that his sisters were old enough to walk and talk, he could play with them even more than he did when they were born 5 years ago. He had grown quite a bit himself, and now he was almost as tall as his mom.

His age meant that he would soon be old enough to join the council. The council was the only type of governing body in the land. The three tribes of ponies, the Unicorns, the Pegasi, and the Earth ponies, sent their leaders to the council with their right hoof ponies. After that, 5 other ponies from each tribe were voted onto the council by their respective tribes.

They, for the most part, argued about what they should do concerning the weather problem, without ever being successful in agreeing on exactly what to do. Fallen Leaves thought that he had a good idea on how to resolve the problem, but they would not consider his words until he was on the council. Despite his reason, he knew getting on the council was probably one of the hardest things that he would ever try to do. Everypony on it had been so since before he was even born. Even knowing that, he felt he had to succeed. He had to join the council if he wished for his sisters to have a new home.

This land was nice, but the strange weather had been rapidly changing from rainstorm, to sunny day, to terrible snowstorms since before Fallen Leaves was born and it showed no signs of ever stopping. He never felt happy when he had to refuse to do something with his sisters, but going outside in the dangerous weather was one thing that he couldn’t allow.

"But big brother, why not?" Celestia grumbled after he refused yet again.

"Celestia, alicorns like us must be careful. If we allow the cold winds to blow into our hearts, we will experience a transformation."

"What do you mean?" Celestia asked.

"If we allow the wind to blow on our hearts, we lose our alicorn forms and become careless. That is why you can't go outside. The wind has the ability to completely change who we are: our names, our appearance, and even our cutie mark."

The thought of the wind changing him made him shiver. Fallen Leaves had just received his cutie mark the year before. It was 3 falling leaves with an autumn tree, and he couldn’t imagine losing it.

"How can the wind do that?” Celestia asked, her eyes wide with fear and curiosity.

" I have no idea how it happens. All I know is what mother told me, and now I'm telling you. You are not allowed to go outside until it stops snowing and the wind quits."

"Ok big bro.” Celestia chirped, but Fallen Leaves knew that she had another question.

“What else do you need?” He asked.

“Why do we even live here?"

Fallen Leaves sighed. "It’s where we were born and its all we can afford. There are times when I wish that we could just move far away and not have to worry about the council. At the end of the day, we must learn to accept that we are lucky to have what we do. We need to be happy that we are not homeless and living in a cardboard box in an alley. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Yes, I understand.” Celestia fidgeted, and her eyes filled with light as she perked up in excitement. “When we can go outside, can we play kingdom again?"

Fallen Leaves chuckled. His sisters certainly had a lot of energy. "Sure sis. Make sure to ask Luna if she wants to play too."

Luna was more of a shy pony than her sister, she preferred to be left alone so she could observe the night sky. It seemed that since the day she was born, she had been obsessed with the night.

Fallen Leaves followed Celestia to her and Luna's room.

"Hey Luna!” Celestia called, bouncing up onto her bed. “When the wind quits, do you want to come out and play kingdom with big bro and me?"

Luna looked up from the book she was reading with a happy, yet calm, expression. "Sure, why not. I can't see myself finding anything better to do anyway."

Fallen Leaves liked the way Luna acted, he could tell from her voice that one day she would make a great speaker. He knew that both of his sisters would be able to do amazing things, but he also knew that everything they did would remind him of the secret that only he knew, the secret his father had made him keep.

His dad had said that his sisters would have a great role in the finding of a new kingdom. He hoped that he too would have a role in finding the new home, but he couldn’t escape the terrible feeling that when his sisters were old enough to leave he would be cast behind them like a shadow.

"Big brother?" Luna asked, speaking quickly as if she was scared to ask her question.

"Yes, Luna?"

Luna sighed lightly, closing her book. "Why have we never met dad?"

Luna's question surprised Fallen Leaves. The careful lie that he had planned to tell her rose to his lips, but he just couldn't bring himself to lie to his sisters.

"Our Dad was a very strong and brave pony." Fallen Leaves smiled sadly as the words left his mouth.

"He was a member of the Council even before I was born. On my seventh birthday, he went out with a search party to try to look for a new land for us to live in.

"He... Well, one day he was on the mountain, and the wind picked up. The snow at the top was unsteady, and it all came falling down. The snow buried him there."

Fallen Leaves' smile gained a twinge of caustic irony. "That was the day before you two were born."

Celestia and Luna had so far listened in silence, but the white alicorn filly couldn't hold in her words any longer.

"So then daddy... He's in heaven, right?" Tears glistened in the corners of her round, innocent eyes before Fallen Leaves wiped them away.

"Yes, he's up in heaven. In fact, he's watching over us right now." Fallen Leaves nuzzled his sister in her belly, making her giggle.

"I know for sure that he is very proud of you two. He always will be." A genuine smile now adorned his muzzle. "I'm proud of you too."

The three alicorns shared a long moment of warmth, before Celestia's voice broke the calm.

"Can you promise me something?" She asked, her hoof scuffing the floor. "Can you promise that no matter what happens, you're gonna be there for us? Me and Luna both want our bestest big brother more than we want a new home."

Fallen Leaves pulled his sisters into a hug, draping a wing over each. He could barely keep the tears from flowing as he promised.

"With all of my heart, I promise that I will never leave you."

Chapter 5: Future Visions

It had been a few days since Fallen Leaves and his sisters had left their house, and they had become restless. The weather outside had seemed to be getting worse and worse as the days dragged on, with him and his sisters bored out of their minds. Finally, the weather had calmed down. Fallen Leaves decided he needed to take advantage of the welcome change before it had the chance to pick up again.

He also needed to get away from his sisters, their bottled up energy was driving him crazy! That morning, he decided that he was going to sneak out and enjoy a nice, quiet walk before his sisters could wake up and ask him to play with them. He smiled at the thought. Even with their boundless energy, he couldn’t wait to play with his sisters. First, though, he needed his walk.

The outside air was bracingly chilly. It seemed that the longer the weather had stayed, the colder and colder it had gotten. Fallen Leaves didn't really care about the cold; he thought winter was incredibly beautiful. The glistening snow on the trees was always nice.

As he trotted down the empty streets, Fallen Leaves felt memories resurfacing in his mind. He remembered his sixth birthday, when his dad had taken him to the local deli to try their amazing sandwiches, and many other days of joy spent with his family.

Fallen Leaves let these memories flood through the gates of his mind, and he sighed and felt his ears fall flat against his head. Even though he was happy again, he still missed his father. Though he was never able to show it to other ponies, it truly pained him.

The fact that he would never be able to see him again made the loss worse. To some, immortality could be an amazing blessing, but to him it was a terrible curse. Since he could never die, he would never see his loved ones again. He couldn’t find happiness in love if his loved ones would wither away while he stayed the same.

"Why must I be immortal? Why can't I be like everypony else?" Fallen Leaves yelled to the sky, as if expecting it to answer.

The fur on his muzzle matted slightly as tears rolled down his cheeks, and his head swirled with disjoined thoughts. Why wasn’t he allowed a choice for his life? Why could he not be like everypony else?

With a resigned sigh, Fallen Leaves turned and began his walk towards home. Suddenly, he felt the light touch of a hoof on his shoulder. He turned around to see an old mare smiling warmly at him with a muzzle full of sparse, yellowed teeth.

"Who might you be?" Fallen Leaves asked the stranger, after quickly wiping his tears so that she couldn't see his sadness.

"I am Future Sight,” The old mare rasped in a creaking voice, “I read ponies' futures. Would you like to have your future read?"

"My future? That seems incredibly interesting". Fallen Leaves thought.

"Why not? Please, take me to your place." Fallen Leaves said enthusiastically.

"Follow me, my dear." She signaled with her hoof to follow as she hobbled slowly down the road.

Future Sight eventually led him to her house, which was farther away than he had expected. Fallen Leaves was so surprised to see the state of disrepair that her house was in, that he couldn’t stifle a gasp. He couldn’t imagine any pony living in these conditions. Her house looked like it was ready to fall over!

"Well, what are you just standing about for?" Future Sight snapped irritably. "Come on! I have no plans to just stand here all day, and I'm sure you don't either."

Fallen Leaves followed her reluctantly inside, and was surprised to find that the house looked drastically different inside than it had appeared. While he stood in amazement, Future Sight’s horn lit up, conjuring a table in front of her.

"Now where is that darn ball at?" Future Sight mumbled, before bending to peek under the table.

"Ah! There it is." She said, with a touch of satisfaction. She then proceeded to drop the ball on the table, not reacting at the heavy impact it made.

"Now, come here so I can read your fortune." She waved him forwards with a contemplative expression on her face. Fallen Leaves walked around the table until he was facing the old mare.

With a nearly toothless smile, Future Sight cast a spell on the crystal ball. Mist welled up inside the ball, and swirled in strange patterns as if it was dancing. Slowly, pictures formed from the mist, but Fallen Leaves couldn’t see them clearly.

"Well, I don't believe it." Future Sight said in astonishment "You’re an immortal." Her smile slowly faded, and was replaced with her previous look of contemplation. "I'm sorry, my dear"

"Please don't remind me." Fallen Leaves said, his voice a tired, low growl.

"I do see some other interesting things." She said, her toothy smile returning. "I see you joining the council, and helping them resolve something that they have been arguing about for a long time." Fallen Leaves’ eyes widened at this news, but Future Sight squinted harder and got closer to the ball as if she was trying to make something else out.

"I see you, and two female alicorns hugging you. They appear to be congratulating you for something." She continued, before looking up with a questioning expression. "Do you know these two?"

"They must be Celestia and Luna." Fallen Leaves said, and a small smile crossed his muzzle. "They're my sisters"

"Oh, my." Future Sight gasped slightly, her voice sad. " I would keep an eye on the blue one, I sense that she may have some jealousy bubbling up in her."

"I will make sure to look after her. Do you see anything else?" He asked, eager to see if she had ascertained anything else from his future.

"I'm afraid not, my dear" A small frown came across her face. "Since you are immortal, you have a very long life ahead of you. I don’t exactly know when or where any of these things are going to happen during a life as long as yours.”

"Well, thank you very much for showing me my future, ma’am. I'm afraid I need to be heading home now." Fallen Leaves dipped his head in thanks and trotted outside.

Thoughts whirled in his head, but he pushed them aside as he got closer to his house. When he was almost at his home, he smelled something strange. Horror swept across his face as he realized what it was; it was the acrid tang of smoke. He galloped as fast as he could, hoping that the smoke he was smelling was not coming from his home. As he skidded around the corner where his house was at, he could only gasp in horror. His house was completely engulfed in bright orange flames.

Author's Note

Notice: If you read the other chapters before this one was released I ask kindly that you go back and read the other 4 chapters again because they have now been proofread and edited

Thanks
ObsidianSky