“What!? The old palace? Why are you sending us there, mother?” Silver Soul, a light silver zebra unicorn hybrid with a light blue and black striped mane, questioned the Celestial goddess. Him and his two adoptive brothers stood in the throne room is front of their shared mother.

“Strange magical power has been emanating from the ruins for quite some time.” replied the princess cooly. Though she was talking to her sons, she didn’t tone down her personality when giving orders. “I fear something is occurring there. Something that might threaten Equestria.”

The young stallion groaned, but stayed quiet, knowing that complaining would get him nowhere with his mother. The eldest brother from the three placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t argue.” whispered Golden Eye, a white stallion with pure, bright, golden eyes. His short, blue mane made him look almost like his uncle. Lightweight golden armor covered his chest, shoulders, and abdomen. “Neither me nor Platinum got anywhere with her.”

“Don’t you think I know that!?” hissed back Silver, shrugging off Golden’s hand.

“Golden’s right.” said Platinum Heart consolingly, brushing his silver hair from his eyes. He was a handsomely built, black coated unicorn. “We grew up with that knowledge, and have to follow her orders.”

Silver rolled his eyes, before turning his attention back to the princess. “So what’s it you need us to do?”

“Go to the ruins and figure out what is causing these magical events. Return once you have determined the cause or if possible, destroy it.” answered Celestia.

“Nice. Drag me out of bed for this.” Silver Soul groaned, before walking off to get some things from his chambers.

Golden Eye and Platinum Heart bowed considerately before excusing themselves from the room. They caught up to Silver on the way out.

“Platinum, I swear if you lecture me about respect, I will not be held responsible for what I do.” Silver growled as his two brothers caught up to him.

“I wasn’t going to.” said Heart as he fell into step alongside his younger brother. “In fact, I kind of agree with you. Our mother does need to do something for herself and not just shunt a job onto anypony else.”

Silver nearly tripped on his own hoof as he heard that. “W-what? Since when do you agree with me?”

“Ever since my younger brother actually got smart.” laughed Heart, punching Silver lightly on the shoulder.

“Silver, Platinum, our mother’s duties as princess keep her occupied enough as it is, she is counting on us to see to it that Equestria is kept from any hidden threats, and what kind of sons would we be if we didn’t do our part, hm?” Golden implied, turning around and stopping in front of his two younger brothers.

“You don’t think we know that, Gold? I love mother. She’s the only one who never treated me as a freak! But you know, sometimes I want some time to myself!” Silver growled as he shoved past Golden and continued down the corridor.

Platinum sighed and looked at Golden sadly. “You had to open that mouth of yours. At least agree with him from time to time. He does have valid points now, even though his is a little rude when he states them.”

“I know, it’s just that… I feel like he’s being a little… you know what, let’s just forget I said anything.” Golden stated and turned to continue walking to his room to prepare for the task ahead.

“Golden!” called Heart after his brother.

Golden stopped but didn’t turn around “What?”

Platinum Heart stopped for a second, thinking. “When I said I agreed with him, I meant it. But he’s had a rough life and I’m trying to make it better. Don’t think I'm turning my back on both you and mother by just listening to what he has to say.” Heart walked past his brother, stopping right in front of him. “We leave in an hour. Get your priorities straight before then. We don’t want a situation to occur.”

Heart continued down the hallway, towards his own room, leaving Golden behind.

Golden stood there for a moment, Thinking to himself. ‘What has gotten into me? First I make the assumption that my two younger brothers are turning against mother and myself only to make myself look like a fool, thus making me the childish one, and now here I am questioning why I am even here. Why did I even open my mouth without thinking? Mother, please forgive me for my foolishness.’ With these thoughts in his head, he continued toward his room.

Silver Soul, having packed his essentials for the journey, stood out in front of the castle doors, waiting for his brothers. He enjoyed being outside. It was a lot more freedom than he had when he was inside of the castle. Silver smiled as he let the gentle wind rustle through his frizzy mane. “Why does everything mess with me? I can hardly take it anymore.” Soul groaned to himself.

Platinum Heart had already finished packing. However, he sat at the head on his bed, thinking. It was his job to regulate disputes amongst his brothers. But this job had grown tiresome, and with each fight, Heart feared that Silver would one day leave and never return. A tear leaked out of his eye as he looked down at his side where a large heart cutie mark sat. “I love my brothers.” he said to himself in the quietness of the room. “I can’t let them fight like this.” He picked up the bag he was using for the trip and slung it over his shoulder. “Mother… give me strength.” he spoke as he opened his door and left.

Golden Eye was still packing his gear when he thought back to what he had said to his brothers, this only sought to bother him even more. “There’s only one way to make it right, I have to apologize, not only to Silver, but also Platinum for making the assumptions I had made earlier, and for being so blind to what is happening around me. All I do is take my orders and get them done, no questions asked. It’s my job to defend my mother, my brothers and everypony else, it’s just so hard when I act out against my brothers based on what they say, I feel like if I can’t stop fighting with them, then I can’t defend them. Why… Why do I do this to myself?” Golden asked himself as he finished packing, picked up his gear, and headed out to meet his brothers at the castle gates.

Silver groaned again as he heard the hoof steps of his brothers. He loved them just as much as he did his mother, but like her, they get on his nerves by not understanding the things that go through his head every day of his life. He turned to look at his brothers. “You guys took long enough. You ready?”

“I will be once I get something out of the way. Silver, Platinum, I need to talk to you both.” Golden replied, his tone seemingly sullen with regret.

“Spill it, bro. I’m all ears.” Silver replied with a sarcastic smile.

Heart crossed his arms in a non-aggressive manner. He started tapping his left index finger on his right bicep, but said nothing.

“The way I acted in the castle earlier. I was wrong to do so. I acted on mere words and therefore I made myself look like a fool. Silver, I don’t want to fight anymore. It’s just that… it’s hard with the way I feel when you question mothers orders and Platinum, I love you like a brother should, it’s just that the problem is I wish I could understand why I have such a hard time agreeing with others when all my life I have done nothing more than simply followed orders. So I just wanted to say I’m sorry, for my foolishness and my ignorance when I should have kept my mouth shut.” Golden said placing a hand on their shoulders.

“It’s hard to listen to orders when you were born without them, Gold. Celestia found me on the streets of Manehatten when I ten. I lived like that for two years…. In a filthy alley… Nopony even gave me a second look until the day I got fed up with it and jumped in front of a cart. I didn’t know the one I jumped in front of was Celestia’s. The rest you two know. I woke up in the infirmary, covered in bandages with both you and Platinum staring at me. Mother was standing behind you with that warm smile that I’ve grown to love. I loved you all from then on… But… I’ve never been the same since then…” Silver said, recalling the memories that he had kept from them.

I sat in the pile of garbage I called a home as I watched the ponies walk by me, not even bothering to look down at me. The baker down the road had changed his locks after me breaking in... Again. I was stuck without a meal and starving. I wished somepony, anypony would give me something to get rid of this stupid pain in my stomach. The grumbling from it was becoming unbearable.

Who am I kidding? I’m nopony even bothers to look at me, much less would they give me something to keep me from dropping dead. I cursed my mother every day of my life for leaving me here, alone and starving… But that was two years ago.

I guessed that part of the reason I never had a real life… Or could never get somepony to look at me for more than enough time to say ‘Ew! Get away from me!’ was because of what I am… A pony zebra hybrid… A unicorn at that.

Curse them all! I hate them all!

I couldn’t take it anymore…

I was so hungry…

I was in so much pain…

I leaped up with tears in my eyes and sprinted into the road just in time to feel my entire body to ignite with pain, before fading into darkness. The cart that had hit me hadn’t stopped. As I suspected. Hopefully I was dead… If I wasn’t I would be soon.

As these memories flooded back, Silver’s eyes overflowed with tears, which he just wiped away and readjusted his bag. “A-are we just gonna stand here and bring up the worthless past or are we going to get this done?”

“I mean, I’ve done enough damage as it is. Maybe if I was in your place, I would understand. I’m just hoping that you’ll forgive me for my actions earlier, but yes we need to get moving.” Golden stated.

Heart stood, looking at his two brothers. He walked up to both of them and placed an arm over both of them as tears came to his eyes. “Hey…” he said, consolingly. “We’re brothers. We’ll always fight, we’ll always be together. But whatever happens, you two are my family. And my greatest fear is that-” Heart choked up slightly. “is that one day, I’ll never be able to bridge the gap between you two. And we’ll never be together again.”

“Where would I go if I left, Platinum? This is the only family I have. I would have died if it wasn’t for mother. Sure you guys drive me insane, but I would never leave just like that. I have nowhere to go.”

“What would I do without you, Platinum? You know that you and Silver are the only ones that really keep me sane when we go out to deal with tasks like this. Without you I would be in a mental ward because I lost my mind due to not having somepony to talk to.” Golden said as he placed an arm over Platinum and Silver, pulling them into a hug.

Silver was soon struggling his way out of the hug. “Okokokok! Getting too huggy over here.”

“Heh, sorry. I guess we’d better get a move on then.” Golden stated as he released Platinum and Silver.

Platinum Heart smiled as the words of his brothers washed over him. “Thanks guys.” He said, wiping his own eyes.

“Common, Let’s just get this over with so I go back to bed.” The zebra said as he broke into a run, before leaping over the balcony, only to float back up in a bubble of bright silver magic.

Golden opened his wings and flapped them powerfully, lifting up off the ground. Golden Eye flew up and hovered next to Silver, waiting for Platinum.

His horn glowing, Platinum leaped over the balcony, like Silver, and floated up in his own bubble. Nodding to both Silver and Golden, the three of them started making their way towards the old ruins of Celestia and Luna’s castle, the very one Nightmare Moon had half destroyed over a millenia ago.

“What do you think we’ll find when we get there?” Silver asked as they flew over Ponyville.

“I don’t know. We’ll have to stay alert and no matter what happens, you know how to defend yourselves if we get separated.” Golden stated.

“Yeah.” agreed Heart. “This castle could be dangerous.”

“Hey, I was thinking, maybe on the way back we could make a visit to see Twilight and her friends, you know just say hello, chat for a bit, you know just something to think about.” Golden suggested.

“Yeah, I heard aunt Twilight is in Ponyville.” Silver replied with a huge smile.

“Yeah. I haven’t seen her in while. Be nice to catch up.” said Heart with a smile.

“Well, at least there are some things we agree on.” Golden commented. “looks like we’re here, let’s land outside the castle and set up camp, it’s already getting dark out here.”

“Look! Something else we agree on!” Silver playfully stated, before bursting into laughter. When he didn’t have his mother or his brother, mister responsibility breathing down his neck, he could be a real laughing box. Not many things unable to set him off during the right conditions.

Platinum laughed along with him as did Gold as the trio descended to the ground.

“Just to go ahead and get this out of the way, I’ll take first watch tonight.” Gold said as he began unpacking his tent “So who want’s second? Cause I’ll need my sleep too.”

“Fine by me. Was gonna sleep anyway.” Silver replied as he too unpacked his tent along with a pack of marshmallows. “I’ll go last.”

“Guess I’m second then.” said Heart, stretching slightly on the ground.

Silver looked curiously down at his brother. “You didn’t bring a tent?”

“I thought about it… but… I like looking up the stars at night.”

“Um… Bro… This is the Everfree forest.”

“It’s a good thing I packed an extra.” Golden said as he pulled out a second tent.

“You always have extra everything.” Silver stated as began to pitch up his own.

“What can I say, I always make sure we have enough. Anyways, I’m gonna go gather the supplies for a campfire, go ahead and get ready for dinner.” Golden said before leaving to collect firewood.

“Alright.” The zebra waved as his brother walked off, still working on getting his tent set up. When he had finally gotten the damn thing to stand on its own, he began pulling out the cooking utensils and made a fire pit in the middle of their group of tents. It was then that he felt a cold chill run down his spine and heard what seemed to be an inaudible whisper in his ear. He shivered and tried to shake off the feeling, pulling his coat closer around him.

Heart noticed his brother’s behaviour. “Cold?” He asked, throwing his own tent together in a few seconds.

“Y-yeah… You know I’m not built for cold.”

“Yeah, I remember.”

Soon after Heart had finished speaking, Golden came out with a pile of branches and twigs and said. “Let’s get some of this broken up so we can get the fire going, then we can get cooking and warm up a bit.”

Silver stood up and took a few branches and snapped them one at a time, breaking them into perfect lengths to fit the pit he had made. He then threw them in and lit it with a flash of magic.

Golden threw in the branches he had broken up and said “That will keep for a few hours, so let’s get cooking so we can eat.”

“What do we have?” asked Heart interestly.

“You know I always pack our favorites.” Gold said, giving his brother a playful jab in the arm.

“Then what are you waiting for?” laughed Silver. “Let’s get cooking.”

“We all know that Platinum is the better cook here.” Gold said, looking at Platinum with a smile.

Platinum blushed. “Yeah, I guess that’s true. You would burn a sandwich, Gold.”

“Heh, you’re right, I would burn a sandwich.” Gold jokingly replied before bursting into laughter.

Silver joined in and so did Platinium

“Look at us.” said Heart. “Three brothers, royal brothers I might add, doing something so… pedestrian as camping. It’s kind of a weird feeling.”

“Oh, I used to go camping all the time with Grandpa when I was younger, about your age Silver. My goodness, Mother would be so annoyed when we got back.” Gold chuckled.

“Mother got annoyed at you?!” exclaimed Silver. “You’re Mr. Responsibility, the perfect son who never steps out of line. Who are you and what have you done to my brother?”

“That was when I was young, Silver. I was a kid who liked the outdoors just as much as you do, but when I turned sixteen was when I got my first responsibilities and had to stop going out as much.” Gold replied. “Me n’ Grandpa would always go fishing and swimming while we were out camping.”

“I never went camping with you.” spoke up Platinium. “You offered, but I prefered to stay at the castle. Now I feel like I missed out on so much.”

“What can I say, I was adventurous back then.” Gold retorted playfully.

*Snap*

Gold’s ears perked up, “Hey, ya’ll hear that?”

Heart jumped to his feet while Silver looked around from the forest floor. Heart’s horn glowed as he looked around, trying see anything that looked out of place.

“I’ll go check it out.” Gold replied, ready for any predators that might be lurking about as he walked around and searched the general area surrounding the camp. Heart kept one eye on his brother at all times during his search.

During the search, Gold saw some movement in a bush and decided to get a closer look, when all of a sudden, a small brown rabbit jumped out at Gold and ran off, causing Gold to yelp in surprise and fall on his rear.

Silver tried to hide his laughter, but failed terribly, ending up falling on his back in a fit of laughter. He couldn’t even speak with how hard he was laughing. Heart was a little more composed, but he couldn’t help but snicker as Gold picked himself up off the ground, whispering curses under his breath.

“He just caught me off guard is all, damn rabbit.” Gold groaned. “What are you two laughing at?”

Heart couldn’t take it. He fell on the ground next to Silver, laughing his head off. Gold flashed them a glare as they finally started to calm down.

“My eldest brother is scared of a little snow shoe rabbit! Freggin hilarious!” Silver cried out as tears of laughter poured from his eyes.

“Shut up.” Gold retorted “Don’t make me tell mom about you sneaking into the royal wine cellar!”

Silver instantly froze, his expression one of absolute shock. “How the hell did you know about that!?”

“Let’s just say I caught you with some viewing crystals.” Gold answered with a smug grin.

“You spy on me? Ugh! That’s creepy.”

“Nah, I’m just jokin’, how the hell I do know is you aren’t in bed when I go to bed and I have known this for a while now.” Gold replied.

“How do you know? I could be stargazing.”

“While getting drunk off your ass.” Gold retorted before breaking into a small fit of laughter.

The zebra blushed with embarrassment. “You suck, Gold.”

Gold only laughed harder as he fell backwards.

“Instant karma, Silver.” sighed Heart.

“Served bitter and cold.” Silver added with a pout.

“But hey, I made sure to grab a bottle or two from my personal stash to share.” Gold said after he calmed down.

Silver gave a slow smile at that. “And suddenly you don’t suck anymore.”

“No real magic to that trick.” said Heart, laughing slightly.

“I know I can be an asshole at times.” Gold joked

“But so can I.” Silver chuckled.

“But hey, we’re brothers, what can we do about it?” Gold said laughingly.

“Ain’t that the damn truth!”

Heart smiled as he watched his elder and younger brother make up. Perhaps his fear was just another thing for them all to overcome. He cleared his throat. “I don’t know about you two, but we should get some food and have a drink or two. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”

“Right, make sure to get mine just right, Heart.” Golden inquired as he pulled out a bottle of vodka, the strongest vodka from his personal stash.

“You know I’m always good with however you make mine. And I brought some marshmallows to roast when we’re done eating.” Silver said as he pulled out the pack of camp fire marshmallows.

Heart sat himself in front of the fire, grabbing a bag of potatoes on the way over as well as some cheese and bread as he got to work. “This’ll take a while… so go nuts.” he called back to his brothers.

“You brought the shot glasses, right Gold?”

“Even better, I brought ‘the’ shot glasses.” Gold replied emphasizing ‘the’ to point out that he brought his special shot glasses which were taller than normal shot glasses by two inches.

“Talk about me being a drunk, Gold. Jeez.”

“Hey, I had these saved for the occasion when all three of us could get out of the castle for a night and spend more time together. I hardly see you two when we’re at the castle cause I’m having to inspect the guards quarters in the stead of the captain since he’s in the Crystal empire and I’m having to fill out paperwork each day that I’m not outside the castle.

“You do know that uncle Armor is permanently residing at the Crystal empire. He’s got his own guard to tend to there. You’re the captain, Gold,” Silver replied as the smell of cooking food drifted into his nostrils, making his mouth water.

“Now do you see why I brought my special shot glasses?” Gold asked inquisitively.

“Yeah… I can see… All too clearly.”

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” came Heart’s voice as he tended to the cooking and the flame.

“Oh, quit ya bellyachin’, Heart. I was just explaining why I brought my special shot glasses.” Gold retorted jokingly.

Silver turned to peer at Heart. “If you don’t want a drink, say so. We’ll be happy to take your shots.”

“Oh, hell no.” replied Heart. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. And on that note, here’s ya food.” His horn glowed and a few potatoes and a few grilled cheese sandwiches floated over to each of them.

Gold took his sandwich and took a bite, “Mmmm, always did a good job with grilled cheese sandwiches.” he complimented.

Silver snatched his own out of the air by his teeth and taking the bite out of it. “Sometimes it’s great to eat something simple, other than the complex food back at home.” He then went to eating his food.

Heart ate his own food slowly, however the warmth of the food did little for this chilling feeling running down his spine. He quickly glanced over his shoulder, but he saw no one. He tried to get back to get eating, but he was distracted by this nagging feeling that they were being watched. The Everfree forest is supposed to play with your mind, but Heart’s mind felt clear and alive, well… until that vodka was opened at least.

“Hey, you okay over there?” Gold asked, looking at Heart with concern.

“Yeah… just some weird feelings…” replied Platinum uncertainly.

“Well then c’mon over and have a few drinks with us.” Gold said while pouring the shots.

Heart really wanted his mind to remain clear. But at the same time, he couldn’t pass up this opportunity to finally have some fun with his brothers. “Oh… maybe a few…” Heart said in an offhanded manner, getting up and walking over to them.

“Good boy.” Silver said as he handed Heart a glass, taking his own and holding it up for a cheers. “To getting shit done!”

“Got that right.” Gold replied.

“Hear, hear!” responded Platinum.

They all drank deeply, draining Golden’s special shot glasses in one. Heart looked at his glass blearily.

“This will not end well…” he repeated. “Now, fill me up.”

“Hey hey, who am I to say no?” Golden replied as he filled Platinums glass once more.

As Gold refilled the glasses, Silver pulled out his marshmallows and handed the others a stick to put one on. “Just how a camping trip should be, am I right?” He said, before draining another shot and impaling a marshmallow on his stick afterward, holding above the fire.

“If you say so. You’re the only one with any experiences to judge this by.” replied Heart, spearing his own marshmallow and holding it near the fire.

Silver turned to glare at his brother. “That was a little fucked up, Heart. My mother never took me on a camping trip. I read about them in books.” He growled as he took another shot, by now feeling pretty tipsy.

“This is how it was for me n’ Grandpa but without the vodka and all.” Gold stated. “Now you two just simmer down and enjoy the moment we have here tonight. Alright?”

Heart drained his glass. “Sorry, Silver. I never was the best drinker.”

“It’s alright. Guess you guys can’t understand what I went through unless you went through it yourselves.” The zebra replied with a sigh. He pulled his cooked marshmallow out of the fire, blowing it off, before popping it into his mouth.

“I may not understand what you’ve been through.” said Heart taking a slightly burnt marshmallow out of the fire. “And I know you hate talking about it. But, we’re always here for you.” Heart popped the marshmallow off the stick and placed it in his mouth.

“If there’s anything you need to talk about you know that there are two of us you can talk to, that goes for myself included.” Gold added pulling a well roasted marshmallow out of the fire.

Heart stared at Gold’s well roasted marshmallow. “Incredible. You can’t cook for shit, but give you a bag of marshmallows and suddenly you’re the top chef here.”

Silver stifled a laugh.

“I guess I just have a way with marshmallows.” Gold chuckled.

Heart nodded simply, passing his glass back to Gold, silently asking for more.

“Don’t get too drunk on me, Heart. I don’t wanna have to carry you to your tent.” Gold replied as he shakily filled Platinum’s glass.

“Look who’s talking.” replied Heart, draining half of the glass instantly.

“Yeah, worry about… Umm… Y-yourself.” Silver stuttered, before draining his shot, accidentally tilting his head too far back and ended up falling over. “Ouch…”

“Silver, you really *hic* crack me up sometimes, you know that?” Gold asked as he drained his glass.

Heart started giggling. “You- You fell over.” he stated simply, draining the rest of his glass.

“That was messed up. I *hic* wasn’t even dizzy at all and then… Bam.” The obviously drunk zebra said from his place on the ground.

Gold only fell backwards, busting out in laughter, knowing that Silver was already drunk.

Heart tried to drink from his glass, but there was nothing else in it. “Oi, barkeep.” He called over to the laughing pegasus on the ground. “What’s wrong with this picture?”

Gold calmed down and grabbed the bottle, and poured Heart another glass along with himself and Silver.

Silver pushed himself back upright. He took his freshly poured shot and drained it. “That wasn’t *hic* funny… A-at least not as funny as that bunny.” The zebra snickered.

“Shut *hic* up or I-I’ll *hic* tell mom.” Gold stumbled over his words before downing his shot, and this time tilting his own head to far and having the same accident as Silver “Ouch…. that *hic* fucking hurt.”

“Snitch! *Hic* The f-fuck’s up *hic* with these annoying ass *hic* Hiccups!?” Silver exclaimed, before dissolving into laughter.

Heart laughed for a second before trying to grab the bottle of vodka. “That’s… t-too much… for all of…” His hand tipped over the bottle, spilling the rest of the drink and he found himself lying on his side. “He he… that felt… weird.”

Silver stopped laughing. “Oh *hic* shit. Gold, Heart’s f-fucked.”

“No I’m not! *hic*” called Heart from the ground. “I-I’m all *hic* good!”

Gold sat up, “Yes, Heart. *hic* You are *hic* Fucked, you n-need to *hic* get to bed. WHAT THE FUCK *hic* HAPPENED TO THE DAMN *hic* VODKA?!” Gold yelled in a drunken rage, sounding like a pissed off drunken russian.

“That was me… *hic*... I think.” Came Heart’s voice.

“DAMMIT, HEART! That was for us!”

“SOMEPONY JUST PUT UP A *hic* FUCKING PROTECTIVE BARRIER OR *hic* SOMETHING! I’m going to fucking *hic* bed.” Gold ranted as he stumbled off to his tent.

Silver groaned loudly and picked himself up. “No more *hic* drinks for you ever, Heart.” He said as he picked up his brother and clumsily dragged the drunk stallion to his tent. He then cast a protective bubble around the camp, but didn’t go back to his tent. Instead he just sat back by the fire and roasted more marshmallows until the fire died out. Then he stumbled off to bed, instantly falling asleep as he climbed into his sleeping bag.

Author's Note

So, what do you all think? Like it? Hate it? Got an OBJECTION!? Leave a comment!