Chapters .Maybe on this night I will tell you of my past at last
do not expect it to be filled and action pacted
tis a sad story that I will tell
for it was only 9 years ago when my life became a living hell
on this very night
it started a devious plight
to take my soul
and leave it in eternal blight
never to see the light
some how I managed but that is for another day
for now, lets start on that day
when it all started to fade away
"Hey daddy! Can you show me how to use a sword again?" I said. It was a lovely day in my farm house. The sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky, and a gentle wind was blowing. He was holding his sword, brotherhood, in his hand and was wearing his armor.
"I don't think I have time squirt. Maybe when I get home I will teach you. But I do have to tell you something before I go." My dad said.
"Yes daddy?"
"If I was to die, my sword would not look the same and will have a different name. I need you to be the man of the house while I'm gone so protect your sister and your mother for me. Will you do that?"
"Yes dad!" I saluted.
My dad, well step dad but I had known him my whole life, was a earth pony. He was a guard for the near by town, always making sure the problem was fixed, not handled. He had a lime green coat with a medium long brown mane and a smile when ever somepony was around.
My dad laughed and laughed as my little sister Spectrum sparks walked up and hugged my dad saying "Are you going again daddy?"
My dad sighed "Yes sparky I am." Sparks was a unicorn that had no magic but instead had the earth pony strength. Her rainbow mane with her fiery style with her cyan coat made her look beautiful to most people.
"Will you be back soon?"
"Yes, I wouldn't want to miss my eldest daughters 15th birthday now would I? Now you two need to go get doing your chores." my dad said with a hard to find sorrow in his voice.
"Not so fast Keeper! You have not said goodbye to me!" said my mom in a fake angry tone. My mom is a midnight and white Pegasus with a broken wing since she was a filly."You little-" my mom said as dad kissed herher
"Like I could forget the mare of my life."
"Woof!" Barked my dog, Flare.
"You to you good boy you!"
"Dad, I was wondering if we could go to the meadow." I said. The meadow was a place that was special for my dad. I think it is where his dad was buried when he died. But my dad was willing to share his peace of mind with me ever since I followed him once.
"Sorry kiddo, I have to go now but right when I get home we will go together. But here, something to help with the wait to see me again." My dad handed me a white metal bracelet "This is a bracelet that is handed down from father to son in our family. keep it safe and only take it off when you need to. The bracelet will help, not get rid of, you defeat your worst enemy. Always remember that this is just a object, it will not defeat anything with out you using it."
"Yes daddy!" I said while putting on the bracelet.
My dad left after saying good bye one more time and left us to our chores. We had to water the crops, harvest the crops, replant the crops then do the house chores. I quickly did my chores and trained for the rest of the day thinking I will be strong. I will be a protector and guardian like my dad! After diner my mom sent us to bed but I didn't head to bed just yet. I left a note on the table saying that I was going to sleep in the meadow tonight and hopped out my bedroom window. I ran though the woods and layed down in the tall grass looking at the stars thinking nothing could go wrong with this life and life was nice if you were kind. That night, I had my first nightmare but looking back, it was a warning. I dreamed that fire was every where and that everything I knew, my family, friends, even my dog was being dragged away from me as the fire raged on. Forgetting the nightmare, the next day I hoped though the woods with not a care in the world to go eat breakfast with my family. We talked and joked and had a good time waiting for my dad to come home. My mom started to look worried after 30 minutes past the time dad said he was going to be hear. To most this would not cause concern except the fact that my dad was always on time if not early to anything if it involved us.
When there was a knock on my door 2 hours after my dad said he would be home. I got so exited to see my dad. I opened the door and lunged out to greet my dad in a hug. I expected for my arms to land on my dad. I did not and landed on a guard that worked with my dad. "Very funny dad come on and get out here." The guard looked at me with saddened eyes. I thought it was because he wished he was as young and full of life as me!
How wrong I was.
Day 2 of hell week: burns
The grief consumed
the life I once knew
for in my mind
a little demon was renewed
the nightmares
that haunted the night
were the same as before
a warning of the end
I awoke to the smell of the morning dew on the tall grass. I got on my feet to collapse when I remembered the events of yesterday. The Pain and tears were renewed as I sat there on my knees crying when I stopped. I thought Dad would not want me to mop around, sit on my flank and do nothing when my mom and sister need to be supported! Thanks dad. For making me see the big picture. I got back on my feet and flew back home to find it a mess. Trash everywhere, dishes not done, a strange sword on the table, even leftovers. Leftovers! We never have leftovers! Well you do now
"Mom! Sparks! Anypony home! Hello!"
My mom walked down stairs to give me first an look like she was ticked off, then her look softened as she spoke "Lance, what happened to your mane?"
"What do you mean what happened to my mane?"
"Your mane is no longer a rainbow colored like your sisters." she said walking over to me.
"What! " I yelled and ran for a mirror, almost tripping and breaking it. Indeed, my rainbow mane has gone and has been replaced with a purple and black one. I had to do a double take to realize that the young colt in the mirror was me. I ran my fingers through my hair just to be sure. This was me and yet, why am I not scared of this change? Because I won't let you be, weakling.
"Lance is that you?"
"I-I think so, Sparks" Ok how did I not see that punch coming "What was that for! That hurt!"
"That was for two things, running to the meadow and not telling mom and calling me Sparks."
I rolled my eyes "So you prefer to be called Sparky?" How do I not see these punches coming?!
I walked down stairs to make myself some breakfast when my mom threw something at me. next thing I know I am doing a back bend that would make the matrix proud. Whats the matrix? I caught the paper ball the almost threw it back when I felt weak suddenly. My mom saw me and didn't talk about the dodge or the would be attack, she just said "My my, somepony must be hungry. Here, I'll make you breakfast." She is hiding something form you
"Thanks mom!" suddenly I had a question I needed to ask "Mom, should we bury dad in the meadow? It was his favorite place in the world."
My mom stopped in her tracks before saying "Yes, yes we should. Eat fast, we are going to bury him today. After all, we are his only family members." She said with tears rolling down her face.
After the burial, we went home to do the farm work in silence. Dinner was plain until my mom got out of her chair and grabbed the strange sword I saw earlier.
"Here, it's yours." she said dropping it in front of me. I inspected the blade with utter confusion.
"This isn't mine."
"No it was your fathers."
"Mom, this is not brotherhood."
"Well, it has that same ocean blue glow when it is in your hoofs."
"Umm, mom!" yelled Sparks "The forest is on fire!"
"What!" mom and I said at the same time
I flew out to see where the fire was the worst and almost cried when I saw where the heart of the fire was. The meadow was in flames. serves you right, ignoring the inevitable
to think that was the least heart breaking of the events to come.
Have you lost something that makes your heart wane
for the pain is to much bear
maybe that is why my mane change
from a rainbow to the colors you see today
this is little to what is to come
hear now of what I speak
and give me no pity
it is my choice to share what is bleak
"May I come in for a moment mam?" said the guard with sorrow clear in his voice. That is when I realized who he was. He was the new recruit my dad had talked about, Flash sentry.
"Sure thing flash!"said my mom "Would you mind telling me where Keeper is first? He is never late and it has me worried." Flash gave my mom a look that told it all for my mom. "Lance, Sparks, go up stairs and don't come down until we are done talking."
"But mom!" Sparks complained
"No buts! Yelled mom "Just please go up stairs." we were both sacred and listened to our mom. I thought My mom never yells, ever. Even when she is mad at us. Somethings wrong, I know it! We walked up stairs and I was about to go into my room when my sister grabbed my arm.
"We may not be able to be down stairs but we can listen from the stairs" Sparks stated
"What?"
"We can hear what they are saying from the stairs as long as we are quite."
"But-"
"You do want to know what they are talking about, don't you?"
"Yes but-"
"No buts. Come on."
Hesitantly, I followed her to the stairs and listened. "- I am sorry, their was nothing I could do. He asked me with his last breath to give his son his sword. It changed the moment life left his eyes to what you now see" Said Flash's voice
"He can't, I don't believe you! I need proof that what you say is true!" said my moms voice
"You think you are the only one suffering! My friend is now dead be a knife in the back during a riot and the guard has lost its best! It is not my fault that your husband is dead!"
Then it struck me, they were talking about dad. They were saying my dad was dead. I stood up and ran out the window tears flowing from my eyes as I flew. I didn't stop until I was at the meadow and then I gave an ear piercing scream that I an sure Nightmare moon heard on the moon. I screamed until there was nothing left and I fainted into a sleep pledged with nightmares....
