Chapters The firey tale of Redd Coal
"Redd!? Reeedd!? It's time for breakfast son!" My mother Ruby called. Still tired, I got up out of bed, my wings were stiff from underuse. I rose upon my longer back legs and proceeded towards the kitchen where mom, dad and my older brother Quicksilver were waiting for me. I knew today was going to be another boring day.
After saying good morning to everypony I took my usual seat next to Quicksilver and I saw the typical cocky grin on his face he always had right before he'd insult me. He went on with his usual morning verbal assault that normally included my long back legs and the growths protruding from my front hooves. "Sup freak show!" He said as he punched me in the right front leg. "Silver, you be nice to your baby brother!" Mom scorned. "Redd's unique and you need to treat him nicely." Mom always had my back in these situations.
My father Charcoal on the other hoof, found it fitting that silver picked on me. My mere existence already cost his greedy plot a fortune, which in turn meant everypony in the village had to work harder in the mines. Though he never showed it, he was ashamed of me for obvious reasons. I could only walk on two legs and unlike the other ponies in town, my coat was a bright shade of red, making me a freak among my own kind. Dad never saw anything in me, I meant nothing to him. All that mattered in his eyes was money, something he would have had if he didn't have a wife and children.
Anyway, the end of breakfast meant only one thing in our house, time for work. I dreaded going down into those dark shafts, where many ponies died from collapses and drunken brawls. My best friend Emerald Isle was one of the lives lost when a support beam broke and the old mine shaft caved in, burying everypony unlucky enough to be in there. Sometimes I swear I can still hear him crying for help. Since then, the mines have given me the heebie jeebies.
It wasn't that I was scared to go, it was just the shock that when it happened, nopony made any attempts to rescue them, it was like money was more important to them than the lives of others. That coupled with the fact that whenever I went down there, Quicksilver always beat me or told dad how little my payload was. I would have brought a good amount back if Quicksilver didn't steal each cart full I had. If that was enough, everypony would glare at me like I was a monster. Today was no different, I put my helmet on and walked towards the entrance to the mines. I was only seven but I had to work since I stood as tall as the biggest stallion in the village. Once again, money meant more to them then the lives of others. This was truly Tartarus.
As soon as we got down into the mines, we began the 18 hour work day, same as every other. While other ponies swung picks and hammers, I was unlucky enough to have to pull minecarts from shaft to shaft. It was torture, especially when I couldn't fit in the harness like the others. I finally decided to just pull on the chains which proved to be slightly more efficient, just slightly. I pulled the cart to shaft 3B with one thing on my mind, nothing ever changed in the mines or the village. Not even time changed, day in and day out it was always the same around here.
Shaft 3B was the oldest shaft that hadn't collapsed, it was a symbol of the village's integrity. The rock walls were full of gems of every type and size. Despite its looks, I found no pleasure there as everypony there glared at me. I tried my best to just ignore them and continued to the end of the line where old Ironhooves was breaking open geodes. He was the only adult who didn't see me as a freak
"Hey Redd. How's life treating you?" He greeted with a warm smile. I stopped the cart, dropped the chains and returned his greeting. I later said, "Iron, I don't think I can take this anymore." He put left hoof down, a puzzled look on his stone gray face. Before he could ask, I continued with, "I mean I don't think mining is for me. I want to get out there and actually live my life."
Iron looked me dead in the eye and said, "Redd Coal, you know I can't say anything to stop ya, but if you leave you won't be able to ever come back." He may have sounded like he did not approve, but the look in his eyes showed a hopeful spark. To him I was the hope that one day he too could leave and find a wife. We began talking about what we would do when we get out there. We spoke while he broke open geodes, each one more valuable than the last and I loaded them into the cart. Once the cart was full, I grabbed the chains and I started pulling it away but Ironhooves stopped me, he reached under his helmet and pulled out something I couldn't quite see. He looked at me again and hoofed it to me, saying "just wait a couple years before using it." I looked at it and saw it was a train ticket. I pulled the cart with renewed hope, but that hope faded when i saw my father's face, i could have sworn his eyes glowed green as I stopped the cart before him. "Redd, what do you think you are doing? Get back down there and earn your keep!" I groaned as i brought the cart with me down into the same boring mines, in the same boring village, on another boring day.
The firey tale of Redd Coal
On the road to a new beginning
The next day was the one day of the year we were allowed to relax and recover. Everypony else loathed this day, but I loved it. I could actually play like a normal seven year old colt. I bounced my favorite ball high into the air until it got stuck in a tree, since flying wasn't allowed I was at a disadvantage. I climbed the best I could but I just couldn't reach it. Eventually I just gave up completely and walked away with my head hung in sorrow.
When I arrived home I found every pony in the kitchen, mom had and concerned look on her dark red face. Without saying a word she motioned for me to have a seat, i sat down and prepared myself for what may happen next. Mom looked to dad who nodded in approval, with a sigh she turned back to me and took a deep breath. " Redd honey, me and your father had a good long talk and we decided that it would be best if you went to live with your brother. " It was as if she was forcing each word out. I was confused by her statement as I said, " but he's right here. " Mom stood, came up beside me and placed a hoof on my shoulder before she spoke again. " No Redd, I mean your other brother. "
Before I could ask, mom continued where she left off, with guilt in her tone she said, " I never told you about him because I feared you would make the same mistake he did by leaving the safety of the village. " I saw the tears form in her eyes but I couldn't stop her from bursting into tears and pulling me close. I was caught in her vice like grip as dad continued where mom had stopped. " Son we're only doing this for your own good. " His tone was low and cold as ice, it was obvious he did not care what happened to me. Greed was the only emotion I could see in his emerald green eyes.
I was allowed one last night in my bed before I had to leave for the home of my unknown brother. I found it hard to sleep as thought after thought raced through my head. The idea of having another brother spooked me beyond words or even action. I laid down and try my best to sleep but the sand mare never came to grant me relief from this day. Through the wall I could hear mama crying, my only guess what she was upset over the fact I was being sent away to who knows where. My heart ached every time mom screamed in sorrow but the decision was made and could never be undone.
When all had gone quiet, I heard an odd sound, for the first time ever Quicksilver was praying. " Ancestors, please look over my baby brother. I know I've been mean to him in the past but I beg you to protect and bless Redd. " He cried as he prayed, it was touching to know he really did care about me. I would always remember his prayers. The love of my family would always be in my heart to this day.
The night had come and gone as the moment I dreaded drew near. Nopony spoke or made any attempt to do so as a wagon pulled up, waiting for me. I finished breakfast and began heading out the door. As I shut the door, mom burst into tears. I felt so sad walking away from the pony that loved and raised me, with tears in my eyes I continued towards the wagon. I didn't even notice we had started moving, all I did was sob as I left behind the only home I had ever known.
One long hour had passed by the time I stopped crying and I began looking around. Everything seemed so bright and inviting, the sun was shining without clouds covering it, the wildlife looked healthy and happy, it was all so beautiful. I was caught up in my surroundings I didn't even notice the scream that gently got more audible until I was knocked flat on my face by something, no somepony! After the initial shock, I managed to get back up but I heard a squeak behind me. I turn to see a yellow Pegasus filly with a pink mane, she looked to be about 3 years younger than me. I could tell she was scared and on the verge of tears already and I didn't want her to cry like I had this morning.
" Hey, what's the matter?" I asked a little too loud which made the filly flinch, and then the tears began to flow. " I'm so sorry I didn't mean to hurt you." Her voice was barely audible but I heard every word. Being the awkward colt I was, I hugged her and said," It's alright, you didn't hurt me at all, you just started me a little." I honestly didn't know what to do but what I did seemed to work because the filly in my arms began to calm down. She looked up at me with her bluish green eyes but didn't say a word. I had to admit, she was by far the prettiest thing I've ever seen and I wanted to say something but the voice in the back of my head told me not to.
I finally broke the silence with a simple question, "so ummm... what is your name?" I tried not to be too loud but I got an answer none the less. "I-I'm fluttershy." She squeaked and turned away, I was next to introduce myself, which I did with more pride than I wanted. "My name is Redd Hoofaestus Coal!" My tone must have scared her because she flinched again. That's when I realized I was still holding her, the whole time this happened I was holding her. I let go and backed up to sit at 1 side of the cart, that's when the conversation began.
"Where are you from?" Fluttershy half whispered the question, I hadn't expected her to actually say anything before me but I had to answer. "I'm from a small mining village southeast of here. We're not really supposed to talk about it but you seem trustworthy." I said without a second thought. I could actually see the beginning of a smile on Fluttershy's face, I didn't know why she was smiling but I didn't mind her adorable little smile. We spoke for a while and I knew I had made a new friend.
The firey tale of Redd Coal
I stood there, my hammer raised to my side in preparation for my opponents next move. He stared at me with a look of sadistic glee, the blade of his scythe gleaming in the torchlight. With a rebellious yell I charged, prepared to crush him like the bug he truly was. He swung his scythe and our weapons clashed with an ear piercing ring. He laughed at my actions, saying, " you were a fool to challenge me mortal."
As he drew back his scythe, I thought, "maybe he's right, maybe a am a fool. I, a mere peasant compared to him, I am nothing." As I felt the cold steel his blade pierce my flesh, my whole life flashed before my eyes. My only thought then was, "Where did I go so wrong?"
Who am I, you may ask? My name is Redd Coal and you are witnessing my final moments. How did I end up here? Well, the only way to answer your question is to take you back to where it all began. You shall learn what I've done and how it all led to this.
"All the darkness in the world can never extinguish the light of a single flame."
St. Francis of Assisi