The Brotherhooves

by Gianfar

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Sad, Dark
Length: 8353

For hundreds of years the alicorns were the most important and revered ponies throughout Equestria, but apparently not all alicorns are revered as most.

This is a Side Story to An Old and Wise Star

*Is recommended read before the original

*This story takes place a thousand years before 'An Old and Wise Star'

Orion has long lived in Equestria as nomadic since he had been in search of a new home to start a new life, but the years were passing and the results were not as expected. City by city, town by town he travelled, but something that he really was, not left him to start a life in the cities or towns. After being going through these situations, he decided to travel to the Eastern Kingdoms. But the results are the same as those of Equestria?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-12-07 03:49:52 UTC

Prologue

"Thunder..."

The thunders are listened burst against the ground in a sky covered by storm that was over a huge plain.

"Thunder..."

The storm grew ever stronger, it could hear the thunder more frequently and it could see the lightning circulating in almost all cloudy sky. The afternoon was passing into evening, and every minute the darkness was falling more in the rainy afternoon.

In the plain a pony was running under the rain seeking refuge, running faster and faster and without finding anything, but suddenly the pony then discovers that there was a forest not far from where he is. So without further hesitation, the pony goes hastily toward the woods without matter what.

"Thunder..."

As the pony was approaching into the forest, the wind gusts along with the falling drops by the storm delayed him, repeatedly the pony tended to fall to the ground, but although the wind was against him, the pony followed by standing up and follow his way to the forest without matter what.

After a struggle against nature for several eternal minutes, the pony achieved get into the trees going into the deep forest. Being into the forest, it could still feel the wind pass between the trees and listen to the buzz, and the drops fall from the trees from its leaves.

The pony was safe for now, but being in search of shelter he had not yet stopped. But after staying through the forest, near the border on the other side of the forest with the plain, it was a small place under a large rock which had the shape of a roof. Within it, the ground was dry, the pony didn't hesitate to approach and stand there until the storm pass and spend the night there. The pony was wearing a dark brown leather hooded coat, a saddlebag and a steel sword.

"Thunder..."

But apparently, being closer to the rock, the pony start hearing a noise in the bushes. The noise  barely it could hear for cause of the sound of the falling drops by storm and the thunders. But despite all that, every time it are listened louder and louder and that noises appeared to be footprints of an animal of the forest.

The pony stopped not far from the refuge where he would spend for the night there, and then he stepped back since if it was a large animal, this would be its refuge. Suddenly from among the trees and bushes, a shadow appears and stops right next to the rock. The pony to see emerge shadow, he crouches and gives another few steps back cautiously so as not to alarm it.

"Thunder..."

Is heard impact a lightning not far from where the pony was, and the same lightning lit the large shadow that had emerged from the bushes. The pony to see detail at the time of the lightning impact, he realizes that this shadow is an adult lion.

"Thunder..."

Another lightning strikes not far from there, but apparently the lightning illuminated the skies revealing presence of the pony to the lion, just steps from where it was. Suddenly the lion begins to roar slightly all soaked, and slowly begins his steps toward where the pony was.

The pony to see the lion getting close to him, decides to stand still for that the lion realize that the pony isn't a threat and pass him. But apparently the lion sees the pony as an intruder in its territory and then it jumps toward him to bring him down.

To see the action of the lion, he decides to dodge the attack and remains on its side just a few meters from the Lion. Then the lion directs his gaze to where the pony was and turned toward him, and again approached him slowly to then give another attack. Apparently he decided to stay there and find a way to move the Lion away of the Rock, since he had several opportunities to escape of the lion.

"Thunder..."

Hearing another lightning strike, the lion decides to take another leap toward the pony to give another attack. The pony decides to dodge the attack, but his reaction was slow and the lion reached him with its claws, ripping the upper left part of the pony, tearing his coat and cutting the straps of his saddlebag and his sword, then causing his fall to the ground. But quickly the injured pony returns to stand up and then put in defensive position to await another attack of the lion.

"Ugh!! Come on, t-there must be a way to move away t-this lion of here w-without hurting it" the pony said to himself with a low voice.

Several times the lion tries to attack the pony, and sometimes causing other injuries reached him up with its claws leaving the pony very hurt and almost without strength to stand up again.

The pony was lying on the floor after the lion reached him and hurt him with its claws into his back. The coat that the pony was wearing, was all torn and destroyed, and it could see the blood of the pony fall to the floor mingling with the storm water. But then suddenly the lion to see the pony helpless on the ground, decides to give its last stroke.

"OK!!! IT'S ENOUGH!!!" the pony shouted up as he began to shine his horn and throwing a lightning against the lion and throwing it few meters back leaving it lain on the floor.

But after the lightning that the unicorn launched, the lion stand up, but instead of heading back to where the unicorn was to give his last stroke, the lion headed to deep forest disappearing into the bushes.

"Thunder..."

The unicorn to see the lion disappear into the bushes, heading to deep into the forest, gave a big sigh of relief. After a few moments the unicorn try to stand up and leave of the forest to be out of danger again with another animal, but several times in his attempt to stand up, he fell back to the ground since he had insufficient forces and was very hurt.

But after a great struggle to stand up, the unicorn manages to remain stable on his fours hooves and decides to search his saddlebag and his sword in which it was a few meters from where he stood.

The rain becoming stronger and stronger, and also the wind. The unicorn had only two choices, stay there in the forest at risk of another attack of some animal, or walk to a town that was not far from there.

Without further thought the unicorn decided to make his way to the town, but every time he took his way towards the town, his eyesight begins to dim and he had lost a lot of blood from his wounds and tended to fall to the ground several times by the strong storm.

But despite that, the unicorn didn't stop their way towards the village, since it was the last resort that he had. But to being several minutes fighting against the wind and rain, the unicorn loses his strength and falls fainted.

"Thunder..."

The unicorn was lain on the floor fainted for several minutes without awakening. But then from under the rain, another pony appears with a rain coat, hooded, and goes to where the unicorn was fainted.

When he arrived and saw the wounded unicorn on most of his back, the pony raises the unicorn on his back and then he disappear with the unicorn under the dense rain.

_ _ _

Chapter 1: The Blacksmith

In a small room, was lying the unicorn on a bed without waking yet. Several moments had passed until the unicorn started to open one of his eyes gently, but to seeing that he was in a room quickly opened both eyes and began to look around.

He realized that he was lying on a single bed on one side of the room, and bedside of it was a small table that above it was a small bowl with water and a cloth. Also in the room it could find a small closet and above it on the wall hung a steel sword, and alongside of the small closet was the room's door.

"Wh-Where the hell am I?" the unicorn asked to himself. "Ugh! The last thing that I remember was... being under the storm, escaping... from a lion"

Suddenly he began to hear hoovesteps moving toward the room where he was. The hoovesteps were heard more and more closer, and the unicorn began to doubt who it was that was there.

Among the door appears a dark gray unicorn. His mane was black and his eyes blue sapphire-colored, and apparently he had a scar on his left eye caused by a sharp object.

"Hey!, apparently you woke up after sleeping for several days" said the gray unicorn to see awake the injured pony.

"What? where am I?" asked the injured unicorn confused.

"You are in my home, I found you four days ago between the edge of the meadow and the forest that is near here under heavy storm, and apparently you were attacked by an animal in the forest" the gray unicorn said after approaching to Orion.

"Yeah... I... I was attacked by... a lion..." the injured unicorn said as he tried to sit up in bed. It can hear his whining of pain to move.

"Wow. Apparently you still have energy to sit up" said the unicorn surprised

The injured unicorn gave a smile and then look to the gray unicorn "Well... let's say that I still have a little"

"Well... I'm glad that it is." said the gray unicorn with a smile "Hey... what's your name colt?"

"My name is Orion"

"Well... It's nice to meet you , Orion. Now tell me, what were you doing in the forest?"

"Well... I..."

"Tell me the truth" said the unicorn seriously

"I was looking for a haven in which to spend the night there and then continue with my trip" Orion said indifferently.

"And why were you looking for shelter in the woods? You don't have home?" the gray unicorn asked confused.

"No. I have no home. I left it long time ago to start my life as a nomad"

"Well... that it explains everything"

Suddenly, Orion starts to feel a sharp pain in his back, then directed one of his front hooves to his back and realizes that he has a bandage around from his belly to his back. Orion felt a chill when he noticed that he had a bandage on his back, his breathing began to shake and his heart began to beat louder, pounding his chest as if to pop out

"It hurts a lot right? You're lucky that your wings are well, if not you had never been able to fly again" the gray unicorn said as he look the bandage back of Orion

Orion said nothing, only stayed sat in the bed very nervous, his breathing was even more frequent and his heart beat faster, but he tried to hide his nerves to not alert the unicorn, but the unicorn already realized that something bothering him.

"Hey colt, are you okay? I see you a little nervous, as if something bothers you" said the unicorn a little confused

"No, I-It's n-nothing"

"Nothing hm?. Come on, tell me the truth. What worries you both Orion?. Since you saw that you had a bandage on your back started to get nervous"

"It's n-nothing. Listen, I think I have to leave" said Orion as he tried to get out of bed

"Wow. wow!!. Where do you think you are going? You are wounded from head to toe" said the unicorn while stopped Orion so that him doesn't come down from the bed

"Sorry, but I have to follow my way" still insisted Orion to leave

"Of course not, you're going to stay here until you recover" said the unicorn firmly

"Listen, I don't want to be rude but if you not let me go through the good, I'll have to do it by force"

"Hmhm. You want to do it by force? so as you are?. You are unarmed, your sword and dagger are in my smithy, and here behind me there is a sword, are you sure you want to do by force?" said the unicorn pointing to the side of the door where it was hung on the wall a steel sword.

"Worth a try" joked Orion

"Haha!. Stop talking nonsense and stay in bed.

Hey, you want something to eat? having slept so long I think it left you hungry" said the unicorn while he headed for the door of the room

"Alright!, I think I'm a little hungry"

"Ok. try to not move around much, if not then you'll feel much pain"

"Hmhm. Ok!"

The unicorn began to leave the room to go get some snacks to eat, but then Orion screamed apparently alarmed the unicorn

"Hey wait!" shouted out Orion

"What's wrong Orion?" said the unicorn confused

"You didn't told me what's your name"

"Oh!, that manners of mine. My name is Meissa"

Orion didn't say anything, just gave a smile and nodded. Meissa left the room and headed for one of the closets that was near the front door of the house and there grabbed a dark brown leather coat and left the house to the town that was nearby.

Hearing the door close, again his breathing started to become agitated and nervous. "Oh men!, what the hell do I do now? He already know what I really am" he told to himself directing his front hooves on his head.

"I have to get out of here quickly" he said as he tried to get out of bed. But every little move that he made, it did stop for the pain from the wound in his back. Slowly he give every move to get out of bed, it can hear his moaning in pain with every movement that he did until to stand up. But he could keep stand up only for a few moments, since he had no strength to keep stand up and ended falling to the ground.

"Ugh! Damn, I'm very hurt to remain standing up" he said trying to get up of the ground. Suddenly Orion sees the sword in which it was hung on the wall above of the closet and he begins to confused.

"Why he didn't kill me when I was helpless? I don't understand, he have a sword hanging there and he did nothing" he said to himself confused. "From the ponies previously that discovered that I was a alicorn, they wanted to torture and/or kill me" Several thoughts flowed in Orion's head wondering why the unicorn Meissa didn't kill him when he had the chance.

-Sigh- "I don't know if trust him, but...". He takes a deep breath and try to get back up again.

Outside of the Meissa's cottage, the same Meissa was walking along the small road leading to his cottage, it was in the plain, not far from the border between the forest and plain.

Meissa carried a small bag of corn cookies freshly made. While Meissa was approaching to his cottage, sprang a thought in his head. "Why that pony was so worried and nervous when he noticed that he had a bandage on his back? It's a little strange" Meissa began to doubt the reaction of Orion previously.

But after a few minutes, Meissa had come to his cottage. "Orion!. I'm back!, and I brought some corn cookies freshly made" Meissa said as he opened the door, entering to the cottage.

Meissa headed for the room where Orion was and apparently surprised that he was still there lying in bed recovering.

"Wow, I thought that to when I return you would not be"

"I don't think this wound on my back let me go far"

"Hmhm. Hey, here I brought some to you" said Meissa giving the bag with cookies to Orion "I brought some corn cookies freshly made by the best cook in the town near of here"

"Wow, thanks Meissa" said Orion with a smile as he pulled off the bag a corn cookie still hot.

"No problem" said Meissa with a smile.

"Wanna eat?" said Orion returning the bag to Meissa to accompany him

"Alright, I'll eat a cookie" Meissa said as he pulled off the bag a cookie and then taking a bite "Hmhm apparently Mrs. Grape never fails to make these cookies so rich"

"They are very delicious" said Orion while carrying another corn cookie into his mouth

"Hey, I want you to tell me something Orion, and I want you to tell me the truth. Why when you realized that you had a bandage on your back and when I mentioned about your wings, you started to get very nervous?. Tell me the truth, I just want to know"

Orion took a deep breath, grabbed the bag containing snacks and set it on the bedside table that was next to the bed "The problem is really what I am. I'm a alicorn"

"And what it is the problem that you're a alicorn?"

"Everything. I have been tortured, wanted to hunt me, also insulted me of being a disgrace to the other ponies. Since I became a alicorn, my life changed forever"

"Why did they do that?"

"For being a disgrace to the gods, as the alicorn race is a royal race and seeing an outlaw as I, they see me as a disgrace. E-Everypony judge me by my appearance rather than actually a-am" told Orion while his voice was becoming more brittle

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"How what the hell I'm talking about ?" he snorted "For any damn place that I go, I have to be hiding in the shadows for anyone to see that I'm really an alicorn, order to survive I have to go town to town and steal some food, I have to sleep in caves or in the woods, I have to be a thousand eyes to that no wild animal or creature doesn't eat me or kill me." he said as his voice becoming more brittle.

I'm not from here, from this realm. I am from Equestria, I'm from a small town called Tall Tale, until even my own people rejected me and they wanted to exile, and my brother died defending them to they not exiled me. I lost my brother by this fucking shit of being alicorn, he was all I had left of my family.

My father died in battle when attacked by other town. My mother died poisoned by a damn pony which had fallen in love of him a few years after the death of my father and that pony was a damn abuser of mares which enjoyed torturing them and play with them. I am under a curse, everything bad has to happen to me. You have no idea what it is to lose everything that I loved, and when I mean everything is everything!"

"You're wrong" said Meissa quietly and brittle "I lost who I most loved, I lost my lover.

She was the only one who understood my madness and always when I most needed her. My parents at birth left me in a orphanage of ponies, I never know how is the love of a mother for her child or even that of a father. My whole life was cold, I was never happy, and always were times I wanted to kill myself. But that all changed when I met her.

When I was in the forest where I found you near of the meadow, I was looking for some special plants. All seemed quiet, it was a beautiful day like any other, but after spending a long time in the forest, I found a pony fainted on the floor . Immediately I went to see what had caused it, and I noticed she had eaten Belladonna, a perennial plant which has a little sweet but very toxic seed that could kill you quickly.

She was about fifteen meters from the plant belladonna, and apparently not long past of that she had eaten the seeds so I decided to take her to my cottage here and treat it that the toxin not to be continue making effect. Then had passed three days she awoke, she was very confused and in shock by toxins, sometimes she distrusted when I offered something to eat or drink, but then it was gaining confidence. In a short time we became very good friends, he was always by my side to support me in my difficult times or to get me a smile. But then one day the people here heard about was a bat pony and then the people warned me to be a bat pony was dangerous, I told them to stop talking nonsense but never heard me.

One day in the evening I was in one of the creek on the outskirts of the forest, Giennah was in my cottage sleeping because she had a busy day helping with ironworks and in my little garden, everything seemed quiet, it was a beautiful starry night, but I decided to go back to the cottage to not leave her much time to Giennah but when I reached the door of the cottage it was destroyed, apparently somepony had entered, then quickly I entered the cottage to see if Giennah was fine, but apparently were still inside the invaders, suddenly I heard the screaming of Giennah, my heart stopped dead, I was so scared of that she had been hurt or worse, I went quickly here in this room where Giennah was asleep, but when I arrived here, here was three hooded ponies surrounding to Giennah, she was cornered against the wall.

I didn't hesitated to attack the invaders, even though these were armed I attacked them. While I tried to get them off her, I told her to run out of the cottage, when she saw the opportunity began to run toward the door of the room, but then one of the ponies that I was holding slipped to stop to Giennah. Its caught her with his magic, I realized it was a unicorn, then unicorn hooded takes a dagger from his coat and try to stab to Giennah.

When I realized that it drew its dagger to kill her, I undertook a spell that sent flying to the two ponies above me and quickly made my way over to where Giennah was to save her, but when I got her out of there, the unicorn left me this wound in my left eye. Then that he left me this wound I was lost, not knowing where he was... I had blurred vision... I was dragging on the floor... but then mercilessly the unicorn with his magic grabbed me by each of my limbs and cornered me against the wall, but that was not the worst, when I looked up I saw that the other two hooded ponies were grinding to blows to Giennah, I c-could hear her c-cries... of agony.

M-My heart was falling apart upon hearing her c-cries... but then the unicorn grabbed its dagger and... and... embedded it right in the h-heart of G-Giennah. Her screams stopped is dry and not hear anything... there was a deep silence. When the unicorn drew his dagger to the heart of Giennah he addressed to me and then with the handle of its dagger it hits me in the head, fainted me.

The next day I woke up on the floor, after of the blow I wasn't remember what happened that night, but when I looked up I saw Giennah lying on the floor... then I remembered what happened that night. I was destroyed... I couldn't tell her how much I l-loved her... I was completely in love with her and... and those ponies snatched her to me. Until today I never felt such a strong love for someone."

Orion was completely silent to hear that, he felt a lump in my throat, he was totally ashamed of what he previously said "I... I d-don't know what to say, I'm sorry for my address to you for that way, I put all my bitterness against you and you didn't have the fault"

"It's okay, I get to imagine the bitterness that you have for your past misfortunes"

"Yes I know, but I want to forget all the misfortunes that happened to me. Every time I remember some of them I cannot take my mind fresh and clear to continue"

"It goes without renouncing the past to enter the future. Changing things is not necessary to lose them. And do not forsake the memory of the journey. This does not delay our career, but directs; who forgets the starting point easily lose the goal"

Orion didn't said anything, just gave a big smile to hear the praise of Meissa

"Orion, I know you've been through many situations you don't want to name for the issue that you are a alicorn, but let me tell you, the issue that you are a alicorn not make you a bad pony, you are unique and that's what that makes it special, I recently that I met you but I know you can see in your eyes you're not a bad pony, you're a pure heart, you have no thirst for revenge. Any pony can say whatever they want about you, but they only see what ignorance allows them, and that you do not have to bother, because YOU will put your own rules in your life and your goals"

"Thanks Meissa, that made me feel a little better" said Orion with a big smile

"Better so!, hey what if we leave the past in the past and now we focus on the present, are you going to eat that's left of those cookies?"

"Haha!, take, it's all yours" said Orion while leading the bag with cookies to Meissa "It seems that you were hungry after all" joked Orion

"Yeah, after a hard work today, I think I deserve to eat something" also joked Meissa.

"So ... you're a blacksmith?" said Orion indifferently.

"Yup!" Meissa said between bites.

"Well... I think that my sword and my dagger need a little fix. So... you could help me with that?"

Meissa after his bites, swallows his cookie and then gives a smile "Of course!"

_ _ _

Chapter 2: Trust

It had been five days since Meissa had rescued Orion to find him fainted in the plain under the rain hurt by a cut caused by a lion of the forest, that the same forest was not far from Meissa's cottage. Every day that passed Orion's wound was healing slowly, but apparently the relationship between him and Meissa was nil. Orion was confined to speak with Meissa, although Meissa has offered to help him, that didn't give him the option to trust him.

Meissa was in his smithy, which it was attached to his cottage. There, what stood out most was the large oven to one side of the blacksmith in which the minerals were melted. This same was a big, old and hollow trunk in which the top of it protruded from the roof to the outside, and at the base had an opening in which was the furnace. On one side of the furnace a bellows which it gave air into the inner chamber of the furnace. Itself the smithy was full of all kinds of tools needed for a smithy.

Meissa was in the big anvil, that it was in front of the furnace, forging the sword and dagger of Orion in which he had asked to him to arrange it, per have a pronounced curvature and lack of edge. But suddenly between the hammering against the sword on the anvil, he heard a noise inside the cottage. He, without thought more, left the red hot sword and heat on the anvil and also the hammer, and hurriedly he went inside his cottage to find out what was causing that noise.

Upon entering the cottage, Meissa begins to hear moans, and apparently these moans were of pain. These moans came near the stairs leading to the rooms on the second floor of the cottage, then he quickly headed whence came the groans, and when he arriving there he is surprised to see Orion lying on the floor trying to stand up. Meissa, without thought more, quickly try to help Orion to get back to stand up pushing him with his head.

Meissa makes an effort to help Orion to stand up, and then guides him into the living room and then leave him lying, belly down, on a double oak sofa. Every move that Orion made, it could be hear his moans of pain until he managed to settle into the sofa. Then Meissa sits on the single oak sofa that was in front of the double sofa. His face didn't seem very comforting.

"Orion... What were you thinking?... What did you want to do?..." Meissa asked seriously with a raised eyebrow, posing his right hoof on his cheek.

Orion takes a deep breath and then directs his gaze slowly to Meissa. "I... just wanted to get out... for some fresh air" he said softly.

"And because of that you fell down the stairs, right?" Meissa asked again with a straight face. Orion said nothing just was silent. But then Meissa sighed deeply to relax. "Listen. If you wanted to come out for fresh air, why didn't you call me to down the stairs?. Also if you wanted to go out for fresh air, why do you have your saddlebag?" he asked again with a raised eyebrow as he pointed with his left hoof the Orion's saddlebag.

"Well... I..." Orion didn't know what to say against him, but the fear of Orion grew to hear the reaction of Meissa fearing that he will do something to him.

Meissa only gave another sigh and relocated his left hoof on his cheek, giving his sight aside, then give his sight back to Orion. "Listen. I don't care if you're an alicorn, unicorn, pegasus, whatever you were. Just because you're a alicorn not mean it judge what you really are"

Orion's ears were sticking to his head slowly, besides to diverting his gaze away from the shame he had to not rely on Meissa's help.

"I can imagine what you've been through everything you told me, but I am not those hypocrites who go loose there. I want to help you, Orion. I don't mind giving my hoof to help someone, no matter what race you are and how you look, appearance doesn't say what you really are, Orion" he said as he pointed with his hoof to Orion "I don't understand why you are afraid of me, you don't even know me... You have no idea who I am, how is actually my personality... you have no idea if I'm evil, good, proud, hypocritical..." Meissa said starting to raise his voice. But then he heaves a sigh and directs his sight aside.

"Listen. If you do not trust me and in anyone's help, I think you better leave Orion" he said after standing up "I'll go by your sword so you can leave" he said again seriously.

After starting his way to the smithy to find the sword and dagger of Orion ... "Wait..." was heard weak and barely audible Orion's voice.

Meissa turns to give his sight to Orion, and he sees his face fell a few tears. He relaxes his posture and turns to sit back on the sofa. Meissa could barely hear the rapid breathing of Orion.

"I... I'm sorry" Orion said with some tears in his eyes "All my life I've been looking for a home in which to live. But  all the ponies reject me by being alicorn. Almost all my life I've been nomadic, going from place to place to find a home in which to live" every time his breathing became more frequent, and more tears fell from his eyes "I'm sorry... I'm sorry to distrust you. I shouldn't doubt you. You  gave me your hoof to help me when I most needed... and I... like a great idiot... I reject"

Orion started breaking into tears silently hiding his face in his front hooves with shame that he had to reject the help of Meissa. Meissa felt as if something was touching his heart, an uncomfortable tingling in his chest making him a big sigh automatically. He then decides to stand up and head towards Orion, support his left hoof on Orion's back, avoiding touching the wound, and starting to rub gently.

"Orion... I think I'm the one who has to apologize" Meissa said softly "I directed to you in the wrong way. But you have to put this off colt, if you keep hiding for fear of what others ponies think... colt... that isn't living. You have to move on and not have to care what others ponies think about you" Meissa stop moving his hoof on the back of Orion and then lowers his head to look for Orion's face hidden in his hooves "I want to help Orion, I just want you to move on... that you don't be afraid anymore... I want you leave this damn bubble that you have"

Orion suddenly leaves discover his hidden face in his hooves, then giving his sight to Meissa. His eyes were bright and slightly swollen for his sobs, and his breathing gradually lowered to its normal rhythm. "I don't know and I cannot even imagine how are the ponies in Equestria... but here is different, the ponies in this small town near here and this blacksmith front of you are nothing compared with the ponies in which you met in your last years" Meissa said with a big smile "I can assure you... but first... do you trust me?... do you trust my help?" he asked seriously.

Orion shifts his sight to his hooves, several moments silent, but then Orion  raises his right hoof and directs to his face gently wiping his tears and then looking back at Meissa with a faint smile "Yes..." was heard his voice barely audible "Yes. I trust you, Meissa"

Meissa to hear the response of Orion, he again draw a big smile on his face. "Better so. Well... how about if you going to wash your face? So while I make the lunch" Meissa said as he headed to the small kitchen of the cottage.

"Sure!" Orion said with a little smile.

_ _ _

Chapter 3: The Memory Remains

After a few minutes had passed, Orion entered the cottage kitchen and sat on one of the chair was alongside at a round oak table, and in the same kitchen Meissa was making lunch. Turning around with two bowls levitating beside him, he gives a little smile to see Orion sitting there in the oak table. Then Meissa headed to the table and leave the two bowls there on the table, which it contained a delicious vegetable soup flavored with various spices.

Orion to get his bowl of soup, he looks it askance and then thanked smoothly without see him. Meissa despite seeing Orion sitting there drink his soup normally, he saw something in him that made him uneasy, as if Orion still was concerned despite the small argument between them.

"So ... How's the soup? You like it?" Meissa asked indifferently.

"Yes. It's delicious" he said also indifferently to then let back his bowl on the table half-finished.

Moments passed and since Orion left his bowl on the table half-finished, he didn't touch it anymore. Meissa to be finishing his soup, sees Orion didn't touch his soup to finish it, he just was only looking down facing the center of the table without any expression of feeling.

"Are not you going to finish your soup?" Meissa asked.

"No" he said without looking at him, showing no feeling.

Meissa said nothing, he just finished his soup and then while still sitting at the table with his magic grabbed the two bowls and let them alongside the dishwashing. He looked at Orion and sighed to then supporting his chin on his hoof.

"What's wrong Orion?" Meissa asked gently "Tell me the truth, I don't want to see you anymore with that face. I want you to stop worrying... I want you to tell me the truth Orion, please"

Orion didn't detour his gaze from the table to see Meissa, he just remained static sitting there, not even to give a answer to Meissa.

"Orion!" he tried again to get his attention "Orion... I just want to help you, colt"

"I'm... still..." he said softly without giving his sight to Meissa "I'm still... ashamed of not trust you" he finished his sentence and then give his view slowly to Meissa

Meissa sighed, then drew a small smile "Colt. You don't have to feel like that. Everyone makes mistakes. Not for that you'll be so depressed"

"But, still I shouldn't never hesitate" he said softly again, diverting his view aside.

Melissa didn't know what to do to get a steady conversation with him to get him out of his depression. A few minutes passed until Meissa said something.

"Hey ... your sword. Where you get it ?. It's a beautiful sword"

The Orion's ears rose straight and then gave his view slowly to Meissa "That sword is one of the few memories that I have of my father. That sword was given to him when he had joined a battle with his warriors to support to a town called Vanhoover in which it was attacked by other town. When they win the battle, the people of Vanhoover gave that sword as a sign of honor and courage in helping them" he said with a small smile.

"How was the name of your father?"

"Blaze. Blaze Shining Selknam was his full name"

"And your mother?"

My mother was called Silvertree Bellatrix. She was the best mother of all that might have" he said with a small smile of nostalgia.

"Was the best mother that could have?" he asked trying to break the ice.

"Yes ... There was no horse that equaled or exceeded her love and sweetness. She was a very kind, friendly and yet generous mare. She would do anything to make feel happy to other ponies, without matter what. Whether in a past of that same pony did anything wrong against her or against her loved ones, always did her best to get a little smile at all costs"

"And your father and your brother? How were they?"

"My father..." he said with an even bigger smile "My father was an inspiration to follow. He was a unicorn and the leader of the town where we lived, and was also the general who trained the warriors there in a small school. His personality was like my mother. You know what?... it's as if those two were soul mates. I could always rely on him. Anything to keep a secret, asking for help ... he would never betray you

And my brother. My brother was a pegasus, also very generous and friendly, he did everything possible to help others no matter what. But... when he was with me... hmhm... you couldn't imagine the follies and nonsense we did just to prove who was better doing something. With me he was very competitive, but just for fun. And he always when I needed him, he was always there to support me, no matter if it was hard to support me, he did everything that he could just to see me happy"

"How long have that... well..." Meissa said softly, taking a pause without wanting to finish the phrase "you know that they... gone"

"You wouldn't believe me but ... it was a thousand years ago that they gone. But still..." he then looked at Meissa with a small wistful smile "The memory remains"

Meissa for first didn't believe it that a thousand years passed since the last time she saw his parents and his brother, but he knew that the alicorn race can live for thousands of years. Several minutes passed and the kitchen remained in a profound silence, Orion didn't say anything else about his family just accompany the silence, looking sideways.

"Hey... Come with me" Meissa stood up, breaking the silence.

Orion stood up and followed Meissa to out of the cottage. Upon leaving, Meissa directed his way to a path that led into the forest in which Orion was attacked by a lion. Orion didn't hesitate to trust him and then follow him down that path. But after a few minutes passed before reaching the forest, Orion itched curious to know what Meissa wanted to show him.

"Uh... Meissa. Where are we going?" he asked.

"I just want to show you something" Meissa said with a small smile.

Orion for a moment turned to distrust Meissa, since he doubted why they were going into the forest where he had been attacked by a lion days ago. Each time he took his steps, following to Meissa, several thoughts pounded on the Orion's head. "What does he want to showing me now?" he said to himself a bit anguished.

After a few minutes had passed, Meissa and Orion reached the edge of the plains and the forest, and then into the forest. They entered by a small path between the trees, that on reaching the end of it there was a small creek, which it was a little waterfalls and on the banks of the creek had different kinds of beautiful flowers of every color, and on his forehead was a small wood bridge to cross. Orion was shocked to see the beauty of that place, but when raises his view in front of him, from across the creek was a large statue that was shaped like a Pegasus.

"Follow me" Meissa said as he crossed the small bridge.

Orion followed him to the other side of the creek until he stopped at his side in front of the large statue that was carved in the form of a pony. But looking in detail the statue, Orion noticed that it hadn't the figure of a Pegasus, actually it was a bat pony statue. He was surprised to see this statue, but then opens his eyes further notice of who was this statue and then slowly he lower his eyes to the base of it and see carved the name "Giennah".

"This statue... is..." he said softly unable to finish the sentence.

"Yes," Meissa said gently without taking his view of the statue "This is the tomb of Giennah, my only friend and the only pony by which I felt a great love for her"

Orion said nothing, he just stood there looking at the statue and imagining how was the life Meissa with Giennah. But then Meissa gives a big sigh and then looks at Orion.

"You know... she was everything to me" he said in a soft voice again "She was the only one who understood my madness, my thoughts, my dreams... she was always with me no matter how great my dream to follow, she always stood by me and supporting me...

When she saw me sad or discouraged, she did her best to get me even a small smile" whenever Meissa advanced telling how was Giennah, his voice became brittle and his eyes began to slowly generate small tears

"This same creek... was where we spent most nights watching the starry sky and telling different stories. It was his favorite place" Meissa said as he dried his tears, then slowly drawing a weak smile.

They remained in silence for several minutes observing the statue from the tomb of Giennah. There It could be hear the sound of water running in the creek, the beautiful singing of birds together, making an orchestra and various types of insects that together composing a beautiful symphony.

"Tell me the truth Meissa" Orion said breaking the silence, without taking off his eyes off the statue. "Who were those who killed Giennah?"

Meissa's heart was stopped cold by merely remembering who they were. He said nothing, he continued remaining in silent for several moments with his eyes downcast. Orion getting no response decided to forget what he had said.

"The... the ones who killed Giennah... were one bounty hunter" he mused.

"Bounty hunter?" he was surprised, then giving a pause "But... who commanded those bounty hunters?"

"I don't know," he turned to whisper. "I never knew who sent them here to kill Giennah, but I searched each of the three bounty hunters and I made them pay what they did with a slow and painful death" Meissa said at the end with more anger and clenching his teeth against each other tightly.

The atmosphere became more and more silent and sad  while Meissa was advancing with the story of Giennah. Several minutes passed in silence there and without looking at their faces, just watching the statue and listening to soothing sounds of nature.

"Listen. I'll tell you something Orion" Meissa said breaking the silence between them "I know you lost your brother because to defend you for being alicorn in his time, but I think what you're doing is wrong. Your brother wouldn't have wanted you to go from side to side, traveling all over the world to find home, hiding from other ponies.

He wouldn't have wanted that, I think he would have wanted that despite all your fears, that you face them, that you will face your fears with other ponies"

Orion just remained in silence, with his eyes downcast as he with his hooves digging a bit on the floor.

"I know that I told you this before, but you have to trust me Orion. I want to help you overcome your fear. I do not care if I have to risk everything to make you happy again Orion, you are one of the reasons to help you, that you can return to a normal life and not have to be hiding anymore" he approached to Orion, then he put his hoof on the Orion's shoulder "I wouldn't mind risking my life to help  you, Orion, to me you're a pony that worth risking everything to see you happy. No matter what situation you are, I'll help you"

"Wait. Those words... are very similar to those of..." he said to himself.

(Flashback Time)

"Come on Orion! concentrate. Feel the sword like an extension of you, as our father said" Markab said as he  was sitting on a rock beside the river, watching to Orion.

They were training in the river that was near the town Tall Tale. The day was sunny and a hot sweltering causing that Orion sweat like never to be training his swordspony movements, in which his father Blaze had taught him

Suddenly before a false move, Orion fell to the ground on his back. Markab stands to see if Orion was fine, as it was a hard fall.

"Hey!. Are you okay?" Markab asked worriedly.

"Yes. I'm fine" Orion said not happy, then be sitting on the floor.

"Hmhm. You have to feel the sword as an extension of you, not as a subject in your hooves" Markab tried to encourage Orion.

"Who cares?" he said in an act of bitterness "I'll never be a warrior like our father, or even able to do things that you make"

Orion hid his head between his front hooves forming a fetal position while seated

"Hey!. Don't say that. Of course you will be a good warrior Orion" Markab tried to encourage him

"I never will be. Each day I trains hard to be a good swordspony as my father, but I always fail" he said bitterly, undiscovered his head.

"Listen. There are times in which you reach for your goals you'll fall, but what very few make it up to move forward, and never give up until accomplish it" Markab said with a smile.

Orion raised his head and it could be see that he had a few tears of bitterness, and then lowers his ears. "But... I don't know if I could be, even if I keep getting up"

"The important thing is to never give up, Orion. If that's your dream, go for it at all costs, even if it is impossible for you, go for it at all costs because when a pony stop dreaming, stop living" Markab stretched his hoof and then wrap in an embrace to Orion "Also I will always be by your side no matter what. You can always count on me"

"You will always be with me?" Orion said with a small smile.

You are one of the reasons why I'll risk my life just to see you happy, because you're my brother, you're my family. I will always be by your side Orion, even in the most difficult time" he said with a smile with a strong and loving hug.

(End Flashback Time)

"These beautiful words are very similar to those said to me Markab" he said to himself.

"Do you trust me, Orion?" Meissa asked.

Orion blinked a few times to return to reality and then gave a small smile "Yes. I trust you, Meissa"

"Better so!. Well... let us turn back to the cabin as I have to finish fixing your sword" Meissa said giving his way to the small bridge, to cross the creek.

Orion stood there for a few seconds standing in the same place looking at Meissa with a small smile, to then starting to give his way also to the small bridge.