“Miss Arrow…” The officer started, before Archie caught him.

“Please, call me Archie.” She stated, to which the stallion nodded.

“Apologies Archie, but I am commander Steel Arrow, I saw what you did out there, I have to say, I’m honestly impressed that you had managed to be the one to recieve the Epirus bow from the princesses.” Steel Arrow replied.

“Wait… your name.... My father’s name was Steel Arrow…” Archie paused in shock. “Why didn’t you tell me.”

“I couldn’t tell you because I was afraid of what you would think of me, Archie.” Steel replied, placing a foreleg over her, only for her to back away. “

“Don’t touch me, You should have told me!” She nearly screamed, making Steel flinch.

“Archie, please calm down.”

“No, I will not calm down!” Archie screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “This is the third time you’ve done something and not told me!”

“I had to do it to keep a roof over you and your brother’s heads.” Steel retorted. “Now you will calm down or I will be forced to detain you myself.”

Archie was about to argue once more before she realized he wouldn’t hesitate to do so. “I need to get to Canterlot as soon as possible.”

“Well you’re in luck, there’s a caravan heading to a nearby outpost thats outside Canterlot.” Steel replied. “They’ll be leaving tomorrow and they are in need of escorts.”

“I’ll do it, for my family and for the princesses.” Archie replied.

“Thank you, Archie, and I do hope you find your brother.” Steel Arrow said as Archie left the commanders tent and headed back to Jericho and Pink.

“I’ve got good news.” Archie said to them. “We’re traveling by caravan tomorrow as an escort.”

“Another dangerous task, but it’s not nearly as bad as tonight was.” Jericho replied. “I guess we should rest up for tomorrow then.”

“I’ll see if they have a place for us to rest.” Archie said as she stepped outside for a moment..

“Well son, we’ll be getting out of here tomorrow, we’re traveling by caravan.” Jericho said to Pink.
“Where are we going daddy?” Pink asked.

“We’re going to Canterlot to find the princesses.” Jericho replied.

It was in that instant that a flash of pain was seen in the colts eyes, noticed by Archie.

“Is… is something wrong?” she asked as she sat on her haunches before him.

“We… my old mommy and daddy used to live in Canterlot.” Pink replied shakily as tears welled in his eyes. “W-when they told me to run… I… I didn’t know where to go, so I just ran and found myself lost outside Canterlot.”

Archie knew his pain and embraced him. “Shhh… it’s alright… you don’t have to talk about it anymore.”

“I think it’s time we all try getting some sleep soon.” Jericho spoke.

“I’ll go ask.” Archie replied as she went to speak with her father once more, returning with an escort.

“Follow us please, we’ll escort you to your tent for the night.” The soldier spoke. “The caravan leaves at thirteen hundred tomorrow.”

“Come on son, we’re leaving.” Jericho called to Pink.

“Is it bed-time already?” the colt asked before yawning, urging Jericho to hoist the colt onto his back, where he curled up on his back and simply rested his eyes, not quite falling asleep.

Archie looked back and smiled as she saw the colt sleeping on his father’s back. “He must have been tuckered out after not sleeping for a few days until recently, he’s a strong one.”

“I’d daresay even stronger than I at his age.” Jericho replied. “Let’s get to our tent and get some rest.”

Archie nodded and followed their escort, who led them to a large tent with plenty of cots. “Alright everypony, time for bed. Pink, come give goodnight hugs and kisses.”

Pink smiled and kissed and hugged Archie before looking her in the eyes. “Goodnight Mommy.”

Archie smiled warmly. “Goodnight sweetie.” she replied laying down on her cot, dozing off peacefully as Pink clambered into his own and falling aleep, while Jericho stayed up a while longer, his protective nature as a father once again finding purchace in his mind.

Just as the soldier was about to turn and leave, he noticed Jericho was still awake while the others slept. “Is there something I can help you with, sir?”

“Coffee, please?” Jericho replied. “No cream or sugar.”

“On it.” the soldier replied as he headed out to fulfill Jericho’s request.

Jericho sighed as he sat there on his cot, waiting. ‘My sweet Sapphire… if only I could have saved you.’ he hung his head as the memories of he and his daughter, Sapphire, spending time together.

“Daddy?” a voice seemed to echo in his ears. “Daddy, where are you?”

“Sapphire?” Jericho called, getting up and heading outside, where lo and behold, he saw a little filly, looking lost. His daughter was there, right before his eyes, yet she never seemed to notice him. “Sapphire, it’s me. It’s your daddy.” he tried to get her attention.

“Daddy, I’m scared, please come find me.” she said. “No… no get away, aaahhhhhh!” the filly screamed as she took off running, Jericho hot on her hooves, ignoring the ponies he nearly plowed into as he pursued his daughter.

One pony that didn’t expect him to come galloping past him, was Steel Arrow. “Soldiers, I need you to tail that stallion, follow him to make sure he doesn’t do anything crazy.” he said to the two nearest ponies. “Make sure he isn’t chasing a ghost, I don’t want him ending up killed.”

“Aye sir.” the two stallions replied as they quickly followed.

“Sapphire, wait!” Jericho called as he ran out of the checkpoint and ever closer to the forest where he saw his little Sapphire run to, but as soon as he got there, she vanished. “Sapphire?!”

“J…Jericho…” Another voice echoed.

“L-Lily?” he called out. “I-is that you?”

“Jericho…” came the voice again this time much more faint.

Jericho took off at full sprint, rushing to find his wife, he came to a skidding halt when he saw her mangled body as it was three years ago. “Lily… I… I’m so sorry… I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.” He collapsed as he shed tears of guilt, it only got worse when he saw the decaptiated body of his only child. In his grief and regret, he failed to notice his current situation, as he was surrounded by at least six to eight raiders who were closing in for the kill.

What the raiders didn’t expect was the sound of sudden gunfire ripping into them, ripping them limb from limb as the two assigned soldiers came up behind the path Jericho had come. “We have the package, returning to base.” the one of the two replied, speaking into a radio looking device that seemed to be powered by magic.

“Good job boys, come on back.” the device replied with Steel Arrow’s voice.

The two stallions lifted Jericho in their magic as they carried him back to base and into the tent with Archie and Pink, startling them awake as his weeping continued.

“What happened?” and “What’s wrong with daddy?” were the questions that were asked as Jericho was laid on his cot.

“From what I’d say... he was chasing ghosts, more so, the spirits of his family.” The soldier replied. “The condition he’s in, I’d say it led him to remembering something he’d regretted.”

The memory blurs, then fades and only the sound of sobbing remains.

Author's Note

Finally finished this blasted thing.

Sorry for keeping you all waiting, but my gears hadn't been running for a bit.

Anyway, you all know what to do.

Peace!