Author's Note

Yeah, sorry about another prelude chapter. More is on the way so stay tuned.
I though this (Blog) song perfectly ties in with the chapter. After all, Saburo's spirit is practically immortal in the eyes of his friends. It also give s a somber tune to read along to.
You don't have to listen if you don't want to.

Saburo

Chapter 8: Saburo

Braveheart was still, his emotionless gaze fixed on a broken samurai helmet.

Applejack came into his tent earlier, telling him the news of his friend’s death at the hooves of a Chimerae raider. Apparently one of her messengers managed to track down the daimyo to tell her the news.

Braveheart continued to stare at the helmet. He shed no tears, for Saburo wouldn't want him to mourn.

“Tears do nothing, they gain nothing. All one has to do is to make their passed on loved ones proud.”

And now, Aether and his hoplites have gone M.I.A, and Equestria’s enemies are closing in on this forest asylum.

Applejack entered his tent, with Saburo’s Spirit Katana at her flank. She had a bundle of something on her back. She looked at the kabuto, then looked at Braveheart.

“You miss him greatly, I reckon.”

Braveheart said nothing.

Applejack trotted over to his bed and placed the bundle on it.

Braveheart turned slowly, his emotionless face regarding her with a cold stare.

Applejack unhooked her Darksaber and held it out.

“Go on, take it. It's my gift to ya.”

Braveheart took the rectangular handle, then turned back to the helmet.

Applejack trotted out of his tent.

Braveheart looked down at the Darksaber and ignited it. The dark blade seemed to tug at his soul, to suggest that it belonged to him.

Braveheart extinguished the blade and opened the bundle on his bed. Inside of the bundle was Hoshidan samurai swordmaster armor. It even had a kabuto like Saburo’s.

There was a note in the bundle as well. It read:

Dear Braveheart

It has been awhile since we spoken… since our falling out. I wish we could of joined Applekoto’s army together, instead of me leaving and you staying.

I became general of the coast, so basically I have to keep the Chimerae away from our lands.

I sent you some armor. You know, just in case some random asshole decides to jump you on the road. I mean, traveling in between Equestrian forts can't be fun for a general like yourself, especially if you are such a high target on the hit list.

You got to come back soon, so we can drink some and catch up on old times.

See you around.

-Saburo.

(Flashback)

They were just colts when it happend.

“Come on man, just ask her out!”

“Can’t do it, I'll look like a fool.”

Saburo and Braveheart were hiding in the bushes, with Saburo trying to convince Braveheart to ask Sunset Shimmer out.

Saburo turned to Braveheart, kinda annoyed, “She is all alone! Her friends will be here soon, so its now or never!”

Braveheart shook his head, “maybe this is a bad idea-”

“Oh no you don't! You will trot up to her and ask her, or so help me, I will grind your eyeballs to mush!”

Braveheart began to back away from the bush, “I-I don't…”

Saburo sighed, “okay. Braveheart, if you do it, you might be able to stand up to bully you have told me about.”

Braveheart’s curiosity was peaked, “how so?”

Saburo said, “you see, if you conquer your fear of being rejected by Sunset, you can beat up the bully for a change. How’s the sound of that?”

“Are you sure?” Braveheart asked.

“Have I ever been wrong? Grow some courage, walk up to her and say ‘hey baby, you want my digits?’”

Braveheart took a deep breath. Then, Braveheart got a wicked grin on his face. He straighted up, shoom alll the leaves out of his mane, and moved out of the bushes towards Sunset...

(Flashback end)

A single tear managed to worm its way out of Braveheart’s eye as he remembered the day he found bravery.

He did ask out Sunset Shimmer, and she did accepted. But, as soon as the bully; Aether Aegis, found out, he challenged Braveheart to a fight after school for Sunset’s affections. Braveheart, spurned on by Saburo’s words, accepted the challenge.

It was a schoolyard fight to end all schoolyard fights. That day, the teachers had to break it up because of the bloody hooves and busted snouts. Nopony knew for sure who won the fight, but afterwards, Aether Aegis had gotten a newfound respect for Braveheart. The three became close friends, and Saburo was always the one to give sound advice to them both, despite being the same age as them.

Aether was the sky, Braveheart was the earth, and Saburo was the core.

Soon, they grew up. Braveheart mantained his relationship with Sunset, Aether went on to move to Cloudsdale, and Saburo stayed in the army headquarters. He never had a marefriend, and never went out much. He tried to spend as much time as he could with his friends.

But, when the Serpent war ended, Saburo wanted to join with Applejack, but Braveheart stayed loyal to Equestria. He remembered the harsh things he said to Saburo, calling him a traitor because he wanted to leave the Equestrian army. Eventually, he learned the way of the katana from Saburo, but only because he was forced to learn by the princesses. But he never called him a friend during the whole routine of training. He always referred to him as Traitor.

Braveheart put the armor on, and it fit nicely. He clipped the Darksaber to his side and turned to the helmet.

“Saburo, I don't know if you can hear me, but I am fine. Sunset and I are thinking about marriage, and moving to Canterlot to raise a family there.”

The helmet didn't respond, but Braveheart kept going.

“I'm sorry, you know. I'm sorry I scorned you for so long. Even when I tried to burn my bridges, you kept on trying to rebuild them so we could be friends again.”

Braveheart knealt before the helmet, “so, I swear to you, as a last act of friendship, I will find your killer, and I will make him pay.”

The helmet said nothing.

“I'm sorry.”

Braveheart trotted out of the tent, with one goal in mind.