Prologue: Reignited
“….harmony has been maintain in Equestria for generations since.” A young unicorn finished reading the tale, her words lingering gently in the air. She shut the book and turn to a small colt lying down in a bed.
“Awwww,” the colt said disappointingly. “Is it over already?”
“I’m sorry, Lonely.” The unicorn told him. “But it is time for you to head to bed and rest up. We need you to grow up to be big and strong.”
“But I want to hear more!” the colt complained. “Pwease, big sis?”
The unicorn let out a small bout of laughter but maintain her stern look.
“I know, I know, I know,” she said to her little brother. “You want to hear more about the Six Bearers, right? About all their adventures?”
The little colt that was name Lonely bounced out of the bed in excitement. His blanket glided softly to the floor. He jumped up and down repeating yes over and over again. His sister allowed this to go on for a few moments before reaching out and putting her hoof on his shoulder. She pushed him back into the bed. Magic engulfed the blanket on the floor and lift it back into the bed. Lonely was tucked in and then his blonde hair was ruffled by his sister. She gave him a small peck on the cheek.
“I’ll read one of the Bearer stories tomorrow night.” She told him. “It is bedtime, however.”
“Ohhh, Bright.” the colt turned to her excitedly. “Could you read the one about the time Rainbow Dash does a sonic rainboom? Or maybe the one where the Six Bearers fought the Changelings? Or the time Twilight fought the monster named Tirek? Or maybe…”
He fell silent when his sister held her hoof up.
“Later,” she told him patiently. “Remember what Mom said?”
‘Always listen to your big sister.’ Lonely repeated with a tone of condescending acknowledgment.
“And it is time to turn in for the night.”
She picked up the book and put it in her saddle bag. Before she went to the door, she looked around the room. Her brother’s room was not at all welcoming to her. Lonely was given one of the smallest rooms at the bottom of the quarters. It was dingy and cold. The gray, metal walls offered no warmth to anyone. The ceiling looked like it was going to crush them, looming overhead like a large predator. It was entirely depressing to her. Of course, she knew what kind of situation they were in. The only comfort is that Lonely put up about three dozen pictures and paintings on the walls, all depicting the Six Bearers in their various adventures and even some depicting the two Royal Sisters, although these were vaguer. It made her push the book deeper into her bag.
“Bright?” Lonely spoke up suddenly.
“Yes?” She turned her head to face him.
“Do you think these stories,” Lonely looked a bit embarrassed “could they be real?”
Bright reached over and gave her brother a hug.
“I don’t know, perhaps they are.” She said softly into his ear.
“So, Princess Luna could be real?” Lonely asked excitement tugged at his voice.
“I don’t see why not,” Bright told her brother, giving him an artificial smile. “Anything is possible after all. Perhaps she will be watching over your dreams tonight. ”
“But why haven’t I seen her?”
“Maybe she doesn’t want to be seen.” Bright said as she gives her brother one final squeeze before she made to exit the room “She could be a shy pony.”
“Like me?” Lonely looked up to her sister.
“Exactly.” Bright began to trot to the door.
Bright looked at the metal door before she put her hoof on the pressure pad. She has to thank Rustle for allowing this to happen. Granted, she had to give up a week’s worth of rations for this but it was worth it. The various lights began to glow and then a soft beep came out. A small click and the metal door slid open.
“Sister?” Lonely cried out, his voice filled with fear.
“Yes?”
“I know you are leaving but can I ask you something?” Lonely lift his head up. “How could Princess Luna be like me? I don’t have wings. I can’t fly like Rustle or do magic like you do. H-how,” Tears were now starting to form in his eye. “How can c-c-can I be special o-or be like Princess Luna? I’m just a regular dumb unicorn!”
“Enough, Lonely.” Bright told her brother. She hated when he got emotional like this “You are more special than you realized. Remember, it doesn’t matter what a pony is on the outside but what they are on the inside, that’s what counts. You are special, Lonely. Never forget that.”
“So, it won’t make a difference what I am?” Lonely plead.
“Never” Bright told him.
“And you will love me even if I’m just a plain, boring pony?”
“Always.”
Lonely rubbed his hoof across his muzzle, wiping away his tears.
“Thank, big sister.” He told her. “I love you."
“I love you too, little bro.” Bright smiled and then she shut the door.
The dim hallway was empty which was good for Bright because she was past curfew. She needs to get to her room. The journey to her quarters was going to be a grim one. She felt her heart carrying the unexpected burden of her brother’s fear. Hearing his insecurities even when he remained optimistic about the stories being real. She knows the other colts and fillies were teasing Lonely for his belief of the Bearers. It didn’t help that he doesn’t have a Cutie Mark yet. With his small frame, Lonely was an easy target. She wanted to tell him that these stories aren’t real but she wanted to protect him too. Protect him from this cruel, dark world.
It always warms her to see Lonely being happy, being hopeful. But would that be selfish of her to keep him sheltered and happy? Was the main goal to have him innocent? Or did she just want something bright in her life? Bright didn’t know really. Like many times before, she was lost, confuse, and above all, desperate. Bright stood there for a few minutes but never truly broke down. She has to remain strong. She cannot be caught being weak. She has to look out for Lonely. The guards won’t care for excuses if they catch her. Bright let out a small sigh. She regained her composure. She then returned to her journey back to her room, the dim lights flickering as she disappears into the comforting darkness.
Lonely laid on his bed, wide awake. His sister left just a few minutes ago. He still felt the tears still lingering in his eyes. He wished he could comfort his sister more. He could tell that she was just as sad as he was. But it seems that he was the reason for her to smile. He heard that she was giving away food just so she could come down and read bedtime stories to him. It tears him up inside. That these nights are what made Bright so happy. Lonely could feel tears building up inside him again. He wanted to cry out, let it all out. But he can’t. It felt so useless. So, instead, Lonely went from under his pillow and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
It was a drawing he made a few days back. The drawing had all six Element Bearers together, standing united under the sky which was split between a bright, sunny day and a dark, star-filled night. The six ponies were not as perfect as Lonely could hope to make them but he still manages to capture the aura of bravery he always associates them with. Applejack, standing strong with a stern look on her face. Fluttershy, a mixture of sorrow and contemplation as she stared at the scenery. Pinkie Pie, she had a slight smile that was holding so much more as if a large bubble of mirth was going to burst out of her. Rarity, she looked absolutely magnificent. Her eyes gazed at the observer with a small, knowing smile. Rainbow Dash, she was about to take off, her wings spreading far and wide. And in the middle was the Princess of Friendship herself: Twilight Sparkle. Her beauty, her grace, she was beyond description. Lonely cannot imagine her being without friends. He cannot imagine somepony like her able to fight the monsters that were in his sister’s book. From the Mistress of the Night, Nightmare Moon, to the hellish being known as Tirek. Heroes like the Bearers seem to do the impossible. Nothing like this has happened in the recordable history of ponydom. That’s what made it fascinating. But then, Lonely thought as he flipped back onto his back, that’s because it never happened. That nagging thought occurred again: that these stories never happen. After all, everypony knows Celestia and Luna never raised the sun and the moon. They were just stories from long ago. Perhaps that’s the same thing with the Six Bearers.
Lonely let out a sad sigh as he looked up to his ceiling.
“Heroes like them don’t really exist anymore.”
