The Refining Fire

Chapters

Act I: Prologue
Act I: Chapter 1
Act I: Chapter 2
Act I: Chapter 3
Act I: Chapter 5
Act I: Chapter 6
Act I: Chapter 7
Act I: Chapter 8
Act I: Chapter 9
Act I: Chapter 10
Act I: Chapter 11
Act I: Chapter 12
Act 1: Epilogue
Act I: Chapter 4

Act I: Prologue

A long time ago…

Forge didn’t understand what happened. He didn’t feel a thing inside his little chest as he lifted his head up from the ash and ruin of what had been his home. The little colt attempted to stand before a hoof planted itself firmly in front of him. His eyes drew up the long and imposing figure that stood before him, he…

He didn’t understand.

Was she a monster? But…

Forge lowered his head down to the soot and rested his head on the ruins of his home, and he wept…

…

“--he’s the only one left?”

Forge weakly lifted his head up toward the voices he heard, his eyes brimming with tears as his head trembled to stay up. Now he stared up at two alicorns standing within a circle of armoured creatures, the alicorns stepped forward to look down at the poor child. Forge lowered his head, afraid of the two ponies that only ever appeared on flags and in school books.

“What is your name, little one?” The tallest alicorn asked. Forge managed the courage to open his eyes as he saw the princess who willingly lowered herself down to the ashes and grime.

Forge fidgeted for a response, trying to remember what he was taught by his teacher as proper etiquette for addressing royalty: “F-Forge, Your Highness…”

“Courage, little one…” The Princess responded, “are you able to stand?”

“I-I…” Forge sobbed.

There was a while where Forge only heard his cries, he couldn’t bring himself to focus. Where were his parents? His friends? He couldn’t remember… all he remembered was the sudden flames, how he ran away. Now he couldn’t hear the laughter of his friends or his teachers… now he only heard his pathetic wailing.

“Yairlo,” the Princess spoke, “help the poor child from this disgrace, we shall bring him to safety.”

“The embers are still lit, Your Highness…” An armoured unicorn asked, “she can’t be far from here.”

“The safety of our subjects comes before our hunt, Mokosh.” The second alicorn replied, the armoured unicorn bowing her head in response.

One of the armoured ponies stepped away from the group where he gathered as he lowered his head down to Forge, before he rested his hoof on the trembling shoulder of the child. Forge looked up with teary eyes to the pony who approached him, who smiled with a conviction that the young earth pony understood. It was almost father-like, almost like his…

“We’re here for you, kid.” The pony said, “My name’s Yarilo… Forge, right?”

“Y-yes, sir…” Forge replied.

“Please, call me Yarilo… hey, Forge: you think you can walk? Or would you like me to carry you?” Yarilo asked.

“I-I can walk…”

“You’re strong, I can see it, Forge!” Yarilo responded, “Let’s get those little hooves walking, yeah?”

Forge accepted Yarilo’s hoof as he felt the strength he needed to walk return to him, taking his first steps out of the ash. Yarilo stood by his side and matched is slow pace, the young colt looking toward the two Princesses who offered encouraging smiles. Forge struggled to pull his lips up into a smile, before he looked away in embarrassment… was that acceptable? His teacher would’ve--

His parents…

Friends…

What did he have left?

Hope.

Author's Note

Good day! Thank you for reading so far! I am excited to work and share this project with you all! I am looking for opinions and criticisms, so please feel free to leave a comment, a dislike or a like!

Thanks for editing and pre-reading to chaotic_revenge and TeddieAtWork!

Act I: Chapter 1

The sun shone brightly.

Banners were unfurled and decorated the magnificent plaza where a collection of ponies from all over Equestria gathered together to celebrate the first year of peace that their land had seen since...

Since Forge lost his home.

There were joyous shouts and cheers that chorused together, as the unicorns from their native home within the walls of Canterlot offered their knowledge to the others. Pegasi flew overhead with unmatched speed, performing dazzling displays of daring in the skies above. And the earths offered what they had reaped from the harvest, filling the scene with delicious smelling pies and pastries.

The small earth pony looked up into the sky, watching in awe. Forge carefully weaved between the legs of the taller adult ponies that flanked him at every side. Few knew who he was, fewer still knew where he came from. Whenever anypony inquired, he could only give them his name… it was the only thing he dared to remember. The curious little lad was treated by those who knew him with remarkable compassion, and he did what he could to make up the vast debt he knew he owed.

What more could he do?

The crowd roared with praise, Forge just barely managing to lift his head up to see the amazing electric display left above by the talented flyers. He should’ve been paying attention to the display, it was the finale after all...

Forge bumped into somepony, or rather something as he quickly turned around to offer an apology. The colt expected to see a fellow pony dressed in the typical clothes that he had grown accustomed to, he saw instead royal regalia that befitted a prince or princess. But in the eyes of the creature he looked up at, he did not see the compassion that he knew from either Princesses Celestia or Luna… he saw something else.

Something sinister.

The creature who appeared to be a pegasus pony yet had imposing antlers looked down at him with a sneer, before it used its hoof to push Forge out of the way. The colt obliged in his movement, looking at an assortment of three other creatures that wore the same royal standard that the first did.

The crowd started to silence as these creatures made their way through, immediately standing out of the way of the strange crowd that stepped through the events. The celebrations seemed to slow to stop with their presence. Like a parasite that a terrified host discovered, everypony became petrified for but a moment. Forge watched on, his little mind trying to piece together what was going on and who these mysterious figures were.

Forge heard the clattering of hooves behind him, turning around to face the two tall alicorns that Forge had first met back at his home… one was the Sun, the second was the Moon. As he had come to learn, Forge immediately bowed his head and figure to the alicorn sisters who then stood still. The colt was surprised to see that they were looking down at him, rather than the strange creatures or the crowd.

Forge confusingly looked up to the sisters as he straightened his posture back up.

“Your Highnesses?” Forge asked.

The Princesses didn’t respond. Forge shifted uncomfortably as he thought then he should walk away.

“Young Forge.” Princess Luna spoke, “Perhaps we should speak.”

“S-speak?” The young colt stuttered, “About what, your Highness?”

“Walk with us.” Princess Celestia responded, as the ponies slowly drifted away from the scene before she spoke again: “About them. The Barons.”

Forge stood silently, looking between the two sisters anxiously. Why would they want to tell him? He was nopony special, he was just a child after all.

“It is a long tale, and I can see you are confused, little one... but there it is a tale: a myth and a legend. And there is a name that is in that legend, a hated and cruel name. And those creatures you just saw? They claim themselves to be the its heir, and use their place as Barons to proclaim a dark union.” Celestia explained simply, “And now they come to us making demands, that the powers we have been entrusted with should be a shared responsibility.”

“Why?” Forge asked childishly.

“Because they want power. But what one must learn is that power is not taken… it is given, and should only be exercised for the benefit of those who cannot touch it themselves.” Luna explained.

Forge stood quietly as he looked up at the two Sisters. He couldn’t tell if he was blinking, or whether or not he was breathing. He was utterly confused why the Princesses were telling him these things, as if it was of great consequence then why would they look to entrust him with such information?

“We must not allow others to become the victims of another creatures greed, we have all learned that lesson all too well.” Celestia mused, “The day that we first met you Forge was a painful day, too much was lost on that day, yet you remained.”

Forge trembled, unsure whether or not that was an accusation. It felt wrong to him that he survived where nopony else did, it felt completely unjustified. Why then would the Princess bring this up? Especially understanding that it would cause the colt a great deal of pain?

“Forge, we wish not to revisit that pain… but we believe that it was not inconsequential that you survived of all ponies. Our foe had attacked many villages that did not bend a knee to her, and those who failed to earn her respect were exterminated. No pony else survived except those that would come to change the course of that dreadful war, young Forge.” Celestia explained.

“W-who?” Forge trembled.

“You know them simply as the Iron Order,” Princess Luna replied, “these incredible ponies formed a union not for the sake of seeking revenge for the one who wronged them, but to rebuild what was destroyed and to judge those who created conflict.”

“They are our trusted arbiters,” Celestia continued, “the Prosecutors of those who should pervert harmony, and stand in defence of those who cannot defend themselves… we do not know why our foe allowed these beacons stand where every other pony she took from life, but we knew from the moment we saw a poor broken little colt weeping in the ashes that there was yet another beacon.”

Forge felt as if his heart skipped a beat, as he struggled to keep his thoughts rational and collected. Fear and concern flooded his attention before he eventually turned his eyes away from the Princesses and stared down at the ground he stood upon. All those questions came down to the single answer that Celestia offered, before his memory returned to him taking the courage to walk away from his home rather than be carried.

He was meant to be a beacon. That is all Forge needed to focus on.

“I-Is this my calling?” Forge asked.

“We know it is the path you are meant to follow, young Forge.” Luna smiled, “But we must bring you before those who first rallied under the banner, the first who answered the calls for help.”

“Mokosh, Swift Song and Svarog.” Celestia recalled, “They are the ones who rose from the ashes much as you have, young Forge, but first we must rally them together once again. Because when the tides of conflict shall rise to crash upon us again, we will need their expertise to overcome sorrow and to become something more.”

“Something better?” Forge impulsively asked.

Celestia and Luna smiled.

“Something better.”

Forge looked up the staircase he was being guided up with the perfect awe only a child could conjure, whipping his head every which way as he drew in all the details he made out. The beautiful purple banners among a pure white marble, the brilliant and colourful displays of the bouquets that lined the windows and each pillar. Forge had never stepped into the royal palace before this point, kept well outside of its majestic walls and left only to wonder what it was like on the inside.

Eventually the ponies stopped in front of a set of simple doors, which when opened led out to a garden. There were four circles in the grass that were filled with sand that was carefully tended to, any intruding object whether a piece of grass or a twig had been removed. Four trees offered shade over the sand circles. Forge immediately noticed that there was no glorious bouquet, or beautiful banner that was hoisted.

It was simple nature.

A single unicorn sat in deep meditation in one of the circles of sand, apparently oblivious to the fact that there had been intruders into what Forge figured was some holy ground. The group eventually came to a halt, as the alicorn sisters merely stared at the unicorn. Minutes passed by, as Celestia eventually cleared her throat. The unicorn’s eyes immediately shot open as she nearly swayed to the side in surprise, before correcting her balance and blinking frustrated eyes at the Princess.

“We hope not to interrupt your meditations, Mokosh.” Celestia said in response.

“Perhaps a knock would be appreciated next time?” Mokosh sighed, “Especially if one is deep in meditation… anyways, what brings the Crowned Sisters before their humble and loyal servant?”

“This one.” Princess Luna responded, before gesturing toward little Forge.

Mokosh tilted her head to one side before looking back up toward Princesses Celestia and Luna. She drew in a deep breath--closing her eyes momentarily--opening her eyes and looked down at the young earth pony. She seemed to look at him, as if she was considering whether or not he was a book worth reading. Forge didn’t understand why she was staring at him for so long, before she huffed out another sigh.

“Look, I appreciate that you both believe that our little momentary union is worth preserving, but please!” Mokosh strained, “It’s over--this little ‘Iron Order’ or whatever you call it--it fulfilled its calling and time.”

“We have discussed this before, Mokosh, and you have agreed that when the time comes--”

“Swift Song has found a new place to call home, and Svarog has left to build himself a new one. The fourth who we all agreed shall never be named has disappeared, and I am the only one to remain here near the throne. If the time comes, then it’ll have to wait, because our little posse isn’t going to be pulling itself together any time soon!”

“The time has come.” Celestia replied with a stern tone, “If the Iron Order does not raise a response in time, this conflict will consume all of us, and Equestria will face another age of war that it swore to itself not to have again.”

“That’s what you get when you have would-be-dictators in your midst, Celestia.” Mokosh sighed, “We warned you not to trust the Barons or to solicit their help, but that advice was ignored!”

“Aren’t you supposed to be a beacon of hope?” Forge asked out of turn, as immediately all attention turned to the colt. He stood petrified after that point as his eyes kept fixed on the sitting Mokosh, who furrowed her brow in response to what the earth pony had asked. She wouldn’t admit her anger with what he had said, but she would make sure that he knew she wasn’t happy with him.

“Mokosh,” Luna said with levelled voice, “we understand what the last conflict demanded from you. We have done everything we could to alleviate that pain you felt, but we believe you understand that blissfulness cannot last forever.”

“The colt.” Mokosh redirected, “Who is he?”

“He is like the rest of you.” Celestia responded, “Pulled out of the ashes of his ruined home, by you.”

Mokosh stood up as she approached the still-petrified Forge, walking around him before she returned her attention back to the Princesses. Forge noticed that she was still looking at him when she returned to stand before Celestia and Luna, as if she were peering into his soul. Eventually she sealed her eyes and exhaled sharply, noting her dissatisfaction with having to retire even momentarily from her meditation.

“Yes, I remember now…” Mokosh sighed, “little Forge, was it? I’m guessing the Princesses already told you about who we were and who we represented: ‘shelter for the shelterless, defenders of the defenseless,’ judges of righteousness who sought no vengeance… and they believe your place is with us?”

“Yes.” Forge simply replied.

“By your own name, Celestia…” Mokosh remarked in frustration, “even if his place were with us he is but a child! Why do you think that’s a good idea?”

“It is not our place to decide, Mokosh.” Celestia responded with tired voice, “But if you will not accept the child, knowing that you are seemingly preoccupied with other ‘important’ affairs, then we imagine that we can find a different rational with the others.”

“What others?” Mokosh scoffed, “You going to go to the one with no name to figure this out? Oh, I get it! You’re going to get Svarog to put down his tools and return to Equestria to teach the little one! Or wait--even better--you’re going to get Swift Song to teach him to soar to greater heights! Against the Barons?!”

“That is enough!” Luna responded with raised voice.

Everything fell silent.

“Mokosh, we believe that there is a storm coming, a storm that will consume our lands once more in the same agony that was brought to you the day that ‘she’ levelled your home and left you face down in the ashes. We believe that within you is still some pony worthy of the respect that you once commanded, the very same one that went around replacing pain with bliss… when you raised the call, dozens of trustworthy souls answered.” Celestia detailed,

“You were the trumpet for justice, for equity. We know that dealing and judging over such affairs have been less than easy for you, or for your friends, and we have respected that by offering you the quiet you asked for… but we need that same mare who was a beacon for hope at this moment, and we need her to teach--as she has done before--by unimpeachable standard.”

Mokosh stood silently by, before closing her eyes in submission.

“Alright…” Mokosh gave in, “But I’ll need to gather the rest of our little ‘Iron Order,’ excluding mister no name… that is, if they are willing to put down what they’re doing and join us.”

“We will set off to find them,” Luna responded, “but in the meantime, you shall dedicate your time and attention to our little friend here.”

Mokosh looked down at Forge, something which sent nervous shivers down his back.

“Of course…” Mokosh replied.

Author's Note

Thanks to chaotic_revenge and TeddieAtWork for editing and pre-reading!

Act I: Chapter 2

Forge followed Mokosh.

And he didn’t know what to think or feel.

Here he was, following in the hoofsteps of one of the heroines of a war that they were all too familiar with. She was the first, and as the local legends prescribed: the Trumpet of Justice. Almost everypony knew of her and her story, how brave and courageous she was, how she rendered kindness to a world and a people that offered her none… but now that Forge stood beside her and walked aimlessly with her, it seemed as if all of those noble and valiant qualities were a facade for something much worse.

And he didn’t like that.

“Where are we going?” Forge asked. They had been walking around the interior of the castle for an hour now, winding through passages and backtracking through rooms that they had already visited a number of times. His little legs were getting tired of all the walking, and his patience was growing thin.

“When are you going to stop asking questions?” Mokosh asked.

“Is there a point to this?”

Mokosh shook her head.

“Look, I don’t want to waste your time nor do I want to waste my time!” Forge raised his voice, “So just tell me what we’re doing!”

Forge tripped, falling face first onto the carpeted floor as his jaw started to sore with pain. He blinked momentarily, attempting to piece together what had happened before his furious gaze turned toward Mokosh who simply smiled devilishly back. The colt wanted to yell at how careless and cruel this mare was, but he bit his tongue. His eyes darted around to the several royal guards that mounted their posts, before he realised that all eyes were on him.

“First lesson,” Mokosh detailed, “don’t raise your voice, especially against a power greater than you. Also don’t be the one asking questions, when you’re the one supposed to be answering them.”

“Answering?!” Forge spat, “What questions have you been asking me?”

Mokosh shook her head again.

“Fine!” Forge gave in as he lifted himself back to his hooves, “What do you want to know? My name is Forge, I come from the village that… that’s gone. I was carried back here by heroes. Now the Princesses of Equestria believe that I’m supposed to be one of those heroes, but at the moment I’m struggling with somepony who is taken to make that as difficult as possible!”

“Very good,” Mokosh smiled cruelly, “but I didn’t ask any questions.”

Forge trembled with resentment as he looked up at Mokosh.

“I think this is the part,” Mokosh said, “where you turn your back and walk away, Forge. That’s the better alternative to what could happen, if anything were to happen in the first place.”

“Why?” Forge asked, “And don’t tell me not to ask! Why do you care so much?”

“Because this isn’t the business of a child! You’re meant to be in a school, meant to be out making friends and living a life free from whatever in tartarus that Celestia and Luna believes you’re meant to become!” Mokosh responded with sharp voice, “What do you have to prove? What do you think you need to do?”

“I think I need to be better!” Forge snapped, “I have everything that I need to prove!”

Mokosh stood quietly as she looked down at Forge, before closing her eyes and shaking her head. She then turned to walk away from the little colt who stubbornly continued to walk by her side.

“If that is what you believe,” Mokosh responded flatly, “then you don’t understand the ideals of the ‘Iron Order.’ We aren’t supposed to be better, or prove that we are anything… quite the opposite, despite whatever Celestia and Luna might say. Better assumes we have a greater power over something, when we’re meant to be the ones who offer their shoulders to be stood upon. To prove we are anything, when we are meant to be the ground upon which others tread upon.”

“So then why try to put me down?”

“I’m giving you a better option, aren’t I? I’m fulfilling my commission and the charter of expectations that I didn’t even make for the group! Some ragtag team of do-gooders just managed to catch the eyes of Royalty, who believed they were something more than they needed to be. We didn’t even come up with the name ‘Iron Order,’ that was Celestia’s doing!”

Forge stood defiantly, still challenging the unicorn who stared back down at him.

“So,” Mokosh continued, “I recommend that you start chasing your calling in life, blank flank, and start learning something that’ll help you!”

“What if I’m meant to be stood upon, trampled in, for the good of everypony else?”

“Celestia and Luna!” Mokosh placed her hoof against her face, “Who’d actually want that? Who, Forge?! Don’t say yourself!”

“Myself.” Forge challenged.

“Oh, so you’re the clever one now?” Mokosh laughed sarcastically, “Okay… you’re a tough little colt! I guess we can continue after all!”

“You’ve gone on about how you didn’t even contribute to any of the objectives of this group, so why support any of them at all?” Forge interrupted as Mokosh ceased all movement, sensing her shoulders grow tense and her expression change from a challenging glare to a hurt frown.

“That’s…” Mokosh looked down, “that’s not your business! And why would you care, even if it were?"

"Because you keep bringing it to my attention whenever you want an excuse not to teach me!"

"You're a stubborn little colt," Mokosh sighed, "and that is a lot more annoying than it is charming… but fine, you want me to stop complaining? Then you stop complaining and listen to what I say, got it?"

"Finally!" Forge sighed with relief, "Understood, ma'--"

Forge tripped to the floor again as his patience finally wore thin, swinging back up from off the ground to bare his grating teeth against Mokosh who stood by peacefully with a smile on her face. The royal guards in the room stifled their laughter, leaving Forge terribly alone and angry with the mare who had just promised to not complain and help him.

"Don't call me ma'am, instructor or teacher…" Mokosh explained, "I'm not any of those things. There will be no yes's or no's, unless it is to royalty. And most of all, learn to mind your step, if you keep tripping like that then you'll really start to look foolish."

"You keep on tripping me!" Forge growled.

"And you keep walking over my hooves, so don't just charge ahead, but be thoughtful. Think about doing what's right, rather than grinding those precious teeth, and finally: give up."

If Mokosh was right about one thing, it was that Forge was stubborn.

The colt was doing everything in his power to ensure he wouldn’t give in or feed any ground to the equally stubborn mare who he learned to keep distance from, but not to stay too far away. Forge wanted to make sure he was in her view at every moment, so that she would know that he wasn’t going to give up too easily. Mokosh eventually brought Forge to grand doors that he thought would lead outside, the colt finally satisfying himself with a conclusion that they’re finally going to do something worthwhile.

“Oh, you’re still there?” Mokosh rolled her eyes, “Couldn’t tell, generally whenever you’re around there is a strange stomping on my hooves.”

Forge sighed irritably, choosing to ignore Mokosh’s provocations this time. Mokosh snickered before she pressed open the grand doors that led into what to Forge looked like a library of… sticks? There were shields and spears that lined the walls, and on several mannequins were impressive armour sets. Within the room stood several of the royal guards in what looked like a more informal setting.

The colt blinked, trying to piece together the fact that the guards could do something more than patrol or stand at attention. Forge realised that the sun was poking through a hole in the ceiling that illuminated the sawdust floor with some strange glow and glitter. He looked toward Mokosh, seeing the unicorn collect a wooden pole from off a rack before she challenged his gaze… she was smiling oddly now.

Forge didn’t like that.

Throwing the pole over to Forge, the colt just barely managed to catch the pole with his hoof as he held it unsteadily in his weak grasp before he looked up toward Mokosh with a confused expression. The unicorn already secured another pole as she twirled it effortlessly with the magical aura she produced with her horn. With her free hoof, Mokosh gestured toward the centre of the strange room where the pit of sawdust was. Forge blinked a few times, completely confused as to what he was supposed to do.

“This isn’t high magic, Forge…” Mokosh sighed, “get to the centre of the room!”

“Why?” Forge asked.

“You wanted to be something,” Mokosh tempted, “this is where you’re going to prove me wrong!”

Forge shook his head before he placed the pole in his mouth as he walked toward the centre of the room, standing in the middle of the sawdust before he turned around to look at Mokosh who stood idly on the side. The colt watched as she looked down at him, smiled and then turned toward a few of the guards and started talking with them. Forge was absolutely confused for a moment, before that wonder burned away into rage.

About to call out, Forge felt an impressive force strike and swipe all four of his hooves from underneath him. The colt dropped the pole he brandished as he collapsed into the sawdust, the particles only cushioning his impact slightly. Trying desperately to rub the sawdust from out of his eyes, Forge eventually fixed his attention on the pole that swung around lazily in Mokosh’s magical aura. Tears started to brim at Forge’s eyes from the agitation the sawdust caused, the colt trying to hold them back before he stood up as triumphantly as he could.

“Mo--” Forge tried calling out, before being knocked to the sawdust again.

Forge popped up, slower this time but not any more discouraged than the last. The colt grinded his teeth together before he reached to pick up the pole he once held before a sharp and stunning blow landed atop his head, and for a third time he collapsed into the sawdust. Forge sat there for a while, trying to keep his attention focused on Mokosh and the royal guards, who were now laughing.

He knew they were laughing about him. How he couldn’t keep up.

“Mokosh!” Forge called out as the laughing stopped suddenly. He trembled for a moment before he pushed himself out of the dust, overcome with frustration and anger that he couldn’t control.

Mokosh only smiled devilishly at him.

“Mokosh!” Forge struggled to form any comprehensible thought, “Y-you’re a coward!”

The guards smiles immediately stiffened into blank stares, looking between each other and between the colt and mare that stood against each other. Mokosh’s expression didn’t change in the slightest, her lips curling more before she started laughing at a joke that wasn’t told… but the air was strong with tension. Forge’s senses pricked, trying to rouse him from his anger and present him with a reality he would never accept.

“Forge!” Mokosh strained between laughs, “And you’re a child who shouldn’t be here in the first place! Oh no! You’re being put in your place! It’s like some colt shouldn’t be involved in things like this! If you want to serve your Princesses, how about you grow up and join an academy? Problem solved! You get what you want, and I don’t have to bother with you ever--”

“Because I’m here! Just like you!” Forge nearly yelled.

Mokosh blinked.

“Get out of the sawdust,” Mokosh sighed, “and for Celestia and Luna’s sake, shake yourself off and wait outside!”

“I’m not going anywhere! You’re not taking this seriously at all!”

“Perhaps, you should stop taking yourself too seriously!” Mokosh yelled.

Forge froze and trembled furiously.

“Breath.” Mokosh commanded, “Shake yourself off. And walk. Out.”

Forge stepped out of the arena where he once stood alone, before shaking off the dust he could before beating himself with his own tail. The entire time he kept his eyes glued to the floor, now completely unwilling to look up at the challenger who had bested him without a second thought. Once satisfying himself of being clean of the mess he ultimately made for himself, the little colt stormed towards the door and pushed it open enough for him to leave before stepping through to the other side.

The colt stopped and stood just beyond the door, his brow burning with his untempered rage and anger before his cheeks flushed with a quivering and uncontrollable sensation. He tried everything to hold it back, but despite his best efforts he felt tears brimming and running down his cheeks. Forge drew in a shaky breath and exhaled sharply, trying his best to temper his emotions--

“Breath.”

The instant Forge heard Mokosh’s voice, he immediately stopped trying to control himself. The mare was trying to get him to give up, she was doing everything in her power to try to get him to stop… no, he would never listen to her again! He needed to tell the Princesses how cruel Mokosh was to him, how she had been making it a sport to humiliate him as much as possible!

As soon as he resolved to do this, Forge stood up and started walking away. Behind him he heard the door open at hoofsteps, choosing to ignore them as he continued walking on.

“Forge!” Mokosh called out.

He ignored her.

“Forge, you turn around this instant!”

“Why do you care?! You wanted me to leave!”

Mokosh didn’t respond.

Act I: Chapter 3

Forge wandered for what felt like an hour to him, before giving up on finding an exit before he sat down on one of the few decorated benches that lined the majestic hall. He sat with both hooves pressed against his face, trying to process his anger into a well-designed argument that he could use to convince the Crowned Sisters that Mokosh was no longer a good member of the Iron Order. Maybe if he could remove her from the group--and Swift Song and Svarog were better--than he could continue with his training unhindered.

There was the sound of approaching hooves. Forge didn’t want to look to who it was, fearing who it could be.

“Forge!” Mokosh called out irritably, “Who are you to storm off?!”

Forge was now the one who didn’t respond, not even trying to hide his anger with her at this point… if it was even hidden to begin with.

“Forge!” The colt’s head snapped to one side, completely caught off guard as he now cowered under the fiery gaze of Mokosh, “Now you’re not going to listen to me, huh?”

Forge tried to whip his head away, before realising he was caught in Mokosh’s magical aura.

“Answer me!”

“You never want me to talk!” Forge spat, “So I do what you want me to do and you’re still angry?!”

“Shape up! You’re in the royal palace, and I’ll be damned if I let a child… act like a child in here!”

“You wanted me to give up!”

Mokosh sat silently. Her magical aura dissipating before she turned away from Forge, the colt turned his head away too. The two awkwardly looked away from each other for a long time, Forge still feeling his features burn with rage… but then it all seemed wrong. Mokosh wasn’t walking away, she wasn’t yelling him nor was she challenging his questions with intentional silence. Slowly he turned his head to look at the mare he hated the most, seeing that she was just staring out of the window longingly.

“What?” Forge asked, “Not going to tell me to?”

“I don’t care…” Mokosh said with a remarkably soft voice, “you want to go? Go. When the Princesses come back, tell them to have Svarog help you… but that’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?”

Forge sat silently.

“It’s not supposed to be easy, and yeah… I might’ve been a bit too difficult to handle, I get that, but if you want me to say ‘sorry…’ then I’m sorry. You can have the hall, I’m going to head back to the garden… don’t bother interrupting me, but if you want to come join me then what’s the use stopping you?”

“Mokosh…” Forge weakly replied, trying to get a hold of this confusing turn of events, “why… why did you apologise?”

Mokosh was now the one to ignore him. She walked away without saying anything more, her entire demeanour having transformed from being what seemed to Forge to be vicious and cruel to something almost… sad and pitiful. But why? He couldn’t understand why she would change all of a sudden, especially after having not indicated anything for the past several hours. It just didn’t seem reasonable to Forge… but at the same time it also felt realistic.

Maybe--just maybe--she understood what he had felt?

Forge shook that thought away, trying his best to keep a hold of the anger that was faltering… no matter how angry he tried to be with the mare, that sad and pitiful demeanour reappeared in his already frenzied and tired mind. He didn’t know what to do, or what to say other than just sit there and say nothing. It didn’t feel like a victory to him to see Mokosh defeated… but was it a defeat?

Why did he think of that word? Forge… no, he wasn’t angry anymore. He didn’t want to be angry, but he didn’t know how to approach the mare. He didn’t know what to do.

Forge watched Mokosh before she disappeared through a set of doors, sitting on his own before looking toward one of the stained glass windows of the castle.

And he waited.

Night had come, as Forge wrestled to open his groggy eyes. He blinked a few times, trying to determine whether or not he was in a dream before he snapped violently to attention before the four figures that stood before him. The two Princesses had returned, alongside a pegasus and earth pony that just looked at him. The colt attempted to sputter a response, before realising he was speechless and shouldn’t try to say anything.

“Comfortable, eh?” The earth pony chuckled, “Yer’ right… he is just a colt.”

“Young Forge,” Celestia said, “it looks as if it has been quite the tiring day.”

Forge blinked and looked down to the floor in disappointment. His chance was now to lay down Mokosh and perhaps have the Crowned Sister reprimand her for her rudeness to him, and set his direction under what appeared to be the much more capable Svarog. But he couldn’t say anything… he didn’t know if it was because he didn’t want to, but he didn’t speak.

“Little one?” Luna inquired, “Is everything alright?”

“I…” Forge sighed, “no… I think I really made Mokosh mad, and now she just… she told me to just…”

There was a silence while the colt tried to finish his sentence, but it soon became clear to everypony in attendance that the sentence would never be finished. It was quiet for a long time as the four seemed to council between themselves what they should do without saying a word. Forge couldn’t decipher what they were telling each other with their expressions, but soon fear that he would be dismissed and labelled a failure anyways slowly crept into the back of his mind.
“Take a walk with us, young Forge.” Celestia eventually said, “Swift Song and Svarog, I recommend you go and speak with Mokosh. We will meet you back here when we are all ready.”

The pegasus and earth pony bowed their heads, before walking away without another word. Forge sat there confused, watching as the two Princesses waited for him with a patience he hadn’t really seen anywhere else that day. Slowly he lifted himself up from the bench, and joined the two alicorns as they started a delicate and deliberately slow pace down the hall. It was quiet for some time, as Forge tried desperately to piece together what was happening.

Was he being kicked out of the castle? To lead a life that Mokosh told him he should’ve lived? Fear and anxiety manifested itself in his chest, as he tried to convince himself that it wasn’t true.

“We invite you to speak your mind, little one.” Luna said, “It concerns us whenever one is so quiet.”

“Mokosh was right…” Forge gave in, “I shouldn’t be here! I think I really made her angry, but…”

“But?” Celestia asked.

“She was being really mean to me… and I got really mad, and then… I took it out on her, and I stormed off.” Forge felt guilt pull at him, “She said she was sorry, but I didn’t say that I was sorry to her… I feel awful.”

“That is good.” Celestia responded.

Forge stopped before he looked up, puzzled by what the Princess of the Sun had said. The two sisters stopped walking and turned to look at their confused subject. Celestia bore an expression of goodwill, but of hard honesty. He tried to figure out what she had meant, before he slowly understood what she meant: it was good that he felt awful for what he had done.

“B-but why?” Forge stuttered, “I thought we’re always supposed to feel happy! That we’re always supposed to be nice!”

“That is the ideal,” Luna responded, “but that is something we must all practice for. It is not meant to be easy, but unfortunately we learn best when we learn from our mistakes. If you feel awful for having done something that was not nice, then that is the best mentor for you to become better.”

Become better.

“Mokosh is a difficult mare to handle, but please trust us when we say that she is precisely the mare for the task, young Forge.” Celestia continued, “She has a temper, and she can be difficult to handle… but that stubbornness has proved to be the very thing that Equestria needed during one very dark time. It is important to realise that all of that is not born out of bad will, though… she means to do what is best for everypony. Even you.”

“Then why would she push me away?” Forge asked.

“That is not our place to tell, little one…” Luna sighed, “but please understand that she is perhaps the one that understands how you feel the best. We are convinced she feels inadequate to do what she is doing, but sometimes that is a good thing. When we feel as if we cannot do it alone, that is a sign that we must come to rely on others for strength.”

“That is what makes this little group so unique, young Forge.” Celestia turned to look at the stars, “They recognised that they could not do it alone, and that all of them had pains and holes that they could not fill on their own. It is what helped them realise that sometimes, even when we are sad, we need to help others be happy.”

“Why?” Forge asked.

“Because that is what makes us better, when we learn to let others stand on our shoulders. When we let them have the last apple, when we give them our bread to eat. When we listen to the young and the old, to the kind and the mean, and do what we can to let them live better lives.”

“That is…”

“What Mokosh said?” Celestia laughed lightly, “She never wanted to be recognised for her actions, she wanted to be forgotten. And the stubborn mare will do everything in her power so that she could just disappear. Even if that means that she looks mean, young Forge.”

“Why would she want to look mean if she is nice?” Forge didn’t understand, it didn’t make sense. Who would want to be forgotten?

“You will have to speak with her and learn to trust her.” Luna responded, “In time she will come to trust you, and we are certain of it. But that comes with a difficult part, little one.”

“Apologizing?” Forge asked.

The Princesses nodded their heads.

“You need to say you are sorry. Once you do, we want you to start learning how to manage your anger. We do not want this to repeat itself.” Celestia warned, “Learn to take control of what makes you react in a bad way, rather than in a helpful way. You must learn to balance those things, and though it may take time, we know in the end it is what will make you who Equestria needs you to be.”

Forge closed his eyes and sighed, “Alright… I will.”

As the Princesses and Forge made their way into the hall once more, the three ponies were already waiting for their return. Forge tensed up as he walked to meet the three ponies of the Iron Order, the one in the centre glaring at him with a frustration he knew all too well. He couldn’t tell if she was legitimately angry with him again, or whether Celestia and Luna were right and she was putting on a show.

Eventually the group of six met in the centre of the hall, as the tense silence loomed over them. Forge could feel everypony look at him, trying to shake off his nervousness and whatever remained of his anger. He gulped drily before he weakly spoke: “Mokosh, I’m… I’m sorry that I’ve been hard to work with…”

Mokosh only raised an eyebrow.

“I’m…” The colt paused, “I’m hoping that you’ll continue to help me… I know that I’ve not listened to you, or done what you’ve asked me to do… but I want to help other ponies be happier, and be better. And from what you’ve told me, that’s what you want to do… no matter how hard it is.”

Mokosh raised both eyebrows.

“I know I haven’t acted like it… but I’m hoping that we can be…” Forge drew in a deep breath, trying to conjure whatever courage he had before steadying his wavy tone: “I hope we can be friends.”

There was a brim of something that resembled a smile that broke across Mokosh’s stone cold expression. All attention turned toward the mare, as the same trouble that conquered Forge didn’t appear to hold the mare back at all. It was remarkable to him that she managed to control her nerve and temper, whatever she may have had in reserves and dedicate it to a simple but affirmative statement: “Forge, you’re a stubborn colt… but one I’d be more than happy to apologise to. I’m sorry, I let my frustrations get the better of me… I thought that by humiliating you, I’d teach you something, and it looks like you learned something else.

“I won’t again, Forge… unless it’s absolutely deserved. But anypony who is willing to admit they are wrong and try to make amends is good in my books.”

Forge blinked. He was confused by what she was saying, before he slowly realised that she was indeed implying that she was genuinely sorry. Tears ran down his cheeks before he managed to ask: “Friends?”

“Well,” Mokosh smiled, “yeah. Friends.”

“We are glad that this managed to resolve itself.” Celestia announced, “Once again, we are humbled by your example Mokosh and are glad for your willingness to learn, Forge. But the night grows on us, and we all know what the coming days will have in mind for us… it would be best if you all get some rest. There will be plenty to learn in the morning.”

Act I: Chapter 5

Forge sat alone, looking down at the boiled potatoes and slice of rye bread he had been presented with. He remembered the sarcastic though respectful jabs that Mokosh, Svarog and Swift Song exchanged about the quality of the food that only Svarog was capable: bland though filling. However Forge couldn’t find it in him to take a bite of the meager meal, as his mind loomed instead with how his friends treated him.

Had he done something wrong? And if he did, what did he do wrong?

“You’re going to need to eat some point, Forge!” Mokosh called out, “And why are you so far away? I didn’t think asking you to give me some space would afford me ten metres.”

“I’m…” Forge couldn’t think of a good excuse, instead throwing something out: “I’m not hungry.”

“Aw, it can’t be that bad!” Svarog responded.

There was a silence that followed, Forge kept looking between the three ponies that were now watching his every move. It was very evident that something was troubling him, and they knew precisely what it was. Mokosh shook her head before she muttered something to Svarog and Swift Song, before she walked carefully toward Forge. The unicorn leaned against a crate that Forge sat by, looking toward the hole they were digging.

“Look, it’s easy to tell you were troubled by what just happened.” Mokosh flatly said, “But that’s a problem that’s going to continue, there is no getting out of it.”

“Why?” Forge asked, “Aren’t we doing something good? Why does it matter if I’m working with you all?”

“I’m going to tell you a secret, Forge… I hate attention, and that is the reason exactly why I wanted everything to just be small and simple.”

Forge looked up to Mokosh confused… but then he remembered what Celestia and Luna had told him last night about how Mokosh was. She wanted to be forgotten after all the good she had done, but he didn’t understand why. Was this why? Because the people who once were her admirers turned against her? They judge her?

“Why?” Forge finally asked.

“Because Forge…” Mokosh sighed, “when you marinate in that glory, ponies start thinking higher and higher of you. They make some things up to add a bit of flavour to a story, and in the end that is what it becomes… a story. And make one mistake, step outside what they expect you to do and instantly it falls to pieces. You become the baddie at that point, to the point where it’s best to just be forgotten.”

“But…” Forge struggled to understand.

“But?”

“But everypony makes mistakes! Why is it so bad if you all make one mistake?”

“Because heroes aren’t supposed to make mistakes… and, I just wanted to do one simple thing: I wanted to help… because, well… I lost everything. We all did.”

Forge looked down to the dirt under his hooves as Mokosh trailed off. It made him uncomfortable to think about and realise that anypony had been wronged… and did nothing to deserve it. Mokosh for how difficult she was to read was kind and compassionate when it came down to everything. Svarog was hearty and cheerful, managing to shrug off the burdens of his work despite the load. Swift Song was courageous and stood up for the weak, no matter the situation.

To think they had lost everything but yet retained their resolve to do what was right and be the justice that Equestria required during these times was… inspiring.

That was it. If they were inspirations, their faults couldn’t exist! That was exactly what Forge thought the first day he met Mokosh, he thought that everything that was great about her must’ve been a lie based off of the way… she treated him.

“I-I’m sorry…” Forge quietly said.

“What was that?” Mokosh asked, “Speak up!”

“I’m sorry…” Forge said louder, “I didn’t realise… this feels really, really bad…”

“Chin up, Forge.” Mokosh responded, “It ought to take more than a few mean words to put off you! I know that more than any other pony!”

She did.

“Thanks, Mokosh… but these are my friends! I can’t just let that go!”

“You're not the one letting go, Forge…” Mokosh sighed, drawing something in the dirt with her hoof, “in fact, always remember to never let go… keep those moments, because in the end it is what helps define who we are.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m going to tell you a story, Forge…” Mokosh said, emphasising the shapes in the dirt, “there was once a group of friends that were looking for a long lost treasure. Each of them came from a place where they didn’t have too much, but they wanted to make sure that a lot of ponies could live in happiness. On the way, they had to face scary challenges: scary spiders and giant dragons, and each obstacle they overcame. One of the ponies however was carried away in greed, believing that the strength he possessed set him above others.

“The friends started to become troubled, because this little pony kept forgetting a valuable lesson: that they had been working together to do what they did. He kept on forgetting and boasting in his power, so much so that in the end that’s all he wanted. He didn’t care about his friends anymore, and as the journey continued he saw them as competitors… he saw them as villains.”

“But why?” Forge asked, “They were friends?”

“Because he forget those moments and focused only on what was happening then. You need to learn to look at what has happened before, Forge.” Mokosh sighed, “Either we choose to focus on the bad, or we look for the good. If we forget the good, then naturally we lose sight of who we are. What we are.”

Mokosh’s hoof fell below a fourth pony she drew in the dirt, as Forge’s heart pinged with something he didn’t quite understand. Mokosh chuckled lightly, “Now, wipe that stupid grin off your face! We’re meant to be serious!”

“I thought you said I’d never--”

“I’m just making a suggestion that it’s possible! That is, if you don’t give up first!”

The two laughed.

‘Stargazer.’

He had to remind himself that was his name now.

His third name.

Past lives didn’t work out too well for the stallion that was walking aimlessly through the streets of the royal city. ‘Stargazer’s cloak kept his identity hidden for the most part, as he wandered through the darkening streets of the moonlit city. He shouldn’t even be here, it was too close to a place where if he was seen? Well… he didn’t want to think about the consequences of that. The pony pushed the door open into one of the pubs he could find, looking around quickly.

Not much of a crowd, a few ponies in a corner playing cards and the tender of the establishments wiping a stain that wouldn’t disappear. ‘Stargazer’ smiled as he approached the bar, sitting at it as the pub owner looked up at him for only a moment.

“What’ll it be for you, mister?” The bartender asked.

“Cider…” ‘Stargazer’ responded, “as cheap as you have, I’ve only got a few bits to spare.”

“If that’s true, mister, I’ve got something on the tap… can’t promise it’ll taste to pleasant.”

“Doesn’t need to be!” ‘Stargazer’ laughed, “Just need something for the thirst, and I’ll be out of your mane…”

The bartender pushed over a mug that foamed with the cheapest cider he could give to the strange pony. ‘Stargazer’ took it and managed a few sips of the substance, coughing slightly… the bartender wasn’t lying, it truly was an unpleasant drink. But he paid for it, and he wasn’t going to let something he paid for go to waste. The bartender looked away to continue to wipe the bar, as ‘Stargazer’ shot a glance toward the group playing cards behind him.

They weren’t paying attention.

‘Stargazer’ turned back toward the bartender: “It’s been some time since I’ve been around these parts, I was hoping to make the festival but… didn’t happen.”

“Yeah?” The bartender asked absentmindedly, not really paying attention.

“What happened? Anything?”

“The Barons came… a lot of ponies weren’t expecting that.”

‘Stargazer’ raised his eyebrow.

“Ah, really?” The strange pony asked.

“They’re saying that they’ve been making demands, upsetting the Sisters…” The bartender continued, “a really nasty bunch, they are.”

“Yeah, I heard… but who’d expect the Barons to be showing up? I thought they wanted to keep to the shadows, and ignore the going on’s with the Princesses and the other ponies…”

“Nopony was expecting it, even crazier yet is that there are rumours that the Sisters may be rallying the Iron Order again.”

That caught his attention. ‘Stargazer’ attempted to suppress his smile, opting to take a swig from the bitter-tasting cider to correct what could’ve been a slip of his disguise. Setting the mug down, the strange pony chuckled in as normally as he could. He rested back in his seat, “Wow… I didn’t know they disbanded! I thought they were off doing what they’re known for doing!”

“You’ve been gone for a really long time, then.” The bartender replied, raising his eyebrow, “That happened months ago.”

“I’m a traveller, a nomad persay!” ‘Stargazer’ corrected, “I went out to see Equestria a bit more, really beautiful place… you’ve been outside?”

“I think my travelling days are over, mister.”

‘Stargazer’ set down the mug he was drinking on, having finished it completely before he rose from his seat. Pulling a pouch of golden bits, the strange pony tossed it onto the bar as an exceeding amount of coins rolled around. It was a very, very generous tip… it would have easily been enough to pay for all the drinks in the establishment many times over, the bartender immediately picking up on the discrepancy.

“Keep the change…” ‘Stargazer’ threatened, turning on his hoof before he headed outside of the doors of the establishment.

The night wind brushed against his features as he walked quickly toward the city gate… before three winged shapes descended to intercept him. ‘Stargazer’ swore, watching as the two royal guards flanked the Princess of the Moon. He stopped, there was no point to try to resist what was about to happen as the alicorn soon loomed over him, her magical aura seizing the hood he wore before it swung it off.

His green eyes burned with anger, her blue eyes equally so. ‘Stargazer’ couldn’t help but smile, seeing how the alicorn attempted to hold a dignified demeanour.

“How can I be of service, your Highness?” ‘Stargazer’ asked with an insulting tone.

“Drop the act, Yarilo.” Princess Luna interrupted.

The name that was never supposed to be used.

Yarilo shrugged before he pointed with a hoof to the gate, “No, that’s not my name! Not anymore… that’s a forbidden name!”

“You are never to return to our lands. That was explicitly agreed upon. You were to remain a free stallion just as long as you kept to yourself. You get what you want, and the demands of our justice are met.”

“Aw, this isn’t a violation!” Yarilo chuckled, “Some stallion coming in for a drink? How’s that a breach?”

Princess Luna only stared at him. Yeah, she wasn’t buying it… but she didn’t need to. Luna had always had a superiority complex, a belief that she needed to be as much as her sister Celestia. Yarilo always felt bad with how she seemed to loom in the shadows of her sister’s glory, and he knew how dangerous that truly was. She stepped up to him, making sure that she could still look down on him while he defiantly stared up at her.

“This is a violation.” Luna responded sharply, “And you are not going to leave this time. We offered you your freedom to walk as you would, and it seems you wish to mock that.”

“Whatever it may be to you,” Yarilo responded, “there are certain things that concern us both... I heard about the Barons, I know that you and your sister are afraid of what is going to come!”
Luna blinked, “What does this have to do--”

“Please, let me finish! You’re rallying the Iron Order, that is no secret… the Barons will suspect what you’re doing and I’m sorry but the math is clear, kid: you’re going to lose every single time. But if you sacrifice a few of the pawns on the board, you’ll have clear enough sights to strike and put down what threatens you…”

“Sacrifice? Sacrifice who?” Luna demanded.

“Don’t play stupid, you know who…”

Luna stood still, almost as if she was considering what Yarilo was saying.

“You’ve always played by your plans, the two of you… so I only figured it was fair if I share mine, we’re partners in the end of this, right? You go and prepare our mutual friends, and I’ll go see the Barons... we’ll set the pieces up, and when it comes to the end we’ll see them fall. Equestria will rid itself of the Barons, and you will reign supreme!”

“And you?” Luna asked.

“I disappear, I head somewhere and I live my peaceful life free of eyes peering down on me! It is a win-win for us, and in the end the Iron Order gets what it so rightfully deserves!”

“Stop being cryptic.”

“Why, kid,” Yarilo smiled, “it gets forgotten! But there is one catch, let’s keep this between us, yeah? We know that getting the others involved will muddy up the process, and if that happens then Equestria won’t know how to respond!”

“If you really believe I will not be informing my sister of this,” Luna growled, “about how you are here when you are not supposed to be--”

“Then chain me, kid! Then who’s going to be your insider? You won’t have an ear for what the Barons are scheming, and you won’t be able to defend your home… what will become of the night and the moon, I wonder? It will become just another forgotten symbol, to be replaced by something far worse... “

The royal guards that flanked Luna shifted uncomfortably as she continued to peer down at Yarilo. He stood there, praying that the Princess would take the bait and leave it at that. He couldn’t be brought back to Celestia and before those who betrayed him again, who betrayed themselves. Eventually Luna turned back towards the guards, and waved with her hoof for them to stand at ease. Closing her eyes and drawing in a deep breath, she returned her scowl down at Yarilo who sat there smiling.

“So, we have a deal?” Yarilo asked.

“You will be granted your petition. But I shall decide to do with the Iron Order. I expect you to report immediately what the Barons scheme, and should you fail to convince them of their path… then you shall be chained and brought before the Court of Sun and Moon. Am I clear?” Luna responded sharply.

She wasn’t using her accustomed ‘we,’ something that signified something greater to Yarilo.

Good.

“We have a deal.”

Act I: Chapter 6

Yarilo stepped over the sharp stones that lined the path he was following. It wasn’t an easy path, but then again it wasn’t meant to be. The Barons had a horrible policy of seeing and courting visitors, almost wanting to keep everypony a forest or a mountain away. Anypony that approached them had to be worthy to approach, and the Barons measured that worthiness on pain and perseverance. Shaking another sharp stone out of his horseshoe, the stranger looked ahead at how the pathway seemed to clear.

Yarilo stared at the Baron’s fortress. It was a wonderous thing, a scale unmatched. They wanted to project power, and prove that they were something more. Yarilo scoffed as he approached the walkway that soon interrupted the stony path, looking at a line of… guards? Yarilo shook his head but the guards didn’t disappear: an assortment of ponies, zebras, griffons… all species under the blue sky, and it stretched on for dozens of metres.

“What the…” Yarilo muttered, “gathering an army?”

“We gather peacekeepers.” A voice said behind him.

Yarilo smiled, realising who is was. He turned around slowly, offering a obviously sarcastic laugh: “Aha, well, if it isn’t the Head Baron Prarkis! Who do I owe the honour of having found favour in your sight?”

“Please, brother…” Prarkis replied, peering down at Yarilo, “Call me brother. For we are of the same mortal flesh.”

“Why, I wouldn’t have thought the Barons would be so considerate! The Sisters must truly be so treacherous as to deceive me!”

Prarkis gestured forward, stepping more militantly than majestically. It was apparent to Yarilo that the Baron wished to be seen as something commanding respect, but his strange trot only reduced Yarilo’s opinion of the Baron.

“The Sisters have much to lie about, because they have everything to lose.” Prarkis explained, “Unfortunately, it may require them their stead should they hold themselves with such esteem any longer.”

The two walked carefully across the bridge that led toward the entrance of the fortress. Yarilo eyed it suspiciously, before he looked back up at the Baron. Prarkis had been staring at him ever since he arrived. Yarilo knew why. It wasn’t an everyday occurrence that an ex-member of the Iron Order appeared before some would-be-dictator’s creepy fortress, with perfect sight over the gathering armies. Prarkis was as suspicious of Yarilo as Yarilo was of him.

That seemed fair. But he needed to avoid the obvious questions.

“What brings you here, weary traveler?” Prarkis asked, “I would have thought you would reside in your exile for the rest of your days.”

“I’m cursed with curiosity,” Yarilo chuckled, “and to be honest, I’ve seen enough of one side of a conflict to see where it’ll lead.”

“So you seek for another?”

“I seek to be another… what the Princesses and the Iron Order did to punish their enemy was wrong, brother. I’m not gonna be party to that any longer. I’d rather see all that potential go elsewhere, to find better futures! That’s all we have, ain’t it?”

Prarkis hummed thoughtfully.

“Fortunately there is a bright future for all who walk our path, brother.” Prarkis eventually responded, “We have sent forth the other Barons to speak to all those who have ear, to receive our message. Few come forward of without first receiving our message.”

Yarilo quietly noted how Prarkis had stopped using ‘I’ and started using ‘we’ as soon as they stepped into the grand hall. Yarilo looked up, amazed by how the ceiling of the place seemed far outside of his reach. He stared up the spire for quite some time before he returned his attention to the Head Baron, who stood motionless yet still peered at him. Yarilo flashed his characteristic smile, shrugging innocently: “I’m tired of seeing powers be used for the… wrong reasons. I figure I’d toss in my few bits to help push whatever you’re planning in the right way!”

“You know of our plans?” Prarkis inquired.

“Heh, it’s obvious… otherwise you wouldn’t be assembling ‘peacekeepers’ or making visits into royal cities.” Yarilo challenged, “Point is, the Iron Order has been gathered again and the Princesses are eager to crush any dissent they have… trust me, I know that better than anypony else!”

“Why do you come, brother--SON?”
Yarilo blinked. No, that last word… that wasn’t Prarkis’s voice. The pony tried everything in his power to ignore it, but that word ‘son’ unnerved him greatly. Managing a nervous laugh, Yarilo continued: “I’ve come to warn you, and to bend a willing knee… I’ve known the Princesses for a little time, and they’ve trusted me with some ‘don’t tell anypony’ sort of knowledge. If you’re going to strike at them, then I know when they’ll be weakest.”

Prarkis raised an eyebrow.

“The eclipse. When the Sisters raise both sun and moon at the same time, they’ll be right in the sights for the pickining. You’ll just need to execute then.”

“And how can we trust you?”

“By listening to my words,” Yarilo responded, “I’ve managed to convince Princess Luna that the only way to best you is to assemble their greatest warriors, the Iron Order. I’ve told her that I’d learn about what day you seek to strike… she’ll listen to what I say. And that gives you the clearing you need to get in there and twist a leg.”

As Yarilo spoke, it seemed as if the room seemed to materialise away. Shadows seemed to pull along the walls and block out any semblance of the light. He stood in a perfect void of pitch black, turning his head cautiously as he tried to piece together what was happening. Prarkis was no longer standing beside him, he was totally and utterly alone.

“Come, son…”

That voice.

Yarilo felt as if hope itself drained from his very being when it spoke, as if he were a sieve that was left to lose everything that made him… him. All that remained were jagged stones of fear, of pain and of misery. It was as if the voice knew who he was, it could look through him. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t shy away from that which he was presented before.

Yarilo wasn’t smiling confidently anymore.

“My child, how I fear for you.” The voice spoke, “I have heard your cries, and I have felt your pain… Yarilo, the one who stood with heroes was betrayed long ago and left scattering for what little he had left. Your friends consumed in the greed of want, in that everhunger that stretches itself viciously across dozens of lives. Yarilo, the one whose home was destroyed for lust of power… oh, how I have heard your cries indeed.”

Yarilo couldn’t speak.

“Lay down your cloak, unburden your shoulders and lay your weary feet to rest…” The voice spoke, “Fear not, for I answer your pain and I requisite justice. I brush away your tears and I present you with eternity.”

“Who are you?” Yarilo managed to break through with strangled breath.

“Do you not recognise me?” The voice asked, disappointed, “I am your only friend. I am your only vigil. I am your SALVATION. I? I am Equitius, and all shall feel my embrace.”

Forge looked over the fields and the mountains in the distance as the sun danced brilliantly in the sky above. He had been given time to relax and to think, Mokosh had determined that was the best medicine for his melancholy. The others had gone in for a council decision, leaving Forge alone… he was wondering why he wasn’t in the meeting, if he was one of their allies. He lowered his head, feeling utterly alone in that moment… it had been a very long day and a part of him just wanted it to end.

“Young Forge?”

Forge immediately snapped to attention, swinging around before he bowed before the Princess that was approached. Celestia laughed politely, before she responded: “No need to bow, my friend.”

“Your Highness,” Forge immediately addressed, before remembering what Mokosh had said, biting his tongue as he awkwardly stood there… he eventually pieced something together, “How can I be of service?”

“I just wish to speak, young Forge.” Celestia responded, “From what I have heard, it has been quite the laborious day.”

Forge flattened his ears, “Yes, yes it has…”

Forge looked up as he noticed the immediate expression of concern that seemed unique to the Princess of the Sun. He stood quietly for a moment, waiting to see if she was going to inquire… before it became very evident that she was waiting for him to continue. He felt foolish standing there, bringing up issues that really didn’t seem as if they would’ve been problematic for anypony.

“I’m just feeling as if I am being… pulled two different ways.” Forge eventually admitted.

“Why is that?” Celestia asked.

“Well, I have found friends in Mokosh, Svarog and Swift Song… but my other friends came and they turned their backs to me and made fun of me.” Forge explained, “Swift Song told me to just ignore them, and Mokosh told me to just remember the good times… but I don’t want to have to say goodbye to them.”

Celestia stood patiently by, looking down at Forge before she turned her attention to the horizon. The two stood quietly as they looked off in the northern distance, admiring and dreading the beauty of the land where they lived. When Forge glanced to look at Celestia again, he saw what was the borderline of her usually majestic expression and worry. That slight break of worry unnerved Forge.

“You know, Forge, my sister and I had difficulties with this too.” Celestia eventually said, “It was not easy to be chosen and entrusted with a sacred responsibility for the care of all of Equestria. We faced numerous trials, and we came short of our expectations many times… but the one thing that always stuck with us was how difficult it was to have to see friends drift away. It is up to us to do what we can, to make sure that we are the bearers of goodwill. But we cannot decide what others will do.”

Forge looked down at the ground.

“A lot of expectations and responsibility has been placed on you in a matter of a day, Forge. It is expected that you would feel that you are at crossroads in your life, and ultimately it is not my decision to keep you bound to this. We wish what is best for our subjects, and if you decide that you wish not to be a part of this then you can walk free.”

“But,” Forge struggled to say, “I want to serve… I want to be like Svarog, like Swift Song… like Mokosh… I just don’t know where to start. I want to help everypony I can, but it feels as if they don’t appreciate that help.”

“A lot of the Iron Order’s brief history was filled with moments like this, my friend. They declared unto themselves the reasons they wished to help others. And as long as there is that desire to do good and be friends unto all who shoulder the burdens of life, then that power shall persevere. I have seen how you have picked yourself up from ashes. I understand how difficult it was… seeing that grief and torment with my sister taught us a valuable lesson.”

“And what’s that?”

“That lesson will come to you in time.” Celestia responded, “You are well on your way, young Forge. Times will be difficult, but should you bear them with honour and distinction you will become a symbol.”

A symbol?

Forge paused and thought about that, considering what Celestia meant. It had been the nature of the Iron Order to be made low, from what he understood… yet the Princess insisted that was the higher way of life. Forge tried to comprehend what she meant, before he felt a hoof be placed on his shoulders. Surprised, Forge jumped a little before Celestia’s quiet laugh reaffirmed to him that it was her.

“It is a beautiful land, is it not?” Celestia asked.

“It is... “ Forge responded, returning his attention to the horizon, “I’ve always wanted to see it all, I thought I was going to be an explorer.”

“You have to,” Celestia responded, “it always escapes me how it can be so incredible. I travel very often, you know, and every single time it takes my breath away. I am certain that if you look through all of it, you would understand precisely how I feel.”

“Will I ever be able to see all of it?” Forge asked excitedly.

“You will…” Celestia’s voice trailed for a bit, before she retreated her hoof. Forge looked up to her, as the Princess offered a comforting smile. He smiled back as best he could, reinvigorated by what she had told him. Forge had long come to trust the Princesses, and he was glad he had the honour of calling them friends.

“You still look tired,” Celestia responded, “you will have to get a good night’s sleep tonight.”

“I could sleep now, but…”

“It is the middle of the day?” Celestia guessed.

“Yeah…” Forge responded, “wouldn’t be good, would it?”

“Sometimes it is not a bad idea.” Celestia responded, “Take care, young Forge. I have responsibilities to return to.”

“Of course, your Highness.” Forge bowed, watching as Celestia left him alone on the balcony once more. Forge turned back to stare off into the horizon, wondering when he would have the opportunity to go to lands that he had never explored… but then it dawned on him what he agreed to do again. That joy was nearly all sapped out of him, before he remembered that one thing that always comforted him.

At least he would always have friends.

Act I: Chapter 7