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!