Author's Note
Hello and Welcome to my first fanfiction. While not being the best writer or English speaking person, I have decided to write this fanfic that I thought about for some time. I hope you will enjoy it and I will be pleased with any comment or criticism.
It will help me and encourages me to write better in the future.
As for the cover are, I wish to change it in the future. You can always write to me your ideas if you have any and I might incorporate them in.
That is all I have to say and please enjoy this Prologue.
Prolouge
A dimly lit torch was the only source comfort for him in the darkness of the cold, starless night. Even the light of the moon could not penetrate heavy clouds across the sky, obscuring its glory and beauty. Head slowly turning left and right, scanning the surrounding around his given post. Silence, accompanied by the meek cracks of fire, was the only company for him. It didn’t last long for he could hear slight cracking of the wood, slowly getting louder and louder, from the stairs leading to the tower of the station. He slowly turned around, greeting the blond maned stallion, whose darkly brown fur would be hard to notice in the shadows of the night, proudly displaying red ribbon pierced by a spear cutie mark on his flank. Sharp blue eyes looking to his magenta ones. Silver armour adorning his body.
"Anything new?" Asked the Earth pony stallion of his comrade in a harsh tone.
"No, nothing yet. It’s weird, we haven’t been under the attack for more than three weeks. Do you think that they are preparing for something?" Answered the stallion in a bitter tone. His eyes slowly falling on his pale yellow furred hooves.
"You can’t be ever sure when it comes to Griffons. One time they are attacking in a large disorganized masses, but the next time you can only be bewildered by the strategy they use." Answered the stallion honestly.
"....."
Silence
".... Can I ask you something?"
"Huh? Yeah, sure I believe" answered the pale yellow stallion.
"You are a close friend with Crimson Dusk, right?"
He blinked at this sudden question, slowly turning head to look at him "You could say that. Why do you ask?"
"Has he mentioned his wife? About wha... Wait... What is that?" He stopped in the middle of the question as he noticed something in the distance. More precisely moving shadows barely noticeable in the darkness of the night.
"What? What do you mean? I don’t see anything." Meanwhile, his partner had more problems seeing what was a brown stallion referring to.
"It’s right somewhere over th... agh!"
The interruption of an answer by a sudden groan from his comrade caused him to turn around and see the reason behind it, yet he could only gawk at what he saw. Griffon trying to pin him on the floor with one claw while holding a dagger in the second one, ready for a quick strike. Getting out of the shock, litting the horn on his head, he drew the sword from its scabbard and tried to rush at the enemy, only to be stopped by the appearance of another one, whose smugly grin would cause discomfort to many other ponies.
"And where do you think you’re going?" He asked in a gruff voice, grin widening even more.
Gritting his teeth, he took a stance, prepared for a possible attack from Griffon... "SPARK! THE FLAME! LIGHT THE FIRE!"... only to be reminded about the most important thing which they were entrusted with.
Turning his head to look at the torch he just stood beside several seconds ago, Spark was met with another Griffon, wearing the same grin as the first one, holding the torch in his claw.
"Looking for this?" The Griffon said, juggling the torch from one claw to another until... "Ups..." he dropped it down from the tower. Sparks shock did not last long for he was immediately under the attack of the first Griffon, his black feathers making it almost impossible to see him if it wasn’t for his blood-red eyes, shining in the dark.
’What now? What to do now?’ Spark asked himself, their chance of survival minimal and the possibility to warn others even lower. But like creators itself wanted it, he came with a plan. Risky, yet only hope for all of them. With a mighty roar, he pushed the Griffon from him and swung the sword as fast as his magic allowed him. Aiming for his head, cries of pain sounded from the Griffon who held his now bleeding eye. Without second thinking, Spark dropped the sword in his magical grip and began
once again channeling magic into his horn.
"Oh no you don’t!" Came a loud cry from the enemy now behind him while he was still gaining energy for the one spell that could save all of his brothers and sisters.
Any second now, just a little more.
Griffon moving towards him.
Almost there
Knife at his flank
RELEASE
SPLASH
Both Spark and his attacker watched with wide eyes as the spell hit directly to the wood stacked inside an iron contraption, small sparks and twinkles becoming larger and larger until they finally ignited. Happiness filled him, a small smile adorned his face, pain no longer a priority. He did it.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
That, however, couldn’t be said about Sparks' enemy. His expression slowly changing from bewilderment to anger, rage burning in his turquoise eyes, bloody fist slowly clenching, he looked at the bleeding form of Spark before looking at his own companion who already took care of the second stallion.
Slowly patrolling on the center wall, lavender coloured mare and salmon coloured stallion, several torches burning, illuminating their path around them, were making their way to the command building on the western part of the center wall.
"Finally finished for today. I can’t wait to jump on the bed and take a well-deserved sleep." Said the mare, tossing her mulberry mane on her back, helmet hanging on her right side
The stallion nodded, agreeing with his companion, the mind also on the prospect of the warm bed waiting for him in this chilly night. Now and then they greeted fellow soldiers, yet they never stopped for talks because there is never time to distract yourself or others from their duties, always waiting for a possible attack.
However, the peacefulness of the situation ended when everybody noticed something that made the blood in their veins run cold. Western beacon has been lit.
"Western beacon! Western beacon is lit!"
"Look! Look! Eastern beacon!
Truth to the words of, everybody turned to look at the eastern beacon, it’s flames burning high in the sky, giving the signal that everybody understood.
"Crimson..."
After hearing the name, said stallion turned his head at the mare next to him, her eyes full of raged and determination.
"Go inform the Marshall! We will prepare meanwhile!"
He nodded without uttering a single word, starting with quick jogging to fast galloping, as fast as his legs let him. It took him several seconds until he finally saw a door leading to the command room of the Wall, pointy-bottom coat of arms of grey and red colour adoring above the door. two ponies, each caring it with their hooves, silver sword pointing to the sky. With a burst, doors have been, Crimson looking into the four pairs of eyes all waiting for an explanation behind this sudden disturbance, yet Crimson’s gaze was aimed at the pair of green eyes, look so hard that it would pierce whoever heart.
"SIR! The beacons are lit!"
The of them looked at each other while Marshall let out a growl from his mouth. He turned his head at two stallions on his left.
"Captain Hoof, prepare soldiers on the Western Wall! Captain Leap, you’ll take Eastern Wall!" His look then fell at the mare on the left side "Sergeant Moonlight, give an order to release the lanterns!" And then finally Crimson "And you soldier! Return on the position! Now move it!"
Everypony saluted before leaving the room and Marshall to himself. A frown crossed on his face before using magic and taking a sword from its stand. Looking at his reflection in the recently polished blade, young Marshall did not know what to expect from his first battle from a new position, but one thing was clear. He will not let Heland fall.
"For Heland."
Private Silver Spark did not know what was happening. His vision slowly blurring from the amount of the lost blood. He could only smile proudly. That could not be said about the Griffon standing above him. Their plan... Their masterful plan was ruined by this one stallion. One pitiful stallion. Without a second thought, he turned around and left Spark to his death. Wanting nothing more than peace, slowly closing eyes before opening them once again at the sound of whistling, noticing several lights in the sky, illuminating the darkness and bringing hope to many, Spark finally released his last breath.
"Come on sweaty, don’t be so eager and slow down a little. Mommy isn’t the youngest after all." Came from the amber furred mare, her elegant peach coloured mane, with constantly gaining and weakening gentle breeze, lifting up and slowly falling down. A smile of happiness appeared on the mare mouth, yet her eyes showed tiredness behind them as they watched the young colt trot, every step displaying his excitement. His emerald fur glistening under the rays of the sun, long copper hair, resembling mare from behind and causing confusion between others, entangled into a ponytail reminding her of somepony close.
You know that’s not true mom! You are still young and full of energy! Don’t say it like that! There are hundreds of older ponies than you!" Replayed young colt immediately, turning around to meet his mother, eye to eye. Or, in this case, as much as his height allowed him while he walked backward, not looking at the road. His mother just shook her head, smile widening by mere inches.
"Thank you Breeze. You are too kind to say that, but I can feel it already. I will not be any younger."
"Can I help you somehow? Anyhow? Maybe I can take care of house chores or work in the garden or...or..."
He couldn’t finish his speech before she pulled him into a loving hug, motherly love and warmth radiating from her, soothing Breeze and making him relax.
"All I need is you. You give me strength, bravery, and determination to continue and important of all, happiness. I can’t imagine my life without you. Not now and not in the future."
He pulled her hoof closer to him, eyes moistening with tears.
"I just want to make you proud."
"I know you will, but remember this. I am already proud of you." She wiped the tears from his eyes, smiles adorning both of them.
"Now let’s continue. I believe that Twilight is already waiting for us."
At the mention of the name, panic struck him. Without a second thought, he turned around and started galloping into the park. Meanwhile, she watched him, so much resembling him, yet so different. Taking a few slow steps, a sad sigh leaving her mouth, before walking once again straight while being surrounded by the beautiful yellow falling leaves.
The beauty of Canterlot park could be hardly described, only being rivaled by the Royal Gardens of the Princess castle. The old trees covering several acres, beautiful golden coloured leaves hanging on them, weakening, waiting for their final moments so they could finally rest. An occasional rustle could be heard as birds fluttered among them, whistling merrily to each other only to be unexpectedly interrupted by a squirrel wishing to return home. Climbing a tree caused the leaf to fall on the short, soft, fresh grass, creating a perfect natural bed for whoever wished to lie down to enjoy morning silence, sometimes accompanied by the gentle wind. This could be said about young Levander filly, lying under the shadows of the branches. But what interested her most was a brown book leaning against a stone, eyes moving along each line, taking each and every word with enthusiasm and anticipation. She was nearing to the end of the chapter! Excitement clear on her face. The revelation of the biggest mystery
"TWILIGHT!"
was disturbed.
Twilight let out an irritated sigh, closing the book and turning her head to look at her friend. He galloped so fast, not paying attention much attention until he stumbled over a stone. Losing his balance, Breeze rolled over to Twilight, starts the stars spun around him.
"Breeze..."
"Twilight... hi."
"What are you doing?"
"I’m late"
"No, you are not."
"No?"
"No"
He grinned at her.
"Thank Celestia, I feared you would be angry."
"Why? Nothing would happen if you did. Plus I was at the end of the chapter when you came."
"Oh, sorry." He averted gaze from her, shame on his face.
"It’s alright. I can finish it later. Did you bring the book you talked about?"
Shamed replaced by excitement, Breeze nodded
"Yes! Mom has it! But..." He looked at the rode he came from "where is she?" Just as the question left his mouth, said mare trotted from behind a small hill, hiding the path leading to the rest of the park.
"Mom!"
Shouted Breeze, already at the move to her side, at his mother.
"I am here sweaty, I am here. I just wished to enjoy the scenery"
With a quick, yet loving nuzzle she looked at the lavender filly, still lying at the same spot. "Hello Twilight, how are you doing?"
Hearing her name Twilight stood up and moved closer to both of them, a big smile spread on her lips.
"I’m doing great Miss Star, thank you for asking!" Twilight beamed at the mare.
"Please Twilight, I already told you to call me Amber." A smile never leaving.
"Alright, Miss Star!"
Now Amber couldn’t help but laugh lightly at the filly’s ethics.
The laughter subsided after she felt a tugging on her side, already knowing to whom and what it belongs to. Amusement in her lilac eyes, she looked and watched Breeze, struggling but not stopping, dug in brown, worn out saddlebag. It didn’t take him long to pull out the object he so aimed for. Medium size book with a red cover, title printed in a middle, reading "Back and Forth: Tales of Equestria".
"Here is the book." He said to Twilight, placing it in front of her.
She inspected the book. Confusion, yet shining with stars.
"Where did you get it? I haven’t seen this book anywhere."
Hoof sliding on the surface, examining every edge, until stopping at one word. Tales...
"I got it for my birthday. Though I don’t know from who. Mom said that it was in front of the door. But I liked it! At least, from what I could understand from it."
Book still on the mind, Twilight made her way to Breeze and with a friendly smile, she nudged him playfully.
"Come on, let’s read it together. I can’t wait to see it."
"Yeah."
Both taking place beside each other, book radiating in a purple glow same as Twilight’s horn, it was placed in front of them, both beside each other. While they focused on each word with Twilight explaining things misunderstood for Breeze, unaware of Amber observing them from behind, tears threatening to escape.
"Are you sure it is here?"
"I’m sure mom told me it is somewhere here."
"We can always play something else."
"But Ponies and Dragons is your favourite game, is it not?"
"Well yes, but... are we allowed to go here?"
"No need to worry! What could we possibly find in our house attic? Maybe some spider webs and old furniture."
Laughed Breeze, no care for Twilight’s warning.
"Now let see where is it."
The floorboards creaked with every step, making Twilight feel uneasy. Breeze in front of her, his eyes darting over the shelves, indicating he’s already accustomed to the sound. that what she believed. Several layers of dust hinted at a lack of care for it. Looking up, she saw wooden prisms, formed into a spike, holding the roof of the building. She bumped into something, it must have been a box.
"AHA, here it is."
Before she could ponder more about it, Breeze yell could be heard from several shelves holding several items, one of which was his objective. But it can’t be always easy as it was under another box containing unknown objects, causing a narrow gap between and making it harder to the game.
"Come on...!"
Breeze tried to pull hard, preferring strength over a logical solution. Maybe if he didn’t choose this way then the only book on shelve wouldn’t drop down, revealing hidden piece of something inside of it.
"Huh? What’s this?"
Forgetting about the game, he and Twilight hovered over the book, deciding if to take the item or not.
"Twilight..." He looked at her "Could you?"
Without a word she levitated the item from the book, revealing folded paper. Looking at each other then back at the paper, Twilight unfolded it with her magic, the words, changing to the sentences, forming. With a first look, they deciphered the meaning of the paper. It was a letter. To whom and from who? It was time to learn.
This may be my first, yet the last letter to you. Everything has changed in my heart since you left. My zeal and determination to fight are slowly fading. I feel that my end is slowly coming. I can’t get rid of that feeling. It grows day by day. I do not regret my decision. Equestria gave you possibilities and safety that Heland could not...
"Heland? What is Heland?" Breeze stopped reading, intrigued by this one world. It sounded familiar from somewhere...
"I think it was mentioned in the book we read, but we did not get to it." Answered Twilight.
"We should look at it later. For now, we should return to the list."
But before they could continue, a muffled voice spoked.
"Breeze! Sweety! I’m home!"
Breeze looked at the ladder leading to the attic then back at the letter. He took it to his mouth, leaving Twilight behind. She followed him, her steps faster to catch up with him. Climbing down as a second, Breeze has already made way to his mom, curious about their finding. Yet what he did not notice were disbelief and fear, confusion and sadness.
"W-where did y-you take that swe-eety?"
He looked at that piece of paper, not understanding what would lead to the mother’s stuttering. Putting it down, his eyes once again finding hers.
"This? Oh... Ehh... We were looking with Twilight for Ponies and Dragons and when we found it I couldn’t get it from the shelf: I hit the one above and the book where it was fell. And we wanted to read it but you came home. Right Twilight?"
"Ehh...Ehh..."
A look alternating between both, she landed on Breeze’s, hope and begging for support.
"O-Of course, we did not read anything from it. What it could contain important for us... hehehe... heeeeeeeee."
She smiled nervously, gesture repeated by Breeze, sweat appearing a sliding down by their bodies. Amber stared at them, evident suspicion in her eyes. Either she believed them or not she sighed. A small smile, barely visible, formed.
"Alright, I believe you. This letter is important to me. I promise you Breeze, I will tell you its content. But not right now. I am tired and wish to relax a little. But before I do that, I brought you some snacks."
She gave them two bags containing the sweet treat of brownies, chocolate icing soaked pastry with several pieces of raisins and nuts, that would melt even the tongue of somebody who’s trying to avoid as much sugar as possible. Eyes sparkling, saliva dripping, their own tongues rolled out. They took the delicacy, not before giving a hug to Amber. Both of them.
"Thanks mom, you are the best."
"Thank you very much, Miss Star.
"I’m glad you like it. Now go, enjoy it."
And what they went to do, leaving Amber alone to her thoughts. With one bloody paper which she wished she'd never see again.
"What is it dear."
"I’m bored."
"Oh... Well, I’m sure you can find something to entertain yourself with."
"I wish Twilight was her."
She looked at her son. Ever since Twilight has become a personal student of Princess Celestia, their moments together were diminishing until they have not seen each other for several months. Amber would never have expected for this turn of events for a young unicorn.
"You know that Twilight has a lot of work to do with learning. I sure that she will appear once it will be possible."
"She will most probably use that time for reading and studying than to care about her so-called friend."
"Don’t say it like that. Your friendship is unbreakable."
"I doubt that."
Silence fell over them, neither saying anything. Until...
"Mom... Can I ask you something?"
"But of course. Ask me whatever you want."
"That letter we found those years ago..."
"Sweety... you know that I will tell you about it want day. I promised that... But it is not to...
"I read it..."
She looked at him. He at her. No emotion whatsoever against the regret. One mouth opening and closing while the other closed. Sigh left from her, sorrowfully looking at her son.
"How much?"
"Until something about Heland or like that..."
"I see..."
"..."
"..."
"Do you know what happened to your father?"
"You said that he died when he was on the travels outside of Equestria."
"I said that yes. While it is true that he was outside of Equestria... Or maybe still is... That, I do not know."
"What do you mean?"
"You see Breeze... While you were born in Equestria, in reality, your journey started in placed called Heland."
"What is that? I could never get any information on that and couldn’t ever find that book we read with Twilight where it is mentioned."
"I know. I took that book with me... Same with the letter. But back to where I was. Heland is a region west from Equestria. Its history is long yet not for somebody of your age. Your father served or maybe still serves as a soldier. That letter appeared when you were two years old. I cried the whole night, just thinking about him."
Top wall becoming her priority like looking through it to the skies at the Goddess. Tears falling down.
"Crimson Dusk... Name of a stallion who’s captured my heart and that, by his own words, I gave strength to fight. I miss him every day."
Nobody said a word. None could be. Anything that Breeze believed he could do was to wrap hooves around her, bringing them both to the hug. For the first time in his life, this was the moment to bring warm and security. And so they stayed like that. Emotions swirling amongst them.
’I’ll make you proud.’
"Come... on... Breeze. You... can... do... it...! Just a little... more! *groans*
For some, it would be easier said than done while others would be the other way around. That was the case for Breeze himself. Pulling a small cart filled with junk of different sizes and weights wasn’t exactly something for a colt like him because no child should do these kinds of exercise. Every morning run as much as he can, later exercise body and later again his hooves. Morning routine for several months now, most of them secret and he hoped it would stay like that for a long time. His goal determined, heart calling, head calculating. It was all clear.
Destination
Royal Guards
"YOU THINK YOU GOT WHAT IS NEEDED TO BE PART OF THE ROYAL GUARDS?!"
"SIR, YES SIR!"
"REALLY?! BECAUSE I DON’T THINKS SO! WHAT I HAVE IN FRONT OF ME ARE MAGGOTS WHO WILL CRY FOR THEIR MOMS AFTER THE FIRST TRAINING! MOST OF YOU WON’T EVEN SURVIVE HALF OF IT!
Line after line, Stallions and Mares, awaiting for glory or failure. Only a small amount to be chosen. Only the best, after several years of training, will be decided. And Breeze is ready. This is his beginning.
’I’m coming for you’
