It Is Always Best Forgotten

The cold gust picked up, chilling him to the bone. His teeth started chattering endlessly, the skies gloomy with dark clouds. The mare on his back had proven to be a more difficult task than what she appeared. He took forced steps trying to fight the violent winds. A single drop fell on his cheek. It was sheer cold. It started pour a little bit, the small patter of the rain drops becoming increasingly louder. He grabbed the mare's shroud and put it over her head and his too. Minutes later, heavy rain started, mixing with the winds and becoming an even more difficult task to carry on. The trees of the forest that they found themselves in had little protection from the rain.

At the corner of his eye, he spotted a small uplift of the ground that covered a portion of ground that seemed unaffected by the rain only fit for one pony. He placed mare gently into it and looked up into the sky. He closed his eyes, as if in great pain, he lowered his body, stiffly preparing himself for something. A burst of light came out of his coat, his expression in extreme pain. Hundreds of small streams of light burst from him. Each one seemed to hurt him more and more. He opened his eyes; pure white light replaced anything that made them up. The light circled around him and became a giant pure white sphere. Nothing could be seen inside. The rain bounced off the sphere, sending rainbows scattering in each direction. Then the sphere expanded, suddenly without warning, a huge amount of the forest was covered in it. And then just like that it vanished. The stallion in the center, laying down his eyes closed, the rain pouring onto his exhausted face.

The stallion stood up and walked over to the mare who sat dry under the uplift, sleeping soundly. A small baby pony nuzzling under her arm, yawning its quiet small yawn ever so often. He placed his forehead onto the small colt. Without him speaking, his voice was clear and bright. It echoed in his mind. He could hear everything.

I've given up my will at last; this burden of mine is free.

I did everything I could to keep you safe for now.

But even my entire strength cannot keep you safe forever.

I hope that until then, you will grow up to be a fine stallion.

One that will not only take my place, but become better than me.

You're our last hope. Live on.

The mare was awake now; she placed a hoof on the stallion's cheek gently. The stallion turned to look at her. Their eyes both full of despair and exhaustion. They smiled as if they had just agreed on something. Then they turned to look at the sleeping small baby colt, safely away from any harm. The mare placed her nose gentle onto him as well as the Stallion. Then the voice of angel whispered quietly.

"You are so bright and strong, just like your father. I believe in you. You are everything I hoped and wished for my darling. And I know someday, you'll be much more. You are the light that guides me."

~~~~~~~`

He quickly opened his eyes, widely awake, beads of sweat running down his forehead, panting for air. He closed his eyes again, and then reopened them as he saw a group of mares looking at him. He sank deeper into whatever he was laying down on.

"Are you okay Illy?" Fluttershy asked.

No matter how many times Fluttershy could say it; somehow it made him so happy and blushes whenever she'd call him that. All the ponies looked at Fluttershy strangely and then back at him.

"Uh, you took a pretty hard hit on the table when you fell asleep there." Twilight said, trying to straighten her voice.

It seemed the purple unicorn pony wasn't used to be around him, or at least talking to him.

"What happened?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I... I don't know...It felt like I had lost my breath and everything just went... blank" trying to find an excuse. He was unsure of the dreams he was having, whatever they were, he couldn't let anyone else know. They felt... dangerous...

"Well you were gone for a while there." Twilight said, a bag of ice lifting itself into the air and onto the table.

"Magic?" he asked, still puzzled by even the smallest magic.

"You've never seen magic?" she asked, just as confused as he was.

"Well... no I haven't..." the dreams still wildly racing through his mind, trying to keep himself from blurting out something.

"Well, only Unicorn ponies are able to use magic, aside from Ali-corns like Princesses Celestia and Princesses Luna."

"Only unicorns?"

"No one else, other ponies like the Pegasi and Earth ponies like yourself have a different sort of magic, but that only involves your limbs or body features. For example, the Pegasi have a small amount of magic that keeps constant. Making their body lighter, that way, they can fly and walk on clouds. Earth Ponies on the other hand have a little to nothing of magic. It only lets them use their tail more efficiently."

So many questions were still left unanswered. If he was an earth pony, how in the name of Celestia was he able to....?

He looked away, his mind deep in thought.

Suddenly, two more mares appeared from the small door, slamming quickly against the walls.

"Gosh darn it Rarity, I tell's ya I ain't gonna wear that silly dress anyway, why try forcing it on me?" the strange accent from the Orange pony with the yellow tied mane wearing a hat called out behind her. No horn, no wing. An earth pony.

He stared at her, the Orange pony completely oblivious of his existence as she looked towards the doorway arguing with the other mare.

"Oh please oh please Applejack! Hoity Toity is asking for southern style dresses and I need you to model for me please~" the White and fashioned purple mane unicorn begged.

"Ugh, fine." the orange pony said, finally agreeing.

"And that's why you're the most trusted and honest pony in Ponyville." she said, trying to butter her up a little so it won't seem like a total drag.

"Hi Twilight" the two ponies said in unison.

"Oh this is good, everyone is here at last!" Twilight exclaimed, clopping her hoofs together in excitement.

"I wanted to talk to you all earlier but there a few... things that got in the way with some of us" she said, clearly pointing out Fluttershy who just looked downwards, an expression of sorry.

Illuminous stood quiet; the 2 ponies still oblivious to his existence, the couch concealed any vision of him.

"But first, you should meet our new friend." she told them, Illuminous standing up, looking more shy than ever.

Quickly enough, just like the pink pony, the Orange one shook his hoof wildly with both of hers. "Hi it's nice to meet ya. I'm Applejack; I tend to them farms over at Sweet Apple Acres."

"All by yourself?" he said without problems. I guess he felt more curious than shy.

"Oh please Applejack that is no way to treat someone." The white unicorn pushed Applejack out of the way.

"It's so nice to meet you, I am Rarity, Ponyville's most elegant and fashionable pony" she said, battering her eyes at him. Aside from Applejack, Rarity made him rather uncomfortable; she was beautiful and amazing, so he felt strange unease around her.

"I'm Illuminous" he said shyly.

"Such a wonderful name if I do say myself. I run the Carousel Boutique." Rarity explained.

"Now that everyone's here we can throw him a welcoming party!" the wild pink pony said, throwing confetti into the air.

"I'm sorry Pinkie, but we still have things to do." Twilight responded.

"Aww" Pinkie pie said with disappointment in her expression.

"Spike, would you please read the letter that Princess Celestia sent?" Twilight asked.

"Already on it." The small purple dragon responded, taking out a scroll, clearing his throat, and reading it out loud

To My Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle

My schedule seems to have cleared up, and free time is available.

I gladly invite you and your friends to come over to Canterlot.

I will personally give all of you a tour alongside Twilight.

Hope to see you here soon.

Princess Celestia.

'Wow, a letter from the Princess herself.' Illuminous thought to himself.

Twilight's eyes we're bright and cheerful. "I was thinking that maybe we could head out today and make it there within the day! So what do you say girls?

"Well shoot Twilight, can we really say no to a request from the Princess herself?" Applejack responding to her statement in behalf of everyone who just nodded their heads.

"Alright girls, go pack your things."Twilight ordered.

"It's gonna be awesome, you only got to see the donuts shop last time we went on the night of the Gala!" Spike said, escorting everypony out the door.

Fluttershy went up to Twilight. "Um, can Illuminous come to? Maybe Princess Celestia could explain a few things about Illuminous and his cutie mark."

He could clearly tell, Fluttershy was also trying to hide his abnormal power, she hadn't mention to anyone, not even Rainbow Dash, it seemed she didn't know either, I guess she couldn't see the irregular glow around him that night. No regular earth pony could contain his attributes. Why didn't she say anything? Was she trying to protect him?

"That's a great idea Fluttershy. Does he have anything to pack?" she asked.

Illuminous just shook his head.

"Well, if it's okay I mean. Can you help me carry a few things?" Fluttershy asked him.

Of course, Illuminous obediently agreed.

The small road lead up to a peaceful forest, a grand castle sitting at the edge of a mountain at the top, which was by far the grandest and most amazing of any building that could be in Ponyville. His stomach churned with excitement. It seemed like a long way. But by now, he was used to it, being home sick. Missing everything he had. At least not all was bad; having Fluttershy around was great, better than great. It was amazing. The thought made him smile greatly.

Twilight, Fluttershy, and Illuminous were already set and done before any pony arrived; he carried several kitchen utensils and tools in a saddlebag that Fluttershy gave to him. It was a heavy load but he had more than enough strength. All the ponies arrived together, all ready with whatever they needed. Applejack, carrying a various amount of apple treats in one bag and apples in the other, seemed to be the heaviest. Rainbow Dash had nothing on her; I guess she was more of the kind of pony that would just fly around looking for food. Pinkie Pie had a bunch of sweets in her bag, as cheerful and hyperactive as ever. Rarity had a scarf on, looking as magnificent as she was an hour ago, carrying clothing and warm things. Fluttershy carried the lightest items, mostly because Illuminous refused in letting her get half his weight. She carried first aids and other things. Twilight carried books and maps. 'Typical', Illuminous thought in his mind. He'd only met them for a short while but judging by their cutie marks and attitudes, it seemed pretty obvious.

The party of ponies left to enter the forest that sat between Ponyville and Canterlot, talking of all sorts of stuff. On how excited they were to get to spend time with the Princess, to all the wonderful places in Canterlot. Laughing and foaling around, going a long day's journey.

The sun narrowed down into the horizon, waving goodbye to the day with its beautiful patterns of orange and gold reflecting upon the clouds, the moon ready to show its beauty.

"We should set camp for the night, that way we won't arrive to Canterlot tired and sleepy; it would be bad if the Princess lost her free time because we all were asleep." Twilight said, trying to sound as reasonable as ever.

The party of ponies set down sleeping mats and flopped down, each pointing to the middle, circling into a group. Illuminous made his way slowly down onto the mat as everyone was already laying down, in-between Dash and Fluttershy.

Rarity broke the silence that everyone seemed to be enjoying. "So Illuminous, what are you good at?" Rarity asked a sparkle of curiosity in her eye.

"Well the thing is... I don't know."

"He has a strange cutie mark, too small to be deemed one." Twilight explained to them as Illuminous turned around at a degree, showing everyone the small yellow shard.

"We're going to speak to Princess Celestia to see if she knows anything; the only thing I know is that his cutie mark is part of the Old Kingdom."

"And what is the Old Kingdom?" Rarity asked.

"That's just it, there is no evidence or proof of the existence of the Old Kingdom at all, but pony legend tells of an old civilization of evil, where rulers of the lands would rise up by forceful dark methods." Twilight explained.

Twilight turned to Illuminous, who was busily playing with the grass, swaying it side to side. A rather unusual hobby of his.

"Illuminous, do you know anything about your family that might be connected to the old kingdom?" Twilight asked.

"Well no, the only thing I know is that my father was Princess Celestia's Ex. Royal guard. Or at least that's what he told me."

"Then Princess Celestia should have an idea about this. And your mother? Are they in Canterlot or something?"

Illuminous filled with sadness as the memories poured in.

"Twilight, I don't think now is the best time to talk about th-" Fluttershy tried intercepting the question but was interrupted by Illuminous.

"It's okay Fluttershy... I'll have to tell them sooner or later...."

Illuminous told them everything, he never knew his mother, and his father told them that she was somewhere watching over them. Illuminous was old enough to know what this meant, and him, his sister, and his father lived away from everypony in a quiet isolated forest. He never knew of Ponyville or Canterlot or anything other than his own woods, and tales that his father used to tell him.

He told them what happened that day. To his father... to his sister...

He kept the secret of his unnatural powers to himself. And Fluttershy made no attempt to even mention it.

Everyone looked at him with pity in their eyes as he told his story.

Even Pinkie Pie wasn't cheerful after he'd finish his story. They all gathered around him and gave him a group hug. Illuminous was confused, why? He was just a stranger to them... He looked away, and without uttering a word, lay down to sleep. So did everyone else.

Illuminous woke up in the middle of the night. He nudged Fluttershy awake.

"What happened?" the confused and sleepy Fluttershy asked.

"I just wanted to thank you..." he said shyly.

Fluttershy nuzzled into his chest. "What for?"

"For not mentioning that... light. I don't even know what it is, but I do know I'm afraid of it..."

She wrapped her arm around him. "its okay, no matter what happens, I promised I'd be here for you."

He placed his forehead on hers, treasuring the moment.

Then his ears perked up. He heard the rustling of leaves. There was something... watching them. He stood up, ready for anything. Fluttershy looked confused.

Then, from the darkness it appeared, two pairs of unholy crimson eyes, similar to that of the corrupted Ursa Minor.

===============

(Author's Note: -.- Today was bad, my computer kept crashing, my mom kept giving me pills and interrupting me telling me if I felt okay. Relatives, etc, etc. Bleh, But I finished! another good news is that I have an Illuminous drawing on the making. My sister was kind enough to do the honors. :3 Hope you enjoyed!