Unfettered

UNFETTERED

Chapter Two

“You're insane. There's no other word for it. You're absolutely, completely, irrefutably bonkers, Cenote.”

Aforementioned colt barked a harsh laugh, a broad grin plastered on his face.

“Maybe I am. Think about it, Sterling! Off on our own, beholden to no one but ourselves. We could see every corner of Equestria! Explore and discover new places, hidden places, places nopony's ever seen before!”

He was pacing now, that same excited smile stretching his lips. His hooves clattered quite loudly on the concrete roof they'd started to call 'the usual spot'. An abandoned warehouse, with a spacious roof perfect for stargazing. The trio met there quite often, to scheme and play.

“We'd pick where we go, what we do, what we learn. No responsibilities besides what WE want.”

“What about our families? Our parents? We can't just... just leave like that!”

“And why not? Sterling, you told me yourself that you wanted to see the world. Think of the songs and stories you could write. Imagine it!”

Cenote spun, facing his other friend.

“And Di, what about you? Somewhere out there, what you're meant to do is just waiting for you to discover it. No more putting up with ridicule from your siblings, no more snide remarks about your wings or flight!”

The two others opened their mouths as if to respond, but Cenote didn't let them.

“Look, as much as I really want you guys to come along... if you don't, I won't make you. I'm still going, but I won't blame you if you want to stay. I just wanted to give you guys the chance to come with me before I left.”

Diomedea frowned, looking conflicted. Sterling, however, spoke up almost immediately.

“You really think a lunkhead like you would last a day out on your own? As if we'd let you go off and get yourself lost or hurt in some backwater village out in the middle of nowhere. Right, Di?”

The pegasus glanced at Sterling, before reluctantly nodding.

“I don't much like the idea of just... leaving like this,” she admitted, “but the thought of letting you go gallivanting off on your own is even less appealing. I don't suppose we could talk you into waiting to leave until tomorrow?”

“Not a chance!”

“...I was afraid you'd say that. Alright. We need to gather some supplies, then, I guess. Sterling's place is closest. Let's go.”

“That's the spirit, Di! You guys won't regret this, I promise. This is gonna be the adventure of a lifetime!”

Cenote and Sterling Song both laughed at their friend's hesitance, as they stepped off of the roof of the building onto the fire escape, climbing down to the alley below, Di gliding down lazily after them.

The trio walked along the street, the setting sun casting dancing shadows across the paved path.

“So what all did you pack, Cenote?”

Cenote flipped open his bag and rummaged through it as they went, listing off its contents.

“Cold weather clothes, a sleeping bag, my bits, some paper, a quill and some ink, and some of the gear from that really lame campout we had back in school. Remember that, Sterling? That was about the time I started calling you Sour Note!” Cenote said with a laugh.

“Oh, you mean when he tried singing campfire songs with us, but the ghost stories that the counselor had told had him so rattled all he could do was squeak?” Di grinned.

“Hah! Yeah! Oh that was great!”

“Yeah, I remember. What from it did you bring?” Sterling's reply was sullen.

“The fire starter and the water-purifying talisman. Just basic survival stuff.”

“Survival stuff, huh? Guess that means we should pack some junk like that too. Anything specific we need?”

Cenote hummed thoughtfully, putting a hoof to his lips.

“Well, unless we plan on sleeping on the ground, a tent might not be a bad idea,” he mused.

“That's no prob, I've got a tent big enough for all of us. Plus a few lanterns!” Sterling grinned and pumped a hoof in the air.

“Oil or gem?”

“They're gem, so we'll have to find a unicorn who'll recharge 'em once in awhile, I guess.”

“I suppose that'll have to do. We should probably see if we can get our hooves on some more food, too.”

“Wait, why? Can't we just forage?” Sterling's brow furrowed.

“You dolt! There's almost nothing between here and Fillydelphia.” Di chimed in, bopping Sterling on the head with a hoof.

Cenote's mind wandered, the bickering of his two friends fading into the background. He glanced up, Princess Luna's moon full and bright in the sky. He'd had dreams like this so many times before.

Broad plains stretched out before him, nothing to watch over him but the sun and moon. Relying only upon his own wits and skill to survive. No expectations, no responsibilities. The exact opposite of what he was enduring in Manehatten!

With a giddy grin, Cenote started sprinting down the street. The sooner they got everything gathered and packed, the sooner they could leave the city and begin their journey proper!

“H-Hey! Cenote!”

“Wait up, you goofball!”

Laughing, Sterling and Di took off as well, attempting to catch their smiling friend.

“Alright guys, now you've gotta be quiet. My folks are probably out cold, but they're light sleepers. One sound's enough to wake 'em up, and I don't wanna have to explain to the old mare why we're creeping around at ten o'clock in the evening packing camping supplies,” Sterling murmured to his friends, his voice just barely above a whisper.

“I got it, I got it, Sour, you don't want your mama to realize you're gone until you're gone... Or is it you're not sure you can go through with this if you see her?” Cenote smirked.

“I bet that's it. Sterling, you're such a mama's colt.” Di giggled, before stuffing her hoof in her own mouth to stifle it.

“Just... Just shut up you guys! I'll be back in a little bit. Don't do anything stupid, okay?” Huffing, he turned and crept up the stairs to the door.

I am not a mama's colt, he told himself firmly. I just can't stand that pout she does to get her way... What kind of mother pouts to get her kid to listen to them?!

He paused as he slipped through the living room, listening to the quiet snores coming from the door of his parents' bedroom; the door was partially ajar, causing him to slow even further to avoid making any noise.

Up the stairs he went, deftly skipping the first; it squeaked audibly. Around the corner, into his bedroom, he gently pushed the door not-quite-shut. He didn't want to risk the latch closing.  He could feel his heart beating, his face flushed.

The idea of wandering around like that, with his two best friends? It was all he could do not to jump around and dance and laugh. He was giddy from mane to hoof.

And maybe, just maybe... he'd find something new to sing about out there.

The colt grabbed his saddlebags, stuffing a set of winter clothes into them. He grabbed the small gem-lanterns from his closet, as well as slinging the rolled-up tent over his back.

Tip-hoofing out of his bedroom, he pulled the door shut delicately. He smiled, satisfied with his display of stealth thus far, and turned to make his way down the stairs...

...only to come face to face with his mother, Silver Tongue, the mare's glasses glimmering dangerously in the dim light.

“And just where do you think you're going?!” Her voice was urgent, furious, but a whisper nonetheless.

“I, uh...” Sterling panicked, rocking from hoof to hoof in dismay.

I was so quiet! How on earth did she hear me?!

His mother's eyes swept over him, to the saddlebags slung casually over his shoulders.

“Are you... Are you running away?”

Oh no. Here it comes. That... that weaponized pout.

And yet, it didn't. His mother's gaze was unreadable, her face flat. Finally, she jerked her head towards the stairs and motioned for him to follow. He did so obediently, taking care not to make too much noise. His father still slept, after all.

She led him into the living room, where she took a seat on the couch. She patted the cushion next to her, and he sat as well.

“So why don't you tell me exactly what's going on, hm?”

He'd been expecting her to yell and scold him. This calm, quiet approach threw him off; she was even smiling.

“Uh, well...” He gulped, unsure of how to proceed.

“Just relax, little Song. I'm not angry. I'm concerned. Why are you sneaking around this late, looking like you're running away from home, hmm?”

Sterling took a deep breath, before looking over to meet his mother's eyes.

“It's for Cenote.”

“Cenote?”

“Pure Tone. His father... basically threatened to kick him out if he didn't stop messing up his cello lessons. Cenote... Sorry, Pure Tone... decided that he'd rather leave on his own terms. So he's leaving. Tonight.”

The mare leaned back on the couch, looking thoughtful. She opened her mouth to reply, only to be cut off by Sterling.

“Mom, I have to go with him. He's always been there for me. Always. I couldn't live with myself if I let him go off on his own. Besides, Diomedea's coming with us!”

“I see,” Silver Tongue said softly. Her voice was oddly sad, as she shifted and slid off of the couch. “Come with me, Sterling. I have something to show you.”

Sterling followed his mother back up the stairs, down the hallway, into the guest bedroom his father had converted into a study. She opened the closet and pulled out an old, dusty book; blowing the grime off of the cover, Sterling realized it was a photo album.

“What's that, mom?”

She didn't reply. Instead, she delicately pulled the cover open and began flipping through the pages. Sterling didn't recognize any of the ponies in the photos at first, but near the end he caught glimpses of a stallion he thought was his grandfather, clad in shimmering white and gold. Sure enough, as the photos progressed, he saw pictures of his father as well, in the same armor his grandfather wore. On the final page was a photo of his father with Silver Tongue next to him, grinning broadly in the sunlight.

“Mom... Is dad wearing guard armor?”

“That he is,” she murmured quietly, gingerly running a hoof over the photo. “ Just like your grandfather, and his father before him. Your father was in the Guard for many years, going from city to city as his assignment changed. He loved it.”

Sterling was speechless. This stallion in the photo, the lithe, muscled stallion, was a side of his father he'd never known. He could only think of his goofy father, singing songs and telling stories to him as he lay in bed.

“He saw all of Equestria while in the Celestial Guard. He met a great many friends and had a lot of good times.”

“Well, why'd he stop?” Sterling asked breathlessly.

His mother gave him a strange look, before poking his nose with a hoof.

“We happened, my little pony. When I told him I was pregnant, he got this funny little smile and said, 'Well, that's one adventure I haven't had yet'.” She giggled at the memory, idly wiping a tear from her eye. “So... So I suppose it's no surprise that you've got the same wanderlust as your father.”

Sterling started protesting, eyes wide.

“Oh, hush now. You try to hide it by saying you're off to help your friends, but you can't hide it from me. You can't lie to your mother, Sterling Song,” Silver Tongue scolded playfully.

He hung his head, ashamed, only for his mother's hoof to raise it once again. She met his eyes, and smiled broadly.

“I won't stop you. If you're like your father, and Goddesses know you are, then this is something you'll have to do.” She laughed, unshed tears pooling in the corner of her eyes.

She released his chin, and leaned up to the top shelf of the closet. Pulling a large, worn, wooden box down, she ran her hoof across the top almost reverently.

“Your father's armor,” she explained. “They let him keep it after he retired, along with a few other mementos.”

She slid it open, revealing the white and gold plates that all of the Celestial Guard wore, as well as a set of saddlebags. Even dusty as it was, Sterling could tell that it was made to exacting standards. His mother reached beneath the armor, and tugged out something else.

It wasn't the plain, kept craftsmanship of the rest. His mother held in her hoof what looked like a bandolier, to be worn across the shoulder, with pouches lining the entire thing. It showed sign of extensive use, but it was taken care of, that much Sterling could see.

“Your father received this bandolier as a gift when he was just a little older than you,” his mother whispered softly. “Oh, he fought long and hard for the Guard to let him wear it with the armor. Deviated from the standard uniform, they said!”

She laughed, handing it to Sterling, who held it up in both hooves.

“It was given to him by Whip Stitch. His father, your grandfather.”

“And now, colt, I'm giving it to you,” came a deep voice from behind Sterling Song, making him jump.

He turned to where his father stood, the portly white stallion smirking down at him.

“Bet you thought you were sneaky, huh, colt?” Trailblazer laughed.

“D-Dad, I...”

“Shut it, Sterling. I know what it's like. You told your mother it was to help Pure Tone, but I know the signs. You're craving it, aren't you? The open road, the freedom. You're lusting after it.”

Sterling Song bit his lip, before answering almost sheepishly.

“Yeah...”

“Well, by Celestia's mane, it's about bucking time!”

“Ugh, where is he?” Cenote groaned softly, leaning back against the brick of Sterling's house. “It's been like twenty minutes!”

“Hush, Cenote. He's probably just double checking to make sure he's prepared. You know how he gets.” Di swatted him with a wing.

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled, shoving Di's wing away. “I'm just anxious. I wanna get out of this city. The longer we stay, the more likely it is my dad'll realize what's up. Besides, we still gotta stop by your place, right?”

“Yeah. That won't take long, though. My parents are out for the weekend, visiting my sisters in Cloudsdale.”

They both paused as the front door opened, and their friend emerged. His eyes were red, as if he'd been crying, but what drew their attention was the strange object strapped snugly across his chest.

Sterling Song stepped down to the street, running a hoof over his eyes once. When he opened them, they were steely, as was the smirk that he now wore.

“Let's go.”