Prologue /// Altered
Do you ever wonder why Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon are one in the same?
Do you ever wonder where Discord had originated?
Or even where changlings came from? Or why Queen Chrysalis is a broken looking alicorn?
I have all those stories.
Did you even know that all those stories, which were told to you when you were told to you when you were a little foal were all altered? Not completely altered as to where the whole story was a lie.
But altered as to where only not even half the story was told. Altered as to where only the ending had begun. Altered where the dark parts were cut off. The sadness, the grief, the pain.
Now, let's start off from the beginning.
Introduction /// Bravery Cross
My name is Bravery Cross. To be honest with myself, I'm not very brave at all. I hide in the shadows, every day, every night. And I have been there for years.
My name is a long forgotten myth, and the only ponies that will remember my name are the Regal Sisters, Queen Chrysalis and Discord.
Why would such important ponies remember my name?
I, Bravery Cross, actually major in alot of these untold stories. Not unfinished stories, yes, they were finished, but certain parts were left out. Left out to be forgotten.
I appear as a fictional character. A pony that never existed.
So, who am I really?
I'm just a pony that hides everyday. That watches every other ponies moves. That's basically my life. I'm a pony that remembers everything from that moment. I'm that pony who ran away, afraid. Afraid of everything, really.
I might have been brave at that era in which I actually existed, but now, not anymore.
Here is not only my story, bit Celestia's and Luna's, Discord's and Chrysalis', and Destiny Slayer, the pony who I oathed to find, but to this day I still haven't.
This is our story.
Chapter 1 /// Contract
Today is the day I am going to fight for a job. My life depends on it. And if I don't win, I'm going to die. If I don't sign up either, I will die, along with with my mother, by lack of money and die because we have no food.
Me and my mother live off of bread everyday, grass is nowhere to be found as we live in a city, and any other edible things are always mouldy. She works as a factory worker, but gets very low pay and she will spends most of that profit on rent.
My sister travelled far lands to find riches, her name is Courage Cross. She sends us letters every two months, usually she slays dragons but it takes a really long time to ind one single dragon, and maybe take months to prepare for a dragon raid. When she does kill a dragon, we get quite some money from her.
Anyway, if I sign up, and not get the job, my mother will live as alot of money will go to her, but I will die and get murdered. And if I do not sign up, me and my mother will eventually both die and rot. So it's better to take that chance, than to not to.
If I win that tournament, I get to become either Celestia's or Luna's personal guard, alongside another pony, who will also win. But many ponies from far across are entering, even ones outside of Canterlot. Where the tournament is being held. Because, of course, being one of the regal sisters personal guards, would be an honour, and would get you high pay. You will also be looked upon.
Though, the rules of the tournament is to kill or be killed. Once signed up, you can not take back your application form. You can not flee in the middle of the battle, and any equipment or armour is advised to bring. Bows, swords, shields, spears, knives, shuriken, light armor and heavy armor can be bought, the possibilities are endless. Pegasus can use wings and unicorns can use magic, giving earth ponies like me a huge disadvantage. And simple other stuff like that.
I quickly glance at my mother, who nods her head at me, in approval. I re-read the application form. A brown scroll, inscripted in fancy letters and an intricate gold border with swirls. It was really out-done.
I, _____________, am going to compete for the Grand Regal Games.
I am certain of the application submission, and will not flee in the midst of a battle, and know that I can not withdraw my application. Once the contract is signed, the application will be sent to the ballot of the Grand Regal Games in the Canterlot Castle, which will be reviewed by professionals. The ballot will then be drawn, and two ponies names will be picked. Those ponies will be picked and teleported into the arena, from special unicorn magic, and the two ponies will fight until one dies. If there is an odd number amount of ponies, one ponies name will be called twice. Once the battle ends, the winning ponies name won't be called out again until the next round begins. The last two remaining ponies, will become one of the two Regal Sister's personal guards.
Any technique or equipment will be approved of, which includes pegasi wings or unicorn magic. Once teleported inside the arena, I can not escape, as there is a magic barrier which stops anypony from flying out, trotting out, or teleporting out. I will have to fight till' the death. Enchanted equipment, armor and weapons included, will be allowed, but not the pony himself or herself can be altered in anyway possible to make yourself more powerful. Meaning, drugs or magic to power your ownself will result to disqualification and elimination.
To make up for all the deaths, the Regal Sisters will give 10,000,000 bits divided by all the ponies who signed up and pass it to their family. The Sister's deeply apologise for the deaths that will happen, but are sorry, for even they can not bring back the dead. Families can spend the bits in however way they wish, but are restricted to use it for foolish purposes.
Other than that, the simple rules are is to kill, or be killed.
And may the odds be ever in your favor.
Signed, _____________.
Mother had read it along with me and squeezed my shoulders. I was scared. Should I really do it? Mother might lose me though, and although she would get the money I know she wouldn't be truly happy without me. I'm the only one left in her life after father went missing. But if I sign up for this, mother will live either way. Win or lose. I should do it for mother.
I am Bravery Cross. Bravery is literally my name.
I grabbed the quill, put it in my mouth, dipped it in ink, and I quickly glanced at my mother again. Who still looked a bit scared. I dropped the quill and hugged my mother. "I'll do it, for you, mama." She started sobbing and I hugged her waist. "Don't cry."
I picked up the quill again and wrote my name in both the signing spots.
I, Bravery Cross, am going to compete for the Grand Regal Games.
Signed, Bravery Cross
And I watched, as the application had slowly levitated up in the air and a green flame was slowly consuming it. And as the last end of the scroll had disappeared, it had been rolled up, and almost as if it was.. blown away.. into the direction of the Canterlot Castle.
My heart was pumping, and my blood was rushing. I was already nervous. A nervous adrenaline inside of me had sparked and my breathing was already puffed. And then it struck my thoughts, I was going to die. I started sobbing into my mothers arms, and wiped my eyes. My mother stroked my mane and was also sobbing into my mane.
"I.. at least you'll get to live mama."
Then she pushed my mane aside from my face and kissed my cheek.
"It's alright. I love you. Just don't worry for now." She forced a smile. "You will live, just for me, okay?" She put her arms around my head, and kissed my mane. "I love you."
