Silence plagued the royal archives as Tactic filed through folders, files and reports at a lonely. Princess Celestia had skimmed through them, but not to a great extent. Tactic had all the time in the world to sift through the archive. The soldier jumped at any word or name that began with a 'E' or 'B,' thinking it had been Epee or Broad. The only sound heard throughout the expansive archive was the sound of filed paper, the footsteps of Tactic traveling to the ceiling-tall shelves and back to the desk, and the occasional random cough.

Hours passed of the repetitve searching and filing, until Tactic stumbled upon a seemingly innocent letter. It was dated this time around 30 years ago. The sender was someone named Czar. The letter was stucked neatly into it's envelope, showing signs of being undisturbed for many years, maybe ever since it was recieved. The reciever herself was Princess Celestia. In pure curiousity, Tactic slipped the letter out. He began to read the letter, curiousity building. After he finished, Tactic remembered seeing more envelopes like this one in the small box it was found in. He hurried back to it, opening it and grabbing all of the similar envelopes. He hastily opened them, reading their contents.

Tactics eyes were wide and in shock after having read all of the letters sent by a man named Czar. I must hurry and tell Epee! thought Tactic as he hurried back to Fluttershy's cottage, letters in hand.

***

You thought back to last night as you walked back from Sugarcube Corner. Despite everyone's protest, you decided you'd been off long enough. Even though you would've loved to stay home just another day to be with Fluttershy, you needed to get back on the job. You smiled to yourself as the events of last night came back into your mind. Despite the strange circumstances, you were glad you finally confessed. It was a strange one, considering you'd done so on a couch. But no matter, the event that took place next was one for the books. The rest of the night was spent on that couch, where your first kiss took place. Even though you can't remember specific events, you can remember emotions, or actions you've done. And you know for a fact you've never had a kiss, until then. And you vowed that's all that would happen; you couldn't bring yourself to go all the way.

"Epee!!" A gruff voice shouted, trying to get your attention. You turned to see Tactic running towards you, holding some papers.

"Oh, hey Tactic, you okay?" You asked, seeing that he was rather excited.

"I...found something...about you...in Her Highness's archives..." The large soldier sputtered out. He handed you to papers, that turned out to be envelopes. You snatched them looked at the dingy white face. You looked back up at him wearing a face of shock. After he caught his breath, Tactic pointed to a specific. "That's the first one. Read it."

***

Czar to Celestia, 30 years ago

Dear Celestia,

King Czar; nice title, don't you think? Has a nice little ring to it. Being the king of a country, no matter how small, is an arduous task. Why am I complaining, you rule the largest country in the world don't you? Yet, you've been ruler of Equestria for some time now, you must be used to the whole 'ruler' thing. This is going to be difficult, having to change rulers all the time. Mortals like ourselves aren't exactly fit to be rulers. You're an alicorn, so you can rule Equestria for eternity...Well, I guess it's a good idea Marvalia is so small then, huh? It's been difficult ever since I've had to take leave from Equestria though...I've never been a likeable one, I don't have many people I can place my trust in. Except you of course. You'd always had my back, no matter whatever trouble I'd been in. I hope to hear back from you soon.

Czar to Celestia, 23 years ago

Dear Celestia,

I found out today that I am sterile. I have no family to rely on after I pass. There is no way for me to attain an heir. You must understand how distraught I am. Marvalia will be in anarchy after I am gone. It's also a problem that I don't have you here with me. You always comforted me whenever something was troubling me, no matter how severe or trivial. Now, I need you here more than anything, Celestia. I'm sorry I write them letters so seldomly, but with all that's happening, I can't even find the time...

Czar to Celestia, 12 years ago

Dear Celestia,

The fates must have taken pity upon me. Three children, named Epee, Broad, and Terra lost their families yesterday. I've taken them into the castle. I think they could be the next to rule. I'm not sure which one of them exactly, but it's possible. I would like to think I did this out of the kindness of my heart, but I know it was for my own selfish desires. Please forgive me...You always told me to think of others, Celestia. I try, but I always feel like I'm using others for my own gain.

Czar to Celestia, 9 years ago

Dear Celestia,

My time on this world has been drastically shortened. I have been told that I have a fatal disease that will kill me in no less than 10 years. Epee, one of the orphans I took in, shows great potential of being the next ruler, but he will be so young by the time I pass. I've neglected to tell any of them as well. They've come to think of me as a father, and I've come to think of them as my children. They are what I've needed for the longest time. Family. I can rely on them for anything, and they can rely on me. My trust is in them completely. It would break my already feeble heart to tell them that I will soon be gone...

Czar to Celestia, 9 years ago

Dear Celestia,

My people have betrayed me. Because of neighboring tribes attacking traders and merchants that supply us, my people think that I'm holding the goods for myself. They've caused many disturbances, damaging property mostly, and I've had to increase taxes to pay for it, yet they believe that I'm trying to get rich off of them! How could they think such things? There are reports of a rebel faction named Quarrel behind all of this. I fear that Marvalia will soon come to an end...I wish you could be here, Celestia. The time I spent with you gave me courage to go on. I only want to see your face again, so I may have courage to keep going. The years I was with you...I wouldn't give them up for anything.

***

You finished reading the letters, silent all the while. You looked up at Tactic.

"Is this..for rea-ACK!!" A sudden yelp of pain cut off. This migraine was tenfold the pain that normally accomponied an image. Instead of a few seconds of memory, hours of them flooded your mind. You fell to your knees as a chuck of your life was broadcasted in your mind.

***

You walked through the empty streets of Marvalia. Citizens were in their homes, the innocent avoiding members of Quarrel. Czar asked you to go in town and find out a few things about Quarrel. You had to be careful, though; asking the wrong person could get you and Terra attacked on the spot. You two were armed though. You, your favorite sword; her, a bow that she'd taken a liking to. You'd asked a few people you trusted, and found out a few things actually. Quarrel had been planning the something big for quite awhile; it wasn't apparent what, but the amount of shady characters were dwindling, most likely in their homes planning for something.

You caught a shady figure in your peripheral vision. You turned and saw a cloaked man approach you.

"You." He pointed at you. "Come with me." You warily followed him as Terra was at your heels. The man quickly turned toward her and said in a gravely voice, "Wait. He will return." Terra reluctantly stayed and watched you as you walked behind thecloaked figure. He led you to a small building. It was a dusty, brown color, like the rest of the buildings. The hut stood one story tall, with no windows and one, wooden door smack in the center. He entered, and you hastily followed.

Once inside, you saw that the color scheme of the exterior was the same as the middle. Brown, dusty, and boring. A few people were standing about, all looking at you. One of them came up to you, his tall figure looming over you.

"Broad told us that if you were to betray us, we would kill you where you stand." He said in a flat, dead voice.

"Wh-what!? Why?" You said, taken aback. "Who are you people?"

"Don't play dumb. If you betray Quarrel, we will kill you."

Those words bore through your mind like a drill. Broad had told these people I'm part of Quarrel? But, why? You couldn't think anymore as your instinct took over. You blasted out of the hut, sprinting back to Terra. You reached the spot, but she wasn't anywhere near here. You took off somewhere else, desparate to find her. After what felt like an eternity, you spotted her standing by a building, facing away from you. You ran up to her, about to tell her what had happened. Before you could say anything, Terra turned around to look to you, and you say tears flowing down her cheeks.

"A-are you-"

"How could you!?" She screamed. "Why are you leading Quarrel!? After all Czar has done for you, how could you betray him like this!? How could you do something like that? You're horrible!! Just leave, Epee!"

You stepped back. What was happening? Who told her this? Had Broad said something about this?

"Yes, Epee, how?" Said the very person. You turned around to see Broad's gruff, burly figure. He turned and ran, a small smug smile visible on his face for only a second. You sprinted after him, rage flowing through your body.

Broad sprinted out of Marvalia, into Everfree forest, you right at his heels. After what seemed like hours, you chased Broad deep into the forest. It was dark, and storm clouds were gathering. Broad had finally stopped running, turned.

"What did you tell her!?" You demanded.

"Oh, nothing really...just a few fibs," He teased.

"You told her I was the leader of Quarrel, didn't you!? Why!?"

"To get rid of you, of course. I wanted to throne for myself. You were always the favorite. Czar liked you the best. I wanted my share of power, and what better way to get it than to simply kill you off? Once I'm the only one alive, I get full control. I can cut ties with Quarrel, and get rid of them completely. So creative, don't you think?"

You growled. "It sounds cliche to me." You drew your sword.

"Ah, in for a fight are we?" Broad chuckled, "I'll be happy to oblige." He drew his long broadsword, it's length reaching about 5 feet.

You charged forward, holding your sword low. You slashed upward, attempting to cut Broad's treacherous body in half. He dodged and slashed his sword, nearly lobbing your head off. You ducked and thrusted your sword, clipping his side. He growled, and backed up. He brought his sword down in an attempt to cleave into your head. You sidestepped, and swung your sword, cutting his hand. He dropped the blade in pain, and gave you a death glare. He pulled a dagger from its sheath, and slashed at you. You dodged, and returned the favor. You connected blades a few times, sending sparks spraying from the point of contact.

You made your first mistake. Broad feinted once, and you instinctively went for the bait. He slashed at your chest, cutting through your shirt. You cried out in pain, taking a few steps back. You sliced left to right, and returned the other way. Broad dodged both, and stabbed at you. You somersaulted over him, and landed on the ground behind him. You twisted your weight, spinning around and cutting into his back. He yelped, and turned around, using his weight to slash at you. He slashed your arm, cutting down into the muscle. You dropped your blade, pain surging through your body whenever you tried to grasp something. He slashed at you, cutting your chest again. He did so multiple times, then ending the barrage with a kick to the chest. You flew to the ground with a thud and a yelp of pain. Blood leaked onto the grass, the red liquid contrasting with the green. You tried to stand, but Broad launched a kick into your face. The sheer force of the kick tossed your entire upper body backwards, knocking you on your back. Broad lifted you by your neck, and then threw you back down onto the grass. Your consciousness was flickering, your sight fading and reappearing.

"Tch, too easy," sighed Broad. He walked away, leaving you to die.

Lightning crashed, leaving cracks of white across the night sky. Thunder boomed, mixing the crashing and booming with the sound of torrential rainfall pouring down all around you. You struggled to stand, your body heavily wounded and losing blood rapidly. You know that you'll die soon of you don't find help. Considering that you're in the middle of Everfree Forest, the possibility of finding any is slim to none.

Finally to your feet, you began to stagger forward, desperate to get out of the forest. Your body was covered in bruises, cuts and gashes, leaving your clothes blood-stained and torn. Thoughts begin to come across your mind as you limp through the dense forest. Is this the right way? Will you just be walking back into that treacherous bastard that attacked you? Will you trudge through this damn forest until Death decides to end your suffering?

You shivered, the loss of blood and cold rain freezing your body. Continuing to stagger forward, you noticed that the thickness of trees begins to thin out. Hope of survival glimmering through the darkness, you begin to quicken your slow pace a tad. Time slowly crept by as you limped out of the forest. A rock in your path trips you up, causing you to stumble and fall to the ground.

***

Gasping for air, you slowly stood up. Hours of memory passed like seconds. It took the pain a few seconds to disperse. Tactic helped you stand, putting his arm around you so you can use him to support yourself.

"I...remember now..." You said quietly. Tactic looked at you, confused. You told him all you remembered, and as you explained, it all pieced itself together.

"So...he's planning on killing off Czar, Terra and you?" You nodded.

"We can't just charge in there and take him out, he practically has an army there. Plus Czar and Terra might attack me if I show up there..." You interjected.

"Well then, what do we do?" Tactic asked.

"Keep this a secret." You instructed. "I...don't want anyone finding out about this. I can't worry any of them, especially Fluttershy." You continued to study the dirt path.

Tactic sighed. "Okay. Don't worry, you can trust me. If you need any more help, I'll be right there. I must take my leave. Goodbye."

After your goodbyes, you and Tactic turned and went your separate ways. The whole way home, instead of the thoughts of a happy relationship with Fluttershy, the thoughts of the letters, Quarrel, Broad, Terra and Czar echoed through your mind.