Page 48 of Celestia, Year Four

"Why would I possibly be angry with my younger brother about events he can't control? If this is your way to see Celestia or something, it's not-"

"How long are you going to put up a front around me, Odion?!"

I flinched at Orion's loud voice. I could sense the frustration in his tone, and he lifted his head to reveal his tear-filled eyes. Odion remained in place, unable to see what I saw, yet I noticed his lilac eyes that were filled with hurt. He still went on with his facade.

"What front? There is none. Are we done? Last time I checked, neither of us should be in this area. In fact, I still don't understand why you're here at this old barn site. It wasn't where you were forced to stay, locked in chains every day and night. Why would you come here? To tick me off."

"I wanted to see the place."

"The remaining spot of the barn that hasn't been taken over by trees? Well, you’re here. Now you can go back and stop worrying people who actually care for you."

"I cared for you," Orion whispered.

"Indeed, you did. So did Mom and Dad and Sis. Yet, look how I turned out," Odion snapped.

"We didn't know! The Council didn't tell us a single thing!"

Odion turned around then, staring his brother directly in the eyes. "I'm not stupid, Orion. I know. I've known for years."

Orion looked shocked and then confused. "If you knew… why didn't you say something?"

"What is there to say, Brother?!" Odion yelled. "Oh hello, my sweet little brother who's felt guilty all these years that we've been apart. I just wanted to let you know my absence was because of a sick man who chained me to a barn every day and night, whipped me to his heart’s content, and then requested for me to do horrible things for his satisfaction to get him to not whip me for the rest of the night. Can't forget the other things he loved to do to my ass and how he'd tell me what a failure of a person I'd always be. Oh yes, my sweet brother who had a life way better than me, even though our parents and sister are gone, never fear. For we can just rekindle our brotherly bond after 20years. We can go back to the innocent boys who knew nothing about the cruel world. We can hold hands and tell each other stories about how strong and noble we'll be as alicorn and dark rider and we'll never let bad people rule."

I swallowed hard and held back the sob that wanted to escape me. Orion look devastated, and the tears that had been lingering in his eyes fell at his brother’s words. Odion huffed and chuckled.

"This world doesn't care about people like me, Orion. No one cares about damaged shifters who've been used and abused. I was left to die, and even death spared me. I'm not fucking angry with you! The one damn person who still cared. You think I couldn't feel your worry in here?!" he asked, patting his chest.

"We're twins! Every night I cried or had nightmares, I held that doll you gave me like it was fucking oxygen. I told myself, 'one day I'll go back to my brother and we’ll be happy siblings again.' It took 20 years to finally get back, and when I saw your happy face when you got your acceptance letter to Aslan, I couldn't move. There's no way I could be selfish and stop you from doing something that brought such happiness to your face. So I said what I had to say and left. I watched you from afar because I wanted to make sure this world that hates anything different didn’t hit my little brother. That you didn't get beat or fucked in the ass because you were an alicorn, just like those other shifters caged on this very soil. I don't care what others perceive me as anymore. They'll assume the worst just like they always have in the past. Darkness can never do good. Dark Riders are the evilest and will only taint the world. The complaints can go on and on. If I can lurk in the shadows so that you have a future, I'll do it with no questions asked. If the past wants to repeat itself and leave me behind while you love the woman who lightens up your whole being, let it. At least I'll leave this world one day knowing I did good, even if no one elseacknowledges it. At least… I will know that the one person who still remembered me… even when I was considered nothing… lived a better life." Odion choked on his last words and tugged his arm away.

They stood in silence and Icouldn't help the urge growing inside. The burning desire to heal the broken cracks in their bond. It was like their brotherly bond had once been thick and powerful, and now it was held by the last strand of rope.

My eyes came to a close as the lock inside me clicked open, my body shifting to all fours. I had no idea what I looked like on the outside, especially with Odion's hidden disguise, but I felt different.

Darker.

My usual fluorescent clear vision was altered, almost like everything was kind of x-ray like in black and white, and I noticed the heaviness on my back. I had the itching urge to stretch my back out and I did, allowing me to understand the added weight.

Wings.

If I was in my human form, it would have bothered me, but in my unicorn form, or whatever I currently was, I couldn’t care less. I shook my head and stomped my front right foot a few times before walking over to the two.

Orion and Odion were completely speechless; both stared with wide eyes and opened mouths.

"That..." Orion began but trailed off.

"How is she a Dark Rider?" Odion asked.

I didn't understand what the shock was about. My purpose was to unite them and get rid of the harbored negativity and hurt feelings they held deep within their hearts.

They loved each other.

They would always see their younger selves and the times they shared as kids. They wouldn't let the world destroy theirbond, but those unspoken words and feelings would eat them alive if not removed.

"Celestia?" Odion asked hesitantly, reaching out to stroke the side of my face.

"How… wait… won't Lucian sense her?" Orion questioned with a hint of worry on his face. He did take a step forward and reached out to pet me gently.

"Neigh!" I shook my head slightly, causing the both of them to pause their petting of me.

---