The Hero's Tale

Chapter One: A Night In Baharra

Dearest Lady Star Bright

Things have calmed down here, so I'm taking a little time to respond to your letter. I'm very flattered that you asked me to tell you my story. I'd love if you could join me here in Canterlot so I can tell you the entire story of the recent battles, those you weren't present for anyway. I think it would be prudent to talk to my friend Nebula as well, she will be able to provide you with some details of the recent troubles that I wasn't present for. She still lives here, in Canterlot and I'm sure she'd be pleased to meet with you as well.

I think it will be helpful to go over some of these things. All this time and I feel like so many parts of my story don't feel real. It feels fresh, and I don't know how to overcome it. Maybe we don't get over some things, maybe some pain sticks with you. Maybe life never goes back to normal after you go though something like that, maybe you just get used to a new kind of living or you just get used to not being used to it. In any case, it's a history that probably needs written down. Let me know when you get into town, we'll head down to the Skyward and get your regular. It will be nice to see old friends.

Yours truly
Obsidian Al-shalom.

I was born on on a Tuesday, and I was to be an only child. There wasn't anything really special about my family life, My father's name was Hammer, my mother's name was Tongs, they met when they opened Blacksmithing businesses right next to each other, they started out as competitors, less than friendly ones. . . but wound up falling hard in love. I was the product of that love, and they always treated me that way.

The way I was born? Wasn't unique, but I turned out to be a unique child. At age six, I was as tall as my mother, when I was a teenager I was already taller, and stronger than all the boys in my school. My parents got a bit concerned when I just kept getting taller, bulkier and stronger so they took me to a few doctors to figure out if there was something wrong with me. There wasn't, in fact I was quite the opposite.

It turns out that Earth Ponies have their own kind of magic, it's subtle but it's there. It manifests in their strength and their ability to work the earth. Just like some unicorns are born with more powerful magic, some Pegasi are born faster than others, some Earth Ponies are just born bigger and stronger than others. Mom and Dad where relieved, and I had to ask myself the question about what to do with this gift.

I tried a few things, sports? That seemed natural, but even though I got into college on the Buckball scholarship I was no good at it, I'm not exactly light on my hooves and I couldn't hit a basket to save my life. In college went into ROTC, which qualified me for several kinds of military service. I shot for the moon . . .or the sun rather and signed up for the Helios guard. Becoming a linebreaker was as natural as putting on a comfy pair of socks. I fit right in, and served six years in the guard. I learned the sword, hand to hand, dealt some damage in a number of Skirmishes. . .and just a week before I served my final tour. . .I met the love of my life Windjammer.

That cute little story is already on record, needless to say that devilishly handsome Stallion asked me to marry him, and I said yes. . . As if I had any choice. I loved him, like I never loved anypony before Or since. Being without him would be like being without a piece of my own soul. Stop me if I get to sappy.

So, about a year after we got engaged everything was set, the Wedding was going to be in the Capitol of Saddle Arabia, Baharra where Windjammer grew up. Windjammer's dear mother was planning everything, the mosque for the wedding, the community center for the reception, and the hotels for everypony, including me and Windjammer. Separate hotels . . .yeah turns out couples aren't supposed to stay in the same hotel until they're married. You read that right, we weren't even allowed to be in the same BUILDING. Saddle Arabia is a beautiful place, but more than a little backwards.