//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: Escort // Story: A Light in the Darkness // by Silentpegasus //------------------------------// Chapter 10 Escort. One million thoughts raced through Sky Blazers mind as he tried to grasp the reality of the situation he was currently in. The princess of the night stepped forward only to be blocked by a lavender unicorn. “Princess Luna what are you doing here?” she asked in surprise. “We are here to collect that stallion and bring him to Canterlot immediately.” the seven ponies looked in horror at the dark princess. “Stand aside Twilight Sparkle.” Luna commanded. Twilight took one look back at Sky Blazer who was frozen in fear, her gaze then shifted back to Princess Luna. “No.” “What did thou just say?” Luna said as she cocked an eyebrow. “I said no. Your not taking him!” Twilight exclaimed. Twilight... “Yeah, you want him you gotta go through me!” Rainbow said as she flew up next to Twilight in a defensive position. Rainbow... “That goes double for me.” Applejack said as she trotted up next to Twilight and Rainbow Dash. “Twilight Sparkle, since thou art our friend and our sisters protegee, we will over look that sudden outburst.” Luna said as she began to frown. “Girls, it’s fine just go I’ll be alright.” Sky said as he got to his hooves. “No way! Were not leaving you.” Rainbow said as she glared at the princess. Sky then flew in front of the six ponies and locked eyes with them. They saw a flash of light and then blacked out. The princess of the night was stunned at what happened, this stallion had just knocked out the six friends that were trying to save him. “What did you just do?” Luna bellowed. “I hit them with a sleeping spell, they’ll be like this for about an hour.” Sky said as he began laying their unconscious bodies on the bed. “Why did you just do that? They were trying to stop us from taking you.” “I know. But I’ve ruined enough ponies lives because of my magic, and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let it happen to them.” he said as he glared at Luna. “Let me just get my coat and we’ll go.” Sky said as he walked over to the closet and collected his coat. “Very well.” Sky then trotted over to the pile of unconscious ponies he stacked on the hospital bed, he withdrew a piece of paper and began to write a message on it. He then trotted over to Spike who was cowering in the corner. “Spike, when they wake up give them this okay.” “Ye-yeah, sure n-no problem.” he said as he took the letter and rushed over to Twilights side. “Are you ready?” Luna asked as she waited in the door way. “Yes, lets go.” Sky said as he took one last look back at the mares that had befriended him and accepted him. He knew he had to do this. A guard trotted over and put shackles around his wings and front hooves. Sky, Luna and the guards walked out of the hospital and onto the princess’s chariot. During the ride to Canterlot Sky kept his head down. Luna then trotted up next to him and puts a hoof on his shoulder. “We apologize for the chains but we do not know what you are capable of doing yet.” she said with a glum look on her face. “It’s fine princess, just don’t be mad at the others. They were only trying to protect me.” he said as he looked at the princess. “We understand, but why were they trying to protect you in the first place?” “Well I’m assuming that you’re here to escort me to Celestia right?” “That’s correct. She simply wishes to talk with you.” “Forgive me if I don’t believe you, but the world hasn’t exactly been kind to me when I talk about my magic it usually ends up with other ponies shunning me. Since your sister is ruler of Equestria I thought that’s what she might want to take my magic away.” Sky said as he lowered his head. “We are not sure what she has planned for you yet, but from what you’ve said about your past, we can see why you would be suspicious.” she said flatly. “We will be arriving shortly, we suggest that you prepare thyself.” “Prepare for what?” Sky said as he cocked an eyebrow. “Thou will have to see for thyself we’re here.” Luna said as she stepped off the chariot. Sky followed behind her, as they entered Canterlot castle Sky was remembering all the experiences he’d had, the ponies he’s seen and loved. But he mostly thought of Rainbow and her friends, the only ponies to accept him and his gifts. Ironic isn’t it, I finally find a place to fit in and it gets ripped away from me. I guess I should have seen it coming. Sky and Luna entered the main hall where Celestia sat atop her throne waiting for them. “Leave us.” she said to the guards. The two guards took their leave and trotted out of the room. “Now let us begin.” Celestia as she stepped forward and removed Sky Blazers shackles. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rainbow Dash’s eyes snapped open remembering what had transpired in the room before she lost conciseness, the other ponies soon began to wake up and show their worried faces. “What the hay happened?” Rainbow yelled out. “He knocked you guys out and left with Princess Luna about an hour ago.” Spike said with a sad look on his face. “And you did nothing to stop them?” Rainbow said as she glared at the baby dragon. “What could I do?” Spike said as he sat on the bed in sadness. “Ah, don’t get it why did he just give up when we were trying to help him?” Applejack said with a confused look on her face. “He left you guys a letter, it’s over there on the table.” Spike said as he pointed over to the small coffee table. The six ponies hurried over and began to read the letter. Dear, Rainbow, Twilight, AJ, Rarity, Pinkie,Fluttershy. By the time you read this I will be in Canterlot, why the princess want’s to see me is a complete mystery to me. I’m sorry for knocking you all out, but it was the only way to protect you, I didn’t want you all to suffer because of me. Enough already have, I wish we could have spent more time together. But life is not always fair. You’ve all asked me what kept me going through the years of solitude and I never gave you a proper answer. Here it is, no matter how dark things get there is always one flickering light in the darkness to keep any-pony going. In the past few days that flickering light has morphed into six. You all are the first real friends I’ve ever had, I hope we meet again someday. -Your friend, Sky Blazer. The six friends started bawling uncontrollably, even the tough as nails cyan pegasus couldn’t stop her self. The six friends were all to busy crying to notice that someone had opened the window and stepped inside of the room. Rainbow Dash looked up to see a familiar blue pegasus smiling at her. “Miss me?” he said to the six sobbing mares. Rainbow quickly brought him into a wet sobbing hug. The others soon did the same. Princess Celestia and Luna soon stepped into the room as well. “But what happened? The last thing I remember Luna was going to take you away to Canterlot.” the distraught cyan mare said. “She did and we had a little chat concerning your friend here.” Celestia said in a warm voice. “I was so amazed that a pegasus was able to use magic that I just had to see it for myself. Sky Blazer did an excellent job.” “But why did you say in the letter, that you though he was threat?” Twilight asked her mentor. “I needed to make sure that his ability was not going to be abused or squandered. He is allowed to keep his magic but he must learn to control it properly and who better to teach him than my student.” Celestia said as she grinned at Twilight. “Really, Princess? You’re letting me tutor him?” “Yes, Twilight just make sure he doesn’t do anything too risky.” Celestia said as she gave her pupil a warm smile. Sky then trotted in front of the princess. “Princess Celestia, I just want to say that I’m sorry for accusing you of possibly wanting to...well experiment on me.” Sky said as he bowed his head. “Originally I was quite curious about your powers and your goals. But now I see that you are a trust worthy pony and will not abuse your gifts.” Celestia then looked at the clock. “I’m sorry ever-pony, I must return to Canterlot. Good luck to you Sky Blazer.” the sun goddess said as she took flight. All eyes then turned to Sky Blazer who had begun to scratch his mane in embarrassment. “So, what just happened?” Applejack said with a confused look on her face. “In a nut shell, I can keep my magic, Twi is my new teacher and I don’t have to leave Ponyville due to being run out of town by an angry mob.” Sky said with a grin. “Do you know what this calls for, a PARTY.” Pinkie exclaimed. “Okay Pinkie, only one condition.” Sky said with a flat tone. “What is it?” “Make. It. Big.” he said as he began to laugh. “Roger!” Pinkie said as she ran out the door. The six ponies then left the hospital with their dark blue friend wearing a black coat. Rainbow started to eye the garment. “Hey Sky, why do you always wear that thing?” Rainbow asked her friend. “Well its cozy, has sentimental value and I keep all my stuff in it.” “What do you mean ‘all your stuff’?” the cyan mare said with a confused look on her face. “Oh right you don’t know. My jacket has a few quirks to it.” he began as he fiddles around in his pockets. “my pockets are bigger on the inside.” he said as he withdrew a massive text book from the coat. The ponies mouths flew open in surprise. “Rarity had the same reaction when I showed her earlier.” he said with a laugh and slipped the book back into the pocket. “How is that possible, that’s not physically possible.” Twilight said as she stared at Sky. “I had a unicorn put an extension charm on the pockets. Let’s not worry about it now, c’mon we’ve got a party to get too.” Sky said as the jacket morphed two holes for his wings and took flight. “Well, c’mon slow pokes lat one there’s a rotten egg!” he said as he took off with alarming speed. Rainbow then took off after him leaving the other mares in the dust. Twilight then looked at her friends with a surprised look on her face, which they all shared. The ponies then made their way to back down into Ponyville and let the suspicion slip out of their minds.