//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: Sleepless + Epilogue // Story: Beacon in the Shadows // by Dee Bee Doo-wop Cooper //------------------------------// Beacon in the Shadows Or Cheerilee’s a Paladin Chapter 13: Sleepless By DigitDaemon ~~~~~ After the paladins sword had silenced Deceit once and for all, Celestia had rushed out to catch the falling mare, but Cheerilee had returned to her regular state and was already unconscious when the solar princess had caught her. The motionless form had been rushed to the castle medical wing, where doctors hypothesised and Onyx Loadstone confirmed that she was dying. Berry Punch and Symphony had been rushed in from Ponyville and were informed of the situation. Berry Punch had kept hope for a while but what she didn’t know is that Cheerilee’s biological functions were only still working because of left over nutrition and that the source of energy for her soul is what had been drained to nothing, and now, a few days later, the rest of Cheerilee’s family sat around her bed as her faint pulse grew ever weaker and closer to nothing. Symphony was lying up against the fuschia mare, who was already almost as cold as death, while Berry punch had her hoof in a tight grip. Both princesses as well as Onyx and Braeburn watched from just inside the doorway. They respected the family’s close bond, but felt all the same that the courageous paladin deserved their respects as well. The volume on the EKG machine had been muted as there was no hope of resuscitating the mare once she slipped away and the machine showed just that happening. The small hills on the magical screen finally smoothed out into one continuous line and a single tear fell from the lunar princess’s eyes. But her sad expression did not last long; first she gave a confused scowl, she could swear she felt something else watching, but before Celestia could ask what was troubling her sister, the Lunar princess broke out in a huge grin. ~~~~~ Cheerilee distinctly remembered fighting with Deceit and then, well... dying. But her current surrounding were giving her quite a bit of confusion. There were grass covered hills all around, with a small river running through. In the distance to one side was a large mountain range while the other side had prairies that ran into the horizon. This certainly wasn’t any part of Equestria she knew. “Confused?” a male voice came from behind her, laced with subtle amusement. Cheerilee turned around and found a light brown pegasus seated upon the blade of a scythe that had been driven into the ground by the handle. His eyes were an almost translucent white and his mane was a shade just above his coat and cut short. He wore an ebony cloak that was tattered, full of holes and had he not such a light coat color would have seemed ominous, but to Cheerilee the whole get up seemed pretty comical. “So you're supposed to be the Grim Reaper, right?” Cheerilee said with a chuckle. The colt hopped down onto the ground and flashed a cocky smile, “Do I look grim?” “No.” “Good. So I guess you can call me The Reaper, actually now that I think about it I am significantly older than you, how about Mister Reaper?” Cheerilee shook her head “Definitely not happening, so where am I anyways?” “Well, you are in whatever your idea of purgatory would look like. Yeah, this is the tough part, but I’m gonna need you to follow me.” “So, I’m dead?” “‘Fraid so, but boy did you go out with a bang. You saved a whole lot of ponies out there.” Cherrilee just nodded. “Come on, we should really get going, but I think you will find a pleasant surprise waiting for you.” Cheerilee brightened up a bit at the thought, “Dad! Trident! Oh how I’ve missed them...” “Well there is family too, I suppose.” The Reaper said in a cryptic tone. The discussion was ended when a third voice joined the conversation,“Indeed there is, but don’t you get the faintest feeling this is all a bit rushed?” Both ponies turned to see a tall graceful alicorn walk up to join them. She was not quite as big as Celestia but still larger than Luna. Her mane was a wispy green, flowing as if caught in a brisk zephyr and her coat was an earthy brown. “Hello Cheerilee, we haven’t been properly introduced but I am Terra, spirit of the Earth and sister to your two princesses. And hello again Death.” “Sup?” Cheerilee blinked a few times, not immediately following what was happening. “So it is true? The stories?” “About me being real?” the alicorn said with a chuckle, “Yes, they are indeed.” “So why are you here? Isn’t this still like my mind or something.” “Technically it’s a soulscape.” Death chimed in. “Yes this is a place of your creation, within yourself, which is why I am here.” Terra turned to Death and gave him a regal stare, “You wouldn’t mind giving us a minute would you?” Death shook his head and then vanished from sight. “Cheerilee, I want you to close your eyes and let go of your senses.” Cheerilee did as she was asked and closed her eyes, but as soon as she started to relax she felt like she was falling away and opened them again. “You must trust me dear,” Terra walked up next the the purple mare and rested a wing on her shoulder, “You will be perfectly safe.” Cheerilee nodded and closed her eyes again. The sensation returned but the wing on her shoulder kept her calm. “Good, now slowly open your eyes.” As Cheerilee did so, her senses became attuned to the changes around her. The first thing she noticed was the soft pounding of the rain and the warm trails of moisture it left on her coat. The sky was dark now and full of clouds that were in turn filled with stars. The ground beneath her hooves were filled with white and black flowers mixed together and covered in thorns. “What is this?” “This is your metaphysical subconscious. Unlike the previous setting, which was a construct of your expectations, the scene around you now is made up of the senses you still have grasp of.” Cheerilee nodded and slowly turned around, trying to take it all in. “So what about the stars in the clouds?” “Each of those points of light is a single wish or prayer for your well being, you touched many lives and they want to thank you for it.” Cheerilee nodded again and looked down at the ground. “And the flowers?” “The white ones are life, that you have so valiantly protected, the black ones are your comrades who like you have fallen in battle.” Terra returned her wing to Cheerilee’s shoulder and pulled her closer, “I would explain the other things, but I think you can figure them out.” Cheerilee stretched out her hoof and collected some of the falling water, only to find that it was a transparent purple color and smelled of grapes. “Tears, Berry Punch’s tears.” “Yes, your faithful sister sits beside you even now trying to grasp whatever may remain of you.” Tears formed in Cheerilee’s eyes, but she knew that the alicorn was still expecting more. “And the sound of the rain, it is faint and rhythmic, like a symphony... Her heart?” “Indeed, she is curled up next to you afraid of losing her mother again.” Small lines of water now travelled down the paladins cheeks and fell into the flowers before her and she was sniffing significantly. “And the thorns on the flowers.” Cheerilee looked up at Terra, “Pain, my pain. The pain of loss, and of saying goodbye. Why have you shown me this?” “Because, it is only within loss that we can truly understand how much we have; and only in understanding do we truly deserve what we have.” There was a sudden flash of thunder and the two were back in the grassy field, joined again by Death. “Are you done here?” Cheerilee looked at the colt with pleading eyes, “Please don’t take me, I don’t want to leave them.” “I’m sorry Cheerilee, but I don’t get to decide who lives and dies, I can only guide them on afterwards.” Cheerilee turned to Terra, hoping that she would say something to contradict him. “I am afraid he is right, he doesn’t have control over the nature of dying, but it does so happen that dying is nature, and I may just have a thing or two to say on that subject.” Death grunted it disapproval, “It’s a shame, I know a really great coffee place, I was going to show you it.” Terra smiled and chuckled, “Please say hello to my sisters for me.” Cheerilee hadn’t stopped crying, but now the tears that fell from her eyes were joyful, not sad. “Of course!” She paused, “Wait!” “Yes my little pony?” “There is a stallion, I think you know him better than I do, but he seems sad. Is there anything I can do to help him?” “Yes, my dear Onyx. He took the burden of immortality upon himself many eons ago and carries it still, but he made me a promise that he would move one day. No, there is nothing you can do to help, I am sorry.” Cheerilee nodded, “And Death?” “Yes ma’am.” He gave a mock salute. “I’ll take you up on that offer for coffee one day.” He gave her another cocky grin, “I look forward to it.” A moment later, the whole world faded into a comfortable warmth and Cheerilee heard the rain again, but this time it was different. It was stronger and came from within. ~~~~~ Celestia was resting her face in her hooves while the other ponies in the room glared at the princess of the night. Luna was currently resetting the EKG machine for the third time. “Sister... Please, there is no need for-” The EKG, being reconnected gave a small blip on the read out. The grin appeared on Luna’s face and Cheerilee’s family adopted a hopeful look as well. Celestia shook her head sadly though, “I know her death is hard to accept Luna, but I am sure that that was just a-” There was another blip on the EKG and then another and another. Soon, the pattern of a heart beat could be seen forming on the EKG and; Celestia had to look to ensure that Luna had not accidentally stepped on one of the sensory patches. It was not so however, Cheerilee had really come back from the grave. The revelation set off another round of crying from Berry Punch and Symphony as they once again grabbed on to the still feeble mare in the hospital bed. Do not be so quick to doubt in miracles sister. But I suppose the moon is the one that gives hope afterall. Celestia turned to an empty corner and whispered to Terra’s spirit, “Thank you sister, but I don’t follow your logic.” While the sun is bright and warm, when it is gone, what shows us that it hasn’t vanished on the other side of the earth and that it is only till tomorrow that we must wait? “The Moon.” Tell Lulu I love her too, there is more I must do now. “Very well,” She paused, “I miss you, when will you return to us?” When it is time. ~~~~~ Onyx waited atop one of the mountains adjacent to the one that held Canterlot. After witnessing what had happened at the hospital he felt it was time to be alone or at least by himself than with company. “Why did you do it?” Because it was the right thing to do. “Was it? Doesn’t that mean that the rest of the guard deserve another chance too?” As much as I want to say yes, they died doing what they had sworn to. “And the paladin did not?” She was asked to do so much more and you know it. She swore to give her life in the line of battle, she never made a promise to stand in for an angel. She did something that not a single other pony, not even I or my sisters could have done. She more than deserved this small gift. “It’s coming, I feel it.” Indeed, this world is growing stronger and soon it will not need you. “And then I will see you again?” Of course, I have waited centuries unseen by your side, I cannot live much longer so far away. Onyx Loadstone looked up at the sunset, and sighed. ~~~~~ It took another three days for Cheerilee to wake up, but when she did she was flanked by Symphony and Berry Punch on either side. “Mommy!” Cheerilee groggily shook her head and then turned to her side where the filly had been sitting and drawing on some paper. She was too tired however to prepare for the powerful hug she received from behind. “Sis, I’m so happy to see you alive.” Cheerilee placed her hoof on Symphony’s and smiled brightly, “I’m so happy to see you two again too.” The three of them stayed like that for a minute before Berry Punch finally released her younger sister and returned to the chair next to her. They spent the rest of the day talking and receiving orders from the doctor. Unfortunately it looked like Cheerilee would be in the hospital wing for at least another couple of months and likely still bedridden for the most part after she returned home for a few months afterwards. The time that followed, spent recovering was long and boring, but Cheerilee had many visitors to keep her company including her students, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom, as well as the Elements of Harmony and the princesses, even Princess Cadance and rarely Terra in her dreams. Onyx came for the first few weeks but then had to leave on an existential journey of his own. Braeburn came frequently as well, but after he disappeared for the third time for lunch with Berry Punch. Cheerilee was dubious that she was the real reason he kept showing up. It was also during this time that Celestia discovered that the paladin armor that had been bound to Cheerilee had vanished, along with the paladins summoning runes, likely destroyed in the battle. It was not till a few years later the Cheerilee discovered that she could still call the sword that she had wielded in Canterlot that day. Apparently the price for an angels gift was a life of the same purity, but once paid, the gift was permanent. ~~~~~ Epilogue: Flawed Legacy ~~~~~ Several years after the end of the Children of the Night’s insurrection, Canterlot was now fully rebuilt, with some improvements. The walls had been reinforced and many new battlements had been constructed under the city along with a network of tunnels. But the most striking change was a memorial garden out in front of the castle with all the names of the fallen guards as well as a smaller shrine dedicated to all of the rebels who had been identified. The princess had made it clear that they had done a horrible thing but that they had died in a manner much worse than anything they had ever committed, and that they still deserved sympathy for that. By some fancy political work by the princesses it just so happened that the opening of the garden was on the same day as the opening of a much smaller, private garden which had been dedicated to all of the champions that had served under the princesses. A few days after the opening of the two gardens a ceremony was held in the castle. A small private affair, but not one of mourning or remembering that had almost become a staple of the city’s last two years. This one had bells, flowers and a bride and groom. It was the wedding of Berry Punch and Braeburn. Symphony was supposed to be the flower girl, but when Luna had heard her play the piano during the preparations, the princess had insisted she do the music. If asked how she played so well, her answer was that it was easier than learning the strokes of a sword, but that was almost second nature to her now too. Amazingly enough, Cheerilee had not actually insisted on Symphony learning how to fight but, the filly had picked it up herself. The ceremony went on without any problems, not even a single changeling showed up, which was a bit strange since Equestria was now at peace and actively trading with the Hive. Cheerilee was originally planning on moving out of the house she shared with her sister after the marriage, but Berry Punch insisted that she stay. Pointing out that if she were ever needed for defending Equestria, even though official speaking she had retired from fighting, that somepony would need to look after Symphony and it would just be easier if they already lived there. Plus it was a big house so not much changed... ...Except for the addition of a noise canceling spell around the master bedroom. ~~~~~ Two years after being married, Berry Punch gave birth to a unicorn filly, whom she and Braeburn named Nightshade. Even though Nightshade and Symphony were cousins, they grew up in the same house and were as close as even two sisters could be, and often referred to each other as such. Being the children of two very highly esteemed ponies did often however have it’s advantages. Both Symphony and Nightshade were watched closely by the princesses, often have one or the other attend their birthdays and other events. It helped that they lived in Ponyville though, the way if anypony asked, the princesses were usually just “stopping by” after meeting with Twilight Sparkle, who they both now affectionately called the Princess of Books. Living together in a house with two very skilled warriors meant that both fillies grew up practicing fighting themselves. Even though none of the three adult occupants insisted upon it, Symphony and Nightshade worked diligently to master the respective trades of their parents. Symphony became good enough to even almost rival her mother in swordsmanship, though she still preferred the weight of a battle hammer, and Nightshade was well on her way to becoming a master archer. The fact that she was seven and still too small for a full sized bow was a bit of a let down for her, but her magic was beginning to develop as well and she was almost as accurate with her short bow when using magic as she was with her hooves. Symphony had excelled at her school work and was soon at the front of her own class helping her mother teach, but she was still restless and often spent much of her free time practicing with a sword or racing Scootaloo to get rid of her pent up energy. Just about the only thing she could actually do comfortably sitting down was play the piano, but she had to go to the library to do that and now that Twilight Sparkle was a princess she found it harder to concentrate. It was pretty nerve-wracking to sit down and listen to the endless line of requests and complaints that Twilight had to deal with. For Cheerilee however, Symphony’s childhood was all too quick, today was the day of her daughter’s graduation. Symphony was now sixteen and had to face a big dilemma, what was she going to do with the rest of her life? There was piano, but she felt little creative spirit and would likely end up confined to some ballroom playing the same songs over and over again. While she had done well with academic work, she felt no desire to pursue that as a career. For a little while she had contemplated racing, but since she still hadn’t beaten Scootaloo in a fair sprint that seemed like a bad choice. Symphony sat up a little straighter in the chair she sat on. She had taken all of the envelopes she had received from various workplaces and colleges and stacked them up, but after carefully considering each one, they had been crumpled up and thrown on the floor. Now just one letter was still present on the table before her, a letter from Princess Celestia herself. Dear Symphony Alto Punch, First of all, both me and my sister would like to offer our most sincere congratulations, we are both so proud of the young mare you have grown into. I am sending you this letter to inform you of the following. I have decided to open a special branch of the guard, the Paladin Corp instead of naming a single champion. I would be honored if you would join the initial class. I have heard from your mother that you are an exceptional fighter, and I can think of no one that I would trust more to defend this nation. The decision is ultimately yours of course, and I would take no offence if you chose to pursue a different route. But please, do consider this opportunity thoroughly. Sincerely Yours, Princess Celestia Nightshade had gone out with her father for target practice, and Cheerilee and Berry Punch were both at work. That left her alone in the house with her thoughts. She had been handed a once in a lifetime opportunity, but did she want to devote her life to others? Was she willing to make that sacrifice? Every time she picked up her quill to right her respectful refusal, something stopped her. She sat wondering what part of her would not let her pursue her life independently, and she kept coming back to those few days nine years ago. Her mother had fought not for herself, but for all of Equestria, and had actually sacrificed her life to that end. It was a miracle that Terra had revived her, but Cheerilee’s life had been given willingly for those she loved. And then, after all this thought, Symphony finally came to a realisation, she picked up her quill and cleared the table of everything but a blank piece of parchment. Dear Princess Celestia, These last seven years have been the greatest of my life. I have learned so much about so many things. I would like to thank you for the diligence with which you have watched over my sister and I. Many years ago, you asked that I would inform you when I learned something new about friendship and family. I have performed this duty without error ever since. But today I must ask your forgiveness, for I have not learned anything today about friendship and family. Today, I have learned something about freedom, though. Freedom comes at a high cost. It is an ideal that can only be achieved through cooperation, intelligence, wisdom and strength. But out of these four, it is mostly strength. We must fight for our right to live a free life, to live without the shackles of tyranny nor under the shadow of death. My mother, uncle and countless others demonstrated that during the great battle, and upon my most thorough considerations, I have decided to accept your invitation. It is time for me to have the opportunity to fight for myself and fight for those around me. I will not fail you. Your Humble Servant, Symphony Harmonic Alto Punch