//------------------------------//
// Celestia  
// Story: Dragon Quest 9 1/2: New Starry Skies 
// by Swordoath 
//------------------------------//

	Upon the completion of Rylan's detailed recollection of events, the ponies were silent. He'd told them more of his home- the Observatory, the Protocrate, the Realm of the Almighty- and explained how he got to their world as best he could, ending the tale when he met FlutterShy after the Manticore assault. Twilight and FlutterShy, having heard the tale once before, simply nodded and asked little questions. The others gave exclamations of disbelief, gasps of horror, sighs of relief, and other reactions with similar effects.
"Ah... Ah can't say I ever heard a story like that." AppleJack spoke first.
"It sounds to me like you've done some awesome stuff!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"But what was that light?" Rarity asked Stella.
"First time around, when Rylan here lost his wings and halo, it was Corvus. This time... well, neither of us know much. It wasn't Corvus, we can rule him out. There isn't really anyone else we know who could do it, or would do it, 'cept some members of the Gittish Empire, but they're long gone." Stella said, floating above Rylan's head. "You know anyone who could?"
"I can't think of anypony," Twilight said. "As far was I know, there isn't even anypony who knows about that Protocrate place."
"Didn't you write to that princess of yours? What was her name? Celestaria?
"Celestia," corrected Twilight. "And yes, I did. I haven't gotten a reply yet, but I'm sure that soon-"
A white flash came from upstairs, along with the sound of hoofsteps. A larger, ivory alicon descended the steps, a four-toned mane streaming from behind her. She wore golden shoes and jewelry, and stood slightly taller than Rylan. The ponies all bowed and curtsied to the obvious royalty.
"Twilight Sparkle," she said. "How wonderful it is to see you and your friends again. I'm sorry, but where is this 'Celestrian' you were talking about?"
The smaller alicorn bowed to her apparent elder, and gestured towards the otherworldly pair. Rylan gave a salute, and Stella, caught off guard by the pony's sudden appearance, faltered slightly in mimicking the motion.
"Ah, it is wonderful to meet you in person, Rylan." The alicorn smiled at him. "I trust you know who I am?"
Rylan felt a presence almost identical to one he'd felt once before, in front of the world tree. He almost called the princess Celestria, as opposed to her true name. 
"Hey! What am I? Diced liver?" Stella interrupted.
The Princess chuckled. "Of course. How could I neglect his companion? It is a pleasure to meet you, Stella. Now, I understand you were brought down in the forest by beams of dark energy?"
Rylan nodded, explaining the similarity to those that had brought him to the protocrate as a stripped Celestrian.
"I see. This is certainly a problem necessary of investigation." Said Celestia. "Twilight, I'd like for you and your friends to check around Ponyville, then investigate the crystal empire for any signs of activity by our old enemies."
"But princess Celestia, they're gone. We defeated them all." Rainbow Dash reminded her.
"Evil is never truly defeated. It is only pushed away, temporarily conquered by good." The princess said ominously. "Please, if you'll excuse me, I have other important matter to attend to." 
The princess was enveloped in a golden light, then vanished into fading sparks of magic.
"Hmph! She didn't even give us a proper goodbye!" Stella grumbled. "Some manners she has!"
Ignoring the faye, the six ponies in the room put on strange golden necklaces, each set with a differently colored and shaped gemstone, matching the marks on their flanks, excluding Twilight, who wore her gem as a tiara. The six left the library, Rylan and Stella following soon after.
"Hey? What's with the jewelry?" Stella asked, floating in front of Twilight. "Not that I don't appreciate accessorizing, but now's really not the time to be flashy!"
"These are the elements of harmony," The alicorn explained as they walked.
"They're the best defense against evil we have in Ponyville," Pinkie Pie continued. "They're super powerful when we work together!"
"Hey, speaking of together," Stella said. "We should probably get Old Fatguts in on this. He's not gonna want to be left outta this."
"'Old Fatguts?" FlutterShy asked. "Is that the Sterling man you were talking about?"
"Hm? Oh yeah," Stella said, paying little attention. "It's just a kickname."
"You mean nickname." Twilight said.
"Yeah. that's what I said!"

As they entered the dark wood, the ponies clustered together more tightly, even the pegasus returning to the proximity. They seemed more afraid of the forest than the people of Stornway were of the Wight Knight.
A howl came from their left. Five wolves, made of twigs and tree limbs, burst forth onto the path. The ponies cowered back a bit, least of all the orange one. Rylan drew his sword, and charged himself with fire fource. The orange pony kicked stones at the wolves, piercing one's throat and essentially destroying it. Rylan hacked horizontally across the second wolf, cleanly cutting it in half. The third wolf had circled around and approached Pinkie Pie, only to be stopped by the paralyzing glare of FlutterShy. Rainbow Dash rapidly ascended and slammed into the stunned wolf, like a bolt of the rainbow. Another wolf pounced at the multicolored mare, only to be shot into the distance by a literal cannon by Pinkie Pie. The fifth wolf had been waiting for an opportunity, seizing the chance by bounding through the group at Twilight. The alicorn magically teleported behind the wolf, which turned around in a snarl. Before Rylan could react and end the wolf's life, Rarity stepped in, slinging a handful of jaggedly cut gemstones at the wolf, shearing off it's limbs. The four other wolves had been dealt with in the time it took him to deal with one.
Despite their obvious fear of the creatures here, they can fight back well enough, he observed, slinging his sword across his back again. The orange one defended her friends selflessly. She was akin to a warrior, or perhaps a paladin. The way FlutterShy stared down the wolf attacking her friend showed her dominance over the animals. A ranger, no doubt. And the multicolored pony's fighting style only reassured his thoughts on her being a martial artist. The alicorn was obviously the most skilled in magic, likely as a mage. Rarity, while also capable of magic, was more detailed and elegant in her mode of attack. A Luminary. As for Pinkie Pie... difficult to pinpoint. Earlier, when she'd lifted his shield without his notice, he'd anticipated a thief. Further revelation of her skills, however, seemed to pertain towards entertainment, as a minstrel. 
He needed further observation before any definite decisions, but he was getting an idea of their styles of fighting. He wondered if they already knew, but from what he'd learned of the ponies, they didn't really do too much fighting. He'd have to ask them later.

Celestia closed the door behind her as she walked into a brightly lit room, illuminated by a bright pool in the shape of a star, situated in the center. The room was otherwise empty, as the purpose it served required little other than the pool.
Celestia softly chanted a spell, invoking an old friend of hers.
"Hello, Celestia. It's been some time." Spoke a voice. A figure began to rise from the pool- a young woman, with ivory skin and blonde hair. She wore a dress of white silk and a single lavender ribbon, trailing across her shoulders and arms.
"It is good to see you again as well, Celestria." The Princess of the Sun greeted. "I'm afraid I have some troubling news. You are familiar with your Celestrian, Rylan, yes?"
"Ah." The goddess smiled. "My champion. How is it you know of him?"
"He and his companions are in my realm. I fear the worst."
"You don't think father...?" Celestria gasped softly.
"I'm afraid it may be true. That is why I sent out both my student- my champion- and her friends along with him in search of those He returns to us. If we are able to prevent them from gaining control, we may just yet prevent Him from causing the total erase." 
"You have done as I would have. I can only hope they can overcome the obstacles that His recreations throw at them." The goddess said, voice filled with worry.
"You have nothing to fear. I am sure that the girls, alongside Rylan, will be able to surpass and rise above any challenge thrown at them." Celestia reassured her. "Together, there is nothing they cannot accomplish."
"We can only hope."