//------------------------------// // Praise the Princess! // Story: Praise the Sun! // by Distrance //------------------------------// PRAISE THE PRINCESS! "… Finally, I have found it, I have!…" Solaire uttered, creeping amongst the bloodied floor, dragging his limbs as he paced. The decrepit twigs of a long-dead tree littered the ground as strange, porcupine-like creatures hopped endlessly around him. "… My very own sun… I am the sun!…" Solaire congratulated to himself silently. His face was shadowed over the unknown illumination of the hellish mask that overtook his face. "…I've done it… I have…" He continued to mutter. "… Yes, I did it… I did!…" A figure slowly stepped down from the stairs above. The insanity that was Solaire repeated to himself as he limped. A horrible realization struck the undead's mind as he regrettably reached for his sheathe that draped around his rotting armor. Solaire could no longer see for his vision was blinded; blinded by the ever-lasting gleam of the false light. His only actions driven to protect his own burden. Blindly, he slugged his own weapon to his shoulder. He was lost; aimless in his mission, and forgotten in his existence. The sounds of an unsheathed blade echoed the hall as the footsteps of the figure stepped ever so closer... Fluttershy awoke to a pleasantly warm morning. The harmonic sounds of a bird's choir sung outside her window as she stretched herself from her groggy awakening. Her daily morning routine revolved over the care of her animals, yet her guests were to no exception. Fluttershy trotted from her bedroom and into the living room where Solaire had comforted himself upon the couch. A quilt, far too small for his body, was draped over him as he shifted in a restless sleep. Bouts of twists and turns accompanied the small murmurs of unconscious talking. It was unknown to Fluttershy if he had awakened as he lay curled sideways upon the couch. She pondered for a moment, raising a hoof to her chin. The idea struck Fluttershy to serve Solaire his very own meal, courtesy of herself. "I wonder if he'll like salads?" Fluttershy uttered to herself as she stepped into the kitchen. Humming silently to herself, she begun to prepare a dish. Opening the pantry, she pulled a large bowl out from it and placed it on the table. She arched herself to grab the small bag of vegetables she had previously picked, that rested upon the nearby kitchen table. Suddenly, a bloodcurdling yell filled the cottage, followed by a large crashing sound upon the floor. Fluttershy jumped in surprise and equal fear, dropping the bag; it's contents falling out and rolling among the floor. Fluttershy rushed into the living room to where Solaire once rested. Animals, previous soundly asleep, panicked and hustled about the room. Near the couch, upon the ground sat Solaire. He clutched his chest, breathing incredibly hard as he attempted to regain his composure in the presence of the now frightened Fluttershy. "Solaire! W-What happened?!" Fluttershy asked worriedly. Solaire slowed the pacing in his breaths and worked a reply. "I-I... It was, nothing. J-Just a dream." He reassured her as she drew close to him, attempting to comfort him. "I dearly apologize, Miss Fluttershy." He spoke, hints of embarrassment in his voice. "Oh, It's alright Solaire. I thought something horrible happened to you- or that you were hurt!" She interjected. He observed the ensuing chaos he caused, watching various animals scurry about. His distracted looks away from Fluttershy prompted her to recollect her furred friends from their mobilized fear. Solaire picked himself off from the floor and sat in the middle of the couch, an arm bent, holding his forehead in contemplation. Succeeding in hushing the anxious crowd, Fluttershy turned back to Solaire's attention. "Well um, I WAS going to make you a salad. If you um, eat that kind of stuff?" She offered. "A salad?" Solaire asked. "Yes. It's something special I like to put together ever now and then for Angel and other guests. It's just a collection of uh... plant-made food. It's delicious I promise!" Fluttershy tried to explain, unknown if Solaire's own vocabulary or world contains something such as vegetables. "It... sounds wonderful, thank you." He nodded, understood of the meal in mind. Since his limited time spent here, he had ignored the call of hunger. But now, since mentioned, his stomach rumbled irritably. Fluttershy smiled, clasping her hooves together as he retreated back into the kitchen, salvaging the assorted fruits and vegetables that lay amongst the floor. Quiet as he sat, a familiar snow-white hare gave him yet another increasingly agitated look. To what resentment does beseech him? Solaire stood in the gaze of his own figure, staring into his own eyes as he looked into the mirror. His eyes were sunken deeply, his body was frail, yet strong in faith. To anyone foreign of his land, he would appear sickly; but to him, he appeared more than satisfactory as a former resident of Lordran. Brandishing his armor once more, he scrubbed the age old stains from the dented plates. Blood, dirt, and more blood were encrusted within it's exterior as he worked to conjure it presentable in public. Almost as if he were a knight, attending a glorious ceremony, he worked to impress the residents; should he bear his face. A room away, Solaire could hear the faint knocking of the door. Fluttershy, who has previously made him a wonderful dish, trotting to the door and opening it. Fluttershy gasped as the unexpected sat at her door. Solaire stopped the scrubbing of his armor as he leaned towards to door to better listen. "Where is the monster?" An unknown figure asked. "W-What monster?" Fluttershy responded nervously. "You know what we mean, Ma'am." A second figure answered harshly. "Oh, him. H-He's not here... a-and he's not a monster either! He's a hew-man, and he wouldn't do anything bad to anyone!" She replied confidently. Sounds of scuffling and clopping about signaled that the figures were observing the home, no doubt searching for him. Solaire concluded that escape would be pointless. What is the point, should he anger his new hosts? Cautiously, he strapped the chest piece to his armor back upon his torso, and stepped out from his hiding spot. "By Celestia!" The figure shouted, jumping back in shock as the large figure emerged from the back room. The second figure quickly ran to his side, observing Solaire with nervous content. They were ponies, alike to Fluttershy and the others, only they appeared to be the male species of her race. Broad shoulders and toned bodies, accompanied by their deepened voice, proved positive. They were both white, and upon their body was armor similar to that of Roman paintings. A haired, centurion helmet, accompanied by steel plating that wrapped appropriately around the backs of them. Fluttershy jumped in front of Solaire, leaning back against him with her front hooves outstretched. "Please don't arrest Solaire, he isn't mean at all! He hasn't done anything!" She attempted to convince them anxiously. Solaire pushed Fluttershy to the side of him, nodding in reassurance. "I trust, you we're expecting me here?" Solaire asked the stationary stallions as they cautiously looked. The first of the two shook his head, breaking his statuesque stance. He cleared his throat and spoke: "Apologies er... hew-man, we did not expect you to be so frightening." He replied genuinely. "Why are you here?" Solaire questioned. "Allow me to introduce myself--" The first exclaimed. "-I am Aegis; A royal guard to her majesty, Princess Celestia." He explained. Solaire rose an eyebrow at the response. He recalled his previous teaching from Twilight Sparkle, protege to royalty. "To what what honor am I graced with her highness's royal guards. Have I committed a wrong-doing?" Solaire asked. "No, not at all. In fact it could be quite the opposite." Aegis told him, lowering his posture as he reached into a satchel that was draped along his back. pulling out of the pack with his teeth was an envelope, encrusted with a golden seal bearing the figure of a slender pony. Aegis approached Solaire, stretching his neck forward to bring him the letter. Carefully, Solaire took the letter from the stallions grasp as he unfolded it from it's bound seal. He held the letter up, squinting as he attempted to read the lettering. Solaire rubbed his eyes, the letter was unconformable to himself as the lettering was shaped in a form Solaire had no recollection of. Solaire let out an awkward chuckle as he held the letter back up. "I uh... I can't read this." He claimed. To the side of Aegis, the second guard attempted to hold back a laugh, instead releasing a Pssh.. as Aegis bumped the guard in the shoulder, bringing him back to attention. Fluttershy carefully snatched the letter from Solaire's hand. "It's okay, I'll read it." She finalized, pushing the letter to her face to begin reading: "Dear Solaire, It seems you have left quite an impression upon my pupil. She won't stop talking about her experiences of being in your presence and listening to every tale you've told. From what I have heard, you show quite more of intelligence than the average "monster" of the Everfree Forest, which proves even more true if you may even read this letter. If my own student, whom I trust so highly, can hold you in high regards, then I see no reason to why I should not meet you myself. Therefore, I ask for an audience with you up above in my home of Canterlot Castle. You are not obligated to come, but while you are staying in Equestria, it would be wise that I introduce you to everypony before you wind up hurting somepony or yourself. P.S. Ignore the guards behavior, they can be such downers. Sincerely, Princess Celestia" Aegis rolled his eyes, as Solaire pondered to himself for a moment: An audience with the princess herself? Have they no sense of security in this world that a stranger such as myself could be introduced to the highest of person? Aegis coughed intentionally, breaking Solaire's train of thought. "We're here to... escort you to the castle, should you accept." He exclaimed. He turned his gaze to Fluttershy, who's expression had changed into a light grin. Looking to Solaire, she said: "Oh my, Princess Celestia is only one of the kindest ponies in Equestria. Solaire, I would agree in going to meet her." She attempted to persuade him. Under the phase of encouragement, Solaire shook his head in agreement. "Very well, I suppose it would prove beneficial to myself to show." Solaire shrugged. "Excellent, if you do not mind, we shall accompany you upon our own chariot." Aegis responded, turning himself back towards the entrance of the door. Fluttershy hung her head slightly as Solaire would be leaving to the castle alone. "-OH, I almost forgot!" Aegis stopped. "Miss Fluttershy, Princess Celestia urged that you should come as well." He finished. Fluttershy yelped in joy as she paced herself to meet Solaire as he walked towards the door. Outside, Solaire was intrigued at the thought of riding all the way to the castle, to which Fluttershy pointed out in the distance, high above Ponyville upon a mountainside. The two guards quickly fastened themselves to the front of the chariot, awaiting Solaire and Fluttershy's admittance upon the vehicle. Reluctantly, Solaire stepped aboard, to which the guards grunted uncomfortably, yet continued to stand stable. "Are we ready for lift-off?" Aegis grunted, glancing back at the two. "Ready for whaAUAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Solaire yelled, as the guards quickly unsheathed their wings and took into the air in a gust of speed. Fluttershy attempted to hold Solaire straight as he stumbled slightly upon be taken to the sky. "A-Are we... FLYING?" Solaire exclaimed. Fluttershy giggled at the large knight's reaction as they soared higher off the Ponyville floor. "Of course we are, you haven't flown before have you?" Fluttershy asked. "If I ever did, it would of been through the claws of an enormous dragon!" Solaire joked as he relished the sight and feeling of the open air. The unprecedented sensation of flying overtook Solaire as he engrossed himself in the rush of air that swept through his face and armor, and the gorgeous view of the Equestrian countryside as the left the town's borders. Fluttershy smiled, reading the different expressions upon Solaire's face as they continued across the sky. The flight to Canterlot Castle was much shorter than Solaire had anticipated, lasting only a mere twenty minutes till they touched the floor of the royal docking bay. Around him sat numerously different chariots, bearing their own markings upon them. In the docking bay, nearly all the guards that accompanied the different station turned their focus to the arrival of the strange biped that entered their sight. Gasping, the two stallions unhinged themselves from the chariot, sitting momentarily to regain their strength. "I would be lying- if I said you were- not heavy, hew-man." Aegis mocked under short breathes. Concerning faces accompanied the nearby guards as they observed Solaire's every move. "Calm your fears men. Official princess business!" Aegis called out. Reluctantly, the guards began to slowly return back to their normal tasks as Solaire's escorts rose back from their exhaustion. "This way please." Aegis motioned towards the large barricades that were the emblazoned, reinforced doors to the interior of the castle. Clambering his way out of the chariot, legs slightly shaken from the experience, he followed the guards as they continued through. Inside, Solaire took note of the exquisite statues of various ponies and the lovely adorned walls and interior deigns. A fain remembrance to the cathedral to which he spent the majority of his childhood upon, adorned with the very same gold tints and ornamented windows. As quickly as they had began their journey into the seemingly endless castle, had they noticed a certain lavender pony off the the distance, resting casually upon a bench, reading a beige colored book. As they approached, Twilight slowly glanced up as a shadow overtook her view of her readings. Surprised, she hastily closed the book and jumped up to greet him. "Solaire! I began to think you weren't going to show up!" She exclaimed happily. "Yes well, I suppose after the Princess star pupil goes boasting about me, I'm somewhat obligated to attend." Solaire joked as he stopped to talk. Twilight blushed slightly, taking notice to the guards annoyance to conversation. "All the rest of the girls are already inside the throne room with Princess Celestia. They are so excited to meet you!" She informed them, sending a small wave at Fluttershy, to which she returned. Continuing through a long stretch of the hallway, Twilight accompanied them as they made their way to one of the largest set of doors in the castle. As beautifully decorated as the rest of the building, the guards positioned in and all around the gate stood in attention as Solaire approached, almost treating him as if he was a foreign dignitary. A rather short, yet well built stallion walked up to Solaire; His armor tinted blue with four chevrons across his helmet. "Solaire of Astora, I presume?" The stallion asked. "Yes?" Solaire replied. "Princess Celestia and the Elements of Harmony are awaiting you." He bowed, motioning his hoof to open the gates to the room. Hastily, the surrounding guards worked to push the doors of the entrance open, revealing the beautifully designed room of the princess herself. "Good! Your finally here! Twilight feared you would be absent." A surprisingly mature and angelic female's voice called out. Emerging into Solaire's view, he became awestruck at the sight. A pony, extraordinarily taller than any that he had previously seen, who's mane flowed in a brilliant mono-chromatic state, her jewelry gleaming in transcendent beauty as she stood. Working under his own habits, Solaire lowered himself to his knees in appraisal. "An honor to finally meet you, your highness; I would not abandon an order from thee." He replied to the princess, who beared an amused look upon her face. "Please, Solaire. You do not need to act so regal in front of me, I am accustomed to normal conversation." She assured him, to which Solaire rose himself from his knees in unexpectedness. "All apologies, your high- I mean, Celestia." He caught himself as he responded. Princess Celestia chuckled. "Now, before we decided to go into a lengthy conversation, how about you meet the rest of Twilight's lovely friends?" She beckoned, motioning to corner where her friends sat anxiously, one of which Solaire feared was about to burst out of her seat as she struggled to remain quiet. Suddenly, the questionable pink pony shot herself up from her chair and into the direction of Solaire. "HELLO THERE SOLLY! I'M PINKIE PIE! I CAN CALL YOU SOLLY CAN'T I? BECAUSETHATSWHATALLNEWANDGOODFRIENDSDO-" The pony was interrupted with an foreleg around her mouth. The orange pony he had met previously, Applejack, laughed embarrassingly as she held her through the muffled speech of the pony. "Sorry 'bout that now. Pinkie Pie here can be quite the er... energetic one." Applejack exclaimed. Rainbow Dash floated gently overhead of them, squinting at Solaire. "Hey." Rainbow Dash called as Solaire's attention drifted to her. "Hey?" Solaire replied, curious at her short introduction. "Rainbow darling, if your jealous of Solaire you can just come out and say it." a particularly feminine voice teased. "JEALOUS? Of him? What for?!" Rainbow Dash asked, insulted. "Oh shh, now, I'm only joking." The voice replied. Approaching Solaire trotted a white haired pony with a magnificent indigo mane that curled around her eye line. "I am Rarity good sir, it's so nice to meet a new friend of Twilights." she introduced, curtsying as she spoke. "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Rarity." Solaire replied, bowing in return. Apart from Twilight and her other friends, this one in particular responded positively to gentlemen-like gestures and a regal tone. "I must say, that... ensemble that you are wearing is quite beautiful, but it looks so heavy does it not?" She observed. "Ah, not at all! But you must understand why I wear such armor, much like the guards of this castle--" He explained. "--A one of a kind, crafted by a longtime friend of my father, blessed by the sun itself." He smiled warmly back at the white mare. Rarity nodded her head in intrigue, paying close attention towards the the emblazoned symbol of the faced sun that stretched across the entirety of his chest. Princess Celestia cleared her throat in interruption, who had been watching silently from upon the hill of her throne. "Now, now. I'm sure we all have many more questions for Solaire, but I'm afraid I must speak to him in private." The ponies groaned, eager to continue in conversation towards the being. "Ah- Twilight, you can stay." Celestia interjected. Twilight smiled widely as she hurried to her satchel to remove her notebook from inside it. "We'll see each other soon, Solaire." Fluttershy reassured from his side. "But of course." Solaire confirmed, continuing to smile. Slowly the party of five moved themselves outside the doors of the room as they closed behind them. Celestia sat back down upon her throne and took in a breath; Twilight joined her, sitting increasingly closer to her. "Now, let's begin some explanations, shall we?" Celestia proceeded, the once playful look in her returned to a contempt and serious face. "What would you like to know?" Solaire asked. "Let's start off easy. What are you?" She started. "I am a knight; a position of rank. But a human to be more exact." He answered. "Are you from Equestria, Solaire?" Princess Celestia questioned. Solaire took a moment to think, summing up this thoughts: "That, I am unsure of. By an, unlucky stroke of fate, I have been moved from my accustomed land into one I have never witnessed; likewise towards me in your case." "--It could be possible that these two places have never met before." Twilight added, attempting to solve his confusion. "Possibly--" Solaire pointed. "--But everything here is... different in one way or another. I can't quite put my finger on it." Celestia pondered his alien knowledge of the land, genuine in confusion. "It is something to ponder further. Then so tell me, where are you originally from?" Celestia rephrased. "Lordran, the once great nation that.... befallen an unjust fate ." Solaire paused, bringing himself to a somber tone at the remembrance. "An unjust fate?" Celestia repeated. "By to what do you mean?" Solaire sighed, the eventual conversation could not be left unanswered. "I do believe we are world's apart in terms of peace, your highness. Of my land; of Lordran, death and chaos has roamed free within our borders for a decade." Solaire gulped. "In my land there is no peace, nothing equal to the tranquility and cleanliness of your kingdom. To fight and die is an everyday occurrence to me." Celestia sat silent, taking in his disturbing information. He is deeper than she had originally thought. But how can a creature who is forced through bloodlust continue to stay dignified? "I-I see... Very few times in my life am I left baffled. Yet if what you tell me is true, I truly pity your life, yet at the same time, congratulate you on your freedom from it." Celestia exclaimed, glancing at the engrossed Twilight, whom continued to scribble data upon her noted paper. Solaire rose his sight to meet hers, a unexpected sense of security washed over him as he connected with her own. "My duty... Is not yet fulfilled." Solaire murmured. "--And what is your duty?" Asked Celestia. "...." He argued with himself briefly in silence. "To kill Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, the true cause of pain and suffering." He boldly announced. Silence once again overtook the room. Celestia sat back, staring intently upon the empty sheath that rested upon Solaire's waist. "So you are a soldier of a war. As much faith as my pupil has placed in you, trust is... unassured." She concluded. ... "It cannot be avoided, Solaire. Your background is... disturbing and highly concerning at most. How is there truth that you will not suddenly go berserk and hurt my ponies?" She summarized, asking seriously. "It is by my divine faith that I uphold my standards, to forever stay a gentlemen; to forever fight for the good of the light, so that we do not descend into darkness." Solaire said, tilting his head upwards in hubris. "Sometimes, it takes more than someponies word, Solaire." She responded, doubtful of his pledge. "Princess Celestia..." Twilight spoke silently, attempting to garner her attention. "Please, give Solaire a chance. I have seen him when he was at his weakest, I watched him recover. When he could of easily overpowered us, he did not. If... you permit it, please... let him stay among us; atleast until we can figure out how he got here?" She reasoned with the princess, who's irate expression turned to thought. "I will... Think about it." Celestia concluded. Twilight smiled, setting her notebook gently down to lightly embrace the princess. "In the meantime--" Celestia started, grinning from Twilight's excitement. "--You will stay a night or two in one of the castle's suites. Our conversation isn't over." She finished. Solaire nodded, grateful of the Princess' leniency over the matter. Suddenly, the door to the throne room was pulled open, leaving Aegis and the other guard to return back to Solaire's sides. "I'm sure you do not mind if these two escort to your room for the day?" Celestia asked rhetorically. "I suppose not." Solaire answered. Turning towards the door to walk out, Solaire stopped abruptly. "A final question Princess--" Solaire called out. "Yes?" "The tattoo upon your flank, of the sun. What does it mean?" He asked, continuing his slow pace to the door. "The answer is simple really--" Celestia smiled. The doors of the room began to close as Solaire awaited her reply. "I raise and fall the sun every day." Solaire's eyes widened in responded bewilderment as the doors to the throne room closed, and all was silent once more.