//------------------------------// // The Path We Shall Tread // Story: The Legend of the God-Hunter // by BobThePlaneswalker //------------------------------// Kilia pressed open her bedroom door, revealing a dimly lit hallway. At the end, wavering torchlight trickled around the wall and across the floor. A metallic bashing sound rang from the living area. Kilia crawled towards it. There was a quiet tick from Umie's door. When it opened, Kilia slipped over and wrapped Umie in her wing as she peered out. Kilia brought a hoof to her snout to signal silence. The metallic banging sounded again. Kilia peered to the stairwell as Umie's little heart pattered in her chest. “Hide,” she whispered. Kilia released her and waited for a moment. She peered back into the room to ensure that Umie was hidden and closed the door. A snarl came from the living area followed by a barrage of bashing. Kilia moved forward and peered around the corner. A figure was chasing embers across the floor with the small shovel, cursing as he did so. He fell onto one of the embers and wailed as it burned into his skin. Kilia knew that voice. “Father!” She warped down and batted the embers from his chest. “What in Gaea's name art thou doing?” Father's eyelids drooped halfway over his eyes. He pointed to the fireplace. “P-... Playing with the fire.” He snorted and smiled. “But Father,” Umie exclaimed. Both father and Kilia snapped their gazes to Umie. “Thou art not supposed to play with fire!” Umie said. “Umie!” Kilia exclaimed. “Thou hast disobeyed sister!” Father placed a hoof on Kilia's shoulder. “'Tis alright Angel. I-... I haff somethin to tell you.” Kilia glared at him. “Save it for morning. Thou needst rest.” “No!” Father exclaimed, “I need to say this, 'tis important.” Kilia shook her head. “It can wait.” Umie's eyes darted between the two. “Please!” Father exclaimed. Kilia walked around his side and nudged him towards the stairs. “Thou shalt have another chance.” “That is not certain!” Father shouted. Kilia and Umarak froze. Kilia stepped back and stared at Father. “What art thou saying?” “I'm saying there will come a time,” Father said, “that the world shall be in ye hooves.” “Why?” Umie asked. “Because I'm not strong enough,” Father replied. Kilia shook her head. “Stop talking like this.” “But in harmony there is power,” Father continued. “I think that is the key. I've been searching-” Kilia pushed him towards the stairs. “It doesn't matter. Thou wilt always be with us.” Father resisted her. “No, to guide her children shall be your task, not mine. My time is too short.” “Nonsense!” Kilia hissed. “Thou art eternal.” “NO,” Father shouted. Kilia stopped and stared at him, a layer of tears holding over her eyes. He put a hoof on her cheek and looked between her and Umie. “I think harmony is the key to the Golden Age. And I think that you will be a testament to that my daughters, for together you shall be stronger than I ever was.” He took a deep breath and pulled them into a hug. “Together, you can do anything.” :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The Royal Sisters stood before Shining Armor and the bearers as a group of ponies equipped them with the highest tech armor known to ponydom. Celestia was deep within her mind, reliving the day she had decided to dedicate herself to Equestria. Even now she remembered so vividly that love, that forgiveness she had been shown. It was that gesture which had allowed her to find Celestia, the face of her strength. That gesture which had rekindled her faith that the key to overcoming the oppressor was harmony, not bloodshed. What the mortals needed was to put the greater good before selfish needs. They needed the strength to forgive an enemy and halt an endless cycle of violence, and the unity to come together and overcome the claws of tyranny. She felt a spell fall over her, not of magic, but of determination. Her purpose burned bright, boiling away petty fears, concerns, and worries. She cared not for her own life. All that mattered was the salvation of harmony. All that mattered was the future of this world. Luna stood as a statue with her eyes closed. She was busy buttoning up her thoughts and preparing her psyche for battle. The pressure loomed over her like a giant predator, licking its lips, but its shadow did not intimidate her. “Outlook,” Tia had told her. “Outlook is a powerful tool. Our fear of being unable to accomplish something hinders our capabilities. Dwell on the fear and you've already defeated yourself. Only if you embrace the challenge, do you have a chance... So I've found anyway.” And so Luna had stepped back to see things in a different light. Instead of looking at it as misfortune, she looked at it as a chance to gain respect, to repent for her past, and to prove that she was not a monster. Who knows, she may even be able to convince herself of that if things went her way. She had demanded that Tia step back to focus on her recovery, and so Tia had. This time, Luna was calling the shots. No more than advice Tia had given for these past three weeks. If this went well, it would reinforce Tia's comfort level with delegating her workload. There was a lot to be gained. That's what made it awesome. Disaster? No, this was an opportunity. “Alright,” Shining Armor said. “It's done.” The Sisters opened their eyes to see Armor, Cadence, and the bearers gaping at them as they bowed. Armor cleared his throat. “Both of you look...” “Divine,” Cadence said. “If ever there was anything that could instill hope in Equestrians, this is it.” The Sisters looked to one another. They were covered from head to foot in Carbonite, a material that could protect against a variety of attacks, both magical and physical. Riveted pieces covered their limbs allowing for mobility unmatched by any other armor in the modern age. Enchantments were numerous and caused the material to have a light blue glow. Their manes and tails were condensed with hair ties to prevent interference. They smiled at one another. Luna bowed to Celestia. “You do look mighty dear sister.” Celestia matched her bow. “Only as mighty as you I'm sure. No creature could deny our power looking like this.” They faced the others. “It is time,” Celestia said. The others, save for Twilight, stood to the side. Twilight remained before the large oak doors which lead to Equestria with her face hidden behind a veil of mane. Armor cleared his throat. “Twiley...” Celestia raised a hoof to him and approached her. “Twilight, are you alright?” Twilight sniffled and raised her head to reveal glistening eyes. “Is there something you need to say?” Celestia asked. “We can speak in private.” Twilight peered around at the others. She took in her fellow bearers, her brother and sister-in-law, Luna, and finally Celestia. She let her head fall back down. She leaned into Celestia and wrapped her fore-legs around her. “Be safe.” Celestia stood in her embrace, pondering her reaction. There was something more to her actions; Celestia was sure of it. She brought her snout to Twilight's ear. “Twilight, if there's anything else, please, tell me.” Twilight lifted her head from Celestia's armor leaving a small shimmering splotch of tears. She wiped it away with a fetlock and met Celestia's eyes. “Just come back safe, okay?” “Twilight...” Celestia whispered. “I... ‒” She sighed. “‒ I can't promise that I'll be back.” Twilight swallowed. Celestia put a wing on her shoulder. “I can tell you though, my faithful student, I've had...” She sighed. “I've had a few ponies I cared about pass on in my time. The passing, it doesn't have to be the end. It makes things different, there's no denying that, but it doesn't have to be the end. Memories, lessons, things that made them special, you can keep them with you forever.” Twilight nodded. “I guess.” She retreated to the embrace of the others. Celestia looked back to Luna but Luna didn't join her. Instead, she approached the others and extended a hoof. “Twilight Sparkle, friends, just know that, I've learned a lot from you. Thank you.” They pushed through the hoofshake and captured her in a hug. “Likewise Luna,” Twilight said. “It's been a blast, even if it ends. ‒” Her face hardened. “‒ Which it won't.” Luna nodded. “Agreed. To both, of those things.” She left them and took her side of the massive oak doors. “Ready sister?” Celestia nodded and Luna motioned to the guards. They pushed up the massive door bar and opened the doors allowing the morning sun to flood in followed shortly by the roar of thousands of equine voices. The sisters emerged to see the training fields brimming with creatures from all across Equestria. The crowd waved, stamped their hooves, and shook signs above their heads. Luna found herself frozen on the spot as she read. There were as many signs for her as there were for Celestia. Maybe even more. Celestia draped a wing over Luna's shoulder. “Congratulations Sister.” Luna's mouth flapped a few times. “Wha-wha-... bu-... how?” Celestia giggled. “Saving me earns you a lot of street lead in Equestria.” Luna blanked. “What?” “Street lead,” Celestia replied. “You know, it's like respect, but in hip talk.” Luna made a slow nod. “Right...” “Would you like to say a few words?” Celestia asked. Luna blushed. “I don't know what to say...” Celestia chuckled. “Don't worry, I've always been good at this stuff. Come.” She flew into the air and landed atop the armory with Luna at her side. “Thank you,” she said, her magically enhanced voice booming across the crowd. “Thank all of you for your support. I do not have the words to express how much it means to us. “As I'm sure you all know, today Luna and I move to settle a dispute older than Equestria itself. Long ago, there was talk of a Golden Age; a time where the world would be as wonderful as it could be. Many philosophies arose about how we could bring about such an age. In the end, you, Equestria, granted my sister and I your trust. You made our philosophy your own. The philosophy that through love, forgiveness, and compassion, we will find the Golden Age. For that, we thank you. “However, our peer believes that we are fools to see strength in such things. That this philosophy has made you hopeless. He is wrong. He does not know you Equestria. He hasn't grown up with you like we have. He has not been so blessed as to have you as family. To him, you are just a herd of peons that have lost your way. Luna and I, we know your strength, and we believe that you will be the trailblazers of the Golden Age. No matter what happens today, I beg you to keep the faith. This path will reward you in due time. Thank you. We love you, and we are just, so proud, of all of you.” For a moment Equestria was silent. Then they roared, stamped their hooves, and chanted, “In harmony we are strong.” Luna took them in. “You do not oversell yourself sister.” Celestia shrugged. “I've had a lot of time to perfect my capabilities.” Luna turned to her. “We should get moving.” Celestia nodded and they boarded a chariot which took them east towards Mt. Olympus. It was a while that they allowed the guards to fly them, and while they did Celestia did very little speaking. This wouldn't have worried Luna so, had Celestia's eyes been pointed ahead like those of a pony that is determined, not wondering about over the side like a pony lost in thought. Luna waited until they reached the final leg of their journey where they had planned to part with the guards. When the guards were out of site, Luna flew near to Celestia. “Tia, are you okay?” Celestia looked to her, smiled, and returned her focus to their course. Mt. Olympus poked out from the horizon, a spec of black smog upon its peak. “Tia,” Luna said. “Now is the time to talk about it. Is it fear?” Celestia didn't reply. “You need not protect me sister,” Luna said. Celestia sighed. “Yes sister, there is fear. But this, it's more than that. For this battle, my resolve must be mighty. But, as a leader, I have to consider the possibility of failure. If we do fail, I just... What becomes of Equestria?” “It does not matter sister,” Luna replied. “Not because they do not matter, but because I don't think there is any way they could have a better chance than they have now. You, sister, you gave them exactly what they needed. You gave them something to fight for; showed them what makes them strong. You took our dream, father's dream, and made it theirs. If they do believe, and I think they do, then what happens here doesn't matter. We've already won. Equestria's salvation is secured just by standing up for our faith in harmony. Beating Rei is just icing.” Celestia smiled. “I think that you are right, sister.” She slowed to a hover. Luna slowed. “Tia?” “I know it's been said a lot these past few weeks,” Celestia murmured. “But, I don't think it is possible to overstate. Especially given the situation. Know Luna, most wonderful sister, that I mean it when I say that I love you. Those years without you were... torture. By my duty as an educator my personal students should be chosen purely by capability and potential to help the world but, as you said, I am not perfect. After that night, Luna... I could only choose the ones that most reminded me of you.” Luna floated in silence for a while before she found any words. “Tia, I...” She flew over and nuzzled Celestia. “...Love you too.” She met Celestia's eyes and smiled. “Not even death can change that.”