Chapter Nine
The door to the anteroom in the back of the throne room opened once more and out peeked two heads. Light still shown through the painted glass windows and the adjustment to the light caused Titus and Lyra to both be blinded for a brief moment.
When the moment passed, they both stepped out into the open and moved back to the front where Celestia had just finished talking to an ambassador, who politely bowed out and continued on out of sight.
“Oh, you're back sooner than I thought you would be, and a bit disgruntled by the looks of you both, too.” Celestia looked a tad bit surprised but quickly gave them a warm smile. “You must have taken care of whatever Starswirl needed you to do. He did say it was quite urgent.” She looked around. “He did say he was going to be with you two if all went well... hmm..”
“I don't believe he'll be coming back.” Titus stated. “He.. wanted to stay behind.”
“I see...” Celestia gave them a thoughtful look. “Well, it does seem like everything is in order here regardless. The fog that plagued the lands below has finally dispersed, not too long before your return, I believe.”
“That's a relief.” Lyra said, happy to hear that they wouldn't have to attempt yet again at finding their house within a town they knew so well.
“I was thinking..” Celestia began. “Since you two have been such a help over the days, that perhaps you'd like to stay in Canterlot for a few days? It wouldn't be like the last time you came, no formal dinners to attend with aristocrats or anything like that. Just you two enjoy the city together; I know you'd both enjoy it much more here this time.”
Lyra squealed and looked up to Titus who wasn't really taking the question into consideration until he found a pair of yellow eyes staring up at him expectantly. He sighed inwardly, just wanting to go back and forget about all of this, but he couldn't find the heart to even consider telling Lyra of his thoughts on the matter.
“We'd love to.” He finally said, giving into the eyes upon him.
Lyra cheered and Celestia nodded, pleased with the decision. “You both deserve it, that is for sure. Why don't you both go around town and enjoy the sites while we prepare your quarters?
“That would be nice.” Titus said. Turning towards the way to the courtyard.
“Will we have time to talk?” Lyra asked before following after her human.
“Of course. When you get back, we can talk all you want.” The princess called back happily.
Lyra smiled and hopped along by Titus who pushed the doors open and entered the courtyard. It was late in the day, but the sun was still incredibly bright. The Paladin stopped to take in the whole sight of the town below them. It was nice to be away from all the fighting. He wasn't sure he'd ever be used to anymore.
He suddenly reached behind his back and found that he had left his hammer back with Starswirl. That meant that it was pretty much gone forever. He had gone through two different weapons since he had arrived in this world, he wasn't sure he would ever see another one tailored to him ever again due to the scarcity of arms in this world at all.
Oh well. If all went well from here on out, then he wasn't going to need it ever again. But he knew well enough that nothing could stay peaceful, at least not where he ever went.
He suddenly felt a soft pressure pull his arm down and looked down to Lyra who had been trying to get his attention for some time now. She looked a bit dreamy and he was already getting concerned as to where this might have been leading.
“I knew I'd get you to say it eventually.” She said auspiciously.
“Say what?” He asked, trying to play dumb.
“That you love me, dumby.” She giggled. “What? You thought you could just live that one down? Nope! Nope! I'm going to tell everyone!”
Titus felt his face begin to heat up. “Please don't.”
“Why should I listen to you? I would only be telling the truth!”
Titus facepalmed. “By the Light, why do you try to tease me so much?”
“Because it bothers you!” She laughed and ran down through the courtyard and into the city below, shouting: “Titus loves me! A human loves me!”
The Paladin began to run after her, his face red with embarrassment. He couldn't say anything out loud though, for his voice was choked from the dryness that had just formed from what had just happened, coupled with the pain that he was fighting through to keep this pace.
This was going to be a long vacation. A very long and embarrassing one.
**********
Starswirl's ragged breaths could be heard echoing down the tunnels. He was now sitting against the side of the passageway, contemplating all that he had done for this world.
He looked down at his hooves, sighing. “I've done so much.. so much.. I pray there is something else for me beyond death.”
He certainly didn't regret the choice he had made in restoring the Beacon's life, but he had found that he was becoming more afraid of death with each passing minute. He was shaking awfully and he swore he was seeing spots now.
“If you're going to take me.. I'd really enjoy it being quick and uneventful.”
“Relax...” A soft voice said into his ears.
He jolted up and looked around rapidly. “Who else is here?”
“Just somepony to ease your pain...” A pony in white robes suddenly came into view, its aura alone illuminating the tunnel completely. “I have come to help you along your way..”
“What are you?” Starswirl asked suspiciously.
“I am not obligated to tell.” The pony was right over him now, looking down at him from beneath her hood. “I am simply doing as I was told to do.”
“But by who? Why? Why me?” The sorcerer was beginning to grow suspicious as to why anything like this was happening now of all times.
“Shh...” She put a hoof on the sorcerer's chest who proceeded to throw it off of him.
“I require answers! Why not tell a dying old stallion? What is going on here?!”
“Sir, please...”
“No! I have been around too long to know that this doesn't just happen out of pity for my soul or anything of the like. Tell me, what is this all about?”
The robed mare sighed. “They said you would comply...”
“Not without some answers.”
“I can't tell you, okay?”
“I guess you can move along then, huh?” Starswirl stuck his tongue out in protest.
“I don't have time for this.” The mare put a hoof on Starswirl's head. Before the sorcerer could backlash once more, he was out cold.
The mare pulled the hood from her head, revealing a horn, and frowned as her turquoise eyes studied the sleeping figure. “There is still much for you to do in this world, sorcerer. So much...”
A portal suddenly formed behind her and she levitated the ancient sorcerer off the ground. “We won't let you die that easily..” They both went through the portal, closing quickly behind them.
The passageway went silent. The way it always should have been.
What about the gnome?
1526646
Maybe I'll have something later for him; he is one tough bugger, but for now, what is done is done.
1526646 Nah, he's dead.
At least, I'm pretty sure he is. So, Nobrains... Thanks man!
1530038
Sure thing, bro. Glad you liked it!
1530062 Twas a good story. Over a lot faster than I expected this one, but I don't care.
1530078
Well I did hint at some more coming eventually. Anything is a possibility when I'm writing for the peoples.
1533681
That means a lot bro, I'm glad I can keep people like you happy with whatever I write here!
great story
1544443
Glad you enjoyed it!
That, again, was great.
I really loved the fight scene. However, this one story was kind of really short, but it was really interesting to read from start to finish.
Reitterating my comment on the previous story, I really hope something is going to happen with the Draenei friend of Titus in a sequel. It also feels really bad for her to no be able to do anything because of her state. She was Titus' only "real friend" ( if I'm not mistaken ), she deserves not to be left alone, and be able to embrace her life again and hopefully, live thrilling adventures with him. But I guess Lyra will not welcome her too kindly, especialy since she's a female. But since there didn't seem to be any romance between these two, I guess the draenei wouldn't care, or at worse, be irritated that her friend have got such a possessive marefriend? Oh well, should these two meet, I guess their relation would be kind of complicated.
I also really love the mindset of the gnome Death Knight. It really fits to one of his kind. Plus he looked just so badass. Too bad he's dead. However I wouldn't mind if he came back later on for some reason. A death knight does not die that easily I guess? But I hardly see how he can get out of the tunnels, should he be able to heal off his wounds.
Also, while the following comment is from my personal point of view and taste for stories, it should not be treated as a "must do". I'd like to say:
I really like the adventure side that you put in your stories a lot. It's thrilling, there is action, it's interesting. However, I really would like to see more "idle" times, where we learn a bit more about the characters ( Titus especialy ), and their day-to-day life.
While I clearly enjoy the adventure side of your stories, I also would be really interested to see a lot more deepness into the characters, other than when their life goes out of the ordinary. Most of your stories have this kind of thing at the very begining, but it quickly escalate to "adventure mode" (which is a good thing, don't get me wrong) where things happen.
But it really would feel good to have some of these "idle" times, where we can learn about the characters, and how they interact with eachothers when there isn't something that needs to be taken care off. I would love to see interaction with more background characters, especialy Lyra/Titus with the mane six ( yes, the mane six are background characters here! ), and maybe others I don't think/know about.
I also love reading those romance interactions between characters. While it is good to have them in "adventure mode" ( and you did that in the just right amount ), I'd like to see more of these in "idle" phases.
Again, this was from my personal tastes. It shouldn't taken as "you must do it, else your story sucks". Your stories are great as they are, and I will not be disapointed should there be no change toward this, especialy when you're such a good writter in the first place.
I hope to see a sequel soon. While waiting for that, I'll check on your other story, it sounds good too.
Another advice I could give you is to put a link to your first story in the sequels' description, ( inside the brackets (wait, that phrase was "inside the bracket", and was inside brackets itself... Bracketception! )) it might potentialy get your some more (really deserved) views, instead of just saying that it's a sequel, which may cause someone to just overlook it in the story list.
Alright, just watching back at this comment's length, it seems like I'm begining to write a story in itself, so i'll just stop now.
Cheers on your future works of your stories, may they be related, or not, to this WoW crossover.
1634520
Thanks! I apologize for those errors, I must have overlooked them through the editing process (you wouldn't believe how much of an issue the 'its' and 'it's' thing is with me, heh.)
I admit that I am a bit short handed with the more 'day to day' style writing. I suppose that since I am so used to reading fantasy adventure novels and junk, I really feel comfortable emulating that style into my stories. (I really should break from that idea some time. )
Regardless, I am more than overjoyed to hear you enjoy more story so much as to analyze and give me ideas on how to improve my writing and not flesh out the same mold for each story I do.
You sir, are a scholar and a gentleman. Thanks so much for commenting your opinion on my work.
This, I gotta say has been one of the better WoW crossovers!
I really like the three stories and I'm hoping for a fourth!!
1660948
Thanks a bunch! They'll be more to come for sure!
No problem! I really meant this is one of the best WoW crossovers I have read. It ties with my 5th in Fav's list! But anyway I can't wait until the next book! Keep up the good work!
1661120
Wow! 5th! Whoa!
That means a lot to me! It's so nice to hear someone like my stories so much! I'll try to keep up the standards I have set!
Aside from your trio if great stories I only have found one or two good WoW crossovers! You would think it would be easy to find better WoW Fics, but in actuality almost nopony writes them. Then the few that write them don't write them well or are just explaining the game in Equestria.
I'm also glad my praise is accepted. Many times people just layer praise when not warranted, so I've earned the reputation of being a hard-ass critique. But I speak truthfully that three stories in a row of good writing is hard to find.
But just keep writing the way you are right now and I'd say your set!
1661191
That I can and will do!
Thanks again!
Okie dokie lokie...
I'm watchin' you... like a hawk.
*Giggle* I enjoy those references WAY too much...
1530062
I'm guessing Titus either never bothered to learn Redemption, or he isn't a high enough level to have had the chance to learn it?
1685655
See that's the thing, I only follow so close to the game, in fact, I go more by the lore than the game, and a rez isn't something that would make much sense outside of the game's mechanics.
If we went by this, then we'd have to ask countless questions like why didn't Turalyon resurrect Anduin Lothar following the fight under Black Mountain? Or why didn't Varian Wrynn simply get a priest or a paladin to resurrect his wife after that horrible accident with the Stonemasons and their rioting in Stormwind?
It's a great mechanic in a raid and fighting big baddies for loot in a game, but for writing a captivating story? It doesn't hold much ground.
I hope it makes sense, bud. I'm actually surprised I don't get more questions like this.
1686051
It makes sense, thank you. I know what you mean. Like how in the games a priest can use as many shadow words as they want, but in lore each one has a very heavy cost.
2113421
Okay, enlighten me. When has Lyra done anything without either A) failing or B) Titus showing up and finishing it for her?
I mean, every time she attempts to contribute to anything it's ineffective at best, and far more often just makes Titus' job harder.
2113584
Let me say this: have I ever hinted at her character being truly capable of taking on such things alone? The entire setup has always been that Titus initially acts as a sort of guardian in one way or another to Lyra, who really cannot help herself against such entities. That's what paladins do, and he's struggled with being selfish since he should be helping more people/ponies than just her.
It would be okay if I suddenly changed her and sapped her of all ability to contribute, but that's just not true. I believe the effort is made to help, but since each enemy is, naturally, tougher than the last, more and more of the load is placed on the protector or guardian that is Titus. With Lyra's role as being more and more as a reason Titus continues to fight after odds get so far out of hand.
Or maybe I'm just looking too far into it and I've really honestly written her to be cute first, and adept secondly. Much like common stories regarding a hero rescuing or protecting a damsel in distress.
I hope I'm not coming off too brash, I just wanted to state character roles within these stories.
2113662
I can understand the idea of having the protagonist's love interest not be useful in combat, but Lyra doesn't do much outside of combat either, nor does she seem to be doing anything to be less of a hindrance. Despite repeatedly proving that she can't help out in any meaningful way, she still persists in engaging combat even when there's a third party around to tell her it's a terrible idea. There was the one mention in Pale of her trying to practice with a hammer, but it was only mentioned once and never referenced again.
Granted, the one time she actually stayed behind in the safest place in the area so Titus could be heroic without her slowing him down, she nearly died anyway. But it's still aggravating that she seems to serve no purpose other than being a love interest and slowing Titus down. If this series was a video game, you can bet there would be a hatedom dedicated to wanting Lyra to die painfully.
2113854
She cares for him, and that's why she'll still try to assist, even when it ill suits her. I've written her as stubborn, reckless, and a bit possessive. It's a nice foil to Titus's training and cool manner, which does allow for some chemistry to form between them, as it naturally would.
I don't see how it being a video game would change the reception of how I've written her to be. With the way games are, it would be just like writing a more interactive story, but would still follow all the plot procedures and such. I don't think anyone here would like her to die otherwise, I mean this is a fanfic regarding a human and a pony, in the setting of the beloved show: "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic," the way some people are in this very fandom, I'd think they'd rather have Titus die or the such.
I do appreciate the criticism, though. I don't tend to get any often, and I know I need some from time to time.
Edit: It appears I forgot to add the reply to this comment, how stupid of me.
keen for more
2171415
and there shall be!