The Knight · 9:58pm Jul 24th, 2020

He was not used to the streets being this quiet as he made his way through. Ponies watched him and his entourage pass from their windows, anxiety and curiosity decorating their muzzles in equal measure. He did his best to meet each of their gazes with his own, trying to impart comfort, confidence, and reassurance that no matter what was to come next, he would keep them safe.
Under their returned stares, the rattling of his heavy plate armor sounded even louder in his ears than normal, each of the many metal pieces scraping and clanking against each other like a series of ominous drums. Try as he might to assure himself that all would be well, he just could not guarantee himself of that. What was now transpiring was beyond anything he had experienced before.
Up ahead, the great gates of the city awaited him, depicting the ancient celestial sisters encircling one another in an eternal cycle. A collection of lesser soldiers awaited him before it, looking anxious. They perked up immediately upon spotting him, and one of them—the leader, he assumed—stepped forward to offer a sharp salute. “Sir, we’re ready and awaiting your orders.”
“Good lad,” the stallion answered kindly. He looked past him to the others. “The rest of you form up behind me. I don’t want to see any weapons drawn, but be ready to pull them at a moment’s notice. Remember: these are our guests we are greeting, but do not forget from whence they hail. Be on alert, just in case.”
“Yes sir!” The soldiers replied with a joined salute before moving to take up a position behind him. The stallion took a deep breath, then turned to the gates. He closed his eyes, whispering silently under his breath. “Oh, Five above, this humble servant beseeches you: guide me in this most turbulent of moments…”
He lifted his eyes to the entrance and nodded. “Open the gates!”
With a great roar of grinding stone, creaking wood, and clattering chains, the gates slowly opened as the portcullises rose. The world beyond slowly came into view, revealing the beings who stood waiting patiently on the other side.
The stallion’s eyes widened. “Wait… it can’t be…” he breathed, completely awestruck. He had been expecting many things on the other side of that gate, and most of his expectations were met. But one figure stood out from the others, and as her eyes met his, he knew that he was not mistaken.
He had not seen her in years. He had heard tell of her exploits since last they met, yes, but to see her again now, and in this company, no less? It rattled his mind and shook his senses to his core.
She stared back at him in shock and awe, seemingly just as surprised. She swallowed heavily, then opened her mouth to speak.