//------------------------------// // Relocation // Story: Legend of Zelda: Hero of Equestria // by Klearsky52 //------------------------------// Sword sat up on suddenly on his bed, his heart pounding and sweat rolling off his body. He frantically looked around before he realized he was in his room and sighed in relief. He remembered all the details of his dream a bit more clearly than he liked to. He remembered how the blood sprayed everywhere. The screams of pain. The shivering cold. Sword quickly shook his head, diminishing the hateful images from his mind. That was long ago, but it seemed that no matter how many times he tried to let go of the past, it still clung to him. Showing him what happened that night over and over again. Sword knew that he wasn’t going to get any sleep after that and he wouldn’t try either, in fear those images would haunt him once more. He climbed out of his bed and traveled out the door. He walked from his home and climbed up the hill near Orca’s home. He stared at the forestry beyond. The moon shined over ahead, its pale light making his surroundings look ethereal. Sword had always liked the night. It calmed him and made it easier for him to think. He couldn't imagine why Luna turned out the way she did all those years ago when she controlled this beautiful aspect of nature. “Guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see you out here.” “Orca,” Sword simply said, turning towards his aforementioned teacher. Orca sat next him and shook his head. “Why are you out here?” He asked. Sword just shrugged his shoulders, continuing to look beyond the village. “That dream huh?” “It's been plaguing my mind every night now,” Sword mumbled, slouching. “Every night I am forced to relive the death of my former life. A life that I could’ve had if I acted differently.” “There was nothing you could’ve done,” Orca assured. “You were just a small colt back then. You couldn't do anything if you had tried.” Sword looked unconvinced. Orca sighed in frustration. “You can’t just keep this bottled up,” He said. “What is it that you want to do?” “I don’t know,” Sword confessed. “A part of me wants to find out why it happened. But another part is too afraid to know. That I would break down if I found out.” Orca just nodded. They sat in a comfortable silence of sorts, watching the moon slowing descend into the horizon. “Go get some sleep,” he suddenly said. Sword turned to him, a confused look on his face. “Silver had an announcement to make in the morning. All the guards will be gathering around for it. It’s best if you are in top form for it. Whatever he needs to say could change your life for better or for worse.” “I don’t think I will be able to,” Sword admitted. At Orca’s look, he sighed. “But I’ll try. Thanks for trying to console me.” He trudged away back to his sleeping quarters, his head hung low. “You may not believe my words now, Sword,” Orca thought sadly as he watched his receding back. “But I assure you what I said was the truth. I only hope you come to realize that yourself someday.” XxX True to Orca’s word, Silver did want to make an announcement that morning. One of the guards had woken him and told him that the meeting would take place at the cliff near Orca’s house. He quickly got ready after he promised he would be there. By the time he arrived, a crowd formed around the edge with many guards deep in discussion. “Sword! Sword!” He turned to see Storm waving to him frantically. “Over here!” Sword maneuvered his way to him, minding the guards he passed. “What’s up?” “Nothing much,” Storm replied. His eyebrows furrowed in concern. “What about you? You don't look so good…” “I didn't get as much sleep as I would've liked to,” Sword admitted. He tried to go back to sleep, but was still too scared that the dream would come up again. Granted, whenever he thought about it, the images would show up in his mind anyways, making him lose in either situation. “Is something wrong?” Storm asked. Sword blinked and realized his face was downcast in a sorrowful way. “Its...nothing,” Sword answered. He knew that Storm didn’t buy it, judging from the suspicion still lingering in his eyes. He didn’t pursue the matter any further, fortunately for Sword. Suddenly, everypony went silent and raised their hooves in a salute. Sword quickly raised his hoof to do his own when he saw Silver taking his position in front of them. “As you all know, I called you here for an important announcement! As of yesterday, I received orders from the two princesses themselves!” Everypony unintentionally straightened their backs at the news, disbelief permeating through the air. Silver continued, oblivious to the change. “They have ordered us to be relocated to Ponyville within two weeks! We will receive further instructions there.” Everypony immediately burst out to chatter. Sword himself was in shock. In all of his living years, he had never left the village. Not for a short visit since he had no one to visit outside and certainly not as a tourist. His duty was here at the village, protecting everypony he cared about within it. Why did the princesses care to send such an order to some small village anyway? The situation didn't feel right to him. “QUIET!” Everypony immediately fell silent. Silver cleared his throat and pointed at the letter. “These are orders from the rulers themselves! We are guards! Listening to the princesses is our top priority!” “We can't just leave this place!” Sword shouted back. A collective gasp came from the rest of the guards but he didn't care. His superior or not, he couldn't just leave his home unguarded. “We just received a full scale attack not too long ago! What if another one happens again while we're gone?” “Y-yeah!” Another guard shakily agreed. He immediately quailed when Silver turned his angry eyes to him. “I agree,” another guard said. “My parents live here. The whole reason I joined the troop here was to protect them. I'm not exactly fulfilling my dream if I just waltz off without them.” “But the princesses themselves ordered it,” The guard beside him retorted. “The whole point of becoming guards is to protect Equestria as a whole. Not two ponies that gave birth to you! It even states that we had to listen to them no matter what in the job contract. Are you so daft to sign it without even reading the fine print!?” “You take that back!” The insulted guard rushed forward and clocked the other guard in the face. Pure chaos followed afterwards, with guards choosing one of the two sides and brawling for a decision. Sword himself joined while Silver and Storm tried to diffuse the situation. “STOP THIS NOW!” Everypony immediately stopped what they were doing and froze. Silver himself straightened his back and saluted. Orca stood in front of him, his hooves crossed and eyes blazing. His robes billowed in the wind, making him appear more bigger and menacing than he actually was. “What...exactly is this?” He started, his tone soft but nonetheless intense. Sweat began pouring down every guard’s face. Sword was pretty sure some pissed themselves. “Just a minor misunderstanding,” Silver answered professionally. Even the great and stoic Silver flinched when Orca shot up towards him, his hoof pointing towards his chest accusingly. "A minor misunderstanding?! A MINOR MISUNDERSTANDING!? IS THAT WHAT YOU CALL IT NOW!?” He screeched. His words hurt Sword’s ears physically and mentally. “YOU ARE GUARDS THAT DIRECTLY SERVE THE PRINCESSES THEMSELVES! CAN YOU HONESTLY CALL YOURSELVES TRUE GUARDS NOW!?” “...He’s right,” Sword conceded. Despite that, he maintained an indignant look on his face. He was in the wrong this time but he still stood his ground on his position. “But we can't just leave the village. Not after what happened recently.” “I understand, but you plan to resolve this by fighting?” Orca fired back. “If you thought with your brains rather than your hooves, you will find that there is a simple solution to this problem.” Silver raised a brow skeptically, “And what may that be?” Orca sighed in exasperation, “Honestly, how you, the leader of the guards, did not find it is beyond me.” He straightened up and cleared his throat, garnering their attention. “We leave one-half of the guard here while the other half answers the higher ups’ call.” Silence reigned over the cliffside. It was a simple solution like Orca said, but the implications of such statement had a huge effect over them. “Will that be enough to defend the village?” Silver asked. Orca nodded. “We were able to repel the raid easily enough for our numbers. We would just have to be more careful from this time on.” Orca replied. “More importantly, who will be the one to lead the troops back in the village?” “I can take care of that. Amethyst!” Silver barked. A purple pegasus guard straightened up and stepped forward. The silver badge on his chest signified he was an officer. “You’re getting a temporary promotion! Take care of our brothers staying behind!” “Yes sir!” He shouted back with vigor. He puffed his chest out in pride and stood next to him. The other officers looked a little jealous but relented and saluted him, along with the other guards. “I trust you will be able to sort who is going where then?” Orca said. Silver nodded confidently and turned around, mumbling to himself. Somepony tapped Sword’s shoulder and he turned around to see Storm with a worried look on his face. “I don’t like the sound of this…” he muttered. Sword looked around and saw all the guards with the same tense expressions. “Why would the princesses themselves suddenly call on us now? This sounds suspicious…” “That’s what I’m trying to say,” Sword said. He glared at Silver’s back. He currently holds everypony’s fate now. Based on his decision, he could have his whole life changed in just mere seconds. “I would never have thought you would be somepony to worry about this,” Orca said behind him. Sword jumped in surprise and turned towards his mentor. Orca’s eyes were twinkling and he had a small smile on his face. “I always thought you would want to see more of the world.” “I did,” Sword admitted. “But only when I know that everything will be alright back here. That bandit raid has got me too worried and suspicious for me to leave just yet.” “I guess I can understand that,” Orca sighed. He turned towards Storm. “What about you Storm?” Storm turned to him and put his hoof to his chin. “It wasn't exactly my dream, but I did wonder from time to time...” He shook his head and stared back at Orca evenly. “But I feel my duty is here for the same reason as Sword. That much I know.” “I know you two feel that way,” Orca said calmly. “But I just want you to be prepared for what may happen next. Silver’s a stubborn one when he makes a decision. A good and bad trait if I have to say for myself. Your path can go either way now.” Sword was about to respond before he was interrupted by Silver clearing his throat loudly. The whole cliff said fell into a hush and the oppressive atmosphere returned. “Whatever decision made here cannot be taken back! I don’t want to hear any whining and crying on whoever is picked! Don’t even think about trying to change my mind either! Understood?!” Silver barked. All the guards lifted their hooves in a salute, but more than a few looked uneasy. Some were even biting their hooves. “Good! Here is the list for the people who are being relocated!” Silver then started to list off the names. The more names that were called, the tighter Sword’s hooves gripped into the ground. Then his vision tunneled. “And Sword and Storm! Did everypony hear me clearly?!” Silver called. The guards that were picked stood still in shock, including Sword. “I SAID DID YOU HEAR ME?!” All the guards reluctantly raised their hooves in a robotic salute. Sword clenched his teeth and started to walk up Silver. He was held back by Storm. “Do you have any comments to make, Sword?” Silver said tersely. Sword struggled against Storm’s hold. “Calm yourself!” Storm hissed in Sword’s ear. “You’re being way too out of line today! What do you think will happen if you attack Silver?” Sword froze and thought upon Storm’s words. “No…” he replied to Silver dejectedly. “Good. I recommend you go back to your place before any problem arises.” Silver walked away to answer some other guard’s questions, leaving Sword still confused and wary. “Are you okay now? Storm asked behind him. “I’m...fine,” Sword answered, uncertainty in his tone. He stared at Silver’s back. His anger dissipated and only left behind emptiness. “...I think.” “You think?” Orca asked. “Are you sure you’re feeling well? I can understand you are angry about Silver’s decision, but the look on your face is something I have never seen before.” “I'm fine,” Sword reassured. “Really, I am. I guess I just need some rest.” “There’s some time before we have to leave,” Storm said. “Why don't you pack your belongings? Nothing too heavy now!” “Thanks Storm,” Sword said tiredly. “I guess I got some things to think about for now.” “...You know. Not everything will be as bad as you think,” Storm suddenly said. “The village will still be in good hooves and we can explore the world like you would gush about when we were colts! Why do you want to stay in the village so bad? It’s not like there is some major attachment you have to it or is there?” Sword had nothing to reply back with. The sheer truth of what Storm said at the end really hit him where it hurts. Storm scratched his head, oblivious to the impact of his words. “I guess you should head back now. Sorry for keeping you.” Sword nodded and walked away from the two of them. His mind was swimming with questions and confusion. He shook his head and blamed it on his fatigue. He did just realize that today would be his last day here. He also didn't hate Silver like that. Sure he was annoyed with some of the decisions he made and how he was extremely stubborn and serious all the time, but something within him just snapped as soon as he heard it from his mouth. He thought upon Storm’s words again and thought about looking at the situation in a positive light. While Sword was heading back to his home, Storm and Orca stared at his back, both tired from the events despite it only being morning. “I hope he doesn't overexert himself,” Storm said, a worried expression on his face. “It's expected that he would act this way,” Orca replied. “Such a big change happening so suddenly would invoke a reaction out of anypony.” “Yeah but…” Storm said, remembering how Sword had looked like. “I don't think that was a normal reaction anypony would have.” “Maybe so,” Orca said. He seemed distracted, his eyes raking over the village. Alarm briefly flashed through his eyes before it disappeared just as quickly. “Speaking of Sword, why don't you get start packing too? From what I know of Silver, he won't make you stop walking till you’re halfway there! Remember to keep any special keepsake safe.” “Okay then. Thanks,” Storm walked away as well, following Sword’s path. Orca narrowed his eyes in certainty. This was not good at all “Of all the things that should appear now, why should it be this?” Orca murmured to himself in annoyance. He went back to his house, worry now lingering in his mind. XxX “Time does fly by,” Storm commented, looking at the orange horizon. Sword and Storm were standing on top of the cliff, staring at the shimmering skyline which this village was named after. Small saddlebags laid on their sides with their swords on their backs. “Shall we head back?” Sword nodded wordlessly and walked down the cliff. He was still conflicted the events happened earlier. His relocation and Storm’s words were on the forefront on his mind. Thinking about that also brought his dream back to haunt him, adding on to his anxiety. “I really need come to terms with this,” Sword thought to himself, hearing the imaginary screams roar through his ears. He shook his head and followed Storm. They reached a gathering were the other guards were staying. Some were hugging their loved ones in tearful goodbyes while others looked excited at the prospect of a new environment. “Sword! Storm!” Sword turned around and found Petal huffing in front of him, much to his surprise. He and Petal became friends after Link had left and was surprised that they both shared some interest in the same subjects. He wasn't trying to move on to her after her husband had died, mind you. But she was a helpful pony when needed to be. “How’re you doing, miss Petal?” Storm asked. Petal smiled as she regained her breath and straightened up. “I'm fine. I wanted to know how you two are holding up?” “Could be better,” Sword answered with a shrug. “I'm not exactly fond about this whole ‘moving to another place’ thing.” “Same,” Storm agreed. “But I should've expected this. We are part of the military under the princesses.” “Good thing my husband isn't here now, huh?” Petal joked. Both of them winced at her joke but Petal didn't seem to mind. It seemed that she was finally starting to move on from him. The thought made Sword smile inwardly. “Now if only I could move on from my own darkness,” he thought bitterly. “Wait, bad Sword. No dark thoughts. You're among friends now.” “Mom!” A squeaky, feminine voice called out. “Don't just leave me behind like that!” Flora burst onto the scene, collapsing in front of her mother. Half of her body was covered in ash and her mane was messy. “Man, exercising sucks! How do you guards do this thing everyday?” “Another failed experiment, Flora?” Sword asked, a sweat drop forming on his head at her appearance. She lifted her head up and groaned. “This is so frustrating! No matter how perfectly I try to recreate the accident, none of it works! Look!” She reached in her saddlebag and pulled out a bunch of green hats. All of them were mutilated and burned. The tailor that made them would've cried at the sight. “Is it because I got the proportions of the hat wrong? Or the quantity of magic? Darn it, I knew I should've asked Link to borrow his for some more time!” “I think Link had a right to fear for his hat,” Sword thought, looking at the green rags. “I wonder how he would react to this.” “Yes, she has been…adamant about recreating that,” Petal said, her eyes twitching. “Explosion after explosion. Not caring at all what her dear mother thinks about all this.” “I told you not to worry about it,” Flora said, irritated. “I’m sensible enough not to do it inside while standing back at least 500 hooves away with protective gear.” “Doesn’t change the fact that I still worry about you every time you do it,” Petal shot back. Flora said nothing to that, making Petal straighten with triumph. “Well, you caught us just in time,” Storm said. “We were just about to depart. I wonder how Ponyville is at this time?” “I heard it's a pleasant town,” Sword replied. A worried expression quickly appeared on his face. “But I still have a bad feeling about this.” A shrill whistle filled the air, making them all flinch. Sword turned to see Silver gesturing them all over. “I guess it's time,” Sword said, a dry smile on his face. “It was nice seeing you two again.” “We’ll see you two off at the gates,” Petal said. They nodded and headed towards Silver. The rest of the guards also crowded around him. “You all say your final goodbyes?” he asked. With many dejected nods, he continued, “This is a very big change. Don't you think I am not aware of this. Personally, I’m not all for this either.” A few heads raised up, eyes wide and blinking. “Don’t look so surprised! I have ponies I don’t want to leave here too. But the princesses themselves called on us. Instead of another higher authority guard, it was the princesses that sent this to us. There is no doubt that we are not the only ones that received this message. They must be gathering us for something important. We all know that something has been stirring of late, such as those rogue guards and those bandits. Maybe now they want to take action against this.” Now that Sword heard Silver’s reasoning, it started to make sense. They couldn’t be the only ones called upon. They were too small a force to do anything. Coupled with all the weird reports and incidents, it was a wonder that they weren't called upon earlier. It almost convinced Sword that he should leave to help the other ponies. Almost. “Anything on your mind?" Orca said behind. Sword just turned his head wearily, not even surprised. It seemed his teacher was popping up in the most unexpected places often today. “I told you I’m fine,” Sword replied. “You don’t have to peek over my shoulder every chance you have.” “We’re not little colts anymore,” Storm put in. “We may have lived under your watch all this time, but we can take care of ourselves now.” “Oh really?” Orca said, raising an eyebrow in amusement. “I wonder how you would react if I said I was coming with you?” Sword choked while Storm’s jaw dropped in disbelief, “N-no way…” “Of course!” Orca laughed. “I can’t just leave my pupils like this! Or…” A malicious glint entered his eyes, making both Sword and Storm gulp in fear, ”You would object to me coming with you?” “W-what about the other guards y-you taught that are s-staying here?” Sword asked shakily, the little courage he had letting him speak. It died when the dark aura around Orca increased. “Do you object to me coming with you?!” Orca said, his voice demonic. The two cowardly guards shook their heads, their fur standing on edge like a scared cat’s. All the darkness immediately disappeared and Orca smiled, sunshine and flowers radiating around his whole being. “I knew you wouldn’t mind!” “Why would Silver allow him to come?” Sword whined in his mind. As if to respond to his thoughts, Silver approached them. “Yes,” Silver interrupted, his voice indignant. “He did insist on coming with us very adamantly.” “Oh?” Orca’s smile immediately turned dark. “Would you happen to have changed your mind then?” “N-not at all!” Silver denied immediately, fear momentarily showing on his face. He immediately straightened himself to maintain his dignity. “I think we stalled enough. Let us go.” “Oh. That’s why,” Despite Silver being their superior, he was still scared of Orca just like everypony else. The whistle blew again and all the guards crowded around the gates. “Take a good long look, for it may be your last for some of you,” Silver said grimly. Sword inwardly shivered at that. “Now formation! March!” Sword immediately got in his place. Luckily, Storm was placed right next to him. He also saw Orca marching along the front with Silver. Shouts of goodbyes were heard throughout the air from guards and other ponies staying back at the village. “Take care of yourself, Storm and Sword!” Petal shouted at them. “Don’t get into any trouble!” “Say hi to Link for us if you meet him!” Flora also shouted. “Will do!” Storm called back. He grinned at Storm. “You ready for a new adventure?” Sword nodded with a little more certainty. Despite his worry for the village, he couldn’t suppress the excitement he felt when he was a colt. Each step increased the butterflies fluttering in his stomach and all his worries momentarily vanished. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all. XxX Shionne immediately straightened up and looked towards the crowd of ponies sharply. Startled, Miyu looked up to Shionne, her hoof to her bow. “Is anything wrong?” Shionne shook her head. From what she and Miyu could gather, the guards were being transferred to another garrison. She didn’t understand all the ceremonious anger and drama that ensued after the announcement. It was just moving to another place. It happened all the time back at the clan, but that wasn’t what interested her. Hope started to rekindle inside her as she felt some much needed relief from all the events that happened to her. “Link... ” she whispered to herself, staring at the filly who shouted his name. “I will find you. No matter what."