//------------------------------// // Interlude - On that Day, 5 Years Ago // Story: Guardian of Legends - Unity // by The Hero of Harmony //------------------------------// The day was just about spent, as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna needed to return to Canterlot so that she can soon bring the sundown in place for the moon. She ordered a couple of Royal Guards with a chariot to remain in Ponyville for when Silver was ready to depart to Canterlot. As the two sisters started for the journey home, Luna looks to Celestia. "Big sister... It-it's about dear Silver." Luna stammered out. "And what about him, Lulu?" Celestia asked, tilting her head. Luna held back a small giggle, being called her nickname after so long. But she looked to Celestia with a somewhat serious look. "When you look at dear Silver... Does the stallion remind of you... Somepony we met before?" Luna asked. "Hmm... Well, I known him since he was just a colt and his mother often came to the castle when it came around to my royal regalia, but other than that I'm not sure." Celestia replied. "I see... It's just... When we were the Nightmare and... He had us cornered. We saw his face and we... We saw him." Luna said meekly. "Him...?" Celestia raised a brow. "Tia... I saw him... Our old... friend from beyond the stars. Silver possesses a similar spirit to him..." Luna replied. Celestia took a moment to process that, before it dawned on her. Her eyes widened. "You don't mean... Silver is the...?" Celestia stammered now. "We do sister... Silver Guardian, we believe he possesses the Mark of the Seventh." Luna replied straightforward. Golden Oaks Library - Ponyville Meanwhile, most of the residents of Ponyville were back at the library as Pinkie wanted to throw Silver a 'Welcome to Ponyville Party', as well as a 'Congratulations on Being Reunited with Twilight Party'. A lot of ponies were just mingling, celebrating the rest of the Summer Sun Celebration and the welcome party for Silver. Silver was at a table with Twilight, Spike, and the girls, enjoying the party and finally getting to sit down to meet them proper, considering that with all that went on early this morning with Nightmare Moon, he never got a chance to actually converse with Twilight's new friends. "Well, I suppose introductions are in order." Silver said, as he then sipped a drink through a straw, and then looked at them. "I am Silver Guardian, I am originally from Canterlot. And was one of Twilight's friends from back then." He said, bowing his head down. "Well howdy there Silver. Name's Applejack!" Applejack greeted as she tipped her Stetson down slightly. "I'm Rainbow Dash! Fastest flyer in Equestria, and soon-to-be Wonderbolt!" Rainbow boasted, the girls rolling their eyes chuckling. "The name's Rarity, darling, and my, my, MY for such a rather handsome looking stallion, you wear such a raggedy old cloak!" Rarity placed her hoof up to her chin. "You must come by my Boutique so I can at least fix it up for you. If it wasn't so tattered, it does suit you well Silver darling." She added, smiling softly. Silver chuckles at this. "Heh, thanks Rarity." Pinkie suddenly appeared in front of Silver's face, causing him to flinch back. "HIYA! I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! It is so AWESOME to meet two new ponies in a day and a half, that I didn't have to do much but fix up the decorations from Twilight's Welcome to Ponyville Party! Do you like how it turned out?!" Pinkie screamed, as she got up to his face, causing Silver to chuckle nervously. "Y-yeah Pinkie, I love the party, but could you maybe... Move back a bit. You are kind of up in my personal zone." He asked. "YAY! I'm so happy you love it! I know we will be GREEEAAAATTT friends!~" Pinkie hugged him tightly, causing him to nearly choke. "GAH PINKIE...AIR...NEED TO BREATH....!" Silver flailed, while the girls just giggled. "Oh Pinkie, give him some space. He really appreciates you throwing this party for him." Twilight said, giving a softly smile, but also feeling bad that her new friend nearly choked her old friend. "Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie smiled as she let go and hopped off to get more cake. After gasping for air and making sure his limbs were in place, he breathes in, and calms back down. "Now then... Who was next?" Silver asked, acting as nothing happened. "U-um... Hello Silver. I-I'm... Fluttershy." Fluttershy said timidly, as she looked away. She knew he was a nice pony, and a cute one, causing her to blush lightly. "Well it is nice to meet you girls. I'm glad Twilight found some awesome friends like you five." Silver said with a grin, as he bites into a cupcake. He looks toward Spike, before gulping down his food. "Oh yeah, you're Twilight's assistant right?" He asked. Spike grinned and nodded. "Yep! Name's Spike, glad to meet ya, Silver!" Spike stretched his small claw up to him and Silver shook it with his hoof. "Hey Twilight, how come you never told me about Silver? I mean you two known each other even before you hatched me from my egg, but never talked about him." Spike asked as Twilight just looks at him and Silver nervously. "Heh heh... Well it's just after I got accepted in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, and becoming her personal protege, I got so involved in my studies that... I may have forgotten about you..." Twilight chuckles nervously at Silver. Silver just rolls his eyes and laughs. "Oh Bookie... You and your studying. I swear, the moment you give her something with mathematics or an adventure novel, she dives into her own little world where everything outside is just voices... Voices in the distance." Silver emphasis, by getting up, placing his hooves to his mouth as if he was trying to yell out to somepony in the distance. They start laughing, as Twilight just blushed madly, and gave a pouty look, because of the accusation and the fact he called her by her nickname he used to call her when she was a filly. "T-that's not true Silver Guardian, and you know it...!" She said with a huff. "Actually Twilight..." Spike said between giggles. "It kind of is...!" He finishes before laughing again. She glares at Twilight, before she just sighs and covers her head. Silver laughs and just pats her back. "Relax Bookie, I was just joking with you. I'm glad things turned out good for you. Really." Twilight looks up at him, and then smiled softly, with a hint of smug. "Heh, thanks... Sterling." Twilight said, sticking her tongue out. "..." He cringed as he heard that nickname. Bookie, was much better than that name he was given. He breathed deeply. "So, who wants to ask me some questions, moving off that topic?" He said giving a tense stare. The girls just look at each other, before Rarity raised her hoof. "Why not tell us a bit of your foalhood, darling? Like when you met Twilight." The girls all nodded in agreement. "Yeah! And where you got that awesome looking sword from." Rainbow Dash added, as she eyed the Mythril Sword that was in its scabbard. "Well then, gather around dear friends. I have a relatively mid to long tale to tell." The group leans in as they listened for Silver to talk about his past. "I was born in Canterlot, with a unicorn for a mother, and my father... Well I never met him." "Huh, how come?" Applejack asked. "Well that's the thing. When I asked mom about my dad, she always looked at me with a sad smile, and just say he was a good stallion and he was somewhere out there. Considering he wasn't around when I was born, its safe to say he left my mom when I was still in the womb..." Silver replied, with a frown. "Oh dear... That is terrible. No little colt should grow up with knowing their father..." Fluttershy said quietly. "He could be out there somewhere still. All I know is that he was an Earth pony. When I was born, doctors figured I'd be born a unicorn but for some reason I was an Earth pony. Mom said I got her eyes and mane color, while I got my dad's coat and handsome look, heh." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Princess Celestia mentioned your mother's name was Golden Veil. That wouldn't happen to be one of Canterlot's finest jewelry makers in Equestria, right?" Rarity asked.. Silver nods. "Well I wouldn't say she was the finest in all of Equestria, but she was one of the most well known jewelers in Canterlot. So much so, Princess Celestia often would request her services like polishing of her regalia, or have special pieces made for special events." "So... When did y'all meet Twilight?" Applejack asked. Twilight answered this one. "Well me and Silver actually shared the same foalsitter when we were younger. She would often bring Silver with her to my house and that is when we met." Twilight looks at Silver. "You were a pretty cute colt..." She said giving a soft smile. Silver just grinned sheepishly, blushing lightly rubbing the back of his neck. "Heh... Well you were a pretty adorable filly. And I sometimes wonder if you still act like one." He smirked, causing Twilight to blush and glare at him. "I act like a mature mare!" Twilight defended. "Twilight, when you discovered an old book on the ancient cultures of Neighpon, you hopped around the room as if you ate a bag of sugar." Spike said, giving her a deadpan look. They laughed. Silver just gave the smuggest grin as if to say, 'Mature mare, huh?' "Spike!" Twilight groaned as she glared at the baby dragon. "Either way, I often enjoyed reading with Twilight. Believe it or not, one of the reasons I came back to Equestria was for research." Silver explained. Rainbow Dash laughed. "I'm sorry. You. A pony who literally tackled Nightmare Moon and stared her down with a sword in your mouth without fear, are an egghead?" Rainbow just laughed harder. "Hey, nothing wrong being a nerd. Bookie is an even bigger nerd than me, and she turned out fine." Silver he said as he sipped his drink, ducking his head as a cupcake flies toward his head and missed, smirking, as a flustered Twilight just kept giving him the stink-eye. "Um... Silver? You mentioned back in the Old Castle that you left home because your mother... Passed away... What happened?" Fluttershy asked, hoping she doesn't cause him to get upset for asking a rather sad question. Silver froze, as he gently placed his cup down. The sudden change from being a snark to being a look of solemn, was rather jarring for the group. Twilight frowns, and looks at him with a concerned look. "Silver? Are you alright...?" Twilight asked. "I-I'm sorry...! I didn't mean to open up an old wound... Y-you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to..." Fluttershy stammered, feeling guilty for making Silver sudden mood change. He shook his head. He was calm and collective, but they can see pain in his eyes. "No, it is alright Fluttershy... I know she told me not to grieve for her, but there are times I look back... On that day, five years ago." Silver said quietly, looking out the window. Canterlot Five Years Ago "W-What do you mean you don't know what is wrong with her...?" Silver, a young adolescent colt, asked with heavy worry in his eyes. He was talking to a doctor, outside of the examination room where his mother, Golden Veil, was resting. "I am sorry... But this illness your mother contracted is something that appears 0.5% in most ponies. Because of rareness, doctors never thought to study it. Your mother just happened to be in that percentage. We will do what we can, but a cure for this disease is nonexistent... She will succumb to it eventually, we can only prevent it, but it will eventually take her..." The doctor pony replied, with a calm tone. Silver couldn't believe his ears. A mysterious illness that is so rare, nopony thought of researching it to prevent it from appearing. "...This can't be happening..." Silver quivered. "I know it is difficult, but for now, you should try to hold onto hope. I'm sure your mother wouldn't want you to feel hopeless..." The doctor placed his hoof on his shoulder. "Go in there and just be there for her." He added, as Silver looks at him. "...P-please, just... Do anything... I-I don't want to be alone..." Silver muttered. The doctor just closed his eyes, frowning softly, feeling guilty to bring this colt the bad news. He then trots past him, leaving Silver alone. "At first, she was experiencing headaches. She would take some aspirin to get rid of it, and wouldn't think nothing of it. She just continued on with her day, at work, with me... But the headaches became more frequent and she would often black out and wake up sometime later, not recalling what happened. A month or so later, her health began getting worse she couldn't move as much, she wasn't able to eat as much." Silver explained. "...I was scared. I tried to be a strong pony, but I was afraid of losing my mother... The only family I had and known all my life. I wanted to save her, and we could continue living a normal life... But fate wouldn't have it any other way." He added. Young Silver Guardian, sat by Golden's bedside. It was the final hours of her life, being stuck like this for two months, and she knew it was time. She looked at her colt, with such tired eyes, and smiled softly. Silver, holding onto her hoof, tears streaming down his face. "M-Mom... Please don't leave me. You can't leave yet...!" He yelled in sadness. "I know..." Golden said quietly, still grinning softly. She held Silver's and rubbed his mane. "...I know I won't be able to see you grow up into a final stallion... I don't know why it had to come down to this... But you must stay strong, my little colt." She said, a tear going down her cheek. Silver didn't want to let go of her. Why in Celestia's name did this have to happen to him? "W-what am I gonna do, Mom...? I-I don't want to be alone... Not without you..." Silver said, looking at her, eyes puffy and red as tears continued flowing down. "...It will be alright sweetie... You are a big pony now, and you must be strong... I don't want to leave you too, but if I have to leave this world, then... I have to accept it..." Golden closed her eyes. "Just know... You are not alone. There are those who do care about you... Like your father..." Silver sniffled. "...But, where is dad...? Why did he leave us when I wasn't here yet...? If he did care, h-he would be here with me..." Silver stuttered, wiping his eyes. Golden shook her head. "Your father... He was always flighty... But just know, he didn't want to leave me... Leave us. He had a calling that he needed to answer too, and said that he would always love us, and most likely, he still does..." She explained. "He may not have been there when you were born, Silver... But he loves you just as much and will always love you. You are the apple in his eye, and... You are just as handsome as he was." She chuckles weakly, as she rubs his cheek, as he holds her hoof and nuzzles into it. "...Silver, before I go... This is something I want you to take and keep with you..." She goes and removes her wedding ring band around her hoof, and places it around his hoof. "Just know no matter where you go in the world, no matter how you feel, no what, I will be with you in spirit... I want you to not grieve for me... I know it will be painful, but... Just do this for mommy... Please." She muttered, slowly feeling the cold embrace. "...A-and should there be a time... You ever meet you father... Do not hate him... Love him just the same as he would for us... Tell him that... He'll see me again... In the next life.... Can you do that for me.... Sweetie?" She asked weakly, as her breathing became shallow. This was it. Silver knew there was nothing he could do for her now. She listened to her words, and nods. "Y-yes mom... I will... I-I will make you proud..." He whimpered, as he hugs her one last time. Golden smiled, as she held her gently, kisses his head and slowly rubbed his head, for the last time. "I love you... My dear little Silver Guardian..." "I-I love you too, mother... G-Goodbye..." Silver sniffled out. She smiled, as she closed her eyes, finally letting it go. The ECG that was beeping, went flat-line, as Golden's hoofs, slowly slide off Silver, who just sobbed into her. The doctor and nurse came in, seeing the scene, and couldn't help but feel sorry for the colt. Regardless, he stayed calm. "Golden Veil... Time of death: 3:30 PM, April 2nd, 995 CE." He wrote down. They go over, the nurse patting Silver's back and have him step away from the bed, as he weeps and the doctor goes and drapes the blanket over the body and a couple orderlies come in and pull the bed out. "She wanted me to remain strong. That was her final wish, but all things considered... I was still young. The thought of losing my mother was too much for me to bear, so I ran out of there, surprising most of the staff. I ran outside of the hospital and down the street, not caring who I ran into or where I was going." Silver explained further. "Eventually, Diamond Dust found me in the park crying after hearing the news and decided to take me in for the time being, not wanting me to be alone... She was just as devastated that mom was gone and knew life wouldn't be the same." "The following day, my mother was buried, up on a grassy knoll overlooking Canterlot, under this large oak tree. Me and her often went here to stargaze when she was off from work. We loved the spot, and felt that it would be proper she rest there... After that, I knew I couldn't stay in Canterlot. I was an orphan, my mom was gone, my dad was somewhere in the world. I needed to become stronger... I didn't want to lose anypony I cared about... I failed to save my mom from her illness, but I didn't want to make the same mistake again, so I ran away. I took what inheritance I was left with, and just left Canterlot... I told Diamond and she was very adamant on me not to leave, considering how young I was, but I told that I had to do it. There was nothing for me there now, and that I wanted to get stronger and make mom proud. She did eventually relent and let me go, promising her that I will be careful out there in the world." "I couldn't grieve for mom anymore, so I promised myself and to her, I'd be strong. And it was that moment, when I realized what my resolve was, my cutie mark appeared." The young Silver just looked at his flank, and noticed the new mark that appeared there, but didn't know what it meant. It was simply a green Delta triangle. Present Day All the while Silver told them his story, the girls were all weepy eyed, including Rainbow Dash who tried to hide the fact. He looked down at his cutie mark. "Even to this day, I still have no idea what it represents, but I can tell you when I saw it, it just bolstered my resolve to become a guardian." "Oh Silver... I had no idea. I just got enrolled in Celestia's School around that time, and I was too focused in studying for my entrance exam, that I never knew that Golden died. Wasn't until my mom mentioning it, and how you just ran away after the funeral..." Twilight said, with immense concern. "Well I was just so disheartened about all that happened, I just... Wanted to get away from Canterlot, and try to start my own life. And I did it by going to the one place in Equestria that I knew could toughen me up: the Badlands." Silver said, as the group stared at him wide eyed. "You ran away to the Badlands?! And you lived there all this time?!" Twilight yelled in disbelief. "That place is nothing but a wasteland. Almost no life lives down there, and the nearest places of society was Dodge Junction and Appleloosa, which I often traveled to for supplies." He explained. "You been to Appleloosa? You meet an yellow Earth pony with a brown Stenson hat, brown vest, and had an apple for a cutie mark?" Applejack asked. "You mean Braeburn? Yeah, he's a good pony, if not a little excitable, especially when I first arrived in Appleloosa. I often helped him out at the apple orchard to earn a few bits." Silver replied. "Heh, that be mah cousin a'right. He can be a handful at times, but he's an Apple to the core. I guess you have a knack fer bucking apple trees, if Cousin Braeburn hired you, huh?" Applejack chuckled. Silver chuckles back. "Well when you are training your hooves by bucking boulders in the morning as part of your routine exercise, you would be able to buck a couple dozen apple trees down." Silver retorted. It was then Silver looked at the clock. "Wow, time sure flew, it is nearing 5PM. I'm afraid I better get going to Canterlot. I have things I need to get done, as well as pay my respects." Silver got up, the girls all frowned. "Aww you have to go now??" Pinkie whined. "Sorry Pinkie. I really loved the party you threw for me though, but I really need to get going. I'll be back in a couple days." Silver assured her. Pinkie grinned brightly, "Okie doki loki then!~ Can't wait for you to come back!" "You sure you have to go now? Surely you could stay a bit longer, Silver." Twilight said, with a sad look. "Like I said, I'll be back in a couple days. I've been away from home for five years, I want to see what all changed while I was gone. Don't worry, Twi, we'll catch up more on the past later. I know you have a lot to tell me, as do I." Silver placed a hoof on her shoulder, smiling gently. "For now, just have a good time with you friends, okay?" Twilight gave a sad smile. "Just don't be gone for long." "I won't." Silver chuckles as he gives her a hug, which she returns. "Nice meeting you all. I'm sure we'll hang out more, and become better friends then." Silver got up from his seat as he starts his way to the door, the girls and Spike following him outside as he heads for the two Guards awaiting by the chariot. "Alright. We can depart now." Silver said, as the two Guard ponies nodded and he gets on the chariot, and looks to the group, waving to them. "See you all later!" He yelled as they began to move forward and soon into the air, as the group all waved back, Pinkie grabbing a Megaphone out of nowhere and screamed into it. "SEE YOU SOON SILVER!!!!! HAVE FUN!!!!" The girls just looked at her, their ears ringing. "Pinkie!" Twilight screamed, trying to get hearing back in her ears by rubbing her ears. "...You think he heard me?" Pinkie asked casually. "WHAT?!" They yelled, clearly deaf. Canterlot As Silver left Canterlot, he was certain he heard Pinkie scream to him, saying to 'have fun'. He shrugs as they eventually arrived in Canterlot. Silver gets off the chariot after it landed. He gives a nod. "Thanks for the ride." Silver said. The Guards nodded back before they returned to the Castle that was resting not to far where they landed. Silver looks around and smiled. "...Doesn't look like a lot has changed in the past five years." He thought to himself as he began trotting along the street. The unicorns he passed by looked toward Silver, some just acting high and mighty and just ignore him, others look at him and find him familiar. He gave them a nod, and they would return it. He eventually comes down the street in which he spots his old home. It appears vacant, so it was rather surprising to see that no one bought the house. He can tell that the windows looked dusty after not being lived in for years. He approached the front door and tries to open it, but found it locked. He didn't recall locking the door when he left five years prior, but chances are the locks weren't change since then. He goes down onto a step, where there was a loose brick. He pulls it out and underneath it, an old key rested. "Heh, guess nopony bothered to look into it further..." Silver muttered to himself, smirking, picking the key up and placing the brick back in its place. He inserts the key and the door clicks unlocked and he opens the door, which creaks out into the home. To his surprise, everything was exactly the same as he left it, but covered in dust. He closed the door and walks around in the house, finding most of the furniture, decorations, other possessions still intact. He goes upstairs and opens up a door near the end of the hall, and finds his old bedroom, with most of his toys and books still where he left it all. He gave a sad smile, memories of this place fill his mind. He left the room and goes into Golden's bedroom, which everything was still like the way she left it before being taken to the hospital. He walks over to her nightstand, picking up a picture frame, as he blew the dust off it and rubbed the glass, showing an image of Golden Veil laying down with a Silver as a little colt, laying beside her with a bright grin. "...It just felt like it was yesterday when this happened." Silver said to himself quietly, closing his eyes. He knew that by all rights, the home belonged to him as it was one of the possessions that Golden written in her will sometime before her death. He knew he would need to come back and clean the place up, likely replace some of the stuff that has worn over time, likely get new decor and curtains. He knew that Rarity might be able to help him in that regard, and decided to ask her next time he came back to Ponyville. He leaves the house, locking the door behind him, as he needed to go to one more place before he sets out what he came to Canterlot to do. He trots through the city, and makes his way up a large hillside, overlooking Canterlot, where a lone oak tree and a grave marker rested. On it read: Here lies Golden Veil. Devoted and beloved mother, a hard working pony. 972 - 995 CE Silver stood there for a few minutes, before he lays down on his hooves, staring at the grave, with a sad smile. And a single tear drop. "...Hi mom. I'm sorry I haven't visited you. I've been busy doing what you wanted to do, and that was to become a stronger pony..." He said quietly.