Shield and Shadow Part 1: Rise and Fall

by LucidReverie


Chapter 24: A new way

Soil.

Spring Mist awoke with a start. He was damp with sweat and his breathing was ragged. Dream? Please be a dream. Mist looked around the room he was in. He saw his belongings scattered about in their regular places. His desk, bookshelves, paintings, all where they should be. He breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps it was just a dream. And what a dream…

Mist rose from his bed, his light blanket falling to the floor. He stretched out his legs and back, groaning with enjoyment. He noticed the light coming in from the cracks in his window, and he moved to open them. Fresh air flowed into the room, smelling sweet, the last flowers in the gardens below in bloom. The sun was not visible, so Mist guessed it was around mid-afternoon.

He pulled on a set of his robes and exited his room, intent on finding Brilliant Bloom. He walked down the stairs until he reached the library level. Bloom was nowhere in sight, so Mist decided to try the mess level. Inside the mess hall were a few of the assistant ponies, and Bloom sat at a table in the corner, enjoying a bowl of something. Mist trotted over to the table and offered a bright smile.

“Good morning, Bloom!” Mist said cheerfully, yet unsure of just why he was so chipper.

Bloom looked up from his bowl of oats, and smiled. “Good morning, Mist. Sleep well?”

“I think so. Much of last night is a little fuzzy. Not sure what is real and what isn’t…”

“Ah, well I hope you remember what you wanted to tell me?”

“What do you mean?” Mist asked, confused.

“Well, last night you came back from the castle in the most absurd state I can recall. Not quite sure whether you were happy or angry. Or terrified. I can definitely say you were confused.”

“Really? Why don’t I remember most of this?”

“Well, what happened last night? What do you remember?”

“I remember coming home. Sort of,” Mist strained to recall, “I remember crawling into my bed. It was still a while before sunrise.”

“What about before that?”

“Well, I went to the castle, spoke with Princess Celestia, delivered the reports, then I walk across some beam of light thing to see Luna –”

“‘Beam of light thing’?”

“I don’t know. It was some light ‘bridge’ that went from Princess Celestia’s balcony to Luna’s.”

“That... sounds very odd…”

“I know, really absurd. But anyway, so I went to see Luna, and then we talked a bit, then she –”

“Wait, you’ve called her ‘Luna’ this whole time. Mist?”

“She asked me to…” he brushed Bloom off, “Then she got… angry… then I cleaned up as she recovered – she was drained for some reason… then, talking again. And –” Mist froze, his eyes wide, pupils mere pinpricks.

Bloom looked at his friend with concern, “Mist? Are you okay?” Mist did not respond, “Mist, what happened?”

“She –” Mist stopped short.

“She what?”

“She… kissed me.”

Bloom exhaled slowly, very unsure of how to approach the information, “She kissed you?” he asked in hushed tones.

“Yes,” Mist whispered back, “By Celestia she did.”

“What then? After… that?”

“Nothing.” Mist had a glazed and distant look. “It was ignored. Forgotten. We just kept talking after that. Then I came home…”

“Well you certainly had an interesting night. What are you going to do?”

“Nothing,” Mist said quickly, “Nothing. Nothing happened and nothing will happen. We will go about our duties as normal… I hope.”

“Very convincing, Mist. Good luck with that,” Bloom said with a concerned and resigned sigh.

Mist hung his head, “Thank you. I need to see Caramel Tart. She’ll know what is best.”

“Aye, that she will. She should be up in a few hours, so you have time to kill.”

“True. I could probably find something to do in that time.” Mist stood from the table, “And, don’t tell Sweetroll. I’ll never hear the end of it.”

Bloom laughed. “Don’t worry. Honey won’t hear a word.”

“Thank you, Bloom.”

“Any time, you crazy pony.”

Mist headed back up to his quarters to find a way to fill his time. Read a book, write an essay, organize, redecorate, sleep, anything to make the time flow quicker. Mist looked at his desk and found an unopened letter-scroll sitting where it hadn’t been before. It bore the official seal of the Princesses, and Mist began to worry. He sat down at the desk, breaking the seal and unrolling the scroll.

From the Desk of Princess Celestia,

Dear Spring Mist,

We wish to extend an invitation to the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters this evening for a minor social visit, with some discussion about the astronomy tower. A servant will be waiting for you in the entrance hall of the Castle and will direct you to the appropriate venue. Present this letter to the guards at the front gates should you have any problems gaining entrance.

We hope to see you in attendance this evening.

May the sun shine warmly on you.


Written on behalf of Princess Celestia, by Royal Scribe Dusty Note.



P.S. Spring Mist, we have much to discuss. Please do come to the Castle.
-- Princess Celestia


Spring Mist read the letter several times. At least it isn’t a notice of imprisonment or banishment. Or both. He placed the letter in a drawer in the desk. He still had a few hours to waste, so he decided to read a book. Looking over his collection on one of his bookshelves, he decided on a one of old poetry. That would surely keep him busy…

Sure enough, hours passed, and Mist was heading up the stair to see Caramel Tart. The sun had set and the stars twinkled in full force, the moon shining brightly. Mist finally reached the door to the Void, and knocked. Hearing the call to enter, Mist pushed open the door and found himself in the familiar enchantment.

“Caramel Tart? It’s Spring Mist. Can we talk?” Mist announced into the dark.

“Ah, Mist! Of course. Head straight up!” came a voice, and the usual set of stairs appeared before Mist.

He head up the stairs and was transported to the dome of the tower. Caramel Tart sat at the large telescope, fiddling with the knobs and dials. She noticed Mist’s entrance and stood to greet him.

“Spring Mist! How are you? How was your evening?” she asked cheerfully.

Spring Mist smiled at the old mare. Not a spiteful bone in her body, only ever caring for those around her. “It was quite interesting, to say the least.” Mist responded.

“Oh? Do tell, my boy!”

“Well, it started fairly normal. I did as you asked, collected the reports, learned them, spoke to the ponies in the tower about their fields, then went to speak with the Princesses.”

“Alright, and how did that go?”

“Mostly well, actually.”

“Mostly?”

“Ah, yes… Well the talk with Princess Celestia was good. Fairly standard, I suppose. But then she sent me to see Princess Luna.”

“And?”

“Well…” Mist regaled Caramel Tart in the story of the previous evening. Caramel Tart said not a word, only uttering and occasional hum of acknowledgment. Mist spared little detail, and with his memory fully functional, he could remember each moment vividly. Caramel Tart kept silent, eyes only wandering as a sign of thought.

Mist finished his story in a brief period of time, and sat in silence afterward. He looked at Caramel Tart pleadingly, who merely regarded him with kindness and concern. They sat quietly for several minutes. Mist was becoming anxious, afraid that Caramel Tart might be disappointed or angry. Finally, she spoke:

“Spring Mist, I’d say that your life has become very interesting.”

She stood and walked to the telescope, twisting dials and taking measurements. Mist stared at her, incredulous.

“That’s it?” he asked, “No words of wisdom, or a warning, or any guidance? Nothing?”

Caramel Tart looked at him with a deadpan expression, “Nope.”

Mist gaped, “Why? You’ve been so full of helpful words and advice! What happened?”

“You grew up.”

“What?”

Caramel Tart looked Mist in the eye, “Look, we’ve only known each other for a week. I could easily call you a good friend, and I enjoy you. And when you needed a push in the right direction, a helping hoof, I would gladly offer it. But you have done some impressive things in the last few days, many of which take years to accomplish. I’d say you are ready to handle almost anything the universe throws at you.”

“But I don’t even know how to start handling this.” He looked away, ashamed.

“Only you can choose what path you will take, and you seem to have already made some decisions of your own. You are a very capable pony, Spring Mist.”

Seeing he could not win, “Fine. Thank you, Caramel Tart.”

“Not why I’m here, but I am glad to help. Now go. I’m sure you have better places to be than talking to an old mare like me. Shoo!”

Caramel Tart offered a hug and a smile before forcing Mist in the direction of the exit. Opening the doorway with her magic, she revealed the Void, and before Mist could protest, he was pushed through and into the lower level.

Mist landed hard on the floor. Or whatever the floor was. Mist found it odd to land solidly on what appeared to be empty space. He picked himself up and looked around. It really is pretty. He shook his head. Focus. You have a ‘social call’ to get to.

Mist trotted briskly out of the void and headed down the stairs. He headed straight to his quarters to prepare. He pulled on his more formal robes, blue, trimmed with silver. An unknown force compelled Mist to also wear his medallion. He moved over to his desk and found the dark wooden box. Inside lay the ‘carved’ crystal adorning a small link chain. Mist levitated it out of the box and admired its facets, the ways in caught the light.

Slinging it around his neck, Mist walked out of his quarters, out of the tower, across The Arc, and to the castle grounds. Yet again, Spring Mist stood at the gates to the castle, the guards keeping vigil. As terrible as it sounded, Mist could not tell if they were the same night by night. He assumed they were, if they followed the same kinds of duty rosters as the city guard.

Mist approached the gates and presented the letter from Princess Celestia’s desk. The guard looked briefly at the letter before opening the great doors. Mist stepped through and into the entrance hall. As per Princess Celestia’s letter, a servant pony stood in wait in the middle of the hall. How did they know I was coming? I hope I didn’t make the poor pony wait all this time.

“Good evening, ser. I am to take you to the Princess this evening.” The servant pony said briefly, but cheerfully.

“Thank you. I haven’t kept you waiting, have I?” Mist asked with concern as they walked.

“Not at all, ser. I received instructions not ten minutes ago.”

“Ten minutes?”

“Yes, ser. Not long at all.”

The two walked through the castle. Up several flights of stairs, round many corners, Mist was receiving quite the tour. Finally, the servant pony stopped in front of a door and knocked. A serene voice came from within the room.

“Enter.”

At the sound of the voice, the servant pony entered the room, bidding Mist follow.

“Your Majesty, Ser Spring Mist.” The servant pony offered with a bow.

Princess Celestia sat at a small table in the center of the room. “Thank you. You may go. Have a fine evening.” She offered pleasantly.

“Your Majesty.” The servant backed out of the room, closing the door.

Mist stood in front of Princess Celestia and offered a bow. When he rose, the two locked eyes, saying nothing. Mist looked on with apprehension and fear, while Princess Celestia maintained her soft, but stoic face.

Princess Celestia was first to speak, “Well, my little pony, it seems we have much to discuss.”

Stay calm, Mist. Calm.

Author's Note:

Greetings, dear readers. I have finally returned to the land of fast and accessible internet! Huzzah!
So, this is the update, so I hope you enjoyed it! There will be another on Friday, then the normal Monday/Thursday schedule will resume!

Hope you are all keeping well!
May the stars bless you with their beauty, and the moon light your way in the dark.