//------------------------------// // Acceptance // Story: A Knight's Tales // by Modern Masquerade //------------------------------// Months had passed, and wounds had healed, yet Prism found herself walking toward the great mausoleum. The path meandered like a sluggish river through the monuments and stones, but in spite of Prism’s silent stride, she was not alone. Opal Aura walked with her friend, staying respectfully quiet. Both fillies had changed in these past months, learning and growing with each other. Prism came to a halt before the great stone doors of the crypt, murmuring one side of a conversation under her breath. Her head hung low, but slowly lifted as she finished, wiping away the start of a few tears. Aura put her foreleg over Prism’s shoulder, comforting her friend. For some time, neither spoke or moved, as still as the statues that surrounded them. Prism finally broke the hushed quiet as she spoke, “She’d be proud, I know it. I just wanted to tell her.” Her face beaming with an empathetic smile, Aura agreed with her friend, “As she well should be.  Let’s get going, we don’t want to be late.” Prism nodded her agreement and the two started back toward Aura’s home. As they approached the august estate, both quickly noticed the lines of carriages around the small grounds. By far the largest home in the village, it was still packed to the brim. Prism tensed subtly, and Aura noticed her hesitation, “It’s alright, we’re all here for you.” A silent nod was her response, the nerves working their magic on the young unicorn. “I know, let’s take the back door.” The two fillies raced around the grounds, Prism keeping pace with Aura to not leave her behind, but still clearly holding the high ground. As they approached the back door, Aura slowed down breathing heavily. When Prism stopped to check on her, she spoke with ragged breaths, “You know ... that weighted running did you some good.” Prism beamed proudly as Aura continued, “But … I found a new spell a while back … Guess which one?” Prism puzzled in confusion for a moment before Aura overtook her in a blur of movement. Doing her best to catch up, Prism managed a (not so) close second. “Was the Expeditious Retreat necessary?” she chided playfully. “Only way I was gonna beat you,” came Aura’s response, still catching her breath as she knocked on the door. The door was answered by a very put upon looking Earth Pony, who looked surprised at the fillies, then seemed to switch in an instant to a fury. Her high voice bellowed at the two fillies, “Do you have any idea what time it is? You’re almost late...” Aura interrupted, giving a small pout, one which Prism quickly saw and joined. “I’m so sorry Nanny, we lost track of time. Can we come in and get dressed for the ceremony?” Succumbing to the looks of the fillies, Nanny smiled softly and let them in with a chuckle to herself at the troubles of youth. The two split off, Aura to her room and Prism to the guest wing to the room that had been prepared. When she reached the room, Prism was surprised to see her Pa waiting for her, pacing back and forth. He spoke briefly as he moved in front of a covered rack of some kind, “You really need to stop worrying me like this, sweet pea.” Prism gave her excuses before asking what the rack was. “Well,” Heavy beamed with pride, “It wouldn’t do for the daughter of a blacksmith to go around in some shoddy, mismatched armor. Besides, I owe you a cute-ceañera present!” With this, he pulled the covering cloth from an armor rack, bearing a beautiful set of full plate armor. Stars filled Prism’s eyes as her words failed to express her gratitude. Seeing the sputtering of his daughter, Heavy settled for a warm hug before offering to help her don the heavy armor. Practically slipping into his voice of business, Heavy continued to speak as he helped Prism with the various straps and plates of steel. “Of course, this’ll need to be fitted as you grow into it, but once you’re about done growing, there’s another set that you should be wearing.” Prism suddenly turned to her Pa at that, “You mean…” “Aye,” he continued, “You know that she’d want you to wear it, and we’d both want you to be as safe as can be.” Satisfied with the last of the body plates in place, he passed Prism the helmet. “I’ll be waiting out there sweet pea, and I want you to know how proud I am.” With this he left the room, and Prism put on the helmet. Adjusting to the weight and feel of the armor, Prism immediately noted just how safe and secure she felt. In armor like this, it was like she could take on the armies of the world, a crowd wouldn’t stop her. She had been working her way up with different armors for some time now as her preparation and training continued, but this full plate was without exaggeration the best that she had worn. Feeling a calling, as if from deep inside, Prism concentrated her will and let her magic flow. Before her formed a glorious earthbreaker, made of pure force of will. This was her weapon, this would be how she would protect the innocent and destroy the wicked. Smiling inside the hard steel of her helmet, she allowed the weapon to dissipate and moved toward the great hall for the ceremony. Approaching from the covered balcony, she saw rows of ponies in seats and standing, and the thrones at the head of the room. Relatives, friends, teachers, even knights from distant parts of Equestria were together here. Gathering herself with a deep breath, Prism moved forward into the aisle with steady steps. As soon as she entered the room, a thunderous sound of applause rang through the hall as ponies stomped their hooves on the ground. This cacophony greeted the armored filly as she walked down the aisle. At the end of the hall, she saw Aura alongside her parents, the Lord and Lady Aura, awaiting her with warm smiles. Dressed in all the formal wear becoming of their position, if not their province, it was a truly stunning sight. Even still, Prism made her way to the front, where Aura greeted her in a formal bow, which she responded with in kind. While both had their heads down, Aura whispered to Prism, “You look great! I think you’re supposed to take the helmet off though.” Now able to feel her cheeks blushing with warmth, Prism regretted that she’d have to remove the helmet as the two stood from their bowing. Giving another bow to each of the parents, Prism noted that they bowed less in return than her friend, but thought little of it as she removed her helmet and placed beside her on the ground. Next she turned to face the crowd as the Lord Aura spoke, his voice booming with authority, “The mare before you, Prism Ward, seeks to be named a Knight of Equestria.” The crowd gave a small cheer before being settled by a gesture the Lord, “Her lineage speaks for itself, the Ward Clan has been honorable and respected for generations. Who may speak of her deeds?” Opal Aura stepped forward, beside Prism, and spoke to the crowd, “I would tell stories of her valor and chivalry.” A nod from the Lord Aura let his daughter continue. “This mare is my closest friend, she has always put others before herself and protected those who could not defend themselves. When she faced a shadow and saved my life I knew beyond any doubt that Prism Ward is worthy to be a knight!” A great cheer overcame the crowd, once again settled by the Lord Aura, as he continued, “What say you then, Knights of Equestria?” He spoke this toward the section of the crowd where the knights were gathered, and watched as they rose to their hooves. The knights spoke in chorus, “We accept!” Remembering her rehearsal, Prism now spun to face the Lord Aura. Yet, surprising her, he shook his head lightly and gestured toward Opal, who had an excited grin that she could hardly contain. Prism couldn’t hide her glee as she turned toward her friend and knelt her head. Opal spoke formally to the audience and to Prism as well, “Do you, Prism Ward, swear to uphold and defend Equestria, its ponies, and the Harmony for which we stand?” “Yes.” Came Prism’s reply, hardly audible past the first row, but understood by all. “Do you, Prism Ward, swear to live with honor as a Knight of Equestria for the rest of your days?” Opal continued, her confidence unflappable in the crowded room. “Yes.” Came Prism’s reply, pushing her voice with her conviction. “Then,” Opal spoke, drawing forth a ceremonial sword forged by a proud father in the audience, “It is my honor to name you Prism Ward, Knight of Equestria!” She finished this tapping Prism’s shoulders with the weapon. Prism stood from her bow to the uproarious applause of the audience. In this moment, unlike most any other, the crowd did not scare her, and she felt a warm comfort watching over her, a presence that she knew was her mother’s love and pride. It had been difficult, and she had struggled, but now Prism could make the world a safer place as a Knight of Equestria.