The kindling of hope
“In the midst of darkness, light persists.” – Mahatma Gandhi
The night sky darkness was deepened by the storm that lumened overhead. Bone rattling winds brought torrents of rain and lighting upon all the apposed it. Yet darkened structures stood resolute against all that the storm had thrown at them. Many stood quiet and dark as the occupants a slept peacefully.
Yet on the outskirts of Ponyville a soft warm orange light and wisps of deep calming blue magic flickered through a window.
Four occupants were in the room, one lay in bed squirming as though they were tormented by their dreams. The second and oldest of them was kneeling next to the bed wisps of blue magic gently float between her and the girl. The third with tribal tattoos was busy reading a file. The fourth with violet wings watched with unnerved anticipation while they leaded against the wall closest to the fire the simple gray stone fire place. The wisps of magic slowly faded away and an older woman rose.
“Any luck?” The voice closest to the fireplace fire place asked.
The older women looked at the young one and shook her head “Much like the storm outside I cannot calm the sea of turbulent of haft thoughts and memories.” The woman leaned over the restless child and gingerly moved their silver hair out their face.
“Any clue to what caused this Luna?”
Luna shook her head “I’m not sure what caused her mind to be in such turmoil. How was it that you found her?”
Twilight pushed herself off the wall she was leaning against and walked over to the Luna. “We found her and a local Storm Rider after two large lighting strikes hit within close proximity to the home. Zecora and I went out if there was any damage. No harm was done to the home on inspection. What we did notice was that the lighting had struck a nearby tree twice. Both the girl and The Storm Rider had been trapped under a large branch from the tree. We proceeded to pull them free. The girl was unresponsive and, the storm-rider was fading in and out of consciousness. After assessing them for any life threats we brought them inside.”
Luna nodded her head “Do we know who she is?”
Zecora looked up from the folder she had in her a hand “If this file is anything to go by her name is Silvis Tansy. I know many of the young ones that live around here. But I do not know who she is.”
Luna looked at the nightmare ridden girl. “That’s a start, anything about family?”
Zecora looked down and nodded her head, she carefully pulled out a letter and handed it to Twilight.
Twilight takes the letter and read it softly aloud.
Dear, Silvis Tansy
We regret to inform you that your house has burnt down. We also regret that we must inform you that your mother Scarlet Night and your farther Solar star, have unfortunately perished in the fire.
Luna shakes her head “When did it happen?”
“A little over three years ago.” Twilight sighed.
“I remember that storm, for it caused a vast amount of destruction and loss of life in its wake. It was much like tonight’s.” Zecora added
Luna nodded her head. “I see, with the given information. It is in deed possible that when the storm hit, her memories resurfaced. Which caused her to relive the events in which her parents died.”
“That makes sense, trauma has a physical and mental side. The question remains why was she outside in this kind of weather?” Twilight said as she looked up from the file.
“Maybe the fear and memories made her think she was in her home that was on fire?” Zecora said as she looked at Silvis
“Maybe.” Twilight handed the letter back to Zecora who put it back into the file. She then walked over to Silvis and took her hand into her own and gently stroked it with her thumb. “You’ll be ok. I'll make sure of it.”
…..
Dark clouds slowly gathered around a slightly decrepit castle that sat upon a hill. In the many rooms of the castle maids and servants moved with perfect efficacy, to an unheard melody. But below the castle sat a dungeon that held only one prisoner chained to a table, and old man who sat across from them hidden by the shadows.
“You will tell us all that you know about her?” The man demanded as he tossed a picture on to the table.
The prisoner picked up the picture, studied it for a minute and shook their head.
“So you don’t?” The man asked. To which the prisoner nodded their head. “Well then guest that’s all then I do hope that Moon Dancer doesn’t have any ‘accidents’ when she comes back.”
There was a scraping of wood on stone and a clank of chain “You will not fucking touch her!” The prisoner cried out as strands of red and yellow hair fell in front of their face.
“Well as I see it, you're in no position to do anything about that Sunset Shimmer. So, do you know anything about this girl?” The man said as he stood to meet the prisoner’s eyes.
The prisoner looked at the picture again. It showed a girl clad in black, with wings of lavender and a large gun of some sort “I don’t know her. She must be new.”
“Ok, I’ll believe you for now. How much do you know about the Valkyrie?” the man asked.
Sunset looked at the man “The Valkyrie’s were the left hand of Equestria. It’s been over a thousand years since one was appointed but Princess Luna. There are a few stories about them. As for my knowledge about the Valkyrie is limited to fairy tales.”
The man leaned in to hear better “Anything is better than nothing. So, tell me what you know: and Moon dancer will be safe on her next trip here. Do we have a deal Sunset?”
Sunset felt a pang in her heart as she had failed again to keep knowledge out of enemy hands. “yes” she whimpered
The man took out a piece of paper. “You may begin.”
Sunset took a breath and started a tale of old “A Valkyrie is a hero of Equestria even if no one knows about them.”
“How can they be a hero if no one knows them?” The old man asked
“A hero is more than a person. Rather a belief.” Sunset replied.
“A belief in what?” The man asked in confusion.
A smile graced Sunset’s lips “A belief that, against impossible odds, that Equestria can be saved even when all seems lost and everyone else has given up. They push forward and prove that the world is still worth saving. A guiding light in a torrent of storms”
“How does this girl do that?” The man yelled as he pointed at picture.
“It simple really all heroes inspire that belief in us. Because they renew our faith in one another. And above all else they give us one of the most precious of all gifts. Do you know what that gift is Archduke?” Sunset leveled her eyes and starred into Archduke’s eyes.
“No. Do they give power, knowledge, strengthen?” The Archduke rambled.
“No none of that, they give us a simple yet powerful gift. Hope.” Sunset reveled as she felt fire return to her and cool knowingness returned to her eyes.
“All that the Valkyrie gives people is hope. What good is hope in the face of a trained army of hundreds if not thousands?” the archduke laughed.
Sunset felt a smug grin adorn her face. “You see Archduke when all seems lost and the world is bleak. A simple spark in the darkest of times brings hope.”
“What if that spark is extinguished?” The Archduke questioned.
Sunset shrugged her shoulders “That won’t work. Because this world needs heroes. Even they die their ideals and light will shine on.”
“How do you know that?” The Archduke asked hesitantly.
“Because a Valkyrie is a hero, and now that she is here the world will honor her. It also means that your time is limited. For each day that passes the Valkyrie becomes stronger.” Sunset smirked.
“Is that all?” The Archduke inquired. To which Sunset nodded her head. “What about her weapons?”
Sunset look at the picture to study the weapons “Never seen those weapons before.”
”I must thank you for your cooperation Sunset.” The Archduke got up and left; slamming the door behind him as he went.
Sunset smiled even more “Well, things are about to get interesting.” and went back to scratching a magic circle onto the chains that held her.
…..
The dark storm clouds were alight by massive streaks of lightning across the sky. Almost entirely disappearing in the night’s sky as the thunder rolled into the inky blackness of the night.
At the clash of thunder awoke Ash Wing. breathing heavily. She looked around the room and slowed her breathing. She then snuggled back under her warm and inviting covers of the bed. ’wait bed?’ Ash Wing’s mind spun as the last few waking moments resurfaced ‘where's the kid?’ She tried to sit but let out a pain full gasp and clutched at her ribs. Ash Wing fought through the pain as she continued to move. She pulled off the covers and swung her legs off the side of the bed.
When Ash Wing stood up and she was assaulted with pain, nausea and dizziness. She felt her balance fail and braced herself against the wall for support. “You can do this Ash Wing.” She said in a hushed pained breathless whisper. Ash Wing slowly made her way to the door and pushed opened. She entered a quite desolate dark hall way, with only the glow from her rooms fire place lighting the immediate area from her door.
“Where am I?” Ash Wing looked around the darkness. She took a breath and extended her white and gray tipped wings . The pain rocketed through her body as she then gave them a simple flapped and a bubble of air surrounded her. Ash wing's auburn hair floated as listened. The house was deathly silent only clashes of thunder that broke the silence. Then she heard it the hushed conversation of people talking. Ash Wing starred to walk towards the conversation, each step sent pain flowing through her body. “just a few more steps.” Ash Wing kept reminding herself.
After a bit she the voices became clear. “So, what are we going to do about the girl?”
“I’m not sure really. But until the storm passes will keep her here then figure out what to do.”
Ash Wing moved closer to the door she heard the voices coming from. She pressed her ear against the door and caused it to open and her to fall in.
…....
Orange and yellow light flicker off the stone in the room by several torches. All looked as a door was pushed open “Ahh Genral fodder what is it that brings you here?”
Genral fodder look at the council “I have news on the Valkyrie’s movements.”
Council grew deathly quiet “go on General.”
Genral fodder grew a bit pale “The Valkyrie has destroyed the River steed cartel.”
“What do you mean?” a Council member asked
“Everything is destroyed, and set ablaze. Reports state that there was heavy gun fire and explosions thought out the night.” Genral Fodder informed the council.
“Are we sure it was her?” another Council member asked
“Where ninety nine percent sure it was her. Given survivors accounts. They said it was just one person clad in shadows and wielding weapons unlike any they had seen before.”
The Council grew quitter till the chairman spoke “It seems that the Valkyrie is going to be a major problem.”
Another member of the council spoke up “But they are only one person so if we get her sent on missions that take her further from us the better.”
“Can that be done?” Chairmen spoke
“It’s posable. But The False Princess would need the a very good reason to send her somewhere.” General fodder replied
“For the good the Circle of Zenith we shall give Luna the reason she wants to send her agent on a wild goose chase. May the eternal light guide us."
The rest of the Council and the General fodder replied "May the eternal light guide us."
…...
Zecora, Twilight and Luna sat around the small table in the cozy kitchen of Twilight's new home. Steam billowed off of three cups of tea as the three talked.
“I looked that place over a hundred times and found no trace of the elements anywhere.” Twilight sighed looking at her tea in.
“You did all you could. We may have been given false information.” Luna spoke she as placed a hand on Twilight's shoulder.
“So, what is our next move then?” Zercoa asked as they told her about the raid.
“For now, we wait and gather our strength and intel.” Luna replied and took a sip of her tea.
They sat in silence drinking their tea. “I’m sorry I that I don’t have more to offer.” Twilight blushed looking at medium oak wood cabinets, older cast iron stove and gray and white granite counter tops.
“it’s quite alright Twilight. I now you just moved here and I highly doubt that expecting any of this to happen.” Luna reassured Twilight.
“The weather really caught a lot of people off guard. It hit them quite hard.” Zecora nodded her head.
“So, what are we going to do about the girl?” Luna asking the question that weighted heavily on Twilight’s mind.
Twilight sighed heavily. “I’m not sure really. But until the storm passes, we’ll keep her here then figure out what to do.”