//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: We Could be Heroes // Story: A Place to Call Home // by CrimsonWolf360 //------------------------------// Tempest took a step into the large foyer and almost stopped dead in her tracks. The immaculately decorated room and royal guard ranks on either side of the center aisle stunned her into a small gasp. Before she could even think of anything to say, her eyes darted up to the end of the room to find Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Twilight all sitting on their respective thrones, with Sky sitting in a seat off to the side, waving to her with a wide smile on his face. Each member of Equestrian royalty looked at her with a mix of emotions, however, they all seemed to exude calmness as Tempest stepped forward again. Celestia managed to retain her classic poker face while somehow also managing the faintest ghost of a smile on her regal lips. Luna gave her a curious look, but kept her thoughts hidden well. Cadence merely smiled like she was meeting an old friend after a long time apart. In the center of them all, Twilight beamed with the happiest smile Tempest had ever seen on her face. One look and it was clear who was the most excited about the ceremony. Tempest suppressed a chuckle at how Twilight seemed to literally bounce with excitement as she approached, but did not try to hide the smile that quickly formed on her face. Soon enough, the mulberry unicorn was standing not ten feet in front of the princesses, with her head held high and her spirits higher than they've been in ages. Twilight looked down to Tempest and gave her a wink before Celestia nudged her with her wing. "Ahem, this is the part where you say your bit, Twilight." She whispered. "Oh, right!" Twilight whisper-shouted, blushing heavily. "Attention!" She shouted, and in an instant, the royal guards lined up on either side of Tempest snapped to the position of attention, their backs rigid, and their heads facing straight forward. "Tempest Shadow, you stand before all members of Equestrian royalty, with the intent to serve as the first of new line of royal guards. The duty you will be charged with upon accepting this new role must be taken with the utmost of care and resolve. You will be responsible for maintaining not only the safety of this Castle and it's occupants, but for my personal safety as well. Do you accept these terms?" Twilight began. "I do." Tempest replied. "The life ahead of you will be tough, and you will not always be privy to the freedoms the rest of Equestria experiences day to day. Even so, your position as a royal guard will serve as an example, and a shining beacon in the dark for all ponies to follow and strive towards. Do you accept this challenge?" Luna continued. "I do." Tempest replied once more. "There may come a time when you are faced with a difficult decision. A time may come when you are forced to choose between saving your own life, or saving the life of the Princess you are being tasked with protecting. Will you show courage in the face of adversity, and pledge to lay down your own life so that others may live, should the situation arise?" Cadence continued. Tempest looked to Twilight for a fraction of a second before turning back to Cadence and speaking, "I will." "And last, but certainly not least, do you swear to live your life according to Equestria's values and beliefs, foregoing even your own personal grievances or desires, for the sake of the ones you are pledging to protect? To strive every day to show the values of honor, compassion, loyalty, and duty, not only to your princess, but to the rest of Equestria together?" Celestia finished. "I swear." Tempest proudly proclaimed. "Then kneel." Celestia commanded. Tempest dropped to one knee in a practiced, fluid motion. A moment later, Twilight rose from her throne and brought life to her horn. A ceremonial sword, with a pink starburst on the handle, and thus far hidden behind her throne, appeared in the air, and was swiftly levitated over to the kneeling unicorn. Twilight quickly unsheathed the sword, it's leathery sound echoing throughout the otherwise silent hall. She brought the sword down and rested it on Tempest's right shoulder. "Be brave, bold, and loyal," Twilight said, before raising the sword and bringing it to Tempest's left shoulder, "Advance, Knight, in the name of Equestria." Twilight brought the sword back to it's sheath and levitated it back behind her throne. When she turned around, once more, she found Tempest standing back up at her full height. She gave her a quick smile, one which Tempest was happy to return, before Celestia addressed the guards in the room once more. "Company, dismissed!" She called, using her royal canterlot voice. The royal guards in the room immediately broke down their formation into rows and orderly filed out through the doorway. Not a single head looked back, and within seconds, the room was completely empty, save for Tempest, Sky, and the princesses. Once they were completely alone, Tempest turned back to Twilight to speak, but was immediately wrapped in a bear hug by the lavender princess. "Oooh I'm so proud of you!!" Twilight cheered. "Ahehe, thank you, Princess." Tempest replied. "Not gonna lie, that was pretty badass." Sky commented as he walked over to the group. "It feels good. To finally be doing some good with my life instead of selfish things." Tempest replied. "We're all incredibly pleased and impressed with how far you've come, Tempest. I know it wasn't easy, but I think I speak for all of us when I say that we're tremendously proud of you." Celestia said, warmth radiating from her voice. "Thank you, Princess, but I couldn't have reached this point without the help of my friends, and you of course." Tempest said, giving them all a warm smile. "All the more reason I'm glad you serve Princess Twilight now then, I suppose." Luna chimed in. "You really have come a long way, Tempest. I hope to see the Ponyville Royal Guard grow and prosper with you at the head, leading them one day," Cadence added, "Also, it's good to know my little sister-in-law has somepony as strong as you to keep her out of trouble now." She teased, winking at Twilight. Twilight blushed a little at Cadence's teasing, but said nothing as Tempest turned to face her. "It's the least I can do after everything she's done for me." Tempest said, smiling warmly. . . . . . . Tempest stepped out onto the balcony to find a setting sun on the horizon. The warm rays of fading sunlight gently illuminated the world around her as the ponies of Ponyville readied themselves for bed, and even though she felt tired herself, she stood alone, watching over the town with an ever watchful eye. That is, until the sound of hooves on crystal reached her ears, making them flick back on instinct. She turned around to find Twilight walking up to her side, and greeted her with a cordial smile. "Lovely view up here." Tempest said. "It really is. To be honest, I'm surprised to see you up here. You've never struck me as the kind of pony that cares much for a view." Twilight replied, looking out over Ponyville. "Hehe, well let's just say that lately I've had a lot more to look at." "I'm grateful for that... I know I've said it a few times already, but I am really, truly proud of you." Twilight said, her gaze still locked on the horizon. "Thank you. That means a lot, coming from you..." Tempest trailed off. "It's the honest truth," Twilight replied, before glancing over at her to see a contemplative look on Tempest's face, "Something on your mind?" She asked. "Well... it's just..." Tempest trailed off again, her eyes falling down to the crystal balcony. "Tempest? Are you alright?" Twilight asked, furrowing her brow in concern. "Hehe, if I'm being honest, I don't think I'll ever truly be alright, but I'm okay right now. Thanks to you, Sky, Midnight, and Celestia. I guess I just wanted to say... Thank you... for not giving up on me." It was faint, but there was a waiver to Tempest's voice, and Twilight turned to properly look at the mulberry unicorn before replying. "You know I'd never give up on you... Like I've said before, if you ever need anything, ever, just tell me. I'll make time for you, no matter what. I know you've bottled a lot of your emotions up for the majority of your life, but you don't have to anymore. If you're ever hurting again, please just say so." Twilight said, placing a comforting hoof on Tempest's wither. "Oh, don't worry about me, Princess. I'll-" Tempest started. "Twilight" "Um, what?" "Call me Twilight. None of this 'Princess' stuff anymore. You're my friend, and my friends call me Twilight." Twilight said, a small smile on her muzzle. "...I'm not too sure if that's appropriate... I am your guard after all." Tempest replied, looking at her thoughtfully. "Only during the day. How about this, consider it a standing order." Twilight said, playfully punching Tempest's wither with her hoof. Tempest chuckled for a moment, "Hehe, alright, Twilight. You have a deal." "Good. Now, are you sure you're feeling alright?" "Some days are better than others... but I finally have a purpose again. Like I said, I'm not sure I'll ever truly be alright, at least not like you and the rest of your friends, but I'll be better than I ever was before I met you, that much I'm sure of." Tempest replied. "Well, it's a start. One of these days, I'll get you to think a bit more positively than that." Twilight teased. "Here's hoping you prove me wrong sometime soon." Tempest replied. For quite some time after that, the two ponies lapsed into a comfortable silence, both just content to watch the sun set slowly turn into the moonrise. Tiny speckles of stars slowly appeared in the young night sky, and as the world was bathed in darkness, Twilight turned back to Tempest. "Well, it is getting late. As much as I'd like to stay out here and stargaze with you, I do have to wake up pretty early tomorrow." She said. "By all means, don't let me keep you up. I'll head back inside in a few minutes." Tempest said. Twilight nodded and turned around to walk back inside. She made it all the way to the doorway before she paused, and turned back around to look at Tempest again. "Hey Tempest?" She said. "Hmm?" Tempest replied, turning around. "I'm not sure if I've said this yet, but it's good to have you back." Tempest smiled, "I've been back for a while, Twilight." She teased. "Yeah, yeah I guess you have. Still, I'm glad all the same." Twilight replied, smiling warmly. Tempest felt a warm feeling in her chest. It wasn't much, but as the cool night breeze gently set in, it was more than enough to keep her warm while Twilight headed back inside, leaving her alone on the balcony with her thoughts once more. Tempest looked back out over the horizon once more to find the world illuminated by the night sky, and as the dazzling display of celestial beauty slowly danced across the sky, she found that for the first time in her entire life, her heart wasn't empty any more. It was enough to bring a single tear to her eye. She hastily blinked the tear away and once more gazed out over Ponyville and its quiet occupants. The night proceeded onward while the stoic mare simply enjoyed the beauty of the moment, but eventually, the days events caught up with her, and she felt a weary voice in her mind call out for the peaceful embrace of sleep. She smiled to herself one more time before sighing peacefully and turning around to walk back inside the castle. "Maybe some day..." She whispered, "But not today."