//------------------------------// // The Vigil Begins (0 V) // Story: The Vigil // by Visiden Visidane //------------------------------// Mount Nocturnal: home of the thestrals for as long as thestrals existed, the cool, comforting dark embrace that nearly every thestral fled to before the sun’s harsh radiance. Its cavern complexes held many a thestral home, built of a combination of fine crystal and solid stonework and often suspended on the ceiling. Thestral architecture favored the acoustic over the visual. The ceilings of these caverns were carefully worked into gracefully curving arches and reflective walls to ensure good reflection and clear sounds. This did not mean that thestrals ignored the visual. Well-placed mirrors and vents dug into the mountain. Built so they could be adjusted to reflect moonlight into the caverns, allowing for soft illumination. Thestral homes mixed fine crystal with solid stonework, preferring the subtle beauty of a gentle glimmer in the darkness over the glittering spires of Canterlot. Those who visited the depths of Mount Nocturnal would leave bearing stories of sublime sights, of pale, luminous beams bouncing off slender pillars of silver and blue. Such refined things, unfortunately, were not the sort to survive six months of siege. The Day Guard proved relentless. Something about the sight of their princess defeating her sister drove them to the heights of zealotry. Their gentle and peaceful Princess Celestia should be reining them in by now, but the stories of her that made it to Mount Nocturne told of her shutting herself away in grief, forced to take up her sister’s duties while dealing with hers. Without her guidance, control of the Day Guard was left to its three captains, all of whom were furious at the Night Guard’s betrayal. Mount Nocturnal was no easy city to take. It was built into the mountain with great doors of strong oak and metal that could close of the entrance. True, the Thousand Suns and the Bright Rays demolished those doors with a barrage of persistent telekinetic blasts and catapult shots, but past them were the network of tunnels and redoubts ready to hold off invaders for months if need be. The fighting bogged down in narrow passages where it was dark, thus giving an edge to the thestrals. Not that the visual edge mattered much. The thestrals were utterly demoralized and cut off from the food sources of the surface and trade. The Day Guard could take their time, and indeed they did. Every cavern they took cost time and lives, but they paid both with fierce gladness. It was as if they found a renewed life purpose in exterminating those they once called brothers and sisters. Six months of fighting passed before the Day Guard finally asked for a meeting with the Night Guard’s surviving leadership. Evening Star, the mayor of Mount Nocturnal would have attended this meeting as well, but she and several of her staff were dead beneath the rubble of the city hall. Not enough thestrals could be spared to dig the bodies out and no time could be set aside to hold elections. Until such a time came, the Night Guard captains led the thestrals. That would be Onyx Wing, first and foremost. Swift Glide did not even survive the retreat to Mount Nocturnal. A hail of bolts and arrows brought him and his retinue down. Star Sight and a large contingent of the Night Sentinels held the line when the gates first collapsed, buying enough time for most of the defenders to fall back. He and his troops were cut off, unfortunately, and slain. Both fallen captains were replaced by their seconds: Soft Step and Star Mail, respectively. They were young and had not been tested much during their time in Equestria. Soft Step was sleek and narrow-shouldered for a thestral stallion, almost mare-ish in proportion. His attempt at a beard so far was a scraggly, patchy thing. There was nothing effeminate, however, in the way he struck down many a reckless guardspony. Star Mail was a large, brooding presence even before Star Sight was killed. The loss of his father only made him worse, but he had calmed down a bit, at least. He was far from the roaring beast who slaughtered his way past so many to recover his father’s body. To face them were Flame Soul of the Sons of Light, Corona Glare of the Bright Rays, and Great Scarlet of the Thousand Suns. All three were veterans even before Princess Luna’s rebellion, and certainly more after. The meeting was held in neutral territory, on the slopes of Mount Nocturnal at twilight hours. “Princess Celestia has issued her first decree on this matter,” said Flame Soul. “This siege is over. The Day Guard shall withdraw, and the thestrals shall henceforth be allowed rejoin the rest of Equestria, pardoned for their involvement in the Lunar Rebellion.” Onyx glanced at his fellow captains for a while, to reaffirm a decision made during the brutal grind of the last few months. “Will Princess Luna return from where she was banished as well?” he asked. “Princess Luna has been banished to the moon for an indefinite amount of time,” Flame Soul replied. “Until the stars aid her escape,” Corona Glare added mockingly. He had and eyepatch now, the mark of a well-placed thestral arrow. “It only makes sense that she can’t even free herself.” “Hold your tongue, Day Guard,” Soft Step growled. Corona grinned and raised his chin, naturally making him look down on them. “Do something about it, whelp. I’m right here.” Onyx lifted a foreleg to block Soft Step’s move. “The thestrals will not return without our princess,” he said. “We shall remain here in Mount Nocturnal and wait for her to return.” “Arrogant rat,” Corona snarled. “How dare you spit on the mercy of Princess Celestia? How dare you!” “Her mercy took its time,” Star Mail said. “Six long months before that compassion showed up.” “That you are shown any is more than you deserve, traitor Guard,” Corona said with a sneer. “The only swiftness you deserve is the swift point of a spear. Did you know that Princess Celestia has taken over Princess Luna’s duties? As it turns out, Princess Luna was redundant and her sole purpose was just to lighten her sister’s load.” Star Mail scowled and started to move forward as well. “I’ll show you—!” “Enough.” Every pony looked to Flame Soul, who kept his stern gaze on Onyx. It was easy for him to command attention. He was the biggest pony among them. Indeed, he was the biggest and strongest among the Sons of Light, which was made up of the biggest and strongest of the unicorns and pegasi to join the Day Guard. More than just size made him stand out. He was surrounded by some sort of radiant aura, like a faint nimbus of sunlight that wreathed his presence at all times. Like the rest of the Day Guard pegasi, his coat was a pristine white. Unlike the rest of the Day Guard pegasi, his long, flowing beard resembled soft gold, as did his mane. His amber eyes were hard when he briefly glanced at Corona Glare. “You are speaking out of line, Glare. We will not engage the thestrals in further hostilities, no matter how much you want more of this slaughter.” Corona Glare snorted, but he stood down. “I must add, however, that if the thestrals will not reintegrate with Equestria, they shall henceforth be treated as a separate, foreign nation that has recently engaged in hostilities with us,” Great Scarlet added. She stared impassively at Onyx with an analytical gaze. Mares were extremely rare in any of the Guard divisions. If they were to be found anywhere at all, it would be in the Thousand Suns. Flame Soul nodded curtly at this. “This is a thorny path your kind has chosen, Onyx,” he said. “For what it’s worth, I wish you luck.” Onyx nodded as well. Yes, luck. They were bereft of Princess Luna’s presence and their unity with Equestria. Luck will have to do.