//------------------------------// // 3. Old and new encounters. // Story: The Dawning of Night // by ericson03 //------------------------------// “Thou art a trueborn heir.” It’s… fuzzy. “I love you, remember that.” Where am I? “A crown of stars resteth upon thine head.” All was dark above the water's surface, but beneath, lights danced. “Ready or not, brother, providence waits for no one.” They moved around me like fish, almost seeming alive in their fluid motions. “Thy kind are but reavers to the kingdom of heaven, and I shall cut thee down." Each held a memory of friends and foes alike. Then, a laugh rang out. … A shift beneath the water. The lights faded. Then, there was a pause. A second passes. A burst of noise echoed through the space, and a claw drags me under as I scream. … We were there again, in the deep, dark, cold unlit by neither stars or sun. I struck a blow, it fell on empty air. Dodging and weaving, father cut me. I was cut, and as that wound was still half healed, I was cut once more. Back and forth we went, our blades clashing with an echoing clanging of mithril, the silvery sparks of metal being the only light in this place. Then, an opening. Pushing myself forward, his blade pushed into my shoulder as I held in my scream. His blow however came at a cost, as my own blade cleaved his head from his shoulders, dispersing what was left of his tainted body. I huffed, coughing and crying as I pulled the blade out of myself. Then from the shadows of the far wall of the chamber, the laugher rang out once more. “Bravo. Truly a show for the ages.” Looking up at his place upon the throne, I could only give a shallow breath as he grinned down at me. “But I'm afraid everypony must one day exit the stage, and yours will be a tragic farewell.” Suddenly out from the walls dozens more smaller shadows appeared, each bearing gnashing teeth and a howling laughters akin to hyenas. “Now bow out.” Rushing towards me, the creatures were about to rip into me as I lifted my sword one last time. Then, a roar filled the air. And fire filled the air. … I could not feel, I could not see and I could not hear. “Wakey, wakey.” A feminine voice whispered into my ear. A hoof prodded my side as my eyes opened to the world around me. Almost immediately, I was met with another pair of eyes staring right back at me, amethyst in color. "... Hello?" I ask hesitantly, not moving an inch. Pulling back, the mare giggled. "Hello to you too." Standing before me was a mare only a tiny bit shorter than myself, cladden in a dress of the most unique making. Matching her coat, it was a dark pink but accentuating it was thousands of light blue crystals woven into it. Upon her crown braid lay a golden tiara with an amethyst in the middle. It was princess Mi Amore Cadenza, the alicorn of love, and standing next to her… “You two alright?” Asked the unicorn stallion, his red uniform standing out against his white coat. “What?” A movement beneath me alerted me to my friend’s plight and as I lessened the weight upon him, he let out a relieved sigh. “You alright down there, Chase?” I asked worryingly. “Yeah, just give me a breather, how long were we out?” Turning my attention to one of the clocks lining the spaces between the windows, I squinted to see what it read. “Mmm… just about 15 minutes.” “Ah, well we didn’t miss too much then.” “Well- you say that.” Shuffling off of my heated pillow, I allowed him to see who we were in the company of. Sitting down next to him, he gave me a short glance before focusing on the snickering pair in front of us. “Allow me to introduce princess Mi Amore Cadenza, niece of princess Celestia, and her escort… I’m sorry, but I am unfamiliar.” Prompting him to give his name. “Oh, that's alright. My name is Shining Armor, captain of the solar guard.” Oh. Well this ought to be interesting. “Ah, the brother of the element of magic, your reputation precedes you, sir. Youngest captain in history of the guard, if I'm correct?” That certainly brought some pride to the stallion as he puffed his chest out at the remark. How cute. Glancing back to Chase, I found him sinking back into my side as he gazed expecting between me and the couple. Yeah okay, real subtle there, Chase. “As for myself, I am Nocturne Nox of the starborn.” Giving a curt bow before the pair, I gave them both my most charming smile, showing off my canines. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Nox." That’s a new one. “Shiny and I were just looking for a break from the crystal hall. It was quite a surprise seeing a pair of thestrals sleeping in the middle of the Lunar hall. Speaking of-” Her smile then turned predatory as she shifted her eyes from me to Chase. “-who’s your coltfriend over there?” Feeling Chase’s fur stand on end at the sudden attention from a princess, I chuckled as he stood straight with a blush on his face. “N-not colfriend, your majesty, just a friend-” “A very close friend~” I interjected as i used my magic to form a blanket like surface that draped across his back. “BUT just a friend nonetheless.” He reiterated as he tensed from the contact, his blush getting even redder in color. … Did- did I break him? “O-oh, and my name is Storm Chaser.” There we go. Letting out another laugh over the misfortune of my friend, the pair sat down at the other end of the table. “A pleasure to meet you Mr. Chaser, you two may call me Cadance by the way. My full name is a bit of a hassle to spew out everytime.” “And you can call me Shining, my rank is left at the door for anyone but the nobles and the boys in gold.” Smiling at their good natured response to our introduction, I swiped a couple of drinks from a passing waiter and placed them out in front of each of us. “Very well then, Cadence, Shining.” I said, turning my gaze between them. “You may call me Nox. No mister, if you would, I feel old enough as is.” I gave a good natured laugh before taking a sip of the clear substance before us. Mmm, gin and tonic. “And if you would, just call me Chaser. Mr. Chaser was my father.” Chase piped up, having gotten his nerves under control as he had already begun tucking into his drink. “So Chaser, would you mind if I asked what's making your braid sparkle?” Cadence asked, eyeing Chase’s hair curiously. Still sipping his drink, Chase adorably flicks his eyes between her and his braid before setting his drink down. "It's mithril,” he started, running his hoof down his braid, “created by imbuing steel with pure starlight within the well of the Skyforge. it was a gift to me from-” “Me.” I butted in with a smile and nuzzled the top of his head. “-yes, you.” He continued, rolling his eyes at my antics before turning back to the couple. “He wove them into my hair as he braided it. Each bit of mithril is shaped like a star and imbued with an enchantment to make it shine…” He trailed off as he looked at me with a soft giggle. “Do you remember what you told me?” “‘Even if you should get lost, in the darkest storm or in the roughest sea, with these i'll always find you, my little light.’” I recited, never skipping a beat. He gave a soft hum as he leant into me, nuzzling into my side. “One of your better moments.” A small moment of silence fell over us as we enjoyed the moment, eventually though, it broke as we looked over to the other pair at the table. … Said pair had just about the widest difference of expression on their faces. Cadence wore a wide smile as her wings were ruffling, almost vibrating with energy as she clapped her hooves in excitement… is she- “That’s lovely!” She exclaimed before leaning in “Are you sure you two aren't an item?” “Very sure.” We answered in unison, clinking our glasses before taking a sip… Oh no… Wrong glass! Setting my drink down after taking a sip, Chase looked up to me in confusion as I tapped his side. “Wha-” And then he received his drink down his throat as I moved with lightning speed, his lips quivering as his face blew up in a blush. Before he could retaliate however, i pulled back. “Hak- Wha- What the fuck, Nox?!” “We switched glasses-” “So you decided to tongue my throat?!” “...Dont act like you didnt like i-.” “This is why you’re single.” … “Are you suuure you’re not together?” “Very sure.” We reiterated. "Wuh!" Ah look Shining’s awake. Contrary to his girlfriend, Shining had his mouth open during our entire exchange. His eyes having been locked onto Chase’s braid until just now. Rubbing his eyes free of the built up moisture, the young stallion then looked between us. “You have Mithril?!” Shining shouted, turning some heads. “Yes?” Chase replied with a raised eyebrow. “H-how- no forge has been able to replicate it! No one's sighted new sources for 800 years!” At that point Cadence intervened and placed a wing over her partner, stroking his back. “Dear, why don't we lower our tone a little, hm?” “But-” “No buts Shiny, you're making them uncomfortable.” Turning his sight to us, he noticed our weary looks at his sudden outburst. Obviously feeling a bit guilty, the white stallion gave a shallow bow of his head. “Sorry, I lost my cool there for a second.” Nodding, I answered. “Don't worry, you're not the first to be so caught off guard. In truth, we hadn't had the capability to forge mithril for many centuries ever since the fall. It was only recently that the process was rediscovered and even then, it's a costly process.” Pondering over this information, Shining mulled for a moment before sharpening his gaze. “How much has been produced so far?” “I don't know.” I somewhat lied, after all I haven't been home in a while. “Even just an estimate would do.” He insisted. “I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say, Shining. As a stallion of the gold, surely you must understand.” He harrumphed at this, dear God is he pouting? Adorable. “I suppose it would be too easy.” Chuckling at his complaining, I motioned to Cadence to comfort the poor boy as I noticed all of us had finished our round of drinks. Waving a hoof to a passing servant I requested a round of white stalliongrads. Nodding, the servant zipped away. “There there, Shiny. At least you have a lead now.” Cadance comforted. “Yeah but- eugh. I got my hopes up.” He replied as his ears twitched. Giggling at his childishness, Cadance nuzzled his cheek. “I swear, you're just as much of a colt as you were back in the day sometimes.” “Nu uh! I'm grown up now!” Shining replied with mock childishness as he started to regain his smile. “Yeah you are.” Cadance responded, with a certain sultry tone in her voice as she nipped at his ear. I could only imagine the amount of love and trust there must be between the two of them to do things like this, especially for a princess and the captain of the guard. Then again… Glancing down to Chase, I saw his warm smile as he looked at the couple. Leaning against me, he rested his head against me. I know exactly how that trust feels. Interrupting my thoughts, the servant returned with a tray full of drinks. Putting them down on the table, he then used his horn to move them to each of us. With a thank you from each of us, he then quickly departed again. “Alright then,” Cadence began after having taken a short sip. “so what brings the two of you to the gala? I can't say we’ve ever had the pleasure of hosting thestrals before, much less starborn.” “First time seeing one as well, my sister will throw a fit when she finds you.” Shining said before he took a sip, giving a soft hum as the liquid went down. “Ah, now that is the question isn’t it?” I asked rhetorically as I eyed one of the guards looking at me from my periphery. “I can't imagine you’re the only ones wondering that.” Following my gaze, Shining then rolled his eyes as he spotted the guard in question. “That one? He’s one of lieutenant Stalwart’s subordinates. I wouldn't worry about them, they're just overly cautious.” He laughed as he continued. “Perhaps because I'm not in command to keep things under wraps.” I gave a hum as I looked out at the night sky behind the couple, sipping my drink as a gust of cool wind blew through. Curiously however, I was also met with the sight of a certain group of mares on the balcony outside, all together forming a rainbow of colors. Sitting with their backs turned to us, I thought of a genius idea. “Well, right now we’re just waiting for some friends of ours, however-” I looked toward the musicians behind us, playing the same boring melody over and over. “-instead of telling you what our purpose is here, how about you show you?” “Well that’s cryptic, but go on.” Cadence replied Chase in the meanwhile had just been nursing his drink, totally unsuspecting as to my tail that suddenly wrapped around his own as I turned and pulled him against my chest. “Gwak!” He yelped as his drink was nearly knocked out of his hoof. “The fuck, No-” His word was cut short as my hoof grazed his lips, his anger turning to an annoyed flustered look. “Shhh… Chase.” I whispered into his fluffy little ears, giving them a little nip as our accompanying couple failed to stop their giggling at the public display of affection. “Wh-what?” Chase replied as he turned to putty in my hooves. “Do you hear that?” “H-hear what?” Giving him a long and slow nuzzle, I grasped his side with the magic blanket i had draped across his back, almost pulling him off the ground. “That's the sound of a duet.” … “Nox, no.” He said. “Nox, yes!” I replied. “No plea-” Standing up with my friend held onto my side like a sack of potatoes, he writhed as I trotted along to the laughter of Shining and Cadence. “Come my friend! Let us engage in leisure!” “Gwak!”