Chapter Five
“Ah, it's a pleasure to see you both again. I've heard you two have been quite the pair for awhile now. It's truly nice to see such affection blossom through an accidental encounter.” Celestia smiled down upon them both as she sat upon her throne.
It had been nothing but smooth sailing from then on out when both Titus and Lyra got to Canterlot. The guards had been as cold and unmoving as usual, but that did little to dampen their moods as they followed the guards through courtyard of Canterlot castle.
Titus remembered seeing it all covered in nothing but ice. But where ice once was now was the rejuvenated flora that dotted the patches along the path to the throne room. It was nice to see that the beauty had been preserved as a result of their past perils.
Similar to the last time they had arrived in the castle, it had been governed by a very loose form of formality and protocol. Lyra was sure to remind them both to bow graciously to the princess that controlled the sun in the sky.
“I know, isn't it so great?” Lyra said happily, getting ready to drone on and on about how much she loved him and whatnot.
Titus huffed a sigh and looked about the throne room. Still the same tapestries as before, still the same guards posted in the same position as last time. If he didn't know any better, he could have sworn that he was basically reliving every moment the night previous to the attack over again.
Celestia's voice soon thundered over the throne room, and while it was loud and commanding, it still maintained a gentle tinge as to not have one think she was trying to be impolite or the like. “As much as I would love to hear just how much you care for the Beacon, I'm afraid that there is more pressing matters at hand.”
“Yes. Of course..” Lyra slumped a bit, disappointed that she couldn't keep talking about how happy she was.
“What is it that you need exactly?” Titus asked.
“Oh, it's not what I need from you. I have a very important friend that would like to meet you.” Celestia frowned a bit when speaking about this.
“Well let's see him then..” Lyra grumbled, still a bit hurt.
“You're going to have to go into the anteroom for that. I'm sorry, but this is a very discreet manner we're dealing with here. When you're done, perhaps we can discuss more on matters related to something more to you're liking.”
Lyra lit up to that, which made Titus sigh. If that really happened, they might just be spending the night at the castle again. He just wanted to go back home, return to the relative peace he had found here.
“Well, lets get back there then, huh?” Lyra turned to him, her eyes practically sparkling with enthusiasm.
“Uh, yeah. Sure.” He replied, being brought back into an interacting state.
“The room is on the wall directly behind this throne. You can't miss it.” The princess informed them, her mind beginning to drift off to other matters.
Lyra led the way as usual, her demeanor in the sky now. Titus put a hand behind his head and followed just as he always had.
They approached the only door on the wall behind Celestia's throne, which was obviously used as a place for the monarch to prepare herself before going forth to deal with her subjects on a daily basis. It was obviously a tough but rewarding life for one that enjoyed pleasing others. Strange that she would allow another to wait within it for them both, though.
“I hope it's quick, so we can get back to talking with Celestia...” Lyra uttered.
“Yeah..” Titus returned dully. It was either in there he was going to be wasting time or out here with Lyra chatting up royalty.
They pushed open the door and found the room almost completely under the veil of darkness. Not even the light from outside wanted to enter into the anteroom, for there was a foreboding feeling within here. One that even caused Titus to pause for a second before continuing in.
The only thing that was providing light within the room was a small candle sitting upon a wooden table. The silhouette of a pony could be seen sitting at the table, but his face was concealed in the shadows.
“If one of you would...” the pony began, “please shut the door. I want to keep this between us.”
Titus reached backed and closed the door, a bit more interested in what was unfolding before him now.
“Ah much better..” The stallion pulled his head up and looked them both in the eyes as he stroked his white beard. “You know, this was a lot easier than asking the locals and spending the time being all sneaky around the place. I should chat with royalty more often, they're great at not telling others.”
“You're the one that wanted to talk to us?” Lyra asked, trying to begin the conversation.
“Well more particularly the Beacon, but both of you is fine. I was half expecting his unicorn companion to show up anyways.”
“Humph..” Lyra grumbled. She didn't like it when Titus was the focus among others. Of course, it was just an issue of possessiveness.
The stallion lifted his hat, revealing a horn indicating he was a unicorn as well. He placed his pointy hat on the wooden table near the candle and walked up to Titus. “Just as impressive as I've heard. It will be quite an honor to be working with one that has done so much in such a marginal amount of time.”
“Working with you?” Titus began, “we haven't agreed to anything yet.”
“Oh yes, I apologize. I'm getting ahead of myself, even though such dire events are in the near future.” The unicorn apologize hastily and began to explain. “Although this name might not mean anything to you, Beacon, I am Starswirl The Bearded. I have come on behalf of-”
“Whoa, hold on a second. You're Starswirl? This has to be some kind of joke. You should be dead back in the unicorn kingdoms before Equestria was founded.” Lyra stated. She obviously was not buying into his identity. That was fine, he didn't need recognition, just assistance.
“Ma'am, I can assure you that I am indeed Starswirl, but that isn't even the point. I need the Beacon's assistance regarding-”
“Why should he help some liar? Hmm?” This unicorn really was trying to test his patience with the constant interruptions.
“I'll explain soon enough. If you would let me speak unhindered, of course.”
Lyra didn't respond but just kept a keen vigilant eye upon him. Good enough, he supposed. “Now, as I was saying, I need your assistance regarding a rather dire matter. You see, I am-er.. was a guardian of the starstones. I was granted immortality and tasked with the protection of these stones at all times, for their power is beyond even that of gods here in Equestria.” Starswirl paused and sighed, preparing to say what was to come. “I was not alone in this task. I had a companion that safeguarded the stones by my side. I'm afraid he has lost sense in greed and the fear that all fear in some magnitude: being forgotten.”
“I assume he betrayed you then?” Titus inquired. He could almost guess what was coming at this point.
“He betrayed more than just me. He betrayed everything we stood for.. and he betrayed himself. He was meaning to become recognized by any way possible. I believe he wishes to take the path of violence with the starstones in his possession to achieve this goal. That puts all of Equestria in danger.”
“Figures that we would end up in something like this again...” Lyra grumbled.
Titus smiled sympathetically down to her and scratched behind her ear lightly, causing her to hum lightly and nearly forget about everything that was going on.
Of course, that moment could not last and Titus ceased after a moment and continued talking to the mysterious stallion. “Why is it me that is needed for yet another campaign against the corrupt?”
“We're a very sensitive race, Beacon. We don't like it when such things happen in this domain. We want to just live and love, but when such things aren't possible, we tend to shrink under the pressure.”
“How has your race survived for so long then?” Titus asked, completely confused to hear this.
“We're not weak, Beacon. But when evil does come, it tends to be in a more... abridged form than what I'm sure you're usually accustomed too. They're more mischievous than malignant, they would rather cause panic and confusion rather than harm. Celestia has the element bearers for that task, but you've shown that when the stakes are much higher and ponies can actually die, you aren't afraid to take to the fight and not falter.”
“I see, but why has these evils only now decided to show up after my arrival in this world?”
“It's not for us to ponder about. Perhaps when justice comes, evil follows in suit? But we're certainly not philosophers. Well.. maybe me.. if I really wanted to be.. hmm..” Starswirl began to trail off into deeper thoughts.
“Whoa, don't lose us.” Lyra tapped her hoof onto the ground, trying to get Starswirl out of his musing.
Starswirl shook his head and returned back to the present, looking a bit perplexed. He realized what he had been doing and coughed awkwardly. “Sorry about that, you two. When you've been around as long as I have, you tend to contemplate everything a bit too much.”
“We've noticed..” Lyra grumbled.
“You make strange company, Beacon. Of course, this is just what I've observed.” Starswirl gave Lyra a strange look and stepped back to the wooden table.
“She's just a bit upset about what's going on. I'm sure you understand.” Titus explained, hoping to ease the tension just a bit between the two unicorns.
“Of course.” He turned to Lyra now. “You don't have to be a part of this, you know. I simply need the Beacon and all will be fine.”
Lyra looked offended by even the consideration of such a thought. “Uhh, no. That's not going to happen. He's mine, you know.”
“I'm sure you aren't speaking with a serious tongue since you say you garner ownership over the Beacon. But if you need to be with him, I suppose it couldn't hurt.” Starswirl wasn't going to argue at this point. He had a feeling that this mare would simply drive him to insanity if he wanted to counter against the thought of such a thing.
Lyra looked quite smug from hearing no complaint to that end. Nopony could tell her what she could do or couldn't do. But a fear was beginning to bubble up within her. What exactly would they have to do to stop this stallion who claimed to be Starswirl's companion? She didn't want to ever feel the same way she did against the Icebringers, that same horrible helpless feeling..
She felt a hand patting her gently on the head reminding her that she wouldn't be alone. Not anymore. They could do this, they always did. She closed her eyes and remembered all the encounters, all the scares... She was going to be fine as long as she had her human. She opened her eyes and looked up at Titus who was still in conversation with the supposed Starswirl.
“So where will this be taking us, exactly?” Titus asked.
“Are you familiar with the badlands by any chance, Beacon?”
Titus thought really hard about the books he had read at Twilight's library. He had sworn he had seen those words somewhere. But that may have just been memories back from Azeroth, that also had an area with the same name. Still, he couldn't but think he had seen it somewhere in the library in Ponyville.
“I am, of course.” Lyra cut in. “What about the badlands? They're miles from here.”
“Why, everything is about the badlands. That's where starstones are located, and I have reason to believe that they, along with my former compatriot, still remain there. You see, there's another thing about this that concerns you, Beacon.”
“What is that, exactly?” Titus wasn't sure exactly what this 'immortal' pony was getting at.
“I believe that he may have brought another from your original home world.”
“What?” He nearly fell over after hearing that. There was no way, he had been brought here by a god herself! But Starswirl had said that the stones' powers were even greater than that of gods...
“What makes you so sure? Huh?” Lyra pressed. She didn't like the sound of another from Titus' world. What if it was one of those 'horde' persons he had told her about? Or worse... Another human! But this one, female!
She was beginning to lose her composure thinking of all the possibilities. What if it was a human female?! Titus would certainly leave her for another human! Would he forget about her? Would she be alone again? Oh no. Oh no...
“Quite the curious one, aren't you? I would think that the Beacon would have been the one to ask such a question, but I have no problem answering for either of you.”
“Go on, then.” Titus gestured for the unicorn to explain exactly why he knew what his past companion's intentions were.
Starswirl nodded and continued. “He means to do just as Luna had. But without the individual going through the process of death.”
Titus flinched at the mention of the fall he had taken to end up in this world. He died once, and wasn't looking forward to ever doing it again. But it was the thing that brought him here, and he had found purpose once again.
“Did he mention by any chance anyone specific he was looking for?” He finally asked.
“He just said he needed a champion. Nothing else.”
Titus brought a gloved hand up to his chin in thought. He wasn't sure to be excited or to exercise caution towards this new development. He had put it all behind him now, but to think that there would be another who would share his plight...
“I must also add that each moment that passes here only allows more time for my former compatriot, Polaris, too accumulate more power with the stones. I can't even comprehend just how much one can accomplish with such artifacts, and I have been guarding them for centuries.”
“Do we really have to leave so soon? We just got here... I was going to talk to the princess some more and.. stuff..” Lyra kicked at the ground in disappointment.
“We don't have to leave at all. We can just sit here and wait to die I suppose.” Starswirl quipped back with a condescending tone.
“Smart aleck..”
“So we must leave immediately? How long is this trip?” Titus asked, his mind still half pondering just what this all could mean to him.
“Why, it's not a trip at all, actually. You both don't have to take a step.” Starswirl chuckled a bit and magicked his hat that had laid on the table back onto his head. “It could all just happen... in the blink of an eye.”
“Now you're talking all weird, I'm not sure I like this.” She gave Titus a sort of afflicted look. “He's a pony claiming to be a dead wizard for Celestia's sake!” At this point, she just wanted to keep them both out of this, anything to keep her human from anything that could redirect his focus somewhere other than her.
“I thought we were past this...” Starswirl sighed. “Beacon, please trust me with this. I have no reason to lie.”
Titus was really thinking this through. Perhaps a year ago he may have already been on his way with the pony who asked for his help just out of the goodness of his heart. But he had become selfish after all this time, and didn't want to disappoint the little unicorn that he had come to care for so.
He was torn between what he knew was the right thing to do and not causing Lyra distress. He was conflicted and it was horrible. Never had something like this ever been called into judgment for him.
“Can't we just go...? You've done enough... Besides, if this person came here, you'd protect them then.. right?” Lyra was trying to win him over as she noticed that he was bending under the pressure.
“But that would be risking too much.” Titus was beginning to grow more confident in which way he was swaying in the decision.
Lyra was beginning to realize she was losing. “But I don't want to lose you..” She'd thought she would just use the heavy hitter right then and there.
Titus sighed, closing his eyes for just a second. He knew the choice he had to make, he just hoped it would all be worth it in the end. He opened his eyes once again and glowed with determination and definiteness. “We have to go and stop this before it escalates.” He turned to look down at Lyra with a sad and pleading look. “You understand, don't you?”
“I... I...” She sighed.. “Yes...”
“Excellent. I knew you were somepony I could count on, Beacon.” Starswirl suddenly began to laugh softly. “The mare may just be right about owning you, though.”
“Yeah.. yeah..” Lyra held fore-hooves out to Titus, indicating just where she wanted to be.
Titus quickly picked her up and allowed her to get on his back and wrap her hooves around his neck. He knew that he had saddened her, and was trying to find someway to tell himself that it was still the right thing to do.
He felt her nuzzle his neck, though, telling him that nothing had been damaged between the two in anyway. That made him smile lightly and no longer worry about the decision he had made.
“We're ready to depart whenever you're ready.”
Starswirl stroked his beard and eyed the two intriguingly. “Well well, she does. I shouldn't have doubted your words, Miss.”
“Just... lets go...” Lyra said wearily.
“As you wish.”
Starswirl's horn began to glow from under his oversized hat, and the room began to lose it's shape around them slowly. Titus was instantly reminded of the phenomenon he experienced when stepping through the dark portal. Something different happened here, though. He suddenly felt like he was moving at a speed impossible to comprehend. Everything around them was a blur now and the only constants were themselves.
“I don't like this!” Lyra cried out after a moment.
“You'll be fine! I perfected this spell centuries ago!” Starswirl laughed with confidence as they continued to experience the blurring backdrop around them.
Titus couldn't say anything, for he was already feeling a tad bit squeamish. It was worse than a hearthstone could ever be. But he was soon relieved of it all as the blur eventually went to black. Everything went to black.