//------------------------------// // September // Story: Strobe // by Ash_Kitsune //------------------------------// Chapter Three: September A/N- This chapter has a few points that were inspired almost entirely by music. The songs, and what they inspired, are as follows: 'September' by The Living Tombstone, the first two verses before the batsh*t crazy starts: Kitson in the Graveyard 'Voice in Your Head' from the Call of Duty: Black Op's Zombie soundtrack- The Cosmos In between worlds, in between minds, and in between hearts there exists a world that is... generally inaccessible. Tis a hostile place, unwavering in propose but warm and welcoming to those who must go there, where Evil makes it's bed but the true Light and warmth of the world is made. It has many names from many cultures, it exists as one and all, and is in all places but nowhere. To some, it is known as the final resting place. Some have unique names for the many places within this place, that may or may not exist but might exist all the same on the very fact that it -is-. In Equestria, this place is known as the Cosmos, the higher plain of existence, where ponies who have left their mortal bodies behind for their families come to rest and visit, their souls bedding down for a long rest in the heavenly plains. There are many places in the Cosmos, many different fields, communities of sorts, where ponies frolic and roam unending till they find something to look for, a talent to call their own... before returning to the mortal plain to seek out new stories and adventures. This cycle is well known to the Gods and Goddesses who rule and protect this relm... and to the two youngest daughters of the Alicorns, Luna and Celestia, the immortal but physically bodied goddesses of the Night and the Sun, respectively. Long had it been since Luna and Celestia last visited the Cosmos and it's endless fields, for their many duties in the Mortal Plains left them little time to visit where they grew up and were born to Faust, the All-Goddess. A soft smile graced Celestia's lips as memories of galloping through the fields with a group of foal spirits, playing and singing and laughing without a care, danced through her mind as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The light of the Cosmos shined brightly on her and her sister as she took her first steps forwards into their home, the endless fields flashing by as each step took them a seemingly far way, guided by the Heart Crystal that the sister's horn lay upon. “Where ar't we going, Celly?” Luna's voice broke into Celestia's reminiscence as she lightly trotted at her big sister's side. “Tis not a path I remember, nor do I remember any of the fields I see.” Celestia's soft smile wouldn't waver as she looked to her sister. “The Cosmos is connected to -all- universes and worlds, little sister. The fields you do not recognize are the fields of other worlds, other ponies and other stories. They are not our fields, and as such, we do not remember them, for they aren't fields that we would have played in when we were little.” Luna bit her lower lip softly, pondering that as they continued to walk, her eyes going wide at some of the spirits making their ways through the fields, and what kinds of fields they were. Sprawling Cities, Massive Jungles... the fields were always set to what the spirits of those who found them called 'home', be it in the Forest on a warm summers night, or a club in the middle of a bustling city. As they walked, they made their way past some of the more unsavory fields... fields of those who hurt and broke those around them, those who's pride had lead them astray... those who so desperately needed the magic of friendship, and somepony to help them. But their second chance would be long in coming, and the sounds of the tortured souls, not tortured by others or by one another, but tortured by themselves and their own actions... it made the Sisters softly press to one another, holding back tears for the poor souls who had lost their path. Their trip through the endless field was long and in it's own way, welcoming and depressing. So much there, and yet, so much missed potential. Many older Alicorns had told the two young, wide eye'd Alicorn fillies of how they would walk through the fields, all of them, seeking understanding and knowledge of all souls, so that they could do better for those who seemed to not be able to do it for themselves. But this trip was not a... introspective trip, it wasn't for their own soul searching, though it was something that Luna thought on as they continued their soft trot... before coming to a final field. It was unusual, seeing the field sitting in the center of the path that they walked, if only because the fields were endless... yet this one sat secluded, alone almost. Celestia took a deep breath as they slowly walked to the field, the rusted, black gates standing before them, big, strong walls of pure white marble, seemingly unending and unbreakable standing before them. A large sign was painstakingly carved into the marble, with onyx inlay letters shining in the dim light. 'ARLINGTON' The single word set a chill across the sister's backs as they whispered the word to themselves, wondering the feeling of... discomfort, that settled upon them as they quietly opened the gates. As if it was as sacred of a place as the Cosmos, almost in and of itself. Even if it wasn't, it was a place that they knew was to be respected, and their first hoofsteps into the field confirmed that, as they beheld... a graveyard. The grounds were beautifully maintained, perfectly uniform green grass and small hedges giving the place a warmth to it, an aura of quiet contentment lightly hovering the area... but a sadness, a true, almost overwhelmingly depressing sense of finality passed across them... as they looked at the white crosses. So many crosses, all settled carefully, all uniform in size, material, spacing, and placement. An unending monument to... something. The picture it projected was powerful, and spurred the curiosity that drove the Sisters onwards as they quietly walked amongst the graves, careful to keep their hooves on the path as they made their way up towards the top of the hill. The top of the hill was dominated by a single thing... a tomb. A single, almost glowing, pure white tomb, carefully maintained. A sense of duty, of reason, and an almost alarming sense of loss washed over the Goddess Sisters as they quietly made their way up the sets to behold the spirits of this field. Humans. Humans of all kinds, all ages, and all races, dressed in various kinds of uniforms, some carrying weapons, other tools, some wearing tatters and a broken black flag, their eyes covered and their bodies held in the black cloth of the flag, lost in their own way. Some where hurt, scarred by the actions that lead them to the Cosmos, others wept tears for what they had failed to do, or accomplished. But the one thing that struck the Goddesses most about these humans... was the almost unnatrual silence that was there, the only sound their hooves on the marble... and the sharp clicking of a single soldier's heels as the shadowy figure marched in front of the Tomb, rifle at the ready as that single soldier guarded the Tomb. Luna quivered softly, Celestia almost covered their eyes. This place was... not meant for a pony to see. This was something heartbreaking, and something that their Mother had told them off, when she spoke of the many worlds she had seen and lived in and the many places she had gone. She spoke of a place called Arlington, of the silent, stoic guard that only spoke to reprimand those who broke the silence of the cemetery... and of the tomb, the symbol of those lost and never found, the soldiers who gave their lives for everything and never returned... They had never expected to see such a place, nor those who stayed there, when the Guard snapped to attention, a perfectly disciplined soldier, and more shadowy figures appeared... for the changing of the Guard. Slowly, quietly, the crowd of soldiers stood and came to attention for the ceremony as well, and a figure made it's way through the crowd to the Sister's side, standing attention by them. “I am Sargent Kitson, of The III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Ceremony you are about to see is the Changing of the Guard. Please stand for the Ceremony, and maintain an atmosphere of respectful silence.” The figure said, revealed to the Goddesses as it spoke as the bearer of the Heart Crystal that they had lain their horns upon, the person they sought. She was revealed slowly, as if the shadow's caress slowly unwound itself from her body as her heels clicked on the marble as she marched. The ceremony went by quickly, the only sound were the voices of the Guards exchanging their posts and the single falls of the heels from the boots of the three moving soldiers marching in perfect unity. As Sargent Kitson slowly made her way over to the Goddesses, she quietly motioned for them to follow her into the graveyard, and after a moments hesitation, the two Goddesses followed her down the marble steps and away from the plaza, back into the rows of white crosses. Slowly, it seemed, their march went on, the soldier's footfalls much louder then the hoofsteps of the princesses as they slowly walked behind the solidifying soldier. The female human's presence seemed to grow stronger as each footstep faded into the next, the world drifting around her as she stepped past the white crosses, her presence revealing the differences of the crosses... a flower here or there, a pair of dogtags quietly swinging from it's chain on the arm of the cross, a pair of boots holding up a rifle and a helm, sounds of broken crying, words of praise, and an almost oppressive feel of loss, counteracted by an overwhelming sense of love and pride. The princesses took this all in quietly as Kitson slowly stepped up to a cross, further forwards toward the gate. Another cross was slowly forming next to it, but she ignored it as she quietly fell to her knees before the cross, her hands softly reaching to the cross before gently, almost reverently, laying her hands upon it. A small, bright spark form as the cross glowed in a soft, pure white, washing over the young woman as her uniform faded, leaving her clothed only in a white robe. She stood, stepping back from the grave before she quietly brought her hands to her neck, and undid a single necklace, pulling out a bullet that had her name carved into it before hanging it from the cross, which was now adorned with her dogtags, her carefully folded uniform and boots, and her rifle, laying barrel-up towards the cross before bowing her head to it. A few moments passed before Celestia stepped forwards, lightly laying her muzzle on the woman's shoulders. “You seem... lost, child.” Luna says from the side, looking at Kitson, who gives the two goddess a wane smile. “It's because I am.” She says quietly before motioning for them to follow her, the robes swaying softly in the light breeze of the graveyard as they walked over to a small guardhouse and stepped inside, Kitson taking a seat and letting out a quiet breath as the Goddesses settled themselves in front of her. They looked at one another for long moments, the Goddesses inspecting the young woman and the young woman awaiting the Goddesses, before Celestia broke the silence. “You know who we are.” She says. It wasn't a question. It was a statement, knowledge being laid before the three figures sitting in the guardhouse. Kitson nodded quietly. “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” Kitson says, “Yes, I know who you both are... I know some of your story.” Celestia nods at that and Luna looked at the young woman, a little confused, but decided to ask upon it later as she speaks, “As much as thou know us, we do not as of yet know you, soldier. Whom do we speak with?” Kitson straightened softly as she poke. “Sgt. Ash Kitson, ma'am... I'd give you my list of achievements, but even something like the Metal of Honor has no place amongst the dead.” She says quietly. “Sgt. Kitson... or may we call you Ash?” Celestia says, continuing at Kitson's nodded content. “Ash, you... are in a very strange place, right now. You... met our mother?” Celestia asks, looking nervously upon the robed young woman as she quietly stretched, a soft smile coming to her lips as she looked back at the Goddess. “Faust.” Ash says quietly. “Yes... she... protected me. From something... I don't know how to describe it, but she said... she said I could stop.” Ash says, lightly hugging herself. “She said I could... I could rest.” She says, almost in awe of herself and of the Goddess she spoke of as she looked at Celestia and Luna. “Rest... true... rest. I could find my next path... if I waited here.” She says. “It... it feels like it's been so long... but I remember it so well, it makes me...” She bows her head as she searches for the words, frowning when she isn't able to find them. Luna nods her head in understanding, “Feel loved.” She says, smiling as the young woman brightens at that and nods her head to the Goddess of the night in thanks. “Yes... yes! Exactly!” Ash says, looking much brighter, and even more solid, her outline not wavering anymore as she spoke, looking less like a spirit. “I feel loved! And warm, and cared for...” She smiles. “It's... a nice feeling.” Celestia softly moves next to Ash, hugging the young woman with her wing. “Ash, my sister and I have been sent to take you home... but there is more to your path then you know.” Celestia says. “More then we know. Mother's plans don't always allow us the insight to understand them right away, but she does have a plan for you, and for us. She asked of us to help you decide your fate... and I think she meant your form.” Ash blinks, tilting her head. “What do you mean?” She asks, looking confused. “She speaketh of thou physical body, Ash.” Luna says, nodding. “For when you come home... to Equestria.” Ash gasps softly, her eyes widening as emotion radiates from the life stolen too soon. “R-really...?” Celestia smiles. “Yes, my young friend. We are here to help you decide who you will be. Who you are, and who you will become, is still you, but your body is up to you.” Ash looks down at her hands, and then at the Goddess. “... I could be a pony?” She asks, a mischievous little smirk forming on the girls face, only to receive a smirk in response and a nod. “If that is what you desired.” Celestia says with a warm grin. Ash giggles quietly, content to lean against the Goddess as she thinks about it. “... Any kind of pony?” Celestia nodded. “Anything you wanted, pony, dragoness, Diamond Dog... whatever your desire.” She says, “You could remain human, should you so desire.” Luna nods in agreement, quietly smiling to herself at how much nodding she and Celestia had been doing as Ash sits quietly. “... I think...” She whispers, before glancing around and looking at Luna and Celestia in a weary curiosity. “C-could... I think on it? Do I need to go now?” Celestia shakes her head. “Your Heart Crystal is awaiting in Equestira, just awaiting your form. It's entirely up to you, and you can take your form whenever you decide.” Ash bites her lower lip softly before hugging Celestia around her slender neck, burying her head against the Goddess body. “Thank you.” She whispers, before letting go. “I... think I need to take a walk through the graveyard.” She says quietly. “I... need to think, please, do not wait for me.” The two Goddesses smiled at Ash, and Luna spoke softly, “Take your time, we await you in Equestria.” Before they left the Cosmos. ----/---- A moment in Equestria passed from when the Goddesses laid their horns upon the Heart Crystal of the human soldier they had just met and when they took their horns away, the two sisters looking to one another before nodding in agreement, moving the Heart Crystal to the center of the bed with great care. Celestia's horn sparkled lightly as she cast a spell over the bed, keeping the Heart Crystal safe from all whom would visit upon it, and prevent it from being tampered with, as well as a spell to alert her and her sister for when the Heart Crystal's owner took form. The two sisters nodded to one another quietly, and slowly left Celestia's private chambers to think. ----End Chapter Three: Wake me up----