What does a Hero Truly Need? Vol. 1: A New Age of Heroes

by zelkova48

Chapter 16: The Deal

"Well, I guess it's my turn then" Aiushtha set her javelin aside and walked towards the princess, hoping to make a good of impression given who she was at the moment. However, just as she was about to speak, Princess Celestia raised her hooves to stop her.

"That will not be necessary Aiushtha. We will have our discussion with you later but for now, you will all be delighted to hear of our judgement" the room went silent, this was it. The princesses decision was going to determine whether they'll be able to roam around Equestria some more until Twilight find's some way to get them back home, or spend the rest of their collective lives behind bars in Gladius prison.

"We have decided to turn a blind eye to your recent actions in the streets of Canterlot as well as your friend's accidental folly...." the silence broke as a loud cheer by Pinkie erupted into a full blown applause for the princesses. Everypony was ecstatic at the princesses kindness towards the heroes. Well, almost everypony.

As the cheering continued, two ponies didn't share the same joy their friends did. Shining Armor was only mildly disappointed at the princesses choice. He'd expected them to dispatch some kind of divine punishment upon them, or at least lock them up. He now knew what these ponies were capable of and he feared for what they might do once their back was turned on them.

Gondar was relieved to hear that they weren't branded as criminals anymore, for the most part. But he couldn't help but fee that something was nagging him, something that he most likely forgot within the sounds of the cheers.

"However..." Luna spoke. There it was, this was what Gondar was a little skeptical about. Not all things in life are free, there's always that little catch that trips you up when you least expect it.

"While we will forgive you and are incredibly thankful that you didn't kill members any of our guards, we are now left without a functioning group of elite guards" she paused for everypony to digest the information "But do not fear my little ponies, for my sister has come up with a solution to our little dilemma" Celestia clears her throat and stepped forth to address the heroes.

"I will admit that it is entirely our fault for sending the guards to apprehend you under false pretenses, that is why I am asking you to help us" The heroes all raised an eyebrow, this wasn't going the direction that they intended.

"What would you have us do?" Rhasta asked "I'm sure I can lend my shamanic skills to assist in anyway possible"

"That would be most helpful, Rhasta. But the kind of help we want it different" Celestia stopped.

"Different, how?" Rubick inquired. Celestia only smiled down upon the magus before answering.

"Given your amazing prowess and talent, we would only ask for you and your friend to become new members of our elite royal guards!" Celestia exclaimed. While the heroes were generally quiet, their friends were cheering again once more at sound of some relatively great news. Rainbow Dash and the rest ran straight to them and began to congratulate all of them.

"Congratulations you guys! Isn't this great!" Twilight practically beamed at the heroes.

"Well paint me green and call me Granny Smith! This is amazing!" Applejack gave Rhasta a great big pat on the back that almost knocked him off balance "Y'all got pardoned and a great job to boot! Y'all should feel honored cause Ah know Ah would"

"Oh! My! Gosh! I can't believe it you guys! You just went from okay to maximum coolness!" Rainbow Dash gushed "It's not everyday somepony gets offered to automatically become an elite guard!" the applause and cheer continued for another few minutes until the princesses addressed the heroes again.

"Of course we would like for Rubick, Gondar and this Sven to be the guards" Luna added "But do not fret, Rhasta and Aiushtha will have equally important positions as well, that we assure" the fillies nodded in agreement, they weren't expected someone like Aiushtha or Rhasta to become guards. That would be dangerous. When all was said and done, Celestia let out a very uncouth yawn which drew a blush on her face.

"Perhaps now would be a good time to call it a day. You've all been through a lot and we would like to finally repay you for putting up with us" Celestia pointed to the doors and the wrecked wall behind her

"We will have some rooms prepared for you so that spend the night here. Until everything gets sorted out of course. Afterwards you can all go and help us prepare for the wedding" The mane six cheered along at the thought and everypony began to follow the princess as she led them through the hall. Luna and Celestia looked back to the heroes.

"Also, we expect both Gondar and Rubick to report to Captain Shining Armor for your fitting and initiation early next morning. You will be serving under him and will make sure to act appropriately as such" Luna stated as Shining smirked, the two heroes were going to have to answer to him from here on out "Afterwards, we can go and retrieve your friend from his incarceration" as they continued walking, Gondar went up and stopped the princesses.

".....What if we refuse?" his question brought forth a quizzical look from everypony.

"Refuse what?" Rainbow asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Refuse to become members of your guards" Rubick answered everypony's question which caused them to stop dead in their tracks. Who would refuse such a noteworthy position as being an esteemed and premier member of the elite royal guards? Nopony that's who.

"B-but why? Being a member of the elite guards is one of the highest honors we can bestow upon you!" Luna stared at the heroes with complete bewilderment "For what reason is it that you would throw away an amazing opportunity as becoming one of the most respected guards in all of Equestria!?"

"No reason except for the fact that we don't want to become guards" Gondar explained "We're here for our friend, nothing more, nothing less. After all this is over we're heading home" his words struck the group like a bolt of lightning, there was no way he could be serious could he?

"If you think this is some sort of punishment for harming our guards then you would be mistaken" Celestia intervened, hoping to sway their opinion "We hold no ill will towards you anymore. Think this not as retribution for your deeds, think of it as a kind blessing from us. If you won't do it for us, then do it for Equestria. Your very home" but her words did little to change the heroes mind.

"I am afraid we cannot do you such a kindness" Rubick spoke up "We are grateful for the offer but we are in no place to help out an entire nation" everypony's jaws hit the floors in cadence. They weren't bluffing. As much as they liked the world of Equestria, they didn't belong there nor were they obliged to help out a world that they only just arrived a day earlier. Getting chased around by the royal guards hours prior to this meeting only furthered the distance of the connection they had with the alien world.

"You can't be serious!" Luna exclaimed "Refusing to use your talents to defend Equestria from possible danger! Think of all the ponies that would be harmed because of your cowardice!" she roared but the heroes held onto their choice. Their act of defiance only served to fuel Luna's growing rage "Unbelieveable! How can you all act so selfish!?"

"How can you act so selfish?" a soft voice pierced though the air catching everyone off guard. It was Aiushtha. Up until now she kept her opinion to herself, making sure not to get on anyone's bad side. But this was getting out of hoof. She felt that there was no other choice but to intervene.

"Hold your tongue doe, this does not concern you!" Luna shot back but Aiushtha remained steadfast. Defiantly calm, staring into the heart of the tempest. Her druidic nature gave her a strength that none other can compare too when it came to understanding.

"When you attempt to bully my friends into a position that they refuse to be a part of, it always becomes my concern" she spoke softly yet her words had tremendous impact on everypony in the hall. She remained entirely composed and unfazed

"I was told by Fluttershy here that you two were the shining examples of kindness and altruism. The kind and powerful rulers that defeated this 'Discord' and prevented him from plunging the world into chaos over one thousand years ago"

"But over the past few hours, I'm starting to believe that everything she told me thus far.... was a lie" the room was consumed with a deathly silence. No one dared to say anything in front of the princesses who were downright appalled by the doe's caustic words.

"Choose your next words carefully. doe. Or else-" Luna spoke sternly until someone interrupted her.

"Or else what?" Gondar and the heroes all assumed a combat stance, Aiushtha gripped onto her javelin tighter than normal as the hostility in the air began to boil over. Even Spike, a dragon who has the innate ability to survive extreme heat was sweating enough fear to fill up a lake. They were prepared for a fight, no one threatens Aiushtha and gets away with it alive "Ever been ganked before lady?"

"Hold on now, I'm sure we can work something out" Celestia cut in with her trademark smile "No need for unnecessary violence, especially within the walls of this castle" her words did little to dissuade their hostility toawrds the princess of the night.

"Why don't we just settle this all tomorrow when we retrieve your friend. I'm sure once you're all together we can work something out" the heroes loosened up at the mention of Sven "We should all retire to out quarters for the night but please hear me out" the heroes resumed their neutral stances and gave Celestia their attention "I didn't want to give it away, not until the time was right. But please, we really do need your help" The heroes stayed silent, not sure of how to respond.

"I'm sorry if I... we tried to push you into this without your consent but we are in need of heroes" the heroes all traded suspicious looks with each other "It will only be until Shining Armor's wedding is over, whether you choose to remain a member of the elite royal guard or not is entirely up to you. You will have that choice in the end"

The hall was silent again. The heroes huddled together to discuss of their option. Several ideas were tossed about as they looked back on their problem. Getting home was going to take much more time now, not that Rubick or the others didn't expect this kind of outcome to happen. Twilight and the others helped them out so far, and even the princesses are acting humble. Now was the opportune time to pay them back in full with interest.

They decided they might as well become members of the elite royal guards. Only on their term, however.

"Alright, since you properly explained your problem to us, we'll take up on your offer for heroes, but no funny business. You got that? " Gondar coldly replied but his tone was generally leaning towards more of the accepting kind. He even lowered his mask to do so, a rare gesture of understanding that his friends see him do from time to time.

The princesses let out a sigh of relief, they had the heroes on their side now. Whoever might attempt to take over Canterlot next week will be in for a big surprise when they run into new members of their elite guards.

"Thank you for your accepting our offer. You can expect to see your friend tomorrow afternoon when we retrieve him" Celestia then motioned for the group to follow them once more as they explored the rest of the castle for their rooms.

After a few more minutes of walking, they came across a large set of elegant gold trimmed double door that represented the guest apartment of the castle. When Twilight pushed open the door they were greeted with a massive complex that was design to house staff members of the castle.

The living room was ginormous, complete with a fully stocked kitchen and tall bookshelves that made up one entire wall of the room. Then there was the gorgeous bay windows that overlooked the grand city of Canterlot. Celestia moved the sun past the horizon and Luna ascended the moon to show the beauty of their fair capitol as several buildings began to light up in a breathtaking display of glints and shines.

Various oohs and aahs came from the small group as they ran about the apartment examining and enjoying all the luxuries that Canterlot royalty had to offer. Twilight began to scrounge through the bookshelves while Pinkie scramble straight to the kitchen preparing a cake at the speed of light. Even the heroes appeared content of their temporary housing despite getting assaulted by guards earlier that same day.

"I take it that your lodging is satisfactory?" Luna pridefully waved around the building "Why don't you all get settled into your rooms now. Mares and fillies on the left and Colts and Stallions on the right" Luna pointed to the left which had a multitude of doors that were all lined with gold and encrusted with enough jewels to make Meepo pass out at the mere sight of it.

Luna then pointed to a singular door on the right side of the room. The door looked rather shabby and the knob appears to have been broken off either by force or one's sheer clumsiness. The only way that the door appeared to be held together was the sweeper pressed up against it. The faded sign on the door also drew some skeptitism from the stallions. Rhasta walked up to the old sign and attempted to make out the words that remained. As he read it, all it said was:

"Home's home, It is satisfactory moon princess" Rhasta politely bowed and entered the bro-m clos-t post haste as he let out a loud yawn "Good night everyone, it has been a most tiring day" he placed the sweeper back and loud snoring could be heard from behind the door. Rubick could only facehoof himself at the shadow shaman's naivety.

"Hey, not all of us were born privileged you know?" Gondar just shrugged his shoulders and went into the bro-m clos-t as well "Wow, this place ain't half bad!" he exclaimed from behind the door "There's plenty of shelves in here to sleep on Rubick! Just mind the one with chemicals on it!" Rubick facehoofed himself again, thankfully his mask protect him from losing any brains cells doing so.

"I hope you don't mind but there is already somepony living there. He's out at the moment though but he's kind and very neighborly" Celestia quickly let out as she looked away, avoiding the glare that Rubick was giving her from behind his mask.

"I'll just explore this castle's gardens for the time being then. If anyone needs me I'll be outside!" he then turned and made his way towards the door. With a loud click and a light thud he was out of the room.

As everypony began to settle into their own rooms, Celestia and Luna approached Aiushtha.

"Now that everything is much calmer, perhaps we can have that discussion now?" Luna said. Aiushtha nodded in agreement with them and began to follow the two princesses where they can speak privately amongst each other.

As the three made there way out of the room, Twilight found this to be a good time to find Rubick and train with him some more. She excused herself from the room and began to search for Rubick in the gardens while Spike followed her as he rode on her back.

Together, they both searched for Rubick high and low around the large castle gardens until they found him idly sitting near a small pond, chewing on some of the walnuts that he still had and sharing them with some squirrels and chipmunk that grew fond of him. Rubick soon took noticed of the two and removed his mask showing a sincere smile. He could tell what Twilight was thinking.