//------------------------------// // Starting a Journey // Story: Redemptions Price // by ferrosxlupus //------------------------------// When darkness comes Are you alone Or is the abyss with you? Chapter 3 Starting a Journey [Volaren Arclite] “Ah, fresh evil forest air, it’s generally better for you than dark dungeon air.” Volaren commented voice dripping with sarcasm Happy laughter came from behind him. “Master, what could you ever mean by that?” Daring was far from the terror and fear that had gripped her earlier. Volaren couldn’t tell if it was because this sort of event happened often enough or that she had truly bounced back and had gotten over her fear. “Many things my young student, but you do not have to worry about them now. However we must reach a safe area to rest before nightfall.” He hadn’t even finished his sentence before Daring was beckoning him to follow. She was unwilling to be caught like she had been earlier. “Master, this way, the village of forest end is two days away. They are still within the borders of the Everfree, so I often resupply from them, and between them and us is a travelers rest, a safe haven for the night.” Volaren nodded his approval, trotting quickly he entered the forest with Daring Do one of the greatest explorers to ever exist. All this without a single glance back at the castle where he slumbered for 1500 years. However as they trotted underneath the tress, Volaren’s mind was turning over. To him every step was a step taken with a life he shouldn’t have. Borrowed time as they say. Volaren was questioning his own right to live, love, laugh, learn. The atrocities that he committed played over in his mind. Every face of each life he took. Every soul as they passed through his blade to become energy to feed his revenge. However he had lost everything. The moment he had succeeded in his quest for revenge he knew he was wrong. As penance he sat on that throne, simply waiting for what his deity had predicted would come. The astral plane was not kind to his mortal body. Ever shifting, ever changing, titanic forces had torn his body asunder and left him a mere soul. Held in place with sheer force of will. Only gray had kept her body, but she wasn’t unaffected. Each time he thought of this it inevitably came to one subject. Should I allow myself to continue to live when I have destroyed so much? Should I continue to walk while I murdered so many others to have my wish? Am I even worth the aggravation? What shall I do if I fall again? I fell once, it is possible to fall again. Shaking his head he looked up into the trees. Softly so daring wouldn’t hear him he spoke his next thoughts allowed. “I am a weak being, I have but one thing to live for and I think of ending my life. A coward I am not though. I took this contract and I will fulfill it. My life is no longer mine. I will live if only to save the elements.” Playful laughter entered into his thoughts “that’s wonderful, because I like you like this oh so much better master. If you died I wouldn’t be able to spend every waking moment with you.” Gray said with enthusiasm. “Hush gray, you know very well that if I die, your soul will make the transition with mine.” “Oh, I know master. But I like this form of you the best. Your oh so cuddly and fluffy, and very mysterious. OH, OH, OH you should get a cloak that hides your face from view.” Shaking his head again, while thinking of her idea, his head almost ran straight into daring’s flank. Looking around he saw that they were in the middle of a clearing. “Daring? Why have you stopped so early? We have at least two hours till sundown.” Volaren spoke breaking the silence that had permeated the air moments ago. “Master, he have made fantastic time. This is the halfway point between us and Forest End. Somehow we made it safely with no monsters attacking us. Tonight, we will also be safe within this clearing. It has magical wards meant to keep all manner of magical beasts at bay during the night. I would like to continue, but we will not make it to the town before darkness falls. It was said earlier, by yourself no less, that these woods are not safe during the night.” Looking into the forest, Volaren wanted to keep pushing ahead. Had he been alone he would have. Daring was an explorer, not a warrior. So he relented. “Very well, we will rest here for the night.” “YAY! It will be just like camping!” “Um, what?” I mean isn’t it. I travel alone. I travel alone and unafraid into the great unexplored!” Daring was practically shouting at the end of her tirade. She was also striking a heroic pose, bumping her chest with a hoof then pointing high into a random direction Jaw slightly agape, Volaren was stunned at her theatrics. Once again shaking his head, he started on making a campfire for the night. Now that the sun was starting to set, he could feel the evil aura that permeated the air draw in closer. Eyes were watching him, he knew it. But he couldn’t figure out why. [Canterlot castle] Captain Meteor’s anger was reaching new levels. For days now his operatives had reported enemy movement near the village of Forest End. Princess Twilight had acted, she had ordered him send an evacuation order to the villagers, but it was ignored. Blatantly ignored by the village ponies. To make matters worse last night, right after the order was given. The village was hit. The village burned, burned bright with the evening light. By midnight every pony that lived in the village was captured. Even worse one of his three operatives was captured as well. Operative Flint had been apprehended saving a filly from the horde. He knew the action was right, however he was angered still that she had still been caught. Captain Meteor passed just outside Princess Twilight’s door. After collecting his thoughts, he proceeded to try to knock on the door. Before his hoof hit the door swung open with a will of their own. A harmonic voice drifted to Captain Meteors ears. “Come in Captain, I am sure you have news for us.” Twilight’s horn had a fading glow. Showing that she had opened to doors. Next to her, sitting around the table, were all the bearers of the Elements of Harmony. They were all staring at him, large eyes gleaming with hope, as he trotted up to the table. None of them said a word as he took of his ceremonial helmet and set it on the table. Doing this caused a magical reaction. The color of his coat washed out from an enchanted dark purple to a fiery orange his mane going from light purple to red. He stood firm and resolute to give his news.“Princess Twilight, we have lost the village of Forest End. Your warning and call to evacuate went unheeded. As last night approached they were attacked. Every citizen including one operative was captured.” Captain Meteor said with firm resolution. Everypony at the table was visibly sad, except for the captain. His face was stoic. He had dealt with loss before, and as a stallion he would never betray his emotions in front of mares, let alone the princess he loved. Continuing on captain meteor spoke with conviction. “Princess, I suggest an immediate strike, a joint task force of Falling Star Operatives and the Lunar Titans pose the best option to save the town. If we act quickly enough there may be a chance we can prevent any and all casualties of our own citizens.” Twilight looked solemn as she thought over his idea. She didn’t much like conflict, it was not her area of expertise as well. She could only trust in her captain on such matters. “You have my permission to start such a task force. I am sure Captain Nightshade will be more than willing to help you, not only with the task force but with receiving permission from Princess Luna as well. If they are unwilling, send the operatives anyway to get as many ponies out as possible.” Happy with the outcome Captain Meteor replied with a salute.” It will be done your highness.” “And Meteor.” “Yes? Princess?” “Do take a break after this, if not for your sake, do it for mine.” “I will try princess.” At this Captain Meteor put his helm on. His color scheme once again becoming like that of his princess. Twilight gave him a weak smile, but a smile that he cherished none the less. [Twilight Sparkle} She was still smiling as the doors clicked shut. “aw, shucks, yah like em’ dont’cha shugahcube.” AppleJack spoke giving a smile. “My affections for Captain Meteor are not what we came here to discuss girls.” Said Twilight quickly trying to defend herself. “Darling, why ever not. All this talk of war and nightmares from Tartarus is frazzling my coife. I feel as if a thousand spa trips won’t help the nightmare that my mane will become.” Said Rarity as she was vainly trying to tame her mane. Before anypony could comment again Pinkie Pie began to violently vibrate. It escalated rapidly from her tail to her entire body. As everypony thought it was about to end she was launched sideways into Rarity as if she was struck by lightning. Moaning both of them untangled themselves from each other. As soon as they were free Pinkie bounced up and with all the enthusiasm that she could muster screamed “WOW! THAT WAS A DOOZY! A VERY BIG DOOZY!” Everypony was standing around her around Rarity now, very much astounded. Not even when twilight had tried to understand pinkie sense had she done anything like that. “Pinkie, what do you think it means?” Twilight asked voice saturated with curiosity. She was taking notes, she did keep up her studies on Pinkie sense. However it was no longer an obsession. It was merely a way to pass the time anymore. “Why I don’t know Twilight. But I think your town is going to be alright really soon. And there is a new pony to meet soon as well.” The girls were wondering about what Pinkie had said when they noticed how late it really was. One by one they all said goodnight to Twilight and left her study. Looking out beyond her balcony, Twilight wondered what Pinkie had meant. Could the task force work or was there some other way that her ponies would be safe. Even with her curiosity there was nothing she could do. The only thing that had happened tonight that she still did not understand what was named the 'Pinkie sense'. Sighing she turned towards her bedchamber hoping that Pinkie was right. [The next morning] Twilight stood in a lone hallway in one of the lesser used wings of Canterlot castle. Perhaps the oldest wing. As it has been unchanged since the castle was built. In front of her was the only banner in all of Canterlot that did not bear the mark of one of the four princesses. Instead it had a sword with a gold and silver twisted crown. As she was staring at the banner, hoofsteps echoed down the hallway. “Magnificent isn’t it?” Twilight didn’t have to turn to see that it was the enigmatic caretaker of the section of the castle. Standing next to her the stallion continued his speech. “My family, generation after generation has taken care of the banner and wing of the castle. This banner however is the only one of kind in all of Equestria. Made by Queen Soliana herself to honor her adopted brother, your uncle, so to speak.” Twilight had heard the stories, Luna had once tried to describe their uncle to her, but had been at a loss for words. To her he was the epitome of everything she strived for and wanted to be. Just like her uncle and her father. Without turning her head Twilight asked, “Silver Stroke, you are a novelist of great renown, why do you stay here?” Jolly laughter came from the stallion next to her. Astounded at his brazenness Twilight whipped her head to look at him. She saw an older stallion, mane and tail were streaked with gray. No longer the solid red they had once been. His silver coat was no longer as glossy as it had once been. Still looking at the banner Silver Stroke began to share his family story. “My Family and one other swore fealty to him over all others. When he first came to live here in Equestria. He saved many members of both our family countless times in the short five years he resided in this and Queen Soliana’s castle. He asked only one thing of us. To wait for him to return so we wait. We keep his arms and armor polished and his wing of the castle clean. All of pony kind owe him or will owe him more than they will ever know. He always said we will be safe”