A Novice Swordsman in the Canterlot Court

by DungeonMiner

34-And so the Bells Call

Chapter 34

If there ever was a day to marry, this was that day.

For the past two months, the engaged couple had been going over plans and designs to come up with their own ceremony. Everything from the violet velvet banners that hung from the ceiling to the Unicornian wedding earrings had been carefully chosen and prepared for this moment.

The chapel that, a little over a year ago, held the pink-and-ivory themed wedding of the Princess of Love and the Captain of the Royal Guard had been transformed entirely. Instead, banners of purple and silver hung across the windows, and flags of Alan’s cutie mark superimposed over Twilight’s own flanked the aisle.

The clear summer morning was cool, keeping the blistering heat of summer at bay, and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. It was crystal clear, in fact, carefully monitored by pegasi, leaving Celestia’s sun the only thing above the city’s skyline.

It would be a lie to say that this was a traditional wedding. No, after barely any insisting, Twilight was willing to allow some human elements to get into the ceremony. Of course, it did have to take a lot of convincing to get one of the guys to take over for the best mare. In fact, Julius was the only one to take that up, mostly because they had no such position in Gryphus. Along with the best man, there was also to be a maid of honor, and Twilight’s dad was being called to give her away.

What all these little changes and nuances ultimately did, however, was delay the special day in favor of perfecting the ceremony in practice.

Secretly, Twilight was glad for the delay.

Even now, as she was staring at her self from behind the lace veil of her dress, she could see herself shake.

“You alright, Darling?” Rarity asked as she made some finishing touches on the white dress.

She nodded. “Just...” she gulped down some air, “just nervous.”

Rarity gave Twilight a reassuring smile. “You’ll be fine, Dearie. The ceremony won’t last long, they never do,” she said, before readjusting the engagement crown that held the veil in place.

“I-I know,” the bride-to-be mumbled. “I-it’s just...it’s just such a big step, you know?”

Rarity nodded. “I understand, dear. This is one of the biggest decisions you’ve made in your life, and that’s a lot of pressure to put on a lady,” she said, before stepping in front of the lavender unicorn. “But, there is one thing I do know, Twilight.”

“What?”

“Alan will love you through the worst of it. He loves you too much to let you go.”

Twilight sighed, smiling as she looked at her friend. “I know he will. Thanks, Rarity.”

Rarity smiled, adjusting the dress one last time. “There you go, you’re looking just fabulous, dear.”

“You think so?” Twilight asked.

“Darling, I would kill for a guarantee to look this good on my day. You look marvelous.” The white mare quickly checked the time. “Ah! I’ve got to start getting ready, my mane will take at least an hour to set right. Sorry dear, but I have to go.”

Twilight nodded. “Go ahead, I’ll be fine.”

“Thank you, Twilight! I’ll see you in a few!”

Twilight watched the unicorn go, closing the door behind her. This left the bride alone with herself, her reflection, and her thoughts.

There she was, dressed in a frilly, white dress with a two tail-lengths train. The white silk and chiffon dress was carefully beaded with pearls and crystals, each facet of the latter carefully angled to reflect the light as it hit her.

“So...” she said to herself. “You’re getting married.”

The mare in the mirror looked back at her.

Her life was going to change forever.

She was getting married.

Her eyes drifted to the necklace around her neck, the one he had bought her on their first date.

She looked up at the crown, the silver circlet with the amethyst gem.

She was getting married to the best stallion she knew.

She smiled to herself.

She could do this.

Everything was going to be just fine.

Alan let loose a nervous breath. This was it, the big moment, and he was shaking. He had faced dragons, he had stared down a hydra, he spat in the face of changelings, he faced hundreds of griffons and more, but never before had he been so nervous.

Judgement was next to him, but the sword offered very little comfort.

“You’ll make it, Al,” Shining said from the dias.

Alan checked over next to Shining. He and his wife were standing next to Celestia, both there to give their own pieces of advice before the two launch out of the chapel.

Alan gave the stallion a nod. “Thanks,” he muttered.

“You’ll be just fine, Brother,” Julius said, standing next to the groom.

Right. Right. Nothing big, just getting married to the love of your life. No big deal.

Ok, big deal.

Really, really big deal.

Alan looked out at the crowd of ponies and griffons that had come to see this event. They were watching in silence as the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked up the aisle, the Mane Six and their good stallion friends.

Alan’s eyes shot towards the door.

Any second now...

The doors opened, and Alan had the breath stolen from him.

Twilight was absolutely stunning, tiny pinpricks of rainbow lights glimmering off her from as she walked forward. Twilight, meanwhile, could practically feel Alan’s eyes on her, and couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

Her father, taking her by the hoof, walked her forward as the music played.

Alan smiled as she approached, and in what seemed like a matter of moments, they stood together before Celestia, waiting for those precious words. Celestia smiled, stepping forward as the music died, and spoke.

“Dear friends and family. Today we are here to witness and celebrate the union between Pendragon Alan Goldenhoof, and General Twilight Sparkle...”

His mission was of the utmost importance.

Failure was not an option.

He just had to wait for the right moment.

His brown robe shifted as he reached for the knife.

Everything was going according to plan.

Alan snuck a look over at his bride. She looked perfectly beautiful in her dress. Rarity had certainly outdone herself with that one. Of course, when it came to Twilight, she didn't have to do much. The lavender unicorn could wear anything well.

She looked over at him.

He sent her a smile.

His left ear twitched as he heard a slight commotion behind him. It sounded like someone was pushing their way through the crowd.

“Hey, calm down, buddy,” he heard someone say.

“Watch it!” a harsh whisper called.

Alan took a glance backwards, but saw nothing.

Twilight sent him a look.

Alan gave her a smile before motioning towards Celestia with his eyes.

Twilight gave a slight frown before looking back up to her teacher.

Wait.

Wait for it.

This is a hunt. He is your prey.

Wait to pounce.

Twilight kept glancing at her soon-to-be husband.

The handsome unicorn stood tall and proud. His suit made him look quite dashing, along with the ever-present sword made him appear quite regal.

Oh my gosh, he is a Prince, isn’t he? He is actually a Prince.

She...she was getting married to a bona fide Prince, by the Princesses, in Canterlot castle.

She had read romance novels with a less impressive ending.

Nothing could ruin this moment.

Not yet.

Not yet.

“Hey! Cool it, buddy,” A unicorn said, as a griffon pushed his way forward.

He wore a brown robe and a hood that hid his face, his beak just poking out of the shadows.

The griffon spread his wings.

Now.

A griffon launched himself from the crowd, ponies and griffons alike gasped at the sight as steel talon caps and a knife blade flashed in the air.

Gasps of panic erupted from the crowd, followed by screams of terror.

The insurgent came down, silently diving on the groom, claw extended, and knife at the ready.

A silver, magick katana stopped the weapons in their tracks.

“Couldn’t wait until the ceremony was over, could you?” Alan asked in a deadpan.

The killer jumped backwards, making space between the two.

Alan turned to face his attacker, followed by the entire entourage of groomsmen and bridesmaids.

The chapel had almost completely emptied at the sight of a fight, Alan watched many of them funnel out the doors. Noticing the general public was safe, he gave a slight smile. “So Twi, do you want to deal with him, or shall I?”

"Well, I would,” Twilight began, “but Rarity worked so hard on this dress. I'd hate to see it ruined."

Alan nodded. “So it’s up to me I guess.”

“Not alone, it’s not,” Julius said, stepping next to the Pendragon. “He has attacked you, and thus declared war on me.”

"You sure?" Alan asked. "I can handle him myself."

"This is a matter of the Alliance, and my Oath. I must help you destroy him," Julius said, spreading his wings.

Alan grinned. “Fillies, Gentlecolts, Princesses, give us one second. This won’t take long.”

Celestia smirked, and sat. “Let me know when you’re ready to continue.”

Alan nodded, before his horn began to glow brighter. Another katana quickly formed next to the first, and then two slightly shorter blades, wakizashi, and then two knives, tanto.

Rainbow Dash whistled. “That’s a lot of swords.”

Twilight smiled. “He’s been practicing.”

As Alan and Julius descended the stairs, they began to split up, flanking the attacker.

“Need a weapon, Julius?” Alan asked.

“No, his skin will open just as easily under my claws.”

The insurgent said nothing.

This was not good, the False Prince was not supposed to be involved. His master wanted to deal with him personally.

It was too late now, though.

Failure was not an option.

The six blades danced in the air, slicing at the cloaked griffon, missing him by inches every time. Alan stood a few tail-lengths back, controlling the swords as though they were puppets.

Julius was up close and personal. He was no more than three feet away at any given moment. He was snarling as he clawed and scratched, his wings spread wide to give him lift for high pounces and tackles.

The renegade griffon, however, had help.

A flash of green magic erupted from around his neck, and he began to move with amazing speed. For every slice, there was a dodge. For every claw, there was a duck, and for every second that passed by the griffon was in motion.

He was always moving, never stopping once as he moved between the blades. He lunged forward at the Pendragon, only to jump back, barely avoiding the marionettes of death and talons of an angry prince.

Alan grit his teeth as he fought. Splitting his focus between all of these blades was difficult to do, and more than once he caught one of them simply sitting still waiting for orders.

It did not help that his target was moving as fast as he was.

"He's got magic! Need some back up!" he called.

Silver and Thunderlane joined the fray.

All he had to do was get close.

Just close enough for one strike.

Just one strike...

The killer suddenly leapt towards the Pendragon, flapping his wings to close the distance between them.

The blades moved quickly to intercept, the katana going for long range, the wakizashi for medium range, and the tanto for short. The insurrectionist leapt over the slow moving katana, and barely danced through the faster short swords, only to be stopped by the knives. The tanto were silver blurs before the unicorn, a wall of magick steel that was almost impenetrable.

Almost.

The killer's capped talons suddenly began to glow with an acidic green magick and, moving with expert timing, he quickly reached forward and grab both of the knives. The tantos were caught, held fast by the glove.

Alan never saw the knife coming.

The small blade slashed upward, just barely going through his suit and digging into flesh.

The revolutionary smirked.

The other four blades quickly closed in, eager to turn the griffon to mince meat. The guerilla, however, was faster, and quickly used his knife to parry an incoming blade, before another smacked the knife from his grip. The katana then came in to remove his head from his shoulders, but he was already gone.

He ducked, he weaved, he slithered out of the way.

His job was done.

Unfortunately, he had to leave the knife, but whatever information they could glean from that would be too little, too late.

He ducked under the Prince, as he pounced, and quickly clambered up into the open window.

Only one thing to do now.

He opened his mouth.

“For the Iron Crown!” the killer roared, before leaping through the open window, his wings spreading as he took to the air.

Alan was close behind, leaning over the window to yell, “Bring me his head!”

Four pegasus guards took to the air from below.

Alan scowled before stepping back into the chapel.

"Sorry we weren't much help, Al," Thunderlane said, "but he was gone before we could really do anything."

"You came," Alan noted.

“Alan, my brother, I am sorry for this,” Julius said. “Know that he will find no sanctuary in the Empire if he dares shows his face.”

Alan sighed. “I know he won’t,” he said before turning to the Prince.

Julius smiled. “Come on, now, Brother. Your bride is waiting.”

Alan smiled. “Yes, and she has waited long enough.”

The four fighters walked back to the platform, Alan smiling. “Sorry about that, everypony,” the Pendragon said. “Had to take care of the trash.”

Twilight rolled her eyes, smiling.

Alan chuckled as he climbed the stairs.

And then everything began to tip.

Alan staggered, his hooves crossing, as he world spun sideways, and before he knew it, he slammed into the stairs.

“Alan!” Twilight called, laying down next to him.

He shook his head, and got his hooves under him. “I’m fine. I’ fine, just got a little dizzy there.”

Celestia stood, worry on her face.

The groomsmen began to surround him, followed by the bridesmaids.

All except one.

As the stallions and mares began to mumble, Fluttershy flapped down to the aisle.

She had seen many wounds in the war. Everything from claw and bite marks to concussions and broken bones.

But she had never seen a knife wound before.

“I’m alright, I’m alright!” Alan said, as he pushed himself up. “I’m fine now.”

Another bout of dizziness sent him to the floor.

“You’re not fine!” Twilight said, frantic.

Alan suddenly realized his right forehoof felt numb. “Ok, maybe not...”

“Oh no...” a simple, quiet voice said.

All heads turned towards Fluttershy.

“Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!” Fluttershy said again, the knife in her hooves.

“What is it? Celestia asked.

“Poison,” Fluttershy said. “Doomspinner Venom, actually...”

Twilight paled. “D-Doomspinner?”

Alan groaned. “That doesn't sound good,” he muttered.

“W-what does that mean?” Rarity asked.

“I-it means...” Twilight began, her mind already remembering the exact timeframe and symptoms of the venom. “It means, in a few minutes...” she looked down at Alan. “You’ll-you’ll...” she couldn’t say it.

“He’ll what?!” Rainbow Dash asked.

“In half a minute,” Fluttershy said, staring down at the knife, “He’ll become paralyzed, unable to move. In another few minutes...his heart will stop...”

Alan smirked. “It’s going to take more than that to sto—” his world spun again, and his whole leg had fallen asleep.

Panic erupted.

Julius began screaming bloody murder. Rarity outright fainted. Rainbow Dash’s eyes went wide as she began to hyperventilate. Celestia was frozen on the spot. And everyone’s but Big Mac’s voice was thrown into a cacophony of useless noise.

Twilight simply stared into Alan’s eyes, tears beginning to spill. “You’ll-you’ll be okay...you’ll be okay...”

“Quiet!” A voice yelled.

Everyone immediately silenced themselves, as they all stared, wide-eyed, at Fluttershy.

But it wasn’t the Fluttershy they knew.

This was General Fluttershy. “Rainbow Dash! Front and Center!”

Dash blinked.

“Now!”

She shot forward, halting a foot away, saluting.

“My cottage. Upstairs. Third, top cabinet from the door. Second shelf. Small, glass vial with a red spider on it. Get it here. Now.”

“Ma’am, yes, ma’am!” Rainbow Dash yelled before launching herself towards the window, a rainbow streak following, and the sound of a rainboom behind her.

“The rest of you, back up! We need to keep him cool to keep his heart rate down! And you aren’t helping him by crowding him!” Fluttershy yelled. “You, Soarin, get him some water! Our only hope is to delay the poison until Dash gets back with the antidote!”

The ponies immediately scattered. Soarin flew forward, disappearing out of the chapel, heading for the kitchens.

Pinkie pulled a fan from nowhere and began to cool down the Pendragon.

Twilight looked down at groom, tears streaming from her face. “You’ll be okay. You’ll be okay. Dash is going to get the antidote. You’ll be okay.”

Celestia stood, ready to work her own magic, before blinking, and sitting back down.

“Just let it be, Celly,” she heard a voice say, “Just let it be...”

“You’ll be okay,” Twilight frantically whispered. “You’ll be okay.” She stroked his face, her eyes wet with tears. “Just...just stay with me.”

Alan’s vision was getting blurry, and he had lost all feeling from the waist down.

“Twilight?” he spoke.

“Just stay with me,” she pleaded.

“Twilight.”

“You’ll be okay, you’ll be okay. They’re getting the antidote...you’ll be okay,” she whimpered, her tears beginning to stain the tuxedo.

“Twi,” Alan said again lifting his left hoof, the only one he could still feel, and bringing it to her face. “I love you, Twi.”

“I love you too, Alan,” she whimpered.

“How much longer do I have?” he asked.

Twilight knew exactly how long he had. “N-not much...” she began, before burying her face into his chest. “Don’t leave me...please, not now.”

Alan began to stroke her mane, wishing he had at least enough strength to hold her one last time.

Rainbow Dash burst through the cottage door, and launched herself up to the second floor.

Now, was it second cabinet, third shelf? Or third cabinet, second shelf?

Darn it, Dash! Remember!

She slammed open the second cabinet door, ignoring the animals that ran from her.

There was no time.

“Spider, spider, spider,” she mumbled, checking the labels.

“Come on, spider.”

Nothing.

She quickly opened the next cabinet down, just to be sure.

“Spider, spider, spider, come on!”

There! There it is!

She quickly shoved her hoof into the cabinet, but fumbled, having the vial fall on it side.

“I don’t have time for this!” she yelled to herself, grabbing the vial again.

The antidote in hoof, she dashed out of the small house, and began flying towards Canterlot with all of her might.

She was racing against the clock.

And she would not lose.

Celestia desperately wanted to go down there.

She wanted to save him.

She wanted to help.

But she couldn't.

"Just let it be..." she heard again.

Alan couldn’t stroke her anymore.

All four of his limbs were dead.

It was getting hard to breathe.

Julius paced, muttering the unspeakable things he would do that traitor if he got his talons on him.

Pinkie was fighting a losing battle with a frown, her mane flattening as she continued to fan Alan, trying to cool him.

Fluttershy was currently ordering a handful of other guards, as they tried to shovel ice next to the Pendragon.

Applejack merely stood still, tears in her own eyes as she watched. Silver stood next to her, silently offering her support.

Alan, however, only had his eyes on the mare sobbing into his chest.

“Twilight,” Alan called. “Twilight.”

She looked up at him, her eyes red and puffy.

“Come here, Twilight,” he said.

She, still sobbing, pulled herself up, until they were nose to nose. “Yes, Alan?”

Alan, using the last of his strength, leaned forward, kissing his bride. “Twilight. If I don’t make it—”

“Don’t say that!” Twilight yelled. “You’ll make it, you have to! Dash will be here soon, I know she will you’ll—”

“If I don’t make it,” Alan said firmly, silencing her, “I just want you to know one thing. If I die, I will only have one regret,”

Twilight nodded, more tears rolling down her face.

“I regret not marrying you sooner,” he said. “Maybe then we would have had a few days to be happy together.”

Twilight’s head fell back into his chest. She gave a muffled wail as she cried into his chest. Alan desperately wanted to hold her, to comfort her once more.

She looked up at him again. “It was you,” she said through sniffs and sobs.

“What?” Alan asked.

“You once asked me how I broke Discord’s spell. The answer was you. It was always you,” she said before sobbing.

She took a deep breath, steadying her voice so she could say this last thing.

“I was there, standing there, ready to leave Ponyville forever. I was going to leave and never look back. But as I stood there, staring at the door, all I could think about,” she sniffed, blinking tears away, “was you.”

Her tears returned, though, coming back twice as strong as small rivulets began to flow from her eyes. “What was going to happen to you? Where would you go? What—” she paused, biting back more tears. “What were you going to do without any of us? I-I couldn’t take it. I couldn't leave you that. It-it-it was you...all along...I loved you all along...” she broke down again, weeping into his chest.

Alan’s own eyes began to water. Just the sight of her in such pain hurt him. He tried to lift his forelegs to hold her, but they remained still. He struggled for a moment, before sighing.

And then he did the only thing he could.

He began to sing.

“So come on and shine with me,
Like the beautiful star you are...”

She looked up at him, and the hustle and bustle of room quieted, leaving only Alan’s voice to slowly sing the chorus.

“And leave it behind with me
'Cause forever is not that far
So come on and shine with me
Like the beautiful star you are
And leave it behind with me
'Cause forever is not that far...”

The entire room seemed to freeze at the sound of his soft singing, which was slowly becoming harder and harder to hear.

“So come on and shine with me,
Like the beautiful star you are...”

He began to pause, wheezing as his lungs began to slow.

“And leave it behind...with me
'Cause for...ever is not that far...”

The song was interrupted by a cough.

“So come on and shine with me...
…
Like the beautiful...star you are...
And...just hold on and wait...for...me...
‘Cause forever is not...that fa...ar...”

The song stopped.

Fluttershy hung her head.

Silver stood forward and saluted.

Pinkie Pie’s mane flattened, and she bit back tears, shoving her face into Soarin for comfort.

Julius hung his head. “Farewell, Brother...”

Shining blinked, totally shocked. “Al...?”

A tear ran down Cadence’s face.

Spike hung his head in respect for his friend.

Celestia bowed her head, not daring to imagine the pain her student was suffering.

Twilight looked down at her groom, and picked him up in her hooves. No pulse. No breathing.

She wept.

The only sound in the chapel was the wail of a bride with a broken heart.

“You two can go now,” Fluttershy whispered to the guards.

They nodded, and filed out of the chapel, closing the door behind them.

Twilight wept.

The ponies slowly began to circle the bride and the body of the groom, mourning their friend.

“I’m here! I’m here!” a voice yelled from the windows as Rainbow Dash jumped into the chapel. “I’ve got it! I’ve got the an..ti...dote...” Her eyes went wide at the sight.

Tink, tink, tink...

The useless vial fell to the floor.

“N-no...”

Thunderlane quickly crossed the room, taking the rainbow maned mare in his embrace.

“No...” she said again, tears forming. “I-I...I wasn’t...I wasn’t fast enough...”

Twilight wailed, burying her face once more into Alan’s unmoving chest.

It was too little.

Too late.

The hitman flew with all of his might, having since lost the guards pursuing him. His eyes drifted to the glowing green stone set in his glove.

It was slowly fading.

The griffon smiled. Not long now.

Then, the stone went dark.

The Pendragon was dead.

The hollow sound of hooves against stone tile caught the attention of a few of the mourners, and they looked up to see who was disturbing this moment of silence.

They were not expecting this.

A black alicorn, almost hideously gaunt with bone white hooves was slowly approaching the circle of friends.

They knew who he was just by laying eyes on him.

As he got closer, the ponies slowly began to back away, leaving only Twilight next to the body.

“Death,” Celestia called, tears running down her own face.

He ignored her, and simply kept moving.

He was now only a few steps away from the body and the sobbing mare.

He was stopped by the ring of steel as Judgement was drawn from it sheath. The blade flashed before the alicorn, the handle held in a magical grasp.

“Don’t take him from me!” Twilight roared, her eyes burning with fury and wet with tears. “Don’t you dare take him from me!”

Death raised an eyebrow.

“If you take him, you’re going to have to take me too!” she yelled, thrusting the sword forward.

Death merely stood there, before a swift yank from a white aura tore the sword from her grip.

Twilight’s eyes widened in fear as the blade spun. Death’s own magic moved with a speed and ferocity that not even Alan had held. The blade flashed and whirred, stopping suddenly a hair’s breath from her throat.

There was total silence.

And then, the sword slowly turned, and lay itself at her hooves.

She looked up at Death, confusion replacing anger in her eyes.

His own, ghostly green eyes softened as he lay the blade at her hooves. “I am sorry, Miss Sparkle...” he said in a soft, slow voice. His wings unfurled, and they slowly, carefully, and gently took the unicorn in a soft, and surprisingly warm embrace. “These deaths are always the worst.”

Twilight began to sob once more, the brief respite from crying now over.

“He’ll be taken care of, Miss Sparkle. I promise.”

She nodded, unable to speak for the pain in her heart.

“Now, please...” Death said. “I need to do my job...”

He pulled the unicorn aside, leaving the body alone for the first time since he passed.

Standing, the alicorn took a deep breath, looking down at the body.

“Alan Williams Goldenhoof,” Death said, his voice deepening as he spoke. “It has been decided...”

Alan stood, very much aware of the fact that he was dead.

The world around him was lush, filled to the brim with tall green grass and amazingly brilliant wildflowers. The flowers were unique, each and every one a different species, and each one a different color. There were even colors that Alan was sure didn’t exist. Everything was incredibly clear. Honestly he thought the afterlife would be...cloudier...

“Greetings, Alan Williams Goldenhoof,” a voice said.

Alan turned to see a large, black alicorn, a raven on his withers.

Alan instantly knew who he was. “Hello, Death," he said, not even turning to face him as he looked at a flower that he was sure didn't exist. "You have terrible timing.”

“Not my doing,” Death said simply. “I don’t make the appointments, I just make sure everypony gets where they’re going." He walked forward, carrying a scythe in tow. "Welcome to the Shadows, Pendragon.”

“The Shadows?”

“It’s what we call this part of the afterlife.”

“‘The Shadows’, really?" Alan asked confused. "It seems pretty bright here.”

Death smiled. “Compared to over that hill,” he said, pointing to the horizon, “it’s pretty dreary here.”

Alan followed his hoof, his eyes landing on the crest of a small hill.

As soon as his eyes fell on it, he knew.

He just knew.

He knew that just over that hill was a world unlike anything his dreams could understand. Beyond that simple crest was a land that his imagination could not grasp, not with a thousand years of creativity.

He took a step forward.

And was stopped as the haft of the large scythe got in his way. “Not yet, Pendragon,” Death said. “There is someone who wishes to speak with you first,” he said simply, as the scythe backed away.

“Who?” Alan asked, turning his eyes back towards the alicorn.

“I would,” a new voice said behind him.

Alan turned and saw something he really should have seen coming.

Faust, the red-maned, white alicorn stood behind him.

Alan realized he was bowing only seconds after realizing that he had the oddest compulsion to bow.

“Please stand, Alan. I wish to speak with you,” Faust said.

Alan picked himself up. “That was...weird.”

Faust gave a laugh. “It tends to happen when creation meets creator.”

The word stirred something in Alan’s mind.

Faust sat. “Please, Alan, go on and talk to me. What do you wish to know.”

Alan frowned. Thoughts began churn through his mind as memories and experiences came to mind. “Why?” he asked simply.

“Why what?” Faust asked.

“Why everything!?” Alan his voice rising in anger. “Why the war!? Why Equestria!? Why so much death!? Why me!? Why did you chose me!?”

Faust smile lessened slightly. “Because you belong here.”

“What!?” Alan screamed. “What can you possibly mean by that!?”

“Exactly what I said, Alan. You belong here,” she said. “You were made for this Equestria, you were made to save this one, you were designed and raised to be the Pendragon. I made sure of it.”

“What!?”

Faust simply took a step forward.

“What do you mean!?” Alan roared, anger coursing through him.

And then one of her massive wings came down to lightly touch his head.

He was small.

So tiny.

So insignificant.

And yet, so special.

Faust flew through the void of space, carrying the small spark of life behind her.

This one was so very special.

They were all special, to be fair, but this one...well...

She glided through the emptiness, passing by planets and moons to come upon a small blueberry of a planet. The Earth was beautiful. It always was at this height. Truly a work of art.

Smiling, the white alicorn glided down towards one country, the United States of America.

Her wings beat quietly in the night, not even disturbing the air around her as she flew towards the small house.

It was the house of a husband and wife, those who could not, as of yet, have a child.

This would change tonight.

The Creator of this world had allowed this. They had spoken for a long time in the eternity before time on this, and tonight, he would provide the vessel.

Faust entered the room of the two mortals, both completely unaware of her presence as they slept.

She smiled, before looking at the small spark of life next to her. “Be safe, little one. There are big plans for you.”

The spark would have smiled at her, if it could. This one, with all of his strength, all of his courage, he would do it. This one, this one...he would do so much good for her world. He would be a hero, as he deserved to be.

This one...

This one...

The little spark flew straight into the soon-to-be mother’s womb, and instantly took to the body.

Faust smiled, a tear running down her face. “Take care of him, will you?”

“As though he were one of my own,” the Creator answered. “He will learn everything he needs, and his father will teach him courage. He will grow up safe here. He will grow up strong.”

Faust nodded. “Thank you, again.”

“He will be loved, Faust.”

She nodded again, another tear falling from her face. “That’s all I can ask for...”

Alan stared up at her, his mouth hanging open.

Faust smiled at him again, and he could swear there were tears welling up behind those eyes.

“I made you to be the Protector Equestria needed, Alan,” Faust said, “but you would not learn the necessary violence of humans amongst your own kind. That’s why I sent you to Earth, to grow up, and become human. And I have missed you, my child...”

Alan continued to stare.

Faust smiled. “You are a good pony, Alan,” she said. “You have done what I asked, like so many of my creations refuse to do. You embraced your destiny like many others would not. You have done good, rather than force me to make good. You have made me proud, Alan. You were so strong, and so brave. And even though you made mistakes, you never let them overshadow your victories.”

“B-but...” the Pendragon muttered. “But what about...”

“Those who served under you?” Faust asked.

Alan only managed to nod.

“Alan...” she said, shaking her head. “Do you remember the birds? The songbirds in the fields? Are they starving? Are they forgotten? Of course not. I take care of them. I make sure the mothers find food for their chicks and the chicks grow strong. Now, imagine how much more I love my children, my ponies, my griffons...how much more do I love them than the birds?

“I take care of my children, Alan. I watch as their parents raise them, I laugh when they smile, I cry when they hurt, and I make sure that their lives are not wasted. No one dies in vain, Alan.”

“What do you mean?” Alan asked.

Faust smiled faded, and a tear ran down her cheek. “Did you know that Pinkie’s mother is dead?”

Alan blinked. “What?”

“She died twenty four years ago, when Pinkie was only five years old, days after getting her cutie mark. Little Pinkie was playing along a rock ridge, one her mother had told her repeatedly to avoid. The granite had been decomposing, and she knew it was going to crack any second,” Faust sighed. “When she saw her little filly up there, she ran for the ridge as fast as she could. That day, she was crushed in a landslide, saving her little girl in the last seconds of her life.

“For years, Pinkie was unable to look her family in the eye. She always felt that her father and sisters blamed her for their mother’s death. Really, the only one blaming her was herself. It was that guilt, however, that forced her out of her home as soon as she was old enough. Once she could, she moved to Ponyville, a small town just far enough away for her to live with herself, but just close enough that she could stay in touch with her family.”

She sent a sad stare into Alan’s eyes. “Where would Equestria be now if Pinkie was not in Ponyville? If she was not there to meet Twilight Sparkle four years ago for the Summer Sun Celebration?”

Alan’s eyes widened.

She sent him a small smile. “I don’t like that thought either...” she said, as tears began to run down her face. "I felt her anguish, Alan. I felt her guilt. I felt her misery as they buried her. I wept for her, Alan. I cried for little Pinkie. For every family and every foal that cries for their missing parents, for ever girl who'll never see her man...I feel it, Alan...I feel all of it. And I have to sit here, and try to justify this to myself."

Oh, sweet merciful Heaven...what exactly did she feel?

"How can I do this to my little ponies, and say it's for good? How can I do this to them? How can I let my Enemy force them to suffer?" she sighed as yet more tears fell to the ground, and Alan watched the flowers shudder beneath her, as though they were weeping at the sight. "But I see it, Alan. I see their futures, I see them, and I know, this must be done."

Alan blinked. “I...I...”

Faust hushed him, bringing her large wing gently down on his face, letting her feathers tickle his lips. “I know, Little One...I know...” she said, as tears began to fall.

The she hugged him.

Alan cried.

Waves of emotion rammed into him, sorrow for those he left behind, happiness for finally being in the embrace of the one who crafted him, and relief for those who passed, because they did not die in vain.

As she held him, she cried happy tears, finally being reunited with one of her many sons.

And then she whispered into his ear. “I will not promise a story without trouble, but I will promise a happy ending."

Alan looked up at her as she continued to hold him.

"I have given all of my children a choice, Little One, and many times, they choose to do wrong, to follow the ways of my Enemy, and Evil is brought into my world. Now, what kind of a mother would I be if I took away their choice? If I wanted a bunch of robots doing my bidding, I would have made such. But I made ponies, living, breathing creatures who can make their own choices, even the wrong ones. But I will be thrown into the Abyss if I can’t use their evil for good. I have a plan, Little One, and trust me when I say the good that will come from this war will make all the pain and suffering seem like a nightmare, flying away on the wings of the dawn. Just trust me. Please?”

Alan nodded, crying into her shoulder.

She looked over his shoulder, and smiled. “It seems you have some visitors.”

A confused look shot across his face, before Alan turned, and his eyes went wide as he saw something.

Six hundred and eighty three ponies stood proud, and, as one, they saluted.

Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth ponies alike stood proud for their leader. “Sir!” they said in one voice, “We are honored to have served with you, sir!”

Alan looked at the ponies, and his eyes scanned over them. All of them.

Especially the pegasus with the piece of black cloth wrapped around his foreleg.

“They are proud of you, Pendragon,” Faust said, “And so am I.”

Thundersight stepped forward, and approached the stunned unicorn. “Sir,” he said, “thank you, sir. Thank you for taking care of my wife and my boy.”

Alan simply nodded, tears in his eyes.

“Now do us a favor, sir. Stop blaming yourself for us. We lived, we died, and we did our duty. You shouldn’t have spent your life worrying about the dead.”

Alan nodded again.

Thundersight hugged him. “You’ve done a lot for us, sir. Thank you.”

Alan nodded. “Thank you, Thundersight.” Alan wiped a tear from his eyes. “Faust?”

“Yes, Alan?”

“If you don’t let ponies die without fulfilling their purpose, what was mine?”

Faust smiled.

“Alan Williams Goldenhoof,” Death said, his voice deepening as he spoke. “It has been decided...” He smirked. “It is not yet your time!” he yelled, rearing up to slam his forehooves into the ground.

Eyes went wide across the chapel as two ebony gates formed behind the black alicorn. The black doors slammed open, and the wail of hundreds of souls captured in the spaces between Paradise and Tartarus echoed in the chapel.

Twilight’s eyes widened as she saw it, recognizing it instantly as something she had only seen once before.

The Gates of the Dead.

“Alan Williams Goldenhoof!” Death called into the gates. “Step forward!”

A green mist slowly crept from the door, visible only because of the gate.

The mist leapt into the air, and dived down on the body of the unicorn, and almost instantly it began to convulse.

The body coughed. Once. Twice. Before it spat out a black liquid.

“Alan?” Twilight called, eyes wide.

The gates began to close.

The body groaned.

Death smiled.

“Alan?” Twilight called again.

“Oh...” the body moaned. “That hurts...”

“Alan!” Twilight cried, rushing him.

The gates faded away.

“Alan! Alan are you alive?!” Twilight asked, shaking him with her hooves.

A white leg came up and rested on her shoulder. “Easy, Twi,” Alan said. “I still have to regain feeling in my body yet.”

“Alan!” she cried, diving on him and covering his face with kisses.

The others quickly rushed him, leaving only the Princesses on the stage as the ponies surrounded their friend.

“Al! Alan buddy, you’re alive!”

“Brother!”

“Ah can’t believe it!”

“Is this even possible?”

“By Death’s Dubious Dental Work! You’re alive!”

Death blinked at the stallion, before running his tongue over his teeth. Shaking his head to rid himself of the odd thought, he smiled as he watched the ponies watch the Pendragon slowly revive before looking up at Celestia.

The look on her face was priceless.

“What?” he asked her. “Mom does miracles occasionally.”

And then she broke into a smile.

Death laughed, before climbing the stairs. “Well, Celly, I know you’re a little busy at the moment, but for once you’re completely happy to see me. And, well I’d be a fool not to take this chance.”

“What are you talking about?” Celestia asked.

Death smiled, before stretching out one of his long, black wings, and plucked a single feather from the tips.

He held the feather in front of her in a magical grip. “When the time comes, Celly, will you be mine?”

Celestia blushed, and Cadence couldn’t help but laugh.

Nonetheless, the aura around the feather did change from white to gold as the Solar sister took it. “Did you even have to ask?” she said, before setting the black plumage into her hair.

“It never hurts,” the black alicorn said, watching as the feather seemed to erupt into flame, turning to a glowing red rather than the coal black it once was.

Death smiled, and turned to leave, descending the stairs. As he came to the crowd, he stopped a moment and looked down.

The ponies all looked up at him, some in disbelief, others still in fear.

Alan gave him a smile.

"I don’t need to tell you that this is a one time thing, right? Miracles aren’t really miracles if they happen every other day.”

Alan nodded. “I figured as much.”

Death smiled. “Good. I hope I won’t see you again for another sixty/seventy years.”

“Same here,” Alan said.

Death nodded and began to head towards the doors, singing as he went.

“Dumb ways to die,
So many dumb ways to die,
Dumb ways to die-hi-hi-hi!
So many dumb,
So many dumb,
So many dumb ways to die...”

“Do you, Alan Goldenhoof,” Celestia said, standing before the congregation, and a flaming feather pinning back her ethereal mane, “take this mare, whose hoof you hold, to be your lawful wedded wife; and do you pledge before all of ponykind to love, honor, and protect her through sunshine and shadow alike; keeping yourself unto her alone until death shall separate you?”

“I do,” Alan said, holding Twilight’s hoof with his own as a mana hand held the earring.

Celestia smiled, before turning to her student. “And do you, Twilight Sparkle, take this stallion, whose hoof you hold, to be your lawful wedded husband; and do you pledge before all of ponykind to be to him a loving and true wife, through sunshine and shadow alike, keeping yourself unto him alone, until death shall separate you?”

“I do,” Twilight said with a firm tone, holding the earring up in a fuchsia aura.

Celestia nodded at the two, and they responded by piercing their partner’s ear and sealing the earring in place.

“Then by the power enthroned in me, by the power of Faust, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”

And kiss they did.

It was amazing how much passion could be stirred up between a couple when death was on the line.

If anything else was said to them, they didn’t notice.

What really mattered to the two was that they were together.

As their kiss ended, Alan quickly pulled out his iPod. “Say cheese, Twi!” he said, before snapping a picture. He smiled as he looked at the little memento, he in his suit, and Twi in her wedding gown, together.

Finally together.

And Death himself would be loath to separate them.

As Death returned to the Shadows, he was quick to notice his mother still there.

"So how was your trip?" she asked.

"Well, other than the chance to propose to Celly, I'm still a little confused as to why we went through with this. Why did you let him die just to send him back?"

Faust smiled, sniffing as she wiped away another tear. "I have my reasons."

Alan set the quill aside.

He sat at a desk in the Ponyville library, a newly written letter in front of him.

This...this was an important letter, Alan realized. It was perhaps the most important one he had written since arriving here.

Best reread it, just to make sure it sounded right.

"Dear Princess Celestia,

Well...I suppose I should start at the beginning...it has been close to four years since the day where I dropped in on your meeting with your favorite student and her friends. Four years since I entered Equestria with no hope of escape. Not that I particularly wanted too...

It was...almost surreal. Living here and watching things play out in real life like I had seen them before. At first, I saw it as an opportunity, a chance to make myself a good friend to Twilight and the girls at an accelerated pace, but...but it began to catch up with me. I felt almost dirty manipulating them like that, I was able to clear the air, as I’m sure you remember, but that doesn’t change the fact that I felt like scum.

When the war started, this feeling was compounded. I watched, practically helpless as pony after pony died in front of me. All because of a war that was my fault.

But I learned something recently. It only took me dying and literally staring Death in the face, but I did learn it.

I learned that I cannot blame myself for circumstances that are out of my control. I could not change the fact that I was the only human in this plane of existence, nor could I change the fact that I would become a target, and that others would suffer because of me. I can only accept these things, and hope for the best.

Sometimes, Life and Fate will throw things at you, and all you can do is ride it out, doing what you were meant and made to do. It may be a difficult trial, it may be painful, but in the end, it will turn out alright.

Because all things work for good in the end.

Your Faithful Pendragon,
Alan Williams Goldenhoof.”

Alan nodded. Yes. That sounded good.

He rolled up the scroll, sealing it with wax, before setting it aside. He would need to get that sent by tomorrow.

“Alan,” Twilight called.

“Yes, dear, what is...it...” he said, turning to face his wife.

She smiled at him. “Coming to bed?”

Alan nodded, his mouth hanging open too wide to provide a proper response.

Twilight smiled before she sashayed to the bedroom.

So...

That’s what the kinky saddles look like.

And there we go, my dedicated readers, the end of A Novice Swordsman in the Canterlot Court! I hope this chapter isn't too rushed...

“No it’s not!"

What? Rushed?

"No, Silly! It's not over! We still have to do the Epilogue!”

Too true, Pinkie, too true!

Well, why don’t we go ahead and head on over to that, and we’ll meet you guys there?