//------------------------------// // Paladins return // Story: Redemptions Price // by ferrosxlupus //------------------------------// As day burns away the night And night consumes the day What happens to those Who stand at eternal Dawn and Dusk? Coming Home The skies darkened as the sun hit the horizon. Dusk was coming fast. Upon the mountain that reached the sky, was the grand city of Canterlot. Among the clouds it cut an imposing figure to all who saw it. A shining beacon of hope, peace and freedom. Tall spires and ramparts rose out, standing ever vigilant against the red twilight of evening. Flags unfurled, dancing lazy upon an unheard wind. Canterlot, a bastion of hope to those who had none. [Daring Do] Daring smiled, it had been a while since she had returned to the home of her birth. While she considered the castle where she had spent her days carrying out research and had once been watched over by the voice of her mentor, the home of her heart. The city high on the peak was where she spent her child hood. Her mother had done her best to raise her. Even with as much hope as Canterlot had, it was always hard to raise a foal as a single parent, alone without a herd or a father for support. She shook her head, she may not have had a father when she was young but having one when she needed him most was all that mattered. Looking over at her master, she was proud to call him such. Even if it didn’t always seem like it, he was teaching her, all the time. He had always told her to watch and pay attention. Because even when nothing is being said, learning can occur. Looking at the guard she was with she was surprised. They were a mix of lunar guard and another that she wasn’t quite sure of. While mixing guard units wasn’t unheard of, these were completely outfitted for what was war. All of them wore heavy plate, all of it dark blue with black trimming. They looked like they had stepped out of a fairy tale. Also intriguing was that they were carrying a stretcher with an unconscious pony. She was dressed like the ones that she didn’t quite understand. They moved in and out of view, like twinkling stars at night. They wore light armor and what looked like black scales underneath it. Despite it being late evening when they had left. They were making fantastic time. Forests End had been far closer to the edge of the forest than she had remembered. Thou it wasn’t often that she traveled to of the forest by this route. Gazing at the looming mountain, they were closing in at the bottom of the mountain. Apparently the guards were planning on using the sky lift. A new invention by Princess Twilight to speed up travel up and down the mountain. The idea behind the sky lift was ingenious. Using a series of pulley’s and a magic engines created a platform capable of carrying hundreds of ponies provided a low cost way of getting goods up to Canterlot. Slowly but surely a small town was forming around the lift. Already a second and third lift was being made. One would be exclusive for the pony military and important guests. The other two were for commerce and travel. As Celestia’s sun and Luna’s moon traded place in the sky, the two guard platoon set up camp for the night. Staying close to her master. She gratefully accepted the blankets and meal that were presented to her and her master. Together she and Volaren sat alone around a fire. Occasionally a question was asked but for the most part a silent vigil was held for the night. Sleep over taking her, she thanked her lucky stars that she had more to her family once again. [Volaren Arclite] Sleep was unobtainable for Volaren this night, the closer he drew closer to the castle the more what was inside drew his attention. Looking up at the castle he could feel the power that lay inside. The moon and sun had graced the land with their avatars. He knew contrary to popular belief that the princess did not move the heavenly bodies. They moved by themselves. They just had “representatives” of themselves. As was before. However it was bad to anger an avatar regardless of their connection. Yet the ambient power they let of was being absorbed by Gray, and through her into him. It disturbed him really. That this reality just poured out life force. Before there were many types of forces at once. Limiting his absorption to only killing. Yet here, magic and life were one and the same. Looking at the unicorns, he could see the corona of life energy they gave off when they used there so called magic. All it was, was exactly that. Manipulation of the ambient life energy. What had changed during his slumber to make it so? It wasn’t necromancy yet at the same time it wasn’t magic either. He shook his head. And snorted. Something he had been doing a lot of since he woke up. This world was different. So many things had changed. He had been here as a ghost for a year. Than several more years in this body before entering his induced slumber. How could he have missed so much while he was awake? If it was even there to begin with. It astonished him to no end. Looking at the castle one last time. He laid his head down, doing his best to sleep. Tomorrow was a long day, and nothing was going to get easier from here on out. [Dawn] Volaren awoke with a start, covered in a cold sweat. Nightmares plagued his sleeping mind. He couldn’t remember them. But they were there, a constant reminder. Shaking his head like he had done just before sleeping he looked to the moon. It was twilight. The time between times. Neither day nor night. Rising to his hooves he smiled. His student was sleeping peacefully next to the embers of last night campfire. Her only worry was whether or not he was there in the morning. Waling over he quietly shook her. “Wake up ashke’, we have a long day ahead of us.” His whisper was just loud enough for her to hear. Volaren watched as his she started stirring and slowly waking. Her eyes fluttering as she awoke. She mewled like a kitten and stretched like one too. A blush illuminated her face as she saw who was watching her. Chuckling slightly, Volaren looked around for the saddlebags with her things in it. It didn’t take long. He saw several of the guard ponies trying to drag it to the waiting cart. They were covered in sweat from the effort of trying to move the bag. Slowly he made his way over, and before the guards, lifted the saddlebag onto his back. With a smirk he left them. His beloved student was awake now. And was preparing to leave with the rest of the lunar guard caravan, the return to Canterlot imminent. For all it was worth the day was far from over. [Canterlot Castle, Celestia] Princess Celestia was enjoying her breakfast. None of the nobles had visited the solar court for any reason this morning. She had expected a slow Monday morning but not like this. Slowly she was humming a song to herself when she heard frantic hoof steps running down the corridor. The massive throne room doors opened and Captain Silver Helm came forth. Kneeling before the princess he spoke. “My princess, the lunar titans and the several falling star operatives have returned. With them they have who they are calling the hero of the forest with them. Captain Meteor and Captain Nightshade wish to present him to all the princess that can be present.” Nodding slowly Celestia kept an even gaze. “Silver, gather the rest of the princesses, we will meet with the hero as soon as they all are present.” With that Captain Silver Helm stood and bowed to the princess. Quickly leaving the room to relay the message to the other princesses. Smiling at his devotion to duties, Celestia remembered his youth, he was always curious, yet steadfast and loyal to those he respected. Even to those under his command, they all strove hard to earn that respect. The standards to be in the solar guard were high. Maybe even higher than when shining armor was in charge. But that had done nothing to drop the recruitment rates. Instead it had made them higher. And with the advent of the other guards, the sibling rivalry they shared had served to better them. Looking out towards the sun, which she was apt to do. She saw that she had lost twenty minutes to her thoughts. Once again the doors to the throne room were opened. Shifting her gaze from the window, Celestia watched as Princess Luna, Twilight, and Cadence all entered, along with both Captains that were still present. Both Captain Silver Helm and Diamond Sword were dressed in full armor. Even with them all there nothing would prepare her for what was to come. Minutes later as the doors opened again. Both Captain Meteor and Nightshade came through. Behind them was Daring Do and another pony she recognized but couldn’t remember where from. “Welcome back Miss Do. I trust that your recent exploration for the crown went well.” Celestia spoke with her ever motherly tone. “Yes princess. Yet my greatest discovery, was far closer to home.” Daring bowed while she replied to the princess. All the gazes of the ponies present shifted to the mysterious stallion as he started to converse, with himself. Nothing he said was audible, yet he continued as if none of them mattered. This really peaked Celestia’s curiosity. He sat down, the massive sword on his back tinking as the tip hit the ground. She suddenly realized that he was still armed. Yet none of the guards noticed, as if they refused to see or couldn’t see what was on his back. Suddenly ending his conversation with himself he finally addressed the princesses. “Do you not recognize me dear Tia, or you little Lulu. Have you no words of kindness for you uncle.” And the gates of memory burst forth. She remembered. A new stallion greeting her mother. Introduced to her and her sister. They were still foals. She had just turned 6 and Luna was 4. Brother to her mother her uncle. From that day forth he was a constant presence in the castle. Always playing with them. Hide and seek, tag, adventures in the forest. He also taught them many things. Plenty they still used today in ruling. He was the first to know when they received their cutie marks. He consoled them when they were sad. Stayed with them when they were afraid. He never laughed at the fears they held inside. He always kept the promises he made with them. He watched the first time they took to the sky. The first time they used magic. He was there from the very beginning. For ten long years he watched over them. The most important ten years in her lifetime. Celestia felt ashamed that she had placed it behind her so easily. He had promised them one day he would come back. As he gave them both a hug and left deep into the castle with their mother. She came back alone with a smile. Your uncle is asleep now. One day he will awaken and you might not recognize him. But do remember that he always keeps his promises. As the stream of memories ended and Celestia’s vision cleared. She saw that Luna was deep within his hug. Crying and saying she had never forgotten. Next to her Twilight and Cadence were astonished at this act. Celestia knew what they must be thinking. Who is this random stallion who claims to be the uncle of the princesses? Without another thought. Celestia left her throne and joined her sister, and her long lost uncle in a joyous embrace.