//------------------------------// // Rising Acolyte // Story: What Remains III: Cracked Sky // by Bateman66 //------------------------------// Alistair stood silently along the outer edge of the circular library chamber, the electric blue haze from the room’s center aura giving him a menacing glow to his already fair skin. The custom designed black cloak was pressed impeccably at all angles without even the slightest wrinkle in the swooping garment he wore. Another cloaked figure stood a few paces away, this one a decrepit looking stallion with fur so white he appeared near translucent against the blue gaze. The hood of his garment was pulled over the top of his head with only a ghostly pale snout poking out. He flipped back and forth through what appeared to be another one of his spell tomes, not quite realizing the boy’s presence. “Master Silver Eclipse,” Alistair greeted flatly. “Do you have a moment?” The stallion turned around and smiled warmly. “Of course, my friend. I am always willing to speak with our most important of acolytes.” Alistair nodded and took a few steps forward. “I hope the hour isn’t too intrusive for you. I haven’t been able to find the time to meet with you during the day.” The stallion waved the notion aside. “Oh, it is no problem at all. I normally stay up well past midnight. There’s a certain charm to the evening’s pull and I always feel so empowered when I know the sun has finally been set. But even then, you have the most justified of reasons, with your special assignment taking up the majority of your free time.” He nodded. “That’s true. Attending to the daily round of incantations does put a bit of a dapper on my energy. Even sleeping seems to wear me out these days.” “I’m sure it’s nothing a good break in routine couldn’t solve. A drowsy wizard is the most dangerous one of them all and I would hope you’d feel comfortable to inform anypony if you ever begin to slip.” “Don’t worry about me. I’m not as shaky around the other members as I used to be.” Silver Eclipse chuckled. “That’s not what Shale said concerning your recent antics with Grit Granger earlier in the week.” “I will admit he’s a menacing looking pony, especially with those big shoulders and the glass eye. It takes a little getting used to seeing him every day down in the catering hall.” “And I’m sure you will. But…what did you wish to ask me again?” “This,” Alistair said as he brandished a manila folder and promptly handed it to Silver Eclipse. The old colt gave it a confused glance and looked back to him. “And what does that happen to be?” “My proposal on how to successfully fulfill what the Queen requested. I believe you’ll find all the important details to be in order.” “May I read it?” “Of course.” Eclipse flipped through the several sheets of paper contained within the binding while mumbling unintelligibly to himself. Bringing a worried hoof to his forehead, he handed the folder back to Alistair. “My goodness, this is truly something you have in these pages. Air galleys, breech cannons, firebombs, you even have a list of battle meditation spells to be cast.” “Is something wrong with them?” “No, no, no. It’s just…this is all so big. I never anticipated having to plan battle schematics, especially with airships. And yet here you are doing it all on your own.” “I had books to reference on top of Shale’s assistance while writing them.” The colt shook his head. “I’ve known that mare for years and she still finds ways to impress. Just when it seems like she’s reached her limit, there she goes learning how to do something else. I remember on a mission to Stalliongrad she—” “Is something wrong with the plans?” Alistair interrupted with a touch of disdain. “You seem hesitant on something.” “I guess you can say I am,” Eclipse sighed. “This operation you’re proposing is something bigger than I ever thought the Night Lords would have to deal with. All throughout our existence it’s been minor strikes, little cloak-and-dagger games when the situation called for it.” “I never set forward to make an army out of the members we have. But it’s been in these past five years with all the shenanigans throughout Equestria our numbers just keep on swelling. I’m not opposed to using larger group tactics now that we actually have the ability to use them, but something tells me we shouldn’t.” Alistair raised a queried eyebrow. “Does that really qualify as a just reason not to utilize the resources available to us?” “No, it’s not. And you can call me an old fool if you wish but sometimes trusting your senses plays off better in the long run. I’ve seen victory snatched right out from under us, just when it seemed we we’re in our finest hour, and I sincerely do not wish to see it happen again.” “Is it at all denoted that the order to raze Canterlot is from the Queen herself? I am her Voice after all.” The colt solemnly shook his head. “I can’t disagree with that. Her will is my will, and the will of everypony else in the Night Lords. But a full scale attack on the capital instead of simply revealing herself? It just seems so…odd.” “Master Eclipse,” Alistair said with a friendly grin as he placed a hand on the stallion’s shoulder, “do not fret. The Queen will have her hoof in the climatic battle. With Celestia and Twilight Sparkle dead their will be no pony able to hold the crippled nation together. Equestria shall fall, and in its ashes our New Order will rise.” He thought about this for a few moments and slowly looked to his wrinkled white hooves. “Perhaps I am looking at this from a too cautious light. I’ve experienced both are failures and successes. And just when it seems like we’re finally going to have our way it’s me who’s faltering away from his duties.” Eclipse turned to Alistair and placed his own hoof against the human’s chest, looking to Alistair meekly. “I am an old stallion, Alistair, much older than nature ever intended. The spells of enhancing ones life force can only function for so long. The Night Lords, the originals from over millennia ago, knew how to contain the bond much longer than I was ever taught. I’m not a death’s door let me be clear, but I believe three hundred years is long enough to be running every minute detail in the Order.” “Master Eclipse, what are you saying?” “What I’m saying is that I don’t believe I can adequately undertake an operation of this magnitude. My hesitance would only serve to get in the way of what’s important. The Queen needs able-bodied youngsters to carry out her wishes, not battered old geezers like myself.” He patted Alistair on the shoulder and smiled. “Which is why I hereby appoint you Director of Operations for the mission to Canterlot.” “Master Eclipse?” the boy said with widened eyes. “Are you serious?” “Most definitely. You show promise, Alistair. Not just in the coveted spells that lie within your mind but in the tact that show when executing an assignment. Your skill is only matched by your enthusiasm to succeed. That in of itself is the true qualities for a leader.” Alistair bowed his head graciously. “I’m most appreciative, Master Eclipse. I never dreamed that such a leadership position would ever be offered to me.” Eclipse frowned. “Yes, you haven’t been in the Order as long as most, but I believe that elevating the human who brought the proper version of our Queen into this world should be elevated to a role of at least minor importance. Wouldn’t you agree?” “I couldn’t have put it better myself.” “Wonderful. Will I be seeing down in the practice room for morning training or do you still have to attend to the Queen’s incantations?” Alistair nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. She seems to be nearing some semblance of a physical form but I don’t want to overstep my pace at the merging spell.” “I’m glad you wouldn’t. Goodnight Alistair.” “As to you, Master Eclipse.” And with that, the two quietly departed.