//------------------------------// // Hero of Clearsky // Story: Cursed Eclipse - Shorts // by AImostpure //------------------------------// Leeches. They were all leeches suckling on the life blood of ponies they considered lower lifeforms compared to them. Yet these ponies whom many never built their own wealthy, many never broke a sweat to work, or attributed to the success of the tiny empires they built. No, they simply took and took never caring for the hardships of the ponies who's backs they took from. They sicked me. Why was even here? Forced to listen to them prattle on about fashion, being disrespected by not given what they wanted, and ignorant gossip about one another lives. Why was I here among the aristocracy? This is a party in my honor. I glanced around the ballroom. The colors and tapestries displayed the royal colors and seals of Equestria and, most notably, Princess Celestia. Waitresses toured the gathered ponies offering drinks or snacks. An ensemble of musicians played classical music from a clam shell shaped stage off to one side of the room. I was approached to be spoken to by two ponies, I gathered their names were Fet Set and Dupper Must or something. They spoke around me carrying on a conversation only acting that I was apart of it. Their dribble was making me crave a hard cider. I actually wished I was back in the place that granted me the honor being here. Yes, that battle scared field. One month ago I was given the title of 'Hero of Clearsky Valley'. On the eastern border of Equestria, the tribes of the Kobolds and the tribes of the Minotaur had begun another conflict. For years they inhabited one nation, conflicts would arise but quickly falter under the advice and guidance of other countries and especially Equestria. When this war threatened to spill over onto pony soil, Celestia ordered a medical camp to be established to offer aid to soldiers who could no longer fight and needed to seek shelter. The only condition was they had to return home after seeking aid, and not return to the battlefield. I volunteered to act as a nurse simply seeking a quick way to make extra bits. For the first month it was a simple job. Minotaurs shuffled into the camps with the mildest of complaints just hoping not to have to return to battle. Sadly, in order to accommodate the ones who needed help, they were turned away. I spent my time either cooking or sterilizing bandages. We rarely saw any kobolds to think of. Everything was calm until one fateful, snowing morning. I pressed my back against the cold window forcing my thoughts back to present when the chill rushed through me. There was not a reason right now to relive the event that brought me to this party tonight. I brought my eyes down to my body. Once I was given my title the Princess personally saw that I was given various gifts. Bits, recognition, knighthood, a dress, and I could request one personal favor. The dress I was wearing now. Some up and coming designer was awarded the chance to make it. The hem at the bottom looked like pie crust, the front and back the same, with the sides a purple blue mimicking blueberry filling. I hated this dress. It was gaudy, tacky, and made me look like food. The favor was a painful gift to have. I could have requested nearly anything. I could have completed the purpose I gave to my self. I could have freed... her. But, I could not abandon my family. So I had our land returned to us instead. It was not much, but I would not turn my flank to them. I gazed out the window staring at the falling snow. Her. She would be twelve this coming spring. Every birthday I have missed of her's I buy gifts and tuck them away. Then cry my self to sleep. Was she eating right still? Was she even alive... I didn't want to consider the thought that they disposed of her. “Ah, the Hero of Clearsky Valley.” A familiar voice spoke to him. I downed the last of my wine then let my hoof release the glass onto a table nearby. Dangles of cyan splashed with plum tones at the tips partially clouded my eyes when they came to the source of the voice. It was the captain of the guard, Iron Mind. This was our first meeting, but I knew all about him. The son of Gold Mine. He left his father and mother when he could and never looked back. From what I had been told when I asked some of the rich and famous here, he hadn't even contacted them since he became a guard. I wanted to hate him, but the good things I always heard kept my from doing so. Why hate him? He was a fine guard captain, took time for citizens, volunteered for charities, and helped old ponies across the road. Why hate such a man? Because he never went home. Maybe if he had just gone home once since she was born he would have seen the signs, saw the changes, asked questions. Anything at all to change the course of history. He didn't though. I wanted to hate him just for being Gold Mine's son but I couldn't. He is a handsome pony after all. Black mane and tail acting as a a backdrop displaying the silver of his eyes. His steel silver coat groomed without a single hair out of place. I could assume he was always such as but knowing how he took his duties this was a rare sight. He was tight with muscles on his hind legs and could probably buck a rock a few miles. I smiled. “A pleasure, Captain of the Guard.” I spoke modestly bowing my head down. I would refer to him in title as he referred to me. My hooves slid effortlessly across the ground letting my self raise back up. He chuckled at my display and I offered the same. “I am nae royalty, please, I am a pony as you and nothing more.” Such modesty for a unicorn. It was befitting his image. I pictured what he must look like in his armor. Surely it added to the heroic image he naturally cast. A part of me wondered if he would ever wear that armor before making love to a pony. I got my mind from the gutter quickly when the guards at the main door sounded their trumpets. Every pony in the room raised their heads to the door then lowered their torsos down to the floor in deep bow. Gold Mine and my self did the same, but I kept my eyes forward watching. Indeed, Princess Celestia was now amongst us. Her beauty radiant, her kindness ever lasting, and her rule benevolent. She tried to please every pony who had a problem, but knew that she could not solve every situation that came at her hooves. There were still laws in place that she was bound by. Only in the most dire of situations did she break them, although no pony would stop her if she tyrannically forced her will. Every hoof step appeared planned. Her eyes caught the face of every pony present giving each of them a moment to be shown that they knew they were there. Ever at her side, was something of a little miracle I had been told. A unicorn maybe thirteen or fourteen was at her side. She bore a coat of indigo, as pretty as a flower's natural colors. Her mane and tail a deep midnight blue with a strip of hot pink and purple side by side down both. Bright eyes, eager to see and learn, were kept mostly on Celestia as they entered together. She was known as Twilight Sparkle. The Princess' personal student I had been told before arriving here. Listening to some of the talk the ponies at this party had said before the trumpets played, they didn't much care for her. Twilight wasn't of proper noble birth, or their foal was far more gifted, or they whispered of rumors that suggested the princess to be some sort of deviant or predator. These ponies speaking ill of the teenage foal were two faced and rotten. She followed her teacher carefully, a few steps behind, gradually coming to the main stage before a grand window. I can give you power. A voice, I heard a voice speaking to me now. I broke my bow just as the others did and glanced around swiftly to catch the perpetrator. No pony else reacted to the sound. Was I hearing things or could I only hear it? I can grant your wish. The voice came to me again as the Princess came to the edge of the stage standing next to a podium with a velvet wrapped box set atop. “Mares and Gentlecolts. Tonight we celebrate a heroine of Equestria. As every pony is aware, a war was colliding at our borders. In an effort to calm the needless loss of life. I allowed our military to setup a medical site to stem the blood shed.” Would you become what you hate to save what you love? “An agreement of aid would turn into bloodshed when the Kobolds broke their vow of no battle on pony territory or the medical site, and attacked it to kill their Minotaur enemies. As the battle turned against the pony soldiers and lives were lost, a pony with no training in combat stood proud and tall and declared she would not back down.” I tried to focus on the voice in my head but Celestia's speech caused my mind to recall that fateful morning. Pony weapons were similar, but the hilts were unlike those used by our fingered neighbors. The metal hilts looks like small cages that snapped onto a pony's hoof. These specialty hilts were only used on weapons to give a pony an advantage in battle. You would be amazed how a pony could go from bucking to boxing without missing a beat. With a sword attached to each hoof, and even holding a small Kobold weapon in my mouth, I had fought off enemy after enemy until a company of Celestia's knights arrived to fight off the attackers. I can still feel the burning of fire around me. The way it caused the lifeless bodies to glow. Magic erupting and sparking drawing forth unnatural forms of fighting to try and stem the tide. My hind hooves were dug into the ground having snow up to my ankles to keep balance each time I swung at another encroaching foe. When the help did arrive, I don't recall what happened after. I was told later that they found me laying amongst fifteen fallen enemies, only I still breathing. I can help you. Do you want it? Do you want power? “This pony, a mare to be admired, will now receive the Medal of Eden. The highest honor to be given to a civilian aiding the military. Her acts were courageous, selfless, and shows what ponies can do in times of duress. This pony deserves respect. This pony deserves the honor we can give her.” Well? “This Pony is...” Yes. I want it. I want power. I want to help her, I need to free her. I don't care what I must do. I don't care what I become. As long as I can see her smile again. I'll become what I hate. I'll do what I must. “Miss Blueberry Pie!” I will save you Eclipse. Even if I must burn Equestria to ash. I will save you.