Hope, the aged and wise Virtue once ruled over the city of Roan. A city of beauty, she cared for it with all her heart. Yet, her power was not enough to save it from those she had once called friend.
Many years after the fall of the Equus Empire, the Virtue of Hope has helped to establish the Crystal Empire. It is a city she protects with all her power, and with all her love.
One night as she sits in the company Amore, the pony who will one day succeed her as Queen of the Crystal Empire, she is asked by the young unicorn about their shared heritage. Amore, like Hope, had once lived behind the hallowed and shining walls of Roan. Hope, though saddened by the prospect of recalling the city she once ruled over, tells Amore of their homeland.
And of its fall.
----
A back-story and world building story for the Equus Empire that Witching Hour and myself are slowly building up.
Amore belongs to Hasbro.
Hope, Strength, Life, Compassion, Love are creations of myself and Witching Hour, as are the Alicorn Shiro and the Drake Jinsong, the Construct Doctor, and the City of Roan.
Night in the Crystal Empire is a sight to behold, the multitude of brilliant stars shining in the sky along with the soft colorful glow of the northern lights reflecting on the polished surfaces and mirrored in the lit windows of the silent and still crystalline houses. In the streets, the somber and vigilant night time shift of the Imperial Guard patrol the streets, eyes and ears attent for any and all dangers that might seek to attack their yet young Empire.
The Crystal Castle, above all others, shines with a radiance and splendor unlike anything else. Its windows lit from within by the candles and fireplaces of its many residents as they go about their evening business or prepare for bed. One window in particular, near the middle of the Castle, is lit by the flickering and soft glow of a fireplace as its two occupants enjoy the quiet evening by reading some books.
The first occupant, an aged sky blue pegasus mare with a mane of graying gold and faded silver-blue, sits on a couch to one side of a softly crackling fireplace. The light from the casts her weary features in flickering shadows, occasionally reflecting off of the gold circlet on her head. The second occupant is a young unicorn mare, her usually light burgundy coat currently more reminiscent of a red wine now in the flickering light. Likewise, her mane -- usually the color of a healthy raspberry and slowly fading to a deep cobalt blue -- is more of a darker red and a deep dark blue. Her own circlet is currently off to one side, placed carefully on the end table as if she is not quite used to wearing it yet.
Hope, the blue pegasus, sits quietly in the quiet and dim glow cast by the fireplace in her personal quarters, a book slowly floating before her in the grasp of the magic granted to her by her virtue, and the bracers above her fetlocks. Her aged and weary eyes have some trouble scanning over the scrawling letters on the page, yet she presses on, determined to not let the mounting years best her.
Not yet.
The Empire is too young, too new to this world, to be without her. Even with other nations springing up, such as the Kingdom of Equestria to the south, she could not in good mind give her duties over to her chosen successor at this time.
That is, perhaps, not to say that the time is not drawing closer. Already, the young mare who she had chosen had grown into a capable and kind-hearted adult, befriending all those who would one day be her subjects, and even the leaders of their neighbors to the south. Even Hope had befriended the two alicorn sisters who had been named the monarchs of Equestria, though admittedly Hope is perhaps touch more comfortable around alicorns than her student.
Sighing wearily, Hope shakes her head in an attempt to bring the words on the page back into focus, an annoyed snort escaping her.
“Nana Hope,” the soft, melodic voice of Hope’s companion comes from the couch across from Hope’s own. “Are you alright?”
Smiling softly, Hope lowers the book and nods. “I am, Amore, thank you.” She sighs quietly and stretches a little. “Just feeling a little bit my age tonight.”
“You’re not that old, Nana,” Amore states with a chuckle. She gets up and walks over to Hope, the guilty look on her face offset by a small smile, curiosity burning in her eyes.
“Do you have a question, Amore?” Hope asks softly.
“Nana… I do not remember our home much. Could you…” Amore starts, biting her bottom lip, ears going back against her head like a foal caught stealing cookies. “Could you tell me of Roan?”
Sighing sadly, Hope looks to the mare in front of her with a soft smile. “That is right, you were quite young when the city fell.” She nods to a spot in front of the couch she is sitting on. “Then sit, dear child, and I shall tell you of Roan.”
Amore quickly goes and grabs a blanket from her own seat, wrapping herself in its warm embrace as she lays down in front of the couch Hope is on, the warm flickering light of the fire providing the perfect atmosphere for a story. Hope looks out a nearby window to the stars, her eyes unfocusing as if looking upon a distant object. She opens her mouth, and starts to sing.
“The stars were very beautiful, above the palace walls. They shone with equal splendor, still above far humbler halls.
I watched them from my window, but their bright entrancing glow, reminded me of the freedom I gave up so long ago.
“The royal circlet of bright gold rested lightly on my brow, I once thought only of the rights this circlet would endow…
“But once I took the crown, to which I had been schooled and bred…
“I found it heavy on the heart, thought light upon the head.
“Although I was the head of state, in truth was I was the very least.
“The true Queen knows her people fed, before she sits to feast.
“The good Queen knows her people safe, before she takes her rest.
“Thinks twice, and thrice and yet again, before she makes request.
“For they all were my children, all, that I swore to defend.
“It was my duty to be both Queen, and trusted friend.
“And of my children high and low, from beggar to above. The dearest were my Heralds, who returned my care with love.
“The dearest were my Heralds, swift to spring to my command. Who gave me aid and fellowship, who always understood.
“That land and people first had needs that I could not deny. So I had to send my dearest friends to danger - and to die.”
“A friend, a love, a child.” Hope’s voice falters, her eyes closing as she fights back tears at memories resurfacing unbidden. She takes a few deep breaths, then continues, her voice strong and sure once more. “It mattered not, I knew indeed. That I must sacrifice them all if there should be the need.
“They knew, and they forgave me - doing more than I required.
“With willing minds, and loving hearts, went straight to grasp the fire.
“These tears that burn my eyes are all the tears the Queen could not shed.
“The tears I wept in silence as I mourned my Heralds dead.
“Oh Cosmos, dwelling beyond the stars, if you can hear me cry
“And if you have compassion, let me send no more to die…”
Amore lays, entranced and enthralled, by Hope’s voice. The echoing and haunting quality of it stirring emotions within Amore, bringing a feeling of great loss yet great hope to her.
“Roan, our home, was a city unrivaled in all of Equus,” Hope continues in her age-worn voice. “Her walls and towers shone brightly as a beacon of hope, of acceptance, in the Empire.” Hope looks to Amore, her smile growing fond. “Her people, welcoming and warm to all who came in peace. Brothers and sisters, all, were those who dwelled within the halls of my city.” She sighs, looking back to the fireplace, the flickering orange glow exaggerating the mournful look that forms on her face. “I considered them all, in a way, my family.” She then smiles and looks to Amore from the corner of one eye. “But, to truly know what our home was like, let me tell you of how it greeted me, when I became the Virtue of Hope….”
-----
The young pegasus filly now known as Hope sits in front of the large full body mirror, her pale gold mane accented by silvery blue held back by a circlet of silver with blue topaz gems inlaid to form the sigil of her Virtue. Looking down at the bracers upon her legs, her green eyes filling with tears of worry. How… how had she ended up here? Wearing Hope’s bracelets, wearing her circlet, sitting in her room? Surely, one of the older, more experienced Acolytes should be here, not her.
No. No, she had known when she had come here but a few short months ago that this was a possibility. Hope had been in poor health for years now, but for her to pass so soon… The Cosmos had chosen her to fill this role, and this role she would fulfill.
“Young Hope,” a voice hisses from behind Hope, causing her to jump slightly. “My apologiesss young Hope. It wass not my intention to ssstartle you.”
Placing a hoof over her heart, and putting on her best smile, Hope looks up into the mirror. “It is alright, Doctor. I was simply lost in thought.” She turns and regards the large basilisk construct as it slithers its way over to her, its features impassive as always. “Is something the matter? I… I requested not to be disturbed.”
“Nothing of the sssort, Hope,” Doctor speaks again in his raspy hiss. “I sssimply wisshed to ssee if you were well. Truly, thiss is a sshock. My former missstress passing as sshe did, and your assscension.”
“I… I am alright,” Hope lies, turning back to the mirror as she closes her eyes and tries to breath normally. “I just… I just need time to let it sink in.” The sudden feeling of the construct’s strangely warm scales against her flank causes Hope to open her eyes as the snake pulls himself up to ‘sit’ beside her and look in the mirror with her.
“I undersstand,” Doctor whispers with what could almost be called a smile on his face. “I am glad, however, that it iss you who wass chosen. Truly, I have never sseen a ssoul who embodiess Hope as much as yourss.” He leans over and nuzzles Hope’s cheek. “You will do her proud, little Hope.”
Taking a few more shaking breaths, Hope nods slowly, wiping the tears that had started forming in her eyes with one arm. “I guess it can’t sink in any more than that.” She looks to Doctor in the mirror and smiles. “Well, I guess I should go… meet the city. They have waited for their Hope to return to them long enough.”
“That, they have,” Doctor replies curtly. “Thiss way, Hope. Let uss go and meet your sssubjectss.” Without further word, Doctor turns and slithers towards the door leaving Hope no other option than to follow him.
Opening the door with his magic, Doctor exits and starts down the hallway of Hope’s palace, the guards stationed at even intervals coming to attention as he passes. Hope herself hesitates for a moment, her breath coming in slow deep breaths. When last she had walked these halls, she had been the student, now she was the ruler. Doctor stops a few paces down the hall, and looks back at Hope, if he had them surely he would be raising an eyebrow.
“Right, sorry…” Hope says with a blush as she draws herself up and takes the first steps out of of her new room. As she passes, the guards bend knee and bow to her, soft murmurs of ‘Lady Hope’ echoing in her hoofsteps doing nothing for her embarrassed blush. Once she reaches Doctor, they continue together down the winding hallways of her palace, each and every pony they meet bending knee. Most surprising, is when they pass the library where her now former brothers and sister acolytes are just now getting out of their daily lessons.
One and all stop when they spot her, bowing before her with the usual soft murmurs of her new title and name. It is all Hope can do not to flee from the spot, the constant presence of Doctor beside her willing her forward lest her pace falter and she flee back to her rooms. Yet, from the oldest to the youngest, she sees not a trace of hostility as she passes them. In its place, she sees smiles full of joy, and eyes shining with pride that one of their own, one of their youngest sisters had been chosen to take up the mantle. Especially those who had come with her, all those months ago, to study beneath Hope. In those eyes, she sees the pride and joy shine especially strong, made only brighter by their own hopeful looks.
And then they are past them, and nearing the balcony on the third story of the palace which overlooks the great square outside the palace’s main entrance. To get there, however, means they have to pass through the throne room, in which Hope knows there to be four ponies she would rather avoid right now currently standing within the vast chamber. Yet she must press on, for she knows all too well that Doctor will not let her get out of this. Certainly not now that she’s begun.
Steeling her courage, and summoning all the will she can, she holds her head high as the great doors that bear the emblem of Hope swing open to admit them to the room where she will, before long, govern Roan from. Within, standing before the simple throne that Hope had chosen, stand her fellow Virtues.
All have their back to her, Strength and Life currently discussing something with Compassion, with Love off to one side speaking with a very tall white alicorn who is smiling brightly at whatever it is the young pegasus is saying. On reflex, Hope quickly lowers herself to the floor in a deep, respectful, bow. Beside her, Doctor hisses an exasperated but resigned sigh.
“Say, Doc,” a voice comes suddenly from above Hope, followed by weight and the feeling of something laying on top of her neck and head. “This one looks a little young. I mean, she is wearing the bracelets, but are you sure this is Hope?”
“Yesss, Jinsong. I am sssure thisss isss my new Missstress,” Doctor replies irritably, his tone implying he is rolling his eyes at the drake Hope had often seen around Strength when she visited the previous Hope. “Now, kindly go find sssome other poor sssoul to torment, and leave the young Hope alone.”
“As you wish, O’ mighty healer!” Jin chuckles before the weight vanishes from Hope’s back.
Looking to Doctor, Hope mouths a silent ‘thank you’ before she looks ahead again, a high pitched squeak escaping her as she realises, while she had been focused on the drake the Virtues had come over to her! Lowering herself closer to the floor, Hope whispers oaths mixed with apologies to the Virtues.
“Mother, sshe isss sstill quite nervouss about her new role,” Doctor laments to Life.
“It is understandable, my son,” Life speaks softly, leaning down to smile at Hope. “My dear Hope, there is nothing to fear in these halls, you are among equals.”
Hope closes her eyes and releases another high pitched squeak, wishing, willing even, for this crazy ride to end and let her off. It is not until a soft and age worn voice speaks up from beside her that she looks up to see the unicorn, Compassion, sitting beside her with a grandmotherly smile on her face.
“Little Hope, what troubles your heart?” Compassion asks.
“I… I do not know if I am strong enough,” Hope stutters weakly. “I… I am not worthy to stand amongst you. Beside gods!” She points at the large white alicorn who has by now wandered over with Love beside him.
“And why is that?” Compassion presses gently.
“I… Lady Compassion, I am young. I’m barely of age to be on my own,” Hope attempts to say, but it comes out more of an overwhelmed whine. “I… I barely even started my studies as an Acolyte!”
“I see,” Compassion sighs as she looks to Love. “Love, you are not much older than our dear Hope here. Were you ready when the Cosmos called you?”
“Oh, well yea….” Love starts, but is cut off by the alicorn coughing and poking her in the side with a wing. “Oh, no! No, not at all. I was terrified!” Love continues with a sheepish smile and a flick of her ears.
“Truly?” Hope whispers, looking up at Love and the alicorn beside her with tears in her eyes.
“I can attest to it,” the alicorn says in a voice that exudes strength and confidence. “Nor, too, was my dear Strength ready to take her place among the other Virtues when she was called. Even as staunch and brave a warrior as she is.”
“Shiro!” Strength chides the alicorn, a loving smile on her face though. “I thought we agreed to not talk about that.” She then looks to Hope and inclines her head. “He is right, however. The weight we bear is such that it would easily break a pony, but the Cosmos would not place it upon your shoulders if they were not sure you could carry it.”
“I hope you all are near finisshed,” Doctor says from where he has been the entire time beside Hope. “My missstress needss to go and meet her sssubjectss.”
“Was that a joke, my dear Doctor?” Shiro asks with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. “I didn’t know you had it in you. Spending too much time around Jin?”
“It isss simply the truth, mighty Shiro,” Doctor replies with a hissing sigh.
“Regardless, he is right,” Love cheerfully agrees, walking over and getting down next to the still cowering Hope. “You need to go say hello to all the ponies waiting out there. I am sure once you do, you’ll see there is nothing to fear.” She gently rests a wing across Hope’s back and nods her head towards the door at the other side of the room. “So, come, let us greet your people together.”
Standing on shaking hooves, Hope nods slowly and starts forward. As she walks forward, she cannot help but listen to the echoing hoofbeats against the stone floor, and how they have never sounded louder than in this moment. When they reach the arching doorway to the balcony, the Virtues stop and look to Hope.
“Wait here a moment, dear Hope,” Life requests with a smile. “We shall introduce you, so that your people may know their new Hope.”
Nodding slowly, her legs shaking and ears flat against her head, Hope watches as the Virtues all go out the door. Love is last to depart, aiming a warm and comforting smile to Hope before she folds her wing back up and walks out the door.
“Citizens of Roan,” Strength’s voice booms, the very walls of the palace seeming to almost vibrate with the force of it. “Dry thy tears, and raise your eyes to us, for we bring you glad tidings.”
“Rejoice,” Life’s voice comes next, softer but no less in volume. “For tonight, your vigil shall end.”
“For though we may pass from this life,” Compassion’s age weary voice echoes as she continues the traditional words. “Virtue is eternal, and always another shall rise.”
“Rejoice!” Love’s youthful call comes next. “For tonight, Hope has returned to Roan, and Equus as a whole!”
Then, as one, all the Virtues turn and look to Hope, her heart suddenly beating faster as if to jump out of her chest. She needs to go forward, and stand amongst them as their equal, yet she finds her legs frozen, her hooves unable to takes those steps. Then, suddenly from behind she is pushed. It is gentle, but strong, causing her to take those first steps.
Looking behind herself, she finds Doctor pushing her, with Shiro and Jinsong smiling a short ways off. She is silently thankful, though she cannot find the words, for Doctor. And now that she has stated forward, she finds she cannot stop.
Walking onto the balcony and standing in the center of the Virtues between Life and Love, Hope’s breath catches at the sight before her.
The great courtyard that she had crossed so many times before, is full of ponies holding lit candles. So packed is the courtyard that even the great fountain at its center has ponies -- from pegasi to even adventurous earth ponies -- standing upon its great basin and upon the statues that crown it. It is as if she is looking upon a sea of shifting and breathing stars, so great is the crowd before her.
“Say something,” Love whispers from beside her. “Your people need to hear your voice.”
Hope works her mouth, unsure of what to say. For what could she possibly say to all assembled that would be fitting for a Virtue? How can she possibly even think she could, standing here amongst some of the most powerful ponies in all of Equus? Shaking her head, she chides herself, forcing her voice to come forth.
“Ponies of Roan,” Hope finds herself saying, her voice wavering but loud enough to be heard. “I stand before you as your Hope. As was she the Hope who came before me, I am the hope for the future, the light beyond the darkness, the very candles clutched between your hooves and wrapped within your magic.” She finds herself growing more confident with each word, even if the cold pit of fear in her stomach has yet to leave. “I shall stand for you, and guide you all, my brothers and sisters. If you shall have me!”
And for a long moment, it is silent in the courtyard save for the splashing of the fountain. Even if the last words were a formality, Hope’s fear flairs. What if they do not want her? What if they do not approve of what the young filly the Cosmos have chosen to take the place of the elderly, and well loved Hope who had just passed? What if…
And then, she sees it. A young unicorn on the fountain lifts her candle to the heavens with her magic, and bows deeply a call coming forth from her lips. “I welcome you, Hope! May you shelter us from despair and light our way into the future!” Even before the oath fades from the air, others are adding to it, their own candles lifted towards her and their bows deep and respectful.
And in Hope’s eyes there are tears. Tears of joy and pure relief. Roan, her home, accepted her.
As Hope’s voice fades, the last line of her story finished, Amore blinks and looks up to her mentor, a small smile on her lips.
“Were you really that scared, Nana?” she asks, her voice barely a whisper as if to speak louder would mean the story is truly over. “But you always look so confident and sure of yourself.”
Chuckling, Hope looks down to Amore, and shakes her head. “It took me years of practice, and uneventful leadership, to learn how to look like that. The truth is, I am sometimes quite unsure of what I am doing, but it is best to not let others know that. If a leader looks like they know what they are doing, then others are more willing to follow them.”
“Could you teach me how to do it?” Amore asks, leaning forward and resting her chin on a couch cushion. “I’m still so unsure in public, though everypony seems so nice and forgiving…”
Opening her mouth to both comfort and assure Amore that the best teacher in this case would be experience, Hope is cut off by a loud pop followed by a pony materializing and gracelessly falling on its back onto the couch beside her. Amore scrambles backwards, startled by the sudden appearance, and looks to Hope who hasn’t outwardly reacted or moved besides looking to the upside-down pony and smiling.
“Good evening, Star Swirl,” Hope greets the strange pony. “Still practicing teleportation?”
“Hm? Wh… Oh! Hope!” Star Swirl says as his legs flail in the air for a few seconds before he rights himself with the jingling of bells. “Yes… well no. I was actually attempting a rather complex spell regarding time travel…” he climbs over the back of the couch and goes to a window, stroking his long beard. “In fact, I think I succeeded, despite starting in my library in Equestria! If the position of the moon is any indication, I’ve traveled exactly…. five minutes into the past!” He then turns and grumbles walking over towards Hope and Amore. “Which, now that I think about it is the wrong direction, I meant to go into the future.” He stops as he comes around the couch, looking between the two, a frown on his face. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything. You two look like you’re having some bonding time.”
“Simply the end of a story,” Hope answers with a chuckle. “I was telling Amore about Roan, she was a young foal when the city fell, and wished to know of her lost home.”
“Oh!” Star Swirl says, his face brightening, then growing dark. “Oh… I remember Roan well. A city near and dear to my heart, I always looked forward to visiting it when Compassion took her acolytes to visit.” He goes over and sits next to Hope on the couch, looking to her with a sad smile. “In fact, I remember when I first met you, Hope. Oh, it was so many years ago, and you looked just as you do now… though perhaps a bit smaller, and less greying.” He chuckles, “Not that you do not wear your age well, my lady.”
“Thank you, Star Swirl,” Hope chuckles, looking to Amore who is now looking between her and the bearded unicorn. “I can see the questions in your eyes again, dear Amore.”
“Oh, I was just wondering how you two met each other,” Amore asks slowly, continuing to look between the two.
“An easy answer,” Star Swirl declares as he removes his hat so he can run a hoof through his mane. “I met Hope here when we were both quite young. She was barely a sapling in a forest of old growth trees, so to speak.”
“And Star Swirl,” Hope continues with a warm smile, “was an acolyte of Compassion, who often came to visit my city.” She chuckles and shakes her head. “In fact, if I recall correctly, we met when you were attempting to sneak out of the guest quarters, and mistook me for a fellow acolyte.”
“Well, you were quite young, and it was my first time in the city!” Star Swirl grumbles in a good natured tone. “How was I supposed to know the young filly I ran into was in fact the Virtue who ruled over the city?”
“The relics should have tipped you off,” Hope chides with a smile. “How many acolytes do you know who got to wear jewelry like this?” She holds up one arm and shows off the bracer adorning it.
“I wasn’t that good of a study back then, okay?” Star Swirl smirks, scooting a little closer to her, one hoof reaching over and lightly brushing against hers. “I figured you just got lucky and were dressed up to go to the banquet held in Compassion’s honor.”
“I did attend; I was the hostess!” Hope boasts with a laugh. “Though, I wouldn’t call it luck. I really did not like attending such stuffy things back then. Can’t say they’ve grown on me any more in my old age, but now I get to complain and everyone listens, rather than assume I’m whining.”
“I take it you two snuck out of the palace that night?” Amore speaks up, both Star Swirl and Hope looking over at her, both blushing slightly in the firelight.
“Yes, we did,” Star Swirl answers with a cough into one hoof, “and we had quite the adventure.”
“Quite an adventure indeed,” Hope chuckles softly with a nod as she looks back to Star Swirl. “Do you want to tell her, or shall I?”
“You told the last story, Nana,” Amore says with a smile. “And I rarely get to hear Star Swirl tell any stories when I visit with Celestia and Luna. Perhaps he can tell it?”
“I guess I can,” Star Swirl says with a smile, “but only because I’ve never been able to say no to a face like that. Ask Celestia or Luna sometime, they’ll back me up.” Clearing his throat, Star Swirl starts the story.
------
Star Swirl backs up slowly, closing the door as softly as he can so as not to alert any of his fellow acolytes of Compassion that he is, as is his want, sneaking out and looking for trouble. The sounds of the banquet being held in the throne room of Roan’s palace can be heard all the way down in the guest quarters, and it has Star Swirl feeling restless.
Thinking, then instantly discarding the idea to go sneak closer to the party, Star Swirl decides to go and explore the palace a little, perhaps visit the large garden he had been told was out back.
Looking around as he starts down the hallway, Star Swirl finds another question on his mind: how to actually get there. For obvious reasons he cannot ask a guard, that would only land him back in the guest quarters, but perhaps he can ask one of the staff? Pass himself off as lost looking for something, or even as if he is supposed to be out here. Yes, yes, that might work. Walking down the corridor, Star Swirl holds his head high and attempt to mimic the air of power that he has so often seen the Virtues exude when they’re on important business.
Turning a corner, he hears hoofsteps against the marble floor, and does his best to continue to facade, but as the hoofsteps grow louder he starts to feel himself becoming nervous. Turning yet another corner, hoping to avoid whoever it is, he instead bumps right into somepony!
Landing on his plot, Star Swirl looks to the young sky-blue mare he has bumped into, offering a wide smile and scratching the back of his head with one hoof.
“Oops, uhm. Sorry,” Star Swirl apologizes, getting up and offering a hoof to the pegasus. “I guess I should have been looking where I was going.”
“Might have been a good idea,” the mare giggles as she accepts the hoof and stands up, a blue and silver bracelet glinting in the torch light.
“Well, what can I say, when I am deep in thought, sometimes time just slips right by me,” Star Swirl replies, holding his smile steady. “By the way, I’m Star Swirl.”
“Silver Skies,” the mare replies with a smile, “but you can call me Silvy.” She looks Star Swirl over, her eyes shrining with interest. “Are you one of Compassion’s acolytes? I’ve not seen you around here before.”
Nodding and putting a hoof to his chest proudly, Star Swirl smiles. “I am indeed an acolyte of the venerable Compassion!” He then looks Skies over, taking in her dress she is wearing along with the bracers on her arms and legs. “You must be an acolyte of Hope, and one held in great favor if you are dressed to go to the banquet.”
“Well, you could say that I have served Hope faithfully,” Skies says with a shrug. She then looks around for a moment before leaning in close to Star Swirl. “But between you and me, I really didn’t want to go to the banquet tonight. Too many ponies playing politics for my liking.”
“Well, what do you want to do, Miss Skies?” Star Swirl asks with a sly grin. “And would you be willing to perhaps do it with a stallion like me?”
“Well, I don’t know,” Skies sighs slowly, a smile on her face. “I was just going to go take a walk through the garden. I’ve been cooped up in one place for too long,” she stretches her wings and flaps them a few times. “Goes against nature, you know? Pegasi aren’t meant to sit in once place for too long.”
“Well then,” Star Swirl chuckles and offers an arm for Skies. “Then allow me to be the gentle-stallion and escort my fellow acolyte? I was thinking of visiting the garden myself, I’ve heard it is a sight to behold. Hope’s garden.”
Hooking one of her arms in Star Swirl’s, Silvy smiles. “She tries her best. Sadly, not many see it, as hardly anypony is interested in visiting. Poor gardeners work so hard, and never get praised for it.”
Star Swirl chuckles and starts leading Silvy forward, as he does not see her turning her head and nodding to a pair of guards who were standing just out of sight. The guards smile and return the nod before walking away to return to their posts.
Walking through the empty hallways of the palace is not as lonely, nor is there any real danger of getting in trouble. He clearly is escorting perhaps the most beautiful of Hope’s acolytes to the gardens on this perfect night.
Although he is leading, Star Swirl allows Silvy to guide and steer their direction as he has no idea where he’s going. A few times, he thinks he can see a door to the garden a little bit farther down their path, only to be led down a side-corridor or in a circle, leading them not quite directly away from their destination, but certainly adding time to their journey. Not that he minds, really, the more time he gets to spend with his fellow acolyte, the better. He cannot put his hoof on it, but something about her just radiates comfort for him, makes him feel at ease and he finds himself drawing a little closer to her as they walk.
Eventually, though, they make it to the garden. Stopping at the entrance to it, a large stone patio with a few walkways radiating off of it, Star Swirl takes in the sight.
The Garden of Hope is a large expanse of flower beds, trees, and not a few small ponds and fountains. Many of the flowers are in full bloom, the pleasantly warm early-summer evening providing the perfect conditions for them to thrive and glow in the bright moonlight. Looking over to Silvy, Star Swirl cannot help but smile, as much like the flowers planted in the garden she seems to be almost more beautiful beneath pale moonlight.
“Well, this is m… I mean Hope’s garden.” Silvy says with a chuckle. “It’s not a lot to look at, but she takes a lot of pride in it. More so after Life’s personal construct taught her how to properly tend to it herself.”
“She seems to be doing quite an amazing job,” Star Swirl agrees, his eyes never leaving Silvy. “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my entire life.”
Silvy nods, her face face growing pink with the addition of a blush. “I am sure she would be quite honored to hear you say that.” She then looks over at Star Swirl, still blushing, but smiles warmly.
“The garden is nice too,” he chuckles, causing Silvy’ blush to spread and her wings to flutter. “But, while we’re here, we should go enjoy it, shouldn’t we?” He looks out to the garden and sweeps his free hoof to take it all in. “So, where is your favorite spot out here? Where do you love to go and just get lost in thought?”
“Well,” Silvy starts, breaking her eyes from Star Swirl and looking around the garden. “There is an old oak tree in the back of the garden, Doctor told me that it was planted by the first Hope who lived here.” She giggles and brushes a few stray strands of her mane out of her face. “I go there to… think and reflect on what it means to be a Virtue.”
“I do that sometimes,” Star Swirl admits. “Sit somewhere related to the Virtue I serve. I think it helps me prepare for the possibility that I might take over for the current one when she… when she passes.” Star Swirl’s smile falters at that last admission.
“I am sure she will be with us for a while yet,” Silvy comforts Star Swirl, patting his shoulder with one hoof. She then smiles and gestures with her head towards an area deeper in the garden. “Let’s go to the spot I was talking about.”
Perking back up, Star Swirl nods. “After you, my fair lady.”
Silvy smiles warmly and starts leading Star Swirl deeper into the gardens. They travel for a few minutes, walking slowly through rows of flowers that are made, in Star Swirl’s humble opinion, less beautiful when put beside the radiant visage of his companion this night. Before long though, they come to an ancient oak tree the branches of which form a large umbrella that shades everything beneath it in soft and comforting shadows. Silvy runs over as they draw near to it, and sits beneath it, looking over her shoulder at Star Swirl with a quite friendly gaze.
“This tree has stood in this garden for centuries,” Silvy starts, placing a hoof against the rough bark, a look of respect on her face. “I found it when I first came here to train as an acolyte, and it’s provided me with some comfort and a chance to escape when things become too much.” She sits down, back against the bark and her arms resting crossed in front of her. Sighing contently, she looks over at Star Swirl. “Going to join me, Mister Star Swirl? Or are you the kind who looks, but never touches?”
Smiling widely, Star Swirl goes over and plops down next to Silvy, scooting over until their sides are touching. “Silvy, I am exactly the kind of stallion who looks and touches,” He winks at her and shrugs. “But only when asked. If I have learned nothing else from Compassion, it is that you always ask the beautiful mare permission before you get friendly.”
“I knew I liked that elderly mare for a reason,” Silvy says softly, leaning her head over and placing it gently on Star Swirl’s shoulder. “You know what I love most about this spot? On clear nights like tonight, if you look up, you can see the stars so clearly.”
“I have always loved looking at the stars,” Star Swirl admits, his own head traveling over to rest against Silvy’. “Not just because of my name, mind you, but because they seem so careless. So free and separate from the strife and hardship we mortals feel here.”
“They’re so beautiful tonight,” Silvy mentions absently as she scoots a little closer to her companion. “Like little jewels in the sky, like the Cosmos knew we were going to meet tonight, and wanted us to have a pleasant evening.”
Smiling, Star Swirl reaches down and gently hooks one of her hooves with one of his, and holds onto it. “I have to disagree, Miss Skies,” he says softly. “Next to you, even the stars lose their luster.” He watches as a deep blush forms on her face, even as his own starts forming. “And if the Cosmos made them especially radiant tonight, it was only to show that you are that much more.” For a long moment, both of them sit there in the shade of the tree, beneath the watchful eyes of the stars. Star Swirl has no idea what has come over him, nor where these words are coming from, but something in him says not to question it. Normally, he wouldn’t be moving this fast; Cosmos, he would normally be avoiding getting involved like this with a fellow acolyte, but this just feels right somehow. And, it looks as though Silvy agrees, because she has yet to flee, let alone protest.
He can’t let this moment pass him by.
And then Silvy sits up, removing her head from his shoulder, and his heart sinks. Perhaps he was wrong, and she wasn’t feeling the same.
“Star Swirl,” Silvy speaks softly, looking up at him, face stained scarlet by a blush.
“Yes, Silvy?” Star Swirl answers, his ears flat against his head in worry, a deep blush on his face.
Without any more words, Silvy reaches a hoof up and gently leans up, eyes closed and ears relaxed and upright. And Star Swirl, knowing exactly what she wants, leans down. The instant their lips meet it is as if time itself stops, and all the world becoming awash with brilliant stars. He wishes this moment can last forever, prays silently to the Cosmos and whoever else will listen, that this moment will never have to end. Yet, all too soon for both of the participants, time resumes and the world fades back to its normal colors. Silvy breaks the kiss, lowering herself a fraction of an inch, their mouths still close enough that he can feel her warm, sweet smelling breath as they both catch their breaths.
“You really are an acolyte of Compassion,” Silvy comments breathlessly.
“And you, dear Silvy,” Star Swirl breathes, “really, truly, are a faithful servant of Hope. That kiss has filled me with more hope and longing for what the future might hold than I have ever felt.”
Both of them develop a deep blush again as they allow themselves to sit back. Star Swirl contemplates what to do now, as before too long the banquet will be over, and their Virtues will soon be looking in on their respective acolytes. Though it might not be such a big deal for Star Swirl, Compassion often finds him out of his bunk and out exploring or getting escorted back by the guards, he worries for Silvy.
It would not be a good idea for her to be found out of her bed, as likely she had excused herself to return to her room. What would the guards think? What would Hope think, discovering that one of Compassion’s acolytes had absconded with one of hers into the garden to make out? No he really should get her back to her room.
“It’s getting late,” Silvy comments, looking up at Star Swirl and biting her bottom lip. “I think perhaps I should be getting to my room.”
“I was just thinking that,” Star Swirl agrees, thankful that she pointed it out first. “Shall I escort you?”
“I would like that,” Silvy replies as she gets up and waits for Star Swirl.
Once they are both standing, the pair starts back towards the palace, one of Silvy’ wings draped over Star Swirl as their sides touch. The walk is quiet, for no words are needed between them right now, and speaking would truly only ruin the feeling of mutual serenity. As they walk, Star Swirl observes Silvy, for despite the fact that she is quite young -- barely old enough to have left her parents and started her training as an acolyte -- she holds herself with a graceful air almost akin to the way he has seen the current Compassion hold herself. This, of course, only reinforces his desire to see her back to her room, as he has no doubt that Hope will be greatly angered to see such a young mare out of bed at this hour and in the company of a scoundrel like him.
Eventually, and quite honestly too soon for Star Swirl, they reach a door that Silvy stops outside of. There are guards nearby, but as they start to react to them Silvy waves a hoof and they return to standing still as statues. Star Swirl raises an eyebrow at this, but writes it off as her likely being one of Hope’s favorites, what with the way she is dressed and the bracers.
“Well, this is my room,” Silvy says softly, looking down at the floor and scuffing a hoof against it.
“Then I guess this is where I go,” Star Swirl sighs sadly as he starts to turn. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“No,” Silvy says suddenly, coming over to Star Swirl who looks at her with surprise. “No, I don’t want you to leave. Not yet. Please?” She gives him the sweetest look ever, and he feels his heart flutter suddenly.
“I…” Star Swirl starts, his body reacting without direction and turning around. “I guess I could stay for a while.” He smiles softly, his horn glowing as he opens the door for her. “Ladies first?” Silvy smiles and walks into the room, followed closely by Star Swirl. The door closes behind them softly, quickly cutting off the sound the two of them kissing again.
-----
“My lady I…” a guard starts as he enters the room, his magic and light from the hallway illuminating the darkened room, but trails off as his gaze falls on the pair that had been decidedly more occupied with each other than his intrusion.
Instantly, Silvy lets out a scream from where she is on the bed as Star Swirl freezes in place. The bright light blinding him for a moment, he doesn’t get a good look at whoever just burst in on them mid… relaxation.
The intruder, whoever it is, is quick to turn around though, and the light soon vanishes, quickly followed by the sound of the door closing loudly. The sound releases Star Swirl from his shock like a splash of cold water, both in the fact that it rouses him to action, and kills the mood in the room. He quickly disentangles himself from his companion, falling rather unceremoniously out of bed as he does, and does his best to try and comfort the trembling mare.
“It’s okay,” Star Swirl speaks quickly as he looks between the door and Silvy. “Whoever it was is gone, but I think I’d best take my leave… don’t want to get you into any more trouble than what you’re likely in already.”
“It was a guard…” Silvy squeaks, quickly pulling the sheets over her head. “That was a guard!” She groans and flops backwards.
“Well, that complicates things…” Star Swirl admits as he starts towards the door. “If we’re lucky, there won’t be any more. But, if there are, I’ll take the blame,” he puts a hoof to the door latch. “Was all my idea; if you tell them that, I am sure they’ll let you off with a slap to the wrist.” He then opens the door and goes to move into the hallway, only to bump face into flank with a guard.
“Whoa there,” the guard says, turning around, eyeing Star Swirl. “Where you off to in such a hurry, acolyte?”
“My room…?” Star Swirl says honestly. “Been a long… studying with my fellow acolyte…” He looks over his shoulder at Silvy, who has a pillow over her face. “So I really should be going.”
“Sorry, but you’re not going anywhere,” one of the guards says with a smirk. “Our Captain told us to make sure you two aren’t interrupted, but I am sure he also didn’t want you wandering off before he gets back.”
“Oh… horse apples…” Star Swirl curses under his breath. “I really stepped in it this time.”
“That... is an understatement,” the second guard chuckles. “Just sit down, son; you shouldn’t have to wait long.”
Star Swirl does so without any further comment or protest, looking back into the room at Silvy. Currently, the mare he had been spending his evening with is still in bed, sitting up now, her wings fully extended no matter how hard she tries to fold them back up. In the quiet, he can hear her cursing softly. What a lousy end to the perfect evening.
The sound of hoofsteps on the stone floor snaps his attention from Silvy, and back to the reality at hoof. He was in trouble, he was in deep, deep trouble. But then, so was Silvy! Quickly drawing himself up and putting on the bravest, most confidant face he can muster with the bone-shaking fear he is feeling, he awaits his doom. And that doom comes in the form of Compassion and Hope’s construct, Doctor. The elderly Virtue is leading the way, a somewhat exasperated look on her face, as if she knows who had caused the commotion. Doctor, on the other hoof, just looks passive, as if this is normal for him.
“Ah, Star Swirl,” Compassion starts with a soft sigh as she reaches the doorway. “It would be you.”
“Lady Compassion,” Star Swirl starts, attempting to keep his tone even and failing miserably. “It wasn’t her fault, it was all my idea and I will take any punishment you can come up with so long as you spare her.”
“What are you talking about?” Compassion asks, blinking. “Why would I punish you?”
“Yesss,” Doctor speaks up from beside Compassion. “Why sshould we punissh you, acolyte?”
“I… I got caught… uhm, exploring the garden of a fellow acolyte?” Star Swirl starts, confused. “A rather young one at that… not that she is not mature, and not like I’ve not seen older acolytes doing this sort of thing before. But it’s still improper, especially because I was told to stay in the guest quarters with my fellow acolytes.”
Smiling almost deviously, Compassion raises an eyebrow. “You have no idea who she is, do you?”
“She’s Silver Skies,” Star Swirl starts, now even more confused. “An acolyte of Hope… right?”
Looking over Star Swirl’s head, Compassion smirks. “Really, dear? You gave him that name?”
“I didn’t want him groveling,” Silvy says from behind Star Swirl as she comes up to stand next to him, the blanket from the bed wrapped around herself like a cloak. “Especially after I left the banquet to get away from being treated like that…”
“Who… who are you then?” Star Swirl asks softly, confused and suddenly very afraid.
“I… I’m actually Hope, Star Swirl,” Silvy, no Hope, admits. “I… I didn’t want you to know, because I wanted to be treated like a normal mare for a while.” She looks at him, tears in starting to form. “I’m sorry I lied.”
For a long moment, Star Swirl’s voice fails to come forth. Instead, he reaches up and gently places a hoof on the side of Hope’s face, causing her to look up at him. “It’s okay,” he whispers softly. “I understand why you did it. You could have told me, though. I wouldn’t think any less of you, Silvy or Hope, I would have treated you the same.”
“You’re just saying that because I can throw you in a dungeon now,” Hope sniffles.
“I won’t say that isn’t on my mind right now,” Star Swirl chuckles, “But I’d be a sorry excuse of a Compassion acolyte if I didn’t try to understand your position.”
“I really do hate to break up sssuch a heartfelt moment,” Doctor hisses, causing everypony present to look at him. “But my Misstress requiress her sssleep.”
“As do I,” Compassion yawns. “I am not getting any younger, and if I want to have any chance of functioning, I should retire to my rooms.” She then looks to Star Swirl, who is looking between Hope and the corridor leading towards the guest rooms. “Star Swirl, I expect you to be on time for tomorrow's lessons.”
“Yes Lady Compassion.” Star Swirl replies, ears going back against his head. He rises to start down the hall, only to have Compassion put a hoof in front of him.
“That, my dear student, is not the direction your heart wants you to go in.” She nods towards Hope who has started back to her own bed. “Go. Spend the night with her. So long as she gets some sleep herself, there is no harm in it.” Star Swirl’s mouth works, but nothing comes out before Compassion turns and starts down the hallway to her own rooms.
It wasn’t really an order, at least not in any sense of the word, but Star Swirl smiles and calls after Compassion. “Yes ma’am!” he then turns and goes back into the room he had just left, a warm smile on his face.
What a wonderful ending to the perfect evening.
-----
Hope laughs as Star Swirl finishes his story. “I had forgotten my own name.” She leans over and nuzzles Star Swirl, who during the telling had worked his way over so that he and Hope were snuggling.
“After that night, it was forever seared into my mind, my love.” Star Swirl replies with a chuckle. He leans over and kisses Hope, who blushes as her wings flutter. “Though, after telling it again, it really does have me wanting to relive those days. No time travel required for that part, thank the Cosmos.”
“Star Swirl,” Hope says as her blush deepens, “there are children present.”
“I’m not a child,” Amore chuckles, “and you two are so cute.” She then rises, blanket still wrapped around herself as she starts for the door. “And, so long as you are not late to tomorrow’s lesson, Hope, I see no reason you should not spend the night with this young scoundrel.”
“Which of us is the ruler here yet, young one?” Hope asks with a teasing grin and an arched eyebrow.
“You are, Hope,” Amore replies, her own teasing grin on her face, “but, if I recall correctly, I am the new Virtue of Love. And by that power, I think I can command two old love-struck fools to spend the night together.”
“She has you there, heart of mine,” Star Swirl chuckles.
“See, even he agrees,” Amore continues, going to the door and opening it. “I will see you two in the morning, provided you don’t tire each other out too badly.” She then leaves before Hope can argue.
“You have chosen her well,” Star Swirl comments, resting his head on Hope’s shoulder. “She has the same fire in her that I saw in you, all those years ago.”
“I chose nothing,” Hope chuckles as she uses her magic to remove Star Swirl’s hat, placing it on the nearby table with the jingling of its bells. “You can blame the Cosmos…” She leans over and kisses his head. “I do!”
“I could,” Star Swirl starts, getting off the couch, “but that would cut into my time, and right now I wish to use that time to relive some old memories.” He crosses to the bed and smiles. “What do you say, o’ virtuous heart of mine. Shall we remember what it was like to be young, together?”
“I thought you would never ask,” Hope replies, standing from the couch and crossing to her love.
The morning sunlight softly caresses Hope’s features like an old friend, an old love, returning from a long journey. Of course, it was not any of those things, because as Hope opens her eyes, she finds that the old love of hers is still sleeping peacefully beside her. Star Swirl, for all his bravado last night, had fallen asleep promptly after they had finished re-living, in some small fashion, their younger days.
Not that Hope had fared much better, she had fallen asleep soon afterwards too.
Still, it had been a wondrous evening, and now it was time to greet the new day. And to do that, she must awaken the object of her affections. So, she slowly raises a hoof and pokes Star Swirl in the nose.
“Mmm, no five more minutes…” Star Swirl mutters, rolling onto his back. “I’ll only be ready to show her majesty my latest spell if I am well rested…”
“And what spell is that,” Hope leans over as she whispers into Star Swirl’s ear, “because if it is a spell to steal my heart, I fear it is not needed.”
Star Swirl’s ears shoot forward and his eyes open quickly. He looks over at Hope and smiles sheepishly. “Ah, I thought you were one of my students. Clover the Clever can be quite… uhm insistent that I get up at a certain time so as to keep to a set schedule.”
“Well, that is something I fear her and I will have in common today,” Hope replies with a mischievous smile. “The sun is rising, dear heart of mine. Shall we watch it together?”
“Well, I think I can do that for you,” Star Swirl says with a groan, more from the fact that as he rolls out of bed there are a few loud pops. “I hate getting old…”
“Oh, come now,” Hope chuckles as she gets out of bed herself, her own bones creaking, “it’s not that bad. You’ve gotten to spend it with me.” She walks to the front of the bed, where Star Swirl is already waiting with one arm extended.
“I have indeed, my dear love,” Star Swirl agrees with a nod of his head. “Now, shall I escort the beloved Queen of my heart to the balcony?”
“No,” Hope replies simply, “there is a better spot to watch the sunrise, but it will require us to go up some stairs.”
“Stairs, my greatest foe,” Star Swirl sighs heavily. “How they have grown stronger, as I have grown weaker.” He smiles to Hope as he starts towards the door to her room. “But, for you, my dear, I shall endeavor to battle them valiantly.”
“I could ask no less of you,” Hope agrees, nodding with a smile.
Without further comment, they two exit the room, Star Swirl being the gentlestallion and opening the door with his magic and allowing Hope to go through first. Once they are out of the room Star Swirl offers his arm again, which is accepted gladly by Hope, and the couple walk down the hallway and through the early morning staff as they prepare for the day. As they walk, many of the staff, guards included, greet them warmly. More than a few ask when Star Swirl showed up, the older servants doing so with knowing smiles and winks. Star Swirl returns the winks, and assures everypony that it was not a planned visit, and that they should all hold their surprise and admiration at his sudden appearance for when he actually plans to show up. That only incites some laughter from a few of the older servants, and statements that the day he actually shows up on purpose is the day they’ll sit through one of his lectures on magical theory.
Before long, though, Hope and Star Swirl are out of the early morning preparation, and heading slowly up a set of stairs that spiral up the center of the Palace. A few minutes of battling their age and the stairs, they reach the top of the palace, finding themselves on a large flat expanse that serves as a lookout tower for the city, as well as the occasional observation platform for when the residents of the castle wish to look upon their lands in its entirety.
Sitting down near the railing, Hope and Star Swirl cuddle a little to shelter themselves against the nip in the early morning air. They are silent as the rays of sunlight continue to crest the eastern horizon, its bright glow dancing and reflecting off of the many crystalline houses before and below them.
“Celestia is raising a beautiful sunrise,” Hope whispers softly, her head resting against Star Swirl’s neck. “I am glad to see her taking the duties she has been given so seriously.”
“As am I,” Star Swirl replies in an equally soft voice, “She is yet young, but I see in her a great care for the ponies she rules over, as well as the Kingdom she is aiding to grow.” He then looks down at Hope and kisses her forehead softly. “And, the sunrise pales beside such beauty as you, my dear hopeful heart.”
Once more the couple descended into silence, their attentions focused on each other as the sun slowly rises and illuminates their features. It is not until the sound of hoofsteps behind them, coming up the stairs they had entered from, bring them back to reality that Star Swirl or Hope look around.
“I figured I would find you two here,” Amore speaks from behind the couple, laughter in her voice. “Whenever he visits, you two always watch the sunrise together. I am starting to think it is a tradition for you two.”
“And you would be right,” Hope replies in a grandmotherly tone, “Star Swirl and I have been doing this since our relationship started.” She then chuckles and looks over hers and Star Swirl’s shoulders. “I also always watch the sunrise, Amore.”
“I know, Nana,” Amore replies, coming up to sit next to her elders. “You just always do something special when Star Swirl is around.”
“Perhaps I am just a very special pony,” Star Swirl states in a fake snobby accent, nose up in the air. “It’s the bells, you know; they make me better than every other pony.”
“Careful there, Nonno,” Amore chastises with a shake of her hoof at Star Swirl, “keep that up, and ponies in Equestria might just all start wearing bells to show how important they are! No one would ever get any sleep.”
“No, I suppose that would be bad, wouldn’t it?” Star Swirl says thoughtfully before sighing. “I’ll just have to keep hiding my amazing superiority over all those stuffy foals I am forced to associate with.”
“Back to my original question, though,” Amore continues, looking out towards the sunrise. “Since we have a while before morning lessons, at least: why are you two up here?”
“Well, remember the story from last night?” Hope starts, a smile on her face as Star Swirl chuckles.
“I do,” Amore replies, still watching the sunrise. “I take it that this has something to do with that?”
“My dear, sweet Amore,” Hope continues, looking back out towards the sunrise, the sun continuing to crest the distant horizon. “It has everything to do with it.”
--------
Hope wakes slowly, the room still dark in the predawn hours. Sighing contently she stretches, feeling very well rested and full of energy despite the late night she had had the night before. The reason for that late night is sleeping in her bed, on his back, comfortably drooling on one of her pillows.
Star Swirl. Compassion had not stopped talking about him during the reception, he was one of her acolytes; the one that gave her the most trouble, truthfully, as his carefree and eccentric attitude often brought him into conflict with the others. At times, he would simply not show up for classes. Other times he would be disruptive, or he would outright disagree with the teacher. Yet, for all of that, Compassion had nothing but good things to say about him, because he was smart, he was compassionate, and at times he was willing to sacrifice himself for his fellows. Hope had seen all of that last night, a part of him that Compassion had sworn was there, if only somepony would bring it out of him.
Gently nuzzling into the side of his neck, Hope cannot help but smile warmly, because she is the one who had perhaps brought that out in him. It is something she plans, wholeheartedly, to continue to do, starting with sharing something special with him.
Gently shaking her companion, Hope whispers in Star Swirl’s ear. “Time to wake up. I have something to show you.”
“Mmm…” Star Swirl hums in response, “five more minutes, mom… School doesn’t start for hours yet.”
“I’m not your mother,” Hope continues in a whisper, “but I am completely capable of making it an order, Acolyte.” She forces herself not to laugh as Star Swirl’s ears shoot up and he bolts upright in bed. She leans over and pulls him into a hug as his eyes open. “Well, that got your attention!” she laughs.
“I… I thought you were Compassion for a moment, Silvy…” he starts, then trails off and coughs. “I mean Lady Hope.”
“Star Swirl,” Hope starts, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow, “you don’t need to call me ‘Lady Hope’ while we are alone, in fact I would prefer you don’t.”
“Then… what do I call you?” Star Swirl asks with a sheepish smile. “I can’t call you Silvy, or Silver Skies… It would be improper.”
“Just call me Hope,” Hope replies, leaning over and kissing his cheek. “It’s my name now, and you shouldn’t be afraid to use it without the honorific.”
“Alright, Hope,” Star Swirl yawns, blinking and looking out the window. “So… why are we up before the dawn?”
“I want to show you something,” Hope reiterates, tugging on Star Swirl’s hoof, “so get out of bed and follow me!”
Yawning again, Star Swirl gets out of bed and follows Hope who has already crossed to the door and opened it. As they pass into the hallway, Hope can’t help but laugh at the looks Star Swirl gets from the guards posted beside the door and along the corridor. Most of the guards give him a raised eyebrow, or even a smirk, a few smile and hold a hoof up as if to congratulate him. All the while, Star Swirl’s face is a mixture of a blush and terror. Hope knows that he has nothing to fear from her guards, but still a part of her can’t help but silently laugh at the fact he is so worried that he just bedded the ruling virtue of Roan.
Hope leads Star Swirl through her palace, and up to the garden out back where they had spent time together the night before. The garden currently has a few of the groundskeepers going about their early morning work, such as prepping a few of the flower beds for planting later when the sun has risen. All of them greet Hope warmly, none of them using her honorific as she has made friends with the early morning staff in the gardens, and more than a few of them smirk at Star Swirl as he passes. Hope nuzzles his neck reassuringly, though, which seems to take most of the stiffness out of his steps as they continue on towards their destination.
That destination is the tree on the small hill that they had kissed under the night before, the pre-dawn darkness making their progress slowly, as this part of the garden is not lit by torches. However, Hope knows it well, and before long they are seated between two of the large roots of the tree -- Star Swirl with his back against the hard bark of the tree with Hope nestled against his chest, his head resting on top of hers -- looking towards the direction the sun will rise in.
“So, not that I am complaining,” Star Swirl says slowly, wrapping his hooves around Hope’s chest and smiling down at her, “but, what did you want to show me?”
Putting a hoof to her lips, Hope points out towards the distant horizon as a soft, pink glow starts to come from it. Soon, the pink hue turns to a brilliant amber, and from amber to yellow as the sun starts to rise. The sky starts to grow light as well, the dark purple of night giving way to the bright blue of day. As the sun rises, Star Swirl cannot help but stare at the brilliant colors that seem to fill the sky, seeming almost like the brush strokes of a master painter. He sits there, with Hope in his arms, enthralled by the amazing sight, only to be brought back by Hope speaking.
“Lady Aurora always does such a wonderful job with the sunrise,” Hope says softly, her voice full of as much wonder as Star Swirl feels. “I can never compliment her enough when I speak to her.”
“Now you are just showing off,” Star Swirl yawns, “telling me you know the bringer of the Dawn by name, and that you’ve spoken to her?”
“Had tea with her,” Hope replies with a smirk, “and her husband. They’re really nice ponies, really friendly. Aurora is really motherly, and kept asking how I was settling into my duties.”
“I really cannot believe you are on speaking terms with the Gods.” Star Swirl sighs as he shakes his head. “It’s so unreal, you seem so normal.”
“I am normal,” Hope states curtly. “I am just like you, and everypony else.” She crosses her arms and pouts, earning her a chuckle from Star Swirl.
“Well, I guess I will have to admit that,” Star Swirl says softly, nuzzling the top of her head gently. “Though, at the same time, I also have to disagree, you’re a very special pony in my eyes.”
“Love you too,” Hope chuckles, causing Star Swirl to stiffen slightly.
---------
“You two are so adorable,” Amore says softly, the sun now above the horizon. “Honestly, I am surprised you two don’t have any grandfoals yet.”
“Well, we are both quite old,” Star Swirl starts with a chuckle as he looks over towards Amore. “Besides, often times the Virtues did not have children unless they truly wished to have them.”
“Star Swirl and I just never… had the chance,” Hope states somberly. “I would have loved to be a mother, but it was just not meant to be.” She then sighs and looks off into the distance, her gaze unfocused. “And, all things considered, I am rather glad that no foal of mine had to live through the fall of the Empire.”
“You would have been a wonderful mother, Nana,” Amore says softly, leaning over and putting a hoof on the other mare’s shoulder. “I know I am honored to be considered part of your family, even if not by blood.”
“It was often like that, Amore,” Star Swirl comments with a warm smile. “The Virtues would often surround themselves with their students and the ponies they met after they rose to their seat.” He looks to Hope, his smile remaining. “Besides, I know Hope and I are quite honored to consider you part of our family.”
“And sometimes,” Hope says softly, “sometimes the other Virtues are our brothers and sisters.”
“Compassion would have been proud to know you considered her a sister,” Star Swirl says somberly, “even this long after.”
“Compassion? The old motherly one?” Amore asks, ears perked forward, sensing another story.
“No…. the one immediately after her…” Star Swirl says slowly, looking to Hope, then to Amore as he continues. “The last one….”
“Wait…” Amore starts, realization sparking in her eyes. “Didn’t she…”
“She wasn’t always like that,” Hope whispers, looking down at her hooves, tone turning suddenly somber.
-------
The tall spires of the city of Fillyon, the capital of Equus, glitter and glow in the afternoon light with an almost other worldly or ethereal quality. The stones and wood used to construct them imported from all over the vast empire, they had stood for a millennia as symbols of the unity and power of not only Equus, but of the Virtues that ruled over it.
Largest, and most magnificent of them all, is the massive Tower of Fillyon. From its peak, the husband and wife Gods, Aurora and Nox, raise and set the sun and moon as well as paint the morning and evening skies with practiced ease. A palace in its own right, the tower had been constructed centuries ago, an effort between all races of ponies, and a show of unity in the fledgling empire.
Hope had arrived sometime earlier that morning to attend the summit that was taking place in Fillyon, as were all of her fellow Virtues. And while she is excited to see her more or less adopted family -- as her fellow Virtues were the closest thing she had to family next to Star Swirl -- she was particularly looking forward to seeing Compassion.
Ascending the ancient and well worn stone steps, Hope once more marvels at the lush beauty that the Palace of Virtue has growing all around it. Much like her dear sister Life’s personal residence, the Palace here is surrounded by a massive, and well maintained, garden that makes Hope’s own attempts in Roan look like a foal’s. The legendary Hanging Gardens of Fillyon is home to just about every flower, and many more animals, that thrives on all edges of the continent and beyond. Here, treaties are created and signed, wars and feuds avoided before they even start, and wonders of magic done. It takes all of Hope’s willpower not to stop and rest in the shade of one of the many ancient trees, or get lost upon one of the winding and well tended paths.
Steeling herself, Hope travels through the lush paradise that is the gardens, and towards massive structure at it’s heart. The palace itself is rather plain beside the wondrous beauty of it’s grounds, being made of stone -- even if it is stones from as far as the Northern Provinces -- and decorated with hanging tapestries and banners along its outer walls.
Walking to the doors, the guards on both sides snap to attention, their weapons held in salute against their shoulders and heads held high. Hope smiles to them and inclines her head, a sign that sends them back to their duties. The ancient doors of polished dark wood stand open before her, proudly showing off the vast hall beyond that serves as both entryway and occasional meeting hall. Today, it is full of ponies who are going about various duties in relation to the upcoming summit, many seeming to be wheeling about carts or carrying various furniture. As Hope walks into the crowd, she smiles in slight amusement at how it parts before her, even if not a single pony stops or looks around as she passes.
Normally, she would find it somewhat uncomfortable -- even after all these years -- the ease at which the servants and various other staff seem to almost unconsciously part before her. Today, though, she just wants to get to her destination and meet with Compassion.
Walking to the large stars that lead to the second story, and then down a few hallways to set of more secluded stairs to the third floor -- where the Virtues have their private rooms -- Hope cannot help but smile warmly as she draws closer to Compassion’s rooms. She had not been long to her title and duties, Compassion, the aged unicorn who had come before her had passed naught but a few months prior. Yet she had taken to her duties avidly, doing all she could to settle in and keep up the work that the elderly Compassion had trusted her with. She had not been alone in it, though. As Love had done with Hope, Hope had offered a helping hoof to the new Compassion, and in a way mentored her on what she needed to know, helped her when she really needed it. In this way, they had grown close, good friends and even perhaps sisters in all but blood.
Turning a corner, Hope finds the door to Compassion’s room open, allowing the warm afternoon breeze to wander through. Heading right in, she finds Compassion sitting in a chair next to an open window reading a book.
“Compassion!” Hope says excitedly, her eyes aglow.
Compassion looks up and smiles warmly as Hope trots over quickly. Compassion rises as Hope gets close and Hope extends a wing over her friend.
“I just finished the book you lent me!” Hope declares. “Want to talk about it over tea?”
“Of course!” Compassion replies with a nod. “I would love to discuss it!”
Walking to a chair near the one that Compassion was sitting in, Hope nods. “It was quite an interesting read,” She takes off her saddlebags and opens one of them, pulling the book out. Holding it against her chest as she sits down in the chair she continues to smile. “The myths of pegasi breaking the sound barrier which results in a prismatic effect!”
Nodding as she crosses to a pull rope, pulling it once and then looking to Hope. “I know! I wish we had more to go off of on that subject than just the old mares tales in the book.” She turns as a mare wearing the uniform of a palace servant comes through the door. “Could you please go get some tea for Hope and myself?”
“Of course, Lady Compassion,” the servant says with a smile as she bows before departing.
“I’ll never get used to that,” Compassion mutters, a blush rising on her light indigo face.
“You would be surprised at what you can get used to,” Hope replies with a smirk and a wink. “Not that long ago, I would be right where you are. Though, I still am reluctant to rely on my servants, I’ve come to understand that they are vital, we can’t do everything.”
“I… guess that makes sense,” Compassion admits with a sigh as she continues to stand near the door. She and Hope make small talk for a few minutes until the tea arrives, at which point Compassion smiles to the servant. “I’ll take it from here, my friend. I would be a terrible host if I did not serve tea myself.” The servant -- a unicorn mare -- nods and waits for Compassion to take the tray before releasing her magic, she then bows and exits the room leaving Compassion to walk over and set the tray on a small table between the two chairs.
“Why not just use your magic?” Hope asks with a raised eyebrow as she waits for the tea to be served.
“Truthfully, I am not used to it yet. I don’t trust it… myself yet with lifting fragile objects,” Compassion explains with a small embarrassed smile. “Sugar?” Hope shakes her head and Compassion puts sugar in one cup before pouring the tea. “Besides, I grew up in a working family… and even as an acolyte I did a lot of labor by hoof.”
Lifting her tea cup up with her magic and taking a small sip, Hope nods. “I can understand that… I often times still find my own ability to use magic to be strange, too good to be true.” She then smiles as Compassion takes her own seat and carefully levitates her own cup with her own magic. It’s shaky, but then the other pegasus is still learning. “This is also quite a magnificent blend of tea. I think I had it once when I visited Aurora.”
“It’s the same blend, actually,” Compassion admits with at her own teacup. “I had some of it made for myself, after asking the Lady of the Dawn for permission, as I found it to be quite a lovely blend.” She then waves a hoof and chuckles. “We’re off-topic, though. Back to what we were discussing, that whole ‘flying so fast you cause an explosion of color’ thing. After I lent you that book, I went and visited Life, and tried to get her or her construct to help me find more information. She told me she couldn’t help… though she did give me a lovely rosebush that I had just planted before I left to come here… and her construct and I had a long conversation on the theory, but he confessed that none of the books he had in his keeping would give me any more information than what I had already found.”
“I feared as much,” Hope confesses with a soft sigh. “At this point, it looks like if we ever want to figure it out, we’ll have to do it ourselves, or get one of our pegasi acolytes to agree to test it for us.”
“I would rather not put one of my acolytes into potential danger,” Compassion confesses with a shake of her head. “I know they would do it if I asked it of them, but I could not bear it if they got injured.”
“And they would never forgive themselves if we were injured, Compassion,” Hope comments with a sigh. “But, I know what you mean, I’ve been tempted to try a few times myself. With the magical power we’ve been granted as Virtues it should be easy for us.”
“Quite easy…” Compassion agrees, taking a slow sip of her tea and looking out the window. For a moment, the pair are quiet, and then Hope and Compassion both look at each other.
“Lets try it,” both Virtues say at the same time.
“Well, sounds like we’re on the same page,” Compassion giggles.
“Seems so,” Hope agrees with a giggle of her own. “Shall we finish our tea, then go find a cloud out there to try this out?”
“Let's,” Compassion says with a nod, taking a final swallow of her tea, as Hope does the same across from her. “I think I saw a nice large cloud earlier, it might still be out there.” Hope nods, but says nothing as they both rise to their hooves and head towards the nearby open window.
Compassion takes flight first, since she is leading the way, with Hope close behind. They circle the palace and its gardens a few times, gaining altitude until they come to a large cloud sitting high above the city. It’s a light grey color, speaking of potential rain, and has a few other fellow pegasus resting on it. At the appearance of the two virtues, the other ponies spring to their hooves and bow. Landing, Compassion blushes and Hope smiles to her before stepping forward.
“Please, rise my friends,” Hope speaks, not quite a command but clearly leaving no room to argue. “We are not here officially, and I think my fellow Virtue and I would rather you relax around us.” Compassion nods, her face still a shade of embarrassed red.
“As you wish, Lady Hope,” one of the pegasi, a light blue stallion wearing the uniform of one of the palace guards, responds as he looks to his friends and shrugs. They all go back to sitting down and resume chatting amongst themselves, even if their eyes stray towards Hope and Compassion often.
“So... “ Compassion starts, looking to Hope, “how do you figure we do this?”
“Well, I figure we need to he high up,” Hope starts, looking over the side of the cloud, “which we are. Next, I figure we need to be able to gain a lot of speed, really quickly, before we get too close to the ground.” Looking to Compassion she smiles brightly. “Shouldn’t be too hard, with our magic, so long as we fold up our wings as we dive.”
“Right…” Compassion replies, returning the smile and giving a determined nod to her friend. “On the count of three, then?” All eyes are on the Virtues now as they position themselves near the edge of the cloud, their fellow pegasi suddenly quiet.
“Uhm, Lady Hope, Lady Compassion,” the guard speaks up, “what are you doing?”
“That involves you two going really fast, and jumping off of a cloud?” The guard starts to sound worried.
“YUP!” Compassion exclaims with excitement. “THREE!”
The two Virtues spring from the cloud in a twin streak of feathers and excited shouts, leaving the Guard to jump to his hooves and charge after them as he exclaims wordlessly.
Hope and Compassion don’t hear him, though, as they quickly pick up speed as they free-fall towards the city below. Once they reach the fastest their unpowered descents will allow, which is not fast enough to accomplish what they want, they both start pumping their wings as hard as they can to cause the speed to pick up. Before too long the pressure causes them to squint their eyes as a cone starts to appear before them for a few long heartbeats before suddenly breaking with a concussive force that nearly knocks both Hope and Compassion from their flight paths.
Above them, the pegasi on the cloud including the guard, all stare on with wide eyes on slack jaws. Two explosions of magical force ripple through the sky from where the two cones broke, one is a bright silver with blue rippling through it, the other is pink with indigo rippling through it. The two forces clash against each other with a sound not dissimilar to thunder, their sources rocketing towards the ground at a breakneck speed. For a few moments, it looks like they have it under control, but Compassion, and then Hope, starts to falter and lose control of their flight. The guard starts to prepare to take flight and assist, many of his fellows on the ground doing the same, only to be stopped by a bright flash of light as somepony teleports beneath them… and then catches them in brilliant yellow magic.
As soon as she feels her descent slow, Hope opens her eyes. She had been sure they could handle it, but when she had seen Compassion losing control, she had attempted to change her own course and had fallen into a similar situation. However, now she finds herself, and a short distance away Compassion, surrounded by glowing yellow magic that is all too familiar to her.
She lands gently in a clearing in the garden full of exotic flowers and a low table with a single pony sitting next to it.
“Little Hope, Little Compassion,” the other pony, the source of the yellow magic, greets the pair with a warm smile and a motherly tone. “That was quite impressive, but shouldn’t you two have perhaps thought a little more carefully before attempting what you just did?”
“Aww, but Aurora!” Hope chuckles as she gets to her hooves and goes over to the table with an excited smile. “The book made it sound like so much fun! And they said it was only an old mare’s tale! We had to try!”
“I… uhm.. that is to say…” Compassion starts, clearly quite nervous at being in the presence of the mare who caught them. “It did look like a lot of fun, Lady Aurora.”
The mare, a tall white alicorn mare, the white fading to a brilliant amber along the ends of her hooves and wings, her mane and tale likewise the brilliant amber of a rising sun fading to dark blue and full of twinkling stars. She is wearing a circlet made of the purest gold and set with jewels that shine and shimmer almost like they’re the stars in her mane and tail. She is surrounded by an aura of otherworldly, and vastly ancient, power that is offset by the motherly way she speaks and the loving expression on her face.
“Please, Compassion,” Aurora speaks softly, as if to a child worried they had done something wrong. “I know you have not been long to your station, but there is no need to be so formal to me while we are alone. Leave such things to when we are in public.” She looks around, her smile remaining, “here, I am not the Goddess of the Dawn, I am simply a mare enjoying a quiet afternoon in the blessed shade of the gardens.” She looks to Hope, who is now laying nearby under a tree, “And now, so are you two.”
“I.. guess so.” Compassion agrees, walking over to the table and sitting across from Aurora. “So… now what?”
With a smile, and a flash of her magic, Aurora summons a teapot and cups. “Well, I’ve not had my afternoon tea… so.”
“Funny, we were just drinking your favorite blend,” Hope comments from where she is lying.
“Oh, I know…” Aurora replies with a wink.
-----
“Compassion sounds like she was a good friend,” Amore says softly, leaning against Hope and nuzzling the older mare’s neck comfortingly. “I am sorry you lost her.”
“So am I,” Hope agrees, her voice equally soft, tears shining in her eyes as she looks out over the Crystal Empire from their perch. “I don’t remember any siblings, or my family from before I was a Virtue… in her… I had found a sister.”
“She will be missed,” Star Swirl comments from the other side of Hope, he is likewise leaning against her, one of her wings draped over his shoulder.
“On a happier topic,” Amore says, clearing her throat. “Who was Aurora? That name is familiar. I mean, I understand she was the Goddess of the Dawn, but who was she?”
“Why,” Star Swirl starts with a chuckle, “she was, and is I guess, Celestia and Luna’s mother.”
“Oh? That explains why I found the name familiar,” Amore admits, nodding slowly. “What… what happened to her?”
“She fell defending Fillyon.” Hope states simply.
“Her and her husband, Nox, stood defiantly against the fallen Virtues during one of the first battles of the war,” Star Swirl starts to explain, pausing for a moment to look to Hope, then to Amore. “The battle, I am told, lasted for nearly a month. Nox and Aurora were the most powerful Alicorns to ever walk the face of Equus, and they were driven to defend not only the people they ruled over, but also their foals.” Star Swirl shakes his head sighing loudly, his entire body shaking with the force of it. “I had the good luck to draw the short straw long, and ended up entering the city along with a collection of other acolytes from the other fallen Virtues. We… had been summoned to do what Nox and Aurora could not.”
“What was that?” Amore asks, her curiosity caught.
“Spirit away Celestia and Luna,” Star Swirl replies, his eyes shining with determination. He opens his mouth to continue, only to be cut off by Hope.
“Dear heart,” Hope says with a smile, “it is time for the morning lessons, this story will have to wait for another time.”
“Ah… of course,” Star Swirl sighs and shakes his head. “I should be returning to Canterlot anyway.” He stands up, and kisses Hope. “I love you, and shall return as soon as I am permitted.” He then takes a few steps back, horn glowing, before vanishing in a loud pop and a flash of light.
“He is such a show-off,” Amore chuckles as she stands, offering an arm to Hope to help the elderly Queen stand.
“Thank you,” Hope says as she accepts the help with a soft groan. “And, he is, but I love him, because he is as he is.” She starts towards the stairs with a smile. “Now, no more delaying your lessons, little filly.”
“Yes Nana,” Amore chuckles as she follows after. Soon the two are down the stairs, and heading to the room where Hope teaches Amore everything she will need to know to rule the Crystal Empire.
Things she’ll need to know when Hope no longer lives to protect her people.
The stars shine brightly above the city of Fillyon, their bright glow hardly dimmed by the smoke rising from the city as parts of it are engulfed in orange flames, the screams of those unfortunate enough to be within the city’s walls echoing skyward as if to plead the stars to save them.
Yet, as he sits on the back of the wagon that is quickly bringing him and his fellow ‘recruits’ closer to the city, Star Swirl knows that there will be no salvation from the Heavens, not tonight. Lord Nox, the bringer of Night and Guardian of Dreams, had his own problems. Nopony could ask more of him than what he was already doing, for Lady Aurora and Lord Nox were doing all they could to stem the growing tides of death and darkness that were already sweeping through the shattered Empire.
No. Tonight, it would not be the Gods that would save the ponies, it would be the ponies that would save the Gods.
“You okay, Swirly?” A voice comes from behind the grey unicorn. “You look troubled.”
“I am fine, Clover,” Star Swirl replies wearily. “This whole… situation is just tiresome.” He looks back towards the city, his ears folded backwards in an effort to ignore the distant screams. “I’ve just seen so many… friends, family, lose their lives to this insanity.”
“You didn’t need to come,” Clover says with a smile. “I know you’re old bones would have prefered to keep looking for Hope…”
“You’re right, I didn’t need to come,” Star Swirl interrupts, “but I had to. We are two of the last acolytes of Compassion. It’s our duty to… try and make this right.” He then looks towards the large pony pulling the cart they’re on. “Something our companion knows all too well. Isn’t that right, Lord General!”
“I told you not to call me that, you old bag of wind.” The white and blue pegasus calls back. “I’m not here as a General, I am here because my... “ he trails off, his pace slowing as well.
“Because you think your mother is in there,” Star Swirl finishes for the pegasus. “I know what you’re thinking, Blaze, but you shouldn’t hold out hope. Your father and you haven’t seen here in nearly a month, she might be dead.”
“Says the unicorn who sticks his horn in the literal embodiment of Hope!” Blaze retorts, followed by a laugh as he looks over his shoulder and spots Clover’s wide mouthed shock and Star Swirls disapproving frown. “I take it miss ‘the clever’ here has never been around soldiers?”
“Putting aside the fact that your choice of comeback was… crude at best,” Star Swirl replies with a sigh as he puts a hoof against his face, “I cannot help but agree. Hope would frown upon me telling somepony to give up hope. Strength is a warrior without equal, I am sure she is yet alive.” He then looks towards the city, and speaks almost too quiet for the others to hear. “And Gods willing, she is not yet beyond our power to save…”
The other two go quiet at that, the only indication that they had heard being Blaze picking up his pace and causing the city to advance towards them all that faster.
As they draw closer, a sudden bright flash of light catches their attention, causing Blaze to stop in his tracks. Eyes looking skyward, Star Swirl is amazed to see the stars above the city starting to… fall. It is slow at first, but then it becomes a cascade of brilliant lights crashing towards the ground with a sound akin to an avalanche. Where they impact, great columns of smoke and dust rocket skyward accompanied with a bright flash and a peal of deafening thunder.
“Nox has joined the fighting,” Star Swirl says slowly, his tone somber. “The attacking army must have breached the walls close to the Tower.”
“Then our time is running out,” Blaze states firmly as he starts forward at a quicker pace than before. The city continues to bombarded by the stars as they approach, the light of the strikes illuminating the trio as well as the countryside, so as they approach the gates it is no surprise that they are met by a force of guard ponies wearing the colors of many different forces. One pony stands out before all of them, a stallion wearing the colors of the personal guard for Nox and Aurora. He waves his hooves to the others as the cart draws closer, and as Star Swirl’s group pulls to a stop they are suddenly faced with a lot of drawn weapons.
“State your business,” the stallion commands.
“We’ve been summoned by Lord Nox and Lady Aurora,” Blaze declares, unhitching himself from the cart and striding forward as he stands taller, all but towering over the other ponies.
“The city is closed, nopony is allowed in,” the stallion replies stepping up to Blaze and narrowing his eyes. “No matter who is making the request.”
“Captain, I outrank you by far more than is even funny,” Blaze states bluntly, “let me and my companions into the city so we may do what we have been summoned to do.”
“And who are you companions,” the Captain continues, looking around Blaze.
“They were also summed by Lord Nox,” Blaze continues, growling dangerously. “Now get out of my way before I have you discharged and thrown in the stocks.”
“Now just a moment, Lord General,” the Captain shouts, anger clear in his voice. “You have no…”
“Enough of this pointless bickering!” Star Swirl shouts, getting off the back of the wagon and walking over to the two arguing soldiers. His sudden outburst causes all eyes to go to him, not a few gasps of recognition coming from the soldiers behind the Captain. “Captain Clearfield, we do not have time for these debates, let alone these brash shows of power. Lord Nox summoned us to help him, and if you do not let us in you will have to take it up with him.”
“I am not letting you… you traitors anywhere near Lord Nox!” Clearfield roars, drawing his sword and pointing it at Star Swirl. “It is because of your Virtue that we are in this mess! All of Compassion’s students are traitors to the state, and you should all be put to the sword!”
“Clover and I are loyal servants of peace and order,” Star Swirl replies calmly, gesturing a hoof to the city behind the guards. “And I am going to go in there, and I am going to serve Lord Nox, my friend, in whatever capacity he might ask of me.”
“Even if it should claim your life,” Clearfield asks in a sarcastic manner, “because I doubt a pony as arrogant, as power hungry as you, would ever follow such an order. Even if that is all you are good for now.”
“Even if it should claim my life, Captain,” Star Swirl says solemnly. “I can never make good for what Compassion has done, but if I can fulfill her original purpose in some small way, then I will.”
Captain Clearfield opens his mouth to continue, likely with more insults, when he is cut off by a loud explosion ripping through the air. In an instant, the great gate behind them suddenly blows outward, screaming ponies spilling forth. Many of them are civilians, but a good few are wearing the garb of Life’s personal guards. They rally around a light red unicorn mare holding a banner in the crook of one arm, a saber held aloft in the her magic.
“Hold them back! Protect the civilians!” the mare shouts above the screams, a horde of dark cloaked shapes rushing forward and quickly joining in battle with the ragged looking soldiers. Captain Clearfield wastes no time, turning on the spot and charging towards his embattled fellow guards, his own troops hot on his tail.
At a glance, Star Swirl knew they would not win the fight, there were too many of the cloaked figures pouring out of the gates, and too few loyal soldiers…
“Clover!” Star Swirl shouts, taking a few steps towards the chaos, head held high. “I’m going to need your help!”
“With what?” Clover asks as she runs over, skidding to a stop next to Star Swirl with a look of panicked determination.
“Copper, Indy, Mint.” Star Swirl says calmly, his horn already aglow with his magic. “It might just be the only thing that can stop them.”
“Y… you sure about that, remember last time…?” Clover stammers, even as her own horn starts glowing.
“No choice,” Star Swirl grunts, the power in his horn reaching almost unbearable levels. “We can’t let them harm anyone else…” He closes his eyes and grits his teeth against the sheer pressure of the spell he is attempting to cast. When next he opens his eyes they are glowing a bright indigo, much like Compassion’s magic. “NOW!”
Without another word Clover adds her magic to Star Swirl’s as the elder unicorn rears up, then slams his hooves down against the worn cobblestone of the road they are on. As his hooves reach the ground power explodes forth from his horn causing all sound in the area to suddenly cease as the silver, green, and indigo shockwave rolls forward. It quickly overtakes the battle, the glow of it causing everypony to flinch and stop fighting, horror quickly filling the eyes of both defender and attacker as they see the discharge barreling down onto them. It passes harmlessly through the ranks of the defenders, imparting only the feeling warm hearths, loving family, and reunions with old friends.
The attackers, however, are not so lucky. Many burst into flames as the magic ripples through their ranks, screams of dismay and horror filling the air as they try to retreat, only to be overtaken and struck down by the magic. Those who do not burst into flames stumble as they are struck, moving a few more slow steps before they collapse to the ground, their cloaks falling limp as their bodies turn to ash and dust before they even hit the ground.
And then, it is over.
The defending soldiers stand there watching in amazement as the last attacker falls to the ground and vanish with a keening screech not unlike a wendigo. They remain frozen for a few moments before one lets out a cheer, followed by another, and soon the entire compliment of ponies. As the cheer dies, they all look back towards Star Swirl, who is now leaning heavily on Clover and breathing in slow panting breaths, Blaze standing next to him with a wing draped over his friend.
“You do too much, old friend,” Blaze states with a frown. “Something of that magnitude, you are too old to be channeling such magic.”
“Says the pony who was complaining about me refusing to just teleport us here,” Star Swirl retorts with a grimace. “I’ll be fine. More importantly, that should clear the way for us for a short while…”
“I hope so. I don’t know if you’d survive another attempt,” Clover says softly, her hooves digging into the ground as she does her best to support the older, and heavier, pony leaning on her. “We should get you back into the cart, you shouldn’t be walking to the tower in your condition.”
“Ponyfeathers,” Star Swirl swears as he stands up straight again and smiles. “I can walk just fine, I’m not that old yet, young filly.” He starts forward, stumbling a little but catching himself. “Now, let’s get going before Captain Clearfield decides to stop us again.” Blaze smiles and retracts his wings and getting a little bit ahead of his friend. Clover hesitates for a moment, looking towards the war torn city with a worried frown that quickly hardens into determined look as she starts after the two stallions.
They soon reach the soldiers who are making the most of the lack of foes for the moment, many resting or treating their own wounds or the wounds of a friend. Those who are able get out of the way, many saluting or bowing to Blaze or thanking Star Swirl for the rescue. As they reach the other side of the crowd, they are met by the mare who had been holding the banner who is currently talking, unsurprisingly, to Captain Clearfield.
“I know what you’re thinking, Field,” the mare starts, pointing a hoof towards the city, “but I am not going to agree to such drastic measures! It goes against everything I was taught as an acolyte, and everything I was trained to do as a member of the Lifeguard!”
“Sergeant Merryweather,” Clearfield starts, narrowing his eyes. “I am the ranking officer on the field, and I will order you to be stripped of command if you do not follow my orders. We cannot tell who is, and who is not, corrupted by this tainted magic!”
“And culling the entire city is the answer!?” Merryweather shouts. “I will not, I can not, do such a thing!” She then points towards Blaze. “Besides, you are not the ranking officer on the field. If I am not mistaken, that is Lord-General Glory Blaze. He was named Supreme Commander of the Equus Military!”
“For all we know, he is tainted too!” Clearfield retorts, his blade coming up and pointing at Blaze, then at Star Swirl. “He is in the company of one of Compassion’s most trusted, most influential and powerful, acolytes!”
“Who just saved your sorry flank!” Merryweather shouts. By now the argument had garnered the attention of the soldiers under the command of both Merryweather and Clearfield. “You’re insane if you think Star Swirl would betray us. He was the one has been helping us figure out how to beat her!”
“Gah! Enough! If you won’t do what is necessary, then I will do it for you!” Clearfield shouts, slashing his blade at Merryweather, who jumps backwards and raises her own blade to protect herself. “Soldiers! The Lifeguard refuse to do their duty to Equus and the Lord-General is in league with our foe! Help me to bring them to justice!”
Looking behind himself, Star Swirl watches with a small smirk as not a single soldier goes forward or even reaches for their weapons. Many, in fact, look between each other and frown as they whisper.
“I can’t let you do that,” Merryweather says softly, her own blade raising as she steps between Clearfield and his targets. “I swore to Life that I would do everything in my power to stop the killing here, I won’t let you cull the city, and I sure as Tartarus won’t let you harm the Lord General or his friends.”
Blaze starts to step forward to join the Sergeant, but Star Swirl puts a hoof in front of him, and shakes his head with a smile. The larger pony raises an eyebrow in confusion, only to notice the soldiers walking up from behind them and surrounding them, their blades now drawn. Catching onto what is happening, Blaze looks over towards the Captain, who has lowered himself into a fighting stance.
“Captain Clearfield,” Blaze calls out, his voice cutting through the the tense air. “You are relieved of your commission. Lay down your sword, and come peacefully.” For a few moments, it looks like Clearfield will fight, his eyes darting between the soldiers who are now facing him down. The odds, however, are clearly not in his favor and after a few more heartbeats he lowers his blade.
“Fine, but you’re all traitors.” Clearfield mutters as he sits down and looks away from Blaze as a couple of earth ponies come forward to escort him away. As he passes Blaze he is still muttering various things, mostly curses and oaths to various Gods about them all being traitors.
“Poor stallion, he’s been in this city since the start of the siege. I can’t imagine the pressure he has been under,” Merryweather says slowly before she looks to Blaze and Star Swirl. “Now, what are you doing here? Especially without an army at your backs.”
“We were summoned by Lord Nox,” Star Swirl states calmly, as if this isn’t the thousandth time he has explained this. “He did not say what he wanted, only that we were to come to him at the Tower with all due haste.”
“I still think he wants us to help him turn the tide of the battle, free the city,” Clover speaks up from where she is sitting a little ways behind Star Swirl. “I mean, why else would he summon me and Star Swirl? I mean, sure, Blaze is a good fighter, but he isn’t good for much else.”
“Thanks,” Blaze deadpans, rolling his eyes.
“Your welcome,” Clover says with a smile, not quite getting the sarcasm. “But, me and Star Swirl are two of the most powerful spellcasters in Equus… well okay, mostly just Star Swirl, but I help!”
“Well, whatever it is you three were summoned for,” Merryweather starts as she points over her shoulder, “you’re not getting through that without an army at your backs. When last we were in there, we lost nearly ninety-percent of our forces when the thrice-cursed creatures, because it is an insult to stain any pony tribe by associating them with any of them, broke through the walls just before the Palace’s defenses.”
“That explains the light show,” Blaze comments dryly, looking towards the heavens. “Lord Nox would not make the stars fall onto the city unless he had good cause.”
“That he wouldn’t,” Star Swirl agrees, his eyes fixed on Merryweather. “If we need troops to get in there….” He sighs, looking at the tired and ragged soldiers that are now just standing around looking nervous. “I can’t ask it of you, nor any of the ponies here, but… well… you’re all we got.”
“You don’t even have to ask,” Merryweather says, holding a hoof up. “I can’t let an old stallion cross the street alone, more so in a war zone!”
“Thanks… I think,” Star Swirl chuckles.
“No problem.” She then looks to Blaze, “Now, Lord-General, I think I had best rally your new personal guard.” She then walks a short distance away and turns. She pulls herself up to her full height, which is still shorter than Star Swirl, and holds her head high as she calls out. “Soldiers of Equus! General Blaze and Star Swirl the Bearded have need of us!” The soldiers all grow quiet, and look towards Merryweather. “I know you are all tired, thinking of your homes, your families. Believe me, I want to go home to my wife, but we cannot. Not yet. Lord Nox has summoned our General and his companions, and we are duty-bound to help them to get to their destination!” She turns, pointing towards the hellscape that was once the city of Fillyon. “And that destination is in there!” She looks over her shoulder, smiling warmly, her eyes full of hope and determination. “So, what do you say, mares and stallions? Shall we march through Tartarus one last time?”
A few soldiers look unsure, looking to the city beyond Merryweather with true terror in their eyes, but the majority nod and start to fall into ranks, taking the ones who look unsure with them and giving them the needed bolster of confidence. Once they’re all formed up, Merryweather smiles and walks back up to Blaze, sitting down and offering a salute to the large stallion.
“The troops are ready to walk into Tartarus for you, Blaze,” Merryweather chuckles. “Just, when we get out of this, you’re coming over for dinner, and you’re bringing your wife and that adorable filly of yours.”
“Get us through this, and I’ll steal some of my parent’s rice wine to bring to dinner,” Blaze replies, “Now stand at ease, and lets get in there.”
Lowering her salute, Merryweather nods and turns as she calls out.“Troops, box formation!”
The troops instantly form a box around Star Swirl and company, weapons at the ready as they start towards the city at another command from Merryweather.
Once inside, the true scope of what has been going on becomes clear.
The area beyond the gates put even the darkest nightmares that Star Swirl had ever had to shame as not a single inch of the street is without damage, or often without a body lying motionless on the cobblestones or spied through the battered down doorway of a house. The smell, the smell forces Star Swirl to quickly cast a spell to keep the air fresh around him and Clover as the cloying stench of death and ruptured sewers, mixed with the burning smoke that comes from the fires freely burning in other parts of the city, makes even the normally cheery Star Swirl grimace. Yet, the most disturbing part isn’t the smell, nor is it the sights. It’s the sound.
Silence.
When they had approached the city, there had been screams, and then the distant thunder of the heavenly retribution brought down by Nox. But now, with the exception of the occasional blood freezing scream in other parts of the city, the only sound around them is the clopping of their hooves against the stones of the street. Star Swirl cannot help but attempt to watch every shadow, every corner, and every doorway through the ranks of soldiers around him. This silence must mean that something is watching, something is waiting to ambush them.
“It’s too quiet,” Blaze comments, reading Star Swirl’s mind almost exactly. “Where are the ponies attacking the city?”
“Perhaps they are deeper in?” Clover provides, her side pressed to Star Swirl’s, her eyes darting around frantically. “Or… or perhaps our spell was more effective than we thought? Perhaps it washed over the entire city?”
“It did not,” Star Swirl states calmly, “they’re simply biding their time, I am sure of it. Many likely know who I am, and are confused as to why I am here, wondering perhaps even if I am here to join them.”
“But you’re not,” Merryweather says softly, her own eyes scanning the buildings.
“No, I am not.” Star Swirl replies with a nod, and a small smile, “but we can use their confusion for now. They won’t attack a potential ally as powerful as I am. It should give us a clear path for now.”
“And when they figure it out?” Clover asks, looking to Star Swirl with a worried expression.
“Then, my dear student, we pray.” Star Swirl says softly, looking towards the distant Tower of Fillyon which is currently slightly obscured by smoke, “and we hope that Lord Nox, or Lady Aurora can hear us.”
The group travels in silence after that. The deeper into the city they get, the thicker the smoke and bodies get. Many of the civilian casualties look to have been caught as they attempted to flee towards the Palace, the soldiers having fallen when they attempted to defend the civilians. The only hope in the whole situation is that there are far more soldiers, and even cloaked attackers, strewn across the pathing stones than there are civilians. It’s a grim hope, especially for the soldiers with them, but they had all sworn the oaths and would rather lay down their lives for the common pony than let them get killed.
Eventually, the smoke becomes too thick for them to advance further, so Star Swirl casts a spell to push the smoke back around the group, soldiers included, and keep the air as fresh as possible. He also casts a spell that creates lights that hang over each corner of the box formation so the soldiers can see where they are going. Once they’re going forward again, Star Swirl takes a moment to compose himself, further separate himself mentally from the horrors he had been seeing. Also, to prepare for what is to come.
He had not lied earlier, when he had said he did not know why he was summoned, for he really did not know for sure why he was here in this war torn city. Star Swirl, however, has a theory.
That theory hinged on Nox and Aurora being the kind and loving ponies he had always known them to be, that he had come to know on his many visits with Hope to their tower to discuss various things, such as magical theory or even the weather that day. He had always known them to be calm and gentle people, much like the night and day skies they had painted every day.
Star Swirl could only hope war had not changed them.
“We’re near the tower now,” Star Swirl comments, his eyes unfocused as he looks towards the heavens. “We’ll be in line of sight of it soon.”
“Is this one of those magical things that only you unicorns can do,” Blaze asks with a sigh.
“No,” Star Swirl replies with a raised eyebrow. He points over towards the ruined entrance of a house -- an entire side of the building had been blown out, and judging by the crater next to it it was from one of the stars impacting -- and shrugs. “I know that house. Hope and I… once talked about how it would have been a good place to raise foals.” He lowers his hoof back to the street as the formation continues onward. “It’s two streets over from the walls that surround the Palace of Virtue and the Tower.”
“Then we’ll soon be in the thick of it,” Merryweather comments wearily. She looks over at Star Swirl and smiles softly, not even breaking her stride as she speaks again. “I’ve heard stories about you and Lady Hope; how you two are all but inseparable.”
“Were,” Star Swirl sighs, “I’ve not seen her since… since this all started.”
“You will,” Merryweather replies with a nod as she looks forward again, her eyes once more scanning the area around them. “You really love her, I can tell, I have an eye for these things.”
“If you could see those two in a room together you’d know how much of an understatement that is,” Blaze comments dryly, rolling his eyes. “It’s like nothing else in the world exists but them. Once, my mother had to call Hope’s name for a full minute before she got her attention.”
“It likely saved him, too!” Clover chimes in, smiling widely. “His love for Hope outweighed the power Compassion had over him! Hope’s love overpowered Envy’s influence on her former acolytes.”
“I am sure Love would be quite interested in that theory,” Blaze comments with a smirk.
“Oh, she told me I was likely right last time I spoke with her!” Clover declares happily, a bounce in her step. “She agreed with me rather easily, though… which was unfortunate, I had flow charts and graphs all prepared, and a chalk board! All that work gone to waste.”
“I told you when you went there that you wouldn’t need to try hard to convince her,” Star Swirl deadpans, “but, this conversation is better left for when we’re all out of here.” He gestures forward, “We’re here.”
Everypony stops, weapons and spells at the ready, as the smoke clears for a moment to reveal the smoldering, body strewn, ruin of large courtyard that stands before the gate to the inner city. Many of the bodies here are covered in the thick black cloaks that mark the attackers, but there are still not a few bodies wearing the once fine armor of the various remaining virtues. One of the ponies in Star Swirl’s group raises Life’s banner as they start forward, and for a moment Star Swirl wonders why until he notices movement on the wall. Archers, from the look of them, and he can also spy a hastily constructed barricade where the gates used to stand, the banner behind it claiming it for Nox’s personal Night Guard.
As they cross the courtyard, Star Swirl can feel unfriendly eyes watching them. Its an oily feeling, akin to the time he had messed up in his alchemy lesson and caused an explosion that coated everything -- ponies and furniture alike -- in an oily substance that had taken a week of bathing to remove. He knows it is not coming from the guards on the walls, for while he does not doubt that he won’t be met with the most friendly of welcomes, they are not the source.
No, he had felt this feeling once before, when Compassion had turned down her dark path. Envy’s followers were close, and they were watching, waiting, to see if he attacked Nox’s guards to give them a chance to storm the Tower. They still did not know what to make of him, and were questioning if he would become their most powerful ally. Or their most feared enemy.
This uncertainty buys them the time to get across the courtyard, and the defenders some much needed rest.
It isn’t until they’re through the barricade and well on their way to the entrance to the Tower that the first cry goes up and the ponies on the walls start firing their bows and spells at the attackers, who had by now realized Star Swirl was not going to give them an opening. Star Swirl pays the battle no mind, though, as he walks forward. He is near his goal, and though the sacrifices of every pony that had died before he had come weighs heavily on his heart, he knows he cannot let it stop him from what must be done. What he has been summoned to do.
“Merryweather, you and your troops should reinforce the barricade,” Blaze commands as they walk. “I can protect Star Swirl and Clover from here. We’ll collect you all when we leave, hopefully by the same entrance.” Merryweather nods, and wordlessly signals to her troops, causing them to break formation around the three who they had been guarding and head back towards the gates with determined looks.
“I really do hope they all survive the night,” Clover comments sadly. “Merryweather especially, I like her.”
“She is one of the finest officers my father and I trained,” Blaze agrees in a forced neutral tone. “I would be… saddened if I had to relay her death to her wife.”
“Are those cracks in the stone heart of the great Glory Blaze?” Star Swirl comments with a smile. “What ever will your father do when he hears you actually care for the officers you’ve trained!”
“I should have left your flank to be chewed on by the mad-ponies,” Blaze growls.
“And, moment ruined,” Star Swirl sighs with a shrug. “Well, let’s get back to the matter at hoof, I really do wish to see what Nox has summoned us for. Not to mention, Aurora’s friendly face will be a sight for sore eyes, too few friendly faces these days.” Star Swirl picks up his pace a little, looking over his shoulder and smiling to Blaze. “Not that it’s your fault, Blaze, I am sure you just ate something sour and your face got stuck like that.”
Blaze narrows his eyes and mutters under his breath. “No one is watching! The old fool tripped on his own beard, broke his neck! So sad.”
“What’s that? You’ll have to speak up! I’m an old fool and my hearing isn’t what it used to be!” Star Swirl calls back as he starts mounting the steps to the tower’s doors. Blaze mutters again, and Star Swirl chuckles as he goes up to the doors, stopping as the guards on both sides lower their weapons.
“State your business,” the guard on the right says quickly.
“I’m here at the request of Lord Nox,” Star Swirl replies. “What business he has with me is his own.”
Nodding, the guard raises his weapon. “Alright, go on in Star Swirl.”
“Wait, you’re just going to let the former student of our foe in?” The other demands, his own weapon not raising.
“They were summoned by Lord Nox,” the other guard states flatly, “and I know Star Swirl. We’d all be dead already if he was our foe.”
“But-” The second guard starts, only to be cut off by Star Swirl.
“Son, I am not getting any younger,” Star Swirl interrupts with a frown. “Now, please let us pass, and if you have any more problems with me being here, you are free to escort us to Lord Nox so he can tell you to get your head out of your ass.”
“That’s not very compassionate of you to say,” the disgruntled guard mutters as he raises his weapon back to a resting stance, so as to allow Star Swirl through.
“I just walked through a city I have fond memories of, which is now on fire and filled with dead bodies,” Star Swirl sighs as he walks by. “I am a little short of kind words tonight.” He walks through the large crystal wood doors, and sighs once again as he sees the inside. “And I doubt I will regain them anytime soon.”
Beyond the doors is the large circular hall that serves as the primary meeting and gathering hall for the tower. The once beautiful mobile of the solar system that hung from the ceiling is on the floor, the once spacious room full of wounded and unmoving ponies being treated by obviously overworked unicorns attempting healing spells. A few of them are still wearing the robes of Compassion, and are of the few that Star Swirl had been able to convince to leave when Compassion had fallen. Many, though, are of Life and explain the presence of the Lifeguard.
Crossing through the mass of ponies, Star Swirl and his companions draw more than a few curious, and even baleful, glances from various ponies. Star Swirl ignores them all, not wanting to face any of the ponies who had been harmed by his former mistress, more so for those who were his fellow brother and sister acolytes, even if he wants to talk to them, comfort them, explain to them how absolutely sorry he is for all this pain and suffering. Pressing on, he does his best to keep a straight face, eyes and ears forward.
Heading up the stairs at the back of the entrance hall, Star Swirl traverses the floors above, many now having their classrooms and various other rooms replaced with bunks for soldiers, and even wards for the less critically injured from below. It is quite a change from the once studious and welcoming halls he had known, but then war changes many familiar things.
By the time they reach the first of the personal residence of Nox and Aurora, Star Swirl is slightly out of breath, his age being what it is and all the walking and fighting he has done in the past weeks. Leaning against the doorframe that leads into the apartment, Star Swirl takes a moment to rest, catch his breath, and look around subtly.
“You alright?” Clover’s voice comes from behind Star Swirl, followed quickly by the mare herself with a concerned look at a hoof on his shoulder. “Do you need a minute to rest?”
“No,” Star Swirl replies, waving a hoof dismissively, “I am…”
“STAR SWIRL!” the voice of an energetic filly suddenly echoes from inside the apartment, and is quickly followed by two sets of hooves stampeding forward, their owners tackling Star Swirl.
“Tia, Lulu,” Blaze says with a chuckle. “Leave the poor old stallion alone, he’s been through a lot.”
“Aww, but Blaze!” Tia, a young white alicorn with fur the color of a fresh snowfall, whines. “We’ve not seen Star Swirl in ages!”
“Yah!” Lulu, a dark blue alicorn with cobalt hair and also the younger of the two, adds. “He promised he’d be back a long time before now!” She gets off of Star Swirl, and crosses her arms in a pout. “You lied to us.”
“Now, now Lulu.” Star Swirl says breathlessly as he gets up, Tia joining her sister in sitting and staring at Star Swirl. “You can’t blame me for taking a while to come back… Life got in the way… and…”
“You mean the thing that mother and father won’t talk to us about?” Tia sighs. “You’re going to tell us that we’re too young to know about what’s going on too, aren’t you?”
“It’s not my call, girls.” Star Swirl replies with a sigh and shrug, “but I need to go talk to you father, so I can bring it up with him, if you like? He might agree if I agree to tell you about it? He likes me.”
“O… okay,” Tia sighs and a slump of her shoulder. “Guess that means you won’t be showing us a magic trick.”
“Not right now, but I promise if I am here for the reason I think I am, then I promise I’ll show you all the magic tricks you want when the time comes,” Star Swirl promises, putting a hoof to his heart and a crossing motion. “Cross my heart.”
“As an alicorn, I’ll hold you to that, Star Swirl.” Tia says in what is likely supposed to be a commanding manner, but really comes across as cute.
“I never break my promises, little Princess.” Star Swirl says with a wink. “But your parents are expecting me, and I should not keep them waiting.” He smiles and nods over his shoulder to Blaze, who is now standing a little ways off looking bored. “Your cousin looks like he could use some cheering up, why don’t you go ask him how he is?”
“Okay!” Lulu agrees, sprinting over to Blaze and hugging him. She is quickly followed by Tia and the two of them quickly start bombarding him with questions.
“That wasn’t very nice,” Clover smirks.
“I think it was, Blaze has seen too much death in the past few weeks,” Star Swirl says softly as he starts into the apartment. “We all have.” Clover says nothing in response and follows behind Star Swirl quietly.
Inside the personal residence of Aurora and Nox, Star Swirl is comforted to find that, for the most part, it is the same as when he last visited. Which is to say, clean, tidy, and holding a welcoming and comfortable air. This was a place of peace, and of friendly gatherings. Yet, this was not a friendly time, nor is he here to talk idly about topics he was interested in.
Starting up the winding staircase at the back of the room, Star Swirl can not help but slow as he reaches the top. He dreads speaking with his friends a little, almost as if this time will be the last.
Shaking his head he starts forward once more with renewed purpose. No, this won’t be the last time, there would be many more days of him and… and Hope sitting in the parlor or on the balcony sharing tea and friendly conversations with their alicorn friends. Once the war is over, that is. Provided they survive.
Stopping in front of a familiar door, Star Swirl reaches a hoof up and knocks on the door to Nox’s personal study.
“Enter,” a deep commanding voice echoes from within, prompting Star Swirl to open the door and enter with Clover close on his tail.
Inside is an intimate room, large bookshelves lining almost all the available wall space, and what is not covered by the shelves is covered by banners or paintings of the night sky. The carpet beneath Star Swirl’s hooves is a dark purple, worn with age and many trampling hooves, the ceiling is a deep polished wood with a single magical light hanging from it in the center, providing just enough illumination currently to see the two other occupants of the room.
Nox, the Lord of the Night, is an alicorn of impressive stature with a coat of rich dark blue speckled with what could only be described as stars. Likewise, his mane and tail are smoky purple in color and also filled with stars. He is currently leaning wearily on the desk he is sitting behind. In front of the desk, currently looking towards Clover and Star Swirl as they enter, is Lady Aurora.
Unlike her husband, Aurora is a mare of brilliant white that fades to a warm amber along her legs and the end of her wings. Her mane and tail are also of warm amber, but fade into a shade of rich, almost royal, purple.
Upon seeing two of his closest, and most valued friends, Star Swir cannot help but smile warmly.
“Lady Aurora, Lord Nox,” Star Swirl says happily he moves quickly over towards the desk, a spring in his step. “It has been too long since my last visit, Celestia and Luna are growing into fine young mares.”
“They are indeed,” Nox agrees with a small smile of his own. “And it is good to see you again, my young friend. I wish only the situation was better.”
“It cannot be helped,” Star Swirl shrugs with a dismissive wave of his hoof. “It is just good to see you again… I… have too few friends these days.”
Extending a wing over Star Swirl, Aurora smiles down at him in a motherly fashion. “You are always welcome here, Star Swirl, no matter what your former mentor has done.” A cough from behind her causes Aurora to look behind her and smile. “Hello there, you must be Clover!”
“Y… yes ma’am.” Clover stammers, sitting down a little ways away an unsure expression on her face. “I… I am also a… that is to say I am Star Swirl’s student.”
“Come closer,” Nox says with a smirk, “I assure you my wife and I do not bite.”
Walking over to sit on the other side of Star Swirl, Clover looks between the two Gods with some trepidation despite the warm smile on Aurora’s face, and the fatherly smirk on Nox’s.
“Now,” Nox starts as he clears his throat. “I didn’t ask you to come because I wanted to see you, as much as I enjoy your company Star Swirl.” He sighs and looks to his wife who nods slowly, prompting him to continue. “My friend, I have a very important task for you, something that I cannot trust anyone, and I mean anypony, griffin, or creator beneath me, with. And before I tell you, I need you to swear to me, on your life, that you will do your utmost to see the task done, even if it should cost you your life.”
“I swear,” Star Swirl says without missing a beat or blinking. “I trust you, both of you.”
“And we you,” Aurora says from beside Star Swirl, her gaze turning somber. “It is why we are asking of you what we are.”
“An...and what are you asking of him?” Clover speaks up from beside Star Swirl, her eyes going between Nox, Aurora, and Star Swirl rapidly.
“You know what happened to Roan?” Nox asks, looking at nopony in particular.
“The entire city is… it’s been tainted.” Star Swirl says softly. “It was one of the first targets Envy struck, we don’t know why yet.”
“Nor do we, but the fact remains she turned a once shining jewel of a city into a death trap.” Nox says softly. “We do not know if she will do it to any other city, but the fact remains her next target could very well be here, since her… Umbra, are here.”
“And so are our daughters,” Aurora continues, looking down at Star Swirl. “And we… cannot defend this city if we are worrying about our daughters.”
For a long moment the room is quiet, the gravity of what he is being asked sinking in for Star Swirl. Two of the Gods of Equus… no, two parents and two of his most trusted and beloved friends are asking him to take their daughters and protect them, potentially hide them somewhere safe, far away from this gods awful war and all the death. Could he do it? Tia and Lulu would be heartbroken at being taken away from their parents, they would ask when they’d see them again, and honestly Star Swirl wouldn’t be able to answer.
But, he had to. Those two fillies were important, precious, not only to Aurora and Nox, but to him as well. They were still innocent foals, and had no place in a war zone, let alone a besieged city.
Nodding slowly, Star Swirl looks to Nox, his eyes somber but determined. “I understand. Clover, Blaze, and I will take your daughters out of the city… I honestly thought that is what you’d want us to do, and have been dreading it.” He looks up at Aurora, a smile on his face. “But I will do it. Even if I have to lay my life down to ensure their safety, I will see them safe.”
“Good.” Nox sighs, slumping over sightly. “Then we had best be about it… there is no point delaying, and… and the longer we wait the more I’ll try and justify not doing it.” Rising he starts around his desk, all the others in the room rising with him and following behind as he goes to the door and then through it.
They journey back down to the first floor of the apartment is short, and yet it seems like the longest walk Star Swirl has ever had to do. The hallway that he had been so eager to walk through on so many occasions feels like it stretches onwards forever, the stairs feel as if there if there is one more riser than he remembered, and above all else he feels as if he is walking in slow motion. None of these things are actually true, and in reality it is simply him dreading what is to come, he cannot help but wish it was true if only to delay the meeting with the two energetic fillies downstairs.
The sound of Celestia and Luna giggling brings Star Swirl out of his somber thoughts.
“Did you really tell your father that?” Celestia inquires between giggles.
“Yes, well when I was your age I didn’t want to be a soldier!” Blaze declares, putting a hoof against his chest and smiling. “No, I wanted to be a scholar, and read my books all day. Perhaps, when I was older, I could open up a small bookstore, and help other ponies enjoy books as much as I do.”
“But, why are you a solider now?” Luna asks, stumbling over ‘soldier’ slightly.
“Soldier, dear cousin,” Blaze gently corrects with a smile. “And, it is because my mother told me that, just because I am a warrior does not mean I can’t also enjoy books and know lots of stuff! In fact…” He trails off as he spots Nox and Aurora. His smile brightens and he goes over and embraces both of them. “Aunt Aurora, Uncle Nox! It has been too long… I just wish I was here at a better time…”
“We all do, nephew.” Nox says softly, returning the embrace. “Have you been enjoying talking to your cousins?”
“I always do,” Blaze says with a smile as he looks over his shoulder at the two fillies. “They’ve grown, before too long I’ll have to be chasing off all the colts when I visit! Only the best for my two favorite cousins.”
“We’re your only cousins, Blaze!” Celestia giggles.
“Why, that makes you my favorite by default, Tia!” Blaze retorts with a wink before looking back to his aunt and uncle, his smile slipping. “So… I take it you four talked about whatever it is you needed to talk about?”
“We have,” Aurora nods with a sigh.
“That’s good, right?” Blaze says hopefully, “Means we can get out of here… possibly get back to the battle outside… help the defenders beat back the siege… give them some breathing room?”
“I am afraid not,” Nox states, walking around Blaze to look at his daughters. “Celestia, Luna, did you pack your saddlebags like your mother and I asked?”
“We did.” Celestia says slowly as she furrows her brow. “I still don’t understand why you asked us to. Those nasty ponies outside will never get inside!”
“Yeah!” Luna agrees, hopping up and spreading her small wings. “And if they do, Tia and I can help you and the guards teach them some manners!”
Smiling softly, Nox shakes his head. “Sweet, sweet Lulu. You truly are my little warrior.” He looks between Luna and Celestia, his smile remaining. “Go and get your saddle bags, and then I will explain why I had you pack them.”
“Do we have to…?” Celestia and Luna both ask in unison, it’s almost a whine.
“Yes.” Nox says firmly, the two alicorn fillies sighing and going off towards the stairs to grab their stuff.
“You’re sending them away,” Blaze states from behind Nox. “Uncle… you’re sending them away, and you’re having Star Swirl go with them?”
“We are,” Aurora sighs with a nod. “We cannot risk them… being injured, and your uncle and myself cannot focus on the defense if our foals are in potential danger.”
“Then I am going with them.” Blaze declares, standing up and looking between his aunt and uncle. “Star Swirl is a capable pony, and I do not doubt that he has taught Clover here well,” he gestures towards Clover who has been quiet the entire conversation, “but they are not warriors, and I… I cannot allow my cousins go without proper escort.”
“We expected as much.” Aurora agrees. “I sent word to your parents, informing them that Nox and I have… coopted you to help get Celestia and Luna to safety.” She chuckles and shifts a little. “Shiro had some… rather strong words in his letter. Apparently, you two had an argument before you left, and he stated he hoped your mission went quickly, as he needs to have words with you again.”
“Of course he does,” Blaze rolls his eyes and sighs.
The sound of two pairs of small hooves stops any further conversation, as Celestia and Luna come down the stairs quickly with their bulging saddlebags on their backs. The two come over to their parents and sit down, looking up at Nox and Aurora with frowns. “We got our stuff…” Celestia says quickly. “So why did we have to pack? Are we going somewhere? Are the four of us going to leave the city?”
“Not the four of us,” Aurora says, her smile faltering. “Just you two.”
“What?” Luna asks, leaning her head to one side. “But… we need to be together! What if the bad ponies break in and attack you two!? What if Tia and I aren’t here to help you!?”
“It is for that very reason we are sending both of you away,” Nox says around a growing lump in his throat. “Your mother and I could not bear to see you two hurt, it would break our hearts. We… we do not want to do this, but it is for the best.”
“No!” Celestia shouts, rushing forward and latching onto Nox as tears start streaming down her cheeks.
“We don’t want to go!” Luna agrees, going forward to wrap her own arms around Aurora’s stomach as her own tears start to flow.
Both of the elder alicorns wrap their own arms around their foals as tears form in their eyes.
“It will be alright, my beloved daughter,” Nox says softly as he runs a hoof through Celestia’s pink mane, “It won’t be for forever. You’ll be home again before you know it.”
“Your father is right,” Aurora whispers as she nuzzles Luna’s cheek. “Before you know it, you’ll be back here, safe in your own beds. I’ll even make you both your favorite breakfasts when you get back.”
“Promise?” Luna asks, sniffling.
“I promise.” Aurora nods. “Now, you and Celestia need to go stand over with your cousin.”
Celestia and Luna hold onto their parents for a moment longer, then with sniffles and dragging hooves they walk over to sit next to Blaze, who is sitting next to Star Swirl and Clover.
“So, now what?” Clover asks, looking around.
“Now, you stand still,” Nox says. “And hold onto your lunch.”
“Wh…?” Clover starts to ask when there is a sudden loud bang and a flash of light.
When his eyes clear, Star Swirl finds himself standing next to the cart they had arrived on, the moon high in the sky, and the burning city behind them. Celestia and Luna huddle together, looking towards the city with tear filled eyes.
“Come on, you two,” Blaze says softly, gently prodding Celestia with his nose. “We need to get out of here, and somewhere safe.”
“O… okay, Blaze,” Celestia stammers as she slowly gets to her hooves in a stiff-legged fashion. She pokes her sister, who likewise gets up in the same manner, and they both head to the cart.
“Here, let me help you two get up,” Clover says with a smile in an attempt to put them at ease. She levitates the two into the back of the cart, then gets up herself.
Star Swirl is not far behind them, getting into the cart with a little difficulty as he mutters about his old bones not being built for all this running and fighting. As he settles down into the cart, he is surprised when Celestia and Luna come over and lay down against him, more surprising still they’re both shivering.
“It’ll be alright,” Star Swirl says softly in an attempt to comfort the two, his gaze locked onto the city as Blaze gets himself hooked back up to the cart, and then gets it turned around and heading away from the city. “We’ll see your parents again, I am sure of it.”
Despite the confidence in his words, Star Swirl cannot help but feel he should have told Aurora and Nox how honored he was to be their friend… because somehow, he feels he’ll never see them again.
-----
“What happened to them?” Amore asks with a frown as she clutches her teacup tightly. It’s early afternoon in the newly built Castle of the Two Sisters. Amore, along with Hope, had come to see how well Celestia and Luna were settling into the Castle that would act as the new seat of power for Equestria.
“We don’t know,” Star Swirl admits with a shrug. “I went back… a few months later after we had found a good place to lay low. Fillyon was… gone.” Shaking his head he takes a sip of the tea in front of him. “The city is still there, but it was too damaged and stained for anyone to continue living there.”
Sighing heavily from where she is sitting next to Star Swirl, Hope puts her own teacup down. “I had hoped other cities would avoid what happened to mine, but I guess it was a futile hope.” She then smiles to Celestia and Luna, who are seated across from her and Starswirl on a couch in the small private parlor. “But, you two got out before it happened, that is all that matters.”
“Agreed, Hope,” Celestia nods with a somber smile. “But then, so did others, and I would rather the common pony have survived than us.”
“My sister is right,” Luna agrees as she takes a sip of her own tea. “Far too many suffered while we were spirited away.” She looks over her shoulder at a Royal Guard mare standing a short distance off. “I wish we could have helped you back then, Captain Merryweather. Perhaps then more of your friends would have made it to us.”
“We knew our duty, Celestia,” Merryweather states with a bow of her head. “Soldiers of Equus did not fear death, and we gladly laid down our lives during the final evacuation.”
Hope moans as she trots slowly down the hallway towards the room she has been using as the ‘classroom’ for Amore. She had been ill again, her morning thrown off by her losing what little breakfast she had been able to get down. She wasn’t sure what it was, having started only a few days ago… or perhaps a little under a week now? It was hard to keep track of, she wasn’t really attempting to keep track. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant thing.
Another wave of nausea causes Hope to stop and lean against the wall, screwing her eyes shut as she breaths slowly and deeply. Perhaps it was time to go to the healers? They might know what's wrong, and at her age being sick like this all the time could be a serious threat to her health, which she cannot allow. If she is out of commission, then Amore would have to step up and rule in her stead while she is sick, and the young mare isn’t ready yet.
So I’ll have to make her ready… Hope thinks to herself, resigning herself to the inevitable.
Pulling herself away from the wall and swaying slightly, Hope takes a few more breaths before stepping forward.
Her journey to the classroom continues to be a slow, nausea filled, trip and her hooves are made to move forward along the tilting of the hallway through sheer force of will. She’s already late, and, if she knows Amore, the young mare is worrying her horn off over her aged mentor. But then, she would be a poor Love if she didn’t worry so much about Hope; it was just in her nature to love everypony and care for them as if they were her family.
Staggering to the door and opening it with her magic, Hope enters the classroom to find Amore pacing back and forth in front of the large windows. She doesn’t seem to notice the door opening, but when it closes she stops and looks over at Hope with worry.
“Nana!” She almost shouts as she rushes over. “Where were you? You’re never late for our lessons!” She stops as Hope opens her mouth, then closes it as she turns a few shades of green. “Are you alright?”
Nodding, Hope swallows heavily. “I am fine, Amore,” Hope replies shakily, doing her best to speak clearly despite how badly she wants to keep her mouth shut. “I just got a late… late start…” She trails off as her face turns green again as she crosses her eyes.
“Hope?” Amore asks hesitantly, putting a hoof on her mentor’s shoulder. The instant the touch is felt, the elder pony sprints to a nearby waste basket, and loses what little breakfast she had not yet lost. Sitting down next to the now soiled waste basket, Hope shivers a little as she has always hated being physically ill like this. The shivering stops as a hoof lightly brushes once more on her shoulder, and she looks up to find Amore sitting beside her with a look of profound concern.
“Nana, you are not well,” Amore says softly. “Have you spoken to the healers yet about this?”
Shaking her head, Hope take a few deep breaths before looking at Amore from the corner of one eye, “Dear, could you have a servant send some tea here? Ginger would be best.”
Without another word Amore goes to the door and exits to go find a servant. While she waits, Hope does her best to continue to breathe steadily, focusing on something, anything, to keep the room for continuing its wild, tilting spin. Perhaps she really shouldn’t have left her room today, perhaps she should have stayed in bed…
No, no that isn’t an option for her, and Hope knows it. As a ruler, and more importantly as a mentor for the next ruler, she does not have the luxury of simply staying in bed when she feels ill. She has to fight through it and get what needs to be completed done. And in this case, it’s the lesson for the day, she can have Amore hold court in her stead, but this lesson needs to be taught.
Besides, focusing on the lesson would help keep her mind of the only other thing that this illness could be. And, frankly, being sick at her age was far less scary than the other possibility.
Rising to her hooves again, Hope goes slowly to a couch in the room and lays down, putting a hoof over her face as she moans softly. The nausea has, for the most part, passed now that she is laying down again, but the room continues to spin slowly and she can almost swear it has tilted by a few degrees too.
“Nana?” Amore calls out softly as she comes back into the room. “I found a servant and they are going to get you that tea.” Hope uncovers one eye and watches Amore come closer, sitting down next to the couch, a concerned smile on her face.
“Thank you,” Hope replies weakly. “You are a good grandfoal, even if we are not related by blood.”
“I try my best, Nana,” Amore chuckles, blushing slightly. “Now, can you explain to me why you’re pushing yourself so hard? You’re ill, you should be in bed!”
“Because, my dear Amore,” Hope says softly as she looks to the young unicorn. “Sometimes, as a ruler, you have to do things that you do not wish to do. No matter how much you wish to sit by the wayside and just forget your duties, you must act.” She sighs, looking away from Amore as her eyes grow distant, ears flopping back against her head. “Sometimes, those choices are painful, possibly even heart wrenchingly so.”
“Sometimes, you must sacrifice the most precious things, even ponies, in your life to protect those who have not yet been born….”
------
The sound of hoofsteps are the only sounds within the normally brightly lit and busy hallways of Compassion’s residence in the city of Coltenhagen. To Hope’s eyes and ears the entire building may as well be deserted save for her and her companion, yet she knows it to be untrue as Compassion’s acolytes were still within the building, hiding from their normally welcoming and friendly mistress.
“You were right to come to me, dear,” Hope speaks softly shaking her head slightly as they walk. “I cannot imagine what has come over her, but I am sure I can speak some sense into Compassion.”
“That is all any of us can hope for, my love,” Star Swirl replies in an equally soft tone, as if the very air will not allow him to speak higher. “She has been so distant from all of us, even her most trusted students like myself.” He stops and shakes his head, and looks to Hope who stops a few steps later. “You remember that young filly I told you about? Clover?” Hope nods. “Clever filly, that one. Well, she dropped a book in the library and Compassion yelled her into a corner! If not for Friend, she likely would have gone further!”
“It is worse than I had assumed,” Hope whispers slowly under her breath. She looks to Star Swirl and nods, a frown on her face. “We had best hurry. I’ve never known Compassion to be as cold as you’ve told me.” Nodding Star Swirl once more starts forward and leads Hope through the dimly lit passageways.
Before long, they are before the doors to Compassion’s rooms. Friend, a large lupine construct made out of sandstone, is pacing in front of the door, ears against its head and tail between its legs. He stops only as Hope approaches, Star Swirl staying a little ways back and watching with concern.
“Hope, thank the Cosmos you have come,” Friend’s echoing magical voice cuts through the silence as he looks to Hope. “I have been so worried for Compassion. She is not herself, and all my attempts to approach her have been met with… mixed results.”
“She threw you out of the room by your tail,” Star Swirl speaks up from where he is. “That isn’t exactly mixed results.”
“Star Swirl, please do not remind me…” Friend whines, lowering to the ground in shame. “It is my duty to be there for her, and she will not let me! I… I have failed her.” He lowers himself to the ground and covers his face with his large stone paws. “What have I done wrong? Why won’t she let me help her?”
Resting a hoof on Friend’s head, Hope smiles softly. “Don’t worry, Friend, I will get through to her.” Friend looks up at her, and Compassion lowers her hoof back to the stone floor. “Now, I am going to inside. Make sure we are not bothered, alright?” She looks between Star Swirl and Friend. Star Swirl nods, and Friend wags his tail slightly. “Good. Wish me luck?”
“Good luck, love,” Star Swirl chuckles as he sits down across from the door.
“Good luck, Virtue of Hope,” Friend barks, sitting beside the door to Compassion’s chambers like a stone sentinel.
Putting on her most friendly smile, Hope opens the door and goes inside.
The instant she sets a hoof inside the door, her smile falters. The room, the very air itself, feels wrong. Yet, it looks no different than any other time she has been there, everything is in its proper place and even large stacks of books that Compassion has been reading -- not to mention the overflow from her already packed bookcases -- are neatly organized and right where Hope had last seen them a few months ago when she had visited.
“Compassion?” Hope calls, looking around slowly for her friend. “It’s me, Hope! I… I heard you’re having some problems, I wanted to come check in on you. Perhaps we can talk about them over tea?” Continuing forward Hope spots an open glass doorway leading out to a balcony.
Upon it is Compassion who is staring out over her city, wings tightly folded to her sides, ears back against her head and tail swishing. She looks… angry; more angry than Hope had ever seen her in all their years as friends.
“Compassion? What’s wrong?” Hope calls over, concern filling her voice.
“Can you not see it?” Compassion spits harshly as she turns to Hope, causing Hope’s brow to furrow. “Everypony,” Compassion continues, waving a hoof towards the window, the sweeping gesture taking the entire city into account, “is only acting kindly to each other so they can call upon those who owe them when they are in trouble…” She trails off, eyes narrowing. “Saving up favors like a dragon hoards gold!”
“Maybe they simply need to be shown the right way, Compassion?” Hope offers, a small smile gracing her features as she does her best to break through to her friend, a small cold sweat forming on the back of her neck. Something is wrong, something is terribly wrong. The feeling only grows as a sneer twists her friend’s face, a sickly orange glow surrounding her. The color is wrong, it feels wrong! Where is the indigo colored magic Compassion should be wielding? “Compassion?!” Hope’s panicked shout is nearly drowned out by the magic swirling around her friend. “Compassion!”
“There is no Compassion.” A twisted, hate-filled voice comes from within the magic. Terror grips Hope’s heart as she watches her friend be consumed. “I am Envy.”
Without thinking, Hope rushes forward and tackles the creature that had been her friend to the ground, almost in slow motion the two tumble downward. Envy’s head hits the stone floor with an echoing crack, disorienting her for a moment. Taking the initiative, Hope gets up quickly and sprints to a bookshelf, quickly searching for one special book amongst the collection. Finding it, she takes it in her magic, turns and quickly teleports outside the door as she hears Envy yell loudly.
“HOPE!” The hate-filled scream fills the air, shaking the very stones beneath Hope’s hooves. “YOU WILL KNOW PAIN WHEN I FIND YOU!”
“What in the Cosmos?!” Star Swirl shouts as he gets to his hooves and rushes over to Hope who has started forward, a look of panic in her eyes. “What is…”
“Get your fellow Acolytes,” Hope cuts Star Swirl off. “As many as you can, and flee. Compassion has… has… she isn’t herself. I fear she has fallen.” She looks to Friend who has likewise started down the hall with Hope. “Friend, rally the guard. Your mistress… she is no more. You need to protect the people of the city… start an evacuation.”
Nodding, Friend looks to Hope. “I shall hold her for as long as I can… Hope.” He stops, looking at the ground for a moment, his ears against his head. “Hope… We will likely not meet again… if my Mistress has fallen, then…” He looks up, if stone could smile, then Friend would be right now. “It was an honor, to call you my friend.”
“The feeling is mutual, dear Friend,” Hope replies.
Friend turns, and starts down a passageway, his echoing voice suddenly filling the entire castle. “Rally to me, soldiers of Compassion! To arms, and make haste to defend the city!”
Pausing for a few seconds to watch Friend go, Hope sighs. “I cannot stay, Star Swirl, as much as I want to.” She looks to the other pony, the love of her long life. “Will you be alright on your own? Rallying your fellow Acolytes?”
“She will be hunting you, not me.” Star Swirl chuckles darkly. “I should be asking if you will be alright.” Hope starts forward, only to be stopped as Star Swirl puts a hoof on her shoulder. “But, just in case.” He pulls her over and kisses her. The kiss lasts a few moments, dreadfully short in Hope’s opinion, but at the same time it feels like it lasts forever. When they part, Star Swirl is smiling, a determined and hopeful look in his eyes. “Now, go. I promise I’ll see you again.”
“I... “ Hope starts, wings attempting to spring out. “Stay safe, dear heart.” Without further words the two sprint down opposite hallways. Hope doesn’t stop running until she is clear of the city, already warning bells tolling in the distance as a defense is mounted against their former ruler.
----
Hope sighs heavily as she pulls the blanket draped over herself tighter. The fire she huddles near holds little comfort for her, even if it warms her travel weary bones. Although it has been a few months since Compassion’s… death, Hope cannot get the oath she had screamed at her out of her head.
Nor can she believe the lengths her former friend has gone to to carry that oath out.
Roan had fallen, and Hope is surrounded by the disheartened and weary citizens of not only her former capital city but also the surrounding towns and villages. They had been streaming in for days now, led to Hope by guards and soldiers loyal to Hope, and a few even loyal to other Virtues. All of them told the same story; Envy had swept through their area and burned everything to the ground, killing anypony who had gotten in her way.
Killing everypony who got in her way, and corrupting all who submitted to her. Hope’s stomach churns at the thought; her friend had become a monster so far removed from the compassionate and warm friend she had known. Sighing and shaking her head to push those thoughts away, Hope looks to the ponies sitting across from her.
“Commander,” Hope says softly, her voice made soft by the long months on the road. “I thank you for your report; you and the former guards of Roan have done more than I could ever ask of any pony.” She sighs once more and clutches her blanket closer again. “I wish I could give you rest, give you a break from the constant warfare, but I must ask yet more of you.”
“Anything, Lady Hope,” a stallion in worn and beaten armor states in a confident tone. “We live to serve you and our fellow Ponies.”
“I know,” Hope agrees wearily. “Yet I still regret sending you all into danger.” She looks into the fire for a few moments before continuing. “Envy is not stopping, if anything she is speeding up the rate she destroys towns. We need to evacuate as many towns and villages as we can now and send them to the farthest possible place still under my command.” She looks up at the ponies across from her, all of them snapping to attention. “To that effect, gather as many soldiers, and even militia if any will go with you, and start moving everypony towards Mirrormere.”
“Mirrormere?” A mare wearing sergeant stripes speaks up. “That’s near the Crystal Mountains, isn’t it?”
Nodding, Hope stands and moves over to a map on a nearby collapsable table. “It is. It is the farthest possible township in my lands, and thus it will take Envy a while to get to it if she holds to her current pattern.” She sighs and looks to the others who have come over with her. “This, however, also hinges on all of you… being able to hold her back and give us time to evacuate, reach the town, and prepare. You must convince her that we are standing and fighting, slowly being pushed back, but unwilling to give a single league without a fight.”
“That won’t be hard, m’lady,” the stallion replies with a grim smile. “We’ve already been fighting tooth and hoof for every pace of ground given. Nothing has changed on that account.” He taps the map with a hoof. “I am also sure we can find plenty of willing militia, nopony wishes to see their homes burned, but if they must leave them then many will wish to stay behind and give their families a chance to flee to safety.”
“That is all I can ask of you,” Hope whispers, shivering slightly at the cold finality in her own voice. “If all goes well, you will return to us soon, safe in Mirrormere.” She then goes back to the fire and sheds her blanket as she reaches out with her magic to her saddlebags and levitates it to her back.
“Of course, ma’am.” The stallion replies, offering a salute. He then looks at Hope and frowns. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes, Commander,” Hope replies as she turns and starts towards the mouth of the large cave her little area is in. “Mirrormere is only an hour’s walk away… and I wish to be the first to arrive so I can let the village leaders know that they’re going to get very busy very soon.” She sighs and looks to her saddle bags. “Besides, I need to clear my mind… I’ve had a lot of bad news as of late.”
“Stay safe, Hope,” the stallion says softly, dropping her title.
“I will, Firedancer,” Hope replies softly, a small smile tugging at the edge of her mouth.
Without further commentary Hope travels from the cave, passing by refugees huddled around their campfires. Many are young, far younger than her, or even in their golden years. Many have foals with them. All of them are travel weary, their eyes speaking of horrors and sights that would break any pony. Yet, as she passes she can see their eyes going to her, conversations stopping sometimes in mid-word as eyes suddenly fill with hope simply with her presence among them.
She does her best to hold herself in a confident manner, head held high and a warm smile on her face. She does not feel it, though. The smile is false, her neck aches and her back screams at her to lay back down and not go on this long walk to the nearby town. She doesn’t want to be a leader right now, by all rights she should just lay down, curl up, and let the age of the Virtues come crashing down around her! Why should she shoulder the burden?
“Because of them,” Hope’s heart and mind seem to answer her, dragging her hooves forward and locking her smile onto her face. “They need you, and you’re unable to let them down. You cannot look them in the eyes and tell them you are giving up.”
Continuing on, Hope sighs as she exits the camp and starts down the old game trail her scouts and found. As soon as she is out of sight of the others, her hoof-falls silent against the well packed dirt, she allows her head to hang low and her posture to slump. Alone, far from the eyes of the other ponies she cannot help but feel like this is a hopeless fight, that she is leading all her faithful ponies to their deaths.
Shaking her head and growling under her breath, Hope chides herself silently. She can’t think like that, nor allow such thoughts to overwhelm her. She needs to hold on, hold onto… well, hope. If she gives into despair, she’d be no better than Envy as all the ponies back there are counting on her. Besides, she has to hold out so she can see Star Swirl again… hold him in her arms again…
As she thinks of her love, she feels herself slowing. It had been months now, the fighting had intensified and thousands were dead… could Star Swirl be among them? Would she never see him again? Would she be alone now…
No! No, she will see him again!
Even with the statement of assurance for herself, the weight between her wings does not lessen, her legs slowing more. Soon, the pain, the sorrow, becomes too much and she falls to her knees. Vaguely, she realizes she is on the outskirts of the village of Mirrormere, the walk having gone faster than she had thought while she had been lost in her own thoughts. Tears in her eyes, she feels the weight of it all crushing her, squeezing the life from her lungs…
“Are you alright?” a young voice comes from nearby, and suddenly… the weight isn’t so crushing anymore.
------
Hope trails off as she reaches a specific part in her narrative, memories of a certain young filly filling her mind and causing her voice to die in her throat. She looks down at the teacup perched between her hooves, eyes closing slowly as her ears go back against her head.
“Are you alright?” Amore’s voice echoes the young filly in Hope’s story causing the old virtue to snap her eyes open and look up at Amore. “Are you feeling ill again?”
“No, no thank you, Amore,” Hope replies softly, hiding her unease behind a sip from her tea. “The ginger tea is doing the trick, I no longer feel ill at all.” She smiles to Amore, than to the servant who had brought the tea and had ended up staying and listening to the story. “Thank you as well, Primfeather, for fetching the tea.”
“It was nothing, m’lady,” Primfeather, a grey and white dappled pony in a maid’s outfit replies. “Just doing my duty.”
“As are we all,” Hope agrees. “But, suffice to say, the lesson to day my dear Amore; Sometimes, as leaders, we must do what we believe is right, even if we ourselves have lost faith, even if it goes against everything we would wish for.”
Nodding, Amore takes a sip of her tea before replying. “I understand, Nana.” She then pauses and looks at her teacher. “Now, however, since your story is over and you are feeling better, can we please take you to the healers?”
“No, I think I know what is wrong with me. There is no need to bother them,” Hope sighs, lowering her teacup. “Amore, I think…”
Hope is cut off as the door to the room opens quickly, Star Swirl bursting into the room with a healer in his magical grip. He rushes over and puts his unfortunate, and confused, victim down.
“I came as soon as I sensed something was wrong,” Star Swirl says without preamble.
“It’s good to see you too, dear,” Hope sighs, rolling her eyes before looking to the healer. “You didn’t need to drag him all the way down here, there is nothing wrong. It’s just a little morning sickness.”
“Yes, yes. But I sensed you were unwell, and when I arrived and ran into a servant down in the kitchens saying you had barely touched your meals, and were feeling ill! I had to find a healer!” Star Swirl speaks, completely missing the looks all the mares in the room are giving Hope. “Illness at your age, and even my age, can be quite serious! We need to nip this in the bud and make sure you are healthy and well so that you can continue your duties! And more importantly, continue to guide young Amore here into the smart and wonderful mare she is destined to be!”
“Dear, relax, I am not sick,” Hope states, her ears going back against her head as a blush rises on her cheeks. Amore and Prim are looking between each other, a silent squee on their faces. “I am… that is to say we are…” She stammers like a foal caught stealing cookies before clearing her throat and powering through it. “Star Swirl, I am with foal, and you are the father.”
“That is all well and good, my love,” Star Swirl continues, the words going in one ear, and not quite registering. “But like I said sickness is no joke! But, do not worry, I will be here for you every step of the way! Celestia and Luna will understand, in fact I think they would prefer it!’
“Star Swirl!” Hope all but shouts, causing the elderly unicorn to stop.
“Yes?” he asks, furrowing his brow.
“Dear, did you hear what I said?” Hope asks, a smile sheepish smile on her face.
Stroking his beard, Star Swirl narrows his eyes and thinks back. His eyes suddenly widen, and he looks to Hope. “No… You’re beyond your prime, surely it’s impossible!” He then clears his throat. “No offense, my love.”
“Anything is possible… I guess the Cosmos had plans for us…” Hope chuckles.
“So… we’re… actually going to be… parents?” Star Swirl says slowly, his eyes growing wide, a shocked expression on his face. “I am going to be a father?” Hope nods, smiling brightly. Star Swirl sits down, eyes wide. Then, slowly, he starts to smile his ears sticking straight up as he bounces to his hooves and grabs the healer, who is unfortunately closest to him, around the neck and swings him around. “I AM GOING TO BE A FATHER!” He puts the healer down, who stumbles around a little before sitting down and shaking his head. Star Swirl then heads over to Hope and goes to scoop her up to do the same, only to stop and instead offer a hoof to her.
“Would the lovely mother to be honor this old stallion with a dance?” Star Swirl asks politely.
“She shall,” Hope replies, putting her teacup down. As she rises to dance with her beloved, she looks to Amore. Specifically, she looks to Amore’s bare head. “Amore, you should stop leaving your crown in your room. After all,” Hope chuckles as she wraps her hooves around Star Swirl, “you’re going to be a queen before you’re a godmother.”
The day Crystal Hope died was not one that Amore would ever forget. The skies had poured torrents of rain upon the crystal city of Mirrormere, as though weeping themselves, for almost a full week after, delaying travelers from attending the funeral for the old queen. Amore was initially shocked, as her mentor had seemed to improve and heal some of the wounds from the Fall of Equus over the past five years, but quickly realized upon reading the elderly pegasus’ journal that the wounds had only been made fresh with the birth of her daughter.
Looking out her still rain-spattered window at the coming dawn, Amore sighs heavily. Today, her mentor would be laid to rest, just as she’d wanted to be - beside her student, Little Love, in the tomb beneath the palace.
Sighing and turning to walk back into her room, Amore looks around while not really looking at anything in particular. Somehow, the world feels… less, since Hope had passed. As if the light of the world had grown dimmer, less vibrant. Shaking her head, Amore crosses to the small table beside her spacious bed, and stares at the sole item currently occupying it.
Hope’s crown sits on a small pillow after having been polished by one of the royal jewelers, gleaming silver with blue crystals cut into faceted brilliance in the shape of her Virtue’s sigil. It was in her room for one last inspection before it was placed on Hope’s brow for the final time. The finality of that feels wrong, that if she keeps the crown in her room a bit longer, Hope will come in and ask her where she left it. That she won’t really be dead. Yet, Amore was now the Queen of the Crystal Empire, she had been for years now, but somehow she had always felt like Hope was the true Queen, the true ruler of this mountain nation. Yet, now? Now there is no hiding in her shadow, no pretending that if she messes up Hope will chide her in her grandmotherly way and then make it all better.
She is it; she is the Queen. Hope can no longer help her.
That thought, above all others terrifies her, and chills her very core as surely as the rain beyond the windows.
Her thoughts are interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Sighing heavily, Amore goes to the door, intent on telling whichever of the palace staff that had chosen that moment to knock on the door to go away and leave her alone. Opening the door, though, her annoyance fades and is quickly replaced by a sad smile.
“Auntie Amore,” a light purple foal clutching a teddy bear says, looking up at Amore. “May I come in? I… I don’t want to be alone right now.”
“Of course, Radiant,” Amore says warmly, her smile growing as she steps aside. “I… I don’t really want to be alone right now myself.”
Radiant Hope comes inside and quickly goes over to the bed, climbing up onto it and laying down so she is out of the way of Amore who closes the door and walks over to the bed herself.
The two lay on the bed together for a while, neither of them speaking. Radiant is curled up against Amore’s side, teddy bear clutched to her chest as her unfocused eyes stare at the crown resting on the nearby table.
“Is she really gone forever?” Radiant whispers to the quiet room.
“She is,” Amore replies in her own whisper. “Crystal Hope has passed into the world beyond, little Radiant.” The sound of soft sniffling causes Amore to look down at Radiant, whose eyes are now shut tightly as tears stream down her face. Leaning down, Amore nuzzles the top of Radiant’s silvery-blue maned head. “It’s alright, my dear god-child. Your mother loved you with all her heart. She will always be with you.”
“No!” Radiant sobs. “It won’t be alright… I want my mommy…” Radiant buries her face into Amore’s side and continues to sob, her godmother wrapping an arm around her and holding her close.
“I know, Radiant,” Amore whispers softly, looking once more towards the crown on the table. “I want her too…”
The rain falls lightly all around Amore as she walks at the head of the funeral procession, a long flowing black cape with it’s hood drawn up to protect her from the rain, the only visible part of her head being her horn with has a soft light glowing at it’s end. Behind her is the entire compliment of palace guards, their own armor covered by black capes like her, their helmets gleaming in what little light filtering through the grey clouds above. In the middle of the guards, upon a wagon drawn by a team of four guards, is the crystal coffin of Queen Crystal Hope.
A long trail follows behind the guards at the coffin; dignitaries and prominent citizens of not only the Crystal Empire, but also the Kingdom of Equestria, the newly established Griffin Kingdom over the sea, and the currently ruling Marquis of Prance, the Donna of Istally, Esponya’s Condesa and her consort, the Duque of Coltugal. At the head of the train of dignitaries is Star Swirl, flanked by Celestia and Luna, with his daughter all but glued to his side.
Of all those present today, Amore feels worst for Star Swirl and Radiant. Star Swirl has lost the love of his life, the companion he had sworn to protect and cherish for all his days even. Their love had been so strong that even the fall of Equus had not dimmed it. They had kept their love alive all these years, and now that light had passed from this world.
And Radiant, she had only known her mother for five years, and now she had lost her. A filly so young should never have to see their mother dead and buried, the pain clear on her face each time Amore sees her.
Amore is brought forth from her thoughts as her hooves echo upon the crystal floor of the plaza beneath the Palace. Refocusing her attention ahead of herself she sighs as she sees the large cavernous opening that leads to the royal crypts beneath the palace standing open. They have reached the final destination of the precession, after making a long circuit around the city so all of the citizens could say their goodbyes.
She stands motionless as the guards wheel the cart forward towards a small raised platform in front of the entrance. Here, the final goodbyes shall be said, and Amore has the honors of giving the eulogy.
And so she waits. Slowly, the wagon is unloaded and pulled away and the guests are seated. Star Swirl and Radiant are seated front and center, the young filly’s gold-green eyes never leaving the crystalline coffin that contains her mother’s mortal shell. As soon as the last of the mourners is seated, Amore pulls her hoof back, her crown sparkling in the dim light cast by the many torches and light spells illuminating the courtyard, and strides forward.
She stops before the coffin, and gently reaches out to place a hoof against it, closing her eyes and sighing. “I hope you are proud of me, Nana.” She then turns and looks at the assembled crowd, nodding her head once and taking a deep breath.
“Mares and Gentlestallions; Hens, and Cocks; my heart is heavy today as we mourn the passing of one of the greatest ponies this world has ever seen,” Amore starts, her voice filling the courtyard effortlessly. “Yet, it warms me to know that so many have come to see my mentor and adoptive grandmother, Queen Crystal Hope into the next world.” She gestures to herself, and then to Star Swirl and Radiant. “As I am sure it brings a small measure of comfort to her daughter, and to her husband Star Swirl.” Star Swirl smiles softly as those closest to him pat his shoulder or offer him a smile of their own. Radiant simply scoots closer into her father’s side, burying her face in his cloak to hide her crying.
“There are no words, truthfully, that I can say in this or any language to express how much Crystal Hope meant to me, and to this Empire,” Amore continues, tears forming in her own eyes, “because there are no words for the profound effect she had on me, and on all of us as a whole.” She looks up, her eyes awash with tears that dampen their usual fire. “But what can be said, is that with her passing, we have lost the last of the Equus. That with her passing, truly, we have lost our last connection to that once great empire.” She pauses for a moment to let her words sink in and the echo to fade. “Many of us, myself included, can draw our lineage back to that Empire, to cities and towns put to the torch, and stamped out in the great war that was Equus’ end. I myself hailing from Roan, the city in which Crystal Hope herself once held court.” She points back towards the coffin behind her, her eyes never leaving the crowd. “In those dark times, when the world came crashing down, she held us together as a beacon of light, of hope, when it was needed most. It is now our duty, to carry on that legacy; to bear the torch she has given to us, and to carry the banner she has left in our care.”
Amore then pauses, and looks to her left where a vase of flowers is sitting. The flowers are roses of a beautiful crystal blue which had been grown from a single cutting carried by one of Hope’s gardiners from Roan to Mirrormere. She levitates a single rose from the vase and holds it in front of herself. For a long moment she looks at it before turning towards Hope’s coffin and setting the flower down on it. “I have nothing more to say, save to promise, to her and to you all, that I will do my best to make her proud.” She lays the rose upon the coffin, then goes and takes the vacant place beside Star Swirl.
Everyone else shuffles through, laying roses upon the coffin, and then the guards lift it once more and take it down into the crypt. As they do, Amore opens her mouth and starts to sing.
A queen she was on crystal throne
In many-pillared halls of stone
With golden roof and silver floor,
And runes of power upon the door.
The light of sun and star and moon
In shining lamps of crystal hewn
Undimmed by cloud or shade of night
There shone for ever, fair and bright.
The world is grey, the mountains old,
The haven’s hearth is ashen-cold;
No harp is wrung, no hammer falls:
The darkness dwells in crystal halls;
The shadow lies upon her tomb
In Tsuyouma, in Byzantium,
But still the sunken stars appear
In dark and friendless Mirrormere;
There lies her crown in water deep,
Until Hope wakes again from sleep.
As her sung eulogy’s echoing chords fade from the air, Amore sighs heavily as she watches the doors to the crypt close, their resounding boom echoing her heart which seems to beat a little stronger for a moment at the closing. A nuzzle at her arm draws her attention down to her side, and she smiles softly at what she sees.
“There there, Radiant…” Amore says softly, pulling Hope’s daughter close and hugging her. “You should go check on your father… I am sure he needs you right now, darling.”
“Yes, Auntie Amore,” the little filly sniffles, holding Amore close for a moment longer before scampering back towards the Castle’s entrance. Amore sighs softly, watching her mentor’s foal until the door closes behind her and hides her from view.
She had sworn to Hope that she would watch over Radiant as if she were her own daughter when she had been named Radiant’s godmother, and she fully intended to keep that promise even if it killed her. Looking back towards the closed doors of the crypt, which, now that they’re closed, blend into the floor almost seamlessly, Amore closes her eyes and shakes her head. The weight of all of this, of Hope’s death, of no longer having her mentor there to assist in governing the empire she had founded… it is almost crushing.
Then, suddenly, she is pulled back to reality by a pair of wings draping over her. Opening her eyes she finds that one wing is the color of a midnight sky, the other as white and pure as fresh fallen snow. Despite her mournful thoughts, Amore cannot help but smile warmly at the owners of those wings. Even in these dark times, she can count on her two closest friends, and fellow rulers.
“We’re sorry for your loss, Amore,” Celestia speaks softly, her head bowed as she looks to Amore.
“Thank you, Celestia,” Amore replies kindly, fresh tears in her eyes as she looks towards the crypt doors. “I am honored to have been Crystal Hope’s successor.”
“We have never met anypony like her,” Luna speaks up, her tone just as mournful as Amore’s. “The world would diminish should we not see her like again.”
Amore does nothing to stop the tears that fall from her eyes at Luna’s words, allowing them simply to fall to the crystal floor beneath her hooves with soft pattering sounds. “You are right. I should very much like to meet somepony like her again, Luna.”
“Come, Amore, let us get you inside and dried off,” Celestia offers softly. “We can trade stories with Star Swirl. Together, we shall weep for this loss, and remember Hope not for the fact that she has died, but that she lived and made us all better by doing so.”
Nodding slowly, Amore stands and together with Celestia and Luna goes into the castle. She casts one final glance back as the doors close behind her, and whispers softly to herself.