Redemptions Price

Chapters

Betrayal and Revenge (edited)
call to arms
from darkness
Starting a Journey
The Red Dawn
Paladins Hope
Castle Of the Sister (part 1)(edited)
Paladins return

Betrayal and Revenge (edited)

When all that you know,
Is taken and torn to shreds.
Who do you blame.
Tell me what happens?
When your own Deity
Betrays you

Prologue; Betrayal and Revenge

This story is not one of happiness. After all what good story starts with a beginning that is happy. Tragedy always follows tragedy. If there is no right road to follow anymore whats to say that anything we do will be worth.

Our goddess, the very being that we prayed to. Left us to weather a storm that would destroy us all. Any help she could have given was denied to us. With her help I could have saved everyone, my kingdom my home.

This the ashes of my homeland. The start of a story that begins with betrayal and ends with betrayal. My goddess, who has had her name stricken from my lips, left us for dead. And in the end it pushed me down a path of evil.

The fall

The dead littered the landscape, as far as I could see was only the ghosts of those who had once lived here. My son, who had celebrated his 6th summer, was clutched in the arms of my beautiful wife. Cut down before he had even begun to learn who he was. My wife who had stood by me for my entire rule lay cold and broken with our child. Her white dress stained crimson. Among the ruins of the wall lay my brother, his broken body a testimony to the horrors. Never knowing what was coming upon on the wind. My subjects who I had served faithfully and just, stricken down as if nothing more than common cattle.

Everyone, an entire kingdom, dead. One night of complete terror, followed by silence. All the screams had died with the morning light. I stand alone, the last of a kingdom. A fallen Paladin King, now king to no one. All that is left for me is an immense thirst. A thirst for blood. Against the ones that destroyed my kingdom, and the goddess that could have saved them. This blood and lives will be paid for, even if it takes the rest of eternity to do.

One year later

To complete a vengeance against a god, one must be able to kill a god. Forbidden powers must be used. Dungeon after dungeon, chasing everything and anything that may have the power to destroy everything that I hate. Blood on the sand, or so the saying goes. For blood to be shed, hands must be stained red. Mine will no longer wash out.

Whispers plague my mind, thoughts that are no longer my own. Belonging to another who thirsts for souls. I am drawn towards it, the same as a moth to a roaring flame. Yet even now, I never once questioned my sanity. For no lengths are too great for revenge

Three years later

So much has changed since the day of darkness. I walk a warpath paved with blood. My enemies are slain with little remorse. Their souls consumed by my blade; a sentient weapon, an all-consuming force. Bound together by our souls we strive forward, eternal partner. And with the life force of those who have fallen to our might, we consume, now ageless as time itself.

Yet for all this, I am no closer to my goal. I am at the same place as when I have started. No blood of a goddess has been spilt for her sins. All I have done is slay those who stand in my path. Innocent and guilty alike. My only legacy is the genocide I have wrought. Still I must find a way to do what must be done.

Countless years

It has been so long I have almost forgotten why I started down this path. Memories are fading in and out. Times past bleed into the present. They are the only thing that remind me of what I am doing. I am becoming a ghost, just like the ones I had loved and left behind.

Every night I listen to the stories the villagers tell. They tell stories of the Death Knight or the Black Guard. In hushed whispers to frighten small children. Each and every telling is different, yet they all contain the same things. Myself, sword and familiar.

My familiar, it is still so odd to say even after all the time that has passed. A skeletal wolf of enormous proportions. I do not know where he came from and yet, I do not care. He hates everything the same as I. We are still on the hunt.

The sacrifice

The Ninth plane of hell. A place of nightmares and destruction. A constant state of war covers this cesspool of hate and villainy. Yet I come here seeking power. And power I shall have one way or another.

All power requires sacrifice. All that I have left to give is my flesh. My right arm is gone now. Traded for that of another. The soul of a dragon, shaped and added to my own. This new hideous amalgamation is mine. It smolders like the cooling lava that forms this plane.

This arm, this gift. It is from Asmodeus, Arch-Devil ruler of this plane of hell. His gift is…. Not without price. Agony and rage are barely contained within my form. It was easy to hate before, yet this rage makes it natural as breathing. Nothing will stand in the way of my vengeance. Not even Asmodeus, who now resides within my blade.

End of journey

I had done it I stood before my deity, my goddess that had left me. I looked upon her in her realm in the astral plain. She was crying. Tears that I had never seen. I was angry, raging at what she had done to me and she was there shedding tears.

“I am sorry”

She had given me up and she has the gall to say ‘I am sorry’. Gods do not apologize for anything, I know this now. Yet where were her so called “champions?” I had walked alone into this hall unchallenged. I raised my arm and pointed to her, I demanded answers for what was done.

“Your final destination is not of this world. Everything that has happened was to shape you into the greatest of warriors. A paladin that does not need the path of a god or devil to use your powers. All to protect the balance.”

I stared at her dumbfounded. My anger was simmering underneath a calm. It was so hard to keep from losing what semblance of rationalism I had and flying into a fury of metal death.

“My dear paladin I loved you like a mother, every step of your journey was seen by me. Even though I could no longer watch over you like before. I hope in your next life you will forgive me.”

As she said those words what rage I had left broke loose, and as I committed my foul deed. It snapped. I knew were the champions were. I was the last one. The last of every follower she ever had and I betrayed her. At the end all I could do was forgive her, yet I knew I would never be able to forgive myself. For as she died through my sword I absorbed her essence into my own. Feeling all the kindness she had given me. I stood there in her realm as it started collapsing in upon itself and awaited oblivion.

The contract

I had died and yet I hadn’t, my body ceased to exist. Sitting in this corrupted plane waiting for the end of my soul as well. I wait in an eternity alone. She had told me of the next step and when it comes I will accept it. As planned I will become the balance. Simply a force that shapes the will of the harmony and chaos. A true gray paladin.

And one day it happened, a visitor to my desolate throne. An odd one at that. She was regal yet not human. A pony, an Alicorn to be specific.

“Welcome to my humble abode. You, my gracious guest are the first and last visitor to this realm. You are the one I was told to wait for.”

[Queen Soliana]

I was utterly confused. This creature was waiting for me? I have never set foot on this plane before. Yet here was a sentient waiting for me.

“I am at a loss of words. I believe we have never met or even properly introduced. I will start I am Queen Soliana of Equestria.”

“Well met Queen Soliana. I am Volaren Arclite. My kingdom No longer exists. All I have left is the balance that I preserve.”

Stunned at what I had just heard. The last of a mighty kingdom. Thinking quickly as I watched him begin to fade. I could not, would not allow him to be alone any longer.

“Come with me. Serve the balance on my world. Sleep until you are needed. In my plane of existence the balance has been disrupted. Our world’s greatest creation the elements of harmony must be protected. For they will need you in their time of greatest need. You must know how important that this is?”

Silence pervaded the room. Eating away at the soft sound of the creature’s breath. Several moments had passed before any reply.

“Very well. I have no reason to hold on here any longer. While death is waiting for me it is still not my time. I will sleep and when you or your descendants need me they shall simply awaken me. However the only condition I have is that they do not know that they have summoned me. I will not be controlled again.”

“You will have a new life in my home. I hope you sleep well.”

[Volaren Arclite]

I made the contract. All that was needed to awaken me was a simple spell cast on the royal seal. For within it was a secondary seal that would last until I was awoken. When it was time for me to wake the second seal would make whoever cast the spell and any in the immediate vicinity that knew of the spell, forget that it was cast. Only a simple message saying that they were saved would appear.

I have no idea what is in store for me. But I may never be at one with myself. I have committed terrible atrocities. Murdered as many people that I have saved. Doing right doesn’t erase the wrong. I will pay for my wrongs till I give my final breath. No atonement for the wicked. Only regret.

Author's Note

I was no longer happy with this part of the story. I left far too much out and it needed terrible clarification. Fixing what I could. I do appreciate your patience. I am in Okinawa right now for work. Your new chapter will come out when I fix everything before it.

~Ferrosxlupus~

call to arms

Where would you start?
If your life gave you
Another second
Chance?

Call to Arms

Princess Luna looked out into the night, and for the first time since the rule of discord, felt fear. In the forest of the Everfree, evil beings lurked in the darkness. The gates of Tartarus were breaking, releasing the denizens that dwelled there into the night. Her night. She was silently wishing for a guardian for her people. Hoping for miracle so that nopony would need fear her beautiful night any longer. She sent a silent prayer to whoever would listen

“Help us protect our ponies” she whispered to the night sky

“Princess Luna I found it” Princess Twilight Sparkle burst into the room startling the Lunar princess.

“What have you found Twilight?”

“Princ—“

“Twilight, how many times must I tell you? You are one of us now, please address me as Luna. I am your friend after all.

“Yes Luna. As I was saying, I have found our answer. In Starswirl’s personal journal that you so graciously gave me I found a passage pointing towards a legend about your mother” stated Twilight excitedly.

“Our mother? Queen Soliana?”

“The one and only, may she rest peacefully. After looking into the oldest version of "Myths and Legends of the Royals" possible. I came across the legend that Starswirl spoke of. It detailed a story of her one and only extra-planar trip that any royal family member has ever taken. She met somepony or something called the gray paladin. He made a contract with her stating that he would protect the harmony of Equestria when it needed him the most.” She was practically dancing with excitement.

Luna was nodding her head remembering what little memories she had of her mother. A kind soul that was who she aspired to be like.

Continuing, Twilight kept telling her story. “Starswirl also mentions another journal. It belonged to queen Soliana. Following his thinking I found it in the palace that had been your mother’s and father’s when they had ruled.”

Surprised at this Luna stared with mouth agape. Stuttering out the words she barely spoke “y-y-y-you found h-her home.”

“Yes, the palace of the royal sisters was once your mothers. Your mother’s quarters didn’t survive the test of time but her journal did. I hope you don’t mind that I went there.”

“No, no it is quite ok. I will have to visit sometime and pay respect to our dearest mother”

“Yes. She left her journal there with a time stop spell on it. Preserving it, to this day. With it was the contract and instructions to complete a spell to awaken the gray paladin from his slumber.”

“Is there anything else that we should know of?’

“There is a price. It takes the magic from four royal princess to activate a two part spell. The first part will activate an awakening spell, and the second will make us forget that we activated it.” Twilight spoke lightly sobering up at the fact she would forget she ever made this discovery.

“That is an unusual Price indeed. We must discuss this with Celestia and Cadence, this is a decision that involves them as well.”

Upon hearing this Twilight turned to her captain of her newly form Astra Guard, and him to gather the other two princess’ and their respective captains of the guard.

[30 minutes later]

The four royal princess’ were gathered around a great table. Beside each princess stood their captains of each of the royal guards of each princess.

Princess Celestia and Silver Helm. Her newly appointed captain of the Solar Guard after shining Armor became prince. He had proved his mettle several times in the past years however now was his time to truly stand out.

Continuing to the right sat Princess Luna. With her was captain Night Shade of the Lunar Guard. In the short time since the return of the Lunar princess the Lunar guard had grown into a small yet highly trained elite.

Princess Cadence sat with her newly awoken, Captain Diamond Sword of the Crystal Guard. They were the largest of all the guards. However they were currently working on bringing their outdated tactics and training up to date. They were spearheaded by prince Shining Armor who had made it his personal personal project.

Finally Princess Twilight and her Captain Meteor. The Astra Guard had been recently formed and was a more focused in intelligence. Because they were so new they were seen as ghosts. Knowledge which Twilight capitalized on. Working highly in the areas of stealth and tactical knowledge gathering it was assumed they knew everything.

Celestia was the first to speak “ Luna, Twilight, I hear that you have good news for us. Please share what it may be with us all. I am very curious to learn of what you have found.”

“Celestia, if I may be so informal.” Twilight gave a slight giggle “Your mother, the late Queen Soliana left a journal detailing a contract she formed with a being known as the gray paladin.”

Princess Celestia furrowed her brow in concentration, an odd look Twilight thought. After several minutes had passed she finally spoke her mind. “How come mother never told us about this?”

Luna was nodding her head in agreement. “This is something very important, we should have been told he could have saved us many times by now”

Twilight answered their questions quickly “I believe it is because of what he is meant for, his entire being is to preserve the balance of our world. Conflict and hardship are to make us grow. So that we cherish each day. This gray paladin is here to protect from outside forces. Those that would completely tip the scale. That and he may have already awoken before, several times in fact. Several legends that are important to the history of Equestria either revolve around or refer to a pony known as the gray. The type of pony is unclear, as each story has a different race including Alicorn. The only facts that are concrete is that his right fore hoof up to his shoulder is red, and that each had a blade that possessed otherworldly qualities. But we have never awoken him, as far as we know. He has always awoke by himself.

During Twilights explanation cadence looked entirely confused. She looked up and spoke softly to the others. “I grew up with the stories of the gray, ever since I was little my grandma would tell me the stories. In the very beginning of each of them a normal pony would either go on an adventure or become lost in the Everfree forest. In the forest they would find a castle, a voice would whisper, come to me and I shall teach you. They had found a teacher, and in when they left to honor their teacher they would change their coat colors to match his. And each would travel the land, speaking of the teachings that they had learned from the gray himself.”

Diamond Sword slammed his hoof on the table, startling everypony present. “These stories matter not. Our choice is now. DO we wake the Gray Paladin and forget? Or let him sleep and remember today. I say that the price is fair and we should pay it. The benefits far outweigh the price. Not remembering one small event to save our land.” Every captain nodded their heads in agreement. The princess however looked skeptical on it. Magic always had a higher price than what was told

Captain Meteor spoke next. “We are losing badly, monsters that we have never even dealt with before are pouring out of Tartarus and other places. As much as I hate to admit it we need heroes. If this is the spark necessary to create the first one on our side so be it.”

Everypony waited silently contemplating what was said. Changes were happening, and the biggest choice was theirs to make.

Finally Silver Helm broke the peace that had occurred after the outburst of captain meteor and diamond sword. “There is no solace in our position. We are at the precipice. We have two paths before us. One path gives salvation a chance, the other is a dark path that we do not know where it leads. I believe our choice is quite clear.”
Silence again. Silver helm had brought it all to a conclusion. One by one everypony nodded their heads. Twilight the last to nod her head began the spell. Because in all actuality the magic that was being shared with her to do the spell was only a simple key. A catalyst to undo a spell that was already there. It would awaken the gray paladin from his slumber and seal the memories away in there head. It would feel simply like they had misplaced something. And in time the spell itself would fade and the memory would return after they had met the gray paladin himself.

As she was weaving the spell, Twilight marveled at the changes she had gone through. Since she became a princess and the avatar of magic and friendship her magic had changed quite drastically. She could now actually see what was happening magically instead of just feeling it.

Ever since she discovered the gray paladin a golden light had shone above her head. When she had first told Princess Luna of him two silver threads had formed going to each successive pony who learned of the spell to awaken the gray paladin. When they had finally made their decision to awaken him several runes formed around the light. Twilight gathered the energies that had been shared with her from each princess, and formed a magical crystal. When she was finally ready she just barely touched the mote of magical light and it ignited into a magical beacon above the table they were at.

Several runes formed quickly creating a circular seal upon the table. And from the very center burst the arm of none other than a dragon. Ethereal as no other pony but Twilight could see it. It reached up and grabbed the golden light. With another burst of fire it vanished from whence it came.

Seared into the table for everypony to see was a simple phrase. “I Have Awoken.” Although nopony knew the meaning, they all knew that something big had occurred. Shaking the confusion out and pondering the meaning of the words they all left to find ways to save their ponies. Even though they had just set in motion the means to save them all.

[Everfree forest]

Deep within the confines of the Everfree forest. Just beyond were most traveler dare to go. A mere week from the last town in the free forest. A dark place were only the bravest of explorers or the most unlucky souls seek refuge. A pair of eyes fluttered open for the first time in a millennium and a half.

Author's Note

comments lots of comments. I really want to know what my readers think. because there is always something hat i might miss our you might have a fantastic idea for me to employ to make it better. all help and appreciation will be shone to contributors so please leave a comment or two.

thanks eternally
ferrosxlupus

from darkness

Sometimes it not the abyss you should be afraid of.
Especially when you have become the nightmare
That is told to small colts in fillies

Chapter 2
From darkness

It had been darkness and dreams. Memories of a time gone by. A smiling equine face. Queen Solana the last face I saw before starting my sleep. Inside a room built to last thousands of years.

Even if it was built to withstand, the ravages of time and ponies trying to find secrets within had not been kindest of visitors to the structure. Several adventurers had made their way here. And not all of them used the proper entrance.

Neither had the trees used the right entrance. Their roots had grown through the walls. It looked like a proper ruin, falling apart and full of danger. Yet despite all this. Seven explorers had found this place. 7 ponies had found me and learned of the balance. And with time they came to serve it. Ironically they took up my mantle and were called Gray paladins as well.

It has been fifteen hundred years since I started my sleep and I remember each one of them. The latest adventurer made this her base of operations and that started fourteen years ago. Before that it was three hundred years. This latest pony is far different from the other ones but then again, they were all different in their own ways.

Enough reminiscing, it is time to leave. I have been called, awoken for one purpose. It is time to finally get to work. Time to truly wake up.

[Daring Do]

“Here once again.” Daring spoke to nopony in particular.

She stood in front of a pair of enormous Double Doors, which led to her most favorite place in the world and her base of operations. It was here that she had met her mentor, her father figure when she had none.
Today she noticed something different, the air was magically charged and rushing as if it was being displaced. Quickly she hit the secret switches in sequence, she paced as the Doors slowly open. When there was just enough room for her she ran inside.

Dashing Down several corridors, she recited the pattern that would take her to her base in the ruins. She ran first to the Right and then began to follow the path in her head, left, left, right, past the pit and under the alter. She knew this path better than any other.

After several tense minutes of frantic running she entered thou another Double wide corridor into a central chamber. In the center of the room upon a raised portion of the floor, was a sword, embedded into the stone floor. As always Daring marveled at the wonder that allowed her to talk to her sleeping mentor.

Daring’s attention was quickly redirected to the mote of light coming from the ceiling. Falling like a star onto the far pillar from the entrance of the room. As it neared the pillar, Daring saw what she assumed were magical runes light up, than burn away. A single crack resonated as the pillar broke. Than spider-webbed out and crumbled into dust. Becoming a Doorway that led into the abyss.

Daring Do stood silently in front of this new Door. The only sounds came from her labored panting, cautiously she approached the dark Doorway. She peered with tentative apprehension into the newly revealed room. The only thing she saw was a column of light at first. As her eyes adjusted it became clear to her. Suspended in the light was a light Gray earth pony. His right fore hoof was red to the shoulder.

Looking closer she gasped at the cutie mark. Adorning his flank was the same sword that stood lodged into the stone outside of this chamber. Running diagonally across the hilt and touching the blade was a broken band of intertwined gold and silver.

Daring stood still as the sword in the stone. Her mind churning out the answer she had been hoping, wishing, praying for. As the pieces fell together she realized this was the owner of the voice that had guided her for so long. The one she thought of as,

“Father”

Daring Do “eeped” startled she did something very unlike her. She ran outside the room and hid next to the Doorway. Embarrassed that she had just said the word aloud. Peeking around the corner, the stallion was still drifting in the air. Suddenly his body jerked and with a small groan he began to stir into awareness.

[Volaren Arclite]

It hurt to wake up, moving muscles that hadn’t been used in a thousand or more years. Groaning with effort, eyes snapped open alert and awake.

However the lights that suspended Volaren in air abruptly dissipated. Ceremoniously dumping there floating occupant onto his face. After several moments of trying to untangle himself Volaren heard a soft giggling voice off to his right

“Haaa, yes, instead of just standing there. A little help would be nice?’”

After having said that, looking towards the sound, a soft brown Pegasus came from the only entrance into the room. Her mane and tail started at jet black and faded into Gray, and she was wearing the most curious of hats. Realizing that he had asked for help, the mare quickly came to his side. After a few more giggle and grunts. Volaren had sorted himself out and now had firm footing.

“I apologize miss. This is my first time using a body in fifteen hundred years.”

“Please just call me Daring, Master. Daring Do at your service.” Daring took a slight step back and gave a small bow at the end of her intro.

“Master? The only people to call me that are my students. And if that is true that means you are Daring Do. My prodigy for the last fourteen years. It is my pleasure to finally meet you in the flesh Daring.”

“Likewise Master.”

“Now before you get into question mode, you must gather all of your things. We are leaving. This place, it is no longer safe. My awakening has set off a beacon and the forces that wish to disrupt the balance will come here with haste. You must take everything, no clues or item that lead to you must be left behind.”

Daring looked at her Master incredulously. “I have a bag of holding. But it only changes the size of objects. It does nothing to change their weight.”

“It doesn’t matter, I will carry everything. But first while you pack I must gather my other half.”

As Daring scrambled to put everything in her bag of holding, Volaren trotted slowly up the center dais that held the Gray blade. Softly so that no one could hear him, he spoke to the blade.

“There is no longer any difference between our souls any longer, is there?”

Immediately after he spoke a soft feminine voice filled his mind, a harmonious voice that felt like it was always singing yet an echo of otherworldly power lingered in it as well.

“No Master, it is no longer just a soul bond between us. The ebb and flow between us has reached a perfect resonance. We are but one soul with two bodies.”

“I am so sorry Gray.” Volaren spoke with utter sadness in his voice. “I promised to find the origin of your creation, but it seems like I will be unable to find it now.”

“It is no longer a concern to me Master. I have found something that means far more to me.”

“I will keep my promise if I can Gray, but it is time for us to leave. Please undo the binding spell.”

A click resonated throughout the chamber. Slowly Volaren stood on his hind legs reaching one hoof out and grabbed ahold of Gray’s handle, slowly he started to pull. At first nothing happened. So he simply pulled harder. As he pulled cracks formed along the ground. Hardly straining, he stepped forward and gave a final heave. Shearing straight through the stone, leaving a great gash in the floor.

Below him, Daring had stopped gathering her things and was staring in utter disbelief. She had just seen the pony before her Do what should have been physically impossible. As she continued to stare she truly appraised her Master. He is utterly built she thought. A long hard life had left him stronger than stone and steel.

Descending from destroyed ground Gray whispered to him. “Always one for dramatics weren’t you”

At this Volaren snorted and replied aloud. “Nonsense, I merely wished to test the strength of this body. To get a feel and find the similarities to my other one. However it seems to have limiters placed on it. Likely to keep me from hurting it and to get used to this no body of mine.”

After a small reassuring mental nudge from Gray, he turned to Daring, who was standing slack jawed at what was to him a simple feat of strength. Near her feet was a saddlebag, everything that she owned was packed safely away inside. Reaching Down he grabbed the bagged, and with hardly any strain showing, he agilely threw the bag onto his back.

“Master that bag…” Daring began.

“SCRREEEE!!!!!!”

[Daring Do]

Daring instantly dropped to the ground. She knew what that scream was. She knew in her mind that it wasn’t even close to them yet and she could hear it. Everything about it frightened her. She could hear the legs skitter across the cobblestone floor, all eight of them. The clatter as venomous fangs chittered together. She couldn’t stand the noise, her only thought was that she didn’t want to think about it anymore. Immediately she curled up and covered her ears with her hooves.

“No no no no no no no no no” she was trying vainly to forget what was coming ever closer and might just be in the next room over.

She felt a hoof shake her shoulder, her name was being called, and she heard it as if it was coming through a fog.

“Daring, Daring, we must leave, or that creature will make it in here.”

These words were all she heard. They only served to make her sniffle, tears were forming in her eyes.

“Snap out of it Daring, we must leave now.”

Volaren continued to shake her shoulder, yet she was inconsolable. All she whispered was “no please, make it stop. I can’t, I just can’t. Make it go away.”

Her tears streamed freely now. Streaking her face and Down her soft muzzle. She felt a gentle hoof wipe away her tears.

“Daring, I will be right back, stay here.”

Upon hearing those words Daring reached out trying to stop him. She saw him setting down the saddle bag and slowly walking to where the sounds were emanating from. Before he left her sight completely he turned back to her.

“You will be safe with me, always.”

With that he charged into the dark hallway. Staring with even more disbelief. The Master she had known for fourteen years had just shown himself and already he was sacrificing himself so that she could live. Daring began to cry again.

Scree?

A new sound come from the hallway. It was different than the first one. This one was filled with fear. Even though all of her thoughts were still wild, one thought rang true. What manner of beast could cause something so evil, to scream in such fear. As soon as the cry finished echoing, one final crash resounded throughout the room.

In the silence she heard only hoof steps. Moments later her Master appeared through the Doorway. Wobbling slightly and tired looking while being just a tad bit more haggard than when he had left. With calm certainty he spoke.

“Come Daring, it’s time for us to finally leave this place.”

Starting a Journey

When darkness comes
Are you alone
Or is the abyss with you?

Chapter 3

Starting a Journey

[Volaren Arclite]

“Ah, fresh evil forest air, it’s generally better for you than dark dungeon air.” Volaren commented voice dripping with sarcasm

Happy laughter came from behind him. “Master, what could you ever mean by that?” Daring was far from the terror and fear that had gripped her earlier. Volaren couldn’t tell if it was because this sort of event happened often enough or that she had truly bounced back and had gotten over her fear.

“Many things my young student, but you do not have to worry about them now. However we must reach a safe area to rest before nightfall.” He hadn’t even finished his sentence before Daring was beckoning him to follow. She was unwilling to be caught like she had been earlier.

“Master, this way, the village of forest end is two days away. They are still within the borders of the Everfree, so I often resupply from them, and between them and us is a travelers rest, a safe haven for the night.”

Volaren nodded his approval, trotting quickly he entered the forest with Daring Do one of the greatest explorers to ever exist. All this without a single glance back at the castle where he slumbered for 1500 years.

However as they trotted underneath the tress, Volaren’s mind was turning over. To him every step was a step taken with a life he shouldn’t have. Borrowed time as they say. Volaren was questioning his own right to live, love, laugh, learn. The atrocities that he committed played over in his mind. Every face of each life he took. Every soul as they passed through his blade to become energy to feed his revenge. However he had lost everything. The moment he had succeeded in his quest for revenge he knew he was wrong. As penance he sat on that throne, simply waiting for what his deity had predicted would come. The astral plane was not kind to his mortal body. Ever shifting, ever changing, titanic forces had torn his body asunder and left him a mere soul. Held in place with sheer force of will. Only gray had kept her body, but she wasn’t unaffected.

Each time he thought of this it inevitably came to one subject. Should I allow myself to continue to live when I have destroyed so much? Should I continue to walk while I murdered so many others to have my wish? Am I even worth the aggravation? What shall I do if I fall again? I fell once, it is possible to fall again.

Shaking his head he looked up into the trees. Softly so daring wouldn’t hear him he spoke his next thoughts allowed.
“I am a weak being, I have but one thing to live for and I think of ending my life. A coward I am not though. I took this contract and I will fulfill it. My life is no longer mine. I will live if only to save the elements.”

Playful laughter entered into his thoughts “that’s wonderful, because I like you like this oh so much better master. If you died I wouldn’t be able to spend every waking moment with you.” Gray said with enthusiasm.

“Hush gray, you know very well that if I die, your soul will make the transition with mine.”

“Oh, I know master. But I like this form of you the best. Your oh so cuddly and fluffy, and very mysterious. OH, OH, OH you should get a cloak that hides your face from view.”

Shaking his head again, while thinking of her idea, his head almost ran straight into daring’s flank. Looking around he saw that they were in the middle of a clearing.

“Daring? Why have you stopped so early? We have at least two hours till sundown.” Volaren spoke breaking the silence that had permeated the air moments ago.

“Master, he have made fantastic time. This is the halfway point between us and Forest End. Somehow we made it safely with no monsters attacking us. Tonight, we will also be safe within this clearing. It has magical wards meant to keep all manner of magical beasts at bay during the night. I would like to continue, but we will not make it to the town before darkness falls. It was said earlier, by yourself no less, that these woods are not safe during the night.”

Looking into the forest, Volaren wanted to keep pushing ahead. Had he been alone he would have. Daring was an explorer, not a warrior. So he relented.

“Very well, we will rest here for the night.”

“YAY! It will be just like camping!”

“Um, what?”

I mean isn’t it. I travel alone. I travel alone and unafraid into the great unexplored!” Daring was practically shouting at the end of her tirade. She was also striking a heroic pose, bumping her chest with a hoof then pointing high into a random direction

Jaw slightly agape, Volaren was stunned at her theatrics. Once again shaking his head, he started on making a campfire for the night. Now that the sun was starting to set, he could feel the evil aura that permeated the air draw in closer. Eyes were watching him, he knew it. But he couldn’t figure out why.

[Canterlot castle]

Captain Meteor’s anger was reaching new levels. For days now his operatives had reported enemy movement near the village of Forest End. Princess Twilight had acted, she had ordered him send an evacuation order to the villagers, but it was ignored. Blatantly ignored by the village ponies. To make matters worse last night, right after the order was given. The village was hit.

The village burned, burned bright with the evening light. By midnight every pony that lived in the village was captured. Even worse one of his three operatives was captured as well. Operative Flint had been apprehended saving a filly from the horde. He knew the action was right, however he was angered still that she had still been caught.

Captain Meteor passed just outside Princess Twilight’s door. After collecting his thoughts, he proceeded to try to knock on the door. Before his hoof hit the door swung open with a will of their own.

A harmonic voice drifted to Captain Meteors ears. “Come in Captain, I am sure you have news for us.” Twilight’s horn had a fading glow. Showing that she had opened to doors. Next to her, sitting around the table, were all the bearers of the Elements of Harmony.

They were all staring at him, large eyes gleaming with hope, as he trotted up to the table. None of them said a word as he took of his ceremonial helmet and set it on the table. Doing this caused a magical reaction. The color of his coat washed out from an enchanted dark purple to a fiery orange his mane going from light purple to red.

He stood firm and resolute to give his news.“Princess Twilight, we have lost the village of Forest End. Your warning and call to evacuate went unheeded. As last night approached they were attacked. Every citizen including one operative was captured.” Captain Meteor said with firm resolution.

Everypony at the table was visibly sad, except for the captain. His face was stoic. He had dealt with loss before, and as a stallion he would never betray his emotions in front of mares, let alone the princess he loved.

Continuing on captain meteor spoke with conviction. “Princess, I suggest an immediate strike, a joint task force of Falling Star Operatives and the Lunar Titans pose the best option to save the town. If we act quickly enough there may be a chance we can prevent any and all casualties of our own citizens.”

Twilight looked solemn as she thought over his idea. She didn’t much like conflict, it was not her area of expertise as well. She could only trust in her captain on such matters.

“You have my permission to start such a task force. I am sure Captain Nightshade will be more than willing to help you, not only with the task force but with receiving permission from Princess Luna as well. If they are unwilling, send the operatives anyway to get as many ponies out as possible.”

Happy with the outcome Captain Meteor replied with a salute.” It will be done your highness.”

“And Meteor.”

“Yes? Princess?”

“Do take a break after this, if not for your sake, do it for mine.”

“I will try princess.” At this Captain Meteor put his helm on. His color scheme once again becoming like that of his princess.

Twilight gave him a weak smile, but a smile that he cherished none the less.

[Twilight Sparkle}

She was still smiling as the doors clicked shut.

“aw, shucks, yah like em’ dont’cha shugahcube.” AppleJack spoke giving a smile.

“My affections for Captain Meteor are not what we came here to discuss girls.” Said Twilight quickly trying to defend herself.

“Darling, why ever not. All this talk of war and nightmares from Tartarus is frazzling my coife. I feel as if a thousand spa trips won’t help the nightmare that my mane will become.” Said Rarity as she was vainly trying to tame her mane.

Before anypony could comment again Pinkie Pie began to violently vibrate. It escalated rapidly from her tail to her entire body. As everypony thought it was about to end she was launched sideways into Rarity as if she was struck by lightning. Moaning both of them untangled themselves from each other. As soon as they were free Pinkie bounced up and with all the enthusiasm that she could muster screamed “WOW! THAT WAS A DOOZY! A VERY BIG DOOZY!”

Everypony was standing around her around Rarity now, very much astounded. Not even when twilight had tried to understand pinkie sense had she done anything like that.

“Pinkie, what do you think it means?” Twilight asked voice saturated with curiosity. She was taking notes, she did keep up her studies on Pinkie sense. However it was no longer an obsession. It was merely a way to pass the time anymore.
“Why I don’t know Twilight. But I think your town is going to be alright really soon. And there is a new pony to meet soon as well.”

The girls were wondering about what Pinkie had said when they noticed how late it really was. One by one they all said goodnight to Twilight and left her study.

Looking out beyond her balcony, Twilight wondered what Pinkie had meant. Could the task force work or was there some other way that her ponies would be safe. Even with her curiosity there was nothing she could do. The only thing that had happened tonight that she still did not understand what was named the 'Pinkie sense'. Sighing she turned towards her bedchamber hoping that Pinkie was right.

[The next morning]

Twilight stood in a lone hallway in one of the lesser used wings of Canterlot castle. Perhaps the oldest wing. As it has been unchanged since the castle was built.

In front of her was the only banner in all of Canterlot that did not bear the mark of one of the four princesses. Instead it had a sword with a gold and silver twisted crown. As she was staring at the banner, hoofsteps echoed down the hallway.

“Magnificent isn’t it?” Twilight didn’t have to turn to see that it was the enigmatic caretaker of the section of the castle.
Standing next to her the stallion continued his speech. “My family, generation after generation has taken care of the banner and wing of the castle. This banner however is the only one of kind in all of Equestria. Made by Queen Soliana herself to honor her adopted brother, your uncle, so to speak.”

Twilight had heard the stories, Luna had once tried to describe their uncle to her, but had been at a loss for words. To her he was the epitome of everything she strived for and wanted to be. Just like her uncle and her father.

Without turning her head Twilight asked, “Silver Stroke, you are a novelist of great renown, why do you stay here?”
Jolly laughter came from the stallion next to her. Astounded at his brazenness Twilight whipped her head to look at him. She saw an older stallion, mane and tail were streaked with gray. No longer the solid red they had once been. His silver coat was no longer as glossy as it had once been.

Still looking at the banner Silver Stroke began to share his family story. “My Family and one other swore fealty to him over all others. When he first came to live here in Equestria. He saved many members of both our family countless times in the short five years he resided in this and Queen Soliana’s castle. He asked only one thing of us. To wait for him to return so we wait. We keep his arms and armor polished and his wing of the castle clean. All of pony kind owe him or will owe him more than they will ever know. He always said we will be safe”

Author's Note

man did i ever have to slohg throu this chapter. it kept on constantly being deleted or corrupted. no matter it is done now. leave your comments i want to know what you think. its the only way i can make the story better.

The Red Dawn

Violence is merely a means to an end

Yet if violence is your only means

Does that make you evil?

Chapter 4

The Red Dawn

[Volaren Arclite]

Coming out of sleep, was a harsh and an entirely terrible experience. Volaren was not a morning person in anyponies opinion. This abruptly changed when he noticed how calm and quite it was. Adrenaline rushing, muscles tensed, eyesight became sharper, sounds became crisper. Every sense that he had at his disposal was being used to the max. They screamed that something was wrong, completely wrong. There were no sounds, no movements. No birds chirping in the trees, no bunnies running in the brush or any animals. And no bugs buzzed in the air. The immediate area was devoid of all fauna. All that drifted around was the tangible scent of rotting meat in the air, unwashed bodies, and bespoke of utter evil.

Volaren’s ear twitched. The sound of a twig snapping. Quickly and silently, Volaren ran into the tree line making no more sound than a ghost. He had none of his heavy armor that he had worn in his previous life available to him. Only his blade. Slung loosely over his right shoulder gray waited for the inevitable combat that waited for them in the near future.

[Daring Do]

Ever so slowly Daring awoke to the sound of voices. Blinking her tired eyes, shapes began to form. Looking around the only thing missing to what she thought was a glorious morning was that her master was not present.

“Master? Where did you go?” Daring spoke aloud hoping to get her masters attention if he was nearby.

Silence, no more voices or noise of any kind. The forest, even though it was evil had once teemed with life. Concentrating she heard nothing no animals. Slowly standing she looked around the clearing for signs of her master in which direction he had gone. After a few moments with no clues, she heard the voices again.

“Why we patrolz, des is da stoopidis ting dat we do.”

“Shutz up.” A loud slap could be heard echoing through the forest. Daring winced at the sudden hurtful sound.

The same voice that had said shut up, spoke again. “We patrolz cuz da big bosses sees so. So shutz yur mouf ad getz mobings.”

“But butz Mysis feetziz hurz!” a third whingind voice broke over the other the other voices. A small scuffle and another slap was heard.

“Shutz up! I wotz telz u agin! Ad if u dontz I makz surz use endz upz in ta biggins pot tonight!”

At this point, Daring was horrified. What manner of creature would threaten another with feeding it to another much larger creature was her first thought. She began to back away from the direction of the voices in the forest. Shuddering at the idea of herself being cannibalistically eaten by ponies. Shaking her head to clear the images out she stepped on a twig.
Hearing a grunt of surprise Daring looked up to see what had made the noise. At the far end of the clearing from between the bushes came the four ugliest creatures daring had ever seen.

Standing as tall as her, the four beasts were reptilian in nature yet looked like they were crossed with the ugliest dog possible. They were bipedal. Upon their shoulders were ragged animal skins or destroyed clothing, while three out of the four had small bits of metal which she assumed was meant to be armor. The smallest of them was wearing a pot on his head as a helmet of sorts. The scales that showed underneath there clothing and what armor were an unhealthy green color. Each of the reptile dog things carried a spear that was comically tall for them. Standing at almost twice the height of the tallest one.

The biggest one, and the one obviously in charge shouted a garbled and broken command in a language that she couldn’t understand. All four monsters leveled out their spears towards her and began to charge.

Daring was frozen in place with fear. All the thoughts that raced through her mind were of escape. Yet her legs refused to respond. They felt to her as if they had turned into granite pillars. Unmoving and yet they felt weak, she knew that they would give out any moment. The fear that ran through her mind had locked her in place.

Before the creatures had even made it a quarter of the distance to her a shout rang through the clearing stopping all action by the monsters.

“YOU WILL NOT TOUCH MY PRECIOUS STUDENT!!”

Stunned speechless the beasts watched as an angry gray stallion burst through the bushes. Before they could do anything he had quickly closed the gap between them. Brandishing a massive blade, all four of them were caught on the flat of the blade, and tossed into the forest beyond. The stallion charged into the forest after them. Tearing through the underbrush like an angry bull.

Daring watched helplessly as she recognized her master. He was fighting once again, he has fighting for her sake. She listened to the sounds of battle. All she heard was the cries for help, as one by one they fell silent. The blade of her master only sang out three times. Not knowing if a fourth would song would come, she waited.

In the silence that followed, the actions that her master had just done became clear to her. Even thou he had done it in the forest where she couldn’t see. He had killed them. No mercy, no remorse, not even guilt. All it was, cold, calculated strikes to end the threat against her.

She turned her head away as her master came through the brush into the clearing.

[Moments earlier]

Volaren was quickly and quietly searching the forest for the invaders he had heard earlier. He wanted, no he needed to find the enemy before they found daring. It wasn’t easy. Even the forest itself was against him. It tried and almost successfully led him of course.

His continuing search was brought to an abrupt halt when he heard voices from behind him. Cursing his lack of attentiveness he turned around and ran towards the voices. Recognizing the slurred speech, he knew that the kobolds were right on top of Daring’s position. Running as quickly as possible, he covered the short distance back to camp.
Bursting out of the underbrush, he saw four kobolds with spears making a pitiful attempt at a charge. The fact that they were attempting to charge pissed him of even more.

Pulling in as much air as possible and with all the violence that his body possessed he screamed at his newfound enemies.

“YOU WILL NOT TOUCH MY PRECIOUS STUDENT!!”

Drawing gray as he charged them. He shifted it so that he caught all four along the flat of the blade. Flinging them into the forest and out of view of Daring.

Catching a small glimpse of her. She was standing there frozen. Feeling a pang of quilt, he continued his charge into the forest. Drawing closer to his enemy.

As he came into the stretch of forest, the first thing he saw, was just off the ground a kobold had slammed into a tree. Thrashing wildly, the unfortunate creatures had been impaled through his midsection by a fairly large branch. Counting him removed from combat, Volaren continued looking for the kobolds. He saw that they had fared better. Landing in a jumbled pile with only bruises to show.

The kobolds did not stay down for long. The nearest kobold was the first to recover. Charging at Volaren spear outstretched. Standing on two hooves Volaren caught and deflected the spear with the flat of his blade. It skittered harmlessly past his snout into open air.

Switching grips on his weapon, Volaren took a single step forward. Brandishing his weapon low to the ground. Gray was swung in a horizontal arc. To him true defense was his offense. Kill first, kill again and when the killing is done there is none left to hurt you. Even if he blocked with his blade everything he did was an offenses technique. It colored all his thoughts as he swung. It was no longer combat, all that was happening was a one sided massacre of helpless kobolds.
Grunting with effort, Volaren continued his long horizontal sweep. Even with no technique behind the strike the effects were devastating. With the power he applied, the moment gray came in contact with its victim, instead of simply slicing through cleanly, the midsection of the kobold was completely obliterated. All that was left was a gore strewn paste and several bone fragments lodged into trees.

Quickly changing into a new stance. Volaren crouched behind his blade. A small sound of metal hitting metal was heard. The flat of his blade had stopped a thrown spear from the enemy just few feet away. Turning the cutting edge towards his opponent, he ran him down. Just before they collided, Volaren planted a hoof into the ground using it as a pivot point, swung gray, in a vertical arc. Catching the second kobold in the groin cutting up through the heart and out the shoulder.

Elated at the kill, he was caught off-guard in his moment of triumph. A sharp pain had brought him back to the present. Hissing in pain he looked down at his hip. A crude spear had barely cut him. It was a superficial wound. Looking in anger, the kobold holding the spear had a sheepish grin on his face as if he had defeated his opponent. Growling as much as he could, Volaren struck out with the hilt of his weapon. Knocking the kobold back a few step, dislodging the spear as well.

Crouching down again, holding the blade flat as the ground. He struck forwards, piercing the kobold in the midsection. Lifting the kobold high above his head. With a final swing, he threw the body at the one still struggling feebly in the tree. Crushing its head and snapping the spine of the one that was thrown.

Now that the immediate threat was dead Volaren listened for others that might be in the area. After a minute of no sounds. He was satisfied that this was the only patrol in this area. Before he left, he wiped gray off with the only fur coat to survive that was on the nearest kobolds body.

Unhurriedly Volaren went back through the bush that led to the clearing, where he and daring had stayed the night before. As he came through the bush he saw daring look away from him. She was on the verge of crying. Even thou he had killed outside of her sight. She still knew what had happened.

Coming up to her he laid gray down and pulled Daring into a hug.

“Shhh, don’t cry. You are safe. You will always be safe when you are with me. I will never let anything hurt you.” He was whispering so that only she could hear.

At this daring started to sob uncontrollably. She had been in danger before, but never like this. They truly wanted to kill her. Not just have her out of there way.

Volaren stroked her mane whispered small words of encouragement. Slowly daring stopped crying. She knew why he did it. Yet it was still so alien to her. Death, murder and killing to save another were concepts she had never fully grasped. Even now, everypony around would have a hard time with this fact.

When she was done crying Volaren pulled away. Holding her chin he looked in her eyes.

“My precious student, you are like a daughter to me. Yet this world’s balance has been corrupted. Evil forces want to tip all the scales into their favor. And they will pillage, rape and murder anypony that stands in their way.”

He let go of her chin yet she still kept eye contact. Speaking softly she said “I know master, Princess Celestia has sent me on many adventures to find something that would be able to stem the tide of evil. Yet for all my work I have found nothing. No artifacts of power that would help.”

At this Volaren let out a loud, humorous laugh. “My sweet daring. You were there when I awoke. I am the Gray paladin. I am awake to restore the balance, and believe me I will.”

Turning towards the direction the kobolds had come from Volaren only had a few final words for this morning.

“Come Daring, We must liberate Forest End.”

Author's Note

Yes it is finally out. The Newest chapter of Redemptions Price.

Comment, your thoughts are like gold to me. Tell me if I missed any mistakes as well. Except for the kobold speech. They are not the most intelligent creatures out there.

Paladins Hope

Is the chaos of battle
The fuel of the fires of war
Or something much more
Chapter 5
Paladins Hope

Panting, lungs full of fire. Must keep running. There isn’t much time. Dusk isn’t that far off. If I am to save everypony I must make it in time. Everything depends on this.

[8 hours earlier]

Volaren continued on at a brisk pace. The kobolds he had fought were part of a larger group. The direction they came from can mean only one thing. Forest end had been taken.

A voice whispered to him, “Master, I have located the magical signature of several high level demons in the direction you are traveling. In your current form and lack of armor will make it extremely difficult to guarantee the safe retrieval of any captured ponies.”

“And if I do nothing gray I will have failed them before even trying. That itself is far worse than the alternatives.” Volaren spoke with absolute certainty

“I want to save them master, but we will be hard pressed to do anything without armor.” Gray spoke her concern of armor again.

“We have enough life energy stored to create magic armor if need be. We must press on.” Volaren kept his voice calm yet insistent.

“Magic armor will not be enough. Given time I can locate the magic signature of the summon sign on your personal armor. We should wait till he have it.” Worry laced gray’s voice

“Look for it, but I will continue on with or without my armor. We have more than enough life energy to sustain a stronger body should we need it.”

All the while daring looked confused. Her master was carrying on a conversation with what looked to be his sword, or himself. She had no idea that he was infect speaking with the sword and not too it.

“Umm, master, why are you talking to your sword?” daring spoke aloud

“I am speaking with the soul of my blade. Gray is completely sentient and speaks through telepathy. If you are lucky she might speak with you as well.”

"If you say so master, what did she say to you?”

“She has located magical signatures that match various high rank demons. With the direction the readings are coming from it appears they have taken the town. We must hurry if we are to save as many ponies as possible.”

Volaren broke into a fast paced trot. Eating the distance and time away. Even before the break of dusk the town was in view. It was quite, the sounds of battle had long since seized to hang in the air.

Stalking the shadows, Volaren looked upon the village. He found only two things that had worried him. All the ponies, griffins and zebras that inhabited the village were placed in the town hall. The only building big enough to fit every villager. Several kobolds under the watchful eye of a demon were scrawling a large symbol into the town square.

Looking closer at the symbol, he saw what had only one explanation. It was a summon circle for a greater demon. Not merely a high demon that was overseeing the summon itself. But a being of terrible power. In the state Volaren was in, he knew that if they succeeded, this village and several others would be lost.

Retreating into the woods. At that was needed was to bide time properly. Overhead the clouds gathered. Drawn by the malevolence of the symbol being carved in the ground. Foreshadowing the need to wash what was soon to happen from the face of the earth with a torrential downpour of rain.

[Dusk]

No creature of darkness or light, saw the shadow that rushed from the woods. Unseen, unheard by all. The shadows came forth themselves to hide the stallion. Given onto him the cover of darkness.

Several kobolds gathered in a group. Nodding and speaking in hushed towns. The plans were coming to fruition. Soon they would start to take this pitiful world from the ponies and every other race that had once flourished here.

All the kobolds that had spent there last few moments speaking of easy victory, never felt there swift death. Silent as the grave, all of them were dispatched in a single swing of a blade. One swing and three heads rolled. Clean, precise, and in the pinnacle of swordsponyship.

Dropping low Volaren skirted the shadows and made his way into town. Even if it wasn’t night yet, the storm above kept all but the flashes of lightening from brightening the city. A few drops of rain had hit the ground threatening the beginning of the storm. He knew that the entire village’s fate rested on his quick action. They had been three fourths of the way done with the summoning circle when he entered the village.

Coming close to the street Volaren came close to the edge of the building. Standing on hind legs, he edged closer to the sharp corner. Looking down the street he was not disappointed. A high demon stood guard over the circle. The same one he had seen earlier. Stepping out into the street Volaren prepared to meet his foe.

“So you have come to change the fate of the world!” a grave voice boomed from the demon ahead of Volaren.

Shaking his head Volaren replied “it is not I who want to change the fate of world. You are the ones doing that. I am only here to restore the balance you have destroyed.”

Ever so slowly each combatant took their stances. Volaren took to his hind legs. Grasping Gray in a loose stance. Both fore hooves on the hilt. The tip slowly dancing above the ground. Across from him the demon stood and lowering both arms. Adopting a stance ready to pounce at a mere moment

They stood there. The tension mounting, even the wind ceased to blow. The mere fifty feet between the adversaries was not enough.

Finally it snapped. Whipping forward the demon jumped through the air. Covering the distance in less than second. Yet as he landed Volaren was no longer there. Looking back and forth, nothing was seen of him. Till the demon looked down, growing larger was a shadow.

Quickly looking up, Volaren was plummeting from the skies. Swinging downwards, the demon testing his abilities and fraught with overconfidence reached out to catch the falling stallion. No sooner than outstretching his arm, did he receive a wide gash down, destroying the outside of his arm. Growling with anger and pain, the demon jumped back. “You filthy creature. How dare you harm me, I am Marukonag the Balor, and I will end you!”

Saying nothing in return, Volaren danced lightly on his hooves. Changing tactics he initiated the next assault. Dashing in low, dragging the blade against the ground. Trying to jump back, Marukonag lashed out with a vicious kick, again only catching the business end of gray. Another gash was left along the inside thigh of his left leg. When he landed, his leg could no longer support such a weight after the sudden movement. Collapsing to the ground, the injured demon tried to stand as quickly as possible.

Failing to do so cost Marukonag immensely. Before he finished Volaren was standing on his chest. Pushing him back to the ground.

“You have failed demon. You were doomed from the start.” Volaren calmly stated.

“What manner of creature are you. No one in this realm should have had this kind of power?” the demons voice still dripping with venom even when wounded and on the verge of death.

“I am the Gray paladin, and I am here to restore the balance.”

With those final words Volaren plunged the blade into the demons neck. Instantly killing the demon. The soul instantly consumed by the ever hungry weapon.

After stepping off the body of Marukonag it began to burn. No smoke and no flames. The body incinerated leaving nothing behind. With a huff of discontent, Volaren watched as the lesser kobolds began to flee. Watching the spectacle had shown them that staying here meant instant death at the hands of the stallion.

It was in short order that they were all gone. The town left in an eerie quiet state.

Placing Gray back in to her clip harness, Volaren set about to abolish the almost finished summoning circle. Leaving no trace of what was carved into the dirt. All that was to be vanish, as it did, the sense of impending doom slowly left the air.

From the center of the village, the door of the largest building opened. From the crack a single eye was seen. Fully poking his head out, the lone colt only saw Volaren. A smile quickly growing on his face, he ran outside. A voice quickly yelled that it wasn’t safe but it was too late. He was out the door and running to the lone stallion in the middle of the square.

“Mister! Mister! Did you defeat the monsters and come to save us!” the colts enthusiasm was barely contained inside the small body.

Turning and looking at his young visitor, a slight grin formed on Volaren’s face. “Yes young one. I am here to deliver unto you freedom, if you would have it”

With a look of confusion than realization swept across the colts face. He was free. No more monsters, he could have fun. He started jumping up and down with pure joy.

More ponies and other inhabitants, left the building to see what could make a colt that had been afraid for his life less than 10 minutes ago, jump with such happiness. To the surprise of the townsponies. There was not a single demon present. Only one strange stallion, with a small colt bounding around him.

Slowly it dawned on them all. That this single stallion had saved them. He had rid them of all the demons. Preventing the unspeakable horrors that would have befallen them in no time. What was at first a slow process sped up enormously. Several ponies were crying with happiness. All of them repeatedly thanking their savior. Several of them had tried to hug him or the nearest loved one.

the sound of marching slowly echoed in the air. It went almost unheard by the townsponies, but the sound grew louder. The sound of marching hooves. Looking down the road in the distance, armored figures appeared and were keeping perfect time. It took several minutes for them to reach the edge of town. When they did they were confused. They had come here looking for an enemy. Yet there were none to be found. Only the citizens were celebrating. Several looked a little worse for wear.

Two ponies with looks of seriousness approached Volaren. He was now standing off to the side of the group of ponies. One was a mare wearing a slightly disheveled business top and the other was a fully armored stallion. Other than the crescent moon adorning his blue armor there was no other way to identify him from the rest of the armored ponies that had shown up.

Immediately the mare spoke first “on behalf of the town and all its citizens, I once again thank you for your timely arrival. We surely would have perished if not for your act of valor. I am Mayor Chartreuse, if I may ask for your name kind stallion”

Looking at her and the armored stallion, Volaren slowly drew to his full height. Dwarfing both of them. Against so many ponies it was easy to see how large he was compared to normal stallions.

“I am the Gray Paladin, Volaren Arclite”

Both ponies looked stunned, their faces adorned with shock. He had just claimed to be the pony from the stories. Not only that, it was the greatest of stories. A fairytale and a myth of the highest standards. To simply make such a claim was outlandish, Unheard off. Yet he had made it.

The shock slowly wearing off, the armored pony spoke next.

“I am Leftenent Black Star, regardless if your claim is true or not. The princess’s will want to meet you. If you would follow me back to Canterlot we can sort everything out.”

Nodding his head he replied “let me gather my student than we can leave.”

Author's Note

Wow that took forever and a half to write. But now its done and we can move on. He may seem op but its quite the opposite. His enemies are just laughably weak. comparatively they are maybe half of his level. The kobolds not even close. to a quarter of his level. just wait for when I make it difficult. It will become EPIC.

Castle Of the Sister (part 1)(edited)

Memories drive everyone
Yet all memories change
Does this mean that when they do
Are the goals we made the same?

Castle of the Sisters

[Twilight Sparkle]

Twilight, was lost in a river of emotion. Happiness in this time of darkness was hard to find. Princess Celestia and Luna had found a lost family member. It worried her that she didn’t know who this stallion was. He had made a claim that none had ever made in the past. Yet he stood before them confident. This gesture and utter confidence in himself set her at ease though. Inclined to give Princess Celestia and Luna a moment of peace. Smiling, she motioned for her and the other elements to leave the other rulers to have their special moment.

As they began to move, the embrace between them stopped. Quickly composing themselves, Princess Luna stayed near the stallion, while Princess Celestia retreated to the throne.

Without waiting any further the stallion introduced himself. “I am Volaren Arclite, Gray Paladin, and this is my beloved student, Daring Do.”

“Greetings to you princess’s and elements” daring gave a low bow as she spoke.

A bolt of lightning went off in Twilights head. Memories of discovering the origins of this stallion. So many questions filled her head. But first and foremost was curiosity about how he could help the ponies of this land she so cherished.

Nothing made sense to Twilight at this moment. Her mind was muddled and she desperately wanted to excuse herself.

“In light of recent information, I would like to put a hold on our meeting, is that agreeable uncle?” Celestia spoke in a soft voice.

“Quite your highness. I shall retire until you have need of me.”

Both Volaren and Daring gave a slight bow and proceeded to leave the throne room.

With an echoing boom the throne room doors returned to their original position. The silence that followed clung thickly in the air. Twilight once again motioned for the elements to leave with her. Making use of one of the side doors. Taking one last glance at the other princesses she saw that they were deep in thought.

[Volaren Arclite]

Volaren had separated from his student. she had left towards the garden to be alone. knowing nothing would come of it, and knowing she was safe. He allowed her to go off on her own.

The corridors were the same as he had last remembered them. He was not here when this castle was finished being built, yet he had been here when construction had been started. These halls started by the late King and Queen, tracing a path of a much older castle. Following the twists and turns, always taking an easy to follow route, as Gray informed him that he was being followed.

After one final turn, he found what had once been his. A large banner of a sword and crown. As old as the castle itself. Adorning the ancient hallway, like a pair of guardians to the unknown, a set of doors proudly awaited him beneath his banner. Pushing open them fully open, he came into a bedroom. Almost the same as he had left it. Yet this time on the bed. Oblivious to the world, sleeping peacefully on top, was a small foal.

As he came closer the mysterious foal was identified as a filly. She stirred as the hoofsteps came closer. Bleary eyes looked up at Volaren. Oblivious to who he was, and still quite asleep, she reached out and grabbed him in a hug.

“Thank Celestia your home”

The filly fell back asleep still hugging Volaren.

“Well someone is well liked.” the voice of gray whispered into his mind

Whispering harshly, as to not wake up the filly, Volaren replied “This is not the time for jokes, I have absolutely no idea who this filly is.”

Several moments passed as he tried to free himself from the sleeping fillies grasp. Slowly her grip loosened till finally he was free. Resting her head on the pillow and covering her with the blanket, Volaren went back to his original purpose of coming here.

Looking out across the room he saw what he had come here for. An ornate door, what lay behind it was his true reason for coming back to the castle. Taking his time, he quietly trotted around the bed as too not disturb the filly and the guest that had been following him.

[Prismatic Mare???]

On silent hoofsteps, the Prismatic Mare kept pace with the infiltrator. Her princess who tasked her with this granted her two spells. They made her silent as the night and bent the very light. It made the job of tailing the infiltrator so much easier.

It was an easy feat with magic. It was made even easier as her prey walked slowly, waited for her after he turned corners, and held doors that he went through open longer so that she might pass as well. The Chromatic Mare was happy with the progress she had been making.

After he had left the filly on the bed she came closer to check on her. The infiltrator had been kind enough to tuck her in. The Visible Spectrum Mare thought it was to throw her of his trail. He had even been nice enough to put her head on the pillow. Satisfied she followed him around the bed.

Once again he was holding the door waiting for her. It was almost as if he knew she was there. She laughed it off and walked through the door. She had magic on her side. He was an earth pony. There was no way that he could possibly know that she was following him. Yet here he was holding the door. He had even bowed the moment she walked through.

Sensing a moment of chills she turned her head. Standing next to her was Volaren.

“Welcome to my armory. Very few souls have seen what is on this side of the vault doors. Even less were let in uninvited.”

Letting her concentration slip, which had been keeping her princesses magic working, the Kaleidoscopic mare dropped her mask of invisibility and Rainbow Dash was revealed.

Volaren continued his speech as if nothing had changed. “I was once the most combat ready stallion in this world. This most likely holds true today. I have faced down horrors that would leave nightmare in their wake at the mere mention of their names. I have destroyed that which should have never been destroyed, and saved that which couldn’t be saved.”

Rainbow took in every word he said. Not many ponies treated her with such respect. Even her friends thought she was a little childish. Even if she was used to it and could brush it off, it astounded her that she wasn’t being judged or thought less of because of her actions.

This time he was looking at her. “Loyalty at its core is one of the strongest elements. But it also takes the longest to build. However when it is broken by betrayal it is also one that is never built the same again. I understand your mistrust of myself, Miss Dash, yet there are other things you should be far more worried about than whether or not I am worth trusting.”

Dash feeling the heat rising in her face mumbled something, turned and began to run. She didn’t wait to see if Volaren had followed her. She was embarrassed and there was another feeling in there that she couldn’t quite understand.

When she stopped running she was in the gardens. Far from where she started. Looking around all that was present in the garden were roses. Dozens upon dozens of roses, in all colors surrounded her. They followed the same pattern as the rainbow, as her.

“You seem to have found the one places that extenuates your beauty greatly.”

Slowly turning Rainbow Dash looked behind her. On the balcony just above her was Volaren. She started laughing. She hadn’t run that far at all. Or more accurately she was just outside of where she started.

“If you are done being quite beautiful among the flowers, if you could come back inside I have something to show you.”

It took a few seconds for Rainbow to collect herself and fly up to the balcony. Landing softly she trotted back into the armory she had ran from earlier. Inside were six sets of weapons and armor. All inside glass cases.

“Look around you Rainbow, these are pieces of your history. These are the last legacies of some of the greatest warriors, scholars and leaders of your history.” Volaren said motioning with a wide sweep to all the sets or armor. Leading her over to the first one he continued speaking. “You will enjoy this first one.”

Following closely she looked into case. It was a set of Pegasus armor. Black as midnight with silver trim. Emblazoned upon the breastplate was a symbol Dash knew very well. A broken circle split with a single lightning bolt. Her family crest.

Immediately she knew who this armor belonged to. She had to be sure, quickly she began to read the plaque placed in front of the armor.

For Gallantry and Service we will always remember,

Commander Frost “Hurricane” Dash

Leader of the Pegasi Mail Brigade

Commander of the First Equestrian air Brigade

Father and Grandfather

May his eternal rest be in peace.

Dash stopped breathing. Before her was the armor of one of her greatest heroes. She stood in awe staring at what lay just behind the glass. Time passed quickly till she heard another noise behind her. It was the sound of metal on metal. Turning her head in the center of the room was Volaren attaching a weird looking plate to his chest. What astounded her was that it seamlessly grafted to the clothing he was now wearing. It looked like skin tight latex, yet just like his sword it had that same otherworldly quality. Suddenly it came to her.

“Why does it feel like your sword and armor are alive?”

Slowly Volaren paused in clasping his outer armor to himself. Speaking slowly so that she would hear. “That’s because they are alive, or in a sense of the word.” Returning to his armor he continued to attach the hard metallic plates. Back, shoulder and legs. Soon Volaren looked like a walking tank. Rainbow continued to stare at the pony that was transformed in front of her into a living weapon. She watched as he grasped the last part of the armor. His helmet, grasping it firmly he placed it over his head. For a moment Volaren’s face was hidden behind the impenetrable mask.
This changed however when the helmet began to shift and pull back leaving only a plate that ran along the back of his neck.

With that he motioned for rainbow to follow him out. Leaving behind the room of the mementoes of the fallen. Closing the door and leaving the small filly to her nap. They left the room and the hall behind. Heading back to the throne room.

[Princess Twilight]

Listening closely she heard it. The sound of heavy hoof-falls coming from beyond the door far out into the corridor. Looking out at the sun, she saw that soon the appointed hour for all parties in attendance to meet and discuss what was happening. The sound of heavy steps continued. They echoed all throughout the chamber.

Next to her all the other princesses were present, yet lost in their own thoughts. Twilight knew that they, Both Princesses Luna and Celestia, were thinking of all the time they had missed with their uncle. He had been a big part of their daily lives growing up. He was everything they had envisioned that they could be. Full of kindness, yet firm when he needed to be. His return embodied all the hope they had for the ponies of Equestria and beyond.

As Twilights thoughts turned to Cadence, she knew the stories of the gray paladins that had appeared over the course of the last fifteen-hundred years. Yet they had no idea of who he was, other than the master trainer of heroes of legend, if even that was true. She thought of all the stories. Every disciple had spoken of their enigmatic master with enthusiasm. They all acted passionately and always followed through with whatever they promised. Even the impossible promises. It was their trademark in every story. They did what they said they would do. It was truly heroic, yet each of them died for it.

All of Twilights thoughts were interrupted as the steps grew and echoed about the room. They spoke of a war that was far more ancient than all of them. All the princesses and the majority of the mane six minus one stared at the door. The noise reverberated from beyond its threshold. Each heavy thud threatened to break the air itself.
Silence, all sound had ceased. The owner of the hoofsteps was just beyond the door. slowly the opened to reveal three ponies. It was easy to see who had caused the sounds of war. Dressed in full armor, Volaren Arclite stood imposing his presence on all ponies in the room. The metallic plates that covered his body scrapped noiselessly against each other. His left shoulder down to the ground was heavily armored. Plates overlapped one another in multiple places. His right shoulder however had very little armor. Instead was free to move about. His chest piece was just like the arm, overlapping and shifting with his body. It continued like this all the way to his hind legs. It looked like he was covered in scales. Far too thick and far too dense. He stood before them in all his glory, dressed to combat the horrors that had troubled them for far too long.

Author's Note

Greetings From Japan! I have been here since my last update so its been rough to get this story out. Just to much work. But its Finally here!

I want to thank you all for reading and hope that i am able to keep on going. I would love your comments about anything. Its how i feel special and slightly appreciated. Happy holidays and all that jazz.

P.s. doing a xmas special so i hope you enjoy

I did my best to fix this chapter so enjoy. even if the end is the same

Paladins return

As day burns away the night
And night consumes the day
What happens to those
Who stand at eternal
Dawn and Dusk?

Coming Home

The skies darkened as the sun hit the horizon. Dusk was coming fast. Upon the mountain that reached the sky, was the grand city of Canterlot. Among the clouds it cut an imposing figure to all who saw it. A shining beacon of hope, peace and freedom. Tall spires and ramparts rose out, standing ever vigilant against the red twilight of evening. Flags unfurled, dancing lazy upon an unheard wind. Canterlot, a bastion of hope to those who had none.

[Daring Do]

Daring smiled, it had been a while since she had returned to the home of her birth. While she considered the castle where she had spent her days carrying out research and had once been watched over by the voice of her mentor, the home of her heart. The city high on the peak was where she spent her child hood. Her mother had done her best to raise her. Even with as much hope as Canterlot had, it was always hard to raise a foal as a single parent, alone without a herd or a father for support.

She shook her head, she may not have had a father when she was young but having one when she needed him most was all that mattered. Looking over at her master, she was proud to call him such. Even if it didn’t always seem like it, he was teaching her, all the time. He had always told her to watch and pay attention. Because even when nothing is being said, learning can occur.

Looking at the guard she was with she was surprised. They were a mix of lunar guard and another that she wasn’t quite sure of. While mixing guard units wasn’t unheard of, these were completely outfitted for what was war. All of them wore heavy plate, all of it dark blue with black trimming. They looked like they had stepped out of a fairy tale. Also intriguing was that they were carrying a stretcher with an unconscious pony. She was dressed like the ones that she didn’t quite understand. They moved in and out of view, like twinkling stars at night. They wore light armor and what looked like black scales underneath it.

Despite it being late evening when they had left. They were making fantastic time. Forests End had been far closer to the edge of the forest than she had remembered. Thou it wasn’t often that she traveled to of the forest by this route. Gazing at the looming mountain, they were closing in at the bottom of the mountain. Apparently the guards were planning on using the sky lift. A new invention by Princess Twilight to speed up travel up and down the mountain.

The idea behind the sky lift was ingenious. Using a series of pulley’s and a magic engines created a platform capable of carrying hundreds of ponies provided a low cost way of getting goods up to Canterlot. Slowly but surely a small town was forming around the lift. Already a second and third lift was being made. One would be exclusive for the pony military and important guests. The other two were for commerce and travel.

As Celestia’s sun and Luna’s moon traded place in the sky, the two guard platoon set up camp for the night. Staying close to her master. She gratefully accepted the blankets and meal that were presented to her and her master.

Together she and Volaren sat alone around a fire. Occasionally a question was asked but for the most part a silent vigil was held for the night. Sleep over taking her, she thanked her lucky stars that she had more to her family once again.

[Volaren Arclite]

Sleep was unobtainable for Volaren this night, the closer he drew closer to the castle the more what was inside drew his attention. Looking up at the castle he could feel the power that lay inside. The moon and sun had graced the land with their avatars. He knew contrary to popular belief that the princess did not move the heavenly bodies. They moved by themselves. They just had “representatives” of themselves. As was before. However it was bad to anger an avatar regardless of their connection. Yet the ambient power they let of was being absorbed by Gray, and through her into him. It disturbed him really. That this reality just poured out life force. Before there were many types of forces at once. Limiting his absorption to only killing. Yet here, magic and life were one and the same.

Looking at the unicorns, he could see the corona of life energy they gave off when they used there so called magic. All it was, was exactly that. Manipulation of the ambient life energy. What had changed during his slumber to make it so? It wasn’t necromancy yet at the same time it wasn’t magic either.

He shook his head. And snorted. Something he had been doing a lot of since he woke up. This world was different. So many things had changed. He had been here as a ghost for a year. Than several more years in this body before entering his induced slumber. How could he have missed so much while he was awake? If it was even there to begin with. It astonished him to no end. Looking at the castle one last time.

He laid his head down, doing his best to sleep. Tomorrow was a long day, and nothing was going to get easier from here on out.

[Dawn]

Volaren awoke with a start, covered in a cold sweat. Nightmares plagued his sleeping mind. He couldn’t remember them. But they were there, a constant reminder. Shaking his head like he had done just before sleeping he looked to the moon. It was twilight. The time between times. Neither day nor night. Rising to his hooves he smiled. His student was sleeping peacefully next to the embers of last night campfire. Her only worry was whether or not he was there in the morning. Waling over he quietly shook her.

“Wake up ashke’, we have a long day ahead of us.” His whisper was just loud enough for her to hear.

Volaren watched as his she started stirring and slowly waking. Her eyes fluttering as she awoke. She mewled like a kitten and stretched like one too. A blush illuminated her face as she saw who was watching her.
Chuckling slightly, Volaren looked around for the saddlebags with her things in it. It didn’t take long. He saw several of the guard ponies trying to drag it to the waiting cart. They were covered in sweat from the effort of trying to move the bag. Slowly he made his way over, and before the guards, lifted the saddlebag onto his back.
With a smirk he left them. His beloved student was awake now. And was preparing to leave with the rest of the lunar guard caravan, the return to Canterlot imminent. For all it was worth the day was far from over.

[Canterlot Castle, Celestia]

Princess Celestia was enjoying her breakfast. None of the nobles had visited the solar court for any reason this morning. She had expected a slow Monday morning but not like this. Slowly she was humming a song to herself when she heard frantic hoof steps running down the corridor. The massive throne room doors opened and Captain Silver Helm came forth. Kneeling before the princess he spoke.

“My princess, the lunar titans and the several falling star operatives have returned. With them they have who they are calling the hero of the forest with them. Captain Meteor and Captain Nightshade wish to present him to all the princess that can be present.”

Nodding slowly Celestia kept an even gaze. “Silver, gather the rest of the princesses, we will meet with the hero as soon as they all are present.”

With that Captain Silver Helm stood and bowed to the princess. Quickly leaving the room to relay the message to the other princesses. Smiling at his devotion to duties, Celestia remembered his youth, he was always curious, yet steadfast and loyal to those he respected. Even to those under his command, they all strove hard to earn that respect. The standards to be in the solar guard were high. Maybe even higher than when shining armor was in charge. But that had done nothing to drop the recruitment rates. Instead it had made them higher. And with the advent of the other guards, the sibling rivalry they shared had served to better them.

Looking out towards the sun, which she was apt to do. She saw that she had lost twenty minutes to her thoughts. Once again the doors to the throne room were opened. Shifting her gaze from the window, Celestia watched as Princess Luna, Twilight, and Cadence all entered, along with both Captains that were still present. Both Captain Silver Helm and Diamond Sword were dressed in full armor.

Even with them all there nothing would prepare her for what was to come.

Minutes later as the doors opened again. Both Captain Meteor and Nightshade came through. Behind them was Daring Do and another pony she recognized but couldn’t remember where from.

“Welcome back Miss Do. I trust that your recent exploration for the crown went well.” Celestia spoke with her ever motherly tone.

“Yes princess. Yet my greatest discovery, was far closer to home.” Daring bowed while she replied to the princess.

All the gazes of the ponies present shifted to the mysterious stallion as he started to converse, with himself. Nothing he said was audible, yet he continued as if none of them mattered. This really peaked Celestia’s curiosity. He sat down, the massive sword on his back tinking as the tip hit the ground. She suddenly realized that he was still armed. Yet none of the guards noticed, as if they refused to see or couldn’t see what was on his back.

Suddenly ending his conversation with himself he finally addressed the princesses.

“Do you not recognize me dear Tia, or you little Lulu. Have you no words of kindness for you uncle.”

And the gates of memory burst forth. She remembered. A new stallion greeting her mother. Introduced to her and her sister. They were still foals. She had just turned 6 and Luna was 4. Brother to her mother her uncle. From that day forth he was a constant presence in the castle. Always playing with them. Hide and seek, tag, adventures in the forest. He also taught them many things. Plenty they still used today in ruling. He was the first to know when they received their cutie marks. He consoled them when they were sad. Stayed with them when they were afraid. He never laughed at the fears they held inside.

He always kept the promises he made with them. He watched the first time they took to the sky. The first time they used magic. He was there from the very beginning. For ten long years he watched over them. The most important ten years in her lifetime. Celestia felt ashamed that she had placed it behind her so easily. He had promised them one day he would come back. As he gave them both a hug and left deep into the castle with their mother. She came back alone with a smile. Your uncle is asleep now. One day he will awaken and you might not recognize him. But do remember that he always keeps his promises.

As the stream of memories ended and Celestia’s vision cleared. She saw that Luna was deep within his hug. Crying and saying she had never forgotten.

Next to her Twilight and Cadence were astonished at this act. Celestia knew what they must be thinking. Who is this random stallion who claims to be the uncle of the princesses?

Without another thought. Celestia left her throne and joined her sister, and her long lost uncle in a joyous embrace.

Author's Note

Sorry if this chapter seems sloppy. Because it is. I seem to have run out of contact with my editor. probably my fault but life is not always what we want. if you see a glaring mistake that i missed. feel free to leave a comment and i will correct it immediately upon discovering said comment. I hope you enjoy. Also an apology for the wait.