The Guardian :
Rebirth
Chapter 1:
As It Began
It was pitch black as I trotted down a see-through path. The darkness under my hooves was as black as space. Nothing was visible as I twisted my head in both directions. From as far as the eye could see there was nothing there.
I glanced upwards and noticed the simple dark nothingness was not just under me. It was an empty void with no shining stars to gaze upon and no dim moon to watch over me. Not even cloud cover was present. This made my hair stand on it’s end. Where am I? I thought to myself as I continued along.
I knew not why but something was telling me to. A faint voice whispered for me to continue onward. It is your destiny. It was ghastly and made me feel even more uneasy. My hooves did not stop. Something was pulling me towards the end of the path.
Laying in front of me was a long stretch of darkness.I was feeling a bit shaky and frightened as to where I was headed What other choice do I have? Where am I even headed? The voice echoed through my mind again as if trying to reassure me. It was gentle instead of horrifying this time. You must have faith. Continue on.
The sound of my hoofsteps echoed as if I was walking on a polished hallway floor. With only the road ahead and the sound of my own hooves as my companions, I trotted onward.
To my delight, I spotted not darkness but a symbol of hope. In the distance was a bright, white light in the shape of a doorway. Is that the exit? What the hell is going on?, I wondered as I approached the landmark.
I reached the bright doorway and stopped. Gulping, I realized just how nervous I was. Butterflies fluttered around my stomach and my heart was beating fast. The door was invisible to the eye as I hit into it. Shaking my head, I pushed the door open. I trotted on into what appeared to be a throne room.
Under me red carpet appeared as if out of thin air. I hadn’t noticed it as it appeared within a split second as did the rest of the room. To my left side was a hallway with marble white walls and long velvet carpet leading it’s way, whilst bending a corner, into the other room. Glancing to my right, I had noticed a similar stretching hallway. In front of me lay a few carpeted steps leading up to the throne in which a snowy white mare was sitting. I hadn’t seen her as I was marveled by the sudden appearance of this strange room.
She had a long flowing multi colored mane and tail with a gold tiara sitting atop her head. She was beautiful and had wings folded into her sides. A horn stuck out atop her head. That’s when it hit me. Princess Celestia?! What in the hay did she want with me?
“Crimson Blaze, Equestria needs your help,” she said with a hint of desperation in her voice.
“What..how..why? What is going on!” I managed to spit out. What did a pony as important as this need with me? I was nothing but a mere pegasus from Cloudsdale. I stood there stunned, my mouth gaping as I tried to give voice to my inner protestations.
“You, my pony possess the power to save us all. Only you!” she proclaimed, widening her eyes. I could tell by her expression that she was serious!
“I’m nothing but a commoner. W...why me?” I said, slouching my head to hold back the tears that may have been streaming down my cheeks. Nothing but an illegal rainbow maker who works for little to nothing.
“Do not say such things about yourself, my little pony. You have amazing power within. You are the only one who can activate it,” the mare said gently. “After all you are the-” Suddenly, she was cut off.
From behind, the wall burst forward and the walls around me began to swirl in a vicious tornado of red. I closed my eyes embracing the deadly fate I was certain awaited me.
To my surprise I hadn’t died. I opened one eye squinting in front of me. I was smack dab in the center of Ponyville. My eyes shot open as I saw what had happened to the town. The buildings lay in ruin and the once grassy ground was lifeless with no color. How could somepony let this happen? I said in my mind as my gaze lay upon the surrounding debris, that is when I noticed him.
An armor-clad bipedal lizard stood in front of me as I turned to get a better view. He had long sharp claws on each finger as well as razor-sharp teeth, slime-green scales, and a long, pointed tail.
Who is this? I wondered to myself. The monstrous figure looming in front of me was terrifying. I lifted my back-left hoof up and began to step back with my mouth still agape.
The creature began skulking towards me, walking on two legs. In its left hand was a long, shiny, silvery sword covered in blood. The handle was golden and it rested on his left shoulder. It continued towards me as I backed slowly away.
Suddenly, I could not move. My hooves felt frozen and numb. I looked back and saw I could not even lift them off the ground. This can’t be happening! I thought to myself as I struggled with all my might, but their was a strange weight to them. Turning back, I gasped as the beast was now smiling viciously in my face. Drool dripped from it’s cheeks as it began to growl. The growl became a laugh.
“HAHAHA! Poor little pony, all trapped, your life within my grasp. Insignificant, weak, and whiny. All you ponies are alike,” the creature spoke in a deep, grizzly voice.
“Help! Get away from me!” I screamed hoping to get the attention of somepony. Nopony was around for miles.
Then, I noticed the dead corpses piled around the ruined buildings. Hundreds of dead ponies were laying on the burned grass. Some had carried weapons, some tried to fight back, and some were killed before they had a chance to react. This gruesome genocide made my stomach churn as I turned back to the slobbering beast.
“They’re dead, you mule. Soon, you will join them,” it said menacingly.
“Who are you?” I demanded, staring him right in the eyes.
“Are there none who remember? Gorgon. King Gorgon. The ruler of the mighty Terran race,” he boasted proudly, raising his sword up into the air.
Gorgon swung his blade at me, quick and deadly. As it ran it’s blade through me, I could feel the end coming. I fell to the floor as blood from my wound seeped out, dripping to the ground below. Death was imminent. I pictured her. The only pony I could ever call a friend. Her beautiful light yellow fur and long light pink mane and tail. I didn’t even know her name.
A bright light shone as I began to enter the dark embrace of death.
________________
My eyes shot open as I gasped for air. I screamed, grabbing my blankets, tightening them around me partially because of the fear I just felt and the realization of having been asleep . It was just a nightmare. It felt so real.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I turned to lay back down. I fixed the blanket so that it would cover my hooves, and I got comfortable, resting my head on my fluffy, white pillow. Even if it had been a dream, it haunted me. Visions of blood and her face popped into my head and I couldn’t sleep.
A few hours later, I began to get ready for work. I stared into my reflection as I brushed my teeth. A crimson coat with a light blue mane and tail. I wasn’t a fan of my looks and this was a daily routine for me. Staring into the reflection of myself, a pony who didn’t matter to the rest of the world. Only thing I ever got complimented on was my cutie mark. A pair of wings.
I received it due to my amazing flying abilities. When I was a filly, I was the best in Cloudsdale until a certain somepony discovered she was better. She was. Faster, swifter, stronger, and cooler, she began to take center stage in the spotlight I had once basked in. Stop reminiscing!, I told myself. Finishing up, I turned off the water and trotted back into my room.
I snatched up my saddlebags and tossed them onto my back. Quickly glancing at the clock, my eyes widened. I can’t be late!, I thought as I dashed out my bedroom door. Being late meant being fired!
I bolted down the stairs and out the front door of my cloud-made home. Most pegasi lived in houses constructed of clouds and rainbows. Mine was no different but it was a dump. I lived in the slums of Cloudsdale. Not what I had in mind when I was a filly.
I had one goal and that was to reunite with the friend I once had. I used to want to be part of Celestia’s Royal Guard. It was my dream but when I lost that race it changed everything. I no longer found the courage or strength within to fly. Soon, I just worked to make ends meet forgetting about my dream.
I trotted along as pegasi soared above me at blazing speeds. I preferred the ground as it was safer and more secure than risking embarrassment as being the pony who was second best.
I had given up flying after losing to a pony who I hope I never see again. Flying took a certain skill. It was everything to me and it was taken away by her.
Cloud-engineered buildings littered the right and left of my path as I trotted on pathways made of cloud. I soon came to my place of work, an inconspicuous warehouse. I nudged the door open and went inside.
Inside lay two rows of tables with a large gap in between them. On the tables were what used to be sewing machines. They had been modified to stitch together the fake rainbows we manufactured. At the tables sat various pegasi ponies engaged in their tasks. At the far end of the room lay a door leading to my area of work. Trotting along, I stayed silent as always. Even if somepony greeted me, I did not respond. No reason to. Nopony ever approached me wanting to be friends. I am not the type of pony who knew how to make friends.
In the back of my mind, I still wanted to find my friend and accomplish my dream of being on Celestia’s guard. Working hard and saving up was the only thing I could do. Making friends just wasn’t a priority either.
As I entered the room, I saw the familiar setting of my workplace. Four machines lay on each side of the room. The bosses door was straight ahead. The machines had seats built into them and a table to work at as well. There was a long tube that acted as a laser reaching down stopping a few inches close to the table. One for each color of the rainbow. All I did was use the lasers to permanently color the clouds we used to fabricate these rainbows. I punched in and began my work when I was caught off guard.
“Ahh!” I screamed after hearing a voice begin to talk behind me.
“Sorry to startle you, Crimson but the boss would like to see you,” my supervisor said.
“It’s fine.” I said with a smile, accepting her apology.
Quickly, I got up and trotted to the door that read, ‘Mr. Bow’s OFFICE’. Nervous butterflies filled my stomach as I entered. Have I done something wrong? I wondered as the door shut behind me.
_________________
King Gorgon sat atop his golden throne. He was awaiting the arrival of his advisor, Gekko. The lizard king was remembering a dark time as his eyes lay shut. He thought back to that day. The day that had come to haunt him.
“Leave her alone!” a young Gorgon screamed at his father, Kalin.
“Do not tell me what to do boy!” Kalin shouted as he slapped his son across the face.
“Kalin!” a woman said in disgust. It was the young boy’s mother, Salandra, who had moved in between the two of them. She had bruises around her eyes and on her arms.
“You’re defending him! You whore!” spat the father as he smacked his wife across the face. Salandra fell and began weeping on the ground. “Don’t start your crying!” he yelled, getting even more furious.
“Dad, why? Why do you put us through this?” Gorgon asked laying on the floor, trying to hold back his tears while he had his hand to his cheek from the writhing pain of his wound.
“Why? I work hard for you ingrates! Your mother is a whore and you are nothing but a weakling!” Kalin screamed the heart breaking answer at his son, spit flying from his mouth. He pulled Gorgon up with a violent jerk and threw him across the room.
“Stop it!” Salandra yelped through her tears.
Gorgon hit the wall hard with a thud and left a hole in it. He was dizzy and his vision was blurry. Kalin was inching towards his wife continuing to argue. I have to stop him, Gorgon thought worried for his mother’s safety.
“Damn slut!” Kalin continued as his wife found the courage to get up.
“I’m leaving Kalin,” Salandra said with a straight face, her tears gone.
Something snapped within Kalin. His eyes became red with anger as he growled at Salandra. “You are leaving,” Kalin said in a calm voice. His claws made a scratching sound as he rubbed them together in a threatening manner. With one swift swipe, he slit his wife’s throat. “Goodbye,” he said, smiling as his wife’s eyes grew lifeless. She fell to the floor, her spirit leaving this world.
“You bastard!” screamed Gorgon who had sat idly by as his mother was slain by his own father. He knew not how to react until a certain rage flooded through him. He charged at his father in a spur of furious anger. Kalin turned his head in surprise. Unsheathing his claws, Gorgon stabbed his father in the back. His father’s eyes grew wide in surprise as he coughed blood which spurted from his mouth.
“Hahaha! You're just like me,” with that his father died. Both his parents were dead laying on the tiled floor in a pool of red.
What have I done, Gorgon thought in utter horror at his actions. He could barely think and his breathing was rapid. Something was off though. As he looked down at his work, he began to admire it. The adrenaline rush, the power of holding life in the palm of your hands, the control. It called to him as if singing a twisted melody. Gorgon liked the feelings this brought. I am not a weakling, Gorgon thought to himself with a strange mixture of pride and fear.
“Sire,” called an all too familiar voice.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Gorgon slammed his fist hard on his throne. “What!?” snapped the lizard as his eyes shot open and his expression grew into a snarling one.
“Y-Y-You called me, Sire.”A shorter, lighter green lizard was standing before him.
“Gekko, yes. I need you to ready the fleets and prepare for war. In two days, we rise from this underground prison!” ordered the king.
“Yes, Sire. Is there anything else?” Gekko asked.
“Gather the people for a speech. It is time we end Celestia’s rule.” Gorgon rose from his throne.
“Yes, of course but if you don’t mind me asking, how, my king?” Gekko asked politely.
“Fire must be fought with fire.”
Gekko nodded and quickly ran down the golden steps. Everything was falling into place. This world had once feared his name and it would once again. Celestia won’t know what hit her, thought Gorgon. He glanced down at the leather-bound book on his lap. The title read: Dark Magic.
__________________________
"Transferring me?" I asked my boss, dumbfounded by what he had called me into his office for.
"Sort of. You have been asked to be let go," the jet black stallion answered.
"Let go? Mr. Bow, I'm one of your best employees! You can't just up and fire me!" I shouted, beginning to come to a realization of what was happening.
"It isn't my choice. I said you have been asked," he responded in his normal calm and collected voice.
"Asked? By who?" I wondered who would ask to have me fired. I didn't talk to many of my co-workers so that couldn't be it.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle, has requested it. She also requested you move to Ponyville," Mr. Bow answered.
"Move? To Ponyville? The Princess? Why?" I found myself asking so many questions as my gaping jaw dribbled saliva.
"I was told it was for study," the stallion replied.
"Study? Where can I meet this Princess?" I had to get to the bottom of this. Things just weren't making sense.
"Right here. Hello, I'm Twilight Sparkle," a voice came from behind me and I turned to see a lavender unicorn with long wings and a horn. I saw the pony who would change everything as I knew it standing in the doorway behind me.
_________________________
“So, Crimson or do you prefer Blaze?” the princess asked as we sat in the basket of a large hot air balloon. I had told her I preferred to travel this way. Thinking about flying made me nauseous.
Trying to find my words, I still thought about how weird this all was. What did she want? I just want to be left alone to my work so I can find her! So I can become a somepony to the world! Thoughts bounced around my skull as I began to answer her.
“I-um-I. Either is fine.” I managed to say.
“Crimson, I know you have questions, as do I,” she responded in a sweet voice and even gave me a reassuring smile.
“You mean you don’t know why you had me fired?” I couldn’t believe it. She came and got me and didn’t even know why?
“I was ordered by Princess Celestia in a letter. She didn’t say much, only to retrieve a pony named Crimson Blaze, gather my friends, and immediately go and see her,” Twilight said looking away nervously. She must be just as nervous as I am. Then, it hit me.
“Celestia!?” I yelped in shock. What did the most important pony in Equestria want with me? Me! Could this have something to do with my dream?
Twilight smiled. “I know this might come as a shock but don’t worry,” She said trying to comfort me.
How can I not worry? First, I get fired. Then, a princess appears to take me away to Ponyville. To top it off, Celestia wants to see me! Kind of overwhelming, if you ask me. I have every possible reason to worry.
Twilight could see I was nervous. I saw it in her eyes. She was prodding the side of the basket examining me. It looked as if she was reading a book. Is she studying me? “So, do you have any friends you're leaving behind? I’m sure you’ll miss them, but at least Ponyville’s only a short flight away from Cloudsdale. And you can always stay in touch as pen-pals,” Twilight quickly said changing the subject.
“Nopony will miss me,” I said with my head down. Why did she have to bring this up?
“I’m sure that isn’t true,” She said with a genuine expression.
“It is, your Majesty. I’ve only had one friend and I barely got to know her,” I replied trying to hide my emotions behind a sad smirk.
“You can just call me Twilight,” she replied with a sympathetic tone to her voice. “Well, I had a similar problem, believe it or not, and I think I can help you.”
“I’m not interested,” I shot back.
I’m not trying to offend you,” Twilight replied putting her hoof on my shoulder to reassure me. Somehow, she knew I was upset. I was trying to fight tears as I spoke.
“Sorry, I… just… well. I am not good at that. I wasn’t exactly popular. Especially because of Ra-” I was cut off when we landed and Twilight rushed me out of the balloon.
Ponyville was a bustling, beautiful town. It had shops, markets, and even carts that sold food. One in particular was run by an orange pony with a blonde mane that was tied at the end. Twilight waved to her and she replied with a southern twang. I looked around as Twilight conversed with this pony.
A large brown building not too far away caught my eye as it was in the shape of a gingerbread house. Atop was a massive cupcake structure with pink frosting and a candle-like tip. The sign read: Sugarcube Corner. Maybe they have sweets! I love sweets! My stomach growled after noticing all the food.
The town was peaceful and filled with unicorn, pegasi, and earth ponies living in equality. I’m so used to pegasi. I had nothing against the equality. Actually, it would have been much more interesting to have such a diverse group of ponies. This town shimmered with a bright yellow of happiness. A vision of the destroyed town from my dream flashed in my mind and filled me with a sense of terror. What is going on?
“Crimson!” Twilight raised her voice to get my attention.
“Yeah-huh, what?” I said stupidly as I turned my head trying not to jump.
“This is my friend, Applejack. She is one of the ponies who will accompany us to Canterlot,” Twilight introduced us.
“Howdy, there! Nice ta meet ya, Crimson!” Applejack said grabbing my hoof and shaking it.
Friendly, I thought. Not something I am used too. “Nice to meet you too, Applejack,” I replied with a forced smile.
“Ya sound hungry. Take this, free of charge!” Applejack said handing me an apple from her cart.
“Why, thank you! I am pretty hungry,” I responded while taking a bite of the delicious apple.
“Don’tcha mention it, Crimson,” she replied.
We began walking once more trotting towards the direction of Sugarcube Corner. I finished my apple as we maneuvered through some ponies. Pegasi soared above. I hate flying, I thought.
Twilight led the way into Sugarcube Corner and she asked for somepony named Pinkie Pie. How many are coming, I wondered to myself as we waited.
Suddenly, a spastic pink on pink pony bounced into the room. “Twilight! Twilight! There’s somepony I don’t know with you and I know everypony!” she said in a hyperactive voice as she came toward us.
“Pinkie, this is-” Twilight was cut off by her.
“Wait, I love guessing games! Your name is Glitter Tart, isn’t it? I know it is!” Pinkie spat out at rapid speed.
“No, it’s Crimson Blaze,” I replied.
“That’s what I said!” Pinkie replied.
“Is she coming with us?” I turned to Twilight and cocked an eyebrow. “Seriously?”
“Yes indeedy!” Pinkie responded before Twilight could.
As we turned to leave, I rolled my eyes. Why do we need twenty ponies, I thought sarcastically. Making our way back into the road, we headed toward a beautiful white building built to replicate a carousel. The sign read: Carousel Boutique. It really was a marvelous building. We trotted in and a bell rang, sounding throughout the shop.
Everywhere around me were fancy, elegant dresses and other types of clothing. A pretty white mare with a purple mane came trotting up greeting her friends. Her blue eyes met my hazel ones. I blushed. She is very pretty.
“Hello, darling. I am Rarity. It is certainly a pleasure to meet you,” Rarity spoke in a strange accent I hadn’t heard before. “Why, I just think your wings are simply marvelous!”
The complement was charming, but I didn’t trust very easily. Not after the race. “Th-Thank you. Is this your shop? The clothing is elegant and beautiful,” I replied, darting my eyes around trying to change the subject.
“Thank you for the compliment. Yes, the Carousel Boutique where everything is chic, unique, and magnifique!” she recited as if it was some sort of slogan. “ I am a fashion designer, after all.”
“Wow! Really? That’s amazing!” I responded. Then, something unexpected happened.
A thud came hard against the window and I turned to see somepony who was smushed up against the glass. The pegasus quickly recovered, shaking her head as she fluttered. Rarity unlatched the window and let the pony in. No, it can’t be, I thought as I laid eyes upon this pony. I would know that mane anywhere! A cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail was standing in front of me.
“Rainbow Dash!” I raised my voice to get her attention.
She seemed stunned as she turned her head. I stared at the very pony who made my life a living nightmare in the first place. What she could do! What I couldn’t!
“Who are you? You guys bring another fan? I am awesome but I’m not in the mood to sign any autographs.” Rainbow conversed with her friends making it seem as if she did not recognize me. How could she forget?!
“Crimson Blaze!” I yelled this time, spooking the other ponies.
“You two know each other?” Twilight chimed in, her eyes full of question.
“Crimson? She blinked, and recognition dawned in her eyes, and a genuine smile reached her lips. “How’ve ya been! I haven’t seen you since the race! How’d you like my sonic rainboom? Pretty awesome, right?” she boasted putting her hoof to her chest.
I see her ego hasn’t changed. She seemed to be the very same pony I once rivaled as a filly. We weren’t so much friends but two competitive ponies who liked to push our limits. Once she challenged me to that race, I was humiliated when she performed the very rainboom everypony doubted she would. On top of outperforming me, the mare had beaten me as well. Too ashamed to set hoof in school, I transferred. Never had I seen her again, until this day.
“No, it wasn’t! You beat me! You outperformed me!” I was slowly approaching her, taking small steps as I spoke. I lowered my head and narrowed my eyes. As I came closer to her I pressed my muzzle against hers, my eyes meeting hers. “You took her away! I had nothing!” An image of my only friend was left. She fell and never returned to Cloudsdale. “She could be dead!”
“Took who away?” Rainbow said, dumbfounded as she scratched her head.
Backing up a bit, my head dropped and hung in a depressing manner as my voice grew softer. “I don’t know her name,” I responded, trying not to cry.
“I’m sorry about your friend, but fighting isn’t the answer,” Twilight chimed in once again, beaming a bright smile.
“You're right,” I said. It hurt to say it but Twilight was correct. There were much bigger things to worry about right now. I lifted my hoof up as a sign of apology. “No hard feelings?”
Rainbow fluttered above and grabbed my hoof shaking it violently. “Don’t worry about it!” She said with such confidence. I still didn’t like her. She was a jerk.
“Shouldn’t we be gettin’ on over to Fluttershy’s. Reckon, she’s been waitin for a while,” Applejack broke the odd silence as Dash finally stopped shaking my hoof.
Trotting along, we soon came to a large path leading up to a cottage. Animals were running wild and many homes were built around and even into the cottage. We began ascending up the hill and arrived at the ponies door. Twilight knocked her hoof against the door as she called in for her friend. Movement came from inside and emerging from the cottage was Fluttershy.
I had to blink because what I saw in front of me left my jaw gaping. This pony was the very friend I had lost! The only pony I had ever had a connection with. Fluttershy, I thought. What a beautiful name.
“C...Crimson?” Her voice was the same soft, calming I had remembered.
I began to cry as I ran up and hugged her. I didn’t care about anything at that moment. All I cared about was her. Seeing her again made me forget this strange quest. It filled me with the most joy I had experienced in years. This was all about to change. This small moment of happiness wouldn’t last forever. The lizard’s face was still in my mind, his smile haunting.
My body began to feel weak and I grew dizzy. The world around me spun in a cyclone of green and yellow. Fluttershy quickly let go and gasped as I collapsed in front of her. I began to see nothing but the reminiscent pitch blackness.
“C-Crimson?” Fluttershy yelped as she tried to shake me out of it. It was no use. The darkness crept in swirling in a void of confusion.
All I could recall was the force of being pulled as I slowly faded into unconsciousness.
____________
“Citizens of Reptropolis, I come bearing great news. I, King Gorgon, have resurrected our fine race,” the king boasted from atop his castle balcony. Ironclad lizards below looked up as the king gave his speech.
“A magic long thought to be whisked away from this world has graciously returned. Warriors of the mighty Terran race, I give you the book of Dark Magic!” Gorgon continued raising the book in the air. The crowd of weapon-wielding barbarians raised up their weapons in salute and cheered at the revelation.
“Celestia may have used her magic to imprison us but we rose up stronger, hungrier. Our race’s extinction was imminent. Without magic those pathetic creatures would have been the one’s whose fate was that of death! Destiny has a strange path though. Our fate was to die only so we could return!” The king paused as the crowd cheered. Some warriors gave out shrieking battle cries.
Gorgon grew a grimacing smile across his scaly face. “With this book, magic can be erased from Equestria. Taken away by a simple spell. We will return to our rightful land and knock down Celestia’s door. Our armies will march the streets as the castle crumbles to the ground! Then, I will take this blade. The very blade I killed my predecessor with and I will jab it through her snowy white heart. Equestria is OURS!” The king finished, letting out a menacing, ear-splitting, deep battle cry.
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I awoke to the warm smile of the mare that I've dreamt of all these years.
Chapter End
