The Stormgate Diaries

Shimmercoat woke peacefully for the first time since the attack. He stretched and sat up, unwilling to abandon the comfort of his bed. He sat there for several minutes before he realized that the feeling of guilt that had plagued him for days, while not gone, was lessened, just a little bit. He rolled off of his bed and opened his door, the smell of food wafting up the stairs compelling him to head towards the kitchen.

Shimmer walked around the corner into the kitchen and found himself nose to nose with Siren.

“Oh, good morning.” Shimmercoat said, not expecting to see her there.

“Good morning.” She replied, “How did you sleep?” She asked, sounding nervous.

“Very well, actually.” He said, smiling at her. “Thanks to you.”

She blushed. “Oh, it was nothing.” She said quietly, looking away.

He raised a hoof between them and motioned for her to look up. She did. “No, it wasn't nothing.” He said softly. “Thank you.”

They stood frozen, his purple eyes locked onto her mismatched pools. Suddenly, Siren darted forward, closing the gap between their mouths in a flash. After a moment, she pulled back, looking fearfully at him. His eyes were shut, and his brow was furrowed.

“I'm sorry, I just-” She began, but he cut her off with a raised hoof.

“I'm not going to tell you I didn't enjoy that, nor am I going to tell you that I am not interested in you.” Shimmercoat said slowly, so quiet that she could barely hear him. “But it's too soon. I... I just can't. Not right now. I'm sorry.” His face relaxed, and he slowly opened his eyes to look at her. “So, what are you cooking?” He asked, his voice no longer hushed.

“Just some breakfast.” Siren replied, turning back to the stove. She was glad he had changed the subject, and was happy that he hadn't rejected her outright. I should have known better. She thought to herself. Obviously he's not going to forget about her so quickly. It's been less than a week. Why did I do that?

“Hey Siren, you caught anything on fire yet?” Keeneye asked from behind Shimmercoat, peering into the kitchen.

“I only did that once!” She said indignantly. “And it wasn't my fault!”

Shimmercoat looked between the two siblings and grinned. “Now this I have to hear.” He said.

“My dear older sister over there was just learning to cook, and mom had just stepped away from her for a moment.” Keeneye began. “And in the moment that mom's back was turned, Siren managed to light not just the food, but her bangs on fire.”

A lightly glowing spoon shot past Shimmercoat and slammed into Keeneye's forehead, causing him to stagger. Shimmer looked over and noticed Siren glaring at her brother, her horn lit.

“We've talked about this.” She said menacingly. “It was a problem with the stove, and had nothing to do with my skills in the kitchen.”

Keeneye recovered his balance and grinned back. “A problem that has never happened before or since.” He said. “Of course it was a technical problem.” He dove out of the doorway as more silverware shot towards him from the sink. It clattered harmlessly against the wall, and Shimmercoat raised an eyebrow at Siren.

“A little testy, eh?” He asked.

“He's my brother.” She replied, returning the silverware to the sink. “He knows how to piss me off and he enjoys doing it. I'll get him back later. Maybe I'll interrupt a date with your sister.”

Shimmercoat stared blankly at her. “What?”

“Oh, right.” She replied. “You weren't here for that part. Mirror and Keeneye are dating. Sorta.”

“Sorta?” He asked.

“Well, they've not gone on any dates yet, so I guess they're just together.” She said, tending to the food.

“I think I should go have a chat with Mirror. Excuse me.” He said, turning towards the door. She nodded and he walked into the living room.

“Hey.” Keeneye said, standing off to one side of the doorway. “You mind if we talk for a minute?”

“Sure.” Shimmercoat replied. “What's up?”

“I couldn't help but see what went on just now.” The Nocturnal replied. “I just want to know one thing. Are you actually interested in my sister, or are you just leading her on?”

“I don't lead ponies on.” Shimmercoat replied flatly. “Now, I want to ask you the same question.”

“I don't lead ponies on.” Keeneye replied, in the same tone that Shimmercoat had used. He grinned easily. “I already had this conversation with your dad.”

“Oh, and what did he say?” Shimmer asked.

“I made him a promise.” Keeneye said. “If she gets hurt, it will be because I am dead.”

“I'll hold you to that.” Shimmercoat said.

“I don't doubt it.” Keeneye replied, grinning. “Now, about Siren.”

Shimmercoat sighed. “I'll be honest with you. I don't know right now, Keeneye. I really don't. I think she's beautiful, and she's been the only pony able to get me to sleep peacefully since this whole thing. Under different circumstances, I'd not hesitate. Right now, though, I don't think I'm in the right place mentally or emotionally to be in a relationship.” He looked down. “Hell, after what happened, I probably should just stay away from things like that.”

“Seriously?” Keeneye said angrily. “Sure, alright. Let's just say it was your fault. I'll indulge you for a moment. You made a mistake. Yeah, it was big. Yeah, somepony important to you died. It's tragic, I won't deny it. But, from the sounds of it, you were pining over her for months, had her for one day, then tragedy.” Shimmercoat's head snapped up and he glared at the Nocturnal. “So,” Keeneye continued, matching Shimmer's gaze evenly. “You didn't even know her all that well. You don't seem like the stalker type to me, so you were just getting to know her and she died. Still sad, but it's not like you lost your life's love.” He narrowed his eyes. “Get. Over. It.”

“Tell me something.” Shimmercoat said, his voice dangerously low. “What would you do if Mirror were to die due to a decision that you made? Let's say you had to choose to send her to either one dangerous place or another, like I did, and she died. Would you just blow it off? Would you just not care? It's been days. Not weeks, or months, but days. Think about it for just a second, I'll wait.”

The two of them stood there and glared at each other, Keeneye's wings flared out defensively and Shimmercoat's horn lit threateningly. The tension in the room was almost a physical force. A loud clank and a muffled curse originating from the kitchen broke the spell. Almost simultaneously, both of them sighed and sat down.

“Alright. I may have been a bit rash.” Keeneye said.

“I've been a little dumb, haven't I?” Shimmercoat asked at the same time.

They both laughed and Keeneye motioned for Shimmer to speak.

“You are partially right. I did only know her personally for a couple days.” The blue colt admitted. “It still hurts, though. Even with only a couple of days, I loved her. Between that and the guilt, I've been feeling kinda boxed in. I don't really know what to do right now.”

“I should apologize.” Keeneye said. “I just want my sister to be happy, and she's been stalking you for months. I shouldn't have demeaned your loss like that. I was kinda hoping that enough of a shock would snap you out of it.” He grinned at Shimmercoat. “As for what you should do now? Love like you've never been hurt. I don't think Fizzle would mind all that much.”

“You may be right.” Shimmercoat said. “I'll think about it, alright? That's all I can promise right now.”

“That's fine.” Keeneye said, leaning back. “I can't force you to do anything, I just want my future brother-in-law to be happy.”

“Now I might say no just to spite you.” Mirror said from the doorway behind Shimmercoat. “You don't need to tell the whole world.” Shimmercoat turned and noticed his sister blushing furiously.

“I want to tell the whole world.” Keeneye replied, grinning at her. “Just stand on top of Canterlot Palace and scream it as loud as I can.”

Mirror trotted over to him and shoved him. “Do it and I will say no.” She warned. For Keeneye's part, he had the decency to look slightly sorry.

“Aww, but why?” He asked, pouting at her.

“Because.” She replied. “If you somehow found your way to the top of the palace, you'd just get arrested and thrown in jail.” The silver mare shoved him again. “And I will not marry somepony that is in prison.”

“All right, all right.” He said, grabbing her in a hug. “I won't go on top of the palace. I'll just jump on top of the lighthouse, then.”

“Really?” She asked, gently pushing at him with her hooves. “The lighthouse? Nopony would be able to hear you from up there.” She paused for a moment, considering what she had just said. “No, wait. Do it. Yell from the top of the lighthouse all you want. If I'm lucky, the mare that lives up there will fry you with the light.”

Keeneye pulled her close so that he could exaggeratedly whisper in her ear. “Why don't you want anyone to know?” He perked up suddenly. “Oh, wait, I know.” He leaned back down and placed his mouth next to her ear. “You want it to be a secret. An illicit love, lit by moonlight and seen only by shadows.”

Shimmercoat raised an eyebrow at the Nocturnal's antics, and turned to leave, to give them some privacy. He hadn't taken three steps when something completely silent and very heavy slammed into his back, forcing him roughly towards the floor. He reacted on reflex, rolling forward with the blow, gathering momentum, and threw his attacker down the hallway. He quickly jumped back to his hooves and faced his opponent. Angel stood motionless in front of him.

“What the hell was that?” He demanded angrily.

“I told you.” She replied. “I am here to teach you. The lessons are many, and the time is short. So, we begin now.”

“A little warning would be nice.” He said. “Before you attacked me would be great.”

“That would be the first lesson.” She replied. “Your enemies will not wait for you to be ready, nor will they allow you to rest. You must be ready to defend yourself at all times, with all of the speed and power you can bring to bear. Your counter was fast, if predictable, and that shows that you have some manner of potential.” She stepped back and opened the front door. “Shall we proceed with the days lessons?”

“I'd like to eat first.” Shimmer replied.

“You can return and eat as soon as you land a solid hit upon me.” She said, stepping out the door.

Shimmercoat looked over his shoulder to see Mirror and Keeneye staring at him in confusion.

“You know what? Fine.” He said. “I'm probably not gonna like this, but we'll see where this goes.”

The blue stallion stepped outside, glancing around to try and spot Angel. On a hunch, he looked up, and immediately threw himself to the side, narrowly dodging the strafing armor. She slammed into the ground with her front hooves, leaving deep depressions in the ground. If that had connected, he thought, mind racing, I'd be screwed. He regained his balance and watched her wheel about for another pass. She changed her path, coming in parallel to the ground instead of just diving on him. Just as she sped at him again, he leaped into the air and braced himself as best he could. The heavy armor slammed into his chest, knocking the wind out of him, and he wrapped his hooves around her neck as tightly as he could. As soon as he settled his grip, he whipped his rear legs up into her armored belly, and simultaneously yanked as hard as he could on her upper half. Both motions combined with her speed to turn what would have been a standard, graceful fly-by attack into a dangerous tumble as her whole body was pitched forward and her head clipped the unyielding earth. In the resulting roll, Shimmercoat let go and was thrown almost straight up by the momentum. He raised a shield just before he hit the ground, and managed to avoid critically injuring himself, though he felt like that stunt may have bruised a rib. He slowly stood up, looking around for where Angel had ended up.

At the end of a thirty yard long furrow in the ground lay the dark purple armor. Shimmer walked towards her, his breathing coming in short painful gasps as he walked.

“That enough of a solid hit for you?” He wheezed, stopping about ten feet away from her. “Can I...” He winced and cut off as a stab of pain stole his breath. “Can I go eat now?”

“That was a satisfactory response.” She said, slowly standing up. When she turned towards him he narrowed his eyes. There wasn't even a scratch on the mirrored surface of the steel. “Though, I would suggest that you change your fighting style to reflect whether you are armored or not. While armored, that particular tactic would be almost certainly fatal to a living pegasus, while leaving yourself only open to the risk of injuring yourself in the resulting fall.” She looked him up and down. “However, you seem to have injured yourself due to the lack of your armor.”

“Thank you for that stunning revelation.” Shimmercoat said sarcastically. The effects from the hit were wearing off, and his breathing was becoming less painful. “I would never have noticed.”

“Though, I wonder why you did not use your magic?” She said. “I have been told your specialization is in the construction of kinetic barriers. Why did you not create one to shield yourself from the initial impact?”

“Figured it wouldn't be fair. You've got no real way to counter my magic.” He said, shrugging.

“You would be surprised, sir Knight. I am no stranger to unicorns and their magic.” She replied.

Her wings snapped up and Shimmercoat took a step back. With a single, powerful stroke she propelled herself straight at him. He summoned a shield in between himself an the charging pegasus, but just as she reached it a series of glowing runes burned their way across the armor, and she passed through the shield like it didn't exist. With her boast, however, she had revealed that she had a way to pierce his shields, so even as his cast the spell, he was throwing himself out of her path. She sped past him and brought herself back around to land in front of him again.

“You see?” She said. “Your magic is not a threat to me.”

“So it isn't.” He replied. His mind worked furiously, coming up with some theories as to how he could modify his magic to actually affect her, but his aching chest and grumbling belly called for a rest. “Can I go eat now?”

“Yes.” She replied. “You have done as I instructed, so you may rest and eat.”

Shimmercoat turned and walked back into the house, casting a suspicious glance over his shoulder to make sure she wasn't going to try anymore 'tests' while he wasn't looking. Keeneye greeted him just inside the door.

“Hey. How are you feeling?” He asked.

“I'm hungry and my chest hurts.” Shimmercoat replied.

“I bet your chest hurts.” Keeneye replied. “I'm surprised you're walking after that stunt.” He reached a hoof up and rubbed his neck. “I've gotta say though, it would suck to be on the receiving end of that shot.”

“Hell, it hurt being on the giving end.” Shimmer said, rubbing his chest. “She hit me like a steam train.” He sniffed the air, his stomach practically howling. “Now, where is your sister with that food? I'm starving.”

The blue colt stepped around Keeneye and walked into the kitchen. As he did, the Nocturnal flashed him a quick grin.

“Starving for what, I wonder.” He said. “The food, or my sister.”

“If her cooking tastes as good as it smells, maybe both.” Shimmercoat shot over his shoulder. As he entered the kitchen, Siren looked at him angrily. Her glare stopped him mid-stride, and raised an eyebrow at her.

“What?” He asked.

“Don't.” She replied sharply. “Don't tease like that. It's not fair to me, and I will not tolerate it.”

He stared at her for a second before he realized what she meant. “I'm sorry.” He said quickly, bowing towards her. “I didn't even think about what I was saying. I am sorry.”

“Geez, sis, why don't you just bite his head off, huh?” Keeneye said from behind Shimmer. “It was just a joke, no need to get all touchy. He just got knocked about by that flying brick, cut him some slack, will you?”

“No.” Shimmercoat said, raising a hoof. “I said something stupid, and there is no excuse.”

“Alas, it seems that I may not need to teach you etiquette.” Angel said from the hallway. “I think the Princesses chose a Knight well, this time.”

Shimmercoat glanced over his shoulder and shook his head. “In any case. Will you accept my apology, miss Siren?” He asked her.

She glared at him a moment longer, then a small smile flickered across her face. “I suppose so. This time.” She nodded towards the stove. “As for the food, it's ready whenever you are.”

He slipped past her and grabbed a bowl with his magic. He hadn't the foggiest idea what she had cooked, but a quick glance revealed mushrooms, carrots and some other vegetables thrown together in some sort of stir-fry. Shimmer's stomach grumbled again at the proximity of food, and she barely stepped out of the way before he fell upon it with a will. He just sat on the kitchen floor out of the walkway while he ate, unable to wait any longer. Everypony else came in and got some, but they decided that he was too busy wolfing down food to make small talk.

“Make sure not to eat the silverware too, dear.” Came Starshine's voice from the kitchen doorway after everypony had gotten their food and left. Shimmercoat had just acquired a third bowl, and he raised an eyebrow at her, unable to speak due to the food in his mouth.

“Are you even tasting it?” She asked.

He nodded, swallowing. “Yeah, it's fantastic. I haven't the slightest what she put in it, but it's great.”

“Glad to hear that.” Siren said from the living room, her voice carrying through the house.

Starshine laughed and left him to his food. Just as he started working on another mouthful, Angel appeared in the doorway.

“Hello, young Knight.” She said. “How are you feeling?”

The blue colt raised a hoof, chewing quickly to clear his mouth. “My chest feels like I got hit by a hammer, but other than that I'm doing alright.”

“Ah. Excellent.” She said. “I was worried that I had done some more permanent injury to you. Since I did not, we can resume the lessons as soon as you have finished your meal.”

“Forgive me, but when did I say I was going to actually let you teach me anything?” He asked, his tone polite. “I humored you earlier, but I never said I was accepting your lessons.”

She tilted her head. “Why would you deny them? I have been around for much longer than many of those you would normally learn from. My experience could greatly aid your cause.” She sounded genuinely confused as she spoke. “What could you possibly gain from denying me?”

“Time to mourn who I lost.” He replied, his tone changing to be something hard. “Not to mention that I wouldn't have to worry about you randomly attacking me in my own house.”

“But you must learn, young Knight.” She replied. “How can you be ready to defend yourself if you will not learn?”

“Quit calling me that!” He snapped.

“What, Knight?” She asked. “Why?”

“Because I'm not a Knight!” He said, his voice pained. “I'm just an idiot that got my marefriend killed!. Then,” His voice took on a bitter note, “The Princesses decided to give me a title. To 'honor' my actions.” He looked up at the impassive armor, tears in the corners of his eyes. “They gave me a public award for killing her.” The young unicorn's voice had become a whisper, harsh with guilt and anguish.

Silence reigned as he finished speaking, the small talk that had been occurring in the next room coming to an abrupt halt.

“How long has it been?” Angel finally asked.

Shimmercoat thought for several long moments. “Nine days.” He finally whispered.

“And in those nine days,” She said, “What has transpired?”

“Her funeral, my forging something to remember her by. Nine days of guilt, despair and hatred for myself.” He said honestly, gaze fixed on the floor in front of him.

“And,” She continued, “What shall transpire in the days ahead?”

“I don't know.” He said. “I'm not really thinking about the future.”

“I have something you should think about, if you will permit.” She said. He nodded slowly. “Perhaps the honor of Knight was not to spite you, Shimmercoat, but to place you in a position where you could prevent this tragedy from falling on others, as it has fallen on you.” He looked up at her sharply. “After all, a Knight's duty is to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

He stared at her for a long moment. “I... Had never considered that before.” He said slowly.

“While you think on this, I will await you in the forge.” She said, turning to leave. “If you change your mind about my lessons, you can find me there.”

Shimmercoat watched her leave, his mind churning. Assuming what she said was true, then it was his duty to stop Alpha. If he did nothing, the spider would surely cause more grief within both the town of Stormgate and the Nocturnal colony beneath it. He knew the pain of loss now, and he would do anything to be rid of it, but that's not the way things worked. The best he could do right now was to prevent anypony else from suffering the same fate. His mind threw him images of ponies he knew, ponies he loved, laying crushed and broken upon the earth, and it made him angry.

If that giant bug wanted to take them from him, then she was in for one hell of a fight.

Shimmercoat slammed his bowl on the counter, remembering at the last second to soften the blow to not shatter his mom's dish. He stormed out the front door, the others following slowly in his wake. He marched up to the forge door and pushed his way past it. He stepped up to where Angel stood motionless in a corner, and squared off in front of her.

“This creature wants to destroy everything that I know.” He said. “Everything that I am, and everything that those around me know.”

“Yes.” She replied.

“I will not let that happen.” He said.

“Oh?” She said, tilting her head.

“I cannot let that happen.” He said, shaking his head. “I get it now. You're right. I can't go back and change the choice I made, but now I can prevent anypony else from having to make that decision. You will teach me how to be a Knight, and I will hoof this bug her head.”

“Good.” Angel replied. The armor was expressionless as ever, but if she still had a face she would have been smiling. “Let us begin. Time grows short.”
X--------------------------------X------------------------------------X-----------------------------------------------X

For the next three days, Angel taught everything she could to the young Knight. The Nocturnal siblings spent their time watching Alpha at the waterfall. According to them, the giant spider was simply sitting in her web, talking to several different ponies that came to speak to her. All of them were Nocturnals, but the siblings could only identify Crystal Rampart. The second night they had talked to Shimmercoat about attempting to return to Stormshadow to find where the traitor was staying, but he disagreed.

“There's no guarantee that he is in the colony anymore, especially after everything that he had done.” The young Knight had said. “You're probably better off trying to find out where the other exit from the underground is. They're not coming through the tunnel beneath the shack, so they've got another tunnel somewhere.”

Keeneye sat perfectly still in a tree and silently fumed as the sky darkened. Despite his tracking skills and those of his sister, they still didn't know where exactly the alternate tunnel was. They had it narrowed down to one section of the forest, but said section was nearly half a mile square. So, whenever a pony talked to Alpha, Keeneye would fly ahead and sit in a different area in an attempt to discover where exactly the entrance was. The job would have been easier had he just been able to fly along with the pony, but the forest's canopy was too thick for him to see through. Plus, the entrance was likely camouflaged, and they figured that the best way to find it was to watch a pony use it. Luckily, the traffic to and from the giant spider was increasing, leading them to believe that whatever Alpha's plan was, it was going to be implemented in the coming days.

A rustling sound brought him out of his thoughts, and he silently peered down through the gloom. A pony emerged from the undergrowth, trying to sneak through the thick brush. The pony looked back and forth as he walked, but never once did he look up.

They never look up. Keeneye thought, watching the pony walk. Thousands of years with pegasi, and nopony ever thinks to look up.

The pony walked up to a gnarled old tree and looked around again. Keeneye felt his heart start to pound. This could be it. He thought, And about time, too. This was getting embarrassing.

The stallion reached up and grabbed a branch, pulling it down with an audible click. The ground in front of the tree rumbled quietly and opened. The pony slipped down the tunnel that was revealed, and Keeneye raised his eyebrows, impressed. The entrance had barely made any noise, only his extremely sensitive Nocturnal ears would be able to hear the sound beyond a few yards into the brush.

The Nocturnal pegasus waited until the hatch had closed again before turning and soaring silently into the night towards Stormgate. He hadn't flown more than a few yards before he caught a glimmer of light out of the corner of his eye and rolled hard to one side, narrowly avoiding a large, thick-stranded spider web that hadn't been there when he had flown this way. An instant later, the trees around him suddenly swarmed with large spiders, presumably the males of Alpha's brood. They started to dive out of the trees in front of him, trailing webs, in an attempt to force him down. Branches, both small and not, slapped at him as he flew. He avoided the largest of these, but was still taking a beating. A quick glance at the forest floor revealed that it too had become a living carpet of eyes and fangs. One spider jumped too late and landed on his back, almost forcing him into the trailing nets of several of its comrades. The Nocturnal rolled, trying to throw it off, but it clung tenaciously to his back.

He winced as he felt a stab of pain in his back. The spider had bitten him. He knew from experience with Eril's bite that the venom wasn't deadly. It was, however, a substance that would cause him to go numb within the next few minutes before he fell asleep. The toxin would work its way through his system within a few hours with no lasting repercussions, but if he dropped out here, in the middle of the swarm, he knew that he would never wake up again. Keeneye glanced around and realized that he was getting clear of the brood, with only a couple of spiders trying to net him now instead of the horde he was dodging earlier. He felt another stab in his back, and he lost feeling in his hooves.

Shimmercoat's house is only a few yards from the treeline, He thought as he rolled again, this time dislodging his unwanted passenger. He lost feeling in his wings as he sped for the exit. I just have to get clear of the trees, and I'll be fine. His vision began to darken as he cleared the last few trees.
X--------------------------------X------------------------------------X-----------------------------------------------X

Shimmercoat looked around, his back to the treeline and the setting sun as he searched for Angel. She hadn't been around when he woke up and she hadn't attacked him all day. Not that it wasn't a welcome relief to the constant drills and sparring sessions he had endured over the last couple of days, but it was starting to worry him.

He heard a sound behind him, but didn't get a chance to turn around before something crashed into him. Ah, there we go. He thought as he rolled with the impact, throwing his opponent off of him. He rolled up into a run straight towards where his opponent had landed, but he came up short as he drew next to the pony that had hit him. Keeneye lay on the ground, unconscious, several wounds in his back leaking a clear fluid along with blood.

“SIREN!” Shimmercoat bellowed at the house. “MIRROR! KEENEYE IS HURT!”

Siren burst out the front door, nearly knocking it from its hinges. She was followed by Mirror, Iron Coat and Starshine. Siren rushed over and peered at the injuries on Keeneye's back. After examining the wounds for a moment, she visibly relaxed.

“He's been bitten by one of the large spiders.” She said as the others gathered around him. “It didn't hit anything vital, so once we stop the bleeding he'll be fine. The spider's venom is a sleeping agent, so it's actually pretty harmless. The biggest threat is the fact that they have fangs that are more than large enough to cause some serious damage.” She looked up at Starshine. “I need bandages.” The gray pegasus nodded. Siren turned to Iron Coat and Shimmercoat. “I need you guys to take him inside. And be gentle, we don't need to tear his wounds wider.” The two stallions nodded. Iron Coat looked at the unconscious Nocturnal, then to Shimmercoat. The blue stallion grinned as he gently lifted Keeneye with his magic. As they walked back into the house, Shimmercoat realized that Keeneye was also a mess of cuts and bruises, presumably from flying full-tilt through the forest. He wondered if the Nocturnal had found the tunnel they were looking for or if he had been ambushed as he was tailing somepony.

After settling Keeneye in Mirror's room at her insistence, Shimmercoat stepped outside. Night had well and truly fallen at this point, and he sat on the porch looking up at the stars.

“What do you think of them?” Asked a voice from beside him. He jerked away and stared at the pony that had crept up on him.

“They're very nice as always, Princess.” He said politely. Luna laughed as she gazed upon her handiwork.

“That is what everypony says when I ask them that question.” She replied. “Tell me truly, now. What do you really think?” She glanced down and winked at him. “If it helps, just think of me as any other pony.”

“That's not easy, Princess.” Shimmercoat replied, settling back down beside her.

“I would assume not.” She said. “But try. What if your mother asked you that question? Or,” She looked back into the sky, “What if your lover asked you that question?”

“She did, once.” He said, following Luna's gaze. “I don't know what you had planned when you set the stars in the sky, but I had my own meaning for it.”

“Oh?” She said, interested. “Do tell.”

“The night sky is for lovers. To guide and hide them, and to drive them closer together. To make those who are without search for someone they could share the night with.”

“I like that.” She replied. “But you said you 'had' your own meaning. Don't you mean you have?”

“I...” He dropped his gaze to the ground in front of them. “It's a beautiful theory, but it isn't for me anymore.”

“Why not?”

“I look up at the night sky, and all I see is her.” He said sadly. “I see the same stars that I sat under and kissed her, loved her. The same stars that watched me kill her.” He shook his head. “I can't see them the same way again.”

“If it hurts, then why do you keep looking?” She asked.

“Because I hope that one day I'll look up and I won't feel like somepony is stabbing me in the chest.” He said, looking at her. “The body strengthens the areas that get damaged, so I figure if I keep doing it it'll stop.”

“But it wont.” She said, meeting his eyes. “That is not how the heart works.” She raised an eyebrow. “When you were knighted, I asked to speak to you, and you refused.” She smiled as he winced. “I suppose my timing could have been better, now that I look back on it. Now, after some days of recovery, I ask again. May I speak to you?”

“You're speaking to me already, Princess.” He replied. “You hardly need to ask permission to speak to one of your Knights.”

“Oh? You call yourself Knight now?” She asked, her eyes narrowing. “I heard you were refusing your title.”

“I, uh...” He trailed off, trying to find the words. Shimmer closed his eyes for a moment before fixing her with an intense stare. “I made a mistake. I thought you and your sister had given me the title to taunt me with what I had lost. Since then, I have had time to think on it, and I now realize what the point of it was.”

“And that point was?” She asked him in a tone that made him think she already knew what he was going to say, but he pressed on anyways.

“I was taught a little about fighting from my dad, and I obviously am capable of using that knowledge.” He said, looking back up at the stars. “With that skill, I could be a guardspony somewhere. But, that wasn't the end of it, was it?” He chuckled. “It wasn't until I was actually put in a life-or-death situation that I really learned how I would react to it. My first reaction was to protect not just myself, not just my immediate friends and family, but to protect the whole town.” He glanced at her. “That particular trait isn't one you can teach ponies, is it? At least, not easily. I've got an instinct for it. Then I suffered loss. The knowledge that what I had done had caused the death of someone I cared about. I was damaged, emotionally and mentally, pretty damn badly, but I haven't broken down yet. I'm still rolling along. I have passed every test that has been thrown at me.” He fixed her with a sharp look. “I don't know if you Princesses, in your immortal powers, had planned all this. I certainly hope not.”

“That, young Knight, is something you will be wondering for your entire life.” She replied. “I will not say anything either way. Sometimes the universe conspires to make somepony more than they are, and other times, certain ponies have to intervene. In either case, you are what you are.” She raised an eyebrow at him again. “Now, you did not answer my question. Why did we knight you?”

“For one simple reason: To protect those that cannot protect themselves.” He said.

Luna smiled warmly at him. “Very good, young Knight. I am glad you have discovered the reason. Now,” She bowed her head towards him, “May I speak with you?”

“Like I said, Princess, you don't need my permission.” He replied.

“Very well. I have a message for you.” She said.

“A message? From who?” He asked, confused.

“From someone very dear to you. I do not know if you are familiar with the legends of the Grim Reaper, a stallion cloaked in black, with a skeletal face and a large scythe who escorts the dead into the afterlife.” Shimmercoat nodded and she continued. “Such a stallion is a myth. It is my sister and I who escort those who pass on into the next world.” She paused to let her words sink in.

“Wait, you...” His eyes widened. “You have a message from Fizzle?”

“Indeed.” Luna said, nodding. “I do not normally allow such a communication, but I was of the mind that an exception was in order. Just this once, you understand.” She said, smiling at him.

“What did she say?” He asked, his gaze dropping. “Please, tell me.”

“Do you fear this message?” She asked, surprised.

“Sort of.” He admitted. “I'm afraid that she... That...” He trailed off.

“That she blamed you for her untimely demise.” She said. He nodded, still looking down.

“I'm afraid that she hated me for not saving her, for sending her to die.” He said quietly.

“Allow me to show you her final words to you.” She said. He nodded again and her horn lit.

Shimmercoat could feel the Princesses magic surrounding them, and he looked up to find himself on a featureless plain, the landscape dissolving into blurred shapes and strange lines after a few yards in all directions.

“Where are we?” He asked, turning towards where Luna had been sitting. She pointed a hoof, and he looked in the direction she indicated. What he saw there hit him like a hammer to the guts. In front of them stood another Luna and a sobbing Fizzle Flare. Shimmercoat took a step towards her, but his Luna put a hoof on his shoulder.

“This is but a memory, young Knight.” She said gently. “I am simply showing you what she wanted to tell you.” He looked at her, then over at Fizzle, who had frozen as Luna paused the memory.

“But she's right there.” He said quietly, the pain and longing in his voice causing Luna to bow her head. “I can practically touch her. She's... She's...” He started to cry, great heaving sobs that shook his entire frame. He slammed his hooves on the ground in front of them. “I JUST WANT TO TOUCH HER ONE MORE TIME!” He screamed. “WHY IS THAT SO MUCH TO ASK!?” He collapsed, and Luna reached over and patted his head.

“I am sorry, young Knight.” She said. “Shimmercoat. But even the powers of my sister and I cannot grant that wish. Maybe I should have given you more warning before calling this memory forth.” Her horn lit. “I will return some other time to give you this message.”

Shimmercoat sprung up and slapped her horn, interrupting the spell. She fell back on her rump, stunned.

“No.” He said, looking at her. His voice was filled with anger and pain, and his voice was tortured. “You brought me here. You finish it.”

She nodded, too shocked to deny him. Her horn lit again and the memory resumed. Shimmer turned to watch Fizzle and Luna's image.

“C-can you g-give him a m-m-message for m-me?” Fizzle stammered out in between sobs, looking up at the princess.

“Under normal circumstances I could not. However, I believe I will make an exception in your case. Losing love so soon after discovering it is the greatest tragedy of this world. What would you like to tell him?” Luna said, looking down at the heartbroken mare. The princess of the night hated this task. It pained her to see her ponies like this.

“T-tell him I understand. That I-I don't blame him, a-and that it wasn't his fault,” Fizzle said, “But most of all, t-tell him I l-love him. So v-very m-much. Tell him I'm s-sorry.”

“I will.”

“You p-promise?”

“Yes. I swear to you, I will make sure he receives your message. Come now, let us go.”

The two mares walked into the plain, disappearing, then the memory ended and Princess and Knight were back in the present, looking across the front yard of the forge.

“I'm sorry.” Shimmercoat said, his voice shaking. Luna looked over at him and saw him folded over on himself, as if he was trying to physically hold himself together. “I got carried away. I shouldn't have hit you.”

“No harm done, young Knight.” She replied. “I hesitate to ask, but are you alright.”

“No.” He replied quietly. “I'm not. But I think I will be, now. Thank you. For everything.”

“I am glad to do it, Shimmercoat.” She replied. “Rarely does one get to give this kind of closure to a grieving loved one.”

“I have a question for you, Princess.” He said, slowly unfolding himself and turning to face her. “Much like yours earlier, I have asked many ponies this, but I am interested in your answer.”

“Please, ask.” She replied.

“You have been around for thousands of years.” He said. “Generations of ponies have lived and died in your time here. Entire families have been generated and collapsed.” He swallowed, steeling himself. “How can you keep going? After everything, after all of the ponies that were undoubtedly your friends passing on, how can you keep doing it?”

“That is not an easy question.” She replied. “It is hard to pin down any one reason, but I think it all links back into the same thought: How can I not go on?” She waved a hoof at the town. “What should I do?” She demanded. “Curl up and die? Give up and let the stars go out?” She shook her head. “I continue to make life better for other ponies. I set the stars for lovers, I guard my little ponies from their nightmares. I go on, young Knight,” She said, her gaze suddenly intense, “Because the world would suffer if I did not, and I will bear any amount of suffering to keep it from those that I care about.”

He smiled, his face still wet with tears. “That is the best answer I have received, Princess. Thank you.”

She smiled back. “I am glad I could be of assistance.” She said. She looked up at the moon and sighed. “Now, I must be getting back to Canterlot. I have no doubt I will see you again soon.” He nodded, and she opened her impressive wingspan and launched herself into the night sky, rapidly disappearing from sight.

The door behind him opened and Siren stepped out next to him, looking up at the stars.

“Hey.” She said, sitting down beside him.

“Hi.” He replied, looking at the skies.

“What are you up to?” She asked him.

“That's a long story.” He said, smiling at her.

“Have you been crying?” She asked, looking at him.

“Yep.” He replied simply.

“Why?” She asked.

“Because she didn't hate me. All this time, I thought she hated me.” Shimmer replied.

“Anything you want to talk about?” Siren asked, confused.

“Not right now.” He said, looking at the moon.

“Alright. Well, if you need somepony to talk to, you know where to find me.” She said, standing up and turning towards the door.

“Siren, wait.” He said, causing her to pause. “I don't want to talk, but could you, uh, sit with me?” He looked over at her. “I just... Need some company, y'know?”

“Sure, I can do that.” She replied, sitting back down next to him.

“Now that I think of it, could you... Sing for me?” He asked, closing his eyes and looking down. “I've only heard your lullaby for the last few nights. Could you maybe sing me something different?”

“Oh.” She blinked at him. “Yeah, I can do that.”

“Thank you.” He replied, leaning into her. After a moment, she draped a foreleg over his shoulder and began to sing.

The two of them stayed like that until the sun began to creep over the horizon.