The Binding of Isaac: Emancipation

Isaac woke up with a massive yawn. It was now the second day he had been here, and Celestia said she had some friends for him to meet. He hadn’t had any nightmares the previous night, which was a great relief to the boy. He slipped out of the covers, before meandering over to the door and exiting. A nearby pony in gold armor glanced at Isaac, before signaling for the boy to follow.

Isaac complied, and jogged after the guard. Unbeknownst to the child, he was being watched by something. Something he thought he had left behind when his mother went mad. Something he thought he left behind when he left her.

He was watching Isaac follow a Royal Guard through the halls of the Canterlot Palace. He smiled, His lips curving ever-so-slightly, hidden behind His beard.

He was God. The Lord, the All-Mighty, the Just. And He was proud of the little boy before His eyes, one who had seen too much. He would not end the boy. No, the boy needed peace. But what Satan had done… God growled, His voice thundering throughout Heaven. Satan had gone too far, manipulating Isaac’s mother. Bringing her to think that He had told her what to do, then throwing those twisted creatures in the fleeing child's path. So no, God would not kill the innocent. He turned His gaze to the room where the child was headed, and focused a miniscule fragment of His power. With a flash, a stone pedestal sat in the hall, the great stained glass windows shedding light on the object resting upon the rock.

He smiled, and temporarily ceased His eternal watch over the child.

Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne, waiting for the Elements of Harmony to arrive, when there was a painful burst of light. She opened her eyes, waiting for the pure white glare to recede, then promptly shut her eyes at what met them.

In the middle of the hall sat a pedestal. Nothing too special, just a simple stone column. Roughly hewn, as well. No, what kept her eyes shut was the strange thing resting ON the pillar, its eyes closed and wearing a serene smile. There was a knock, and the Princess opened her eyes. “Come in,” she said, putting on a calm smile.

In walked the Element Bearers, each with an expression of bemusement. Twilight Sparkle stood at the lead, followed by Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and finally, Fluttershy. “You wished to see us, Princess?” Her faithful student asked, gaze flicking between the anomaly and the Princess.

“Yes, Twilight Sparkle. I wanted you and the others to meet someth- er someone new.”

Pinkie Pie made a noise which could only be described as a squee, before randomly appearing throughout the room, peeking beneath pots, behind guards, and even in the Princess’ mane itself. “Oh! Oh! Where are they? My Pinkie Sense didn’t go off, so they must be super special!”

Applejack dragged the pink pony away from the Princess, mumbling through her teeth, “Pinkie, Ahm thure the Printheth will tell uth. Okay?”

“Okay, AJ!” Pinkie replied, voice as filled with cheer as ever.

Celestia sighed, before regaining her bearings from the spontaneous search. “Yes, he is special. More so than anything I, or my sister, have encountered.”

Rarity glanced at the odd thing on the pedestal, which had sat unnoticed through the confusion. She cleared her throat gently, “Erm… Princess? Is this it?” She said, pointing at the anomaly.

“No, it isn’t. But that is also something I will talk with you about. They should be here any-” Celestia was cut off, as a guard strode in, followed by Isaac.

“Umm… Celestia? You wanted to see me?” He asked, glancing between the Element Bearers and the Princess.

Silence reigned throughout the room. Surprisingly, it was Fluttershy who broke it, “Oh my. I’ve never seen an animal like you, before.” She fluttered up to the child, who jerked away upon Fluttershy touching him with her hooves. She flinched back, cowering behind her mane.

Isaac spoke, “I’m not an animal. I’m Isaac.” He walked up to the Princess, before sitting next to her. He unwittingly brushed past the pedestal, and the object opened its eyes, unnoticed by everybody present.

“Hey, get away from the Princess!” Rainbow Dash shouted, shooting up into the air.

“Rainbow Dash, wait!” Twilight yelled, unheeded as the pegasus mare raced to the child. Isaac’s eyes widened, tears beginning to fall as he watched the blur race towards him in slow motion.

Then, before even Celestia could react, an even faster pale thing flashed by, before reappearing in a blink in front of Isaac. Rainbow Dash couldn’t turn in time, and smashed right into it. The thing simply floated there, as the Bearer of Loyalty slid down, nursing a bent muzzle. Blood flowed freely from her nose, as she attempted to stop it.

The Princess quickly cast a healing spell on her, the wounds knitting together quickly. Then everyone got a good look at the thing that had both saved Isaac, as well as heavily injured Rainbow Dash: It didn’t seem to notice the stares, as it quickly began to orbit Isaac.

“Are you okay, Rainbow Dash?” Twilight said, rushing over to her friend after the initial shock wore off.

“Yeah, I’m fine. No thanks to that freak, over there.” The mare replied, shrugging the unicorn away. She shot a glare at the flying creature, which simply smiled and waved.

“You did try attacking Isaac first. You brought it on yourself.” Twilight said, as she once again tried helping Rainbow Dash to her hooves.

Said boy was simply turning around, trying to catch a glimpse of his savior. “What… Are you?” He asked, his voice echoing around the hall. A sob wracked his body, causing Celestia to instinctively wrap a wing around him. The flying creature, which looked like a small version of Isaac with white wings, simply grinned and replied, I’m your Guardian Angel.”