A New Start

A New Start

Story 4

Chapter 4: This is Home

By: FluttersIsAwesome

Cobalt's house wasn't too far away, and we touched down right in front of the door. I let him go and he unlocked it, opening the door.

"Ladies first."

When I walked in, the place was so... cozy. The decoration and painting was smart: it was all neutrals like grays, beige, and some whites. The door opened to a living room kitchen combo separated by a counter with a swinging door. I looked around and took in the smell, too. It was very clean, and I caught the scent of pine.

Cobalt walked in beside me and took off his armor, setting it on the rack next to the door. He was a dark brown that made the scar on his side stand out. His mane was oddly white like his sister's, but she had a lime green coloring. I shrugged it off when I noticed his cutie mark: two crossed jousting lances behind a shield. I looked him over again; he kind of reminded me of Iron if Iron had more hair. Cobalt's tail and mane were much longer than Iron's were. He also looked younger, so I got curious.

"Hey Cobalt... mind if I ask how old you are?"

He shot me a proud look. "Just turned nineteen a week ago." When he saw my surprised expression, he laughed. "Well, being Guard Captain is in the family. For six generations, there's been an Edge commanding the guards. My father trained me himself, so I was able to climb through the ranks easily." He shot me another proud look and I grinned back.

I decided to change the subject to the house. "I like this place. Normally I don't go for the bright colors... but the neutrality makes it bearable."

He patted my shoulder happily. "I made all the decisions myself. I was already thinking about resale when I got the place, actually. I didn't plan on staying in this house for long, until I realized how much I liked it." He led me to what would be my room. "Nova told me you liked the dark. Not really my thing, but to each their own."

I did like things dark. Not nearly as much as I used to, but I still wasn't bright and cheery like Pinkie Pie. My room was apparently a recent add-on with some darker blues and a dark grey floor; it reminded me of my cave. I set my bag beside the bed, my gauntlets on a pair of coat racks on the wall, and Fluttershy's drawing on the nightstand.

"Do you like it?"

I looked at Cobalt with a pleased expression. "Even if I didn't, I wouldn't have said so. That's just rude."

That got a chuckle from him. "Well, at least you've got some manners. I like you, Gilda. I'm very glad that you chose our fair town as your new home."

His smile warmed my heart. He was only two years older than me, but he acted like Iron in a lot of ways. He was mature, kind, and most of all: relaxed. I looked forward to getting to know him; he seemed like the kind of guy I could get along with. As I looked around again, I noticed an odd painting on the wall. I walked over to it and examined it.

Two alicorns stood on either side of a wolf that was howling at the sun and the moon. The moon sat over the dark alicorn and the sun over the white one. Above everything there was a large black monster with an arrow through its head. It was surrounded by twelve symbols:

A star, a lightning bolt, an apple, a balloon, a diamond, and a butterfly occupied the lower half of the circle, and a comet, shield, horseshoe, what looked like a microphone, crescent moon, and a shuriken made up the upper half. Cobalt put his hoof on my shoulder.

" 'Eight thousand years after it was sealed, the fearsome spirit of Vailishin shall awaken. When the Elements of Harmony and the Elements of Valor come together, they shall summon the Protector and vanquish this evil.' It's an old tale from Princess Celestia and Luna's early days. It was said that while the Princesses created the Elements of Harmony, a Raishi created a force equal in power, just as a precaution if the Elements were ever overpowered: The Elements of Valor."

I looked at him blankly. "Say wha?"

He chuckled again. "The Elements of Harmony are powerful artifacts created by Equestria's royal family. Magic, Honesty, Loyalty, Laughter, Kindness, and Generosity. Now they are in the possession of your friends from Ponyville. When combined, they form one of the strongest powers in Equestria."

I nodded. I didn't really understand, I but I thought it best to at least humor him. "Alright."

He began again, "So, as a counterbalance and backup power, the first Soul Ragnarok created the Elements of Valor: Resolve, Wisdom, Courage, Honor, Pride, and Patience. It's uncertain if these Elements are in the possession of other ponies, but we do know that all twelve of them combined create the most powerful force in Equestria."

I turned to Gilda, and she looked like she had fallen asleep. I gave her a gentle nudge and she came back down to Earth.

"Huh?! I wasn't sleeping, I swear!"

I grinned at her. "Sure you weren't." I patted the bed. "Lie down, I'm sure you've had a long day."

She scoffed at me. "Please don't treat me like a child. You may be older than me, but remember it's only by two years."

I nodded as I left the room. "Will do. Good night, Gilda."

I turned back when she stopped me. "Wait, Cobalt."

The look on her face looked so cute. Like a little foal that broke something and was trying to fess up to it. "What is it?"

"Thanks. I owe you."

I shook my head. "Gilda, seeing you live a happy life here is all I'll require of you as payment."

She grinned as she lay down. "You have no idea how corny you sounded just now."

I smiled again. "I'm pretty sure I do. Good night Gilda."

She mumbled something that sounded like "Good night", so I closed the door and walked down the hall toward the bathroom. I smelled like crap thanks to my armor. I went in an washed up, walking to my own room and closing the door. "Sorry Cyan, but I'm way too tired for a visit..." I flopped down on my bed and quickly fell asleep.