"Are you sure you're ready, sister? I know it has been 10 years since, but it still haunts your dreams." Luna asks, concerned for her sisters feelings.
"Yes, Luna. I think it's time that I see where he resides once more." Celestia says, trying to stay calm and collected, but on the verge of breaking down.
Today was the day.
On this day 10 years ago, Canterlot was invaded by changelings once again. The elements of harmony were not around and the changeling queen was showing no mercy. The city was doing its best to fight back but stood no chance against the army that fought against them. Their goal was to take the life away from Celestia and claim Equestria as their own. They were so close to accomplishing their goal, but one pony stood against them.
Loyal Heart. He was nothing but a guard to other ponies, but to Celestia, he was so much more. He stood by her no matter what happened and made a solemn vow to her, promising that if anything were to happen to her or the city, he would protect them no matter what. She saw the passion for her and the city in his eyes and held him to that promise by doing something no one sought possible. The next day, when he went for breakfast, Celestia invited him to her dining hall. It was at that time where she proposed to him. He couldn't believe what the princess was asking of him but he accepted.
It was at the wedding when the changelings attacked. As they were reading their vows, it seemed that they were in an ambush when the ponies in the chapel turned out to all be changelings and the minister was their queen. Celestia couldn't stop them after she was condemned to a wall by sticky green goo. Loyal Heart however put up a fight, taking out half the changelings in the room without a hit. Celestia begged him to run and forget about her but he just stood his ground.
If only he ran... He would be...
Celestia started to shiver at the memories in her head but realized there was nothing she could have done. The past is in the past and nothing can change that. The only thing she can do now is go and see him once again. She gathered her saddlebags and exited the castle, trying to keep her head high so that no one would ask how she was feeling.
As she entered the main city, she looked around at all the other ponies who were remembering their lost relatives on this day. A lot of them were with another pony, holding them in tears. It seemed that she was not the only one affected by the loss of close ones this badly. She wanted to go up to each and every one of her subjects and tell them it was ok and that they miss you to, but she had to keep going towards her destination.
As she reached Canterlot Square, she noticed the ponies gathered around the statue with a lone Pegasus speaking to them. He seemed to be giving a speech about how the soldiers fought to keep Canterlot safe and free from the changeling evil. As Celestia approached, she gestured for the Pegasus to stand with the crowd, so that she may speak to them all. He gave a nod and flew over with the others.
"Ponies of Canterlot, Ponyville and Cloudsdale. Today we honor those who have fallen in the war 10 years ago. The fought and died for us to make sure that we were all safe to live our lives. We give them our full respect by staying silent for 2 minutes every year on this day. As that time approaches, I hope you all partake in this silence and show the fallen soldiers that you are so very grateful for what they have done to keep us and all of Equestria safe. And after today, please always remember that out there, the soldiers that have fallen care so much for you that they gave their life, to save this nation. Thank you."
Light claps could be heard in the crowd for what she had just said so they did not break the moment. As Celestia walked down from the podium, she could see the tears in the speakers eyes and went to hug him. She calmed him down and told him she needed him to make sure that the ponies honored the soldiers. He nodded and flew back to the pedestal to continue his speech.
As Celestia looked in the distance, she noticed the graveyard on the outskirts of town. She knew that this year was when she finally would see him again, even if it meant everlasting pain.
As she arrived at the gates to the graveyard, she saw two guards in ceremonial uniforms for this day. When they saw her approaching, they saluted her and opened the gates with their magic. As Celestia passed through, they locked it behind her so that no one would disturb her. This was the first time she has come her in over 10 years and they both know that she wouldn't have wanted to be disturbed by anypony else.
Celestia walked through the rows of flower covered graves of fallen family members. She seemed to become more and more sorrowed the more graves she saw. But she had to stay strong for the final destination withing this sorrowful place so that she could finally do something she has been meaning to do for 10 years. She saw a sign in the distance that read "War Hero's" and nodded, heading towards the gates leading into those graves.
Looking around, she noticed some familiar names of some of her most precious guards. She magically opened her saddlebags and for each grave, put a single rose to mark her respect for all they had done for her. She smiled and a tear dropped from her eye when she noticed a certain grave belonging to her court jester. He deserved to be here because he protected Luna during all that happened and this broke Luna's heart knowing the one pony that could make her laugh even in times of war had passed away.
Row by Row, Grave by Grave, each with another name to tell the tale of a loss. This broke her heart to see so many ponies that died to keep her and her subjects safe. She didn't deserve this. She should have been able to protect them all. Why couldn't she have been the one to die instead of hundreds of others?
Then she saw it... a hill that had a lone grave, shaded by a elder tree. She knew who this belonged to and started to fly up towards it. The closer she got to the grave, the more it hurt. It pained her deeply to be here after 10 years, but she had to give respect. As she landed in front of the grave, she sat down to read the inscription on the tombstone in front of her eyes.
Here lies Loyal Heart
A unknown stallion
A legendary protector
A golden heart
Life taken away protecting the princess
May his slumber be peaceful
Rest In Peace
As she read it, tears started to form in her eyes as flashbacks started playing.
"What are you doing Loyal Heart?" Celestia asks.
"Protecting my favorite princess!" He smiles.
"All those times you were there for me..."
"Loyal Heart you are to funny!" Celestia giggles.
"What, all I did was steal Luna's game?" He tilts his head.
"LOYAL HEART!!!!!" Luna screams.
"Uh-oh." Loyal Heart runs out of the room.
"All the times you protected me..."
"Stay back princess! I got this one! HEY TIMBERWOLF!" Loyal Heart commands, standing defensively.
"NO! PLEASE! YOU WILL BE HURT!" Celestia cries to him.
"It's worth it to protect you." He says, attacking the wolf.
"Why did you have to die..?" Celestia breaks down before finishing.
"Goodbye Princess... I love you." Loyal Heart says, before the changeling queen ends his life.
"LOYAL HEART!!!" Celestia cries out to him but it is to late for him to hear her.
"Thank you for everything..." She says, using her magic to pull out something from her saddlebag.
She had pulled out the wedding band she had meant to have given Loyal Heart, but never got the chance to. She cried harder than before as she looked at the ring. As she looked back up at the grave, she used her magic to carve a ring shaped hole in the grave. When finished, she inserted in into the hole and placed a Anti-Thief spell on it. She stood and saluted the grave. As she did this, the horns were being sounded in the City, signalling the moment of silence to start. As she stood there, she couldn't help but let the tears flow freely. That was until she noticed her entire royal guard joining her at the grave, all there to salute this soldier who protected their princess. They all looked at the grave and said one last thing, all together, including the princess.
"Loyal Heart, we will never forget you."
Author's Note
Thank you for reading this. Today was a solemn day and I hope that this will bring you're attention to remembrance day.
