Honor and Friendship

Chapter Four

The other mares instantly stopped, the moment they saw Aythai’Vadam point his weapon at Applejack. They could tell, by the look in his eye, the Sangheili will not hesitate to shoot any of them dead. Even when they moved, slightly, he aimed the needle rifle right at them while backing up. Though, his gaze went straight back to Applejack, the moment she, carefully, held both hands up. “Whoa, easy now, sugarcube…” The farm mare resorted to sound friendly, not wanting to seem hostile. “Ain’t nobody gonna harm ya.”

Aythai’Vadam didn’t lower his weapon, he felt like her word could be trusted, but the cyan mare kept making him wary. Her slender frame reminded him of the Kig’Yar, those Jackals being extremely fast. That means she probably could disarm him, if the Sangheili lowered his guard for a single second. “I would like to trust you, but I wasn’t born yesterday.” He told her.

“What are we waiting for? We out number him, we can easily take him.” Rainbow Dash said, placing her hoof forward.

However, she quickly pulled it back when a purple needle stabbed the ground in front of her hoof. The daredevil quickly noticing Aythai’Vadam now pointing his weapon at her. Twilight placed her hand on to Rainbow Dash’s shoulder, making the daredevil look at her. “Even with magic, and your speed, he’ll still beat us. According to my research, his species was bred for war. He is prepared to do what we cannot, at any cost to himself… His body structure even says he can take quite a beating.”

Aythai’Vadam could tell, the lavender one, with a horn and a pair of wings, was the smartest one of their group. Probably their leader, so he will have to take her out in case things get bad for him. He slowly returned his gaze to Applejack, the farm mare remaining exactly where she was before. “Your friend is a smart one, not to try and engage me right now.” He complimented, as Applejack snickered.

“That’s our Twi, though… She does tend ta over think things from time to time. Gets her in a bit of trouble, but she always has us ta give her a helpin’ hand.” Applejack noted, making Twilight blush a bit, before the farm mare gave a concerned look. “Now, ah know ya ain’t bad. Ya wouldn’t of have saved mah sister and her two friends there, from that varmint… Takes quite the courage ta stand up to a hungry manticore, for three fillies ya don’t even know.”

He raised an eyebrow, not lowering the needle rifle for even a second. “The Sangheili are a Warriorborne people, but we are not without honor.” Aythai’Vadam informed, slowly taking a step back. “My people cherish children. If one is in danger, no matter where they are from or who they are, they’ll soon find themselves within a Sangheili’s protection.”

Applejack smirked, she respected such selfless attitude towards the young. “Yer people sound like the noble sort. Ya do’em proud, fer what ya did not too long ago.” She complimented, slowly taking step closer to him, but stopped when he tensed up. “Now we know what yer people are called… But what is yer name, sugarcube? Ya already know mine.”

Aythai’Vadam couldn’t explain it, but something was actually driving him to be honest with her and not lie. He could also sense himself trying to calm down, like her voice is actually soothing him. “I am Aythai’Vadam, of Clan Vadam… Stealth Leader to a Stealth Operation Squad, within the Covenant Empire.” Unfortunately, his natural adrenaline was wearing down, and the Sangheili felt the sharp pain within his left arm.

Applejack saw him flinch, realizing that Aythai’Vadam was injured. “Aythai, yer hurt… Let us calm down a bit, and allow me ta-!?”

“Gotcha!” Rainbow Dash yelled, as she slammed into the Sangheili at full speed! Neither of the two noticed that the daredevil was slowly getting closer, carefully, while the two of them talked. Unlike his fight at the hospital, the cyan mare had enough force to knock him over, and lose his weapon in the tumbling. “Not gonna let ya harm my friends, invader!”

Both of them rolled off to the side, while the needle rifle bounced away. “Rainbow Dash!” Twilight yelled, as the others quickly rushed over to separate them. The princess quickly grabbing hold of the cyan mare, wihile Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy; tried to hold Aythai’Vadam down. “Do you know how stupid that was!? Applejack almost had him calmed down enough to not be a threat!”

Rainbow Dash got out of her hold. “Yeah, but he’s hurt, and that means we can easily take him on!” She said, motioning how the other three were holding him down. “See? They’re actually-?”

Their eyes widen, as Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie; were sent flying past them and right against nearby trees. Both mares looked up, as an angry Aythai’Vadam stared down at them, their ears folding back. When he raised a fist up, they both prepared for a powerful blow… But Applejack pushed past them, and tackled the Sangheili, with all she had, before he could do such a thing. This caused the two of them to roll away from the others, trying to pin the other to the ground.

Applejack was able to win the dominate position, seeing how one of Aythai’Vadam’s arms was injured. However, she couldn’t pin the uninjured arm, and he quickly grabbed her by the throat! The mare scratched at his scaled hand, but his grip was too strong and she could barely breathe. “Applejack!” The eight, which included the spectating fillies, screamed.

Before they could make a move, Aythai’Vadam pressed he farm mare against his chest, and tightened his grip for a split second. “Another move, and I snap her neck!” He ordered, Applejack’s sudden choking stopping the five mares completely. The Sangheili kept his eyes on the mares, while he moved towards the needle rifle. Applejack barely watched, as Aythai’Vadam leaned over and regained his weapon.

When he picked it up, she shook her head while he aimed it towards her friends. “Y-Ya need t-ta stop, s-sugarcube.” She managed to say, as the Sangheili looked down at his hostage. “Ah ain’t ever been a-a liar… D-Don’t make me one! Ah k-know yer not bad.”

Aythai’Vadam looked into her pleading, emerald, eyes. He could practically hear them crying out, for him to stop what he was doing. For once, the stealth warrior actually questioned his actions, realizing there was no honor in what he was doing right now. When she saw his eyes soften, Applejack managed to smile while the Sangheili started to lower his weapon.

But Rainbow Dash took his actions the wrong way, saving her friend from the alien invader being the only thing on her mind. Aythai’Vadam caught her actions, seeing he cyan mare flying straight for him, and wasn’t going to be hit by her again. Applejack screamed for him to stop, everything going into slow motion, as the Sangheili lifted his needle rifle up.

“Enough!” A female voice boomed, causing them to stop dead in their tracks, as a golden and solar burst of energy exploded over their heads! All those present were forced to shield their eyes, Aythai’Vadam using his needle rifle to shield his and Applejack’s, as the energy expanded outwards and a regal figure appeared at its very center. Once it dimmed enough, but still kept the figure concealed, the group looked up. “Warrior… Release fair Applejack, immediately.”

The display of pure power, the likes that Aythai’Vadam has only seen from holy relics, dumbfounded him. Carefully, the Sangheili released Applejack, who took a deep breath of air, and fell to his knees. “C-Could it be?” He muttered, lower mandibles slack.

“Thank you, Warrior.” The voice wasn’t booming anymore, it sounded more motherly but still had a commanding tone in it. “Please, let hostilities end there.” The figure slowly descended to the ground, allowing herself to be revealed to them all.

The group, even Aytahi’Vadam, gasped as the pure white wings expanded out from the light first. Then came the abnormally long, white, horn going down to a flowing mane of green, blue, and pink. When her pure white coat was revealed golden glow around her, with the golden royal regalia; the Sangheili’s eyes widen in disbelief. Even her iconic sun cutie mark was stitched into her white robes, with golden threads. When her violet eyes went down to him, Aythai’Vadam acted like any Sangheili would…

Kicking his left leg up, and slamming his right fist into the ground, Aythai’Vadam lowered his head in a respective manner. “I-I am not worthy to be in the presence of you, almighty goddess… Though, your presence humbles this unworthy mortal. To see one of the Great Ones before me, now, greatly honors me and my ancestors, and I can die with honor at any time.” The being raised an eyebrow, smirking at his words.

Deciding that she can use his reaction, to her advantage, the pure white alicorn walked up to the Sangehili. She now stood in front of him, Aythai’Vadam lowered his head even further. “Tell me, Warrior, what is your name?” She asked.

“Aythai’Vadam, of Clan Vadam, Goddess.” He quickly answered.

The pure white alicorn nodded, glancing at the kneeling mares and fillies, then to Applejack, and back to the Sangheili. “Tell me, Aythai’Vadam, of Clan Vadam… Why do you attack my beloved subjects and faithful student?” She simply asked.

His eyes widen, before Aythai’Vadam looked up at the divine being. “T-Those are your children, Goddess?” The Sangheili asked, as she gave him a sagely nod. Instantly, Aytahi’Vadam placed his hands, knees, and forehead; on to the ground. “Please, Goddess! What might this unworthy sinner do to earn your divine forgiveness and mercy!?”

She nodded to him, while giving a motherly smile and placing a hand on both sides of his face. “There is, Aythai’Vadam. But, what I ask, may come hard for you.”

Aythai’Vadam gave a nod, her hands remaining on his face. “Name it, Goddess, and it will be done.”

“I ask that you defend Equestria, protecting my beloved subjects, in penitence for your transgressions… Until I release you or you are slain.” She offered, still holding her smile and regale look, the glow about her body holding.

Aythai’Vadam placed a fist over his heart, giving her a respective bow of his head. “Upon the Honor of my Clan and Ancestors… I, Aythai’Vadam, swear myself to your judgement and service!”

“And I…” She suddenly stepped away, releasing him, and the glow disappearing from her body. “Princess Celestia, accept your service.” The alicorn had a sly grin on her face, while the Sangheili had a dumbfounded “huh?” look on his own. Celestia looking down at Applejack. “Are you alright, Applejack?”

The farm mare nodded, not believing the underhanded, yet clever, trick she just witnessed. “Y-Yes, Princess… Just a bit bruised up, but ah’ll live.”

Celestia gave a nod, walking over to the other mares and three fillies. “How about all of you? Everypony alright? No pony is hurt, are they?” The mares shook their heads, as she looked to the fillies. “And you three? That manticore didn’t hurt you, did it?”

The three shook their heads. “N-no, Princess.” Applebloom spoke up, the other two nodding with her response, as they were somewhat awed by being in the presence of Equestria’s oldest princess. “The alien saved us, before the manticore coudla hurt us.”

Celestia nodded, smiling at what she told her. “Yes, you were quite lucky to have him protect you from such an awful creature.” She looked back at the, still, dumbfounded Sangheili, with a smile. “In fact, all of Equestria will benefit from having Aythai’Vadam’s protection now.”

That snapped the Sangheili out of his strange trance, and stand up with a snarl. “You! You dare have the gall to trick a Warrior of Sangheilios!?” Aythai’Vadam stood up and started to stride towards Celestia, anger in his thunderous steps. “You dare to trick me into giving you my loyalty!?”

Applejack quickly got in his way, holding both hands up. “Whoa, there, Aythai!” Her words actually stopped the Sangheili, both of her hands pressing against his scaled chest. Feeling his tense muscles made her blush, he was more defined than any stallion she’s ever known. The two of them starred into the other’s eyes, her emerald ones locked on to his oranges ones, and vice versa.

The connection broke, when Celestia spoke up. “I did no such thing.” She walked up to the two of them, the Sangheili growling while Applejack kept him back. “Thank you Applejack… Now, I never once said that I was one of your deities. You assumed this, and not once asked for my name.”

“Why, then, did you not stop me, hm?” Aythai’Vadam growled, looking down at Celestia while Applejack continued to press against his body and keep him away from the eldest Princess. “Why did you allow me to make such an oath?”

Celestia looked up at the Sangheili, her face having a passive smile on it. “I did not stop you, because Eqeustria needs a warrior, like you. One who has he honor you had just displayed.” She kept her gaze on his face. “I am not blind to the dangers that threaten my subjects, those who would use evil’s power to subjugate them and bend my beloved subjects to their will… I need a sword, one who will show no mercy to those that will do Equestria great harm.” She nodded to him. “Equestria needs you. I need you.” Celestia suddenly motioned to the mares and fillies around them. “They need you… Will a Warrior of Sangheilios forsake his honor, and abandon those who need him?”

Aythai’Vadam had to admit, Celestia knew how to be rather convincing to those around her. “A Sangheili never goes back on their word.” He growled, shaking his head, while Applejack stayed between them. “I am at your command, Princess.”

Celestia gave a nod, turning around. “Good, you will be needing your armor, along with the rest of your weapons.” She walked over to the mares. “He will also be needing a place to stay… Any volunteers?” But none of them spoke up or said a word. “No pony?” Celestia tilted her head, surprised that none of them actually took up such a chance, especially her ever curious faithful student.

“Ah’ll take’em in.” A sly smirk appeared on Celestia’s face, as she turned to look at Applejack. “Ah’ve already told’em, many times before, he’s welcomed at Sweet Apple Acres. Not ta mention, ah was the one who convinced the others ta help me rescue him, so he’s mah responsibility.” She looked up at the Sangheiili, and smiled at him while slightly tipping her hat… Aytahi’Vadam nodding to her, respecting the mare’s answer.

“Ah, thank you very much, Applejack.” Celestia smiled at her, nodding, before she looked back up at Aythai’Vadam. “Now, is there anything else you will be needing? Besides your armor and weapons, of course.”

Aythai’Vadam looked at the white alicorn, before he gave a nod. “Yes, I need to get the Phantom, the ship I crashed in, to this Sweet Apple Acres. I can use it as a base of operations, along with a recharge station for any equipment, armor, or weapons, I manage to scavenge.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow, the moment he mentioned scavenging things that belonged to his people. “Question, did you come from that really big ship, which was destroyed a week ago?”

Aythai’Vadam nodded. “Yes, I was… Why?”

“Then I have some grand news for you, along with a lovely gift!” Celestia gave a rather excited smile. “My Royal Guard Scouts report that a large portion of that ship crash landed in the Ghastly Gorge nearby. I had the area secured and quarantined, until we had more information. The place is rather dangerous, for ponies… Not for Sangheili.”