Fallen Angelby voroshilovChaptersThe GatesRoyaltyNightmareThe Mercy SeatThe GatesThe black becomes light again, my eyes open and feeling returns to my body. No longer do I wear my uniform, instead a robe of white, my hair has returned, black and flowing in an un-felt wind. I stand upon a cloud, gold stretches before me and the Gates of Heaven, I feel the Lord calling to me from within, encouraging me to come closer. I was never a religious man, but one seeks out God when in peril, what else did I have to lose? I drew nearer, the pearly gates towering above me, they opened immediately, perhaps Saint Peter had already been told of my arrival. I passed into Heaven then, I felt no different, maybe a little warmer, but no different inside. I continued towards the voice, which increased in volume only slightly as I went, it was barely a whisper in my mind, but I knew just what it was. He wasn't far, barely a hundred steps now, his throne drew into view, the finest gold stretching up into eternity. I slowed, walking slowly now, I kept my head low, only my feet and the cloud below in my vision. I saw the edge of the throne in my vision, and kneeled before it, I dared not look up, if only to preserve my sense of unworthiness. "Rise," came a female voice from barely a metre away, I froze. God spoke to me, directly, he...no she, told me to rise, God had declared me worthy to see her. I rose slowly from my knee, and looked towards the Lord in all their glory. Instead of the God of popular myth, no human stood there. A winged unicorn stood there, gloriously white with prismatic mane flowing in the same breeze that affected my own hair. She was around the same height as I, but her aura far exceeded anything I had ever seen. Her glory was near blinding, golden light brighter than the sun was her corona, her voice alone carried the authority of her station. My jaw quivered, my breath was stolen and no words could be spoken from my mouth: I was stood as equal before god. "Do not worry," she began, voice melodic and more beautiful than any sound I had ever heard, "I am a friend." Despite her intentions, her words simply made me hurt, my insides burned and eyes stung, my brain pounded at my head and my legs fell out from under me. I wept before the Lord's throne. To my surprise, the Lord sat beside me, her wing crossing my back and embracing my shoulder. She nuzzled my neck gently, "I know you told no lies. It's okay, cry all you need to." So I did. I do not know how long it was, I released every ounce emotion I had bottled up for my entire life, yet she was with me the whole time, and helped greatly to calm the tides of feeling I felt for the first time in years. When I finally stopped weeping, my eyes were more red than white, my hands were sodden and my face was raw, but she helped clean my face, with her own wing. She had expressed more kindness than anyone I have ever known, even the priest who had been my only real companion in the prison. She displayed more care for me than I would have expected from even god. "I'm sorry," I choked, my voice hoarse from the weeping. I looked straight into the eyes of god, and realised she had been crying with me. She had felt my pain, my suffering and my loss, she had empathised with me and had released her pain with mine. My eyes stung, and I still hurt physically, but emotionally I was healed of any and all wounds, for the first time ever I was free and perhaps even happy. We stood there, God and I, for barely a moment, but it felt longer than any number of years, my hands shook, and my mouth turned to a smile. Now it was I who embraced the Lord, she was quick to reciprocate, "thank you," I whispered, incapable of making my voice any louder. She weeps onto my shoulder, and I barely hold back my own tears as she does so, now I support her. We pull apart after several minutes, my shoulder sodden, she has finally expended whatever tears she had, her eyes are now red like my own, her coat drenched just like my own face. She breathes ragged breaths, composes herself and looks to me again. She smiles with me, "come," she says, and gestures for me to follow her up the golden steps. I ascend right next to her, only looking forwards and upwards, my emotional defences too weak to look her way or back down the steps again. We reach the summit, a golden platform with only a modest wooden door atop it. We walk to the door and she places her hoof on the handle and turns to me, "do you wish to follow?" she asks, her voice recovered far beyond my own. "Of course." She nods and smiles, before turning the handle on the door and gesturing for me to enter, I do so, and she follows. I emerge in a large room, with surprisingly sparse furnishings, only two armchairs and a table surround the fireplace on the left wall, with the rest of the room being completely empty. The walls are the most beautiful marble, with golden patterns twinkling in the sun entering through the two windows that flank one made of stained glass showing the lord above a group of ponies, who all bow or play happily in a meadow. There is a simplistic beauty in it, contrasted with the opulence of the walls and intricately patterned red carpet of the floor. She stands next to me, her face speaks of apologies that I would never ask for, as though she feels my loss cannot be covered by this room alone. I silence any fears she may have quickly, "this place is beautiful," she looks to me, smiling, evidently relieved. I walk to one of the chairs, collapsing into it's inviting form, and sleep...Perchance to dream. RoyaltyWhen I woke, on the comfortable old armchair, I had thought the past year of my life a mere dream. Perhaps I was still a free man, not an innocent one condemned to death. Had my meeting with the lord merely been a figment of my imagination? I cleared the last vestiges of sleep from my eyes and rose, drinking in my surroundings. No, I hadn't been dreaming, it had all really happened. I had been put to death, and taken in by the lord to live in heaven evermore. But this did not feel like heaven, it felt like a palace, one fit for a king, but not the lord's realm. I looked around, searching for something I would never be able to see. The double doors at the end of the room opened, and the god I had met the day prior stepped through, horn glowing with a golden light, a similarly glowing tray of tea following her. I did not question it, she was god after all, and god is capable of anything, including levitating tea. She walked to me with grace, and brought her tray of tea to a halt on the small table between the two chairs, she smiled and gestured for me to sit. I relaxed immediately, the chair was exactly right, neither too soft nor too rigid, and the faint smell of the tea made it even better. She levitated a cup to me, which I took thankfully, before taking a seat herself and setting the grate ablaze. I drank of it's contents greedily, I hadn't drunk anything beyond water in a year, and the tea was exquisite. I could say many things about the glory of god, but never had thought 'makes brilliant tea' would be amongst those things, in a way it helped relax me more, she was a normal person, or pony. "How did you sleep?" She asked, sipping her own tea. "Better than I have in years," I answered, "but how long was I asleep?" Her face contorted in thought for a moment, before settling on an answer: "three days." I almost spat out my tea. "Three days," I said in disbelief, all that time on the hard prison bed had evidently ruined me, so that old chair was akin to the most luxurious bed when compared to it. But despite this, I could not believe I had been asleep for three whole days. "Yes," she chuckled, "you had me a little worried at first, but you were just fine it seems." I laughed back, finishing my tea with a triumphant swing, these past few days had done wonders it seemed, I had clearly recovered from all that had ailed me. My physical condition had also improved greatly, no longer was I pained and I could speak without a tearing feeling in my throat. My face had also healed, there was a raw feeling no longer. I had begun to fully return to how I was before my arrest. I looked to her, still sipping her tea like a noble would, "what is your name?" I asked her, it seemed like such a simple question, but to ask the name of god is much more than just a simple question. "Princess Celestia," she answered, to my confusion, "but you can just call me Celestia." I frowned, she was a princess? Princess of what? Surely she was god, the lord of all, not a simple princess. "Princess of where?" I asked, the foundations of my belief over the past year slowly crumbling before logic. "Equestria, where you are now in fact," she spoke of such obviousness to her, "why?" I took me a moment to gather my thoughts, was not she god? Was not she the very same being I had placed my faith in? Surely not by how she spoke, perhaps she was not god after all. "I...I..." I stuttered, mouth refusing to speak what I thought, "I thought you were god." She laughed. "There are some of my ponies who do believe that, but I'm no god. I'm just a princess," She took another sip of her tea, chuckling as she did so. "Then how did you bring me here?" I questioned, faith in a god shattering as I did so, assailed on all sides. "With magic of course," she spoke as though I had just forgotten something obvious, but it was the killing blow that shattered all faith I had had. I had been lied to, perhaps with no malignant intentions, and perhaps only to spare my sanity from the approaching doom I had faced, but lied to nonetheless. I sunk into the chair, remembering the times before, I had been faithless then and been just fine so there was no reason for any sadness. Correct, my brain asserted, although I still need to find out why I am here. It made a good point. "Why did you bring me here?" I asked, looking to here with reserved eyes. "Well I knew I had to save you, nothing is worse than an innocent being punished for something they didn't do. But I also brought you here to ask you something," I could see her tense, as though she was unwilling to go on. "I would like to recruit you," she began, "to work for Equestria, to work as our bulwark against the darkness. You don't have the same ties as ponies have, so I believe that you're the ideal candidate." I froze, bulwark against the darkness? She wanted me to be her country's protector? I was a fighter, perhaps, but I was no soldier, no superhero. I could fight, yes, but not against someone trained or actually armed. I was hesitant, of course I was, who wouldn't be, but I did feel I owed her, and her country seemed like it was worth protecting with my life if she was anything to go by. "I can hardly fight," I admitted to her, "so I don't know how much use I could be. But I'll do it." I had left a world not worth fighting for, mankind had so much good left in it, but Earth was ruled by tyrants and villains, not worth sacrificing anything to protect. Equestria, from what I could gather, was ruled by the most caring creature I had ever met which only boded well for the ordinary citizen. "Thank you," she seemed genuinely gracious of my acceptance, "Tell me, what is your name?" "Gideon, Gideon Law." "Gideon Law, welcome to Equestria." Princess Celestia spent months teaching me everything about Equestria, from it's ancient history to the intricacies of it's current governance. She told me of the Royal Guard and of the formation of Equestria millennia prior. However, it took her some time to explain the stories of her and her sister. According to not only her, but also scientific textbooks on the matter, she had ruled Equestria for centuries, alongside her sister Princess Luna. What she explained next took some getting used to: Firstly, there was Discord, the supposed embodiment of chaos who managed to wrest control of the nation from Celestia and Luna and bring about a reign of absolute chaos, and a literal rain of chocolate. Celestia and Luna had stood up to Discord, and, after a lengthy battle, cast him to stone and set his statue in the palace gardens. This was hard enough to believe, then she started speaking of her and her sister's jobs as rulers. She stated that it was her job as ruler to raise the sun and bring the day, then her sister's to raise the moon and bring the night. Of course, I questioned her on this, speaking of my understanding of heliocentric theory and gravity from physics classes, she responded by saying it was "just how things are". I decided to ignore all science for these lectures after that, besides, she was magical, right? She then, painfully I may add, explained the story of her sister's betrayal. The ponies, who slept at night, "shunned" the night and it's ruler, Luna. Luna's resent transformed her physically and mentally to form "Nightmare Moon", a wicked villain who sought to shroud the world in eternal night, you didn't need science to understand why that was a bad idea. Celestia explained that, after fighting her for weeks, she eventually utilised the full power of magical artefacts known as the "Elements of Harmony", which she had previously used to turn Discord to stone, to banish her sister to the moon. She banished her to the moon? Her sister had been up on the moon for almost a millennia, alone, I could only begin to imagine what that would feel like, at least in prison I had some company, even if it was mostly bad. Celestia explained how sorrowful she felt, but also that she knew she had to do so, as a prophecy had foretold of a group of six friends who would use the magic of friendship to destroy the evil within her. That confused me, as it would anyone else. She then told me that on the thousand year anniversary of Nightmare Moon's banishment, the spell that bound her to the moon would finally break and she would return to Equestria to seek revenge, and that would be when the prophesied six would arise and claim the Elements of Harmony to banish Nightmare Moon and bring Luna back. It seems I would have my work cut out for me. NightmareThey say that absolute power corrupts absolutely. I used to believe I understood this, world leaders on Earth always seemed up to shady things, but everyone knew that yet never stopped them. Yet it was only my coming to Equestria that really affirmed the quote to me. Princess Luna, once the co-ruler of Equestria, had been corrupted by the bitterness that her night was unappreciated, but I now knew that it was just part of a wider problem. Her powers had assisted in the corruption of her mind, the abilities she had taken for granted had been her downfall. In the past five years, I had been gradually trained and equipped to be Equestria's hidden defence. The few members of Celestia's Royal Guard I had interacted with had reacted with hostility at first, but gradually our relationships evolved into either friendships or professional respect. Foremost amongst them was Captain Shining Armour, he was my "handler" and instructed me on operations in pony society. He had taught me more about Equestrian customs than even Princess Celestia, and me and him were good friends even outside the office, not that I ever really left aside from on missions. The only ponies I ever really interacted with outside of work were the Princess, her butler and Shining Armour and his family. Every month or so Shining and his mother and father would visit the Canterlot Palace and would play cards and just relax with myself and the Princess. "So," Shining began, only slightly tipsy, "I heard little Twily's in Ponyville." His body swayed on his chair, like a slow centrifuge. "Indeed," Princess Celestia sipped from a teacup that everyone knew full well was full of red wine, unlike Shining, however, she could handle her liquor, "she has one last task to accomplish for me." If I didn't know Celestia I'd have thought that was very sinister. She then pulled out a bottle of vintage whiskey, placing it onto the table and giving me a very satisfied looking smirk. "Special day?" I asked, only slightly hesitant. "Somewhat," she answered, popping the bottle open and and pouring out a glass for everyone except me. I cast a confused look her way and all I got was a mouthed reply: 'I'll tell you after'. I shrugged, best enjoy the evening anyways. I continued drinking from my bottle of cider and laughed the hours away. As Shining and his family left, Celestia came to me. "I am sorry you couldn't enjoy the drink with us, but I have a vital mission for you tonight." I nodded, "what is it you require?" "Tonight is the night, Gideon, the night she returns," I knew instantly of whom she spoke: Nightmare Moon, "I need you to go to Ponyville and ensure that Twilight Sparkle and her newfound friends are unharmed during the course of their recovery of the Elements of Harmony, you are to ensure that no outside force can influence the Element's location and use, Twilight and her friends must be allowed to do this alone. Are your orders clear?" "Yes ma'am," it was all formalities at this point, Princess Celestia would officially present me with orders, and I would accept as an agent of Equestria, "for Equestria, it shall be done." I had added that part, it seemed only natural. Celestia nodded, and I left at once to gather my equipment. A black cloak, custom-crafted armour allowing for mobility and protection, a crossbow and enchanted bolts and an enchanted gladius. I had performed such protective operations before, they were simple in reality: stick to the shadows, do not attack anything unless it drew too close, and even then incapacitate rather than kill. This time would be different, however, from what I knew about Nightmare Moon she would likely send some sort of magical constructs after my charges. Thus explaining my choice of armament. Everything I had was enchanted for stealth, boots with runes that would silence my every step, a cloak that would mask my sounds and smell. I slipped on my belt, covered in various magical artefacts and rune sigils I was capable of using with the magical battery packs made specially for me. I left through the back passage of the room, travelling through a network of caves before arriving at the Canterlot Railway Station, so far undetected by anyone. I slipped beneath the train just departing, clinging to the chassis of the furthest front passenger car. It was an uncomfortable ride, granted, but one I had gotten used to. When I arrived the hour was drawing late, I had not much time to get to a position before the time Celestia had informed me Nightmare Moon would return. I saw the final preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration, oh how shocked would they be when their party was cut short. I traversed the streets in silence, before scrambling up the town hall building, aided by my enchanted gloves, which stuck to the walls better than any claws or glue. I passed through an unlocked trapdoor in the ceiling, so that I was now in the rafters of the quaint building, a welcome change from the opulence of Canterlot's palace district. There were several dozen ponies below, and I recognised my charges immediately. Six ponies, so different yet so alike, I recognised instantly Twilight Sparkle, Shining's little sister, I would not fail my friend by allowing his sister to come to harm. A beige pony, the Mayor I gathered, stepped up to give a speech, "any minute now," I muttered, eyes scanning the room. There were about a half dozen Royal Guards there, fat load of good they'd do, I groaned internally. For all of Shining's merits, the ponies under his command were often as smart as a brick wall but fell like wet tissue paper, the fact that Shining had still been capable of winning campaigns despite his forces' total incompetency said something of the stallion's stratagems. I'd always disliked the guard, not all of them mind, some were good soldiers and worked well, but the rank and file were often noble fools only in the job for the status they were provided. Then came the mayor's speech, I couldn't care less for the contents, so blocked them out entirely, my eyes continued their search of the room, before I fixed on a glowing blue mist moving into the room. Nightmare! I rose from my position, crossbow loaded and ready in an instant, gladius on standby. I was in full hunter mode now, I noticed how every movement slowed and could feel the adrenaline coursing through me, it was an incredible feeling, and one I had felt many a time before. Nightmare materialised from the fog, a large pony, around my height give or take an inch, she was, in a word, magnificent. But also, I knew, very very dangerous. Still, I couldn't help but be captivated by her, her mane was majestic, twinkling with what I could see were various stars and Equestrian constellations. Her armour was also graceful yet powerful looking, like a true warrior leader. I shook off these thoughts, "cut away these useless things, get your head in the game", I muttered the mind clearing spell, the only one I was capable of performing after extensive training from Celestia. My mind was instantly clearer, no thoughts clouded my judgement or the planning of my next actions, everything unrelated to the task at hand was filed away for later. "Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces," Nightmare Moon's voice was incredible, it carried such gravitas that even I could not help but be in awe over it. One of Twilight's friend, the rainbow maned mare pegasus Rainbow Dash, tried to fly to fight her, "appreciate your willingness, kid. But stand down, let the professional handle this," I muttered internally, expectantly looking to the Royal Guards, who I would be very disappointed with if they failed to disappoint. "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?" More murmuring down below, I was no bat, I couldn't hear that far, especially with all of the background noise. "Does my crown no longer count, now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?" Nightmare seemed genuinely confused now, me too friend, me too. I saw Twilight speaking to the giant pony, she must be standing up for herself. Good for her. "Well well well, a pony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here..." Oh this can't be good. "Remember this day little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth...the night...will last... forever!" Then everything went to hell. The Guards had performed admirably, that is providing an amusing spectacle as they threw themselves at the alicorn and got hit with bolts of lightning. "Nice job, idiots." Nightmare Moon had retreated, somewhat, from what I could gather she was now in the Everfree, and Twilight and her friends were going to go and find her. The group had spent a while inside the carved out tree that was Twilight's library and temporary home, they had emerged with a sense of direction, somewhat anyways. The Castle of the Two Sisters, former home of Luna and Celestia before the Nightmare, that would be the most likely place she would head. Twilight seemed to realise this too, although I was somewhat surprised she even knew of the castle, and led her friends into the forest. I followed close behind, sticking to the cover of the forest and ensuring that the Everfree's many creatures could not harm the group. I silenced a cockatrice, slicing it's throat and burying it's head in a mound of dirt. Little was actually capable of harming me here, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious, especially when nobody actually knows you're here. I continued slinking through the forest, keeping a close eye on the group, until a rumbling cut me off my stride and sent me tumbling into a ditch. I pulled myself from the ditch, scrambling as the dirt began to break off from the walls of the ditch in my hands. I heard from behind a growling noise, a pack of timberwolves emerged from the forest, eyes glowing maliciously. I drew my sword, ready to fight, until I realised the timberwolves' intentions. One came to me, a cub, no larger than my arm, and started rubbing against me. It made the most pathetic sounds, almost as though it was crying. I lifted it carefully, seeing the sharp implement in it's underbelly; it looked somewhat like a piece razor wire, that explained the poor wolf's pain. With utmost care and speed, I removed the shard of wire, brushed off the wound, and released the young timberwolf back to it's pack. They continued to approach, and I felt sure they would attack, before the largest of their number bowed it's head to me, then turned and left, back into the forest from whence they had come. I was in shock, timberwolves were friendly now? It was certainly not the strangest of things to happen that night, but it could be considered the most unexpected. But I had not the time, I had to rejoin Twilight's group and ensure they go to their destination safely. Only problem was: they were gone. I took me ten minutes of aimless wandering through the forest to gather my bearings and formulate a plan. I would head to the Castle of the Two Sisters, there I would work to ensure Twilight and her friends were able to reach the element safely. When I finally arrive at the castle, all I see is a blanket of thick fog on the other end of the gorge surrounding it. My crossing is made easy by my various enchantments, allowing me to glide across the fog as though it were flooring. There, encompassed by the fog, stand four pegasi, I recognise one: Rainbow Dash. The other three appear like the Wonderbolts, Equestria's stunt squadron, except their suits are darker. The pegasi appeared to be conversing, before Rainbow Dash turned and began fixing up the bridge across the gorge. One of the other pegasi unsheathes a blade, and readies to strike Rainbow's unprotected neck. I rise to the challenge, catching it's knife with my gladius and casting down the first pegasi, who simply collapses into a purple mist, followed by it's fellows. Before Dash can notice me, I shroud myself in the fog, appearing as nothing more than a silhouette of a rock through it. Twilight and her friends cross the bridge and make their way inside the castle. Job well done. I decided it best to scale the castle, make my own way inside. I had no trust for the machinations of the dark mare I had seen earlier, so better to be safe than sorry. As I climb the main tower, I hear shouts coming from within, there is a slight sobbing and then a triumphant shout: "The element of... magic!" The resulting flash partially blinds me, and I am left climbing with only one eye open, which is quite a feat. With the sunrise at my back I enter the tower, crossbow and gladius in hand and rush to meet the Nightmare. Only there is another. An alicorn, unmistakably Princess Luna, much smaller than Nightmare Moon, sits on her knees before Twilight's group, all now bearing magical necklaces that I can only assume are the Elements of Harmony. I aim my crossbow to her head, yet my arm wavers, I cannot bring myself to execute someone, not even one who I knew could be evil. I lowered my crossbow and sighed. With the sunrise behind me came Princess Celestia, I gave her a simple nod stood back as she conversed with Twilight. I ignored the conversation, more fixated on the night princess in the centre of the room, had not moments ago she been Nightmare Moon? Most evil creature in Equestria. Now she was but a wounded child, redeemed by magic. Celestia called her name, and she let out a gasp, she must have thought Celestia would end her there. "We were meant to rule together, little sister." The Princesses had reconciled, or were atleast on their way to. Twilight and her friends had been protected and the Elements of Harmony had new bearers. Plus, I had made friends with some timberwolves. Today had been a good day. "Princess?" "Yes, Twilight?" "Who's that?" The lavender unicorn pointed her hoof to me, an expression of confusion on her face. Princess Celestia looked to me, almost in disappointment, and encouraged me to answer for myself. "Gideon," I said simply, "I'm Celestia's...friend." That seemed to placate her, with Luna's return certainly helping to distract. I slipped out through the tower's window as soon as no one was looking, and began my walk back to Canterlot. Content in a job well done. The Mercy SeatAuthor's Note This chapter is inspired by this song The Mercy Seat For my whole life I had said: "I am not afraid to die", of course I had never suspected anything like this to happen. Blamed for the deaths of those I had never met, for trespassing off of the trail set for man by the lord, they said. It had taken them days, to list that of which I was accused. I told no lies, there was no proof or motive. Yet I am to die, like the Lord from the past, death comes to the innocent man. Maybe god will accept me, I think I can hear his voice now, it speaks from all forms, to me and me alone. They lead me down the tiled hall, three of them, batons in hand, faces attempting to hide grief. They lead me to the final room, the end of the hall, fitting really. No memories flash before me, no final wave of pain before death. They lead me to the seat of wood and metal, a single tear rolls down my face, unnoticed by me, but only exacerbating their torment. I rise to the chair and sit and the masked man straps me in, his hands are shaking and I can see just from his eyes he believed my story, but what is a mere man against justice? I looked to the stranger from my place, and nodded, his arm shook before he stepped down from the platform. There were five in the room, two guards, the executioner, and the priest and myself in the chair. The priest blesses my final passage, I simply nod, God has not forsaken me, but man has, and who am I to fight man's will. Another enters, the warden, I can see from his face he is enjoying seeing me like this, shackled to the seat of death. "Any last words?" His words drip poison, a wicked grin begins to spread on his face, delighting in the suffering he believes I feel. "There was no proof, I would never tell a lie." One could assume it was a last ditch attempt to absolve myself, but I just wanted them to hurry up, to free me of the torment of life. The warden smiles again, and waves his hand nonchalantly before stepping back, gesturing to the executioner to begin. The masked man reaches for the lever on the far wall, he closes his eyes, the priest mutters a prayer, the guards all look down and the warden smiles more broadly. I know I have nothing else to lose, so this is more a final push along the road, soon I shall be at the gates to heaven, free from man's judicious killing. He pulls the lever, my head sparks and glows, fire sprouts from my shaved head and my uniform smokes. Everyone appears shocked for a second, before my vision goes black and my body goes limp. I sit there for a microsecond, before my world becomes nothing... I would never tell a lie. I was not afraid to die.
The GatesThe black becomes light again, my eyes open and feeling returns to my body. No longer do I wear my uniform, instead a robe of white, my hair has returned, black and flowing in an un-felt wind. I stand upon a cloud, gold stretches before me and the Gates of Heaven, I feel the Lord calling to me from within, encouraging me to come closer. I was never a religious man, but one seeks out God when in peril, what else did I have to lose? I drew nearer, the pearly gates towering above me, they opened immediately, perhaps Saint Peter had already been told of my arrival. I passed into Heaven then, I felt no different, maybe a little warmer, but no different inside. I continued towards the voice, which increased in volume only slightly as I went, it was barely a whisper in my mind, but I knew just what it was. He wasn't far, barely a hundred steps now, his throne drew into view, the finest gold stretching up into eternity. I slowed, walking slowly now, I kept my head low, only my feet and the cloud below in my vision. I saw the edge of the throne in my vision, and kneeled before it, I dared not look up, if only to preserve my sense of unworthiness. "Rise," came a female voice from barely a metre away, I froze. God spoke to me, directly, he...no she, told me to rise, God had declared me worthy to see her. I rose slowly from my knee, and looked towards the Lord in all their glory. Instead of the God of popular myth, no human stood there. A winged unicorn stood there, gloriously white with prismatic mane flowing in the same breeze that affected my own hair. She was around the same height as I, but her aura far exceeded anything I had ever seen. Her glory was near blinding, golden light brighter than the sun was her corona, her voice alone carried the authority of her station. My jaw quivered, my breath was stolen and no words could be spoken from my mouth: I was stood as equal before god. "Do not worry," she began, voice melodic and more beautiful than any sound I had ever heard, "I am a friend." Despite her intentions, her words simply made me hurt, my insides burned and eyes stung, my brain pounded at my head and my legs fell out from under me. I wept before the Lord's throne. To my surprise, the Lord sat beside me, her wing crossing my back and embracing my shoulder. She nuzzled my neck gently, "I know you told no lies. It's okay, cry all you need to." So I did. I do not know how long it was, I released every ounce emotion I had bottled up for my entire life, yet she was with me the whole time, and helped greatly to calm the tides of feeling I felt for the first time in years. When I finally stopped weeping, my eyes were more red than white, my hands were sodden and my face was raw, but she helped clean my face, with her own wing. She had expressed more kindness than anyone I have ever known, even the priest who had been my only real companion in the prison. She displayed more care for me than I would have expected from even god. "I'm sorry," I choked, my voice hoarse from the weeping. I looked straight into the eyes of god, and realised she had been crying with me. She had felt my pain, my suffering and my loss, she had empathised with me and had released her pain with mine. My eyes stung, and I still hurt physically, but emotionally I was healed of any and all wounds, for the first time ever I was free and perhaps even happy. We stood there, God and I, for barely a moment, but it felt longer than any number of years, my hands shook, and my mouth turned to a smile. Now it was I who embraced the Lord, she was quick to reciprocate, "thank you," I whispered, incapable of making my voice any louder. She weeps onto my shoulder, and I barely hold back my own tears as she does so, now I support her. We pull apart after several minutes, my shoulder sodden, she has finally expended whatever tears she had, her eyes are now red like my own, her coat drenched just like my own face. She breathes ragged breaths, composes herself and looks to me again. She smiles with me, "come," she says, and gestures for me to follow her up the golden steps. I ascend right next to her, only looking forwards and upwards, my emotional defences too weak to look her way or back down the steps again. We reach the summit, a golden platform with only a modest wooden door atop it. We walk to the door and she places her hoof on the handle and turns to me, "do you wish to follow?" she asks, her voice recovered far beyond my own. "Of course." She nods and smiles, before turning the handle on the door and gesturing for me to enter, I do so, and she follows. I emerge in a large room, with surprisingly sparse furnishings, only two armchairs and a table surround the fireplace on the left wall, with the rest of the room being completely empty. The walls are the most beautiful marble, with golden patterns twinkling in the sun entering through the two windows that flank one made of stained glass showing the lord above a group of ponies, who all bow or play happily in a meadow. There is a simplistic beauty in it, contrasted with the opulence of the walls and intricately patterned red carpet of the floor. She stands next to me, her face speaks of apologies that I would never ask for, as though she feels my loss cannot be covered by this room alone. I silence any fears she may have quickly, "this place is beautiful," she looks to me, smiling, evidently relieved. I walk to one of the chairs, collapsing into it's inviting form, and sleep...Perchance to dream.
RoyaltyWhen I woke, on the comfortable old armchair, I had thought the past year of my life a mere dream. Perhaps I was still a free man, not an innocent one condemned to death. Had my meeting with the lord merely been a figment of my imagination? I cleared the last vestiges of sleep from my eyes and rose, drinking in my surroundings. No, I hadn't been dreaming, it had all really happened. I had been put to death, and taken in by the lord to live in heaven evermore. But this did not feel like heaven, it felt like a palace, one fit for a king, but not the lord's realm. I looked around, searching for something I would never be able to see. The double doors at the end of the room opened, and the god I had met the day prior stepped through, horn glowing with a golden light, a similarly glowing tray of tea following her. I did not question it, she was god after all, and god is capable of anything, including levitating tea. She walked to me with grace, and brought her tray of tea to a halt on the small table between the two chairs, she smiled and gestured for me to sit. I relaxed immediately, the chair was exactly right, neither too soft nor too rigid, and the faint smell of the tea made it even better. She levitated a cup to me, which I took thankfully, before taking a seat herself and setting the grate ablaze. I drank of it's contents greedily, I hadn't drunk anything beyond water in a year, and the tea was exquisite. I could say many things about the glory of god, but never had thought 'makes brilliant tea' would be amongst those things, in a way it helped relax me more, she was a normal person, or pony. "How did you sleep?" She asked, sipping her own tea. "Better than I have in years," I answered, "but how long was I asleep?" Her face contorted in thought for a moment, before settling on an answer: "three days." I almost spat out my tea. "Three days," I said in disbelief, all that time on the hard prison bed had evidently ruined me, so that old chair was akin to the most luxurious bed when compared to it. But despite this, I could not believe I had been asleep for three whole days. "Yes," she chuckled, "you had me a little worried at first, but you were just fine it seems." I laughed back, finishing my tea with a triumphant swing, these past few days had done wonders it seemed, I had clearly recovered from all that had ailed me. My physical condition had also improved greatly, no longer was I pained and I could speak without a tearing feeling in my throat. My face had also healed, there was a raw feeling no longer. I had begun to fully return to how I was before my arrest. I looked to her, still sipping her tea like a noble would, "what is your name?" I asked her, it seemed like such a simple question, but to ask the name of god is much more than just a simple question. "Princess Celestia," she answered, to my confusion, "but you can just call me Celestia." I frowned, she was a princess? Princess of what? Surely she was god, the lord of all, not a simple princess. "Princess of where?" I asked, the foundations of my belief over the past year slowly crumbling before logic. "Equestria, where you are now in fact," she spoke of such obviousness to her, "why?" I took me a moment to gather my thoughts, was not she god? Was not she the very same being I had placed my faith in? Surely not by how she spoke, perhaps she was not god after all. "I...I..." I stuttered, mouth refusing to speak what I thought, "I thought you were god." She laughed. "There are some of my ponies who do believe that, but I'm no god. I'm just a princess," She took another sip of her tea, chuckling as she did so. "Then how did you bring me here?" I questioned, faith in a god shattering as I did so, assailed on all sides. "With magic of course," she spoke as though I had just forgotten something obvious, but it was the killing blow that shattered all faith I had had. I had been lied to, perhaps with no malignant intentions, and perhaps only to spare my sanity from the approaching doom I had faced, but lied to nonetheless. I sunk into the chair, remembering the times before, I had been faithless then and been just fine so there was no reason for any sadness. Correct, my brain asserted, although I still need to find out why I am here. It made a good point. "Why did you bring me here?" I asked, looking to here with reserved eyes. "Well I knew I had to save you, nothing is worse than an innocent being punished for something they didn't do. But I also brought you here to ask you something," I could see her tense, as though she was unwilling to go on. "I would like to recruit you," she began, "to work for Equestria, to work as our bulwark against the darkness. You don't have the same ties as ponies have, so I believe that you're the ideal candidate." I froze, bulwark against the darkness? She wanted me to be her country's protector? I was a fighter, perhaps, but I was no soldier, no superhero. I could fight, yes, but not against someone trained or actually armed. I was hesitant, of course I was, who wouldn't be, but I did feel I owed her, and her country seemed like it was worth protecting with my life if she was anything to go by. "I can hardly fight," I admitted to her, "so I don't know how much use I could be. But I'll do it." I had left a world not worth fighting for, mankind had so much good left in it, but Earth was ruled by tyrants and villains, not worth sacrificing anything to protect. Equestria, from what I could gather, was ruled by the most caring creature I had ever met which only boded well for the ordinary citizen. "Thank you," she seemed genuinely gracious of my acceptance, "Tell me, what is your name?" "Gideon, Gideon Law." "Gideon Law, welcome to Equestria." Princess Celestia spent months teaching me everything about Equestria, from it's ancient history to the intricacies of it's current governance. She told me of the Royal Guard and of the formation of Equestria millennia prior. However, it took her some time to explain the stories of her and her sister. According to not only her, but also scientific textbooks on the matter, she had ruled Equestria for centuries, alongside her sister Princess Luna. What she explained next took some getting used to: Firstly, there was Discord, the supposed embodiment of chaos who managed to wrest control of the nation from Celestia and Luna and bring about a reign of absolute chaos, and a literal rain of chocolate. Celestia and Luna had stood up to Discord, and, after a lengthy battle, cast him to stone and set his statue in the palace gardens. This was hard enough to believe, then she started speaking of her and her sister's jobs as rulers. She stated that it was her job as ruler to raise the sun and bring the day, then her sister's to raise the moon and bring the night. Of course, I questioned her on this, speaking of my understanding of heliocentric theory and gravity from physics classes, she responded by saying it was "just how things are". I decided to ignore all science for these lectures after that, besides, she was magical, right? She then, painfully I may add, explained the story of her sister's betrayal. The ponies, who slept at night, "shunned" the night and it's ruler, Luna. Luna's resent transformed her physically and mentally to form "Nightmare Moon", a wicked villain who sought to shroud the world in eternal night, you didn't need science to understand why that was a bad idea. Celestia explained that, after fighting her for weeks, she eventually utilised the full power of magical artefacts known as the "Elements of Harmony", which she had previously used to turn Discord to stone, to banish her sister to the moon. She banished her to the moon? Her sister had been up on the moon for almost a millennia, alone, I could only begin to imagine what that would feel like, at least in prison I had some company, even if it was mostly bad. Celestia explained how sorrowful she felt, but also that she knew she had to do so, as a prophecy had foretold of a group of six friends who would use the magic of friendship to destroy the evil within her. That confused me, as it would anyone else. She then told me that on the thousand year anniversary of Nightmare Moon's banishment, the spell that bound her to the moon would finally break and she would return to Equestria to seek revenge, and that would be when the prophesied six would arise and claim the Elements of Harmony to banish Nightmare Moon and bring Luna back. It seems I would have my work cut out for me.
NightmareThey say that absolute power corrupts absolutely. I used to believe I understood this, world leaders on Earth always seemed up to shady things, but everyone knew that yet never stopped them. Yet it was only my coming to Equestria that really affirmed the quote to me. Princess Luna, once the co-ruler of Equestria, had been corrupted by the bitterness that her night was unappreciated, but I now knew that it was just part of a wider problem. Her powers had assisted in the corruption of her mind, the abilities she had taken for granted had been her downfall. In the past five years, I had been gradually trained and equipped to be Equestria's hidden defence. The few members of Celestia's Royal Guard I had interacted with had reacted with hostility at first, but gradually our relationships evolved into either friendships or professional respect. Foremost amongst them was Captain Shining Armour, he was my "handler" and instructed me on operations in pony society. He had taught me more about Equestrian customs than even Princess Celestia, and me and him were good friends even outside the office, not that I ever really left aside from on missions. The only ponies I ever really interacted with outside of work were the Princess, her butler and Shining Armour and his family. Every month or so Shining and his mother and father would visit the Canterlot Palace and would play cards and just relax with myself and the Princess. "So," Shining began, only slightly tipsy, "I heard little Twily's in Ponyville." His body swayed on his chair, like a slow centrifuge. "Indeed," Princess Celestia sipped from a teacup that everyone knew full well was full of red wine, unlike Shining, however, she could handle her liquor, "she has one last task to accomplish for me." If I didn't know Celestia I'd have thought that was very sinister. She then pulled out a bottle of vintage whiskey, placing it onto the table and giving me a very satisfied looking smirk. "Special day?" I asked, only slightly hesitant. "Somewhat," she answered, popping the bottle open and and pouring out a glass for everyone except me. I cast a confused look her way and all I got was a mouthed reply: 'I'll tell you after'. I shrugged, best enjoy the evening anyways. I continued drinking from my bottle of cider and laughed the hours away. As Shining and his family left, Celestia came to me. "I am sorry you couldn't enjoy the drink with us, but I have a vital mission for you tonight." I nodded, "what is it you require?" "Tonight is the night, Gideon, the night she returns," I knew instantly of whom she spoke: Nightmare Moon, "I need you to go to Ponyville and ensure that Twilight Sparkle and her newfound friends are unharmed during the course of their recovery of the Elements of Harmony, you are to ensure that no outside force can influence the Element's location and use, Twilight and her friends must be allowed to do this alone. Are your orders clear?" "Yes ma'am," it was all formalities at this point, Princess Celestia would officially present me with orders, and I would accept as an agent of Equestria, "for Equestria, it shall be done." I had added that part, it seemed only natural. Celestia nodded, and I left at once to gather my equipment. A black cloak, custom-crafted armour allowing for mobility and protection, a crossbow and enchanted bolts and an enchanted gladius. I had performed such protective operations before, they were simple in reality: stick to the shadows, do not attack anything unless it drew too close, and even then incapacitate rather than kill. This time would be different, however, from what I knew about Nightmare Moon she would likely send some sort of magical constructs after my charges. Thus explaining my choice of armament. Everything I had was enchanted for stealth, boots with runes that would silence my every step, a cloak that would mask my sounds and smell. I slipped on my belt, covered in various magical artefacts and rune sigils I was capable of using with the magical battery packs made specially for me. I left through the back passage of the room, travelling through a network of caves before arriving at the Canterlot Railway Station, so far undetected by anyone. I slipped beneath the train just departing, clinging to the chassis of the furthest front passenger car. It was an uncomfortable ride, granted, but one I had gotten used to. When I arrived the hour was drawing late, I had not much time to get to a position before the time Celestia had informed me Nightmare Moon would return. I saw the final preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration, oh how shocked would they be when their party was cut short. I traversed the streets in silence, before scrambling up the town hall building, aided by my enchanted gloves, which stuck to the walls better than any claws or glue. I passed through an unlocked trapdoor in the ceiling, so that I was now in the rafters of the quaint building, a welcome change from the opulence of Canterlot's palace district. There were several dozen ponies below, and I recognised my charges immediately. Six ponies, so different yet so alike, I recognised instantly Twilight Sparkle, Shining's little sister, I would not fail my friend by allowing his sister to come to harm. A beige pony, the Mayor I gathered, stepped up to give a speech, "any minute now," I muttered, eyes scanning the room. There were about a half dozen Royal Guards there, fat load of good they'd do, I groaned internally. For all of Shining's merits, the ponies under his command were often as smart as a brick wall but fell like wet tissue paper, the fact that Shining had still been capable of winning campaigns despite his forces' total incompetency said something of the stallion's stratagems. I'd always disliked the guard, not all of them mind, some were good soldiers and worked well, but the rank and file were often noble fools only in the job for the status they were provided. Then came the mayor's speech, I couldn't care less for the contents, so blocked them out entirely, my eyes continued their search of the room, before I fixed on a glowing blue mist moving into the room. Nightmare! I rose from my position, crossbow loaded and ready in an instant, gladius on standby. I was in full hunter mode now, I noticed how every movement slowed and could feel the adrenaline coursing through me, it was an incredible feeling, and one I had felt many a time before. Nightmare materialised from the fog, a large pony, around my height give or take an inch, she was, in a word, magnificent. But also, I knew, very very dangerous. Still, I couldn't help but be captivated by her, her mane was majestic, twinkling with what I could see were various stars and Equestrian constellations. Her armour was also graceful yet powerful looking, like a true warrior leader. I shook off these thoughts, "cut away these useless things, get your head in the game", I muttered the mind clearing spell, the only one I was capable of performing after extensive training from Celestia. My mind was instantly clearer, no thoughts clouded my judgement or the planning of my next actions, everything unrelated to the task at hand was filed away for later. "Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces," Nightmare Moon's voice was incredible, it carried such gravitas that even I could not help but be in awe over it. One of Twilight's friend, the rainbow maned mare pegasus Rainbow Dash, tried to fly to fight her, "appreciate your willingness, kid. But stand down, let the professional handle this," I muttered internally, expectantly looking to the Royal Guards, who I would be very disappointed with if they failed to disappoint. "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?" More murmuring down below, I was no bat, I couldn't hear that far, especially with all of the background noise. "Does my crown no longer count, now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?" Nightmare seemed genuinely confused now, me too friend, me too. I saw Twilight speaking to the giant pony, she must be standing up for herself. Good for her. "Well well well, a pony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here..." Oh this can't be good. "Remember this day little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth...the night...will last... forever!" Then everything went to hell. The Guards had performed admirably, that is providing an amusing spectacle as they threw themselves at the alicorn and got hit with bolts of lightning. "Nice job, idiots." Nightmare Moon had retreated, somewhat, from what I could gather she was now in the Everfree, and Twilight and her friends were going to go and find her. The group had spent a while inside the carved out tree that was Twilight's library and temporary home, they had emerged with a sense of direction, somewhat anyways. The Castle of the Two Sisters, former home of Luna and Celestia before the Nightmare, that would be the most likely place she would head. Twilight seemed to realise this too, although I was somewhat surprised she even knew of the castle, and led her friends into the forest. I followed close behind, sticking to the cover of the forest and ensuring that the Everfree's many creatures could not harm the group. I silenced a cockatrice, slicing it's throat and burying it's head in a mound of dirt. Little was actually capable of harming me here, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious, especially when nobody actually knows you're here. I continued slinking through the forest, keeping a close eye on the group, until a rumbling cut me off my stride and sent me tumbling into a ditch. I pulled myself from the ditch, scrambling as the dirt began to break off from the walls of the ditch in my hands. I heard from behind a growling noise, a pack of timberwolves emerged from the forest, eyes glowing maliciously. I drew my sword, ready to fight, until I realised the timberwolves' intentions. One came to me, a cub, no larger than my arm, and started rubbing against me. It made the most pathetic sounds, almost as though it was crying. I lifted it carefully, seeing the sharp implement in it's underbelly; it looked somewhat like a piece razor wire, that explained the poor wolf's pain. With utmost care and speed, I removed the shard of wire, brushed off the wound, and released the young timberwolf back to it's pack. They continued to approach, and I felt sure they would attack, before the largest of their number bowed it's head to me, then turned and left, back into the forest from whence they had come. I was in shock, timberwolves were friendly now? It was certainly not the strangest of things to happen that night, but it could be considered the most unexpected. But I had not the time, I had to rejoin Twilight's group and ensure they go to their destination safely. Only problem was: they were gone. I took me ten minutes of aimless wandering through the forest to gather my bearings and formulate a plan. I would head to the Castle of the Two Sisters, there I would work to ensure Twilight and her friends were able to reach the element safely. When I finally arrive at the castle, all I see is a blanket of thick fog on the other end of the gorge surrounding it. My crossing is made easy by my various enchantments, allowing me to glide across the fog as though it were flooring. There, encompassed by the fog, stand four pegasi, I recognise one: Rainbow Dash. The other three appear like the Wonderbolts, Equestria's stunt squadron, except their suits are darker. The pegasi appeared to be conversing, before Rainbow Dash turned and began fixing up the bridge across the gorge. One of the other pegasi unsheathes a blade, and readies to strike Rainbow's unprotected neck. I rise to the challenge, catching it's knife with my gladius and casting down the first pegasi, who simply collapses into a purple mist, followed by it's fellows. Before Dash can notice me, I shroud myself in the fog, appearing as nothing more than a silhouette of a rock through it. Twilight and her friends cross the bridge and make their way inside the castle. Job well done. I decided it best to scale the castle, make my own way inside. I had no trust for the machinations of the dark mare I had seen earlier, so better to be safe than sorry. As I climb the main tower, I hear shouts coming from within, there is a slight sobbing and then a triumphant shout: "The element of... magic!" The resulting flash partially blinds me, and I am left climbing with only one eye open, which is quite a feat. With the sunrise at my back I enter the tower, crossbow and gladius in hand and rush to meet the Nightmare. Only there is another. An alicorn, unmistakably Princess Luna, much smaller than Nightmare Moon, sits on her knees before Twilight's group, all now bearing magical necklaces that I can only assume are the Elements of Harmony. I aim my crossbow to her head, yet my arm wavers, I cannot bring myself to execute someone, not even one who I knew could be evil. I lowered my crossbow and sighed. With the sunrise behind me came Princess Celestia, I gave her a simple nod stood back as she conversed with Twilight. I ignored the conversation, more fixated on the night princess in the centre of the room, had not moments ago she been Nightmare Moon? Most evil creature in Equestria. Now she was but a wounded child, redeemed by magic. Celestia called her name, and she let out a gasp, she must have thought Celestia would end her there. "We were meant to rule together, little sister." The Princesses had reconciled, or were atleast on their way to. Twilight and her friends had been protected and the Elements of Harmony had new bearers. Plus, I had made friends with some timberwolves. Today had been a good day. "Princess?" "Yes, Twilight?" "Who's that?" The lavender unicorn pointed her hoof to me, an expression of confusion on her face. Princess Celestia looked to me, almost in disappointment, and encouraged me to answer for myself. "Gideon," I said simply, "I'm Celestia's...friend." That seemed to placate her, with Luna's return certainly helping to distract. I slipped out through the tower's window as soon as no one was looking, and began my walk back to Canterlot. Content in a job well done.
The Mercy SeatAuthor's Note This chapter is inspired by this song The Mercy Seat For my whole life I had said: "I am not afraid to die", of course I had never suspected anything like this to happen. Blamed for the deaths of those I had never met, for trespassing off of the trail set for man by the lord, they said. It had taken them days, to list that of which I was accused. I told no lies, there was no proof or motive. Yet I am to die, like the Lord from the past, death comes to the innocent man. Maybe god will accept me, I think I can hear his voice now, it speaks from all forms, to me and me alone. They lead me down the tiled hall, three of them, batons in hand, faces attempting to hide grief. They lead me to the final room, the end of the hall, fitting really. No memories flash before me, no final wave of pain before death. They lead me to the seat of wood and metal, a single tear rolls down my face, unnoticed by me, but only exacerbating their torment. I rise to the chair and sit and the masked man straps me in, his hands are shaking and I can see just from his eyes he believed my story, but what is a mere man against justice? I looked to the stranger from my place, and nodded, his arm shook before he stepped down from the platform. There were five in the room, two guards, the executioner, and the priest and myself in the chair. The priest blesses my final passage, I simply nod, God has not forsaken me, but man has, and who am I to fight man's will. Another enters, the warden, I can see from his face he is enjoying seeing me like this, shackled to the seat of death. "Any last words?" His words drip poison, a wicked grin begins to spread on his face, delighting in the suffering he believes I feel. "There was no proof, I would never tell a lie." One could assume it was a last ditch attempt to absolve myself, but I just wanted them to hurry up, to free me of the torment of life. The warden smiles again, and waves his hand nonchalantly before stepping back, gesturing to the executioner to begin. The masked man reaches for the lever on the far wall, he closes his eyes, the priest mutters a prayer, the guards all look down and the warden smiles more broadly. I know I have nothing else to lose, so this is more a final push along the road, soon I shall be at the gates to heaven, free from man's judicious killing. He pulls the lever, my head sparks and glows, fire sprouts from my shaved head and my uniform smokes. Everyone appears shocked for a second, before my vision goes black and my body goes limp. I sit there for a microsecond, before my world becomes nothing... I would never tell a lie. I was not afraid to die.
