Chapters Prologue - The Gift of Life
Ponyville, Equestria
Around Eight PM.
It was quiet in Ponyville, as expected of a town of its size in the evenings. A few ponies were in the streets, heading to their evening destinations or home. Lights were winking out in buildings across the village, and the lamps were coming to life.
In this stood the Castle of Friendship, home of Twilight Sparkle. She had her assistant, the young dragon Spike, were cleaning up their dinner dishes after a meal with their friends, the Elements of Harmony.
As they cleaned and loaded the crystalline plates, glasses, and utensils into the dishwasher, Twilight Sparkle perked up suddenly.
"What's up?" Spike asked.
"I've got a weird feeling, all of a sudden." Twilight replied, turning off the faucet. "Like something big's going to happen soon."
"Don't tell me you're getting a Pinkie Sense of your own, Twi." Spike replied.
"Well, it's not like the Pinkie Sense at all." Twilight smirked slightly. "This isn't as complex as her precognitive abilities. This is more...like a gut feeling."
"Really?" Spike asked, now curious. "Like what?"
"I have a feeling that in the morning, we're going to be dealing with something big." Twilight said quietly. "But I don't know what that might be."
"Well, as you said, we can deal with it in the morning." Spike reassured. "Let's get to bed."
Twilight closed the dishwasher using her magic and followed Spike upstairs to their shared bedroom. Both were soon sound asleep as the castle's lights dimmed automatically in an arcane manner, one of its many quirks.
However, had they stayed awake for a few more minutes, they would've seen four pulses of white light appear in the Everfree, near the old castle of the two sisters.
====
Suzaku Kururugi felt numb all over. His eyes refused to open, and he struggled to regain his consciousness at first. Eventually, his stamina returned to him, and he opened his eyes.
As he peered down at himself, his eyes widened in shock. His human body had changed into one more akin to an equine, with a tan coat. His eyes and hair were unchanged, but what suprised him the most was the tattoo or marking on his flank, along with the wings on his sides.
It portrayed a shield surrounded by pale flowers on the foreground of a star. As he struggled to his feet, or now hooves, he noticed something lying nearby.
The object in question was a shortsword made from steel. Its handle was a pale gray and carved in the shape of a lion, with a simple ovular handguard. Inscribed on the blade was a picture of something Suzaku did not expect.
The engraving looked like the activation keycard for the Lancelot Albion, the combat mecha he had once piloted. Suzaku took the blade, and slung it over his shoulder. As he looked around, he could see the castle he was in had certainly seen better days. The bricks were cracked and worn, and the structure itself looked like it had been ransacked at some point.
Suzaku shook his head and began to walk around the area, finding that many of the doors were locked or wouldn't open.
Then, he saw her. Another equine with a female shape lay in the middle of a courtyard, her coat a pale tan, sporting both wings and a horn. But what he recognized was her even-toned pink mane and its distinct style. Only one person had those features, the one person he cared for the most.
Euphemia…Euphie...
As he lunged forwards and dropped down to her side, Suzaku quickly checked over her body for any sign of injury, like a Knight was supposed to. To his relief, there were none to be found. As he leaned back in elation, he heard a whisper.
"S...Suzaku?"
He looked down to see she was awake, her purple eyes staring at him in a mix of shock, relief, and love. She hesitantly got up before throwing herself into his embrace. While it felt awkward to do it like he was, it was one he never wanted to let go from.
"Euphie…" he said quietly. "You're alive...how? Do you know what happened to us? Where we are?"
She shook her head no.
"The last thing I remember was seeing your face in the hospital aboard the ship...then, now." Euphie replied. "That doesn't matter, though, are you okay?"
Suzaku nodded in reply, gently helping his Princess to stand upright. As they came together, Suzaku suddenly tightened up at the sound of footsteps coming their way. As he spun around and took a defensive stance, his new sword at the ready, he could hear a voice.
"Now who the hell are you?"
The voice in question came into view, which turned out to be two more equines. The first had a horn and wings like Euphie, only she seemed a little younger than her. Her mane was a mixture of yellow, blue, and white in an intricate pattern. Her pale blue eyes showed her youth and grace.
The other, a male like Suzaku, was a bit older than himself, with a more toned frame. He wore a red mask that reminded Suzaku of a raging wildfire, with a dark blue cape. An ornated decorated Katana lay on his back, with the pommel shaped like a drill. his dark eyes and tan coat on a blue-red mane radiated energy and action.
As they glanced at each other, the male came forward.
"Well, this is strange." he said. "But I guess we're in the same boat as you?"
"And what boat is that?" Suzaku asked.
"Just woke up as an equine with no recollection of why or how?" the stranger replied. Suzaku lowered his sword, and nodded.
"Well, damn." he replied. "Guess we should introduce ourselves?"
"Yeah, you first." Suzaku said, a bit more warily than he meant to be.
"Fine. I'm Simon. This is Nia." Simon said. "You?"
"Suzaku Kururugi." Suzaku replied. "This is Euphemia, or Euphie for short."
"Nice to meet you both." Nia said. "But, now what do we do? We can't stay here forever."
As if to accent her point, there was a howl of an animal in the distance. Suzaku and Simon looked at each other, and then their respective swords before nodding.
"So, you got any ideas?" Simon asked.
"Yeah…" Simon motioned over to a window overlooking the forest below. In the distance was a faint cluster of lights, and the four realized it was a distant town or settlement.
"Well, I guess we go there and try to find help." Euphie said. "We can share our stories later when we're out of this forest and in a safe locale."
"Agreed." Simon added. "Well, let's get a move on."
====
As the four of them exited the castle, they didn't notice three shapes in the clouds come closer. in fact, the shapes were Lunar Guard Chariots, bearing the Princess of the Night and two groups of her guards.
The reason for their presence was the occurrence of several pulses of magical energy that both Princess Luna and Princess Celestia had sensed. These pulses were best described as ripples in a pond from a thrown stone. Normally, the figurative stone would be small and their effects negligible.
But these pulses were unlike that. In this case, the thrown stone wasn't a stone, but a boulder being cast into the lake, not in total but for each individual pulse. When the ripples hit Canterlot, Luna had immediately sprung to action on her sister's advice.
Because the last time such a power had disturbed them...let's just say that it had originated from a dire threat to Equestria, and the Princesses weren't keen on fighting that battle again anytime soon.
As the Chariots came closer, the sound of wings flapping startled the four strange ponies, who spun around at the noise. As the Chariots landed, Princess Luna's eyebrows shot upwards at the sight of the two alicorns in the group. Their male counterparts, both pegasi, were either very protective of them or romantically involved, she reasoned, judging by their protective stances.
Luna motioned for her Guards to stand down and approached them, the two males raising their eyebrows in surprise and shock.
"Who are you?" the younger male asked. "What do you want?"
"Peace, I assure you." Luna replied, recognizing that they were armed. "I am Princess Luna of Equestria, mistress of the Night. Are you four in need of aid?"
"You could say." the other male replied. "So that's where we are, Equestria?"
"Indeed." Luna replied. "I would ask where you are from for you to not know of it, but the Everfree Forest is not the place to be at night. If you'll come with me, I can take you to shelter in Canterlot, where I can hear your stories, among other necessary undertakings. Is that to your liking?"
"Very much so, yes." said the older alicorn. "I'm Euphemia Li Britannia, though I just prefer Euphie. This is my Knight, Suzaku Kururugi."
"I'm Simon, and this is Nia Teppelin." Simon added. "Well, Princess Luna, lead the way."
Luna beckoned to the lead Chariot, and as the four of them boarded, Luna took the helm. They ascended into the sky, and began the flight back to Canterlot as the moon reached the highest point in the night sky.
Author's Note
Yeah, I've been wanting to do this for a while.
As the Chariots flew through the night sky towards the city on the mountainside, Suzaku and Euphie sat in the lead chariot with Princess Luna, Simon, and Nia. As he kept a tight hold on his Princess, Euphie looked up at him with a worried yet curious expression.
"Suzaku?" she asked. "Are you okay?"
"Just wondering if this thing is safe." he said. "Not anything like the ships back home, that's for sure."
"If you are wondering, Mr. Kururugi…" Princess Luna spoke up. "These Chariots are perfectly safe. They are also equipped with a magical field that catches anything that would fall out of it, from cargo to passengers. I assure you we will be fine."
"Good to hear." Simon said. "But, damn, look at that view."
Suzaku and Euphie looked over the railing and saw the Equestrian countryside shrouded in the peaceful veil of night. The stars flickered and danced in the sky, and the moon watched over the landscape like a peaceful guardian.
Suffice to say, Suzaku let the sight fill his eyes and relax his soul. Euphie gently brought his head down to hers, and placed her forehead against his. Though initially wary because of her horn, the physical feeling of the expression made Suzaku feel at ease, like he could relax for the first time in quite a while.
He was about to close his eyes and nearly drift off when the chariots landed in Canterlot's Royal Gardens. As Princess Luna led the two couples inside, the doors to the garden closed behind them without a sound.
====
As the five of them walked through Canterlot Castle, Suzaku looked around and surveyed all that he could. The Castle was certainly expansive, from what he could tell. There were quite a few sidepaths and doors branching off their route, and Suzaku was quite impressed.
"Here we are, my study and office." Luna said as she opened the door to the aformentioned room. "Sit down and make yourselves comfortable. I'll have a meal brought up for you."
"Thank you, Princess Luna." Euphie smiled. "For all you've done."
"As my sister would say, the modern term for my reply would be "don't mention it"." Luna replied. "I'll be right back."
As she left the room, Simon laid back against a nearby sofa and stretched his legs, while smirking at feeling his joints pop and stretch to a satisfying level. Nia soon rested against his chest, and they came into a warm embrace.
Suzaku, by this time, was feeling drowsy, and prepared to lie down to the side. However, Euphie soon moved his sleepy form closer to her, and she likewise laid down next to him, drawing a hoof over his shoulder.
After about ten minutes of relaxing, Princess Luna returned with a cart full of simple meals and small snacks, along with water and other drinks. As the four of them roused themselves enough to eat and drink, Princess Luna poured herself a glass of wine.
"This is good." Simon said, eating a plate of noodles in a simple white sauce. "Real good. Haven't had a meal like this in a while."
"Indeed." Euphie added. "Suzaku?"
"Yeah." her Knight replied, tearing off a piece of bread before nodding to affirm Simon's statement. As they finished, Luna looked at them before speaking.
"I would like to ask for your stories, but I believe I have kept you from rest for long enough." she said. "I'll show you to your chambers in the Guest Wing."
As the four of them nodded and got to their hooves, Princess Luna led them a short distance to a set of twin guest chambers. The paired bedroom and living areas on the left and right attached onto a main room in the middle. As Simom and Nia took the left set of rooms, Suzaku and Euphie took the right set.
"I'll fetch you all for breakfast with my sister, Princess Celestia, in the morning." Luna said. "Until then, sleep well. However, I must ask you to refrain from exiting these chambers until I can fetch you"
"Why, may I ask?" Nia requested.
"Just so you don't get lost or assumed to be an intruder." Luna said. "Mostly security rationale on my sister's part. There are washrooms in each wing. I now bid you goodnight."
As Princess Luna departed, the two groups parted ways. After stowing their swords in a closet, Simon and Suzaku rejoined Nia and Euphie. Though there were two beds in each room, both couples decided to share one bed with their partner. As soon as they were in bed and comfortable, both couples were sound asleep, their dreams calm and peaceful.
====
In the morning, as Princess Celestia raised the Sun over Equestria, Suzaku and Euphie were gently roused by the pale light in the windows, and the song of birds in the nearby trees in the garden. Suzaku pulled himself up, and upon seeing Euphie still sleeping peacefully, beamed brightly.
Soon, Euphie awoke and planted a kiss to Suzaku's cheek, and they both got out of bed. As they entered the main room of their suite, Simon and Nia greeted them.
"Well, morning, you two." Simon said. "Ready for the day?"
"Yeah, and thank you for asking." Suzaku replied. "Euphie, you okay?"
"I'm just fine, Suzaku." she smiled. At that, Princess Luna walked in, along with another alicorn who had to be Princess Celestia. After a brief set of introductions, they followed the two rulers of Equestria into a dining room, already set for six places. As they all sat down, several ponies wheeled in three carts of breakfast-ready food and drink.
As they began to eat and drink, Princess Celestia cleared her throat.
"Luna has told me what she knows of you." she said. "But there are several things that will require an explanation on your parts. I and my sister would like to know who you are, where you come from, and what brought you to Equestria."
"Sure thing." Suzaku said, with Euphie, Simon, and Nia nodding as well. "But this might take a while. And even then, I'm still not sure of a few things on my part."
"I suppose we can start." Euphie said. "I'm Euphemia Li Britannia, Princess of the Holy Britannian Empire…"
Author's Note
Update!
Next chapter should be soon.
Chapter 2 - Tales to be Told
Celestia and Luna, the twin Princesses of Equestria, had seen way too many amazing things in their immortal lives, and heard just about as many stories of a similar, wondrous facet.
But after Euphie and Suzaku, followed by Simon and Nia, told them of their worlds, personal lives, and deaths in three cases, both Princesses were of the opinion that these stories blew all the others out of the water by a considerable margin.
And now, as they ate a delicious lunch served by the staff, Celestia had to admit, the two couples were something else entirely than anything she had ever dealt with before.
"So, Simon?" Luna asked. "Did you actually use entire galaxies, full of planets, stars, and other celestial bodies, which are immeasurably massive...as weapons?"
"Yep." Simon affirmed. "Believe me, I still can't believe the power that Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann had. But you can't argue with the results."
"I suppose you can't." Luna replied. "Now, onto more some more…pressing business."
"Like what?" Euphie asked.
"Such as where you will be staying for the foreseeable future." Celestia smirked. "But seeing as there's only one culpable option given your history and experiences, we'll just have to work with it as we go."
"And what is that option?" Suzaku asked.
"The town of Ponyville." Celestia replied. "My former student and Princess of Magic, Twilight Sparkle, lives there along with the Elements of Harmony. It's medium-sized and populated, yet it's enough out of the way that anyone that's nosy enough to look wouldn't find you there. Plus, I already made accommodations for you. I asked Twilight if I could borrow her twin guest rooms for a time, but…"
"But what?" Nia asked.
"She wanted to know why I needed them first." Celestia said. "And once I did and swore her to total secrecy, she said that they'd be ready when you arrive."
"That's good to hear." Suzaku replied. "Thank you for all you've done for us, Princess."
"It's no problem, Suzaku." Celestia smiled. "Now then…"
Then, there was a series of knocks on the door in a pattern that Celestia recognized. The twin couples watched Celestia's face take an annoyed expression as she sent a beam of light at the door.
"That was a shielding and reinforcement spell." Luna told the two couples. "It seems...he's…awake and has something to complain about, as always. Here's hoping he can't bust the door down again."
"And who exactly is this?" Simon asked, recognizing that whoever "he" was, he wasn't well-respected.
"My honorary nephew." Celestia frowned, before her horn glowed again. "What is it, Blueblood?"
"I have something to discuss with you, Aunt Celestia." a haughty voice replied. "May I enter?"
"I'm busy at the moment." Celestia replied. "A matter of great importance."
"Is it perhaps the strange ponies that came in last night? The ones that I keep hearing about in the rumors from the staff?" Blueblood replied, the doorknob rattling.
"I have not heard such rumors." Celestia replied calmly.
"There's apparently two unknown female alicorns in the company of a pair of pegasi somewhere in the castle." he replied. "Do you know anything about this?"
"And how would you know?" Luna interjected.
"I have my sources."
Celestia rolled her eyes with a scoff.
"Blueblood, I am in no position to entertain rumors." Celestia sighed, frustrated. "I will say it simply and only once, go away."
"But I must know the truth! Open the door!" was the pleading reply. Celestia then smiled and opened the door. Before Blueblood could even catch a fleeting glimpse of Nia, Simon, Euphie, and Suzaku, the door slammed shut and was locked for good measure.
"There. I opened the door." she spoke, suppressing a laugh, along with everyone else once they realized the humor in her actions.
"That's not funny." Blueblood growled. "Why can't you be straight with me?"
"Because I know what you're after." Celestia said. "And if you must know, nephew, both of the mares in the company my Sister rescued are spoken for. So don't get your hopes up."
There was silence.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Tartarus take you, Blueblood!" Luna bellowed in an exceedingly loud voice that made the two couples cover their ears in an instant. "Begone!"
"But…"
"No buts. NOW!" Luna roared, as her horn glowed. There was a flash from outside room that appeared under the door, then silence.
"What did you just do?" Nia asked timidly.
"I dealt with him for a time." Luna replied proudly.
"You teleported him into the Plaza Fountain?" Celestia deadpanned. "Just like the other nobles who annoy you on a near-weekly basis?"
"Yes." Luna replied. "But he deserved it."
"I actually agree with you in this case, unlike the others." Celestia sighed, before turning to their guests. "Let's get you to Ponyville. We don't have much time before my nephew barges back in here, and he won't be happy."
As Celestia teleported herself, Nia, Simon, Suzaku, and Euphie away to Ponyville, Luna smirked as Blueblood smashed the door down, himself soaking wet and quite angry. Before he could say a single word, Luna again teleported him once again into the Plaza Fountain with a smile.
And outside, his scream of fury could be heard throughout the city, followed by Luna's howling laughter.
====
As Celestia and her guests reappeared, the four of them saw that they were inside a crystalline castle, shaped like a tree. At least, that's what they thought based on what they could see.
"Twilight?" Celestia called out. "Are you here?"
"Yep!" a pleasant and rather intelligent sounding voice spoke up. "Spike and I are coming!"
Then, another alicorn, this one with a lavender coat and a purple mane and tail with a pink stripe appeared on the stairwell.
"You're Princess Twilight?" Suzaku asked.
"Yes." Twilight replied. "This is Spike, my number-one assistant."
Spike gave a casual wave, which everyone returned.
"So, the guest rooms are upstairs on the left." Twilight said. "Is there anything else you needed?"
"Not that I can think of." Suzaku replied.
"In that case, I'll leave you here for now." Celestia replied. "If you do need anything, Twilight and Spike can tell me. Farewell for now."
As Celestia disappeared in another flash of light, Twilight and Spike brought the two couples upstairs to their rooms.
"So, Twilight?" Simon asked, looking at the Katana on his back. "You got anywhere I can keep this?"
"And this as well?" Suzaku replied, looking down at his broadsword. "We can't exactly keep swords on us all the time here."
"That's a good point." Twilight said. "Here, I have an idea."
As she pulled a side door open, the room inside was revealed to be a room full of shelves and storage chests. Twilight placed both swords on a mounted shelf before returning to the group.
"So, now I suppose I could introduce you to my friends." Twilight said. "They're a rather colorful bunch, but I wouldn't give them up for anything."
Before they could reply, Spike then received a letter bearing Celestia's seal.
"What's that about?" Simon asked.
"Dunno, but she was just here. What could've happened during the time she left and now?" Spike asked, opening and reading the letter. "Oh, that's just brilliant."
"I take it that was sarcastic?" Euphie asked, catching Spike's tone.
"Yeah, Blueblood's on his way here, now." Twilight replied, looking at the letter. "Somehow he knows that you're here, and he's got his entourage with him. He's apparently got the whole city of Canterlot in a frenzy looking for you."
"Damn." Simon cursed, as he grabbed his katana and tossed Suzaku his longsword"Nia, stick close to me."
"You too, Euphemia." Suzaku added, Euphie recognizing that he used her full name, which was when he was acting as her Knight, not her lover. As knocks on the door came from downstairs, they headed downstairs to face the inevitable.
As Nia and Euphie stood behind Simon and Suzaku, Prince Blueblood barged in.
"Ah, I presume you are the ones that caused such a stir in the castle?" he asked. "I am Prince Blueblood of Canterlot. My pleasure to meet you."
"I would say the same, but from what I've heard about you, I'd rather not." Suzaku replied.
Blueblood huffed quietly in surprise and annoyance.
"My, such hostility. What have I done to offend you?" he asked.
"Trying to break down the door on our meeting with Princesses Celestia and Luna, and following us here for the same effect." Simon growled. "I don't know what you're up to, bud, but I don't like it one bit. You should learn to take a hint."
"And you should show respect to those in superior standing." Blueblood replied. "What of the alicorns? Are either of you in need of a husband? I believe you might be, am I correct? Or are those two pegasi just there for pleasant company?"
Both Suzaku and Simon drew their swords in an instant and made furious moves towards Blueblood, along with Euphie and Nia close behind. Unfortunately, somepony else was faster in her own movement towards him.
As Blueblood was hoisted into the air by a golden magical aura, Celestia came into the room with a furious scowl.
"I told you quite simply earlier, nephew. They are already spoken for." Celestia replied. "Sheathe your blades, you two. I will handle this...personally"
As Celestia dragged Blueblood out and once again teleported away, Euphie and Nia sighed in relief and soon sat down next to their loved one.
"Suzaku?" Euphie asked quietly. "Can we talk in private?"
Suzaku nodded and they headed upstairs together to their room, Euphie not daring to stray too far from her Knight's side.
Author's Note
Update!
Next time - Euphie and Suzaku speak about what happened and reestablish their relationship as Suzaku pledges himself to her as her Knight once again, and the Elements show up at Twilight's request to meet them along with Nia and Simon.
Also, a Pinkie Pie-hosted party occurs, and more character development.
EDIT (10-22-19) Fixed chapter name and placement.
