The Reluctant Protector

The day was spent with me and Celly in my bed in the medical wing of the palace. She was grading papers from her school. That’s, ‘Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns'. The one Lyra had to drop out of because of her horn. I spent the day with my head on Celestia’s chest, dozing on and off and giving feedback on some essays whilst I was awake. Although this scenario was brought about by horrible circumstances, I was happy. How could I not be? I had my wife next to me, her breathing and occasional humming acting like a metronome to lull the worries away, and the thoughts of an insectoid race of monsters infiltrating the… Country? Government? Whichever… Was put to the side for a bit.

There was a knock on the door that stirred me from resting my eyes and Celestia said in a musical voice, “Come in!” The door opened slowly to reveal Lyra. She entered just as slowly as she opened the door and turned to close it over but left a crack open. I could see from my position on the bed just how nervous she was as she approached. Her hands trembling as she clutched some papers and her knees practically knocking together. “Hello, Lyra.” Celestia greeted. Although I couldn’t see her face, I could hear the warm smile through her words.

Lyra did her best to mirror the smile but it quickly dissolved. “H-hello, Princess.”

“Please, Lyra. Whilst we are not in public, feel free to call me Celestia.”

Lyra nodded and the atmosphere in the room took a turn for the awkward. The papers in Lyra’s hands rustling. I cleared my throat. “Is everything alright, Lyra?”

Her eyes locked on my face. “Hmm? Oh! Umm…” She shifted her weight from one hoof to the other and looked to Celestia.

“It’s alright.” Celestia said. Giving her the invitation to speak freely. This was strange. It wasn’t like Lyra. She had no problem speaking her mind in the past… So, what changed?

Changeling.

I scrunched my eyes and thought back. The room in the dungeon. Lots of ponies where present for my little breakdown. Lyra was there. I brought my hand up to my head, in an attempt to sooth the pain that came with the memory. “Artemis, are you okay?” Celestia asked.

“Y-yeah.” I replied, convincingly. “Just a headache.” I could feel the waves of disapproval washing over me. “Lyra, it’s okay. Just… Just say what you came here to say.” That came across a little more forceful than what I meant. Lyra shrunk in more on herself. Great.

“W-Well I, I have the reports for you A-Artemis.” She said holding the papers out slightly.

Reports? “Reports?”

“Y-yeah… Um… Y’know, because I’m your student? I was supposed to give you weekly reports on my thoughts and what I learned and… Stuff.”

I sighed and closed my eyes. My head not leaving Celly’s chest. “Lyra, I admire your dedication. But I’ve been out of it for three weeks. I would have let you off writing them. These are extenuating circumstances after all.”

“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. But then Twilight said that… That, um…”

My eyes opened at the name ‘Twilight’, and I looked to Lyra. “That what?”

“T-That it would… I-Impress you.”

I sighed. Louder this time, and sat up. “Honey?” I asked Celestia. “Would you mind giving me and Lyra a few minutes? I could actually use a cup of tea too if you wouldn’t mind.”

Celestia smiled, sat up and kissed the top of my head. “Of course, what kind would you like?”

I smiled back. “Surprise me.” She nodded and stood to leave the room. As she passes Lyra, their eyes met and she gave my student a meaningful look. Lyra gave an almost imperceptible nod. Interesting, what’s going on there?

Changelings.

I smacked my forehead hard. Ouch. “Are you okay?” Lyra asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I tiredly responded. “Just still a bit out of it.” I turned to the side table and poured myself and Lyra a glass of water from the glass pitcher. “You can put the papers here.” I said, motioning to the same table. She approached slowly and leaned forward with just enough reach to put the papers down. The end of them drooping over the side. Very interesting. “Here.” I said holding out the glass of water to her. “Drink.”

She gave a nervous smile. “Um… no. T-That’s okay, I’m not really that thirsty.” I didn’t move. Still holding out the glass of water. Her eyes darted from it to my face repeatedly until finally she relented and took a small step forward and reached for the glass.

I quickly shot to a standing position and took a step towards her. She yelped and stepped back a few paces, her hands glowing with magic ready to be used. Her eyes widened at what she just did. I sighed, nodded and placed the drinks back down on the table. “So, that’s it?” I asked. “You’re scared of me?” She was silent. I looked to the papers on the table. The handwriting was awful, nothing more than chicken-scratch really. But I could see from a glance that the grammar and spelling where perfect. I smiled. It felt good to have a student again. Yes, I’ve had one in Lyra for a few days from my perspective at least, weeks for her. But it doesn’t really hit you until they give you a paper to look over, grade and give feedback on. That’s exactly what I got out of life, bettering others.

What didn’t feel good was the now crying mare stood in the middle of the room. She wasn’t making any noise. These weren’t the tears of grief, nor frustration, nor even pain. These where tears of fear. These where the tears that prey species would shed when faced with a predator. There was no noise, no whimpering, not even any sniffling. Just trembling, the pitter-patter of tears and snot hitting the floor, and the reluctant acceptance that the end was coming, coming faster than you could believe. Then it would be over.

It killed me. My own student, my own… Friend. Terrified of my mere presence. The person I was supposed to protect, now wanted nothing to do with me. Worse, she wanted to get away from me. Far away. Where I couldn’t hurt her. Another failure to add to my growing list. Yes, it killed me.

“Lyra.” I said, my voice hitching. “Speak to me.”

After a few seconds she said, “I-I’m so s-sorry.”

My eyes snapped to her. “W-what? You’re sorry? Lyra… No. I-”

“I’m sorry that I can’t trust you!” That right there. Those words… They hurt. The room was silent again. A slight breeze coming in through the open window that overlooked the palace gardens.

I swallowed and sat on the bed with my legs crossed. “If… If you don’t want to be my apprentice anymore then… then I underst-”

“No!” Lyra shouted. “Of course, I still want to be your student! But… If this is going to work, then I need an explanation. Why? Why did you do that? I’ve never seen anything so… So… Heinous.” I flinched. “You tortured that creature, Artemis. Tortured it. Not only that, you beat it to death! And you wouldn’t stop! It took both princesses to pull you away. You knew we were watching, right? Me and the elements I mean.” I nodded. “They are not happy to say the least. Rainbow Dash and Applejack are furious with you. Rarity passed out. I think Fluttershy was in so much shock that she couldn’t take her eyes away. Goddess knows how she’s ever going to even look at you again.”

My first thought to that was, ‘why should I care what the elements think?’ I quickly moved that thought to the side. “So, again.” Lyra continued. “Explain it to me. Why? Who did it change into? And how can I trust you again?” I was quiet, trying to gather my thoughts. “Please.” She emphasised. “I need to know who’s teaching me. I’m not going to blindly follow you. You are not Princess Celestia and I sure as Tartarus am not Twilight Sparkle.” I smirked slightly at that. I was going to say the exact same thing to her.

She continued. “Hanging out with you at your cabin, just talking, doesn’t matter about what, has been some of the most fun I’ve ever had. Heck, even knowing you exist when you where supposed to be a myth… I don’t want to lose that. I… I look up to you, Artemis. You’ve taught me so much already and I don’t want to lose that. I don’t want to think of a murderer when I picture you in my head, so please.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

Lyra looked shocked. “Okay?”

Another nod. “Okay.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.” I sighed. “You’re completely right, Lyra. To put it charitably, I messed up. And I will tell you why I did what I did, along with other things. Who the creature changed into being among them. But others should be present. It’s important Luna is there.” I took a sip of water and swallowed slowly. “I suppose… If they can stomach being near me… The elements too.” I grumbled.

Lyra smiled slightly and nodded. “Okay. Um… when?”

I stood and she backed away slightly. I pretended I didn’t notice. “Now.”