The unconscious Shining Armor's ears twitched; his eyes opened slowly. He felt as if a powerful force had injured his back. Rubbing his forehead, he thought back to the moment when he first entered this world.

"Ooh," he groaned. "My head. Twily, are you okay? Twily...?"

It was then that he noticed his little sister, her friends and Princess Luna were not in the same vicinity as him.

"Oh no. Twilight!! Princess Luna?! Applejack? Rarity...? Rainbow Dash!!"

Hearing the sound of groaning, Shining Armor rushed to the source of the sound.

"Cecil!"

"Shining... Armor?"

"I'm happy you are alright," said the dark knight. "But what of the others?"

They looked all around them; none of their friends or companions could be seen.

"This is great... Just great," Shining remarked. "My wife is kidnapped and my new friend's girl with her, and now this!"

"Fear not, we will find them," Cecil reassured him. "No matter what it takes, no matter where we will--"

He stopped speaking as he laid his eyes on the village in front of them. All at once, the dark knight's confidence had vanished and in its place: guilt. It was a village he knew all too well, much to his regret.

"What's wrong?" asked Shining.

"This place..." said Cecil, lowering his head. "This is where it all started... The very same village I was ordered to ransack to steal the Water Crystal."

Shining exclaimed. "This village? This is... Mysidia?!"

"Yes... If there was any other town in this region, I'd rather not be here."

With a heavy sigh, Cecil realized he had no choice but to re-enter the village and endure whatever may come. Slowly, but surely the knights walked toward their destination; Cecil took a deep breath, preparing himself for the worst.

Mysidia

The moment Cecil set foot in the village, all the residents turned to glare at the man who took the lives of their friends and stole their Crystal. Everywhere the two knights looked, there was anger and scorn on everyone's face as they walked by. Though most of the scorn was directed at Cecil, Shining couldn't help but feel as if he should protect his new friend, though Cecil would refuse, knowing that their hatred of him is entirely justified.

"Well, well..." one mage glared.

"The murderer's back," another hissed.

Cecil couldn't bear to face the villagers but took all the accusations and refused to contest.

"You..." a black mage sneered. "Take this! TOAD!"

In an instant, Cecil was transformed into a small toad against his will.

Shining looked on in astonishment.

"Ribbit," Cecil croaked. Just as Shining was about to change him back...

"Don't bother," the same mage warned. "You may not like it, but it's just what he deserves!"

"The least of what he deserves, you mean!" another argued.

"Stop! What happened then was--"

"Egad! It speaks! The white creature speaks!"

Haven't heard that before, Shining thought to himself sarcastically.

"Wait!"

A voice called out. It was a young white mage.

"The village elder wishes to see you," he said, turning Cecil back to his regular form. "This way please." They glanced towards the mage and followed her. At the Manor of Prayers, the two knights met with the village elder who was not keen upon seeing the dark knight whose then followers had killed innocent people and taken their Crystal. By his side were the white mage from before, and a black mage who crossed his arms. Although his face was concealed by his hat, Cecil could tell that the black mage was not open to welcoming him with open arms like the rest of the village.

"You are that man from before, and yet you brought a pony along with you," the elder observed. "Why have you returned?"

"My name is Cecil, former captain of the Red Wings. Before I did not have the courage to defy the King's orders."

"And I am Shining Armor, a captain of Princess Celestia's Royal Guard and prince of the Crystal Empire."

"Cecil... Apologizing won't bring those have already died back."

The dark knight hung his head in shame.

"However, I see that you have changed. Perhaps it would not be a waste of my time to hear what you have to say."

"I thank you," Cecil replied earnestly.

"Please allow me to start," said Shining. "We're fighting against a sorcerer who calls himself Golbez; he seems to be manipulating the Kingdom of Baron for his own purposes."

"However, our friends were attacked by Leviathan on our way to rescue those who had been captured by Golbez," Cecil added.

"There is only one way to combat Golbez... You must climb Mount Ordeals, overcome your dark past, and become a Paladin."

"'Paladin?' What is a Paladin?"

"A warrior who follows the path of light," Cecil replied. "I understand what you're saying. My dark sword won't be enough."

"That is correct. But be aware: many have journeyed to Mt. Ordeals, but none ever returned. Do you still wish to go?"

"Yes. But I have little confidence in my abilities," Cecil replied gloomily.

"Likewise... I couldn't protect my wife or my sister and her friends..."

"No worries. You will both need assistance. Palom! Porom!"

At that moment, only one child arrived. It was a girl in red-and-white striped clothing and a green cloak.

"You called for us?" the girl asked.

"Yes, but... Where is Palom?"

"For goodness' sake. Palom! Come out this minute!" the girl shouted, pointing her finger to the ground.

Just then, a boy appeared from out of nowhere courtesy of his magic. He wore green-and-white clothing and bore a red cloak in contrast to his sister.

"I can't believe I'm helping this sleaze. Be grateful that Mysidia's prodigy, Palom, will assist you," he boasted, which prompted his sister to glare disapprovingly at him.

"Are these two the mages?" a skeptical Cecil wondered.

"Yes."

"B... But they're children! What can they do?" Shining argued.

"So, he can talk," Porom said with surprise and a small hint of joy.

"Who are YOU to mock the great Palom, horse?! I am the greatest black mage there is!" the boy gloated, prompting his sister to slap him upside the head. "OW!"

"You'll have to excuse my brother. He's an idiot," Porom remarked. "And for the record, I think this one's a pony."

"Horse, pony, whatever!"

"You... you can't be serious, can you?" the unicorn asked once more.

"They may be children, but they're quite exceptional. They will accompany you to Mt. Ordeals, and that's final," the elder stated firmly.

Neither Cecil nor Shining Armor could believe what they were hearing. Not only did the inhabitants of this village not trust them one bit, but they had to climb a vast mountain along with two children the elder claimed to be experts in magic.

"Very well," Cecil sighed. "Let us go, Shining Armor, children... To Mount Ordeals."

The three humans then exited the mansion, and Shining Armor was about to join them until...

"Hold on there... Shining Armor, was it?"

"Yes...?"

"This may sound a bit rude, but... Do you trust Cecil?"

"Yes... It was difficult at first. But after several ordeals, I'll say this: I would trust Cecil with my life."

The elder stroked his beard, deep in thought. Shining Armor then excused himself and joined the others. Upon leaving the village, our heroes and their newest companions traveled eastward to a large forest. After dealing with several goblins and domovois, they proceeded deeper into the forest and heard a distinct 'kweh' sound.

"What's that?" Shining asked.

"If I'm right, that is the sound of a Chocobo," Cecil replied.

"Seriously? I wanna go to Mt. Ordeals quickly so we can get this over with!"

"Palom! These birds CAN get us to the mountain quickly! They're so fast, they can outrun the monsters, or haven't you heard?" Porom scolded.

"Alright, alright. Sheesh," the boy grumbled.

Upon entering the heart of the forest, there were indeed several Chocobos. Shining Armor had heard about these creatures from Twilight and how one of them was transported to Fluttershy's cottage as another animal companion for her. His expression turned to a warm smile upon seeing one up close.

"Be careful," Cecil whispered. He then handed out several Gysahl greens, attracting the large birds.

"Kweh!" the yellow Chocobo squawked, eating the greens out of the dark knight's hand. Soon, more followed. Upon accepting them, the party hopped on the birds' backs and raced north to their destination. Little did they know, that their actions were being observed closely and carefully by a Zu, floating twenty feet above them. The creature flew off towards an unknown location...

Mt. Ordeals

At the foot of the mountain, the group came across a great wall of fire.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Porom asked her brother.

"Yeah, yeah. Keep your hat on!" Palom fired back. He then faced the flames. "Blizzard!" With that command, the wall of fire was extinguished allowing our heroes passage to the mountain.

"Wow..." Shining said in disbelief.

"Ha! Too easy!" Palom gloated with a big grin spreading across his face. Annoyed, Porom smacked her brother on the head. "YEOW!!"

"Brother! The elder taught us not to submit to arrogance!" the young white mage warned. She then turned to the knights. "Please forgive his antics."

Shining Armor let out a sigh. I hope Flurry grows up to be a mature young filly, he thought.

Meanwhile...

At Golbez's personal lair, Princess Cadence and Rosa were tied up back-to-back and positioned underneath a deadly guillotine, poised to execute them at a moment's notice. Their captors, however, were planning something different. Something equally fiendish.

"Scarmiglione, I summon you!"

Right on cue, a sinister cloaked figure manifested in front of the sorcerer and the mind-controlled dragoon.

"Scarmiglione of Earth, at your command," it said.

"Cecil plans to scale Mt. Ordeals."

"So... he wishes to become a Paladin."

"Correct. His dark sword should be useless against you and your undead. And if you find any of the ponies, you are to dispose of them as well."

The ladies gasped upon hearing this order.

"As you command, Lord Golbez. I shall return with their heads."

The figure then vanished, intending to carry out its orders. Golbez let out a sinister chuckle, unnerving his prisoners.

"This is quite interesting. Wouldn't you agree, Kain?" he asked.

"Cecil might still prove to be quite a formidable opponent, and possibly Shining Armor," answered Kain.

"You dare question my judgment?" Golbez argued.

"No, sire!"

"Scarmiglione is one of the four Elemental Lords. He will not fail. Rosa and our equine princess will bear witness as well."

"Sire, let me kill Cecil. The Elemental Lords can do whatever they want with those quadrupeds, but Cecil should be mine!" Kain argued.

"No, Kain. You have already failed at Fabul. Just be grateful I let you live after your blunder," Golbez spoke coldly.

Kain had no response.

"Cecil..." said Rosa.

"And not my Shining Armor!" Cadence added.

"Be silent," Golbez commanded. Regaining his composure, he looked up toward the guillotine. "Depending on the outcome, you may join them as well." He then left through a hidden door on his left, leaving the two females wondering what was behind that door.

Mt. Ordeals

Beginning their ascent of the mountain, the four travelers fought off a horde of skeletons, obtained two potions and entered the ridge through a door.

"Where'd that come from?" Shining pondered.

"Possibly from those who set the trials of Mt. Ordeals in motion," Cecil guessed.

The breeze of the mountain brought a chill upon our heroes as they ascended further. As soon as they came across another exit, an elderly man--one the knights did not expect to run into again--appeared.

"Tellah!"

It was indeed Tellah, the sage.

"Cecil? Shining Armor? What brings you two here? Do you seek Meteor as well?" he asked.

"'Meteor?'"

"You know about Meteor?" asked Porom.

"Hey, that means you're Tellah! Hey, old man, am I right?" Palom asked.

"Palom! Don't be rude!" his sister scolded. "You stand before the great sage himself! It is an honor to meet you. We came here from Mysidia under the orders of our elder."

"Yeah, we're spying on--"

Porom then smacked her brother on the head, interrupting him. The two knights, however, heard everything and looked at each other.

"Excuse me," said Porom. "As I was saying: we're just serving as guides for Sir Cecil and Shining Armor. My name is Porom."

"And I am Palom, Mysidia's most exalted mage! I've heard a lot about you!" the boy boasted, prompting his sister and the two knights to give a weary sigh.

"Kids from Mysidia, eh?" the sage pondered. "You two, what happened Rydia and Edward? And what of Twilight Sparkle?"

The knights glanced at each and hung their heads in shame.

"The truth is," Cecil started, "we were attacked by Leviathan on our way to Baron, and..."

"What?! They're not dead, are they?"

"I'm... not entire sure, but it certainly looks that way."

"No! Twily and the others wouldn't die so easily!" Shining said. "Certainly not to a sea monster."

"Regardless, we were separated. And to top it off, Golbez has captured Rosa along with another pony."

"Not just anypony... my wife."

"Didn't know horses, er, ponies, can get hitched. And I'll betcha Rosa's Cecil's girlfriend," Palom chuckled, much to Porom's annoyance.

"Hush!" she said harshly.

"We thought you went to Baron directly... you know, to face Golbez," said Shining Armor. "You're here for that reason, too?"

"Yes. Against the likes of Golbez, my spells still lack power," said Tellah. "I've come here to seek the legendary spell, Meteor. I sense a strong aura on this mountain. I believe it holds what I am looking for."

"But that spell is much too dangerous! It requires tremendous vitality. For a man your age," Porom said with worry.

"I admit I am old. But I will make Golbez pay, even if it costs me my life!"

Shining and Cecil stood silent, immediately fearing the worst: Tellah was seriously considering sacrificing his own life in the name of vengeance.

"Geez. Why are adults so pigheaded?" Palom said aloud.

"You don't understand because you're still a kid! Now hush!" said Porom.

"Cecil, Shining Armor. You have yet to answer my question. Why did you two come here?"

The dark knight replied, "I came here in hopes of becoming a Paladin. I cannot defeat Golbez with the dark sword... and I have longed to renounce this hateful thing."

"And I intend to help my friend see this through. And to redeem myself for own past mistakes..."

"Who's Golbez?" asked Palom.

"Ugh, haven't you been listening?" Porom groaned. "He's the one controlling Baron!"

"Not just an ordinary man, but a powerful sorcerer, brimming with evil!" He turned to face Cecil. "So, you've come here to become a paladin? Then, the mountain must hold some secret, just as I suspected. I shall accompany you."

"Thank you."

With that, Tellah rejoined Cecil and Shining Armor, along with Palom and Porom.

"Hey, we can see Mysidia from here."

Porom conked him upside the head once more. "We don't have time for the view," she said.

"Okay, okay," Palom grumbled.

"Over there!" said Tellah.

They looked to where the sage pointed: it looked a gravestone, and yet they felt a strong magical aura emanating from it. Surely this was where Cecil could obtain the powers of light and forsake the dark sword he had been wielding for a lifetime. With this power, he and his friends could defeat Golbez and save Rosa and Princess Cadence. All they had to do was cross the bridge.

Before they could go further, several zombies manifested in front of the party.

"Palom," said Porom, "was this YOUR doing?"

"No!"

"It was I," an evil voice hissed.

"Wh-What was that?!"

"Show yourself!" Cecil ordered.

"Certainly," the voice hissed once more with a twisted hint of glee, sending shivers up the party's spines.

Just then, a cloaked figure appeared in front of them.

"I am Scarmiglione, Archfiend of Earth! Lord Golbez has sent me here on a mission: to destroy you, Cecil Harvey! You, too, must die, Shining Armor! But first... I hunger for your flesh!"

The zombies then gathered, forming an army of sorts; all were under the command of the being who stood between our heroes and a new power.

"Go forth, my minions and feast!"

The undead creatures bellowed and lunged towards Shining Armor but was repelled by the unicorn's magic barrier. Tellah then unleashed Thundara upon Scarmiglione, but the evil being countered with a spell of his own. Porom cast a Cure spell on the old sage while Palom cast Thundara on all the enemies.

"Allow me," said Porom. "Cure!"

The young white mage's spell proceeded to affect her target; the zombie growled and disappeared back into the earth from whence it came. This gave Shining an idea. Opening the bag, he tossed some potions upon the rest of the undead and defeated them.

"You think this will stop me?!" Scarmiglione scoffed.

"Take this!"

Cecil attempted to strike the being, but his dark sword proved ineffective, much to his horror.

"Fool."

The Archfiend pushed Cecil with great force, almost sending him over the ledge. Shining ran towards his friend and caught him with his magic.

Seeing this, Tellah sneered and cast a big Thundara spell on the evil entity. As soon as it hit, the Archfiend of Earth screamed and dissipated, leaving our heroes trimphant!

Believing the battle over, the group proceeded across the bridge. But then, the sky grew dark; an ominous aura surrounded our heroes.

"Fools..." a voice hissed. "My true strength lies in death. Join me in hell!"

Scarmiglione appeared behind them in a much more terrifying form!

"Behold! Face the wrath of the Blighted Despot, Scarmiglione!!"

"Look out!" said Cecil.

The evil entity raised its right arm and cast a spell of silence over the party. Recalling his purchase from the item shop in Mysidia, Shining Armor quickly brought out three Echo Herbs from the bag and handed them to Tellah, Palom and Porom.

Tellah proceeded to chant an incantation and while he was doing so, Shining Armor flared his horn and cast a Protect spell on everyone. The elderly mage raised his hands and shouted, "Thundara!"

The spell worked, but the demon countered with an attack of his own greatly wounding the sage. Porom cast Cure on him once more, and Shining Armor gave him a hi-potion. Palom turned to the demon, raised his hands and cast Fira upon him.

The Archfiend of Earth then attempted to strike at Cecil, but the dark knight dodged swiftly and kicked the demon back a few steps.

Shining Armor then thought, if this monster truly rose from the dead... He then cast Cura, bringing great harm to the Blighted Despot, causing it scream an unearthly cry.

Cecil then hurled a hi-potion, bringing the demon further on the brink. But the transformed Archfiend wasn't ready to give up, for it grabbed one of the children: Palom and struck him with his fist.

"Ha! You think that... could..." Palom attempted to say, only to cough violently.

"Oh no! Palom!!"

"You poisoned him!!" Cecil said.

"Cecil... Take this," said Shining Armor, handing over an antidote.

Shining stepped between his friends and the evil being and fired a great beam of magic, encasing it in a bright light. When it dimmed, the creature stood still, flinching and in shock.

"How could I possibly lose? Especially to... such a weak...?" Scarmiglione questioned, just before screaming and falling off the bridge. This time... the Archfiend of Earth was no more. Palom had just been cured thanks to the antidote.

"Th... Thank you, Cecil..."

"Actually, Shining Armor deserves your gratitude. He gave me the antidote in the first place. And if wasn't for him..."

"Thanks... Cecil," Shining said happily, smiling for the first time in ages.

With no further obstacles blocking their way, our heroes proceeded to gather around the monument. Before they could read the etching on the stone, however...

"My son... I..." said a disembodied voice.

"'Son?' Whose voice speaks to me?!" Cecil cried.

"Come..."

The monument then flashed a bright light, causing our heroes to disappear!

Opening their eyes, the group found themselves in an enclosed area, giving off an unearthly feel. To Cecil, this reminded him of the altars where the Crystals were stored. Just then the voice spoke once more...

"Through much sorrow have I longed for your coming. I shall now entrust you with my power. By doing so, my pain will only grow. But there is no other way..."

Who is that, and why is the voice calling Cecil his son? Shining thought to himself. "Look!"

In the center, a sword appeared, floating in the center. Compelled, Cecil walked toward it slowly, just before turning to the group. Although uncertain, they showed no objections; after all, this was why Cecil had come to Mt. Ordeals from the beginning.

"The time has come... Break free of your past and overcome your darkness. Only then will you receive the holy power. You must fight... against the dark knight you wish to rid yourself of!"

At the moment Cecil grabbed the hilt, the entire altar was engulfed in a bright light. Once the light dimmed, our heroes were greeted to an awesome sight: gone was Cecil Harvey's armor of the Dark Knight, and in its place, the appearance of a Paladin!

"Cecil? Is... is that you?" Shining asked.

Cecil didn't answer for in front of him, the reflection of the dark knight walked through the mirror, surprising all but Cecil himself.

"What the...?!" said Shining.

"There are two of him!" Tellah cried.

"What's happening?!" a shocked Palom asked.

The dark knight drew his dark blade while Cecil remained calm and assumed his battle stance.

"Cecil!"

"Look out!"

"Stay back," Cecil instructed. "This is a fight for me and me alone."

"Cecil..."

"Not even you should interfere, Shining Armor. This... is my battle. My atonement for all the sins I've wrought--my test. And one I do not intend to fail!"

At that moment, Cecil's mirror image in the dark armor charge his dark blade, ready to unleash a wave of darkness, but the white-haired warrior stood prepared himself and parried the waves. Closing his eyes, he delved within his own mind and made quite a discovery: within his soul he found he possessed the ability to cast white magic. Realizing this Cecil then clasped his hands together and began chanting an incantation.

"What's he doing?" Palom wondered.

"I don't know, unless... Could it be...?" Tellah pondered.

"What can a Paladin do?" asked Shining Armor.

"Watch carefully."

"Cure!"

At that command, a healing light engulfed Cecil and healed his wounds. Just then, the mirror image sheathed his sword and spoke.

"Justice and retribution are but trifling things," it said. "There are victories of greater worth. Someday you will know them. Go forth now, Cecil!"

And with those words, the mirror image disappeared, leaving Cecil victorious. And then the voice spoke once more.

"Your virtue is proven... I will instill you now with hallowed light, formed of my very soul. May it be your strength, though it be the last of mine."

"The last?"

"My son... You must stop Golbez!" the voice pleaded before fading away.

"Wait! Please wait!"

But it was too late, for there was no response. Not that it mattered at the moment, for Cecil had achieved what he had come for: he had become a Paladin at last.

"Are you all right?" asked Porom.

"He really did it after all," said an astounded Palom, prompting his sister to hush him.

"Congratulations, Cecil," said Shining Armor.

"What is this warmth I'm feeling?" the Paladin asked. "It's so... familiar."

"Oh!"

The group looked over to Tellah, Shining almost forgetting he was there.

"What is it, Tellah?"

"My spells... I remember! I remember all of them!" he said in excitement. "Hm?" The sage felt something connect with his mind. "Me...teor?"

"Meteor... The spell you were looking for?"

"Yes. That light must have granted it to me! The most powerful black magic in the world, mine at last!"

Shining Armor then closed his eyes and gasped. The unicorn's eyes widened with shock.

"I... I...!"

"Shining Armor?"

"I know what to do... We need to go to Baron, but first... We need to get back to Mysidia. Everypony--er... Everyone, huddle."

Though confused, they did as Shining asked and huddled around him. The unicorn's horn flared instantly teleporting them away and near the entrance to the village.

"WHAT THE?!" The twins cried.

"We're back at Mysidia," said an astounded Tellah! "Shining Armor! Was this...?"

"Yeah... Somehow that light gave me the knowledge of several spells... Teleportation included. My little sister could do that... And I don't even remember the last time I had to teleport, if I'm honest."

"It's alright, Shining," Cecil reassured. "What's important is that our task is complete, and we must report to the village elder at once."

They all agreed and proceeded to re-enter the village. Before he set foot once more, the Paladin stopped.

"That light... It called me its son..."

Author's Note

And there you have it. Cecil Harvey has cast aside his status as a dark knight in favor of the Paladin! What do you think?