A Grim Anniversary

by The Ancestor

Rating: teen
Tags: Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Bat Pony, Violence, Princess Celestia, Death, Alternate Universe, Human
Length: 5305

When Luna was banished, a large contingent of bat ponies refused to submit to Celestia's rule, and many believed that it would cause a bloody civil war. So why didn't that happen?

When Luna was banished, a large contingent of bat ponies refused to submit to Celestia's rule, and many believed that it would cause a bloody civil war.

So why didn't that happen?

An Elden Ring crossover.

Published 2022-04-05 15:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2022-04-05 15:40:01 UTC

Preemptive Action

Sundays are wonderful, are they not? Speaking from a purely unbiased position of The Goddess of The Sun, Celestia most certainly thought so. Being the only day of the week she allowed herself to rest in these trying times, it would be a great underestimation to say that she was displeased to take that small comfort away from herself.

"Tis' most shameful that our regular festivities must come to an end." Rena said, a steady clinking echoing through the room as she stirred her tea. "I was lead to believe they were most conducive to mutual understanding." She finished, sipping her tea... somehow. Celestia always meant to ask, but didn't want to pry.

"I'm afraid my hooves are tied." Celestia remarked, placing her teacup on the table, finished with her drink. "Latest developments have left me with no choice but to do so." An awkward pause descended onto the room, and Celestia noticed the male human figure fidget in his seat.

"Thou've no obligation to explain thou'self to me, but I'd be grateful if thou did so regardless." Celestia didn't respond, looking for the right words as Rena laid her hands in her lap. "Perhaps we did something to aggrivate you?" She tilted her head, looking incredulously at the white alicorn. "If this is about last friday's commotion at the barracks, I assure you that my consort had best intentions in mind regarding your guards." She gave the man an unreadable look, recieving a sheepish smile in return.

Celestia shook her head. "It's only right to give you an explanation." She stood up, walking towards the door of the room. "Come, the night is still young, a walk through the gardens would bode well for us." Rena and her consort shared a look, the latter shrugging and looking expectedly at the former.

"I feel inclined to agree." Renna replied, rising from her seat with the aid of her consort, following Celestia to the door.

A beautiful full moon shone down on the statues peppering the still-under-repair Canterlot gardens, bringing to light the sorry state of many decorations there. Most of the stone figures were left chipped and damaged, as if a frenzied whirlwind went through the place, and some were missing altogether.

A most peculear sight caught consort's attention as the trio passed through the luscious greenery and blooming flowers. There, encircled by green bushes, illuminated by the night's grace stood a pristine bone-white stone statue. Despite its condition, it would surprise no one of the statue was a failed attempt of some half-wit to reassemble the ivory after a particularly clumsy mishap in a stoneworker's room.

A cruel mockery of nature's design stared back at the man with cold, marble eyes, and the consort felt a shiver go down his spine one of the eyes winked at him. He felt an uncomfortable sensation at the back of his eyes, almost like they were blistering from an unseen heat source.

"Is something the matter, love?" A cold hand rested upon the man's shoulder as the voice of his lady snapped him out of his trance. He turned to Renna a little dazed, and the doll frowned as she noticed specks of yellow-red flames licking at the edges of his iris'. Still, he remained silent under her concerned gaze, doing little to ease Renna's worries. "Vecor, be a dear and look at me." She said, cupping his cheek and guiding his gaze towards her glowing blue eyes.

Vecor released a breath he didn't know he was holding as he felt his worries melt away under the loving gaze of his lady. A comforting smile graced Renna's lips as she watched the flames in his eyes smolder and wilt into barely recognisable embers, giving way to a more naural chestnut color.

"Ahem." A thoroughly confused Celestia interrupted, feeling a little uncomfortable having witnessed what some would consider a private moment. "I believe we're not quite there yet, and we've much to discuss." Renna gave her consort a questioning look, and the man answered her with a nod.

"Very well." The doll replied, standing up with Vecor by her side and following Celestia. "If what thee must tell us is of utmost importance, then it would be most wise to do so now."

"I suppose we're safe from prying ears." The white alicorn looked around and approached a conveniently placed bench in the corner of the greenery, sitting down and patting the seat next to her. After the two aliens complied, lowering themselves to the bench, next to her.

"Time is of the essense, so I'll be blunt." Celestia paused, carefully choosing her words. "Tomorrow, you will be unveiled to the public as a stand-in for Luna, in lue of her... absense." She winced at her own words. "You will be responcible for the night court, as well as sharing the burden of paperwork with me." Silence fell upon the gardens, the only creature to match Celestia's nervous disposition being Vecor. Renna, despite the proposition of being put on the spot in front of hundreds of thousands of ponies, seemed oddly calm.

"Thou'rt implying we are to be treated as equals?" Renna questioned, carefully examining Celestia's features. The monarch did her best to hold a mask of impassion.

"In time, perhaps." She spoke carefully, as if treading on eggshells. "Understand that I do this out of necessity, I understand how daunting it would be to co-rule an entire nation, but I am left with no other choice." Seconds felt like hours as Celestia found herself under doll's scrutinizing gaze.

"What are the circumstances thou speak of? Truly, they must be quite dire for thou to seek our aid in the matters of governance." Celestia sighed inwardly. It was ridiculous to hope Renna wouldn't inquire towards the nature of Celestia's concerns, but the white alicorn dearly hoped to get a definite 'yes' before explaining her position.

"A significant amount of unrest was reported from the thestral populace, ever since the my sister's banishment." Celestia began grimly. "While a decent contingent remain loyal to the crown, some of the more... dedicated ones have begun to agitate their unallied kin to begin an uprising."

"Why?" A low masculine voice inquired, surprising Celestia. "Were you roughin' them around or something?" From the little time she's known him for, the man was rude to the few maids she trusted to take care of the duo, and was stubborn to a fault when it came to security, often standing guard outside Renna's temporary quarters day and night, to the point of fainting from exhaustion.

"I have taking action against those that have aided my sister during her siege on the Everfree Castle, but I have nothing against the rest." She assured the man, not happy with the direction this conversation was taking.

"What's all the ruckus about, then?" He replied, squinting at the matriarch. "It'd take a tad more than that to call for regicide, I reckon." He crossed his arms and kept looking at Celestia expectingly. A quick glance at Renna showed that she wasn't planning on intruding, prompting Celestia to continue.

"There's more to it, I'm afraid. Some of them believe that I've been raising and lowering the moon all this time, and assumed I have taken my sister's power to do so." She sighed, feeling a pit in her stomach. "There are only two ways to take an Alicorn's power. Either they give it voluntarily, or the power is transferred to another upon their... passing." She felt uneasy finishing the sentense.

"So they think you've killed your sister and been lying to them about her 'banishment' all this time?" Celestia winced at his harsh yet truthful summary and nodded. "So what's your plan then?" He continued eyeing Celestia with concern.

Celestia bit her lip, here comes the nasty part. "Well, I believe that introducing Renna as a substitute ruler would placate the thestrals, proving them that I did not-" Celestia's breath hitched. "-kill my sister." The human raised an eyebrow.

"Let's get this straight, you want to put my Lady in the way of danger, just to save your own hide?" Vecor said in an angry tone, pointing a finger at Celestia. "No way in hell I'm letting this happen." Celestia frowned at this. His reaction, although predictable, was still troublesome.

"If you are concerned about your mistress' safety-" She began, softly but sternly. "-I assure you that the solar guard is more than capable enough-"

"More than capable? HA!" Vecor interrupted, much to Celestia's chargin'. "Your meatshields aren't worth the gold their armor made of!" He spat, standing his ground.

Celestia's magic flared, clasping the human's mouth shut. White smoke billowed through the human's nostrils as Celestia gave him a cold glare.

"You will refer to the solar guard by their proper title, and with due respect." She spoke in a stern tone, a mask of cold fury on her face. Vecor tried in vain to pry his ,outh open, before crossing his arms and staring defiantly at Celestia. Before the situation could ecalate, a blue shimmering light veloped the pair, breaking Celestia's concentration. The duo turned to Renna, who was sitting on a bench with a small frown on her face.

"I believe tis' only fair to speak my own mind, seeing as I am directly concerned by the matters at hand." She waited for a rebuttal that never came before continuing in a calm and even voice. "I understand thine troubles, Celestia, an I extend my cincerest apologies regarding the situation. I believe it would be most wise, for my consort and I, to play no part in your plan." The alicorn's shoulders slumped, a defeated expression on her face.

"However, I also understand that for this mutually beneficial relationship to continue, we must aid you in placating the populace." Celestia's ears perked, and she looked at Renna with a hopeful expression. "If this means governing with thou as equals, then I will fullfill that request, until such time that my services are no longer needed."

"Renna, please, reconsider!" Vecor exclaimed, his voice full of concern. "Why submit yourself to unnecessatu danger? Why take unneded risks-" His tirade abruptly ended when a blue finger was placed over his lips. His worried gaze traveled to Renna's sky blue eyes.

"Thou consider me helpless, love?" Renna asked tenderly, prompting the man to shake his head slowly. "Thou think yourself unfit to guard me, rule with me?" He managed to guide her finger away from his lips, not letting her hand out of his.

"No, not at all. I just... worry about your safety-" He gave her hand a squeeze, before casting a cold glare at Celestia. "- and I doubt the 'solar guard' will be much help." Celestia rolled her eyes and sighed.

"If you trouble yourself so much with matters of security, I will allow you to oversee the preparations yourself." Celestia replied as calmly as possible. The man scowled and clenched his fists.

"I-" A blue hand fell onto his shoulder and squeezed it. His expression fell and he shook his head. "Thank you, I'll see to it that nothing disturbs the ceremony." He gives the white alicorn a strained smile, one she returned in full.

"Very well then!" Celestia replied a tad more cheerfully, relieved that the situation resolved in her favour. The white alicorn stood up, stretching her wings. She took a few steps towards the entrance to the gardens, turning her head back to the pair. "Follow me, there's something we need to do before evening comes." The pair stood up, and followed Celestia, walking hand in hand.

"Why do I have to do this again?" Vecor asked irritably, his figure obscured by a red curtain. Celestia rolled her eyes as she sat on a comfortable chair. Golden walls surrounded her on all sides, innumerable colorful silk fabrics laid on the tables and floors, scattered around the dressmaker's work room. For the past fourty five minutes, Celestia waited for her royal dressmaker, Dancing Needle, to take the duo's measurements. Everything went smoothly for Renna, although her hands presented prolonged the process, but she paled in comparison to her consort. It took half an hour to get the man to agree to to give measurements, although he continued to struggle every step of the way.

"Because,-" Celestia began, returning to the question at hoof. "-you need a proper dress to attend the ceremony, wouldn't want to look like a brute, would you?" A loud groan came from behind a curtain.

"I've got a fancy looking chestplate or two, surely it'd suffice?" Celestia only sighed, having to answer that same question for what felt like a hundreth time. A small teal-coated mare with a white ponytail sitting beside Celestia facehoofed.

"You need to look like a diplomat, not like a warrior." Celestia began in a calm tone. "Wearing armor would contradict that." A loud clattering noise filled the room, forcing Celestia to pin her ears to her head.

"Fine, fine. Just get this done quickly." The man replied in an irratated tone, stepping outside the curtain, prompting Dancing Needle to rush him. The mare was about to start taking measurements, when she glanced at the man's body and screamed.

Before her stood a burly, well built man whose muscles weren't a result of bodybuilding, but rather a continuous strain of battle. His muscles, however firm they were, weren't the reason for her wail. Neither was the number of errant scars scars criss-crossing over his body. No, the thing that caused the mare to scream in horror, was a rather large charred burn scar stretching from the left side of his chest, through his shoulder and onto his back. The man raised an eyebrow at the mare's reaction and turned to check on her, giving Celestia a good view of his back.

Somehow, it was even worse. Most of his back was scorched black, a faint red of the irratated issue still remained at the center of the wound, that turned to black the farther it went from the center, finally turning to an ashen gray color on the edges. His whole back, down to his hips was scorched, the skin on his right shoulder was charred to the elbow, displaying that same black and ashen color.

Celestia suppressed a yelp, covering her mouth with a hoof when the man turned to her. "I think your seamstress broke, can I get another?" He asked with a small smirk, pointing at the fainted seamstress. His smirk disappated when he noticed the alicorn's expression. "What?" He asked with a perplexed expression. "Did I sprout a second head or something?" Celestia pointed her hoof at the left side of his chest. His quizzal expression fades as he understood where she was pointing at. "Ah, I see." He walked behind the curtain and after a few seconds emerged, covered in tightly bound pieces of silk, succesfully hiding his skin. "This should do it, wake 'er up."

"B-but your scars, they're-"

"Nothin' to worry about, trust me." He cut Celestia off with a strained smile. "Now let's get over this quickly, I need to see the Captain of your guard as soon as possible."

"No!" Celestia stomped her hoof on the marble floor, coming very close to cracking it. "Those wounds look serious, they-"

"They are but a consequence." Renna interrupted Celestia. She was getting interrupted a lot lately, wasn't she? The white alicorn turned to the doll with a shocked expression.

"A consequence of what?" Celestia shook her head, focusing on a more important question. "You knew about them?"

"A consequence of a noble, but foolish descision." Renna answered calmly, approaching her consort and taking measurments herself. Her four hands hastened the process, along with the fact that Vecor stood still, not minding his lady's attention. "Tis' of no importance at the moment, we've much to attend to, I assume." She approached the nearby table and wrote measurements on a piece of parchments, gesturing Vector to get dressed.

Celestia raised her hoof in protest, but stopped when she though about the situation. Evening was fast approaching, and their time was running out. Was it worth to worry about such trivial things like old wounds right now?

No. No it wasn't.

Captain Blazing Shield was a simple pony. He followed orders, revered his superior, and was alike a father to his soldiers. So when an order came from the Princess herself, ordering him to escort a high priority target, he rushed to the noted guest room without a second thought, ready to fulfill his duty. His magic flared when he approached the golden door that stood between him and his target, flunging it open and entering the room.

What he saw inside made him pause. He heard something about this creature from a small squad Celestia sent to guard the guest wing of the castle around a year ago. This 'human' as they called it, was unlike any creature they've ever seen. Those that served in the badlands thought it to be a changeling, a new breed, perhaps. Veteran unicorns proposed that it was a golem, and a well crafted one at that. Pegasi that often traveled to the farthest reaches of Equestria were most causcious of the creature, for they knew that there were no others like it in the whole kingdom.

Blazing Shield? He wasn't sure what to think of the human. It was the first time he seen it muzzle to muzzle, and he was getting uneasy vibes from it. But there was a always a reliable fallback when he didn't know what to think of something, one that never failed him.

He had his orders, that's all that mattered.

"Captain Blazing Shield reporting for duty!" He hollered, saluting in front of the creature. It wore an elaborate dress, one Shield has seen many times on some of the nobles. To his mild displeasure, the color scheme was that of a night sky, and not the appropriate rich golden of the rest of the castle. Small, chestnut eyes focused on him, that, combined with the height difference stirred something deep inside the stallion, something that screamed at him to turn tail and run. He suppressed the though of retreat, choosing to straighten his posture and look the thing dead in the eyes.

"About time you showed up, bloody tardy." A distinctly masculine voice reverberated from the human's throat, his comment making Shield suppress a frown. "Get your flank over here, I need to know everything about security for today's ceremony. Guard posts, number of soldiers, shift changes, e.t.c." Shield paid no mind to the man's rude words, instead focusing on his question. He approached the table the figure was leaning on, and saw the plan of Solar Square, one where today's festivities were going to commense.

"Guards are stanioned to guard all the entryways, as well as the roofs of nearby buildings." He said, pointing out their positions. "Unicorns are ordered to use their height from the roofs to neutralize any threat they see, and the pegasi are patrolling the skies above. Nothing unwanted can make its way through all that." He finished proudly. The creature's face, however, was marred with doubt.

"Are the roofs lit up?" He said, pointing at the buildings.

"No,-" Shield shook his head. "- unicorns are hidden well in the dark, any potential enemy won't notice what hit 'em."

"Who's watching the skies? It's going to be pretty late, doubt they're going to see much."

"The thestrals, of course." The human crained his neck to raise an eyebrow at the pony. "I know they're under suspiscion as of late, but these ones stayed true to Her Majesty during The Schism, so The Princess threw them a bone." The human nodded and pointed and the exits.

"How frequent is the shift change? How many ponies are stationed on each post?" Blazing Shield rubbed his chin in thought.

"About every hour, two ponies per post." He noticed the dissatisfied expression the human was wearing, prompting him to ask. "Isn't that enough?" The human gave no reply, choosing instead to tap his fingers on the table. Minutes passed, and Shield began to wonder if this human fell asleep. Suddenly the human began pointing at different points on the plan.

"First things first, repalce all the thestral with pegasi, I don't want to risk an aerial assault." His finger moved on to the roofs. "Light the roofs like it's a funeral pyre, I don't want a single shadow up there." Finally, he pointed at the exits. "Double the ponies on each post, and make that shift change every half an hour, I don't want any surprises." He turned to the stallion with a steely expression.

Blazing Shield was at a loss for words. This human, this nobody who spoke to him like a common soldier, giving orders that contradicted the Princess'.

He was everything they needed! In truth, Blazing Shield spent the better part of the year trying to prohibit thestrals from military service, but the Solar Alicorn had heard none of it, stating that it'd damage the relationships with the fourth tribe even further. It didn't matter to her that those very ponies served her backstabbing traitor of a sister, and could potentially retaliate at any time. And the worst part? He couldn't do anything about it, Celestia herself prohibited him to do so.

But now? He was ordered to follow this man's command, withing reason, of course.

This was his chance to prove he was right all along.

"Consider it done, sir!" He saluted with a smile, ready to do the right thing.

Thousands of ponies stood still, bathed in brilliant golden light of the sun, all transfixed by a single figure. Their ever radiant monarch stood proud on a large golden podium with her head held high. Everypone held a breath as she opened her mouth, the square becoming so quiet one could her the rustle of fallen leaves on the wind, if not for the absense of the latter. The sun itself stood still in reverence as the famous Canterlot Voice reverberated through the square, and, eventually, through the streets of the city.

"Ponies of Equestria!"

It felt like the earth itself shuddered at the might of her voice.

"For an entire year our nights were tarnished by worry, in fear of the return of The Great Usurper."

In the silence that followed her words, a faint murmur was heard from the admittedly small group of thestrals gathered at the square.

Cower in fear no longer! For I, Princess Celestia introduce you the one who will control the Night during my Sister's banishment.

Nervous murmurs spread through the crowd like a frenized flame, soon transforming into a continuous background noise.

Welcome Renna, Lady Of The Full Moon!

The might of her voice momentarily silenced the crowd, giving enough time for the aformentioned doll to emerge. She wore an elegant long dress that complimented her natural color well, with the additional benifit of hiding her mechanical joints.

Another figure appeared with her, one donning a formal dress befitting a nloble, the color of a night sky. He seemed to be empty-handed, but whisps of something yellow periodically ecaped his clenched left fist.

Accompanying her from a distant land is Vecor, Lord Of The Night Sky.

An uncomfortable silence fell upon the square, until a single clopping sound shattered it. Following the lone example, ponies from all around the square started clopping their hooves, the sound of a deafening stampede engulfing the square. In all the exitement, it was hard to notice that not a sound escaped from the thestrals.

And now, what you all have been waiting for!

The sounds died down once again at thepowerful reverberation of the Canterlot Voice.

Lady Renna will demonstrate her power over her namesake!

Everypony held their breath as Renna raised her first pair of hands, forming a triangle with the fingers on her other two hands. A blue aura enveloped her, as the moon, drowned by the same tinge buckled under pressure and finally risen from beyond the horizon, just as Celestia moved her own Sun in a flare of golden hue.

Finally, the moon stood proud on the canvas of the night sky, an image of an alicorn etched into the celestial body. In the descending darkness, the roofs stood out like a sore thumb, lit so well one might consider each was housing a small sun.

The sound of zealous clopping filled the square, as the subjects of The Sun entered a state of utter fervor. She did it, their Princess, although second-handedly, tamed The Moon itself.

In all that commotion nopony noticed the solar guards on the roofs falling one by one, blinded by their own lights, being unable to repel aerial attacks. The pegasi that were meant to guard the skies were missing too, fallen victim to a flurry of sharp steel talons.

Screams erupted throughout the crowed as pegasi fell one after the other all over the square. Ponies stampeded over eachother, frantically running down the adjacent narrow streets, trampling eachother.

A storm of dark blue descended onto the center of the square, revealing itself to be hundreds of thestrals, each and every covered in dark purple armor, each and every one armed, literally, to the teeth. Two figures stood out from the crowd, however, both of them wearing a more elaborate helmet than the rest of the bunch.

"This is a coup!" The larger batpony bellowed, pointing a spear at the trio on the stage. "Surrender now, and you may yet live!" He commanded pompously, a self-assured expression on his face.

Celestia went to answer, when a tall human figure passed her, walking down to the square and facing the insurgents. Not deterred by the action, she tried to speak againt, but a cold hand placed upon her withers forced her to look at Renna, who shook her head.

"They made their choice." She mouthed silently.

Vecor stood tall oposing the two thestrals, the tension in the air palpable.

"Lowly thestral!" He all but growled. "Who do you think yourself to be?" The thestral in question snickered and adressed Celestia.

"Sending a golem to speak in your stead? How brave of you, Princess." He spat the last word out with vitriol. "Nevertheless, I'll entertain you." He turned to the human once more, wearing a condescending expression. "Before you stands Captain Black Comet, the best of Her Majesty's personal guard." He said, before pointing his hoof at the mare next to him. "And this, is Meteor, my second in command." The mare beside him made a brave face, despite trying to avoid looking the human in the eyes. "Did you catch that, golem? Or shall I repeat it slower this time?"

"I see." Vecor replied, approaching the two, putting them on edge. "You're but a opportunist, smoldering with your meager flame of ambition." He took a small bell from the inside of his costume and rang it. Another figure appeared beside Vecor, a few heads taller than the man. Its face was covered by a hood, a peculear dagger in its right hand. Upon closer examination the figure seemed translucent, like a spirit or a ghost. The two thestrals assumed a combat stance, waiting for Vector to attack first. "Don't be so tense, I'm just skewing the chances further in my favour." The stallion hissed at him in a failed attempt at intimidation. "Besides, I'm open for conversation."

"There can be no conversation!" Black Comet growled, glaring at Celestia. "She commited regicide! Killed her sister!" He spat, pointing at the white monarch. "I refuse to bargain with her ilk!" A hurt expression marred Celestias features, while the human just sighed.

"Your Princess is merely banished for her crimes, Celestia would never take a life of her kin."

"How was she moving the moon then?" The stallion argued, undeterred. "The only way to do so would be to inherit the power of another Alicorn, and we both know what that means!"

"The Moon's movement is controlled by Renna, as you all heard. We came from a distant land, where things aren't what they are here." His confident responce didn't sway the stallion, but the mare beside him squirmed uncomfortably.

"Is that true?" Meteor finally asked, not able to hold back her curiosity. "Is Luna truly alive?" Her voice was as desperate as it was hopeful.

"I swear it on my Sun." Celestia replied, eyes brimming with tears.

Black Comet stood in shock, as Metior approached Celestia, and stood by her side.

"Et tu?" He croaked, shaking his head. "Fine, do as you please! Believe her lies, lick her hooves for all I care!" He shouted in rage.

"Comet-" Celestia said calmly. "-it's not too late, lay down your arms and-"

"NO!" The stallion shattered the pavement with his hooves. "YOU'll PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE!"

"Very well." Vecor replied, whistling. Suddenly, an ethereal horse rushed past him, leaving a peculiar weapon on the ground before disappearing. The man picked up the warped blade of shifting hue, holding it with both hands. "Someone must extinguish your flame."

In a blink of an eye, all three sprung into motion like loaded springs. Vecor charged at the stallion, swinging his weapon overhead at him. The ethereal swiped her dagger at Comet, sending out a curved wave of red and black at the stallion, who dodged both attacks, sinking his hoof-mounted talons into the human's side.

A dozen or so thestrals jumped into the fight, swoop down onto the ghostly figure from up above. The figure danced elegantly between their attacks, slashing each thestral before retreating, watching as each soon fell to the ground, trying in vain to put out the black-red flame that engulfed them.

Vecor grabbed the blunt side of the blade with his hand, slashing at the pony. Comet dodged the attack too early, an angry red slash cutting his armor in two. Before he could recuperate, the slash exploded in a flash of red flame, staggering the stallion. Another slash sent him flying into the nearby building, a mortifying crack echoing through the square.

Some thestrals fled, some stood in shock, but the rest of those who could move? They piqued down on top of the figure, drowning him in the pile of hard hooves and sharp talons. The spectral figure was busy fending off her own assailants, unable to help.

Renna stood still despite all, much to Celestia's horror.

A roaring fire burst from the inside of the pile, setting the surrounding area aflame. Thestral dropped to the ground, rolling in an attempt to put out the flame. Vecor rose from his kneeling position, the flame in his left hand on full display. It was still different from the one that engulfed him, the latter being a bright orange color, while the former a strange mix of yellow and red.

His clothes were burned completely, revealing a number of nasty gashes and bruises all over his body. The flame, however frenzied it was, didn't seem to affect him.

Finally, in a snap of blue shimmering light, Renna stood beside her consort, enveloping him in a hug.

As the pale moon graced the square in its white light, all sound of battle ceased, leaving only silence.

And two figures embracing eachother.

Author's Note

This came out way, way longer than I anticipated, and took just as long to complete.

Still, I'm generally pleased with the end product, hopefully you'll enjoy it!:twilightsmile:

Fun fact: Tarnished Guy's name was supposed to be Vecors, but it dodn't sound as good, so I cut the 's'.

Don't forget to leave a comment if you can, and have a good day!