A thousand years have passed since the Nightmare Rebellion. The dark war between the two Princesses and their forces. The modern lay-pony may only know of the battle of the sisters, though even after her banishment those dark forces, Thestrals and other creatures of the night rampaged through the once peaceful land of Equestria. The war was long and bloody, and those following the Solar Princess got more and more zealous. The hundred year war culminated in the execution of a peaceful village by the Order Solaire, slaying hundreds of innocent Thestrals, vowing to exterminate the entire species.
But even in her grief and madness, Princess Celestia refused to let them complete this monstrous mission, tricking the Order, ordering everypony back to their base, a humble county, run by a grief stricken and vengeful Count, once renowned for their storied knights, protectors of the land, the weak and innocent, slayers of dragons and other monsters. Once even the stragglers had arrived, she lit her mighty horn with the solar glow, and sealed them in the land, a barrier strengthened by every sunrise, so none may leave and spread their madness and vile hatred once more. The last words these ponies heard from their beloved Princess was her renouncing them and their ways. Announcing that none may leave until they find peace in their hearts once more. Until they give up the madness that gripped each and every heart in the keep.
Then she left, knowing none currently living there would ever see their beloved land again, though they tried for decades. Generations lived and died, raised into that blind hate and dying in it. And for every generation there was a knight, trained in the ways of combat and knightly prowess, a champion meant to lead them to victory once the barrier has finally been broken. Celestia always holding in hope that one day their descendants might rejoin the world at large.
Though sadly, while she didn’t have the strength to do so, maybe she should have killed every member of the Order as they grew in strength and power, leaving the Counts weaker with every passing century, letting the order enforce that twisted religion, letting them set the story within that isolated bubble. Training and creating the Knights.
I suppose that’s where I come into the story finally. I’m the son of the Count, though a disgraced one at that, And I am the Knight which finally leaves the bubble and joins Equestria. On the anniversary of the Lunar Princess’ exile I had been sitting in the spartan dining hall with Father, the count of this little fiefdom, and my beloved sister Dayglow, and our uncle Constellation. As usual since my appointing as Knight of the Realm, “Champion of the Order Solaire” and the Army of the Day, I was wrapped firmly in my steel plate and gambeson, the symbol of my authority sheathed and leaning against the table, an ancient magisteel sword passed down since the Sealing.
“So Father, I hear it’s the Summer Sun Celebration today, will I be required to keep order this year?” I sip some fine wine, eyeing him as my free hoof adjusts the amulet locked firmly around my throat, the chains rubbing softly against the scars it’s ground into the flesh beneath my coat over the years. “Or will it be another quiet year wherein the damnable Order keeps to it’s monastery instead of almost inciting a riot? You know you’d just need to say the word and I’d topple the church down around their head.”
“Now now Arc, you might be my son, but even I cannot allow you to say such… treasonous words” He stares levelly at me, meeting my dim golden eyes. An unsaid message communicated in that weary stare as he watches my shining white hoof fiddle with that chain. “After all, it’s by their grace you and I still live, and I’m sure your uncle, Thestral or no, will agree when I say we need to keep the realm and the status quo.” He finishes his admonishment with a bite of the fine meal before us, horn lit, fork glowing and levitating up to his muzzle.
“They might hate the Thestrals dear boy, but they’ve never hurt us who had the misfortune to bear the night curse.” Constellation offers his piece, fork held by his wing, spearing a piece of that grilled fish laid on his and Dayglow’s plate, slipping it into his fanged maw, chewing quietly before swallowing. “Regardless of anything else, it’s the thousandth year since the Mad Princess’ exile, and I’m sure your old mentor would have lectured you on the magical significance of such events.”
My ear twitches and I look through the window at our cursed, starless sky outside, contemplating quietly. “Aye uncle, though it seems like you learned just as much as I from the old mare. That’s why I’m awake at such an ungodly hour, guarding the night and my family before the sun rises and this day truly starts, I couldn’t sleep well during the night. I apologize to each of you by the by, for always being absent from these lovely breakfasts, and-” I’m cut off by the dome flashing gold for a second, lighting the fief with that holy glow, whirling around, grabbing the sword with a hoof, the enchanted belt latching around my barrel in seconds as I rush to the window, looking outside. Golden lighting flashes across the barrier, my blood going cold and heart pounding. “Get in the safe room I’ll go investigate and retrieve you once I deal with this!” I don’t even look behind, galloping out of the room as I’m sure they’re all retreating to the enchanted vault, racing through the empty halls and blasting through the heavy wooden doors, eyes wide, looking for whatever breached the barrier or caused this awful commotion, finding nothing.
I keep running tirelessly until I reach the town square, leaving divots in the cobblestone path, amulet bouncing against the chest-plate before I stuff it under, ears perked. Sure enough the militia has rallied as they were trained to do, standing in a ready legion before me.
“STATUS REPORT!” I shout, voice thundering across the masses, the screaming of our village ponies hiding in their homes dying down as they hear the trusted voice of their Knight.
“SIR! The barrier has weakened! A dragon must have breached it again! We don’t know where it could be though!” The Captain of our guard pants breathlessly, his barding hanging crookedly off his frame, looking for all the world like he had been dead asleep mere minutes before mustering and rushing to don the iron plate cuirass. Then, the crowd suddenly parts before us, a cloaked monk of the Order standing there in all his fel glory. Grinning bloodily under that cowl they all wear.
“It’s as our augurs have foreseen dear Knight, a return of the Night Demon, we must march to the Princess’ aid. And once and for all slay those damned moon-spawn. His voice, like that of all the order, is slimy and sibilant, rejoicing in a perceived return to bloodshed and slaughter the Order Solaire did in ages now long past. “Will you lead our army to glory and redemption?”
“We will stay here until the princess comes for our aid, as she ORDERED when she cast the bubble around us, I’m sure if the Night returned then she’d have fetched us long before now to lead her forces to victory, you know the tale as well as I. We will stay mustered until sunrise, unless of course it’s merely another dragon breaching the barrier we’ve yet to see. Then we shall handle it as we always do, with magisteel and cold iron bolts.” I speak coldly to the nameless stallion of the order, staring him down.
“We must march for the capital NOW you bastard knight.” He spits furiously, gliding up to stare me down, or well, up. As he’s short for a unicorn and I’m tall for one. My hoof subconsciously grinds into the cobblestones, cracking beneath my hoof, head lowering in seeming deference as one of his portly subordinates pants, finally catching up, hoisting an ancient standard, clad with the Radiant Sun, symbol of the forces of Day, shakily offering it to me. I swiftly grab it, raising it thoughtfully, his bloody, dripping grin widening in jubilance until I bring it down, planting it where I stand.
“We will stay here until the Princess orders otherwise, you of all ponies should know the tale, and the last order.” He glares, gritting his teeth as I take my turn to stare his down, white fur shimmering radiantly under the golden storm of the globe, appearing to the humble militia folk as one of the ancient heroes of the war standing firm beneath the Standard of our forebears, like a scene out of the murals in the church. He screams in fury, striking me across the chest, his hoof cracking against my plate armour, leaving him to give a pained whimper as he sullenly stalks off. “Guards! Stand firm and hold ready! We wait until the princess comes or whatever this is ends!” They all cheer and salute me, the battle standard lending me it’s regal authority as we wait.
Hours pass as we wait, the flashing of arcane thunder rumbling across the sealing dome, still holding strong as I ordered our warriors to not try and pierce it, and gloriously the sun rises strong, soon shining strong overhead as the lightning dies down, my rigid stance melting as I sigh in relief, undoing my sword belt with a shaking hoof, tension easing away from the assembled troops. “Guard!” I smirk at the loyal troops of the fiefdom. “...At ease!” They cheer and soon filter away as I pull the standard out of the ground, slowly trotting back to the keep, keeping the pole upright so it doesn’t get sullied by the path. It takes awhile to return home since I wasn’t running like the Nightmare returned, pricking my hoof on my belt knife and pressing the now bloodied hoof to the enchanted door, opening them and returning to the vault to let my dear family know it was safe to come back out.
In my mind the crisis is now over as I hold the standard proudly. Father and the rest filtering back into the throne room as I lead them. Father settles on the throne and looks quizzically at the banner I now hold. “So I take it the Nightmare returned after all these years and you lead the battle to vanquish her?” He finally asks as my sister and uncle look at me wide eyed in astonishment.
“No father, truthfully we never left the fief, or discovered what had been happening, I ordered us all to stand ready for a battle should we need to, but not leave while the barrier was down, as the princess had ordered us to back then. You know the tale as well as I do. We are to stand ready and wait for her orders to march. The Order tried to order us to march on for Equestria proper and I refused them, citing her command” I speak respectfully to the Count, training dictating I give the final status report of the day. “The priest struck me and left shortly thereafter, forgetting to retrieve the solar battle standard, and I held the guard steady against the night should it attack us, all in all though, nothing of import happened.”
He gulps nervously, wetting his lips briefly. “Arc, you know as well as I do that story is false. There was no such order, it’s a fabrication by the Order. We were told so long as the madness continued we’d all be trapped within. You just went against the Order! Celestia knows what they’ll do to you now…” An errant hoof scrapes on the stone floor behind me, leaving me to whirl around once again as I see the eerily quiet head of the Order glaring hatefully at me, bloodied tear stains running down his face.
“Indeed, You’ve committed crime against the Holy Order you ungrateful bastard… we will make you pay for this insolence. Clearly we’ve went astray letting somepony of such a QUESTIONABLE bloodline become the Knight.” He whispers and shouts, twitching with poorly concealed insanity, volume rising and falling between each word, the unstable manner of speaking leaving all who hear it off balance and disconcerted, as he gets closer to us, not seeming to lift a hoof or even move, yet still getting closer with every heartbeat. “For the past few hours we’ve discussed what to do with a traitor such as you. We’ve already denounced you and your name, you are to be brought to the edge of the barrier to be judged by the princess. You will find no friends among the guards nor the peasants any more, for they will be put to the death if they even speak your name now Knight. Now… come quietly or we’ll put your family to death as you watch. It would be better for them, especially that disgusting sister, if you let the barrier judge and destroy you.” With those ghastly words his horn lights up, tearing through my resistance to levitate me, leaving my family with a mournful look and a mouthed ‘I’m sorry’ knowing it’s for the best that I not fight my fate. Feeling weary beyond my years, sad that I’ll never see my 25th summer.
The barrier judges ponies who touch it to try and breach it, by disintegrating them in a golden flash, the power of the sun incinerating that which tries to leave, it’s not a judgement, just certain death. It’s been used in the past to slay rogue Knights and it’s now my fate as well. He trots silently through the halls, more members of his order forming around us, an honour guard for the death of a repentant knight instead of an execution squad should I have resisted. He trots briskly through the summer day, through the town square to show the shamed and defeated knight to the populace, letting them throw stones, fruits, and whatever they can at me as I was denounced as a heretic, my eyes locking with one of my lieutenants, hers tearing up in grief, hoof twitching in an instinctual salute as I say goodbye to one of my oldest friends with a solemn wave of a hoof and a sad smile before a cobblestone is ripped up by the captain to slam into my muzzle, not breaking the nose but tearing the skin, blood pouring from the snout before one of the monks shouts in a fury.
“Stand down Captain! The heretic has submitted himself for judgement and the princess is the only to pass that judgement! He will die by the barrier! He may deserve no dignity but only she may pass any judgement!” The Order monk has pressed close to the captain, panting in a holy rage, his hoof twitching menacingly, sparks shooting from his horn. I smile wryly as he rejoins the procession. Marching resolutely onto my death. Holding a prayer in my heart for the two princesses, forgiving those I had protected as they shout and shame me. Eyes closing as I make my peace, hoof reaching to my pouches and dropping the one holding my bits so they all might get one last gift from me, forgiving them as I look back at the dear lieutenant with no small amount of sorrow.
“Dear guards, this is the fate of any heretic, I beg of you not to follow in my path, stay safe. Protect your ponies and forget any name I might have had, don’t give them any excuse to harm you all as well as I.” I hold my head high for a second as I speak with one last bit of glory, the incensed shouting reaching a crescendo, a roaring fury as the Order monks hold back the villagers trying to strike me down, the head teleporting himself and I up the path, out of sight, vomiting blood before straightening and sneering at me, his acolytes catching up in a frantic gallop. Then we continue as they form around us again. “I don’t suppose we could get a move on priest? We all have things to do today after this don’t we?” I smirk at the cowled figure as he growls at me from under his hood.
“If you don’t keep silent I’m going to have to assume you’ve spread your heresy to your family as well, damn the consequences.” He threatens darkly, wiping his mouth with a hoof, smearing blood on the sleeve of his robes. In return, for fear of my family joining me at the barrier, watching the foliage of the trees in the bright sunlight, dappling us in beams of the holy light. Making my peace with my imminent death we reach the brilliant gleaming border separating the lands within from those without. The instrument of my death awaits, a mere hoof away.
“Now, Heretic, for the crime of disobeying the Order Solaire, and refusing to lead our army against the night for the glory of the day… you are sentenced to judgement. Perish in the holy fire of Celestia!” With a jubilant exclamation he tosses his head, sending me flying in his colourless magic to crash against the dome, my eyes clenched shut in terror as the light flashes and devours me, pain searing me to my bones. Tumbling to the ground like a rag-doll dropped by a filly as she flees from a rampaging dragon, armour clanking on the ground, sword hilt jabbing against my ribs as I roll across the ground, expecting my life to fade in any second, eyes staying shut as I whimper in exhausted pain.
Minutes pass before I open my eyes again, staring at my hooves in pure confusion, wondering why I have yet to die. To my shock I’m completely unharmed, except for my bloody muzzle, shakily getting to my hooves just in time to catch the standard I had carried flying into my face through the barrier, letting out a silent yelp as I step back from the barrier and staring at it in deep contemplation, unable to see inside, just as they can’t see out of it. They must have been erasing any evidence of my taint by simply throwing it out of the barrier to be destroyed, a hoof launching up to catch my shield as it flies out of the barrier. Sighing in exasperation at the foalish waste of resources as I clip it to my back, adjusting it so it sits comfortably. Hefting the standard and just staring, unsure of what to do now, my bound sword strapped to me once again by the magic.
“What in Tartarus will they give the next knight without these? Celestia I hope those fools have spares, regular steel doesn’t cut it against dragons and I scarcely believe they just have an armoury full of this stuff in that nights-damned church of theirs…” I mumble quietly, rubbing my sore snout with a steel shod hoof, soon turning and marching away, seeing the fabled Mt. Canterhorn in the distance, a gleaming castle protruding from the side. “The Princess has a castle right? That must be it, guess she moved the capitol away from Everfree city? At the least I could ask directions to the capitol if it’s neither place.” I sigh and stretch, glancing around and pulling my heavy amulet off, hanging it from the standard, stretching everything completely before throwing it around my neck again, tucking it inside my chest-plate, brushing an errant lock of mane away from my eyes, humming a song I heard from a tavern filly the week before. Marching to the distant mountain, grazing on the nigh tasteless grass, refusing to sleep days pass by in a daze, my snout healing up nicely, leaving another scar. I examine it in a puddle of rain, watching colourful pegasi tend to the clouds overhead as I march on, towards that castle on the mountain, eyes wandering across the land, washing my muzzle in a stream, undoing the war standard from the polearm, tucking it into a saddlebag after folding the ancient thing respectfully, having little else to my name but my armour and equipment now.
“From the son of a count to a wandering vagabond huh? I suppose there’s worse fates, like being dead.” I muse as I step onto yet another road, leaning on my ancient polearm, yawning wearily before shaking myself awake as the moon hangs overhead, the ancient mare in the moon no longer looking down upon us all, smiling in wonder at the pristine surface not seen since generations past, stars twinkling overhead. A sight nopony in the little fief had seen since it was sealed, a trick of that solar barrier. It was all so beautiful and peaceful, bugs chirping, owls hooting, the music of the night sounding in my ears as I reach the bottom of that mountain, sighing as I see the path leads to the side of it.
In another day’s travel I come across the path leading up the mountain, ponies chattering happily as they lead their wagons up and down it, some going silent at the sight of me. Nervously stepping away they give me space as I continue marching up, stomach grumbling as I find little to graze on near the path, slaking my thirst with a canteen one of the other travelling ponies had generously given me. A passing stallion in golden armour stares uncertainly at my gleaming steel chest-plate, his horn glowing as he writes some kind of missive on a scroll and hands it to a pegasus clad in similar armour for him to fly up the mountain. I chuckle wryly as I watch him fly up to the bustling city, wishing I could have joined him in flight, yearning to join the sky my heart twinges with envy as I keep plodding along, the polearm strapped to my side as I wait to be admitted to the city in a line of other travellers, curiously glancing at a strange set of steel things mounted into square wooden logs, gasping in surprise as huge iron beast blast up them, ascending the mountain and soon stopping at a way-station built up against those steel rails. Disgorging ponies from within as I watch, idly stepping through the checkpoint.
“You’ll uh, keep those weapons to yourself in Canterlot won’t you? I won’t lie by the way, I haven’t seen a costume like that before, you know Nightmare Night isn’t for another few moons right?” A guard asks, staring at me quizzically as lets me past.
“I assure you I’d not give them to anypony, they have a purpose. And well, I have a role in the city that I forgot to arrange transportation to get to, so I had to carry everything with me on the long way up, easier to wear it than to carry it you know?” I chuckle and lie to the guard, not wanting to be impeded. The stallion chuckles and steps to the side, letting me in. As I trot along I look up at the towers and tall buildings in awe, wonder visible in my eyes at the massive structures around me. They look stronger than anything that could be built back home, everything made of bricks and stones. “Wow, so this is what it looks like when you have plenty to build with, other than the keep everything was made of wood, sod, or thatch. This city is the most beautiful sight I’ve seen!” A passing unicorn chuckles at my outburst but then keeps on his way. The ponies all around me as I keep marching to the castle are well dressed, their snoots in the air, giving an unbearable aura of smug. Oh how I miss the days of patrolling the humble fief, other than those creepy Order Solaire.
By luck and persistence I’ve made it to the doors of the castle at mid-day, joining a line of ponies orderly walking inside, waiting my turn in line outside the throne room, unhooking the polearm from my side and affixing the standard to it once more, telling a curious unicorn ahead of me it was a historical artefact I was hoping to ask the princess about, not wanting to cause any worry or panic since I’m sure a strange stallion in gleaming steel already causes enough of that. I feel out of place amongst all those surely noble unicorns waiting to petition her royal highness for important things, merely wanting her to serve her, or receive royal orders, perhaps told to patrol the borders and protect the land from dragons.
I glance at the empty suits of armour on display as I wait in front of the huge doors of the throne room, waiting for the disappointed noble to march out shouting about whatever outrage he’s feeling at his “humble” petition being denied. Though I’m surprised when the large unicorn trots back out with a humble smile, adjusting his monocle. “Looks like you’re up next chap, good luck!” He pats my shoulder with a hoof and trots away with a pleasant hum, leaving me to blink in surprise before the guard opens the door and ushers me inside, leading me up to the dais where the throne is, the holy alicorn of the sun sitting in it, staring at the war standard with confusion and worry
“Welcome, my little pony, please tell me what you wanted with me, and along the way where you found that old relic.” Her voice is musical, beautiful beyond measure, reverence filling my soul as I kneel before her, presenting the standard as the knightly manuals taught. Head bowed down before she whispers in astonishment, even my sharp ears not deciphering the words. “… Please stand young colt, and speak.”
“Hail, Holy Princess of the Day, I have come to pledge allegiance to you. I have come from the fief of Shining Dawn. I was banished from my station and have travelled seeking your guidance.” I speak formally, wishing there was more in the manuals for speaking to the Princess than merely kneeling. I meekly raise my head and look upon her radiant countenance. Her face is ashen, and I feel ashamed for having caused her distress.
“You came from the land of Shining Dawn? The ancient warlord who slaughtered thousands of innocents? The land I sealed to protect everypony from? You come, brazenly bearing the banner of war long since forgotten. Because you were banished from your station? What, pray tell, was the station you held in that forgotten land?” She stares into my eyes, piercing my soul with those amethyst gems. I gulp, lips feeling dry, heart pounding in my chest.
“Yes my Princess, that is the land I hail from. And my station, as well as the reason I was banished, was Knight, commander of the guard. I served well in my station, slaying many rampaging beasts that breached the barrier. I was judged by the barrier for… well…” I stand up straight, rolling my white hoof uncertainly for a moment. “When the sun didn’t rise, however many days ago that’s been now. The holy barrier started flashing and crackling with your magicks, and fearing another dragon was attacking we mustered in the town square to ready for battle, when one of the Order Solaire approached and said their augurs had proclaimed it was our time to breach the barrier ourself as it was breaking and march to your side to do battle once more. I refused, and had us hold in the town square, for if you truly wanted us to come, you would order us yourself, as the legends say. He ordered me to march for the barrier and presented me with the solar standard.” Her eyes harden yet more and I gulp again, standing ramrod stiff as her guard observe in a group behind me, breathing picking up, vowing to submit to her solar judgement once more should the need arise.
“Once again, I refused, ordering the guard to hold strong as if it were the prophesied day you’d have ordered us personally. He struck me and left, hours later the sun finally rose and I returned home to my family, the Count Sunshine my father, as well as my sister Dayglow and our uncle, the thestral named Constellation. As I was debriefing them the head of the order came, denouncing me as a heretic of the night for not marching on to Everfree city to do battle at your side as the knights of old did. I was informed if I did not submit my whole family would be purged as heretics. So I surrendered and he summarily executed me, much as he had with others, by throwing them to the barrier which kills all who it judges as impure trying to leave. To my shock I have yet to erupt into a pillar of golden flame. So I guessed you had use for me still and came to enlist at your side.” I smile nervously at the goddess before me, once again kneeling and presenting the banner.
“We have little use for knights in this time of peace. And littler use for dragon slayers. I order you, fallen Knight- what exactly is your name? It’s rather rude to not introduce yourself to the Princess I hear.” She gives a faint smirk as she stares down at me.
“I beg your pardon, Holy Princess, by command of the Order Solaire my name was to be struck off the records and forgotten by all. I no longer have one.” I mumble nervously, pondering what order she could be planning on giving, knowing she had just said she had little use for me.
“I do not recognise the authority of that cabal of monsters, nor their spawn in the current day, now, give me your name.” Her voice is cold iron, my blood chilled by the thought I had displeased her.
“My name, your highness, is Arc.” I had given her the diminutive my family lovingly called me in my haste to please her. “I-I mean uh, Moonlit Arc, Knight of the Arcane Steel!” I stammer nervously, hoof stomping onto the ground, a spray of sparks erupting under that steel shod hoof for a moment as I stand up straight, accidentally meeting her eyes, unworthy as I am.
“You earned your knighthood I take it?” She hums curiously. “Or were you knight merely because of your father’s station?”
“I was selected by the order as a colt and trained to be a knight until I reached the age of service at 16 your majesty.” I swallow again, wishing it wouldn’t be improper to take a quaff from that strange modern canteen right now. “I served until just very recently, as I had said before. My father was against me becoming a knight but the list of ponies who can cross the Order Solaire and live is rather short and has but one name upon it. Yours my Princess.”
“Then I see no reason than to leave you as ‘Knight of Arcane Steel’ then my little pony. Tell me though, Moonlit Arc, you bear a rather strange name for one who hails from a land of solar zealots. Why is that exactly?” Her head tilts slightly, surely a precisely measured angle to ensure absolute elegance as she asks that question.
“It’s merely the name I had been given at birth by my mother before her passing your highness.” I’m not sure how to answer, and I hope I answered to her satisfaction.
“Well Knight Arc, now that I have ordered you to keep the knighthood you’ve spent your life working towards, I hereby order you to re-” The door behind me flies open with a huge slam, my ears folding back as I spin around, hoof reaching for my sword before a golden glow freezes me in place. There’s a panting pegasus woozily walking up to the dais, wheezing from exertion, lathered with sweat from a flight in his heavy golden armour. “P-princess! The barrier has fallen! The land of D-dawn. It’s…” He collapses, breathing heavily as the princess slams me to the ground, perceiving me as spearhead for some invading force, sent to distract her.
“How many are marching for us Lt. Cloud?!” She storms down to him, a canteen popping into existence that she levitates to his lips, wherein he takes a long draught, slaking his thirst.
“None! T-they’re all dead! I-it looks like some kind of civil war happened!” My eyes widen, world tunnelling out, going black around the edges as I struggle to stand again.
“T-the keep! Did you check the vault?! Please! My family can’t be- they can’t… they can’t be dead!” I cry out in a blind panic, crawling over to the downed pegasus, frantically shaking him before a solar glow forces me back. Leaving me staring, tears filling my eyes, worry flooding my heart.
“There was a dead dragon in the court of the keep, surrounded by corpses of the local guards and priests! The vault had been broken open by some powerful unicorn it looked like, the current count was hung inside by his neck, everypony is dead… i-it looked like it all happened a few hours before I flew over and noticed the barrier was just… gone.” He breaths out. Shocked by what he had seen. “The forensic team used the resonance spell to see the past events… they had heavy casualties to the rogue dragon attack, and then the town ponies and guards marched on a monastery and laid siege, a-and this horde of priests came out and started killing everyone, though the guards almost gave as good as they got! It looks like only a few got through and.. Well, the priests attacked the keep, but they lost all but one of their number, some creep with dark magic out the wazoo. It seems like the count uh, dealt a fatal blow but the priest killed him as he lay dying. He enchanted the belt of his robes to wait until the count came over and it struck, wrapping around his throat and squeezing while it pulled him into the air.” He sits there, just breathing after getting all of that out in a daze.
I feel like my whole world just came crashing down. The barrier all of us grew up within, it had broken, once and for all, and none were alive to see it but me. I felt a terrible, deep shame for having left just days before this catastrophe happened, not dying at my post, defending my family. I don’t quite notice when I break down in wretched sobs, hating my fate as the only survivor of my ponies. That my whole family was gone for good, not merely trapped safely in the land’s borders.
“No… it. It can’t be true… please Princess! Please tell me my family lives still! I can’t… I can’t be the last of my father’s line. Please, don’t let me saving them by leaving… don’t let it be true…” I cling tearfully to the princess’s leg, feeling like nothing more than a weak foal. I set my head to her leg, clinging to the only thing I know, head angled so my horn doesn’t pierce her leg.
She looks down at the sobbing knight in astonishment, holding very still as that fragile pony in gleaming armour sobs his heart out. “I-I'm sorry my little pony, but the only way that barrier was designed to come down was once there was nopony left, be it from them all giving up their hatred of my sister and her nights, or if there’s simply no one alive… I can feel the barrier has come down. The lieutenant and the emergency team have confirmed that nopony lives in the ruins. I’m sorry Arc, I’m so sorry for your loss.” She kneels down to pull me, still a sobbing wreck, into an unsure hug. Trying to comfort me.
“I… I was going to order you back to your post, and escort you back to tell that wretched order that you were there with my authority. I was… planning on having you lead them all to a much brighter future.” She hmms gently, her wings wrapping around me. I feel grateful that she’s hiding the sorry excuse of a stallion from the crowd of guards watching. I merely howl in grief, the sound resonating supernaturally through the whole castle, not noticing her wince as her ears fold back in pain from the enhanced voice the order had blessed me with to order the meagre army we had.
A door opens in the back, as I pant, my heart broken as I hear silver shod shoes clop closer across the floor. “S-sister, we, we heard some strange howling as we slept… is everything okay? Who’s that stallion you’re embracing?” The princess stands and I look up, seeing the little blue alicorn watching me from her sister’s side. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, standing suddenly. Celestia watching closely, horn lit for any perceived hint of danger to her sister, though I somehow pay it no mind as I dry my eyes with a scarred foreleg.
“Holy Princess of the Night, I greet thee. I am Moonlit Arc, Knight of the Arcane Steel. I must say something to thee and I beg pardon for my impertinence and unseemly appearance right now.” I raise my hoof and lightning quick my sword launches from its scabbard. Leaving Celestia to gasp in alarm, her magic launching at me and subsequently flowing off the activated enchantments. My armour had bought me a moment of time as I approach the Lunar Princess, everypony looking on in shock, frozen in suspense, even the Solar Princess as she gapes at me nervously, terrified I’d take her sister from her once more. Though her horn glows with a much stronger spell charging, the heat in the room starting to raise. Then with lightning quick motion the sword slices, cutting into my leg before I kneel holding it hilt out by bloodied fore-hoof to the terrified princess of the night.
“I’m glad you’re back. You’re just… as wondrous as my uncle told me you would be… my blade is yours should you wish, as is my life, worthless as it may be. I swore fealty to your sister as a young colt of 16 summers, not knowing if she ever accepted it, and I swear it to you as well now. I just, want you both to know, even in our little land, that many prayed to you as well, hiding it from that damned order… if anypony has the right to take my life, the last life of the land of Shining Dawn, it is you. So please, take it so I might meet my family one last time.” My head sinks down, blood flowing heavily in that silent court room.
“My life belongs to the princesses. That is the oath I swore to myself. To serve both when the time came, however that might be.” I feel a hoof reach out and tenderly grasp the blade, lifting it from the bleeding hoof, which I let fall down with a heavy clop. Head lowered, ready for the strike.
“Please young Moonlit… please raise your head?” Her dulcet voice, soft as silk graces my ears as I look up, seeing her beauty again, glad I could try to right the wrong my ancestors had done. “We don’t wish to slay you dear Knight, though we suppose we’re flattered, now, we believe our dear sister is chomping at the bit to give you a talking to. It’s… good to have somepony other than sister to remind us of home, and you look like you just came off one of our old battles against the dragon hordes before we fell. We appreciate your fealty however.” She smiles, and a cool balm soothes my aching heart, eyes flashing a deep glowing yellow for a moment before they’re restored to normal, her own widening in surprise and secret delight. Her expression schooling itself.
“Indeed, we have much to discuss Moonlit. Like how you suddenly walked through my magic like it wasn’t there, or approaching my dear sister with a sword drawn, even if it was to offer your life to her. I almost blasted you before you knelt I hope you know. Regardless, I can’t send you to be knight of a dead land, and I’m not sure you’d fit well into the guard, but…” She trails off uncertainly as Princess Luna trots up next to me, dropping the sword from her levitation and watching it fly right back into my scabbard, runes glowing with their silver light, happy to be with its Knight. “That is a peculiar sword you know. Any-ways, I suppose I have a use for you. There’s a town near the foot of the mountain. I doubt you’d know it being from that isolated land. Ponyville. You are to guard and serve my faithful student, her name is Twilight Sparkle, and she’s recently moved there. While she’s a powerful unicorn, she has little in the way of practical experience and I’d feel better if she had somepony capable of protecting her should danger arise. Be prepared however as she is rather inquisitive and would likely love to learn about you and the land you hailed from.” Her horn flashes, a folder appearing her raised hoof, soon offering it to me, eyebrow raising as I lift my now healthy hoof to receive it, opening it and seeing a grim looking earth pony, with a swirl of pink in her blue mane.
“This is your handler in Ponyville, you will call her Bonbon, she’s a member of the SMILE organization so she might have orders for you occasionally, you’ll report to her when you arrive. Do not reveal her identity as an agent of SMILE. If asked by anypony, including Twilight, she is your therapist, as she’s handled cases of loss and grief like yours before. And she will in honesty be that too, every week on Monday, barring you being unavailable due to circumstance you will be there and get help. Understood?” I nod and bow to the princess. “I’ve noticed you have yet to use any magic, even telekinesis, are you unable to cast spells Arc?”
“Yes Princess, I lack the ability to do unicorn magic, it’s merely a side effect of an old injury when I was young. It’s not something that can be fixed apparently. Thankfully I’ve never had need of it in combat against threats, as my armour helps plenty. And as you’ve noticed, my sword is enchanted via runic magic which is of great assistance. I will do as ordered and report there as soon as I can.”
“You’ll take the train, one of my guards will escort you and give you a small stipend to help you get started. I’ll try to get you a home to yourself fairly quickly in the town proper, but until then you’ll have to make do with the lounge in my student’s library. For today and tonight you will stay in a guest room at the castle and get some sleep, I can see how exhausted you are, no matter how well you hide it. One of my royal guards will escort you to the room soon, so please go sit in the waiting room. And, by the way, stop waving that damnable war standard around, I’d like you to give it to me so we can put it in the museum, I burned the rest after I sealed Shining Dawn’s army away. So regrettably, it’s of historical significance. Now, you’re dismissed.”
I bow and trot out, collapsing silently onto a chair in that waiting room, waiting quietly as I stare at the polearm, the banner now gone from the side, taken by the princesses, releasing a heavy sigh at how much my life had changed. I hadn’t thought of it while I was on the trail, but I was a stranger in a strange land now, I knew nothing of Equestria and knew it would take much to learn to function in this peaceful land. “I’m sorry father, dear sister, uncle Constellation, I wish I was there to protect you all, I should have fought the Order… I should have slain them all instead of leaving… I hope you’re all looking down upon me from the afterlife, happy and fulfilled.” I hang my head for what feels like just a moment, though when I’m shook awake the sun is setting
“Moonlit Arc, I’m Specialist Thunder, I’m to show you to your room for the night.” A guard stands before, his hoof on my shoulder, gently pressing as he sees I’m awake. I nod and stand, stretching and trotting after him as he turns and marches out, we silently pass through the maze like halls as the moon shines through the windows. “I bet this must all be a huge shock to you, I’m sorry about your family.” He looks back with a sad smile. “I uh, actually lost mine a few months ago to, there was a bugbear on the rails and the train derailed, not that I’m saying I know what your loss feels like, as your whole kingdom died but, you’re not alone OK You’re gonna get through this. Don’t give up, I know they wouldn’t want you to.” He stops by a door, marked 342. “This is you, when you get hungry there’s a button by the door you need to hit. Actually let’s just hit it now. Normally you tell them what to make but, I know how hard it is to make any kind of choice after loss, so just hit it and they’ll bring you whatever comfort food they’re making.” I nod, exhaustion filling my bones.
“Maybe just some oatmeal right now. To settle my stomach?” he pulls me into a hug and I stiffen up before sighing and hugging back awkwardly, never having hugged another stallion who wasn’t my father or uncle before. It’s… actually rather nice.
“Of course. Write to me if you ever wanna talk, I have an ungodly amount of leave saved up so I’ll be down to travel and chat whenever OK?” He says with a soft smile. He’s a strange stallion but I’m glad to have met him I think. I nod and release him. He opens the door and reaches through to slap a button near the door, leaving it lit up as he gives one last smile and trots away, I watch him, pondering the handsome, and surprisingly kind colt before turning and unhooking my belt, leaning that empty polearm against the wall, as I set my sword on the chair, hooves fumbling at the straps of my steel armour and undoing it with practised, barely realised motions, setting each piece on the floor in an orderly pile. Then I unlace my gambeson, throwing it on the bed, now just in those steel-shod hooves of mine, collapsing onto the bed and staring at the ceiling.
“This is a very, very soft bed… heh…” I pull off that amulet for a moment, stretching everything to get the kinks out, then scrambling to put it on as I hear the knocks on the door, letting the magic settle within before going to answer it, where a mare in a cute little black and white frilly dress waits with a tray, holding a bowl of oatmeal and several strange fruits I hadn’t seen before.
“Here’s your oatmeal, and um, Princess Luna asked for us to give you these fruit too, asking that you try them, there’s uh, cubed mangos, pineapple slices and a few other tropical fruits. I don’t know why but she is insistent you’ll love them.” I smile thankfully at the mare.
“Well thank you miss, I’m happy it’s here so soon, it looks delicious.” My nose twitches as the scent of those fruits reach me. And I’m drooling from that tantalizing scent, gulping it down and lifting the tray with my mouth, setting it on the table and sniffing that amazing fruit, shovelling it into my muzzle with a happy little moan of delight, feeling like it’s all gone in a blink, soon starting on that humble meal of champions, oatmeal. It’s also wonderful, as expected from royal kitchens I suppose. All too soon it’s all gone and I lay on the bed, belly full, feeling so deeply tired, hoof idly reaching towards the chair, my sword flying over to be caught, bringing the belt with it, I lay it by my side and keep a hoof on it as I fall into a deep, restful slumber. The first I’ve had since before the Summer Sun Celebration. I’m out like a light within 20 minutes, dead to the world. I don’t dream that night, or if I do, I certainly don’t remember it, certainly a blessing from the Night Princess considering the news I got yesterday.
When I wake up once again the sun shines high overhead, telling me it’s noon. I amble into a side room, finding it to be a well furnished bathroom, complete with everything you might expect in a royal water closet. I hum softly, rubbing my tired eyes with a white furred foreleg, kicking the door shut behind me, making sure it’s locked as I go about my ablutions, idly setting my amulet on the counter, avoiding looking into the mirror at my despicable hide. I trot over to the bathtub, noting the knobs marked H and C, testing each to discover they pump in either hot, or cold water. I marvel at the ingenuity of the system, as whenever even father wanted a hot bath he would have to order a maid to bring up a tub of hot water.
“Truly, this modern age is full of wonders away from my land… I wonder how dear sister would like such amenities.” I stick my hoof under the tap, gasping at how hot the water has become, quickly adjusting by adding more cold to the mix. Then, I note a knob sticking out of the tap and curiously pull it. With a startling hiss water shoots from the ceiling, much like rainfall, and when I test it with a hoof it is still that same hot water. “That’s, well, that’s interesting, must be a modern way of bathing. Let us try it then!” And I hop in, careful not to slam those steel shod hooves into the tub, landing lightly, letting that hot rain soak into my mane, slicking it down, sighing in relaxation as the water drums into my dusky hide, melting away my aches and pains.
I grab a bar of scented soap, sniffing curiously at the exotic scent, finding it satisfactory as I scrub my scarred form with it, washing the blood from my foreleg, checking my shoes for any cracks or undue deformations, judging them still suitable as I bathe in this modern way.
“Strange but enjoyable I dare say, this hot rain.” I muse idly as I rinse the soap from my coat, glancing curiously at a bottle marked with a flower I’d never seen labelled shampoo, turning it, and reading the back, finding instructions to lather my mane with it, and then use the one labelled conditioner, snorting in amusement that it’s speaking of giving a soft and lustrous mane that any stallion would love to nuzzle in against, a hint of a blush popping on my muzzle at that image. I concede it must be for mares but I’m curious, and follow the instructions, washing my mane with the scent of a ‘Lotus Blossom’. I find the smell rather enjoyable, and choose to ignore the black shampoo bottle marked with pine needles, soon rinsing and applying the matching conditioner, reading and subsequently using the other provided toiletries for their assorted purposes, making sure to rinse the conditioner out before turning the rain off, hopping back onto the floor, landing with a light ‘clop’, drying with a delightfully fluffy towel.
I quickly do all I need to, to be presentable, with, or without the amulet before throwing around my neck, waiting for a held breath as the magic flood into me once again. I trot back into the main room, hitting the button by the door to ask for another meal, checking my ear tips in the mirror by the desk as I grab my polish and begin shining and maintaining my armour, deciding it best not to don it until it’s time for me to leave for this Ponyville. Soon enough, I’m done, setting my shield back down, slipping my gambeson on and tying it shut, concealing several scars, including the one right over my heart, pressing a hoof over the spot.
“Mother, I may have never known you, but please, watch out for father up there, he never could get used to new things.” I smile sombrely and stand as I hear a knock at the door, opening it and ushering a cute stallion dressed in the same uniform the maid was wearing yesterday when she brought in the food.
“Hello sir, I’ve got food here for you Moonlit Arc, along with more fruit at Princess Luna’s orders to the kitchen. There’s a hay-burger and some fries.” He grabs the tray with a well preened wing, offering it to me as I smile thankfully, grabbing it with a hoof, setting it at the desk.
“Thank you, I appreciate the fine meal. You’ve got my name, may I ask yours?” I smile again at him, watching the cute stallion as I sit at the desk.
“Oh, shoot, I’m sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Steady Hoof. Castle maid. Hehe.” The colt giggles, hiding his face with socked hoof. He’s… adorable. I bow my head to him gracefully.
“It’s nice to meet you Steady. You may call me Moonlit, or Arc should you wish. I’ve little use for formality except to the Holy Princesses. Once again, thank you for this fine meal.” I hum, grabbing a fork with my hoof, spearing a piece of that delectable fruit and eating it.
“So um, is it true you can’t use magic Arc? I can’t imagine what it would be like to not fly, so it must be awful not having use of your horn.” He steps a bit closer, almost nervously as I glance at him thoughtfully, swallowing the fruit as I roll my hoof in thought.
“It’s of little import to me I suppose, can’t exactly miss what you never had. It’s merely a fact of my life I’ve had since I was born. I don’t mind answering your questions, but perhaps another time when I’m not eating, though I would like to know if you had any idea when I would be sent to meet the princess’s student.” I eat another piece of that fruit, washing it down with a quaff of the ice cold water. Swishing it around my muzzle for a second as I swallow, grabbing the hay-burger and glancing at him again.
“In about an hour, a guard will escort you, and if you wish, we can provide a travel chest for your armour and weapons, so you don’t need to wear it on the way there. It might make for a better impression in the town?” He scuffs his fabric clad hoof on the floor thoughtfully as I nod at him.
“That might be for the best I suppose. Thank you for letting me know. And I suppose uh, write me if you ever wish to speak? I can’t promise that I’ll always have much to say but I’d be happy to talk later.” He nods and finally leaves, closing the door quietly behind him. I set about eating the meal laid in front of me, enjoying the moments of peace. “Stallions in dresses, now I’ve seen everything. Though I must admit he was fetching in the uniform of his office.”
Half an hour later there’s knocks at the door again, and I open it to a maid wheeling a large chest inside, she bows gracefully and silently demonstrates how the chest locks, how the wheels deploy and the pulling handle deploys before leaving, all without saying a word. So I set about placing everything inside, leaving my worn gambeson on my body and the pole arm leaning against the chest, fixing my saddlebags to my form as I stretch and yawn once again, idly exercising as I wait for my escort to the train, wondering what it would be like to ride in such a beast. Though I sigh upon habitually reaching to check my bit bag, remembering I had dropped it as a final gift to the town’s ponies before my perceived death.
“If I had known I would survive, I suppose I would have kept the damned bits.” I chuckle wryly and settle on the chair I had previously laid my sword on with a richly illustrated book, marvelling at the neat writing uniformly throughout it, paging through the modern history of Equestria.
“Sir, it’s time to go.” A guard stands firm in the open door, though I’m not surprised at his sudden appearance, having heard the near silent door open, as well as his hoof steps down the hall. I note the page number for later, gently closing the book and setting it on the desk, hopping down from the chair and pulling the chest close with a hoof, watching his momentary wince at my unlit horn for even this menial task.
“Very well friend, lead on.” I follow the guard as he leads me through the castle, the wheels on the chest squeaking occasionally. “What’s this Ponyville place like anyhow? I know little of Equestria, though I have read a bit while waiting for you. And the modern conveniences are lovely, like the hot rain in the bath chamber, or this wonderful scented bathing goop, ‘shampoo.’”
He stops for a moment, looking back dumbfounded. “Hot rain? Do you uh, do you mean the shower?” His bewildered ruby eyes lock with mine as I hum uncertainly.
“If you call the hot rain that falls within the tub a shower then I suppose I do.” I run a hoof through my for now, pampered and smooth mane. “The shampoo is a wonderful invention, My mane silkier than ever before, do all ponies use this luxury?”
He leans close and sniffs curiously as I speak of the scents, mulling over something. “You uh, used the mare’s shampoo I think? Guess we should be grateful you used any knowing the situation you came from. From the brief it sounds like there was no advancement of any kind within the dome. It does smell rather lovely but I’d keep in mind those are feminine scents. Not that there’s anything wrong with feminine stallions. And if you meet one you better give them the same respect as normal- err, masculine stallions, I’m not sure how your society treated those outside of gender norms.”
“Usually with the Order coming to show them the correct way of being I suppose, but I have no quarrels with ponies doing what makes them happy, why just an hour ago a lovely stallion employed as a maid brought me my meal. Steady Hoof, he looked quite nice in the dress I think.” He starts walking, leading me through the halls of the castle, saluting in return to various guards at their posts.
“I’m sure my husband would be thrilled to hear that Sir, he often gets anxious about confrontation with cruder ponies. So thank you for extending your kindness to him.” We reach the main doors and trot out, past the ponies lining up for their daily petitions, a myriad of colourful unicorns in assorted finery and humbler travellers who came with the dust still about their hooves from the road. I make sure once again the polearm is tucked firmly between my saddlebags, the point not threatening to jab any ponies I might bump into should my vigilance drop.
“I had not realised he was in a dress at first to be honest, I merely thought of it as the uniform for those that keep the castle in shape. I did realise shortly thereafter but I have no reason to be needlessly cruel. I never had the capacity for intolerance to ponies of any type, sergeant.” He looks surprised that I discerned his rank, likely thinking my outdated knowledge was fairly useless. I’ll freely admit much of it is, but as Knight, I had been trained to liaise with the military forces, and much of the rank insignias had remained the same, though a few were new to my ears.
We make short time through the city and to that structure built up against those steel rails, him sitting next to me. “I do admit, your mane does look nice. Maybe Steady might give you some styling tips should you wish, it’s surprisingly long for such a… stout soldier?”
“I was always busy with my duties so I never saw the barber, so I generally tucked the excess into the helmet until I could get it shorn short, but I guess it is a guilty pleasure to let it grow out as well. Barbers were generally an unpleasant sort, and after my first tooth extraction I might have learned to avoid them and keep vigilant on my dental health. The grumpy old stallion was a deft hoof with a stitch when the guards needed care for wounds I suppose. Not that I had need to see him, what with my knightly constitution.
“Yes, I heard you cut your foreleg rather badly in the princess’s presence yesterday but I see no wound on you today.” He glances down at my limb curiously as I click my hoof to the ground with a spray of sparks.
“It’s a matter of the enchantments wrought upon my equipment, provided I’m not dealt a fatal blow I should usually heal rather fast.” It’s not the full story, but some things I’m just not meant to speak of. Especially in such pleasant company as the steadfast sergeant.
“Looks like those spells have some power to them, is it to compensate for lack of magical ability?” He hums, the train rolling into the station as we stand, letting him lead me into the steel beast, sitting in a booth and gesturing for me to take the one opposite, which I do without complaint. He pulls two tickets out of his saddlebag and sets them on the table between us.
“Every knight received the same I heard. My lack of magic has ultimately never been a hindrance to me. A knight is meant to be the first, and final line of defence there, yes? It wouldn’t do for a simple dragon claw to slay one of us. We’re required to live until the next generation is born, and train our replacement in combat and leading. As well as all other traditional knightly duties. One knight per generation, no more, and no less. Our equipment is passed on to us at the moment we become full knights from the previous. Or given to us by the Order should they have trained us if the previous knight is dead.” I set the pole arm inside the booth and lean it against my shoulder. He nods quietly.
“So how are you liking the outside world so far?” He asks softly, setting his helmet on the table near the window, gesturing to the suited stallion coming by to check tickets, lifting ours off the table to show to him.
“Everything is an adjustment like you wouldn’t believe, but I’m glad to have your assistance on the way to the town. Otherwise I think I’d have skipped the ‘train’, it’s a bit unsettling within this steel beast, like a giant, angry mine cart. Certainly a speedy thing though.” We fall into a companionable silence as I stare out the window at the swiftly passing landscape, swiftly approaching the quaint town of Ponyville. Setting my hooves on the table, after making sure I picked up little in the way of filth on the steel shoes I rest my head on them.
He merely looks at those steel shod hooves, noting the numerous runes deeply engraved, as well as the permanent fixing of them. “So, what with all the runes on your shoes? I take it those are enchanted as well?”
“Yes, one of the enchantments made them grow as I did, since they were affixed when I was a colt. Another keeps them durable, which is just as well since I doubt I’d ever be able to remove them. Most I have little idea of however, the runes were never something Knights had been allowed to learn. A separation of power I suppose.”
Hours pass, and we finally arrive in Ponyville. The train lurching to a stop at the station, doors sliding open. I stand, and head out into the glorious day, the stallion following close behind as I open a new chapter in my life once again.
Author's Note
A new story after such a long time, I'm probably rusty as all get out, but the day before Halloween, I sat in bed and felt madly inspired to start writing again. I did not and went to bed instead. then after I woke up the next day I finally sat down to start writing once again, promptly discovering all my inspiration had left after I fell asleep the previous day. I still opened an outline of a story idea I had rolling around my head and got to writing, hours later, at 2 in the morning I discovered I had over 8000 words written of pure garbage. I've never written such a large chapter at once before, previously I had kept every chapter to around 2000 words. but for this one I'm going to push myself to write like never before, and hopefully learn far more than I ever had before. I'd joke about accidentally participating in NANOWRIMO but apparently you MUST start on at the start of the month, not the night before.
