Closer than you think

**Closer than you think

By Ponyscribe

Prologue**

The night was quiet, too quiet...

Moving silently through the undergrowth, a four legged figure rushed through, a large bundle wrapped around its neck, bearing a sagging package. It paused, the heavy cloak covering its appearance fully, sans the four legs peeking out at the bottom.

“You have come Silver shield, dear friend.”

The figure slowly lowered its neck, the bundle sliding to the ground with nearly no impact. Then, it threw off the hood, revealing its guise. A female Pegasus, skin as white as the snow far to the north, with eyes blazing blue as fire,

“I have… are you sure that there is no other way, must it come to this?”

The huge figure stepped forward, revealing itself to Silver shield. A huge celestial being, as white as her own skin, yet even more brilliant in tone; her hair was a combination of many colors, which glowed so brightly they gave off their own light.

The figure paused, then inclined its head towards the much smaller Pegasus, “dear Silver shield, I would not ask something so dear to you if I did not think it was of the utmost need. The darkness will return, not even my parents were able to destroy it, only imprison it. Vorpal will escape, maybe not in your life time, which is why he must outlast time.”

Silver shield frowned, “I still don’t see how sending him to that other place is going to save him from time. Won’t he still age? If the darkness your parents fought so hard to imprison won’t come around in my life time, then how will he be the one?”

The being turned, her long white horn illuminating to life as she conjured a spell. Moments later, a doorway appeared in a tree about twenty yards off.

“I will not pretend to make it out that I understand every detail, but in this other world, time goes at a different pace than here. So, it is my theory that, in that place, your son will be preserved and age at another speed, therefore, outliving every pony in Equestria.” Silver Shield unwrapped the bundle slightly, revealing the sleeping form of an alicorn. It had dark green skin, with luminescent brown hair and an intricate tattoo covering the entire right side of its face in a blooming neon blue design.

“But Celestia, what if you’re wrong? What if he ages at an even faster rate, then were off even worse than before.”

Celestia paused, “I understand your doubts, and I don’t blame you in the slightest. I cannot in good faith make you do this, this is your child after all, and if you do this, there is no way you will ever see him again, of that I am sure.” Silver Shield looked down to the small sleeping bundle beneath her front hooves, completely content and oblivious to the conversation going on.

She smiled, shouldn’t you have a say in this… if only you could speak for yourself, instead of everyone else deciding your fate for you.

Slowly and hesitantly, Silver Shield lifted the bundle with her magic, and handed it to Celestia who took it very carefully.

“I understand my choice Princess. But… I am sure you know fully what you are asking."

"All I can say is this: you will be around when Vorpal returns, I am sure. And when it does, and you call my son back to fulfill his destiny, I want you to keep the knowledge of who we were secret until he has completed his mission. I do not want him wondering in vain when so much hangs in the balance. And now this: I give my son Evergreen to you now not only because of his fate, but because I too know that Vorpal is returning and you of all ponies wishes only the best for Equestria. You would not go and make a request so bold, and of the wife of your own captain no less, if you were not completely sure it would succeed.”

Celestia nodded solemnly, “Captain  Shining Lance was my finest soldier, and he gave his all doing his princess the uttermost service. I would not take from him his legacy if I did not think it utterly necessary. And I swear that, until he has fulfilled his destiny, that I will not speak a word of you or Captain Lance in context to his parentage. But he will ask, you know this.”

Silver Shield nodded, “yes… he will. But I prepared something for that very reason, something he alone will discover in time.”

Reaching into her saddlebag, Silver Removed a small silver chain, a pendant no bigger than a quarter hung on it; It bore no design, but when one shone light upon it, it glimmered, reflecting the image of six stars circling one bigger star.

Slowly, she levitated the pendant upwards, and placed it around the infant’s neck, whispering softly her parting words before backing up.  “Live strong my child, you embark upon a new life, one completely alien from which you came. But in all conflict and strife, remember these words:

The best conclusion is one where both sides come out on top; so in all you do, seek not to rise above, but instead to bring peace amongst your oppressors, and strike never out of anger, but only in defense of yourself, and of others.”

Celestia leaned down, and kissed Silver Shield lightly on the forehead, a lone tear falling to the floor to match the ones Silver Shield had already expelled. Upon touching his face, the design faded from Evergreen’s face, his luminescent brown hair ceasing to glow  as his clam smile continued in his unhindered slumber.

“You show strength I cannot even begin to guess Silver shield, I am sure that Evergreen here will inherit it, and more. And fear not, for though it will come to pass long after you, your son will indeed know who you are, who he is, and who he was meant to be, this I swear.”

Silver Shield glanced up, a big smile across her face amongst the tears she shed. “From the moment I realized he was an Alicorn, more than either of us could have ever expected, I knew he was meant for greatness. Once more unto the dawn Princess?”

Celestia grinned, remembering the old battle call Her Captain would shout to her.  “Aye, once more, and unto the dawn Captain. And worry not; I will watch him constantly making sure he is safe. But I am sure where he is going there will be others who will protect him as well. He will be in good hands.”

The door opened slowly, revealing a grassy hill on the other side, and a sunrise not unlike the sunset they currently witnessed. Celestia looked down, the little life she held aloft through her magic now beginning to stir with the suns dim setting light. Without another look, Celestia passed through the doorway, it closed behind her leaving a silent mother alone.

Farewell my son, once more unto the dawn…