The sun was warm on my back as I lounged on the softest cloud I’d ever encountered in my entire life. It was extra fluffy and incredibly conducive to getting a good night’s sleep. Far better than my bed back in Canterlot.
Canterlot? When had I left Canterlot? The last thing I recalled was being at the veteran’s banquet. At the banquet eating, laughing, and… and being blasted by Lightning Hammer! I gasped and jumped up, tapping my body with my hooves. It wasn’t burned. I wasn’t burned.
“Ah, there it is.” The voice was familiar. Incredibly so. It was one that I had not heard in over a year. One that was impossible to be hearing.
When I looked over, Russet Rook was standing on a large cloud next to me. He looked healthy and his coat had an amazing sheen. “Everypony remembers their last moment eventually and any of the less peaceful ones tend to have that reaction,” he said with a chuckle.
“The last moment? Wait, you’re dead, Russet. You died in my hooves,” I started before reality started to set in. “And I’m dead, too.”
Russet tapped his hoof to his nose. “Bingo.”
Wow, dead. I waited for the swell of emotions, but they never came. “I don’t actually feel that bad about it, to be honest.”
“That is normal. You’re getting acclimated to being here,” Russet explained. “One of the perks is that your worldly burdens don’t weigh as much here in the Near-To. Negative emotions can’t impact you near as much.”
That sorted out the lack of feeling sorry for myself for being killed. At least I’d made it count. I think.
“Oh, and you might want to check out your wing, too, Silent. I think you’ll be happy.”
I extended my busted wing and worked it through my physical therapy motions. It was beyond easy. My wing wasn’t damaged anymore! It was as good as new! Better than new! In fact, my whole body felt new. The scars had disappeared and the aches were gone.
“How about that!” I blinked. “Wait… going back a moment, what is the Near-To?”
Russet laughed and held up a hoof. “Okay, Silent Knight. Put away your Royal Guard observation skills for a moment. I’ve got duties, too. Let me start at the beginning.”
A million questions started to fill my mind as the reality that I was dead started to set in. This was what happened after you died! The possibilities were endless. I started to speak, but I just nodded instead. Russet would get to it all.
“Welcome, Silent Knight, to the Near-To. I’ve been asked to be your guide and mentor on transitioning you from life to death.”
That sounded like a canned opener. Perhaps I had not worked on Russet’s presentation skills as much as I should have when I was his company NCO. Slowly, I laid back down on my cloud, letting my chin rest in the softness. “Do you have index cards for this?”
Russet glared at me and cleared his throat. “As you may have noticed by now, your body is in perfect condition. That is because it isn’t your body. It is a semi-physical representation of your spirit. Your actual body is still back in the physical plane and, unfortunately in your case, has largely been burnt to a crisp.”
“I feel like that should be more distressing than it is.”
“In the Near-To, your emotions will be far less potent,” Russet went on. “Your cares, worries, and desires will also be eased. This is a place of rest and transformation. A place to prepare yourself for the Far-From.”
This was boring. Other than the part about me being crispy. The idea that that fact didn’t bother me didn’t bother me all that much, which should have bothered me… but didn’t.
I rolled onto my side, letting the sun hit my belly. “What is the Far-From?”
“Excellent question! The Far-From is where spirits graduate to when they no longer have any burdens pulling on them.”
I looked up at him. “You just said I didn’t have burdens.”
He waggled a hoof like a nagging teacher. “Pay attention, I said they would weigh less. As an example, you are one of my burdens. My death impacted your life, so it is my duty to wait here for you and a few others. Once I’ve discharged all of my duties, I will likely be ready to move on to the Far-From.”
“Wait, you’ve been waiting here for me since you died?”
Russet nodded. “Yes. Don’t feel too smug, though. There are a few more ponies on my list. Just like you have ponies on your list.”
My ears wiggled. “Does somepony issue me that list?”
“Not officially like orders from the Guard, but I’m sure you can think about it. Your mother, your sister… your wife.”
Regardless of the weight that had been removed, when Russet mentioned Crystal, my heart seemed to ache. I’d left her. I was dead and she was still there dealing with that. “Crystal…” I whispered.
Russet walked over to me and set his hoof on my shoulder. “Some burdens, even lightened, are heavy. You’ll wait for her and she will see you again. Take solace in that.”
I reached my hoof across my body to hold his. “Thanks, Russet. Thanks for waiting for me.”
“Anytime, buddy. It was honestly my pleasure. Now, do you want to sit here for a while and puzzle through this? You can if you like. There is no set schedule.”
No, oh, Silent, no! Somepony help him! Please!
My ear flicked. That sounded like Crystal. “What?”
“I said you can sit here for a while.”
I shook my head, looking around. “No, I heard Crystal.”
His ears perked up. “Oh! Yes, I’m sorry. As mentioned in my presentation, we are in the Near-To. As in, near to life or near to Equestria. However you want to think about it. Those that are entangled with us, when they speak from the spirit, can be heard by us.”
“So… I’m hearing my wife watch me die? That is awful.”
Russet nodded solemnly. “Yes, it is… but it is important that you hear it so you understand how much you were loved. Honestly, Silent, I appreciated what you thought and said after I died. You did it, too. You went home.”
I rolled back over and stood up, shaking my coat out. It didn’t need it, but it was an instinctive gesture. “It was how I felt. You dying changed a lot for me. I broke a bit inside.”
“It did. It made you hard and gave you the power to get through the war. These things happen. Good results from bad events. So, again, would you like to stay here or move along on our itinerary?”
That was a fair question. Since I was dead, it was probably a good idea to get my bearings. This would be home now. Puffy white clouds extended out as far as I could see. Somewhat stereotypical but fine.
The sun in the sky was particularly warm and bright. Large, too. Far larger than the one on Equestria. It also shared the sky with an equally large full moon. That was certainly different.
Off in the distance, I could see greenspace. Perhaps grass and trees. All of Near-To wasn’t just clouds it seemed. It was also relatively full of ponies. Now that I was truly looking around, I could see them all over the place in their multi-colored glory.
Some were galloping, some were napping, others were playing board games, and… “They’re playing hoofball!” I pointed a hoof.
Russet laughed. “Yes, we have quite a league here. We can go find a pickup game if you like. I’m not very good but it is more about playing than winning.”
Playing hoofball would be fun. After all, I didn’t have any responsibilities anymore. Did they have all the newest board games in the Near-To? Would I still get to paint figures? I started to ask Russet but other curiosities got the better of me. “I would like to… but what is next on the list?”
“There are some ponies waiting to see you. When you’re ready.”
“Oh yeah? Who?”
“Your father, grandfather, and… well… I don’t know what he is. Your great-grandfather times five or six.”
My ears shot up in surprise. Although, really, I shouldn’t have been surprised. I was dead, they were dead. We’re all dead. Was my dad still a jerk? “Do they have jerks in the Near-To?”
Russet grinned. “Yes, but it is the Near-To version. They care less so they’re not as bad and you care less so it doesn’t bother you as much.”
Hoofball or family… hoofball or family.
I’m so sorry, Crystal. He’s gone, but his last thoughts were of you.
That ruffled my feathers. Literally. Perhaps playing hoofball during such a serious moment wasn’t appropriate. Although, it didn’t feel fully inappropriate. But better to be safe. “Okay, let’s go see my family.”
Russet turned and started trotting. “If you’re sure, but if you change your mind, let me know.”
We meandered through the clouds of the Near-To. The dam that was holding back my million questions started to crack and I rattled a few of them off. Things like how Russet could walk on clouds, did we have to eat, did we have to sleep, did we have to work, did we have to use the bathroom, could we get hurt, and about sixteen other things.
To put it short: everypony can, only if I wanted to, only if I wanted to, only if I wanted to, no, no, and such.
In the distance, sitting halfway on the clouds and halfway on the greenest patch of grass I’d ever seen was a grey stone cottage. It was two stories, boxy, unadorned, and had a simple red roof.
When Russet and I got closer, the front door opened and a stocky white pegasus walked out. His mane was dark blue, cropped close, and featured his tufted ears. He smiled when our eyes met and started trotting faster towards me.
My heart swelled with affection and I hurried towards him. We collided in a hug and he exclaimed, “Silent!”
“Clement, I’m so happy to see you,” I said.
The old—formerly old stallion squeezed me tight, not letting go. “I’m happy to see you too, son. I’m sorry I skipped out on you like I did. My heart just couldn’t keep up.”
His voice was different. Less gruff and worn. He looked like the pictures I’d seen of him with grandmother. It was so uplifting to see him like this. “It’s fine. Really it is. I made it.”
Clement Knight finally let me go and set a hoof on my cheek. “Yes, you did. You did well, son. I caught some of it when you were thinking about me. Oh… and that bit with the dragons. That was just amazing!”
Russet cleared his throat. “What now?”
“My grandson convinced a bunch of dragons to attack a fortified area to save lives.” Clement beamed before looping a forehoof around me. “Now, you two come inside.”
“Okay, that one you’re going to have to explain at some point, Silent,” Russet said as the three of us went towards the cottage.
Clement pushed the door open and motioned for me to lead the way. The interior was very basic other than a vaulted ceiling. I trotted in and froze. My father was sitting at a table in the center of the main room. We just stared at each other.
His eyes weren’t milky anymore. The original blue was as bright as could be. Far lighter than the mane color we shared. It was a shock and I could feel some bitterness deep inside, but not as much as I expected I would. As Russet had said, the Near-To seemed to dull most of that.
“Hello, Silent,” Stratus said.
“Hi… Dad.”
Stratus Knight stood and sighed. “I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re not exactly thrilled to see me.”
Not thrilled. That was fair. “I am somewhat at a loss for words. You were both my hero and my villain.”
Russet cleared his throat awkwardly. “So, as this is a family thing, if anypony needs me I’m just going to be napping in the yard.” Nopony really paid him any mind as he left.
“I know. I tried to prepare you as best I could for the world as I saw it. It is somewhat ironic that I did a good job. That was just blind luck though,” Stratus said.
It wasn’t something I wanted to admit but he had inadvertently prepared me for the life I’d led. The question was, had he not prepared me that way, would I have led it and would I still be alive.
Wait… blind luck? I blinked. “Did… Did you just make a joke?”
Clement Knight stepped up beside me. “He had a sense of humor before I decided he wasn’t taking his duty seriously.”
I looked over at my grandfather before turning back to my father. “Yes, as I understand it, his father was rough on him, too,” I said.
“He is right here,” Stratus Knight groused. How about that, even dead he could sound grumpy.
“I’m sorry, Son. I got a little carried away. You know, despite our failings, you did actually raise some good foals,” Clement said.
I begrudgingly nodded. “Yes, after some pain and suffering, I turned out relatively okay. Other than dying decades before I should have. I don’t blame you for that, though.”
Stratus tapped a forehoof on the table. “Thanks for that. If it is any comfort, I’m not thrilled to see you, either. Not for the same reason. Mostly because, after I got here and then Clement arrived, I didn’t want you to throw your life away for something meaningless.”
That was something I never expected out of my father’s mouth. It took me aback. When I found my voice, I asked, “Hopefully you’d agree this wasn’t meaningless?”
Stratus shook his head. “Not at all. You saved an alicorn. It is tough to find more meaning in death than that. I mean, you could have fallen. What an awful way to go.”
I looked over at Clement Knight, my brow raised.
My grandfather shrugged. “As I said, he had a sense of humor. You just never saw it. Things are different here. The bad doesn’t cling very well. Eventually, it all burns up and you move on. Once you’ve taken care of your obligations, of course.”
“Waiting for ponies?” I asked.
“Yes, among some other things. Now, have a seat. We’ve a lot to catch up on and for the first time since you were small enough to hold in a single hoof, the three of us are together. That is wonderful.”
Stratus chuckled while I sat down. “He never really was that small, Pop. Wallflower never let me forget how much trouble she went to giving birth to my son.”
Clement laughed and shook his head. “That is something I recall.”
I flushed a bit. This is what normal ponies did. They laughed about their foals and embarrassed them.
“Oh! Where are my manners,” Clement said suddenly. “There is a pony here that has been waiting to meet you for a very long time, Silent.”
Another pony? What had Russet said, something about another grandfather? “Sure, sure. Who’s next?” I replied.
“Me,” came a smooth, confident voice from above.
I jumped up from my chair and took a few steps back, looking up. The feeling of surprise and fright passed almost immediately, leaving only curiosity.
A shaggy gray pegasus stallion with draconic wings was resting on a perch in the vault of the ceiling. His eyes were gold and he shared a mane color with the rest of us.
“Nimbus Knight,” I said without a doubt.
He extended his leathery wings and stepped off the perch, slowly gliding down. “Knowing who I am means you found my message.”
“I did. Unfortunately, I failed to achieve the goal you set out. I didn’t stop the cultists and now I’m dead.” That was more fact than emotion, too. Again, being dead doesn’t feel that bad. To be honest, it was actually pretty nice.
Nimbus chuckled. “Is that so? Review the facts if you will. First, did you save your alicorn from being assassinated by the cultists?”
I nodded.
“Good. Second, did their attack force them to clearly expose their plot?”
Again, I nodded.
“Excellent. Finally, did their attack, which likely failed due to your sacrifice, expose their assets and their abilities?”
“It did.”
Nimbus tapped a hoof on my nose. “Then perhaps, young knight, you achieved exactly what was necessary to result in the failure of our common enemy. And, on a selfish note, I wish to thank you. You were the last pony for whom I was waiting and I have been waiting for over a millennium.”
That… was not a bad point. Prophecies, at least from Exemplar Ferrel, had always been vague.
Exemplar, please stop, it isn’t working. He’s gone.
Oh, interesting. Think about somepony and perhaps be connected? I shook my head. Near-To, not Equestria. “Perhaps you’re right. Why have you been waiting for me?”
Nimbus stretched out his right wing and idly rubbed the tip against his fuzzy ears. “I’m honestly not sure. My belief has been that, since I chose to engage the three of you, I’d need to wait on the outcome. I just never imagined it would take so long.”
Clement cleared his throat. “Almost every other pony that was loved by Nimbus has long since left for the Far-From.”
“I’m sorry about that.” It was a weird thing to say. Essentially, I was sorry we all hadn’t died sooner.
Nimbus laughed, his eyes squinting as he did. “Not at all. This is a lovely place and I have had good company. Company that you will soon meet before settling here with the rest of us. If you choose, of course.”
My ear flicked. “You’re not leaving?”
“Not yet. I’d like to get to know you first. Something tells me I should. I also rather enjoy the company of Clement and Stratus,” Nimbus explained.
I almost smiled. “Again, never something I thought I’d ever hear a pony say, but that is fine with me.”
Stratus snorted. “I’m right here, Son.”
Clement just patted him on the back.
Nimbus Knight settled at the table as I took my chair again and asked, “I’m curious. If I understand my history right, you’re the father of our line, but also the father of Moonlit Star’s line. Is that right?”
The nox pony nodded. “Yes. The original Moonlit Star, Lady Luna’s mentor, was my youngest daughter. We had her very late in life, but she was somepony special. Her grandmother on my wife’s side was a unicorn. And even though she looked like me, she had an understanding of magic. Almost like a sixth sense.”
Clement shook his head. “I can’t even fathom that. It was all… well, unnatural to me. Useful, but unnatural. Watching things float around or seeing arcs of lightn—“ He cut himself off as he looked at me.
I waved a hoof. “It’s alright. It really doesn’t bother me. Although, something else does bother me. Nimbus, if you and your family stayed outside of Haven, how did that side of the family end up in there?”
Nimbus laughed. “Come now, Silent. You don’t really believe all of that nonsense about the door being sealed, do you? Especially early on when they had knights to protect them. Haven went into lockdown after Lady Luna rejected my daughter’s help and was then banished by her sister.
“That is when Moonlit took the remaining ponies and fled. She had enough sense to take everything of Nocturna’s she could get her hooves on too. Then she just planned to wait it out. Again, I don’t think any of us expected it to be as long as it was.”
Stratus’s head tilted. “Why was it so long?”
Nimbus shrugged. “Nopony knew any of the things that happened were even possible. Imagine if Canterlot simply vanished with both princesses one day without any explanation. Imagine being so angry at day ponies but not knowing why. It was a scary time.”
“Why were you so angry?” I asked.
“Ah, now that I know the answer to, but I’m not going to tell. It isn’t my place. Somepony else wanted to do that.”
Somepony else? “Is that the next step on my itinerary?”
Nimbus lifted his wing, reached across the table, and tapped my chest with the tip. “Only if you like. Lady Nocturna and High Marshal Moonglaive are here. They’ve been waiting, too.”
“If I like? If I like, I can finally go meet the ancient alicorn responsible for all of this and her high marshal. Do you even need to ask?”
“Nopony here does anything they don’t wish to do, so asking is essential. Besides, don’t sound too impressed by meeting a high marshal. You’re meeting one right now and you’re one yourself,” Nimbus pointed out.
“No, you are a high marshal,” I corrected. “I’m just a pony that got stuck with the title because I read some books and relived some memories.”
Stratus Knight sighed. “That was always one of his problems, too humble.”
Clement Knight idly cuffed the back of my father’s head. “That is one of his strengths.”
Nimbus Knight cleared his throat. “Gentleponies, please. Silent, you are a high marshal. You were the senior most knight of your time. You took our lessons to heart and died in the service of Nocturna. What more could be asked?”
What now? “You mean I died in service to Princess Luna.”
My ancestor merely shook his head. “That is a narrow view. The Lady Nocturna has always planned for the long term, and you may discuss that with her if you like. Just know that you played your role brilliantly. As did I.”
That sort of statement would have rubbed me wrong when I was alive. Without a doubt, I knew it would have. Here, it just mildly annoyed me. Briefly. My curiosity was getting the better of me when I said, “If it is all the same to you three, I think I’d like to meet the orchestrator of my fate now.”
My grandfather smiled and lifted a hoof towards me. “Go, do what you need to. It just so happens that time is now on our side.”
Stratus nodded in agreement.
“Then we’ll be on our way,” Nimbus said before leading me out of the cottage.
Outside, we found Russet laid over on his side, snoring softly. One of his hind legs kicked before he settled back down.
“Should we wake him?” I asked.
Nimbus shook his head. “It isn’t necessary, unless you want him at your side.”
I contemplated that a moment before shaking my head. “Let him sleep. He and I can pal around for quite some time, I imagine.”
“Without a doubt, but I find it unlikely you’ll spend a thousand years here. If you do, however, it isn’t bad. There are always new ponies coming and going.”
My ear flicked. “Does it not get lonely?”
Nimbus paused, stopping to stand on a rise of clouds. “I’m sure that it does, but I can assure you that you don’t feel it strongly. Over the years, you lose more and more of your physical cares. In time, you’re almost pure spirit. Once you are, it is time to move on to the Far-From.”
“Why the separation?” I asked.
“It isn’t a separation, so to speak. There isn’t a barrier as you’re suggesting. You’re the wall. Your hold on what you left behind. Once you let go you can move on to your true rest,” Nimbus explained.
“How can you know this or be sure the Far-From even exists?”
Nimbus grinned. “That is knowledge you’ll soon earn for yourself. I don’t want to spoil it. Now, shall we continue on?”
That was a frustrating answer. I thought after dying ponies would stop keeping secrets. Apparently not. “Sure, sure.”
We trotted across the plane of clouds, making our way towards a particularly large outcropping of snow-covered pine trees. It was an odd sight considering that it wasn’t snowing anywhere else, nor was it cold. I stopped to try and figure out exactly how what I was seeing was possible.
Nimbus saw my confusion and chuckled. “Don’t try to figure it out. The rules don’t apply here. She is winter and, thus, so is her domain.”
“She is winter?” I asked, my thoughts trailing to the Forgotten Winter.
“Indeed. The Mentor of the Night is winter. The Mentor of the Day is summer. The Rulers, fall and spring, respectively.”
My ear perked. “And the students?”
Nimbus chuckled. “They get their turn eventually. Never put a foal in charge of a season.”
That made sense. “It is going to take a little while to grow accustomed to the changes,” I said, my attention shifting to an approaching pony. She wasn’t wandering or playing like the others. She seemed to be heading directly towards us.
“Is that a friend of yours?” I asked Nimbus.
He shook his head. “She is not known to me.”
The mare drew closer, her grey coat contrasting against the soft white clouds. She was unquestionably approaching us specifically. When she was within earshot, the earth pony spoke quietly, “Excuse me, you’re Silent Knight, aren’t you?”
“Yes, have we met?” I asked curiously.
She smiled, her short, violet mane bobbing as she shook her head no. “Not exactly. You knew Ferrel, correct?”
I stiffened. Knew. Knew was past tense. “Yes… but how do you know me?”
“I’m waiting for her. Is she well?” she asked, a bit of eagerness creeping into her voice.
It didn’t seem like she was keen on answering my questions. She knew the exemplar, though, so that wasn’t much of a surprise. Finally, I shrugged and replied, “When I last saw her, I’d say without question, she was the happiest I’d seen her. She smiled.”
The mare sighed happily. “Good. Thank you.” She turned and started to trot away.
“Wait!” I called, reaching out after her.
She paused and looked back. “Hmm?”
“Who are you? How did you know about me? I know we’ve never met.”
The mare smiled brightly, wrinkles appearing under her eyes. “Kalinda told me and, if you think about it, I bet you do know me.” Without another word, she went along her way, a bounce in her step.
I turned to Nimbus and he shrugged. “Fair warning, when there are alicorns here, they can be as frustrating in death as they were in life. Now, come on. Nocturna awaits.”
“I… alright, let’s go,” I muttered, trying to figure out who the mare was.
Celestia, please! Please! Just this once. I swear, just this once. You can do it, I know you can!
Hrmmm.... blows a few theories out of the water, but sets up so much more...
And here I thought the next chapter was going to start and that this story was 'done'.
Oh my god, this chapter..
:takes a thoughtful sip, pondering on what he read: ... proceed.
Now i just want Silent to watch as his body reanimates and Dread Knight begins his service to the cult. because i am a cruel motherfucker who likes pain. now to be serious I don't care what Nimbus said they still have nothing, Silent merely prolonged the inevitable. They don't know who the master mind of the cultists is or where they are even based at. those mind controlled soldiers are still there ready to overpower the alicorns, just now luna and what guards are still loyal are distracted.
Ahhhh, Stratus and Clement = WIN!
Oh my god the part where the four of them are having a chit chat is killing me, I love this. I AM SO EXCITED FOR NEXT CHAPTER TOO!
Thinking this was a ploy of the Night Mares. They are making the dreams cape and trying to trick Silent into giving up. For all I know the whole day up till now has been one long dream he's been forced into.
OH my.
They did say that death was the next great adventure. Well, let's rock! On to the Night Queen!
Celestia will revive him just before he manages to get the answers he seeks, because that's how the magic of Trollestia works
Aww. I guess I've been on this site too long. I expected some wishy-washy deus ex machina to be like "no, just kidding! He's alive!"
I should have known better ;)
Anzel, you come off of hiatus to give us THIS!!!!!!
There is going to be some serious deus ex machina going on soon. My 'happy ending' sense tells me so.
Oooh, I wonder if anyone he killed is waiting for him. Or did they all get over their grudges by themselves.
And so we're back. Very interesting chapter, and I'm curious about Silent's upcoming meeting with Nocturna, but man....reading the chapter interlaced with Crystal begging everyone imaginable to try and save Silent was just....heart-wrenching.
Sees that a new chapter has been posted on Trials of a Royal Guard.
Mind nearly explodes with excitement.
8000991 You totally bring up a good point though about the cult. Except I don't think Dread is a creation of the cult but of Silent himself in order to maintain his own sanity during the war. An alternate personality who could share the burdens of the horrors he was required to commit. If his body were to reanimate with Dread in charge I believe he would still serve and fight for Princess Luna, he just wouldn't be as compassionate or reserved as Silent was. Take for example the moment Silent had with Ferrel just prior to the assassination attempt. Silent decided in the end he would respect the Exemplar's agency rather than treat her as a tool to aid his mission. But if Dread had been allowed to call the shots, I think he would have grabbed Ferrel’s hoof without hesitation in an attempt to restore her talent, regardless of how she felt because for Dread Knight the mission is paramount and anything else would be secondary.
But that's just my two cents.
Ah! Need more!
Oh colt oh colt oh colt....... This is getting very interesting..... I neeeed to know more~! *Waits for the next update.* What a way to come back after you hiatus. Just ooh Colt, poor Crystal! I have so much to say, but no words atm.... so yep just going to wait for that next update and try to stop these tears from flowing!
Oh boy.
Stuff is going down.
I think we will see him "resurrected" soon, by the name of Luna she will not let him die... and face the fury of Crystal
his time in the after life will be interesting, meeting some ponies he needed to meet
8001103 Maybe this "Near to" is racist, haven't seen any indication that griffins or anything else than ponies roams around the place. Yet, they may show up later
Well the wheels of fate will turn.....Eventually.
Is this the end of our hero as we know it?
I keep having this mental image of Silent coming back as a dragon winged Pegasus. After of course recieving some much needed info.
Also insanely curious about the 3 nightmares he was dealing with before all this.
Holleeyy mother of midnight! The angles... the dangles... good thing my charactor is blue, cause i'm holding my breath till the next chapter comes out! *gaassps*
For Celestia sake will Crystal ever get her happy ending DAMMIT!!!!!
The italics in this chapter give me chills, especially the last one
Celestia, please! Please! Just this once. I swear, just this once. You can do it, I know you can!
Wait, did I say give me chills? I meant make me cry
OH COME ON! Anzel you have a hiatuss and you end the chapter like that!
YOU SADISTIC A-HOLE!!!!! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO SILENT WHEN HE AND CRYSTAL DIDN'T GET THE CHANCE TO PROPERLY HAVE CHILDREN YET!
Well, since I've let that out of my system, I still stubbornly think that Silent is unconscious and that his role in the living isn't finished yet.
I didn't see that coming at all. Great work though. Love how this chapter turned out.
8001011
Yeah I'm thinking this too. There aren't a whole lot of ways for a perspective character to actually die and keep writing. Beyond that though, it's just...too convenient. They haven't really told him anything he didn't already know or could have extrapolated or hypothesized himself. And if the Near-To is a purely spiritual construct with no physical ties and a purpose to help people move on, you'd think they would block out the desperate heartbroken pleas of loved ones. So I'm thinking Miracle Max might have a three very specific words about his current state.
Nimbus mentions that by blowing the assassination the Night Mares have exposed their hoof, but...they haven't really. All they did was confirm Silent's suspicion that there was a plot. Nopony knows yet how they corrupted the other ponies, how many others there might be, or who the Night Mares actually are, or really anyone who's actually in charge of this operation. They haven't even spent any of their real assets yet, just a bunch of expendable brainwashed flunkies that happened to include some ranking military.
I'm thinking this is a failsafe they planted in Silent back during the war or something, in case he fell in battle. Play his own memories against him, relax him with excessive formality and everypony clapping their hooves and saying "congratulations!", give him a believable excuse for his deadened thought processes, trick him into suppressing his own consciousness, and let them take control. Then if he recovers, they have an even closer and deadlier sleeper agent against the alicorns.
Also we know Nimbus's story regarding Kalinda conflicts with both Celestia's and Sombra's, so my hackles raised the moment she got name-dropped. But most of all, this line:
Nopony who is or was actually close to Silent has any further reason to play coy like this, especially since just about everypony else including at least one alicorn has been tripping over themselves to meet and greet him. Furthermore, he's been in the temple enough to know most of the exemplars, so he'd remember Ferrel's associates. Thinking she's a Night Mare probing him (possibly one of the ones he killed), which in turn implicates Ferrel. She certainly had a lot of direct access into Silent's headspace...
Dammit Anzel, You're having way too much fun with this, aren't you?
Holy shit, that was certainly... something
I don't see this being any kind of trick, but I do believe that perhaps this is the way that a new alicorn is created; the elder alicorns, having died somehow, remain in the near-to to wait for one who is worthy of becoming ascended, and soon we'll get to see Silent reborn as Prince Silent Knight, with all the power necessary to take down what appears to be an extremely old alicorn vying for power.
Well. that... damn i got nothing. A wonderful chapter!
...AAAAAA- Oh. Huh. This is not as upsetting to me as I'd thought it would be.
I knew it! I frelling knew it! But did I listen to me? Oh, no, I knew everything! Well, look where we are now! Look at where we have ended up! Don't you feel stupid, me?
There's not enough oxygen on this mountain....
"Not that it stopped Nocturna." I seem to remember a quote like this in reference to pegasai not having an innate talent for magic or some such. Just a little thing that has been nagging at me.
as such I do not rule out Ascension
8001774 Really? I thought that this was the mare that fell in love with Ferrel. As I recall, Ferrel was assigned an Earth Pony to guard her and that guard fell in love with her. If this is the afterlife and ponies wait for all their loved-ones, then why couldn't that be the guard waiting for her love to arrive?
8002601
That wouldn't make sense. Silent likely doesn't know her like she hints.
Also, this isn't the afterlife -- it's presumably purgatory. And the fact that everyone is waiting for their loved ones there before moving on to the real one is another thing that makes me think it's fake and relies on Silent not having all his faculties to think about it too hard. Upon scrutiny it deadlocks in a way worthy of an Abbott and Costello routine. If everypony waited for all their loved ones, nopony would ever leave for the actual afterlife because everyone is waiting for their progeny and younger friends, and holding up their ancestors. We already have ponies claiming to have been stuck there for centuries.
8002337
I see what you did there...
I am at a loss of words... this chapter... I am stunned.
On a side note, my two brothers received their gifts today. Otter was tickled beyond words, he loved the book that much. And Vance was finally able to see what I've been trying for so long to show him, and has finally realized that his fic DOES deserve to be finished... NEEDS to be finished. And somday, he shall follow in the footsteps that you and Crystal have set forth, and shall have his story printed as well.
Thank you for this. He is not the only one inspired by the saga of Silent Knight and Crystal Wishes, for I, too have been so inspired.
My body is ready...
This comment section looks like Jason Bourne's dossier.
What an interesting chapter, excited to see what's next.
8002496
What an interesting concept. Ascension
8001011
That is possible and would be quite the twist.
8001082
So true, that would so frustrating, poor Silent.
8001103
You know what, that's something I wouldn't mind seeing.
8001107
I'm trying not to think about that and just believe that Silent will be revived.
8001186
You said it, I particularly like that part of Crystal's fury.
Warning, spoilers below.
8000963 Indeed, new information always will. I'm glad it is keeping it interesting, though. As far as done goes, we're not quite there yet!
8000982 I hope in a good way!
8000988 Hah
8000991 I can see that point of view. It does help from a security perspective knowing what the target is, what capabilities the enemy has, and some of the assets, though.
8000993 It was a really fun scene to write. I rather enjoyed getting to show a different side of Stratus!
8001006 Without a doubt one of my favorite parts too. Just the idea of them sitting there and talking like old friends. Lot's of fun!
8001011 That is a decent hypothesis. It seems like a possibility given what has happened in the past. Though perhaps a bit longer than normal!
8001028 The greatest adventure is the one that lies ahead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-_r1Npsv5I
8001082 Hahahaha. "This one piece of knowledge will surprise you! Click here."
8001085 I'm glad I could not fall into that? Maybe!
8001101 Carefully crafted chapter based on the hiatus ;) Wait for the next chapter!
8001103 An interesting thought for sure!
8001107 Agreed, she's had a tough life for a delicate little mare. Of course she's risen to the occasion at every point!
8001166 This is an excellent write up! Well done.
8001170 More next Monday ;)
8001178 Yes indeed. One of the reasons I took the hiatus was to come back strong!
8001183 Truly so! The major parts are about to play out.
8001186 A decent hypothesis for sure! Will I be kind? Who knows!
8001210 There are actually clues about it in the text if you look at how it is compromised and what is there.
8001217 Sometimes it rolls over people >_<
8001325 Perhaps so, perhaps so. We'll find out more soon!
8001360 Nox Knight eh? :D
8001388 Hold it until Monday! Er wait... don't. That isn't safe.
8001399 For the right price...
8001408 That was certainly what I was shooting for. That mixing in of serious with hopeful/happy.
8001498 They all have to end somewhere ;)
8001509 Time will tell!
8001524 I'm glad I could still have a surprise or two out there!
8001774 Certainly some interesting theories and ideas here. As I mentioned above, I don't fully agree that nothing was achieved by Silent. The plot has been narrowed, the capabilities of the enemy understood, and some assets expended. Those are some pretty useful things!
8001932 I do enjoy telling my story ^_^
8001998 Something indeed!
8002131 Also a decent theory =D
8002188 Thank you!
8002337 That is exactly what Silent said! He should have been more upset but he wasn't and that didn't upset him!
8002472 I feel fine. Everything is fine. How're you?
8002496 That is a good remembered quote :D One oft overlooked.
8002601
8002684 I think you and I view the way it was expressed slightly differently. You don't have to wait for everypony to finish waiting. You wait for the ones that impact you and entangle your spirit. Once that is done you move on. Nimbus is entangled with Silent Knight because of the prophecy and his use of the memory crystal to call out to him.
SK, Clement, and Stratus weren't some "my great-great-great-great-grand children" they were explicitly known ponies.
8003201 I'm glad! Well I hope I am. Positive stunned? I'm also thrilled they enjoyed the books and hopefully will be inspired by them.
8003211 Oh my.
8003446 That is one of the most rewarding things about writing this story =D
Russet!
Various ancestors!
Ferrel's long dead other half!
Some really interesting things in this chapter. First, the seasonal <-> alicorn connection, that seems like a big deal given the current crisis. Second, Nocturna is probably dead, though considering how alicorns are made there is clearly room for some sort of alicorn/afterlife connection which could conceivably allow a 'living' alicorn access to at least the Near-To.
The confirmation of an afterlife in general is interesting in a philosophical sense. We probably already had it since we were told about alicorns and death a while ago, but now that we are directly seeing it and the form that it takes (your personal identity is retained, you get to see other ponies you knew in life and they still know you, etc.) it honestly makes death just a bit less scary in my opinion.
Lastly, it feels like we're probably leading up to some sort of resurrection/resuscitation since as far as I remember this is still a journal style story being told by Silent, though as with the alicorn question there are a number of forms this could take. Extra pointy as an alicorn? Just a brute force rez by Ferrel/Luna/Nocturna/whoever? Vamponies, finally?
Oh Author... Tw'odst thou be planning what I think your planning? (Ferrel exchanges the rest of her longevity to resurrect Silent?)
I can say this is a super good chapter and I think I know how you are going to spin this story ark. but as you ask to not type hints or spoilers I will use a video in its place.
interesting take on things, on the direction this is going. cant wait for the next chapter, should be... revealing.