Beacon in the Shadows
or
Cheerilee’s a Paladin
Chapter 9: Here Without You
By DigitDaemon
~~~~~
Cheerilee and Symphony stood patiently in the center of the main room of the library. At several points ducking had actually been required, to avoid the books that Twilight was levitating around the room. They whipped and swirled as if caught by some tropical storm. The vortex of greens, reds, and browns, were occasionally highlighted by a dash of lavender, when Twilight decided that she was better off moving to a books location rather than waiting for it to circle back around. The silence of the two still mares was broken only by the quiet muttering of the purple unicorn coupled by the soft whooshing created by the tornado of paper.
Cheerilee looked over at Symphony, who was staring intently at the ground in front of her. The older of the two wrapped her front leg around the other and pulled her against her shoulder.
“It will be okay.”
“I know, I’m sure Miss Twilight can fix this, that’s not what is bothering me though.”
“What is bothering you?”
“Miss Cheerilee, my parents...” Symphony looked up off the floor and into Cheerilee’s eyes, “They’re dead, aren’t they?”
Cheerilee pulled Symphony up against her, “Yes, your parents are dead...I’m sorry.”
The two of them sat there awhile and Cheerilee felt tears fall onto her coat. Symphony finally broke away and looked back down at the floor.
“Miss Cheerilee?”
“Yes sweety?”
“Will...” Symphony returned her tear filled gaze to Cheerilee’s eyes, “Will, you be my mother now?”
She’s met royalty, heck Berry’s been around her more than I have, but she wants me to be her mother?
A single tear fell from Cheerilee’s eye and a smile crept onto her face, “Yes Symphony, I would love to be your mother.”
The two launched into another tight hug, and were only reminded of what they were at the library for, by the echoing thud of the floating books being returned to the control of gravity once more. The two separated and looked over at Twilight, who had a huge grin on her face.
“You two are adorable.”
Cheerilee blushed and Symphony hid her face.
“Oh, sorry.” Twilight said shyly, as she blushed a bit as well, “I didn’t mean to interrupt your family bonding...but I figured it out! I know how to fix this now.”
Symphony uncovered her face and gave the unicorn her full attention, “Really, how?”
Cheerilee mentally face hoofed as Twilight Sparkle’s face brightened, no doubt excitement at the prospect of lecturing.
“Well, the biggest problem with simply removing the enchantments is a common magical malady called mana withdrawal or occasionally mana starvation. Even though you would be able to, with some treatment, survive the effect at your current age, which I estimate to be around seventeen. It would probably kill you at the age of seven. And since the point of this is to return you to your actual age, that is a huge problem. So thats when I realised, I don’t actually need to remove the enchantments, I just need to choke their mana looping and cause a magical overload that would initiate Clover’s principle of...” Twilight reminded herself that she was effectively talking to a seven year old, “Basically, I’m going to turn them off. They won’t be gone, but they won’t affect you either.”
Cheerilee looked at the librarian skeptical, “So, wouldn’t that still lower the amount of magic in her system by almost the same amount?”
“No, you misunderstand. I would block the enchantment from their energy source. Both parts would stay in her system.”
“And then you could remove them when she is older?”
“If the enchantment are still whole and separate. More than likely, the magic will grow along with her and become a part of her own innate magic.”
“Isn’t that a bad thing?, There’s some really dark magic in those enchantments.”
“It will all be about how you raise her, if she were to grow up in a corrupt environment, it’s possible that the enchantments would push her towards evil.” Twilight said with a nod, “But if she grows up in a good environment, she will learn to harness her magic for the good of herself and others.”
“Okay Twilight, I know that the Princesses trust you completely, and I will too.” Cheerilee gave the unicorn a pleading look, “But please don’t take my daughter away from me on my first day with her.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Twilight turned to Symphony, “Ready?”
Symphony gave Cheerilee a nervous glance. Cheerilee in turn gave her a reassuring nod and a quick kiss on her forehead. “Twilight knows what she is doing, you’ll be fine.”
Symphony turned back to Twilight as Cheerilee walked over to the side of the room, leaving a nice open space around the young pegasus.
“Will it hurt?”
“It’s not supposed to, but it might tickle.”
Symphony nodded and shut her eyes tight as Twilight’s horn lit up. Tendrils of reddish purple magic crept out in front of the unicorn and began to coil themselves around Symphony. They crept around her body until she was completely encased in magic. Twilight strained as she began to pour more magic into the spell. Symphony began to glow a bright white and then with a final burst of magic from Twilight, the glow turned into a blinding flashing.
Cheerilee was unable to see because of the bright flash, but she definitely could hear something. The spell had not been deafening, but it had been loud, and it was hard for the mare to hear what was going on. She couldn’t shake the feeling though, that she heard laughter. As her vision cleared she saw a little, mint green, pegasus filly rolling around on the library floor, unable to control her giggling.
Cheerilee rushed over to the filly and picked her up with her front hooves, she hugged Symphony tight to her chest and twirled her about.
“Thank you so much Twilight, if there is ever anything I can do to repay you...”
Twilight gave a small chuckle, “Last time I checked, you were saving everypony’s life. I think that’s enough.”
A masculine voice chimed in from the hallway, “You could teach her how to cook something other than hay fries.”
A much younger voice pitched in as well, “Especially things with gems in it.”
Cheerilee looked back from the hallway to Twilight. “Shadow is still living here? You know the guards vacated the hotel, he could stay there.”
Twilight blushed and dragged her front hoof on the floor, “Well, not that Spike isn’t a great friend, but I enjoy having some older... Company, around.”
Cheerilee‘s smile was much like the ones she would see on the faces of her students when they learned a secret or figured out something embarrassing about somepony.
“Well, we should probably head home, the engineers will be moving the train car onto a side rail in about an hour.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t want to hold you up.”
Cheerilee lifted Symphony onto her back and Twilight walked them to the door. The trip home for Cheerilee was rather pleasant, she was fairly popular among the residents of Ponyville, but that wasn’t surprising since she met pretty much every single parent and foal in the town on a regular basis. The towns ponies waved as she passed. A lot of those ponies had yet to discover where Symphony had come from, and seeing her riding on the school teacher’s back caused quite the stir of gossip as the two passed.
Cheerilee visibly relaxed as she walked across the porch to her front door. Her relaxation didn’t last long though, when she opened the door she was greeted by the sight of her sister conversing with Braeburn Apple.
“Well howdy again Miss Cheerilee, and who’s that on yer back, there?”
“Oh Symphony? She’s...” Cheerilee gave Berry Punch a nervous glance, “Hehe, well she’s my daughter.”
Surprisingly, Berry Punch shrugged. She had, after all, realized what Cheerilee’s and Symphony’s relationship was developing into, and was unsurprised that Cheerilee had decided to adopt the filly.
“You daughter?” Braeburn looked slightly crestfallen, “So, who’s the father?”
Cheerilee practically fell over and Berry Punch busted out laughing.
Braeburn switched his gaze back and forth between the two mares, “What am I missing.”
Cheerilee shook herself out of her stupor, “No, it’s not like that, I adopted Symphony, her parents...”
Braeburn nodded in understanding and as soon as he thought nopony was paying attention he let out a sigh of relief.
“Berry, would you mind entertaining Symphony in the living room?”
“Of course not,” Berry Punch turned to the filly, “Why don’t you come and play with aunty Punch?”
The filly nodded eagerly and followed the dark purple mare into the next room.
“So, do they have the train off the rails yet?”
“Sure do, one of the guards just came here to tell you and me.”
“Well, we probably shouldn't waste any more time here then.”
Braeburn gave the teacher a questioning glare, “I don’t suppose you stopped to eat something on the way back from the library?”
“No?”
“And you were gone before you sister made breakfast.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I ate your waffles. I don’t think you should be out investigating on an empty stomach. Come with me, Applejack keeps pestering me to try out this Sugar Cube Corner place, and it would be a shame for me to be stuck there, unable to decide what to eat.”
Cheerilee looked nervously at the clock, which treacherously informed her that there was in fact time for lunch and plenty of daylight after for investigation.
“Fine, why not?”
“Great!”
The two walked silently to the local bakery. Braeburn romanticising their quick detour, and Cheerilee hoping beyond hope that Braeburn wasn’t trying to take her out on a date.
When they arrived, Cheerilee ordered a muffin and Braeburn decided that a plate of toast was an appropriate meal after the large amount of waffles he consumed that morning. The two ate in relative silence, the bakery was always noisy at this time of day. Neither pony was bothered by the noise, but they still chose not to add to the ruckus.
After they finished, Braeburn attempted to pay for both of them, but Cheerilee insisted that teaching did pay well enough to afford her lunch.
As the two walked out and began heading to the train station Braeburn gave Cheerilee a pouty glare, “You know, I was just trying to be nice.”
Cheerilee shook her head slowly, “Not <u>just</u> nice.” She looked over at him and gave him a contemplative stare. “Are you attracted to me?”
“No!... Yes? Is that a trick question?”
“No it isn’t. Are you attracted to me?”
“Kind of.”
“Well, we need to get something cleared up then. I cannot and never will be able to have a relationship with you.”
“Not into colts?”
Cheerilee actually did facehoof. “No I’m not, I’m also not into mares. The Paladin Code requires strict celibacy.”
Braeburn gave the teacher a doubting glare, “The inquisitors code doesn’t say anything about celibacy.”
“Why would it?”
“Well, why would the Paladin Code say anything about it?”
“Because the Paladin is a warrior of the Sun: bright, hopeful, and singular. The Inquisitor is a warrior of the moon, a symbol of secrets, passion, and not nearly as lonely in the sky.”
Braeburn gave the ground a sullen kick, “Oh...”
“It doesn't mean I can’t be friends with you, and I certainly don’t hate you for being attracted to me. I just didn’t want to lead you on, and then have to tell you somewhere down the road.”
“Yeah, I guess thats fine,” Braeburn gave Cheerilee a warm smile, “Not like I can do anything about it anyhow.” His smile turned into a thoughtful expression, “What about your sister?”
Cheerilee thought for a moment, her sister was quite a gossip, perhaps it would finally be time for her to be on the other end of it. Cheerilee gave Braeburn a wicked grin, “Go right ahead.”
The two found themselves at the railroad depot moments later. The fancy train car was sitting out on an empty piece of track. The cars themselves were swarming with various military ponies. Cheerilee searched for a moment before finding General Turncoat in the crowd. The two champions made their way up to the general.
“General.”
“Ah, Cheerilee, I was wondering when you would get here,” The general turned to Braeburn, “And you must be Braeburn Apple, a pleasure to meet you.”
Braeburn shook the generals outstretched hoof. “Mighty fine to meet you too.”
“Sorry about the crowd, I wanted to have my boys go through the train and make sure there weren’t any nasty surprises waiting for you.” The general whistled loudly and a young sergeant rushed forward. “Tell everypony to clear out and give these two some space to work.”
The sergeant hurried over to the train as Cheerilee and Braeburn followed slowly behind. The two managed to time it just perfectly, they hopped aboard just as the last bomb technician was leaving through another door.
Braeburn took a quick glance through the car and found that it empty. Everything had been left in place, but despite that there were a number of strips of red tape covering various parts of the train car. Most likely, the techs had been marking their progress as they had searched for traps.
“This was the sleeper car. There won’t be anything too valuable in here.”
Was?Braeburn took another look around as Cheerilee made her way to the next car. There were pools of dried blood and splintered wood everywhere. The guards had already removed the bodies from the car.
When they reached the next car, Cheerilee stared straight at the door on the other side of the car, and crossed at a brisk pace. Berry Punch had told him that morning what had happened on the train, and he couldn’t blame the fuschia mare for rushing past all of it. He did however take great care to examine the room himself.
There were more blood stains on the floor and some of the walls. A few holes littered the floor where something heavy had hit it. When he got to the stone circle in the middle of the car, he found that several lines had been painstaking carved across the stone. That way, it could still be studied, but was otherwise rendered useless. As he made his way across the circle and reached the magical gem on the other side, he saw that the same had been done with it.
When he finally reached the forward car, Cheerilee was already pulling books off the shelves and flipping through them. The train car seemed to be some kind of mobile study, It was complete with a desk, bookshelves and even a couch. Braeburn took note of the teleportation pedestal in the corner. It appeared that the pedestal had been blown up, likely to ensure that after the owner of the study escaped that he wouldn’t be followed.
“Anything good to read?”
Cheerilee looked up from the old leather bound journal that she had been reading, “I think I have a name, Silvered Tongue, Grand Magus of The Children of the Night.”
“Interesting name, doesn't ring any bells though.”
Cheerilee continued flipping through the journal until she reached a page that had been bookmarked with a rather large feather.
“Hey Braeburn, come over and take a look at this entry.”
The gunslinger walked over to where Cheerilee was standing and began to read over her shoulder.
This will be the final attempt at using the demon circle, perhaps the added shock of who we use it on will give us the advantage over the paladin. A few of our sleeper agents still remain undetected, and they will prove invaluable in the coming attack. My hope is that I can first spark an attack by the Wyverns to draw forces away from Canterlot. Blurred Sight is already on his way to the Coal tribe as we speak, and once his “business” there is concluded, our attack can begin.
Cheerilee picked up the feather and then in a rush, pulled the feather she had gotten from Ghanthorph. She held them side by side, and sure enough, they were a match.
“Oh no. He’s going to try and start a war with the Wyvern Clans by killing their elder and pinning it on Equestria.”
Braeburn gave a nod of agreement.
“There’s no way to get a message there in time at this point.”
Braeburn scratched his chin in thought. “Maybe there is.” He snatched one of the feathers from Cheerilee and hopped out of the train car. Cheerilee followed him out of the car and watched as he placed the feather between his teeth. Then he pulled out a lighter and lit the end of the feather on fire. Braeburn sucked and the feather dissolved at an unnatural pace into his mouth. He then let out a tiny trail of smoke that despite the slight breeze spiraled straight up. Braeburn finished exhaling and then proceed to start wheezing for air.
For a few moments nothing happened, and then, as if from thin air, a larged pink shape slammed into the ground a few feet away. As the dust settled, the figure of a female wyvern became visible. She had soft pink feathers and snow white scales.
“Hello there ponies, how can I help you?” she said in a sing song voice.
Cheerilee turned to Braeburn and thrust the old journal into his hooves, “Take this to Canterlot. have them get ready for an attack.”
He nodded and ran off.
“Hello, my name is Cheerilee. I have something very important to tell you.”
“I’m Illiesia, you must be the one who found my son in Appleoosa.”
“Oh, your Phox’s mother? Then this affects you more directly than ever. Somepony is going to try to kill your father.”
“I find that hard to believe, your own Captain of the guard is meeting with my father this evening to discuss war plans.”
Cheerilee gave the wyverness a confused look, “But our Captain of the Guard is on permanent station in Canterlot Castle until our crisis is over. Unless...Can you take me to your clan?”
Illiesia nodded, “I won’t be able to fast travel carrying you, but we can get there in a few hours.”
“Please you have to take me, there is more at stake then I have time to explain.”
Illiesia hunched over so the Cheerilee could get on her back. Once she was secure, The wyverness took to the sky with a single mighty beat of her wings.