A new start?

[Deleted]

Angel trotted behind the other pony, looking this way and that. Everywhere she looked, she could see ponies, talking, practicing, looking at her...she lowered her head a bit as they went on. The pony in front of her, Dream Jade, didn't seem to notice her nervousness, though Angel Grace suspected if she had, she would have stopped to reassure her. That's how this all got started, after all, and Angel found herself thinking back to that meeting.

She had returned from a short trip into Everfree forest, scuffed and dirty, but fortunately unharmed. She had been very lucky, she had known that, but she didn't feel it at the time. Her goal, to find Lunas old castle, had completely failed, and it seemed like all that was left in her life was failure. She had been looking up at the moon from a small hill when Dream Jade had found her, and asked if she could sit down next to her.

It seemed like the Unicorn was like Angel, in that she preferred to be awake during the night. But Angel had sensed something else different about her from that moment. The two had sat and talked for some time before Angel managed to work up the courage to try and ask her a little about herself. Dream Jade hadn't revealed much, but invited her to come the next night and talk some more. Angel accepted that invitation, and they met again the next night. This time, after talking for a short time, the two had started to talk about themselves. Actually, it was more like Angel talked about herself, about how she had lived her life on the outskirts of Ponyville, not rejected, certainly, but not feeling at home. About how she would sit awake during the night and wonder. About how she wanted someone who understood. Dream Jade listened, nodding her head and smiling, before she asked Angel Grace an odd question, one that had brought her here, now.

"What if I told you that the Princesses were hiding something, something big?"

Angel Grace was initially shocked by this, and had demanded more information. Dream Jade, however, had refused to explain more about what they were hiding that night. The next night, they had met farther away from Ponyville, where Dream Jade told Angel where she had come from; a cult, dedicated to righting a terrible wrong. Some being had been unjustly treated by the Princesses, and they wanted to bring justice. At first, Angel considered leaving then and there, but being near forgotten was a feeling she knew, and she couldn't imagine the feeling of being completely forgotten. Besides, Dream Jade had listened to her, so she couldn't be all bad, right? As Angel had reached this conclusion, Dream Jade had dropped another bombshell on her.

"I'll take you to my leader. He can explain better what we do, and perhaps you can help us in our mission."

And that's how Angel had decided to follow Dream Jade into Froggy Bottom Bog. At first, she was afraid, having heard the stories about the monsters and dangers waiting in the bog. But Dream Jade had led her through secret paths, and they had soon arrived at the headquarters of this cult.

Dream Jade had bade her stop as a purple unicorn came into view near the gates, and approached the unicorn alone. Angel waited politely as she seemed to talk to the unicorn, just out of earshot. Did Jade know this unicorn?, she had wondered. The answer became clear as the two approached. "Angel, this is Cloud Dreamer" she said brightly, then turned to Cloud "Cloud Dreamer, this is Angel Grace. She's also interested in the cult." she smiled at the two as she turned. "Red's going to be so happy~" she had announced, marching towards the center of the HQ again. After a brief nod at Cloud, Angel had resumed her thoughts. So she wasn't the only new pony here today...who were these ponies?

As they approached the main structure, Angel raised her head again to look at it curiously. The magnitude of what she was doing hit her fully at that moment; from what little information she gleaned from Dream Jade, this cult was in direct conflict with Princess Luna, the bringer of the night Angel loved so much. She looked to the stars, her nervousness growing. Surely, there had to be a reason for what the Princesses did, right? They wouldn't just banish somepony without cause. Celestia had banished Luna to the moon, sure, but...Luna was going to create an eternal night, and as much as Angel would have liked that, it would have been bad for all the ponies. Still, Luna had repented, and this other being hadn't had that chance.

Uncertainty still roiling in her head, she was stopped by the green unicorn in front of her. "Hold tight." Dream Jade said, knocking on the door a couple of times. "Hello in there!" she said brightly. "I have someponies here who wants to meet Red Charge!"

As Angel looked around at the other ponies again, as well as Cloud Dreamer, she didn't see any of them who seemed to be really bad or anything. Just a bunch of normal ponies, ponies it seemed had a common cause to believe in. That appealed to Angel, and she looked to the door with a bit more confidence. It couldn't hurt to hear this Red Charge out.

[Red Charge]

"I'm right here." A deep voice said behind them, the traces of amusement in it, "Come now Jade, I was right behind you the whole time," As the two would turn, they would find a massive red stallion in silvery armor, his long curled mane elegantly dropping to the sides of his head. "Ah, you have brought us a new recruit I see, well done."

The stallion motioned for the two to follow him, "As Jade must have told you by now," The large pony said to Angel Grace, "We are here because there is a certain injustice unknown to pony society. This injustice is known as Eclipse, an old, powerful pony locked away in the stars for the mere crime, of being too powerful."

Angel Grace noted how Red Charge's gaze returned to her comfortably every now and then, it was a very warm gaze, very recieving. It was obvious to her that there was something more in it than what seemed. This pony radiated power, confidence, and yet he was not intimidating... no... awe-inspiring yes, but there was nothing remotely frightening about him. The opposite was the truth, she felt much more comfortable around him than she was used to feel around any pony.

"We are not here to dethrone the Princesses, this is not our goal, we do not seek to sow disharmony in Equestria. The only goal of our group, our 'cult' as they call us, is to bring about the return of Eclipse. Sadly as I insisted on it to the Princess, she has deemed me an outlaw. And I must do this in secret, and prepare for a possible conflict I do not desire."

As he spoke, a red armored Pegasus landed in front of him, "Master Red Charge," He said, and at once it struck home, that this was none other than Percheron Razorwing himself, the one who was told to be the successor of the Legendary Sky Titan, and known far and wide for his service in the Stars.

"We will have to postpone our meeting a little, Percheron, I am entertaining a guest." Red Charge said pleasantly, and the Pegasus captain glanced once at Angel Grace before nodding, giving a short bow, and flying off. "And for the last time," The red stallion caught him before he left, "Please stop calling me master."

[clouddreamer]

Cloudy had been taken to the cult by a pony named Watermark. He had promised her learning magic, and with Cloudy's growing doubt of ever meeting Princess Celestia she had agreed. Led to the HQ, Watermark had wished her luck and left her. The unicorn had been left by herself. There she had met yet another unicorn who was with another pony. The unicorn had asked her what she was doing, and Cloudy told her that she was joining cult but had no idea where to go. So, the unicorn took her along to see the head of the cult, Red Charge.

The pony that came next did look like a ruler. Cloudy wasn't sure whether to bow or not, and did a shallow, quick bow. She praised Celestia so much, she was torn between treating this new ruler the same way or not. Oh, how difficult this was. She was here to get over her past, but she could never if she was still torn between it and her present.

Red began to explain the cult, and many things quickly confused the mare. Eclipse? Who was this pony? She had never heard of him in legends or stories, yet it sounded like something that would be in books. This did seem serious though, something that was real. And helping bring back equality to Equestria was something she'd be willing to do.

This speech also brought suspicion. Deemed an outlaw by the Princess? Was this pony trustworthy? He seemed like it.... sort of. But if she was going againest the Princess this didn't seem right. What if she did meet her someday? Would the Princess shun her for working at the cult? Would she banish her? Would she hate her? More and more, she came convinced that she had to leave, but also she had to learn. It felt like her brain and her heart were now pulling her differnet ways, her brain knowing she had to improve her magic if she was to ever earn her own respect but her heart yelling that her alliance was with the Princess, always had, always will.

When the pegasus left, Cloudy spoke up. "Um... uh... Red Charge.... I don't think I can do this. It's just... um..... I..... um...... well....." A few tears began to fill her eyes, her head lowering towards the ground. She couldn't go blurting out her past. It would be too hard for her.

[Deleted]

Dream Jade smiled as she looked over her shoulder. "Ah, Red Charge!" she remarked brightly. "Sorry, I didn't see you there. See, this is why I'm such a terrible fighter." she laughed sheepishly. Looking back at the other two ponies, she said "Well, I'll let you three talk. Red really is a great pony, you'll see~" with that said, she gave an encouraging nudge to Cloudy. "You can trust him." Matters taken care of to her satisfaction, she trotted off. As she passed Red, she leaned in close. "The white one, Angel Grace. She's a night pony." she whispered to the red stallion before leaving.

Angel Grace waved goodbye to Dream Jade before following behind Red, giving him her full attention. She couldn't explain it, but as he talked, she felt a curious sensation. The result of this was she looked distracted as she listened, taking in both the words and trying to figure out what she was feeling. Something he said, though, caught her attention. "Princess Luna, you mean? Surely she can understand what it is like to be banished..." she said curiously. Before she could inquire further, somepony else joined the conversation. It took her a bit to figure out, but when he flew off again, her eyes went wide as it hit her. "That was...Percheron?" she asked, turning back to Red. Such a notable pegasus, here in the cult? It was all very interesting, and made her more curious about the cult itself. Red Charge was certainly determined, and he seemed to believe in his cause. Was it the right one, though?

As Angel considered this, she turned to Cloud Dreamer, who seemed to be quite distraught. "What's wrong?" she asked the unicorn, her brow furrowed. If she could see something Angel had missed, some problem with Reds story, Angel wanted to know about it. And if she was just scared...well, Angel would try to help her.

[Red Charge]

"No, it was Princess Celestia who made the call the outlaw me, back before Princess Luna was back even." Red Charge explained, "And as I said, I do not seek to go against the throne." He leaned down to the scared unicorn, "I only seek to bring an end to an unjust punishment against a pony whose only crime was to be powerful." He explained, "We act for the good of Equestria, and only that. Earning the allegiance of a pony as powerful as Eclipse will only serve to aid Equestria. Especially in these times where monster attacks have become a day to day affair."

He turned around, leading them through the camp, "If you do not believe me, look around, these are ponies from all over Equestria, normal ponies just like you or me, who only want a better future. They don't want to fear monster attacks, they do not want to fear another dragon invasion. They want peace and prosperity. And Justice."

He turned back to Cloudy, "We will defend ourselves if attacked, but we will not attack Equestria."

[clouddreamer]

It was obvious the red pony was trying to make her feel better, but the sinking feeling that she would not be able to help was now deep in her stomach. Her sad, scared tears turned to angry tears, angry that she might be unable to help such a great cause. They began to pour down her face. "It's not that. It's..." Great anger was filling every part of her body. At herself mostly. She wanted to help this, stopping monster attacks, maybe even becoming a hero. But if she couldn't as a filly even crack an egg, could she do what was required here? No.

"I'm useless!" She finally blurted out. "Completely useless! I was miserable all my life before a got a cutie mark and twice as much afterwards! You know why? Because I have little magical talent! Everypony has some sort of happy ending after they get their cutie mark, life becomes better with a talent. But did mine? No!" The unicorn was steaming. Reality after reality she had found during her life were hitting her one at a time. She had gone into a full out rant and there was little stopping her now from expressing all the emotions she had bottled up.

"I thought as a filly I had some magical talent that was different than others, stronger and better. But I couldn't even crack an egg! A stupid egg!! So what do I do? What do I do when I can't complete something? I wait. I wait and wait for a Princess to just come waltzing up to my door and teach me magic! Even when Celestia leaves, I still wait! I'm so stupid!!" She hadn't faced that all her life that waiting was silly. But somehow, while she was ranting the thoughts that she had were all clearly silly to her, she had been living in her own fantasy all her life. "I wasted most my life waiting! Waiting for a day that would never come! I never faced the facts or probability because reality was too hard for me. I was living in a fantasy I had created where everything was perfect! Wasted my life!!!!" Gasping for air, she slowed. No, she hadn't wasted her life, had she? No... she didn't.... "But..."

"But I didn't waste my life. I made friends and found my true passion, storytelling. I got a house and so much more. But... I never did what I wanted to do." Anger had left her and sadness had replaced it. She had never been brave enough to ask the Princess to train her personally, nor try to learn magic in another way. She had so many options, but since they weren't the Princess she had turned them away. It had been foolish of her, but she hadn't wasted her life.

"Red Charge... I'm not sure if this is the right place for me or not. Right now I'm not sure about much at all. I'm not sure if I have more of a magic skill than most unicorns, I might not. But I want to help. I may not be able to help in the best way, but I'm not useless either." Tears were still falling down her face, as finally facing reality had been a task that was hard. "I... I think I want to join."

[Deleted]

Angel Grace considered the words of Red Charge. She was beginning to see why Dream Jade had thought that she would be interested in this cult. She looked the camp as she was urged to, thinking. She didn't see conspirators and warmongers...she saw a lot of scared ponies. A lot of determined ones. Some ones hurt, some just seeming world-weary. This wasn't an army to overthrow Luna, Angel knew that. It didn't change the fact, though, they were outlaws. If she put her lot in with them, it would mean she would be an outlaw as well.

On the other hoof, what was her situation now? She barely saw the other residents of Ponyville, and even when she did, nothing seemed to work out well. She was mulling over that when Cloud Dreamer finally spoke up. She turned her head to listen, eyes wide as Cloudy went on. It sounded like the young pegasus wasn't alone after all. She regarded her own cutie mark, thinking about how her own life had taken a turn for the lonely, even after it had appeared. Turning back to the still ranting Unicorn, Angel Grace began to realize what it was she'd been feeling since meeting Red Charge, and why it felt so alien to her. She felt comfortable here, almost at home...

She didn't speak as Cloudy finished, but turned her gaze on the armored pony, contemplating him. While she hadn't made up her mind on what she was going to do yet, his reaction to Cloud Dreamers speech would be instrumental in her choice. As she waited for his response, though, she had a feeling the result would be favorable. Even though they had just met, Angel Grace found that she trusted Red Charge, and her impression was he would help them as much as he could.

[Red Charge]

Red Charge has seen many things in his life, but for the sudden monologue Cloud Dreamer had just spewed out he was not ready. He stared, not wide eyed, but definitely surprised at her for several moments, still trying to figure out what he missed that invoked this long one pony play.

After a few moments he had managed to collect himself, somewhat, though still at a loss to how to answer the poor filly, if she wanted to help, that was basically all he required, she reminded him of another unicorn he had known, back when that unicorn was a young and confused colt. He glanced at the Red Mages compound, missing the time when he could spend all day just chatting or teaching his proteges, he shook his head quickly.

"Well, Cloud Dreamer, it doesn't matter how powerful or how useful you are. The desire to help means more to us than anything. I'm sure we'll find a way for you to fit in wonderfully! I have full confidence in both of you. Every pony on Equestria is special, powerful in their own way and equally wonderful. That's how Harmony intended us to be, and our cutie marks are a testament of that. You Cloudy, I'm certain will be a great morale booster, and perhaps even a powerful illusionist one day."

He paused, contemplating the unicorn, and then the pegasus, "You Angel Grace, I believe you can be useful in many of the municipal duties we have here. A pegasus is quick to get around, and that is what I need the most. Watermark's golems can't do it all by themselves and some order to it would be wonderful." He explained, "Either way, there is always a way to fit in, welcome home fillies." He said, gesturing at the large camp, ponies toiling and working to build more structures, others training in self defense or magic, and others rushing about delivering messages and supplies back and forth.

[clouddreamer]

Cloudy was still trying to calm herself, the tears now falling less and less requent. She looked at Red's reaction, the surprise on her face. She was about to apolojize for her outbreak when she noticed him look at someplace longingly. What was this place for? Whatever it was, it seem like the unicorn missed it.

Red's following words were certainly comforting. She had found someplace she belonged.... a home. She had always had a home but this was different. Home wasn't just a place to live, it was a place to belong. She hoped the second thing was what she would become...... no, she wasn't an amazing unicorn. A morale booster, that might be all she became. At least it was something. "T-thank you Red Charge..." The unicorn said quietly. She wiped her hoof over her cheeks and eyes, getting rid of the tears.

This cult looked amazing. There were so many ponies, all looking like they knew where their place was. Soon she would as well. "Excuse me, Red Charge, are we to be assigned to a teacher or branch of work of some sort? I really would like to see if I could start as soon as possible. Make up for all the years I've lost." She finished with a small smile.

[windstorm]

Wind Storm travelled through the Froggy Bottom Bog. He was a bit nervous of the place after hearing about the monsters that resided within. Happily he was not alone as another pony named Early Dawn was accompanying him. He met this pony while sitting on a bench in a park in Canterlot, sulking over being expelled from Princess Celestia's school and his dwindling prospects. The two started a conversation and after telling the pony why he was upset, Dream Jade said something very interesting...

"I know a place," she said, "where you can learn from ponies who are very talented and can help you learn to increase and control your powers. They are all very friendly, and they will support in whatever decisions you choose. If you want, I'll show you this place."

Wind Storm did give it some thought, but he realized he had nothing to lose and much to gain. He then was suddenly leaving Canterlot and his old life behind, bound for a new adventure.

Now Wind Storm stood among the rest of the ponies there, all looking a mix of nervousness and excitment. At least he wasn't alone in his feelings. He stood there, looking at the leader of the so-called Cult of Eclipse named Red Charge. Although tall and clad in armor, there was a certain caring side to this pony that eased Wind's fears. He waited his turn to greet this pony as the red stallion seemed to be deep in a conversation with another pony.

[Deleted]

Angel Grace hadn't been sure of what to expect. At most, maybe a place to sleep for the night, some food, the like, as they discussed matters. Certainly nothing definite right after their first meeting; Red Charge had no way of knowing if he could trust the two of them.

Yet, here he was, welcoming them warmly. She wasn't sure what to make of it at first, but as things began to sink in, she looked around, a small smile spreading across her face. She was wanted...no, needed! She could hardly believe it. Already she was taking notes of small features, thinking to herself about how to make things run more smoothly.

She looked back at Red and Cloudy, nodding in agreement. "...yeah, I'm anxious to get started as well." she added to Cloudys statement. Her voice, which was normally soft and even, wavered with poorly concealed emotion, a mixture of happiness and excitement. She finally felt like she fit in somewhere, that this is what she'd been waiting for her entire life.