Author's Notes:

Silver Grove Spoilers.
That is all.

I Was working on installing the new engine back in Ponyville as Twilight had to go Canterlot to help prepare for the upcoming Summer Sun Celebration. Whatever that means. I wasn’t really needed, so I sent Serenity and Drax as guards. Walking out of the ship that morning I enjoyed the nice day. Just like the rest. Walking to the back and looking up at the engine, something caught my eye.

And it made my brain hurt.

“Ordis?”

“Yes, Excalibur?”

“Riddle me this? If it is high noon, but also midnight… what time is it?”

“I do not understand the question.”

“Well I’m only asking because the sky is half day and half night!” I said while gesturing to the confused sky.

Unless this was some sick prank by Luna and Celestia or part of the Summer Sun Celebration, I didn’t know. I was slightly on edge. This planet, because of its location, it has a gravitational problem. It lays just outside the proper distance to rotate on its own, and the moon is actually smaller than most moons, meaning it lacks the proper pull to rotate the planet around it. How the planet has survived, I don’t know, but the sun and moon need an outside force to help them move.

That’s where the Solar and Lunar princess’ come in.

“Excalibur, incoming transmission.”

“Pull it up, Ordis.”

As I walked back into the ship I could hear Serenity and Twilight talking.

“Please tell me he knows what’s going on!?” said Twilight with a hint of panic.

Walking up to the feed I could see Serenity, Drax, Twilight and two royal guards.

“Anyone want to tell me what the hell is going on?”

On Twilight’s and the two guards faces, I could see nervousness.

“Celestia and Luna are gone!”

…

“How the hell do you lose a six foot and a five foot alicorn!?”

“I don’t know!” Twilight replied in a panicked tone, “They were here yesterday!”

I started to go through the basics of a lost person.

“You searched the castle?”

“Yes.”

“The grounds?”

“Yes.”

“Canterlot, the surrounding woods, and nearby town or provinces?”

“Yes, working on it, and no.”

I looked to the side and pursed my lips and wiggled them back and forth.

“Any information on kidnapping, assassination attempts, or anything on them being wanted taken or killed?” I asked while looking back at the feed.

“No.”

“Hmmm… well. Twilight, that means you’re in charge.”

She froze. “Wha…?”

“Look, I can help you, but, here’s what’s going to happen. You can either ‘A’ be a friend to the nation and address the missing leaders, but consequences can be drastic. This may lead to rioting, looting, panic and so on. Or you could do option ‘B’. Lie and say the princess’ are sick. But if the nation finds out that you lied, and before they are found, it could lead to rioting.”

Twilight sat on her rear and looked to the floor in deep thought. Several seconds passed before she looked at me with determination.

“I’ll figure something out. In the meantime,” she said while turning to the guards, “Continue your search and report to me upon any findings!”

“Yes your majesty!” they replied with salutes before running off screen.

“I’ll see what I can find around here. Contact me if you find anything. Understood?” I ordered.

“Will do!”

Closing the feed, I ran my hand across my helmet and rubbed the back of my neck.

“Son of a bitch…”

The sound of banging on the ship door and someone yelling my name became my new priority. Leaving the ship, I walked out to see the girls waited with nervous looks.

“What’s the problem?”

“T-That!” Dash said in a panicked tone while pointing past my ship to the nearby tree line. Following, I could see these dark black vines covered in barbs slowly working their way out of the forest.

“Excalibur… it would appear that the forest is growing at an alarming rate.”

“What gave it away, Ordis?” I deadpanned.

Personally, I would have preferred just to burn the place to the ground. And screw it, with what I’ve seen and told. I’m going to do it. Without a word I headed back into my ship and toward my arsenal. With the girls right behind me, they watched as I exchanged my Soma for my Ignis and my Lex for the Atomos. Both are Grineer weapons, but are devastating when used correctly.

The Ignis is popular for Infestation missions in the Derelicts or ‘research’ missions the Grineer do. The Atomos is a mining tool used for smelting metal. We figured out how to chain the beam, making it more devastating. Walking out of the ship, I walked up to the closest vine, which was significantly closer than they were minutes ago. Standing a few feet away I took the fuel tank off the Ignis before reattaching it and raising the weapon.

“What are you going to do?”

“Torch it.”

The weapon hissed as the wave of fire erupted from the barrel. Behind me the girls winced and held a hoof up to cover their eyes. Walking along the length of the burning vine I waved the barrel back and forth making sure not to miss a single spot. Upon reaching a good stopping point I lifted my finger off the trigger, ending the flow of liquid hell.

“How bad is it?” I asked over my shoulder.

“Bad!” Dash answered, “They’re all over Ponyville!”

“Lead the way!”

Post haste we headed straight into town. These same sick vines continued to overwhelm the place. Running straight to town square, ponies ran around in a panic. A young pink mare with a white flower for a cutie mark ran up to me.

“Please!” she begged, “Save us!”

All around ponies started to gather, looking to me for guidance.

“Stay inside!” I ordered. “Lock all doors and windows! Barricade if you must! I need all available stallions or mares who can help the sick to step forward!”

Many ran, some grabbed children while others headed for home, a small group of stallions and mares stepped forward. I commend them.

“Ladies, head straight for the hospital!” I ordered the group of mares, “Boys. Search the town for stragglers. Once you are done. Head for shelter.”

Nodding to each other the two groups spit off to do their duties, leaving the girls and myself. Swapping out my Ignis for my Atomos, I used its precision beam to start torching hazardous vines that were latched onto buildings. For about an hour I worked hard on protecting the town as the girls went to the library to find the cause of the overgrowth.

“GAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!”

Furrowing my brow and ending the beam from my handheld torch. I could hear what sounded like screaming. Turning my head, I watched as Twilight and Spike flew overhead, careening out of control. Disappearing out of sight due to a building, I heard a faint pop followed by what sounded like a body hitting glass. Finishing off the vine I headed for the library.

“Isn’t this just so beautiful, Excalibur?”

I froze right in my tracks, my fists clenching.

“Discord,” I said venomously, “If you’re behind this… I’ll have your head!”

A pop and a flash of light in front of me caused the person in question to appear.

“Always with the violence!”

“Kiss my ass Discord,” I said while pushing him out of the way, “We need to fix this.”

“We!?” he replied with a shocked tone. Whether it was sarcastic or not, I couldn’t tell. With another pop and a flash, he was walking beside me, “What do you mean by ‘we’?”

“’We’, as in myself and the girls,” I clarified. “I don’t need you fucking anything else up.”

“Such language, Excalibur,” he chastised. “Don’t you ever think of the children?”

I stopped for a second and examined the now empty streets.

“…Go fuck yourself.”

“Later,” he replied with a wave of his claw. Sick freak. “For now!” with another pop and a flash he made a lawn chair, a bag of popcorn, and pair of sunglasses appear, “I have some chaos to enjoy- WOAH!” his sunglasses moved to his snout as he ducked. Turning to me he glared, “Rude!”

I lowered the smoking pistol in my hand. I’ll try again later. I learned he’s one of the only things in the universe that can dodge a bulled from point blank range. Holstering my weapon, I continued toward the library. A few minute later I opened the door to the library. Inside the girls stood nearby.

“Where’s Serenity and Drax?”

“I ordered them to help with the search of the princess’,” Twilight replied. “I hope that’s okay?”

“...Its fine.”

A few seconds later the front door opened as Spike crawled in on his stomach mumbling something about ‘sweet ground’ and kissing it like a long lost love. Nearby, Twilight groaned and rolled her eyes while she looked at the wall.

“Okay, okay, I get it. I need to work on my flying.”

“Anyway!” I interrupted, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. “We have a major situation on our hands.”

Stepping forward, Rarity spoke. “Perhaps you know who or what is behind this whole calamity?” she asked looking for guidance. “Perhaps Princess Celestia asked you to come and find a solution?”

“That’s one of our problems,” I replied gaining a confused look from everyone.

“Hehe… well… you see… Celestia and Luna are… well…” Twilight attempted to come up with a logical answer as Spike started to shake a sweat next to her.

“They’re gone,” I answered rather bluntly.

“What do you mean ‘gone’,” Dash questioned nervously.

“As in missing,” I clarified. “And we don’t know why.”

Everyone gasped out of shock. They were scared, everyone was. As of right now it was the ignorance of the rest of the nation that was keeping the peace.

“I don’t know who has taken them,” Twilight said truthfully. “But I have a feeling we’re going to need the Elements of Harmony!” she said as she turned to a class case that held said Elements.

Using her magic, she lifted the glass case and distribute the five necklaces. Funny enough, they were in the same shape as their cutie marks. Taking them, she clipped them to each respective bearer. Once they were set, each of the girls put on a determined look. Walking over she clipped the last one onto Applejack’s neck.

“I always knew we would be connected by the Elements,” the farmer said with a hint of happiness while placing a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. “Now we just need to figure out who to point these bad boys at! So we can get Celestia and Luna back and keeping the rest of Equestria from becoming plant food!” she accentuated her point by using a back leg and stepping on a nearby vine that had crept through the window. “Any ideas?” she asked while holding up a hoof.

Humming to herself, Twilight held a hoof to her chin and looked at the window. Catching her attention, she headed for the window. Looking out at the sky, she mumbled something about ‘half day, half night and strange weather patterns'. Turning back, she wore an annoyed look.

“I’m starting to think I know who were up against!”

Heading for the door, all of us know who she was talking about.

“If you’re going after Discord, it’s not him,” I said as she walked past me. Stopping, Twilight turned and looked at me with a confused look. “He’s here to enjoy the ‘chaos’ as it were.”

Twilight hummed to herself again, “… Maybe he’s knows what’s going on?”

I shrugged, “Worth a shot.”

Leaving the library, they headed for Discord while I headed for the ship. Walking inside I headed for my arsenal. Scrolling through my weapons, I exchanged my Skana for the Dual Heat Swords. Next was the Ignis. Humming to myself, I decided to grab something a little unconventional. Time to dust the old girl off. Grabbing my J. Steven Arms Model 620. An old museum piece that I repurposed. Grabbing it I admired the classic wood and metal look.

“Can’t beat the classics.”

Leaving my ship with gun in hand I headed for the town square. As I walked I could hear what sounded like crying. Moving from a walk to a jog I started to move faster. Thinking someone was in trouble, I rounded the last corner just as the crying had stopped. Nearby, Twilight rubbed her eyes as the girls, Discord, and a zebra stood nearby.

Walking up, I swapped the gun from my right hand to the left, “What’s going on?”

“I… I saw something…” Twilight started in a hushed tone. “But it didn’t explain what was happening now…”

“Perhaps further back still, are the answers you seek,” the Zebra said before grabbing a little bottle of white fluid in a clear glass with gold accents. “Another sip of the potion will give you a peek?”

What’s with the rhyming?

Using her magic, Twilight lifted the bottle up and held it in front of her face.

“Are you sure about this?” Spike asked as he held his claws up.

Twilight and him shared a nervous glance before hers moved to the drink, then to us. Each of the girls gave her their own apprehensive look. Slowly, Twilight held the lip of the bottle to her mouth and took a drink while closing her eyes. Lowering the bottle, she wore a face of disgust. With a flash of light and a pop, Discord appeared with a very old camera on a tripod while he wore an old directors costume.

“Oh! I do hope she breaks into a song this time!”

Watching, Twilight's eye shot open. Each one was glazed over with this glowing white hue. Several minutes passed as we watched her cry occasionally, gasp and mumble a few words here and there. I was a little worried at what was going on. With her being the only ruler of the nation, anything that happens to her could be disastrous.

It was several minutes before Twilight held a hoof to her head and shook it rapidly. Blinking her eye’s, she looked at the ground and quietly said. “Somethings wrong with the Tree of Harmony.”

Raising an eyebrow, I repeated, “The Tree of Harmony?”

“It’s where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna found the Elements,” she explained. “I think it’s in danger!” she finished while glancing at the ground before looking back at us.

“Well alright than!” Applejack said enthusiastically while walking up to Twilight and holding up a hoof. “Let’s go save uh… tree! Uh… where is it exactly?”

Twilight gulped. “I think it’s in…” she pointed toward the edge of town at the Everfree Forest. “There!”

It had been almost two hours since we entered the forest. Taking point, I lead the team. All I knew is that we were looking for a tree with Luna’s, Celestia’s, and Twilight’s cutie marks. And that it was most likely under attack by these vines. This wasn’t like finding a needle in a haystack. No, it was like finding a needle in a needle factory.

And the needles were trying to kill you.

Stumbling into an opening, I stopped in front of a bog. Stepping up, Twilight looked at the rocks in the water. I had a gut feeling something was up. Looking up at my map, I could a little red dot.

“Come on,” Twilight said to the group. “We can use these to cross.”

“Wait, wait, wait! Something isn’t right!” I said in an attempt to stop her.

It was too late. Hopping in the first rock, it moved. Screaming, Twilight attempted to keep her balance on top of the moving bed of stone. From the water a head appeared before turning to hiss at the little alicorn.

“A Crockodile!”

I get it… Because it’s made of rocks…

Leaping off, Twilight, the girls and Spike scattered as I raised my gun. Flicking the safety off, I lined up the bead and pulled the trigger. The gun roared and spit flames as the buckshot left the barrel. As the pellets impacted on the stone, they sent chips flying as they whizzed off into the distance. Pumping the action, I slowly backed up. The ‘animal’ hissed at me again.

“Eat buckshot!”

I lined up the barrel on the beast’s head. It roared with a vengeance. Just as the first shot, the pellets impacted on the surface. Pumping the gun again I fired, and fired and fired. With a final click, I opened the action.

Empty.

Before I could even grab so better ammo, the beast clamped onto my shin. Pulling me off my feet. The gun left my hands. I heard the girls scream my name. But my attention was on the animal on my leg. Just like the animals back home, it rolled.

Violently.

The ‘death roll’ as it’s called. Intended to tear flesh and sever limbs. If my shields hadn’t had been there, I would have lost my leg. Croc’s were one of the species that survived the Earth’s overgrowth. Many-a-time I had lured Grineer patrols into swamps where they were torn apart by Croc’s. With a jerk of its head it threw me into the water.

Looking around, I could see shadows.

‘Bring it on!’

Above the water, the crock, eye its newest target. Twilight and Spike backed up against a large rock. The ‘animal’ approached for the kill. Twilight jumped and flapped her wings in a vain attempt to fly. Landing on her rear, she gasped in fear. Nearby she could see the water stirring with the occasional tail breaking the surface.

Closing her eyes, she expected the end.

A lone gunshot followed by a massive explosion ended the ‘animal’s’ life. Opening her eyes, Twilight looked at the corpse of stone, the head clearly missing. Racking the empty shell out of the gun, I lowered it. Too bad I had to pull apart is three friends underwater. Walking toward the pair I shook an arm to dry it off.

“You okay?” I asked them while offering a hand.

“Yeah,” she replied while I lifted her to her hooves.

Doing the same with Spike, I helped him to his feet. Concerned, Applejack asked if she was alright. Twilight said she was fine and that she couldn’t get her wings to do what she wanted when she wanted. The talking eventually lead to a concerned conversation with Applejack basically saying that it would have been better for Twilight to go back to Ponyville.

“What!?” Twilight questioned angrily. “Why?”

“For starters,” Applejack started while pointing a hoof at Twilight. “You almost got eaten by a crockodile.”

“We all did!” Twilight shot back.

“Actually, it was more or less me…”

Twilight shot me an angry glare.

It was true.

“It wasn’t just after me,” Twilight said while turning her head back and avoiding eye contact.

“Yes but… the rest of us aren’t princess’!” Applejack stated.

That struck a nerve in Twilight.

“What is that supposed to mean!?”

“It means you’re the one in charge, Twilight,” I stated. “If you get injured or die, who is going to run the country? Discord? Me? You cannot…” I accentuated my point with a click of my tongue on the ‘T’. “Run in guns a blazing and get yourself brutally maimed or killed,” I lifted my gun and rested it on my shoulder. “I don’t even know why I let you come, to be honest.”

Twilight stared at me in truthful disbelief her jaw moving up and down slightly. She even had tears starting to form. “… But… the Tree of Harmony! I’m the only one who has seen it!”

“If we don’t find it I’ll torch this place!” I yelled. “Even if it takes months we’ll find it! You have to stop thinking about you and start thinking about the others! Regimes rise and fall every day, I won’t let this one fall because some plant tore your head off!”

Twilight's jaw sat limp. Slowly she turned to face her friends who wore concerned looks.

“All of you feel this way?” she asked as tears formed in her eyes with her head hung low. “Feel like I shouldn’t be here?”

Her friends avoided eye contact. They knew it best that Twilight should go home. I made a huge mistake by even letting her come. We nearly lost all three of them in the Void, now with two missing, a third cannot happen! She was leaving no matter what.

“It’s probably for the best…”

It was Fluttershy’s comment that made the decision. With her head hung low and tears in her eyes, Twilight started to walk.

“Here,” I said causing her to stop. Reaching behind my back I grabbed a specter from a storage device. Tossing it on the ground, it opened to a Specter of my forest friend Oberon. “The specter will keep you safe as you head back.”

Looking up at it, it saluted before Twilight lowered her head and started to leave. Once she was several feet away, Spike ran out from the group and stopped. He gave us one last sad glance before chasing after Twilight and the Specter. Once they were a good distance away I spoke.

“Come on… we need to find this thing…” I said while turning and walking down the path.

It was silent for some time as we walked. We just wandered deeper into the forest. The area was just dead. No sound, no animals, just trees. Was almost as bad as Earth.

“Anypony else starting to think this is a lost cause?” Dash asked with a disheartened tone. “We’re almost to Celestia’s and Luna’s old castle! Maybe whatever Twilight saw from that potion wasn’t real.”

“Funny you say that, Dash,” I replied. “Because I am getting a massive energy influx on my sensors.”

Coming to a stop at the edge of a massive gorge. The inside of my helmet was brighter than a grineer ship consol. I was picking up something, I don’t know what but something.

“Help…”

My head shot to side.

“Did someone say something?”

Everyone just shook their head or held up a hoof. I swore I had heard the word ‘help’. Shrugging it off, I started to follow my suit. Following the gorge, I headed in a direction. As we walked, I could see an old stone castle forming. It was weathered and well abandoned. Coming to a stop, my sensors were off the charts.

“Titania!”

“Okay! Kill it with the talking!”

“Excalibur,” I turned and faced Rarity. “No pony is talking.”

Turning back, I took a step and looked down the gorge. Below me I could see this faint glow.

“I think we’re here…”

“But how do we get down there!” Rarity asked in a disbelieving tone.

‘Jump.’

“Ah, oof, ah, ee, oof, ah, ow! Take the stairs, silly!”

I can’t believe that Pinkie just fell down them… actually… how is the idiot that makes a set of stairs down the bottom of a gorge? Shrugging it off, the rest of us headed for the stairs. Upon reaching the bottom, we headed for the glow. Walking inside, we found it.

We found the Tree of Harmony.

“… Help… Titania!”

My helmet had to be on the fritz. Slapping the side, I attempted to do a simple recalibration. Lowering my hand, I looked at the tree. It was made of what looked like crystal, it was looking a little dim, and was covered in vines.

“… Tenno! Help! Save the Grove…”

The voices were becoming more constant. Walking forward, I headed for the tree. I was forced to a stop when a vine wrapped around my ankle. Groaning, I drew my longer heat sword and cutting the vine free.

“Well let’s save it already!”

Jumping forward Applejack charged the tree and grabbed a vine at the base of the trunk with her teeth. Grunting and tugging she attempted to do her part. With a loud snap, she was flung free and landed away on her rear with a painful grunt.

“Nice try!”

And now for little miss cocky.

Dash shot off in a blur of blue. Going for a downward kick, she was ready for the attack. It was all in vain when I vine slapped her out of the air. Landing on her side with a grunt, she sat up and rubbed her head.

“A valiant effort on both your parts,” Rarity attempted to praise. “But the tree remains in jeopardy.”

“And I suppose you got a better idea?” Applejack asked harshly.

Rarity looked to the sky. She had nothing.

“That’s what I thought!” Applejack said harshly as Fluttershy lifted her to her hooves.

“I know who would know what to do! But we sent her home…”

To be honest I doubted Fluttershy. Just because Twilight wasn’t here, it didn’t mean she had the answer. Backing out, the girls started to argue as I tried to think of a way to free the tree. Holstering the shotgun, I grabbed my blades. Walking up to the tree I started to cut.

“… Titania?”

With each cut, another would take its place.

“… Help!”

Groaning, I stepped back. Slashing at an attacking vine, I crossed my arms. Behind me I heard the girl’s hooves on stone. Turing back, I watched them ascending the stairs.

“And they left me…”

Turning back, I hacked at the vines. As I worked I started to make a dent, but it was slow work. Each dead and cut vine would retreat back into the ground only to have another one sprout. I worked as best as I could, but that voice got really annoying, it kept asking if I was Titania and kept praising me for helping. After some time the girls came running back.

With Twilight in tow.

“I thought I ordered you to go home!?”

“That isn’t important! I know how to fix this!” running past me, Twilight used her magic to grabbed the gemstones from her crown and the necklaces. Using her wings to the best of her ability she flew up toward the center of the tree. Hovering with the stones spinning around her, Twilight examined the tree.

None of us had time to react as vines shot out and grabbed her. Groaning, Twilight attempted to break free. Jumping up, I cut two vines before I fell back to the ground. Several more crept out and started to wrap around the elements. Straining her magic, Twilight tore the gems free and pushed them toward the tree.

Jumping up again, I cut the vines with the precision of doctor and cut her completely free. Grabbing her, I held her close with one arm as we landed on the ground; Looking up, I watched as the stones attached to branches of the tree. It was only when the final element attached that something big happened.

The tree was engulfed in a bright light. Inside my helmet my sensors exploded. In an instant the attacking vines disintegrated. They were eaten by the power of the tree. As the tree glowed, one last pulse of magic the tree spontaneously grew what looked like vine and bulbs from the branches.

Finally, two last bundles of vines dissolved.

“The princess’!”

Placing Twilight down I drew my gun and took up a defensive position in front of them. Once the last of the vines were gone, they pair smile and looked at each other. Happily, they started to head for the girls. After making sure the area was safe I lowered the gun. Overjoyed, Twilight ran toward her former mentor and her sister. Giving them a hug she embraced them.

“… Titania?”

Turing toward the tree I felt something. It was like a trance. Walking up, I looked the tree up and down before lifting a hand. Timidly I held it out for a second before touching the tree. When I touched it, I felt a strange force. My head shot back as the power flowed through my suit.

The room was white, nothing more, nothing less. I could feel a powerful force here. Whether it be magic or Void energy. Groaning I rubbed my head. My eyes immediately shot open.

“Where did my helmet go?”

Lifting my head, I looked around for it. But all I could see was white.

“Titania?”

I whipped around and drew my pistol. In front of me was a light purple mare about the size of Celestia. She had a split horn at the tip, a crown with what looked like the elements of harmony, and what looked like white flowers in her tail and mane.

“Who are you?” I asked.

She looked around the emptiness and approached me.

“You are not the one I was expecting. You are not Titania.”

I lowered the gun. “Titania is a friend of mine.”

The mare stopped in front of me. “Is she here?”

“No,” a disembodied voice said.

Drawing my pistol again, I pointed up, nearby the mare shrunk lightly while lifting a hoof. An invisible wind picked up causing my skin to crawl and my hair to move. Nearby, a woman in simple dress appeared. Turning I pointed my pistol at her.

“Always with the violence,” she said. With a wave of her hand the gun disappeared. “Do you not recognize me, Excalibur?”

I looked at my hands before lowering them and looking at the woman. She looked familiar, yet, at the same time, not.

“Am I supposed to?”

She started to walk towards me. “After a thousand years? No.” She stopped in front of me. “But I remember you, my friend…”

“Who are you?”

“… Silvana.”

I felt a chill roll up my spine.

“The Archimedian!?” she nodded. “But… you’re supposed to be dead!”

“That’s what you were supposed to believe…”

“I am completely lost,” the mare next to us said, confused.

Looking back, Silvana continued.

“No, Excalibur, I live… after you sent Titania, she allowed me to finish what I started… I became one with the land.”

I was at a loss. One with the land? Wait… I remembered running into this thing called The Silver Grove… and it spoke…

“No…” I was in total disbelief. “You performed transference with the plant life… didn’t you?”

She smiled lightly and nodded at me.

“Thank you for what you did,” she said quietly. “And thank you for helping my friend here!” she said while holding out a hand and looking at the mare.

“Who are you two?” the mare asked.

“A close friend,” Silvana replied. “And her guardian.”

Silvana turned to me again.

“I will discuss more with her later,” she said. “For now, I wish to reward you.”

Before I could even reply and say no, she placed a hand on my chest. I felt something in my chest. It was as though a part of my soul was being ripped from my body. Gritting my teeth, Silvana pulled her hand away. I watched in horror as this white mass of energy left my body.

“AH!”

“WOAH!”

I fell back on the floor clutching my chest. That was wrong in so many ways.

“What the hell!?” Lifting my head, I gasped.

My breathing became caught in my throat. I… couldn’t believe my eyes. Silvana smiled lightly as the two women dawned in white gowns slowly stood up. The shorter, younger wiped her dress before offering a hand to the other. Taking it, the elder was helped to her feet.

Looking around, the examined the area before they looked at me. Slowly, I lowered my arm as they looked at me. My eyes just moved back and forth between the duo.

“Unfortunately, this is as much as I can do…”

Slowly I stood up, never taking my eyes off of them.

“This isn’t a joke… right?”

Silvana shook her head. She was a serious as serious got.

“They will protect and guide you,” Silvana said. “Think of them as your… Guardian Angels.”

“So… the Empire?”

“What you saw was no hallucination,” Silvana answered. “Magic is a powerful thing. When one who does not wield it is exposed, well… strange things happen.”

Slowly I walked forward, the two women doing the same. Once I reached them I stopped. I looked the older girl in the eyes. I couldn’t believe it…

“Melanie…”

She gave me a shaky smile as tears started to form before she lunged forward and hugging me. Returning the embrace, I wrapped an arm around her back and placed a hand on the back of her head, feeling her soft and silky smooth hair. I took a shuddered breath before looking to the side at the young girl. Smiling, tears started to form in her eyes. Holding out a hand, I offered her my love. Taking it, she joined in on the family hug. I cried. I was over joyed to see them again.

“Will somepony tell me what is happening!?”

I couldn’t help but laugh through the tears. Leaning back, I looked at the mare who wore a confused look. Silvana just rolled her eyes.

“I’ll explain here in a minute,” she said to the mare before turning toward us. “Unfortunately my bond with you is breaking. But I will tell you that you can summon them at any time and they can visit you with either mine or Harmony’s permission. You may also find something more when you wake.”

I looked back at the woman before hugging her and my daughter yet again.

I sniffed. “I love you.”

She sniffed also. “… I love you too.”

Just before the world broke Silvana said one last thing.

“This is Discords fault by the way.”

I took in a sharp and heavy breath as I sat up. Nearby, all of the girls and Spike looked at me nervously.

“Excalibur!” Twilight lunged me and wrapped her hooves around my neck and nuzzled my helmet.

Wrapping an arm around her I rubbed her back.

“What happened?”

“You touched the tree and collapsed,” Luna explained.

“And then there was a flash of light and something appeared on your foreleg,” Celestia finished.

Furrowing my brow, I lifted both of my arms. My right was normal, but the left had a strange wrap on it. Pushing Twilight off me and standing up I held my arm up and ran my hand along it.

“May you use it to defend those with honor, my love.”

Clenching my hand into a fist I crossed it in front of my chest and jerked it out to the side. The sound of metal grinding and opening. Everyone took a step back as the shape of a shield appeared. Whistling, I lowered my arm and ran a hand along its top.

“Forged from vibranium and infused with magic, she will stop the biggest of bullets and sharpest of swords, dad.”

I smiled. Turing it over, I looked at the front. In the center sat Twilight's cutie mark, just below it on each side was Luna’s and Celestia’s. Luna’s on the left, Celestia’s on the right. In between the lower marks was a smaller version of the Tree of Harmony and in front of it was a small rock cairn.

“I love it…”