You are pulled up through the ring of light, gasping as your arms stretch out towards the heavens. You immediately check to see if your sword and shield were on your person, which to your joy, they were. Now, where in Lordran where you?

You look round… to see dozens of small animals staring at you in shock. “By Gwyn’s beard!” you cry, pulling your sword out of its sheath, preparing for the inevitable assault. The creatures’ eyes widen in fear and they back away from you. Wait one moment… are these creatures garbed in dress?

Yes, indeed. These creatures are dressed in formal attire, the likes of which you had not seen for some time. As you took in your new settings, you realised you were now in what appeared to be some sort of Cathedral, albeit a much smaller one than the towering hall of Anor Londo. You look down at yourself and realise that your majestic orange aura that usually accompanied you during a summoning was gone. My, this was strange indeed…

    ”H-hello?” asked a voice weakly, from behind you.

You wheel round to see a similar creature lying haphazardly on the marble floor. Its skin was a brilliant white, and it had both a protruding horn on its head, accompanied by a pair of wings tucked in by its side.

“Are… are you the one who spoke?” you ask hesitantly. The creature looks up at you, its eyes filled with tearful hope. ”Yes… please, you must help us…” it whimpers, obviously in pain. The gift of speech does not shock you, however. You had heard tales of an ancient cat who was versed in the tongue of humans… wait, this thing said it requires help.

“Who and what are you?”

”I am… Princess Celestia. I am… a pony. I don’t know who or what you are…” it replies.

“A pony? I have not heard of that animal for a very long time… and one does not know of humans?”

”No, I have not.”

“I am not in Lordran no more, am I?”

”L-Lordran?”

The creature’s uncertainty answers your question. You weren’t going to miss that land, that’s for sure.

“Why is one so trusting of strangers?” you ask.

”Because I was the one… I was the one who brought you into this world…” the creature winces in pain, and you gape at it.

This was your summoner? Well... it’s certainly the most unusual person you have ever assisted.

“You brought me into this world? Then by my knight’s honour, I shall defend you with my life!”

”We’ll see about that” coos a voice from your right.

You hold your shield up and adopt a defensive pose, and face the owner of the voice. A hideous black creature flitters down, landing deftly on the ground.

“And who might you be?”

”Who I am, is not important, knight. I am far more interested in whom exactly you are…”

“I am Solaire of Astora, the sunlight warrior!”

”A… sunlight warrior? Hmm, I can see why Celestia brought you here… not that it will change her fate…”

Your mind kicks into motion and you realise the significance of Celestia’s name. As you take a step back, moving towards Celestia with the intent to protect her, you see a sun symbol adorned on the pony’s rear. Celestia… a princess… with a sun marking…You breathe in deeply and turn back to the black insectoid, who was sneering at you.

“Are you the one who dareth threaten my summoner?”

”Why yes, I am. It’s a grim necessity I’m afraid. My people have starved for so long…”

You snort. “I care not for your people, nor do I care for you. I care only for the person who has required my assistance. Now, leave while you can demon. I will not show mercy.”

”You certainly are a brave one. Your admirable loyalty will be most pleasurable to my tongue.”

“Resigned to your fate, I see. May sunlight forever shine on thy grave, harlot.”

You turn round to your injured hostess, unfastening the estus flask as the hole-legged demon cackles.

“My lady, you must drink from this.” You did not know whether it would heal Celestia, since it was utilised by the undead only, but it was your only option. She winces as the bitter liquid runs down her throat, which is followed by moans of pain as the healing properties take effect. Within seconds Celestia is back on her legs, a fiery look of anger and defiance set into her defined face.

“Let us banish this foul soul together.”

”It would be my pleasure.” Celestia says, her voice carrying a grand momentum. She holds out a hoof and you grasp it, as you had with the other undead not too long ago.

The black demon cackles manically. ”While your feeble attempts at postponing my inevitable victory amuse me greatly, I m afraid it is time to close the book on us. Prepare for your death, Celestia.”

The demon’s horn glows, and you realise it must be a catalyst for magic. You notice another horned pony standing in the centre of the hall, unusually still. A pink pony with wings was desperately calling the name, “Shining Armour” over and over. The horned pony’s eyes glow green as does his horn, and you hear a resounding crash from the heavens above. You charge forward at the demonic folly, swiping with your longsword, but the creature deftly dodges your blow and rises into the air. You summon a lightning spear and hurl it, missing it by a fraction as it flies away, its evil laughter permeating throughout the cathedral.

“Celestia! To where would this defiling soul gone and fled to!”

”I do not know, but we must chase after her! Quickly, follow me!”

You hurried after Celestia as the two of you ran out of the hall, into a courtyard overlooking a large city. The sight of the city before you took your breath away almost as much as the first sight of Anor Londo did… wait, what were those approaching bodies? As they approach you see that they are in fact creatures not dissimilar to the demon who spoke to you and that… by the God of War! There must be hundreds of the creatures! In the streets below you could see isolated pockets of resistance from armour clad p0nies, and elsewhere the monsters chased fleeing p0nies. Your anger burning, you turn to Celestia.

“Let us not dwell here, Celestia. Every moment wasted is a moment that demon can use to make evil.”

Celestia shakes her head, obviously distressed at the sight before her. “Yes, you’re right. Let’s get mo-“

Something barrels into you from behind and you fall forward, crying out in surprise. It jumps onto your fallen figure and you can feel it trying to wrestle your helmet off. “You insolent cur!” you yell, and you kick the creature off you and grab it by the head. It screeches in fury, a cry that is quickly cut off as you plunge your longsword through its body. You kick the demon off your sword and turn to face the others who were approaching, the looks of uncertainty on their hideous faces spurring your fighting spirit.

“Anyone else wish to plunge themselves onto my sword? For it is the easiest way you shall die today!” You yell, sword and shield raised into the air. The creatures look at each other, before screeching and diving furiously for you. One is blasted out of the air by Celestia, leaving a bloody mist in its wake. The other two creatures connect with your shield, and you slide backwards, before following up with a two handed slice that guts one of your assailants. The other swoops back round and you kick it in the face, before plunging your sword down into its exposed belly, green blood splashing onto your armour as the creature thrashes in its death throes.

”You certainly have experience fighting.” Celestia murmurs, eyeing the blood that now adorned you.

“I would not be fit to call myself an adherent of sunlight if I could not, Celestia.”

The two of you continue to fight through the city, supporting each other and covering each other’s backs. To your horror, a few of the creatures took on your form, complete with armour. However, when your sword connected with them and tore through them, you realised it was nothing more than a pretence, an illusion.

You and Celestia reach a large courtyard, and are quickly surrounded. You stand back to back, your sword raised in a blocking defence, as she paws the ground, energy crackling from her catalytic horn.

”My, I did not expect you to get so far.”

The demon hovers down and lands deftly in front of you, pacing not 10 feet away from you.

”I will never give up while my p0nies are in danger, Chrysalis.” Celestia says defiantly.

”Oh but Celestia, they aren’t in danger any longer. How can they be when they’ve already lost?” Chrysalis quips. 6 cocoons hover in the air, their semi-lucid outsides revealing a struggling occupant inside each one.

”No… not Twilight…” Celestia whispers, her mouth agape in horror.

”They fought hard, but were no match for our changeling superiority. Why don’t you join them, Celestia? We have total control over the city. Not even your precious elements of harmony can save them now. However, kneel before me and I will spare everypony’s life. Make your choice, now.”

Celestia splutters, before kneeling down, tears streaming down her face.

“I will not be broken so easily, wench.” You say, stepping forward, ready to draw your sword and cut the demon down where it stood.

”Oh, but you will” Chrysalis laughs, before you feel a slight tugging on your mind. Against your will, your body begins to jerk forwards, shambling towards the demon.

”Yes… that’s right. Come to me, and your death will be quick…”

NO! You won’t die like this, being trapped outside of your own flesh and blood! As you reach Chrysalis, you struggle against your mental bonds, channelling your faith into ousting the mental invader. You… Can… Do…This! Chrysalis begins to sweat, her gaze locked onto you, as hundreds of changelings watch on. Your mind is assaulted by overwhelming pain and you charge forward, knocking Chrysalis down with a right hook.

Chrysalis lunges at you, fangs bared, as you throw another fist at her head… With a sickening snap, your gauntlet invades her jaw, choking noises bringing you back to attention. Chrysalis offers a muffled scream before trying to retract, but you don’t let her. You had your talisman in your hands as you delivered that last punch, and you were about to put it to good use. You chant a prayer and the talisman glows, a spear of lightning forming. Chrysalis screams in agony, as blinding white light erupts from her head. Time to finish this!

You overcharge the miracle and in a flash it bursts forward, eviscerating the demon’s head and neck. Its body sways on its legs, wings fluttering erratically, and you deliver a final kick to it. The surrounding creatures stare at you in horror. ”You… you defeated…” whispers a creature in broken English, before screaming.  In unison the horde flies off into the sky, collectively howling.

You stand on the spot, breathing heavily, before locking your legs together and arching your arms up to the heavens.

“Praise the sun!” you cry.

Perhaps now… Perhaps now that you were victorious over a demon… maybe you’ll be sent back… You close your eyes and wait. Did you wish to be sent home? Truth be told, you did not. Your business there was finished.

After a few seconds, you reopen your eyes, still very much in the city from a few moments ago. P0nies hesitantly exited their homes, and you could see the six individuals from before being assisted out from their makeshift prisons. Princess Celestia had draped a wing over a purple, horned pony and was crying in tandem with the others. A single tear falls down your cheek as she looks up at you.

”I cannot repay you enough for this… you saved us all. I can only say… thank you. Thank you Solaire.” Celestia whispers hoarsly. A small golden coin materialises in your palm, and you smile.

“My lady, I live to protect. Seeing you all alive and unhurt is all the reward I need.”

Celestia begins to cry once more, and you kneel down and hug her… Could it be? Could Celestia be… Perhaps, although it is far too early too know… But you’d like to hope… You’d like to hope that you’d finally found your sun… Next Chapter: It Ain't Easy, Praising The Sun: chapter 3 Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 43 Minutes