10 Years

10 Years since the accident in the forest. 10 Years since Ray had his first argument with his father. And also his last one. Shortly after what had occurred on that day, ray became an orphan.

His father, brutally murdered in broad daylight, leaving Ray all alone in this world. Or at least that was what he thought. If it weren't for his friends, Ray would most likely still be trapped in his world of self-pity and sadness. But even though ray was over his fathers death, he often thought back to the day. Asking himself questions, doubting himself. Could he have prevented it? He still could remember it as clear as day.

Ray and his father were walking down the market, shopping for groceries. Joking and laughing, enjoying the good weather. When they stopped at one of the stands to buy some cherries, it happened. A cloaked pony walked up to them and just stared at the happy father-son duo.

"Ummm... can I help you?" Thunderstrike asked with a raised eyebrow. Patiently waiting for the other pony to speak up.

After about 10 seconds the stranger shifted his weight, looked Thunderstrike straight in the eyes spoke with a deep voice:

"Actually... yes. Please die."

And before anyone could react with anything other than confusion to what was said, the cloaked pony moved with lightning fast precision and slit Thunderstrikes throat wide open. Blood instantly started spilling out like a fountain. Thunderstrike looked down, putting a hoof on his throat. Giving a last confused look at his son, he fell to the side, dead.

Ray just stood there, not able to process what just happened. He sat down on his haunches and just watched the blood spill out form his father. His mind was empty, not a single thought crossed his mind. Right in this moment, the only things that existed in his world were his father and himself. Everything else was but a blur of colors, static noise all he could hear.

Time seemed to slow down. What just happened? Why was his father lying on the ground, not moving? He was just standing next to him, having a good time. There was blood. A lot of it actually. Who did it belong to? Ray tried to look around. The only source of blood he could locate was his father. But it didn't make any sense. Why would his father loose so much blood? Unless... unless... he was dead.

It seemed logical, but he just couldn't believe it. That's when he noticed he was pulled away from his father. But Ray just didn't care anymore, he felt so empty inside. Everything turned to darkness and he blacked out.

Ray spent the next weeks in a catatonic state. But his friends never gave up on him. Every day they would visit, talk to him, try to cheer him up. Until eventually, they succeeded.

Ray gradually started to grow aware of his surroundings again. He sometimes would talk for a few minutes, and generally just seemed to brighten up to the world again. One day, he surprised everypony with his declaration. Ray still remembered the exact words he said on that day.

"My father died because I couldn't protect him. There are more evil ponies out there, killing innocent ponies everyday. I don't want anyone to feel like I do ever again. So I decided, I am going to join the guards."

And so he did. One week after saying those words, he enlisted at the Manehatten Guard Office. Together with his friends, Butterscotch and Sound Wave, who just couldn't let Ray, do this alone. And so the years passed. Ray soon got promoted and outranked his two friends. And eventually, ray got transferred to Las Pegasus.

And he continued to shine, solving case after case, preventing crime where he could. And one day, Ray’s reputation reached even the castle. He was summoned to the castle, to receive a medal. That's why he was here today.

Ray stood in front of the castle. He occasionally had to come here, bringing in reports. But never before had he seen anyone of the royal family. He was nervous, because medals were usually hoofed over by one of the princesses. He trotted up to the Royal guards at the entrance and stated his business.

The guards eyed him suspiciously and one of them said in a neutral tone:

"Please enter, take the stairs to the left and wait in the third room to the right. Someone will come to get you as soon as it is time."

Ray only nodded and walked through the now magically opened doors. Taking the stairs to the left, entering the third room to the right.

The Room didn't actually feel anything like a waiting room, more like a guest room actually. Was he supposed to make himself comfortable? The Room was pretty big. There was a queen-sized bed, a table and a cupboard. All of which looked like they were worth more than his entire flat.

Still pondering over what he should do, he heard the door open behind him. A Bright white Earthpony with a deep blue mane stood in the doorframe and looked at him.

"Ray Light?" Was all he said.

"Yes?"

"The princesses are now ready to see you. Please follow me." And with this he took off, not waiting for a response from Ray.

Ray did as he was told, and started to follow the servant. While he silently followed his guide through the mostly empty hallways, ray started to think about how he should act in front of the princesses. They stopped in front of a double door and his guide turned around looking him straight into the eyes.

"You may now enter."

Not expecting anymore instructions from his guide, Ray gave him an approving nod and opened the door. Suddenly he noticed something strange about what the guide had said.

'Did he just say princesses? As in more than one? No, I must have heard wrong.' He thought to himself while trotting inside.

It was a rather small room, only a long table with gold decorated chairs on both sides, one standing at the top, decorated the room. The Sun shone through the numerous windows leaving no dark spot in the room. At the far side of the table sat the two princesses, Celestia and Luna looking at him expectantly.

Ray did a double take at this. Why would two princesses be present for such a minor occasion? He wasn't really able to process this and just stood at the, now closed, door staring at the princesses.

Celestia noticed that Ray was having trouble, and addressed him in hopes of breaking him out of his tension.

"Greetings Ray Light. We bid you welcome in our palace. Did you have any trouble finding the way?"

Ray didn't really know how to respond. He was thought to always act respectful when around royalty. But Celestia just talked to him so casually. While debating whether or not he should act like normal or respectful he said: "Thank you very much princesses, it is an honor to be here in your presence."

Suddenly he remembered that he was supposed to bow. While bowing his head, he continued: "I did not have any trouble coming here; the guide you provided did an excellent job."

"Good, then all went according to plan. Why don't you come over here and take a seat? We're still waiting for someone and it would be awfully rude to just have you standing over there." While saying this Celestia beckoned to the seat across the table from her and Luna.

While bowing once again Ray thanked her and moved over to the seat that was offered to him. He sat down and almost in the same instance the door opened again. In walked none other than Terra himself. He closed the door behind him and rushed over to Celestia's side, expectantly looking at the other 3 Ponies in the room.

"Did I miss anything?"

"No, we were just waiting for you to arrive, if you'd be so kind as to introduce yourself to our guest? We already did the honors."

Celestia replied calmly, being used to terras constantly not being on time.

"Oh yes of course! I welcome you to our castle. My name is Terra, but I’m sure you already know that."

Terra introduced himself with a smile on his face, now looking at Ray to do the same. But since Terra entered the room, Ray's brain apparently stopped working. He just sat there with an open mouth trying to comprehend what was happening. He came here today expecting to meet a princess, grab his medal and go home again. But he wasn't prepared for this. Just meeting one member of the royal family was an incredible honor, but in front of him sat the three most important ponies of the whole world. To be in the presence of the sun, the moon and even the earth was too much for him.

Terra, slowly getting uncomfortable with the Pony on the other side of the table just staring at him slack jawed, decided to address him once again.

"You must be Ray Light, am I correct?" he asked expectantly.

Being directly talked to for the second time now, ray was finally able to catch himself. He closed his mouth and straightened up.

"Yes, your majesty, my name is Ray Light. I'm terribly sorry for my reaction, but I just didn't expect all of this. Pardon the question, but why is almost every member of the royal family present, just to honor me with a minor medal?"

"Ahh, yes. I should have expected that. Excuse me for not letting you now this in advance, it must be an awful lot to take in, isn't it." Terra, who apparently took command over of this procedure, was the one who answered. "Now. Celestia if you'd do the honor of presenting the colt with his medal? I'd like to go over to the more important matters as fast as possible."

Celestia gave him a nod, and looked at Ray once again.

"Congratulations Ray Light. In the name of the royal celestial court I’ll now present you with the Shieldmedal. This medal is only given to those, who protected their country and its citizens numerous times. For your excellent service as a guard in Manehatten and Las Pegasus, please accept this, as a token of our gratitude."

While Celestia was speaking, she activated her magic and opened a case on the table, which Ray didn't notice before. Out of the case floated a golden medal, bearing the symbol of a shield. The medal itself hung on a necklace which was made out of gold too. As it started flowing towards him, he lowered his head, so Celestia could hang the medal around his neck. He maintained this position until Celestia told him otherwise.

"You may raise now, Ray Light, protector of ponies."

Ray did as he was told. With a smile on his face, he looked at each of the rulers and gave a nod of gratitude.

"Thank you, your highness. It is an incredible honor..."

"Alright, that's enough of the boring stuff! Let's move on to business!"

Terra interrupted Ray right as he wanted to thank them. Celestia and Luna both rolled their eyes at him. He just smiled and looked at Ray, who couldn't believe what just happened. Once again his brain just couldn't handle the current situation, and he just waited for Terra to explain himself.

"I have an offer for you, Ray." Terra started. "To be honest, I’m quite interested in your story. You're a unicorn that can't do any magic; you haven't even earned your cutie mark yet! And none the less, you didn't let all of this get to you. You surpassed every hurdle fate put in your way; you're even getting a medal! You have a great deal of potential and I don't want to see it go to waste. So I’m here today to offer you a position within the royal guards here in Canterlot. Furthermore, we might be able to cure whatever it is that's blocking your magic. You'd be able to have some lessons with private teachers. So what do you say?"

Instead of giving an answer, Ray just looked at him. Dumbfounded, once again. He just couldn't believe all of this! This just had to be some kind of practical joke from his colleagues in Las Pegasus. But then again, he was talking to royalty right now, and Ray seriously doubted they would help out with a practical joke. So this had to be a serious proposal.

"Why don't you give him a little time to think this all over? Just look at the poor colt! This is obviously a little much to handle for a mortal."

For the first time since the meeting started, Luna said something. Terra just looked at her for a moment, then back at Ray. Slowly Terra began to realize that he maybe asked too much by wanting an answer right now.

"Excuse me Ray. Luna seems to be right. You don't have to give an answer right now. Take as much time as you need to think this over, and when you're ready, come back to the palace to inform me of your decision. You're always welcome here, alright?"

"Yes... I will..." Ray answered with an absent mind. Thinking about all the possibilities. A position in the royal guard was extremely prestigious, and he even promised he would try and help out with his magic problem. Over the years he tried over and over again, but with little to no success. From time to time he was able to light up his horn or lift an object for about half a second.

"You may now leave Ray Light, may we hear good news from you soon."

With those final words, terra allowed Ray to leave the room and go home. He was so absent minded, that he even forgot to say goodbye. He just muttered a quiet "Yes..." and walked out of the room.

Outside, the same Pony who brought him here was still waiting for him.

"Are you ready to leave now?"

Ray just nodded and started to follow as his guidepony took off. Thinking about the offer he just received, about the future, what may lie in store for him.