Chapter III: Atlantica's Great Hero

How could this have caused so much harm?

The lavender pegasus lay on her stomach, her forehooves dangling in the cool water beneath one of the many piers in Atlantica Seaport. The briny liquid offered no hint that it was the same substance that had devastated the port just hours before. For that matter, few would have guessed that it was also the same pony responsible for the disaster.

Starstruck had waited until the emergency crews had finished their work, and until the pedestrians had seen enough and returned to their duties, before wandering down to observe for herself what remained of the complex. She certainly felt guilty about the whole ordeal, having been the cause and all, but there was a part of her that insisted that it wasn’t really her fault. Nopony in her situation would have been able to do anything differently. It just sort of…happened. It’s like falling in love – you can’t get mad at someone for it. It’s not their choice. It just sort of happens. Right?

“Excuse me…”

The mare startled at the sound of a voice behind her, very nearly sliding forward off the pier before composing herself. Acting as though it hadn’t happened, she glanced casually over her shoulder without actually turning. Behind her stood a grey – or was it silver? – colt clad in the distinctive red-and-gold regalia of Stargazer’s personal Guard. His dark brown mane was trimmed short, as was customary for colts of the Palace. He paused awkwardly and scratched at the board beneath him with a forehoof.

“Miss, this pier is closed until further notice. You can’t be here while the port is…” His voice trailed off as the mare turned to face him. He had seen those eyes before. His expression changed as it appeared to dawn on him exactly whom he was addressing.

“My apologies…Lady Starstruck. I didn’t recognize you.” He lowered his shoulders and head in a formal bow. “I’d best be continuing my rounds,” he offered succinctly. After a moment he began to trot back towards the main dock.

“What is your name, sir?” Starstruck’s words stopped the colt in his tracks.

“Silverside,” he offered. “Er…General Silverside.” He made a visible effort to appear taller and more regal the second time while using his title.

“Silverside…” she paused and tried to remember where she had heard the name. She chuckled to herself. Despite his claim, the silver pony wasn’t actually a General, at least not yet. “Right, you're the one that father, um, that Stargazer is scheduled to promote this afternoon.” She pursed her lips at her mental slip. It didn’t matter that Stargazer wasn’t actually her father...still, she had always made an effort to reserve the term for the stallion who had raised her and given his life to ensure her safety. It was the least she could do.

The colt seemed taken aback by the comment. He had not expected the Royal mare to either know he was the one being honored, or to recognize his name if she had been told. Silverside took a deep breath to combat his rising heart rate.

“I take it you will be attending, then.” The slight waver in his voice betrayed his confident facade. He waited uncomfortably as the mare paused and turned her captivating gaze back towards the endless expanse of glistening water. She couldn't help but smile a little.

“You’ll know if I’m there.”

**********

Trumpets blared across the Royal Pavilion, though their notes were hardly discernible from the incessant buzz of the crowd gathered below. The expanse of perfectly landscaped grass and gardens had been trampled to mud by thousands of hooves as ponies rushed to gain the best view of the coming ceremony. The hot sun beat down upon the spectators, a constant reminder of how few clear days there had been that Spring. Awnings were set up around the perimeter of the vast enclosure to provide as much shade as possible without obscuring anypony’s view. Stone bleachers rose up several stories on either side of the grassy rectangle, while the eastern side – that facing the ocean – was open to provide a dramatic backdrop to the venue. Slowly, the ponies went silent as they recognized the gruff voice straining to be heard from in front of the crowd.

“Quiet down, everypony! Silence, please.” Whitewing stood on a wide stone platform spanning between the granite ridges the grand auditorium had been carved into over several decades. His red and gold armor reflected the bright sunlight from above, the ceremonial outfit perfectly polished as always.

“Most of you know why we are here. One of our most decorated comrades is set to retire from Royal service as of today. General Riptide, who has served valiantly for more than half a decade now, has appointed a successor to his most esteemed position as the King’s personal Guard. Let us proceed without further ado.”

The crowd cheered its approval as Whitewing’s words echoed across the auditorium, the pegasus quickly disappearing behind a red curtain hanging behind the podium. More triumphant-sounding music blared from behind the crowd as the heavy curtain was magically drawn apart.

A landscape painting of rocky coastline and crashing water stretched across the back of the stage. The audience whispered amongst themselves, wondering what would happen next. Suddenly, a glowing blue cloud, reminiscent of campfire smoke, materialized in front of the painting’s ocean. It swirled and condensed, twisting until it solidified into the unmistakable likeness of a sea serpent. The ethereal, translucent beast flailed about, spitting fire and snapping its jaws. On the other side of the stage, a flash of light gave way to another ghostly figure. This time, it was of an armor-clad pegasus, scarred and bloody, as he hovered over the majestic oceanic cliffs. The knight’s long black mane and speckled coat were tattered. His armor, razor blades protruding from each plate, was crumpled or missing in several places. In the distance behind him, Guardian Lighthouse appeared as a tiny speck far down the coast. The fearsome beast lashed out as the shadowy figure darted and dashed through the air, slashing at its scaly hide with hoof and limb. Eventually, the serpent dove underwater, clouds of blood spreading across the surface where it had gone down. The knight flew low and peered into the dark waves to confirm that the serpent was dead. In an instant, the monster sprung out of the sea and, in one bite, swallowed the winged pony, armor and all.

The crowd gasped in horror. Smoke billowed from the immense serpent’s nostrils and his great yellow eyes narrowed as he turned towards the distant lighthouse. Just as the beast began rear its horn-crowned head, it shuddered violently and began to thrash about. A glowing spot appeared on its underside, halfway between its horrible head and the water’s surface. The monster roared in defiance as a red-hot blade erupted from its hide and sliced downward through flesh and scale. The black knight burst forth from the creature’s chest and spread his blood-soaked wings, spitting out the enchanted sword, its blade hissing as it splashed into the water below. With one last spasm, the sea serpent crashed into the sea and sank lifelessly into its depths. The audience roared as the knight alighted on the shore before collapsing to the ground upon the clifftops. Silence overtook the arena once again as the scene faded away.

Whitewing returned to the podium, his hoofsteps echoing faintly, the ponies in the crowd waiting with bated breath. The curtain closed behind him.

“It was five years ago that the monster Leviathan was awakened by Discord, the god of chaos, during his short-lived revival. No longer kept at bay by the far-reaching power of the Sun-Princess of Equestria, the great serpent had returned stronger than ever to wreak vengeance upon the kingdom of Atlantica. Without King Stargazer, our ruler having been summoned to Canterlot upon Discord’s return by Celestia herself, we surely had no defense against the ancient beast.

“Despite growing sentiment that the town should be evacuated, one pony stepped up and offered to confront the monster. Though respected by all as a talented fighter, he was told that attempting to fight the beast would be suicide. As ponies young and old began packing their belongings and saying goodbye to their homes, the one brave knight took up Stargazer’s enchanted sword and flew out to engage the creature in combat long before it could reach our shore. Despite suffering near-mortal wounds and being swallowed into the belly of the best, the knight triumphed over the evil creature and returned to Atlantica a hero. Today we honor his sacrifice and victory.” The pony finished his monologue and stepped back as the curtain again began to part. “I give you…Fleet Commander, and personal Guard to the King of Atlantica, General Riptide!”

White light beamed out from the stage, dissipating to reveal the General, fully clad in gleaming armor, rearing high in the center of the stage. Smoke shrouded the scene as Whitewing bade the crowd to quiet down. Riptide walked out from the smoke and approached the podium slowly, the tips of his black mane drifting lazily in the breeze. There was silence from the crowd as his gravelly voice filled the arena.

“I dare say your retelling of that day overshadows the real thing.” A smattering of laughter from the audience. He cleared his throat and admired the size of the crowd before him. “I would like to thank everypony for being here…each and every one of you is part of what makes this city among the greatest in all the land. But today is not about me. This is about the future of our kingdom,  and those who will lead our greatest triumphs long after we have left our mark on Atlantica. Before stepping down as Commanding General of Atlantica, I have chosen a particularly impressive individual to follow me. My position is not to be taken lightly; as King Stargazer’s second-in-command, it is a title that requires great diligence and an understanding that its bearer is, in fact, first in line to effectively rule the kingdom should the King himself be unable to for any reason.” He paused to let the crowd murmur amongst themselves for a moment as they considered that last line.

“I am not, however, alone in that responsibility,” he continued.

From behind him, a white mare pushed through the curtain and gingerly approached the podium. Her black mane sparkled with gemstones, and a ring of diamonds glistened upon her head. Atlantica’s only Princess certainly looked the part. There was a smattering of applause as she waited patiently to address the enraptured audience. A few bold colts whistled loudly.

“Thank you, Riptide,” she started, shooting a smug glance towards the pegasus who towered over her. He rolled his eyes at the arrogant mare’s deliberate omission of his title.

“With your blessing, I would like to introduce our new Fleet Commander.” Her words were aimed at the stallion, but loud enough for the crowd to hear. She paused and cocked her head towards him. He nodded and gave a half-hearted bow to show that the stage was hers. “It is my honor to present to you…General Silverside!”

A silver earth pony made his way forward, his steps deliberate and formal. The white mare winked at him as she left the stage. He noticed the scent of coconut and wildflowers as the mare disappeared behind the curtain. Coconut? Those don’t grow in Atlantica. Riptide’s loud voice interrupted his thoughts.

“To formally bestow this title, please welcome our—” he was stopped mid-sentence as a formal-looking earth pony rushed out from behind the curtain and whispered something in his ear. He hesitated before continuing.

“Um…I give you, again, the King’s daughter, Princess Miasma.” There was a distinct lack of enthusiasm in his voice. He heard muffled sounds of ponies arguing somewhere behind the stage. The crowd began to grow restless, the scheduled presence of King Stargazer notably absent from the proceedings before them. Silverside, for his part, simply stood his ground and looked nervously around the stage. For all the courage he could show under pressure, formal events had always caused him great anxiety. Riptide hurried away from the podium and behind the curtain.

“What in the hay is going on here?” He glanced desperately from one pony to the next, each of the dozen ponies in charge of the event giving him the same uneasy look. Behind him, no sooner had Miasma reappeared with an escort than two huffy mares all but shoved her back out onto the stage.

“If the King isn’t here, then where is he? He’s the only reason anypony even shows up to these events!” Riptide’s frustration was quickly rising. Unlike the King, Riptide was not known for having copious amounts of patience. “And where’s the other Princess? She’s supposed to be here, too.” While Starstruck wasn’t technically a Princess, not being of Stargazer’s bloodline, the differentiation wasn’t important at the moment. As if to answer his question, there were loud hoofsteps on the stairs. Starstruck came rushing over, pushing through the small crowd of very worried-looking ponies.

“Riptide! We need to you come quickly.” She was panting as she forced the words out of her dry throat. She glanced to her left as loud applause broke out on the other side of the curtain. Silverside and Miasma pushed through it and were quickly accosted by a brown unicorn with a clipboard. Silverside gasped audibly as the three exchanged words.

“Show’s over, everypony!” the unicorn hollered as he rushed down the stairs behind the stage. Silverside looked panicked, sweat beading on his face and neck as he spun towards Riptide with an expression of despair.

“What are we going to do? Why today? This is a disaster!” he stammered.

“WHAT is a disaster!?” The black pegasus wheeled about, looking for answers from anypony who would listen. Starstruck was the first to speak, though she was clearly having difficulty putting her thoughts into words.

“It’s Stargazer! The medical ward…they don’t know what’s wrong! We need to hurry!” She looked on the brink of tears as she hurried towards the stairs.

Noticing Silverside for the first time, Starstruck broke stride and turned toward him, looking like she was about to say something. The colt waved her off. With a nod, the pegasus flew down the stairs before gaining altitude and leaving the Pavilion behind. The rest of the ponies in the room rushed out behind her, leaving only the huge stallion and Silverside. The earth pony appeared to have regained some composure as he shot a look towards Riptide.

“Somepony has to take charge of this craziness…you’re the hero here, General!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know – you took charge when the sea serpent came along and everypony was freaking out!”

The black pegasus flared his nostrils and stomped in frustration. With a great sweep of his wings, he took to the air before glaring down at the silver pony.

“Kid, I’ve never even seen a sea serpent!”

Silverside froze as he watched Atlantica’s great hero fly away.