Silver watched the festivities from a cloud high above Canterlot. After the events of the last twenty-four hours, he was exhausted. As Princess Celestia raised the sun on a new day, Silver went to sleep.
(The next day) Midnight had spent his first night at the palace just like he used to spend it century's ago. He woke up to see Celestia and Luna waiting for him to wake up. Today was the celebration of something special, today was the award ceremony for which Midnight and the heroes who stopped Sollus would be attending. Midnight gave Celestia a warm smile and was handed a present. Midnight raised his eyebrow at the box until curiosity forced him to ask what it is. "Um....what is this for. It's not my birthday today." Celestia looked at him and simpily said. "It's a surprise for the ceremony, but i guess that you can open it now." Midnight opened the box to reveal a brand new ruby red sleeveless jacket and a royal set of clothing. It even came with a jewel enclustered necklace. "Oh you shouldn't have...." Midnight smiled and hugged Luna and Celestia. "Thank you so much, it was just like my jacket from century's ago! Thank you!" Midnight said. Celestia then watched as Midnight put the clothes and jacket on himself, pleased as it was a perfect fit and looked quite well on him. The Princesses and Prince then walked out of the door. "We have a big day ahead of us. I have a feeling that everypony is going to like you just fine...."
Robin stood outside in the small hall area connected to the front of the throne room. He stood with the three others, ready to be called by Celestia. Ready to walk down the throne room in front of friends and family.
Silver had never cared much for ceremonies. He prefered to do what needed to be done, and move on. However, he realized that his friends, and more importantly, the Princesses, expected him to be there. After tracking down Holly, Silver headed for Moonshine's forge. With his armor repaired and shined, Silver picked up Holly and flew to the castle, where his comrades were already waiting.
After what felt like a few moments, Silver arrived after what actually was half an hour. As they checked themselves after a few moments to see if they were in presentable condition, they walked onto the stage as the crowd cheared loudly. There was almost a sea of different ponies among the audience as they cheared loudly as the princesses and the squad walked onto the stage. However, there was a white alicorn that nopony knew about and suddenly the crowd began to have discussions about this mysterious pony.
The instant his eyes landed on the mysterious Alicorn, Silver instinctively positioned himself between the newcomer and Princess Luna. Without taking his eyes off of the stranger, Silver reached for his sword...
"I mean you no harm, im just a simple messenger." the mysterious pony said. He passed a sealed envelope to Celestia and then walked away. Celestia raised an eyebrow for having a letter being delivered to her at the worst time but then opened it and read it's contents. He smiled who it was sent by and closed the letter. However, she was even more confused that it was an Alicorn who had delivered the letter, she dismissed the last thought and looked at the squad. "It's from the other nations leaders. It said they while they cannot be there themselves, they wish the best of luck for all of you." Celestia said. "Now where were we...." Celestia walked up towards the podium and began to speak. “Mares and Gentlecolts, today we have gathered here to celebrate the victory of a small squad of heroes who defeated Sollus and The Ardak Luvanius. Their remarkable bravery and prowless will stand the test of time itself, on behalf of Equestria i thank these remarkable ponies.” The crowd then cheered loudly for a few moments before becoming silent again. “Now these heroes will receive their medals for saving us, Equestria and all of life in general.” Celestia said. “Silver Crescent from the Everfree Forest, would you like to come over and receive your medal?”
"Thank you, Princess." Silver Crescent accepted the medal with the dignity that was expected of a Night Guard. All he really wanted, however, was to be as far away from the crowded city as possible.
While the crowd cheered while Silver took his medal, Midnight nudged Luna and whispered something to her. Luna then looked at Midnight and told him that it wasn't time yet to reveal himself. Luna also then nudged Crimson and asked if it was his to to reveal his big secret. Crimson said that it would be soon... "Thank you Silver. Would Corporal Ocean Wave from Cloudsdale come up with the stage alongside my personal military agent and adviser, Archangel Crimson Lionheart from Snowville?" Celestia announced. They both walked at the podium and were about to speak. Luna then winked at Crimson to tell him that it is time, then Crimson suddenly bent down on his knee and revealed a box that contained a beautiful ring inside of it. Crimson then began to speak and conclude with him saying, "Will you marry me." Ocean could not contain herself and said "Yes". As they kissed, the crowd burst into appause as they celebrated the now offical knowledge of their relationship.
Robin smiled at this news and then it was his turn. As Celestia placed the medal upon him. She said something to him. "Are you ready". Robin nodded as Celestia spoke out to the crowd. "It is not just a marrige that is to be announced. Robin if you may". As Robin took to the stage he began to speak "As some of you may know my father was the earl of Loxely before he died at the hands of the sheriff of Trottingham. Well his reign will come to an end when I take my fathers place and end the misery of the ponies caused by him". With that said all of the ponies from Trottingham cheered. Only the sheriffs men didn't. While his mother just cried with joy.
Silver congratulated his comrades. "You were all much better warriors than I could have ever hoped for. I would be proud to call you 'friends.' I wish that I could stay longer, and celebrate with you, but I have to leave at nightfall." As the new Captain of the Night Guard, Silver had many duties to attend to. A Gryphon was on a crime spree in Manehatten, several Buffalo had gone missing near Appleloosa, and there had been disturbing reports concerning a 'Rainbow Factory' in Cloudsdale.
(900 posts !) "And we would be proud to call you a friend as well." Crimson said. The crowd applauded Robin when received his medal and Celestia stepped towards the podium again. "We are coming towards a close of our ceremony and we have one more person to congratulate. Over eight hundred years ago, i did something unthinkable and my own child hated me for it. After becoming the leader of the Ardak Luvanius, he quickly put an end to their crimes just recently by killing all of them and coming back to me for his forgiveness. He is possibly the strongest magic user in history, he is my son and his is Prince Midnight Dawn." As Midnight walked up, the crowd's applause got louder and louder as they celebrated his return. Midnight had never felt so happy since his return.Once the crowd stopped clapping,Celestia raised her hoof for quiet. "And we have one more surprise..." as she pointed at a large stone stab behind her and an enormous stain-glass picture nearby the ones of the Elements of Harmony and various others which was unveiled at the beginning of the ceremony.
Silver turned his attention to Celestia. Holly, having no interest in the Celestia's announcement, wandered over to the refreshment table and began eating a cake that had been special-ordered from Sugarcube Corner in Ponyville.
The curtain was pulled from the surprise to reveal an enormous and elegant statue of the Squad. The statue included every squad member in a heroic pose, from Ocean raising into the air holding a dagger to Silver and Robin. Behind them were the Princesses being the tallest and Midnight beside them. The crowd looked in awe at this statue and erupted in applause. Crimson and Ocean could not believe their eyes as Celestia explained the statue's importance in detail and that she personally spent all night making it alongside some craftsmen at such a speed that it would put any stone mason the shame. Midnight went over to Silver and smiled. "Look at that. It's amazing what we can do when we work together, just look at what happened during these last few weeks. That itself is nothing short of legendary. I just wish to personally thank you for killing Dark Plague for me, while you did not physical kill him you had destroyed him from the inside. You have changed my life, and i will try to repay you in anyway possible..."
"Midnight Dawn, you owe me nothing. My duty is to obey the will of the Night Princess. I did what Princess Luna asked of me, nothing more. In the end, you were the only pony capable of saving the life of Celestia. Even if I had been able to defeat you, it would have meant the death of your mother. If your mother had died, that would have meant that I had failed Princess Luna." Silver paused. He didn't even want to THINK about how Luna would have reacted to her sister's death. He had seen the rage of the Night Princess many times in the past. He did NOT wish to have it directed at him. "Listen, Midnight, from one war criminal to another, let me offer you some advice. Try to put your past behind you, but never allow yourself to forget. Remember what you have done. Remember the faces of your victims. Remember the screams, the pleas for mercy. Remember, and never allow yourself to become a monster again. That is how you will pay back your debt to Equestria." A commotion at the refreshment table caught Silver's attention. "Holly! Get away from that cake!"
Midnight took Silver's words and simply bowed to him out of sheer respect. Silver was possibly the only pony who has ever fought Dark Plague and defeated him, a feat that even the princess found almost imposable. And even then, Silver had also managed to take Plague head on and go hoof to hoof with the strongest magic user and alicorn in history and beat him. Eyes gathered in Silvers direction, it was extremely rare for a member of Royalty to bow down toward a non-royal pony. Once Midnight came back up, he had a small speech. "Never again shall this pony be forgotten, and never again shall Equestria fall to invaders as long as we are all truly alive." The crowd applauded Midnight as he gave Silver a warm smile.
Silver spoke quietly, so that only Midnight could hear him. "I appreciate the compliment, but you and I both know that the only thing that I did was survive your attacks. I could never have defeated you alone. Of course, if you tell anypony that I said this, I will deny it." Silver grinned at the Prince. "We should spar sometime, I love a challenge." "Holly! NO!" Silver rushed away to grab the Timber-Wolf, who had finished the cake and was now drinking from the punch bowl.
(Going to write an ending to this very soon within the next five or six posts. I have an idea for a new RP so i wont be short on ideas.) "Agreed. It would be an honor to spar against you, and maybe the rest of what is Your squad. Even through he knew that Crimson was the leader, he rather acknowledged Silver being the real leader. He has not faced Crimson yet, but loved the thought of it. When he seen Silver rush off to stop Holly, he walked towards the balcony where he was joined shortly by Celestia. Midnight was enjoying himself like he hasn't experienced since his return. He never really had time for fun as Plague, it was all work and business as him. To be enjoying himself was something that hasnt been seen in a very long time.Midnight cleared his throat and began to speak. "You know mother, it has been only several days and i already have many friends plus you and auntie. Imagine what it would be like when the Alicorn's returned, would there be a paradise or a kingdom unlike the world has ever seen. Celestia liked the thought of the Alicorns returning and had an idea. While Crimson and Ocean managed to see Celestia whispering to Midnight from far away, they could see the grin on Midnights face getting wider and wider
Robin was busy mingling with the crowds mainly his old crew of merry stallions and the new sheriff that he appointed. He knew that his outlaw past was behind him and that he did not tell everyone but by the look on the Trottingham ponies faces. They knew and they were pleased about it. "I propose a toast. To Sherwood, The sheriff and The merry stallions". They all cheered as they clinked their champagne flutes together.
