01-26-2017, 02:48 AM
It was only moments after the collapse entrance that Veritas came to. In the back of her mind, Celestia mused that 'coming to' was technically inaccurate as he'd never lost consciousness, but then him regaining his reason as he had adhered to the spirit of the phrase even if it didn't meet the letter. The thought wasn't important though, and she set it aside any thought of semantics entirely once Veritas began speaking.
Simply put, Veritas had lost faith in himself. He felt that if he failed to resist the curse, and in doing so put his companions' lives in danger, that he didn't deserve to travel with them or be their friend. While it was technically true that Veritas had a part in that danger, Celestia overall didn't agree. She stepped closer, and placed a hoof gently on his shoulder. “You can't blame yourself for this. It is true that the curse is something that you will need to control, but you didn't cause and couldn't have predicted what would happen inside the ruins. There is no shame in acknowledging where one can improve.” She smiled at him. “And I can think of no better use for friendship than supporting one another through difficult times, so I do hope we can all remain friends.” Revan as well gave Veritas a compliment. Celestia gestured to Revan while still looking at Veritas. “See? Neither of us thought you did so badly.”
Veritas added that he'd worked out how the devices they'd made would function, and offered to demonstrate. Celestia replied while taking a step back, and turning toward their transport, which was waiting for them on the beach. Revan responded first, stating that he would be interested, and Celestia let him finish before offering her own reply. “That sounds like a wonderful idea, it would be nice to have one less mystery, and one more tool for investigation. It would also be a good way to pass the time on the boat back.”
It didn't take them long to return to the boat, and begin moving back towards the mainland. Soon after the boat had set off however, Revan mentioned that he'd seen another pony. That in itself caught Celestia's full attention, the possibility of finding one of her subjects or even a close friend or family member from Equestria caused a mix of emotions. On the one hoof, it would be nice to have somepony with which she could speak of familiar subjects. On the other, she would also prefer to save any of such ponies from being trapped in the Omniverse as she was.
Any such thoughts were derailed when Celestia heard the name of the pony in question. Sombra. Celestia stiffened. She had hoped and thought that she'd seen the last of the dark king. That he would be here of all places, was a disturbing complication. If there was a saving grace to that, it was that Sombra being here meant he likely couldn't threaten Equestria or the Crystal Empire anymore. Celestia looked at Revan with a serious expression. “It is best that you only met briefly,” she said after a moment, “The King Sombra I knew was entirely evil and incredibly dangerous. I appreciate you letting me know.”
“I think it's time for the demonstration.” Celestia turned to find Veritas, not wishing to contemplate this development too long. It was something she would have to confront, and she would be ready to do so when the time came. But it had been mere hours since her arrival, and while she was not particularly impaired she was still feeling considerably weaker than she was prior to her arrival. As well as being useful in its own right, Veritas' demonstration would be a nice distraction.
They returned to Costa del Sol to an unexpected sight, a group of soldiers marching down the street. They were accompanied by a general, who greeted them and explained that he was here on a recruiting mission. The town of Darkshire, which Celestia only knew in passing from some of her reading hours earlier, was claimed to be under attack by undead, and they were looking for any who would be willing and able to assist in the defence. Revan readily volunteered, which came as little surprise to Celestia. He did seem to have an affinity for battle, and if the general was speaking the truth this was likely as noble a goal as any for a warrior.
Celestia herself hesitated at the prospect, however. “I apologize, but I cannot help you. Though I have some modest ability, in truth I am a statespony, not a soldier. My efforts would be as likely to interfere with the battle plan as to provide assistance.” She was exaggerating slightly. She probably could provide them some measure of help, but in truth she did not trust only one perspective on the matter. Even if the general was telling the truth, committing to one side or the other now might prevent her from pursuing a more lasting peace. And she wasn't truly lying, either. She was much weaker than she had once been, and direct combat had never been a focus for her. She needed more understanding before she could commit any broad actions with a clear conscience. “I am sure Revan will do well by you,” she added, “he is quite capable in combat. I am sure his presence will more than make up for my absence.”
Celestia turned to Veritas, and spoke quietly to him before he had a chance to speak to the general. “If you truly wish to join his cause, I will not stop you. However, I must strongly argue against it. In your current state, an intensive battle such as this could only make things more difficult.”
Simply put, Veritas had lost faith in himself. He felt that if he failed to resist the curse, and in doing so put his companions' lives in danger, that he didn't deserve to travel with them or be their friend. While it was technically true that Veritas had a part in that danger, Celestia overall didn't agree. She stepped closer, and placed a hoof gently on his shoulder. “You can't blame yourself for this. It is true that the curse is something that you will need to control, but you didn't cause and couldn't have predicted what would happen inside the ruins. There is no shame in acknowledging where one can improve.” She smiled at him. “And I can think of no better use for friendship than supporting one another through difficult times, so I do hope we can all remain friends.” Revan as well gave Veritas a compliment. Celestia gestured to Revan while still looking at Veritas. “See? Neither of us thought you did so badly.”
Veritas added that he'd worked out how the devices they'd made would function, and offered to demonstrate. Celestia replied while taking a step back, and turning toward their transport, which was waiting for them on the beach. Revan responded first, stating that he would be interested, and Celestia let him finish before offering her own reply. “That sounds like a wonderful idea, it would be nice to have one less mystery, and one more tool for investigation. It would also be a good way to pass the time on the boat back.”
It didn't take them long to return to the boat, and begin moving back towards the mainland. Soon after the boat had set off however, Revan mentioned that he'd seen another pony. That in itself caught Celestia's full attention, the possibility of finding one of her subjects or even a close friend or family member from Equestria caused a mix of emotions. On the one hoof, it would be nice to have somepony with which she could speak of familiar subjects. On the other, she would also prefer to save any of such ponies from being trapped in the Omniverse as she was.
Any such thoughts were derailed when Celestia heard the name of the pony in question. Sombra. Celestia stiffened. She had hoped and thought that she'd seen the last of the dark king. That he would be here of all places, was a disturbing complication. If there was a saving grace to that, it was that Sombra being here meant he likely couldn't threaten Equestria or the Crystal Empire anymore. Celestia looked at Revan with a serious expression. “It is best that you only met briefly,” she said after a moment, “The King Sombra I knew was entirely evil and incredibly dangerous. I appreciate you letting me know.”
“I think it's time for the demonstration.” Celestia turned to find Veritas, not wishing to contemplate this development too long. It was something she would have to confront, and she would be ready to do so when the time came. But it had been mere hours since her arrival, and while she was not particularly impaired she was still feeling considerably weaker than she was prior to her arrival. As well as being useful in its own right, Veritas' demonstration would be a nice distraction.
---
They returned to Costa del Sol to an unexpected sight, a group of soldiers marching down the street. They were accompanied by a general, who greeted them and explained that he was here on a recruiting mission. The town of Darkshire, which Celestia only knew in passing from some of her reading hours earlier, was claimed to be under attack by undead, and they were looking for any who would be willing and able to assist in the defence. Revan readily volunteered, which came as little surprise to Celestia. He did seem to have an affinity for battle, and if the general was speaking the truth this was likely as noble a goal as any for a warrior.
Celestia herself hesitated at the prospect, however. “I apologize, but I cannot help you. Though I have some modest ability, in truth I am a statespony, not a soldier. My efforts would be as likely to interfere with the battle plan as to provide assistance.” She was exaggerating slightly. She probably could provide them some measure of help, but in truth she did not trust only one perspective on the matter. Even if the general was telling the truth, committing to one side or the other now might prevent her from pursuing a more lasting peace. And she wasn't truly lying, either. She was much weaker than she had once been, and direct combat had never been a focus for her. She needed more understanding before she could commit any broad actions with a clear conscience. “I am sure Revan will do well by you,” she added, “he is quite capable in combat. I am sure his presence will more than make up for my absence.”
Celestia turned to Veritas, and spoke quietly to him before he had a chance to speak to the general. “If you truly wish to join his cause, I will not stop you. However, I must strongly argue against it. In your current state, an intensive battle such as this could only make things more difficult.”