Spiritual Bonds
Aegis and Luna are shocked and speechless at who stands before them. Luna cannot control her crying and Aegis stays on the ground, eyes wide and body stiff.
"It is so wonderful seeing you my son… And Luna, please stop crying…"
Luna wipes her tears and walks over to Silver and lays her head on his back; he gently rubs her mane and kisses her on the cheek. Aegis relaxes as he tries to realize what has happened.
"So it was true Silver, your soul really did become a guardian. You don't know how wonderful it is to see you again my love…"
"I have missed you to Miss Luna. My son… you have made me so proud."
"How… What did I do? How is my father here…"
Luna walks over to Aegis and nudges him. Aegis snaps out of his trance and arises to go walk over to his father. Tears form in his eyes.
"Is it really… you father?"
"Aye son. Now Miss Luna, come close; I do not have much time to explain all of this. When I passed away, I had fulfilled my life's purpose. Sacrificing my life for a royal gave me the gift of the guardian. The only problem is that for the spell to be activated is for blood kin to cast the spell. You… my son, have awakened my spirit; I now protect you both through death."
"Father… So does this mean your going to be around all the time? With us…"
"Son, I cannot, my presence shall only be noticed when you or Miss Luna are in distress, nor can I present myself if you are helping others, only when you are in danger son."
Silver looks at Aegis, proud look on his face, he lays his hoof on Aegis' shoulder. He looks over at Luna and tears fill his eyes. Luna walks over and hugs Silver.
The three of them share a hug before Silver fades away.
"So… He fulfills his life purpose… even in death Mom? Why?"
"Your father was just that kind of stallion; nothing could get in the way of his work… not even death itself dear… Now let's go to bed, today was a rough day. Tomorrow we will visit Twilight and her friends."
Luna kisses Aegis on the cheek and jumps onto her bed. Aegis leaves the room and proceeds to his room, resting up after today's shocking events.
MIDNIGHT
CANTERLOT ROYAL PALACE
Aegis is woken up by the warning sirens and distress messages.
"Earth guardsmen report to city gates! Pegasus guardsmen report to briefing station! Unicorn guardsmen, report to the magic sanctum ASAP! This is not a drill! Repeat, this is not a drill!"
"What? Are we under attack? Dammit!"
Aegis got out of bed in such a hurry he forgot his helm. He rushes to the Magic Sanctum and is greeted with a hasty briefing.
"An un-identified unicorn has sent a three-prong strike against Canterlot. We have diamond dogs attacking the gates; dragons attacking from the air, the unicorn and what we believe is his assistant, throwing long-range magic attacks at us. We need to confront the two magic-wielders to relieve stress from our other units. Those of you who can levitate, your with me. The rest of you, stay atop the castle gates and redirect the magic elsewhere. We need one volunteer to engage or negotiate with the leader. Anyone?"
All the unicorn looked elsewhere, pretending not to hear the comment. Some were practicing magic while others were running out of the sanctum, eager to help the other forces. Aegis saw his chance and ran up to the general and took the mission.
"You sure boy? I understand you want to live up to your father, but you must ask yourself… Are you ready to take this chance?"
"Aye sir, brief me on my mission sir!"
The general briefs Aegis on his mission details before handing him a scroll. Aegis accepts and rushes to Luna's room. He opens the door and sees Luna outside on the balcony. He walks over to her.
"Mom, I need your help with something. I need to get outside the city, the city gates are blocked off."
"Aegis… Just promise me you will be safe… it's hard enough without your father being here, I just can't lose you… Please"
"Mom, I have dad protecting me, I will be fine. Can you help me?"
"I love you Aegis…"
"Love you too mom…"
Luna's horn turns a shining purple and Aegis feels something covering him. A purple outline takes Aegis shapes and before he realizes, he is outside the city gates. He looks up and sees Luna on the balcony. He salutes and rushes off into the forest.
"Alright dad, I'm ready to make you proud."
The noise of sounds of fire and ice can be heard ahead. Aegis rushes towards the sounds. He barrels through bushes and hanging tree branches. As he breaks through the brush. He comes upon a cleared out area. Fire and ice cover the earth in scattered areas. He looks up and notices the two unicorns levitating above the center of the scattered elements.
"You! Stop in the name of the Royal Guard! We wish to negotiate!"
The two unicorns slowly levitate towards Aegis, landing mere inches away from him. The first one to speak is a female unicorn. She is covered in a cloak, but her gray tail sticks out from behind.
"Of course you do. What's the matter child? Wasn't prepared for an attack were you. *tisk* *tisk*"
She is interrupted by the male unicorn. His coat was an earth colored brown and his mane was yellow.
"Silly Equestrians… Always think bribes and threats will keep them safe…"
"Who are you? And why are you attacking Canterlot? Speak!"
The male unicorn steps back, hurt by Aegis' tone.
"Now now child. Why must you speak to us with such anger?"
"I demand to know who you are and why you have declared an attack!"
The male unicorns face changed from hurt to fierce as Aegis' yells the demand. He looks over at the female unicorn and nods. And in an instant, Aegis is frozen in place, as the female's eyes turn blue. The male smiles and begins to walk over to Aegis.
"First off child, you are in no position to "demand" anything from us. And since you won't last much longer, I'll go ahead and humor you. My name is Sanguinis and I am absolutely fond of what your life thrives off. You being a unicorn yourself, maybe you know of the forbidden blood magic hmm? The cold one over there is Deity, she loves giving ingrates like you the cold shoulder."
Sanguinis' turns around as he begins to laugh. Deity walks over to the frozen Aegis. She then returns to Sanguinis and whispers something to him. He walks back over to Aegis. Deity's eyes glow red as the ice around Aegis melts.
"Hmm, who are you anyway child, why do you feel you were strong enough to come face us alone?"
"My name is Aegis, and I didn't come to fight, I came to negotiate, something you snobs don't seem interested in!"
"No need to shout boy, can hear you just fine"
"Hush Deity. Hmm, you're Silver's son aren't you? How is he doing?"
Aegis eyes widen at the mention of his father. Tears come to his eyes at the thought of his father. His horn begins to glow a bright white.
"Hmm? Now what do we have here Mr. Aegis… Mustn't let you do that now can we?"
Sanguinis' eyes morph into a deep red. Aegis' arms and legs begin to receive cuts and wounds. Aegis falls to the ground, his horn glows brighter. A bright flash of light explodes in front of Aegis. He is barely conscious when he sees his father. Blood runs down his arms and legs.
"Aye, stay down son, I'll deal with them. How dare you attack my son. Prepare yourselves."
"Ahhh, I see you have passed away Silver. A shame, but regardless, not even a guardian can stop me. Deity, take care of them will you?"
Deity nods and steps forwards. Her eye's glow a pure yellow. Silver begins to charge at Deity and before she is able to finish her spell, Silver rams into her, head butting her in the side of her face. Deity falls and slides against the ground, coming to stop and laying motionless.
"Hmm, strong as ever huh Silver. Not much has changed about you, well except for the part where you're a guardian now. We shall retreat, but let that foolish princess of yours know I will return and have my vengeance. Aegis catches a glimpse of his father fading away before passing out.
CANTERLOT INFIRMARY
FOLLOWING DAY
NOON
Son… You need to think more on your decisions. Had I not been summoned you most certainly would have been slain. Although it was brave of you to commit to your decision, it was foolish son. You must remember you have your own path. You mustn't try so hard to mimic my deeds, but create your own. I'm always here for you son, but don't rely on me with your life. There are ways to stop a guardian and I fear that unicorn knows a few. I love you son…"
Aegis wakes up in a hospital bed, sore and bruised. Luna and the doctor are beside his bed talking. Luna notices Aegis is awake and gives him a hug as she begins to cry.
"What did I tell you Aegis… They said when they found you, you were unconscious and blood was pooled around you."
"Mom, I am ok. Please let go."
"Bud, you are lucky to be alive, I have requested from your mother, that you take it easy and rest up. Your wounds… were unnatural. They will take awhile to heal lad. Maybe visit friends and family."
"I guess I could go visit Twilight and the others tomorrow, was suppose to see them anyway. Hey mom, can you come with me tomorrow?"
"I sure can dear, now go back to sleep. Need to rest up so your wounds can heal dear. I love you Aegis"
"Yea Yea, love you to mom"
The two laugh and share a hug. Luna departs from the infirmary and returns to her room. She picks the scroll up and casts the spell for her guardian to be summoned. Silver appears and walks up to Luna. The two share a kiss and move on to talking.
"Silver, I miss you…"
"Aye Luna, but I haven't left. Now, cheer up and tell me why you have summoned me."
"I've seen the reports, you know who this unicorn is… He has returned."
"I know my love. Feared he would someday, but not this soon. It is dangerous for everypony in Canterlot."
"What about Aegis?"
"He mustn't know about it Luna, not now atleast. He has to realize to path his own destiny and not try to live up to the expectations of others. Once he sees that, we can tell him."
"I just hope Sanguinis doesn't go after Aegis directly…"
"Time will tell Luna… Time will tell."