Rage was resting in a room in Canterlot Castle. The seven were staying there with the ceremonies on the morrow. He had to share a room with Twilight but he didn't mind. He had a separate bed and the room was more than big enough for the two of them. Twilight wasn't in the room. Likely doing something with the princesses he thought.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Blade's voice echoed softly. Rage turns over to see the projection of the dragon. "Stay here in Equestria?"
"I am." Rage sighs "It's better for the Emeralds."
"You may think that now but you're still a very young Guardian, Rage. This seems more your own selfish desire than anything."
"Equestria has less who know of the Emeralds and even fewer who'd do harm with them." Rage answers. "Even if it's connected to Mobius I'd know if anyone came through the links between."
"I still think you're making a rash decision, Rage. I know these ponies are the closest you've had to true Friends since-" Blade began to lecture but was interrupted by Rage.
"Don't speak of his name". Rage barks. "He is in the past where he belongs."
"Rage, I am not so-" He begins to object.
"I am." The crimson unicorn stated firmly. "He died with Nix."
Blade sighed. There was no changing Rage's mind. He was adamant that it was the right call. "Rage...what if-"
"Blade, I know you're worried that I am being selfish. Instead of beating around the bush just come out and say that." Rage sighed "Look, it's not even for sure yet. I want to stay here because yes I made friends here. Because I like it here, I don't have to be something I am not."
"That something being?" Blade asks. "Because you've never mentioned this to me at all!"
"That something being the noble, sotic and proud Chaos Guardian that Mobius seems to expect me to be!" Rage scoffs. "Yes I am a Chaos Guardian but I am not some hero. I just want a quiet life as much as possible. Mobius can't offer me that. Besides, without the Chaos Emeralds Eggman becomes less of a threat."
"...and Dark Mobius?" Blade asks concerned.
"I don't see that being an issue either. If it is...Sonic should be able to handle it." Rage answers.
"You're putting a lot of faith into Sonic..." Blade scoffs.
"I understand that. Sonic is very laid back and all but when push comes to shove he can hold his own..." Rage responds.
"What will you tell him?" Blade asks. "If you're allowed to stay?"
"I am not sure yet...no doubt he's got Tails working on some wacky way to come and try and get me. He can't be happy over me sending him back home alone." Rage looked out the window into the early morning skies. "But I have an anchor here in Equestria now so...I can always move between here and Mobius if needed..."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Blade asks "You know you're not the only one who can utilize anchors like that..."
"You're referring to Dark beings..." Rage sighs "Like Nix we made sure they're dealt with remember?"
"I do, but I also know how crafty they can be..." Blade looks at Rage.
"Look, you're not going to change my mind." Rage says in a stubborn tone. "I am doing what my heart tells me is right. If the Chaos Guardians of old don't like it then that's tough. Tradition be damned if this is what I think is best for the Emeralds then who's to argue?"
Blade looked at Rage and nodded. "Just don't get complacent." he says before vanishing right as Twilight comes in.
"Morning sleepy head." she chuckles.
"Twilight, you were up way early." Rage says.
"Yeah, meeting with Celestia. Princess stuff." Twilight chuckles. "Boring, boring, boring. I came to make sure you were up. The ceremony starts soon."
"Yeah but I am not sure why it's so important that I am there..." Rage yawns, getting up and looking at his mane. It was a mess. He shook his head some to get it out of his eyes and looked at Twilight. She was wearing a beautiful blue dress. The very same one that Rarity had her trying on back when he first met her.
"Rage, you did just as much as we did!" Twilight scoffs as she escorts him out of the room. "And we can't have you looking like that! Rarity has something for you."
"Oh boy..." Rage muttered following Twilight into a side room where Rarity was fixing a nice sparkling dress on Applejack that was adorned with shiny apple shaped gemstones.
"Ow! Careful there partner!" Applejack barked as part of her mane got caught in the zipper of the dress.
"Sorry!" Rarity exclaimed as she fixed it.
"You look wonderful, Applejack!" Twilight speaks up, getting the attention of the two.
"Oh Twilight!" Applejack walked over "Thanks..."
"Well look who finally woke up!" Rarity says walking over and grabbing Rage "and looking like a mess too! We can't have that!"
"Hold on a-" Rage tried to object but it was in vain as he was pulled over to the podium and Rarity took a brush to his mane. Knots and other tangles would catch in the brush as Rarity rushed to get his mane looking neat and tidy.
Once she had it nicely groomed Rage looked in the mirror. His mane had always been a bit of a mess near the back of his neck but it was all nice and even now. All groomed. Next thing he knew Rarity was going through her clothing rack. "Oh I know I had it somewhere!" she exclaims.
"Rarity..." Rage says trying to get her attention.
"Do we help him?" Twilight whispers to Applejack.
"I think it's best we let Rarity do her thing..." the orange earth pony replies.
Finally Rarity finds a nice black suit and hands it to Rage. "Rarity..." he tries to object once more but she pushes him into a blind for dressing.
"No buts!" she says "You can't be presented to the Princess on a day like today without looking your best! Now hurry up! We don't have much time!"
Knowing it was futile to argue he sighed and tried the suit on. Surprisingly it fit him perfectly. A nice black suit over a white shirt. He smiled. He hadn't really worn anything outside of his Chaos Guardian garment and his old wardrobe which consisted of the same things so it was nice.
He walked out and looked at the six mares who were waiting. "Oh. My. Gosh." Rainbow Dash keeled over laughing. "I never thought she'd get you into one of those!"
"You owe me ten bits." Applejack said.
"I look ridiculous don't I?" Rage sighs.
"No." Twilight says, "You look great!" she reassures him as Rarity walks over.
"Of course he does darling!" The white unicorn chuckles "One last touch!" She then pulls a small lapel pin out that has seven small gemstones in a circle. Each a color that matched the Chaos Emeralds. Red, blue, green, white, purple, yellow, and cyan.
"What's that?" Fluttershy asks, walking closer and looking closely at the pin.
"Oh well it's something I thought of. Those gems you had Rage. They match!" Rarity says "Something tells me since they're part of your cutie mark they must be important."
"You have no idea." Rage chuckles half heartedly. Shortly after Shining Armor, Twilight's brother walked into the entrance to the room.
"Hey, it's time." he says looking at the seven. He then looked at Twilight as she donned her crown. "You look amazing sis." he says as they share a hug.
"Thank you." she says. "I am glad you and Cadence are alright." Shining Armor smiled as he led the seven out to a balcony where a crowd of ponies had gathered. There were six seats off to the side for them, Twilight would be with the Princesses and above the Princesses was a red velvet drape with a rope concealing something along the wall next to a window of Discord's defeat. In fact it was about the same height.
"I'll see you guys after the ceremony okay?" Twilight whispers. They all nod and she walks over to take her place with the Princesses. A gentle breeze blew and carried the voices of the mass of citizens all happily nestled below.
Seeing everyone was present Celestia walked forward and waved her hoof to call the attending ponies to attention. It took a brief moment but the muttering amongst the ponies finally stopped. Celestia looked around the group and smiled.
"Good morning ponies of Equestria." Celestia begins her speech. "We are gathered here today to celebrate a momentous triumph for our dear land. Today shines the dawn of a new day as I can proudly present Princess Twilight Sparkle who's deeds have helped rescue the citizens of the Crystal Empire from the subjugation of the Evil King Sombra." Celestia stepped aside and Twilight took a step forward and waved with a nervous smile. A cheering and applause of hooves stamping on the ground erupted from the crowd for a brief second. Celestia then walked back up and Twilight returned to her seat.
"However, as many of you know, she could not have done it alone." Celestia continued her speech. "Like with many times before she was aided by her friends showing us that the bonds of friendship can overcome any obstacle. If it wasn't for the daring and brave efforts of Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash Equestria wouldn't be where we are today..." Celestia then paused and looked at Lun. "I wouldn't have my dear sister by my side..." she smiles softly. A gesture which Luna returned. She then looked back to the crowd of ponies. The six mares stood and waved as once more the gathered crowd erupted into a joyous choir of celebration.
Like with the last one it was finally calmed by Celestia. She continued her speech once more. Rarity looked at Applejack and whispered. "Is she not going to acknowledge ALL of us?" she asks. The two looked over to Rage who was staring off into the distant crowd. He seemed unfazed by it.
"I dunno sugar, maybe he asked to be left out of it." Applejack whispers back.
They weren't the only two who noticed. Rainbow Dash who was sitting next to Rage nudged him. "Are you just not going to take credit for anything?" she whispers.
"For what?" Rage muttered back to her. "I didn't do anything special..."
"Oh that's a bunch of crap and you know it." Rarity shout-whispers over to him. "If you weren't there everything would have been the other way around."
"Quiet." Applejack mutters as Celestia looks back over to them.
Twilight had taken the stand now. "Thank you for such a lovely speech Princess Celestia." she says looking out among the ponies. "As many of you all know I'm not the best with speeches." she chuckles, getting a soft laugh from the crowd. "However, I think it's important to recognize somepony today. A special pony who without, we could have never hoped to accomplish what we did in The Crystal Empire." Twilight looks over to Rage. "If I have learned one thing since I first was sent to Ponyville it's that you can find friends in all kinds of places. This last week I have experienced that in a way I never have before. I made a new friend who not only can I be proud to call my friend but honored to dedicate the newest window in our Hall of Heroes."
Twilight motioned and a unicorn used some magic to pull a cord that opened the drape to reveal the bottom half of a new stained glass window. It was much like the others that showed Twilight and her friends achievements, clearly made by the same pony. The background was the Crystal Empire and basic silhouettes of The Mane Six were visible on the bottom half. Each one could be discerned by their cutie mark and color. They were standing as if opposed to something that was still covered. The bottom left corner had a blue gemstone shaped design and the right one a violet one.
"It was a hard battle." Twilight says. "One we nearly lost even...had it not been for my new friend." The rest of the window was then revealed. In the center was a silhouette of a unicorn. Bright red and a faded yellow glow marked around the unicorn. Its yellow flare peaked above it with the Crystal Heart the center of it. A bright glow of a radiant rainbow around it that fell back upon all of the ponies on the window.
Around the rest of the border were similar gemstone shapes also matching The Chaos Emeralds' colors. Twilight motioned for Rage. "Burning Rage, had it not been for your heroic actions and act of selflessness chances are we wouldn't be here celebrating this today." Twilight says. Nervously Rage walked up to her side. A roar of cheering erupted once more. He waved with an awkward smile.
"I thank you all for your time today. Let the festivities begin in earnest!" Celestia proclaims and waves in dismissal. A final cheer erupted from below and slowly ponies went about heading to the various things around Canterlot that had been set up for the celebrations.
Twilight walked Rage back inside to the throne room and the others joined them. "I...don't know what to say." Rage said to Twilight "You guys didn't need to include me in all of this. I didn't do anything special..."
"That's not true, Rage." Twilight says with a frown. "You saved us. There's no doubt about it."
"I am sure you girls could have done it without me..." Rage says looking away. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Celestia, Cadence and Luna walk to the head of the room. Celestia looked to the group of friends as if there was more to say.
"Hold on just a moment." Cadence says "There's more to be done before we let you all go loose..."
"What else could there be?" Twilight asks as the seven walked up to the steps that led to Celestia and Luna's thrones.
"Rage..." Celestia stated boldly, looking at the crimson unicorn. He pointed to himself and looked a bit worried. "Step forward." she ordered.
"Y-Yes Princess Celestia." he complied and stepped forward ahead of the others.
"I have a simple question before I continue." She says. "Had you been able to return home this entire time, would you have done so even after discovering what was going on here?"
Rage looked at her and sighed. "I would have stayed." he admits "Especially after meeting Twilight and her friends..." Rage looked back at them and then to Celestia. "I would have chosen to stay not because of duty or just so I could make it home but because it would have been the right thing to do and by Chaos I'll do it again if I have to. Especially now that I have my new friends."
Celestia smiled. "I had a feeling you'd say that." she chuckles "After very careful consideration with Luna and Cadence we have come to a decision." She says. Rage's eyes widened hopefully hearing this. "Rage, you're welcome to stay in Equestria...you may even traverse between here and Mobius, however there will be one condition."
"Name it." Rage says eagerly.
"You are to keep your promise." She says. "To protect your friends, and Equestria."
"Thank you." Rage says, bowing his head. "I will protect Equestria to the very end. My blade is yours."
Celestia bowed her head back and smiled. "I shouldn't keep you. Go. Enjoy yourselves! You've earned it!"
"Thank you Princess." Twilight says as they all are dismissed. Shortly after the seven left Luna walked up to Celestia.
"Do you truly think this is the right decision sister?" She asks.
"I do." Celestia sighs. "However I fear what is on the horizon more than what has happened here."
"If I may?" Cadence butts in. "What should we do if Rage's own form...changes?"
"What do you mean?" Celestia asks.
"You said he comes from Mobius, I am afraid of what may happen if he takes his original form. Even if by accident." Cadence states. "No doubt it would frighten others."
"If he does...I fear it will not be of his own accord." Celestia sighs. "We will cross that bridge when and if we reach it. For now let them enjoy the here and now..."
As for the seven they were walking down the stairs to Canterlot Castle. As they reached the bottom Rage turned back around and looked at the entrance to the Castle. It wasn't long before Twilight turned and looked at him. "Everything okay, Rage?" she asks him.
Rage paused for a second. Then he turned back to her. "Everything's fine." He answers running to catch up to them.
"Ya sure?" Applejack asks. "Ya looked like you had somethin' on yer mind."
"It's nothing." Rage reiterates. "Really."
"So what should we do first?" Rarity asks.
"I know! I know!" Pinkie Pie cheers "We should go try the cake! No wait! The Fondue!" The pink pony trailed off as she bolted off towards where a banquet was being held.
"So...Princess." Rage says looking at Twilight as they walk side by side together.
"You can call me Twilight, Rage." She says to him with a chuckle. "I am the same pony you knew when you got here. A pair of wings doesn't change anything."
"Right." Rage sighs "Twilight, are you sure about all of this? I mean...me staying with you..."
"Of course I am! You proved to be more than qualified to act as my assistant." Twilight says. "I can have you handle things that are more risky. It'll free up a lot of time for me."
"People won't start to think...that you know..." Rage asks
"Know what?" Twilight looked at him with a confused stare.
"Ponies won't start to get the wrong idea will they? If I stay with you?" Rage asks.
Twilight's eyes widened as she realized what he meant. "Definitely not!" she states firmly. "They'd be crazy to ever think like that!" she affirmed. "Besides you'd get the same issue regardless of who you stayed with!"
"I guess you're right." Rage chuckles "Guess I was just having some...unfounded concerns."
"Let's not focus on all of that right now." Rainbow Dash says "We've done enough worrying about this and that the last few days. Let's unwind!"
"Wow Dash, that's pretty lax coming from you." Applejack chuckles. This made the Rainbow Pegasus look back with a glare before the two laughed. They were soon joined by Twilight, Rarity and finally Rage.
"Hey...R-Rage?" Fluttershy speaks up in a soft tone. The crimson unicorn looked to her as he ceased his laughter.
"What is it?" he asks her.
"I was uh wondering...would you come see the bird choir today? The ones you met when we first met? I am sure they'd love to see you...they perform this afternoon." The shy pegasus asks him nervously.
Rage smiled and nodded. "I am sure we'd all love to hear them." he says.
"Of course." Twilight smiles. "We have quite a day ahead of us."
"Let's enjoy it." Rarity says with a relaxed sigh. "You should make the most of it. I am sure a lot of ponies will be curious to meet you, Rage." she says.
"Yeah..." Rage muttered.
"Something wrong with that sugar?" Applejack asks.
"Uh..." Rage paused and looked down. "As hard as it may be to believe I am not exactly one for mingling..."
"Why not?" Rarity asks with a shocked gasp. "You got along with all of us so well!"
"I know...but I am not one for a lot of friends...after all you girls are the first real friends I have had in a long time..." Rage sighs "I am normally too afraid to-" he caught himself and paused. "Forget it. I'll tell you another time."
"You should say it now Rage...it won't do you any good to keep bottled up." Applejack warns. Rage looked at her and nodded.
"I'm worried about making friends because I have been hurt by people in the past...people I thought I could call friend...it soured the concept." Rage admits.
"Well, that's something we'll make sure we fix!" Twilight says.
"Enough with the boring talk..." Rainbow Dash groans. "Let's have some fun! Last one to the market is a rotten egg!" she boasts before she goes rushing off down the road.
"Hey no fair!" Applejack calls running after her.
"Oh no you don't!" Rage laughs hot on their trail.
"He's going to fit right in." Rarity chuckles watching the three as they race.
"Yup." Twilight chuckles. "We all have a lot to look forward to..." she comments looking back at her wings. "...and some adjusting to do..."
A/N: This marks the end of "Book 1" starting next chapter I will move on to the "Harmony Broken" re-write. So you will see Chapters starting with 2 instead of 1. I'd like to thank the few reviews I have gotten so far. It's nice to see the bits of support as well as a few people catching things I missed. I do my best to proofread but sometimes things slip through the cracks. As I said before you're free to see the originals though I'll warn you, they're not all really...good by any means which is why I wanted to re-write them. Thanks for reading so far!