Ch3-Pt2: Opening Service

>As morning dawns, Celestia's sun wakes you on this Sunday Morning.

>Actually, no.

>It's not Celestia's sun.

>You'll claim this day for the Lord.

>"Mornin' Anon!"

>You pull yourself out of your makeshift bed and smile.

"A good morning it is indeed, Applejack."

>"Y'all better git up now, Rarity's here to see you!" she exclaims.

>You've spoken with Rarity quite a few times since you've arrived, but usually it was about taking measurements for your clothes.

>She wasn't as interested as Applejack with what you had to say, but she was always willing to listen from time to time.

"Then we mustn't keep her waiting."

>The two of you head out of your barn towards the Apple Family's house.  Sure enough Rarity is there drinking some apple spice tea.

>"Anon, Darhling!  I heard the news about the church and I simply -had- to come over and make you this!"

>She magics over a box to you, you quickly remove the wrappings.

 

>You recognize it as a vestment, but unlike what you've ever seen before.

>The robe is glamorous, with multiple layers of red and orange. There are crosses plaid along the side. The material must be some sort of satin. It's studded with gems and golden rims have been stitched into the design.

>"I believe you'll look simply marvelous when you present for the ponies today!"

>You were never the type of wear anything overzealous, especially for a Sunday sermon.

>You are a man of God, and you want no vanity.

>But Rarity worked hard on this, and it's not like you had anything to wear anyway.

"I'll try it on right away, thank you."

>You leave the two smiling ponies and step into another room to change.

>A muttering from the two fillies talking amongst themselves can be heard while you fit your new robe.

>As you slip in, you're amazed at the quality of the vestment. It fits so comfortably, and it's sized perfectly.

>You wouldn't expect anything less from Rarity, though.

>After a moment, you step out in full uniform. Rarity trots over to you for a closer look.

>"Yes, yes, this is perfect!"

>She's circling you now with a notebook and pencil floating.

>"Oh, this seems a little off, maybe if I put a gem there, and another over here..."

"This will serve perfectly for today, Rarity. How much do I owe you?"

>She takes a step back and gasps.

>"How sweet Anon, but really, this is a gift!"

>You smile and respond.

"Then a second thanks is required."

>She returns the smile and begins trotting out.

>"Please excuse my rashness, but I still need to get ready myself."

>She turns before leaving.

>"I must be in something splendid for the service today!"

>You and Applejack wave your friend a farewell.

 

>"That Rarity, always helping anyp0ny out.  Guess it's why her element is generosity, ain't that right sugercube?"

"She certainly is generous."

>Wait, element?

>Your mind quickly goes back to Celestia, before she condemned you to Tartarus.

>That quote she said, you keep thinking about it.

>"You're going to ruin the elements of harmony."

>She was mentioning Applejack moments before that.

>Twilight, too.

>Yes, this needs to be addressed.

>Especially after what Crius told you about the Elements and their tendancies to currupt.

"Applejack?"

>She turns around.

>"What's on yer mind sugercube?"

>Another voice interrupts.

>"You weren't the only one receiving a gift today, Anon."

>The two of you turn to the voice; you can't help but chuckle at the scene of a minotaur wearing a tuxedo.  It seems that Rarity created something for Crius, too.

>"If I'm going to usher your service and guard your well-being,"

>He does a quick spin.

>"I think I should do it in style."

>The three of you have a laugh, and you have to admit, it's certainly an improvement over what he was wearing before.

"It looks very good on you, my friend!"

>Applejack agrees.

>"Come Anon, you must not be late for your own service."

>You turn around to Applejack again, before you head over to the church.

"I must have a word with you after service, I will see you then."

 

>You sit in front of your podium and stare into the empty sanctuary.

>Service will be starting in just a half hour, and nobody is around.

>You wonder if anyone besides the Apple Family and maybe Rarity will even show up.

>But you close your eyes for the moment. After all, there is something more important to do.

>You thank The Lord for this blessing you have. Even when you're not on Earth, he's still granted you favor.

>Since you've been here, you've been given a place to stay, and shortly after being delivered from Tartarus, you have a church.

>And Bibles.

>And a uniform.

>And an usher.

>And so many friends.

>You open your eyes again to see someponies sitting on the benches in the back. One looks cream colored, she's sitting near another that looks almost lime green.

>In the next few minutes, some more ponies start to make their way into the sanctuary.

>You see the Apple Family make their way in and sit in the front row.

>Here comes Rarity, with a dress and hat. Pinkie Pie, too.

>Fluttershy makes her way in as well; she has her Bible with her, still.

>An uneasy Rainbow Dash makes her way in and sits near Fluttershy.

>After a few more moments, several other ponies make their way in.

>Applejack did a great job filling this place up.

>You look out into the congregation.

>Your heart drops for a moment.

>You don't see your friend Twilight Sparkle.

 

>You take one more look into the congregation.

>With all the fighting you did in Tartarus...

>Both confrontations with Celestia...

>The bout with that Zebra...

>That wasn't you.

>That wasn't your element.

>But this.

>The ponies are talking amongst themselves.

>Three of the Mane Six are giving you a welcoming smile.

>This is your element.

>This is your time to shine.

>All of these ponies are listening to what you have to say.

>Now's the time to say it.

"Fate."

>The ponies begin to slow their conversation and turn to you.

"You see, everything happens for a reason.  Even if you're not sure what that reason is."

>Now you have the congregation's full attention.

"When I first arrived in Equestria, I had no idea why I was here."

>You reach down and hold your Bible in the air.

"But it was all part of God's bigger plan."

>You put the Bible on the podium and open it up.

"You see everybo-, everyp0ny, I don't mean Celestia or Luna, I'm talking about the God that created everything!"

>You point to yourself for a moment.

"And a long time ago, that God sent his son to save my people."

>You point to the congregation.

"And now, he has sent me to Equestria to save you!"

>The eyes of the ponies widen at this statement.

"Let's start from the beginning, shall we?"

>You open up the New Testament, and begin reciting the tale of your Savior to the ponies.

 

>After almost two hours, you close the book and look up to the congregation. It's been a decent time for a service.

"Any questions?"

>Looking up, almost all of the ponies are simply silent. You gave them a lot to process.

>Not only have you told them the story of your Lord, but you've used your time in Tartarus, and how he's delivered you.

>Eventually Rainbow Dash breaks the silence with laughter.

>"No offense Anon, but I think you got a little too close to the Poison Joke in the everfree forest!"

>She begins laughing hysterically, as several ponies gasp.

>"Are yer tryin' to call Anon's God a joke?" Applejack hisses.

>Dash looks at Applejack, her eyes almost watering up.

>"This WHOLE THING is a joke!" she laughs again.

>"Now wait just an applebuckin minute..." Applejack yells back.

>Rainbow interrupts, pointing over to you.

>"Come on, HIM? In Tartarus? He's a bigger wuss than Twilight Sparkle, he can't even fight off a fluttershy!"

>Appleback jumps out of her seat and takes an aggressive stance.

>"Explain why the Princess condemned him ta Tartarus then!" she yells out.

>"Well he's -OBVIOUSLY- lying, isn't that what Princess Celestia said?" Rainbow retorts.

>"Why Ah outta..."

>Applejack starts galloping towards Rainbow Dash.

>Enough is enough. You turn towards Crius, and give him a nod.

>"What the hay? Lemmie go!"

>With Applejack being held by the minotaur-usher, you can give a proper reply to the smirking pegasus.

 

"I can assure all of you that as I stand here today, I represent the living Almighty God."

>You step away from the podium and look towards Rainbow Dash.

"A God that still heals, protects, and saves, even in Equestria."

>Rainbow Dash's grin grows bigger.

>"Then let's see your God heal!"

"Pardon?"

>"You heard me." said Rainbow Dash, now hovering in a more aggressively while pointing at you.

>You tilt your head for a moment and usher a prayer, then you open your eyes and smile.

"Does anyp0ny need healing today?"

>There's some shuffling around in the church for a moment, then a young pegasus comes up.

>You approach the filly.

"And what's your name?"

>"My name is skyjade," she answers.

>You're examining the wing for a moment, but she speaks up when you touch it.

>"The doctor said I collasped my hollowbone."

>She's starting to tear up.

>"He said I'll never fly again"

>'Well that won't do!' you think to yourself.

>You gently place your hand on her wing.

>You close your eyes.

"In the name of Jesus, you will be healed!"

>You release your hand and stand back up.

"Go ahead young one, try your wing."

>Everyone is staring at you; again, the awkward silence.

>The filly looks back at her wing.  She closes her eyes and begins buzzing it.

>She begins to hover as your smile grows bigger.

>Rainbow Dash's grin is receding as her jaw drops.

>You turn back to the ponies one last time.  They're looking at the flying filly, though.

"Even in Equestria, my friends, the Lord is here!  Who is ready to accept him?"

 

>It's been two weeks since that first Sunday.

>Celestia is enjoying some delicious cake in the Canterlot Throne room when a rough-looking pony with an eye patch comes in to greet her.

>"My Princess," the pony squeals as he bows to his goddess.

>Celestia magicks her cake down and grabs some tea.

>"You may stand, soldier.  What do you have to report?"

>The pony stands himself up.

>"Your Majesty, that human you asked me to look after, he is doing things...  unexplainable things."

>The Alicorn sighs.

>"What sort of things?"

>The soldier starts waving his arms around.

>"He's going about Ponyville preaching that you're a false goddess.  He's going into the hospitals and curing the ponies without medicine, potions, or spells!

>Celestia takes a sip of her tea.

>"He's built a temple on Sweet Apple Acres, and he holds meetings there every day!  Ponies from everywhere are coming to listen!"

>Celestia slowly magicks her tea down.  'Why hasn't Twilight wrote to me about this?'  She wondered.

 

>"Thank you soldier, that would be all." she calmly orders.

>The soldier departs and Celestia sits for a moment in deep thought.  A sinister smile creeps across her face.

>She wouldn't dare confronting the ponies now.

>She needed the citizens of Ponyville's trust.

>But this problem seems to be getting out of hand.

>It was time for her to stomp out the flame.

>She magicks a quill and some paper and begins writing a new letter.

>>Dear Sister,

>>I know we haven't spoken much since you've returned, but I urge you to meet with me in Canterlot as soon as you can.

>>This is a matter of grave importance.

>>Sincerely,

>>Princess Celestia.