Radiance

By Convergence

• February 12, 2014

Age: 18

Gender: Female

Species: Unicorn

Appearance: A larger than average mare with yellow fur and a dark gold mane and tail. She is fairly tall and a little bulkier than the average female.

Cutie Mark: The sun shining throw a gap of thick clouds. This cutie mark displays Radiance's ability to brighten even the darkest of times.

Personality: Fun loving, energetic and easy going, this mare always has a smile on her face. She makes the best out of any scenario, and encourages others to do the same. Her perpetually upbeat attitude can quickly tire out and annoy some ponies.<br /><br />Quick to make friends with strangers, and even quicker to trust them, Radiance can be easily taken advantage of. A bit of a ditz, she sometimes has difficulty seeing the bigger picture of things and understanding metaphorical speech. Shockingly, due to her ability to look at the bright side of everything, Radiance is often level headed and is a voice of reason during the darkest times.

Backstory: Radiance was one of those pony's that everyone just seemed to like. This was a powerful ability in the world she was born into. When food supplies fell short, the citizens of the former great city of Canterlot had turned into something not much better than beasts. Crime and chaos ruled the streets and only the strongest ponies were able to survive.<br /><br />Ironically, Radiance was able to thrive in such a cruel world by being incredibly vulnerable. It seemed that even the toughest and meanest ponies didn't bother her. Perhaps it was her smile, or the way that she would always wave and say hi to them even though no one else dared to. Radiance was never sure why she was never bothered, but never thought to much of it.<br /><br />In a similar manner, Radiance never had trouble finding enough food to survive on. She always found ponies more than willing to share food with her, even though she never asked for it. In a world ruled by greed, everpony was generous towards Radiance. It was surely the strangest phenomenon. Perhaps others saw her as a promise of a brighter tomorrow. Radiance never thought about it.<br /><br />She made a point of meeting everypony around her. When a strange old stallion wearing dinted and dull gold armour arrived at their makeshift village one day, Radiance knew she had to meet him. He was introverted and kept much of himself a secret. He did tell her, eventually, that his name was Golden Shield a knight and a strategist. He mentioned casually that he was skilled in illusion and restoration magic. That was all Radiance ever learned of his mysterious past.<br /><br />The world was not a kind place for old men. Golden Shield was no longer strong enough to earn his own food, and was too prideful to beg or take from others. He was slowly starving. With her usual smile, and odd gift, Radiance was able to find enough food to share with Golden Shield.<br /><br />This went on as a daily routine for a while. Golden Shield grew so thankful for Radiance, that he developed a strong emotional bond for her. She slowly became the daughter he never had. He decided he needed to do something for her, he tried to teach her everything he knew.<br /><br />Being naturally strong, agile and even naturally talented at magic, Radiance was the perfect candidate as a soldier. However her short attention span and complete lack of motivation prevented Radiance from achieving her full potential. Golden Shield quickly learned that he needed to keep his lessons short and simple.<br /><br />Logic and strategy were quickly abandoned. The sword was tossed aside. Magic was no possibility. Soon Golden Shield threw in the white towel. He taught her the simplest thing he knew that he could.<br /><br />With his last ounces of energy, Golden Shield acquired an old set of bronze armour, a large tower shield and a mace. He began to weave his magic through these dull and cheap items, and turned them into a gleaming gold armour and tower shield and a shimmering silver mace. He had even weaved a powerful spell that allowed the weaponry to be summoned and banished with a simple command.<br /><br />He gave Radiance the items and taught her the the simple summon command. He taught her lessons as simple as block with that, hit with that. She slowly grew stronger and more natural in armour. She became a fine, if very blunt, warrior. Golden Shield died a month after giving his gift.<br /><br />Golden Shield's death was the first thing to ever make Radiance exceptionally sad. She knew she had to leave the small makeshift village. She foraged enough rations, packed a saddlebag and walked away from everything she ever knew. Radiance was not sure where she was going, but she knew at some point she would reach somewhere.