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Camelot generally did not go patrolling while in his fourth stage, as his aura tended to chase the Negaverse away before he even approached. While that was good in one regard, ensuring no one was up to anything near him, it made it difficult to meet Negaverse soldiers to talk to, or even help, if he could. Since gaining the ability to power down to a normal Knight’s level, Camelot usually chose to use that to patrol and power up further only when it was necessary.

Thankfully, it being necessary was rare.

Tonight, however, he went against his usual instincts and was walking around in his fourth stage glamour. The armor made a good deal of noise as he walked around, though he was rather used to its clanking and clinking with his steps by now. When he needed to move stealthily he was more than capable of it, of course, but again it was a matter of need.

Sensing a small aura nearby, the Royal Knight immediately recognized the signature as a Page. Smiling to himself, he moved toward the source of the magical impulse. Spotting her, he slowed his pace. He did not want to startle her, though he was sure she had felt his aura by now.


“Good evening,” he said leisurely, raising a hand and waving genially.

“Camelot, Royal Knight of Earth,” the older gentleman said, with a warm smile.

Once he was close enough, he offered her a small bow, and then his hand to greet her. He prided himself on being a knight, after all, and chivalry would never die as long as he was alive. He always liked to meet Pages, even if things were very different to when he first started out.

The Royal Knight tilted his head as he looked the other knight over. Sometimes he did not understand the outfits some of them got, but this one almost looked like they’d just dressed at home. It looked comfortable, at least, and in a way he was a little jealous. All the armor was cool and useful, but it could get very heavy and was an absolute misery in the rain.

It was not as warm as it looked, either, though the big cape helped a lot with that.

“Have you been powered long? I have not met you before, but there are so many people in the city these days, it’s hard to keep track. Whatever the case, if you do have any questions or concerns, I am at your service.”

Camelot blinked, but nodded his head along with the story.

“Believe it or not, that’s rather common around here,” he chuckled, almost ruefully, though with a distance that suggested this was a memory from another time. A long gone time, to be sure. Yet as much as things changed, some stayed the same.

“A knight’s weapon will appear to them when they are in need of it, or their potential has been tapped into. Usually, it’s a situation of duress, though it does not have to be. I am glad yours appeared to you in time.”

He chuckled. He had fallen off a roof or two before he got his shield, so long ago.

“It is a lot to take in, at first, especially when you are unclear about your purpose or what you want to do with your new powers. Protecting the innocent, obviously, but just how much does that mean? Ah. Do you have a team or any friends you’ve made that have been able to help you a little? Give you some idea? Obviously you’re out here patrolling, which is a good start.”

Camelot laughed at that, nodding his head. Expecting normal was a strange concept. Really, he had just adjusted his definition of normal, and that helped him take a lot of the happenings in Destiny City in stride. There was no way he could be surprised if he was always expecting weird stuff, right?

Though he supposed days when strange things did not happen were, in this new reality, strange. Thinking too hard about it all just made his head hurt, and it certainly confused people when he tried to explain it to them.

It was probably best he kept his thoughts to himself.

"There are a few things you can find to help you in your powered journey," Camelot said thoughtfully, nodding his head. "Though I'm curious. Have you been able to visit your Wonder yet? That is a power all knights have, though it is easier as you get stronger. There, you may find some things, as well. I find that journey to be a very important starting step."

Camelot tilted his head in wonder, listening to her quietly and then offering her a knowing smile. He was very familiar with traveling to his own wonder, of course, by now. But he still remembered when he was first starting out, and no one knew anything about the process. There was no piece of paper handing out advice, back then.

"It can be a bit difficult, at first, but really, your heart already knows how to get there. You are connected to your Wonder, and that connection opened the moment you first powered up. The door to your realm is waiting to be opened, and eagerly at that. At first, it might take a quiet place, somewhere you feel safe, and a bit of focus. I can understand how the idea of the trip might be scary, but I know you'll be able to do it."

The Royal Knight always enjoyed the beginning of someone's journey, and seeing them grow into the knights they were meant to be. Hopefully, this story would write itself well, and he would be able to catch up with her after she visited her realm to see how it went.

(Fin)