'SLAP' The crack echoed throughout the throne room as Luna turned and strode out, leaving the pegasus to rub his reddening cheek. They had only just gotten back, and she didn't even wait for an explanation, the guards lining the walls snickering to themselves. Gray approached Alec and put a hand on his shoulder. “When the lady is angry, it's the guy's duty to go and submit to her. Think you need to chase her down, dude.”
“Yeah... you're right for the most part... but unless I want to spend the next five years on the moon, I need to let her have some time to cool off. Anyway, I need to put this back in the armoury, so see you in a bit.” He started to walked away, but stopped and looked over his shoulder again. “Oh, and Gray? Thanks again.” With that he left the room, glaring at the two guards who had 'escorted' Gray to Ponyville.
“Now that is dealt with...” Gray turned back to see Celestia waving him over, gesturing to a chair next to her throne. He walked up the dais and took a seat, smiling over to the mare. “...what exactly happened out there? I haven't seem him smile like that since... well, you know.”
“I... found them for him, and brought them back to Ponyville.”
“Really? Thank you very much, you have done him a great service.”
“Yeah... for him maybe, but not for your country.”
“What do you mean? Gray?” The way he was looking around the room told her it needed to be a private conversation, and with a nod of her head the guards slipped out, her horn glowing to seal the room. “There, we are alone. Now, what is wrong?”
“The... changelings... they didn't want to give up their trophies. I was left with two choices, turn around and head back... or go in and get them.”
“But how did you survive?”
“I had Alec's gun.”
“What? You mean you killed them?” All she got was a nod, Gray refusing to meet her gaze. She quickly wrote something down, rolled up the scroll and sent it away via magic. “Then there is only one thing for it.”
“I'm sorry. I place myself in your custody.”
“My custody? Gray, you misunderstand me.” The door swung open and five figures entered. Four were in the armour of the elite Solar Honour Guard, and the fifth was the changeling mare, Chrysalis, who Celestia was glaring at. They stopped at the bottom of the throne, and the chitin covered mare crossed her arms over her chest. “Chrysalis... I have more than once asked you for the location of where you stashed your victims, and each time you refused.”
“I fail to see why you brought me here for this again. I will never tell you!”
“I see. Gray, would you like to inform her?” It was then he realised what was happening, and he gave her a curt nod, turning with a smile and walking up the changeling leader.
“Your secret is out. I found the graves... and Sonata and Dawn were returned to where they belong. Your... trophies are no longer there.”
“You took them? But... there were fifty of my best guards there!”
“Not any more.” Her eyes drifted down to where he was pointing, seeing the remnants of dark green changeling blood. “They wouldn't let me take them... so I did what I had to do.”
“You... attacked my family! I WILL DESTROY YOU!!” Her horn sparked, sending Gray tumbling against the steps. She started to advance forward, ignoring the orders being shouted at her from the guards and Celestia, but she was halted by neither of them. A sandy coloured blur had shot in and wrapped his arm around her neck, beginning to twist her head. “What a-a-are you doing? Y-you had your r-r-revenge!” The pegasus stallion was half dressed, his exposed arm rippling with muscle as he started to choke her.
“This is not for Sonata and Dawn. This for the other hundreds of families.” With one final push, Chrysalis' eyes bulged and there was the sound of bone snapping. Alec released her and let the body fall limply to the floor, the neck at an unnatural angle. “Promised I'd be the one to kill you, bitch, and I keep my promises.” The four guards we unsure what to do, elated that one potential threat had been removed, but kept their weapons pointed at the other potential threat in the room.
Alec ignored them and walked to the steps, helping Gray back to his feet. “Guards...” They tensed up, trigger fingers ready to stun the the stallion, but her orders were not what they were expecting. “...remove that filth from my throne room, and then send out word to the guard. I want that grave removed, the bodies identified as best as possible and returned to their respective families.”
Two of the guards passed their guns to the others and picked up the body between them, walking out of the room. Alec suddenly went weak at the knees, and fell to his flank with a thud, Celestia and Gray immediately asking if he was okay, and he just smiled up at them. “Yeah... I think I will be. I... need to... actually, no I won't be. That was my driving force, to push myself until I could confront her. Now what do I do?”
Celestia didn't have an answer for him, and she felt completely unhelpful right then. Sure, she was the one that interviewed him when he applied for the Royal Guard, had been the one to marry him and Sonata, and had recommended him to Luna's collection of choices for a personal bodyguard. She was even the one that gave her sister the little push to randomly kiss him on the cheek one night during a stroll through the gardens. And yet, despite all that, she realised that she hardly knew anything about the broken stallion seated in front of her.
Gray, however, knew what it was like to have a driving force behind your actions. His was to make the world a better place, one way or another. So when he sat down and put his hand on the stallion's shoulder, Celestia backed away, content to let events unfold. “You've got another thing to drive you, Alec. You said you need to give her time... but I don't think that's the case. I know how happy she makes you, so go see her. It'll be fine, I promise.”
“You... yeah, you're right I guess. I think I will go see her. At least I know she'll take this latest development well. Thanks again, Gray.”
“Hey, you just saved my life, it's the least I could do for a friend.” Celestia had to withhold her grin as Alec cracked a rarely seen genuine smile as they both stood up, Gray's hand still upon Alec's shoulder.
“Yeah, well... you just saved my soul, friend.” With a nod, he turned and began to walk out, stopping to glance at the Solar Princess. “Celestia... I am going off duty. I'll be with Luna if you need me.”
“Alec, two things. Firstly, you are off duty anyway at the moment. Secondly, how many times do I have to tell you you can just call me Tia? You call my sister Lu.”
“That's what a friend would call you, and you're my employer. Yeah, I'm her bodyguard, but you're the one that pays me. It's never good to mix personal lives with professional lives.”
“Oh really? And that telescope just happens to look at her tower for what reason, exactly?” Alec gave her a smirk, and raised an eyebrow at her.
“Like I said, you pay me to be her bodyguard... the rest? Perks of the job.” He then carried on walking, closing the door quietly and leaving the pair alone once more. Celestia gave a small to chuckle which complemented Gray's growing amusement, but that soon changed to confusion as she pulled him close and hugged him.
“Thank you, Gray. You have done a truly wonderful thing today, bringing peace to a heart that was tearing itself apart.” He slowly brought his arms up and returned the embrace. He could feel her wings under his hand, and for some unknown reason, he began to stroke them. Celestia let out a surprised gasp as her wings shot out, and she looked up into Gray's eyes, her cheeks now covered with a rosen hue. “At least buy me dinner first, Mr Heartbelle.”
He was completely confused by what she meant, and even further surprised as her hand came up and pulled his head down, Celestia suddenly kissing him. He got lost in the moment and closed his eyes, holding the mare against him. Neither of them noticed to door open, nor the pegasus sticking his head back in. “Oh, Celestia, one more thing. Where's Private... oh. Uh, I'll just put the 'do not disturb' sign on the door.”
He was gone before either of the pair with glowing red cheeks could say anything, still wrapped in each others arms, Celestia's wings still spread wide. With a giggle she rested her head on Gray's shoulder, whilst his brain tried to process what the fuck just happened.
“And this here is Princess Luna's tower. I have scheduled a meeting with her in about ten minutes, so we'd best head on up.” Dean followed Joy as she began to ascend, and then shook his head as he realised he was watching her hips sway as she walked up the stairs, wiggling her hips in that cute little uniform... he shook the thoughts from his head once more and decided to walk next to her instead. Five minutes later they emerged onto a corridor lined with guards, but they were all snickering at something. They approached the door marked with a crescent moon, but Joy stopped with her hand raised to knock as a crash came from the room, followed by a panicked male voice.
“LUNA! THAT CHAIR WAS SENT TO YOU FROM SADDLE ARABIA!”
“I DO NOT CARE, I AM STILL GOING TO BEAT YOU WITH IT!” The sound of more crashing and pained yelps came through, as well as more shouting. “A MEASLY NOTE! AND ONE WITH LITTLE INFORMATION! YOU EVEN SAID YOU MAY NOT RETURN! NOW STOP RUNNING!” The door rattled a little, but then burst open as Luna had jumped at Alec, pushing them through and onto the floor, Luna sat upon the stallion. “DO THAT TO ME AGAIN AND I'LL MPPHHH!” She had been cut of by Alec pulling her into a deep kiss, one that he only did in private.
It served his purpose, calming the mare down. He helped her stand up, and when she opened her eyes, she wished she hadn't. Her cheeks were red and her wings spread, all in full view of her guards, Nurse Openheart, and Private Hollis. She turned to the pegasus stallion that had let go, and saw him standing near an open window. Her horn sparked but he was quicker, jumping out and flying away. “That stallion is so dead when he comes back.” Turning back she glared at the guards, then glanced at the other two. “Let's just get this over with.”
Upon following her into the room, Dean thought he had walked onto a battlefield. There was a couch with it's top wooden beam broken, a shattered mirror, a table whose legs had given out underneath it, and Luna was righting a chair near the door. She glanced around the room, looking for a place for them to sit, but gave a shrug and pulled some cushions from the couch, sitting on the rug in the middle of the room and motioning for the pair to join her.
Doing as asked, Dean sat opposite her with Joy to the side. He looked from the princess to the nurse, who encouraged him to open with a nod. He took a deep breath and turned back to the one watching him intently. “Er... hel...”
“'tis customary to allow the host to open pleasantries, is it not?”
“Er... sorry. Won't happen again.”
“Doth thou know not how to converse with royalty?”
“Not really, no.”
“Then whom holds power in thine country?”
“Elected officials, who represent each state.”
“Oh, We... oh buck it. Interesting, but that can hold off for now. Tell me about yourself, Private Hollis.”
“Well, what do you want to know?” A flash of her horn, and Luna had a stack of papers in one hand and a quill in the other. She smiled at Joy and then over to Dean, placing a pair of glasses over her eyes.
“Everything.”
He looked out from under the hood of his cloak, ensuring that no-one was following. Upon turning around, the unicorn stallion's lantern revealed a pair of soulless eyes in his path. The changeling drone blew the candle out, plunging the pair into darkness. The unicorn's horn glowed green, and with a burst of flame changed to almost exactly the same as the other, with the exception of a missing eye. “You've finally arrived, sir. We can begin now.”
“Lead the way.” They stepped from the path and into a cave, which opened out to a large cavern, the walls covered by a slick black substance. They walked over to a large circular table, where more changelings were waiting. They each took a seat, the largest one that resembled a throne remaining empty. One of the others stood and was about to speak, but the latest edition cut him off. “Shouldn't we wait for mother?”
“Prince Metamorphosis... your mother, our queen... she is dead.”
“WHAT? WHY AM I ONLY HEARING ABOUT THIS NOW?”
“You had already left before we could send word out. You are her oldest child, so her crown falls to you now, King Metamorphosis.” He got up from his chair and approached the one to his left, hesitant to use it. “There is no mistake, our source in the castle confirmed that Chrysalis is no more.” Sitting down, the newly crowned changeling looked around at his subjects, and bid them sit with a wave of his arm.
“Who is this source?” One of the changelings stood, pulling out a folder from his cloak. Metamorphosis let his horn glow green, and pulled the file open. He examined the photo and description of the pony. “Are you sure we can use her?” The changeling who had produced the document was bathed in green flame, turning into a pegasus mare.
“Yes, she'll be very useful. Trust me, Fair Heart and I have got a lot in common. And her tongue does nice things.”
“What about him?”
“Temporarily suspended. He's still around the castle though, and seems to be getting in trouble with Luna a lot.”
“Have this Fair Heart suggest that she takes him away for a few days, we need him to be distracted. Then it is just Sparkle we need to ensure will not stop us.”
“Stop us do what, sire?”
“They took our ruler away from us... so we shall take theirs. Soldier!” The mare stood straighter and looked Metamorphosis in the eye. “When will she be most distracted?”
“In two days, sire. They are going to try send those two things back to their world, and that will be the perfect time to start.”
“If I may, sire, I think we have a way into the castle.” Metamorphosis raised his eyebrows at the one who had declared him the new king, and nodded to him. With a flash of his horn, some of the cocoons in the ceiling drifted down. The changeling popped the top off of one of them, and reached inside. “We use these.”
He pulled up the head of a Royal Guard, who coughed and spluttered as the liquids left his system. He looked around at his captors and began to struggle. “You'll never get away with this! When Celestia finds you, you'll....” The guard was pushed back into the fluids and the lid was replaced.
“I see. Have those that have come copy them. We will march into Canterlot Castle and take it from within. You have two days to prepare.” The gathered changelings bowed, then backed away to issue their subordinates with orders. Metamorphosis leaned back in his seat and looked up to the cocoons above him. “With the Equestrian royalty out of the way, we can gather their forces and march upon the Crystal Empire. Mother's plan will still happen, and we will have revenge upon that bucking couple.”
“...that's pretty impressive. And all in the past three years?”
“Yes. If I hadn't sent Twilight to Ponyville, who knows what Equestria would be like?” Gray held the door open for Celestia, letting the mare walk through first, he followed and found himself on a balcony at the top of the highest tower of the castle. “And now she is devoting all of her waking time trying to find a way to get you home. Look, there she goes, back to the castle library.”
Gray looked over the edge of the railing, and could just make out a small object moving through the gardens. He couldn't tell if it was Twilight, so he just assumed Celestia knew who was in her castle. Turning back around, he saw a table set for two, the mare already waiting. As soon as he sat down, a servant appeared and served them dinner, the smell of which caused Gray's stomach to rumble. “Is that...”
“Yes, meat. Alec has told Luna about your species, and took extra care to mention this. We keep a small amount of Lagomorpha around for when the griffons visit.” Gray stopped with the fork just outside his mouth, his eyes wide as he stared at her. “Is something the matter?”
“Uh... two things. Are you really okay with me eating meat? And what the hell is a lago-whatsit?”
“Yes, I am fine with you having such sustenance. And it's common name is rabbit. Do you not have them on your worl..” He wasn't listening anymore, and was instead gorging himself on the platter set out for him. With a small grin, Celestia picked up her fork and began to eat her salad, chewing slowly in stark contrast to Gray, who was eating like it was his last meal.
By the time he had finished, Celestia was halfway through her food, so he set down his cutlery and sat back against his chair. There was a hint of amusement in her eyes as she watched him look out over the city's rooftops. Upon her last mouthful, she nodded to the side and the servant returned, clearing this dishes and replacing them with two glasses and a chilled bottle of wine. “Gray, would you like a drink?”
He drew his eyes back to the table, seeing what was on it and giving the mare a nod. She reached for the bottle, but he beat her to it, pouring a glass for the mare first. She took it with a smile, then turned her head as a clock started to chime. “Now that's weird...” She cocked her head, wondering what he meant.
“Gray?”
“Well... apparently it's nine in the evening here... my watch says it's just after eight. So... weird.”
“Hmm, yes that is stran... wait, nine o'clock? I need to get to work. You are very lucky, being the first visitor from another world to see this.” After taking a sip of wine, she stood from the table and approached the balcony. Gray watched as her wings spread wide and her horn began to glow with the intensity of the sun, almost over the horizon. And then the impossible happened.
The sun began to move, almost as if by Celestia's will. He saw a dimmer glow to the side and turned towards it, seeing Luna's tower, and the glow coming from her balcony. Once the sun had disappeared to the west, the moon appeared quickly in the east, and then stopped. Celestia's horn stopped glowing, and there was a flash from Luna's horn. The moon then began to slowly move of it's own accord. “What... the hell just happened?”
“Simple. I lowered the sun and my sister raised the moon.”
“Okay... again, what the hell just happened?”
“So let me get this straight... you control the moon, and Celestis controls the sun?”
“It's Celestia, and yes, we have been doing it for years.” Dean had watched something that had to be a scientific impossibility, with this... pony moving a celestial body that should be controlled by gravity. “It is easy to understand. Our world... I really should find out what it is called these days... anyway, it is an anomaly. It sits equal distance from our sun and moon, whose mass is the same. Therefore, we need to use magic to move them, or one side of the world is in permanent days, the other nights. Because of the distance and mass, the gravitational pull does not result in systematic orbit, so we do it ourselves.”
“And you know this is an anomaly because...?”
“Twilight Sparkle, she is an accomplished astronomer. She has studied far worlds and discovered they have moons that orbit them, and they orbit our star as well. But they are too far away to influence us.”
“That's... pretty cool. Anyway... I think I've taken up enough of your time now, and I'm pretty sure you've got things to do...”
“Yes, hunt down that moron of a stallion, but go on.”
“...and I've got to... think about some things. But a quick question. That town... I'd like to go... apologise to that family. Would that be okay?”
“The Apples? I am certain that will be fine. Nurse Openheart can take you on the evening train.” The other mare, who at this point had been in a trance like state, snapped her head round to the pair standing near the balcony. “That is, of course, if she can stay awake that long.”
“Uh... I think I can, your majesty.”
“Good. We will see you tomorrow at some point then. Good evening Joy, Dean.”
“Your majesty.”
“Miss Luna.” The pair walked towards the door, and Dean held it open for the mare. She gave him a smile as she walked out, and he turned back to Luna and gave her a nod. Upon going to leave he stopped moving, eyes wide. Then his balled fist came up and struck something on the other side of the doorway. There was the sound of a chuckle, and then another male voice.
“Guess I deserved that, and more, huh? Where you going?”
“That town, to apologise. Want to stop me.”
“No, but you will be escorted.”
“Fine.” Dean the walked out of the door, Luna's face having turned into a scowl. Her eyes narrowed even further as Alec walked in. He ignored her searing gaze and strode right over to her. She was about to speak when he cut her off with a deep kiss, Velvet Bow walking in with two trays. The mare set them down on the table and left, closing the door behind her. Alec finally pulled away and Luna opened her eyes, following his arm to their meal.
She lifted the lid up and smiled, then turned back to her stallion and kissed his cheek. “Fried daisies and haycakes... my favourite.”
“That's not all.” He nodded towards her open window, and she walked over to it. Her brows furrowed when she found nothing, and turned back to her chambers confused. The confusion remained as she beheld her stallion, standing next to the table. He pulled out a chair and beckoned her over. “Enjoy your meal, milady.”
“But what of you? And why are you doing this?” Things like this only happened when he knew he had screwed up... and it was more than just the note.
“Well, firstly to say sorry, and secondly to preserve my flank. Oh, and I've already eaten.”
“Why?”
“Well... you know poison joke requires a certain type of bath?” The mare nodded as she began to eat her food. “Turns out that some of the ingredients are sold out, and can't get here for a few days. So your nephew is currently still your niece.”
“You didn't...”
“Yep, we did.”
“Hmm... maybe it will teach him to respect mares. He can stay like that for a while.” Alec turned towards her wine cabinet, but stopped when a hand grabbed his tail. “I have an idea. Rarity is still in town... so why don't we send... princess Blueblood to Fluer's? I'm sure she would love to see him like this.” Giving a small chuckle the stallion turned away again and selected a bottle, pouring the mare a glass and waiting to the side of the table to get anything else she wanted.
...although, with the way she kept glancing out the corner of her eye, it was obvious. Thank Faust my heat has gone...
Blueblood at the mercy of Rarity? Must... not... cackle... like... Discord...
I am pretty sure that for a sun to form, it has to have about 60%, or above, of the mass of our own sun, I am also pretty sure that the moons density is more than twice that of our sun. I also know that our sun holds about 99% of all mass in our solar system.
My conclusion, their "moon" is fucking massive.
3265331 Go right ahead, everypony else is.
3265353 In a way, that's good, but it is on purpose. The ones that have gathered are the last that had the same beliefs as Chrysalis, the rest were too scared or too weak to resist. Trying to find the bodies... I'll have to put something about that in the next chapter. Celestia not executing her straight after the wedding... well, she was thrown out of the castle, and Celestia still believed she could start peaceful talks with Chrysalis, not knowng it was a ruse on then changeling's part. Her reaction to Gray's... exploits showed Celestia different, and she was about to have her arrested. But Alec stepped in first, and that is why she didn't say anything.
But do you think he was, and had the, right to do so? Oh, and they'll only be here for two, maybe three more chapters.
3265359 Or... their sun is tiny, and at the same distance as their moon. We're talking about a different world here. Until we actually go to other solar systems, we cannot rely on using ours as a base. But yeah, they know it is an anomaly.
OMGWTFBBQ!!!
I only JUST picked up the pokémon reference.
Nurse Joy.
3265452
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Heh, you should read 'A Dream That Wasn't', it has a nurse called Joy as well, using Minuette/Colgate instead. Also, this.
derpicdn.net/media/W1siZiIsIjIwMTIvMDkvMjgvMDBfMTJfMDFfNDc4XzEwODEyOV9fVU5PUFRfX3BvbmlmaWVkX3Bva2Vtb25fYnJvY2tfbnVyc2Vfam95Il0sWyJwIiwidGh1bWIiLCIyNTB4MjUwIl1d/108129__safe_crossover_ponified_pokemon_watermark_deviantart_hearts_brock_run_nurse-joy_artist-animationfanatic.png
Good chapter, now to crush all opposition in Civilization 5.
3265457 ... Is it strange that I find Brock-pony looks cooler than regular Brock?
3265450 A "space cloud" must have a certain mass in order to achieve fusion and become a "sun".
Perhaps the sun is artificial, but then there would need to be something in the core that had a sickeningly strong gravitational pull to prevent their sun from blowing up.
That is how a sun remains stable, the constant energy release (explosion) is balanced with gravity.
ps. Now that I think about it, a large body of dark matter inside the sun could keep it stable, but the sun would non the less burn through its fuel very quickly. And when you consider how long it takes life to evolve to a point where human like intelligence is possible, I doubt their sun would last much longer.
In a word: no. In more words: Fing H no. No matter the situation, she was a prisoner. Doesn't matter what she's doing, she has the protections that being a prisoner entails. She should have served the rest of her sentence. I have absolutely no respect for Alex, not that he had much before. Even with the loss of his family, as sad as it is. He shouldn't hold the position he does, given how mentally unstable he is. That anger issue of his, given that it has adversely affected his judgment, should have been what had him either resign or be forcefully retired (by his own hand or by Celestia's order). He is a disgrace of what it means to be a leader in a military. He also should be tried for numerous crimes, including a war crime: torture of a POW.
Hmm... Was it correct for Gray to do what he did? I don't think "correct" is the ... well for lack of a better word, correct word to use here. However it would have saved not only diplomatic relations not just with Celestia and the Changelings but with the Changelings and Gray himself if he had used more disabling and crippling shots such as to knees and legs instead of just "eradicating the infestation" so to speak.
That being said the actions that have taken place here have definitely helped his standing with Alec and helped him clear his conscience of the events that had be-felled his family.
3265573 I don't know if you noticed, but Chrysalis was not a prisoner at this point. Do you really think she would be allowed to walk around Canterlot Castle unescorted?
She had been brought in to the castle to try and break Dean. Still fair points though. But Alec doing what he did... he was protecting one who he classes as a friend. Chrysalis may have been able to use her magic before the guards or Celestia stepped in, we don't know, and never will. But yeah, she wasn't a POW, so no war crimes. Also, Alec hasn't been reinstated as of yet, and he's not so much as a leader as the Day and Night Guard Captains are. The other guards are slightly scared of him considering what he had previously done to the changelings. And his anger issues... no Chrysalis=no more fuel for them.
3265593 Fair enough, but I meant was Alec right to kill Chrysalis? And Gray didn't kill all of them.
no...
3265621
Given what her job was, she was a prisoner that was earning her freedoms by working. The only reason she was allowed to walk free was because of the work. If she stopped work, she lost those freedoms. Just because there are no physical chains, doesn't mean she wasn't chained up.
Doesn't matter. Being an ex-Army officer myself, there are unwritten codes of conduct that cross militaries for officers. One of them being, if you are emotionally compromised, you are only endangering your subordinates. Better to step down, saying that he/she is too emotionally invested or emotionally compromised, then to be in charge and make a decision in a moment of passion that could get a lot of people killed. It's not a disgrace to do such a thing, rather it is seen as a positive leadership trait. Not stepping down in that situation is conduct unbecoming (a serious crime).
The beating of the US military (can't remember the branch) Private was a war crime (at minimum, an act of war). Pure and simple. This also isn't a case of "who is less wrong", the Private's actions are considered separately from the crimes committed against him as far as criminal conduct goes (and he should be punished for those actions).
If Alex gets reinstated, then there is something seriously wrong with the princesses' judgment. Being put on administrative leave (or suspension) doesn't equate to being punished. You are still receiving a paycheck (though it depends when suspended), you still have a job, and you are not allowed to work. What he has done, IRL, would result in facing twenty+ years of military prison time, plus a dishonorable, minimum. Anything less then a dishonorable for his conduct is a travesty of justice. Though, Luna has already shown that she doesn't care about what is right or just with her conduct, so her input should be thrown out as biased.
3265650 Remember back to when she showed up the first time? Luna mentioned Chrysalis going back to her whore house. So again, not a prisoner.
And all Luna decides is who her bodyguard is. Like you said, it is up to him or Celestia on the choice. Also, we have different punishments for crime over here. But I have plans for him about that. I think you'll like it.
3265621
This is where things start becoming grey. In reguards to being revenge for a family member or in this case family members, it all depends on a persons point of view if that is correct or not. Now on the other hand killing in cold blood is never a good thing especially since that type of action usually ends up "tainting that persons soul" per say.
On the other hand I am a little surprised that Alec didn't do something that would cause lasting suffering such as a slave or something that would take time instead of just killing her off quickly. After all he harbored such dark and hateful feelings towards the changelings and Chrysalis specifically that it caught me off guard that he finished it so quickly.
3265684
A complacent/happy prisoner is much easier to guard (especially given Chrys' abilities) then a PO'd one. Just because she is in a gilded cage, doesn't mean she's not in a cage. Also, I took that phrase in a more sarcastic sense (as I believe many did), as in Luna was not happy with the amount of love she was receiving in order to keep her complacent, not that she actually lived in a brothel (though, if the latter were true, that they are allowing a confirmed hostile to roam their nation...I would be seriously questioning the princesses' judgment, and worthiness to lead).
Again, unless he receives major punishment, as in a dishonorable (as in barred from ever holding a federal/royal and military-type job again, which includes being Luna's personal guard) and/or years of military prison time, I doubt I will be. Meet that criteria, or be of similar nature, and I would be.
Yes, I know that it seems that I'm investing a lot of energy into something that isn't real, but I hate it when people portray members of the military (any military) as people who can get away with murder and the like. It's a major pet peeve of mine.
3265650 What about the situation that she wasn't sentenced to prison and allowed to work for Princesses to earn her freedom but sentenced to death and given a chance to keep her life by that work? In that case she broke the deal the moment she tried to attack someone under Celestia's protection and was therefore executed.
3265781
Still would need to be a trial, everything proved in a court of law, et cetera. Summarily executing someone, no matter how obvious the guilt, sets an extremely dangerous precedent, one that I believe Celestia wouldn't tolerate. Better to go through all of the steps, even if it's just for procedures' sake. After all of that, then execute her in the proper manner.
3265714 Well, it's going to be hard for a pegasus guard to keep his position with a maimed wing.
As for her living in the brothel, it was under watch... but stallions have needs.
3265622 Missed this one. No to what?
3265866
A medical discharge =/= a dishonorable discharge though. His conduct was horrendous since the story began, whether he was amazing before the story's timeline (from the time Gary arrived to this chapter's ending) doesn't matter in this regard. If he was US Army, I would have already filled out the paperwork for his court marshal.
I really hope that any of the guards were not dumb enough to frequent said brothel, on or off duty. To do so, besides being a crime for rather obvious reasons of national security breaches, is firmly in the realm of felonious stupidity...
I just wish there was more creativity in the fandom regarding villains, yes I know it's difficult to create decent villains, but that's the point! putting more and more effort into the stories so they won't get repetitive.
Alec whas totaly right in my opinion.
I believe Alec's act to end the Changeling Queen was just right. The role of a bodyguard is to protect your client and all that they hold dear with their life. Gray is a friend of both Calastia and Luna, and when Gray's life was in danger he did what he was payed to do. I am a military soldier that does body guard work on the side. I can relate to Alec's decision because i too had to kill someone who threatened my charges friend. I warned him three times before i pulled out my pistol, warned him again, then took the killing shot.
I hope this clears anything up
haha great chapter
3265924 Not really. Yeah, fair play he's done some bad things, but a med discharge is different. Over here, anyway.
3266129 But every action has repercussions, and his will be swift.
His actions...Well, i can easily see why he did it, but i still find it unsavory....Although, i can only hope his consequences will not be..worse...I don't want Luna hurt.
3266575 Heh, if you have ever read a smidgen of my other stories, you'd know that won't happen. (Ignore 'One Shot', it isn't canon) Well... mortally wounded anyway. But when it does happen... well, you'll just have to wait until it's ready..
Which could be a while as I have a new idea for a CMC clopfic (They're aged up) and am working on that right now.
3265884 I'm referring to the Alec thing... killed Chrysalis... I know she was a bitch but fuck let the woman pay her time.
3266465
Thing is, I'm out with a medical discharge. I was injured and declared unfit for service. He may be the same, but I never violated any laws or military Codes of Conduct. He has. Repeatedly. Does he deserve the same benefits as myself or a guard who was wounded in the line of duty, and never committed a crime? What about those who served their time and got out, never committing a crime, or those who have served long enough to retire? Does he deserve the same benefits as those guards? No to all of the above.
He has done nothing to rate anything other than a dishonorable, because everything he has done since meeting Gray has been just that, dishonorable. There is no excuse for any of that conduct. None. He has shamed not only himself, but those who serve as Guard and those who have died as Guard. If I were Guard, I wouldn't want him to serve to my left or right. If I had to serve with him, I'd put in for a transfer.
3266695 That's fair enough... but just give it time. You'll see why he got that job in the first place.
I'm working on something else right now, and don't know when I'll be back to this.
3266717
That's thing thing that I don't think is getting across. I don't care why he got the job. He deserves congrats for climbing up the ranks, but he then royally fed up. You get that high, you cannot make that big of mistakes. He could be considered more of a hero than all of the EoHs combined, and it still wouldn't make a difference. That big of a f up basically wipes the slate clean. In the military world, you don't get promoted and then keep the job for only doing your job 99% of the time. It's an all or nothing deal. If you f up slightly, you get talked to and straightened out. A major f up results in disciplinary action, where you may get to keep the rank. What he did is much worse than that. Much much worse.
3266749 Well, I respect your opinion on the matter, and as I haven't been in that much trouble in the RAF as of yet, I don't really know much about even our disciplinary procedures. Just to ease your concerns a little, he will not be reinstated in any militaristic roll. Ceremonial, maybe, but not active duty.
Also, you don't have to cover up your swearing, it is welcome here.
3266767
In the US Army, he'd be serving prison time (at least 20 years, and he may be allowed parole just due to how good his service was before this mess). That's how bad he fed* up. Write out a list of everything that he has done since the start of the story and ask any military lawyer (we call 'em JAG officers) how much trouble a senior officer would be if he did those things in as short of time frame as he did. I would bet that they would say the same as I am. It would be even worse since he's also considered a member of their elite SpecOps forces.
And to have him in any other position than "example to ensure this kind of BS never happens again" would be a dishonor to anyone who has ever held that position,and ever will hold, especially what you hinted at. Those are held for those who can be used as examples for the next generation, not as someone how has shamed himself and the Guard as much as him. If he were to try and serve as a member of the Army's 3rd Infantry (Guardians of the Tomb of the Unknown), I'd put a bullet in him first. It would dishonor the unit, the memorial, those who the memorial stands for, and the entire US Army (not that he would have gotten in anyway, as any type of serious infraction gets you disqualified from those kinds of posts).
*It's a word that makes Fluttershy cry, so I can't bring myself to say it.
Meh. We have completely different views on the changelings, so I'm not gonna let, y opinion known. You have a good day ya hear.
3267242 I can't remember if you've read Five Years Of Ice, but if you have, you'll notice I haven't really made up my mind about them. Too many unknowns, which is why there are some nay different versions out there.
Kuno is best changeling, followed by Suncloack, with Wubsy and Flitter tied for third.
3267326 i have not. I personallyi think the changelings fall in too chaotic neutral. Yes, she did need to feed her subjects, but see went about it the wrong way. And your rite there is just not enough information, and as a human who is use to having information at my finger tips it sucks.
...No. I fucking hate that guy.
His first punishment was..... kinky sex from a princess.
Then he beat the shit out of a marine because he let his anger get the best of him... nope, still no punishment. He just gets a night out with Luna. (reward?)
Kills a prisoner/queen... I think we know the answer to that.
The dude has a dark past. He's mad. He's always pissed. But bro... GET OVER IT!
It's a wonder why he's still a bodyguard when he's the one that a threat to everyone that mentions his family.. He made Celestia her bitch when he yells and cusses at her. You know for a guard he's not that respecful towards authority. He can get away of everything... because he's Luna's coltfriend. Go figure.
Don't lie. You really love Alec don't you?
3267544 Yep, I do love myself.
Yes, the first punishment wasn't really one. Attacking Hollis... got suspended. I've already stated that Chrysalis was not a prisoner at the time, and it will have repercussions that will cost him something that he loves. (Not another pony)
The ones that know his past try not to mention it. As for yelling at Celestia... how would you react if someone just blabbed something that you had only told a few about to someone you didn't fully trust yet, and something so sensitive?
Now, the next question as to his recent actions... how do we know that Celestia or the guards would have stopped Chrysalis before she got to Gray? We don't, and never will. By this point Alec considered him a friend after what he did, and saw that there was a threat, so he took action to help that friend. Sure, he didn't have to kill her, but it was a chance he had been waiting for for a couple of years.
I fell over a few times
meh
No, and I'm not just saying it because I hate the guy. In real life, the dude would be in prison right about now for the laws he broke.
3269562 So you think he was wrong to protect someone he classed as a friend?
3269568 Is it wrong that he protected Grey? No. The problem is he didn't need to kill Chrysalis, he already had her in a choke hold. Plus there's the fact that he beat up a prisoner, who was posing no threat might I add, and he seems to disregard most military laws as long as he gets what he wants. All without being punished in any way, just because he's Luna's boyfriend.
3269608 True, and I see your point, but it is something he's wanted for a few years now. The thing is, we don't know, and never will,if the guards or Celestia would have stopped her in time, so he removed the threat.
Without being punished? He's suspended at the moment. And for those who want him out of the job... you'll just have to wait and see.
3269620 Technically, you do since you're the writer. Suspension really isn't a good punishment for beating up a none threatening prisoner, I say a demotion would the least he should get. And if he keeps letting his emotions cloud his judgement, it's going to come back and bite him in the ass later.
3269640 Maybe he was just angry at the subject being mentioned because he didn't feel he had done enough to avenge his family? Chrysalis was the last piece to that puzzle, as Gray found their bodies, so nothing is really left to make him angry.
But killing Chrysalis will have its repercussions, I guarantee it. And she died because I wanted her to this time round.
The story is still good, but that bitch of a queen should have died a slow painful death. Alec that poor guy, I grately hope that his life does not get worse.
Plus I do hope that both of the humans dont leave, their they can start over in a sense. But if they do, I hope every changeling dies and one of them survives.
3269836 It seems to be an even split as to what happened to her. But yeah, his life is going to get worse, and it'll be something that can't be fixed either.
Think of it as karma for some of the things he has done since Gray arrived, and he certainly deserves it. (Even if it is 'me', in a sense.)
Now, was it not Alec that stop the changelings from being exterminated off the planet, by the captain of the guards? He stop the captain and He did follow the honorable thing despite his fillings he had for the lost of his family. I can see that this has been eating him from the inside. He may have regretted hiss action to save them. He may have seen this as the rite thing to do because Queen Chrysalis has been given time to change to a better pony or in this case changeling. She did not show remorse over her actions, only sorrow for being cot and defeated. That Chrysalis wood not give the one pony that save her changelings life his family was just evil, in it's self. When Queen Chrysalis admitted in front of Princess Celestia that she had kept such trophies and was so prowed of it that she keep fifty of her best guards there, and then attacked Gray, that was the last chants she had and she had lost it. Alec was just protecting Gray life. He was in fear of Grays life and did not wont to take the chance that Chrysalis wood secede in her try on Grays life. That Princess Celestia did not think to bad of this may have been one of the condition that Chrysalis had broken. I just don't have all the fax on this. that there is more to this, I can see. I just have to wait for the next chapters and see.
I like to know why Queen Chrysalis needed to keep Sonata and Dawn as trophies? It was so important that she had fifty of her best guards there. Is this sum changeling mentality thing? We do not have the full condition of Queen Chrysalis stay. what rules and conditions she had to follow to keep her head. Can you enlighten me?
Dragonfox