//------------------------------// // When Darkness Falls // Story: Carolean // by Symphony //------------------------------// Edited by frieD195 I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed in exasparation. What’s with these ponies and interrupting your sleep? I wiped my face with the back of my left hand while standing up. The pony took a slow step back as I stood to my full height. I noticed that she was much shorter than Princess Celestia, but still higher than the ponies I had met before. Her head reached up to my shoulders, when Fluttershy would have barely reached my waist. ’‘And what do you want?’’ I hissed. The pony frowned and took a daring step towards the bars. The cold of the dungeon I was in made itself known as I started rubbing my arms. I sighed and sat back down on the ‘luxurious’ bed. ’‘You should show some more respect to one of the Princesses.’’ She scowled. I scoffed and laid back down on the bed. ’’If you want to teach me some manners, I would prefer if you would do it at the morning instead, as I get awfully cranky when I don’t get to sleep.’’ I arched an eyebrow as the princess laughed momentarily. ’‘And what, exactly is so funny?’’ ’’Oh, Celestia wasn’t lying when she said that you were something else...’’ She snickered. I narrowed my eyes and stood up. The pony stopped her laughing almost immediately. I walked yet again toward the bars. ’’I do not have the time, nor the interest to talk with a child. I will have to ask you to leave.’’ I turned my back against the bars and leaned toward them. I heard the same clopping noise again, but this time it was coming closer toward me. I groaned and tilted my head up. ’‘Will these ponies ever learn?’’ I thought to myself as the noises from the other side of the bars stopped. ’’I can inform you right now that I am much older than you and that I am not, as you put it, a child. I was going to give you some advice so that you could stand a chance in court. But I presume that you’re not interested...’’ I sighed. I could use some advice for what was coming. I would have to... Swallow my pride. Just this one time. I crossed my arms and turned around to face her. Her expression lit up as I looked her straight in her eyes. ’‘Fine. I could use... a little help for this...’’ She smiled as I said those words. ’‘But first, what is your name? I don’t feel like calling you ‘that pony’, or ‘that brat who woke me up in the middle of the night.’’ She scowled as I snickered at my own little joke. She didn’t seem to enjoy it though. Oh well. ’’I am Princess Luna. But for the advice, I first and foremost suggest that you drop the attitude. Celestia doesn’t really like that kind of behaviour around her. Second, all of our subjects are precious to Celestia and I. We do not approve when some strange animal runs along and harm one of them.’’ She narrowed her eyes and glared at me. I cocked an eyebrow at her pathetic attempt to frighten me. ’‘Third, watch out for one pony named Pinkie Pie. Trust me on that one...’’ She muttered. I laughed. Why would I be afraid of a pony named something stupid like that? This world is strangely amusing from time to time. ’‘Well then, Princess Luna,’’ I smiled as she frowned. ’’I appreciate the advice I was given, but I intend to keep my attitude like it is. I would love it if you would try to change my ways.’’ I said sarcastically. I could tell that she wasn’t very happy about being treated the way she was right now. ’‘And just why would I ever fear a pony with such a stupid name?’’ She cringed as I said that. ’‘You’ll know what I mean with that in good time...’’ She said as she turned around to leave. ’‘Have a good night’s sleep, human.’’ ’‘Why are you helping me?’’ I asked suddenly. She looked back at me with a sad smile. Seems like I struck a nerve of some sort... ’‘I’m helping you because you and me are not that different, after all. We’re both in a world we don’t quite understand yet.’’ Before I could ask any more questions, she disappeared out of sight and the noise of her hooves died out gradually. I wonder what she meant with that... I sat down on the bed and lifted the tricorne of my head. I ran my hand through the blonde strands and sighed. I am not sure if my life made a turn for the worse or for the better. But as for now, I am certain that it was for the worse... I laid back down on the small bed and started thinking of a course of action for the coming day. With that, I fell into another restless sleep littered with thoughts, complications and worry for my home back in my former world. ----- ’‘Wake up, ya mutt!’’ I jolted awake from the sudden interruption. The one who had caused the interruption stared at me with a sadistic smile. It was another guard with the same uniform as the ones who had been here with Princess Celestia. I sat up and groaned. This wasn’t exactly an ideal way to wake up. But it had been worse when I was in battle, so I shouldn’t be complaining. ’‘Get up. Princess Celestia is expecting you to make an appearance later today.’’ His voice was completely void of emotion. He must be an experienced guard then. He grabbed my coat and threw it through the bars. I stood up and walked to where the coat was lying and picked it up. I shook the dust off it and swung it across my shoulders. I muttered my thanks and put on my tricorne. ’’I will be ready in a few minutes.’’ I looked the guard straight into his eyes. He nodded and walked off. After I had put on my coat properly, I sat back down on the bed and crossed my arms while leaning toward the wall. I heard a soft squeal from the direction where I now knew the door into the dungeon was. Slow and dainty clops came from the same direction. But this time it was different; I didn’t hear any armour or ornate shoes making their signature noises. This wasn’t a guard, nor a princess... I looked lazily toward the bars just to catch a glimpse of a familiar butteryellow coat. What was she doing in a place like this..? I stood up and walked toward the bars. ’‘Fluttershy?’’ I asked, careful not to make any assumptions. ’‘Eep!’’ I heard from the shadows where the torches didn’t reach with their flames. A small, yellow hoof inched its way into the light. After a minute, Fluttershy had crawled her way out of the shadows with her ears back. I glared at her. She appeared to be horrified of my staring. I sighed and facepalmed. ’‘Fluttershy, what are you doing in a place like this?’’ ’’I-um... I sneaked down here on my own...’’ She said softly. I couldn’t believe my ears. Why in God’s grace would a pony like her ever do such a deed? ’‘Mind telling me why?’’ ’’I... I wanted to... To see how you were feeling...’’ I scoffed and walked away from the bars. ’‘You wanted to see the person who nearly killed your friend in cold blood?’’ I whipped around to face her. ’‘Are you stupid?’’ I was fuming. These ponies aren’t just stupid, they’re down-right insane. ’’I am not your friend, nor will I ever be. Get away from this place and don’t turn around.’’ I kneeled down to her level and whispered. ’‘Ponies say I’m a bad person and guess what? They’re right.’’ I stared right into her eyes in silence. Tears started forming in the corners of her eyes. ’‘Get. Out.’’ I stood up and walked back to the bed. Fluttershy left in silence. The metallic clack as she closed the door echoed through the dungeon. I sighed and knelt down next to the bed and balled my fists. I brought my hands to my head and tilted my head toward them. I prayed in the unearthly silence which occured after shouting at Fluttershy. I suppose I shouldn’t have been so hard on her, but she’s not safe down here. Especially with me. I pray for guidance and forgiveness, as that is what I need to survive in this wretched world. I was disturbed yet again by the heavy door opening. I didn’t lose focus on my prayer though. It was much more important than a few lowly creatures bothering me. The ponies came, of course to my cell and banged on the bars. ’‘It’s time. Get up.’’ There were two guards now. The one who spoke was the same one who had given me my coat. I recognized his voice, but I still continued my prayer. ’’I said, get up!’’ He bellowed. ’‘Those who disturb a prayer gets their life ended at the spot wherever they are. No matter how important the matter at hand is.’’ I said matter-of-factly and silence followed. I heard the guards shuffle awkwardly as I finished my prayer. ’‘The Princesses and the Elements of Harmony is awaiting your arrival in the throne rooom.’’ Elements... of... Harmony? What kind of joke is that? I shrugged and stood up. The guard to the left opened the door to my cell. He stared at me with huge eyes as he came closer to me. The other guard walked inside, but he held his calm demeanor the entire time. He reached onto his back with his right wing and brought forward a pair of handcuffs, or in their case, hoofcuffs. I obediantely reached forward with both of my hands. The guard holding the cuffs smiled as he realized that his work just became much easier. After the cuffs had been placed properly, one of the guards positioned himself in front of me and the other guard got behind me. The guard standing in front of me started walking and I followed his every step. About time I would be able to get out of this cell and dungeon. The iron doors leading into the dungeon were not very high, so I had to bend my back slightly to get out. My jaw dropped as I saw the intricate designs of the castle. Marble walls stretched as far as I could see, and the marble floor had a giant red carpet lined through the middle. A gilded trim ran alongside the carpet. The windows reminded me of those in a rich church; designs and images had been printed onto the glass in a luxurious cascade of colours. I continued my march behind the guard in the front in complete silence. The guards didn’t say a single thing, but nor did I. After walking in silence through the halls and corridors for about half an hour, we arrived to two enormous golden doors with two pairs of guards on either side. One of the pair on either side had horns. I gawked at the presumably royal insignias gracing the door. On the right door was an enormous sun carved into the wall. It was almost identical to the sun on Princess Celestia’s behind. On the left door was an enormous crescent moon. I scowled as both doors started glowing in the same aura I have learned to despise. The doors squeaked open in a slow, agonizing pace. I took a deep breath as the guard in front of me walked inside the throne room. He joined his comrades flanking the doors as I started my trek into the room. As I walked down the red, luxurious carpet, I could feel several eyes staring at me. I was looking down at my feet as I walked through the room. I lifted my head to see both of the princesses standing at the top of a staircase with two thrones behind them. Standing next to Princess Celestia was Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle and four other ponies that I hadn’t seen before. One of them was a white unicorn with a purple mane who was staring at me and my uniform with obvious distaste. Twilight Sparkle stared at my every move. She was without a doubt terrified of me and on her flank was a bandage with small, red spots on the surface. Fluttershy didn’t even look in my direction, but I could see that her eyes were a little puffy and red. The rest of the ponies glared at me with pure hatred, except for a pink pony with a bouncy, poofy mane. Her face was almost nothing but a huge, toothy grin which I was mildly scared of. That must be that Pinkie... Pie which Princess Luna had warned me of. Princess Celestia took a few steps forward, positioning herself just before the staircase leading down to me. I gave her a quick bow, just to be polite. My icy-blue eyes met her magenta gaze. I smirked as she turned her eyes away from me. ’’My little ponies, we have met here today to bring justice upon one who has inflicted physical and mental damage on two of me and my sister’s subjects. The assailant, Gustafv the Carolean has admitted crime, and today we will deliver his punishment.’’ Princess Celestia held the same, emotionless tone as she adressed her subjects and me. ’’We will now listen to what he has to say.’’ Wait... I didn’t know that I had to talk... ’‘Gustafv, you may speak.’’ Well then... ’‘Thank you princess.’’ My deep voice echoed through the room as I started pacing around in a circle. I clicked my tongue before I spoke up again. ’’I stand in front all of you today for acts who are in your world best described as crime. However where I come from, my actions would have been best called liberations. You see, magic is considered to be blasfemous. Even evil. These acts you call crime was just my natural reaction to the situations. Do whatever you please with me, I’ve lost everything and everyone who I held dear anyway.’’ I muttered as I stood back on the same spot by the staircase and looked up at the princesses. A gasp ran through the crowd. I took a deep breath and continued talking. ’‘Yes, I did injure Twilight Sparkle. Yes, I did scar Fluttershy with my behaviour. I will not lie in front of this crowd, nor will I bend the truth to the opposing ponies benefit. If I fall, I will only take myself with me, such is the Carolean way; death before dishonour. If you lie, you get your tainted tongue cut off. I await your judgement, Princess.’’ I gave her another quick bow. ’‘Twilight Sparkle?’’ I looked at the lavender pony who flinched as I said her name. ’‘Remember this; if it wasn’t for Princess Celestia, I would have snapped your neck days ago without a second thought. I would never hesitate. Then or now.’’ Both of the princesses glared at me and I grinned sadistically as the lavender pony shrunk back. A murmur ran through the crowd. I could see the ponies I hadn’t seen before whispering to eachother and Twilight Sparkle. Princess Celestia raised her left hoof and all talking ceased immediately. ’’We will take a few minutes to ourselves to decide a befitting sentence for your actions. After the decision, you will be taken to a new, proper room and not the dungeon.’’ I nodded. Perhaps this will not be as bad as I originally thought, after all... But now I will just have to wait for what will happen to me. An unnerving tingle ran down my spine as the eight ponies on top of the staircase went into a room behind the thrones. All I could do now was to wait... Wonderful...