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// Ch18 Letter Fom a Mare in Love 
// Story: Tears of a Fallen Star 
// by Priceless911 
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                  The sound of a rusty slide echoed through the dreary dungeon as a guard opened the iron door behind Star Bolt, “The Princess would like a word with you! Get up and follow me!”
Star Bolt sat staring at the pink bandanna that belonged to the mare he loved without even acknowledging the guard’s presence. The guard repeated himself, “Did you hear me you piece of treacherous trash? I SAID GET UP AN…”
“I heard you plain as day, but if the princess wants to see me, then she knows where to find me.”
The guard got angry, “Listen to me you pathetic worm! When I TELL YOU TO…”
without turning his head Star Bolt yelled back, “YOU LISTEN TO ME SERGEANT!!! If you think that, you have the strength or skill to face me, then be my guest and try. But I'll warn you now, I’ve faced many different enemies ranging from pony, griffon, and even dragon and you are not the least bit intimidating as they are, so I would highly suggest you go tell the princess what I told you!... before you get hurt.”
As angry as the guard was at the response, he knew that Star Bolt was right. Even if he tried, he couldn’t stand up and win against a skilled soldier like the great Commander Bolt. So he just slammed the door and locked it. Star Bolt continued looking at the bandanna and started to think to himself, “Why don’t they just execute me and get it over with. I'm done… I… I have nothing more to fight for… nopony to protect.”
Upstairs Princess Celestia just finished reading a note she found on an arrow. She wiped the tears from her eyes and spoke to her commander who was listening while was reading it aloud, “If that isn’t love then I don’t know what is… I wish it didn’t have to end the way it did. I… I don’t think I can ever make it up to him.”
The Celestial Commander Replied, “We all didn’t notice the note until it was too late, it’s not your fault your majesty.”
Princess Celestia gave him a serious look, “Commander, can I ask you something?”
The Celestial Commander replied, “Yes your majesty, what is it?”
“Do you think Commander Bolt is… a bad pony?”
“What do you mean your majesty?”
“You’ve met him before, does he seem like the kind of pony who you would describe as… evil?”
The Commander lowered his head, “I don’t think that he is evil per say… only that he has made the wrong choices. Like all soldiers, he just followed the orders of his princess. I wonder why he chose to fight for her to begin with.”
Princess Celestia mumbled to herself, “He only followed his heart, poor stallion.”
“What was that your majesty?”
Princess Celestia replied “Oh… uh, nothing just… thinking out loud. Why would you say that he isn’t bad, after all the things he did?”
The commander replied, “This last battle destroyed more than half the buildings in Canterlot, but we had only five percent of the total population killed in the chaos. And on top of that, I'm the leader of your military forces, and he spared me and my family when I fought him in my home. He isn’t a monster, or an evil pony… but the rest of Equestria thinks that. And even if you explained his actions, no pony is going to treat him differently.”
Princess Celestia turned to the arrow that the note was tied to, “And yet, he sits in a cell waiting for his sentence which he already assumes… and accepts as a death sentence. Death is too cruel a sentence, and I really don’t want to banish him from Equestria, this is his home after all. I know he can change if given the opportunity so life imprisonment is also too cruel. What would you suggest his sentence be?”
The commander replied, “I'm not sure your majesty, the mare he loves is dead, he had to call his army to retreat, and his army was defeated for the first time since this war began. Life hasn’t been too fair to him, and it seems like it won’t get any better either.”
Princess Celestia lowered her head, “Regardless, I can’t let him go unpunished, the ponies of Equestria wouldn’t ac…”
A guard entered the room and stood at attention in front on the commander, “Sir! The prisoner is being uncooperative; he is refusing to see the princess unless she is willing to go to him, sir.”
Princess Celestia Smiled and shook her head, “He may have lost his will to live, but his pride stays the same as always. You go see him commander, I'll be down there shortly I would like to think over his situation before I see him.”
The Celestial Commander bowed and backed out of the room, “As you wish your majesty.”
Back in the cell, Star Bolt sat staring at the bandanna. He could hear Gem Stone’s last word as they continuously echoed in his head, “I… love… you… Star Bol…”
He mumbled to himself, “She… she actually loved me? But why? She was always by my side… following every order I gave… with nothing more than a smile on her face… I… I didn’t deserve her love… she deserved better than me. I wish things cou…” 
All of a sudden, he heard the iron clasp on the door behind him unlock. Star Bolt didn’t turn around to look at the door, he didn’t care who it was or why they were there. He sat there with no concern as he heard the door open and shut, then he could hear a sword being pulled from its sheath. Star Bolt didn’t react to the sound, he only sat thinking about the promise he made to Gem Stone, the one he would never be able to keep now. Slowly his guest laid the tip of the swords blade on the ground and began trotting around him grinding the blade in an intimidating manner until he made his way around Star Bolt stopping in front of him.
Star Bolt looked up and spoke, “Good to see you didn’t kill yourself.”
The guard stood in front of Star Bolt and smiled, “How does it feel Bolt? To lose everything you cared about. To climb to the top of a mountain of corpses then to fall from that height. Can you tell me that… hum… HOW DOES IT FEEL!!!” 
Even though the Guard yelled directly in his face, Star Bolt didn’t flinch, cringe, or change any expression on his face at all. He only replied, “I see you still have that sword I left you. I though you would use it to end your life or leave it there in the street.”
The guard shook his head and sheathed his sword, “You left me there in that dust filled street, staring into my reflection on this sword. You gave this to me telling me to finish my goal, right. Well I'm here, and now that you lost everything else, I'm going to take your life next. Then both my wife and daughter will be able to rest in peace.”
Stat Bolt looked the soldier in the eye and spoke, “Spare me your speech, and do what you came to do. I’ve got no reason to stop you… not anymore.”
The guard reared back and punched Star Bolt as hard as he could knocking him to the ground then he spoke, “Nah ah ah… remember I said I would do this slowly, I want to enjoy watching you suffer.” 
Star Bolt didn’t move, he only laid there on the ground as the soldier began kicking and punching him. With each kick Star Bolt didn’t move, he didn’t counter, block, or even flinch as the guard continuously beat the life out of him. The guard spoke, “Why aren’t you fighting back? Is the great Commander Bolt giving up so easily? Is he this pathetic without his soldiers fighting his battles for him?”
Star Bolt didn’t reply he only continued taking every punch and kick without even raising his guard, the pain was bad, but it was nothing compared to what he felt in the plaza. Finally, the guard,s punches and kicks lost their sting and the guard broke out in tears, “Why?... why won’t you fight back?... why won’t you let me have the revenge I wanted so willingly to risk my life for?... I… I can’t enjoy beating the life out of somepony who won’t fight back?... is… is this your way of showing me pity? Is this your way of making fun of me? FIGHT BACK! At least block me once, do something… LET ME ENJOY THIS!!!”
Star Bolt continued lying on the ground while he replied, “Every punch and kick you have given me so far… I deserve. You can beat me to death with your bare hooves, and it still wouldn’t be what I deserve. I’ve done nothing but hurt the ponies of Equestria for my own selfish reasons. What right do I have to defend myself anymore? Continue beating the life out of me, or draw that sword and finish me. It would make a good story to tell friends that you killed the commander of the Nightmare Legion… with a sword bearing its crest.”
With that said, Star Bolt closed his eyes hoping the soldier would take his advice. With tears in his eyes, the soldier drew the sword and raised it high above his head, “Fine then lets end our suffering right here and righ…”
Suddenly the cell door flew open and a number of guards rushed into the room and pinned the sorrow-filled soldier against the wall. Star Bolt opened his eyes to see Gem’s bandanna lying in front of him, inside the group of guards who were trying to subdue the struggling soldier. As he reached for it, his hoof was stepped on numerous times but he didn’t care, Star Bolt reached and pulled the bandanna toward him until it was against his chest. After the guards hauled the struggling soldier away, the Celestial Commander approached Star Bolt and spoke, “You ok Bolt?”
Star Bolt sat up and replied, “Well, I'm not dead if that’s what you’re asking.”
The Commander helped Star Bolt to his hooves and spoke, “Sorry if I'm a little late, when the guards outside your window told me what was happening, I rushed here as soon as I could.”
Star Bolt looked at the commander, “Guards?”
The Commander laughed, “Of course, you’re the great Commander Bolt, I wouldn’t think of putting you in a cell without a little extra security.”
Star Bolt shook his head and changed the subject, “How’s that colt of yours?”
The Commander smiled, “Thanks to you, he is a lot more confident in himself even though his mother is still a little shaken up about it.”
Star Bolt smiled, “That’s good to hear, I'm glad to see that your family made it out alive.”
The Celestial Commanders expression became serious as he looked Star Bolt in the eye, “Thank you Star Bolt, I… I didn’t expect you to spare me, or my family. Especially when my son held that spear to you. All I can say is thank you… I had never been so worried in my entire life. And I…”
Star Bolt shook his head and smiled, “That son of yours is reckless, crazy, and doesn’t think things through very well… but he has a good heart and is very determined to protect his family. Thank you for raising such a brave foal. It makes me happy to see that one so young is willing to stand up to me for the right reasons. Please… don’t let his heart lead him astray; I don’t want him to make the same mistake that I have.”
The Commander became confused, “What do you mean by letting his heart lead him astray?”
Star Bolt replied, “When was little I trained because I wanted to prot…”
Just then Princess Celestia entered the cell, “I apologies for the wait I… Star Bolt! What happened to you?”
Star Bolt immediately assumed she meant the bruises on his face so he sarcastically answered, “My apologies your majesty, I didn’t get any sleep last night. I didn’t feel like getting lectured.”
Princess Celestia very concerningly looked at her Commander who added, “A survivor from the battle yesterday came in and attacked Mr. Bolt, luckily we got here before any permanent damage was done.”
Star Bolt added, “Don’t worry… I didn’t kill him… wait, Mr. Bolt? Don’t call me that.”
Princess Celestia asked, “Do you need to see a doctor?”
Star Bolt replied, “Why? So he can make sure I'm one hundred percent healthy while I trot to the gallows? Or will you be using some other form of execution?”
Princess Celestia’s expression went from concerned to disappointed, “Oh Star Bolt, what happened to you? You went from confident and optimistic to…”
“Brocken and pathetic? I lost somepony very dear to me, and now that she is gone, I don’t think I'll be able to survive another fight. Not without her smile to drive me forward.”
Princess Celestia sighed as she used her magic to hold a letter in front of her face, and began to read,
“Dear Princess Celestia
you and I have never officially met but my name is Captain Gem Stone of the Nightmare Legion, I'm the archer who not only sent this message to you, but I also was the one who fired a warning arrow at you and your troops about a week and a half ago. I'm sending you this message in hopes that you will help Commander Bolt. This war has only deepened the pain in his heart and it has been a long time since I’ve seen him actually smile without any worries. The last time was when he was training me back then I hated him more than anypony alive, but as I fought alongside him I began to love him more and more with each passing day.”
Star Bolt looked up at Princess Celestia, “What is…”
“This morning he told me something that terrifies me, he told me to leave… to desert the Nightmare Legion following this battle. He said it was for my safety. I don’t know what he is planning but I remember he always mentioned something about a goal that he has, and if he is talking about something like this then I think he is about to put himself in terrible danger.”
“Stop.”
“So please your majesty, I'm not telling you to surrender but I want you to please try something that can help him. You see, I love him with all my heart and I trust him with my life, which is why I don’t want to ask what he is going to do. However, I don’t want to see him suffer either. Every time we go into battle, he gives orders with such confidence but he can’t hide the pain in his eyes. I want to see him smile without pain, without worry, and without regret.”
“Please, stop reading!”
“So your majesty I eplo... beg of you, to do everything in your power to help him complete his goal and keep him safe. I want to return the favor for all that he has done for me. He gave me confidence, helped me get my cutie mark, he even showed me that the world isn’t as cruel as I grew up believing, he showed me that I have a family after all and showed me what it feels like to fall in love. I love him with every fiber of my being and I only want him to complete his goal safely. Even if he doesn’t have the same feelings for me, I only want to see him happy.”
“FOR LIFE’S SAKE! STOP READING!!!”
“I hope you read this in time and I hope you can help. This war isn’t just hurting him, its hurting us all. Please will you help him? Don’t take this as a request from an enemy or a soldier, take this as a plea from a mare who is in love. And FYI he isn’t as terrible as other ponies say, he just gets carried away sometimes. I hope that one day we can be friends, I would very much like that.
Sincerely
Captain, Gem Stone
Commanding Officer, Nightmare Archers”
Princess Celestia lowered the letter, wiped the tears from her eyes and looked over at Star Bolt who was hanging his head down low with tears dropping from his face, “Why… why did she have too care that much… for me? Why didn’t she focus more on something other than my problems… she didn’t care if I loved her back and yet she still gave everything she could to help me. How could I have been so stupid? I fought for the last year to free Luna and spend the rest of my life with her, and Gem tried to help me accomplish that goal? I'm nothing but a pathetic waste of life. I didn’t deserve her, I don’t deserve Luna either. I don’t even deserve to be breathing.”
Princess Celestia lowered her head. “Since this was her last request I wanted to ask you something.”
Star Bolt replied, “Her last request? But… why would she waste it on… wait.”
Star Bolt looked at Princess Celestia, “Celestia? Is there a way to bring back Luna?”
The tone of Star Bolt’s voice made Princess Celestia feel uneasy to answer, “Well I believe…”
“It’s a simple yes or no question. Is there a way to bring Luna back?”
Star Bolt’s tone started to make all the guards in the cell nervous, the commander tried to warn him, “Careful Bolt, try to remember who you’re talking t...”
“THIS DOESN’T CONCERN YOU COMMANDER!!!”
The guards in the room took a step back in worry, as Star Bolt looked back at Princess Celestia with fire in his eyes, “Well… is there?”
Princess Celestia looked away as she answered, “Yes… there is but I don’t th…”
“Tell me… I don’t care what it is, I'll do whatever it takes. With or without your help. So tell me…  TELL ME!!!”
The Celestial Commander drew his sword as all the guards in the room pointed their spears at Star Bolt. Princess Celestia looked into his eyes; she had never seen such fire and determination. It was as if the darkness in Luna’s heart had corrupted him too. Nevertheless, she knew this fire was driven by love and loss. So she answered him, “The Elements of Harmony, they have the power to bring Luna back.”
Star Bolt calmed himself down a little, “The elements? So… that means you have to do it then… doesn’t it?”
Princess Celestia continued, “There is a problem though, the power of the Elements of Harmony originate from there wielder, and how much of each element the user has. I can do many things with the elements but I'm not certain that I can free Luna with them. That kind of power demands a lot, and I don’t know if I can do it.”
Star Bolt sighed, “To make an attempt you need to get through my army right?”
Princess Celestia replied, “Soon we will set out for The Castle of the Royal Alicorn Sisters, to face Nightmare Moon, I would like you to join us. With your help we can go through your armies without a fight, without… sacrificing more lives. Will you help us?”
Star Bolt hesitated for a second then answered, “If I help you then I need something in return, but I'm going to need assurance that it will be done, I want more than just your word that this will happen. I need your guarantee.”
The Celestial Commander lowered his sword, “Bolt, you’re not in a position to be making any form of demand I know you have history with Luna but do you thi…”
Princess Celestia interrupted him, “Its ok commander, I would like to hear this request before I agree to anything though. What is it that you want?”
Star Bolt continued, “I want to see Luna… that is all. I just want to see with my own two eyes that my goal has been completed. Afterwards you can do whatever you want with me, imprisonment, banishment, execution, I don’t care. All I want to do is to see Luna one last time. If you give me your word, that this will happen then I'll do everything in my power to make sure you get to Nightmare Moon unharmed.”
Princess Celestia hesitated, I told you I don’t know if I have the power to free Luna, so I can’t make that promise.”
“That’s all I want. That’s the only way we can end this war without any further deaths. It’s your call your majesty, otherwise I'll gladly wait for my execution.”
Princess Celestia wanted to end this war more than anypony, to include Star Bolt but she didn’t want to make a promise to him that couldn’t be kept. It went against every form of integrity that she held. So she thought to herself for a few seconds then she lowered her head and sighed, “So you want to see her one more time to tell her your feelings… right?”
“No… I just want to see that my goal has been complete. Gem Stone sacrificed everything to help me complete it. The only way I can pay her back is by completing it… for her.”
Princess Celestia decided what her options were and then she replied, “Ok, you have my word that you will see her again, but I want you to be prepared. If the elements can’t bring her back than there will be another option for the both of you but you may not like it.”
Star Bolt looked her in the eye and replied, “If I get to see her again, then I don’t care. Whatever it takes. That’s all I want.”
Princess Celestia sighed, “Then prepare to depart we will leave within the hour. Commander, get Star Bolt some armor so he can pre…”
“No, if I'm traveling with you then I'll travel as a member of the Nightmare Legion I will wear my armor, and carry my shield. That is the only way I will go with you, and the only way I will approach my soldiers.”
Princess Celestia turned to leave the cell, “Very well, commander have his shield ready and meet me at the castle doors in twenty minutes, we will depart Canterlot in thirty, that should give use time to reach Cloudsdale before nightfall. Until then Star Bolt I suggest you prepare for the journey.” 
After Princess Celestia left the room, the commander turned to follow her but Star Bolt stopped him, “Commander? Is there any word on my officers, have any been captured or found dead? I need to know.”
The Celestial Commander replied, “Only two, the Hooviet general, and your archer Captain Stone.”
Star Bolt picked up the chest plate of his armor and put Gem’s bandanna in the inside pocket, “Thank you, that’s all I wanted to know… I'll see you in twenty minutes.” 
After putting on his armor, Star Bolt looked at his reflection in the mirror and focused on the scar on his ear, “No more… I can’t let anymore suffer for my actions or goals. Storm, Mist, Snow, Drib, Viscous, Roza, Gem… It’s time to finish what I started. I only hope the elements can do what she says they can. I wonder, what was it that made Luna’s heart become so corrupt, she told me herself that night, that I made her feel better so why…”
Star Bolt heard the cell door unlock and the commander entered the cell and handed Star Bolt his shield, are you ready Bolt?”
Star Bolt took his shield, slung it, and replied, “As I'll ever be, and by the way… that’s Commander Bolt.”
“Commander? I thought that you wh…”
“A lot has changed in the past hour; it looks like the world prefers Commander Bolt over Star Bolt anyway.”
The Celestial Commander smiled, “Whatever you say. Let’s go, the princess is waiting for us.”
When the two reached the main hall, Commander Bolt was amazed to see that all the bodies left over by the battle where laying along the walls and covered by a tarp that symbolized what nation the fallen hailed from. Green for Zebrica, red for the Hooviet Union, brown for the Griffon Kingdoms, navy for the Nightmare Legion, and gold for the Celestial Crusaders. While they trotted through the hall Commander Bolt asked, “Which one of these casualties is General Roza of the Hooviet Union?”
The Celestial Commander replied, “The Hooviet General and your mare are sitting in a special place next to the city gate along with the other officers of the last battle.”
The two continued until they reached the castle doors where Princess Celestia was waiting, “Are you ready Star Bolt?”
Commander Bolt replied, “Commander, and yes I'm ready your majesty.”
“Very well, Commander. Then let us continue.”
When the Castle Door opened, the front garden was exactly like the main hall inside. Everywhere you looked was a body covered in a tarp almost completely covering the grass, and leaving only a path to trot through on the road. As they continued Princess Celestia Spoke to Commander Bolt, “I'll warn you now commander, the ponies of Canterlot won’t be throwing you a farewell party, so please be patient with them, I don’t want you to hurt anypony.”
Commander Bolt Replied, “Don’t worry your majesty; I'll take whatever they have to throw at me. Besides, it’s not like I don’t deserve it. After all the things I’ve done to them, they just might rip me into pieces… literally.”
Princess Celestia replied as they approached the gate, “As long as you know.”
Once the gate opened, all along the road, was a line of bodies and on the other side of the bodies were angry ponies who were yelling and cursing as the party made their way done Mane Street. Commander Bolt tried as hard as he could to ignore the angry mob but their continuous yelling and screaming couldn’t be completely blocked out, “TRAITOR!!! TYRANT!!! WHY ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR CELL!?! WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO HURT OTHERS?!?”
After a few blocks of trotting, Commander Bolt could see an open area in front to the city gate, as he got closer he realized that there were two caskets sitting there, one had a tarp that was red with a gray strip and and three red stars, General Roza’s cutie mark. While the other’s tarp was navy with a tannish stripe and an arrow sticking out of a diamond, Gem Stone’s Cutie Mark. As Star Bolt approached Gem’s casket he placed his hoof on it and closed his eyes, he could hear the angry cries of the civilians behind him yelling, “MONSTER!!! MURDERER!!! WARMONGER!!!”
As he stood there hearing these cries, Commander Bolt started to tear up as one of the guards trotted up next to him, “They are right you know, she would still be alive if you had just given up before it began, but you didn’t, did you? You continued fighting and killing all for your pathetic reputation. So I ask you, who are you to take another life for any reason, huh.”
The guard tuned around and began trotting away from Commander Bolt, as he opened his eyes and turned his head slightly, “Who am I you ask? I was born in Cloudsdale; I lost my memory when I was young…”
A small cloud appeared above Commander Bolt’s head, the guards all felt uneasy as Commander Bolt turned around and continued talking as he began trotting closer to the guard, “I was found in the Everfree forest by Princess Luna, and raised as a soldier by Commander Mist.”
As he got closer to the guard, the cloud stated getting bigger and the guard was beginning to become terrified, stepping backward while Commander Bolt got closer. The Celestial Commander called out, “Commander, calm down, he didn’t mean it.”
“ I became a royal guard by using the lightning orb to drop a number of dragons. I am one of few who fought and survived the Griffon Civil War. I climbed to the rank of Commander, then became Nightmare Moon’s right hoof spreading her power across Equestria with her armies at my command.”
The five archers who were set up on the city gate saw the commotion and drew their bows aiming directly at Commander Bolt, the terrified guard was now against the a building with nowhere to run as Commander Bolt trotted closer. Princess Celestia called out this time, “Commander! That is enough! Stand down!”
Star Bolt continued, “I killed the very stallion that I always looked up to as a father, then I united the armies of four nations and lead an attack on the most beautiful city this kingdom had to offer. I… I fell in love with a mare who gave literally everything she had for me, then I watched her die in my hooves. So you have the nerve to ask me who I think am? You have the gall to blame me for her death! YOU HAVE THE TESTINAL FORTITUDE TO CALL ME PATHETIC!!! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?!”
Princess Celestia yelled out to him. “STAR BOLT STOP!!!”
At that moment two things happened at once, the archer on the city gate released their arrows and the Lightning Orb cloud gave off a blinding light that momentarily blinded everypony watching the event. When its effect finally wore off Commander Bolt had, the guard pinned against the wall with his blade against the guard’s throat. Almost immediately all the other guards started to rush Commander Bolt with an intent to kill him, but before they got close enough, Princess Celestia yelled out, “ENOUGH!!! Soldiers! STAND DOWN! That goes for you too Commander Bolt!”
As Commander Bolt lowered his weapon he spoke quietly to the terrified soldier, “My name… is Commander Star Bolt, commanding officer of the Nightmare Army, and second in command of the Nightmare Legion. You would be wise to remember that.”
As Commander Bolt trotted away, the guard fell to the ground with a sigh of relief. Princess Celestia looked over at the area he was standing before the flash and saw that all five arrows hit their mark he just wasn’t standing there when they hit. As Commander Bolt slung his shield, he looked over at Princess Celestia and spoke, “Sorry for ignoring your instruction your majesty, but he needed to be taught a valuable lesson.”
“And… what lesson would that be?”
“Never forget who you’re talking to… or who I am.”