“Let's see here, bank card, driving licence, library card... Yes Twilight, they have libraries on Earth. What else... credit card... hello, what's this?” Celestia and Luna looked over to the table at the side of the room, where the captured human's things were being investigated. Alec was currently going through his wallet, Luna wanting to keep a close eye on him, just in case. That, and the doctors had grounded him due to injury, but that had never stopped him flying before. “I think I know why he managed to escape.”
“And why is that?”
“He's a Marine.” Gray, who was sat to the side of Celestia's throne, under a light guard, twisted his head round in shock.
“A Marine? Who's?”
“One of yours, US Marine Private First Class Hollis, D.” With a nod from Celestia, Gray approached the table, taking the ID card and inspecting it.
“But that doesn't make sense, why would a Marine kidnap three girls?”
“Dunno, but I'm going to find out.” With a wave of his hand, four of the Lunar Guards fell into step behind Alec as he left the throne room. The sound of someone clearing their throat caused Gray to turn back to the dais, where Celestia was now alone, a few Solar Guards lining the walls. He walked back up the steps and took his seat, looking over to the mare.
“So then, I understand you met Chrysalis. How did that go?”
“uh... she... well, she kissed me.”
“SHE WHAT?!” Celestia's face changed to one of anger, but it was quickly replaced by a blush as she looked way. "Sorry about that, we have rules on what she can and cannot do.”
“What is she?”
“A changeling, creatures that feed on love. They are... how to put this? They invaded Canterlot, and if not for my niece and Twilight's brother, we would not be speaking now. They are now... I would not like to say slaves, but the rules that we use to govern them are almost the same.”
“Isn't that a little... harsh? I mean, from what I've seen, this place isn't one to take slavery lightly.”
“After the invasion, we had them hunted down. Shining Armour, Twilight's brother, took charge personally, saying it was to ensure Equestria's safety, but he lied. It was simply for revenge. Had Alec not been there, one of my own family would be guilty of attempted genocide.”
“Those things... are that bad?”
“They are ruthless and deceitful, doing whatever it takes to complete their task. Had Alec not have mutinied against Shining Armour's command... the whole race would be gone.”
“Did he go unpunished?”
“Who, Armour? Nay, his wife saw to that. I believe he is still sweeping the streets of the Crystal Empire, even today.”
“No, I meant Alec. In my country you'd probably get shot for desertion.”
“No, because his reasons were justified. How could I trust one of my guards, one of my family, if they had the audacity to kill that many creatures with no remorse? Alec was reprimanded, yes, but he was also rewarded for holding up the very values Equestria is based on above revenge for personal reasons. He hates changelings more than anypony I know of.”
“How come?”
“Follow, I will show you.” Celestia led Gray to a corridor behind the dais, one hidden behind a large wall rug. The walk was silent, except for their footsteps... and those of the four guards trailing behind them. After twenty minutes they emerged into a room with a balcony that overlooked the waterfall and the castle, a secret little getaway. “I must apologise for everything Alec has said or done to you since your arrival.”
“Look, it's fine. I'd probably reacted the same way if a unknown creature suddenly appeared and I knew what they are capable of. Especially my race.” Celestia opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again. With a wave of her hand, and some concerned looks, the guards swept out of the room, closing the door behind them.
“It is not fine. This is his personal area, all he asked for when Luna chose him for her bodyguard. He comes here to think sometimes, but there is something I would like to show you.” She fumbled around on a desk in the corner for a few minutes, and then placed a frame on top. “Come, look.”
Gray did as asked, picking it up to reveal a family picture, one featuring a younger version of the pegasus stallion, and he was smiling. Stood next to him were an older couple, and a pegasus mare, all mirroring his expression. In the mare's arms was a small bundle that he easily recognised, a baby “I... don't understand. Why show me this?”
“To explain why he is so cold to you. Changelings... they take the place of a loved one, steal the love meant for them, and return the real ponies once their target was completely drained. By then it was too late... the targeted pony would die. Alec saw through their ruse... they had his whole family.”
“The changelings... killed them, didn't they?”
“Yes.”
“Was... Chrysalis one of them?”
“Chrysalis was the one who gave the order. So when he came back with both her and Shining Armour as prisoners, you can imagine my surprise. Of course, they attempted to break their queen free, but we expected that. We easily captured more than half of their force, and had to remove the others. By the time the confusion had ended, we rushed back to the cells where a scream had come from.”
“What happened?”
“Alec gave into his rage. Even against Armour's magic, he managed to get into Chrysalis' cell. She now, and forever more, bears the mark of her crime. If not for Luna stepping in... I do not want to think about how dark things would have become.”
“What exactly did he do?”
“He... carved the names of his family into her chitin, their natural form. An attack like that holds a very deep, very old kind of magic, one that I was not aware he knew of. He destroyed the enchanted blade after he realised what he had done. We tried to remove the scars, but could not do so.”
“Damn... I need to buy him a drink for going through all that.”
“Please do not bring it up with him... Luna and I helped him fight down his rage, and to hold onto the good memories. Besides us, you are the only other that knows about his family. Please... don't...” Tears had started to form in her eyes as she strode over to the balcony, refusing to look Gray in the eye. He was unsure what to do, but one thing was for sure, she needed comfort.
Celestia looked around as she felt a hand on her shoulder, finding Gray standing next to her with a soft smile on his face. He slipped his arm around her her, pulling her into a light embrace. It was too much for her to take, and she began to openly weep into his shoulder. The nearest guard to the door took one look in, saw the scene, and closed the door again, returning to his vigil on the corridor.
“What's the matter, monkey? Got nothing to say to us, eh? Just wait till Cap gets down here, then you're going to have some fun!” The guards assigned to the cell threw another cup of water through, laughing as it hit the floor, the contents spilling out. “You're lucky we don't come in there and have our own fun with you!”
“Why don't we? We've got the keys. So maybe we can...”
“You can what exactly, private?” The six stallions snapped to attention, sweat starting to drip down their muzzles.
“Sir, it's sergeant, sir!”
“Really? I'll deal with you later, all of you. Dismissed.”
“Sir?”
“I SAID GET THE BUCK OUT OF HERE!” The group didn't need, nor want, to be told twice, leaving the dungeons as quickly as they could. The new group approached the bars and stood still, unblinking eyes staring at the wall. The human sat inside looked them over, his own eyes going wide when he saw the one he shot. “Stand, approach the bars and turn around.”
As he stood, the two guards at the edge aimed their rifles at him. Once there he felt shackles placed on his wrists, and then the door was opened. One of the guards pulled him out, and they formed up around him, following the unarmoured one. Their route took them out of the dungeons and up a set of stairs, where the group entered a room with two blank walls, a mirror, and a window overlooking the city.
The guards placed him on one of the chairs set at a table, attaching his shackles to a chain, which kept him seated. They then left, leaving one other in the room with him. “Let's start this off simple. Who are you?”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“Cut the crap. I know this is how you have been trained, human. This will be easier for all of us if you just give me the information we seek. How did you get here?”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.” Alec leant forward, leaning his elbows on the desk and placing his hands into one another, a smirk on his face.
“You do know that you're on another world, right? I mean, that much must be obvious. As such, the Geneva Convention does not exist here.” It was slight, just a small widening of the eyes, but he had a reaction. “There we go, you do have a brain, you're not just a mindless killing machine. Of course if you were, there would be a few less ponies at the farm.”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“And saving three fillies from the Diamond Dogs? Why not just let them go? What use were they to you?”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“This is getting old, or is your vocabulary really that limited?”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“Fine. I'll be back later.” He didn't move his head as the pegasus stood and walked over to the door, knocking on it three times. It opened and closed, then there was silence. And then a woman walked in front of him. A human woman.
“Why don't you just tell them what they want to know? It could earn your freedom.”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“What's a little info for being able to move around freely? And you could be rewarded handsomely. Speaking if handsome, you look pretty hot.” She moved the table out of the way, straddling his lap. Leaning forward, she traced her tongue over his lips. “I could help, you know? All we need is a few teeny bits of information. What do you say?”
He tilted his head up, looking into her eyes. “Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.” The woman huffed in annoyance as she stood and left the room. He lost track of how long he was left alone, and his gaze slowly shifted from his reflection to the window, where what looked like a perfect day was entering its zenith.
On the other side of the mirror, three ponies and one changeling watched him for a while, before a fist slammed down on the desk. “Dammit! They're trained to withstand this kind of thing! He's never going to talk!”
“Aw, what's the matter? Is the the big, bad stallion being bested by a hairless monkey?” Chrysalis backed away in absolute fear from the rage filled gaze being levelled at her.
“Push me one more time, bitch, I dare you. I'll finish what you started. I'll even give you more names.”
“Alec, leave.” The stallion remained glaring at the changeling ex-queen, until Luna stepped in front of him. “Not now, we have much more important things to deal with. Please, leave.”
“I'm not leaving either of you two here with her.”
“Fine, be that way.” Luna turned her back to him, facing Chrysalis with her arms crossed. “I think it is obvious he did not accept your way. A guard will show you to a guest room where you can stay for now. Do not try anything... or I might just forget where my bodyguard's location is.”
Chrysalis swallowed nervously and then walked out of the room. No way she wanted him to come hunting for her. Luna turned back to Alec and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, which he shook off, returning his gaze to the other room. “I think you need some time alone. I'll take my turn now.”
“Thank you, Twilight Sparkle.” The younger princess nodded, and cast one last concerned look at the angry pegasus stallion, before she gently closed the door. “Alec...”
“Later. Let's just get this done.”
“No, now. It is time to let go of the past. Nostalgia is a good thing, but not when you let it consume you.”
“It'll stop when that bitch is dead, no sooner.” Luna pushed his hands from the desk, slipping in front of him and nuzzling under his chin.
“Remember how we deal with this? Don't forget them, but don't dwell on them either. Come to the now, with me.” Alec relaxed with a sigh, returning her nuzzle. They both looked through the glass as Twilight entered the room. “The intimidation, which you have got to work on as you've gone soft, and the seduction route did not work. Let's see if the intelligent one will.” Luna flicked on the magic speakers as Twilight moved the table back into position and sat down, summoning a stack of writing materials and setting them down.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle, may I have yours?”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.” She grabbed a quill and started to write.
“And what is your mission here?”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“You really want to play this game with me?”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“Fine, Sparkle, T, Princess. Twenty three.” They just sat staring at each other for ten minutes, and then Twilight's ear twitched. “Come on, just give me something!”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“UGH!! Humans are bucking impossible! One doesn't like his body looked at, and the other doesn't want to talk! What the hay is wrong with you ponies?”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“I won't let you beat me. Sparkle, T, Princess. Twenty three.”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“Sparkle, T, Princess. Twenty three.”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“Sparkle, T, Princess. Twenty three.”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“Sparkle, T, Princess. Twenty three.”
“What the hay is she playing at?”
“She's trying to get into his mind, but he's trained to resist. I think Mr Heartbelle could be of assistance here.” Alec removed himself from Luna's embrace, but a tug on his shoulder bid him pause. “I will do my best to stay away, so don't worry. I'll be behind the throne room if you need me.” With that he set off to look for the other human.
“So... if he's Luna's bodyguard and partner... why does he have this place as his own?” Celestia and Gray were sat on a bench on the balcony, the mare pressed into his shoulder. He was a little hesitant at first, but she had insisted he remain seated.
“'tis simply a place for him to relax. He can get to Luna's room in no time from here. Look, the tower over there.” Gray let his gaze follow her outstretched arm and noted the second closest tower, adorned with a banner fluttering in the small breeze, a moon sigil upon it. “He can keep watch on her chambers from here.”
“How does someone like that go from angry to loving?”
“He hasn't, not much. Luna was the one that stopped him, prevented the encroaching darkness from reaching his heart. It was several months after she had chosen him as her bodyguard that they became lovers. Even with me, and I'm his boss, he is cold, his replies terse. And he will never show any affection for my sister in public. But enough about him, I... want to thank you for the kindness you have shown to me this morning.”
“I was just...” Celestia placed her hand over his mouth, pulling away with a smile.
“I would like to invite you to dine out with me tonight.”
“You want me to go outside the castle?”
“You will be fine, there will be no problems as long as you are...”
“Celestia.”
“...with me.” She turned her head, finding the pegasus stallion they were talking about moments before stood behind them, a picture frame in his hand. “Alec, how may we help you?”
“I need Gray to go talk to the other one. But first... did you tell him?”
“Please, understand...”
“Get. Out.”
“Alec...”
“I SAID GET OUT!!” Celestia stood, pulling Gray with her. Together they left, the human turning for one last look, before closing the door gently. They had made it maybe twenty metres when the group stopped, an uncharacteristic look in the guard's eyes. Fear. “ARRGGHH!!” The sound of things crashing caused one of them to wince, making Celestia speed up.
They eventually reached the interrogation room, entering the annex to find Luna sat down, watching through the window. “Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“Sparkle, T, Princess. Twenty three.”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“Sparkle, T, Princess. Twenty three.”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“Sparkle, T, Princess. Twenty three.”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.”
“You know what, you win. I think we've been at this long enough to know that you'll never give us what we need. Even if I am trying to figure out a way to get you home.” Twilight smirked as he didn't reply, standing and leaving the room. She made her way to others with a grin on her face. “Told you I'd beat him! But then again, he still hasn't said much. I assume that's why you're here, Gray?”
“Yeah... Alec asked me to... talk to him, so here we go.” Gray walked out and was about to enter the other room when a beige blur shot past, locking the door from the inside. He ran back to the window to find Alec now inside the room, and he had snapped the key in the lock. Luna began to pound her fists on the window. “Can't you just, like, portal into there or something?”
“No, it is shielded from magic! ALEC, LEAVE THAT ROOM NOW!” He ignored them, walking up to their prisoner and slamming his head forward onto the table, a sickening crack coming through the speaker. “ALEC!”
“PRIVATE HOLLIS, YOU WILL TELL ME WHAT I WANT TO KNOW!”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.” A slither of motion was all the warning he got, one of Alec's wings whipping out and impacting his face, the sharp primaries slicing into the skin.
“HOW DID YOU GET HERE?”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.” The first strike was followed by a punch to his nose, so hard that blood instantly burst forth.
“WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?”
“Hollis, D, Private First Class. 3040696.” Another punch, this time to the stomach, causing the human to grimace. Alec gave him two more jabs and then stepped away.
“WHY ARE YOU HERE?”
“Hollis, D... Private First... Class. 3040... 696.” Alec whipped round and punched his jaw, knocking from the chair to the floor, his arms still secure. The sound of banging hit his ears from the doorway, where the other guards were trying to force their way in. He suddenly found himself lifted from the ground by the scruff of his clothes, the shackles pulling his arms downward. He looked into the eyes of the angry pegasus with defiance. “Hollis, D, Private... First Class. 3040696.”
Alec brought his face dangerously close, a low growl escaping his throat. “I... don't care any more. This is for the fillies.” He reared his arm, and Hollis took his chance, swinging a leg and aiming for between the pony's own. It was just a guess on the anatomy, but he was right, as Alec dropped to the floor clutching his groin. The door finally gave way, four Lunar Guards surging in and removing the chain attached to his shackles, dragging him out of the room. Outside, Luna stood waiting with eight more guards.
She moved closer and took one look at Hollis, then spoke to the guards. “Infirmary, now.” Ten of them left, the other two going to enter the room, but were stopped by a wave of Luna's hand, entering herself, and kneeling down next to the groaning stallion. “That will teach you a lesson, a creature is more dangerous when threatened. Why?”
“I... couldn't help them back in Ponyville. I couldn't be there when they needed me...”
“Alec, it wasn't your fault...”
“...I couldn't save Dawn...” Luna pulled his head against her chest as he began to weep.
Gray looked himself over in the mirror and couldn't help but smile. Rarity had stopped by with a selection of outfits a while ago, each one she said would 'compliment his unique eyes', even though he didn't want the attention. It was even worse when he let slip that he was visiting a restaurant outside the castle, Rarity standing open mouthed in shock. And then she pulled him into the bathroom and called for the castle stylist, masseuse and more.
Gray had to laugh at the treatment he had been given, be he certainly felt a lot better. And he was standing in a beautifully crafted suit, one made for him. After his outfit was sorted out, Rarity had run off, spouting something about ensuring Celestia's clothes didn't clash with his. Straightening his tie and slipping into his jacket, Gray slipped out of his guest room door, the guard nodding and guiding him along the corridors.
Along the way he saw Alec in what appeared to be a family room, holding a larger picture. He chose not to take any action, leaving the stallion in peace. They eventually made it to below the main staircase at the front doors of the castle, and Gray suddenly found himself alone. And then someone above and behind him cleared their throat, and as he turned his heart almost leapt up his throat. “Take care of my sister tonight, Mr Heartbelle, or I'm sure you know what will happen. Now Celestia, you are to be on your best behaviour. I am going out with Alec tonight.”
“I saw... uh, him. In a room. With a picture.” All through his messed up speech he couldn't take his eyes from the Solar Princess, who started to blush. Sure, that Fleur one was beautiful... but with the way Celestia was presenting herself now...
“Oh... I know where he is. Do not dwell on it, just enjoy your night.” With that she gently pushed Celestia forward and walked away. The nervous mare carried on down the stairs, albeit very slowly, until coming to a stop next to Gray, refusing to meet his gaze. She felt a hand grab hold of hers, and he slipped her arm into his.
With a nod of her head the guards opened the doors, the two of them walking out towards a waiting carriage. Acting as footmen... ponies, Gray quickly reminded himself, were guards decked out in gleaming gold armour, similar to that of the Lunar Guard. He correctly surmised that these were Celestia's counterparts to Luna's personal guards, and then found the Lunar diarch's concerns for her sister little to worry about.
After helping her climb in, he followed, sitting on the other end of the seat from her. He felt the heat begin to rise in his cheeks as she suddenly moved closer, resting her head on his shoulder. Tonight is going to be... interesting, I think.