//------------------------------// // Chapter 07 // Story: The Sun's Knight // by Lucky424 //------------------------------//         Hopping down from the carriage, Gray favoured the two ponies stood menacingly at the door to a rather lavish looking building with a smile. They tensed up as he walked over, stopping around a meter away and bowing his head. “Good evening gentleman, I believe there is a reservation for two under royal business?” The burly earth pony snorted in amusement as the unicorn let his gaze drift over the carriage. “I don't care what kind of... royalty you are, we don't want... whatever you are here. Move along.” He moved closer and prodded Gray in the chest, catching a whiff of alcohol on his breath. “Much less one that's drunk.” “Ah... I see. Well then, my dinner companion will be most disappointed. She was really excited to show me this place. If you don't want our business, I guess we'll go somewhere else.” “Yeah... you do that.” The snarky doorpony was suddenly punched in the arm by his colleague, and he turned to glare at him. “What the hay did you hit me for?” “Dude, shut up! Look at the bucking carriage!” He did so, letting his eyes take in the features. The front was standard of the Canterlot Elite, as small magic core powering a small motor on each wheel. There was a unicorn driver sat up front, decked out like most servants, but a bit more full of himself than usual. The passenger compartment was covered over by a thick sheet of fabric, one of the more expensive convertible models now coming out. Other than that, there was no difference. And then he saw them. Armour that was both lighter and bulkier than the standard Royal Guard issue, not one letting their gaze be distracted, and upon their breast plates... a sigil of a fiery sun. Princess Celestia's personal Honour Guard. The stallion shot forward in the hopes of stopping Gray, but didn't stop him from speaking to the other occupant. “...so, they don't want us to visit. Is there anywhere else you'd like to go?” “I think I shall have to talk to Fancy Pants about this... he own this restaurant after all.” The doorpony stopped cold, instantly recognising the Solar Monarch’s soft voice. “Well, we will not be dining 'fancy' tonight it seems. I know somewhere where we will both be welcome.” Gray climbed back into the carriage, the door closing behind him. “Driver... to Donut Joe's please. As it began to move away, the stallion just watched wide eyed. Gray made sure to smirk in his direction as he looked out the window, even the two guards standing at the back chuckling quietly to themselves. The earth pony's jaw worked itself up and down, until his fellow doorpony's hand fell on his shoulder. He finally found his voice, and could only say what was on his mind. “...I am so fired...” Inside the carriage Gray was smiling. Not because of the fact the being with Celestia had made that pony panic... but since then she had acquired a most dangerous fit of giggles, having to look away if she so much as glanced at him. They had only been out for an hour, perhaps more, and the dealings of the past day had already vacated their minds. Of course, the fact the her carriage was stocked with chilled bottles of cider wasn't helping. Gray had taken to sitting on the opposite seat to Celestia, as she had developed a tendency to wave her arms around whilst talking, most of which was simple mumbles about the nobles being jerks. A sudden lurch in the journey made him slip from his bench to the one at the back... landing right on top of the giggling mare, and he opened his eyes to find himself face to face with her... assets. The door to the carriage suddenly swung open, a white gloved hand being offered. “We have arrived at our destina... Ahem, perhaps her majesty can eat something, or at least return to the palace, before carrying on with this activity?” With some degree of trouble, Gray and the driver managed to get the tangle of limbs that was a laughing princess out of the carriage, where the cool breeze clashed with the heat in her cheeks. She began to walk up to an unassuming building, little in the way of decorations except for a sign with a doughnut upon it. What made Gray curious was the fact that it seemed shut. It didn't stop the mare from banging on the door quite hard. He saw a light switch on above the shop, and a shadow in the window, and could hear a male voice coming through. “We're closed, go away!” Instead Celestia just banged harder. “For Faust's sake, don't you listen?” More banging. “Fine, but you'd best be gone by the time I get down there!” The shadow was now gone, but Gray could see a dim light through the window, smirking as it approached the doorway, where the sound of a lock being undone came from. “Right then, this better be good or Princess Celestia herself won't be... able... to... come to my store after closing time?” “Good evening Joe, nice to see you again. I know this will sound like an unusual request, but could you possibly allow my companion and I to purchase some fine items from your establishment?” The unicorn stallion nodded dumbly as he moved from the doorway, allowing them to enter. “Now then, we won't keep you too long from your rest. What do you have that we can take away?” “Give me a minute your majesty, and I'll throw something together for you.”         “Alec, you have hardly touched your glass all meal. What's wrong?” The stallion took a sip of wine and glanced around them room, then looked into Luna's eyes. “Nothing... yet.” “Are you worried more humans made it through?” “Possibly.” His ears perked as Luna stood, walking around the table. The restaurant was one of their favourite places in the capital, very popular but never crowded. Of course, being a princess meant she could get a table whenever she wanted, but she would never press that advantage. With a nod of her head to the pony leading the small symphony, Luna grabbed his hand and began to pull. Alec then knew what her intention was, and skipped his glass for a massive swig from the wine bottle, causing the mare to smile. She knew he hated dancing, but would do it for her. In the middle of the massive building was a rather impressive dance floor, currently unoccupied. There was a little resistance from him as he saw this, but with a nuzzle to his chin they carried on to the centre, and the music began anew. It was a piece they both loved, and they lost themselves to the music as they seemed to drift across the floor. Slowly more ponies joined in, those that had finished their meal. After a rather passionate dip, Luna found Alec to have a scowl on his face as they continued. “What's wrong?” “King dickwad, three o'clock.” “You mean...” Her question was interrupted as the band was forcibly brought to a halt, a white unicorn stallion with a blonde mane looking at them all disdainfully and full of arrogance. “We can not believe our eyes! Royalty cavorting with a mere guard, no matter how high he is! We demand to speak with you at once!” The crowd parted as Alec approached the stage, head cocked towards the smug pony. “You are to leave, and never be around Our family again!” “Prince Blueblood...” “How dare you speak to us? Very well, we shall give you a chance, what?” Alec let a small smile play across his face as he glanced at Luna, who was cupping her hands in worry as he leant closer to the prince. “I am... fucking your auntie.” There was a chorus of gasps at the coarse comment, but it soon changed to laughter as a beige pegasi fist met with a white unicorn muzzle, the prince pirouetting in place before falling from the stage, being caught by some of the security staff. Alec calmly made his way back to Luna, smiling down at her and nodding to the band. “Now... where were we?” All she could do was shake her head as the dance began anew, pressing herself against his chest, and resting her head on his shoulder. “That won’t get you back into Celestia’s good books.” “Still think I should do the country… no, the world a favour and just shoot him.” “Which is why you have been temporarily relieved of duty. Until you can control your rage, you are just… my…” Luna leaned up and blew hot breath into his ear, smirking as he stopped moving for a few seconds and followed it up with a whisper. “...buck toy.”         Meanwhile, in a barn on an apple orchard...         "Whoa, these things are amazing, they turn everything green!" "Really? Let's see!" "Okay, sure." Scootaloo took of the strange goggles and threw them to Sweetie Belle, but the unicorn filly failed to catch them, the trio staring unblinkingly as they dropped from the upper level to the gravel floor below, a shattering sound following soon after. "Sweetie Belle! They looked expensive!" She gave a little chuckle, holding her hands behind her back with a sheepish smile on her face. "Hehe... oops? What else is in there?” “A knife... a pretty big one! Ah think this can go in the 'don't touch' pile.” Applebloom carefully set the sharp shiny blade down on the second level floor, amongst other stuff. “Huh, why does it feel like 'e’s got rocks in 'ere?” She pulled out a round green object, with a bit sticking out of the top and a ring hanging off the side. She grasped at the ring with her fingers and pulled it loose, waiting for something to happen. “Well, that's boring if it doesn't do anything! Throw it out the window and look for something cool!” Applebloom gave a shrug and followed Scootaloo's suggestion. She had just put her hand back into the bag when there was an explosion outside, and they climbed onto the hay bale next to the window and looked out. There was a new crater on the farm, and part of the barn wall was burnt to a crisp. And then they quickly ducked as they saw the farm filly's older brother sprinting over. “Applebloom, what the bucking hay are y'all doin' in there?” She had gotten hold of another of those objects, all three of them looking at each other warily, before Scootaloo showed something she never usually did. Level headedness. “I don't think we should... let's just tell Big Mac what we found and let him take it.” Private Hollis scrunched his eyes up as the first thing to register was a pounding headache. Next came the pain in his stomach and on his nose. He opened them a little when whoever it was finished cleaning him up. With the blurry field of view he could make out the standard white walls and ceiling of a sterilized hospital room. He winced and shut his eyes once more as they roamed across the lights. “Ugh... that's the last time I drink on exercise. What I wouldn't give for an aspirin right now!” “We don't have anything called... 'aspirin', was it? Perhaps if you tell me it's effects, I can see if we have something similar.” What the... what kind of hospital doesn't have aspirin?” Slowly opening his eyes once more, he let his gaze focus on the figure stood next to the bed, which revealed itself to be another one of the creatures, dressed like a nurse. Hollis tried to get out of the bed, but found his shackles had been chained to the railing on either side of the bed, resulting in the metal links clanging together. This made the door burst open, four of the guards entering and aiming their weapons at the bed. Hollis stopped his struggling when he saw them, the nurse turning around with a scowl on her face. “Did I give you permission to enter? Get back outside, now!” “But... he could hurt you, he's dangerous!” “And so would I be, if I woke up chained to a bed after being savagely beaten! Now get out, or I shall tell Celestia that you are aggravating my patient!” Thoroughly cowed, the stallions backed away and closed the door behind them, leaving the mare to massage her temples with a sigh, before turning back to the bed. “You have my apologies about that, they are... overzealous. There is a temporary position that they are all vying for. So then, what about you?” “Hollis, D, Private…” “... First Class, 3040696. Yes I know, I read your very small file. I also don't care, you are my patient, not my prisoner. If it were up to me, those shackles would not be there, but I was not allowed to treat you without them. I understand that this must be very strange for you, as much as it is for us.” He said nothing, just lying back and looking once more at the white tiles overhead. His eyes shifted as he heard the nurse come closer, stopping next the bed and looking at him with a soft smile. “I'm going to give you a mild sedative for the pain. You need to rest. If you wake and need anything, just pull this cord.” He felt said cord draped over his hand, and then felt a needle pierce the skin on his upper arm. But the only thing he could focus on was the mare's hand, which was softly stroking his own, her caring gaze having never left his face.         After their impromptu evening picnic in a small garden overlooking the fields below the mountain, Gray and Celestia walked arm in arm through the mostly deserted Canterlot streets. Of course, with two of the guards following. They had come across a few ponies, whose reactions were to panic and then relax as they saw the whole contingent. And now here they were, stood outside a simple building, where music was coming from. Upon entering the establishment, Celestia stopped walking when she spotted the centre of the room, where her sister was engaged in dancing. The biggest surprise was the genuine smile on Alec's muzzle as he stared at the mare held in his arms. The other couples surrounding them on the dance floor began applauding as they finished in time with the music with a passionate kiss, before walking back towards their table, tails entwined in one another. With a tug on his arm, Celestia led him over to the table, smirking as Alec instantly set his face to stone, not one hint of emotion upon his face. “Good evening sister, and how are you?” Luna had been trying to work out what was wrong with her stallion, so the way she seemed to jump in the air a little was not really surprising. “Come now, it was just a simple question.” “W-what are you doing here, Tia?” “We simply decided to take a stroll through the city, and I guess the music drew us in.” Luna finally looked around, seeing Gray standing there and favouring him with a smile. “It seems your... sabbatical is working wonders for you, Alec.” “It's fine.” “So that kiss...” “I was in a good mood, then I got interrupted, Princess.” Much to his and Luna's consternation, Celestia sat on the seat next to her sister, motioning Gray to take the one opposite her. A waiter came over and they ordered some drinks, a bottle of red, white, and rose wine each being supplied. “So... what have you been doing?” “We had a picnic in one of the gardens overlooking the lowlands, and a relaxing walk. And so much for no public display of affections, huh?” “Fuck you... ow!” Celestia started to giggle as Alec whipped his head round to glare at Gray, who had struck the stallion on the back of his head. “What the hell do you think you're playing at?” “Dude, they're royalty, have some damn respect.” Both Luna and Celestia burst out with laughter at the statement, coming from one that was not even of their world. The sound of music drifted through the air once more, and Alec leaned across to have a whispered conversation with Luna, the pair nodding before pulling away. “I don't like the look of your smiles...” “Good, because we've got a good idea. Get your ass up and onto the dance floor.” “No way, I don't dance!” “Neither do I, but it's up to you to prove to me, Luna, and the whole establishment that Celestia's a better dancer than her sister. Are you up to it?” Gray looked around at the other ponies staring over with interest, the orchestra looking really excited. With a shake of his head, he stood and offered the Solar Princess his hand, which she took with rosen hued cheeks.          “What a night, huh?” Gray turned his head away from the roaring fire and over to the pegasus stallion rummaging around behind a bar. “Gotta say, Celestia seemed really happy. Good job you've got some muscles there!” “Please don't remind me!” Gray replied, covering his face with a hand. It turns out that Celestia wasn't a very good drinker when it came to wine, and it made her very sleepy. After a good two hours of dancing, Alec and Luna had cinched the deal when they added their wings into the mix, taking their routine into the air above the dance floor. Gray had been left at the end of the night to carry the dozing Celestia back outside where her carriage was waiting for them. The only problem? The only way he could pick her up made it look like something out of a old romance film, one arm supporting her back and the other under her knees. To make matters worse, she had decided in her hazy state to wrap her arms around his neck and snuggle against his chest. He certainly couldn't complain, it was just... different. He also had to sit with her on his lap the whole way back due to the fact she refused to let go. If not for the giggling Fair Heart assisting with the hardest part of the night, he was sure he would've been used as a breathing teddy bear that night. “Oh come on, I saw you trying to catch a peek.” Gray could feel the heat starting to form in his cheeks, so downed the last of the whiskey in his glass, which Alec was currently looking for another bottle of. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” “Celestia, after Fair Heart had pried you from her grip. There's no way that mare would allow her to go to sleep in that dress, and you saw it being undone.” “I... I..” “Hey, I'm just messing with you, nothing serious. Well, looks like we're out of whiskey. Now we've got two choices: move onto something else, or go look for some...” "Nah, something else is fine. Hey, can I ask you something?" "You just did. But seriously, what's up?" "Well, after tonight... I thought you'd be with Luna. So why are you staying here?" "Oh... that. Yeah, I'm pretty sure you've noticed some similarities between us and the equines of Earth, right?" "It's kinda obvious. Strange you've got wings and horns though." Alec stood up with a laugh, another bottle of alcohol in his hand. "Yeah, did a number on me when I flew for the first time. But there's more going on then just physical appearance. Right now... Luna is in heat." "Heat, as in..." "Yeah, and after the first heat with... Sonata, I couldn't walk straight for a week." "Sonata, who's tha... oh." "Yeah. That's how we got Dawn. Sonata conceived in this room." The pegasus smirked at Gray's raised eyebrows, shrugging with his wings. "She's... was a maid here at the castle during my guard training. The mares can get... a magical jewel, which removes the effect of their heat, but Sonata's broke. She grabbed me on one of my patrols and dragged me in here." "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." Alec sat down on the couch with a heavy sigh, pouring the brown liquid into Gray's glass, but kept the bottle in his grip and took a swig out of it. "It's fine, the shrinks and Luna think I need to... 'talk' it out with somepony, even if I don't want to." "What was she like?" "Sonata? Amazing, her smile was infectious and her laughter always cheered others up. Besides Pinkie Pie, I don't think you couldn't ever meet a happier mare. And then that bitch Chrysalis..." “SIR, come quick!” There was a unicorn guard in the doorway, breathing heavily. “You are not going to believe this!”         The first thing to register was the fact that the headache was almost completely gone, and the swelling on his nose had gone down. With a small movement of his left wrist, Hollis found that he was still restrained. And then came the sound of a mechanical lock being undone, followed by another. He opened his eyes to see the nurse next to the bed with a set of keys in her hand. Pushing himself up, Hollis leant back against the pillows and let his gaze roam around the room. It was standard hospital décor, white walls, ceiling, cupboards and countertops. His vision fell upon a tray of silver instruments, one in particular standing out. Before he knew it, his hand was almost ready to pick up the scalpel, but the soft, furry pink hand resting upon his made him stop, turning back to the nurse. “Please... don't. I... don't want to see you hurt again.” Reluctantly, he pulled his hand away, but the mare kept hers resting on his. It was the first kindness he had really been shown, and something about this mare was just... trustworthy. “What... do you people want from me?” “Ah, so he can say other things? Easy now, I jest.” Hollis stopped his fidgeting, returning his gaze to the one that still had his hand in hers. “Why don't you tell me what happened, and we can try to get you home?” “I... don't know. I was on a training exercise when a storm hit. The last thing I remember is lightning striking the ground near me, and I end up near a farm in the evening. It made sense to get some rest and work out where I was the next day.” “A lightning storm? Interesting, that's how the other one got here.” Neither one of them noticed the flash outside, and they were still until the door burst open. Then there was a blur of motion as his hands worked in unison, one grabbing the mare and spinning her round, holding her close. The other went for the scalpel, which was placed under the mare's throat as Hollis stared at the one who had now attacked him twice. “How the buck did he get free?”