The first thing Captain Lightning Bolt noticed when he was conscious was the smell of something sweet burning. There was also an itch in his wings as if he hadn’t preened them in days. He also thought he heard some mumbling a bit off in the distance.
“What in Celestia’s name happened to me?” he asked aloud, quickly taking notice of an echo. When he finally opened his eyes, he found himself lying on a large, violet pillow with gold trimming, along with a smaller one underneath his head. He also noticed his armor was laid out before him on similar pillows, each of them polished to the point where he could see his reflection. He’d also found himself partly surrounded by bowls and cups filled with food and drink.
Looking around, he found himself in a rather large room, nearly as big as the throne room in Canterlot’s castle. All around him were oil lamps, burners that glowed orange which he assumed was where the smell was coming from, and the chandeliers dangling above his head. In front of him were tall brass doors that were decorated with symbols of thunderbolts, clouds, and flying eagles. Behind him, sitting on a huge marble throne, was a creature that the Royal Guard didn’t recognize. The statue had peach-like skin hidden under white robes, held lightning bolts in its strange claws, and had a flat face with a snow white mane and beard, along with piercing blue eyes.
“Where am I?” The stallion got up and looked to see why his wings felt so itchy. He opened them to see that feathers on both of them were crooked, out of place, or broken. ‘Oh, that doesn’t look good,’ he thought to himself. Questions ran through Bolt’s mind. How long had he been out for? Who took his armor off and polished it? Where was he? And where was everypony?
Judging from his roaring stomach, he assumed that he hadn’t eaten for at least a day or two. It was demanding that he eat, so he turned to the food that was clearly meant for him. He carefully picked up one of the cups before taking a sip, quickly realizing that it was wine. And by the looks of it, there was enough to last an entire unit a week.
Breakfast-wise, the only food he could eat from the feast he’d been presented was the fruit and the stale bread that he had to soak in wine to eat. The other food he was given was… frightening, to say the least. There were bowls of dormice that had been skinned and roasted, pieces of identifiable meat, and Celestia knows what else.
‘Don’t they know that ponies can’t eat meat?’ he thought. ‘Whoever they are, they probably have really strong stomachs. Who else in their right mind would want to eat… whatever that is.’
Then, the only door in the room suddenly creaked open, morning light leaking through and illuminating the darkened room. At first, Lightning Bolt couldn’t see who or what stuck itself through the door, but he certainly heard it. “He’s awake! Lord Jupiter is awake!”
“Lord who?” the Pegasus asked, but the figure was already gone, leaving the door ajar. Curious as to where he was and just what that creature was, the Captain trotted over to the door and peaked his head out. Through a row of columns, he could see that he was in a city that reminded him of Cloudsdale, except made out of stone. Everywhere he looked, he saw two-legged creatures that looked similar to the statue, dressed in all types of robes.
He didn’t have to wait long before the creatures took notice of him before suddenly bursting into cheers. “Hail Jupiter,” one cried, “he has awakened!” Many other voices started to shout similar praises.
Soon, masses of crowds surrounded the edges of the buildings while a few other beings in red held them back with shields. Whoever they were, at least they were happy to see him -- perhaps a bit too happy.
“Hail Jupiter!” The stallion turned his head to find one of the creatures approaching him. If Bolt didn’t know any better, the wrinkles white hair, and failing body would suggest that he was a very old… whatever he was. “I’m very pleased to see you awake at last, my Lord.”
The pegasus looked around. “Are you talking to me?”
“But of course,” the thing laughed. “Who else would I be addressing?”
“But… who are you? And more importantly, what are you?”
The elderly creature blinked. “I’m the High Priest Iovianus, your Majesty. The grand overseer of--”
“What did you just call me?” Bolt interrupted.
“Sire?”
“Did you just say, ‘your Majesty’?”
“I did. I have not offended you, have I?”
“Well, no,” the stallion stepped out from the enormous door frame, “but I am rather confused. Where exactly am I?”
“In your holy temple, Lord.”
The Solar Guard paused. “My… temple?”
“I fail to see why you seem confused,” the High Priest commented. “All Gods have temples, even you, King Jupiter.”
“Uh…” The pegasus looked around. “Sir, I think there must be some huge misunderstanding. My name isn’t Jupiter, it’s Lightning Bolt.”
Iovianus raised his eyebrow. “But, isn’t your title ‘the Holder of the mighty thunderbolts’? And you wear armor made of gold that could only be crafted by the god Vulcan. Not to mention, you bear a mark on your rump that testifies to your true identity.”
“You mean my cutie mark?” Bolt inquired and shook his head. “You know what, never mind all that. Can I speak to the one that’s in charge? I’m just a little lost here. So if you could just tell me where I am, I think I can just leave so you won’t have to worry about me.”
“Leave Rome?” The elderly priest was taken aback. “For what reason do you wish to leave?”
“Look, buddy, I appreciate the breakfast and the fancy sleeping quarters, but I was helping escort Princess Celestia of Equestria to Prance for a very important summit before I was caught up in the storm. So if somepony could please point me in the right direction, I’ll be out of your mane in no time.”
The High priest took on a worried look. “My Lord, did you really hit your head that hard when you crashed seven days ago?”
Now it was the pegasus’s turn to look surprised. “What?!”
“It’s true. A week ago, you fell from the sky. I was told you hit your head against a wall, but I fear that it inflicted more damage than I anticipated.”
“No, list-- ow!” The pegasus flinched when he opened his wings, still demanding that they should be preened.
“Are you alright?”
“It’s… it’s nothing, but I want you to know that I’m no god. I’m just a captain of the Solar Guard that is now separated from my unit and I have no idea where I am or what sort of creatures you are. So, could I at least talk to somepony that runs this city so I could leave?”
Iovianus hesitated for a moment. “As you wish. I’ll inform the Emperor that you wish to see him.”
“Thank you,” he said as he turned back to his ‘temple’. “Oh, and could I ask you something?”
“Anything, my Lord.”
Bolt frowned. “First of all, stop calling me that. And second, could I have some privacy? I really need to take care of my wings.”
“Of course, King Jupiter.” With an annoyed grunt, the pegasus re-entered his temple before the High Priest closed the doors behind him.