Tears of a Fallen Star

by Priceless911

Ch13 Past Wounds in Present Skies

Empty, the streets didn’t have a single soul on them. Commander Bolt continued trotting down the street as if nothing was wrong. However, Commander Orem and Captain Drib felt uneasy about walking an empty street of a usually crowded city, while Captain Stone felt uneasy about being in Cloudsdale in general. Commander Orem taped Commander Bolt’s armor. “Is this a normal way for pegasi to greet griffon?”
Commander Bolt shook his head, “No, but this is a normal way for pegasi to greet soldiers who fought a battle just below their homes. To be honest, I expected them to greet us a little differently.”

Captain Drib looked at Commander Bolt, “Really? How so sir?”
Commander Bolt replied with a serious face, “I expected them to attack us somehow; we did just send the surviving celestial soldiers who are from Cloudsdale back here an hour ago, there should be somepony wanting revenge for the loss, or at least the commander’s death. However, so far we have yet to see anypony, not even a foal whose curiosity made him disobey his parents and watch us from the porch of their home.”
Commander Orem added, “And you made us come up here unarmed? You could at least give the troops that are with us a shield.”
Commander Bolt looked back at Orem and replied, “Griffon this is a negotiation for trade, not a demand. We will show up in a peaceful manner to let them know that we mean no harm to anypony here.”

Commander Orem replied, “Well I still don’t like it. it’s way too quiet around here, I mean do you even know where you’re going? This city is bigger than it looks from the surface.”
Commander Bolt sighed, “Yes, I know where I'm going, I may have been raised in Canterlot but I’ve been to this city more times than I can remember.”
Captain Drib called to Captain Stone behind him, “Hey Stone didn’t you say you were from Cloudsdale? …… Stone?”

Captain Drib turned around and saw that Captain Stone was no longer following the group, Instead she stood at the end of the street staring at an old abandoned building. Captain Drib nudged Commander Bolt and pointed at Captain Stone. Commander Bolt stopped, turned around, and called to her, “Captain Stone? Is everything alright?”
She didn’t answer, she just stood there looking at the old building with a little anger in her eyes. Commander Bolt turned around and trotted to her, when he got there he took a closer look at the building that she was looking at. It was easy to tell that it had just recently been abandoned, but why was Stone so interested in a building such as this.

Commander Bolt looked at Captain Stone and asked, “Gem, what’s the matter?”
Without looking away from the building she replied in anger, “They closed it down and boarded it up… I'm glad. I wish they had burned this place to the ground. Or better yet, dropped it from the sky!”
Commander Bolt was surprised to hear her talk like this, the anger in her voice was way beyond when she yelled at him at the ravine. This was a deep hatred that was only spoken calmly. The kind of hatred that could be dangerous if not handled delicately. Commander Bolt looked at the building and spoke, “This was the orphanage you went to… wasn’t it?”
Captain Stone didn’t reply she only nodded her head.

Commander Bolt, Turned to her and spoke, “We are on our way to Cloudsdale City Hall, then we will go to the cloud production plant. When you’re ready, you can meet use at one of these places. If we finish first we will come back here for you before we go back to the camp. So just, take all the time you need.”
Once again, Captain Stone didn’t react with anything more than a nod.
Commander Bolt put his hoof on her shoulder and repeated himself, “Gem, take all the time you need, we won’t go back to camp without you.”
Captain Stone looked at Commander Bolt and smiled, “Thank you, Star.”

Commander Bolt continued trotting down the street towards city hall, while he trotted he couldn’t help but think, “There was that feeling again, it’s so familiar but I don’t know what it is or where I felt it before.”
He decided that for the time being it wasn’t important. As he continued, Commander Orem nudged him in the shoulder, “So Commander, what was that all about?”
Commander Bolt replied, “That was a problem that is none of your concern; let’s just focus on the task at hoof, she just needs a little time to herself, that’s all.”

Commander Orem gave him a funny look, looked over at Captain Drib who shrugged his shoulders then looked back at Commander Bolt and replied, “Commander I knew you were a lot of things, strong, brave, loyal, a little crazy, but I didn’t know your where so slow. Don’t you see that she is in Lo…”
Captain Drib interrupted, “Oh, look sir! City Hall, well we better go see the mayor.”
Commander Bolt gave Captain Drib a suspicious look and replied, “Okaaay… then let’s go see him.”
While Commander Bolt trotted through the door Captain Drib popped Orem on the back of the head as if he was about to say something wrong.

The group entered the building but before they approached the mayor’s office Commander Bolt turned to the others and spoke, “You all stay out here. I’d rather speak to the mayor alone.”
Captain Drib replied, “Are you sure sir? We can always go in to help if need be.” Commander Bolt laughed, “No, it won’t be needed. The last time I saw him he was terrified of me just because I was in the Nightmare Legion. I just don’t want to scare him to death with all of the soldiers approaching him all at once.”
As Commander Bolt opened the door Commander Orem looked at Captain Drib, “So what do you want to do till he’s done?”

Commander Bolt entered the office and closed the door behind him, “How are you doing mayor, sorry if this is a bad time but I have matter to discuss with you.”
The mayor very nervously stepped out from his desk and replied, “N-no don’t be r-ridiculous, this is a p-perfect time, w-we don’t get too many visits from the great C-Commander Bolt. Umm, so… w-what is it you plan to do with my city?”

Commander Bolt casually trotted to a chair and sat down, “What are you talking about? You’re acting as if I stormed the city and captured everypony at spear point. Calm down, you’ll notice the both me and the soldiers that are with me are unarmed right? This is a friendly meeting between an army with a request and a mayor with the resources to fulfill that said request. And don’t worry I don’t expect help for free.”
The mayor trotted behind his desk and sat down, then he asked, “W-what do mean by r-request? Exactly what do you want from m-me?”

Commander Bolt sighed then spoke, “First off I want you to calm down and stop talking to me like your captor. Secondly, I would like to make a weather request for the next few days, and third I would like to organize a trade with your local markets.”
The mayor took a deep breath to calm himself down then he asked , “Weather requests?”
Commander Bolt replied, “Yes I want you to hold off any weather between here and Canterlot for the next week.”
“Um Mr. Bol... uh Commander? We can guarantee no rain, but clouds take time to disperse so we can’t guarantee clear skies.”
Commander Bolt nodded his head, “That sounds acceptable I plan to leave a hoof full of soldiers with you anyway to see that you keep your side of the agreement.”

The mayor asked, “You said an agreement but I fail to see what’s in it for us?”
Commander Bolt smiled at his cleverness, “For this trade I will not allow any of my soldiers to enter or spend the night in Cloudsdale unless they are residents and have property that they or their family own here, and even then, I will not allow them to bring any weapons into the city.”
The mayor didn’t like this trade but he wasn’t willing to argue with The Commander Bolt, so he just nodded his head in agreement then asked, “What was the other request? Something about a trade?”
Commander Bolt Continued, “Yes, I have accumulated a very large number of weapons, armor, and scrap metal that is unneeded. So I would like you to assist in organizing a trade with venders nearby so we can receive food for our troops.”

The mayor looked outside and replied, “Well I guess that will be an easy enough thing to do… but it’s getting dark out so it will have to wait till tomorrow. Is that okay commander?”
Commander Bolt looked at the clock in the corner of the room and replied, “Well this day did seem very long, I guess it is time for me and my officers to go back, so yes that is acceptable. However the troops that are currently with me are not only resident of Cloudsdale but I'm giving them orders to set up parameters in the cloud production plant so they can guarantee your part of this deal.”
Once again the mayor felt uneasy about the decision but he knew that if he tried to argue it could be bad for the ponies of Cloudsdale, so he just replied, “Agreed I guess I'll see you and your supplied at the market place tomorrow morning, will you need directions?”
Commander Bolt stood up and trotted towards the door while he replied, “I’ve been to this city numerous times before, you know that.”

The mayor nervously replied, “Oh y-yes, how could I forget you were here a little over a year ago recruiting soldiers weren’t you?”
Commander Bolt stopped at the door then turned around, “Yea but Cloudsdale only had one recruit for me that day.”
“Ah yes that young filly, how is she by the way. I hope she is doing well.”
Commander Bolt smiled, “Yes she happens to be my most trusted officer.”
Then his expression went from joyful to dead serious, “By the way have you discovered anything yet about our last discussion?”
The mayor lowered his head, “No, we still found no info about them, don’t you think you should just let the past go, and move on?”
Commander Bolt turned around and opened the door, before he left the room he replied, “If I was one to just let the past go, then I wouldn’t be in this war anymore. Good evening Mr. Mayor, I'll see you at dawn.”

When Commander Bolt reached the lobby where his soldiers were, he noticed that Commander Orem and Captain Drib where having a push up competition with their wings, while the other troops cheered on the sidelines placing bets. Commander Bolt lowered, and rubbed his forehead, sighed then spoke, “Oh my officers, where would I be without them?”
Commander Bolt trotted up to Commander Orem and asked, “So griffon, how many you got so far?”
Commander Orem replied, “About one hundred twelve, why?”
Commander Bolt deviously smiled, “No reason.”
Commander Bolt waited until Orem was all the way up then he kicked his wing-making fall flat on the ground, then he commented, “Ops, looks like you lost. Now let’s go! I'm leaving the last task to you two, let’s discuss it outside.”

Commander Bolt trotted outside with his small squad of pegasi then he lined each of them up in a formation, then he explained, “This is your mission soldiers! You will go with Commander Orem and Captain Drib to the cloud production plant; there you will set up a post to prevent any clouds from leaving here on their way to Canterlot. While you are there, you can watch the battle in Canterlot. Then after the battle, only one of two things will happen. Ether the sun will rise the next morning without the moon… or it will not rise at all. Despite what happens this is your final order from me, when the battle ends your orders are to sell your armor and your weapons and never speak of your loyalty to the Nightmare Legion!”

Every pony in the formation to include both Commander Orem and Captain Drib where shocked at what Commander Bolt just said. Captain, Griffon, I expect to see you two back at the camp once you give them a position to guard.”
When Commander Bolt turned around to trot away one of the pegasi soldiers stopped him, “SIR! May I ask why you don’t want use to return? If Nightmare Moon should secede wouldn’t she need her soldiers to rebuild Equestria?”
Commander Bolt turned his head and replied, “She would, but I don’t want to put anymore through her tyranny than I already have to. So for your sake and your family’s safety, you will follow this order and dismiss yourself from my command once the battle ends, how clear am I?”
The single soldier lowered his head in disappointment, “Crystal sir.”
Commander Bolt raised his voice so the formation could hear, “HOW CLEAR AM I!!!”
The formation replied “CRYSTAL SIR!!!”

Captain Drib trotted to Commander Bolt and asked, “Sir, do you think this is the best choice? I mean, what if Nightmare Moon should…?”
“She won’t! If she asks they died in combat. Besides, I cannot leave them to the same fate as that commander. Take them to the cloud production plant then return to the camp. I'm going to see how Stone is doing, then I'll meet you there.”
Captain Drib nodded his head and then turned to direct the troop.

Meanwhile Commander Bolt started back to the orphanage. While on his way, he couldn’t help but feel like somepony was watching him, he causally looked around but he couldn’t see anypony around so he just continued then he herd some king of ruckus going on at a building nearby. When he looked, he saw an old pub on the center of the block. Inside he could hear all sorts of merriment, probably from the celestial soldiers who were released earlier in the day. Commander Bolt approached the building and looked at the door for a few seconds. Finally, he reached into a pocket that sat just behind his armor on his chest and pulled out two bits. He looked at the bits for a few more seconds then he sat them on the top step of the pub entrance and continued on his path to the orphanage. As he trotted away leaving behind the bits he mumbled to himself, “This drink is on me, commander.”

When he approached the orphanage, there was no sign of Captain Stone so he decided that she must have gone inside. As he went inside, he had a large string of déjà vu, he could tell that he’s been here before but he couldn’t tell when, or why. Then it all became perfectly clear when he turned the corner into a room and saw Captain Stone sitting in the corner looking down at the floor with a depressed look on her face.

He had been here before, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had brought him here when he was a colt to try to find out if anypony had reported a missing colt. And when he looked around the corner into this same room he saw a sad filly sitting in the corner wearing a white bandanna. When she looked up at him, he smiled. Right after that, she smiled back. Then Princess Luna called to him because they were leaving. It was only a brief moment but he felt happy to see such a sad filly smile back through her sadness.

Commander Bolt trotted to Captain Stone and noticed that she was looking ad some drawings that where carved into the wood on the floor. Then he tried comforting her, “Gem are you ok?”
Without looking up she replied, “I'm… I'm… fine sir. I'm just… fine.”
“What are those drawings on the floor? They look like ponies.”
Her tears started to get thicker as she replied, “These are… were my friends when I was a little filly. Whenever I felt bad or unhappy I would talk to them. They didn’t mind that I wore a bandanna all the time, or that I didn’t want to play games with the other foals. They were always right here letting me know that I wasn’t alone, that other ponies needed me too.”

While Commander Bolt looked at the drawings, he could see her tears hitting the ground near them so using his normal method of cheering her up. He spoke to the drawing, “Well guys my name is Star Bolt, I'm one of Gems new friend, and I’d hate to break up your little reunion, but I believe that there is a goal I must complete and I can’t do it without Gem’s help. You could say I need her help for this.”
Commander Bolt looked at Captain Stone and smiled, “That is, if she is willing to help a big foal, like me.”
Captain Stone looked up at Commander Bolt trying not to giggle at his comment, and then after she couldn’t hold it in any more, she jumped up and wrapped her hooves around Commander Bolt, hugging him as hard as she could. And with tears rolling down her face she spoke with great joy, “Thank you Star Bolt since I left here, since I have been fighting with you, my life has been much better. Thank you Star, thank you so much.”

Commander Bolt hugged her back and was happy to see her smile after coming so close to her unhappy past. Then he noticed that one particular carving on the floor greatly resembled what he looked like when he was a colt. He immediately assumed that she remembered him and was hiding it because she felt embarrassed, so he didn’t mention it at all. Instead he spoke, “Let’s go back to the camp. We need to gather the soldiers who live in Cloudsdale so they can be with their families tonight.”
The two left the orphanage together and as they started down the road, Captain Stone turned around and looked back one last time. Commander Bolt asked, “Are you sure you’re ok Gem?”
She smiled, “Yea, I'm just fine.”

The two continued back, but Star Bolt still felt like somepony was still following them, but since they had nothing to hide, he ignored it. Finally, they reached the lower platform that dropped off into the main camp below. Captain Stone opened her wings and dove off the platform falling a few feet before raising her wings into a graceful gliding flight. Commander Bolt opened his wings to do the same but before he dove off the ledge, a voice called out to him, “Sir! Um… excuse me sir! Can I speak with you a second?”
Commander Bolt turned around and lowered his wings, as an old mare approached him. This mare seemed very suspicious, she wore a cloak with a hood to cover most of her body, and the hood casted a shadow over most of her face. Since she asked politely, he decided to answer politely, “Yes ma’am, what can I help you with?”

The mare seemed uneasy about talking to him but she still spoke to him in a polite and kind manner, “I… I was wondering if you happen to be Commander Star Bolt of the Nightmare Legion?”
Commander Bolt answered, “Yes I am ma’am, is there something you need form me?”
The mare reached under her wing and pulled out a package wrapped in brown paper and tied with thread, “Please, it would make me feel content if you would take this, and keep it with you... Please.”
Commander Bolt reached for the package and took it from her, “May I ask what it is?”
“The mare smiled with a tear rolling down her face, “It’s a gift… from somepony who cares about you very much, and wishes the best for your future.”

As the mare said that, Captain Stone flew back and landed next to Commander Bolt, “Star what’s taking you?”
Before Commander Bolt replied to the question, the mare spoke, “Why hello there miss, I like your bandanna it brings out the color of her eyes.”
Captain Stone smiled, “Oh, uh thank you miss I prefer a different color than an uneasy yellow though. May I ask your name?”
The mare smiled and looked over at Commander Bolt, “She is beautiful and kind, you better make her happy, I'll be praying for the two of you.”
Commander Bolt blushed and tried to reply, “Wait… I… uh… I mean…”
Before he could say one complete sentence, the mare had turned around and started trotting away without answering Captain Stone’s question.

Commander Bolt trying to hide his blushing face looked down to examine the package. the wrapping was very common and the way it was shaped gave it the appearance of a book of some kind, but who would give him anything. Was that mare the one who was giving the gift, or was she just a delivery mare? Then what bothered him a little more was that tear that rolled down her face when she was explaining whom the gift was from. Why was she cying? He couldn’t help but wonder who that mare was, her voice wasn’t familiar but she spoke like she was very close to him.

Captain Stone who was also trying to hide her blushing face asked, “What was it she gave you?”
Commander Bolt replied, “Let’s get to the surface first, then we can take a look.”
Captain Stone nodded her head, than using the same grace as before she dove off the edge of the platform. Commander Bolt looked in the direction that the mare trotted off in and thought to himself, “Why did she seem so… never mind.”
He turned around raised his wings and dove off the balcony in a gliding manner until he reached the surface.

Shortly after he landed, Captain Snow approached Commander Bolt and handed him his shield, “Good to see you didn’t run into trouble, am I to believe the agreement went as planned?”
Commander Bolt replied, “Yea, we will trade the weapons and armor tomorrow at dawn. Has Captain Drib or the griffin returned yet?”
“No sir, do you think that misfortune could have befallen them?”
Commander Bolt looked at the city, “No even if the ponies of that city had the courage to fight, they wouldn’t get very far. The only thing I found troubling about that place is the kindly old mare’s hiding in the shad…”
Just then, Commander Bolt remembered the package that the mare had left for him and he pulled it out so he could open it, as he removed the wrapping he found that it wasn’t a book, but a thick picture Frame.

Commander Bolt turned it around to study the picture that was in the frame. As soon as he saw it, his eyes grew wide and his face went pail as he dropped the picture in shock. Breaking the glass as it hit the ground. Then he spoke, “B-but how… how is it even possible?... Was she?… could she be?...”
Captain Stone picked up the picture to see what it was that terrified Commander Bolt so. As she looked at the picture she smiled, “Aww, look sir, it’s you as a colt. You were so adora ….”
Just then she noticed something about the photo that was very important, the very reason it terrified Commander Bolt.

With an expression of shock, she looked up at Commander Bolt and tried to speak clearly, “S-sir, this photo of you is… well I-it… at this time… sir, in this photo you have no cutie mark… this was taken before you lost your memory... before you used the lightning orb. Does that mean that she… that mare was… your…”
Commander Bolt looked up at the platform that they were standing on and he said the only word on his mind, the only word that could properly finish Captain Stone’s sentence, “Mother?”

Comments

[Priceless911]

887902 THX I have been writing this fic for a while now and it means a lot coming from the readers. I already know i have a few mistakes, the story in in my mind but I’m not the best at placing it on paper in addition, my proofreader didn’t come into the mix until ch6 so before that it has a small amount of mistakes and very few after. But you can follow the story on deviantart http://priceless911.deviantart.com/ (its where it began) and I also have made a few images of Star Bolt and his crew of Officers. (Along with their background story.) You won’t find this story on EQD they turned it down saying he was a Gary Sue OC but I don’t care, he isn’t, and if they don’t get that then that’s just fine with me. Glade you like it and stick around the climax has yet to come.

[Mandella]

Beautifully written for the most part. Will somepony please explain the dislikes to me??

[Yukifall]

889513 I would think that it's because they don't like the whole death and dying and dark and Solar empire and then i said "OATMEAL?! Are you CRAZY!?"

Awesome story Following and Fave~

[Priceless911]

897803 THX

[Armored Siege]

897803
Liked your commnt I don't know why, but I like it.