I have a small question... Was there a change at some point between now and two years ago to formatting on this website? Because I can't seem to indent my paragraphs anymore. When I do and hit save then view them they remain un-indented? Just a question I hope I can get a response to down below. Enjoy!

Chapter 43: After the storm

My head was swimming and there was a ringing in my ears that never seemed to stop. I opened my eyes as I fell to the ground, trying to keep the contents of my stomach as I looked around. Everything was a massive blur, all colors melting together as my head began to pound, and the ringing got louder, and louder. It felt like an eternity spent in this state, until the ringing noise seemed to recede...

"-the only way!" I heard from above me.

"Luna, how could you have been so foolish to fight all of this alone?! You could have come to me first!" Another voice asked as I shook my head trying to remove my dizziness.

The room seemed to stop spinning enough I felt like I could finally stand up without falling on my ass promptly afterwords. Slowly, and shakily, I stood up to greet the others in the room. I noticed Luna next to me still, who I leaned on immediately to help my balance, accompanied by Celestia not far ahead with two of her day guards.

'Note to self. No more long distance teleportation

"Jesus... Luna. Don't *urk* do that anymore..." I said holding my hand over my mouth. "I nearly emptied my stomach. Where are we anyway?" I asked as I glanced around. "Oh..."

Without the room spinning on me as it was, I could finally see where we had appeared. We were smack dab in the middle of the throne room, with only a handful of guards, Luna, Celestia and myself.

"Where you are..." Celestia began, "Is nothing compared to where you WERE. Now tell me, WHAT HAPPENED?!" She asked as she looked us up and down.

I glanced to Luna and noticed she was still in her new form.

'Ascended form I think they called it? I'm having trouble remembering it off the top of my head but I also just went through a lot. I'm sure a bit of rest would definitely help right about now.'

Right as the thought crosses my mind, Luna closes her eyes and she turns pure white, before shrinking down to her normal form. Luna began trying to explain their situation to her sister, who looked on with a questioning gaze.

"Sister," She began, "I'm... I'm sorry we- I left without you. When I heard Jake had been missing for so many days that not even his people could find him I had to know." She continued. "I used every scrying spell I could think of, and when I found him I... I had no time left. I had to act or he'd be dead."

Celestia looked on for a moment, processing this information before closing her eyes and letting out a drawn out breath.

"*Sigh* Alright... I understand. But please don't scare me like that anymore, okay? You're still my sister." She pleaded.

Celestia walked forward and gave a small nuzzle to Luna before stepping back and looking me over.

"So what exactly happened to you?" She asked me sternly.

I looked around a bit before motioning to my figure. "I'd gladly explain but... Could I sit down for a few minutes first please?" I asked eliciting a small nod from her as she gestured towards the throne.

I walked over to the throne with the help of Luna, and stripped off my armor as I went. As I shed off the torso piece I seethed in pain as it brushed against my right shoulder. I carefully maneuvered the piece off without agitating the wound further and looked it over.

'Well... Nothing too deep. Should heal right up. Will leave a plasma scar though...' I thought as I shed the rest of the armor off.

Placing all the armor next to the throne, I sat down and let out a sigh of relief before looking up to Celestia.

"Well... It started when I was in deep space flight, returning from my trip to earth." I began, as Celestia sat and listened. "I was about half way back, when my ship was blasted by some kind of EMP. Electromagnetic pulse, it disrupts any electronics it hits so my ship shut down instantly. It was the Verix, they had captured my ship and pulled me out." I paused for a moment taking in a breath. "They... Tortured me for two days straight, they kept asking about ponies magic, Celestia in particular." I finished as I looked up to see the looks of horror on their faces.

"They... They tortured you?" Celestia asked quietly while Luna looked on with watering eyes.

"Yeah... They were persistent. Seems your display really put them on edge." I said with a small chuckle as I began to take off my shirt. "See?"

As I slowly took off my torn up and bloodied shirt, my battered body showed underneath. The princesses recoiled as they saw my broken body. All over my exposed torso lay bruises, cuts, burns, broken ribs and all sorts of other painful wounds.

"You don't suppose I could rest for a bit before continuing this conversation?" I asked getting a quick nod from Celestia.

Celestia looked me up and down, before giving a sigh. "I would try healing you, but I do not yet know enough about human anatomy to do it safely. Luna, I trust you can contact the Night's Vigil and let them know Jake has returned?" Celestia finished getting a quick nod from Luna. "Jake, you are welcomed to stay in the castle for some rest... However we don't have any open suites for you. Only a few guest rooms and I don't think they're quite-"

Luna cut her off, piping up. "W-well... I suppose he could stay in my quarters for a bit? Just until a room opens up. After all, with what he's been through he deserves a great rest." Luna finished with a small tinge of red.

"Oh, is that so?" Celestia said with a small smile. "And that's the only reason?"

Luna gave a quick nod, getting her sister to give a chuckle. "Well I suppose that wouldn't hurt. Just don't do anything ♪ I wouldn't do... ♪" She finished as Luna gulped.

"Sister!" Luna cried back annoyed before shaking her head and turning to me. "Come, I'll telepo-"

I quickly stopped her. "I'd rather not. I've had enough teleportation for one day. I'm sure I can walk for a few more minutes."

Nodding back, Luna helped me stand while picking up my things and walking with me to her room.

Perspective: Celestia

As Luna passed me by, my nose perked up at a particular smell.

'Blueberries...? But where...' I looked on at the two as they walked. 'OH! Oh dear...' I thought as I looked at my sister who seemed to be eyeing Jake a bit too closely.

*Shrug*

'Oh well. He'll figure it out'

Author's Note

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