Chapters All over Equestria every pony was preparing to sleep, so they could greet the sun. All was quiet...all but for the crack of a whip coming from Canterlot. Some would take notice of this, turning their heads in the general direction, not knowing what it was for, while others knew that the whipping was justified for whichever pony was receiving it, and if it was not, at least it was not them.
“Come on, just tell us what we want to know and we can end this nonsense.” said the guard as he brought the whip down upon my chest. “As much as we love to beat you senseless day after day, we do have lives of our own.” My wings were spread out behind me, with nails pinning them to the board that I was strapped to. I could barely muster up a response. “H-H-Haven't I already told you buffoons before that I don’t know anything about the disappearance of those villagers? Their village was burned down before I got there, and no matter how much searching I did, I could not find hide nor hair of anypony.”
With a snarl they began to savagely kick my stomach, their kicks powerful enough to break a few of my ribs. I could tell this by the distinct snapping noise they made in my chest and the burning pain that followed. As the beating continued, darkness began to encroach upon my vision until all I could see was a pinpoint of light. As their hooves began to descend upon me once again the door to my cell creaked open and the Princess Celestia herself entered. “Now, my dear guards, I am sure our guest has had enough. You must learn to show a little compassion when dealing with ones such as him .” She said as she entered the cell.
At her words the guards halted their beating, but not before one of them spit in my eye. “Why must you be so difficult, my dear? You could have made this all stop if you simply told us what happened at that village. We know that you are a half-breed and that you are capable of that level of destruction.” Celestia walks slowly towards me while speaking until she is inches from my face. “Whatever will I do with you? There are so many options, but it seems my lovely little sister is getting lonely without her guards and needs somepony to keep her company.”
“Like hell I would willingly stay here! I want out of here now , or you will regret it.” As these words leave my mouth an extreme pressure presses down on my throat cutting off my ability to speak. Fear flowed through my body as I worked my mouth unable to get a word out, but I could make a growling noise...at least that's something. With a smile she continues. “Now, since you say that, it seems I will need to put some restrictions on what you can do, or now I will just take away your ability to speak. Don't fear, if you are a good 'pet' you can earn it back in the future. Just keep my little sister happy and out of my hair.” The princess releases a soft laugh as she canters a few paces away. “She will simply adore a half breed of your standard, its not often you see a pony that is half dragon.”
Straining against my restraints, all I could manage was cut into my own flesh with the bonds holding my legs and tear my wings on the nails in them. This was enough to push me over my limit, causing the blackness that was my life to fill my vision as Celestia’s laugh filled my ears. Silently spiraling in my mind, I could only think of how horrible my situation was; I had been separated from my family for two years, and all this time I had been searching, following their trail. That is...until I came to that village...or what had remained of it. My father always had a temper, but I could not believe he would do that kind of massive destruction to a village. Which is probably why I was so shocked that I had just sat there until some royal guards had shown up. They had come up right behind me without me noticing and beat me over the head. Next thing I knew, I had awaken in that cell. It has been my home for the past two...three months...I don’t even know anymore -- I had given up on keeping track of time. Now all I want to do is sleep. But even that seems to elude me. That is until now...it seems...that I...can...finally...sleep...
As my mind slowly churns I feel like I am once again in the sky without a care in the world. That is, until the pain of my injuries forces me to abruptly wake up and face reality. With a groan, I open my eyes as slits to be greeted by a blinding light causing me to snap my eyes closed once more and roll over. To my surprise, my ribs did not pain me, and I gingerly brought a hoof up to massage my side...wait...I could move freely . With that notion, my head snaps up and I survey my surroundings, only to see that I am inside of a large dark room. The room is a deep black with small flecks of white reminding me of the night sky. Oh, yeah. I am now a pet to the royals . With a sigh I push myself up, only to be jerked back down by my neck. After a small coughing fit from the near-strangulation, I pull myself up into a sitting position and look at what almost killed me. It was a solid silver chain attached to a thick loop in the floor, which also attached to a thick metal collar around my neck.
Straining against this chain seemed to be futile. I sat down with a groan, my throat currently sore from my restraints. That's when I heard a ruckus approaching me. “Be civil, my dear...what do you mean you do not wish to have my gift?” That could only be two ponies, bracing myself I give myself the most adorable face hoping I would not scare her, who knows what will happen to me should my new 'owner' not want me? The door swings inward, slamming against the wall with a resounding thud. The two ponies standing in the doorway were silhouetted by the light coming from the hall, but I did not need to see them to know who they were. Walking into the room, the door slowly closes behind them as they approach me. “Art thou sure this is safe?” Luna said as she came to within feet of me and stared into my eyes. Celestia walks up behind her. “Do not fear I have made sure he can not harm you. If he even attempts to, he knows what will happen to him.”
With herself reassured by her sister's words, though not really believing her, she gets closer to the strange pony in front of her. On closer inspection, she sees that not only is he strange -- he appears to be part dragon from the leathery wings to the slit eyes -- but that he was a dark blue, with a darker blue mane with green stripe though it. Being an oddity, she can only imagine how he was treated by other ponies. He must have be shunned by many and feared by others for just being different and misunderstood. Knowing what that feels like, she did not want to bring anymore harm to the stallion before her. She knew just what her sister would most likely do to this one, and that thought alone made her shiver.
“Thou hath done me a great service mine sister. I will graciously accept your gift and treat it with the greatest of care.” Turning to her sister she continues. “Now, if you would please leave me alone with my new 'pet' so I can get acquainted with him.” With that, Celestia left the room, leaving me looking at Luna while she stares at the door. “I am sorry that you are here; I can hardly imagine what you have been through, but rest assured that as long as you are near me I will do all that is in my power to keep you safe.” She turns to me with a slight smile. “We are now friends as it would seem; so why not introduce ourselves? I am Princess Luna, and you are?” Opening my mouth to speak I attempt to answer her but all that comes out is a gurgled growl. With a concerned look she draws near. “Did mine sister take away your ability to speak?” Knowing words would not work, I simply nod my head in the hope that she would be able to restore my ability to speak.
At my acknowledgement of her assumption, a look of disdain shows itself, “She always did think highly of herself. Here; let me fix that for you.” With that, she dips her head forward, tapping the tip of her horn against my throat, resulting in the pressure from before to ease. As it went away, I attempted to speak, and slowly I could start to make words. This went on for a few more minutes until I was finally able to make understandable words and noises.
Part way through a coughing fit to clear my throat, I finally began to talk. “T-Thank you for not turning me down; I fear what would have happened to me should you not have accepted me.” With a smile she responds. “Thou hath nothing to fear, for I could never turn down a pony in need.” With that she walks behind me and unhooks the chain from the wall. “Hey,” I say, “where exactly are we? Is this even still in the castle?” With a slight laugh she looks me in the eyes. “Silly little pony, we are indeed still within the castle, and this is my room." Well now, don’t I feel silly; I should have guessed it would be too good to be outside the castle.
“So...this is my new home? I guess it will take some getting used to...but just so you know...I will be looking for chances to get out of here.”
All she does is respond with a knowing nod. “I hath already assumed thou would want to leave this place, but heed my warning: it will not be easy. It could be near impossible to escape from this place; so for the duration of your stay, please do try and enjoy yourself.”
With nothing else to do, I decide to take her advice and make my situation as comfortable as possible. From what I could see, there was not much to Luna’s room. There was an extremely dark bed that looked like it could fit an entire family, plus a few more, and it even had those little drapes on it for privacy. Over on the right there was what I believed to be a make-up stand, although it looked like it had never been used. Seeing nothing else of much interest, a thought comes to me.
“Hey Luna, where exactly am I supposed to sleep?”
Having come to the same conclusion as me, she decides upon a fast solution. “I suppose thou can sleep upon my bed until they bring you one of your own. But be aware that thou shall be sleeping at the foot of the bed, and if you try anything funny you will regret it.” She emphasizes this by jabbing her horn at me threateningly.
“Oh you have nothing to worry about, I am a gentlecolt and would never dream of taking advantage of my situation.” I say as with a big grin on my face that was more from the need to do something then actual happiness as I stepped back a few paces. “Oh, I had almost forgotten, I have yet to introduce myself.” With a deep bow I announce, “My name is Talen, and I am at your service.”
“It is nice to meet you, only I wish it was under better circumstances. With introductions out of the way I must say it is almost time for us to attend dinner with mine sister.” Taking a breath she continues, “now that I hath removed thine restriction to speak thou must not speak in the vicinity of any other pony lest they see fit to cause you more harm then thou hast already received.” With a nod I acknowledge her words and know them to be true. “Now prepare thineself, for we must leave forth with to make it to dinner on time.” With that, she leans forward picking up my chain in her muzzle, leading me towards the door and away from the safety of Luna’s room. I guess I never did get to make many choices in my life, perhaps I should really try and make the best of my situation.
As we left the dark confines of her room, moonlight shown through the windows, casting their shadows across the floor. They shifted and danced in the wind that blew them, creating many shapes, some even resembling creatures that would terrify a filly of any age. Heck, they even sent a little shiver through me; it reminded me too much of the time I spent alone in the wilderness fending for myself from all of the creatures that nopony ever sees in their safe little towns. With my memories of my time alone fresh in my head, I speed up my walk to walk next to Luna, her being there comforted me a little; at least I knew I had somepony there for me.
As I canter up next to her, she turns to me.“'Tis something wrong?”
A little ashamed, I take a quick glance around to make sure nopony is around, “I was just remembering my time alone, and the......shadows coming through the windows sort of....scared me.” I say the last part quietly, but she hears it anyway and a light laugh escapes her lips to drifting in the air.
With that amusing moment over, everything fades back to silence and we continue our walk to the dining hall. As we reach the doors, we halt in our tracks right in front of them, neither of us stepping forward. With a slight shove of encouragement from Luna, we push the door open. The hall is enormous! I can barely believe the size of it. I am shaken from my amazement with low cough from Luna, who then commences to move toward the giant table in the center of the room. This table was so big it could fit about 50 ponies, give or take a few. Yet sitting at the table alone was Celestia, with her guards standing at the ready behind her.
Since we first entered the room Celestia had been watching us -- watching me -- and she had not missed the shocked expression on my face. She bore a grin, but as soon as I noticed it, it disappeared, reverting to a more stoic one.
“Well, Luna, how does he suit you? I do hope he has not cause you any trouble; that would be rather unfortunate.” She said as we came to stand next to the table.
Containing the hate that was manifesting inside me I pulled one of the chair to my left out for Luna so she could sit, after taking her seat Luna gestured for me to take the seat to her right. However as I began to take my seat Celestia spoke,
“Sister, you can not be serious, letting it sit at the table. I doubt that it is even civilized.”
Shooting Celestia a hate filled glare I push the chair I was about to take back into place and Luna quickly came to my defense, “Now sister, art thou sure he is not civilized? From the way he hath acted in mine company he seems like a reasonable pony. So I ask you, would you please let him dine with us?”
“If it will make you happy, sister, then I will allow your ‘friend’ to sit at the table, but under the condition that two of my guards are behind him in case of an emergency.” Says Celestia as the chiefs come out of the kitchen carrying platters of salads and vegetables.
They hurry about in their over sized chief hats that bobbed and dipped the whole while. The dishes they set on the table dazzled and amazed me; there were a blend of fruits and mixes of different salads with vegetables that had an aroma that made my mouth begin to water. A light laugh from Luna and a stern glare from Celestia brought me out of my daze to realize that I had a strand of drool hanging from my mouth. With a hoof I wipe it away and swallow all the saliva in my mouth. After that was done I glanced toward Celestia to see that she had taken some of the fruit mixture and spooned it onto a plate that the chiefs had placed in front of her, then I look to Luna to see that she to had taken some of the various salads for herself.
Seeing this as my cue I move to take some of the various mix of salad, fruit, and veggies in front of me, only to be stopped by the two guards behind me. Confused, I swiveled my head to see their heads turned toward Celestia.
“Sister why are you stopping him from eating?” Luna asked looking up from her meal.
“I don’t see the point in wasting our good food on one such as him,” Celestia said, gesturing toward the kitchen, “so I had our chiefs whip him up something.”
At her beckoning two chiefs came out of the kitchen carrying between them a platter with a cover on it so I could not see what it was they were carrying. As they neared me, a horrible stench filled the air, making bile surge up my throat, but with pure force of mind I was able to hold it down and keep myself from choking on it.
When they reached my seat they set the platter down in front of me and hurried as far away from the platter as possible, gasping for breath as soon as they got a good ways away. With a hoof over my nose I look briefly to Luna worriedly then focus back on the platter.
“Now you may eat to your hearts content.” Says Celestia going back to her food because she was far enough down the table for the stench not to effect her.
So hesitantly I reach a hoof out and hook the handle on top of the platter and lift. The sight that it revealed was horrible It was a mix of vegetables and fruits but all of it was rotten and pulpy from age. That wasn't the only thing either; maggots and many other various insects and creepy crawlies surged around on the food. Before the sight and stench made me hurl whatever was in my guts up, I slam the the lid back on the platter.
Standing up Luna’s horn glows and the platter flies away from the table back to the two chiefs that had originally brought it in, “You two shall take this horrible excuse for food away from mine table and dispose of it properly, and you mine sister. How could you give that to anypony? That wasn't even food; it was garbage !” Says Luna, giving Celestia a stern look as the chiefs hurry out of the dinning hall choking on the stench.
“Come now, sister, it was only a joke. There is no need to be upset, if it will make you happy he can have some of our food.” Saying that Celestia gestures to her guards and they move a plate in front of me and step back.
Now with that disgusting dish still in my mind I had lost most of my appetite but not all of it. Even that could not get rid of the hunger I was feeling, so I begin to take pieces of each dish that was presented at the table trying to not take to take too much of one dish but still taking enough so I could get a taste of everything.
With my plate full I hold myself back so as to not start shoving the food into my mouth from the hunger I was feeling. As we eat the hall is silent but for the munching from our eating. It would of been enjoyable but for the constant gaze of the guards and the occasional glance of Celestia. Finishing her meal Celestia steps away from the table without a word and leaves the hall flanked by four of her guards leaving Luna and I with two guards in the hall to finish. Eating the remainder of our meal Luna and I both stepped away from the table and Luna picks up my lead and takes me to and through the door out into the hall. Walking in silence we reach her door which I open for her letting her in before I step inside.
As the door closes she turns to me, “Now I have some business to attend to so I shall be leaving you in here while I am gone. So do try and get some sleep.” with that said, she turns opening the door and leaves me to my own devices.
So with nothing else to do I canter over to the bed and lay down at the end trying not to think of of what will be and what has been, because in this place it no longer mattered. The only thing that does matter now is how I will keep myself out of trouble and alive. After minutes of restless sleep my mind begins to fade again into the welcoming arms of the dark land of sleep.
Author’s note: I would like to thank my friends DaBeejees and MusicSlave for their help on the grammar in my story. Without them this would have actually been a giant mess. So once again, thank you both.
Chapter 3: Strange dreams and a promotion
In my mind I am floating in a dark void deprived of all signs of life. In every direction all i see is black and there is no sound, well except for something I could not define but it was gaining in volume,“T....Ta....Talen......Talen are you there? We have much to discuss.”
Swiveling my head I try and pinpoint where this voice was coming from but I could not find it, it sounded like it was coming from all around me....even from within me, like it was reverberating from the depth of my very being.
“Who are you?” I ask my question echoing around and through me in this empty place.
“Oh you know me very well or at least you should. Did she never tell you about me?”The voice replied. Was this true?
Did I really know this voice?....Or was it just some part of my subconscious that was finally breaking off from the rest of my mind and trying to drive me crazy?
“How am I supposed to know this is not some sort of trick my mind is playing on me and that you are actually real?” I respond in a doubtful voice.
“Well if you insist on some proof I guess I could oblige.”
With that said an image begins to waver in front of me in the void. Squinting I can make out that the form is slim and reptilian but I could just not place where I had seen it from that, it wavering didn’t really make it any easier to see what the rest of the body looked like. But no matter how much I focused I could not make anymore out, as I was about to ask for a name the void began to shake. It was a gently shaking that slowly increased in tempo, with the increase I could make out another voice calling my back to the waking world.
“Come now tis time to wake up from your restful slumber.”
Knowing I needed to wake but wanting to know who or what I was talking to I tried to stay asleep but I could feel myself being pulled upward away from the image. As I ascended it called up to me.
“Fear not my boy I have a feeling we shall be meeting again very soon.” After it finished talking it let out a hearty laugh and the wavering image faded as light enveloped me signaling the end to my dreams.
Still coming out of the dream world I open my eyes to slits to see that I am teetering on the edge of the bed and about to fall. Seeing this I attempt to throw myself back toward the bed only to rock myself to far over the edge resulting in a not so spectacular awakening which includes my face smashed into the floor. With a groan I roll off of my face onto my flank and massage my now throbbing muzzle as I hear a dainty laugh from behind. Although twisting my head hurts I still do to see Luna covering her mouth with a hoof trying to at least save some of my dignity. Having subdued her laughter she gestures toward the bed where I see a set of grey armor laying in a pile.
“If I am to take you anywhere and not raise suspicion and since I do enjoy your company I shall make you one of mine personal guard.” She chuckled out.
Puzzled I pick up the armor and put it on. I am surprised to find that it is actually rather comfy and it fits rather well. When did they take my measurements? “If I may ask where are you planning on taking me that would require you to make me one of your guards?” I ask after placing the helm upon my head. With a quick glance over Luna nods her head in approval of the armor and my appearance in it.
“I plan on taking you out of the castle with me on various tasks that I might require your help with, But while we are on these tasks you are not to attempt to escape for if you try mine sisters guards would be dispatched to hunt you down. I do hope you will listen to my words and not attempt anything.”
“Since you are trying to make this stay as enjoyable as possible the least I could do is follow your orders, heck not like I had any choice anyway.” I say as I canter over to a mirror to see what I look like. The armor did fit well given how I am taller than the average colt, it covered my flank with layered metal that is a light purple in color and in the chest region black wing like structures that wrap around to my sides are held together by a sapphire gem. Even the helmet was purple...at least it had an interesting fin on it. Stepping away from the mirror I walk over to Luna and bowed, “Well your highness once again I must say I am at your service.”
With a blush Luna extends her hoof to me, “To make this agreement official thou must kiss mine hoof.” As she says this I see her eyes darting around nervously and that her face had increased in color. Leaning forward I place a kiss right on the tip her hoof and let it linger for a second before pulling away.
“Will this suffice your highness?” I ask as I look back up at her.
“Y...Yes thine k....kiss shall suffice for our agreement, I am placing myself in your....” She quickly looks me over again, “Very capable hooves.”
Now that I was her guard and the formality was over I felt it was a good time to see how the armor felt in the air, So with a few beats of my wings I lifted myself into the air to hover in the center of the room. The armor didn’t really add that much more weight to my body in flight, so it will be easy to adjust to the slight change in weight.
Still a little amazed by how light the armor is I look back down to see Luna watching me. Her watching me gave me an idea to put on a little show. Slowly increasing the beating of my wings the power increasing with each beat I carry myself higher into the air. When I am but a few hooves away from the ceiling with a snap I pull my wings into my sides and dive towards the floor.
As I am rocketing down I see a shocked expression on Luna’s face. That look made a smile spread across my face and I quickly brought my attention back to the floor hurtling towards me. With the floor growing closer and closer my wings would try and throw themselves open on instinct to stop my fall, but I wanted to wait until the last second to pull up. Now mere meters from the floor my wings begin to unfurl, but I rapidly put them away. Just a few more seconds that's all I need.
Now that I could make out the individual cracks in the floor I knew it was time to spread my wings or I would most certainly crush my own skull against the ground. Now with that pleasant thought I open my wings with an audible snap and pull up with as much force as I can muster. Thankfully I had chosen the correct time to pull up for the tips of my hooves scrapped against the floor causing sparks to fly in every direction as I glided to a stop. With a shake of my hooves I try and get rid of some of the heat the little skid had caused.
Doing a little dance from hoof to hoof I silently chant to myself the only thing I could think of at the time, “Hot hot hot hot hot....Dear faust that is hot!”
With the heat finally fading enough for me to stand still I hear the clicking of horseshoes approaching me from behind. Thinking I was going to get praise for my spectacular stunt I puff out my chest and quickly twist myself around.....only to be met halfway through with a hoof to the side of my head. My word was that a strong swing! Flying across the room gave my now rattled mind a few seconds to appreciate the finer things in life. Like cupcakes, little fillies playing in the sun, or the sweet sensation of sinking your teeth into a delicious...and I never did get to finish that thought as my head smashed into the opposite wall creating rather large cracks around the crater my head was currently occupying leaving me to dangle limply a few hooves off the floor.
“Thou should have thought of the consequences of thin actions. I shalt have to break you of these reckless tendencies.” Luna muttered as she cantered towards me and began extracting me from the wall, and she didn't go out of her way to be gentle. But then a worried look plants itself on her face, “Oh I hope I hath not hit him too hard.”
Author’s note
OK, yeah it has been a long time since I have updated at all. I know this. But I have had serious writers block and a load of personal matters to contend with. I have had this sitting in my files for a while now and have had no idea how to end it.....so why not do it with a little violence?
So now that I am sort of back I am trying to get my writing style correct since my schooling has neglected to properly teach me the finer points of story writing, and like many others constructing criticism is welcomed.
Oh and to anyone wanting more depth on how characters are acting I do have ideas to put some light on some of those few and let you see more of what is going on. But just between all of you and me I don't even understand the ideas that my mind comes up with. I just get an idea for this story and write it down. Many people have their gifts for their own writing styles.....mine just happens to be ideas coming at the most random and unwanted of times....but they never help me when I am stuck on a certain part of a story and that is why the updates for this would take so long. So please try and bear with me on this, and to anyone that has been reading since I first posted this story thank you for putting up with me and my horrid updates. Oh and thanks for reading this rather long author's note. :D
Oops. One final thing, If there are any major grammatical errors you are welcome to try and find me to choke/beat the proper way to do it into my skull.