Rising Shadows

James groaned. His head hurt like nothing he had ever felt and his stomach felt no better. He could feel himself lying on something hard but he couldn't bring himself to open his eyes to find out what.

He had no idea about how long he had been out for and to be honest he didn't rally care. Matt had gotten away and kicked his ass in the process. When did Matt learn to fight like that? No way could that lard ass have been as good as that.

James groaned. He slowly pulled open his eyes. No wave of light hit his eyes like he had expect, instead he was met with a dull grey and damp ceiling. He turned his head to his left slightly and saw  metal bars. The only thing in the cell was the stone bed he was lying on.

Had it been a dream? He tried to sit up but stopped as a spasm of pain shot through his gut. “No, not a dream.” He groaned, letting himself flop back onto the stony bed. He moved his tongue around is mouth and sure enough he was still missing a tooth. His hand was wrapped in a tight cloth that stopped him from moving his broken fingers.

There was a clopping of hooves from outside. James didn't bother to look, he was to sore. “Get up!” A voice from outside ordered.

James didn't move. “Get up now.” The voice grunted and the cell unlocked. The next thing he felt was weightlessness. His eyes snapped open, he was floating. His boy was surrounded by a light green aura and was being carried from the cell by a mare in a set of full body armour.

“Put me down!” James yelled at the guard. He tried to kick at the pony's head but the magic held him in place.

“The more you struggle the more painful it will be.” He was being taken through a large grey corridor. Two guards stood at the end of the corridor, both wearing golden armour and standing at attention with a  spear in their hooves, somehow.

The cards snapped a quick salute when the mare stopped at the door before opening it for her. The change in the building was drastic. Whilst the previous corridors gad been small, and damp the new ones were massive to say the least. They had to have been twenty foot high and were adorned with stained-glass windows and assortments of paintings and tapestries.

Everything seem so familiar to James, like a major case of deja vu. The walls were painted a pristine white with the roof being a light shade of pink.

After a few minutes of floating in the air and being taken through more corridors than someone can count, James and the guard reached a set of massive golden doors. Four guards stood watch at the door.

They snapped to attention and slowly pushed the door open. James gut went cold as he entered the massive room. Nearly double the height of the previous corridors, but what really frightened him sat at the end of the room.

Two large ponies, both with wings and a horn, sat at the end of the room on a platform. The largest pony had a white coat and a multicoloured mane that seemed to flow like water. The smaller pony was a dark blue with a lighter blue mane that also flowed in the air.

The white pony stared at James with so much venom it was almost visible. The dark blue one seemed more reserved. Even though she was staring daggers at him.

“Why is he being carried?” The white one shouted. The guard flinched.

“He wouldn't get up from the cell. Your majesty.” The guard bowed.

“Leave us.” The white one said again. The guard dropped James to the ground and he landed with a thump.

“Yes, your majesty.” The guard bowed a second time before leaving though the same door they came from.

James groaned. The pain in his stomach magnified by the fall. “OW.” He coughed. He could hear one of the ponies growl. He heard a noise like a shimmer before being weightless again. He was pulled right towards the largest pony and was face to face with her.

“Who are you, and where did you come from.” She growled, causing both James and the smaller pony to flinch. His chest began to tighten as her horn grew brighter.

“Hard... to... breathe.” James wheezed. The pressure on his chest dropped slightly.

“Now tell em who you are.”

“James, my name is James.” He wheezed.

“Tell me James, what do you know of the being that attacked Ponyville recently.” Celestia asked, her head tilting slightly to the side. James looked into her eyes for a split second. His breath left him. Those eyes, he could see the fire bounce around inside them.

“Sister please.” The smaller pony said. “ We wont learn anything from him like that.”

She blinked and whatever trance had been over James vanished. He breathed heavily as he tried to such what little air he could through the constriction of her magic.

“As I asked before. What can you tell us of the being that attacked Ponyville.”

“Only that I wish I had more bullets.” James retorted.

“If you don't tell us everything we wish to know, we will take it from you.” She said.

“What do you want to know.” James asked?

“Was the being in Ponyville a human?” Celestia asked.

“Yes, though you already knew that, don’t you.”

She said nothing, only offering him a sneer as a response.

James winced as another shot of pain washed through his stomach.

“Perhaps this isn't the best time to be asking questions sister. We are all emotional and it is clouding out judgement.” The blue pony butted in.

“I am not being over emotional Luna!” The white pony snapped. “Because of this human eleven of my ponies are dead and we almost lost the elements. I almost lost twilight. So don't speak to me about being over emotional.” she snapped.

Luna's ears folded downwards. Celestia took a deep breath. “Sorry Luna, it has just been so... hard recently. Now please we must continue.” She said before turning her attention back to James, who was listening intently.  Luna? Where have I heard that name before?

“We don't have time for this.” Her horn glowed. She pulled James closer and her horn touched his forehead.

“Sister no!” Everything went dark.

Celestia stood in a white wilderness. She needed to find information, any information that might help her find the ones responsible for Ponyville. Normally this would be easy, but not this time. Where she should be able to see over all of the persons thoughts and memory’s there was... nothing. Just a white wilderness.

“Celestia.” A voice laughed. It was slow and deep, like the rumbling of a mountain.

“Who’s there!” Celestia shouted. “I demand that you show yourself!” She yelled at the imposing white wilderness.

“I am.” The voice said from behind her. She turned and screamed.

“Tia!” Luna yelled as she pulled Celestia away from James. Once the contact was broken their eyes shot open. The magic around James disappeared and he fell to the ground. Celestia tumbled backwards and fell onto her back.

“Get Twilight, now.” Celestia demanded.

“Sister you know that it is to dange-”

“Get Twilight now!” Celestia shouted,  interrupting Luna

“She looked at her sister with sad eyes for a moment before disappearing with a pop.

“And as for you.” Celestia said to James. “Back to your cell.” Her horn glowed and James felt what quite easily could have been the most discomforting thing he had ever felt. It was as if he was ripped from the spot eh was standing in thrown into another one.

With a flash of light he landed on his back on the stony be. “Why is everyone dropping me.” He whined.

James had no idea how long he was lying there for. The only good thing he could pull from it was the pain in his stomach slowly abating and his hand had went completely numb. He was still unsure if that was good or not.

There was the sound of hooves from outside and James sat up. Twilight was standing at the cell door. Her right eye was black and blue and her lips were burst. A small cut ran down the side of her cheek  and small patches of fur on her back were singed black.

She looked at James for a second before reaching for a pair of keys with her magic and unlocking the gate. “Get up and come with me.” She ordered. James did his best to comply but winced when his hand came into contact with the stone bed.

“Hurry up.”

“I'm trying my best.” James growled causing Twilight to flinch. He got to the door and stared down at the pony. I could snap her neck so easily... what no! He shook his head.

“Come with me and don't try anything.” She looked straight into his eyes. “Is that understood.” James nodded.

She began her walk down the grey corridors, the same way he had been taken before, and exited into the main hall. Unlike before hover they took the left instead of the right.

The corridors were just like before, paintings and tapestries adorned the walls and large stain glass windows let ample multi coloured light through.

After a few minutes of walking they came to a large door. Seventeen guards stood at attention, only this time they wore dark blue armour instead of the light gold he had seen.

Twilight turned to him. “By order of princess Luna you are to be escorted back to Ponyville were you will be held under my custody. Several armed guards will be present at all time during conversation and an extra twenty will soon be stationed in he town. If you break any of the rules I have decided upon you will be executed.” She took a moment to breathe. “Is that understood?”

James nodded, his mind trying to understand the assault of words. “Then lets go.” She nodded to one of the guards and he stared barking orders to his men. They pushed open the doors and James was lead out into a large garden.

A large carriage sat not far from them. Twilight made her way to the carriage and James followed. The guards surrounded him and looked like they would jump and any moment. A shiver ran down his spine as he realised how truly fucked he was.

Twilight pulled the carriage door open and got it. She looked back and stared at James. “Get in.” She ordered.

James complied. He climbed into the carriage. Three stallions followed him. They drew their swords and positioned them in line with his chest. “You move and we plunge these into your chest, is that understood?” One of the guards asked. James nodded, his eyes never leaving the sword that was precariously close to his groin.

The guard who spoke to him banged on the carriage wall twice and with a lurch it began to move. James sat motionless. The tow guards flanking him sat with their eyes locked onto him. Twilight on the other hand was looking out of the window.

James followed her gaze and his eyes went wide. White fluffy clouds past the carriage window as they soared through the air. He faltered for a moment trying to find the words .”Are...we… flying? He asked dumbstruck.

“What does it look like.” the guard to his left grunted.

Twilight had turned her attention away from the window and her gaze feel onto James. He stared back into her purple eyes. “Why did you do it?” Twilight asked. Her stern gaze falling replace by a calm look. “Why did you save Fluttershy? From the Diamond dog?”

“I promised to keep her safe.” James replied. “ And no one should have been forced to go through what was about to happen to her.” James said before breaking eye contact. His eyes focussed back on to the countryside outside. Rolling green hills spread into the distance with snow peaked mountains hugging the horizon.

Twilight had a thoughtful look. “In the castle.” She said getting James' attention. “Why didn't you kill me?”

“What do you mean?” James asked.

“Back in the castle when you were first brought to me. When you killed the guard, why didn't you do the same to me?”

James wondered what she was on about until he noticed the streaks of blood on his clothing, it all came back to him. Waking up from the black out with a pony's severed head next to him. He really needed to get new clothes.

“I didn't kill him.” James replied meekly.

Twilight tilted her head slightly. The talk of Jams killing a guard caused the swords at his chest move slightly closer. “The only thing I remember was having one really fucked up dream. Then I woke up, and that was not a pleasant site to wake up to.”

“Can you remember anything about the dream?” Twilight asked. A note pad and quill appearing with a flash as she began to take notes.

“Erm, not really. I remember a voice in my head and that's  about it.” Twilight was nodding.

“Yes, Princess Luna said she visited your dreams.” Twilight was nodding as she took notes. Luna? The one from the throne room was the one helping me in my dream?

He was unsure of what to say. After all, it wasn't everyday that royalty helps you out. “Why did she help me?” He asked. “And I’m sure we have already had this conversation.”

Twilight shrugged. “We have, back at the ruined castle. She also didn't say why she helped you.”

“Why am I going with you?” James asked before the coach could fall back into silence. Twilight looked up to him with a confused look. “Why is the princess sending me to Ponyville with you? And why Ponyville? Isn't it a wreck?”

Twilight snorted. “The town is under reconstruction, it wasn't as badly damaged as we feared. Some of the prisoners even said they were under orders to leave the town intact.”

“Why?” James asked simply. Why would Matt tell them to leave the town alone?

“We don't know, I was hoping you could tell us.” Twilight rebutted.

“And why would I know? If you hadn’t notice I was trying to kill the son of a bitch.” James growled. The guards pushed the swords closer but stopped when twilight raised a hoof.

“And you got your flank handed to you.” Twilight said with a sly smile.

“Then why ask questions like that?” James said, his eyes narrowing on the purple unicorn.

“To gauge your reaction. I am here to study you, the guards...” She siad, motioning to the stallions beside her. “Are to make sure you don't try anything that may be considered... dangerous.” Her smile fell.

“I am not here to be your friend... James.” She said, rolling the last word. “I am here to help in anyway I can to track Matt down. He killed some dear friends of mine, and I want his head on a plate.”

James was silent. He didn't really know how to respond to that. He coughed slightly. “What were their names?”

“What?” Twilight snapped.

“The names of your friends, what were they.” James asked meekly.

Twilight was silent. She hadn’t expected for the human to ask about, simply for him to laugh or not care. No, it has to be a trick. Twilight thought.

“It doesn’t' concern you.” She said. James slumped slightly at the outburst, his attention falling back onto the sunny hills outside.

James didn't say another word for the entire flight. They had arrived on the outskirts of Ponyville thirty minutes after Twilight snapped at him. The town looked so different during the day. He was surprised to find that Twilight was right, the town was nearly undamaged, and it worried him.

For a town that was taken over by savages for weeks everything seemed... fine. A few ponies dotted about the street, pausing to engage  in idle chit chat before heading on their way again. It seemed as if nothing had happened.

James was lead by Twilight into the gut of the town. Passers by stopped and stared at him. Some with fear in their eyes, most with anger. Actually, anger wouldn't come close to what James was seeing. Ponies would walk up to him and spit at his feet. Some pones even cried for his head to be mounted outside the city hall.

Twilight and the guards ignored the crowds. He was taken even further into the town until they stopped at a massive tree with... windows on it?

Twilight opened the door and went in. A guard slammed his spear into James back to get him moving. He turned and sneered at the guard, only resulting in him getting hit a second time.

He walked hesitantly through the door, he smiled at the sight. The tree was a library, the irony being lost to the buildings designer. Twilight didn't stop, she walked to a door on the far side of the room and opened it. She went down into the cellar, James and the guards followed.

The cellar could only be described as a large cell. A mattress lay on the floor with a quilt and pillow beside it, other than a small barred window that he could barley fit his arm through that really was about it. The room was entirely bare.

Twilight turned to him. “Sit down and make your self at home.” She turned and walked back into the library with the guards flanking her.

James turned to the makeshift bead. His mouth watering. He stalked to the mattress and lay down, letting out a sigh as he did. He hadn't slept on something comfy for days. “Just five minutes.” He yawned before pulling the cover over him with his good hand. Twenty seconds late he was asleep.