Holding on to the Stars

Ryan Pov:

I've been through a lot of shit in my life. Some of it's not your everyday shit either. It ain't easy to go about your life when you're being hunted down by Triads, terrorists, hillbilly psychos and just about all the other kind of scum you make an enemy out of when you get yourself involved with the criminal underworld.

Granted, it was Joseph, Tyler and myself at the time, taking on all of them at once. We took on everything that was thrown at us and then some, and we kicked some serious ass.

We always managed to win.

And now, here I find myself locked up in a bloody dungeon and the locals all being a bunch of stupid colourful horses who like to attack you just because they think they can.

...The next horse I see, I'm gonna punch it.

Wonder what Joseph is up to right now. Probably just as confused as I am, he'll probably end up here as well eventually. And Tyler...doesn't matter where he is, he'll be a dead man soon enough.

I hear something approaching. I look up and see a tall white horse standing just outside my cell.

Ooh...that's a pretty horse.

Just like the bitch that threw that cheap shot, this one was wearing stuff around its hoofs and neck, only it was gold, along with its little crown.

Its horn started to glow and it opened the cell door before making its way in.

"Greetings human." It said. She said as she entered into the little bit of light that was shining through into the cell, revealing her face to me. Her expression was blank, but that usually means she's probably trying to hide some sort of hidden anger and doesn't want it to show. Heh, those little face tricks don't work on me.

I lean back against the wall and reply, "Sup."

Celestia Pov:

As I remember what this one did to Luna, I keep myself calm and collected as I lock eyes with him. Unlike Joseph, who was large and well built, this one was a bit less built, and it shocks me that this one was able to bring down some of our best guards, and if that's how skilled this one is, I can only imagine what Joseph is capable of.

But I stare into those blue eyes of his, I can't help but feel frightened. Those eyes, I can see nothing but absolute pure rage and hatred. What could possibly have happened with them that would have sparked such a thing?

I clear my throat and speak. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Princess Celestia, Co-Ruler of this Kingdom and Princess of the Sun. May I ask your name?"

He tilts his head slightly before replying, "Ryan Moxville." He says.

I muster up a slight smile, "It's nice to meet you Mr Moxville. Before I go any further, I would first like to apologise for the way you have been treated."

He waved a hand and said, "Meh, I'm used it."

I was expecting a much more aggressive reply. No matter. "I see. You were brought here by my sister, I believe you met her earlier, Princess Luna?"

He immediately locks his eyes with mine again and I see a flicker of clear anger. "The bitch who knocked me out?"

I raise a forehoof. "Please, I would like you to refrain from such language if you don't mind. She merely wanted you to be brought here to hide you from our Ponies. The crash earlier caused a massive panic and I don't believe it would have been a wise idea if unknown creatures were suddenly seen wandering around not long after it."

He raised a brow, "Really? So you wanted me brought here just so you could put me in a dungeon? No offence but that's bullshit."

I recoil at his words and attempt to form a reply but he speaks up before me. "Not only that, but your guards who you most likely sent after me to catch me, threatened me with spears, and I don't take too kindly to threats, but your sister as you call her, DEMANDED that I bow to her. Let me tell you something, your highness, I have this thing, it's a really great thing, a thing that everyone has but doesn't have the guts to use. It's called free will. I don't listen to anyone, I don't do what anyone tells me to, I ain't anyone's servant, and I CERTAINLY don't bow to some stupid horse like a little bitch." He took a deep breath and smiled. "But that's all in the past now and what matters is the future so if you're probably intent on starting over, which I'm sure you are, I'd be more than happy to forget any of that ever happened, as long as a few conditions are met."

I frown slightly. "Mr Moxville, you-"

"Fucking hell just call me Ryan. Don't call me mister, makes me sound like one of those political pricks that wears suits and drinks coffee before giving their boss a shit eating grin."

I pause and take a moment to quell the frustration I feel building up. "Ok, Ryan. I must ask that if I meet these conditions of yours, will you meet some conditions of my own?"

He shrugs. "Depends on what they are."

"I simply ask that for the time being, if I let you go, you will remain in the castle until I deal with the situation the crash caused. And to refrain from, harming anypony." I say as calmly as possible.

He raises a brow at me. "Pony? That's what you all are? Ponies? Last I checked, Ponies don't have wings and horns."

I sigh. "I discussed this topic with your friend Joseph, rest assured-"

"Joseph?! Where is he?!" He interrupts.

"He's fine, he's currently resting in one of the guest rooms I had prepared for him after I let him out of the dungeon. I will be more than willing to let you out too, BUT only if you promise to meet my conditions. And...apologise to my sister for striking her and...spitting in her face." I struggled with those last few words.

Much to my annoyance, he smirks. Does he think this is some game?

"Ok, tell ye what. I'll be more than happy to meet those conditions. I'll stick around in this, castle, and I'll TRY to not hurt anyone. But if you want me to apologise to your sister then I want you to make sure that no one tries to boss me about, otherwise, well, I won't be able to hold myself responsible for what I'll do to them. I ain't one of yer Ponies, I ain't one of yer stupid guards and I certainly ain't yer slave. I have the free will to do what I want. If you can cope with that then I'll apologise to yer sister. Eventually."

I sigh. Clearly this one is going to much more difficult, at least he seems to be cooperating, for now. I will have to issue a warning though, knowing how my guards can act, I don't want any of them to accidentally provoke him.

"Very well." I use my magic to undo his shackles.

He gets to his feet and rubs his wrists before turning to me, "Well, feels good to get those off. Is Joseph near?"

"I'll take you to him right now if you wish." I reply.

He nodded. "I would appreciate that yeah."

I leave the cell and lead him down the dark corridor towards the exit. Curiosity getting the better of me though, after recalling what Joseph told me, I can't help but ask, "About your other friend, Tyler. Why-"

"He ain't my friend. And wherever he is right now, he better relish the time he's still got because he'll be out when I find him." He replied coldly.

I give him a concerned look. "Joseph told me what he did and while it-"

"Listen lady, I appreciate your concern but it's really none of yer business. This is between us humans, so just do me a favour and stay out of it." He says.

I sigh and remain silent. He's not just aggressive but stubborn too. It's going to take a lot of effort to get through to this one.

"One more thing..." He continues.

I turn to him and ask, "What is it?"

"Where the fuck is my jacket?"