Aleksandr

Chapter 12: Guilt

After the whole "waking up screaming" thing,  I walked out of my room and noticed there multiple ponies clustered in the hallway, murmuring about nightmares. I realized I was not alone. Many of them had bags under their eyes. I put on my new jacket, strapped my  tokarev to my waist, and headed out. The ponies were growing increasingly worried, and some were shoving the guards. I had no idea why they were freaking out over this. Within minutes, there was shouting, some minor fighting, and overall chaos. Growing tired of this madness, I drew my pistol, and fired a single shot into the ceiling, creating a smoking hole. They all stopped, staring at me, with their ears pinned back.

"Now, can someone tell me what the fuck is going on here?!"

"Yeah, I'll tell you! Everypony's been having nightmares, the sun rose an hour late, and the princesses are nowhere to be found!" A unicorn stallion shouted at me.

"And we think you have something to do with it! Let's get 'em!" What. The. Fuck. They all charged at me, probably wanting to beat the living shit out of me. I was not having it. I shot one of them in the leg, and the whole crowd stopped, horrified. Most of them turned and ran, tails between their legs. Others continued to cower at my feet.

"What're you waiting for? Go on! Get!" There was still a pony lying on the ground, bleeding. Picking him up, I ran him down to the infirmary, careful not to get blood on myself. Along the way, I received many confused and startled looks. The medics looked at me with disgust and anger. Carefully, I dropped him on a table, and ran out before they could ask any questions. There were more pressing matters, one being that the princesses were now bedridden, and probably needed assistance. Jogging down to their quarters, I noticed some guards standing outside, who had white accents on their armor, and had a red cross on their helmets. Combat medics. Approaching the doors, they put their pikes in front of me.

"State your name and business with the princesses."

"Uh, Aleksandr, and I think you know why I am here."

"You require a permit, or a personal invitation from the princesses."

"Let him pass." Came a raspy, barely audible voice from inside the room."

"Fine, you may enter, but wear this." He handed me a white doctor's mask, and I entered the room. There were various bits of medical equipment, doctors, and mechanical beeps. I felt guilty, as my personal desire left the two of the most powerful beings in this world temporarily crippled.

"Hey," I began softly. "How're you two holding up?"

"Just fine, thank you." Replied Luna.

"You sure as hell don't look fine." They were indeed pale and tired-looking.

"Well, while magical exhaustion is a common thing among unicorns, Alicorns get it bad. And, it's hard to deplete an Alicorn's magical reserves." A nurse added from behind me.

"Did I ask for your advice?" I deadpanned, glaring at her.

"N-no."

"Hey! Don't be so hard on her, Aleks." Celestia scolded. "Would you all kindly leave? We would like to have a moment alone with Aleksandr." Hesitantly, all of the doctors.

"Apologies. As of late, I have had problems controlling my emotions."

"Also, I got a report that you shot a pony. Again."

"Oh. Uh, you heard about that." I said, somewhat embarrassed.

"The whole castle knows about it." I heard Luna mutter.

"I am concerned for your mental health, Aleksandr. I really am. You need to see a therapist. You need to learn to control your anger, or you may kill somepony."

"I understand. I will seek out help."

"But, let's not dwell on your mistakes. Let the past be in the past. So, how was your trip back home?"

"Bitter-sweet, to say the least."

"Oh? Do explain. If you feel uncomfortable, we can talk about something else." Said Luna.

"It was nice, being able to see my hometown one final time."

"Care to elaborate?"

"It is a small little hamlet, similar to Ponyville. I visited my family's farmhouse, had a nice chat with them, and explained my current predicament. I then headed to the market, bought some clothes, some of which I am wearing." I said, standing and doing a full rotation.

"Hmm. Yes, continue."

"I bought ammunition, and a new weapon." They seemed to figit uneasily in their hospital beds at the mention of this. "It is a shotgun, which fires small pellets in a conical spread pattern. Finally, I brought some stuff from home." I finished my little story, and Luna's face lit up at the mention of my guitar.

"Finally, it appears that what we did caused some chaos in the castle. Ponies have been having nightmares, and apparently the sun rose later than it should have. I am terribly sorry that I caused such a disturbance with having you teleport me." I said, hanging my head in shame.

"Yes, while this may have caused a problem, we did this for you."

"Why? Why did you go out of your way to help me?"

"You will find out soon enough."

"Fine, fine. anything else?" I asked.

"Yes, you mentioned you had a guitar, did you not?" Asked Luna.

"Yes, I did. Why?"

"I was always a fan of the acoustic. Would you mind playing it for me?" I agreed, and went back to my room to get it.

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After I got my old instrument, I began to tune it to the best of my abilities. I never really got to use it, so it was in pretty good condition. The strings were practically new, there were a few scratches in the wood, and it was in need of a polishing. I pulled up a chair, and began to play. It was a song we played around the campfires in the evenings, where we would talk, play cards, eat, and maintain our gear.

"Hm. I liked it. Definitely one of the better song's I have heard."

"Thank you, but one question. How does a pony play a guitar without fingers?"

"Oh, it's pretty easy. You strum or pluck with the corner of your hoof, and move your other hoof along the strings to change the note." I nodded, and got up to leave.

"One final thing, you may want to check in with the Guard captain. Shining Armor went back to the Crystal Empire, so his 'substitute' so to speak is handling all guard affairs. Have a good day."