Captain Briggs and the Equestrian Scroll
Prized Pupil
"Is this really my life?"
Tears graced the floor of the dark and gloomy cell as my cries echoed throughout the damp prison. The tears rolled down my cheek as I question what I have done with myself and if it were truly real. I often question everything now. what day is it? how long have I been here? Will I die here? It seems questioning is the only thing that keeps me sane, yet not knowing the answers is a greater torture then hell itself. When I asked a guard how long I have been here, the answer brought me to my rear as I just sat in shock and horror.
"Since you pulled your little stunt in the castle, It has been about 3 years."
"Whats the matter kid?, already loosing your marbles?
I just looked at the guards face with a hopeless look as I sad down and thought about how everything panned out. He eventually walked away from my cell as I hear his hoofs clack on the stone floor of the prison. Memories float around in my head like as if I were reliving them. Something that I would want more than anything else in the world. The phrase still rings in my head. The title I was givin by the pony I looked up to most in this world.
"Twilight Sparkle, you are my prized pupil"
That phrase still ring in my mind. giving me some sort of comfort as well as a great deal of pain. constantly I remind myself of that very day when I took everything she trusted me with and all of her expectations and thrown them back into her face. I only wanted to protect somepony I loved, even if it did mean speaking out against royalty.
"I only wanted to protect him"
"I only wanted to protect him!" I screamed as I bucked at the bars of my cell as hard as I could. the metal clang rung deep in the open caverns of the prison as echoed down as far as I could see. I collapsed in my bed that the prison supplied for me. It was nothing much. Just a wooden plank attached to the wall with a single sheet and no pillow. I cried deep into my pillow, thinking of anyway I could escape what my life had become. I soon enough feel into a deep sleep for the night
~~~
"They can't do that!, he'll die out there!"
I pleaded to Princess Cadance to try and go change Celestias decision. "There's nothing I can do Twilight, My husband is the Captain of the Guard and he has a duty to the Princess." Cadance said softly with a defeated look. She knew just as much as I did that he is in grave danger. I love my brother, almost as much as Cadance loves him as a husband. I had a horrible feeling in my gut that he was headed straight for a death trap, and I needed to let Celestia know this.
I ran full speed around the castle to try to find the royal princess, but she was no where to be found. Luna was out scouting possible positions we could attack the resistance from. I galloped through hallway after hallway checking room after room but no sign of the princess.
I eventually found a room with a door that was cracked slightly open. With my curiosity of finding Celestia there was no question for me to look inside. Upon looking I discovered I've stumbled across a war meeting room. I could only assume it was used to discus war tactics and talk over what the next step would be to winning the war against the opposition. I noticed a folded map with numerous X's and O's.
It was unclear to me what any of that meant until I read the details of the positions of the battle. Numerous ponies names on the list that bravely would sacrifice themselves to ensure that we would win this war. The plan seemed to have a lot of holes in it. I could have instantly thought of many ways this plan could have gone better. The plan was titled "Decoy #1" as the very top. Upon the very top of the list was the name that rang me deep inside and put thoughts in my head that would change my life for ever.
Squad leader: Shining Armor
"This is it!" I proclaimed louder then I thought I ever would. I managed to find the plans for me brothers mission. I had a gut feeling that something bad was going to happen and this map was proof that I was right all along.
"Hello? Who is there?" I heard from the hallway as a guard was closing in on my position. I started to panic knowing that I wasn't suppose to be here and that I was about to take a very important document without the permission of royalty. I continued to panic inside the room as the hoof steps got louder and louder as they were getting closer and closer. I quickly tucked the plan into a saddle bag and walked out of the room. The guard met me half way.
"What were you doing in there?" The guard asked me with a stern look on his face.
"I seem to have gotten lost, can you help me?" I quietly asked the guard with a little quiver in my voice. "Sure" he said with some kindness in his voice. " Let me just check in this room to see if everything is in check for this afternoons attack"
Those words made my heart sink down to my stomach. If he discovers the plans were missing, I could get in huge trouble and wouldn't be able to protect Shining Armor.
"Alright everything seems to be in order here, Let me just...wait...where is the Pla..."
The guards head bounces off the floor as I slowly levitated the stool back down to the ground. Blood dripped from the seat down to the chair legs. I quivered and shook at what I have just done. This was truly the point of no return. I ran out of the room as fast as I could. Running down the hallways of the royal palace garnered a lot of attention from guards.
They chanced after me throughout the hallways and corridors. I never stopped or looked back at there demands to stop or slow down. I needed to find the princess no matter what the cost. I turned the corner sharply to run face first into the chest of a guard. They surrounded me with no place to go.
~~~
"Your Majesty, This pony of Canterlot is charged with theft of royal property and assault on a royal guard."
The guard walked back to me and stared into my eyes. I have never been more frighted in my life at that point. So much confusion wrapped my head. Knowing what was good or bad for me or for Equestria.
Princess Celestia looked down upon me with eyes filled with sorrow and shame for my actions.
"How do you plead Twilight Sparkle?"
"Guilty" I said in a soft tone of voice. Knowing I have sealed my fate for anything I will ever do in Canterlot and maybe even Equestria.
"Princess Celestia, may I speak?"
She looked at me and nodded her head but the look on her face said loud and clear that she doubted I could say anything that would justify my actions.
"I wanted to do what was right for my brother, I knew something was wrong when he wanted to join the fight against the rebellion and I was scared for his life" I claimed very sheepishly but loud enough so Celestia could hear me. "I was running around the castle trying to find you so I could see if I can change your mind, that's when I found the scroll and then tucked it away to give my brother some time so that I could speak to him."
As I kept explaining my story I noticed the Princesses eyes start to lighten and the stern look started to fade away. "I panicked and struck the guard with the chair and ran at the thought that if I was caught then I would loose any chance of saving my brother". Tears started to roll down my cheeks as I reach the end of my story.
"I'm so sorry Princess...I didn't mean for any of this"
Celestia looked down at me and came down to me, holding my close. Pulling me toward her in a large embrace.
"I know you only meant what was right, twilight"
She continued to hold me tightly as I still cried.
"Am I going to go to jail Princess?"
her eyes teared up and she held me tighter, I never felt a feeling like this. Of love and faith, but pain and anguish at the same time.
"No, Twilight...you are not going to go to jail"
upon hearing those words my eyes lit up and I held her tight and cried deeply. Feeling safe and secured near the pony that I love as a mentor as a friend for almost my entire life.
"I'm so sorry..." I said in tears as I rested my head close to hers.
"you are my prized pupil, Twilight Sparkle ... and you make me proud everyday"
~~~
I woke up the next morning still in my damp cell. I burst into tears at the dream and the moment that was just taken away from me. something that I wish happened more than anything else in the world.
