Chapter the Second: Your Choice

"Uugh. Now that's TWO times I feel like I was puked up by a kraggon." I said. Then I opened my eyes and studied my surroundings. "OH FUCK ME!!!" I had been here for no more than 3 hours and I was already in a cell. Then I heard someone laughing.

"Well it would appear you've woken up princess. Congratulations, your first legal account in Equestria is Twenty-two counts of murder. And of royal guards no less." A guard said.

"Where am I?" I asked for the second time.

"Location, Country, or City?"

"City and location."

The guard sighed and said "You are in Canterlot, and your exact location is the castle dungeons."

"Dungeons? Why am I not in the city jailhouse?" I asked.

"Do I really need to answer that miss 'twenty-two counts of murder'?" The guard said with a small smirk on his face.

"I suppose not." I said, feeling ignorant.

Then it hit me. "Where is my shield!?" I shouted.

"Whoa whoa whoa missy. You won't be needing it where you're going." The guard said.

I growled at him. "If anything, and I mean Anything happens to that shield I will make you pay."

He just chuckled and said "Tell you what. I'll even give you my name: Hammer Strike. I am the guard blacksmith and captain of the Thestral guard. If you can find me, you can formally challenge me to a duel, and I will accept. But if you lose, I decide your punishment."

"And if YOU lose?" I said.

"If I lose, then I will be indebted to you until a third party decides otherwise." He said.

"Seems fair enough." I said.

"That is, if you live long enough to get to that point." He said.

"What do you mean?"

"Really? You're seriously asking that question." He said.

"Pah! I can get myself out of any situation. You'll see." I said.

"Hmph. OK." He said skeptically. Then he looked up. "And speak of the devil."

I listened and heard footsteps. I instantly donned a straight face and waited for whomever it was to show their face. Two more guards appeared along with... I was stunned silent. Two of the tallest women I had ever seen were standing right in front of me. But that is not what stunned me. What stunned me was that fact that they had Wings!!! And Horns like a Unicorns!! "What are you two?" I whispered. One was taller than the other. The taller one was white with a billowing rainbow mane and, was that a tail!?! The shorter one was blue with a flowing mane that looked like the night sky.

"Are you done ogling us?" The white one asked.

I shook myself out of my stupor and nodded.

"Good. Clearly you have no idea what we are and we are just as clueless about you. So, before you go on trial, I'll make you a deal: If you can give us all the information we want, we may not execute you." She said.

"Ha! Like I'd fall for that. I seriously doubt that some interrogater could get that out of me. Even then, do you even have the authority to do such a thing?" I said.

The blue one spoke up. "Don't you talk to my sister like that! To doubt our authority. Scandalous! We are trying to keep you alive! Now try again."

"So you mean to tell me that you two are the presiding diarchs and are trying to keep me alive?"

"Yes." They said in sync.

"Well, I suppose I could talk. But I want to see my weapons first. I don't need them on me, I just need to see them." I said.

"Fine." The white one said. "And our names are Celestia and Luna. Just so you know."

They nodded to Hammer and he unlocked the cell door. He then proceeded to draw his sword as if to say Try something, I dare you. I merely smirked and gestured for them to lead the way. As we walked along I made sure to watch my surroundings. I needed to know my way around if I were to get away.

"Don't even think about it." Celestia said.

"Think about what?" I asked innocently.

"Pha ha ha ha haaaa! Don't try that innocent bullshit with me. I know what you are and I used to be one myself. I can see that you are, Ahem. 'Planning ahead.' And I feel somewhat disrespected."She said.

Now it was my turn to laugh. After I calmed down (which took a couple of minutes) I looked at her and said "YOU. YOU used to be a mercenary. Ooohhh that. That's a good one. Tell me, how does a Diarch of a nation have a past where her being a mercenary be a thing?"

"Well, I could give you a long story of my life 700 years ago, but you wouldn't enjoy that, nor do I wish to tell you. So how about I show you? You up to it?" She said.

"Waitwaitwaitwaitwait. Are you challenging me? To a duel?" I asked.

Celestia chuckled and said, "I suppose I am. Shall we?"

"Let's, may I have my equipment?" I said.

"SISTER! You mustn't do this! This is preposterous! I doubt she will even survive a minute! How will we get information then?!?" Luna yelled.

"Faust, calm down Luna!! I'm not going to kill her! Geez. You'd think after all our time together you'd know me a little better." She said, seeming a little hurt.

"I'm sorry sister, it's just that you haven't done this in so long, I'm a little worried you'll take it too far."

"That's fine Luna." Then she faced me. "So what do you say? Ready for a, Ahem. Fight?" She said, trying to hold back a smile.

"I am insulted at how much you underestimate me. And yes. I accept. May I have my weapons? I'll even go easy on you." I said. Then she actually laughed.

"Alright. You may have your sword and shield. But we are keeping your bag." She said.

"Very well. Where will this take place?" I asked.

"In the throne room." Luna said.

"How big is your throne room, to be able to hold a battle?" I asked.

"It's about 200 by 100 feet." Celestia said, nonchalantly.

"WHAT!?! That's almost the size of a Turbomansion!! How the hell did your country pay for that!?!" I shouted.

"I don't know. It was built before I was born." Celestia said.

"And how long ago was that?" I asked.

"About 2500 years ago." She stated.

"Oh damnit. I'm dealing with an immortal. Wonderful." I spat.

"Technically, we're not immortal per se. We just possess longevity." Luna said.

"Yeah, 'cause that's much better." I said. There was silence for a while as we walked and eventually we reached where my things were being held.

"Here we are." Hammer said. "Shall I accompany you in?"

"You can just grab her things Hammer." Celestia said. He came out a moment later and handed me Aspis and Xiphos.

"Now. To the throne room!! Let all the guards know what is going on so they don't interfere." Luna said. And we began our trip to the throne room.

Two hours Latér

"Good lord! Are we almost there? I'm getting incredibly bored." I asked.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnd we're here." Celestia said. I turned to see the largest set of doors I hadever seen.

"Why do I feel like we've been going in circles?" I asked.

Luna giggled. "Because we have."

I face-palmed and said, "I should have known."

The doors opened and I saw an enormous crowd surrounding a large circular cage.

"Let me guess. That's our arena." I said unimpressed.

"Yes. I can't very well take you to the stadium, so this will have to do." Celestia said.

The guards made a path for us. Most of the guards just snickered at me. I heard "Doesn't look like much." And "Really? That's fighting the Princess? I feel insulted!" And even "Bets! Bets! Take your bets here!" As we walked in, the gate was closed behind us. Celestia summoned a scythe and golden armor. I scratched my neck.

"Ready?" She asked?

"Born." I said. And it began.

She yelled and started with an upward swing which I easily sidestepped. She smirked and brought it back down twice as fast. I had to roll away and the ground cracked where she hit it. She continued with an onslaught of horizontal swipes that started to drive me to the edge of the cage. I took this as my que to use my secret advantage. I activated my Oz mask and jumped over her. She was so startled she just opened and closed her mouth for a second. She shook her head and yelled "How did you do that?"

"Well you see, I have this thing called an Oz mask and-" She interrupted me. "I know how. I got the report. What I want know is how you got it back."

"Well that's quite simple darling..."

Two Hours Ago

"You can just grab her things Hammer." Celestia said.

He came out and handed me my things. On the hilt of the sword, facing my palm was a note. It read "Don't die just yet. Look inside the hilt, but don't be noticed.

Now

"And that's what happened! Isn't it interesting? What a twist!" I said in my best Moxxi voice.

She growled and pointed to Hammer Strike. "Arrest him!!!" She shouted. And he was instantly tackled and restrained.

"Hey!" I shouted

"What!?!" She shouted back.

"Hows about we add on to the deal?!?" I shouted again.

"What do you want?!?" She shouted back.

"If I win this duel, he isn't killed or jailed!" I screamed.

"Fine!!! It's not like you're gonna win anyway!!!" She screamed.

"One more thing!" I screamed even louder.

"WHAT!?!?!?!?" She shouted in a voice that almost blew me off my feet.

"Why are we screaming?" I asked in a normal voice. She got a look on her face and I just burst out laughing. She yelled again and charged at me once more. She swung at me and this time I blocked it. Not the best Idea on my part. She sent me sliding on my feet. And when I stopped she was right there. I started to taunt her. "You alright there rainbow?""You gonna live pasty-face?""Need a break?" On and on until she stopped out of breath and let out a blood curdling scream. "You're going to Tartarus today!!" And her hair and tail became flames. "I'm gonna cook you with one spell until you're nothing but a pile of ashes!!" Her horn began to glow.

Now. I don't know much about magic, but I DO know about lasers. And she was about to shoot one that would probably be half of the Hyperion laser. So I took out Aspis and let her do her thing. When the blast hit Aspis it was charged instantly. I had never seen the blades spin so fast. Then I heard another charging up. And yet again I took cover. By the time the second blast was over, Aspis couldn't take any more. But before I could throw it, it exploded in my hands. Oh no. I thought. All of the energy. Everything Aspis had ever absorbed. Came flying out of it... and straight at me.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

It was the most painful thing I had ever experienced. All the corrosion. The electricity. The fire. The explosions. The ice. Even all the energy from the Vault Sentinels. And now all the magic. It all rushed into me. And when it was over? Well. Let's just say I know how John felt.