God Save The Princess

When the door closed, I felt a little confused. The two that escorted me left me with few words and little direction. But in the room, there was a monarch, guards, and a servant or two. Watching me. Observing. Deciding.

I looked at the table, and almost instantly I realized something was up. The Major said the death penalty was outlawed, and this certainly is no court room which means a trial isn't going to occur. At least not now. The monarch looked visibly confused with my caution.

"Take a seat, please." She asked, her voice regal and calm.

I did as she asked and pulled out the chair closest to me. It was big. Enough to fit another Celestia. It was also comfy. Like a velvet pillow under my ass. I still felt tense though. Unsure of what to do next. The food looked enticing, but I saw a disturbing lack of steak or beef. And I doubt it was free.

"Go on, eat. " She bid. "Time in the dungeon must've starved you."

"Starved?" I asked, pausing to grab a nearby carrot. "Starved. Right. You don't know the definition of starved, madam."

"Errr.."

I saw the visible confusion on her face, her eyes looking between me and a servant. I leaned forward.

"I meant no disrespect of course, Princess. It's been a trying two weeks and I'd be lying if I said I'm not a little moody." I added, taking a nice bite of my carrot. The coolness soothed an otherwise bitchy mood. It tasted well too. It was satisfying just hearing the crunch.

Mmmm, nice and chill.

"Oh, uh.. Right, I'm sure it has. Well, lets not make haste with our discussions. We have much to talk about, but we also have plenty of time. Enjoy your food, i'm sure its better than what my guards have been feeding you."

"Discussions? Unless your wanting to send me back where I came from I doubt we have much to talk about."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Well, Princess. I broke it down for the Major I'll break it down for you." I said, leaning back in my seat. "Before you offer a single damn thing let me tell you. My time here has been absolute hell for me. I've been mauled, nursed back to health and subsequently kicked out. I've been branded a monster and hunted by horses, I've been bitched at and thrown in a dungeon to await trial for just trying to survive."

The Monarch only watched and listened attentively. She had pity, I knew it. I saw it in her eyes. But how much pity I could not say. She could feel immensely bad for me, or she could care less. To her, I was alien. Different. What good would it do to help me if it potentially damages her economy or her public image? If she had anything good to announce to me, then I'd eat my knife.

"If you have anything to say. Anything at all! You better make it fast." I finished, grabbing a nearby roll. "For my patience is strained to the very last inch of my psych."

She only looked at me for a moment before letting loose a sigh.

"I'm sorry to hear all that. I truly, truly am... But we have an entire meal in front of us and I'd rather it not go to waste. Enjoy. We'll talk here soon." She said with a calming smile to end it. But she mentioned something quietly (although I still heard it) at the end that forced me to calm myself over the next hour. "Plus, it would do for you not to be hostile. I am your judge and I am your jury."

For the next hour, I ate. Voraciously, I might add. I didn't even try to act gentlemanly. I cared not for whose presence I was in, nor did I care of about the looks I got from the servants or guards. They were disgusted, but if I have had one nickel for each shit I gave, I would have no nickels. This food was better than what the Major gave me, and it was fresh. The rolls were soft, and the vegetables and fruits were fresh, juicy, and washed. They tasted AWESOME.

The Princess only watched. She didn't look disgusted, no. Not at all. She looked intrigued. She was witnessing an alien creature and its eating habits. What it-I-What I preferred. She seem impressed. I ate everything there was to eat. The soup, the apples, the rolls. The celery, the oranges... And especially the carrots... Goddamn the carrots taste better than they do back Home. Why is that?

I think its worth noting that there was a disturbing lack of meats on the table. No beef. No pork. No chicken. Nothing.

It was the Princess who broke the silence. A question that even I wanted an answer to.

"Why are you here?" She asked. But I only looked at her, did I have an answer? No. I could be a smartass, and tell her how I got here. But I'd rather not.

"I'd rather ask you my question first. Its sorta a big one." I countered.

"You are in no position to be asking questions! Listen, and answer." A nearby guard ordered, but I only looked at him. Unimpressed. He doesn't realize I've met Drill Instructors with a bark much worse. I tried and tried for days to contain my anger, my temper. While I let a little out on the princess earlier, this lit the fuse.

"Chill the fuck out, you glue stick wannabe!" I yelled as I turned and pointed at him. "If I wanted your damn opinion I'd have asked you. Now shut your chili hole!"

He backed away. Furrowing his brow at my exclamation. However, tough don't sell that way and I ignored it.

The Princess looked unamused and even a little insulted. But how the hell does she think I feel? Seriously. Her smile had faded. Her eyes staring me down. But I wasn't impressed either.

"Keep your soldiers under control, madam. This ain't a great time to piss me off."

"OK. Then, why don't we keep the aggression minimal? Now..." She said. "Did you enjoy the food? Certainly better than what they were feeding you, I imagine."

"Why, yes actually. It was a nice change. Five days of watery porridge is all you can take before you get sick of it." I replied. But I quickly turned my head, not wanting to accidentally insult anyone. "It wouldn't kill you to put some damn meat on the table..." I muttered.

"What?" She asked, noticing my reticent comment.

"Hmm?"

I looked over and saw the morning sky through the windows. I could see Pegasi patrols fluttering back and forth over the skies of this grand city. Bright light shining through the clouds and gleamed off their golden armor. It was a nice spectacle.

"Well.... what's your question?" She asked, cocking her head and raising a brow. I had her attention.

"Well, Princess. I'm sure you've realized this at this point, but in the case you haven't I'll keep it short and simple." I said, glancing at the near empty table. I had eaten nearly everything, and yet my appetite is not satiated. "I don't belong here. I'm sure you understand this, no?"

"Uhh.. well..."

"So, I was wondering if you could just send me back. I've spent too much time here and half my shit either is destroyed or I can't find it."

Like my helmet.

The Princess looked thoughtful for a second, but quickly turned sour. She opened her mouth to speak but paused. As if to contemplate her next choice of words. She found them.

"Well... I don't know what I can do. I mean, I don't even know what you are." She said.

And that right there dashed what little hope I had left. Not like I expected anything different, though. I slunk a little in my seat, brow furrowed.

"Yeah, I expected as much..... so what happens now?" I asked

<><><>

House arrest.

That's what happened next. House-fucking-arrest. Granted, we talked for a while, but when I asked what is she going to do with me she said she had already decided.

House arrest.

Before I was escorted out by her household guards, we talked. Mostly, she asked questions that were relevant to the situation. What I was, who I was, where I came from, etc etc. I answered as best I could. I told her my true name but she preferred Sergeant. It rolled off the tongue easier. I told her of a desert of a country called Afghanistan. Told her of the dangerous trivialities you go through day in day out. Told her the average life expectancy of rookies fresh from Boot camp. Then she had asked me something I was happy to answer. She had asked me what I was militarily. She had asked if my rank was indeed a Sergeant, and my experience as both a soldier and a leader. I remember smiling as I answered.

I told her the truth. I was a Marine. A stubborn bullet-sponge. She asked if my job was to guard naval shipyards and ships like her Marines. But no, I told her my duty was combat on land. I told her that as a Marine my leadership and soldiering was A-OK. I told her I had fought in many battles and almost died each time.

Such great memories.

After I had answered her I asked her what now. But she simply sighed and told her guards to take my new room. Instead of a small cell they actually took me to a room. A room with windows, a rich looking bed with blankets that looked to be made of velvet, and even a goddamn bathroom.

And since that I had spent the last five days without warm water, I had decided to go investigate it first.

I flipped the light switch, and the lights came on. And I immediately glanced around. The first thing I noticed of the room was the tile. It was a shiny white, not a smidgen of dirt or dust. I was actually impressed, its been a long time since I saw a bathroom clean a whistle. I actually thought it was impossible. I saw the shower, and my mood went a little south. At first glance it was neck height for me, and that sorta sucked. I mean, the feelings of having a hot shower but at the same time having a cool breeze brush against you... it just wasn't cool.... Maybe if I knelt or sat it wouldn't be bad. I saw toilet and a sink as well, there was a mirror above the sink, and I saw-

My god, I looked dirty!

I'm fine with being dirty. I mean, after all, I fought in a desert. Dirty was a normal thing amongst the troops. But... ugh. If I knew how dirty I was I would've attempted to find that drip in the cell before... breakfast? Was it breakfast? Or brunch?

Whatever the case, I needed a shower. Bad. I began undressing, As I undressed, slipping off my desert cammies and undoing my boots, I caught the full whiff of how dirty I was. The uniform stank. Like very bad.

Almost as bad as a corpse.

It should be understandable though, but it isn't all the same. Sure, I was in a cell that was rank like a wet dog, and sure I had to do my business in the corner for five days. And sure, my uniform hadn't been cleaned since I've been here. But this was inexcusable. I didn't feel like hurling though; I've been around corpses. But this?

Goddamnit.

Slipping my boxers down my legs, I stepped over to the shower and pulled back the curtain. Surveying both the contents and the design. Typical design, but the contents... Only shampoo and conditioner. No soap bars. But I guess it's fine shampoo works both ways. I looked at the shampoo bottle. Purple in color, but had a label with green leaves on it. The label read Genuine Serenity. Shampoo for mares. .

I pursed my lips and read it again.

....

Well, does it really matter?

I set the bottle down and stepped in the shower, closing the curtain behind me. My head just above the bar.

I cursed mentally and ignored it. Opting to take a knee before switching on the faucet. I felt a shiver as I reached for it, the cold air stinging my flesh. In Afghanistan that would be amazing, but here? No.

I braced for the cold water and quickly turned the faucet. And as expected, the shower head ejaculated with a storm of cold water. Goosebumps developed quickly but soon disappeared as the water warmed.

I sighed in comfort, my body warming and oblivious to the cold air fighting to get me. But the warmth of the water was too great.

Now for the shampoo.....

<><><>

The shower was the best one I had all year. I wasn't under fire, the water wasn't cold because some jackass used it all prior, and the pressure was amazing. The shampoo...

Well, for starters, it smelled like lilacs and had sparkles in it. I couldn't even begin to explain how badly I would get roasted in my company for using it. I tried looking for an alternative even getting out and checking the bedroom. Boy, was that a mistake. Cold sir sucks even worse after a shower.

Although to my chagrin I had to use it. But actually it helped. Alot. My scalp had began to peel during my incarceration. Time unshowered and the filth kinda are a bad combination. But the shampoo immiedietly cured it. I could even feel the skin repair itself. What an odd feeling. Like... I can't describe it.

When I was done with my shower I stayed inside a while longer and enjoyed the heat. But, eventually I had figured enough was enough, turned it off and stepped out. As I drew back the curtain, the cold air greeted me like bullets on skin. I ignored it however and stepped out, looking for the towel. But to my misfortune there wasn't one. Which was odd, considering I noticed one on the door on the way in...

"You lookin' for a towel?" I heard from the bedroom. I recognized the voice to be the Majors voice. I could hear the mischief in her voice. "Come an get it, Sergeant!" She said.

I remained still.

"I know you hear me, come an get it!"

I hesitated but remembered days in basic. I was comfortable being naked around my fellow man. But a pony? And female at that. Well, Marine showers weren't communal. Males had theirs, females had theirs. I would love for communal showers though. I know some Marines, male and female alike, who share my sentiment. To my point, I wasn't used to be naked around the opposite sex. But, not only did I not have that big of a problem with it (we're soldiers. We got more things to worry about than others staring at your tits or your dick), but it seems I have no choice in this as the cold is biting my skin like little bugs with razor sharp teeth. The water running down my limbs isn't helping either. I stepped into the bedroom, water trailing behind me. I looked around, and saw the towel on the bed. My uniform was there too. Moved from where I had left it.

And there was Sprinkled Summer. On my bed, her helmet laying next to her. She was sitting there, a smirk across her face and eyes on me. I saw the devilry in her pupils. Her large fucking pupils. I also saw some bruises, and I felt a little ping of guilt at the sight.

"Did you take my towel.... and my uniform?" I asked, cocking my head and looking her dead in the eyes. She cackled. Knowing what she had done.

"You're damn right I did. I bet the cold hurts." She said.

I haven't been in the cold for years, fuck yeah it hurts. Especially in this form.

"Sneaky sneaky." I quietly remarked, but something about her widening smile told me that she heard me. These ponies ears must be really good. Better than mine at any rate.

"More than you know." She said, rolling her eyes. I moved for the towel, but caught her looking at my manhood. She snickered.

"You see something you like?" I chuckled as I pulled the towel over my head. She laughed some more.

"Bah, don't flatter yourself." She dismissed. I was the one there to roll my eyes then, rubbing my hair (what little I had) with the towel. A nice hot shower like that one was just what I needed although I never thought I would miss hot showers. But here I am. The smile on the Major faltered slightly, as if going back into soldier mode. But I doubted she actually was back in it. "I was actually sent here to guard you until further notice... and to, eh, get your measurements." She said.

My measurements?

"My measurements? Why?" I asked. I began rubbing down my legs. The water began to form a puddle where I was standing, and it was extremely uncomfortable. Cold. She pulled out a roll of measuring tape from under her Achilles helmet.

"Well, see i'm not at liberty to tell you." She said as she got up off the bed. "I'm sure you've had to say that before." She said.

"Not really." I replied, dropping the towel. "So... now?" I asked.

"Yeah, just hold still." She said, standing up on her hind legs and bringing the tape around my neck. Her fur was warm to the touch, but her metal sabatons were cold as Ice Hell. "Heh, sorry i'm getting a little too close." She said, before murmuring something incoherent. Probably numbers.

"So, you enjoy your shower?" She asked calmly. I smiled and replied calmly, closing my eyes as she brought the tape around. Occasionally, her fur would graze my skin and it felt nice. Warm. Soft. I would guess that shampoo really helps them in particular.

"Yeah, water pressure was fine. Warm water felt nice, especially in this cold. Speaking of which, could you hurry? In case you hadn't noticed I do not have fur. I am freezing." I replied. "And I'm not sure if I feel comfortable with you pawing my body."

She then cocked her head and brought the tape around my chest. Mumbling once more, she gestured for me to raise my arm. In doing so, she brought the tape across it. She mumbled again before letting me lower it. She brought the tape around my waist, and then looked up at me. Removing it just as quickly. It was a relief, the sabatons were so cold it hurt, burned more like. She looked up at me, a bit of embarrassment crossing her sheepish smile.

"This... might be a little cold. So sorry if I graze."

"What?"

Without a second to let me protest, she brought it to my hips, the sabatons grazing my crotch. I exhaled quickly in surprise, seeing my own breath; a mist that dissipated quickly within seconds. But as she moved, the metal was replaced with the warmth of her fur. These ponies were half my height, when it came down to it I shouldn't have expected anything different. But I can't help but feel like she knew what she grazed. I felt a warmness emanate from my cheeks but ignored it, as she did as well. She seemed more calm with it though. She then went around, the tape going with her. It was being wrapped around the full of my hips, and I felt it on my backside. With another mumble, she was done. And was quick in in retracting both her hooves, and the tape. She walked back in sights.

"Heh, as I said i'm sorry. I, uh, didn't like it any more than you did." She said, sheepishly turning her head slightly. Facing the windows "Now let me just finish up here and you can... do you whatever it is you do. Ill be back to give you a full tour of this room and whatever else it is I have to do."

I exhaled, and she went to my side. Extending the tape from my hips all the way to my feet. After a few seconds of mumbling, she gave a satisfactory "hmph" and let the tape retract into its sheath. She looked up at me, smiling.

"So, what are these for again?" I asked, moving for my uniform.

"Again, i'm not at liberty to say... But you'll find out soon." She said, grabbing her helmet. "For now, cover yourself if you must. You look cold." She chuckled. She put her helmet back on, and she turned away. But she stopped for a second, as if in thought, and looked back at me.

"Hey, by the way you asked me some questions earlier, in the dungeon. Know that I got some questions for you too, by the by. Remember that. You owe me." She smiled before leaving the room, the door closing behind her.

She has questions for me now, eh?

<><><>

She didn't give me a tour of the room. No, no in fact she never did come back. At least not for a few hours. I was left to own instruments and found my way around myself. I knew where the bathroom was. And I mostly just relaxed on the bed (it was cushioned velvet! It felt like a goddamn cloud!). When I got back into my uniform I felt the pang of stink and dirt once more. Sweat. Blood. Nasty.

A guard came and brought me my things. Didn't say anything though. She left as soon as she came. I wanted to put on my PT gear, but shorts and a t-shirt were hardly the right things to wear in the winter. I didn't have my damnable sweats, so... That was out of the question. My rifle was unloaded, some bullets missing. I decided I would eventually check everything. Make sure I had everything I came here with. My MP3 (as luck would have it) was fully charged. And it was on when I found it. The headphones were plugged in, and the song was on Brown Eyed Girl. It was paused...

Somebody was enjoying my shit.

When I put it back into my pack, I discovered a note instead next to my canteen. It was signed by a guard named "Kingscrest.", but it didn't say anything in particular. Just something about passing inspection with no discrepancies. I don't exactly like the fact they went through it, but other than some bullets, nothing seemed missing. But as long as I don't have suspicion carrying its aroma around me then I guess its fine.

Eventually, the Major did return. But she was a little more strict. She was in soldier mode. She ordered me to follow her and not to lollygag. So I did. She commented, saying that it seems a shower would not help with the stink that I have. Though it was just the uniform. No amount of explaining would change her mind.

Damnable stubborn mare.

As we moved in silence through the castle, the servants stared in shock, surprise, fear, you name it. The guards remained indignant, but I could see that many were intimidated. Some hid it well, some did not. I was already beginning to feel a normal air about this however. Seeing a creature that stands taller than you and stronger than you can inspire feelings of dread and fear. But still, it was unwelcome. I chose to ignore it however. When I began to see soldiers clad in golden plate I began to suspect I was approaching royalty. Only one entity in this castle had these soldiers around, so it made sense. My suspicions were confirmed when I arrived at a set of doors, flanked on both sides by plated guards. It had the symbol of the sun on it. The Major left me there, only ordering my to go inside. She smiled however, as she walked away. I knew the smile well. My fellow Marines always had that smile on my birthday.

The smile said: I know something you don't know.

The guards flanking the door shared the smile too. But their smile faded when they realized I was paying attention. They opened the doors, and I walked in. They closed them behind me and I was greeted with the sight of two alicorns.

Both as beautiful as the other.

They both looked at me, the new one smiling. The new alicorn was dark. Dark as night, but her smile was warm. Like a ray of lantern light. As with every other pony, she had a tattoo on her ass. It depicted the moon. It was safe to say that she was a so-called princess. A princess of the moon, perhaps? She had a single guard. Covered in dark metal plate. She was a lunar, I could tell simply from the fangs. But this soldier stared daggers at me. As if I had caused great harm to her in the past.

Maybe its just a facade meant to intimidate?

The moon princesses mane, like Celestia, was flowing with nonexistent wind. It was awe-inspiring sight. And as I was with Celestia, being in the presence of this princess was calming. I looked to Celestia, who did not have a smile. But she seemed happy to see me, her eyes betraying nothing but expectation and glee.

Maybe glee wasn't the best word...

"Ahh, here he is. Lulu." She said, affectionately. "This is Sergeant. The...visitor. Sergeant, this is my sister. Princess Luna. She is the monarch of the moon." She added. I looked to Luna... Lulu... And smiled. Bowing my head with my reply.

"Ahh, nice to meet to you, Princess Luna." I said. "I was unaware of a diarchy."

"I wouldn't have expected you to know... But, me and Lulu have plenty of things we must attend to, as you can understand. We would've put this off until tonight, when we have more free time, but the situation has changed." Celestia said, looking towards one of her guards.

"I do expect for you to realize however that you are not getting off scot-free for the crimes you have committed recently." She said.

"One count of disturbing the peace. Two counts of assaulting an officer of the law with deadly force. One count of vandalism. One count of attempted murder of an officer of the law...." The nearby lunar guard read off, though I stopped her at the last count.

"Attempted murder? What the...." I said, but stopped as I looked towards the princesses. "What... what do you mean?"

"You broke Captain Shiny's jaw. That not only triggered a shock to spread through his system, but also caused him to pass out before the paramedics arrived. You also triggered his epilepsy. He had been taking medication to suppress it but the sheer force of your attack caused a delayed seizure. He is in the hospital as we speak and has since woken up, but he is not expected to recover for a few weeks to a month at best." She said, her eyes full of distaste. She turned to the princesses. "On a side note, he did have one of his subordinates turn in his resignation when he learned we did not execute this...." She looked at me. "Thing."

I only looked at her, my expression unchanging. I had words I wanted to voice, but had no idea of how to go about it. The whole situation seemed... tense. No words should be said, I decided. I looked to the princesses.

"Anything else?"

"Yes, one count of harassing an officer of the law... although it was Stella... so she probably deserved it." The lunar guard finished.

Wow...i'm in deep shit...

"We wouldst not execute thee, regardless. Sergeant... Exile is more appropriate for what thou hath committed but 'Tia, on the other hoof, admires thy prowess. Thy capability. Thou hast taken on the Town Guard and not only evaded capture for a good time, but also bested them in combat." Luna spoke up. Speaking in old English dialect, this surprised me but I nonetheless understood her perfectly. Celestia, or 'Tia, looked a bit unhappy with her choice of words.

"I think "admire" is too generous of a word, Lulu... But she is right. And not only did show skill in both combat and stealth, but you also have shown you can take charge. When the guard ordered you to answer my question first, you snapped. Took charge of the situation and, at its core, ordered him to be silent. Although your method I do not agree with, you have leadership. You also have chivalry. Everyone in the city has heard of how you spared Major Sprinkled Summer. The gossip spread fast and public opinion is mixed of you." Celestia said. "But despite that, many are clamoring for your exile, however, including the nobles and my distant nephew. But I think of it a waste to exile one with such.... potential. Which brings me to my point... While my subjects aren't too happy with you, they will follow whatever decision I make regarding your fate. So, you have two options in front of you. I will let you choose." She said as she stood up, walking towards me.

Two decisions? Sounds... good? But why they cared about my skill, my "potential", is beyond me. I listened intently.

"You can accept exile. It sounds unpleasant, I know. You will be sent to Griffonstone with nothing but what you own. You will fend for yourself, and will henceforth be a distant memory that many will be glad to be rid of... or..." She offered, standing over me. Where I was, she stood tall and looked down upon me.

Exile did not sound like something I should, or would, choose. While I am not happy with what I have done lately, I also do not think its entirely my fault. Its sorta everyone elses fault for being hasty with their actions and not waiting to see what happened....

Well, I guess I did assault that one soldier unprovoked... maybe it sorta is my fault. I mean, the ponies might riot if I don't leave.

I put my hands together in a pyramid shape, listening for the second suggestion. The first didn't sound great, but if it prevented me from inciting riots then I might have to choose that. She smiled, as if knowing what rattled in my mind.

"Or you can serve me."

Author's Note

This chapter had to be cut short due to the fact I haven't published in weeks. Hence the part 1 in the title. Now, I know. These chapters take forever to be pushed out and I need to stop with that. But hopefully this will leave you all waiting patiently with the next one. Ill get it done as soon as possible.

(Ill also be honest, I was losing creativity steadily in this chapter. It'll be back next chapter.)