Far Away

CHAPTER XXXIV

Let not sorrows engulf your life. No matter if you give up or not, time will always pass. Time will drag everything along with it, no matter what until it dies, or is just no more. When you are just no more, post mortem; not walking on this planet anymore, be content of what you have done and strive to do evermore within your power. Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero.

The train swept calmly along the tracks, as smoothly as ship sailing on calm seas, swaying slightly. As the train sped away from Manehattan, Jack could see the billowing smoke of the smouldering craters and rampaging fires in the streets. The windows that were not shattered reflected harsh shades of red, and the occasional flash of white from a firearm. High towers have toppled over, leaving the skyline looking abnormal compared to when Jack came to Manehattan in the first place.

Hours dragged by slowly as the landscape flickered by. It felt like years have passed when the train started ascending the mountain gradually, spiralling up the tall spire of rock until reaching a tunnel whose coated with marble and gold. Lanterns hung from the ceiling of the tunnel, which gradually opened up into a large spacious hall; Canterlot Station.

Jack walked down the small hallway of the train, and exited through a small door on the end of the carriage. The station was bustling with young colts and fillies; the reason Jack knew not as he made his way to the exit of the large building as he has done many times before. Reaching a reasonably sized hallway, Jack turned and headed out through the large archway onto the busy city streets. Life here seemed to go on without the effects of war influencing the day-to-day lives of the citizens.

Jack almost automatically walked up the streets without taking heed of anything. The castle was there where it always stood, spires towering high above the city, white marble and gold accents gleaming in the sun of high noon. Jack was broken out of his trance by a couple of guards stationed on the corner of the streets he was crossing.

“Hey there!” one of them shouted, “Come here please.”

Jack trotted over to them, weaving through what traffic there was at this time of day. “Yes sir?” he asked respectfully, something obscure he learned from Daring on his last visit.

“Are you aware that you must rid yourself of any firearm before entering this city?” asked he.

“No, I was not,” replied Jack with a lump in his throat. He had brought both his rifle and revolver with him, but not after a brief disagreement with Spitfire. ‘Damn her for being right,’ thought Jack irritably as he confronted the guards.

“Well, in that case stranger, we will confiscate your firearms for the time being and return them to you when you leave the city,” the guard said monotonously.

Was Jack going to give his priceless rifle to him? Hell no. Was he going to give his revolver to him? Hell no! He had his revolver by his side since college and that was never going to change. A rare, prized rifle? No thought even required. It’s like handing somepony a title deed to a mansion! “I do not have any firearms, sir,” responded he.

“Well then. What’s this?” he asked as he flung Jack’s trench coat up into the air, revealing a rifle strapped over his shoulder.

Shit. They must have detecting spells. Jack contemplated making a run for it. Will he succeed? Maybe. The castle is only two blocks away but these guards have magic. Well, maybe just hoping for the best could work. “Bye!” And he was off!

Jack dashed through the city streets, coat billowing in the breeze behind him as he made his daring escape to the castle away from the guards. The two guards were in hot pursuit, following Jack’s every move. Situations like this were what these guards were trained to handle from the start. Causing minimal havoc was quite difficult with two lumbering guards chasing him.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Adrenaline pumped through Jack’s veins as he dodged incoming ponies and jumped over carts. Almost there. Jack made it into the home stretch, now galloping up the path leading to the castle doors. Jack was caught off guard by the two guards now stationed at the doors.

Jack leaped as they lowered their pikes to block the entrance. Twisting awkwardly in the air, Jack managed to leap over their pointy sticks but not without injury. A small gash opened on his flank, crimson blood slowly trickling out. He landed on his side, knocking the wind out of him as his rifle clattered onto the marble before him.

“What in the world is happening?” came a firm voice from above Jack.

Jack opened his eyes to be staring at the white forelegs of the one and only princess of the sun. He looked up to see her face, on which a small frown resided. “Uhh…” mumbled Jack before she shushed him.

“No, not you, Jack. Please explain yourselves,” she directed at the guards.

“Princess, he was carrying firearms into the city and refused to give them up,” replied one of them.

“Did not I say to excuse any military personnel?” asked Celestia irritably.

“Princess, he was not wearing any military uniform or was carrying any identification,” said he, the terribly scared guard.

“Oh. Well, in that case, you are not at fault. Just remember this pony’s face. He will be appearing more often here than before,” said Celestia, all traces of her slight anger disappearing without a wisp or trace, “You can go back to your positions.”

“Yes, princess,” they obeyed obediently. As they went, Jack swore he heard them sigh in relief. He wondered what punishments were like here. Celestia didn’t seem like one who would hand them out anyways.

“Well,” said the princess as she turned her head towards Jack, “Let’s get your wound fixed, shall we?”

Jack made an attempt to stand from the marble floor, but the wave of pain that throbbed in his head that occurred before in the Manehattan meeting room came upon him again, forcing him back to the ground where he started, clutching his head in his hooves, grunting in agony as a cold chill passed through his body.

“Are you all right?” asked Celestia with concern as she looked upon Jack. She did not expect an answer but asked just in the hope that Jack would communicate what just happened to him. (It could be regarded in all respect as a rhetorical question, but I digress…) Celestia sighed and her horn lit with a soft golden light, which also encased Jack’s body. “Well, at least writhe in agony somewhere comfortable,” she reasoned to herself, smiling at her own sense of humour, which may I add is more existent than ever because everything seems funny in a serious situation, am I right?

Celestia levitated Jack off the cold floor without exerting much energy and carried him up a long arching flight of stairs, through some ever existent hallways and then into her small study. She settled Jack onto the couch at the corner of the room as she sat on her office chair and cleaned her desk of parchment and papers, and ink pots and quills.

After a couple of minutes, Jack relaxed and almost all traces of his past pains were gone. He felt inquisitive right then. “Princess?” he asked from his casual position.

“Don’t call me princess,” was the only answer that Jack received. He took that as a yes.

“Why did you want me here?” Jack asked in the same tone a foal would use to ask his/her parents for sweets. “You know, when I started picking Drakes off, I felt the fires of patriotism burn inside me!”

Celestia raised an eyebrow at his statement. “I’m not surprised,” stated she monotonously. Then she added with a twinkle in her eye, “I always sensed you were a patriot.”

“Well, can you get to the point?” asked Jack.

“Ah, yes. I asked you here because there are a few… political tensions with Stalliongrad and their surrounding territory. They are currently part of Equestria, but they were conquered by Commander Hurricane moons ago and were part of the long dead communist empire of the Vaporeus. Vaporeus is currently a faraway country of pegasi, and we have a few dealings with them. The government house in Stalliongrad had vetoed a direct congress with all the officials in other parts of Equestria. Now, they are trying to rebel against Equestria, and them being our primary arms manufacturer, this will be the fall of Equestria if they succeed. We do not have the manufacturing power to arm an entire army alone without the help of the industrial districts of the southern regions. A civil war is the last thing on my mind right now and they are refusing direct orders from me to free Daring and my secretary is there to figure some… issues out,” informed Celestia, her voice turning from warm to cold in a matter of words; in a voice that made Jack shiver uncontrollably.

Celestia noticed this and asked, “Are you cold? Or was my tone too harsh?”

Jack nodded, but not at any answer in particular.

“Oh yes. I have news for you. Good or bad first?”

“Good please, I have had enough of bad news for one day,” replied Jack in disheartened manner.

“Well, the good news is that my secretary was in contact with Daring and he delivered a letter via the Royal Equestrian Espionage Bureau. Do want to see it?” she asked.

Jack sat up straight excitedly. “Really?” he asked, “If that is true, I shall read the letter at once!”

Celestia produced a roll of parchment, and passed it to Jack. Imprinted on it was the royal wax seal. It said:

Dear Jackson,

I don’t have much time to write, but all I want you to know that I am fine here in Stalliongrad, and I still love you very much. I am terrible sorry about not being able to find you a fire flower. Doing that is being my capabilities right now. Don’t worry about me too much. All I request from you is a letter, no matter sent or not. It comforts me that a little piece of you will remain by me. Goodbye.

With all the love that can be had,

Daring

Jack saw splotches on the parchment, probably Daring’s tears as she wrote the letter. A tear ran down his cheek and dripped onto the table before him. He turned the letter over and grabbed one of Celestia’s quills without asking and scrawled untidily:

I’m sorry.

Jack rolled it up and passed it back to Celestia with an air of sadness hanging in the room.

“And the bad news now,” Celestia said speedily to make conversation again, “is that I could not find any fire flower essence.”

Silence reigned the moment. The slight whistle of the wind and the miniscule movement of the doors on their hinges could be heard. It took a few minutes to sink in, and ten to accept it.

“S-So I am soon to be dead?” Jack managed to choke. He must admit that death was one of his greatest fears. It is horrifying that a living sentient being would no longer feel, or be conscious. To be no more, simply put.

Celestia sighed. “As much as I hate to say it, yes. Unless a miracle occurs, you will pass. It’s a shame that fire flowers aren’t blooming at this time of year.”

The dark storm clouds rolled over the sky. The crackle of thunder echoed through the castle’s spacious halls and the pit patter of rain was heard from the study. Violent flashes of lighting lit the dark horizon as the rain soon started to sound heavier, carrying small hailstones with it, pelting the roof mercilessly. The horizon towards the east where Manehattan lies was glowing a dull shade of red, with angry black clouds covering the fallen skyscrapers that was the centrepiece of the Manehattan skyline.

There was silence again. Both of them stared out of the window as the water hit the glass panes and slid down in tiny droplets in a complicated dance. Smaller droplets were eaten up by larger ones and all of them followed specific trails down to the bottom of the pane of glass, like there was an invisible force guiding it. Jack felt like there was something controlling his life now. Much more directly than fate would. Like the paths that the water droplets were forced to slide down, Jack felt as if all of the recent happenings were the guidance of some force, forcing them to travel down a set path, good or not.

“How should I spend my last days?” asked Jack to nopony in particular.

“That is up to you,” replied Celestia, “It’s getting late, how about we head down to the dining hall and let me suggest to you some things you should do over dinner?”

“Lets.”

Jack and Celestia walked back down the arcing flight of stairs and then into the dining hall, which was already set pristinely for supper. Plates have been laid out, and candles have been lit. Celestia gestured for Jack to take a seat next to her at the head of the table.

“I must say, one thing you must do is to see your loved ones one last time,” said Celestia sombrely, “I’m sure they’ll want to as well.”

“Except for Daring, I have nopony who is close to me. No family,” said Jack bitterly. Dwelling on this subject was hard for somepony who lost both their parents at a young age, and had to fend for themselves with no support.

“Then see you friends, and do whatever you can to see Daring. Do whatever is in your power to complete this action.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner was a sombre affair, and getting out of the dining hall was a relief for Jack, who yearned for some fresh air. He headed up to his quarters given to him by Celestia. Open the balcony doors went as Jack walked outside to take a deep breath. The cold wind rustled his fur and blew his mane, which glistened in the silver moonlight.

It was a peaceful night. The stars were shining brightly, and twinkling merrily, like nothing has ever happened to this land, but, in contrast, the moon looked more dark and ominous than ever before. The princess of the night is still missing, and the moon seemed to reflect that by casting a darker light over Equestria. The stars lie, the moon doesn’t.

With a sigh, Jack walked back into his warm room, closing the glass balcony doors and pulling the curtains over them. He slumped onto the large comfortable bed and thought of his chaotic past. Specifically, one memory. The one he shared with Daring that night. Jack wondered if that was what was going to happen to her. Jack could not imagine Daring living every day, feeling incomplete. The days would drag by, and the more time went on, the more the questions would develop, sometimes questioning the existence of oneself. Solitude would be the motto that she would live by.

Jack desperately prayed for her that these things would never happen, but in his head, they were already becoming a reality. Denying something you already believe leads to obsession over it.