Chapters I guess I should start with my name and general description. My name is Jeremi Lee Voit. I'm 6'3" and about 280 lbs. with mid back length brown hair and steel blue eyes. Now on to where and what. Where I am I don't have a clue. All I know is I went to sleep in my bed one night and woke up in I would guess is a dungeon cell. What country I'm in I have no clue. The door to my cell is solid wood with a small view port about eye level and another at ground level where my food and water are placed.
I haven't talked to a single soul since I've been here. So I have no clue as to why I'm being held or for how long. A pile of hay serves as my bed and a hole in the floor is my bathroom. It's been my whole world for I guess five years now. All I do is wake up do some exercises and let my mine wonder.
Around two years ago I would say I started asking the moon to set me free. I mean what could it hurt to ask. I've always loved the night so I figured what the hell. I was slowly going crazy anyways. One thing I noticed about the moon was the shape of the shadow on the moons face. Instead of the usual man it was a unicorns I guess? Anyway one night I asked the moon to set me free like I had been. This time I was answered. " You shall be set free when I am set free." Ok, I thought to myself that was strange.
For the next week all was the same then one day I decided I had enough. I had to get out of there or I was going to finally lose my damn mind. That night I noticed that the shadow on the moon was gone. I made the decision to try and make my escape the next night. All the next day I tried to figure out how I could get out. Then a idea came to me. When the evening meal comes around they always open the view port first to see where I'm at. The way my cell is I must have a corner one. It's narrow at the door, but widens out the further you go. While I studied the cell closer I could tell that there is a blind spot right above the door. If I could hide up there I bet these guards are dumb enough to open that door to try and find me. I made my mind up then. I would make my attempt that night.
When I figured it was close to time I got into position. It wasn't long before the view port opened. I heard a muttered what the fuck because the guard didn't see me. As I had hoped the door opened and the guard stepped in. When he walked past me I dropped down behind him and caught him in a sleeper hold. I Set the poor sap down easy so I didn't hurt him. I mean come on, yeah they have kept me locked up with no explanation, I'm not a asshole. Maybe with me not really hurting anyone they might go easier on me. I frisked the guard taking the keys and his sword? Uh, ok.
Time to go I thought. I closed and locked the cell with the guard in it. As I made my way I noticed a distinct lack of activity. Was I the only one down here? When I came to a set of stairs I started up. I came up to a door and took my time opening it and looked around. The first thing I saw was a grand hall. Damn, where am I a palace? Not seeing anybody else I slipped out and turned to the right. I took my time moving along. Coming up to another intersection I looked bother ways wondering witch way to go. Well the guards that come from the left made my decision for me. All of us froze for a moment and in that moment I noticed something. The guards where horses. WHAT THE FUCK I thought. They are horses.
I tried to process the fact that they was horses. When my brain kicked back in I bolted to the right. "Halt" I heard one of them shout. Nope not gonna happen I thought. While I was running I stated looking for a way out. Damn this place is huge. I ran past what looked like a maid and two more guards. Great, this place is going to be all over me in a few minutes. I made another turn and spotted a huge set of doors. I hope that's the way out I thought running up to them. Throwing the doors open I was met with fresh air and a cool breeze. I was outside, but not free. Not yet.
I turned right and started to follow the outside wall. I needed to find some woods to get lost in. I had too, my strength was starting to fail. I reached the end of the wall and was greeted by a big open area. Looking behind me I could see a bunch a guards. Right then I made the biggest decision of my life. I'm not going back to that cell. With the moon hanging in the sky in front of me I used the last of my strength to get away from the building. About two hundred yards from the building I turned and dropped to me knees. I was looking at the sword in my hand when the guards caught up to me. " I'm not going back to that cell. I will take my own life before I do."
When one guard took a step towards me I set the blade against my neck on the left side. That brought him to a stop. " I'm not playing assholes. I'll slice my throat and die happily." The looks of shock at my statement was enjoyable. The more I thought about it the more I realized that taking my own life was the only way. Till I heard the voice again.
" Why do you want to take your own life. I promised you I would set you free when I was set free." When I turned I was treated to the most beautiful being I had ever seen. She had to be about 6 foot tall. A beautiful midnight blue in color. Her mane and tail looked like the night sky and moved on its own. I turned back around when I heard movement. The guards had tried to move closer to me. I was about to drag the sword over my neck when I felt two arms wrap around me.
" No, please dont. I will protect you and do as I said. I am Princess Luna. What is your name?"
"Jeremi. My name is Jeremi." By the time I had answered her, the Princess had taken the sword from me. When I noticed she had I started to get nervous. As my shaking got worse she wrapped her wings around me.
"It's ok. I said I would protect you didn't I. Trust me ok?" I nodded my head. " Good now how long was you in that cell?"
"Maybe five years or so."
"The way you reacted, you have never seen a pony before have you?"
"No, I haven't. I would ask why I was in that cell and I never got a answer. After six months I just stopped asking. I mean what was the point if I never got a answer. I went to sleep in my bed one night and the next day I woke up in that damn cell. Where I'm from I would have gotten a reason why I was there or at least a trial."
"You should have gotten a trial. At least that would have happened in my time." About that time I heard a commotion to the side. When I looked a pony with ornate armour pushed his way to the front.
"Princess, please move away from that creature. He needs to be returned to his cell."
"And why is that Captain Armour? What has he done to deserve that kind of fate."
"He is a unknown creature that should be in a cage."
The look that crossed Luna's muzzle made me draw back. "What is the meaning of that statement Captain. Just because he isn't a pony doesn't mean he should be treated like a monster. He is as intelligent as you or I. Me and my sister will be looking into this situation. This is a breach of trust with us by you."
"Yes Princess."
After he left I started to relax, but I was left with questions. What do I do now? Where do I go from here? I guess Luna could tell what was running through my mind.
"You will stay here in the castle with me. I will help you figure out what to do with your life now. Is that ok with you?"
"Thank you Princess. Its been a long time since anyone has shown me any kindness." About that time another pony stepped out of the crowd. I would say she was at least my height and like Luna had wings and a horn. The regal hearing was clear. This one had to be Luna's sister.
"Who do we have here sister?"
One who was imprisoned unjustly by the captain of the guard."
A look of concern crossed her beautiful face. " Why was he in the dungeons and for how long" she asked looking at the nearest guard.
"For five years Princess and Captain Armour gave the order. He was found unconscious in the gardens."
"Why was I not informed of this? At the time I was the only one to have the authority to make those kind of decisions."
"The captain gave the order to never discuss the creature to anypony."
"From here on me and my sister will be informed of any situation like this. Understood? You are all dismissed."
When all the others had left she turned and walked over to where we was on the ground.
"If I had known you was in the dungeons." She hung her head in shame.
"How could you have known if you was never informed Princess. You are at no fault in this. So I can't blame you for it."
"Thank you. Now what is your name."
"Jeremi."
"Nice to meet you Jeremi. Shall we get him in the castle and get him fed and cleaned up sister?"
"Yes let's go take care of him Tia."
Its amazing what a good shower can do for a person's mood. I was feeling better till I looked in the mirror. A virtual skeleton stared back at me. I should be dead I thought to myself. How the hell did I survive the last five years? All I got was stale bread and water. Not wanting to dwell on my image I walked out of the bathroom. I wasn't expecting both Princesses to be sitting on the bed. When they gazed upon my true condition I could sense their profound saddness, but Luna's shifted to rage just as fast.
"By my moon and the stars, the ones responsible for your imprisonment wil be held accountable." Luna declared walking over to me. "There is absolutely no reason for you to have been treated like a mindless animal." When she got to me she wrapped her wings and arms around me in another hug.
"Luna is correct. The ones responsible will be punished for this crime. What was done to you is monstrous. It should have never happened in our realm. You will stay here in the castle under our protection."
"Thank you Princess. I don't know what I would do with myself. I seriously doubt I could fend for myself right now. Even though I've been here five years I've never seen the outside. I have no knowledge of this world or its ways."
"We will help you with whatever you shall need Jeremi. Come let us get you started on your way to recovery by getting a good meal in you."
"Ok, I uh guess I should point out the fact that I'm omnivorous."
Luna looked at me for a moment then over to her sister. "Will this be a problem Tia?"
"I don't see why it should be. We cater to griffons and dragons when they are here." Celestia looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Is meat a requirement for you to stay healthy Jeremi?"
"It is. I can eat grains, fruit and vegetables, but I need meat to build my body mass back up.I lost a significant amount of musculature from my imprisonment. I weighed almost three hundred pounds before. Now I would say I'm under a hundred and fifty."
I once again got looks of sympathy from the both of them. "How did you survive this? Anypony else would have given up."
"I asked myself that when I I looked in the mirror. I guess it comes down to the human spirit Princess Luna. We have as a race overcome long odds and situations that should have killed us, but some individuals come out stronger than before. I guess when I heard you whisper that you would free me when you was set free, it gave me some hope."
Luna glanced over at her sister. With a barely perceived nod Luna turned back to me. " First here are some cloths that we think will fit you. Also you do not have to call us princess. You can call us by name. Its the least we can do after what happened to you. Now get your cloths on and we shall go eat."
"As you wish Princess" I said with a cheeky smile.
As we walked to the dining hall the Princesses gave me a mini guided tour. Damn this place is impressive I mused to myself. When we was seated they asked for the griffon chef to come out and discuss with me on what I could and couldn't eat. After we had made our selections we was talking quietly when the doors opened and a white stallion walked through. He had that age old "I'm better than you and don't forget it" aura going on.
He stopped dead in his tracks and just stared at me. Finally be turned to the nearest guard." What is the THING doing out of its cell? Remove it from my sight and take it back to its cell now!" Funny the guard didn't even move. When he noticed this be puffed up. " I am PRINCE Blueblood and you WILL follow my orders." The guard just kept looking straight ahead. Clearing her throat Celestia spoke up then.
" I take it you know our guest then nephew?"
"I gave the order along side Captain Armour to throw that thing in a cell. It was never to see your light ever again." By then I was shaking uncontrollably. When Luna noticed this her eyes started to glow white.
" YOU WILL REPORT TO THE THRONE ROOM IN ONE HOUR. AM I UNDERSTOOD BLUEBLOOD." He nodded his head. " GOOD, I WANT CAPTAIN ARMOUR THERE AS WELL" she said looking at a guard. "Yes Princess. I shall let him know."
When she turned back to me her ears powered to her head. I was shaking like a leaf. " Jeremi are you ok?"
"No Luna I'm not ok. I don't know what wrong with me. I feel totally powerless. It's like I'm less than nothing."
She walked back to me and wrapped me back up in her arms and wings. " You are stronger than you think. A lesser being would be broken by what you have endured. Now come let's get you to bed." Looking over to Celestia. " I shall make sure he's asleep before I return. Wait for me before you start please."
" As you wish sister. We shall make sure justice is done."
" Yes Tia we will make sure Jeremi has his justice for his suffering."
Luna's Pov
After I made sure that Jeremi was settled for the night I made my way to the throne room. My mind was racing with the idea that two important ponies was the cause of Jeremi's suffering. I could see why with Blueblood, but Captain Armour? He is supposed to protect, not torture. Well I guess in his own twisted way.
When I reached the throne room, I could see a fair amount of ponies gathered. Cadence was there as well. I gave sister a questioning look. "She should know about this." " As you wish sister. The decision on this will be mine agreed?" "Of course Luna. I'm just as upset as you are about this sister. I will support any ruling you make."
" I call this session of night court to order" I announced. " Blueblood and Captain Armour. Before me now." When they presented themselves before me, I could feel my rage building again. " Calm Luna, I know you are angry. Find your inner peace or this could turn into a fiasco." I grudgingly had to agree with sister. When I felt I had calmed down enough I continued. "This court is in regards to the illegal imprisonment of Jeremi Voit. For five years he was held without trial. All beings in Equestria have the right to a trial by myself or my sister. Since you two have admitted to denying Jeremi his right, you shall be put on trial for that crime this night."
When I glanced over to Cadence, I could see the shock and hurt in her eyes. Well most of the ponies present held the same expression. " So shall we begin? I imagine everybody would like to know why he was denied this basic right."
"Why should that creature be given any kind of rights. He is not from this world." " He is not a creature Blueblood. He is human and he is from this world. Humans predate ponies by thousands of years." That got their attention I believe. "What do you mean by that statement Princess?" asked Cadence.
" During mine and Celestia's travels before we was crowned. We had found evidence of a race that existed long before pony kind came to be. They disappeared long ago, but traces can be found it you look hard enough, but that is for another time. Now what do you say in your defence Captain."
" I believe that thing is a threat and the Prince agreed with me. We both felt that there was no reason to get the Princess involved, so I took it upon myself to put him in the dungeons for the rest of his life. I feel it was the right decision to make. Both of us did."
" I can not believe what I am hearing. For so long I have tried to teach tolerance of other races and yet there is still bigotry in Equestria. Both of you are wrong for this and I will support whatever Luna rules on this." I could see saddness in Tia's eyes. This was hurting her greatly.
" You have no right to do this Luna. You have no power here."
" I HAVE EVERY RIGHT BLUEBLOOD. I AM THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT AND YOU WILL BE SILENT. I RULED BESIDE MY SISTER BEFORE MY BANISHMENT AND I SHALL DO SO AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD ENOUGH. BLUEBLOOD YOU ARE HEREBY STRIPPED OF YOUR TITLE AND HOLDINGS." " You can't do this. Aunty stop her." " No Blueblood I will not. You brought Luna's judgement upon yourself by your actions." I am not one to enjoy another's misfortune, but in Blueblood's case. I think I can make an exception.
" Now to you Captain. For your involvement and subsequent treatment of the victim. You are also stripped of your title and additionally banished from Equestria for life. Throwing him in a cell is one thing, but starving him as well? That is going too far. You have tonight to say your goodbyes.Guards remove them from my sight."
A shower, full stomach and a nice bed is a recipe for a good night's sleep. I haven't felt this good in years. After getting up and stretching I got dressed. Breakfast time I thought. As I walked out of the room, I tried to remember how to get to the dining room. Next thing I know I hit the wall. Hard. I distinctly heard two sounds. One was my scream of pain. The other was my arm and four ribs breaking on my left side. It damn sure didn't help when I was slammed again.
I could hear laughing in front of me. Through the haze of pain I could see Blueblood. "What the fuck is your problem Bluebelle?" He stopped laughing when I called him Bluebelle. He walked up grabbed me by my neck, lifted and slammed me into the wall for a third time.
" You, you are my problem. Why couldn't you have died in that cell. Now thanks to you and that pathetic excuse of a princess have ruined me. I've been stripped of my title and holdings. Now I have to leave the castle, but before I go. I'm going to kill you and enjoy it." He started squeezing my neck more and being injured and weak i couldn't stop him.
Just as I was blacking out a gold aura surrounded me. Then a blue streak hit Blueblood. When I looked to my right Celestia came running up. "Jeremi are you ok?"
" No, my arm is broke and at least four ribs." When I looked back towards Blueblood, Luna had him pinned against the wall, but I could tell something was wrong. Her eyes was glowing and a dark aura was around her. Next thing I know she looked totally different. She had armour on and was taller. Her fur color had changed as well as her mane and tail. " Uh Celestia, what's up with Luna?" When she looked a look of fear came over her. " Oh no. She turned back into Nightmare Moon."
" Is that a bad thing Celestia?"
" Yes it's very bad. The last time she did I had to banish her to the moon for a thousand years."
" Well if you would help me up, I'll see if I can calm her down."
" That will not work Jeremi. She is too far gone into the Nightmare.
" It won't hurt for me to try. She is like that in order to protect me. I'm willing to bet I can get her to calm down." After Celestia helped me up I hobbled over to Luna. When I set my hand on her arm, her eyes locked onto me. " Come on Luna. He isn't worth it. Its just broken bones that I'll get over."
" This foal needs to die for what he has done to you" she said tightening her grip.
" You don't want the stain of taking another life in anger on your soul Princess. Banish his worthless ass instead. Come on Luna calm down. For me? Please?"
" Very well." She tossed Bluey towards her sister. " Deal with him sister. I shall take Jeremi to the castle infirmary."
" Very well Luna. I will do as you ask."
As Luna calmed her features returned to her original colors and dimensions. After a fun three hours of getting a cast and my ribs wrapped, I was free to go. When we made it back to my room the silence was awkward. " Do you want to talk about it Luna?"
" What is there to talk about. You have seen for yourself that I'm a monster. Nightmare Moon is the reason I was banished a thousand years ago."
" Did you kill anyone back then?"
" No"
" Well then you are not a monster. Just bad choice's. I know enough of the story that I can say this. It sucks to be ignored and unappreciated. That is something I understand very well. Know this. For what you have done for me in the last few days. You will always have a friend in me."