The Only one unless this story gets Featured.
The Ram stood before Princess Celestia, a snarling vicious smirk upon his horned visage. The guards had brought him in shackled by both hands and feet, one guard flanking both sides as he approached the throne. When she had asked why, she was given a list of her personal guard that were in the royal infirmary. The list took up two pages.
“Where are you from?” She asked, a snort was her reply
“Answer when the princess speaks!” the guard to the left shouted before swinging the haft of his spear to enforce the point.
In a second the shackles around the Goat fell as he caught the haft one handed and then, using the spear as leverage, he drove the guard face first into the floor. Spinning in the reverse direction he smashed the blunt end across the temple of the other guard as he turned to help his comrade. He spun once more into an overhand strike that sent the original guard of to sleepy land. Free of all restraints he glanced at the gathered nobles and remaining guards before spitting on the ground and turning to Celestia with contempt. As he did so he broke the spear in twain and dropped both pieces on the ground with a sneer.
“What is done to the least can be done to all,” the Goat spoke. “Nice to know that bigotry is still a thing”
“You think you’ve been treated unfairly?” Celestia asked.
The Goat snorted, “If I wasn't, the pony that I was in the fight with would have been charged, arrested and brought before the court as well, since he was not, I can logically conclude that this is your court of bigots and look here sits there queen,” as he flourished flamboyantly towards Celestia with a mocking sarcastic bow.
“Hell, I was not given representation, or even processed really, just thrown into a cell, then brought before you. Explain the fallacy in my logic, or how I could have come to any different conclusion.” He paused for a moment as if for an answer, not getting one he continued
“So, since this is but a play and I am judged guilty then I have no need to be cooperative or anything other than hostile. Oh by the way, since this is the case, the next guard that approaches me with hostility will see what happens when I decide lethal force is required to defend myself.”
“Are you threatening my ponies?” Celestia couldn’t believe the words she was hearing.
“Not a threat. I’m merely defining the parameters of the next moments. If they make no move, magical or otherwise to restrict my freedom then I will leave them unharmed but another act of uncalled for aggression will be met with LETHAL force.” He clarified. “I have no wish to harm others but those that hurt me or those I have come to care for will be dealt with.”
Celestia settled back in her seat and looked across the crowd. She closed her eyes and took a breath, then another. The Goat stood before her awaiting her response, he made no move threatening or otherwise towards the ponies around him. He simply waited for the ruler before him to calm herself, in fact it was the first thing he had seen since coming to this country he approved of, a calm mind allowed rational thought.
Celestia opened her eyes, any anger was gone’
“Who are you and where does your anger come from? Had you not put quite a few of my guards in intensive care, I would have been more likely to listen.”
“My name is my own, but as to where my anger comes from? I am a Capricorn born in January, I was born to anger, a fire that in good times leads me to be kind and caring, if a bit domineering, while in bad times...,” he gestured to those around him “means that what I decide to protect stays safe.”
“A Capricorn born in January?”
The goat smiled “ah I forgot you don’t have Zodiac signs here.” He thought for a moment.
“Would you like me to explain?”
“Indeed I would” Celestia confirmed.
“According to a legend that no one believes any more, the stars formed 13 signs of the zodiac. Each a being that had earned its place in the firmament through it's own actions, the personalities of these beings were said to influence those who were born under them. In my case Capricorn, the seagoat. Those of us born to this influence are creators and destroyers, shapers and debaters, inventors and artists. Above all we seek our own path, if others wish to walk that path with us we will defend them from all dangers not of their own doing, we help those who ask and comfort those alone in the dark. However in the month I was born, January, Capricorn was at its peak so the effects above were intensified. In effect I am an alpha of my sign. My favorite legend about a January born Capricorn was that once such a being set himself to a goal and as he set out upon his path, the Devil rose up out of hell to converse.
“You have set yourself an arduous task, as you are now you will never be able to weather the storm that gathers, allow me to gift you with power.”
The Capricorn barely glanced at the devil, before he went forth into that storm of events and although he was knocked down and severely hurt many times he always after a moment's rest rose again. Soon the storm could not knock the Capricorn down for every time he had fallen he had learned and become stronger. The storm itself acknowledged him as eventually it died down to less than a whimper. Waiting for him on the other side was the Devil, wearing a look of absolute shock.
This January Born Capricorn went over to the Devil and leaned companionably next to the tempter.
“I am the storm”. The Capricorn said to the Devil, then turned and walked passed, as the Devil fled back into hell, more scared the he had ever been.
Celestia was taken back for a moment, the awful story resounding through her ears.
“Y - You do know that I control the sun, correct?” Her momentary fluster cracking her mask
“You do know that your guards never searched me before bringing me before you right?” Came the mocking answer.
Celestia’s eyes shrunk to pinpricks, her breath caught, her horn began to glow, intent on ending the threat before her when, “Cornelius Allyicious O’Dunne you knock that off right now!!!”
The yell came from the far side of her court, startling Celestia into dismissing her magic. She shook her head befuddled. Why had she reacted so? She never lost control. Yet she had with little provocation been about to attack the Goat before her, maybe he was right.
She glanced at the male before her, intent on apologizing for almost attacking him but, she paused at what she beheld. Cornelius was down on his knees tears of joy streaming down his furred face as he looked upon the newcomer. Celestia started when she saw that floating before him was a siren, a species she thought had been extinct when the last of them had been defeated by Starswirl. The siren glared for a moment at the Goat before beginning again.
“You know damn well what that tone does to others, and here you are directing it at a Princess, one that moves the sun, what is wrong with you? Did you wish to…..umph!!!”. Whatever her question was, the sheer force of her companion grabbing her and pulling her tightly into a hug drove all the air out of her, silencing her protestations.
“Forgot how long your arms are,” she looked down lovingly at the goat, who just moments ago had captivated a room, and was now sobbing into her waist babbling incoherently at his joy and relief at seeing his loved one. “Was being here really that bad?” She said as she scratched behind his ear, eliciting what sounded suspiciously like a purr, “Still suicide by princess seems extreme doesn’t it? You overgrown drama queen.” A muffled speech was the only reply.
“You're going to have to let go of me so I can understand you,” she began which was answered by a muffled “No! Not gonna!” and more air driven from her lungs as he hugged her waist tighter.
“Pardon me but might I ask what your name is?” Celestia cautiously asked. She did not want to risk if this individual was as volatile as her special Somepony.
“Oh I apologise, your highness. I am Charity Kissy Ann Lodato and I am sorry for any trouble my Goof here caused,”
“Just for clarity’s sake, what is your relationship with the accused?”
A booming voice echoed within the courtroom as the other Diarch announced her presence,
“She is his Pisces born in March!!!!!” Princess Luna declared.
Luna strode into the court, wry amusement on her face at her sister's exasperated confusion.
“But spare her the public interview dear sister, this young one prefers singular interaction and she is well able to control her significant other.”
The Siren winced, “Control is a strong word, more he’ll consider what I say, and will be less likely to do things I don’t want him to do.”
Celestia sighed, bowed her head, and then raised it with a smirk, “Truly Beauty with her Beast, I release him into your care and simply make him responsible for repairing the damage to the physical environment, which the Noble that he trounced so thoroughly will be responsible for paying for. The Noble will be responsible for my Personal Guard’s medical bills, as well.”
Celestia then got a rather nasty smile, as she continued the sentencing.
“Cornelius will also need to teach my guard some of his techniques, case dismissed”. Celestia breathed a sigh of relief but made the mistake of looking down. The twin spears were still on the ground,. Something was off, she ran her mind through the events and when she saw what had bothered her, her eyes widened.
“Ms. Lodato you mentioned his tone having an effect, what was it?” Celestia looked panicked
The siren looked at the princess concerned, “He uses it to provoke an attack, which is what I don't get, he’s much to egotistical for suicide so why would this goof want you to attack him?”
Luna looked where her older sister was staring, before she took in a breath.
“Young one what does Cornelius use this ability for?”
Charity looked confused, “To force an attack he…...knows…...is…….coming…...so that he can…...” Charity put the pieces together at last and looked down at her mate sadly, “”Oh, you poor dear, you really had lost any hope of seeing me again. You missed me that much. I absolutely love you so much.”
Despite Cornelius’ special Somepony's reaction giving confirmation, as well as her own shift of emotion leading to the irrefutable conclusion, Celestia had to know for sure, her spine shivered as she asked, “Cornelius why did you seek to provoke an attack from me?”
The Capricorn born in January known as Cornelius Allyicious O’Dunne, turned his head and replied “Because it takes a Unicorn 2.1 seconds to cast any spell, during which said Unicorn needs flawless concentration, it would take 1.69 seconds from when I saw the casting to grab the haft and hurl it at your horn discharging the spell. Followed by 1.5 sec to grab the spear point and put it through your throat. If I have to be locked away from my Charity it will be after I’m covered in the blood of those that would prevent me from her”
“What about if I had chosen a more physical attack?”
“Then to rise off the throne would have taken, 5.19 seconds and a further 2.34 to reach me, again ending with you dead, though that time the spear end would’ve nailed you to the throne causing you to bleed out. For all your power, flesh and blood and bone work like flesh and blood and bone, everything at it's basic uses the same rules, no matter how much magic or power you have. Besides power makes one stupid, the less you have to out think someone the dumber you get.” He then buried his head back into his love's waist and as she went back to scratching his head again he began to purr. Wisely, no one decided to comment.
“I’m sorry Princess but that’s all anyone will get out of him for a while, I actually don't believe I’ll be able to move from this spot for a bit, at least until he let's go.” Charity clarified.
Celestia glanced to her sister, what Cornelius had said was indeed true, but as she glanced back to the crying Capricorn she could not feel anything but empathy. This was obviously one that had been too long away from the single most important being in his world. She glanced to Luna and an understanding nod passed between the two.
Turning to the gathered nobles, Celestia gave her order. “Day Court has been adjourned.”
