Chapter 5

“Ax?”

“Mmm…”

“Ax, wake up.”

“Don’t wanna…”

“Please Ax? For me?”

I groggily open my eyes and see a pair of cyan cat-like eyes staring back at me along with a warm smile. I smile lazily at Moon and blink my eyes more awake and yawn loudly and sit up. She’s wearing a midnight blue nightgown that goes down to her ankles and I am wearing a white shirt and night pants that I was loaned.

“How long were you watching me sleep?” I asked while rubbing my eyes.

“Oh, just a few minutes,” Moon said innocently. “You mumble when you sleep.”

“I didn’t say anything weird, did I?” I wonder, arching a brow.

“Don’t worry,” Moon giggles. “You only said a word here and there but nothing too embarrassing so you can rest easy.”

“Well that’s good, so today’s the day,” I said as I sat on the edge of the bed.

“Indeed,” Moon agreed while sitting next to me. “Are you prepared for this?”

“To be honest, not really,” I admit. “Why they gave me such an important decision is beyond me.”

“Well I believe it’s only fair, Ax. They’re the ones who tried to kill you after all,” Moon said, putting a hand on mine.

“I guess, but I’m not really the diplomatic type so it’s a bit overwhelming to me,” I said.

“You needn’t worry so much, Ax. I will be beside you through the whole trial,” Moon reassured me.

I smile and bring her in for a hug to which she returns. It’s been a few days since Moon and I were put on house arrest and I’ve been bored out of my mind since there’s nothing to really freaking do around here. Granted the only saving grace to my current situation is that I spend a lot of time with Moon, and maybe read in the royal library that Celestia and Luna were kind enough to let us use it, but other than that it’s been very uneventful. Although I will say, I have managed to somewhat change most of the staff’s view on Moon since now most of the guardsmen and servants now look to Moon with kind smiles. It took some doing but thanks to a little convincing and some good old fashion one on one conversations, Moon is slowly but surely starting to warm up to everyone. As for any of the noble snobs with 8ft sticks up their buttholes I try to keep Moon away from them since all they’d do is give her a hard time, especially Blueballs since he’s been hounding us ever since I humiliated him at the park and wrote that hilarious little nickname on his head. I felt a sense of pride whenever I passed by a few people and they called Blueballs by his new name and snickered at how he spent the next few hours in his chambers trying to wash the Neon off his forehead. Bloody fool almost scrubbed his forehead to the point where it would blister which made me chuckle. However all this still didn’t stop him from trying to order any guard he approached to either arrest Moon and I or execute us on the spot. Thanks to Celestia his word didn’t mean jack to them they simply ignored him which made him even more pissed, much to my amusement.

As for the guards who attacked me and Moon, Celestia and Luna had them all detained and sent to confinement until further notice, of course after I freed them from their bindings. Celestia even caught me off guard by approaching me with deciding what to do with them for their actions. At first I refused since they should be the ones to carry out such an important verdict but Luna told me, as Moon said, it should be my right as the victim to decide their fate. Seeing how I felt boxed into a corner, I accepted the offer and today was the day I decide what to do with them.

“Hey Moon,” I said as I stood up and stretched my limbs. “We’ve been sleeping in the same bed together for a few days now, you sure you wouldn’t rather have your own room?”

“Why would I?” Moon wonders. “I’m more than satisfied with sharing a bed with you, not to mention you’re quite comfortable to lay on,” she said playfully.

“Heh, guess you got me there,” I chuckled as I smiled at her. “It’s just I wonder if people might get the wrong idea.”

“Oh let them think what they please,” Moon said, waving her hand dismissively as she stood up. “You and I are simply enjoying each other’s company as we slumber and if they have a problem with that they can, how do you say, suck it?”

“Pfft hahahahahaha!” I laughed, clutching my stomach. “Holy shit, you did not just say that! Hahahaha!”

“What? You say it all the time to those nobles!” Moon accuses, pointing at me in a flustered tone.

“Yeah but when I say it, it sounds more natural,” I counter. “When you say it, it sounds so foreign and weird.”

Moon crosses her arms under her bust and huffs with a cute pouty face with puffed cheeks. I chuckle and place a hand on her shoulder which relaxes her a bit.

“I feel like I’m a bit of a bad influence on you if you start talking like that. You’re also a Princess after all, not the kind of lingo you should say out loud in public,” I said.

“Well I for one don’t really care what I say or how I sound,” Moon said, still pouting cutely. “I can tell whomever I want to suck it!” It was then she realized how that sound which made her blush up a storm and cover her face with her hands. “Oh dear…it seems you are a bad influence on me.”

“Nah, honestly I hope you keep talking like that,” I said. “Makes you sound more normal and laid back, and it makes you sound cute.” Moon gasps as she looks up at me with a small smile and tinted cheeks.

“You…think I’m cute?” Moon asks, shyly.

“Well of course I do, why wouldn’t I?” I ask. Moon smiles more and hugs me again while also wrapping her wings around me and I return the gesture.

“You’re so very sweet, Ax, thank you,” Moon said happily.

“Any time,” I said. “Now you go on and take the first shower, meanwhile I gotta figure out what I’m gonna say for today’s trial.”

Moon nods and releases me and walks to the bathroom. I noticed she walked away with a slight sway in her step which made me stare a bit more than I should but I managed to pry my gaze away as she closed the door behind her.

“Now then,” I said to myself, crossing my arms. “How should I approach this?”

Moon and I are now making our way to the royal court room to start the trial for the guards who attacked us. I was dressed in my usual attire with my sling pack and Amp sheathed into it along with my chain wrapped around my wrist and Moon was dressed in a fancy light blue dress with black trimming that hugged her body just right. She was also wearing her jewelry consisting of her tiara and necklace and even did her makeup which she used light purple lipstick and magenta eyeliner. I always thought Moon was pretty before but seeing her so done up like this made me glance at her more often than usual. She told me she was a goddess when we first met and seeing her now, how much more gorgeous she is, made my heart skip a beat every so often. Especially whenever she kissed me on the cheek which made my very being tense up because it felt like the best feeling ever being kissed by someone like Moon. Moon looked over at me as I glanced at her and smiled which made my cheeks tint a bit and I smiled back. Her smile caused a very warm feeling of content wash over me and I felt like I could stare at her smile for hours. I placed my left hand over my chest and felt my heart beat faster than normal.

What’s up with me? I think. I always feel so at peace whenever I’m with Moon, but why?

“Is everything alright, Ax?” Moon asks.

“Hmm? Oh sure yeah,” I said, smiling innocently. “Everything’s fine, just nervous is all. Never had to play judge before so I’m still a little on edge.”

“I’m sure you will be fine,” Moon said.

I nod as we near our destination while also trying to calm both my nerves and heart down. We opened a set of double doors and entered the room which had rows of seats going along the walls facing the middle of a large stand. The stand was facing the double doors that were used to enter the room and on the stand were two thrones for the princesses. I saw Celestia and Luna sitting on the thrones and the seats were all filled with noble people who were talking amongst themselves. To the side of the room were a large group of men guarded by a couple of armored men who I recognized as the ones who attacked me, especially the big guard who slammed me with his hammer who’s name I remembered was Shatter Star. They were all in shackles and hanging their heads in shame, some actually looking pissed at the situation they were in, as they all sat together. When I neared the main podium in front of the stand with Moon, they all noticed me and shot me death glares to which I just ignored since they have themselves to blame for their predicament. I stepped up on the podium with Moon and we gave Celestia and Luna a curt nod in respect and they did the same to us.

“Ladies and gentlemen we shall now begin the trial,” Celestia announced. “A few days ago this man, Sir Axel Rickert, along with his friend, Nightmare Moon, were attacked by these men under the command of my nephew, Prince Blueblood. More so, not only did they attack the two but went as far to claim their lives which is something that can only be labeled as attempted murder.”

“Lies!”

We all turned to see Blueballs stand from his seat and point at me and Moon.

“I was attacked! That monster used his dark magic to threaten my life! These two heathens should be put to death for attempting to kill me!” Blueballs shouted. The nobles in the room murmured to each other and I clenched my hand as small smoke trails billowed from my fist. Moon placed a hand on my shoulder to calm me down and I took a breath and the smoke dissipated and I relaxed my hand,

“Blueblood, this shall be your first only warning, be silent,” Luna said harshly. Blueballs was about to protest but after a cold gaze from Celestia he shut up and sat back down. The nobles kept murmuring to themselves and Celestia picked up her gavel and banged it a few times.

“Order, please,” Celestia said. “Now then, Sir Axel Rickert, you and Nightmare Moon have been summoned to confirm the actions of these men. Did they attack you by Blueblood’s command?”

“Yes they did,” I said.

“Did they attempt to take your life?” Asked Luna.

“Yes, but not only that, Blueba- I mean Blueblood also offered a hefty reward to any of the men who, and I quote, brought him our heads,” I said, earning gasps and a few comments of disbelief.

“Did the prince really say that?”

“Surely this man is exaggerating, Prince Blueblood wouldn’t call for blood, would he?”

“Maybe he’s just making it up to protect the usurper.”

“And Blueblood said he used dark magic, perhaps we should be wary of this one as well.”

“There shall be order in this courtroom!” Luna snapped, slamming the gavel this time.

“These allegations are quite serious, Sir Rickert, we were informed of the knowledge of these men attacking you but were not aware that Blueblood offered a reward for your lives,” Celestia said, giving Blueblood another cold glance.

“Well it’s true,” I said. “In fact I’d like to call someone up to back up my claim, if I’m allowed to.”

“You may,” Luna said.

“If I remember right, I believe his name was Shining Armor? I’d like to call him forth,” I said. Celestia nods and she glances to a servant who nods to her and walks through a set of doors to the side of the stand. A few minutes later, the servant walks back in and with him the same man from before, wearing his usual Captain’s armor. He notices me and I give him a small wave to which he just nods at me.

“Captain Shining Armor, thank you for joining this trial on such short notice,” Celestia said. “We have called you here to provide your case of what transpired a few days prior between these two and the group of guards who attacked them. Sir Axel Rickert has informed us that Prince Blueblood offered a reward to any who were successful in taking their lives, is this true?” The Captain pauses for a moment and he nods, earning more gasps from the audience of nobles.

“My men and I were patrolling the streets like we usually do and we saw the signal flare spell sent by Prince Blueblood. Naturally, we responded to the call and drove to his location by magitech carriage. When we arrived, Prince Blueblood demanded I execute them on the spot which is a violation of the royal guards code. Although I was skeptical about Nightmare Moon, Mr. Rickert informed me of what really happened despite the Prince’s highly embellished accusations. Seeing that the Prince was not harmed in any way, nor did any of his words ring true, I recalled my men to return to our duties. That’s when Prince Blueblood blurted out a reward of large amounts of gold for the heads of these two. I tried to tell all my men to stand down and while the ones directly under my command obeyed, the ones barring his cutie mark, these men, ignored my order and attacked without question. I would’ve intervened but Mr. Rickert had already used his strange magic to combat and subdue his attackers,” Shining explained.

Geez, how many times are they gonna call it magic? I think.

“It appears that is all that needs to be said,” Celestia said and turned to the crowd and us. “As co-ruler of Equestria I, Princess Celestia, find these men guilty of all charges ranging from insubordination, attempted murder, and mutiny,” she said with a swing of her gavel. The men all had shocked expressions and I noticed that now most of them were giving me and even dared to give Celestia death glares.

“This is an outrage!”

“We shouldn’t be punished for putting this freak in his place!”

“He aligns himself with that Nightmare bitch! He deserves death for aiding the usurper!”

“And he uses black magic, which makes him a terrorist of Equestria!”

“SILENCE!”
Luna bellowed in an abnormally loud voice.

“Jeezus, the hell was that?!” I asked, rubbing my ear from the slight ringing.

“I believe that is the royal Canterlot voice,” Moon explains. “Beings like Celestia, Luna, and I can amplify our voices to properly address the subjects or when we want to draw attention to ourselves.”

“Oh she definitely drew attention to herself,” I said, still rubbing my ear.

“You all have yourselves to blame for attempting such a dishonorable act of attempt to claim someone’s life for your own selfish gains! If anything, you deserve any form of punishment Sir Rickert as in store for you,” Luna lectures harshly.

“You’re letting that freak pass judgment?!”

“That’s not fair! He has now right to do that!”

“I demand a retrial! This is ridiculous!”

I walk out of the podium and approach the shackled men leaving Moon by herself. The men turn their attention to me as I stand before them and they all look like they wanna finish the job they were ordered to by Blueballs, especially Shatter Star since he looks like he’s about ready to blow a gasket. Their fate now rests in my hands, I can decide to do whatever I want with them. Since they tried to kill me, maybe it’s only fair they get a taste of their own medicine by sentencing them to death. I could even use my Video power to summon a few Angel’s and execute them one by one in front of everyone, use their deaths as an example to all those who would think of even trying to come near me and Moon. However that would just make me look like a monster to the eyes of the public and a mass murderer, plus I can probably guess some of these guys have families, so who am I to take the lives of those who’re not worth killing?

…

“Here’s my verdict,” I said, making everyone go silent. “Effective immediately, the lot of you are hereby court-martialed and stripped of your ranks as royal guardsmen and are released of your duty by dishonorable discharge. Your actions will be known to the whole city and you will from this day forth, never wear a suit if armor bearing the royal sigil again.”

Each of their jaws go slack and Shatter Star is now trembling in rage and glares at me with unbridled hatred.

“You bastard! You can’t do this to us!”

“I worked hard to get where I am, you think you can just say whatever the hell you want and it’ll happen?!”

“Actually he can,” Celestia said, making all heads turn to him. “As we said, he has the right to pass whatever judgement he pleases and he has done just that. Now that judgement has been passed, I hereby make it official,” she said, banging her gavel and sealing their fate.

“I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!”
Shatter Star roared.

He ripped his shackles apart and lunged at me while swatting away the two guards in front of him with a mad look on his face. Everyone started to panic at his enraged actions but I kept my ground. With a flick of my wrist while activating Concrete, a shard of stone shot out from his leg making him fall and cry out in pain. The raging man looked down at the shard and up at me and stood back up as he attempted to charge at me again. I flicked my wrist once more and a couple more shards shot out of his legs making him cry out in pain again and fall, yet he still kept going and even went as far to crawl towards me. I sighed and flicked my wrist for the last time and shards of stone shot out from both his arms and legs, leaving him immobilized and grunting and crying out in pain as he fell on his back. I walked up to him and stood over him as he gave me another death glare but I just scoffed at him.

“Yeah, I’m told that hurts,” I mock. “I think this one should be locked up in a cell of what he’s attempted to do yet again.”

“I…believe that is wise,” Celestia said, still completely shocked at what transpired. More guards swarmed in and began to shackle Shatter Star up again and carry him out of the courtroom and to the dungeons. Moon runs up to me and hugs me and trembles as I hug her back and try to calm her down by rubbing her back.

“Hey now come on, I’m ok so there’s no need to worry,” I said in a soothing tone. I hear groaning behind me and look to see the two downed guards that were swatted away. They looked to be in pain so I walked up to them and kneeled in front of one of them. “Hey man, you ok?” I ask.

“Ugh…I think he cracked some of my ribs,” he groaned.

“Me two, and I think my arm’s busted…” the other groaned as well.

I thought for a moment until I got an idea and activated Smoke. I raised both my hands over their bodies as smoke trails and tiny cinders enveloped the two of them and around the areas where they were injured. Soon I deactivate Smoke and the lingering trails dissipate and the guards both sit up and look at each other.

“It…doesn’t hurt anymore,” one of them said.

“Yeah, a little sore, but it doesn’t feel broken,” the other said in awe.

“I repaired most of the damage but you should both still check yourselves in just to make sure,” I said as I stood up.

“Wow, thanks a lot,” one said with a smile. I looked up to the former guards still shackled and they all flinched when I laid eyes on them.

“You all have some serious rethinking to do, next time don’t let your impulses speak for you and learn to not give in to your selfish desires,” I said. And with that they all resumed to hang their heads in shame and were escorted out of the room by Shining and the rest of his men. Meanwhile the nobles, all still in complete shock at my little display of power, slowly began to collect themselves and exit the room.

“My word, that boy just bested that behemoth without even moving!”

“And did you see his hand? I’ve never seen such magic like that.”

“Is it truly black magic? I thought black magic couldn’t heal like that.”

As they left, I spied Blueballs giving me the stink eye which only gave me an idea to mess with him.

“Oh and Princess,” I said, making Celestia turn to me. “Can I suggest something for your nephew?” Celestia arches a brow and looks at Luna who simply shrugs and looks back at me.

“I suppose you may, what is it?” She wonders.

“Maybe you should cut Blueblood off any funds from your treasury so that he won’t be able to try and bribe others to attempt to kill Moon and I anymore,” I suggested, making the douche prince go wide eyed. “This could also prompt him to get a real job so he won’t mooch off you two anymore, wouldn’t you agree?”

“NOW SEE HERE, YOU DEPLORABLE INGRATE!” Blueballs barks. “YOU HAVE NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER TO DECIDE SUCH AN OUTRAGEOUS THING!”

“Hmm, I suppose that’s only fair,” Celestia nods, scratching her chin.

“WHAT?! AUNTIE?!” Blueballs shrieks.

“You have yourself to blame, Blueblood,” Luna snapped. “You dared to use the royal funds as a reward for taking a life, you should be lucky that Sir Rickert doesn’t pass judgement on you.”

“But-I…why are you two defending that wench?!” Blueballs demands. “She corrupted Auntie Luna and tried to usurp the throne by force and plunge the world in eternal night! She should be imprisoned or sent to the moon once again for what she’s done, not be allowed to roam free!”

“Blueblood,” Luna hissed, making the prince flinch. “Shut your mouth and leave at once. As of now, you are officially cut off from spending any funds from the treasury. And about time too, since you’ve been spending every chance you get on frivolous things and throwing those ridiculous parties.”

Blueballs was about to protest but both Celestia and Luna turned away, ignoring anything else he might have to say. He scoffed and marched towards the doors but not before shooting me a glare to which I just smirked mockingly back at him.

“This isn’t over, freak! I have friends all around, and I’ll be sure to make you pay for this humiliation!” Blueballs sneered.

“Good, maybe next time you’ll finally give me an excuse to kick your ass,” I shot back. With that he brushes past me and slams the doors behind him. I exhale and sit in a nearby chair and Moon sits next to me.

“You did well, Sir Rickert.” I look up and see Celestia and Luna walk up to me while smiling.

“You think so? To be honest I was just saying what came natural, I know little to nothing about how exactly trials like these go,” I said.

“On the contrary, you spoke the appropriate words and passed proper judgment,” Celestia complements. “Especially how you handled Blueblood.”

“Indeed, it was quite amusing seeing him so upset, perhaps without any funds to spoil him he won’t be so difficult from now on,” Luna said.

“No offense but I doubt it,” I said. “People like him don’t really change when you want them to, I should know since I’ve met people like him before back in my world. Even so, how could he be your nephew? Did either of you give birth to him or something?”

“No, his family’s ancestors had done a great service for me hundreds of years ago. As a reward for their efforts I bestowed the family a royal title. They were all noble souls who served with me and ruled by my side whenever needed however you could say I am to blame for the way Blueblood is now,” Celestia said with a small frown.

“Why say that?” I wonder.

“When he was a small child, his parents passed away leaving me to raise him. I did my best to raise him as my nephew by giving him whatever he desired which in turned spoiled him rotten. I only wished to give him the best life possible in honor of his late parents but it seems I gave him too much of a good life,” Celestia said.

“You shouldn’t blame yourself for how he turned out, Princess,” I said as I stood up. “It’s like you said, you wanted to give him the best life possible so he wouldn’t be saddened by the death of his parents. It was his decision to take advantage of the luxuries of having a royal title so anything he does and says at this point is on him. You just need to put him under your thumb more often, like just now by cutting him off, so he’ll hopefully not be such a pain in the ass.”

Celestia smiles and surprises me a little by wrapping her arms around me and hugging me, she smells like fresh sunflowers.

“You are wise beyond your years, Mr. Rickert. I shall hold your words to heart for the sake of my nephew,” she said. I smiled and hugged her back and then she stepped away. I look over at Luna who was glancing away and at me every so often which made me tilt my head. “Something the matter, Princess Luna?” I ask.

“Um, well Sir Rickert, if it’s not too much to ask, may I…also have a hug?” Luna asked shyly.

“Uh,” I looked at Moon who was giggling at me and I looked back at Luna and shrugged my shoulders. “Sure, I guess.”

Luna smiles and quickly wraps me in a hug to which I respond in kind. I’m a head taller than her and she smells like pine trees and morning dew.

“I take it you two are pretty affectionate huggers?” I ask Celestia as Luna steps away.

“Only with those we wish to be friends with,” Celestia said.

“Wow, we’re friends? So does that mean we don’t have to be on house arrest anymore?” I ask with hope in my voice.

“Don’t get too excited, Sir Rickert,” Luna said with a coy smile. “We’re still wary of Nightmare Moon and you have yet to prove yourself trustworthy as well, given that you still snuck out of the castle without our permission.”

“Aw come on, I said I was sorry,” I complain. “Besides, no offense, but there’s nothing to really do around here. Can’t you just increase the range of the spell so we can at least go out of the castle? We promise not to leave the city and you can still keep the repercussions if we do.”

Celestia and Luna ponder my offer and whisper to one another then look back at me and Moon.

“I suppose that’s fair, but you must promise not to do anything brash or leave the vicinity of the city, understand?” Celestia said, wagging her finger at me like a mother would a child.

“You have my word,” I said.

“As do you mine,” Moon said.

Celestia and Luna nod and their hands glow in front of us. The glow dissipates and they lower their hands after the spell is complete.

“Thank you Princess Celestia,” I said with a curt nod.

“You’re welcome, and since we’re now to be friends you may just call me Celestia when we are only to ourselves,” Celestia said.

“And you may address me as Luna,” Luna said.

“Well in that case you both can call me Ax since that’s what my friends call me,” I said with a kind smile. They both nod and proceed to exit the room leaving me and Moon to ourselves.

“Oh and Ax?” Celestia called out, poking her head through the doorway. “I received a letter from my student that she and her friends will be arriving in Canterlot in a couple of days to officially meet you.”

“You talking about that group of girls I met back at that old castle?” I wonder.

“Indeed, and they all are looking forward to meeting you,” Celestia said.

“Heh, didn’t know I was that popular,” I joke. Celestia giggles and leans back as she closes the door. “Whew, man that was all very stressful,” I sighed.

“I told you that you would be fine, you handled the whole situation very admirably,” Moon said.

“Thanks, so now that we can roam the city, what do you wanna do?” I ask.

“Since you asked, I was wondering if we can try and walk to the park again since our last trip was so rudely interrupted,” Moon said.

“Sounds good,” I said as I stuck out my arm. “Shall we?”

Moon blushes and smiles as she wraps her arm around mine and nods. We walk out the door and make our way to the park and I’m smiling the whole time. Now that most of the drama is out of the way, I now have to prepare what to say to the new arrivals I’m to meet in a couple of days. What they have in store for me, I can only wait and see.

Author's Note

The Main Six are on the way to meet The Conduit. Next chapter, an interview and possibly new friends made.

Thanks for reading!

~WurkyWilk has left the building…