A Promise Not Forgotten

Dan:

I absentmindedly watched the landscape below slide along as the carriage flew. The whole ride was dead silent since our little talk in Ponyville. Luna was really in a bind here. Either she makes us, the people happy, or stands by her sister who has been with her forever. It’s understandable that she would not be one hundred percent on anything yet, but this needs to happen, whether or not Celestia has anything to say about it. I looked up and saw the moon and stars. They were faded, darker than I thought possible. I just hope there is an end to this in which we are all ok.

More sad and depressing thoughts filled my mind before the clouds moved. “It’s poofier than you’d think,” Was all I could say as I watched the massive city of clouds approach. The pillars all around the city reminded me of old Greek architecture.

“Well, they are clouds!” Luna said with a smile.

I merely responded with a smile despite her sarcasm. Anything I would like to have said back might be seen as offensive to anypony other than Aidan or Colin.

“Come on, let’s go, we’ve got work to do!” I said as I flung the carriage door open and stepped out.

“DAN WAIT!” Luna yelled after me.

I looked back, “What? Its only… clouds…” I said as I was already falling out of the carriage.

I plunged down through the ground and fell. The grass covered ground below was rapidly approaching. Damn, come on remember your training! I thought as I spread my arms and legs out to create as much drag as possible.

Shit, time to improvise! I thought as I tried my magic. Nothing from before worked. Shit shit shit! I thought as the ground was getting closer. Come on anything! There has to be something! Everything I tried failed, but Jesus was it getting cold! The air around me was fogging and it started snowing. What the hell is this?

“HOLD ON, I GOT YA” I heard a voice from above me before I got whiplash. I could only feel hooves wrapped around me. “Jeez you’re cold!”

“Oh God… I think I’m gonna have to sue…” I said as I rubbed my neck.

“Sue? Who’s that?” The pegasus asked.

“It’s not who, it’s what…” I said, sill mildly annoyed, but grateful nonetheless.

“Then what’s that?” She asked.

“Ugh, forget I even said it!” I said. Come on! These ponies have to have some kind of legal restitution!

“Ok, Dan,” She said as she lifted me higher.

Wait, who knows me here in Cloudsdale? I thought while looking back, “Rainbow! Thanks!”

“No problem!” She said as she slowly started to ascend. “But, jeez you are heavy!”

“You callin’ me fat?” I asked.

“Maybe…” She replied. Great, somepony who gets sarcasm!

“Gee, thanks!” I said as Luna descended. “How’s it hangin’ Luna?”

She stifled a giggle, “Fine, thanks.”

Rainbow and Luna brought me back up to the carriage and set me inside. “Well, that could have gone worse.”

“What do you mean worse?” Rainbow practically yelled. “You could have died!”

“Ah, but I didn’t! You see, through your quick reaction time I was saved!” I said with a pompous tone. “Thank you my dear Rainbow Dash!” I said with an even more pompous accent.

“What was that magic you were doing back there anyway? It looked like it was snowing!” Rainbow said.

“I was hoping you could tell me, actually,” I said looking to Luna. “All my powers seem to have stopped, but one,” I said as frost covered my hand in front of me. “Know anything about that?”

“No, but maybe Colin could help you when we get back to Canterlot,” Luna said with a happy smile. I’m glad she is okay now.

“Ok, hold on. I got an idea…” I said with a crooked grin. “Get ready,” I said as I focused what I thought was my power. “Okay… Here goes nothing,” I stepped off the carriage and onto the cloud, but I didn’t fall this time. Below my feet the clouds froze solid.

“What are you two doing out this late, anyway?” Rainbow asked with a yawn.

“Here on official bidness, Rainbow,” I said. “We need your help in Canterlot.”

“You need MY help?” Rainbow asked with wide eyes.

“Yep, Aidan needs us. He’s in jail and Celestia won’t let him out. We are gathering a protest group to persuade her,” I said while haphazardly adjusting my balance on the frozen cloud. How it managed to stay afloat escapes me.

“What did he do?” She asked.

“Remember the Prophet incident?” I asked. She replied with a nod, “He’s getting all the blame for the gryphon’s losses.”

“They can’t do that to him! He didn’t do anything wrong!” Rainbow practically yelled.

“Calm down,” I said. The mare had anger in her eyes, and something that I never saw before, panic. “He’s gonna be fine. We just need all the help we can get if we’re going to persuade Celestia.”

“Why is SHE keeping him in there? Doesn’t she trust him?” Rainbow asked. She was pissed that Celestia would do anything to one of her friends.

“I wish I knew Rainbow, I really do,” I said. “Hey Luna… we’re going to take a walk for a bit, mind watching the carriage?” Luna, who saw what I was getting at, nodded. “Come on Dash.”

The two of us walked through the sleeping streets of the city, me leaving icy footprints behind. “Why would Celestia do this to Aidan?” Rainbow asked.

“I think there might be more to her than we know, Dash,” I said. “She actually might be a little… different than she was before.”

“What do you mean different?” Rainbow asked.

“I mean that she might be keeping Aidan in there for a reason other than Prophet’s reawakening. Think of it this way Dash, Aidan was the most powerful of the three of us; technically he is the biggest threat to her throne. She may be taking… precautionary measures to ensure that she keeps power,” I said as I gazed upon the ancient looking architecture.

“No. Celestia would NEVER do that! Not to us!” Rainbow said.

“That’s just it, Dash. We aren’t ponies. She might not trust us…” I said. While that may not be the whole story, it will be enough to persuade Rainbow to help us. Hopefully it is just a mistrust, and we can work past it.

“But, why?” She asked looking up with distressed eyes.

I let out a sigh, “I don’t know. First step, getting Aidan out of that prison. Are you with me?” I asked.

She smiled, “Yeah.”

“Good, then meet us in Canterlot tomorrow morning,” I said as I started to walk away.

The Next Morning

Dan:

The demonstration is almost ready. “Almost everypony is here,” Luna said, walking up to me as I leaned up against the wall of the main hall of the castle.

“Almost…” I said.

“I’m sure Rainbow will be here soon. She was up pretty late last night,” Luna replied.

“We’re running out of time, Luna. I can’t do this without you, but I can do it without Rainbow,” I said. “Get everypony outside, where Celestia can see them from the balcony. You, Colin and I will go to Celestia.”

“Ok, I’ll come get you when everypony is in position,” Luna said as she walked away.

I looked off to the tower, “We’re coming Aidan, just hold on little buddy.”

Dan, Colin, and Luna walked down the grand hallway. The beautiful art adorning the walls made the castle seem like a gold plated cage. The trio walked and Colin spoke, “So, how’s this going to work?”

“Simple, we go in, tell her what’s up, and get Aidan. That’s that,” Dan said without shifting his gaze from the doors at the end of the hall.

“Dan, please don’t say anything to her, about what you told me last night,” Luna said, with a trace of worry in her voice.

“Heh, don’t worry Luna, I got your back. Just be ready in case it’s true…” Dan said walking faster with every passing second.

“Wait, what? What did you tell her?” Colin asked. For being the third human, he was terribly out of the loop, but Dan never really associated with him if Aidan wasn’t there.

“Celestia might be a bit different…” Dan said with a cold voice.

“Define different,” Colin said, now worried.

“Think of it. She knows prophet is… gone, but still keeps Aidan in there, what for? Ask me, she’s hiding something, something big,” Dan said as they reached the doors. He took a deep breath, the adrenaline already affecting him, “Alright, let’s do this,” He said with a grin.

Dan opened the double doors dramatically so that they swung open and hit the wall with a loud thud. “Ello, Princess. We need to talk…” Dan said as the doors shut behind the trio.

“What about?” Celestia asked raising an eyebrow.

“Aidan, more specifically his lack of freedom. He needs to get out of there,” Dan said taking a step up the staircase and resting his hands on his bent knee.

“I told you before, I can’t jeopardize the kingdom like that,” Celestia said with a measured glare.

“Oh, I’ve heard it too! The whole bit of nonsense about ‘keeping the public happy’ right?” Dan asked with added air quotes. “Well, as it turns out there are more ponies than you seem to believe that want Aidan out of there…” Dan said waving a hand toward the balcony as he started strolling on over to it.

Celestia narrowed her eyes before walking down her steps and over to the balcony. The crowd that had amassed was huge. Pinkie Pie was the best at rallying ponies for special events, so getting out everypony’s favorite human was no trouble. Everypony was there: the mane six, Discord, Iron Hoof and his loyal guards, Rain Dasher and Cobalt Crystal, as well as the host of Ponyville residents and a few Canterlot ponies.

“See, Princess. They all want Aidan to get out of there,” Dan said. “Why don’t you listen to them?”

“Because there is more than just Prophet!” Celestia said in a low, threatening tone.

“Oh, and what’s that? Nothing we can’t handle I’m sure!” Dan said. “He can be trusted Celestia, let him go…”

Celestia stood looking over the ponies in the crowd below. “No…”

“What?” Colin asked, now wearing a pissed off look himself.

“I said no!” Celestia yelled. “You stupid humans think you can oppose me like this?”

“Sister…” Luna said, gaining a confused look from Celestia. “Do you really not trust them? Even after all they have done for us?”

Celestia walked back up to her throne and gave Dan a stone cold glare, “Aidan will NOT be released.”

Dan clenched his fists and Colin gritted his teeth, “Fuck this then…” Dan said before turning and walking out.

Colin turned in surprise, “Dan, where are you going?” He yelled.

“To get Aidan out…” Dan said without turning back.

“Shit,” Colin said before running after Dan. The last thing Colin wanted was to piss off Celestia, even if she imprisoned his friend. Colin realized that Celestia is powerful, and wanted to attempt to find a way out that wouldn’t anger the sun goddess.

Luna and Celestia were left alone in the throne room, watching the two humans as they left. Luna looked back to Celestia, who still wore a glare, “You really have changed. This isn’t you sister! Stop this before it’s too late!” Luna pleaded.

“No, Luna, I have done what I should have done long ago! These humans can’t be trusted and aren’t welcome in the kingdom,” Celestia said before walking down the hall.

Aidan:

Got any eights?

Go fish…

Ugh this is so BORING!

Want to play another game of twenty questions?

No, ‘cause you cheat!

Awe come on! I didn’t cheat!

Wow, is it getting colder in here? I thought to Prophet as I looked to the door.

Heh, told you it wouldn’t work… You might want to put that jacket on.

What wouldn’t work? I thought, heeding his advice.

Oh, their whole protest thing.

So what is this?

Plan B.

Plan B?

Oh yes! Prophet said with a chuckle.

Why don’t I like the sound of that? I said as the room got even colder. Jesus, it must be zero degrees in here! What are they trying to do, freeze me to death?

Nope, plan B! Prophet said before the door shattered into a million little shards of ice.

“Holy hell!” I shouted as the spray of icy metal shards hit my jacket. The haze cleared and Dan was standing on the other side. “Thank God its you!” I said, not really wanting to fight anything he could have been.

“Come on! Time to move!” Dan said as he turned.

“What the hell happened?” I asked as we ran.

“Plan B! HA HA!” Dan said as we ran through the ice covered tunnels.

We came to the end of the tunnel and standing guard were two frozen stiff guards, sucked to be them! “Now what?” I asked.

“Didn’t think that far ahead. First let’s meet up with the others,” Dan yelled back as we ran out of the barracks. I couldn’t help but notice the lack of guards everywhere.

Dan and I ran through the deserted castle and out into the courtyard to meet the others. As I rounded the corner into the garden where they all were I received cheers and welcomes from everypony. “You all did this for me?” I asked incredulously.

“Yeah,” Colin said walking up to me.

“Shit, thanks man!” I said as we shared a bro-hug. “What’s next?” I asked.

“Well, she might be a problem…” Dan said looking up.

I followed his gaze and saw Celestia flying down along with a horde of pegasi guards. They all landed one by one and surrounded us. “Nice to see you too, tia!” I said with a mocking smile. I could tell that she wanted me kept in there, and frankly I don’t care!

“Return to your cell…” Celestia growled through barred teeth.

“Or what…” I returned with a glare of my own. As I suspected all the pegasi completely surrounded us with no way out. Things are looking dire here.

“You dare challenge me, human?” She said with narrowed eyes.

“What did I ever do to you Tia?” I asked. “I died for your empire that’s what!” Her eyes opened slightly and were followed by a few gasps in the crowd. “Oh, you didn’t know? Yeah, I was killed back there, six months ago. I DIED for you Celestia!” I screamed. “And this is how you repay me?” It wasn’t a lie, that’s partially why my mind is shattered. Partial brain damage, that’s all. Nothing I, of all people, can’t live through.

“That’s impossible…” Celestia muttered.

“Yeah! We humans are all full of surprises! And we absolutely LOVE being locked in a cave while we fall apart!” I said. This tyrant needs to be put in her place. “You can’t do this, Celestia!”

“Sister! Listen to him!” Luna yelled from behind me.

Celestia snapped out of her docile attitude and into a more foul one, “You will return to your cell or be executed!” She shouted.

“Celestia STOP THIS!” Luna yelled.

“Sister, join me, if you aren’t with me then you’re against me!” Celestia said. Luna had a troubled look on her face and looked back to Dan.

Dan looked her in the eyes and just stared. Whatever was going on between them was something serious, I know that much.

Celestia, of course, noticed Luna’s tentative glance, “Fine… if you care about him so much then why don’t you join him!” Celestia yelled as her horn shot out a beam that enveloped Luna. Luna let out a horrifying scream and begged for it to stop.

“CELESTIA, STOP THIS!” I yelled, taking a step closer.

As if she actually listened, the glow stopped, and Luna fell to the ground, a human… I saw fire in Dan’s eyes as he stared daggers at Celestia.

“Aidan, return to your cell! Don’t make me do this!” Celestia said as her horn started to glow.

More gasps filled the crowd, and the ponies that didn’t have personal ties with me soon left, which was about the entire crowd. All that were left were us –now four- humans, Discord, Iron Hoof, and a host of guards, two of which were night guards.

I glared at Celestia, “Fucking try…”

As she promised her horn started to glow a brilliant gold and she aimed it directly at me. Her eyes narrowed as she started to charge a blast.

“This isn’t the Celestia that loved me…” I said, waiting to feel the sting of magic.

She held back a bit, just a bit, but long enough for a rainbow maned blur to smack Celestia right in the head and fly to my side, “Rainbow?” I asked in confustion.

“Yeah!” She said. “How you doing Aidan?” She asked with concern in her voice.

“Been better, but I can’t complain,” I said with a chuckle.

The sound of static tore through the air as Celestia charged her magic once more.

I looked back behind me, “Discord, can you get us out of here?” I muttered quietly.

“Yeah, but it will take about a minute…” He said.

“Start charging, I’ll handle her,” I said pointing to Celestia.

I started to walk closer to her. With her horn charging it was almost impossible to look at her, but I kept on anyway. The air around her burned, but I kept on anyway. With each step the ground started to shake, but I kept on anyway. I was just in front of her and she blasted me right in the chest… but I kept on anyway.

“No…” She said, refusing to believe that it did nothing to me.

“We were allies, we were friends, and we could have had something more, but now? Now you’ve pissed me off…” I said. I took another step closer so that we were face to face, “You don’t know what you’re up against… Believe me, I’ll be back, and when I am, I will take back what is Luna’s… I Promise.”

As I finished a green glow covered the garden and reached out to me. Our band of rebels vanished from the gardens without a trace, leaving Celestia angrier and more afraid than ever.