Author's Notes:

So its been rewritten.

You might be wondering where the next ACTUAL chapter is. Well, it's there, on my computer, waiting to be worked on.

Never fear though, I always put at least a hour a week into writing.

The Fallen Soldier

Chapter 3

---------------------------------------

So much has happened in such a little time, it’s like every second something new gets thrown at me. Now? Now I’m on my way to meet some princesses and. . . Hell I don’t even know. I’m trying to just roll with the punches, but these punches are starting to hit a little harder. It complicates things.

After we landed and I said my goodbyes to Twilight. A single guard pushed me along and told me to start walking, he said he’d guide me to our endpoint. Most of the walk was quiet, occasionally we’d stop so he could talk to other guards, sometimes he’d show some badge that proved his rank or clearance. I still had the sack on my head, and the guard refused to take it off.

Once we were finally inside some building, he started talking to me. “So you’re the guy from space huh?”

Taking a moment to think over an answer, I spoke, “Yeah. I’m the guy from space.”

The male voice replied, “What’s it like up there?”

“Lonely.”

“What about the view? Isn’t that something to admire?”

“I’ve spent most of my life in space, it lost its charm after a while.”

He didn’t reply after that, probably disappointed. Didn’t matter though, after one last turn into another long hallway, we arrived wherever we were going.

When we finally came to a halt, another unknown male voice spoke, “This that guy?”

The ever-so space curious guard responded, “Yes, make sure you keep an eye on him. He’s apparently highly dangerous.”

I huffed, “Take these cuffs off and I’ll show you how dangerous I am.”

Another new voice chuckled, “Alright, take the bag off.”

When the bag was removed, I looked towards the new voices. What I saw was a bearded man in his late 40’s. Next to him was a young looking guy likely in his mid 20’s. Both men were well-built and likely took their job very seriously. They guarded a giant fancy door that must lead to some form of meeting area.

The old man snapped his fingers to get my attention and said, “The princess and her sister shall see you now. Remember to kneel.”

A sigh escaped my lips before I stepped forward, watching the two guards open the fancy door. As I stepped through, the younger gentlemen grabbed my shoulder and whispered, “You better act good around them. Answer every question with the utmost respect, otherwise we’ve got dozens of men on standby.”

After he let go, I took a couple steps forward before turning around to flip him off. He frowned and closed the door. Performing a 180 turn, I found myself in a large and partially empty room. A long red carpet started from the door and led to the other side of the room, where two women sat on thrones. They must be the princesses I’ve heard so much about.

As I approached the women, I admired the series of stained glass windows on both sides of the room. Each one seemed to tell a story, while others just had a picture of a rising sun and setting moon. Maybe there was something to it that I didn’t understand, hard to say.

Stopping a couple feet away from the stairs that lead to their thrones. I lowered myself onto a knee and bowed my head, hating every second of it.

The almost heavenly voice announced, “Rise.”

And so I did.

“We have heard of your unfortunate arrival.” Spoke the Princess on the left, her multicolored hair flowed through the wind even though there was no breeze.

“We know what you are.” Spoke the same woman, “We have dealt with your kind before.”

I didn’t say anything, assuming that I needed permission to speak.

“However, you are the first one we’ve managed to talk to without violence breaking out.” The woman stood from her throne. Her dress hugged her body and highlighted every curve she had.

“My name is Celestia and the brooding one is my sister, Luna.” She motioned to the other woman, “We would like to ask a couple questions.” She stepped towards me and hovered her hand over my cuffs. They unlocked themselves and fell to the floor.

Focusing on Celestia, I asked, “Permission to speak Ma’am.”

Celestia frowned for a split second, “There is no need for such a thing, you may speak freely.” She turned to Luna, “Let us talk now Sister. Come now.”

Luna didn’t seem to care though, her gaze was that of a kid in school, uncaring.

Celestia sat back in her throne, she “Let us begin. What is your name?”

I answered, “Scott Celaya Anderson.”

“Where are you from Mr. Anderson?”

“Earth.”

“And what species are you?”

“Human.”

Celestia paused for a moment, eyeing my armored body, before following with, “Why are you on our planet?”

When no answer came to mind, I settled with, “I believe I crashed landed here.”

It felt like she was judging me. One long unbearable silence later, she asked, “I’d like to know about your future plans.”

My response was honest, “I don’t know.” Moments after I finished speaking, I could tell that Celestia didn’t care for the answer, as her stare seemed to tenfold in intensity.

Memories of past events began to resurface within my head. Everything was starting to feel distant, the world around me became blurry while everything began to spin violently. And just as fast as it came, it went. As my head cleared itself, I found myself on my knees, with Celestia and Luna looking down at me.

“What would you like us to do Mr. Anderson?” Asked Celestia, her gaze softened.

I slowly got back on my feet, the back of my head felt like it was on fire. “I don’t know.” The words poured out, nothing felt right.

“Would thou like us to assist in your return home?” Luna asked, finally joining the conversation.

I nodded, suddenly stumbling backwards until I fell on my ass. My brain was a fumbling mess, It felt like the first time I finished mentally pairing with an A.I. The sensation is difficult to explain, no matter however many times I try.

“I apologise Mr. Anderson, I had not realized the lack of magic in your body.” Spoke Celestia, as she turned to face her sister. “Dear sister, please tell me that you also see the void within this room.”

Luna replied, “I see it as well.”

“I’m sorry about the headache.” Celestia apologised, “It will pass over eventually, but you must understand why I did it.” she looked away briefly, “the last time we dealt with something from space it didn’t end well.”

Luna chipped in, “Those were Your men sister. I was still absent in those times.”

Celestia smiled at her, “Of course.”

Groggily, I asked, “What did you do to me?” Before slowly getting back on my feet.

“I attempted a very brief memory search.” Celestia answered. “I was immediately cut off by the lack of magic in your body.” She finished. “I’m sure you still remembered something however.”

Truth be told, I couldn’t help but remember the one time I punched someone years ago.

“Did you just mindfuck me?” I asked, completely serious.

Luna scoffed, “It’s certainly not something approved of.”

Celestia hushed her and smiled, “I’d like to trust you Mr. Anderson.” She reached behind her and pulled a rolled piece of paper out. “You’re the second creature to fall from space within the last 60 years, it’s a fantastic discovery that has proved our theories on alien life.”

She frowned, “however.” The scroll in her hand suddenly took to the air and floated towards me, “The last creature from space wasn’t as talkative as you.”

The scroll dropped onto my open palm, I opened it and was welcomed to a highly detailed, although crude, picture of a dead Fargarthian.

(Far - garth - ian )

“What is this?” I asked, “This thing doesn’t resemble me at all.”

“I see that now.” Spoke Celestia, “You must forgive me, I never got to personally meet the creature.” Her eyes narrowed, “It self-destructed long before I could ever arrive.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I asked, “what is it you want from me?”

“I want answers,” She demanded. “Answers for my own well being, and for the families who lost someone that night.”

“I don’t know what to say.” I glanced back at the picture then at the princess again, “I wasn’t there.”

“You recognise the creature though?”

“Yes. It’s a Fargarthian, a species that dates back thousands of years.” I thought for a moment, “This looks like a Hilschlep, you must’ve really pissed him off for him to just self-destruct.”

( Hilschlep = Highly trained soldier in combat armor.)

Luna joined saying, “We don’t know the details. There were only two survivors, and their accounts of the happening was rather poor. ”

Celestia glared at Luna, “Forgive them sister. Even I was rather disgusted by the mess when I arrived.”

Luna flared her nostrils and looked away.

“How many died?” I asked, fully expecting a considerable number.

“Fifteen of our best.” Celestia answered, seemingly recalling the scene, “Some were. . . spread out, while others had large spherical burns on their chests.”

“Sounds like plasma rifles, this must’ve happened a long time ago then. Plasma weapons were banned twenty years ago.”

“I can imagine way.” Celestia nodded, “The way those men suffered. Terrible.”

I rolled the paper and looked around, “So what’s gonna happen to me then? I’ve no intention of hurting anyone, and I’d be more than happy to answer questions.”

“You have cooperated.” Celestia rested her head on her hand, thinking, likely.

“Well I’d like you to explain what these are.” Luna spoke, her hand glowed a dark purple and a big box suddenly appeared to my right.

I popped the lid open and peered inside, “This is all my gear.” Truth be told, seeing all my gear made me a little happy.

“Weapons?” Asked Luna, ruining my reunion with my gear.

“Of course.” I reply, “It’s what I’m paid to do.”

“It’s certainly a lot.” Celestia added.

“I’m required to be ready for anything.” I replied. “Did you mess with any of it?”

Luna chuckled and Celestia frowned, speaking, “Someone was put in the hospital after a researcher pulled something. I had it all sealed immediately until I could personally examine it.”

“Can I take something out?” I asked, rather than just reaching in.

Celestia nodded, sweetly adding, “Just know that any attempt of attack will be met with your instant demise.”

I nodded and reached into the box, pulling out my rifle, the Labroan GTS44. An 8 pound, semi-automatic rifle chambered in .308 and meant only for the baddies. Ejecting the magazine, I confirmed my thought.

Some dumb motherfucker shot his friend with my gun.

“How does it work?” Asked Luna, her interest piqued.

I replied, “It shoots lead at fast speeds.” My description was basic, probably even meant for a kid.

Luna went silent, intently focused on the rifle in my arms. Celestia spoke up, “I had the guards remove anything came off without a fight. Now, I’m willing to give you an opportunity to help me trust you.” Her eye’s narrowed, “Do you have any weapons on you?”

AN uneasy feeling came over me. I wanted them to trust me, but giving them my plasma sword left me with no way of defending myself. In the end, though, I reluctantly removed the plasma sword from my wrist and dropped it in the box.

“Plasma sword.” I state, “super-heated plasma contained by magnets in the shape of a sword.” I cross my arms and add, “My suit is also technically a weapon, but it isn’t coming off anytime soon.”

Luna asked, “Do you need special tools?”

“No.” I reply. “Under the book of Artemis, section 45, page 23, paragraph 3. Under no circumstances unless instructed by an authorized individual will I remove the AMAHS suit.”

“And if I demand you to remove the suit?” Celestia asks.

“Then I am obligated to tell you that I have now activated the emergency self-destruct safeguard. Should I leave this suit for whatever reason, it will self-destruct with the force of 12 kilotons of TNT.” I hardened my glare, “Such an explosion will level this city and destroy the very mountain it is built upon.”

Celestia stared me down, but it was naught, I’ve faced worse. She broke the glare first, speaking, “Keep the suit then. Just explain everything else in the box.”

I deactivated the self-destruct sequence and reached into the box. I pulled out a large handgun.

“This is my sidearm, the SAS-24, it fires .45 and has been customized beyond your imagination.” I reached into the box and pulled out a shotgun, “This is my shotgun, it’s a double-barreled pump action monster, I only have 36 1 and a half ounce slug shells.”

(For the sake of my laziness, I shouldn’t have to explain how a shotgun and handgun works so I won’t. I just wanted to introduce the guns in the most shittiest way.)

An hour went by faster than I thought. The princesses appreciated my explanations, Luna even stepped down for a more ‘personal’ explanation as she so put it. But she spent more time looking at my guns then she did me.

I wasn’t carrying a miniature armory on my back mind you. I had everything I’d need for combat deployment on an abandoned space station. Handgun, Shotgun, rifle (with shortened barrel ), and extra mags for everything.

When I finally finished, Celestia had me return everything and zapped the box away with a snap of her fingers. I was finding it harder to rationalize these ‘magical’ moments. But I held strong.

“What are the chances of me ever getting my stuff back?” I asked.

“When I can trust you.” She answered. “Until then, I’d like for you to stay in the castle for a couple days. The two of us would like to get to know you a little better.” Celestia stood up and motioned for Luna to follow.

“I’ll have Hover prepare your room while we both personally show you around the castle.”

The two giant doors opened, revealing a hall full of guards. “Ladies.” I say as I pass them, walking behind Luna.

They didn’t find it funny.