Chapter 23

“Hey umm… do you mind giving us a hoof?” The driver poked Dave until he rolled out of his bunk and landed on the floor with a thud

“Huh what?” Dave raised his sleepy head to look up at the driver “Umm… sure” He pushed himself to his feet and followed the driver outside

Three large stallions stood by a large brown cartridge, one side had been taken off revealing large wooden contraptions within

“What are these?” Dave asked as one was carried out by one of the stallions, “They look like… giant crossbows”

One of the stallions, the leader by the look of his clipboard cutie mark stepped over and looked Dave over “What the hay?” The stallion shook his head “These are Pegalaunchers and they are supposed to be shipped to the castle, there are four to be shipped but one of my guys chipped a hoof”

The stallion pulling the giant crossbow stopped for a moment to lean closer to the conversation “He broke his leg!”

“He is a cry baby!” The boss replied “Today it’s a broken leg and last week it was toothache” he turned back to Dave as the two workers removed the rest of the launchers from the cartridge and replaced the wall “Anyway the driver said you could pull the last one for us”

Dave walked over to the launcher left on the floor, it was about four times as long as Dave was tall and it laid on small wheels “well me and my friends were going to the castle anyway so I suppose I can give you a hand”

Dave turned to the driver “Can you get my friends please?”

The driver shook his head “Oh they left about five minutes ago” He headed back for his train “They said they would wait by the castle gate for you”

“Well thanks for everything I’ll see you later” Dave waved to the driver as he disappeared back inside the train “I will just follow you guys then” Dave picked up two pieces of rope and held them over his shoulders as he walked up the tall street

The boss attached some ropes around his chest “Right lads no breaks just a clean run” the other two stallions nodded as they attached their ropes in similar fashions

They all began their accent up the marble street, the boss was in front of the group with Dave pulling at the back, and the high-class ponies all had their noses turned up high but still gave shocked looks at Dave

“What is that horrifying beast?” A mare asked from beneath a large fancy hat

Dave let out a deep breath “I do say, that is a wonderful hat madam” he smiled as he applied a strong British accent

“Oh I say it has manners” the mare held her head high again as she trotted away

“Hmm I may end up ravaging these fancy snobs,” Dave muttered to himself keeping the accent

“Don’t mind them they are all like that to anypony that isn’t classy or has a larger reputation than themselves” the stallion ahead of Dave called back to him

Dave kept pulling the launcher, ignoring all the looks from the upper class ponies and as they reached the large wall separating the city from the castle the boss stopped to talk to one of the guards

“Here are the launchers you ordered,” he panted weakly as he regained his breath

The guard counted the launchers and gave Dave a quick glare “Take them inside, you may leave them there and you shall be paid”

“Ta mate” the boss continued through the slowly opening gates that led onto a large courtyard

As the small convoy left the cargo next to the large white steps, Strong Shield and a white Pegasus guard came down to meet them

“Thank you for the delivery here is your payment have a good day” Strong Shield passed the boss a bag of rattling coins

“Hey Shield” Dave smiled as he dropped his ropes and passed the leaving delivery stallions

Strong Shield whispered something to the Pegasus who saluted and quickly flew away “Hello again Dave”

Dave walked over and playfully saluted the unicorn “so how have things been?”

“Everything has been meeting standards” Strong Shield turned and began to climb the stairs, followed by Dave

“Where are my friends? They should be here” Dave looked around at the empty courtyard

“Ah yes the one called Rainbow Dash became very excited when she met Spitfire of the wonderbolts” Strong Shield nodded to a Pegasus guard in the sky “They followed her to watch her assist with the preparation of the launchers”

“Ok well umm… is Celestia about?” Dave asked as he caught up to the guard

“Princess Celestia is in her quarters with business” Strong Shield saluted the guards that opened two large golden doors that led into the castle “I am taking you to see Princess Luna as she is available at this time”

Dave avoided the stares from the guards he passed “oh well I would really like to see Celestia to be honest”

Strong Shield took Dave up the long twisting stairs of the castle towards Luna’s bedroom “Princess Luna can assist with any problems you may have”

“Not every problem” Dave grumbled quietly as he stepped into Luna’s quarters

Luna sat at her desk but her head quickly swung around to smile at Dave “Ah hello Dave”

“Umm… hey Luna” Dave heard the door click shut behind him as the princess approached him

“So how was your camping trip?” she trotted a bit too close for Dave’s comfort

“It was ok… learned some new stuff” Dave felt a small pain in his head, obviously a warning from Odio

“That is good to hear” Luna stepped closer to Dave as he took a step back “So what are you going to be doing while in Canterlot?”

Dave shrugged “I might just go and see some of the sights” he carefully stepped around Luna to look out of the balcony window, a few guards were flying in the sky above

“The weather schedule is supposed to be sunny for a few days but they are still debating rain” Luna stood next to Dave “Where are you staying?”

Dave scratched the side of his head “I don’t know… guest room again?”

Luna looked at the side of his face “You could always stay here with me”

Dave quickly retreated away from the blushing alicorn “oh no that wouldn’t be appropriate” Dave almost tumbled backwards as he swerved around a table “only ponies in relationship should do something like that”

Luna giggled, “Well we are in a relationship are we not?”

Dave’s eye twitched in disbelief “NO! I only kissed you so you wouldn’t make Rainbow Dash a cripple”

Luna trotted over suspiciously “Then why did you send me this?” she removed one of her shoes to reveal the silver bracelet

‘Oh it appears my attempts at adding a loving touch to the bracelet may have gone wrong’ Odio chucked but Dave ignored him

Dave took the bracelet and looked at the symbols around the sapphire “I didn’t send it to you I personally gave this to…”

Dave’s eyes widened with realisation as he quickly slipped the bracelet onto his wrist and ran out of the door “I’ve got to go”

“Are you ready to meet your friends?” Strong Shield stood waiting for Dave

Dave shook his head “I need to see Celestia”

Strong Shield’s calm face grew to a frown as he stretched his legs “I’m afraid she doesn’t want to see you”

The guards either side of Dave slid into position without him noticing “I don’t care I NEED to see her”

Strong Shield’s horn glowed and a loud bell rang out in the castle halls “Well I’m afraid I have orders to fulfil”

“What do you mean orders?” As Dave finished his question, the guard to his left leapt at his chest while the other jumped at his legs

As Dave twisted through the air one of the pegasi from outside flew through a window and smashed Dave down the stairs outside Luna’s room

As Dave bounced down the stairs more guards appeared at the bottom and caught Dave in a large net, they tied the top with a magical loop being cast by a unicorn guard

Dave squirmed in the net desperately trying to break free “What the hell? LET ME GO!” Dave fought against the mesh that contained him “What is all this?”

“My orders” Strong Shield calmly walked down to him “I’m sorry but you won’t be seeing Celestia today”

Dave managed to squeeze an arm through the net and pressed it against the cold floor “Your opinion” he growled as he pushed the ground as hard as he could

The trapped Dave flew towards a nearby window, bashing the guard securing his prison in his head so he lost concentration on the spell

As Dave flew through the window a corner of the net was caught on the broken glass and quickly unravelled spinning him round and round

As the net fully opened, Dave’s trapped arm caused him to swing into a lower window a few floors below his capture point

“Hmm” Strong Shield hummed “I wasn’t expecting that” he muttered as he sped off in quick pursuit of Dave, his horn glowed and another bell rang out

Dave meanwhile shook the dizziness out of his head as he ran in the direction of Celestia’s quarters “I’m going to get to you if it is the last thing I do” Dave vowed as the sounds of hooves and the clunking of armour seemed to roar from every direction

As he turned a corner more guards appeared to block his path, they all took up a formation as they slowly advanced towards him

Dave turned to see the pursuing guards taking a similar formation, Strong Shield stood at the back of the corridor and watched with his good eye as Dave was slowly being sandwiched between the rows of guards

“Do you wish to go anywhere other than Princess Celestia’s quarters?” Strong Shield asked as Dave’s escape routes were cut off quickly

“No I am going to see her!” Dave glared at the Sergeant “Don’t try to stop me you know the risks”

“I do” the guard replied calmly “But I also have orders”

Dave looked around frantically for an escape route “Which is more important your guards or your orders?”

Strong Shield did not blink “My loyalty to the throne is more important than anything”

Dave backed against the wall as a mix of different ponies slowly closed the gap around him “Why did Luna order this?”

“Halt!” Strong Shield ordered as he marched closer behind the wall of armoured guards “What makes you think Princess Luna ordered this?”

Dave did not take his eyes from the motionless guards “Isn’t it obvious? Not allowed to see Celestia but to be taken strait to Luna instead,” Dave allowed a quick glance at Strong Shield “When did Luna order this?”

Strong Shield took a step closer to get a better look at Dave “Princess Luna didn’t order this… Princess Celestia did”

Dave lost his attention on the guards around him as his face turned white “Celestia ordered this? Did she say why?”

“I don’t question orders” Strong Shield watched Dave slide to the floor

“But… I…” Dave bashed his head against the wall behind his head, his eyes opened with a new sense of determination that concerned Strong Shield “This wall is hollow”

“ADVANCE!” The Sergeant boomed as Dave rolled to his feet and dived through the thin marble wall, the guards poured through the new hole as Dave climbed to his feet

He had crashed through into the dining hall, servants were preparing the table for decoration as Dave slid over the table and ran for the doors pursued by guards

The guards did a mix of running, flying and a few of the unicorns attempted a small teleporting dive to try to grab Dave’s legs

Dave pushed the door open as he hurried through, pegasi guards flying through the large door with ease “Leave me ALONE!” He yelled as a Pegasus managed to grab him by the neck

Dave grabbed the Pegasus by its helmet and threw him out of one of the windows that lined the long corridor, it spun in the air before regaining control and rejoining the chase

Strong Shield walked out of the dining room to see his guards chasing Dave down the long corridor, he began to walk calmly in the opposite direction as he climbed some stairs

Dave reached a set of stairs and began to climb three stairs at a time, as he reached the upper floors he dived into one of the guest rooms and held the door shut

The guards outside all nodded at each other, the pegasi guards flew away and out an open window, the unicorns and earth ponies both began to push the door with all their strength

Dave struggled to keep the door shut as a squadron of pegasi hovered outside the window “Oh give me a break!” He sighed

The pegasi charged at the window, Dave ran towards them but slid under the bed and pushed it upwards, the pegasi closed their eyes as they broke through the glass and opened them to crash into a large bed

The ponies attempting to open the door fell through as the resistance against them disappeared, as they looked up they saw a bed flying towards them, a unicorn just managed to stop it with magic before it collided into them

Dave quickly ran out onto the balcony and jumped down a few balconies on lower floors before heading back into the corridors “I’m coming Celestia” the silver bracelet bounced around his watch as he ran

Dave began his ascent up some stairs as the noise of guards filled his hearing and they swarmed towards his position

Dave stopped as he reached the first step, he looked out of a window and saw one of the launches being assembled, Spike and the ponies were there as well as a Pegasus with a navy body, a light orange head with fiery orange hair

Dave watched as a unicorn servant finished putting the contraption together and left the training ground, his eyes following the pegasi guards above

“There he is!” A guard yelled from the other end of the corridor

Dave looked over his shoulder at the small group of earth ponies led by a unicorn, he glanced up the stairs before deciding to step back and began running along the corridor again

Dave kept looking outside the windows along his right so he could watch the training grounds come closer

The corridor curved around and Dave ran on the opposite side of it as far from the windows as he could “Come on, come on” He muttered angrily as he heard more guards coming the other way

Dave took one final peek outside before he changed course towards the window

Meanwhile…

“That sounds awesome!” Rainbow Dash looked in awe as one of her idols looked over the launcher

Spitfire smiled to herself “Yeah I guess so, the guards say that we can use these for any major performances in Canterlot” She looked back “These are meant to assist us with getting up to high speeds quickly”

Twilight looked along all the mechanics “It looks really simple yet effective, how far will you go?”

The wonderbolt looked up to the sky “Well on the lowest setting it could easily send me out of the castle and past most of Canterlot before I have to start flying normally”

As they all listened intently on Spitfire they all jumped in surprise when they heard a window smash behind them

They all turned to see a broken window a few floors up and a rustling tree beneath, it shook violently before Dave fell out and hit the ground

He groaned as he got to his feet “Hey everypony” He jogged over, glancing quickly at the window he had just jumped from “Hello I’m Dave, Human and I would love to know how it works please” He waved at Spitfire as her eyebrows rose at the sight of him

“Well hello… Dave, I’m Spitfire” Spitfire shook her head as she turned back to the launcher “This is where the Pegasus sits” she pointed at a small wooden plank where a pony could perch themselves

Dave saw a lever a few feet from the launcher “Does that fire it?” He asked pointing as he picked Spike up

“Yeah it is always a few feet from the launcher for safety reasons” She tapped a large handle that sat at her head height “This aims it all”

“Oh so…” Dave pulled the lever and the launcher slowly moved around and he slowly raised the front “That seems simple” he kneeled awkwardly on the small wooden plank as Spike gripped him tightly

“Umm… Dave please don’t sit like this, what if it goes off?” Spike chuckled weakly as some guards began to pour onto the training grounds

“Oh sorry Spike” Dave held him between his hands “I’ll make this up to you” As the guards ran closer Dave threw Spike at the lever

“STOP HIM” a guard yelled as Dave suddenly shot upwards into the air

“What is he doing?” Applejack gasped as Dave flew through the air

“I don’t know but it looks like he is going to crash into Princess Celestia’s bedroom!” Twilight’s mouth hung open in disbelief

Dave spun in the air a few times before managing to steady himself, Pegasi guards attempted to tackle him out of the air but to no avail as he neared Celestia’s bedroom window

He threw his hands around his head as he smashed through and collided with the wall that sharply threw him to the ground

Dave reached out with his hand and felt a hoof “Celestia I made it” he sighed happily as pain raced up his side

“No” Strong Shield replied as Dave looked up the rest of his body “You didn’t” his horn glowed and yet another bell rang out, this time a higher pitch than before

Dave saw the pegasi outside disperse “Where is Celestia?” Dave growled as he got to his feet

Strong Shield shook his head “She left when she heard you were on your way”

“No… She has to…” Dave sank to the floor again

Strong Shield placed a hoof on his shoulder “I suggest you come with me now,” he said gently as Dave removed the bracelet from his wrist

“Can I leave a note?” Dave’s voice wavered “Something I should say to her”

Strong Shield levitated a parchment and quill over “Speak”

Dave rose to his feet as he cradled the bracelet in his hands “Dear Celestia,” he took a deep breath as he looked at the broken window “I would have preferred to say these things in person but…”

Strong Shield looked at the sad human before him “Continue when ready”

“I am sorry if I have done something to offend you, truly I am” Dave walked over and placed the bracelet on the desk “But I got this for you and I meant for it to be a symbol of…” He glanced at Strong Shield “Of our… time together”

“Say what you mean don’t make it any different because I am here,” Strong Shield said calmly

“Ok… symbol of our… love I guess” Dave smiled at it “It’s funny, I never thought I would be with a princess” his smile faded “if you have need of me I shall be at the home you humbly provided for me and I am willing to perform any duties you have, if you have no duties I shall…”

The sergeant patiently waited for Dave to regain his composure

“I shall remain in isolation until Twilight Sparkle has found a way to send me back to my world, where I belong” Dave’s voice shook violently towards the end

Strong Shield never took his eyes from the parchment as he wrote

“From your loyal… servant Dave” Dave took the letter and kissed the bottom gently before placing it under the bracelet “Maybe this is for the best I stay alone” he whispered sadly as a tear dropped onto the parchment

Strong Shield opened the door where ten guards stood outside “He is coming quietly, you may continue with normal duties” He turned and looked at the crying Dave as he slumped to the floor again

“I never thought my life would come to this” Dave looked over at Strong Shield with streaming eyes “I never thought that I would be here, I never thought I would find love like I did” His eyes fell to the floor “I should have never thought that Celestia actually was right for me”

Strong Shield walked over and helped Dave to his feet “Come on now” his voice almost sounded sympathetic

Dave stroked the bracelet once more as he headed for the door “I would give everything just to be with her one last time”

“Just give me an answer” Celestia appeared in a bright flash of light “What is your plan?”

Dave smile almost did not show on his face as he saw the serious look across the princesses face “Right now I plan to move as far away from anypony so I don’t screw up any more”

“Why?” Celestia stood as she glared at him

“I know you saw me kiss Luna, I did it because it was the only way to stop her hurting Rainbow Dash without resorting to violence” Dave’s eyes fell to the floor “I felt guilty doing it and it was the single greatest mistake of my life”

Celestia levitated the letter over to herself as she listened to Dave “Do you feel anything for my sister?”

“Friend yes but nothing more” Dave looked at the serious face from the princess “as I can tell that we aren’t special anymore”

Celestia did not blink “No we aren’t”

Dave felt those words strike him deeper than any wound he ever felt “…ok…I’m sorry I wasted your time”

Celestia watched as Dave slowly removed his watch “Would you like an assignment?”

Dave dropped his watch to the floor “I would like to die to be honest but I can’t… so I leave everything to my friends and the money to be given to charity or somepony who needs it”

Celestia blinked slowly as her eyes met Dave’s “And what about you?”

Dave shrugged “I’m sorry Celestia for everything I wish I could go back and spare myself from this at least… I can tell you must find this easier”

“Where are you going?” Celestia took a pace forwards

“You know I wouldn’t get rid of my memories” Dave smiled slightly “Even though I wish I could remember that night”

Celestia took a few deep breaths “Where are you going?” she said again as she took another pace

Dave smiled at her “I hope you find somepony who can make you happy, as happy as I would have tried to make you”

Celestia’s act fell as Dave’s face streamed tears again and he turned to leave “Dave wait!” she called out in a completely different tone

Dave wiped his face as he turned to look back at her “Yes princess?”

Celestia’s own face began to fill with tears “Please don’t call me that” she wrapped her hooves around his neck as she rested her head against his “don’t ever call me that please”

Dave slowly wrapped his arms around her back “Why are you doing this to me?”

“I don’t know… I didn’t know what to believe when I saw you with Luna, you seemed so happy when you talked with her on her balcony” Celestia rubbed her head against Dave’s

“I would never do anything to hurt you… that is why I have to go” Dave held back most of an onslaught of tears as Celestia gripped him tighter “Eventually you can forget about me”

“No, no, no” She wrapped her wings around him “I never want to forget about you”

Dave pulled himself away and he matched Celestia’s teary stare “You deserve to be happy”

“I’m happy with you” she gazed into Dave’s dull blue eyes

Dave held her hooves in his hands “I…”

Celestia tried to keep eye contact with Dave as he looked down “Please don‘t go, please”

Dave looked back at her “I didn’t get chased by your entire army through your castle just to walk away now”

They both smiled as Celestia pressed her lips against Dave’s and they held each other tightly, Strong Shield watched them stop crying and left the room quietly, using his magic to repair the broken window on his way out

Dave and Celestia remained in her room neither wanting the moment to end as they stood there, lips together, Celestia’s wings wrapped around them and her sun shining brighter than before