//------------------------------// // Chapter: 30: Convince Me Otherwise // Story: Get Him 3 // by Lord Blackraven //------------------------------// Convince Me Otherwise “Alex, you are awfully quiet.” Skyfire said with some concern as they walked through the castle halls while being escorted by the two solar guards. Alex was quiet for a moment longer before he answered. “What? Oh sorry. Was just thinking.” He replied. “About what?” Skyfire queried. Alex let out a sigh. “About my fate. What are the princesses going to do to me? How are your people going to view me? Fear? Contempt? An abomination? Science experience? Freak? Just…What?” “Look Alex. I know you are afraid and I still can’t believe the princesses along with the elements did that to you.” As he shook his head. “Well it’s true.” Alex replied. “All of it.” Alex was again silent for a bit before he spoke again. “Still, they have all tried to make some kind of amends in various ways and I am too tired to continue to hold a grudge for the rest of my life. It just takes me way too much energy. How this “meeting” goes and their actions from here on out will determine how I respond and what I think of this place.” “Well, for what it’s worth, you’ve got one friend here.” The pony at his side said with conviction. “Thanks Sky. You are the first in all the time I have been in this world to say that." "Means a lot.” Both fell silent once again as they continued their journey to meet the princesses and before they knew it, they were standing before the throne room doors. Their escorts halted before the guards at the door and informed them of the summons by the royal sisters. Both guards looked at the tall figure, known as Alex, warily before nodding. One of the guards opened the tall white and gold doors and announced that the visitors were present. “Thank you guard.” An authoritative sounding female voice spoke. “Please send them in.” The guards stepped aside and the two walked inside. And there they were. The princesses. They both sat upon their respective thrones on a raise dais, looking regale as ever. Their ethereal manes gently flowing in a non-existent breeze. This was Alexs first time seeing the throne room of the two sister alicorns and he was suitably impressed. Still he kept a neutral expression on his face although his eyes darted about taking in all the sights around him. Already Alexs heart rate increased as soon as he laid eyes on the two rulers. A rising panic began to creep its way up his spine but he forced it down and continued his neutral facial expression as they got closer to the rulers. Skyfire kept a close eye on Alex sensing his rising nervousness over the whole situation. “Don’t worry Alex. I’m right here. Just follow my lead and everything will be alright.” He whispered. “Thanks Sky.” Alex whispered back from the side of his mouth. About three quarters of the way there Skyfire stopped and folding one foreleg back, bowed before the two rulers. Alex followed suit and did a human version by taking one knee. “Please! Do not bow before us Alex. Please both of you rise!” Celestia said with embarrassment. Both Pegasus pony and human arose upon her request. Alex kept his eyes down looking at the floor in front of them and refused to make eye contact with the princesses. His not looking up at them did not go unnoticed, nevertheless they continued with the one wing Pegasus first. “Captain Skyfire.” Celestia began. Once again you have shown us what it means to be a true protector of this kingdom and its ponies. Our subjects. I am sure you are wondering what your fate is to be now due to your injury.” Skyfire looked down briefly at his stump then back to his princesses. “Yes my princesses. I have been wondering what is to become of me since I can no longer fly.” The Pegasus said a little sadly. Luna smiled and then spoke. “Captain Skyfire, You will not be just 'retired' now that you are earthbound if that is what you are thinking. My sister and I have talked it over and we feel that you still have a place among our guard. Your knowledge and experience are still of great worth to us and this land. We wish you to train the up and coming members of the Pegasus Defense Force. Your insights will prove most valuable.” She said. “This is, however, your decision and we have no wish to coerce you into it. Will you accept this appointment?” Skyfire was speechless as his mouth hung slightly ajar unable to answer. “Accept it!” A voice whispered in his direction. He looked up to see Alex who had kept his head down and eyes still looking at the floor in front of him. Alex then whispered out of the side of his mouth again…”accept it! What are you waiting for?” Sky returned his gaze back to the royal sisters. “Yes! Your Highnesses! I accept. I am honored! I promise you I will do my very best.” He said with conviction as he stood tall and stuck out his chest in true military fashion. “Of that, we have no doubt Captain.” Celestia said with a warm smile. “Very well. You are dismissed." With that, Skyfire saluted his diarchs and did a pony version of an about face but then stopped and looked back over his withers. “If I may, your highnesses…” “Something else on your mind captain?” “Yes your highnesses.” He said as he turned around to face them again. “What is to happen to Alex here?” “Sky! What are you doing?” Alex hissed quietly. Skyfire ignored him and continued to address the princesses. “Why the concern, if I may ask?” Princess Celestia queried. “It’s just that… well… I’ve heard things about what has been done to him and I just don’t like it. It’s not right. I just want to be sure that he’ll be ok… He’s…He’s my friend.” Celestia and Luna both bit their lower lips out of silent embarrassment. The good captain had just called both his royal leaders out for their mistreatment of Alex and did so without confronting them directly. Luna spoke up first. “Captain Skyfire I give you my word that Alex here will be safe. Nothing evil will happen to him. He is in my personal charge.” “Thank you my princesses. I hope I will be able to see him from time to time as my duties permit.” And with that Captain Skyfire turned and left through the large doors at the far end of the throne room. -*- The two sisters watched at the good captain walked out the throne room doors. Once the doors closed, both of their gazes fell upon Alex who still hadn’t looked up during the whole exchange with the captain. “Alex?” Celestia spoke first. “You have been very quiet since you have arrived here. Are you alright?” “I’m fine.” Was his simple response. Still refusing to look up at them. Celestia knew he was afraid? Nay, terrified of the two of them and he was just trying to be as small and as unobtrusive as possible. Luna spoke next. “Alex, please look at us. Please. You have nothing to fear from either one of us. Please, will you look at us and talk to us. I promise you. I swear on the moon and stars that you will be ok. I know our word must mean very little to you but please give us a chance to prove it to you.” Luna pleaded. Alexs head slowly began to rise and he looked the princesses in the eye. They could see the fear in his eyes but also the determination or maybe it was the resignation to his fate. He also noticed that Lunas muzzle was slightly red and swollen. He guessed that it had something to do with their discussion while he was asleep at the hospital. Alex took a slow deep breath and let it out. “What would you have of me your majesties?” He spoke. He knew he was at their mercy and there was no way he could escape. The sisters both surmised that he was resigned to his fate and whatever it was they had planned. Celestia closed her eyes and let out what could be only called an aged sigh as her head dropped. “Alex, we have much to discuss and even more to answer for. Please, could you sit down?” While at the same time she summoned a comfortable chair for him. “I’d rather stand your highness.” He said stiffly and formally. “Still defiant and very mistrustful of us.” She thought. Luna picked up on her sisters musings and silently agreed. Nevertheless she continued. “I am sure you have many questions. Questions that require answers. The first probably being how you got here and why?” Alex nodded his head in response. “That was my fault really.” Luna said with a bowed head. My sister here has a mirror that can see into other worlds. It was simple curiosity that drove her. The eternal question of if there was life beyond our world.” Celestia continued. For many decades I looked into the mirror and saw many many worlds. Upon discovering your world, I sought a way to make contact. I found your world to be incredibly fascinating. I watched for many years and all through those years I yearned to make contact somehow but all my attempts failed.” “Then along came my sister Luna and with her magic she was somehow able to pull you through.” “Why, out of all the people in my world, why me?” Alex asked. Luna continued from there. “I picked you because you looked like someone I could relate to. I was very lonely. Some time ago, I became jealous of my sister and all the attention our ponies seemed to praise her with. I became bitter and dark magics turned me into a creature of darkness with the plan to cover all of Equestria in eternal darkness. I fought my sister as this dark creature and lost. She had to banish me to the moon for a thousand years.” Lunas head hung in sorrow as tears formed in her eyes.” “Yes. I know the story. I read it in one of the books in the old castle.” Alex said. “But you still haven’t answered my question. Why me?” Luna continued on. “It was how you interacted with others of your own kind. You were never mean and you seemed to have a good heart. You weren’t judgmental of others. I just knew I wanted a friend like you. Someone who didn’t know of my past and wouldn’t hate, judge or fear me for what I’ve done.” “I used my magic to transport you here through the mirror but you didn’t appear here. Instead you got sent to a different location by mistake and I was worried for you. Once you didn’t show up here I went out looking for you but you always seemed to be one step ahead. You were very elusive. I can only guess it was your trying to keep away from the elements and hide. Both princesses watched Alex as he remained standing and silent as his hands opened and close as if he seemed to be wanting to say something. “Alex? What is it?” Celestia asked. “It’s nothing.” He said in return and looked down and away. “God, it's just that....” He said quietly. “What?” Celestia pressed gently. He was silent for a moment, obviously thinking how to say what was on his mind. Suddenly he burst out. “If I'm being honest, you two just scare the hell out of me! No! You don’t just scare me, you both TERRIFY ME!” Both sisters let out a quiet sigh. “A reaction we are both all too familiar with from our own subjects.” Alex continued. “I'm not just talking about the whole 'creepy darkness' thing you do Luna. I actually think that part is kinda cool. ”He said. “It's you and your sister both! You're both thousands of years old! You have powers and magic that are worlds beyond every other creature on this planet... and apparently according to what I read and what you just told me, you went crazy or something, however many years ago THAT was, and tried to cause eternal night, and Celestia here, had to banish you to the moon for thousand years! How did you even breathe? And honestly, I can't tell which half of THAT story terrifies me more!” He glanced back up at the Diarchs, and they could easily see the nervousness in his expression. “I don't understand you two! I can't comprehend you two! You both could pretty much do anything you wanted to me, and have, by the way! I don’t stand a chance against either of you! Either one of you could snuff out my life with a single thought! I come from a world where your kind don’t exist! Magic doesn’t exist! You are a myth! You are a legend! You and all your subjects, even ALL the sentient creatures of this world, are a bedtime story to be told to children at night! You both can actually, ACTUALLY move the friggin sun, moon and control the very stars in the heavens, and you do it as though it was nothing! In my universe, my world revolves around the sun on its own. Our moon revolves around the earth on its own and the stars are always there! The lowliest pegasus pony here can control the weather. On my world no creature can control our weather! Humans are the only sentient beings upon its surface. There are no talking sentient animals of any kind there. Alex then looked down and saw an ant crawling on the floor so he bent down and picked it up and held out his hand showing it to the two princesses. “See this ant? This is me compared to you! You are GODS to me by comparison! Is it any wonder I would run away and hide from all of you? I am nothing compared to you!” Celestia took in a slow breath while Luna remained silent. “To see ‘gods' such as us, and the power that we hold, truly must be unnerving to you. It never occurred to us that what we take for granted and is very normal for us, would be considered as ‘godlike powers’ to you. But please understand Alex, underneath our royal regalia, our ethereal manes and tails, the many years we have lived, this power we wield, we are just ponies. Ponies with perhaps a greater perspective and a greater understanding of our history and the forces that move and shape our world, but still just ponies nonetheless. We are not some unknowable and unfathomable entities just toying with the lives of others without care or any comprehension of their value.” She let her eyes lock onto his. “We do care, Alex. It is not often we are able to show this, largely due to our royal stations that our positions demands, but we really do.” “Alex, what has been done to you is horrible, inexcusable. We are truly sorry for all the suffering you have known at the hooves of our ponies... including us. We understand better than most the feelings of alienation and isolation you must have felt these past three years. We would be your friends, should you allow us to be, Alex,” she continued. “There are few souls here in Equestria who can truly sympathize with feelings such as what we have experienced.” “Then why did you and your ‘elements’ hunt me? For claiming you have a heart, that was pretty heartless.” That was another gut punch of guilt thrown by Alex at the two princesses and it landed deep. “That was a mistake Alex. A mistake that we both will have to live with for the rest of our immortal lives.” Celestia said in sorrow as she bowed her head in shame. Luna followed suit. “Yes we are immortal but we are not infallible. Still that doesn’t excuse what we and the Elements did to you. My sister and I hope that one day you might be able to forgive us and we are willing to do whatever it takes for however long it takes to make things right with you. Alex was silent for a long time. He looked both princesses in their large eyes, trying to discern any untruths or deceptions in their depths on their parts. It became what seemed to be a staring contest between the three. His gaze was unwavering as he studied them both until the two princesses looked away nervously apparently losing the stare down. Alex took a deep breath and let it out closing his eyes. After he silently seem to come to a decision. “Ok, let’s get one thing straight. I don’t trust ANY of you……… But I am willing to give at least you two a chance to change my mind. Princess Luna, You saved my life from those dog creatures that attacked me. I suppose that is a good start. We all got off on the wrong foot… er… hoof, whatever, so show me just how good your kingdom and you two supposedly are…. If there is any good to be had. I already know the bad of it.” “Convince me otherwise.”