Hold up! We are Brave Police
My Little Pony
Chapter 1
The sun slowly came up on another beautiful say in the Brave Kingdom, a small bird flew past the gates of the kingdom and landed on a tree branch outside a slightly window and began to sing, inside the room a female Unicorn yawned loudly and got out of bed, using her horn to pick up the blanket and making her bed up as she hummed a tune and then she smiled and headed out into the hall of her home, knocking on the door of another room. "Yuuta? Yuuta are you awake?" she asked, the sun light shining on her flank and her Cutie Mark a steaming plate of food, a spatula and salt and pepper bottle.
"Yes... Azuki..." a small voice said as a much smaller pony stepped out of his room, a little music note on his flank, a horn atop his head and a pair of tiny wings folded against his sides. "I'm awake." he added still sleepy as he yawned.
Azuki smiled and ruffled his mane. "I'll make breakfast," she said, then heading down the stairs, she sighed.
Ten years ago, just after Yuuta's second birthday, their kingdom had been attacked by another Alicorn and destroyed their home, the Tomonaga Kingdom had been destroyed and to save their children, Prince and Princess Tomonaga had used a spell to send Azuki, her sister Kurumi and their two year old son Yuuta to a safe place, Yuuta had been too young and the trauma had been too much that he didn't remember the awful day, but Azuki and Kurumi did. Their parents had also sent Deckard, a beloved play mate of Yuuta's and the captain of their royal guard with them, to insure they would all be safe and since then they had become residents in the Brave Kingdom ruled by Prince Saejima, another kindly Alicorn whom had been rather amused by tiny Yuuta trying to fly despite still being far too young. Azuki sighed and began making breakfast smiling as she heard Yuuta moving up stairs, likely trying to fly again, he was still just a few months too young to fly but it didn't stop him.
"Good Morning," Kurumi said as she came down and gently nuzzled her sister.
Azuki and Kurumi set to work making themselves and their siblings a healthy proper breakfast, especially for the growing prince. Deckerd came inside their home, having been up since dawn to excurses and train. After a proper guard must always stay in the best shape. He greeted the girls with a good morning and a light bow.
"Good morning, Sir Deckerd." Azuki greeted. "Would you go check on Yuuta? He's probably fallen back asleep."
Deckerd smiled and nodded heading up the stairs and knocked on the door. "Yuuta? Are you awake?" He asked.
Yuuta raced to the door and jumped up to Deckerd's, nuzzling into his chest. "Deckerd!"
The blue and white dapple pony chuckled and ruffled Yuuta's mane with a hoof. "Come on, your sisters are getting breakfast ready." He knelt down and offered Yuuta a pony ride on the way.
The small alicorn cheered and clapped his hooves together, hopping onto the other's saddle and crying out 'yippee' as the stallion playfully and gently bucked him around while heading towards the kitchen
Azuki smiled watching her brother smile, he had cried for days after they'd lost their parents but thanks to Deckerd's help, Yuuta had found his youthful love again and was now enjoying a happy child hood, though she was always worried, without their parents there to help Yuuta learn, Prince Saejima would likely be the one Yuuta learned to rule from.
She only hoped it would be enough and that they never had to face the wicked King whom had destroyed their home.
"Yari, yari... he's so full of energy..." Kurumi said despite her own smile. "What shall we do today?" she asked.
Deckerd set Yuuta at his place at the table before taking his own. "Saejima is giving Yuuta lessons between 3 and 5, but outside of that our schedules are open." He reminded everyone before taking a bite of an apple.
"Yay! I can see the Build Brothers again." Yuuta smiled and munched his food.
Azuki smiled. "I will be here cooking for the shop, Kurumi could you help me with that?"
"Sure," Kurumi said chuckling a little, "Maybe Shadowmaru will come by too." she added and Azuki blushed a little.
Yuuta stuck his tongue out, "Kurumi's jealous because Shadowmaru liked Azuki more than you." he said.
"You little," Kumuri stuttered as the two chased each other around the table.
Deckerd sighed, although he smiled as he did. When he'd enlisted into the royal guard, he hadn't expected to play babysitter for his young wards. But circumstances had led to such a case and he wasn't the least bit regretful of how things had turned out.
Azuki chuckled. "Enough you too," she said. "We have to get the job done," she added.
Yuuta smiled. "Can we go to the play ground until lessons?" he asked Deckerd his little wings fluttering. "Please?"
Deckerd smiled and finished his meal and nodded. "Sure thing. In fact," He gently bopped Yuuta's muzzled with a hoof. "Tag, you're it!" He said before trotting outside at the leisurely pace.
Yuuta raced after Deckerd. "No Fair!" he called laughing, "Bye sisters," he yelled back.
Several ponies looked over as Deckerd and Yuuta played, many smiling and chuckling at the brother like love the two had, it was nice to see it all.
While the two played throughout the palace courts, another royal guard, one serving under Princess Regina was passing by. A white pony with a mane so red it looked like fire, his destiny mark a blazing sword. Yuuta too caught up in his fun wasn't really paying full attention and he, the white pony and even Deckerd all ended up and in heap.
"Deckerd. Yuuta. Its always such a pleasure to... bump into you." The white pony laughed.
Yuuta blushed sheepishly. "Sorry Duke. I didn't see you."
"Sorry Duke," Deckerd said helping the little prince up and then the other Guard up, "I guess we got a little excised," he said as Yuuta jumped on his back and giggled. "How goes the day for you?" he asked. "is Princess Regina well?"
Duke nodded, picking up a basket he'd been carrying, inside of which was warm apple streusel. He check it over and nodded in approval that it wasn't damaged. "Busy as usual. Her Ladyship is making herself sick worrying over some...oddities of late." The stallion sighed looking worried himself. "Its nothing I'm sure but Lady seems adamant that things are amiss."
"Regina shouldn't worry so much, I remember Mama use to say worrying was bad for a Ladies health and when she worried she had a long bath and then she'd make magic." Yuuta said and looked at the basket. "Has she missed her meals?" he asked. "Maybe Azuki could make her something too, then you wouldn't have to worry about carrying everything for her." he added hoping to be helpful.
Duke nodded. "I try to make sure she takes time to eat but even I can't watch her all the time. I hate to impose, but it would be nice. Azuki's cooking is irresistible to anypony."
Deckerd's ears flicked about. "What is it really she's so driven over?"
"I'm not sure myself. She just seems insistent that a dark force looms over the kingdoms of equestria." Duke said, shaking his head. "She's never been wrong about such things, but it does seem unlikely this time."
Deckerd felt a sudden feeling in his chest and looked down at Yuuta, "Hmmm... maybe..." he said.
"Deckerd?" Yuuta asked.
Deckerd shock his head, "whatever it is, we'll face it and win. Just like always." he said to keep Yuuta happy. "but if it is making Regina so on edge, maybe you and I could speak with the guards and have the numbers increased as a precaution?" he offered to Duke, knowing that would give him and the other Guard chance to speak in better detail without upsetting young Yuuta.
Duke nodded. "I was just going to do that now." He said, taking his basket of goodies. "Would you two care to accompany me?"
Deckerd nodded while Yuuta clapped his hooves again and tried to flap his wings. "Do you think Bishop will have candies?" he asked.
Duke chuckled. "Unless the twins have eaten them all." He said, heaving a sigh. "How those ruffians got into the royal guard, that's anyone's guess. The ruffians."
Deckerd chuckled. "They aren't that bad surly?" he asked.
"Rook! Pawn! Give that back!"
"Not a chance Bishy boy!"
"Give it!"
"Then again." Deckard said as Yuuta giggled.
Duke snorted and used a magic spell that made everyone in the room except him immobilized. They were completely aware of what was going on around them, just unable to move anything except their eyes. "Alright you two that's quite enough shenanigans for one morning." Duke said, pushing pawn and rook towards and open balcony window. He closed and locked the doors leaving pawn and rook outside. "You can come back in when you've learned to behave." Duke said then dispersed his spell.
Yuuta giggled and hopped down from Deckerd's back and smiled as he looked around, "Morning everyone."
"Good morning young Prince," Bishop said as he shock his mane a little, "Morning Deckerd."
"No Fair Duke!" Pawn yelled.
Rook snorted and poked his brother with a hoof. "We're Pegasus you idiot. We can just fly to the main gate and walk back in. Duh." He blew Duke a raspberry and opened his wings to fly off, his brother doing the same.
"Enjoy the trip down." Duke mused using his magic to temporarily rid the twins of their wings. There was a loud long cry followed by a SPLASH as the two feel into the garden fountains, not at all injured although they seemed to choke on their pride afterwards.
Yuuta laughed and then looked up as a bag of candy hovered before him. "Thank you Bishop." he said.
"You're welcome young Prince." Bishop said. "Ringo is in side with the Lady, she hasn't slept well." he added to Duke.
Duke sighed tiredly, worried over the state of his Ladyship. "Thank you Bishop. Deckerd, Yuuta, excuse me." He said, clip-clopping towards the filly's chambers.
Yuuta dove into his bag of candy but muffled out through a mouthful of sweets, "Is Regina ok?" He asked.
Deckerd nodded. "She'll be ok, She's got Duke." he said "Now, come, we'll go and see Saejima and start you lessons." he added.
"Would you mind if I tagged along?" Bishop asked, "I need to stop by the library and find a few books for the Lady."
Deckerd nodded. "Certainly." He agreed. Bishop was always so polite, and he was close enough to Yuuta in age that they got along well. The stallion let the two young colts along, Bishop leaving them to go to the library to search out his books.
Yuuta smiled, It was nice having colts his own age to talk with and play with since Deckerd wasn't always there to play hide and seek with he was glad he had Drillboy, Bishop and the others too, since they were always so much fun to hang around with and none of them picked on him because of his small wings and his failed attempt at flying.
"Deckerd... will I be able to fly soon?" he asked.
Deckerd smiled at the question that was often posed to him. "Maybe, if you practice and keep exercising your wings to make them strong. But," He ruffled Yuuta's mane again. "Alicorns grow slower than normal ponies. So it may still be a while."
"Promise," Yuuta asked. "Regina can fly... and she said she learned when she was my age..." he said feeling a little useless. "even Drillboy's Farie friends can fly better than me."
Deckerd chuckled. "Well they're fairies. They can fly from birth." Deckerd said. "And you can't compare yourself to Regina. You're not Regina, you're Yuuta. And Yuuta will fly when Yuuta is ready. Besides, Regina was bigger than you when she was your age."
"But..." Yuuta said then stopped as Deckerd gently nuzzled him.
"You worry too much about the future, you'll wish your child hood away..." he said smiling softly at him and starting to walk. "One day you will fly, but wishing it was now, might make you miss something special."
"Like what?" Yuuta asked.
Deckerd smiled and sat down beside Yuuta, "A Childhood."
Yuuta sighed and looked out of a big window into the play ground, remembering faintly the times when two adult Alicorns had taking him on the swings and slide, a time when a soft voice had sung him lullabies and a strong hoof hand helped him stand up on tiny hoofs of his own.
"Mama once said to me, that the day was full of wonder,
Papa once told me that the night was filled with dreams,
Mama chased away the thunder,
Papa calmed away my screams..."
Deckerd smiled sadly and gently put a hoof over Yuuta's back and gently nuzzled his young prince as Yuuta sang.
"But now they are gone,
Beyond my hoofs and wings,
I no longer hear their songs,
No matter how my heart stings..."
"Not true," Deckerd stated softly.
"They live on within our hearts,
They're forever watching from the stars,
They watch you grow and waiting for your journey to start."
He sang softly, one hoof gently rubbing Yuuta's back as he continued.
"No matter how we wish, pray or desire the change,
We cannot reverse the flow of time,
For the Universe if wonders and strange.
But never forget, that you are their son,
Never let someone deceive you from them,
Remember they loved you, remember they cared,
Remember that, and their memories will live on..."
"Still," Yuuta sighed. "I miss them so much, Deckerd."
"We all do," Deckerd said. "But remember, no matter what anypony may say or do, your Parents loved you and your sisters with all their hearts, beyond words, beyond actions beyond anything they could do, you and your sisters were their treasures and they would rather you three were happy, you were their worlds."
"We were?" Yuuta asked.
Deckerd nodded and pressed the tip of his horn gently against Yuuta, showing Yuuta an image he had in his mind from the days when Yuuta himself was still just a baby. Yuuta was wrapped in a blanket, giggling and babbling at Azaki as she gently nudged him with her muzzle, Kurumi was at his other side, gently propping him up with a pillow.
Two older Alicorns were sat proudly behind them, one a female with a short brown mane and a beautiful hoof carved crown atop her head, a pickaxe and lantern as her Cutie mark, the male was slightly older looking, a shovel and lantern on his flank.
"King and Queen Tomonaga loved you all, and were happiest when they saw their children together." Deckerd said. "You, Yuuta, were their youngest and only son and they loved you beyond anything in the world as do your sisters." He explained as the image faded. "Promise me you will never forget that."
"Ok," Yuuta said and then smiled as a butterfly fluttered by his horn. "Butterfly," he said.
Deckerd chuckled. "Yes indeed. A big one too... ah here we are." Deckerd nudged Yuuta towards the Brave Kingdom's main hall, where King Saejima reigned from his throne. "Time for your lessons."
Yuuta smiled and proofed his chest out and smiled as he went into the room.
"Ah, young Prince, how nice to see you looking well," Saejima smiled in greeting to the young Prince. "Deckerd," he added.
Deckerd gave the old stallion king a polite bow, kneeling onto one hoof. Yuuta smiled and looked a Deckerd, then remembering his royal manners tried to do the same only to fall over his own stubby legs. "Oppsy."
Saejima smiled and stood from his throne. "You needn't bow to me Yuuta, we are friends and more so, you are here for lessons." he said. "Now shall we go for a little walk and see how your magic is coming along?" he asked kindly.
Yuuta bounced to his feet and cheered. "Yus!...can Deckerd come too?" He asked, never wanting to be far from his surrogate older brother. He felt safe when Deckerd was around and didn't like it when he couldn't find the other.
Saejima nodded. "Of cause he can." he smiled leading the way to an open beautiful court yard where several items were on a table, used for magic users to test their strength. "now, Yuuta, can you lift these things with your magic, one by one please." he said. "you have no limits and no one will judge you," he explained.
Deckerd smiled and sat down, watching Yuuta silently as he underwent his lessons.
Yuuta went over to the smallest object thinking it would naturally be the lightest. He willed up his magic and tried to lift the thing up, but found he could do little more than to lift up one side a few centimetres before he felt like his head would explode and quit, panting a bit.
Saejima smiled softly, "don't force yourself, young Prince." he said. "Take your time," he added gently nuzzling the young colt in comfort.
Yuuta nodded and tried on the small but deceivingly heavy object with the same results. "It's so small...why is it so heavy..."
Saejima smiled. "Look here," he said pointing at the table. "See these marks, they are made by a spell, this spell makes even the lightest feather feel heavier than the whole world, the way to counter this spell is to think the item you are trying to life is heavier than anything n the world, think of this tiny item as if it were the largest weight you can think of." he added. "Try again." he said with and encouraging smile. "And then we will move on."
Yuuta nodded and took a deep breath to refocus his magic, then tried again. This time he managed to raise up the object, even if it was just a little bit before he got tired again and it fell with a dull thud. "I did it! I did it!" Yuuta cheered gleefully.
Deckerd smiled and nodded. "Well done Yuuta." he praised.
Saejima smiled and gently ruffled the young colt's mane. "Very good, Young Yuuta." he said, "Now, shall we practice manners or ruling?" he asked knowing the young colt would not be able to use his magic properly for a few hours.
"Manners, please." Yuuta said in very polite voice.
Saejima smiled. "Alright, let's see, ah, Ringo, could you assist us please?" he called out as the royal guard trotted past. "I need you just for a moment with Deckerd." he added.
Deckerd smiled, knowing what was coming, after all how better to teach Yuuta manners then to have him tested by the pony who'd taught Bishop such good manners and whom spent his days teaching you fillies to use manners.
Ringo looked up hearing his name be called and trotted over, stopping a few feet short from where the trio were standing and gave both the old king and the young prince a greeting bow. "Good afternoon Sire. Good afternoon, little prince. How may I be of assistance?"
"Yuuta is having a small lesson in Manners." Saejima smiled. "Would you care to help with this?" he asked as Yuuta gave a small, near perfect bow, to the older Pony only to stumble a little. "He hasn't quite get the balance right and I recall you mentioned helping Regina when she was a little unbalanced." he said.
"I don't know what I keep doing wrong." Yuuta said. "I bend one knee, spread my back hooves slightly and duck my head slightly and then I fall over."
Ringo chuckled, "Because your front leg is too far back. When you bow all you're weight shifts to your front, so you have to keep you unbent knee tilted forward to keep from falling over yourself." Ringo explained. "Like this." He bowed again, showing Yuuta how he placed the front leg that remained straight, grounding it a bit to keep from falling forwards.
Yuuta tried it, he was a little wobbly at first but sure enough, he didn't fall at all. "Hey I did it!" he smiled.
Deckerd chuckled proudly. "Very good."
Ringo nodded. "Well executed young price. Very well done." He praised, Saejima giving him a nod of approval as well. "Now how about something different. Pretend I'm one of the dignitaries from Saddle Arabia. How do you greet a foreigner?"
Yuuta thought for a moment. "Ummm... if it's a Princess then I bow and keep my wings tucked in," he said enacting the bow, "but if it's a Prince I flare my wings and dip my horn," he added performing a perfect bow without stumbling, "if it's a King or Queen I drop to both knees and drop my wings." he said again without stumbling, "But if its' a young colt my age I rear up and show off my under belly," he added losing his balance and fell on his back and blinking. "Oppsy."
"We'll work on that one next time." Ringo said with a like laugh. "But you were right on all counts, very well studied young sire."
Saejima smiled and nodded in agreement. "Now, for our final lesson in manners today I think lunch is in order. Sir Ringo, would you care to join us? Duke and Lady Regina are welcomed as well of course."
"Azuki has been helping me remember she tells me stories about Mama and Papa and how the greeted Ponies." Yuuta smiled rolling back onto his hooves, "she says Mama was trying to teach me when the attack happened but... I don't remember it." he said his wings drooping a little.
Deckerd nuzzled Yuuta lightly. "That's why we tell you stories, so that you don't forget them. You're parents were kind rulers and wonderful friends." He hugged a hoof around Yuuta's neck. "But how about some lunch and we'll put your lessons aside for now?" He said, giving Saejima a pleading look.
Saejima nodded in agreement. "Ringo, Duke and Regina will be joining us as well. We can all sit together and tell stories."
Yuuta smiled again, "I like that idea." he smiled following the old King back into the castle and towards the dinning hall.
"Milady are you sure you are ok?" Duke asked as he came in.
Regina sat tiredly on her throne, looking weaken and haggard. She blearily read through her scrolls looking for answers to her questions not noticing of Duke's presence at first. The knight cleared his throat however, making Regina jump. "Oh, Sir Duke...I didn't notice you come in. Is everything alright?"
Duke sighed softly. "Lady... please, you need to rest," he said, "you are worried for the kingdoms I know, but what good is working yourself to the ground when answers could be found easier with help?" he asked, carefully taking the scroll with his own power and placing it neatly on the table ready to be read later. "I beg you, Princess, as your friend and guardian, please, come away from these scrolls and books, even if only for a few hours, and enjoy a meal and a nap." he pleaded. "Young Prince Yuuta is here to see us and he is eager to see you."
Regina seemed ready to argue until she heard that Prince Yuuta would be dinning with them. At that she seemed to perk up. "Well...if young sire would be attending...I'd hate to disappoint." She said, stepping down from her throne, stumbling a bit from her weakness.
Duke smiled and gently caught the young Princess as she stumbled and let her regain her footing, Yuuta was at first a little annoying to Regina as he was often trying to be helpful but being so young, he wasn't that good, but eventually, Regina had welcomed the little one, especially when he had brought her flowers and candy to try and help her feel better after shed come down with a slight illness, and in a way to help, Yuuta had also helped Ringo and Duke sort all her scrolls out.
"He has been asking if you are well, he heard you haven't slept very well recently." Duke added.
Regina giggled lightly. "And from whom did he hear that, by dear knight?" She retorted, taking a moment while away from prying eyes to nuzzle her muzzle under Duke's making him blush. "You fuss over me too much."
Duke blushed but smiled. "I have to worry about you Lady... you're my charge and more." he admitted returning the gently nuzzle. "I can't bare seeing you so torn over something and refusing to let us help you."
Regina smiled and sighed, "It is my duty as a Princess to keep my people safe from harm. I fear I may fail in this." She admitted. Appointed at a young age when her parents fell from the throne, Regina had all her responsibilities thrust upon her and she had to grow up too quickly for a young Philly. She often felt unsure of herself, and was glad to have her knight there to support her.
"My lady, you could never fail your people." Duke said, "You never have and you never will, especially not so long as I breath air." he added.
"Milady," Bishop called through the doors. "Duke? Saejima is waiting for you." he added knocking on the door but not entering unless he were asked to come in.
"We're coming." Regina assured, flaring out her wings to help her balance, still feeling a bit woozy and light headed. Her delicate from and small hooves barely made any noise as she walked.
Duke smiled and followed Regina closely chuckling as Yuuta waved from his chair as they came in. "Hello Regina."
"Princess Regina." Deckerd greeted bowing to her before gently pushing Yuuta's chair in.
Regina lightly curtsied to the Prince and King before taking her seat. The servants and cooks served her and Duke delicacies such as lavender and tulip salad and seaweed chowder. Yuuta, having simpler tastes despite being royalty, had cucumber sandwiches and apple cake.
The royals and their guards talked and ate for about an hour in undisturbed peace, until the sun began to hang low in the horizon, drawing out the colors of the land in its final rays.
That's when everything went wrong.
"HELP!" a loud voice cried. "King Saejima! Duke! Deckerd! Ringo! Anyone?!" the voice yelled before Drillboy a young Pegasus skidded into the room his wings trembling so much he could hardly fly, his face covered in a dreaded look and pale. "King Saejima! Something! Something terrible is attacking the Tomonaga cafe! Shadowmaru is trapped in there with the sisters!" he explained in a panic. "Something's attacking them! It's like a shadow! They need help!"
Yuuta gasped loudly and raced away from the room hearing his sisters were in danger, his worst nightmare was coming to life and he didn't want to lose he dear sisters. "Azuki! Kurumi!"
"Yuuta! Wait!" Deckerd yelled racing after his charge. "Yuuta!"
Regina began to tremble in fright. "It's coming..." She whispered in terror. The shadowy monster that had haunted her dreams, the thing that had caused her 6th sense to drive her to insanity with questions, it was here. "He's coming...he's coming..."
Deckerd ran after Yuuta at full speed, but somehow the younger colt managed to stay well ahead of him. "Yuuta! Yuuta!" He called, but the boy never answered. He didn't even look back.
"Regina?" Duke asked worried for his charge. "Milady?"
Regina trembled in fright mumbling and muttering the same thing over and over. "He's coming...He's..." finally, the filly still to exhausted to take the stress, she fainted over against Duke.
"Regina?!" Duke cried, catching her as his brothers raced to help their Princess. "Regina?"
Inside the cafe, Azuki and Kurumi were holding a light shield up with their combined magic while Shadowmaru, out cold from the first attack was struggling with something unseen, a mental attack from this awful shadow.
"Azuki! Kurumi!" Yuuta yelled before a larger Pony stopped him, his horn blasting light balls into the shadow above the cafe.
"Stay back young Prince!" the Unicorn said.
"But my sisters! Kagerou!" Yuuta pleaded as he tried to wiggle free from the Unicorn's front hooves. "Azuki! Kurumi!"
Deckerd was able to finally catch up, but as soon as he did he gasped in abject horror. "No..." he whispered."Yuuta stay back." He called, "Kagerou, I've got Yuuta, can you get inside?"
"I'm trying, Deckerd," Kagerou said, "Shadowmaru is in there!"
"My sisters!" Yuuta cried his horn shining as a bright bolt of light shot from it into the shadows.
The shadows suddenly seemed to realize a new power was there and formed a large black orb before a pair of red eyes flashed and focused on Yuuta. "Foolish foal." it sneered sinking slowly towards Yuuta, shadows lashing out and knocking Ponies away from the small foal.
"Yuuta!" Azuki and Kurumi yelled from inside the Cafe. "Run Yuuta!" The colt however couldn't seem to move, rooted to the spot in fear.
"RUN!" Azaki screamed.
Deckerd and Kagerou were knocked away from Yuuta, the colt panicking and buzzing his wings as fast and as hard as he could but it wasn't helping. "Deckerd!" He cried out, trying to move away but the shadows were all consuming.
"Young Sire!" Kagerou called out, sending bolts of light and magic towards the shadows, though they were as useful as Yuuta's buzzy wings at the moment
"GET AWAY FROM THAT YOUNG COLT!" a new voice yelled as three Pegasus's raced towards the Shadows with an earth Pony close behind him and with them, Drillboy and has fairy friends, the smallest one, Fay stopped and used a Light orb to blind the shadowy red eyes, causing the shadows to curse and move back and away from Yuuta.
"Hang on Young Sire!" McCrane, the oldest Pegasus yelled as he dived and tried to pick the tiny Alicorn up, only to be thrown away by the shadows. "Yuuta!"
"Be gone shadows!" King Saejima yelled as he flew overhead, his horn shining brightly. "Be gone from my kingdom!"
The Shadows seethed and hissed at the light surrounding it. "This is NOT over..." Bloody red eyes glowed vengefully before the shadows bled into the earth and pooled away. "The foal will be mine!"
As the shadows departed, they left Yuuta behind, the Alicorn unconscious but looking otherwise uninjured.
"Yuuta!" Azuki cried racing to her younger brother's side, gently nuzzling him as tears beamed in her eyes Kurumi joined her, both sisters dreading that they would now lose their baby brother. "YUUTA!?"
"Move aside," the earth Pony said, taking a small herb from his small saddle bag and gently pressing it to Yuuta's nose. "Here we go... just a sniff of this and he should wake up." the earth pony said.
Azuki watched and prayed the old colt was right, "Please Yuuta... open your eyes."
Yuuta's nose twitch once. twice. three times. The herb made him sneeze and he blinked open his eyes, sniffling. "Wha...what happened?" He asked no one in particular.
Deckerd sighed. "Oh thank goodness." He said, helping his young ward to his feet. "You had me worried.
Azuki nuzzled her brother as tears dripped down her face. "You silly Colt, don't you ever scare me like that again..." she said.
"Is everyone ok?" Kagerou asked as he helped his brother stand.
Yuuta's legs were wobbly and he felt dizzy, but he insisted he was ok.
"Let's call it a day." Deckerd insisted, to which Saejima agreed.
"Azuki, Kurumi, I'd like you and Yuuta to stay within the palace grounds for a while." The old Stallion said. "For your protection."
Azuki nodded. "I have no argument in that." She said, "I want him safe." she added gently helping her brother stand.
Drillboy nodded. "We'll help keep him safe, we promise." he said as his bothers nodded. No one wanted to see Yuuta hurt.
The ponies returns to their respective homes to bed down for the night, save for Duke, Deckerd and the Tomonagas.
Duke stayed by his lady's side, the young princess being struck suddenly ill, Deckerd stayed likewise with Yuuta, who seemed to suddenly become weakly. Not sick, but somehow lacking in energy and unable to regain any.
Saejima kept guards 'round the clock' on both the sisters and on Yuuta, concerned for their safety.
Bishop carefully brought in some food for Regina and Duke along with a small scroll for Duke to read, while Ringo brought in food for the others, even a big bag of Bishops sweets.
Azuki fretted over her brother's health as she cooked him meals and checked on him every hour, "Deckerd what's wrong with him... he's never been so weak..."
Duke nodded thanks to the young colt. "Thank you Bishop." He said. He looked tired, he'd been watching over his lady all night without sleep.
Deckerd sighed, trying hard not to break down. "I don't know. I don't know and I hate it because I can't help him." He said, choking down a sob.
Bishop smiled and gently nudged Duke, "The couch is comfortable, get some rest," he said, "I promise you I will watch our Princess." he promised, "I swear it to you, I will keep her safe and if she wakes up I will wake you up straight away." he added.
Azuki gently nudged Deckerd. "You did all you could, Sir Deckerd... no one could have asked anymore." she added.
"Still... I feel like I've failed my duty." Deckerd said as his head lowered as tears fell.
"We'll find a way to help him, Deckerd." Kurumi said despite her own tears. "We have too..."
Little did they know, King Saejima was already working on one such way to help the young prince sat in his throne his wings low and his horn glowing softly as he concentrated on his task.
"My fellow Alicorns... please... please hear me..." he pleaded. "Please..."
Suddenly, a warm wave swelled through his horn and the room was flooded with shimmering lights, soft pinks, blues, yellows, greens , dark blue, crimson red, smalls stars, a Moon, a Sun, planets and small white specks, violets and ivory white and a small shadowy gray colour.
"We hear you, King Saejima," A female voice said and Saejima opened his eyes to find several shining horns looking down on his own. "What troubles you?"
"King Sombra's shadows have returned... he has attacked my kingdom and infected a young Colt with his wickedness... the colt is alive, but he is extremely weak and his body too small to last without help. He barely has energy to get out of bed anymore..." The Stallion Alicorn stated. "Can you, Princess Celestia spare the newly named Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends and send them here...? Perhaps they can help..."
"The elements of Harmony were not what defeated King Sombra and freed the Crystal Ponies." Celestia explained. "And I am afraid we too have also faced a horrid attack from the shadows, Princess Twilight is aiding our own infected along with myself, my sister and Princess Cadence."
"So Equestria has not enough strength to protect him... the rest of you? King Sand Dune? Queen Thistle?"
The two named Alicorns lowered their horns. "King Sombra is not relenting in his attacks... I am sorry King Seajima... but the sand kingdom is no safer then Equestria right now..."
"The Everlasting Jungle is also no safer..." Queen Thistle said.
"Is there none who would help this young one? He is a born Alicorn!" Seajima said.
"When was he touched by Sombra?" All horns turned to a dim glow, the horn casting the glow seemed deformed.
"Two days ago..." Seajima said. "Can you... can you help us, Princess?"
"I can... but merely travelling by land will leave him venerable... I will send my most trusted with a carriage to bring the colt and his chosen guardian to my kingdom. You may send others to carry any other pony who wishes to come." She said. "And King Seajima... please keep in touch with me... I fear I may know what that monster is planning for this young colt... I just pray I am wrong..." she added before her glow began to fade.
"Can she be trusted?" Queen Thistle asked. "She was also touched by King Sombra... and she is a shadow user."
"She is also the only Pony alive to have cast King Sombra away from her Kingdom alone and form a barrier he cannot break." Princess Luna stated. "I trust her."
"As do I," Princess Celestia said, "We shall send out fastest Pegasus Guards to help transport any pony who wishes to go with the Colt."
"Thank you... All of you." Seajima said.
"Please... Please, Princess... I will give my own life to insure his... please... please save him... please," Deckerd sighed heavily as he looked up at the moon from inside Yuuta's room, praying with all his worth to the Moon Princess that his charge would be alright. "Please..."
Deckerd looked up as Regina came in to the room quietly with a blanket Deckerd recognized instantly, Yuuta's baby blanket, the blanket he had been wrapped in when they arrived ten years ago.
The young princess gently placed the blanket over Yuuta as the smaller Alicorn lay shivering, his little wings twitching until the blanket was placed over him and he seemed to calm. It was then that Deckerd realized Regina had tears in her eyes as she sat beside Yuuta's bed.
"He's so young... he shouldn't have to go through this awful trauma." She said.
"No pony should." Deckerd said. "No matter how old they are, no pony should ever have to face this alone." he added.
"What can we do for him?" Regina asked.
"We can do nothing," both Ponies turned to find Saejima stood in the door way. "But there is a pony who can help him. She is sending a carriage to carry Yuuta and three others with him to her Kingdom."
"Who?" Regina asked.
"Princess Nightshade. Ruler of the Night Kingdom." Seajima said.