Disclaimer: Reading "A Journey Beyond Sanity" beforehand would be helpful in providing a better idea of Stardust's character. This is an alternate scenario from the story had Stardust been offered to stay at the royal castle in Canterlot than the Golden Oak Library. Enjoy!
A long time ago...
A young, pink alicorn chuckled, watching with delighted fondness over the young energetic filly she would be blissful to call her own sister. "Cadence! Cadence! I found this new exciting book from the library!" The purple filly raised the leather-bound object upwards between them. "Princess Celestia said I could read it, and I wanted to show it to you!"
"'Advanced Magical Studies for the Seekers of Knowledge.'" The young Princess said the book's title out-loud, glancing at her charge with an amused smile. "My, that does sound exciting. I trust you've already read through it?"
"Uh-huh!" Twilight grinned, showing baby teeth while stating proudly, "Halfway through!"
Cadence chuckled, nuzzling the studious filly. "I'm so proud of you Twilight." A flush of modesty on the unicorn's cheek. "One day, you might be more knowledgeable than Princess Celestia and myself."
Those youthful eyes sparkled curiously. "You really think so?"
Cadence smiled softly, adoring this young humble filly with her innocent pursuit for knowledge. She don't know what she did to deserve becoming a foalsitter for this wonderful young unicorn, but her aunt made the right choice in choosing Twilight as her student. The studious unicorn quickly became a shining beacon of light in Cadence's life, and the Princess of Love will cherish every moment with her for the rest of her life.
"I know so," The pink alicorn answered sincerely, nodding with grace. "I've never met a pony more determined in her quest for learning everything there is to know about magic." Twilight smiled innocently once again, and it melted Cadence's heart.
A lovely walk alongside the filly she adored foalsitting, under the warm sun with enthusiastic ponies strolling along and chatting by. What could possibly make the day better than it already was?
As if by a miracle, the internal question was answered.
In the form of a bright light!
Suddenly enveloping an area of the park right before them, the young filly and alicorn immediately shielded their eyes from the sheer brightness. Cadence swiftly raised one wing to cover Twilight, as precaution. Ponies also around the area were taken aback by the sudden light, letting out noises of surprise and confusion.
Before the brightness died down, and replaced by a single being on the ground. Lowering her limb from her eyes, Cadence blinked, wondering what exactly happened just then. She then felt a tug against a feather of her wing. "Cadence..." The alicorn glanced down in concern. Twilight was pointing forward. "There's someone there."
True enough, where the center of the light was, a pony laid on the soft grass, unmoving. Someone who definitely wasn't there before. "Stay right here Twilight." Without awaiting an answer, the alicorn cautiously walked forward, both wary and concerned over what was even going on. The pony made no response to the approach, the onlookers apprehensive in going near the pony themselves after that light show.
Standing right before the sleeping pony, Cadence examined him more thoroughly. Stallion, a gold-ish Earth Pony with a dark brown mane, medium facial hair and tail of both light and dark brown. Well, he certainly looked harmless, but that didn't explain the intense bright light just then.
Is that how this pony arrived-?
A light groan. He was waking up.
Taking a step back to provide, Cadence leaned down slightly in observation, right where the stallion could see her upon waking up. The unknown pony blinked, multiple times, evidently to regain his senses. "Sir?" The Princess couldn't resist asking, mostly in concern. "Are you alright?"
Blue-green eyes stared back at her, and Cadence was stunned by the emotions behind them. A gift of hers; able to see the feelings of others simple by looking into their eyes. And through his were a swirling vortex of negative feelings, ranging from caution, wariness, anger, bitterness, self-loathing.
...And sadness.
Who was this stallion?
"Sir...?" Cadence tried again, tone more softer this time. "Are you okay? You appeared from a bright light..."
"...What?" As though seeing her thoroughly for the first time, those blended blue-green eyes widened, emotions reinforced by confusion and... Fear? "What?" The repeated tone was of disbelief and downright befuddlement, the stallion giving Cadence a once over, as though trying to comprehend the situation before him. "I don't... What?!"
"Take it easy now..." But the stallion was no longer paying attention to her, now inspecting himself, the fear beginning to shift towards terrified the further he looked at his own body.
"Wha... I don't... How...?"
And it pained Cadence's heart to see a pony so... So vulnerable. When he met her gaze again, he looked less hostile and more like a frightened child trying to understand everything around him, despite looking a little older than herself.
Her duty to spreading love and warmth to all other ponies kicking into her senses, Cadence gently reached out and planted a calm hoof on the stallions's side, who was beginning to wrap himself up in a fetal position. "Shh... It's okay." She attempted to soothe the scared pony, tone softening further. "It's going to be okay. What's your name?"
The stallion glared at her placed hoof with open caution, glancing between it and the alicorn uncertainly. He certainly doesn't trust easily, and Cadence sensed he was more confused about the scenario at the moment than she was. "I..."
Then his eyes widened again upon spotting something, and Cadence followed his stunned gaze on Twilight, who had slowly followed her to pony. The alicorn didn't have it in her to lecture the young unicorn for disobeying her, instead smiling at the openly curious filly staring back at the confused Earth Pony. "It's okay Twilight. He's harmless."
"Who is he Cadence?" The filly didn't hesitate in asking, straight to the point as ever.
"That I'd like to know myself." And the Princess turned back to the mysterious golden pony. "Please, tell us your name. You don't have to be scared."
The expression soured. "I'm not scared." An edge to his tone of denial, but Cadence saw right through the facade. "I just... Need a moment..."
What could have happened to make this pony feel so much negativity to himself and others around him?
Regardless, Cadence obliged the Earth Pony, smiling more comfortably now it was clear their new friend wasn't a threat. "Well, I'm Cadence and this is Twilight Sparkle." The filly was still staring at the stallion in puzzlement, and the alicorn couldn't fault her. Earth Pony appearing from thin air after a bathe of light? Even Princess Celestia would be surprised. Cadence then frowned in concern. "Are you sure you're okay? Can you remember anything? Do you need a doctor?"
To her surprise, the Earth Pony chuckled lowly, sounding rather bitter and muttered sourly, "Take more than that to help me out of this predicament, my dear..."
Predicament?
He then shook his head. "I'm fine." Followed by a forced grin. "Thank you, Miss... Cadence." An apprehensive glance to her hoof again, and the Princess finally retracted the limb away, prompting his slightly relaxed composure. The Earth Pony proceeded to look around, blinking at the sight of staring wary ponies surrounding them. "I just don't understand how... This shouldn't be..."
"...Shouldn't be what?" Cadence frowned softly, patiently awaiting a response. When nothing escaped his estranged throat, clear he couldn't provide a decent answer, the mare titled her head, curious and yet worried for the wellbeing of this unknown pony. "Well, it's clearly you are confused as to where you are and what is happening, but don't worry. You're among friends, Mister...?"
"...Jack." He finally revealed, and it pained Cadence's heart to hear how defeated his voice was, the stallion looking down as though in shame. "My name is... Jack."
And in that moment, the Princess of Love felt a new resolve. She wasn't sure who exactly this pony was, or where he came from. But one thing was certainly clear; he was scared, and alone. And Cadence wouldn't deserve her title if she left this pony to grow accustomed to Canterlot by himself without any help.
The stallion blinked at the hoof held out, glancing curiously upwards at Cadence's confident kind gaze once again, looking like a confused child. It was almost endearing in a way, when the cracks behind that shield expose his true nature. "You and I may be both at lost with your circumstances, and I won't abandon a lost pony in need. Let me take you to the castle, we can help you starting there, Jack."
After a long moment of hesitation, a nervous gold hoof touched the offered pink limb.
That's where it all began.
All those years ago, when I was lost, confused and apprehensive over my new surrounding. That mare took me in, allowed me to stay at the castle, grow more accustomed to this fictional world. Somehow, I was taken to the MLP universe, years before the show even took place. For years, I ate, slept and learned inside these walls, given a warm home filled by many beloved ponies, even making friends along the way who treated me as their own.
Twilight, Spike, Shining, Velvet and Light...
And most of all, Cadence.
The Princess who approached me with open warmth and kindness, who gave me a home in the first place, who refused to give up on a lost cause. The alicorn who encouraged me to give life a new beginning, to abandon the bitterness and mistakes of my past and look to the future. The mare I've grown to love who showered me with affection, and molded me into a new man... Or pony, whichever.
Upon revealing my origins to her and them all, they took it in stride, no one judged me save for a temporary suspicious Shining Armor, whose respect and friendship I earned over time. Spike and I viewed one another as brothers. Twilight Velvet and Night Light gave me a second home, treating me as though I was another son. Twilight Sparkle, who became like a little sister to me, always asking questions about my home world and species. All of them I grew to see as friends and family alike.
And Cadence...
Well, she was one of a kind.
"A bit for your thoughts?" Recognizing that soft inquiry, bringing a smile to my lips, I turned from the setting sun upon the balcony to the approaching alicorn, who matched my bright expression but far, far more beautifully.
Yep, one of a kind by all accounts.
"You should know me well enough to know what I'm thinking love."
Cadence grinned lightly at the playful teasing. "Reminiscing over the past again?"
"Hmm, nah... Was thinking how to poison Celestia's tea."
Though others would be horrified by the frank statement, this alicorn giggled slightly at the response. "Still disagreeing over not sending Twilight and Spike any help in their journey to Ponyville?"
Who only left a few hours, as Shining had informed me. I rolled my eyes in good nature. "I swear, my advice goes through one ear and comes out the other with that mare. I don't care that everyone else praises her like she's a Goddess, Celestia keeps on making ridiculous errors of judgement."
"That's my aunt you're talking about," Cadence mock-chided, standing beside to gaze at the sunset, overlooking the entire lively kingdom below. "And I'll have you know, she's treated like a 'Goddess' by everypony with good reason."
I snorted lightheartedly. "Cadence, you're the Goddess in this castle." At that, the mare smiled warmly, brushing the side of her fur against my own lovingly, which softened my own demeanor.
A moment taken by regarding the setting sun, Cadence expressing her adoration of the sight in quiet awe. "It's always beautiful to witness first-hand."
"Just like seeing you every morning."
My quick witty response prompted her flush, the alicorn shaking her head with a tender grin. "Impertinent words to a Princess, as always."
"If it bothered you, we wouldn't be together in the first place." I grinned in wicked amusement. "Last I checked, it was my unorthodox behaviour which made you love me."
Cadence flushed at that, shaking her head softly. "It was far more than that." Alluring eyes turned to me warmly, each quiet word sincere and heartwarming. "It's because of who you are; reserved, loving, creative, passionate, unafraid to speak your mind towards injustice, always ready to defend those you love and the lives of innocents. Your bravery and defiance against any who attempt to fight peace. Humble and ready to help anyone who needs it."
I shrugged modestly. "Jesus, Cadence, you always did have a way with words." Cadence giggled quietly at my sheepish response, rubbing the back of my head before deciding to return the equal sentiment. "That's all thanks to you, though. The beautiful loving Princess who never gave up on a bitter, angry human who wanted nothing more than to be alone and return back home. You were the greatest thing to ever happen to me... And I still feel bad for becoming your special somepony than who should've been."
Cadence only smiled, eyes expressing amused understanding. "Jack." She, Twilight and my new family, the only ones who called me by my true name as opposed to everyone else addressing me with my Equestrian name. "Destiny may have intended for me to choose Shining in another life, but my heart has chosen another, and it has not failed me yet." A soft hoof placed against my chest, my heart leaping in content joy at her words and touch. "I have no regrets."
"...Neither do I, love."
It's time, then. Time to finally seal this relationship. If Cadence has no objections to spending the rest of her life with a fool like me... Well, that's her decision, but I will never complain. Old me would've vomited at the idea of courting a pony, but I was far beyond my old self. Cadence made me a better person, and I'm going to make sure I make her happy for the rest of her life for it.
The mare blinked curiously when I suddenly knelt down on all four hoofs, pulling out a small item from the inside coat of my blue cape, keeping it hidden for the moment. Nervousness and hope mixed in my tone, "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadence. Every moment with me has given my life meaning once more. You gave me a new start, a home, a family, and most importantly, someone to love more than life itself. I will forever be grateful for meeting you. And I want to repay that kindness, and love, with this." A soft gasp at the reveal, Cadence staring in open shock at the tiny ring on the palm of my hoof, inciting my grin at the cute reaction. "I'm not sure of the pony customs regarding marriage proposals, so I'll do it the old fashioned human way."
A deep inhale, no turning back right then.
"Cadence, will you marry me?"
The point of no return, but I was never more confident of anything in my life until then. A pony Princess and a foolish human. Quite a match. That's IF she says-
"Yes, yes, yes! Of course I will!" There we go- Wait, did she just say yes! The most idiotic grin on my face ever made itself present when the mare picked up the ring via magic and inspected with the most brightened expression on her face, eyes beginning to well up at the proposal.
And there was no need to say "I love you" between one another vocally, for instead, that was replaced by our muzzles meeting. And my heart soared.
AN: Next time, Applestar! Which will be the following January! Any other recommendations for pairings with Stardust, let me know! Have a Happy Christmas, my friends!