Bodyguards…really? I guess its ok since I do get into a bit of trouble now and again haha…
OH! Right, you're probably wondering what is happening right now. At this moment Prince, Thorn, and I are- 'Hey!' Ugh, not you again, what? 'You can't just talk to them directly!' What are you talking about? 'The readers. You can't just talk directly to them!' Fine. Sheesh. How's this;
After leaving the circular chamber that held our meeting, Prince, Thorn, and I made our way to our holding chambers (bedrooms). Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had to go to get ready to lower the moon and make way for the sun.
How's that? 'Better'…..Oh erm sorry, just arguing with myself…again.
Where were we? Oh yea!
We arrived at Prince's after a short stroll. I opened up the great doors for Thorn and Prince and my eyes grew wide at the mansion like room that Whiteheart called home.
"This is your room?! It's like a house basically!" I said.
"Yea, it's pretty cozy." He replied. I looked around to study his room. A large bookshelf took up one wall of the room that was completely filled. Another section looked like a kind of portrait section. It was him, Luna, and Celestia always.
"So Celestia is actually your mom huh?" I asked, examining the photos. I was kind of scared to pick one up because I'd hate to drop it.
"Well, no, I'm actually adopted." He replied. His face grew a saddening emotion.
"Well it looks to me that they love you as if she were your true mother." I said smiling, and he smiled as well. I could see that he started to remember the good times he had with Celestia and Luna. Dare I ask what happened of his true parents? No, not now. Another time will come, but now sleep is calling my name.
Yes it's very close to morning, and no I don't quite care. I went out to Thorn who assumed his position at the entrance.
"Hey, why don't you head on home?" I inquired.
"Well I can't quite go home until I'm on leave but if you wish for me to the barracks than yes I can." Thorn said.
"Yea, go get yourself some sleep and grub and all that good stuff, I'm sure we'll be fine here and if something does go wrong I'll take the heat." I replied. With a slight nod Thorn said his goodnights and headed to his temporary home.
I closed the door slowly (not like I had a choice, the thing was heavy!) After that I just kinda drowsily made my way to the…crap…where was I going to sleep? You know what..?
"Hey Whiteheart, mind if I snag a pillow and a blanket?" I asked. Prince looked confused but did it anyway. He lifted a pillow off of his bed and a blanket from a nearby closet and handed them to me. Telekinesis…with a horn…wait or is that levitation? Dunno! Too tired to brain! I dropped my pillow on the floor and soon followed it.
Yes I was sleeping on the floor. Why you ask? Well because I would take up too much room on Prince's bed and I was not going to let him sleep on the floor. Like what kind of guest does that? I mean it's much better than an alley right?
Cuddled up with a blanket, my backpack (which was torn and weathered) sat beside me (as well as my socks and shoes), and festering nightmares from today's earlier events flooded my head, I soon fell into a deep slumber due to the fact that where I lay was much more comforting than a dusty ground.
…Darkness…no surrounding light, that is all that that I could see. A foul stench of iron rose up around me and the floor felt not dry but…slick. With a liquid goop that reeked of death. A dream? Again…? No…no this is what begins a nightmare….I was on the grown with nothing around me. Something above me lit up in the sky but it only showed a never ending path in front of me. I dare not walk to the sides or behind me for it was pitch black and would not be very wise.
The path ahead was the texture of…shall we say…a lawn, stone pathway with blood spattered in random parts. Something you'd see in gardens. Well, realizing that this was most likely a dream I just went for it, I mean what's the worst that could happen? I "die" and wake up?
Though…to be very honest, this whole setting was creeping me the heck out. I got up though, and I began to walk the creepy, desolate path to nothingness. What lie at the end of this path? ...Only one way to find out…
Strange…as I progressed, the path behind me would be taken by the darkness, as if there was no going back. I even looked up to see nothing but a fairly blinding light above that created what seemed to be a glare that made it impossible to see the source.
Minutes turned into hours but it wasn't until just now that I heard the clopping of hooves behind me, telling me that somepony grew near. I flipped around to face the way I came, to face where the origin of the noise came. My first thought was to call out, but I held myself from performing that action for I would know soon enough who was searching for me in this forsaken nightmare.
I stood and waited…I expected Molestia…Pinkamena…one of those fine mares…instead I met somepony that nightmares into all of us. It…was a pure…dark pony. The coat wasn't black just…all of it was…like an evil kind of dark entity with chunks of flesh missing from its body. Bones were clearly visible, and the eyes were nothing but a small ring of red.
The entity appeared to resemble Applebloom in a sort of way…it was the kind of things you see in those pony '.exe' games, you know the real scary pop out scare the crap out of you games. Though yea…this wasn't a game, just a nightmare…but recently…nightmares for me have a tendency to become reality.
The dark Applebloom looking figure looked up to me with a faint smile and whispered words loud enough for me to hear…and chilling enough to rattle my spin.
"How wonderful…somepony new to play with" It said in a hushed tone. Now It probably wasn't wanting to play yahtzee or monopoly (good, I hate monopoly), but had something else in mind.
Like twister?! No…not twister…more like cut-y cut-y killy killy! Never heard of that game...Let's not find out about it then huh?! Now run!
I didn't need to tell myself twice, I turned around and hi-tailed. The path ahead was dark but I don't know what would be worse; sticking around to find out what that demon filly wanted to play or the horrors that awaited in the darkne- wait…this is a dream right? More like a nightmare but yea, it is. So can't we just imagine a huge gun in our hands and blast away this nightmare and bring on a dream! Ok ok let's see if we lost that…thing…
I flipped around to be greeted with, well hey! More darkness! How wonderful! Seriously though…I can't even see the path in front of me… just darkness...
"We'll play forever…"
"Gyahhh!" I screamed. I sat up, sweating. These dreams usually come true don't they? Oh fudge please please please don't let this come true!
"Are you ok?" I heard Prince mumble, as he sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes.
"Uh…I…um, yes I just…need some fresh air." I said, smiling. I got up, stretching. I stumbled about in the low lit room until I noticed the door to the balcony- 'hold up, this kid- I mean colt has a balcony in his room?! Not bad…
"Oh, ok" he replied as he sunk down to go back to sleep. Outside the moon was high in the sky. Night time? Still? I thought I was asleep for much much longer…
"You were, slept through the whole day actually." Luna said, standing beside me because I totally didn't notice her which is exactly why I kind of screamed like a b**ch when she said that.
"You're telling me we slept through the entire day?!" I almost shouted, but I kept my voice low.
"Yes, you two were sleeping so soundly we…did not wish to disturb you." She replied.
"Heh, well thank you." I said.
"Though, the nightmares you are having are unsettling." She remarked and I whole heartedly agreed. I kinda forgot she could go into other ponies dreams…thank goodness I didn't have other dreams… (nervous coughing) ahem, right back to the scene at hand.
"Who…or what was that being?" Luna asked. I simply leaned on the railing over-looking the beautiful country side that the whole city hung over. Ponyville was so far but appeared so close. Like a home waiting for me…
"Your highness…if I could tell you who that was I would have no trouble doing so…but I simply don't know…" I sighed. "It's a beautiful night tonight. Thank you." Ok, total fangir- erm…fanguy moment right here. I was able to thank the Princess of the night for producing such a beautiful…night. It's exciting for me ok?
This remark took her back a bit, like she finally found somebody who enjoyed the nighttime.
"Y- You're welcome." She replied, still in a daze of slight confusion.
"Where I come from…when I would be coming home from work, I would always look up into the night sky; looking everywhere for the moon and once I found it…I'd thank whoever put it there." I said, and of course I meant Luna but I couldn't outright tell her. That would be too complicated right now. The time will come though.
Now before you guys and gals start assuming stuff, no. I am not "hitting on the princess or anything so get that out of your heads right now. I simply love nighttime and I liked to thank that Luna could hear me. I'm kind of a loner, bite me.
So with that out of the way…
"Might I ask what you were doing in my dream specifically?" I asked.
"It's not every day we acquire a new species such as yourself, I was merely curious." Luna stated.
"Fair enough reason, sorry you had to see that though." I replied.
"It's no problem, I've seen much worse." She said.
"I can't imagine" I stated with a slight chuckle, which we both shared.
"If…I may ask…where did you come from?" Luna finally asked after a small moment of silence. Crap… ok Scotty, easy question…
"I come from a place that…well there are many of people that look like me…well not exactly like me but the same kind of physical things, you know, arms, legs, feet, eyes, ears, hands, all of that stuff. Almost like this place but… more…technology." I said. Worst, description, ever. Hey, it's the best I got, you try explaining a different world to an alicorn princess from a different dimension. Yea, it isn't easy.
"Sorry…that was a horrible description; I'm bad at it due to fact that…I never really observed the world around me." I replied.
"It's fine, I believe I've gained a better understanding of the world you come from." She said.
"That's good, I just hope to return there someday….at least long enough to say my proper goodbyes." I said.
"You didn't come here by choice?" She asked.
"No, far from it. I was with my friend when we were exploring a small cave near my house when…I met the gaze of a being that I followed through an extravagant maze until it pushed me into a very large hole that seemed to be a portal. Well, not really pushed, but more or less accidently ran into me. Before I knew it I was laying underneath an apple tree in front of six colorful ponies." I replied.
"You haven't searched for a way back?" The questions kept coming.
"No, after what happened that night of the party…I'm not going to attempt to go back until this matter is resolved."
"But what if you don't make it back?"
"Then that is the price to pay." What am I talking about? (You don't have to "pay" for anything, you've done nothing wrong!) Yea well I'm going to do what's right. Well…at least what I believe is right. "Excuse me…I'm still pretty tired, I think I'm going to go back to bed." I said, trying to get away from this topic before internal conflict comes over me even more.
"Ok, sleep well, and don't let those nightmares get to you…one more thing before you go…" She said. "Thank you."
"For what?" I asked.
"At the party, you saved my sister and I. We couldn't have possibly taken those stallions out without a little help."
"It was no problem. I'm just glad to see that you two are alright." I replied. "Now goodnight Your highness."
"Goodnight." She said with a smile before disappearing into the night.
I shuffled back to my spot on the floor after closing the doors to the balcony. How was I getting so tired after sleeping for a whole flipping day? Beats me, but there's a bed so why question it? True, though not really a bed but ah forget it. I plopped down onto the floor, curled up in the blankie and went into hibernate mode. That is…until the sun shone into the room right down on me like I'm the chosen one or some shiz. Did I fall asleep or did I pass out? Damn…
"Morning sleepy-head!" Whiteheart said as he stood over me, looking awake as ever. "Come on we're going to miss breakfast!"
"I'm commin' I'm commin' don't get you boxers in a bind." I replied.
"What?" Whteheart responded.
"Ohhh right…no pants…nevermind, it's a human saying." I said, eyes half open. "Now, did you say something about breakfast?"
"Yea! We don't want to miss it!" He said as he trotted to the door.
"Sweet, ok just give me a minute." I got up and stumbled to the bathroom dragging my book bag behind me. Wherever the bathroom is oh, Found i- holy cripe I look like crap! Hair all messy, face bruised. B-e-a-u-ti-ful. A quick wash of the face, hand wash, teeth brush (with my ((clean)) finger) and I was soon the lady killer I once was. Ohh yea confidence for the win (even though you look like sh*t). Hey, shut up. I swapped out my clothes that I kept in my bag. (Too bad you didn't store any deo in there.) Tell me about it.
"Hurry up!" Whiteheart shouted.
"Alright! Alright! Yeesh, you're like my mom." I walked out of the bathroom. "besides, looks like these take time."
"Whatever you say…Rarity". Prince replied with a smug look like he just roasted me with the mother of all jokes.
"Coming darling!" I said in my best Rarity impersonation, being all dramatic and stuff as I stepped out of the bathroom with my nose up high. We both shared a laugh which caught him off guard when I dashed down the hall. "Race you there!"
"Hey!" Hey shouted as he headed straight for me and past me. Bad idea…I'm not a great runner…that and I have no idea where I am going. So I just tried to catch up and follow. We burst through the door of what I guess was the dining room. Which was a large room with a very large table. The kind of thing you see in the movies where they need a telephone to talk to the people at the other end of the table.
"This place big enough?" I asked, astonished.
"What do you mean?" He asked right back.
"Nevermind." I replied. I didn't really care, the sound of food echoed through my head. Though I could already rule out bacon and eggs, but I was fine with some toast with butter and jelly awww yea. (Are you hungry yet?)
That's just what I had. Surprisingly they have toasters here and a base set of technology (dishwashers, lamps, and yadda yadda).
"So what's on the agenda today?" I asked with a mouthful of toast.
"I…I really don't know…I never had someone stay over…especially a…um what is it your species is called?" He replied.
"Human." I informed him. "And no worries, we'll find something to do. How about we go take a stroll through this city? It seems pretty cool." To this idea, Whiteheart became pretty unsure.
"O-or we could go back to my room and um…read or something?" He replied.
"You sure? ...What's up Princey? Something bothering you? Or is it somepony?" I asked.
"No-no it's just…I'm really good at meeting new ponies." He said.
"Well it was easy for you to get to know me." I said.
"That was different though…"
"Yea, so it should be easier for you to talk to others. Besides I'm not making you talk to anypony other than me."
"I still don't know…."
"Come on! It'll be fun trust me!"
"Ok…ok fine."
"That's the spirit! Come on we can search for some bookstoresor something." That sparked his interests right up, I guess it's safe to say to say that he really likes his books…I wonder why he's so um…what's the word? Like, not fond of meeting new ponies. (You mean shy?) Yea that word! (Idiot.) Bite me.
We finished our breakfast with a debate of what books we enjoyed. Whiteheart was a fan of historical books as well as a good Daring-Do. He says he has all of them so far.
"Sweet, maybe we'll find a new one when we go." I offered.
"Sounds good to me!" He replied.
"Then let's go!" I said. We quickly put our dishes away and I asked him to lead the way to the door because I absolutely had no sense of direction in this confound place.
"Hey! Wait up!" Thorn screamed behind us. Oh that's right, bodyguard. Thorn rushed to meet up with us as we turned a corner in this maze-like castle.
"I've been looking everywhere for you two! I'm assigned to watch you, so don't just leave without telling me. Ok?" He said, kind of demandingly. I don't blame the guy, because what if something happened and he wasn't there after I told him to go get some rest. He'd be in some serious shiz.
"Oops, sorry sir. We were going to go out and wander around, stop by a few book stores along the way." I replied.
"Ok, well I have to be by your side the whole way, part of the job." He said.
"Sounds great, the more the merrier." I said, and we headed out into the big open City of Canterlot. Such a grand city and pretty pricey I bet…great…no money to buy souvenirs, meh I don't need any, I could just take pictures with my iPod no biggie.
Walking down the bustling market place was a sight to behold! Many different ponies, unicorns, and pegasi roamed with many different, fashionable wear as well. So many shops and boutiques lined the streets right up to the corner, you'd wonder if the owners actually lived there because I could not see a house in sight…unless they did live in their shops.
As we walked down the most crowded road Prince was sure to stick extra close to me. Was he this shy? Or did he just not like to brush shoulders with every pony on the road? (I wouldn't blame him then.) Exactly. Then there's Thorn right beside us walking normally but holding a statuesque facial expression. Serious on the job, good trait to have for his job but it wouldn't hurt to be a bit more relaxed. (You gotta be ready for anything when you're a guard.) I guess so.
We eventually arrived at one of the many bookstores that was labeled… wait are you serious? (Really? The place is called "Barns and Nobles".) Yes…yes it is…Not 'Barnes' and Nobles. It looks just like a "Barnes and Nobles" but it's…*sigh and Facepalm* wow. Let's just go in already, (agreed).
I stepped into the cramped bookstore with Whiteheart close behind and Thorn following beside.
"Come on this way!" Whiteheart tugged at my arm. "The adventure books are over here!"
"Ok, lead the way." I replied as he about tore my arm off to follow him, so I complied and walked with him to the adventure section where he closely examined the rows upon rows upon columns of books until there he found the newest edition of Daring-Do where she does treasure and finds adventure and so on and so forth. He begins reading as I take a gander at the many other fine selections, until I heard him gasp and shoot up.
"Yep, I have to get this book! I just have too!" He said as he pulled me near the cashier who looked like a nice mare, until he stopped just a few feet away from it.
"What's wrong? Did you change your mind?" I asked.
"N…No I just…can you buy it for me?" He asked. "I'll give you the bits to buy it…"
"Why can't yo-…ohhh." I began. I remembered that he has trouble talking to others. (He's shy.) Don't you go using them fancy words on me! (Idiot.)
I squatted down to Prince's height. "I bet you can talk to her." I said reassuringly.
"I…I…I don't know can you please just-.."
"Whiteheart, you can do this. Just go up there, buy the book and we'll be out of here in no time." I encouraged him.
He gave me one last desperate look before he slowly approached the cashier. She noticed him and gave a faint smile which stopped him in his tracks. After a brief pause that seemed to last for hours, he abruptly turned around, and made a fast walking dash to put the book back and a quickened his pace out the door, and I quickly followed with Thorn bringing up the rear. What's going on? ...Maybe I shouldn't have pushed him like that…
It was a silent walk, or for me, a jog to try and keep up with Prince, home and straight to his room. He quickly jumped into his bed and laid there for quite some time before I tried to say something.
"Prince…are you ok? ...Princey?" I asked.
"I can't do it…I just can't…" He replied.
"It's ok Prince…you can tell me…" I ensured him.
"Celestia isn't my real mommy remember? I lived all alone in the Everfree forest after I ran away from my real home and my real…" He shuddered at the sound of the next word forming in his head. "Dad."
"Whose you dad Prince?" I pressed on.
"He ruled a big city like this…except it was made of really shiny crystals. His name was…" he choked on the name but forced himself to spit it out.
"Sombra"