Protector of Dreamers
Break of day came all too quickly for the citizens of Ponyville. Though the sun was the everlasting symbol of hope, all it did for the resident princess was make her very ornery. She still didn't have an answer as to why she was having such trouble sleeping. At what time she'd been to some extent dead to the world, she once again found herself in a blinding golden sky, with a young soothing voice, trying to speak to her. She heard the voice call for someone called the "Dreamer" It made no sense to her in the morning. She thought to herself as she ate her breakfast of orange juice and blueberry muffins, which Spike had baked for her that morning. She thanked him kindly for his act of kindness, which he replied that it was no trouble at all. He then started to eat his own breakfast of delicious gooey cinnamon buns.
At the same time as she munched her huge muffin she thought about it some more. She'd learned a lot on the subject of dreams over the years. Furthermore in view of the fact, that Princess Luna had come back to the side of good, she'd acted as a guardian of dreams. The ebony mare had visited both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo in their dreams, and had taught both of them valuable life lessons. On the other hoof this particular dream didn't have the same sense of Princess Luna in it. Twilight knew whatever this dream meant it wasn't connected to the Princess Sisters back in Canterlot. She knew for sure without a doubt that Princess Celestia and her sister Luna had nothing to do with these dreams she was having. Nor would either of them have the answers to it either.
All of sudden there was a loud knock on the door. Stuffing the last bit of muffins in her mouth she went to answer the door. Yawning once she threw open the door. Standing on the doorstep she saw it was her friend Pinkie Pie, whom like usual, seemed to have eaten a wagon jam-packed of sugar. She was so hyper and jumping up and down like a manic.
"Oh, good morning, Pinkie Pie, how are you today?"
"Oh, I'm super great, Twilight! Fantastic in fact! I've got so many ideas I think I'm gonna need another party cannon to use them all! I had the most amazing dream last night! I'm going throw the biggest and best party ever, just like in my dream last night! Of course I'll need everyone help to pull it off, and I'm gonna need a 100 layer chocolate strawberry cake to pull it off! Plus it has to have just the right shade of pink for frosting! Oh and the chocolate chip cookies will have to be in the shape of Princess Celestia and her sister! Oh what a grand party this will be! So I was wondering if you happened to have a recipe book for a ton of fabulous new treats. Well do you? Do you?" she inquired super-fast and just kept doing backflips on the stone steps.
"Pinkie Pie! Take a deep breath! For Celestia sakes, Pinkie! You're going to have a heart attack if you don't come down some!"
"How can I possibly calm down when the greatest party ever needs planning? I've got tons of ideas and I'm gonna need a great recipe book if I'm gonna pull all this off by tonight! So do you have a recipe book? Well, do you? Do you? DO YOU?!"
"Yes, I've got a lot of recipe books. I'll get them for you if you can calm down some. So take a few deep breaths and think of something soothing."
"Alright, Twilight!" and with that the pink pony took a few deep breaths and held it till she was blue in the face. Then she exhaled and her overzealous energy seemed to deflate like a gigantic helium balloon. "Okay, I'm calm down now. So do you have my recipe books?"
Seeing her friend reign in her excitement some she flew to the top of the library shelves and picked three books off a dusty shelve. Coughing a little and sneezing once from the dust she floated back down to her friend. "Here you go, Pinkie, these should help you plan the food for your party. I've got the "The Grannies Book of Treats, The Baker King Guide to Simple Life Cookbook, and Tasty Inventions of New Ideas" They'd ought help you plan the best party you've ever thrown. So you can go plan your party now. I'll come by later to see if I can help you some, okay/"
"That be great, Twilight! See you later! I better hurry back home! I just remembered I'd forgotten to feed Gummy his breakfast! Got to run! Bye!" and with the speed of a massive overdose of a sugar rush she disappeared down the road.
Twilight just shook her head and laughed, "Oh, Pinkie Pie." She went to get her things, when she saw out the corner of her eye a flash of gold. She did a double take but whatever it was gone. "I must be imaging things. Need to get some more sleep. C'mon, Spike, we need to get going. We've got a lot to do today."
"Coming! Coming!"
Locking the entrance to the Golden Oak Library, the young Alicorn set off to another day of learning the magic of friendship. The young mare had a lot on her plate today, her schedule was extremely full in addition to exceptionally demanding, and still she'd hope to make it to each appointment on time! First stop of the day was going to the CMC clubhouse. She wanted to give a few new diaries to the CMC to help them on their quest to get their cutie marks. She'd designed the each diary herself, so each of them was unique and special. Just like each of them it'd be just for one of them. As they neared the clubhouse she hoped they'd like their presents. Adjusting the saddlebag on her back she called on up to the white clubhouse.
"Hail to the Cutie Mark Crusaders! It is I Princess Twilight here to bestow grand gifts to such hardworking and lovely fillies of Ponyville! May I be granted entry to the special sanctuary of the Crusaders?"
There're several loud noises followed by a series of big thumps before the curtains on the windows were thrown aside. The trio of young fillies looked down at their princess. "Twilight! Thanks for coming! Please come on up!" they all said in unison. Giggling she flew up and into the clubhouse. She gazed around and saw the CMC had been extremely busy. Their list of ideas for earning cutie marks had become longer with loads of old ideas have been crossed off. There was tons of random junk on the floor from all of their ideas. Each of them was wearing their cloaks that Rarity had made for them. They looked very cute in them; Rarity did a great job when it came to fashion, as she should with her cutie mark being what it was. Taking a good look at the trio enthusiastic faces she wished they'd just get their marks for their never-ending determination and loving hearts, that should've been enough to get a mark in her opinion!
"So, what brings you here, Twilight?" inquired Apple Bloom as she adjusted her big pink bow. She looked very happy as if something special was happening. Though, Twilight didn't know the reason, she could tell one thing for sure. That Applejack was a very good sister to Apple Bloom and she'd no doubt that Apple Bloom and her friends would one day grow into fine young mares.
"Well, Apple Bloom I brought you each a gift. I made them myself. Here," she explained as she used her magic to have the diaries zoom out of her saddlebag. "I created a diary for each of you. So you can express yourselves in your own words. Who knows? It might help you achieve your dream of earning your cutie mark."
"These are totally amazing!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed elatedly as she opened her diary. All of the diaries had a photo of each of them on the cover, their names were written in gold calligraphy, and the pages matched their own unique coloring. By the shinning smiles and sparkling eyes it was very obvious that all of them enjoyed their gifts.
"I agree! These are the coolest! Thanks, Twilight!" Scootaloo said as she locked the diary with a winged key. Each of them had a key designed after which kinda pony they were. So wings for Scootaloo, horn for Sweetie Belle and earth for Apple Bloom.
"Glad you like them. So what's gonna be your first entry?"
"Well, we're going over to Rarity's boutique and model some new clothes for her newest fashion line. So we're hoping to get our cutie marks for modeling!" explained Sweetie Belle excitedly.
"We got the rest of the day planned after we're done with the modeling. Like playing some games, racing, and swimming. You know just for some fun? It's such a nice day we might as well have some fun and enjoy nature." Apple Bloom interjected.
"And tonight we're going to chase fireflies and play moonlight tag with our sisters! It's gonna be so much fun! Who knows? Today may be the day our dream comes and we get our marks!" Scootaloo finished as they cheered loudly.
"Well, all that sounds fantastic. I wish you'll the best of luck. I will pray that your dream comes true. Well I've got to get going, or I'm gonna be late for my next appointment. See you later and good luck with the modeling! Oh and just remember one day you'll achieve your dream. Just have some faith along with hope; furthermore never forget to believe in yourselves. Okay?"
"Thanks for the advice, Twilight! And we will! Thanks again for the diaries!"
With an elated smile she went out the door and took to the air and flew away. She didn't perceive that a flash of gold was coming from beneath the clubhouse. Standing under the clubhouse was a handsome stallion. He cocked his head and smiled as he heard the CMC laughing and giggling. The golden horn on the stallion's head pulsated for a second and sparkled some. "So innocent and pure, the dreams of children, and such a strong power of belief! These children haven't fallen prey to the disbelief spell. It's a good start but I must still find the Maiden. Still it's nice to see someponies with such pure and innocent dreams. Sugary energy from dreams at least gives me a minor amount of magic. So that's good! Dream on, little ones," with that the stranger opened his copper wings and took off after Twilight.
Twilight was in such a rush that she couldn't even stop and smell the roses. All her friends were at least well rested, so they're full of energy. It made her envy them some, but it wasn't their fault that she couldn't sleep. Rarity offered to give her a recipe for some herbal tea to see if that would work. Applejack offered to make her some apple pie to make her feel better. Fluttershy suggested listening to soothing sounds of nature and Rainbow Dash had no ideas. Though she did suggest having a race seeing how she'd been inching all day to race someone. Twilight declined that suggestion, but said she'd try the others suggestions.
"Thank you all, for your kindness and suggestions, I'm very thankful for it all. If you need me I'll be back later today for Pinkie Pie's newest party. It'd be fun to have such a grand celebration."
"Yes, it will be. I hear she's trying to bake a 100 layer cake. She's gonna need help and we'd promise we'd help her out later this afternoon. But first I must finish my new fashion line, "Fun Fillies Fashion" so I won't be able to help till after my sister and her friends come over in half an hour. Still maybe I can create a few party dresses for the party as well." Rarity informed her friends as she used her magic to clean her red work glasses.
The other ponies all said farewell to Twilight who was determined to get a nap in. She yawned once before flying back to the Golden Oak Library. Once again she didn't become aware of the silhouette of someone watching her from behind a rainbow colored roses flowering shrub. Whoever it was eyeing her intensely and quickly disappeared into the shadows. Almost immediately the air was full of sound of giggling and laughter with squeals of fun as the CMC dashed quickly to the Carousel Boutique. The trio jumped for joy as they hurried to the modeling job, each of them hoping that this would lead them to their dreams of cutie marks. They're in such a hurry they didn't see the danger up ahead. Right now an out-of-control farm cart jam-packed of a delicious variety of fruit was heading their way. A wheel had busted and now it was rushing head on to the young fillies. The driver a tangerine male pony yelled out a warning, however sadly it fell on deaf ears. Just when it looked like the trio would be severely hurt a flash of gold burst between them and the wood wagon. All around were blinded by the golden illumination and when it cleared there standing in between the CMC and the wagon was a handsome stallion, yet no-one had ever seen him before.
"Wow! What just happened?" exclaimed Apple Bloom in surprise. At the same time as she and her friends took a moment to see what would've been a major catastrophe. Both of the other fillies looked shell-shocked from being almost run over. Then the girls looked up and saw the attractive stallion that had rescued them. All of them got weak in the knees and blushed big time.
The gorgeous stranger used his magic to move the broken wagon out of harms way, then with another burst of golden light fixed it. He threw back his head and let his bronze mane waft in the gentle breeze. He then turned to face the girls and again they'd been struck dumb by him. All of them had their eyes go huge in wonder as they gazed into the tender soul of those copper eyes of his.
"Are you three alright? That could've been a really big disaster. I'd really hate to see three attractive dreamers such as you get hurt. So are you alright?" His voice was so kind, soothing as well as tender. Furthermore it made your heart still and made it melt too. Everyone around them was staring in awe from the stranger's good deed, and it looked like each and every one of the mares, was instantly in love with him, he was that irresistible.
Before the trio could reply there was a shouting of voices belonging to their older sisters. Rarity was the first on the scene with Applejack and Rainbow Dash quickly bring up the rear. Rarity nearly strangled her sister as she hugged her tightly. Applejack and Rainbow Dash also hugged their sisters tightly but not nearly has tightly as Rarity was doing to her sister.
"Sweetie Belle! Oh my darling little sister, are you alright? Nothing broken? Do you need to see a doctor or anything bleeding?" as she began to inspect for even the tiniest hair out of place. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were busy checking over Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Once they'd been mollycoddle long enough the fillies broke out of their older sisters embraces.
"We're alright, thanks to him," they all said together. It was at that moment the three older ponies got a good look at the pony god before them. And all of them got big eyed and blushing big time. Applejack was so taken over by attraction her cowboy hat fell off, and Rainbow Dash fell right on top of her from her shock. Even elegant Rarity was totally speechless from seeing this stallion! At first not a soul could speak at all and he seemed to understand quickly that he was the reason everyone was so flabbergasted. So he bowed his head and kneeled before them.
"Pleasure to meet you all, maladies, I take it these young ones are your kin?"
"Yes, they're kid sisters. Thanks so much for rescuing before they became flat as apple cinnamon pancakes! We're most grateful for your coming to their aid. So thanks, partner!" Applejack thanked him. He smiled and bowed for a second time. There was gasping from the crowd and he seemed to be embarrassed by all them staring at him.
"It no trouble helping children, lovely, I've got a particular soft spot for children. They're so innocent and pure. Things that must be cherished but sadly so many of us loose them. So you three are welcome."
"Thanks so much, kind sir. Please come to my home and I'll make you some herbal tea. And my friends here can offer you something for your troubles," Rarity offered kindly.
"Yeah I've got a special apple pie we can split. Just came out of the oven. This one should be extra tasty seeing how I made it from some very rare and fine apples. Please join us!"
"And we can race to the Carousel Boutique! I'm the most awesome flyer in all of Ponyville and I've to see how fast you're with those beautiful wings. So what do you say? Want to race?"
"I'd love to join you all, but I'm sure you've got other plans with your friends. Still I guess it won't hurt to have a small snack. After my long journey I'm starving."
"Well you're in luck then, stranger!" spoke a hyper voice behind them. Everyone turned around and saw it was both Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy both trying to carry a huge pink and gold cake. Fluttershy had obviously had asked her woodland friends to help as they're helping hold the heavy cake. Pinkie Pie giggled and spoke again like she just had the ultimate sugar rush. "I was baking this cake for a huge party tonight to just have a party for the sake of a party. But now we got a reason to celebrate to welcome a new friend to our special home! We're gonna need some help to get this cake to the party though! It took me three hours to bake it! It's the best cake I've made for a party! No lie!"
"It looks like your poor friend is about to be crushed by it though, and I hate to see such a beautiful piece of baking art be ruined. One second," he said as he zapped the cake with his golden horn and it became light as a feather. "There that must take the weight of the world off your shoulders."
"Thank you kind, sir, it's a real pleasure to meet you. I'm Fluttershy and she's Pinkie Pie. So thanks for the help. I was really thinking that my wings would be crushed by that cake. And I didn't want my animal friends to get hurt either. So thanks."
"Glad too, it's nice meeting such lovely maidens such as you. I'll lend a hand with the party and you'll do what needed to help tonight. After everything I've been through a little fun and food is what I need. I've got a huge task ahead of me nevertheless I'd be a fool if I didn't take a moment to unwind. So let's go have some of that pie and tea." With that he took to the air and glanced at Rainbow Dash, "First one to the Boutique wins. Do you wish for a head start?"
"Don't need one, dude, remember I'm awesome! Still if you want one go ahead."
"I'd tried being nice, well see you at the finish line," and before the blue Pegasus could even flap her wings once the handsome stranger just was blaze of copper light. "Wow! He's fast!" she said in a stunned voice as she quickly went after him. They zoomed around the town past a windmill and two laps around Sugar Cube Corner, then under a stone bridge and finally arriving at Rarity's home. Everyone else was out of breath trying to catch up to them. Rainbow Dash for the first time was out of breath and the nameless stallion just chuckled and shook his magnificent head. "You're a speedy devil, miss, so don't feel bad that I beat you. You're an honorable opponent, so good job!"
"Thanks, but I'm not as mad as I thought I'd be. I've just never really met anypony who could beat me so quickly. You've got style and speed. So you're very awesome! So thanks for the race! Now how about we get this party up and about?"
"Yes, lets. First things first though. We've got to get all the treats ready. Pinkie Pie? You and Applejack can do that. I'm betting between the golden apple pie and that cake it will be a smash hit. Rarity is it? Why don't you finish your new outfits? Here use this to accent it. It's a one-of-kind fabric from my home. I'd be deeply honored if you'd make me an outfit from it," he requested as he used his horn's magic to bring into being a golden silk fabric with a beautiful bold print. Rarity blushed so much she looked like a tomato. He then turned to face Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. "Why don't you, Rainbow use that wonderful speed of yours to decorate and you lovely Fluttershy bring together the music of nature?"
The mares nodded and set to work and everyone did a good job at what they'd been tasked with. The nameless stranger turned to the CMC and asked them to aid him with helping the others. When he went outside for a moment to get some water from a well to make punch everyone started talking about him.
"I just wonder who in tarnation that hunk of a stallion is. I've never seen him before. And we Apples have been in Ponyville for as long as my orchard been blooming apples! Although I won't lie in view of the fact that I'm honest that I've never set eyes on a finer stallion."
"That's for sure, my friend. He's so handsome; I'm just inspired to create a whole new fashion line just for him. He's so regal in addition to well brought-up. It couldn't be plainer that he comes from good breeding stock. This fabric will be perfect for both the "Fun Filly Fashion" line and something dreamy and romantic for a stallion line!"
"He's ever so kind isn't he? I'm usually as shy as my name, yet I don't feel bashful at all when I'm around him. It's strange."
"Well he's super cool and super fun! I bet he could best all the Wonderbolts no problem and that's saying something!"
"Let's just make his Welcome to Ponyville party the best one yet! Can't we do that?"
All of them cheered and went right to work and boy were they busy. They're so busy they didn't have much time to wonder why this nameless steed seemed so familiar. It was a nagging feeling alright, nevertheless all of them felt, they'd met this young stallion at some point in each of their past. On the other hoof that didn't make much sense. Yet every single one of them felt strongly, they'd heard his soothing and affectionate voice before, and that they'd flown plus run with him before. Nevertheless none of them knew when or where they'd encountered him before. Still they'd all hope he'd stay around for awhile.
By the time of moonrise that evening all of Ponyville had come to greet and meet the new guy. Many of the mares tried to hit on him and flirt up a storm. However his fancy seemed to be untouchable. He was kind and loving to all of ponies. Yet despite his humble and modest ways he did seem like he was looking for something that they couldn't give him. It wasn't till it been dark for two hours that Twilight finally emerged from the Library and came to see her friends. She'd finally gotten enough sleep and hurried over to the party.
"Excuse me! Coming through! Must get through! What's the hold up? What are all you ponies staring at?" she inquired confused as till she managed to get to the center of town square. It was then her lavender eyes met his copper ones and there was a connection. They both just stared at each other speechless for a few moments.
"Twilight? We thought you'd might miss the party. We'd like to introduce you too our new friend," Applejack started to speak but then looked at him, and continued on, "We don't know his name yet. So by the way fellow, what is your name?"
"My name is…" he started to say before Twilight Sparkle finished it for him, "Prince Fledge Dreamwings!"
At that everyone dropped whatever they're doing and just stared and gasped. This was the shock of a lifetime!