Prince Fledge's Tale
Everypony was without a doubt taken aback by Princess Twilight Sparkle calling the new arrival that name. It seemed impossible to be true! After all Prince Fledge Dreamwings was just a character in a children's tale. Just a made-up legend to teach kids to believe in the power of dreams! Nothing more and nothing less! Yet there was no denying that now that the ponies thought about it the strange stallion did in fact look exactly the illustration from the "Ponytales" book! His coloring was right and he was an Alicorn seeing how he had both a horn and wings! Still no-pony wanted to believe it for it was just too shocking to believe. So everypony just stood there like they'd all swallowed a flabbergast potion and had lost their voice. It went on for a few minutes and the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Finally the stranger spoke.
"You are correct, young princess. I am Prince Fledge Dreamwings. Sovereign of the Golden Enchanted Sovereignty of Dreams, Protector of the Dreamers, the Golden Horned Alicorn, and keeper of the Golden Crystal of Dreams. I've traveled a long way to fulfill my mission. Yet that can wait at least for the rest of the night. I must rest and then I can continue my quest to seek out the Maiden."
"Hold on for a second!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she fell out of the sky and landed like a rag doll on the hard ground. Not even bothering to save some dignity she got in his face, "How is it possible for you to even be who you say you are? I mean that's impossible and I've done the impossible with a sonic rainboom, but even if that can be done, there is no-way you can be who you say you are! It's just not possible!"
"Yeah, it sounds like some con sales pitch the Flimflam Brothers would concoct to sell more ponies on their stupid get rich quick schemes. I'm known for my honesty and I can tell you this, kind sir, that even I can't honestly believe you're the Golden Horned Alicorn!"
"Not that we're trying to insult you, darling. You're too fine a stallion to be boorish too. I mean we all grew up being told the tale of "The Golden Horned Alicorn" yet it just doesn't seem possible. Still I must admit you still look smashing and I can make you a fine outfit worthy of a prince. Yet even I can't accept that you're the Golden Horned Alicorn!"
"Are you positive you're alright, kind sir? Perhaps you did get hurt when you saved the Cutie Mark Crusaders from that farm cart. And you're just not thinking clearly. I remember once when one of my animals a hedgehog I called Stanley accidentally got hit on the head with a rock. His' fragile mind was befuddled for days. So maybe you're not thinking clearly?"
"All I know is I just want to continue to have this party! He may be a bit of a nut but let's just have some fun for now! I mean we can still welcome him to our home of Ponyville and maybe after some punch he'll be thinking clearly! Beside we've got to eat the cake before the frosting melts off!"
Prince Fledge gazed his soulful copper eyes at each of the ponies around him and smiled. He gave a bit of a chuckle and tossed back his head and reared up. He made his golden horn shine and his wings flapped dramatically for a moment. After a moment of drama he regained his composure and spoke for a second time in that soothing velvety voice. "I assure you all that I'm in my right mind. I'm not befuddled at all nor am I injured in any shape or form. I'm the Prince of Dreams and I wouldn't lie about that. If you think about it you'd realize nothing impossible. For all things are true one way or another. Every story, every fable even our oldest legends all contain a seed of truth. Therefore I'm as real as your dreams are. I'm in each child's dreams one time or another, furthermore, my darling little dreamers, I continue to watch over those who've grownup, and nevertheless I still defend their dreams. I guarantee to you each and every one my home is a real as much as Princess Celestia and her sister raise the sun and moon. Anything and everything is possible when it comes to dreams."
Everypony was still uncertain if what he'd said made any sense, yet they did contemplate his words for a few minutes. A number of things he'd claimed did seem to make sense the more they'd thought about it. There wasn't a filly who didn't remember seeing him fly with them at least once in their dreams. Nor was there a mare or stallion, who didn't remember seeing a shimmer of golden light, and feeling his presence when they'd achieved or struggled to achieve a dream. He just radiated a comforting as well as affectionate feeling that made every single one of them feel encouraged along with tranquil. Slowly the ponies started to look at the Alicorn they started to see him in a new light, furthermore the more they believed in him the light from his horn grew brighter. It was like the legend said the more ponies that believed in him and power of dreams the stronger his magic for the Golden Crystal of Dreams would be!
All this time Twilight hadn't spoken and she seemed to be at a loss for words. Seeing her childhood hero in the flesh, made her experience some extremely weird and wonderful feelings, and emotions on the inside, and she wasn't sure on how to react to him. Her heart was beating so fast she felt for sure it come out of her mouth; at the same time inside she felt her own magic grow stronger. The Prince gazed into her charming lilac eyes and both of their horns released a powerful magical blast. At the same time as their horns glowed intensely, the heavens above became painted over with a rainbow light accented, with gold and magenta tinted glow.
He grinned dreamily at her, which made her blush a vivid shade of carmine, after that he trotted slowly yet gracefully over to her, followed by then bowing his head solemnly then spoke softly but kindly to her, "Princess Twilight Sparkle, I'm extremely honored to met you in person. I recall extremely vividly flying with you when sought to achieve your dream of being in Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. I was very impressed with your dream and it was fun watching you earn your cutie mark as well."
"Umm…umm… I don't know what to say… thank you, Prince Fledge. Yet even though you say you watched me earn my cutie mark, I don't recall you being there in person when I cracked open Spike's egg."
"Yeah! If you're in children's dreams and watching 24/7 how come we've only seen you in the flesh tonight? I mean can you tell us how you 'watch' over dreamers if you've never been flesh and blood before now?" inquired Applejack.
"Yeah, I'd like to know that too, sis! Are you really real, Prince Fledge, or is this another dream?"
"Yeah, Princess Luna visited both me and Scootaloo in our dreams. So how come you say you've been in our dreams already?" asked Sweetie Belle curiously. She and her friends had huge eyes as they gazed at him with puppy love coating their big eyes.
Now it was the Prince whom was going red in the face. He stumbled a bit with his speech before regaining his regal composure and offered his explanation. "I'm what you call omnipresent. I first appear in the dreams of younglings when they're at their purist. I know for a fact, all three of you Cutie Mark Crusaders, have seen me in your dreams playing with you once and awhile, am I right? I was in all your dreams the night you became the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Once a dream is sparked or a child is at its most innocent I come into their dreams to grant their Dreamwings, which are their wings to their dream. Also when a dream is born a dream gem is born as well which is planted in the Crystal Forest of my home. For every dreamer who ever lived and dream there is a tree that grows with them. This is why the forest of my homeland is so large. It's beyond doubt is a beauty beyond measure for the reason that it's grown from ponies like you and everyone else's beautiful dreams. Dreams and aspirations are significant part of life, and one isn't complete without them. You need to have hope, faith and most importantly believe with all your heart and soul that you can achieve that dream, no-matter-what. There's nothing sadder to me then seeing one who's given up on their dream and lost faith that it can be achieved."
"Wow! That was deep and extraordinarily philosophical! I've never met somepony who is so eloquent plus wise. You're amazing!" Twilight finally said and everyone else nodded in silent agreement. It finally looked like everyone was prepared to accept that the hero of their childhood was in fact real as the ground on which the stomped their hooves. It was also very obvious that all the girls were gonna continue to swoon like lovesick fools from both his charismatic character and his attractive coloring. Young and old, rich or poor, seemed to be in love with him. Even Spike the dragon now could see for himself why all the females fell hopelessly in love with the Prince even if he'd just been 'fictional'!
"Thanks for your kind words, Princess Twilight, it's much appreciated. Yet I've never lied before and I won't lie about this either. I'm here on a quest which I must start afresh tomorrow. The party is enough to cheer me up because of all of the positive energy, yet I still must find the Maiden who can save my world. Yet I feel the strength of everypony right here and now dream energy. So at least for now my world is safe, yet I still must seek out the one with dreams of gold and heart just as pure."
"I promise you, honorable Prince Fledge, my friends and I as well as all of Equestria will do everything and anything in our power to help you out! You are after all the most famous character in all of "Ponytales" history! It'd be both a privilege and honor to help you out!"
"I'd thank you, Princess. So for now, strike up the rock band and let's party!" and with that everyone broke out into cheers and the celebration started anew. One and all were singing in addition to dancing and just having a grand old time. Pinkie Pie was even doing her one pony band act to make it even more fun. It was just wild, crazy and completely zany jolly good mood. As a result everyone was in a good mood, even the prince seemed to be in a good mood. Yet he still was a bit somber and reserved. So while everyone now accepted the fact he was real, it was also obvious that this Alicorn was wise and proud, still had much to learn himself, and to teach others to learn about themselves. It also looked like he was getting ready to teach some ponies their first lessons.
After a few moments of relaxing Prince Fledge got up and trotted over to where Applejack and her kin were busy at the buffet table. Their apple treats were selling like hotcakes. He watched silently as a huge apple pie slice, along with some spicy apple cider, was served to Diamond Tiara and her father Filthy Rich. Diamond Tiara shot a malicious grin at Apple Bloom and mouthed the words "blank flank" and then deliberate whacked with her tail some fruit punch at her. Apple Bloom looked like she wanted to cry. Applejack on the other hoof cleaned her sister up. Then she glared at the spoiled little brat who just grinned again and walked away, pausing for a moment to flash her cutie mark off before going to rejoin the party. Applejack then heard her brother Big Macintosh give a big "Yep" to Filthy Rich who shook his hoof, then left to rejoin his daughter at the party."
"What was that all about, Big Mac? What kinda deal did you make with that scumbag?"
"He promised to sell him some of these pies for a business meeting next week. I can bake them, I maybe old, yet I can still pop out a dozen pies in a few hours. So I see some apple bucking in your future tomorrow!" Granny Smith informed her granddaughter swiftly.
"He wants pies? Well, alright. But I don't know if we can make these amazing pies with just normal apples. I picked a few special apples to make these pies. I don't know if there's enough left to make golden apple pies!"
"If I may offer my assistant, Ms, Applejack?"
"Oh, Prince Fledge! You startled me. So what can we do for you? You hungry? Thirsty? I mean we got the best apples in all of Equestria and I stand by that statement. We've worked Sweet Apple Acres for as long as anypony can remember. Furthermore, Prince Fledge, our apples beyond doubt are unsurpassed!"
"I do respect your honesty, Applejack, and I also noticed your pride about your family's work. Pride can be a bit of a hinder, so it's important to remember to be modest and humble too. Yet from what I can tell your family defiantly does have the best apples in all of Equestria. Now where I come from we too have an apple orchard as well. It's in my gardens of my palace. And these trees are so tall they touch the sky! All the apples there are golden. Like that tree you found the other night."
"You mean that golden apple tree is from your kingdom?! But how? How did one of your trees sprout on my farm?"
"Every now and then when I journey into the dreams of others part of my world is left behind. When I first entered your dreams as a filly, when you were getting ready to leave for Manehatten, you took one last look at your home, remember? You ran so fast you were chasing the sun. I was struggling to keep up with you. Then you unintentionally rammed into a tree because you're weren't looking where you're going. You're knocked out for a few minutes, and I used my magic to heal a bruise on your forehead. When that happened some apple seeds from my breakfast that morning fell on the ground near you. When you came to you stomped them into the ground, and hurried off to go to the city. When you came back to the farm and earned your cutie mark, you went back to that spot where I was waiting unseen by you. My horned glowed brightly because you'd achieved your dream, and the magic from achieving it caused the seeds to sprout. That tree came from you and the power of your beautiful dream. It's grown stronger and more beautiful because you've such a strong faith in yourself. So it finally bloomed because you've been so dedicated in achieving your dreams."
"So, what you're saying here partner, is that tree came from my dreams?! For the reason that I became an apple farmer that tree just grew from just dreaming?!"
He nodded proudly and his horn glowed brightly, and a golden silk pouch became visible. It fell and he caught it in his dazzling white teeth. He then gave the pouched to stunned Applejack. Not sure what else to do she took it and opened it. Inside were golden seeds, hundreds of them! She stood there in shock. "What are these?"
"There're seeds from my orchard. I want to share them with you as a gift. So you and your family can plant them and grow them. If my homeland ever does vanish I'm gonna save as much of it as I can. So, Applejack, bloom, bloom. I know you can save my precious apples from extinction so please do me the great favor and plant these seeds, so the fruit of dreams doesn't vanish."
"We'd be honored, Mr. Prince Fledge Dreamwings! We'll do it no problem; my big sis can grow any type of fruit! So thanks! But I've got a very big and important question, Mr. Dreamwings?" Apple Bloom asked as she straightens her pink bow up and looked at him.
"Ask away, youngling, and you may call me Fledge. You don't need to be overly formal."
"Alright, Fledge, thanks for giving us the task of raising golden dream apples."
"You're most welcome, but what is this question you've got nagging on your mind that you must ask?"
"Well, my friends and I want to know if you can tell us how to get our cutie marks? I mean you've shown to be very smart and since you're the protector of dreams we figured you could just tell us what our cutie marks would be so we can go and earn them!"
"Yes, pretty, pretty, please? We've tried just about any idea under the sun! We've got to know what our destiny is! So please tell us!" Scootaloo begged the great prince. Sweetie Belle nodded with silver tears in her eyes, and soon the other two were crying desperately as the great prince just gazed at them.
"My little ones, I may know many things and I have the wisdom of a thousand some years. I may protect and encourage others to dream. And I love to watch their dreams unfold and come true in their own time. However, my dear Crusaders, I don't know what your cutie marks will be. I will continue to encourage you to fulfill your dreams, yet even I don't know what your cutie marks will be. Sorry."
The three Crusaders looked crushed for a few moments, and it was more then the stallion could bear. "I'm truly sorry, little ones. I hope you take comfort in this though; it's the power of your dream energy that gives me my own strength to help dreamers such as yourselves. So in a way, the more you fight to achieve your dreams, the more powerful I am, and I can help others and yourselves achieve their dreams."
"So you're saying we help you by helping ourselves?" Apple Bloom inquired unsurely to which the great attractive stallion nodded. This made the entire Crusaders smile and feel happier then they had a moment ago.
"You'll have a strong will and determination. Your faith in addition to belief is very powerful. So please don't fret too much. One day your dream will come true and when that day comes I'll be there to congratulate you all. I promise."
"Yeah! Thanks! See you later, Fledge!" as they ran off to enjoy the rest of the party. Rarity started towards him with Fluttershy bringing up the rear. It seemed like everyone wanted to ask and receive the wisdom of the Golden Horned Alicorn.
"That was very sweet of you to encourage my little sister and her friends to follow their dreams. I must confess I was getting concerned they'd give up on their dreams. So thanks."
"Welcome. Now what do you fine mares want to talk to me about? Seeing how I can sense you've got more to say then just thanking me. You all must have questions and seek some advice. So ask away. What can I do for you?"
Rarity tossed her lovely royal purple mane back was blushing, so was Fluttershy who was too shy to even look at Fledge in the eye. So Rarity spoke first. "I thank you for the cloth and I promise by this time tomorrow I'll have an outfit worthy of your greatness. It's a fine and unique silk and I was hoping you'd some more."
"If you need more I can grant you that, and as for the outfit I'm sure whatever you make will be great. Yet tell me something is fashion all you think of? Or is there more to you then a single stitch?"
"Well, all my life all I wanted was to be a designer, and that's why my cutie mark is what it is. Still I do wonder if there is more to me then just that. I know I'm generous and I've learned from my mistakes. I also know I still have a lot to learn when it comes to my sister. Therefore, I humbly ask you if there is any advice you can give me to make me a better pony?"
"Your generosity is unmatched, Rarity. That you can be proud of and it's a great thing to have. I suggest though you can't take things so seriously. Have some fun and get dirty once an awhile. Forget about fashion and just try some new things out. And make sure you listen to your sister and have some fun that about all I can say. Don't worry though, your dreams are just as beautiful as your sister's," he smiled then turned to Fluttershy, "So what can I do for you? I can truthfully say that your kindheartedness along with gentleness is about as unparalleled as Rarity's generosity. You're pure and innocent like a child. Furthermore I find you very pure of heart, so that all good. So what do you wish to know?"
"I was just going to say I'm glad you here and that I've admired your work for a long time. That tale of yours is so inspiring, furthermore what you've done just tonight alone is more then all of could hope for. So I want to thank you for being so inspirational and thanks for your kindness."
"Welcome, Fluttershy. So Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie what can I do for you?" he asked as Rainbow Dash fluttered to the ground and Pinkie Pie came bounding over with a giant pink piece of cake. They both looked eagerly at him. It seemed everyone in Ponyville wanted to seek him out, like he was a god or some other holy person. He actually seemed to be getting more attention then even Princess Celestia ever got! Some were wondering if Princess Celestia and her sister would come down from Canterlot to greet and seeking him out as well. All night as the party went on he talked and helped out anyway he could. There was one person though who didn't seek him out. It was Twilight. She didn't really know what to say to him but as the party finally winded down she did approach him and speak to him once she found her voice.
"Prince Fledge Dreamwings?"
"Fledge, it's Fledge, Twilight. I may be a prince and you may be a princess, however that is merely a title, it doesn't mean that's who we are. Who we are comes from within our hearts and souls. A princess isn't all you are. We are the sum of everything. People and friends we make, those who don't like us. Good and bad everything in between. All parts of our life make us who we are and I love to find out more about who you are. If you'd let me."
"Wow, way to sweep a mare off her hooves," she chuckled and smiled while blushing. "I was just wondering if you'd like to spend the night at my place. It's not a flouting gold palace but it's nice and simple. After all the mania of tonight and all you've been through I thought you might just like to get a goodnight's sleep. So how about it?"
"I'd like that very much, Twilight. I'll walk you back home. I'd like a cup of hot chocolate and then we can sleep. I'm a bit restless at night, but after all I've been through I wish to just sleep for a week!"
"Well follow me! Come on!" and with that the Alicorns walked slowly back to the Golden Oak Library.