Chapter One

A Hero's awakenings..

Normal point of view

It was a normal night in the Crystal empire. As Princess Cadence and Shining Armor slept peacefully, they were awakened by a loud crash outside the palace. They sprang from thier bed and were shocked to see the motionless body on the ground..

Cadence- The Crystal Princess and ruler of the Crystal empire and married to Shining Armor, She has known Joel since he was young and views him as her little brother. She has also foalsat him many times. She can be protective of him at times but is always willing to help Joel when he needs it, whether he likes it or not..

Shining Armor- A ruler of the Crystal Empire and married to Princess Cadence, He is an older brother to Joel and like Cadence, helped look out for him when he was younger. Just like brothers, he always Joel's back.

Joel's point of view

Darkness.. all I could see was darkness. I could not even move. I heard a steady beeping nearby along with a voice I did not reconize. "Princess, I think he's coming to." I then heard "her" voice. "Joel? Can you hear me? It's me, Cadence." She said soothingly.

As I opened my eyes, the light stung my eyes. The only thing that helped was that Cadence was there. "Somehow you always were like my gaudian angel..." I said a weak grin on my face. As I tried to move, Cadence stopped me. "Stay down Joel. Your in no shape to be going anywhere." She told me. She was right. My right wing was bandaged to my side, and I could feel my power was gone. I sighed in defeat. "Joel are you alright?" She asked me. "Not really Cadence. That battle drained alot of my strength. It took all I had to stop Crysalis. I don't think I can even fire an Aura Spear." I told her. She gasped. "Did you say Crysalis.. as in the Changling queen?" She asked shocked.

Aura Spear- A pointed spear tip attack made of Aura energy, A basic attack and one of Joel's favorites, It can be infused with different elemental effects such as Fire and Water.

Aura- Also known as "the power of life", Few can use it's power and legends tell of a chosen hero, able to weild all Seven elements.. Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Electricty, Light and Shadow who will bring peace to the world..

"Yeah, don't tell me you crossed paths with her too." I said, not believing my ears. "It's a bit of a story." She told me, a bit of a smile on her face. "Have you seen me? I got time. Besides, gives us time to catch up doesnt it?" I told her. She smiled. She wrote down a note on some parchment and then turned to one of her gaurds, a orange pegasus pony. "Flash, I need you to go get Shining Armor and then take this to Princess Celestia." She told him. Once he left, she then turned to me. "You've missed out on alot while you've been gone "Little brother"." She said, a smile on her face. She and I had always been close. She was the older sister I never had. "So spill, don't leave me hanging. What did I miss?" I asked, eager to know what happened while I was gone.

She told me of how my Aunt Luna was no longer Nightmare Moon but back to her good self and how Crysalis had tried to take over Equestria by maskerading as Cadence on her and Shining Armor's wedding day. That really ruffled my mane and feathers. "Why that ponified buzzard!" I growled loudly. Cadence was taken aback by my attitude. Ever since I learned what she did to my home and my parents, I despised her and her army. "Joel, calm down." Cadence said holding me back. After a few moments, I was able to regain my composure. I looked to Cadence. She wrapped a leg around me. "I'm so sorry.." I started, but she cut me off. "It's alright Joel, You've obviously had a long journey." She said simply. She must have seen how emotionly scarred I was as she dropped the subject. Before any of us could speak up, another voice I reconized, that of Shining Armor, my "Older Brother" was heard.

"Hey Joel!" He said glad to see me. "Hey Shining Armor." I said trying to smile. By this point I was getting tired. He came over and put his hoof in the air and I did the same. "Sky High," We said then clapped, we then put them low, "Valley Low," we chorased and clapped, We then met in the middle and clapped. "Let it flow!" We chorused. I then remembered about the letter Cadence sent to my mother. Knowing Cadence, she let my mother know I was here. I realized I needed someplace to stay and recover..

"Cadence, is there an inn nearby where I can stay until I get my strength back?" I asked. She shook her head. "Your not staying in an inn Joel. Your staying here at the castle." She told me. I was about to object when she cut me off. "And besides, your practicaly my brother, and no brother of mine is staying in an inn by himself when he's injured." She said ruffling my mane. "Okay, okay," I surrendered. "But just until I get my strength back. Besides, I have somepony I have to see as soon as I can.." I said looking out the window, clearing of "Her"..

Celestia's point of view

As I raised the sun to start the day in Equestria, I thought of my little stallion. My son Joel, who my gaurds had found in that basket on the castle steps that rainy night..

Flashback 18 years ago..

I sat on my throne wrapping up buisness for the day. One of the gaurds then rushed in, carrying a wicker basket.

"Your highness..look.." he said clearly stunned at what he found. He gave me the basket and inside was cerulean blue unicorn foal, clearly a few days old. covered in a dark blue blanket. He was peacefully asleep. I looked to the gaurd who brought him in. "Where did you find him?" I asked quietly. "On the castle steps your highness. What are we going to do with him?" he asked. I looked at the sleeping colt in front of me. I had always wanted a son of my own but I never met that special somepony. I also sensed a feeling that this foal was a colt of destiny.. My choice was clear..

"He shall stay here, as my son." I said proudly. The gaurds smiled and bowed to the new prince. My assistant Raven, turned to me. "May I ask the new prince's name your highness?" She asked. I gave a thought. There was a name I heard about that meant "Courage".. "Joel, His name shall be Joel."

End flashback..

Celestia- The princess of the sun and Joel's adoptive mother, she raises the sun at dawn while her younger sister Luna, Raises the moon at night. Kind and wise, She cares for all her subjects. She rules Equestria from Canterlot Castle.

Luna- The princess of the moon and stars, also formally Nightmare moon as well as Joel's Aunt, She does not know about her nephew yet. Like her sister, she is kind and caring but is still having trouble forgiving herself for what Nightmare moon did when others have. Perhaps she could use a "Miracle"...

I took my place on my throne and began going through my usual affairs for the day. As the afternoon came around, one of Cadence's gaurds, Flash Sentry came in carrying a scroll.

"Your highness, a urgent message from Princess Cadence." He said giving me the message. I undid the scroll and read it..

Dear Princess Celestia,

Late last night, a loud crash awoke Shining Armor and I. When we investigated, Joel was unconcious and bruised. He has awoken and is doing well but currently has a broken wing and he said he was in a battle with Crysalis and does not have the strength to even fire an Aura Spear. He has not told us any more. Please know he is safe and sound here at the Crystal Empire. Shining Armor and I shall watch over him.

Yours truly

Princess Cadence

I felt the tears well up in my eyes. My little stallion was alive. I needed to get to him and see him for myself. I went to see my sister and tell her of her nephew. She was quiet as I told her of how he was found and how I took him in as my own. I then told her of the letter I received. She smiled. "Well what are you doing here? Go." She told me.

I was glad she took it so well. With Luna taking over for me for a while, I headed off to the Crystal Empire, and to my son..

Joel's point of view

I watched from my rooms balcony as the sun rose that morning. I could not help but smile. 'Another beautiful sunrise.. Thank you mother...' I thought. It had been some time since I had been able to enjoy the sunrise. As the warmth of the sun's rays hit my face, I felt as if my mother herself was with me. I felt a tear come from my right eye.

"Are you sure you should be up already?" Cadence asked coming to my side. "I'll be fine "Cadie". If I stay down too long I'll lose my edge." I said smirking at her. I then gave a small frown. "Besides, It has been so long since I've truly enjoyed the sunrise." I added. I recalled that day those years ago..

Seventeen years ago

Joel's point of view

My mother got me out of bed that night and brought me to the tower. She looked down to me and smiled. "For Equestria another day begins, but for you my son..a year ends and a year begins.." She said. Using her magic, she then raised the sun and lowered the moon, ending the night and bringing forth the new day..

End Flashback

Joels point of view

"That was a day I will never forget." I told Cadence. She gave a small smile at me. Before she could speak, there was a knock at the door. "Excuse me your highness?" One of her unicorn gaurds asked. She looked back. "Yes?" She asked concered. "The ponies at the Crystal Cave found a strange gemstone." He said. This got my attention.

Crystal Cave- An Ancient cave lined with various gems and ores, supposedly there is a temple at the very bottom that houses incredable power that waits for the true hero..

"Were you able to bring it back?" Cadence asked. "Yes, your highness. We have it in the exibition room." He revealed. Cadence looked at me. "Joel, do you know what it might be?" She asked. She nodded to me. "Then show us this crystal." She said. The gaurd was obvoiusly not sure about me. "You may trust him. Joel here is a brother to me and I trust him with my life." Cadence assured. The gaurd nodded. "Very well. This way." He said.

Once we got there, The gaurd opened the double doors revealing a large room with pedestals taken up by various arifacts. In the middle of the room was the Crystal. It was rather large and shined in the colors of the rainbow as the light hit it. I gasped.

"By Soliana! That's Aurianium!" I said in disbelief.

Soliana- The goddess of Harmony and creator of the Elements of Harmony, very little is known about her..

Aurianium- A crystal made up of sacred energy, only a certian move can break it..

As I got closer to the crystal, my mark started to glow and a gentle female voice called out from it, I also felt my strength return. "Oh young prince.. Hero chosen by goddess.. the sacred strike.. passed to you.. The Skyward Strike.."

Skyward Strike- A wind like attack made of charged sacred energy, this move is charged and fired from the users horn. The longer it is charged, the further it will go and more damage it will do..

The crystal then shattered and the remaining shards were turned into energy which flew into my body. I could feel my wing heal and my power surge...