Chapter Three
Reunited with Mom
Cadence's point of view
I heard tales of the Skyward Strike, but it seemed only legend. Now as the prince who I came to see as my little brother gathered a small amount of power in his horn, it began to glow a light blue. As he swung his head down, he released it letting out a vertical beam of blue light breaking the crystal. As the shards were absorbed into his body, I could see his wing glow and sense his power surge as if he "Leveled up".
Joel's point of view
I could feel the power return to my body. After my battle with Crysalis, my power had gone and my power Level was gone. But now my power had begun to return, even if some.
Level- All ponies have a level. For Unicorn and Alicorns and those like Prince Joel, magic and aura requies a certain level. The maximum Level known is five.
Level Up-The act of reaching the next level and gaining more powers.
That afternoon, Cadence took me out and showed me around the Crystal Empire. Everywhere we went, ponies smiled and bowed to Cadence. She would also smile back and time to time, have a small conversation with them. She reminded me of my mother in a way.
Crystal Empire- An ancient city on the frozen edge of Equestria, It is known for its abundace in culture and is home to the crystal ponies and is led by Cadence and Shining Armor.
"This place is so beautiful." I said amazed. As beautiful as the Crystal Empire was though, I needed to get home. Back to my mother and back to her.. I then realized Cadence wouldnt keep my return quiet. Once we were at the spa, soaking in the crystal mud bath and no pony was around, I asked her, "Cadence, I know you. You told my mother I'm here didn't you?"
She smiled. "Of course. I would think you would want to see her again." I gave a small frown. Truth was I missed her greatly. But something was bothering me. Evidently Cadence noticed this. "What's wrong? You don't seem to happy to see your mother again." She said concerned. I sighed. "I can't explain it but I have a bad feeling of foreboding." I shook my head. "I don't know, maybe I'm just really homesick." I said sighing.
As we walked back to the castle, I noticed Cadence had a small grin on her face. "Alright, what's going on?" I asked. "You can't hide it from me Joel." She giggled. I felt my heart nearly stop.. "You have a special mare in your life." She whispered grinning. I blushed, looking away. "Your secret is safe with me, Joel." She assured. I looked back at her. "How did you know?" I asked, then I remembered.. "Of course.. Your the princess of love." I said,
We arrived back at the castle and I noticed a familar chariot. The pegasai gaurds smiled and bowed. I smiled, nodded and made my way in with Cadence to the doors to the throne room. Inside I heard Shining talking to my mother. My heart was racing.. Would my mother be angry with me for running off like I did.. Cadence smiled at me. "You go on ahead, I'll be right back." She said simply. Once she rounded the corner, I pushed open the doors, causing Shining Armor and my mother to turn and look at me. I walked slowly up to them and as I did so I noticed a smile on my mother's face as well as a tear in her right eye. All I could say was.. "Mom..I'm so sorry.." She procedded to embrace me in a gentle and motherly hug. "Don't be sweetheart." She whispered. "I should have told you about your adoption sooner. I hope you can forgive me." She said. I smiled and hugged her back. "Of course I forgive you mom." I told her smiling. Once she pulled away, she smiled. "Shining Armor tells me you have your cutie mark." She told me. I turned and let her see my mark. She gasped in shock, though I could have sworn I heard a bit of pride in it. "The sacred mark.. That's the mark of the goddess of Harmony, Soliana!" I chuckled, "Hey, It was a shocker for me too." I added. We then heard Cadence's chuckling. "Did you show her that new power of yours?" I turned to Cadence and saw her holding a pink alicorn baby with a pink, purple and light blue mane, smiling. "Aww, who's this cutie?" I asked. "Joel, this is Flurry Heart, our daughter." Cadence said proudly. "Hi Flurrry Heart, I'm your cousin Joel." I said cooing at her. Flurry Heart smiled, giggled and cooed making her more adorable.
Flurry Heart- Cadence and Shining Armor's infant daughter, she is an a Alicorn like her mother and the cutest thing.
"She looks so much like her mother, thank the goddess." I said teasing my "brother". Everypony but him chuckled even Flurry Heart. "It's good to see you still have your sense of humor." Shining said chuckling. My mother wrapped a wing around me. "I believe it is time for us to take our leave." She said, her smile never fading. Cadence came up and gave me a small hug. "You take care Joel, get plenty of rest." She told me. I nodded. "After what I've been through, I'm planning on it." I told her. Shining and I then bumped hooves. "She's right, We'll let Twili know your alright." He added. "Tell her and Spike I said Hi." I told him.
As I boarded the chariot, I noticed my mother sending off a letter. She smiled at me. "I think it's time you've met your Aunt Luna." She told me. We then headed off back to Canterlot Castle.. Back home..