//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The Rose // Story: My Little Pony: Rise of Darkness // by GleamingDawn //------------------------------// "Oh, I'm so sorry." The mare said. "I didn't see you there." It's all right. Is what Dawn was going to say, but for some reason, he couldn't. He just stared at her, unable to open his mouth. As if something had a hold on him. Was this mare some kind of enchantress!?...nah, probably not. "Sir? A-are you OK?" The mare asked. "U-um, yeah. I-I'm OK." Dawn was finally able to say. "I'm...um...I'm..." "Your what?" She tilted her head waiting for his answer. "I'm...D-Dawn..." "Dawn...that's a nice name." she smiled cutely. "My name's Rose" "Rose...that's a nice name too." He tried his best to smile but it came out a bit crooked. Rose giggled. "Your funny Dawn. You live here in Canterlot?" That got Dawn's attention. "Oh um...well...I'm...a traveler." He answered. "I want to see as many places as I can. I was thinking of maybe going to see Ponyville next, a friend pointed it out to me." "Ponyville? Oh that's wonderful! I live there. We could see each other again." Rose said with a smile. Every time she smiled Dawn's cheeks turned a very slight shade of crimson. "When are you going to go there?" "Well...I'm not sure..." Dawn looked around a bit. "I don't have much to do right now..." "Why don't you come with me? I was about to head back home. I just came to see some of the flowers of he royal garden, but they guards wouldn't let me in." "Oh...well...maybe next time you will get in." Dawn said, making a mental note to ensure it happened. "And as for your offer...I'll gladly go with you." He was finally able to give a somewhat normal smile. "Great! Come on!" She took his hoof in hers and started running, causing Dawn to follow. Dawn looked as her hoof in his and the blush across his face grew redder. W-what's this feeling? I've never felt anything like this before...am I getting sick? Eventually Rose led Dawn to the Train Station at the edge of Canterlot. It was a nice station, with little spires on it like the castle has, but not as big obviously. The train wasn't in the station yet, so they were gonna have to wait. Rose went over to a bench and sat down on it. She looked at Dawn wondering if he was gonna sit as well. He finally did and sat beside her, causing her to smile. Dawn looked around to make sure there were no Royal Guards to recognize him. Looks like they were all on brake or something. "Your cuter in person then I thought you'd be." Said Rose. Dawn's eyes immediately widened and he looked at her. "W-what do you mean, in person?" He was trying to hold back an enormous blush from the cute comment all together. "I've heard rumors that Celestia had a son. Rainbow mane, white coat." She flicks his mane a bit, revealing his horn quickly. "Alicorn" He quickly fixed it and looked around in a panic. Nobody saw it thankfully. "K-keep it down! I'm...not supposed to be out right now...or ever..." "Don't worry, I'm not a tattle tail. My lips are sealed." She smiled. "Just hope nobody else notices you until we leave." "Yeah, I hope not" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Ugh, that stubborn Prince has been sleeping the day away. Why do I have to wake him up..." A Royal Guard said to herself. She was light pink, with a darker pink mane that ended in purple highlights. "Oh well, beggars can't be choosers." She knocked on the door to his room. "Her Princey it's time to wake up!" She yelled. No reply. "Listen you gotta be awake now. Some other men saw you sleeping completely still, you were faking it and I know it. So come on and come out. No reply. She groaned and got out her keys opening the door. "Fine since you aren't coming out I'm coming in." She opened to door and headed to the bed. "OK no more fooling around it's time t-" She stopped short as she saw there was nothing there. The hologram Dawn placed had ended. "Oh god no..." Every Royal Guard was searching the castle for the Prince, including the mare. Celestia has getting exceedingly worried. If someone found him there's no telling what could happen. The mare walked up to her. "Ah, Blade Keeper. Please say you found my son or anything regarding where he may be." "N-no your highness...nothing..." Blade said, honestly getting scared herself. "Blade...I want you to go out and find him. Search Canterlot and beyond if you must. Just find him...and bring him home safe. If you do, I will give you the rank of Paladin, just like you've always wanted." "P-Paladin? I...yes Celestia." She salutes to her. "I'll do my best." "Thank you little one. I await your safe return." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The train was finally coming into the station. Dawn smiled and stood up with Rose. "Don't worry about getting on, my ticket was good for 2, and for a round trip. And my friend I was with wanted to stay here a bit longer. Said he could afford a new one." "Friend? Would his name happen to be Magma Thunder?" "Yeah! You met him?" "Yeah..." "You think he has a chance with Dash?" "...hard to tell..." Rose chuckled and went on the train, followed by Dawn. Blade was going to the train station as well, to check Ponyville for Dawn. When she got there though the engineer stopped her. "Hey what's the idea!?" She yelled. "I'm sorry miss," the engineer said. "but the train is full. You'll have to wait for the next load." "Just my luck...fine..." She goes over to the bench and sits down. Dawn and Rose sit next to each other on the train, Dawn looking out the window. "I can't wait to see what it's like out there..." "I'm sure you'll like it." Rose said smiling her usual smile. She then gave his cheek a quick kiss, which caused his eyes to widen and the blush he had to become clearly visible. Rose giggled. "Though that'd get a reaction. You like me don't you?" "W-what do you mean? I've just been feeling so weird s-since I saw you...w-what does that have to do with liking someone? Friends don't cause reactions like this..." She laughs a bit. "Wow. Guess this is a first for you then. Well I'll just tell you now so you understand, you have a crush on me." She giggles. "Crush?" "Yeah, crush. You know when you really really like someone?" "Uh...huh..." She smiles at him. This was gonna be a long train ride....