Sometimes in this world...Friendship just isn't enough to save the day...
We all know the tail of the Mane Six, how many times they've saved Equestria. They were always heroes. But this isn't a story about them. This is a Story about a young Alicorn Colt, Gleaming Dawn, and how he and his friends prevented Equestria from not being taken over, but utterly, destroyed.
"Wake up! Please wake up!" A white pony held a mare in his hooves, barely conscious, on the brink of death. "Please you have to stay with me... I need you..." No response... "My sweet...I'm sorry..."
In a blur the scene vanished and another one took it's place. Fire...brimstone...hundreds of ponies laying dead around that same white pony.
"T-this can't be happening! I promised I would save everyone! S-she said I could...mother...why...I...I miss you...Celestia..." In that moment Celestia awoke with a fright. The 4th time she'd had the same dream, or, vision as it were.
"That same dream...why would I dream of this...he won't possibly have to go through all this...will he?" Suddenly crying was heard beside Celestia's bedside. She looked over to see the little colt she found outside the castle crying. She had taken him in knowing he was abandoned. "What purpose could be so great that you are meant to play...I just can't see it..." The colt looked at her with his golden eyes and sniffled. Celestia could only smile at him. "It doesn't matter...whatever the reason...I'm sure it'll be fine...my little Prince. Gleaming Dawn." The colt giggled as Celestia uttered his name to him. The name she gave him herself.
That colt grew to be by Celestia's side by every waking moment. Learning everything he had to directly from his adopted mother. Spells, how to fly, how to speak, even a bit about Friendship. Unfortunately, he was never able to experience Friendship himself. Celestia knew that if word got out she had a son, the citizens may think badly of her, or perhaps bad things could become of the young Prince. He had to remain a secret, from everyone. She never even told her student Twilight about him. For years it stayed this way. Day after day, night after night, stuck inside Canterlot Castle.
He knew why he had to be there, but he still didn't like it. All he was able to see of the ponies outside was from a window in his room. He witnessed the disaster of the Grand Galloping Gala, the Return of Discord, the Changeling Attack, but never has he experienced them himself. He even witnessed the coronation of Princess Twilight from the window. He was honestly jealous of her. Being able to go about normally even though she was a royal now.
"18 years..." He says to himself. "18 years I've been in Canterlot...when will mother let me leave, see the world for myself...I just wish I could..."
"Well why don't you?" A voice said to him.
He suddenly looked around nervously. "W-who's there? Show yourself!'
"Show myself...that may be difficult...but I can tell you, there are ways to get what you want..."
"What do you mean?" Gleaming asked the voice, which he was honestly starting to think was his own insanity.
"You could sneak out, where a disguise. Perhaps use an invisibility spell on your horn to hide that your an Alicorn. Nobody would even know your Celestia's son." The voice let out a low chuckle.
"But...I could never do that...I must do as mother wish-"
"Oh please!" The voice cut him off. "If you do as she says, you'll be here your whole life! But you could be out there, making friends, having adventures, being a real pony! So?"
Gleaming looked down in thought. "...I...i could really do it?"
"Of course you can! Trust me~" The voice said with a slur in his voice.
"...what will you get out of it?"
"I want nothing more then your happiness."
"...well...I guess it wouldn't hurt..." He admitted to himself... "But what if mother comes to check on me while I'm out?"
"Oh you can leave that to me~ I'll make sure nobody will even know you left."
"Wow...thank you um...disembodied voice." He smiled nodding. "I'll do it!"
With that, Gleaming Dawn started his plan to sneak into Canterlot, and see just what he can do with his life. He knew this would be his one and only chance to do so many amazing things. Maybe just even make friends, like he always wanted. Little did he know, that that "Voice" didn't just want his happiness. He wanted him out of the castle. That way he can do his own plan that he had, without interruption from the Prince. This will be a day in Equestria, that nobody will ever forget, for on this day, everything that ponies know will change...forever.
"Let's make sure I have everything. Apples to snack on, check. Bottled water, check. Book of magic spells, check. I think that's all I'll need" Dawn smiled to himself as he put his saddlebag on. It was around midnight, everyone was asleep except him, preparing for his great escape. Using his magic he created a replica of himself in the bed to make the guards think he's still asleep in bed. He knew it wasn't long term, but at least it would last for a little while. "Well, this is it. Time to see just what is out there. I can't wait!" With that, he opened the window in his bedroom and quietly flew down the the ground, into the castle gardens.
This would be the most challenging part of his escape. There were always guards patrolling the gardens at night, making sure robbers didn't sneak in. He was gonna have to sneak around on hoof so they didn't see him flying away. OK Dawn, you can do this. Just a big longer and you'll be home free! Well not exactly HOME free, just free, not at home, by myself...I gotta stop talking to myself He activated an invisibility spell rendering himself as invisible as...well...an invisible pony. Eventually Dawn was able to make it to the entrance, but it was covered with guards. Great... Dawn thought to himself. How am I gonna get passed them...
"Um, excuse me." A new voice came up from the other side of the entrance, a mare's voice.
"I'm sorry miss, the garden's are off limits after dark" One of the guards replied.
"Oh, I was just hoping I could see some of the flowers real quick...I'm vising Canterlot for the week"
"No can do"
"Oh pretty please!"
Dawn just stood there thinking this would be a perfect distraction. He just had to wait just a little longer...
"I'll just be a minute. Promise" The mare pleaded.
"Come on now, we'll escort you out of here" With that, the guard took the mare by the hoof and dragged her away, the others following closely behind.
Thank you mysterious mare Dawn smiled as he rushed out of the garden entrance, into Canterlot itself.
Dawn was finally outside, free from the castle walls. Able to do whatever he wanted! He decided in order to make the most of it, he'd have to wait until daylight. He found a small ally he could sleep in until that time came. Of course he kept the spell on so he wouldn't be seen. When day came, Dawn decided now would be the perfect time to finally show himself. He removed the invisibility spell from his body, now concentrating it on only his horn, so he wouldn't be recognized as an Alicorn. He then stepped out into the light of the world, into Equestria. "Wow...it's incredible..."
Looking at everything around him, he was stunned by all the different ponies there were. All the Unicorns, Pegasi, Earth Ponies, it was simply amazing. And none of them were wearing the royal guard armor! "This is perfect! So many ponies to meet! Now which one should i-" He was cut off by something big crashing into him from the sky, which knocked him to the ground. "OW! WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA!" When he turned around at what it was it turned out to be a Pegasus. Black, with a red mane, his mane and tail quite spikey.
"Whoa, sorry bout that. Didn't see you there." The stallion chuckled as he dusted himself off. "Name's Magma Thunder"
"Magma Thunder huh...well, nice to meet you I guess. My name's...um...Gleam...Shade...Light...yeah, Gleamshade Light." Dawn smiled nervously, not used to lying about his own name.
"I see...well nice to meet you Gleamshade. Can I call you Gleam? Or Light?"
"Well...I guess you could call me Dawn if you want. It's a um...nickname."
"All right then Dawn." Magma smiled and held out his hoof for a brohoof.
Dawn looked at it for a bit, confused as to what he was doing. He had never heard of a brohoof before, so didn't know what it was. He could only assume what it was from the action he did, so he mimicked it, bumping his hoof against Magma's. "So," Magma said. "You new in town? I'm just visiting myself. I live over by Ponyville."
"Ponyville?" Dawn tilted his head in confusion. "Where's that?"
"Dude...you don't know where Ponyville is!? You living under a rock or something!?"
"In a way you could say that..." Dawn mumbled under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Um, nothing!" Dawn chuckled nervously once again. "How bout you just try to explain it to me. I may remember it."
"...well OK. Ponyville is home to Princess Twilight, and the rest of the Mane Six. Other then Canterlot, it's become on of the most famous places in Equestria lately. Mainly from Princess Twilight living there and all the amazing battles and adventures that have taken place there. In honesty though, it's just a nice small town that happens to have a giant castle in the middle of it."
"..." Dawn had a hard time taking that all in. "Um, yeah I remember it now! Giant Castle and adventures and...stuff..."
"Your acting really strange man...you sure your OK?"
"Uh, yeah. I'm fine" Dawn smiled reassuringly. "So, what exactly where you doing when you crashed into me?"
"Oh I was polishing up on my flight skills so I can meet Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty, member of the Mane Six, and one day, my wife." Magma smirked to himself, but Dawn just stared with a straight face.
"And...how do you know she'd even want to marry you?"
"Cause I'm the only one nearly as awesome as her! She'll totally be into me!"
"Yeah...I don't think it works like that..."
"Whatever man. I'm gonna get back to flight training. See you later man!" With that he flapped his wings and started flying away. The outside world seemed to be filled with odd ponies...Dawn was gonna have a hard time making friends in it, he could tell that right now. But he wasn't gonna give up trying! He already made one, at least he think he did, so now he should look for another.
"Now where can I find some other ponies..." As he turned around he bumped into another pony, a mare. White, with a gorgeous pink mane with red highlights.
"Oh, excuse me. I didn't see you there." Her voice was the same as the one he heard before at the gardens...
"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....
