The Troublemaker Prince
Young Nova Sentry, a young five-year-old, smiled as he ran through the long corridors of Canterlot castle. Full of energy, curiosity, and very bright for his age. The young prince also has a little bit of mischief within him. Well, according to his mothers. He didn’t really agree with them. But one thing was certain, the young colt hates this royal lifestyle! His mothers were always busy, he would be forced to attend boring parties, and not to mention uncomfortable outfits.
Today was different, he was going to skip his boring lessons and have some fun. And he was having the time of his life until he ran into his mother’s hoof.
"Ow!" The colt cried out with his flank kissing the ground.
"Nova, aren’t you supposed to be having your lessons?" Luna asked with a raised brow.
Nova looked up at his mother, who so happened to be the princess of the night itself! But what bothered Nova the most, is what ponies were saying about him. Some called him the prince of the night, others the prince of friendship. Ponies would debate constantly over what kind of prince he was, or what kind of inheritance he would acquire one day.
"Well, I was.... I wanted to take a break, mother," Nova explained, eyes glued to the floor as he moved his hoof in small circles.
"A break? I see, my son." Luna replied with a smile, "Nova, you know how much mommy cares about your lessons."
Nova gave a nod of his head. One thing was certain. His mommy, Twilight Sparkle has three great loves in her life. Her wife, her son, and knowledge.
"Mother, those lessons are boring! And Regal Crown smells weird." Nova mumble with a frown.
"Regal Crown is a remarkable unicorn stallion, dear. You should be honoured he’s teaching you." Luna said taking the young colt in her magic, and gently placing him on her back.
"No! Regal is weak! Compared to mommy, he’s just some boring old pony! Mommy can kick his flank!" Nova proudly brags. "I liked it when mommy taught me. She showed me cool things! Regal just shows me books.... and more books….. books are stupid."
"Nova my dear. Your mommy didn’t get to where she is now, without books. You won’t be a powerful unicorn right away. You must study and work hard." the lunar princess spoke, as she made her way back to Regal’s office. "And your lessons are only two hours. You have the rest of the day to yourself."
"But nopony can play with me!" Nova whine. He quickly stood on his back hooves and stomped his tiny front hooves against Luna’s head. "You and mommy are always busy! Even Aunty Celestia is busy! IM SO BORED!"
Luna let out a couple of grunts, as she felt her son pounding the back of her head. "Nova," the lunar princess said, Moving Nova further down her back with her magic. "How about we make a deal? You go to your lessons and work hard, and later mommy and I will play with you."
"Do you promise?" The young colt asked with his ears down. "You didn’t keep your promise last time."
"I promise, Nova" Luna said smiling at him.
"Okay!" Nova cheered jumping up and down in excitement after his mother had placed him down.
"Now have fun with your lesson. We’ll find you once you’re done" Luna said giving the colt a nuzzle.
Nova ran out of Regal's office and couldn’t be any happier! That old stallion was grumpy, unpleasant, and had a weird old stallion smell. The young prince wanted his mommy, Twilight to teach him again, but she got busier and couldn’t anymore. Nova had asked about a public school before, but his mother, Luna, would immediately refuse and change the topic. His mommy, Twilight, would always tell him the same thing after his mother stormed out; “She’s just being protective, Nova. Don’t worry she’ll change one day.”
"When is that day going to happen...." Nova mumbled to himself, as he walked down the hallways of the castle.
"Young prince," a voice said. Nova lifted his head and stopped, he turned around to see a Pegasus guardpony. He tilted his head slightly, not recognizing him. Nova would usually be guarded by his mother’s night guards. Those strange bat ponies were fun to be around with. If Nova was lucky enough, he would get a night guard who would look the other way. Allowing the mischief colt to steal a few cookies or play a few pranks on the staff. For some reason, his mother wouldn’t allow any Solar guards around him or even allowed inside of the castle in Ponyville. Canterlot was another story on its own.
"Who are you?" Nova asked staring up at the stallion.
"My name is Spearhead, young prince." He replied with a bow of his head, "It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. The prince of the night, or is it friendship?"
"Uh... I don’t know. My mommies haven’t decided that yet. They said! When I’m all grown up, I could decide and then there would be a big party!" Nova said with a big smile on his face. The colt happily jumped in place, "All of those cakes! Oh! And fruit punch! Oh, oh, how could I forget about the games! Pinky and Cheesy throws the best parties EVER!"
"That’s sure exciting, young prince." Spearhead said smiling at him, "Are you heading to see your friends right now?"
"I don’t really have friends here," Nova said lowering his ears slightly, "I do have friends in Ponyville! Oh! And the empire! I almost forgot! Do you know my cousin Flurry Heart? Well, she foal sits me sometimes. She’s super fun and we play super fun games! My favourite game is to annoy my uncle Shiny! But…. But…. I don’t have any friends here.... in Canterlot...."
"Quite unfortunate, Prince Nova. And kind of ironic wouldn’t you think?" Spearhead asked leaning down to the colt’s level.
"What’s.... ironic?" Nova asked.
"You’re the son of Princess Twilight Sparkle, the princess of friendship. And yet, you don’t have any friends here in Canterlot. And the friends you do have are either related to you, or there’s an existing relationship." Spearhead explained noticing the colt’s ears drop to its side.
"I... I don’t get it." Nova said softly, "My friends at Ponyville are so much fun! I wish they could come here..... but it’s a long trip…. And their parents are busy…. So, they can’t come to Canterlot too often."
"That is unfortunate, Prince Nova. But as the son of the princess of friendship, shouldn’t you be making friends?" He said smiling, even more, seeing the colt smile disappear. "But don’t worry. I’ll be your friend."
"You’re going to be my friend?" Nova asked
"Of course, young prince. Now, I must leave but have a good day." Spearhead said quickly messing the colt’s mane, before leaving him alone.
Nova let out a big sigh, "I can make friends! I’ll prove it!"
"He said what?!" Twilight gasp in shock. How could her own flesh and blood! Her own son! Say such a thing about studying?!
"Yes, he called his lessons boring, and didn’t seem too fond of books," Luna said as she did her best to hold back her laughter.
Another large and loud gasp left the purple mare’s mouth. Books?! Her own son hates BOOKS?! "I... I..... I need a moment...." Twilight mumble with horror plastered all over her face.
Luna couldn’t hold it in any longer. She burst into laughter holding her side, "Oh! Love! Your face is…. Hilarious!"
"Luna! This is serious! How could my own son hate BOOKS!" Twilight shouted quickly standing on her hooves, with frantic pacing following. "Books! What’s wrong with books? Books are knowledge! Books can entertain you for hours on end! Books are what brought ponies together! BOOKS!"
"Love, please calm down. No need to get your mane in a mess over this," Luna said standing on her hooves and kissing her wife on the lips.
Twilight took a deep breath bringing a hoof to her chest, and slowly extended it as she exhaled. "Right…. Yes, you right." Twilight said smiling, "No need to get worked up over books."
"Now, where is Nova? I told him we could play a quick game after his studies." Luna said opening the door.
"I’m here!" Nova shouted running down the hallways with a big smile on his face, "I’m here!"
"There you are, my little prince." Luna said quickly catching the young colt in an embrace, "How were your studies?"
"Boring! Now let’s play!" Nova shouted ignoring Twilight’s horrified expression.
"What should we play?" Luna asked nuzzling her son softly, "Any ideas?"
Nova smiled and was about to answer when they heard a knock. "Princesses, you are needed inside of the throne room at Princess Celestia’s request." A voice said.
"Is it urgent? We requested this time off," Twilight said after recovering from earlier, "We would like to spend time with our son."
"Yes, it is, Princess Twilight. Some diplomats have just arrived and requested the presence of all three princesses. You are needed inside the throne room immediately." The guardpony said.
Twilight and Luna exchange a look. Both mares sighed in annoyance, "Alright…. We’ll be there shortly." Twilight replied while Luna placed Nova down.
"We’re not going to play?" Nova asked quickly glancing at his mothers, "You said we could!"
"I’m sorry, dear." Luna said sighing some more, "but not today."
"But… but you promised! Mother, you promised we could play!" Nova angrily shouted
"Nova, honey." Twilight said bringing the young colt in a small hug, "We’re sorry about this, but royal duties call. I promise we can play tomorrow, alright?"
"But…. I wanted to play today…." Nova whispered as he felt tears welling up, "You guys promised! You promised! You never keep your promises!"
"Princesses," the bat pony gently insisted, "The diplomats are waiting."
"I’m sorry Nova." Luna said sighing softly, "Next time."
"Love you," Twilight said giving the young colt a compassionate smile. Nova didn’t reply and simply stared at the ground. Twilight look down slightly before leaving with Luna and the guardpony.
Nova lowered his ears and hung his head low to the ground. Once again, his mothers couldn’t keep their promise. Once more, he was all alone with nopony to play with. All because of their royal duties, "I hate being a royal pony….." Nova whispered softly with a few tears dripping on the ground.