Chapter 2: A Young Colt’s Vow
“It’s not over.” Gold Star said with whatever strength he had left. “I’m not done. I will be the…Mystic King.”
“The Mystic King? You’re joking.” Starscream said as he looked down on him condescendingly. “The thing is these chains can measure the magic power of anypony they come in contact with and you have none, not a single drop.” Gold Star gasped in shock from hearing that. “You were probably born that way. If you were trying to get a Clover, then it’s no wonder you didn’t get a cutie mark. To think, to be the only pony possess not the slightest bit of magic in a world full of magic? Why, that makes you a rare and precious bird indeed!” as he laughed, he began stomping on Gold shoulder.
I saw Gold Star was stunned by it. I watched as he began to become hopeless.
“And you’re the son of the great Princess Celestia, raiser of the sun and moon? Really, you know, I can’t think of anything more pitiful. She no doubt new of this and took pity on you to never tell you this.” The guy said. “Forget becoming the Mystic King, you’ll be lucky to just even get a job. I bet your friends, the four-leaf genius and the scholar pony are having a good laugh at your expense right now.”
Gold Star looked over to see Dusk worried face and me looking at him. I just couldn’t believe what he was doing. He was actually giving up from what Starscream was saying to him.
“To be the Mystic King, you must have to be the strongest Clover mage in Equestria. To be a Clover mage, you need a Clover cutie mark. And to have a Clover cutie mark, you need to have magic. This world has no use for somepony like you, a poor, magic-less fool. You might as well give it all up right now. You were born a loser, you worthless runt!” the guy said.
Then, just when Gold Star was about to close his eyes and accept all of this, I then decided I had enough.
“Hey!” I said and Gold Star opened his eyes a bit. “Who are you calling a loser?” I then looked to Gold Star, remembering that day from our past. “Gold Star, it’s true that you aren’t going to become the Mystic King. Not ever.”
“Hear that?” Starscream said to me. “Even your little friend knows that it’s impossible.”
“That’s because I’m going to be the Mystic King!” I said.
“What?” Starscream said as he looked to me.
“You’re wrong, Starscream. Very wrong.” I said to Starscream. “Gold Star’s no loser, he’s my rival!”
“Seriously?” Starscream said in disbelief. “This is the one you would claim to be your rival? The only pony in Equestria without any magic?”
With this, I watched as Gold Star lifted his arm and grabbed Starscream’s back leg and gripped it in his claw.
“You…” Gold Star growled before he raised his voice. “Get off of me!”
Gold Star let go as Starscream backed away from him in shock.
“Sorry, you had to see me in such a weak moment, Silver.” Gold Star said to me as he got back up to his hooves and claws. “Just…give me a sec.” He then raised his head up with a face with a serious look. “That’s all. Then I’ll destroy this guy!”
Then, all of sudden, a golden glow appeared and we all looked behind Gold Star. He turned and looked to the right where we were looking and saw a golden light right on his flank, growing and forming something. When it was done, there was a gold North Star. Then a red light appear at the center of the star and grew till it made a shape as big as the center. When both those lights vanished, I smiled as I saw the one thing that could wasn’t impossible: Gold Star’s cutie mark a gold star with a black clover with five leaves in it. Just like me, Gold Star had a Clover cutie mark.
“Is this…my cutie mark?” Gold Star asked, unable to believe this.
“I knew it.” I said as Gold Star took one quick look at me and saw me was smiling before looking back at his flank. “Like you wouldn’t get one, Gold Star. There’s no way.”
Gold Star then looked forward with wide eyes and lifted his right arm to the sky with his claw bent back. Then a surge of red energy came in from his shoulder and spiraled around his arm and went into his hand. It was then shot from his palm into the air, where it stopped and floated about a yard above him. We all then watched as the energy transformed into a long, large, black broadsword. As he was no doubt shocked by this, Starscream’s chains he had floating around disappeared and as the sword fell and impaled the ground in front of Gold Star on his right, the sword looking ancient and begin almost as long as Gold Star, short of head. I had no doubt that Gold Star would get a Clover. This is what he’d always done. He had a way of making the impossible possible. Now…and back then. I still remember what he said to me that day when we were kids.
“I’m gonna be the Mystic King.” Gold Star said. “I’ll keep you and everypony else safe. No more worrying about food or money. You’ll have everything you ever wanted. I’ll prove it. I’ll show them all.”
“‘Show them?’ Prove what?” I asked.
“That whether you’re royalty, a noble, or even poor, a commoner, and an orphan…” Gold Star answered. “You can still become the Mystic King.”
It was back when me and Gold Star were just colts. Back then, I had a hard time catching up to him. I was such a crybaby. Even when I tipped I would just end up crying my eyes out. But he was always there for me. Even though he lived in the royal castle and was the prince, Gold Star would make time to help out at the church. I still remember the time we met Dusk. It was when we had a picnic in the courtyards. It was just me, Gold Star, and Sister Water Lily sitting under one of the trees and eating some bread from the church.
“This bread is yummy.” I said as I then swallowed a piece of it, that piece being hard to swallow. “Yummy, but…a bit hard maybe?”
“Yeah, a bit hard, but still good. Amazing, Sister Lily! You’re the best cook and awesomest baker ever!” Gold Star said before he got that bread out of his mouth. “Hey, when I grow up and marry Moon Dancer, you should teach her so she can cook for me.”
“Actually, Father’s the one who baked that. So maybe you should have him teach her.” Sister Lily said, making Gold Star groan in horror.
“Nuh-uh! He’s gross! I don’t want him around my Moon Dancer! I want you to teach her, not some old man!” Gold Star said as he bawled angrily on the ground. “Sister! Please, please teach her! Please, please teach her!”
Before he could go any farther, Sister Lily smiled gently as showed her Water Magic and Gold Star got up and sat there nervously without saying another word.
“That’s a good boy, Gold Star.” Sister Lily said as she dispelled her magic.
Yes, Sister Lily had a Clover cutie mark and Water Magic, but decided to be a lady of the church to help others. It was moments like these that Sister Lily tended to use her magic to get Gold Star to behave.
“I’m telling you, it’ll never work. You can’t force her to marry you.” I said to Gold Star as he sat there. “It’ll be, um… Moon Dancer still has the choice whether or not to marry you.”
“I’m not giving up!” Gold Star said to me. “I’ll keep asking her till I’m old and gray! She’ll say yes eventually!”
“Well…” I said, uncertain exactly what to say. “Good luck.”
Just then we looked to the tree as we all felt somepony standing there, but nopony was there.
“Hello? Is someone there?” Sister Lily said as she called out to whoever was there. “It’s okay. We’re not gonna hurt you. Come on out.”
It was a little while, but then somepony came out. It was a colt our age. He was blue with a scruffy brown mane, tail, and brown eyes. He had claws just like Gold Star. I looked at his flank and saw he had cutie mark: a rolled out scroll with little minute writing set on it. The way he looked at us, he was actually pretty nervous and scared.
“H-hello.” The colt said.
“Hey, I know you!” Gold Star said as he got up and talked to the colt. “You’re that student from school. What was your name again? Um… Musk Core!
“Dusk Noir.” The colt said before talking nervously. “My name is…D-Dusk N-N-Noir.”
“Oh, sorry.” Gold Star said. “It’s just that I hardly see you anywhere except the library. You really like reading, huh?”
“Y-yes.” Dusk said to him.
“Hey, we’re gonna read a story back at the church.” Gold Star said. “Do you want to come with us?”
“M-me?” Dusk said. “Yes. Thank you, Prince Gold Star.”
“Hey, come on.” Gold Star said to him. “Don’t need to be all formal with me. Just call me Gold. Oh, and these are my friends Sister Water Lily and Silver Blade.”
“Hi.” I said to Dusk.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dusk.” Sister Lily said.
“You guys too.” Dusk said with a small smile.
When we got back to the church, we all listened as Sister Lily read the story, the legend of the Mystic King.
And so, a deep, cold, and seemingly endless darkness covered Equestria. The land was on the brink of being destroyed by a ruthless demon.
“That demon’s a jerk!” Gold Star said as we listened. Well, Gold Star and Dusk listened. I just covered my ears and looked away as it was just too scary for me back then. But then one brave Clover mage stepped forward.
“Whoa!” Gold Star said, amazed by this.
Hoping to dispel the darkness and bring dawn to Equestria, he battled the demon.
I then began to listen when I heard her mention the mage battling the demon.
Finally, he defeated the foul creature and, when he was finished, the world was a brighter place than it had ever been before. The long night ended at last because the mage had brought dawn to Equestria.
“Hooray!” Gold Star cheered until he realized that the story wasn’t over yet.
The triumphant mage was hailed as the Mystic King and his story became legend.
“Wow! The Mystic King?” Gold Star and I said at the same time.
Peace and prosperity reigned.
With those words, the story was finally done and Sister Lily closed the book. I really did like that story. The Mystic King was such an amazing pony. I always wondered what he was like.
Outside the church, we all stood there as we watched as Princess Celestia began to set the sun.
“Hey, there’s still one now, right?” Gold Star asked. “I mean, the Mystic King.”
“Yes.” Sister Lily answered.
“Yeah, there’s still a Mystic King.” Dusk said. “It’s one of the most vital roles in Equestria. The duty has been passed down throughout the ages, from one Mystic King to the next. With the power of their magic to protect us, everypony lives in safety. Though the Element Gang has done just the same. But both of them are the reasons why Equestria is so peaceful.”
“Oh, wow!” Gold Star said in amazement.
“So, the Mystic King is a really important pony?” I asked.
“Yeah. Second only to Princess Celestia.” Dusk answered. “He’s the leader of all the Royal Guards, including the Necro-Knights.”
“Alright! It’s settled.” Gold Star said as we looked to him.
“What do you mean?” Dusk asked. “What’s settled?”
“I’m…” Gold Star answered. “…gonna be the Mystic King.”
All of us were surprised by this. I don’t think any of us would’ve thought we’d hear somepony say they’re gonna be the Mystic King, especially Celestia’s son.
“Dusk? Silver? Sister?” Gold Star asked in confusion.
“Sorry, Gold Star.” Sister Lily said. “I’m…surprised, that’s all. So, where did this come from?”
“Well, he beat that demon, didn’t he?” Gold Star said. “So he’s way strong. And super cool, too! I want to be just like him when I grow up. And that’s not all.”
“So why else do you want to become the Mystic King?” Dusk said to him before breaking out nervously. “Not that I’m complaining, that is.”
“He’s important.” Gold Star said. “The Mystic King has power. And that means I can make all of your lives better. For you, Dusk. And the people of this church. Like Sister Lily and Silver too.”
When he said that, I was absolutely amazed. He would become the Mystic King to help us. I…I didn’t know what to say.
“Think about it.” Gold Star said. “Wearing nice clothes, filling up on much food as you want.”
“Yeah, but you do that all the time.” Dusk said. “You’re Princess Celestia’s son, you basically live in luxury.”
“Yeah, but nopony else does. From what Mom taught me, she told me that everypony needs help, no matter who they are.” Gold Star said. “That’s why I want to become the Mystic King, so I can make ponies’ lives better starting with the poor. I’ll rebuild the church. Yeah, I’ll fix this crumbling dump!”
“Now, Gold Star, don’t call it that.” Sister Lily said.
“Well, not to insult, but you have to admit that this place isn’t much of a church.” Dusk said.
“Just you wait, you guys. You’ll be living the high life just like me!” Gold Star said.
“Well, that sounds wonderful.” Sister Lily said.
“Yeah.” Dusk said, amazed by this.
“Right, Silver?” Sister Lily said as she looked at me.
I smiled and nodded “yes”, thinking about this. The Mystic King.
“I’m gonna be important when I grow up!” Gold Star said. “I’ll be the Mystic King, then Moon Dancer will have to marry me!”
“Did he really just say that?” Dusk said to Sister Lily, confused by this.
“Those two subjects are entirely unrelated.” Sister Lily said to Gold Star. “But it is good to have dreams.”
“Thanks, Sister.” Gold Star in appreciation. “Just you wait! Once we’re married, I’ll make sure that Moon Dancer will be living the life she wants and never be sad again!”
I chuckled a bit from that. After that, Sister Lily and I then waved goodbye to Dusk and Gold Star as the two left to go home, both of them heading in opposite directions of each other.
“Bye, guys! I’ll see you tomorrow!” Gold Star said, smiling and waving to us.
“Bye, Gold! Bye, Silver! Bye, Sister Lily!” Dusk said, doing the same. “See you guys tomorrow!”
“Goodbye, Gold Star! Goodbye, Dusk!” I said, doing them same as them.
Since that day, Dusk would come back to the church just as much as Gold Star and the three of us became friends. In the coming months, me and Gold Star soon found out he was El Dragon, the great fire elemental hero of our city, along with his color magic and swore to never to tell anypony else outside of our circle of trust, not even Sister Lily or father or even Princess Celestia. Gold Star and I were the only ones that Dusk trusted with much of his secrets. Especially the time he found that strange rock. It was all black with some smudge of orange on it. When he decided to keep it, we asked him why. He just said that he felt like he was meant to have it. To make sure he didn’t lose it, Sister Lily and I got him a pendent to keep it in. He’s worn it ever since. Our days were peaceful. Until one day, it all changed.
It was December, winter had already began. The trees were absent of their leaves and Dusk and Gold were trying to help me and Sister Lily at the church.
“I don’t understand! What’s wrong with me? No matter how hard I try, I still can’t use any magic!” Gold Star said as he failed to use magic again as he tried to light a fire for the water boiler.
“Gold, you’re being too hard on yourself.” Dusk said to him. “Not many ponies can be able to do magic at our age. You’ll get there.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Gold Star said. “Here, let me help you and Sister Lily with the laundry.”
“Why, thank you, Gold Star.” Sister Lily said as Gold Star came over to help them hang the laundry.
“I’m back.” I said as I finally made it back to the church.
“Hey, Silver. Aah!” Dusk said as he saw my dry eyes. “Whoa! Silver, your eyes are bloodshot! What happened?”
“Well, on my way back, I came across a mother having trouble with her child.” I said as I explained what happened while I was out. “I tried to help calm him down, but the foal just wouldn’t stop crying.”
“So that’s what happened.” Dusk said. “Well, you know that it doesn’t help if you were crying too, Silver.”
“I know, but, that poor foal. He…” I said as I felt myself about to cry again. “He…just seemed so upset.”
“Well then, you should’ve had me take care of it.” Gold Star said to me with a smile.
“Why you?” Dusk said to him.
“Well, I’m gonna be the Mystic King, right?” Gold Star said. “Calming down a baby or two has gotta be a piece of cake compared to that.”
“Really? Like the time you ‘calmed down’ my baby cousin?” Dusk said to him with nonchalant look on him.
“Hey, I was doing just fine and you know it!” Gold Star said to him angrily.
“You kidding me? You were rocking her around like a maniac!” Dusk said to him, just as angry. “It was all up to me to calm Sweetie Belle down ʹcause you made the whole situation worse!”
“Shut up, you!” Gold Star said as the two of them glared and growled at each other.
“Stop it! Both of you!” I yelled out as I started to cry again. “Please…stop. You’re friends. Friends don’t fight with each other. Just please.”
Both of them took a deep breath and then apologized to each other.
“Sister Water Lily.” Father said as he came over. “Sorry, I need to borrow one of the youngsters to run an errand for me.”
“Me, me, me, me! I’ll do it, Father!” Gold Star said as I looked to see him waving his arms around in the air and volunteering to do the errand.
“I need this letter delivered to the post office. It shouldn’t take too long.” Father said as he held up a letter with a red seal.
“Me! Me, me, me! Me!” Gold Star said, wanting to take the errand.
“It’s a very important letter.” Father said as he went pass the eager Gold Star and went to me. “Could you deliver it for me, Silver?”
Both Gold Star and I were shocked by this.
“What? Me?” I asked him. “Why?”
“Like I said, it’s a very important letter.” Father whispered to me. “It’s going to the Hooffields. I can’t trust it to Prince Gold Star for he’s the son of Princess Celestia and I’m worried about doing so. Please, just do it. I have to meet with mayor of Appleloosa. We won’t make it through the winter unless we can get some food from them. Our stores are low, the pop-potatoes we get from the Hooffields are especially low.”
“I’ll go.” Gold Star said nonchalant. “You can just stay here.”
I was unsure of myself. I’ve never done something like this before. I was so nervous. But then I realized that Father was right and knew what to do.
I nodded “no” and said “Father’s giving me this responsibility. So…I’m gonna take it.”
“Are you sure? You’ll be okay?” Gold Star said in concern.
“Of course. I’ll be fine.” I said and I then took the letter and went on to the deliver it. “I won’t be long.”
“Hey, I’ll come with you.” Dusk said as he went up to me. “I need to get home anyway. My house isn’t far from the post office, so I can be able to make sure you get home safe.”
“Great.” I said as the two of us then went off into Canterlot.
“You should get home, your majesty.” Father said to Gold Star. “Your mother will worry if you don’t return to the castle before the snow fall. I hear the pegasi missed the last scheduled snow fall so it will be extra cold today.”
“Right.” Gold Star said as he then went off to go home.
With us, snow had already covered the ground and me and Dusk had almost reached the post office, but I slipped and fell.
“Silver!” Dusk said as he went over to help me up. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I said to him as I got up and picked up the letter I dropped. “We should be more careful.”
“Yeah, the snow is really piling up.” Dusk said. “Let’s just get the letter to the post office.”
“Right.” I said as we then went on to deliver the letter.
At the post office, we gave it to the mailpony at the door. He thanked us and said that they’d deliver the letter as soon as possible. With that, we then said our goodbyes and left the post office.
“Well, that’s done.” Dusk said to me. “I should get home. It’s getting late. My mom must be worried.”
“Right. I should be going too. See ya, Dusk.” I said to him as I then started heading back to the church.
“Later, Silver. Be safe. I’ll see ya tomorrow.” Dusk said as he then went off to go home.
I was almost at the corner when I heard Dusk talking to someone. I turned around and saw him talking to this Pegasus stallion in front of him.
“Oh, sorry, sir.” Dusk said to him. “I didn’t see you there.”
I then watched as the stallion gave a creepy smirk and grabbed Dusk.
“Hey! What are you…” Dusk said as the stallion then took the pendent he was wearing. “Hey, my friend gave that to me! Give it back!”
“Sorry, kid. You snooze, you lose.” The stallion said as he then tossed Dusk to the ground.
“That’s mine!” Dusk said as he then charged at the stallion. “Give it back!”
“Darn brat!” the stallion said as he then smacked Dusk to the ground.
He then began beating up Dusk until he couldn’t get even move. Back then Dusk didn’t use his powers when he wasn’t El Dragon. He was too afraid to even use them. So, even though Dusk was a Fire Dragon, he couldn’t protect himself. In that fight, he was still a little colt who didn’t stand a chance against an adult. Nopony was around to see this so nopony could come and help him. I was absolutely terrified. I couldn’t even move. I was totally helpless as this guy just beat up one of the only friends that I have. But then I looked at Dusk as he managed to look over at me. He looked so sad and hopeless. But what really got me…was that he was crying. I could see the tears flowing out of his eyes. From that, something in me got me to move. I didn’t know why, but my body began to move on its own. From a simple walk, I then began to run right at him. I was just shocked by this. Why was I running? Why can’t I stop? Then I actually said something that I didn’t even know where it came from.
“Hey, you!” I yelled as I got the stallion’s attention. “Give that back! That belongs to Dusk!”
“Geez, another one?” the stallion said as he tried to keep me away from him with hoof, holding Dusk’s pendent with his wing. He then pushed me away and said “Get lost, kid.”
“I’m not going until you give that back to Dusk.” I said as I then tried to get the pendant back. “Now give it back!”
The stallion just smirked as he then smacked me and hit me in the gut, laughing as I crunched over.
“Silver Blade!” Dusk said in concern.
“Give that back to Dusk.” I said as I tried to get up. “I gave it to him. It belongs to Dusk.”
“Not anymore.” The stallion said, smugly. “I’ll get a nice chunk of change for this.”
“Give Dusk his pend—aah!” I said as he then pushed me away.
“Shut up!” the stallion said. “Respect you betters, you brat.”
“It’s ‘respect your elders’, you jerk.” Dusk said with whatever strength he had left.
“Quiet, you!” the stallion said as he smacked him again. “Filth like you or your friend deserve something as fine as this.”
“Leave him alone!” I said to the stallion as I tried to get back up. “Just give…it back. It’s my gift…to Dusk. Give it back.”
When I tried to use my wind magic, the stallion just laughed and said “You’ve got to be kidding! Am I supposed to be intimidated by the puny urchin and his puny spell? You fight me with that…and you die.”
With that, I just gave up and just cried. He was right. What could I do? I’m too weak to fight him and my magic wouldn’t be enough. It was hopeless, I just need to give…
“Dusk! Silver!” I heard a voice yell and looked to see that it was Gold Star, who came running and jumped at the stallion, but got smacked away and to the ground.
“Another brat?” the stallion said as Gold Star got back up.
“That belongs to my friend! Silver gave it to him!” Gold Star said as he charged at the stallion. “Give it back!”
Gold Star growled as he got a hold on the stallion, but got smacked away.
“Give it back right now!” Gold Star said as he tried to get the pendent back.
I was absolutely shocked by this. Gold Star came here and was trying to fight this guy to get Dusk’s pendent back.
“Get those filthy little claws off of me!” the stallion said as he tried to push Gold Star off. “Darn it! Stupid twerp!”
The stallion smacked him away, but Gold Star didn’t back down.
“I’m not done with you yet, jerk!” Gold Star said as he charged at him again.
“Hey!” the stallion said as he then smacked him away again.
“I’m still not d…” Gold Star said as he tried again.
“Persistent little bugger!” the stallion said as he smacked him away again.
“Still not done!” Gold Star said as he charged again.
“Stop, darn it!” the stallion said as he smacked Gold Star away again.
The same thing happened again and again and again and again and again. This whole time, Gold Star was not once giving up. He was willing to keep on going until his whole face was all bloody. I was only able to watch helplessly as it happened.
Then, at the last hit the stallion made, Gold Star then went up, grabbed the stallion, and yelled “I’m not done yeeeeet!”
Gold Star growled with anger as he stared at the stallion, his face covered in bruises with a tooth missing and a black eye and the stallion just looking at him horrified. After that, the stallion dropped the pendent and Gold Star let go of him.
“What the heck?” the stallion said as he walked away. “Darn brat wouldn’t give up. I got better things to do.”
After he left, I watched as Gold Star collapsed on the ground.
“Gold Star!” both me and Dusk said as he got up and we went over to him.
“Gold Star, are you alright?” Dusk said to him, just as worried as I was.
“I’m so sorry! It’s my fault!” I whimpered. “I should’ve…”
“Come on, don’t sweat it.” Gold Star said, smiling. “It’s like I said, I’ve always got your back. You know that.” I then watched as he used his legs to shove the pendent through the snow and over to the other side. “Here’s your pendent back, Dusk.”
“How did you know we were in trouble?” Dusk asked as he put the pendent back on.
“Well, I got worried and went out looking for you guys.” Gold Star answered. “Then I saw that guy beating you guys up and trying to steal your pendent and went in to help.”
“Thank you, Gold.” Dusk said to him.
This is what he always done. Gold Star had a way of making the impossible possible.
Back in the present, Dusk and I were amazed to see Gold Star with a Clover cutie mark and Starscream was both in fright and disbelief.
“But you don’t have any magic!” Starscream said as Gold Star stood there, holding the sword by the grip. “How could you have a Clover cutie mark and that sword? What kind of freak of nature are you?!”
I then watched as Gold stared at Starscream with a blank, soulless stare. Then he pulled the sword out of the ground and got ready to fight. Starscream roared out as he then summoned more chains and sent them at Gold Star. Gold Star lifted it to his side, twisted it to face flat, and took a slash at the chains. Just like that, the chains broke and disappeared. All of us were shocked by this.
“You took my spell and turned it…into your magic power?!” Starscream said as Gold Star then tightened his grip on the sword.
He then got ready to charge and, when he did, went off into a dash that broke the ground beneath him and went so fast that he was a blur.
“Even without traditional magic power,” Gold Star said as he reeled the sword back to attack. “I will be the Mystic King!”
Starscream screamed in fright as Gold Star closed in on him.
“My magic is never giving up!” Gold Star yelled as he then swung the sword.
The attack was so strong that it sent Starscream flying straight into the wall. He was left unconscious as all the chains then disappeared, freeing everypony who was trapped by them. Gold Star panted as he stood there, still holding the sword.
“Gold Star!” Dusk said as he went over to him. “That was amazing! Where’d you get that power from?”
“I always figured, if I can’t use magic, at least I can use my body.” Gold Star said. “I trained to build up strength and it looks like it’s finally paid off.”
“Boy, I’ll say.” Dusk said as he looked at the unconscious Starscream. “You’ve managed to leave the ex-captain of the Royal Guard unconscious.”
“Gold Star!” I said as he and Dusk looked at me.
There was a reason I hadn’t lost hope in Gold Star getting a cutie mark. It was because of what happened that day.
On that day, we were still there with Gold Star lying on the ground.
“Gold Star, hang in there!” I said as I continued to cry. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I’m so sorry.”
“This? Please. Don’t worry about it.” Gold Star said. “This is nothing. After all, I’m gonna be…the Mystic King, right? I’m gonna be the Mystic King.” Gold Star said. “I’ll keep you and everypony else safe. No more worrying about food or money. You’ll have everything you ever wanted.”
I was surprised by this. So was Dusk. I still couldn’t believe what he was saying.
“I’ll prove it. I’ll show them all.” Gold Star said.
“‘Show them?’ Prove what?” I asked.
“That it doesn't matter whether you’re royalty, a noble, or even poor, a commoner, and an orphan…” Gold Star answered. “You can still become the Mystic King.”
“You really think so?” I asked.
“Yeah.” Gold Star said.
“He’s right.” Dusk said as we looked at him. “It’s like my dad used to tell me. Doesn’t matter if you’re royalty, a noble, or high ranked like Gold or if you’re poor or a commoner like me, everypony has a chance to be something great.”
“Even…orphans?” I asked.
“Anypony can do it.” Gold Star said as he sat up. “As long as they’re willing to work hard.”
“Anypony?” I said, still unable to believe this.
“Even me.” Gold Star said as he and Dusk smiled at me. “Even Dusk. And even you.”
With all of this, I realized that they were right. What Gold Star said was true. Anypony can be the Mystic King as long as they work they’re hardest. Even me. Which means that I now had a goal of my own and I couldn’t waste time crying.
I then wiped my eyes, looked more serious, and said “I…I’m never going to cry again! I’ve decided.”
“What do ya mean?” Gold asked.
“Decided what?” Dusk asked as I stood up.
“I’ll do it too.” I answered. “I’m going to become the Mystic King. I’ll work hard and get strong so I can protect you and everypony else. I’ll do whatever it takes…and I’ll never give up!”
Back in the present, I smiled as Dusk and Gold Star came over to me with smiles.
“Check it out, Silver! I got a snazzy Clover cutie mark!” Gold Star said as he showed me his cutie mark. “And a sword too! Okay, it’s a little beat-up, but I’ll treasure it all my life anyway. I will!”
Then the sword glowed red and we all watched as it then shrunk and transform into a small spot in Gold Star’s palm. Then it spouted a line that flowed down to his wrist and spiral down to where it spot at the bottom of the back of his forearm. We then watched as the light faded and what formed became pitch black with the line now connecting to the new five-leaf clover mark in his palm. We were all surprised by this.
“Whoa!” Gold Star said, amazed by this. “Did you see that?”
“Looks like your power has made it easier to put your sword away.” Dusk said, smiling at Gold Star. “Now you can summon it whenever you need it.”
“Awesome!” Gold Star said in excitement. “Wait till Mom and Moon Dancer see this!”
“Yeah, I sense one heck of Cute-ceañera coming on!” Dusk said as I then smiled.
Looking at Dusk’s smiling face then reminded me of what he said on that day, the promise he made to us.
“So you want to be the Mystic King too, huh? Then I’ve made my decision as well.” Dusk said as he stood up me and Gold Star looked at him. “I’ve decided that I’ll work hard and get stronger until I can protect you two and everypony else. And…I won’t work alone. When the time comes, I will take on a partner. For the one who doesn’t become the Mystic King, I will allow them to work with me to protect Equestria. And I’ll be honored to work alongside the Mystic King I came to call my friend and an ally that is willing to stick by my side no matter what.”
“Well, then it’s settled.” Gold Star said to me as he got both of us under his arms in a huddle. “Dusk will be working with us and we’ll work on becoming the Mystic King.”
“Yeah.” I said as I smiled.
“Hm.” Dusk said as he smirked.
Back in the present, Gold Star cheered out for he finally got his cutie mark.
“Well…you saved me yet again.” I said to Gold Star as I walked pass him and stopped and end of path back to the city streets. “I will repay my debut one day.” I looked back at Gold Star as I said my next few words. “Gold Star…we made a promise. Do you remember?”
Back on that day I decided to become the Mystic King, both Gold Star and I made a vow to each other from when we begin our first step in becoming the Mystic King.
“And, because we both want to be the Mystic King, that means…” Gold Star said to me as we smiled at each other. “Silver Blade…”
“Gold Star?” I said.
“You are my rival!” we both said to each other at the same time.
Back in the present, Gold Star and Dusk looked at me in surprise before Gold Star said anything.
“I actually can’t believe you remember it.” Gold Star said as he and Dusk walked over to me. “The way you’ve been acting lately, I’m pretty sure you’d forgotten.”
“Yeah, so did I.” Dusk said. “Didn’t think you were still keeping it with the way you were.”
“Like I’d be friendly with somepony I consider my rival.” I said to them. “Gold Star, you showed me it was possible. Gave me hope. That, even though I’m a poor orphan commoner, I can still change my fate like you, the royal son of Princess Celestia. You even got Dusk to take one of us in to work with him, so now one of us can still be a part of something great. You showed us that, no matter who we are, we can still be able to make something of ourselves in this world. Dusk already prove that when he got Shield and the others, now it’s our turn. And to prove that…”
“To make Moon Dancer and everypony else happy…” Gold Star said.
With the sun setting and a hoof to claw bump, we both declared to each other “We’ll fight to see who will be the Mystic King, whatever it takes!”
We looked at Dusk as he smiled at us and we returned it.