//------------------------------// // Canterlot Royal Visit // Story: Crystal Horned Alicorn // by DeltaPow //------------------------------// Chapter 7: Canterlot Royal Visit A week has pasted and I am happy to that my abilities are growing. I am now able to maintain flying much better thanks to Rainbow Dash. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had me try some new things but didn't get any reaction to get my cutie mark. Twilight has got me better at multitasking with my magic and know some interesting basic spells, I am not close to getting shape shifting done. I was at the library now with spike and twilight."Since I been getting better, would you like to go to Canterlot with me?" I asked Twilight, "I was planning to go sooner but I am going tomorrow and staying there a few days. I will need a guide, and you are the best bet. Also I did get a message from your brother about how you are doing since you haven't really seen each other since the wedding. Maybe spike can come with me when you get a chance to talk to your brother." "Its true, I haven't taken the time to visit him. It might be a good idea, Why not." Twilight Decided. "We don't have much to do, I haven't seen the princess for a good visit." Spike added. "I also would have invited every pony but they couldn't come. Rarity has a major backup of commissions to fill, Applejack is handling business since Big mac is on a visit with one of the apple family farms to help, Rainbow Dash isn't interested since the wonder bolts are preforming in another location those days, Fluttershy doesn't want to not keep her animals alone too long as she doesn't have some pony to watch them. Pinkie Pie is foal sitting the Cake twins those days." I said disappointed. "Well it would have to be a date then." Twilight said. "Really?" Me and Spike responded in unison. "It is a Royal duty to keep a prince company." Twilight said joking. "Unless you don't want it a date." "Why not, it would be a change to see Canterlot together." I accepted. "No cuteze stuff ok." Spike demanded,we laughed at the comment. A plan was made to head out, 2 guards would stay with me until I get to the castle or wondering Canterlot til I returned to Ponyville. The rest remained at my home to keep an eye on it and make sure the Yellow flower was watered and get enough sunlight. Celestia was informed of my arrival and went ahead to ensure there was travel to Canterlot. I would use the tux Rarity made for me for the since to show off her ability to the high life again for tomorrow. Once we made all the plans and it was late so I went to bed and get a lot of rest for the day. I woke up with little effort, I felt very refreshed, taking a shower and getting my mane washed all the way to look nice, I went ahead and placed on the tux and my hat than I went downstairs the two guards where ready to follow me we made our way to the library to meet up with Twilight and Spike. "I am here, you two ready to go." I said at the door of the library, it was about 6 o clock in the morning so they should have ready by now. The door opened as twilight was in her gala gown. "We are ready Prince." Twilight said as she walked with me with spike on my back in his tux. "I wonder if we going to formal..." Spike said. "Well, if we are, then we are going in style" I responded. "Yeah I agree." Twilight added. It didn't take long to get to the train station, the train was arranged to be ready for us, it was only a three cart train which carried some supplies/mail and our cart to Canterlot. This would mean less weight and we would get to Canterlot much more shiftily. Which didn't take too long, once we got there, it seemed there was some fancy group of high living Ponies and Reporters where awaiting to see me. "I never going to get used to this." I stated, "Reporters make my skin crawl sometimes." "At least we are here to back you up." Spike said. "One hoof at a time." Twilight added the two guards took our sides as more royal guards from the castle was ensuring our path. We started to walk as flashing lights starting going off around us. It was like a red carpet event, I chuckled a bit. "Whats so funny?" Spike asked. "Well its a fact of irony because I would be on the other side of this." I told spike. We made it to the gate as a familiar voice commanded it to be opened. We walked in then they where closed. It seemed that Shining Armor gave that command, Princesses Cadance (Forget saying her other name) also welcomed us. "Nice to meet you Prince Ethan, nice to see you again Twilight." Princess Cadance Welcomed us. "Nice to meet you Princess Cadance, I am happy to be here... and glad I was well dressed for this unknown event." I responded. "Secrets are hard to keep up here in Canterlot." Twilight added. "Twilight, I am happy to see you sis." Shining Armor said. "Its been too long since the wedding." Cadance added. We walked into the castle, as all of them started sharing stories. We came to the throne room, which I broke off from the group and had spike join them. So I can talk to Luna and Celestia alone. "Oh, Prince Ethan, I am happy your here." Celestia said with luna in the room. The doors where closed behind me. "Its been good to come here and see you both again. I am happy to see that twilight had a chance to talk to her brother and sister in law." I said. "Good that you brought her with you, we where expecting every pony to be coming along to visit, why is that?" Celestia wondered. "Being short noticed, the other friends where unable to join us, me twilight and spike came." I answered. "Well, how are you doing Ethan, ever since I visited you I gave you a lot to sink in. I wanted to make sure you didn't get overwhelmed." Luna stated in worry. "I am happy I know it allows me to piece things together. It shows what I have figured out so far." I reassured Luna. "What have you learned so far?" Celestia asked. "I believe that the barrier protecting your realm, is solar's spirit.. Only a Alicorn of the original siblings would be powerful enough to protect your realm. It would make me believe that your realm has been in peace for so long and not effected by outside influence." I informed Celestia. "That's a interesting Observation, That would make sense why Solar had to take major actions." Celestia stated in interest. "Your spells brought me into your realm, since I was a part of my former self, that shard was born into the Alicorn you see today. Even in many years this realm was promised another Alicorn to be the balance... that's what I can tell." I added. "What about the barrier? Is it still in place?" Luna asked. "I believe so, or the original would have come to check on me. Maybe aware of the barrier and a step ahead. He chooses to not try to break the seal I believe. It still a question, why did I enter the barrier in the first place, Even that makes me wonder." I said. "Maybe Solar's spirit allowed you in... your mind allowed you access and once you where in ensured the spells where done just right to revive you as Alicorn and made you the age you are now." Celestia stated. "That would fill in the gaps. I know I have a long way to go." I said. "You are making great progress." Luna stated. "With the help of Twilight Sparkle and her friends, I am getting far. Your Student is a great Teacher." I stated as it was being directed to Celestia. "Her studies as placed her far, I am happy she can be such a guiding voice for you as well as her friends." Celestia Responded to me. A knock on the door, We all told to enter, The rest of the group had come back to see if my meeting is done. "Ah, Twilight Sparkle my most faithful student its nice to see you again, Ethan has told me great things about you." Princess Celestia Welcomed Twilight. "He been very helpful and kind ever since he came to Equestria." Twilight said, It made me smile respectfully. "Even he has provided interesting new ways for royal guards to operate with those they protect." Shining Armor added. "He also been role model for all the fillies specially the ones without a cutie mark in Ponyville." Spike informed. "I have been a impact to Ponyville, being respectful and not being high and mighty regardless of my title" I added. "So far, I am impressed with our new Prince's actions. The other princesses have also been pretty hesitant at first but happy with Ethan's Progress." Cadance added. "Which is only stating I am earning respect with every pony royalty or otherwise." I commented. "It's a very good achievement." Luna said. "Which the Gala will be a major start for you Prince Ethan, As all the royalty will be attending. They have stated they wish to meet the new prince." Celestia stated. "Its arrangements will have to settled as it will be the biggest Gala in Equestrian history." "Which something I can't miss, it might cause a horrible uproar if I am not there." I stated. "Indeed" Luna agreed. "So we will have the plans ready ahead of time, a week before the Gala starts Luna and myself will be there to help you each step of the way." Celestia stated, "I believe every pony must be hungry, food should be ready in the dining hall." We all went to the Dining hall to eat. It seemed a few ponies joined us, it was idle chat about the gala setup and who will be the organizers which Twilight seemed to be excited as she will be ensuring that everything is in place. As well she be assigning the entertainment and décor. The Apple Family from 4 different farms will be helping with Catering. I will be working with Celestia and Luna directly, some well known Ponies will helping in for events. A royal council is being held as well during the Gala as Issues have been happening often which I will be there to see how royal issues are handled the Princesses asked that I join them in this so I can see if I can help solve issues that arise. Spike was eating gems since he was a dragon after all. The rest of us where having our first course which was a very interesting potato soup with a rich spice. "This Potato soup is very well made. The spice really gives it a kick." I stated after I took a spoon with my telekinesis to have some more. "The Spice is hard to come by, as its not commonly grown in Equestria." The chef said what seemed to be a French Accent he was a griffin. "I see, its very interesting taste." I complemented. The second course seemed to be a salad with tomato slices, I thought, 'at least Equestria has very good spices. I am not really much of a salad eater... maybe potato... just not much salads.' "Something has occurred to me, about these inter-royal issues anyway?" I asked. "Land ownership, money stipends and some cases arrangement of royal marriages to stop feuds." Luna answered. "Before I returned, it seems much disarray was in the royal line." "It something I have learned to oversee and call meetings to keep the peace. It starts with a minor joke to another royal, sometimes it will be taken with extreme measures." Celestia added. "So far my Entry as a new royal had added a new balance or disruption to this order?" I asked with concern. "It has greatly brought much peace to the royals since your a rare type of Alicorn." Cadance answered. "With new things you bring, it adds harmony to the royal family." Shining Armor Added. "I hope that I am not planned to be arranged for marriage..." I said in fear. "I don't think that will be allowed since I will have something to say about it, they might get you into marrying with your consent." Celestia stated and Luna nodded... Twilight did seem to not like that. "I hope I don't NEED to marry anyone, I prefer to love than stuck in a marriage I don't want. I happy that I am well protected if I keep myself in check when dealing with other royalty." I stated relaxed. "I agree its the same thing that placed me into marrying Shining Armor." Cadance said as she looked at Shining Armor, Twilight and spike grinned at them. Making Shining Armor blush. "It was unclear in your message, how long will you be staying?" Celestia asked me. "Today and tomorrow, then heading back to Ponyville." I answered. "Twilight and I are going to show the Prince around Canterlot." Spike Added. The meals where over as we left the dining hall. Walking with the group back to the throne room where we exchanged details of the years before I came to Equestria, some which interested me. Shining Armor and Princess Cadance had to leave on personal matters. As Twilight, Spike, Luna, Celestia and Myself where laughing in the throne room from some basic silliness. "I can't believe how much fun we are having." I commented still laughing at Luna making a very silly face. "Who says we can't have fun one in a while." Celestia giggled and Spike was laughing pretty hard. "No pony did say royals couldn't have fun." Twilight was giggling as well. I started to make a face as well which made Luna was unable to hold hers which made her laugh as well. "The fun has been doubled." Luna stated Laughing. "I wonder what the guards are thinking." I added. "They might be thinking we are tickling the princesses." Spike added. "I have an idea... every pony be quiet. Luna, when I ask you we are going to see if the guard to see what is funnier make that face again. I am going to be very serious about it." I informed as they all went quiet and went to normal talking. I went out of the throne room with 2 confused looking guards. I asked one of them to come in closing the door behind us walking to the group. "I want your honest opinion, how funny do you think this looks like as I pointed to Luna." Once I said that, Luna made very silly face as much as possible. The Guard was trying to hold in his laughter so he didn't disrespect royalty. "I don't think he thinks its funny enough." Spike said giving me a feather he had on his hat as I started to tickle the guard with a feather, he starting laughing hard. We joined in on the laughing as we slowed down the laughing I asked the guard. "What do you think? Honestly." I said with a smile. "Its funny, I never thought Luna would make that type of face." guard said. "ok, keep this between us ok."I demanded. "Yes." guard agreed and went back to his post smiling. "How long do you think he be able to keep it a secret." I asked. "Not long.." They said as they heard 2 laughs coming from the other side of the door. After that, It was late and Luna needs to watch Equestria. So we all went to our rooms as I started to talk to twilight on the way there. "I enjoyed today, I hope that tomorrow is great time. That image of Luna's silly face will be remembered forever." I said. "I never expected it from Luna to be silly, maybe she never got a chance to show it. Royals have to be on a standard to every pony. I think it was good to get a good laugh." Twilight said. "That was fun, gehh." Spike made a silly face which me and twilight chuckled. "Good night, Twilight." I said to Twilight. "Good night, Ethan." She responded to me. Twilight and spike head into the other guest room, I took off the tux and hang it in the dresser. Taking a shower and brushing my teeth. I thought, 'I wonder how everything went with her and her brother. They must have gotten to talk since of the wedding.' as I went to sleep. "Hey silly, why are you just sitting there?" Twilight said as I was on a floating island, it was clearly a dream. "Come on Ethan lets go" as Twilight jumped off the island "Wait!.."I yelled as I rushed to the edge, but she was flying with wings. She was a alicorn now for some reason. "Its so much fun flying, come on!" She insisted. 'Well why not... this is a dream.' as I leapt off and started to fly. It was very easy than the other times I was trying to learn to fly.. it was so much fun. "How long have you been flying? Keeping it a secret from me?" I asked. "I just started... I never thought it was so much fun!" Twilight responded flying around. "Want to go faster?" I asked. "Gladly!" Twilight took off as I went to follow her. Our Path was through many islands that where in the sky. It was clear, She was enjoying herself, the question is... if we where sharing a dream. We landed on the island. "That is such a rush, Its so much fun." She said, "I can see how rainbow dash have so much fun... I wish this wasn't a dream." "A dream?, It as to be more than that?" I asked. "I... wish this wasn't... Somethings are better left in dream." Twilight said ashamed. "Hey, If its a dream and I am in it, why not let fill me in? I might be interested to hear them from you." I asked, "What if, I am having the same dream? It may not be so silly than you think." "Something like this is hard to become, its based on our birth. Being a Alicorn... Being a Princess must be amazing.. I am just a unicorn." She stated. "Don't sell yourself short Twilight, I might not be here, But I am not here to be around some pony with regret that she had to hide. You are a Special Pony, you got to be Taught by the best teacher in all of Equestria. You saved Equestria many times, leading your friends, letting them know. If you hide anything form those that would like to know... It can harm your friendship." I said. "If you really want to fly, then you need to fight for it. Reach the unreachable, Break the unbreakable. Your skills and your friends can help you." "Thank you." She said cuddling me, smiling with tears down her cheeks. "Remember this and never forget." I said as I woke up. I waited there laying in the bed. Thinking, 'I hope that was more than a simple dream.' It was still late. I heard a knock at the door, It was Twilight. "Ethan, you awake?" She asked. "Yes, something wrong?" I asked in response, as she came in the room, closing the door behind her. "I had a interesting dream that had you in it. I just woke up that I needed to talk to you." Twilight said. I turned around on the bed to be closer to her as she sat on a cushion. "How is it when you fly?" She asked. "Its a wonderful feeling, did you have a dream about it?" I asked. "Yes, I had a feeling what it would be like to be a Alicorn." She answered. "I see, what happened in the dream?" I asked. Twilight went ahead and in detailed just stated the same dream I had until I said 6 words. "Reach the unreachable, Break the unbreakable." I said. "So it wasn't a dream afterall." "You had the same dream?" Twilight said. "Yes, but it started when you started to talk to me." I answered with a smile. "what does that saying come form?" Twilight asked. "It was to a song that I don't recall any of the lyricsbut that line... It means to not give up, even if you can't reach your goal, you keep trying anyway." I said. "I see... there was a spell that was very hard to use to allow a earth bound pony to fly so we could watch Rainbow Dash do her first recorded sonic rainboom. I couldn't do it correctly and the wings that Rarity got, broke apart when she flew too close to the sun." Twilight informed me. "Maybe you need another unicorn... or Alicorn to help focus the spell. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor did preform that feat to help focus and repel the changeling queen and her subjects?" I asked. "Your right, So I don't need to strain myself... If I accepted help to link the focus and not be dependent on my own focus and energy I could do a perfected cast." Twilight said excited. "Maybe we can do it once I get to your level of skill twilight.. be a true test of our skills with magic." I suggested. "Lets... well I going back to my bed its still pretty late. I am heading to bed, there is a long day of showing you around Canterlot." She said she left the room with a smile. I went ahead to get more sleep, which didn't start a dream. I was woke up by spike. "Hey Ethan, you alive? The Princess wanted me to tell you to head to the throne room once you awaken."Spike said. "You know why?"I asked as I woke up and took a shower. "I dunno, it seems to be something about magic.. maybe something they want to show you." Spike assumed. "hope so, I better just head there." I said getting out of the shower and quickly drying off then placing my hat on. As I left the room spike hopped on my back and I head to the throne room. There was many spheres on the floor all over the place... they seemed to be made of metal, each about 50 pounds each. I got there and Celestia and Twilight where there. The Standard private session that we had but Luna was most likely asleep right now. "Ethan, Its good that you are here. I wanted to see how well you are in using basic magic... Twilight said you where doing very well. I setup a test to see how far you are." Celestia told me. "This is the same test Twilight took a few months before heading to Ponyville for the first time... but I never seen this many Spheres when Twilight was taking this test." Spike added. "What is the objective of the test?" I asked. "This test your skills in basic magic but you will be doing more than that. If you can keep up with the load." Celestia said, "You may start when you are ready." as Spike jumped off my back I head for the center of all the spheres. There where 25 of them.. It was clear that I can't hold them all in the air at once, they would be too heavy... then it came to mind, 'use magic to make the spheres in a circle and apply some force on the sphere to keep them up using less focus on each sphere and maintain them.' I started to move all the balls on the floor in place in a circle and lift them with some force on each object, maintaining them in air and having very minor strain on my focus. Keeping them in the air. It was clear that I was supporting the load. "That's good, you not only passed... you pretty much defeated the test, my student taught you well Prince Ethan. Very few unicorns can even maintain over 300 pounds but you maintain 1250 pounds by using their weight to support each other." Celestia said with Twilight being very proud of me. "Twilight has been keeping me fully trained on doing multitasking, that help allow me to manage that weight without much worry princess." I said. "Even Twilight didn't maintain 650 pounds for long when she was tested..You completely acted like they didn't effect you at all." Spike stated as twilight and Celestia walked to us. "Sorry to bring this test out of nowhere but I wanted to see your skill and where it is at." Celestia apologized. "No worried Princess Celestia, it was a true test of focus but also mind and logic." I grinned. "I am happy that I was so helpful with your test." Twilight added. "Defeat the undefeatable." I responded to Twilight statement. "It is something to remember Twilight." "Right." Twilight said as she smiled to me. "Well, I am impressed, I got other royal duties to handle, please go ahead and see Canterlot with Twilight and Spike." Celestia said as the she handled removing the weights. Walking out of the throne room we went to the Royal garden. "This place is great. I wonder if Fluttershy came here." I wondered. "She did, and it wasn't pretty... the animal's were afraid of her and she reacted a little crazy." Spike said. "Well during the wedding, she really was able to connect with them slowly. Its because of all the royal ponies being mean to them. I would understand their fear." Twilight said. "Its a very nice place..." I said. "lets continue on shall we." Spike suggested as he pointed. We walked that way where he pointed it placed us at one of the libraries at the castle. "Nice choice Spike, This is where I studied before I went to Ponyville." Twilight informed. "Its much bigger than the ponyville library, is this the only one?" I asked. "Not really, there are many in the castle and more in Canterlot. Canterlot has more unicorns in overall residents than any other pony type." Spike answered. "Most are magical or historical, since Canterlot was one of the first settlements when Equestira was founded." Twilight told me. "When we get back to Ponyville you should tell me in more details of the founding of Equestira" I suggested. We explored more of the castle, avoiding exiting it as there might be a crowd of reporters ready to mob us with questions. Twilight was aware I wasn't all to comfortable having to much attention like this so she kept it form a distance. We saw Shining Armor and Cadance walking around as we meet up with them, it was almost sunset. "Hello there." Princess Cadance Greeted us we returned a smile. "How is the tour of the Castle going Ethan." Shining Armor said. "Its very nice.. saw pretty much everything, we are staying inside the castle so not be mobbed by reporters... Its one of those things I prefer being in a war than overwhelmed by reporters... it makes me uneasy and blinded." I responded to Shining Armor. "Twilight has been very detailed on the tour and I pleased I know more than I did." "I know what you mean." Princess Cadance Agreed. "So how is my Brother and Sister doing?" Twilight asked. "We been doing very well, Never really left each other side since the wedding Twilight." Shining Armor Answered. "I can understand why, no one likes a invader in their lives. It made you closer." I stated. "Oh I heard you can maintain 1250 pounds with your magic, well done, that's above mine on record of 233 pounds on my first test." Shining Armor stated. "Is this test a common for unicorns to take?" I asked. "And Alicorns when they are in school of magic its a good way to measure their progress." Cadance stated. "A common measurement of a standard unicorn for their first test is about 50 pounds." Spike informed me. "Who had the highest record of this test?" I asked. "about 100,000 pounds but it was only maintained for 10 seconds. It was Celestia herself... after that was about 72,000 pounds and that was Luna, then star swirl the bearded was able to handle 35,000 pounds for a 32 seconds..." Twilight stated. "The Father of the Animomorphic Spells?" I asked. "Yes, it is. I take it you read the book about obscure unicorn history " She said. "Ya, it was something on the side since it something I am trying to get a understanding of to have a natural ability to use those spells." I responded. "Well at least some pony will read the book." Twilight said as she stared at Spike as he whistled in reaction. "Twilight lets go see if Luna is around, nice seeing you two again." I bid farewell as we moved into the throne room to see that Luna was indeed awake and glad to see us. "Hello Luna, how are you?" I asked. "I am very good to see you again." She responded as she teleported right next to me, which spooked me. "Are you alright?" "Fine, just surprised when you did that." I said as rest of them chuckled. "Anything you want to ask?" Luna wondered. "Its something I wanted to ask you about, is it common for linked dreams to take place between two ponies?" I asked. "Its very rare but it has happened with couples that has a unicorn/alicorn partner. Its sometimes a connection between the two. It can be a very exciting experience as its been told, why do you ask?" Luna said. "because last night I had a linked dream with twilight." I informed Luna. "I see, It might not be the last... be careful Prince Ethan and Twilight Sparkle. A link dream can happen again but it may not be the same outcome as one you had before. It can be quite dark and maybe with other ponies you know." Luna warned us. "I see, we will take that into account in the future." Twilight understood Luna. "Also, I must know... what was the dream about." She asked, we looked at each other to see if we wanted to shared.. "Flying on some floating islands... there was no real clear place it seemed fake but flying together it felt so amazing." I responded. "together? So you where carrying Twilight?" Luna asked. "I was flying independently but together in a group, like I had wings and my horn as well." Twilight said. "I see, It does sound like it was much fun." Luna smiled. "It was.." I added. "Just talking about dreams is making me sleepy" Spike said yawning starting to nap on my back, "Please let me fall asleep right here." as me and twilight Smiled. "We should head to bed, we heading back to Ponyville tomorrow." I said to Luna. "Sweet Dreams." Luna added returning back to the throne. We walked back, twilight and I where silent. After dropping off Spike in his small bed I told twilight, "Good night." She hugged me saying, "I had a wonderful day, thank you for inviting me to come along. Good Night Ethan." as she let me go and slowly closed the door.