//------------------------------// // Chapter X: Making a New Friend: The Sparkle Family // Story: The Young Prince of Equestria // by GoebelTron //------------------------------// After two weeks later, Bowen and Flying Hope have been keeping contact through mail. Even though Flying loves her new home, she would always tell Bowen how much she misses him, and he told her that he misses her too but he was happy that she’s doing fine, and was still hoping that sometime she and her family could come over to visit, or if he could go over to visit her in Manehattan, which sounded like an amazing place, except he’d have to wait until he’s old enough to explore more of Equestria. The next day, Bowen got out of bed, and put his clothes on, but until he left the room, his mother looked down at him. “Hello there, dear. How are you this morning?” she asked. “I’m fine, Mommy,” Bowen replied. “How about after breakfast, I take you to see the royal guards training camp, and we can meet the new recruit?” Princess Celestia asked. “Really?! You mean it?!” Bowen asked. Celestia giggled, and then she leaned over to kiss him gently on his forehead, “Yes, my son. I thought it would be a perfect day for you to meet the royal guards in training and maybe see how I like to keep them well worked out and organized in perfect shape.” Bowen then got onto her back and they went to the dining hall for breakfast, as the plates consisted pancakes with mixed berries, whipped cream and fresh maple syrup. “They’re really good, Mommy,” Bowen said. “Thank you, sweetheart. I’m glad you like them,” Celestia said, as she enjoyed her pancakes as well. Suddenly, Bowen finished his plate. “Are you finished, sweetie?” Celestia asked, until Bowen nodded in reply, and then when Bowen finished getting ready, they both went to the royal guards training camp to check on the recruiting guards that were training and practicing their fighting and defense skills. Bowen was amazed about how hard they were training to be guards for their princess. Bowen then saw Captain Silver Spear up ahead, “Mr. Silver Spear!” He ran up to him and then gave the captain a hug, until Silver Spear hugged him back. “Hello there, Prince Bowen,” he said. “Good morning, Captain,” Princess Celestia said, as she placed Bowen on her back. “Good morning, your highness,” Silver Spear replied. “What brings you and the young prince out here?” “I just wanted to show my son how I get your troops in top shape,” Princess Celestia said, until she saw one of the rookies training excellently with amazing confidence in his eyes. He was a unicorn stallion with white fur, streaked blue mane and tail, blue eyes, blue hooves, and he had a cutie mark of a dark blue shield with a pink star in the middle and three light blue stars on top. “That must be one of the recent newest recruits,” Princess Celestia said. “You mean Shining Armor?” Silver Spear asked. “Can I meet him?” Bowen asked. “Of course, my boy. Come, let me introduce you to our other recruits before we get to him,” Silver Spear replied as he let Bowen ride on his back. While the rookies were training, they suddenly heard their commanding officer speak up, “Attention!” The rookies lined up and then both Celestia and Bowen saw how well they were doing. “I’m really impressed with their efforts, captain,” she said. “Thank you, your highness. Now, do any of you remember why you’ve decided to sign up and join our ranks?” Silver Spear asked. “To defend the princess and her son and be on guard, sir!” they all replied in unison. “Excellent. Now, which of you are willing to accept their duty if any of you have the guts to do it? But do any of you have what it takes?!” Silver Spear said. “Of course we do, sir!” they replied again, as their captain smirked. “Good. Glad you remember your sworn honor and duty. Now, I’d like you all to meet the princess, Celestia, and her son, Bowen Mockingjay, the Young Prince of Equestria.” The rookies saluted towards their majesties, and Bowen waved at them. “It’s okay, honey. I’m right here,” Celestia said. “Before I dismiss you… If one of you is Shining Armor! Front and center!” Shining Armor went over to the captain and saluted himself. “The rest of you, dismissed!” The rookies left, leaving only the captain, Shining Armor, Princess Celestia and her son. “What can I do for you, sir?” Shining Armor asked. “It’s not what I need. It’s what she needs,” Silver Spear replied, leaving Princess Celestia to take care of the rest. “Shining Armor, I’d like you to meet my son, Bowen Mockingjay.” “So, you’re the Young Prince, huh?” Shining Armor asked. Bowen nodded, “Y-Yes, I am. It’s nice to meet you.” “Hey, it’s okay. I won’t hurt you,” Shining said, as he ruffled his hair gently with his hoof. Bowen blushed and then giggled as he hid underneath his mother all cutely. “Shining, I was wondering if you could teach my son how to defend himself, and how to use these,” Celestia said, showing him Bowen’s wooden sword and shield from his 5th birthday. “I don’t think I have a problem with that,” Shining Armor said. “I may be a recruit, but I might be able to teach him the royal guard way.” “Thank you, Shining Armor. But promise me you’ll be careful. Bowen’s very sensitive to this,” Celestia said. “I understand,” Shining said, until he looked down at Bowen and let him ride on his back. “Why don’t we get started? And we can do something fun afterwards?” “Okay,” Bowen replied, and then Celestia and Silver Spear left to let them both get started. After setting up for practice, Bowen got ready as he was equipped with his wooden sword and shield, and Shining Armor stood back to watch Bowen perform. “Okay, Bowen. I want you to watch how I use this sword with my magic, and then I want you to try it out, okay?” Shining Armor explained. “Okay,” Bowen said. “Alright, now watch and learn,” Shining said, as he used his magical aura from his horn and performed some sword maneuvers for Bowen to use as he used a hologram of a swordsman fighting against Shining Armor, and then Shining caught the hologram off guard and defeated him by delivering a blow. “Wow!” Bowen said. “Okay, now you try. But I’m gonna let you try it out on this,” Shining said, as he brought out a training dummy and equipped it with a wooden sword and shield as well, and then he performed a magic spell to let it help Bowen learn how to fight. Once Bowen was ready, he charged forward and swung his sword at the dummy, before it blocked his sword with its sword. Bowen then blocked the attack after raising his shield and then delivered a blow with his sword, and defended himself by using the same technique that Shining Armor used the sword with, until a few guards and the rookies watched him train harder, until Shining got tired and then let Bowen finish off the dummy by poking his sword on its chest. “You’re dead! I win! I win!” Bowen happily said. “Great job, buddy,” Shining Armor said. “Thank you,” Bowen said, as he got onto Shining’s back and they went over to the castle but stopped for ice cream first. “Shiny, what kind of guard do you plan on being?” Bowen asked. “I was thinking Captain of the Royal Guard,” Shining Armor replied. “Really?!” Bowen asked. “Yep. But I’m gonna have to wait until I get a promotion, or if I get into lieutenant or sergeant or commander, you know, something that might suit me,” Shining Armor said. “Okay,” Bowen said. “Thanks for helping me.” “Anytime, kiddo,” Shining Armor said, until he and Bowen saw Cadance and her friends walking over to the castle. One was a pegasus mare with light gray fur, a brushed and two sided curled mane and tail with streaks of pale light grayish cerise, moderate rose, and brilliant crimson, light azure blue eyes and a cutie mark of a red brilliant-cut gemstone. Her name was Diamond Rose. The other was a unicorn mare with light yellow fur, a pale light grayish cerulean mane and tail with moderate cyan streaks, light cerulean eyes, and a cutie mark of three cerulean brilliant-cut gemstones. Her name was Lemony Gem. Shining Armor saw how beautiful Cadance was as he saw her eyes sparkling like crystals. “Cadie!” Bowen said. “Bowen! How’s my sweet little cutie of a cousin?!” Cadance said, while hugging her favorite cousin, until she saw Shining Armor standing there. “Oh! Hello, I didn’t see you there.” He suddenly cleared his head and nervously giggled while blushing. “S-Sorry…” Shining Armor said. “Oh, it’s okay,” Cadance said, until her friends suddenly saw how cute Bowen looked. “Aww... who’s this little cutie?!” Diamond Rose asked sweetly, as she flew over to Bowen and gently hugged him towards her chest while flying. “This is my little cousin Bowen... the Young Prince of Equestria,” Cadance said. “How come you’ve never told us?!” Diamond Rose replied while hugging the boy, before smothering his face with kisses. “I promised my aunt to keep it a secret because other ponies might get suspicious,” Cadance replied. “Yeah! He even trained me how to fight like a knight! Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!” Bowen said, swinging a stick like it was a sword. “Twice as cute!” Lemony Gem said. “Aww… that was so sweet of you,” Cadance said. “Aww, it was nothing really,” Shining Armor said, until Cadance got closer to him with a flirtatious look in her eyes. “No, really. I’m really glad you’re teaching my sweet cute little cousin how to defend himself. Thank you.” She then kissed Shining Amor on the cheek, causing him to blush a deeper shade of red. “Bowen, I’d like you to meet my friends from school. This is Diamond Rose and Lemony Gem,” Cadance said. “It’s nice to meet you,” Bowen said. “It’s very nice to meet you too, sweetie,” Diamond Rose said, while she kissed his nose. “Diamond, you might want to let him breathe,” Lemony Gem said. “Oh, Lemony Gem, don’t be so sour! I’m just enjoying the moment!” Diamond Rose said, as she put him down before Cadance put Bowen on her back. “We’re gonna head home, Cadance. We’ll see you tomorrow,” Diamond Rose said again. “Okay, girls. Goodnight,” Cadance said, as Bowen waved at them, until Lemony Gem waved back and Diamond Rose gave a blow kiss to him. “Goodbye, little prince!” they replied in unison, and then, both Cadance and Shining Armor took Bowen for some ice cream. Inside Cadance’s bedroom, Bowen was drawing some pictures until he suddenly noticed that Shining couldn’t take his eyes off of Cadance. “Do you like him, Cadie?” Bowen asked. “Yes, sweetheart. We’re in love,” Cadance replied. “How’d you meet him?” Bowen asked, as he sat on his cousin’s lap. “We met this year in school. Except I was with a complete jerk named Buck Withers. He was so mean to Shining Armor and his friends. I noticed that he had feelings for me, which was very sweet, so I thought if I could get to know him and probably go to the formal with him, which we did. We even got named the prince and princess of the formal,” Cadance explained. “I couldn’t resist that beautifulest face and that gorgeous mane of hers, and when I look at her, I see a spark in her eyes,” Shining Armor said, causing Cadance to blush. “By the way, Bowen? I also have a little sister who’s around your age. I’m sure you’ll get to meet her someday.” Bowen nodded, and then he yawned and rubbed his eyes, until Cadance held him against her chest and let him rest his head on her neck. “Okay, sweetheart. Let’s get you into bed. I can read you a bedtime story.” “Okay,” Bowen said, as he was really exhausted. “Shining, promise me you’ll treat Cadie like the beautiful lady she is? Because I like her when she’s around you better.” “You can count on me, buddy. I’ll take care of her,” Shining replied. “Alright, sweetheart. Let’s go,” Cadance said as she walked Bowen to his bedroom. One day, during his tutoring lesson with Professor Bookworm, Bowen was continuing with learning how to write letters and numbers with a quill pen and took his time. Until he finished the page he was on, there was suddenly an explosion that came from outside. He looked and saw a sonic rainboom. “Whoa!” he said, until he then saw a giant big purple dragon on a rooftop at his mother’s school. He was scared that his mother might be hurt, but Professor Bookworm comforted him with a hug, “Don’t worry, your highness. I’m sure she’ll be alright.” Bowen nodded, and then after everything was calmly taken care of, Bowen and the professor continued his tutoring until Celestia would return. Later on, Bowen was finished with tutoring with Professor Bookworm, and then he went to see his mother, until she saw him entering the throne room, “MOMMY! YOU’RE OKAY!” He hugged both her legs and nuzzled with her fur. “Shhhhhh… Hush, my son. I’m fine. It was just an magical accident,” she said. “There’s also something I need to discuss with you.” “What is it, Mommy?” Bowen asked. “Bowen, earlier today, I’ve met a little filly who passed a test for acceptance to my school for gifted unicorns. She’s also now my new faithful student, but I promise she’s not replacing Sunset Shimmer. She’s also very eager to meet you, so I let her come by tomorrow with her family to visit us and get a chance to meet you,” Celestia explained. “Okay, Mommy,” Bowen said, and then he hugged his mother one more time and went to bed. “I promise you two will be great friends with each other,” she said, and then looked at her sister’s moon. “If only you were here to see how proud your little nephew is growing up into a true prince, sister.” The next day, Bowen was sitting on his mommy’s back as she laid on her cushion in her bedroom, waiting for her new student and her family to arrive. She told her son to stay relaxed. Suddenly, a guard came in the room, “Princess Celestia, Prince Bowen, they are here. May I let them pass?” “Yes, please,” Princess Celestia said. The guard nodded and exited the room. Then, four ponies entered the room. Bowen saw Shining Armor, and the filly next to him who was his mom’s new student. “Is that her, Mommy?” Bowen asked. “Yes, sweetheart. Bowen, I’d like you to meet Twilight Sparkle and her family, Night Light, Twilight Velvet, and you recognize your friend Shining Armor,” Celestia said. Bowen waved at the ponies, until he looked at his mother’s new student and her family. Twilight had light grayish lavender fur, and her mane was dark blue with violet and pink streaks along with her tail, and her eyes were purple and were really cute. Her cutie mark was a pink star with 5 little stars around it. She was so cute and like Sunset Shimmer, she seemed to be a hardcore student for his mother. Her dad had blue fur and a deep blue mane and tail, and her mother looked like her, except she had light gray fur and her mane was a striped mix of light violet and white in a straight curl. In Bowen’s eyes, they seemed to be like a happy family, and it helped him relax more. “Ummm… h-hello,” he said nervously. Twilight immediately went over there, and then she jumped and stood in front of him. “Wow! What are you? Are you an ape or monkey that evolved from them? If that’s the case, where’s your…” she was then brought back by her mother’s aura. “Be nice. That’s no way to talk to the prince, Twilight sweetheart. Now say you’re sorry, young lady,” Twilight Velvet said softly but sternly. Twilight, realizing she scared Bowen as he was hugging Celestia’s neck and burying his head underneath her mane, went over to the little prince feeling embarrassed about what she said to him, and spoke up, “Sorry, Prince Bowen. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just excited to meet you.” “That’s alright. You just reminded me of someone I once knew, but you’re okay. I’m glad to meet you too,” Bowen said, as he went over to the filly and gave her a hug, until he looked at her again. “And I’m not actually an ape or a monkey. Uhh… Mommy, what creature am I again?” “You’re a human, sweetie,” Celestia said. “Yeah, a human,” Bowen replied. “Please don’t be sad.” “Thank you, Bowen,” Twilight said, as she hugged him again and giggled with glee while walking back over to her parents. “My, my. You truly have an adorable little gentlecolt here, your highness,” Twilight Velvet said while ruffling Bowen’s hair with her hoof. Celestia nuzzled him with her muzzle, and then replied, “You can say that again, Velvet. He is my pride.” Bowen blushed like a tomato, and then felt Twilight Velvet wrap her hoof around him and bring him over for a hug. After that, the Sparkle family joined Celestia, Bowen and Cadance for some brunch. After brunch, Celestia was talking with Twilight’s parents, along with Shining and Cadance, Bowen and Twilight went over to his bedroom hang out. “Okay. So this is my room, and this is my bed,” Bowen said. “Wow, it’s huge and… full of stuff,” Twilight said, until she immediately noticed Bowen’s book collection. “Wow! Are those books yours?” “Mmhmm,” Bowen nodded. “So… you like to read?” Twilight asked. “Sometimes, but I usually like to play games with my friends,” Bowen said. “I had a good friend and she taught me until I came to enjoy it a lot.” “Great! I like to read too! A lot!” Twilight said. “After all, knowledge is usually everything!” “Wow! You even almost sound like my second best friend. Except she was a unicorn like you and really liked to study a lot,” Bowen said. “Really? Well, thanks,” Twilight blushed. “Is it okay if I ask you some questions?” “Sure,” Bowen said. “Besides, you’re like my old friend, always looking for knowledge, and I think I like you as my new friend already.” Twilight blushed again, considering the fact that she didn’t have many friends, in fact she didn’t have any friends at all. “Thanks. I… I like you too.” “Twilight? Do you want to be friends with me?” Bowen asked. “Sure,” Twilight replied, and then they did their question session while having a bowl of ice cream, and then they played a board game for fun, and read a few books.