//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: A New Home // Story: Royalty Unwanted // by Spalding //------------------------------// Equestria was just finishing the fall season, and the weather ponies had already allowed the first snow clouds to make their way into Canterlot. The Royal Gardens were beautifully covered in a blanket of powdered snow, each tree, bush, and pathway. Everything was as it should be, with the exception of one discordant figure covered in snow. The only part of his body showing above the snow was his horn. Morning rose like a flower opening its first bloom, the sun slowly and steadily rising and glazing the world in its radiance. The young pony was asleep, but with no signs of how he had arrived in Celestia’s and Luna’s private garden. Despite his luck in not being caught by the guards in the night, one of them immediately spotted the horn jutting out of a mound of snow in a corner of the garden by a large apple tree. “Intruder! Stray pony in the Royal Garden!” The guard was very excited with his discovery, this being the first breach of the Royal Palace grounds in many years. The guard rushed to the mound of snow, quickly digging away the little layer of snow to reveal the culprit of this peaceful morn. The other guards quickly arrived, the six of them creating a circle to prevent the invader’s escape. As they were about to uncover him, Celestia herself gracefully landed beside them, not letting them know her presence as of yet. The guards were very protective of her, and her being there might make the situation worse for the sleeping guest. “What in the name of Celestia?…” The largest of the guards looked in awe to see the uncovered pony to not be a normal pony, but an alicorn, having a pair of wings and a horn. It was a royal! “Guards, take him to the throne room. Our guest may not simply be an intruder as we thought.” On that note, she alighted to her castle, flying into her chambers, seeking to alert her sister Luna of their visitor. “You heard her majesty! Take this newcomer to the throne room!” The lead guard was still in awe of the find, but he was even more interested in what his majesty wanted to do with this uninvited guest. “Yes sir!” Three guards detached to take the apparently unconscious, not sleeping, royal to her lady’s throne room. The unconscious alicorn was wrapped in a warm blanket, lying in a cushion by the steps of Her Royal Highness’ throne. Celestia was deep in thought about how this pony arrived in she and her sister’s garden, unnoticed by the guards! It was a curious event, but nothing too serious, or at least not yet. Nopony knew what the colt’s intentions were. As she began to think of the possibilities of his motives, he began to stir. She stood up, prepared for whatever may happen. “Gah… Where am… Where am I?…” The blue colt was clearly disoriented and had no idea where he was. His head turned and swayed, his vision not clear after regaining his body. “You are in my palace.” Her voice was benevolent and kind, even though this newcomer could be as hostile and disastrous as Discord himself. “We found you in our garden.” “Palace? Garden? Where am I? I don’t understand… Everything is so new to me.” He turns and looks to the princess, eyes stunned and glazed over, like a baby seeing for the first time. The colt was clearly not a threat. He was completely lost. “You truly don’t know where you are?” Celestia’s concern was obvious. “You are in Equestria. My name is Princess Celestia. You are in my palace in Canterlot.” “Equestria… Canterlot? I've never heard of any of these places! My name is… I don’t know my name…” The colt’s body trembled. He was completely afraid of this place. He had no idea where he came from, where he really was, or how he even arrived. A tear slowly welled up in his left eye. “My lady, who am I?…” On that note, the princess left her throne and sat beside this unfortunate pony. She enveloped him in her right wing. “I’m sorry, but that is the very reason we brought you here. A guard found you in his early morning patrol and found you in the snow. You weren't conscious.” Her voice had a sound of compassion. She was the most wondrous and genuinely kind ruler the colt ever met. Of course, she was the first one he had met too. “I will help you as much as I can. I promise I will help you.” The sounds of another pony entering the grand room echoed. The clops were almost quiet on the marble floors, for the grace of each step was clear. Like the steps of wind at night. “Sister, do we know who our guest is?” At this point, the colt began to tremble terribly, although he had only met one more person in this awakening, it was all too fast for him. He feared for his safety more than ever now, hearing this strong and authoritative voice. “I’m afraid not Luna, but please, be gentle…” Celestia’s embrace had tightened; warmth fell into his body, and the dark furred colt fell asleep. “Oh my. I think you really did scare him sister!” On this note Luna rushed over to the other side of the sleeping pony. She hated herself for doing this wherever she went… Even though a year or so had passed since she cleared up her name, many still feared and even held a grudge against her. She was getting better at being more kind and soft, but her thousand year old ways were being very tough to get out of. “Sister, why does this always happen? I mean… Not THIS!” Luna points a hoof at the guest. “I mean me scaring everypony…” Luna’s feelings were already down because she had not seen him during her watch in the night. “Luna! Please stop blaming yourself for these things! He doesn't even know a thing about anywhere or either of us!” The boy moved his head, managing to make his mane free of the covering of his blanket. His mane was exotically colored, being black with a blue tint, and silver highlights with a tint of teal. He woke up at quickly afterwards, revealing his verdant green eyes. “Welcome back.” “I’m terribly sorry for scaring you like that, I---“ “My name is Anthony. I, I can at least remember that now… I can’t remember anything else.” He had interrupted Luna with this important fact and began to silently cry to himself. He was ashamed to be in the presence of ROYALTY and not even be able to tell them anything about himself. But, he knew nothing about himself anyway! The princess left the side of Anthony, and stood before him. Her sister Luna stood next to her, allowing him to see them both together. The contrast was amazing. Princess Celestia was so bright and colorful, shining with light and compassion, while Princess Luna stood beside her letting off a slight darkness around her, the deep colors of her complexion looked imposing, but her facial expression made it so clear that she cared for those under her care. “Anthony, please come with us. I’d like to show you your new home.” Luna and her sister nodded their heads, urging Anthony to come with them. “Home?…” Anthony shakily rose to his feet, letting the blanket he once hid in fall atop the pillow he had cowered upon. He was a tall alicorn, nearly as tall as Celestia, but nowhere near as brilliant or confident. His head hung down like the branch of a weak tree in the snow outside. The sisters led him through a corridor ending in double doors. The guards on each side opened the doors, and a stronger light shone into his eyes. The light alone was so beautiful… The trio stepped outside, revealing a glowing white landscape of rolling hills of glistening snow, bulbous and great trees dotted the landscape, and in the center of this scenic vista was a small town. It was small, but clearly in motion, noted from the smoke rising from the homes’ chimneys. Even further in the distance was a dark forest, but from here it seemed harmless and peaceful. The snow made everything look like a dream, but to Anthony, this was no dream. “Home.” Anthony said this deliberately, now raising his head and bringing his body to a confident pose. His head now fully erect, a little below Celestia’s. His shoulders were drawn back, his spine in a strong and proud demeanor. This is Anthony’s home. Wherever he had come from, or who he was not on his mind; he wanted to know about his new home.