The sun was half over the horizon by now, giving its warmth and light to the new day. The air was filled with a chill from the recent snowfall and the sound of hooves from the workers. Earth ponies were the earliest outside and already half cleaned the Town square from most of the snow before the pegasi and unicorns started showing up. Most unicorns didn't pay attention to the workers, occasionally some berating them though for not clearing some of the snow on their path quick enough. The pegasi tried not to talk with their earth brethren, knowing what hard work is and knowing their pain but not wishing to get any bad attention from the unicorn populace.
It was apparent which race was in control, if not by the behavior, then by the clothes each wore. Most unicorns wore elegant and stylish clothes, trying to stay up with the newest fashion and show their worth. The pegasi were a lot less into fashion, wearing more everyday clothes for work. The poor earth ponies could only afford to wear rags and dirty clothes to keep themselves decent these days. There were always exceptions in the races, some being lower or higher then the rest, but it was consistent enough for the main masses.
The Town square was one of the biggest open areas in the city, even if Canterlot wasn't that big at first glance. The pavement was made of stone tiles as two fountains stood far from each other, between them being the centre of the city. The square was surrounded by all kinds of buildings: a few restaurants, a barbershop and a couple of clothing boutiques, a museum of history near the corner, and the rest occupied by spacious houses for the richest unicorns to live in. There were four entrances to the square, one leading directly the great castle of the fair Princess of their land.
There was also the occasional pair of guards patrolling to keep the peace in town. And right when a pair arrived to replace the night patrol, there seemed to be a commotion raising on the other side of the square. A couple of unicorns foul-mouthing a worker who was limping on one of her back legs. The new guards nodded to the night patrolling ones, letting them know they would handle it, and headed straight towards the commotion. The pair was a unicorn and pegasus guards, wearing the royal armor that consisted of a golden helmet, a golden breast and back plates that were open towards the legs and of four golden greaves. Each guard having special additions for their race, being a hole on the helmet for the horn for the unicorn and back holes on the armor for the pegasus.
"What seems to be the problem, citizens?" The pegasus asked when they were finally in hearing distance.
"Ah, guards. Thy arrival is most timely!" one of the unicorns stated, an orange coated stallion in a white tuxedo and boots.
"This useless worm is not performing it's duty!" his companion added, a purple coated mare in an elegant dress and tiny high-heeled shoes, pointing an accusing hoof at the grey earth pony. The guards turned to her and waited for a reply.
"Pl-please, fair guards! I-I'm trying a-as fast as I c-can. Bu-but one of my l-legs is broken.." she seemed to gulp down after saying it, afraid of something.
"a-and the c-cold weather is on-only making it wo-w-worse..."
"Excuses worthy of a lazy worm! Guards, it is most likely bluffing to avoid any further labor. It must be punished!" the unicorn mare cried out. The unicorn guard simply sighed while the pegasus looked at the grey pony. Both understood she wasn't lying and why she was afraid, ponies who couldn't perform their duty were either thrown into the cold dungeon or cast out of town.
"We shall deal with this problem. You are free to go." The pegasus guard finally spoken, as the unicorn pair simply humpfed and turned to leave with the guards looking at the earth pony and beginning to question to get more information on her condition before giving their decision. Suddenly, a tiny spark of light appeared between the two fountains, earning a few confused looks from the nearby passing ponies. The spark was small, but it soon started to grow in size and the light it shined grew in strength as well, soon getting the attention of all everyone in the Town square. The wind quickly picked up and the ponies closest to the fountains moved back from the light, confused and afraid of what it might be. The Princess is the only one who could create such light during her teleportations, but hers were quick and momentary, while this lasted already for at least a minute.
This unusual ball of light grew to the point of blinding bright, everyone averting their eyes to keep their sight, and the wind slowly started to die down and the light began to fade, giving the impression that whatever has happened ended, with many ponies looking at the centre of the square. In the spacious area between the two fountains now laid a pony. Some initially thought of a unicorn, before paying attention to its size. This pony was bigger then anyone in the square at the moment. Its size could probably be compared only to the Princess herself. Most ponies were in awe at that realization while the others continued to observe this unexpected visitor.
The giant pony's fur colour was pure black, reminding some of the tale of the Two Royal Sisters. It was an alicorn no doubt, having both a long horn and pair of wings. Yet its mane and tail were very different from that of the tale, representing dancing blue flames rather then the night sky filled with stars. And it definitely showed, as the uncleaned snow near the fountains melted in seconds and the water already starting to disappear as well. What was also peculiar about this alicorn was that it didn't have a cutie mark. Lastly, unlike the story told, it was definitely a stallion.
It seemed to be unconscious at the moment, since the only movement it gave was the raising of its chest. The pony was laying on its side, its head pointing towards the royal castle. The unicorn guard elbowed the pegasus and said firmly "Inform the Princess. Now." The pegasus guard didn't hesitate and flied into the sky, heading directly towards the castle. The ponies were whispering to each other about this strange new arrival of an unknown alicorn, even the earth ponies couldn't continue working and just looked and talked between themselves about this strange occurrence.
And then everyone heard a sound. Everyone became quiet as they heard the groan coming from the alicorn, the guard stood on a distance in front of the pony and noticed that it's eyes were starting to twitch. It was waking up and he was clueless on this alicorn's behavior, if it would be a friend or foe. But he knew he needed to buy some time before the princess was informed. So he stood there, looking as the alicorn slowly sat up, opening its eyes with hesitation. The alicorn then looked at himself slowly, raising a hoof and looking at it, before the hoof reached up to its horn, touching it lightly. It was quite the bizarre scene. It looked back at its wings, which unfurled and furled back in before it noticed the crowded square.
It didn't do any sudden movement, not even standing up, as it took in his surroundings. The alicorn was very silent, and it unnerved a lot of ponies. Most seemed to glance between the alicorn and the guard, as if expecting him to do something. He understood that and simply gulped before deciding to break the silence.
"Who goes there?" The alicorn finally looked at him with its half closed red eyes.
"So you do speak...." Was it's only reply. His voice was cold and collected, and somewhat deep. The alicorn looked like fell in deep thought, ignoring everything around it now. The ponies in the square began to whisper among themselves, trying to make sure he wouldn't hear them.
"You are intruding on the fair Princess Celestia's lands. I repeat, state thy name." The guard said, trying to sound stern, thought it was apparent he was nervous of this strange guest.
"Princess?... A monarchy?..." Was all that the alicorn said, sounding genuinely confused. The guard was now confused himself. Someone who hasn't heard of the fair Princess? The ruler of all of Equestria? And of all ponies, an alicorn not knowing her? Just exactly from where did this guest arrive?
However, soon everyone heard the flapping of wings in the sky, as at least fifteen pegasi guards flew besides the royal princess herself. Everyone could also hear a loud trot from the direction of the castle, the royal guards following her by land. The unicorn was very relieved it wasn't alone anymore, but more then confused on why would the princess herself show up for this intruder. Celestia gracefully landed not far from the unicorn, the pegasi following her and surrounding her with themselves to ensure her protection. The unicorn and earth pony guards soon arrived as well, filling the town square with atleast fifty guards in total. The ponies bowed to their princess, though still trying to glance at the new guest as well. The two alicorns simply eyed each other, one with sheer disbelief while the other with genuine curiosity.
"We art Princess Celestia, ruler of these lands. It is impossible for any other alicorn to exist, we and our sister art the only pure blooded ponies who could be born with these traits. Please, state thy name." The royal alicorn finally broke the silence. She still seemed to be in awe of such a sight as another alicorn. And he seemed to have noticed it, and finally stood up from his place, standing straight on his four legs, even if a bit unsure, and looking directly at the princess, his blue flaming mane and tail following the cold breeze.