“Alright, so what sort of trouble can we get into?” I asked out loud while Luna, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie trailed behind me. The four of us had been sneaking around the halls of Canterlot for a while now and a few times Pinkie and Luna had wanted to do something but Twilight stopped them, much to our annoyance.
“Why do you all want to get in trouble?! We are in Canterlot! The principle of high class and dignity!” Twilight all but screamed out as she frantically peered around, making sure we were alone.
“BECAUSE of that very reason Twilight! These ponies are all snooty and stuff cause they have not had any fun!” Pinkie exclaimed as she continued to bounce in place.
“We agree with Pinkie, these nobles are far too stuffy for our tastes. It is time they learned of fun!” Luna happily explained to us as we all spotted a group of six ponies all dressed up and just oozing of boring and snotty attitudes.
“Targets spotted and I think I know the perfect thing for them. Luna, can you make water balloons but with different types of liquids inside?” I asked her.
“Yes we can but what sorts of liquids?” she replied.
“Hmmm, water, lemonade, syrup, maybe tar, and maybe some alcohol. Covers all the bases I think” I said to her but when I turned around I saw Pinkie grinning at me “What in the world are you grinning about goof ball?”
“Ooooooh nothing~ Just surprised at how mischievous you can be” Pinkie explained.
“Yeah, its a rare side of me. I only really did this sorta thing once do a bully back home who thought he was of a higher caliber than the rest of us and demanded we all treat him like a spoiled prince” I thought back to that day and smiled at his face that radiated with sheer terror when I pulled the classic tar and feather trick on him during a rally in front of the whole school.
“Alright, we are set. Two balloons for each of us, including you Twilight” Luna said as she floated two big, plump balloons that swished whenever they moved.
“Pr-Princess Luna! I can't do this!” Twilight fearfully said.
“And why not? We are doing this and so are your friends. If you are worried about punishment then don't for we will not put any blame upon any of you, including myself of course” Luna quickly explained as our quarry slowly approached us. “Besides, it will be fun!”
“At least give it a try Twilight? Please?” I nicely asked her with a kind smile and after a few seconds of inner debating she let out a breath of air she had been holding and nodded her head “Excellent, alright stay out of sight and when I say 'now' let loose the balloons of war!” I explained to them and nodding in acknowledgment they all hid behind the nearby columns and we waited for the moment to strike.
“.....so I said to the poor pony 'If not for the fact that the fly would make the soup taste better, I would demand it gone!' and the look on his face was priceless, just like me” one of two females of the group said in a haughty voice and the whole group bursted out laughing. Oh they were going to get it and get it good. I waited for a few more steps and when I saw the lead pony cross the threshold I sprung out from my hiding spot and held one hand up high.
“NOW!” I loudly said and launched my first balloon, directly aimed at the mare who talked last. Though I was quickly joined by my comrades who launched their assault as well, even Twilight who nailed two different ponies with two regular water balloons. My first one exploded on her face and covered her in tar and quickly spread all over her sparkling white dress and multiple jewelry. My second one hit the stallion beside her and I think it was the alcohol cause I could smell it. Pinkie and Luna took out the remaining two and their extra two simply spread around the group.
They were all panicking and due to the combination of tar, syrup, and water they slipped and tripped over each other and become stuck together but still struggled to move, only to trap themselves more. Before we ourselves could burst out into laughter we heard metal hoof steps and shouting coming around the corner so Luna quickly teleported us to a random location, which so happened to be the throne room.
Once we had safely landed and saw nobody around we all summoned up a fit of laughter and giggles while we rolled around on the marble floors, it was very funny to me to see Twilight like this since she was so serious all the time. Our laughs echoed throughout the chamber and were so loud that the guards came in to check but Luna assured them everything was fine between her giggle fits so we were left alone to our hysterical laughing. But our lungs needed a break so it slowly began to die down to where we were barely laughing past our own lips.
All four of us were on our backs taking deep breaths, Pinkie letting out a snort here or there but we all simply enjoyed being together after pulling that off. I couldn't see what it was but I heard the small sound of something scooting on the ground but my answer came when I felt and saw Pinkie using my chest as a pillow, so I used my arm to scoot her in closer and was met with an approving squeak. Before I knew it my other side was being used by Luna who copied Pinkies movements and even Twilight flew opposite of my head to lie down but settled so both our heads touched.
“Your the best big brother I could of ever hoped for!” Pinkie happily stated. Ugh, why did I have to agree to being her big brother? I am going to die of her sweetness one day, but for now I could live with it so I ruffled her mane a bit and smiled. Before I could respond I heard a little huff coming from Luna who seemed to be puffing out her cheeks.
“Luna? What's wrong?” I asked her.
“Nothing is wrong, we are just simply annoyed that you are not our big brother” Luna stated but she quickly brought her hooves up to her mouth and blushed. Guess she did not mean to say that out loud. I could not help but laugh even more but using my other arm I wrapped her up in a hug, though this did not help lessen her red face.
“Awww, I'm sorry Princess Luna. I didn't know! Hmmm, since he is already my big brother, how about he become your little brother instead!” Pinkie suggested and instantly Luna snapped back to normal, well mostly as she now had a mile wide grin.
“YES! Adrian shall become our sweet and kind little brother! We are so lucky!” Luna stated as she threw her hooves around me and hugged me tight, once again I thank that dragon magic for strengthening me up or else this hug might of snapped me in half. But I let out a small chuckle in response, this made Luna look up at me with a confused look.
“I am honored Luna but what would the public think of such a scandal! They might think I might want the throne and overthrow you! And I am not ready to be crowned prince! And that is not even the worst thing!” I over exaggerated as I boomed my voice.
“What could be even worse?!” Pinkie joined in as she playfully went along.
“This would mean you would have to share your little brother with your sister” I teased to Luna but she took it seriously and protectively threw her hooves around my head and snuggled up with me.
“NEVER! Celestia shall never have you!” Luna loudly stated. Oh dear, what have I done now?
“Who shall I never have sister dear?” we heard Celestias voice clearly say from behind us and as one big unit all four of us, while still on the ground, turned our heads to her direction and stared blankly at the smiling face of Celestia. But that did not last long as Luna quickly got to her feet and dragged me along as she walked up to her sister.
“We know what your planning! You knew that we wanted to have Adrian here as our brother! But taking advantage of our blood you must of thought that we would just share him so easily and have him all to yourself!” Luna accusingly said to a very confused Celestia who looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Pinkie complimented me on being the best big brother she could ever hope for and Luna accidentally told me she wanted me to be her big brother but Pinkie suggested me to be her sweet and nice little brother instead. So I teased her a bit about a scandal of becoming a prince and whatnot before saying the worst thing she would have to do is share me with you and well you the rest” I sheepishly said while Luna continued to hold me tightly.
This time it was Celestias turn to laugh and she did it so hard a few tears rolled down her face “Oh, forgive me everypony. I have not had a good laugh in a long time. Oh sister, you have quite the imagination. But-” she stopped as her horn glowed and next thing I knew I was next to Celestia with a hoof around my shoulders “-I suppose having a little brother would be a nice change of pace” she concluded by giving me a quick kiss on the cheek and I did not know how but Luna had blushed so hard her whole head was as red as a strawberry.
“S-S-SISTER!” Luna stuttered out.
“Well Adrian, are you ready to become the first human prince of Equestria?” Celestia said but gave me a sly wink that was hidden from her sister and the others. Oh Celestia you are so bad.
I backed up a step before taking a knee in front of her “It would be my honor, big sister” I said in a serious tone but my attention was brought to my right as I saw Twilight with fully erect wings.
“Prince Adrian? Big sister?! Wha?! But how! I-I-I!” Twilight was bubbling over with sensory overload and she fainted. Pinkie was bouncing around like a rubber ball in a small square room.
“Does this mean that I am now Princess Celestias and Princess Lunas sister too! OH and now the Apple family is part of your family too and my family! THIS IS SO EXCITING and wonderful and awesomeriffic! AND....AND!” Pinkie exclaimed and fainted next to Twilight but how she fell reminded me of the fainting goats back on Earth. With those two down and out I looked back over to Luna who stood there with a blank look in her eyes but her mouth was contorted to that of surprise and utter shock.
I looked back to Celestia and the two of us shared a laugh with one another “I think we broke them Celestia. Looks like Luna is not the only royal sister who has a devious side to them” I said to her with a sly grin.
“Oh I love to trick Luna whenever I can but I am usually too busy to prank her or get back at her. So I could not pass up such an opportunity” she explained to me before she giggled some more at Lunas expression. After taking some time to catch her breath she turned back to me but had a bit of a stern look to her “Though I was joking around just now, have you ever considered being royally adopted by myself or Luna?”
Now I was utterly shocked and if it could my jaw would of probably smashed through the marble due to how hard it had just dropped. “Cel-Celestia?” I nervously said to her.
She shook her head “My apologies, I know that sort of question would strike hard but I did not know how else to ask. But due to recent knowledge and my own thoughts I had thought that perhaps you wanted a real family to call your own here in Equestria. And if you were adopted by either one of us you would not have to worry about money or anything else for as long as you lived in a world not of your own” Celestia said with a bit of sorrow.
Letting out a sigh of my own I brought my hand up to her mane and began to pet her a bit which took her by surprise “Thank you Celestia, no wonder every pony loves you. You show kindness and love to all of us and are willing to do anything for our sakes. Thank you so much” I said to her before I brought my arms down and around her to hug her. She laid her head on my shoulder and I could hear her give out a breath of relief.
“So, does this mean you accept our offer then?” Celestia quietly asked in my ear.
“Unfortunately no, I am going to have to decline such a generous offer for now” I told her and I backed away so we could see eye to eye. “”As much as I would love to be called a prince and be treated like royalty, and have you two as sisters I feel like I would be asking too much. I want to earn and build my own place in this world instead of simply being given a title and position” I explained.
She nodded her head and gave me a warm smile “I understand and I wish you luck in this venture. But know that my offer will always be open for you if you ever change your mind” she said to me before leaning over and kissing my forehead. Though she smiled I could see it start to waver as her eyes began to divert away from me, I wonder what else is on her mind?
“Is there something else you wanted to discuss?” I asked her. As she opened her mouth to talk I heard a loud crash behind me and before I could turn my head to see I felt myself being tackled to the ground but with a strong grip being wrapped around me.
“Gilda! Get your malcontent beak back here this instant!” I heard Dr. Feathers screech out. Now that we had stopped moving I finally had a good look and saw that it was Gilda who had grabbed me but now stood over me defensively. What in the world is going on?
“No! I won't allow you two to hurt him like this! Such knowledge should not be shared! Especially this type! Do you have any idea what this would do to him?!” Gilda shouted out in return and due to the noise I saw the three previously incapacitated mares stir and return to normal, though they were just as equally confused as to why Dr. Feathers and Celestia were slowly walking towards Gilda who was protecting me.
“Gilda, I know that you are trying to protect the boy but he cannot live in ignorance! He has to know the truth!” Doc replied back with as the duo took another few steps closer.
“Yes he can! I would have been much happier living in ignorance knowing that Rainbow Dash was the same pony I knew back in school! Then we would still be friends” Gilda sadly stated but she threw it aside and took her stance.
“Alright! Enough!” I suddenly shouted out and quickly got out of Gildas hold and stood up next to her. “What in blue blazes are you three going on about?!”
“Yes indeed, what sort of knowledge are you withholding from Adrian, sister?” Luna spoke up as she finally recomposed herself alongside Twilight and Pinkie who both wore concerned expressions.
Celestia looked around the room and saw all of our expressions before glancing to Dr. Feathers, he looked up at her and nodded his head. Taking in a fresh breath of air she finally spoke up “Before I continue, I need to know something first. Adrian, forgive me for my bluntness but while living on Earth did you live with any family members and have any of them passed on?” she asked me. Whoa, wait! Why is she asking that?
“Um.... well yes. I lived only with my mother and she died when I was young due to an unknown disease. Why?”I concernedly asked in return.
Stealing another glance at Dr. Feathers before back to me Celestia said “We have discovered something concerning your magic that we found in your test results”
My heart started to skip a few beats and a nervous bead of sweat appeared on my forehead while my mouth started feeling dry.
“But know first that this only concerns humans on Earth and that nothing here in all of Equestria is in any danger. Please remember that before I continue” Celestia stated but this did not help me calm down and only made me feel worse. Was my magic really dangerous all along?
“Adrian, we believe that your magic was having a negative effect on those who stayed within close proximity of you for very long periods of time. Due to humans having no magic, yours that resided within yourself was leaking out naturally and was something akin to poison to them. But because the levels were so low, only those who stayed around you for long periods of time were truly infected. Do you understand what we are saying?” Celestia explained in a very sad and shaky voice.
I visibly stumbled back a few steps as my face grew into one of horror and utter shock. No, no it could not be true! Why?! Why would they tell me this? That's why she offered to adopt me, she was just feeling pity for me! She must of heard of my moms death from one of the girls and came up with it! Yes! That has to be it! She set this whole thing up just to adopt me! She made it so grandma Shimmer would be sent to Earth and make kids and somehow knew I would end up.....killing......my.....mom. No! My dream was right all along! I KILLED MY MOM! No.... no.....-
“NOOOOOOOOOOO!” I suddenly screamed as I felt my heart was torn to shreds and I could not even think clearly. All I could focus on was my mom and all the nightmarish images of her.
“You......you did this......to me.......you.....killed....me” the figure declared while its eyes glowed red with hate and it seemed to shift closer to me “You...killed....me” it said again while pointing at me and shifted again right in front of me and I could smell the scent of death wafting from her walking and burning corpse.
Her voice became so clear that it sounded like her vocal cords were not burnt while her soulless eyes stared into my being before her voice erupted from everywhere and nowhere “YOU KILLED ME!”she shrieked like a banshee and caused my ears to bleed and I felt my body become limp and even my tears burned as they fell.
I suddenly recalled the first nightmare I had and her words rang in my head, so much so I brought my hands up to them in a vain attempt to shield them but to no avail.
“Adrian Frost” was written on the plaque and I snapped my head up and saw that it was me and the stone statue looked forward like it had just killed something and enjoyed it. It scared me that I could make a face like that but slowly I lowered my head to my other body and saw that it was now pointing at me “Monster” was all it said. This triggered the others to chant that word and even the new statues moved to look at me while repeating the word over and over and over again.
NO! I am not a monster! I am..... I am.... “I am a monster!” I yelled out so loud that a visible wave erupted from my body, almost like I was using Lunas Royal Equestrian Voice. After yelling it out I began to scream from the pain my heart and head were feeling at all this new information.
“Adrian! No! Please, listen to my voice!” I barely heard Celestia say over my own foul screams but I looked up at her with fear in my eyes.
“No! Stay away! Stay away!” I said as I tried to swipe at her in hopes of her backing away. I began to hyperventilate as the magic within me swirled with such intensity that I almost felt like throwing up but nothing came out at first but soon I felt a strong heat emanating within me. The more it grew I began to foster a deep and terrible anger and wanting to release it I shouted once more but along with my pained voice came a powerful dragon fire that surrounded me in a shell of flame.
But once I was surrounded the sudden outburst of anger fled into fear as it almost looked like the very flames I summoned were about to swallow me whole and I am not sure if it was the flames or my own eyes playing tricks on me but for a brief moment I saw the same burning figure of my mother standing in the wall of fire. Its eyes pierced through me and due to my hyperventilation I ran out of air and felt myself go limp while the fire engulfing me only grew stronger.
My arms and legs were bound in dark, cold chains and had me suspended in a pit of blackness while I was surrounded by nothing. I could not even see where the chains were attached to but my attention was drawn to the sound of heels clacking against stone that echoed all around me.
I tried to call out but found no sound coming out of my mouth, the clacking sound drew closer and closer until the darkness slowly gave way to a faint light and the closer it got the more brighter and hotter its source became. My eyes widened in horror and disbelief as I saw the half burning corpse of my mother standing there with one glowing red eye that was fixated on me.
But a new addition was in its left hand was a fiery whip was being held with a deathly grip as it groaned and creaked with every squeeze it gave the handle. I once again tried to yell out in protest but my voice was lost to me in this pit of despair and I was at the mercy of this horrid figure. It was still walking closer and closer, the heat was becoming unbearable and I felt like any second my skin was going to burst into flames but it did not.
The nightmare finally stopped within five feet of me and with its free hand pointed a boney finger at me as a piece of flesh fell with a splat. “You....killed.....me. My.....son.....killed ME!” the figure shouted with such intensity that I felt my lungs bear the pressure. With a quick crack of the whip it whipped the torture device at me and struck with a powerful snap that left three marks on my bare stomach that started to bleed.
Once it whipped me I saw its mouth open and out came a sound like a volcano erupting mixed together with the actual sound of my mother screaming in pain. While this wretched sound blasted my ears it continued its whippings across my body, giving me scores upon scores of bleeding scratches and open wounds but I could not scream out as my voice refused to obey me.
Time seemed to pass by endlessly as the whippings continued over and over again and when the strain of holding my neck up proved too much I slumped down and ended up watching the whip tare apart my skin, all the way down to the muscle and bone. I had given up trying to scream out loud while my mind picked up the slack though during the painful torture I saw something begin to glow in my chest.
Once the glowing started the whippings started to become erratic and more frequent, almost like it was wanting to carve out that area with the whip. The moment it became fully open I heard the sound of blood soaked leather drop onto stone, finding a small patch of strength left I picked up my head and saw the figure reaching out with its hand and start to walk toward me.
“Soon you will be mine” I heard a soft, dissipated voice say in my ear as the burning image of my dead mother continue to draw near the glow in my chest. Inches away I could feel the heat start to boil my exposed skin and blood but it did not stop and the moment it was about to touch it I closed my eyes and prepared myself.
“ADRIAN!” a new voice boomed into existence and the sound of two bodies crashing into each other now filled my ear before a struggle replaced it. Though my eyes were closed I felt my body become lighter and felt my arms drift back down to my sides, risking a peak I opened my one eye and did not see a glow coming from me anymore. I fully opened my eyes and saw that my hands were free and that they were clean and restored.
Looking down I saw that my body had been fully restored to normal, looking around I found the figure battling with a scythe against a familiar form. It was Luna who was using her magic to form a pair of swords to block and attack my mothers image. Feeling a strange sensation in my throat I finally was able to form my first words “lu.....l-lu.....luna” I gasped out as my voice grew stronger with each passing second.
“Adrian! Fear not! This is all just a nightmare! You control it! Only you can defeat this nightmare once and for all!” Luna declared as she battled back and forth with the ever looming and deadly scythe.
“But......but how?” I asked her with a weakened voice.
“Remember your mother for how she was, remember all the good and bad things about her, remember her! You have to remember your mother and not this nightmare! You can do it Adrian! Your big sister believes in you!” Luna said as she jumped back to avoid a downward stroke before doing a multi-slash attack of her own.
Remember her as she was? I let my mind wander back and soon the empty space around us became a lively and vivid scene where multiple viewing screens showed my memories of my mom during the good and bad times. The one time where I skinned my knee while playing and her gently reassuring me while putting a band-aid on. Another where she was spanking me for saying a bad word. Her cooking my favorite dinner. Putting me to bed. The sad look on her face when I asked about dad. Her laugh. Her smile. Her crying. I remembered it all.
The burning figure was weakening and dropped its weapon which evaporated into black smoke, the same kind that flowed from its body now that the flames had died. It turned away from Luna and slowly began to stumble to me as its body began to disappear. “Yes! That’s it Adrian! Now, to banish this foul spirit! Think of the most powerful memory of your mother! Something that has etched itself into your heart, the true essence of your mother!” Luna explained as she watched on with worry.
But I knew exactly the memory and the second I thought of everything swirled around me and I found myself shrunk down to my young, childhood self who was crying cause I just saw our cat lying dead in the street after accidentally being run over by a random car who did not stop. The smoldering figure of my mother faded away and was replaced by the loving and caring image of my mom who was petting my head as I cried into her lap.
“Why.....why did Thomas have to die?” I asked her.
“It was an accident Adrian, nobody has to die. But we all do die in the end, but don't think of his death and instead think about all the good times we had with him. Ok?” she gently said to me.
“Why did that driver have to run him over mommy? What did Thomas ever do to him? Why are people so mean?” I said to her.
“Not everyone is mean, I'm not mean am I?” she replied back.
“No! Not you mommy! Your so nice and pretty!” I quickly said back to her.
“Thank you sweetie” she said before she bent down and kissed my head. “But there are mean people in the world just as there are nice people. Some love to help others while some selfishly hide themselves away behind their power and wealth”
“But why. Why can't everyone be as nice as you?” I asked her.
She let out a small giggle “Because Adrian, they are only human”
“Only human” I found myself saying while I woke up. I heard several gasps around me, including one that sounded right next to me and when I fully opened my tired eyes I saw a pair of bright blue eyes staring at me with concern which was attached to a pink, cloud of hair.
“Adrian...... are you-” Pinkie tried to say but she could not find the will to finish. Taking a moment to collect my bearings I looked around and saw everyone looking at me with concern and sadness though Luna appeared to be tired as well. Looking down and around me I saw a thick black ring where my dragon fire had encircled me. But it was at this time I felt a pair of hooves wrap themselves around my neck and I heard a small sniffle coming from Pinkie Pie.
I was about to hug her back but when I lifted my arms I stared at my hands for a few seconds and considered if I really should even touch her. I got my answer when I heard her give out a few pre-cry breaths and the second I did I threw my arms around her and held her close as I buried my head in her comfy and springy pink mane.
“Adrian.... are you..... are you going to be alright?” I heard Gilda ask from behind me.
I shook my head before lifting it up “I don't know, I have to come to terms about this and living with the knowledge that I was responsible for my mothers death” I said those last few words with a shaky voice as my body threatened to give out and cry. “But”
“But?” Gilda asked.
“But so long as I have my goof ball little sister, my royal big sister of the night, and all my friends here, in Ponyville, and everywhere else with me...then I......then I-I think I will find a way” I explained and when I did I saw a faint smile grace all of their lips. When it did I slunk my head back down to rest in Pinkies mane and let all the tension in my body flow and cried.
I cried like nothing I had ever done before but I felt Pinkie hug me all the tighter and around me I felt a few hooves and claws pat and rub my back. Letting me know they would be here for me and though my heart felt heavy and torn asunder I could feel the smallest bit of warmth finding its way inside.