//------------------------------// // Chapter 20, Six Elements, One Human // Story: An Unexpected Life // by alejin //------------------------------// Steel’s headache came back even stronger after hearing that name – “Celestia?” - So that was the name of that white alicorn. . . but. . .his mother?. . .really? he cleaned his ears and said: “Sorry I think I heard wrong, you said she was Princess Celestia and my m. . .are you taking me serious?” – Steel asked, there was no way in Tartarus he would believe that crap. Cadence sighed and repeated: “I told you, it was Princess Celestia and in case you think you heard wrong. . . yes, she is your Mother” Steel stared at her for some seconds but Cadence sounded very secure in her words, he then smirked and answered: “Wow! you are goooooood! I almost believe you this time, ok, ok, if you want to try to prank me that badly go ahead, not like I care anyway” Cadence expected that reaction, it made her sad but she continued: “So I guess you won’t believe me if I tell you that you are my little cousin?” Steel looked at her and raised an eyebrow, just how stupid this pony thought he was? “Right!. . . I can see the family resemblance” Twilight giggled a little, it was like the little debates she used to have with Bright when they were little but at the same time she was worried, Bright really had amnesia, what could they do to help him remember?” Cadance, not ready to give up, tried something else. “Tell me. . .” “Steel. . . that’s my name, at least the one I’ve been using for 8 years” Cadence and Twilight gasped but calmed down quickly, it shouldn’t be a surprise if he had a diferent name, clearing her throat, Cadence said: “Steel, please tell me, where have you been all these 8 years?” “I spent 6 and half years in Minus and 1 and a half in Zebrica” “I see, you spent all that time alone?” “. . . no, when I was little, two good minatours and one old Gryphin took care of me, they were like a family to me and when I was in Zebrica, I lived with a good old Zebra but with a super model’s body” Cadence giggled a little, being the Princess of Love, she knew that was nothing more than a teenager crush talk but Twilight narrowed her eyes, she noted to find out more about this zebra later. “So you were taken care by them, I’m glad to hear that, now tell me, if they took care of you like a family, is it that hard to believe me and my family took care of you like a family member too?” “Well that’s. . . . a really valid point” “Trust me, you were family. . .you have a mother and a cousin who loves you deeply” Steel was procesing all this information, all this time he and Onyx were wrong? “. . . Wow, this is unexpected, somehow I think I always knew I was taken care by ponies but also I thought I was a pet or something lower. . .maybe a servant” Cadence gasped as if she was just being ofended. “What?! no no no, you weren’t a pet, what made you think you were one?” “That’s. . . well let’s say where I come from, you ponies haven’t given us good reasons to like you” “I understand and I promise we will talk about that later but for now, please answer me, don’t you think we could have loved you like those good creatures in Minus and Zebrica did?” Steel scratched his hair, this alicorn’s words seemed honest, thanks for living with sellers for more than 6 years, he almost could know where any creature was lying but she. . .it seemed she wasn’t” “Ok, I see your point and I will give you the benefit of the doubt but let’s say. . . I believe you, let’s say I believe you are my cousin and all . . .then why did you send me away? My “mother” stopped loving me? or got tired of me?” Cadence and Twilight started to share some tears after he said that, Twilight Teleported next to Bright and hugged him tightly, he was surprised but kept his cool, this ponies really liked hugs, he thought. “Princess Celestia didn’t send you away, she loved. . . she loves you with all her heart, when they took you away from her, she made everything in her hooves to find you, when we discovered you were “dead” it almost destroyed her” “Took me away? Thought I was dead?” “Sorry, but that’s not my story to tell” Steel was about to talk but was interrupted by Cadence who joined the hug. “I know you have many questions as we have many questions as well but please, please believe us, I don’t know what you think about ponies? but I can asure you, my aunt Celestia, me, Twilight and many ponies else are glad you are alive, I never stopped missing you, neither of us did” Twilight noded in agreement. Steel was shocked, he wasn’t that strange to affection, Mrs Margaret and his friends always were kind to him but this was on a whole other level, they sounded so sincere and warm, he didn’t want to break the hug, he even returned it, he hated himself a little and felt really stupid, he trained all this time for this? To be defeated by kind words? After some seconds of hugging, they broke it and stared each other. “(sigh) Ok, so what happens now?” Cadence answered: “Well, would you come with us to the city, there are ponies who wants to see you, amongs them. . . your Mother” “But I don’t remember her, I have some memories but I don’t really remember any of you. . .our life together, wouldn’t be like. . .meeting a total stranger?” he said while looking to the ground, struggling with himself. Cadence noticed he was suffering for being confused, she aproached to Steel and tried to kiss him in the cheek to confort him, Steel noticed her intentions and backed out quickly to avoid that, much to the alicorn surprise. “Ok. . . I said I would try to believe your story but I think we haven’t reach that level of trust yet, sorry” Cadence’s heart almost broke there but she understood, this wouldn’t be that easy right? “ohh, sorry. It’s just. . . when you were little and scared of something or were unsure of something, a little kiss in the cheek from me or your mother always made you feel better, I’m very sorry, I was caught in the mood” “. . . ok, sorry for how I acted it’s just. . . I didn’t exactly recieved affection very often” “I understand, so. . .are you willing to come to Canterlot city with us” Steel still had some doubts but at least he was starting to have the answers he came to look for, he reluctant noded, Twilight and Cadence were jumping in happiness but stopped when Steel talked again. “But mark my words, If I feel any danger or any pony tries to do something, I will not doubt in defend myself, with violence if necesary, you hear me?” “Clearly and don’t worry, I promise as a Princess of Equestria that no harm will come to you there and will personaly punish anypony who dare to try to hurt you. . . my sweet cousin” Steel, after hearing say that, felt much better and relaxed and much to Twilight and Cadence’s surprise, he removed his mask, he didn’t know why he did that, he even still wasn’t sure if they were really his family but something in his heart really wished for it, he was starting to warm up with this ponies and he didn’t know if he like it or not. Cadence and Twilight looked at him, they smiled even more, they never doubt it but now they were absolutely sure, he was a grown up now but the face was the same, he even still had that bright in his eyes, the only thing they didn’t like were the scars in his face, it seemed he had it hard these years, part of them broke for the sight, even though, that didn’t stop Twiligh’s heart to start beat fast. He didn’t change a bit, she thought. After giving him a little privacy to change to his casual attire, they proceded to walk to Canterlot, Cadence noticed his clothes were almost the same as the ones he used to use as a kid, the only diference was the color of the t-shirt from blue to black and that instead of having Celestia’s cutie mark in his shoulders, he had a logo that looked like a minotaur, maybe the logo of someminotaur he admired, she really had tons of questions to ask. A little before arriving to the city, Steel realized something. “Now that I think about it, if you are really my cousin and Princess Celestia is really my mother. . .then that would make me a. . .” “A prince yes” Cadence finished “Wow! oh well, that’s . . . nice” After hearing his simple answer, Cadence couldn’t help to ask: “It’s not the reaction I was waiting for, many would start to brag about being royalty” “hehehehe sorry, but it’s as it is, I mean it’s just a title, it’s not like this affect what or who I am, I’m Steel, nothing more and nothing less, It’s not like I wanted all my life to be a prince. . . I’d suck in being a leader and for the record, I suck in politics, they are so boring” Cadence and Twilight looked at each other and smiled, it seemed he didn’t lose his humility even after all these years but he was kinda rude and sarcastic. When they reached Canterlot entrance, they were recieved by dozen of guards, all of them pointing their spears to Steel. “Halt Creature, get away from the Princess and Miss Twilight!” Steel narrowed his eyes and was about to summon his axe when Cadence spoke: “Stop right there commander, this. . .creature has a name, is Brig. . .Steel, please adress him as such, and he is my royal guest now so it would be wise if ALL of you lower your spears and let us pass” Everyguard did as she said and let them pass, some of them staring at the strange creature, Steel wasn’t wearing his mask, there was no need of it anymore, his scars didn’t help to win the guards’ good side, they started to walk though the city’s streets, as expected, everypony looked at them, most of all at him. “This is really unconfortable” Steel said. “Don’t worry, you are with us now, everything will be alright” Steel felt a little better after hearing her and asked: “Your name is Twilight right? For the little I remember, we. . . used to hang out together right?” Twilight blushed and noded, she liked hearing him say her name after all these years” “What were we? Cousins? Friends? Or something. . .more?” Twilight blushed even more. “No no no! we were friends hehehe, very good friends” “Oh I see, well, that’s too bad, I wouldn’t had mind having a cute marefriend like you hahahahahaha!” Twilight’s eyes widened to imposible levels and blushed even more, Cadence only giggled at the scene, Twilight was so embarazed and his cousin. . .well at least he didn’t have problems saying what he thought” The trio arrived at the palace leaving many ponies in the city very confused, once they were inside the palace, Twilight’s friends came to recieve them, Rainbow was the first to get there. “Twilight! there you ar. . .” Rainbow Dash started to talk but stopped after seeing who was with her and the Princess. Very soon, the rest arrived, as Rainbow, they stared at Steel, Rarity seemed disgusted, Fluttershy was hidding behind her mane, Applejack looked at him with narrowed eyes and took a fighting pose in case he tried something, Pinkie Pie was looking at him with a huge smile, not able to contain herself, he jumped directly at him to hug him. Steel felt danger and with a quick move, he dodged Pinkie by Jumping above her, Pinkie landed on the floor and turned around with disbelieving eyes. “Hey! No fair! Nopony dodges Pinkie’s super duper hug! You must have excellent reflexes, even way better than Applejack and Dashie” “Hey!” Both Applejack and Rainbow screamed. Steel chuckled and answered. “Well, Thanks for noticing it but it’s not just my reflexes, you are too slow too” “Ohh, I’ll get you for that, you’ll see, mark my words, before this day ends, you will be hugged by me” - Pinkie said while humming. “Bring it on pink pony” – Steel said but couldn’t stop wondering what this pony smoked? He heard about some mushrooms with. . . unexpected effects but what this pony was taking was in a whole other level, no creature could be that hyper naturaly. Everypony looked amazed how Pinkie and the creature were talking naturaly, then Pinkie spoke again. “By the way, we haven’t been introduced, who are you? I’m Pinkie Pie, the best pony party planer in all Equestria and I like to make new friends, would you like to be my friend? Please please be my friend!” “Wow! easy girl, first of all, I’m Steel and no, I can’t be your friend now” Pinkie Pie stopped humming and landed on the floor, her mane became flat and her eyes lost some shine. “What. . .what did you say?” (Sigh) “I said I can’t be your friend, at least not until I know you better” Pinkie Pie mane once again became fluffy and she recovered her mood. “Ohhhhh, Ok! So that’s mean maybe we can be friends right?” “Yes. . . .maybe” “Yay!” Pinkie Pie said before trotting to join the group, the next one to aproach him was Rainbow Dash, she circled a few times making him feel more uneasy, her eyes were already judging him” “I must say I really don’t like the way you are looking at me” Dash ignored the commentary and chuckled. “What are you? some kind of evolved monkey?” Everypony present jaws fell to the floor, Did Rainbow just said that? Steel by his part only stared a her, it has been a while since any creature called him monkey, still. . . he didn’t like the way she say it. “What I am is not your business and let me give you an advice, keep your mouth closed or I’ll close it for you punk” “Ok, that’s it! Apologize or I’ll. . . ” Steel then sudendly moved a few inches from her face. “Or you’ll what?” Dash almost lost balance for the surprise. “OR YOU’LL WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DO TO ME! I DIDN’T CAME TO EQUESTRIA TO BE TALKED LIKE THAT BY A PEGASUS WITH HIGH EGO ISSUES!” Rainbow Dash backed off and adopted a fighting posture, she was about to attack the creature but was stopped by a hoof on her shoulder, it was Applejack. “Easy Rainbow, don’t start a fight in the castle” Rainbow looked at her friend and noded. “And yah sir, yah need to show some manners” “Hey! Expect for the pink one, all of you are looking at me like some kind of caged animal ready to attack, not that I blame you, I know how I look but then that. . . mare, came and the very first thing she does is insult me, trust me, the only reason she is not already eating dirt right now it’s because I’m doing my best to behave in the name of Princess Cadence, Why should I show manners to some.. . pony who doesn’t?” Applejack wanted to say something to protest but she knew this. . .creature was just saying what he felt and to be honest. . . Rainbow Dash first impresión was kinda rude. “Yah. . have a point sir. . .Steel right?” “Yes” “Ok, Steel, please forgive my friend’s behavior, you are right, where are our manners? my name is Applejack, nice to meet you” Applejack extended her hoof and Steel took it and both shaked it. “Nice to meet you too Applejack” Applejack smiled and noded, she felt more relieved, this creature seemed honest and she didn’t feel any danger from him, he was at edge but she was sure he wouldn’t do anything without provocation, she then looked at Rainbow. Rainbow Dash sighed and aproached to Steel again, scrathing her mane she said: “Ok. . . I think maybe my first impresión of you wasn’t the best one, let me try again, Hi! I’m Rainbow Dash! The best Flyier in all of Equestria and a future Wonderbolt!” Dash said while raising her hooves to the air and sparkling eyes. Steel still was a little angry with the pegasus but after hearing her say that and making that pose. . .he couldn’t help to chuckle, at least this pegasus had style. “What so funny this time?” “Sorry, I was just surprised how self confident you are and who would had known you have a cute side” After hearing that Rainbow eyes widened, in all her life, nopony ever told her she was cute, in fact, many ponies used to think she was a stallion, she didn’t say anything, just blushed and returned to the group, it was the first time, words failed to her. “Ok, Twilight, Cadence, shall we proceed?” “Wait!” Twilight said “There are two ponies who haven’t introduced yet!” “Don’t bother Twilight, I can recongnize fear and disgust when I see it, It’s obvious the yellow pegasus is near in peeing for fear and the White one would prefer to die before interacting with me” “But, but” Cadence started, “It’s ok Cadence, I’m used to it, it’s the Price for being diferent, they are not the first or last ones in doing that, let’s go” Cadence and Twilight reluctant noded and continued to walk with Steel to the Throne room, after a few steps, Steel heard a little whisper. “Wa, wait” He turned around and saw the yellow pegasus, she was not longer hidding behind her mane and was looking at him with sad eyes. “What is it little pegasus?” Fluttershy aproached to him slowly and hugged him warmly, Steel didn’t stop her for he didn’t feel any bad intention – “Damn! These ponies really like hugs” – he thought. “I’m, I’m sorry to hear that, that other ponies fear you or reject you for being diferent, I’m sorry I acted like they did” She said while sharing some tears. Now it was Steel’s turn to become speechless, this obviously shy pony was being kind to him, she was even crying, he didn’t want to admit it but. . . since he talked to Cadence and Twilight, he was starting to think everything he was told about ponies in Equestria was wrong but now. . .he was starting to believe it, he didn’t return the hug for he didn’t want to scare her, she just seemed so. . .fragile, so fragile that any touch from his part could hurt her. After breaking the hug, Steel looked at Rarity who was still looking at him with those rejecting eyes, not in the mood to extend the issue, he said: “Ok, say it! Say I’m disgust, I’m diferent, I’m a freak, bla bla bla, let’s just finish with this!” Everypony waited to hear what she had to say, some even wishing she wouldn’t say something stupid or ofensive like Dash, for their surprise she only raised her hoof and pointed Steel’s clothes. “Your clothes!” “Say what?” “Look at your clothes, they are so. . .plain. .oh! and they are dirty and torn” “. . . . seriously? You were looking at me like that for my clothes?” Rarity noded. “Not for my form or face? You don’t think I’m disgusting?” “Why would I think that darling? You are not a pony but I can’t say you are ugly or disgust, only your clothes but that’s a liking matter, just please, wash them at least” Steel and everypony, after some seconds just started to laugh like crazy, Twilight and the rest were relieved, Rarity wasn’t a judgemetal pony after all. With all Introductions done, everypony and human proceded to walk to the throne room, there was still some ponies and dragon to meet again, Steel was nervious, he was about to meet his “mother” again. . . Wow! Right now, fighting the Bug Pony didn't sound so bad.