//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: I am NOT a Pony // by Synthetic Soul //------------------------------// For the next half an hour or so, Midnight stayed in his room, just looking around, and looking at the stuff in the room. After Luna had left, he walked up and looked at the poster on the wall labeled; “The Wonderbolts.” It appeared to be some sort of sports team, or something similar. He looked to another poster, one entitled; “Daring Doo.” Out of the corner of his eye, the young colt saw a certain title in the bookshelf. Midnight walked to his bookshelf, and used his magic to pull out the book that caught his eye. When he levitated it in front of him, he saw that it was called “Daring Doo and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone.” “Hm, must be a book series. I don’t know if I’ve read it before, but I guess I might be able to read it for the first time again,” said Midnight to himself. He then used his magic to return the book to its proper place. Midnight walked over to the toy chest, and opened it, to reveal it to be stuffed with toys. The colt reached in and pulled out the first item, a plastic royal guard helmet. The prince sat down on his hind hoofs, and turned the helmet over in his hoofs. After looking at it for a few seconds, he placed it on his head. It fit perfectly. The colt then reached in and pulled out a wooden sword. The colt gripped the sword in his right hoof, and began swinging and twirling it, or at least attempting to. The young pony found that the sword was a bit difficult to handle with his hoof. The colt instead, levitated the sword in his magic, and started handling it again. This time, it proved to be much easier, and smoother. After having enough for now, the colt returned the items to his toy chest, and shut the lid. Midnight then turned to look at his bed, when something caught his eye. The colt walked closer to the chest, and hopped up onto it to get a better look. When he was about a foot away, the colt saw what appeared to be a plushy. But what caught his attention was what the stuffy was of. It was his mother, Princess Luna. He picked up the plushy with his magic, and then gripped it in his hoofs, cocking his head to the side. ‘This must have been from when I was little, probably has some sentimental value. Though, I wonder why I’d still need it now, especially since I have the real thing here at home,’ thought Midnight. He set the plushy back down on the bed. Just as he was about to hop down, the sound of his stomach grumbling caught his ear, followed by the feeling of hunger. The colt hopped off of the bed, and walked to the door to his room. He opened it, and walked out, to see a unicorn guard standing at attention opposite of his room. “Um, sir?” questioned the prince. “Yes your highness?” asked the guard. “I’m hungry. Could you tell me how to get to the kitchen?” “Of course. Follow me.” The guard began walking down the hall, followed by Midnight. As the two walked, they passed several castle staff and guards, who bowed at the colt. The young prince nodded at them as they did so. Eventually, the two came to the royal dining room. The guard led the colt to a seat at the table, which the prince took. “This isn’t the kitchen?” asked the prince. “Oh, you don’t need to go to the kitchen your highness. The waiter will bring any food you request.” As he said that, Midnight saw a pony in a butler uniform trotting towards them. The guard walked over to the far end of the room, keeping his eyes on the prince. The waiter trotted up to the colt, and took out a notepad. “Good day your highness. What can I get you?” he asked with a posh sounding voice. The prince took a few moments to think, looking uncertain, before turning back to the waiter. “Um, I’m not sure. What do I usually have?” “Perhaps a daffodil sandwich, as well a side of potatoes would be acceptable?” “Oh, yeah sure.” The waiter then left, making his way back to the kitchen to give the cooks Midnights order. After lunch, Midnight left the dining room, being escorted by the guard. The two wandered around the castle, taking in the sights, and exploring. After a while, the prince and his escort came to a more populated part of the castle. Castle staff, as well as outsiders who had appeared for the day court were wandering about. They would often bow to the colt as he passed. Eventually, they came to a large set of double door, where ponies were lined up from the door, to down the hall. “What’s through there?” asked Midnight. “Through there is the throne room, where your Aunt holds the day court,” replied the guard. “Can we go in?” “I don’t think so. Celestia has a lot of ponies to see, I believe it best that we don’t disturb her.” “Oh, all right.” “So, your highness, where do you wish to go now?” “I think I want to go back to my room for a little while,” said Midnight. “Very well, I shall lead you back,” said the guard. “Oh, that’s ok, I think I know the way.” “Well…very well then, I shall attend to my other duties. If you need help, just find another member of the castle staff.” “Thanks, I will.” With that, the two went their separate ways. Midnight made his way down the halls, trying to make it back to his room. He felt it was important for him to know the way around the castle, and wanted to test his memory. As he made his way down the hall, he could hear a faint voice coming from ahead, down a perpendicular hallway. The voice sounded somewhat tempered, and so, he slowed down, and stopped to listen to what was being said. “You will make sure not to say a word about this to my son. Are we clear?” ‘Mother?’ thought the young prince. “Yes, auntie,” came a trembling male voice. 'Auntie? I have a cousin? Celestia has a son?’ “Good. I’m glad we understand each other.” The sound of hoof steps could be heard, getting fainter, signaling that Luna was heading down the opposite way through the hallway. After a few seconds, Midnight made his way forward, wondering what that was about. As he rounded the corner, he bumped face first into another pony. “Oof! Watch where you’re going you filthy-oh, Midnight, I did not realize it was you!” Midnight looked up to see a white unicorn, with a well-styled blonde mane. The unicorn was also wearing an expensive looking piece of clothing on his breast. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you ,” said the prince. “No, no it was my fault,” said the pony. Only, Midnight picked up a sense of fear and trepidation in his voice, as if he was scared of him. “Um, I’m sorry, but who are you?” questioned the lunar prince. “Oh, of course. I am prince Blueblood,” replied the stallion. “Prince? Are you Aunt Celestia’s son?” “No, I am more of an…honorary member of the family. My parents are nobles, who are close to Celestia and Luna. Therefore I consider them my Aunts.” “Oh. Well then, should I call you cousin?” “You may,” replied Blueblood, still with that tone of fear in his voice. “Listen, It was good to get reacquainted, but I, I must be off. So for now, farewell,” said Blueblood as he made his way past Midnight, down the hall. Once he was gone, Midnight turned, and proceeded to make his way towards his room. “That was strange. I wonder what all that was about.”