(BRIGHT’S DIARY P.O.V)
Day - - - -
Today we finally celebrated Cadence and Shinning Armor wedding, it was nice, I was forced to use a Tuxedo, Rarity´s expression when she found out she was the designer was priceless, I won’t say any details, only it was very uncomfortable, the after party was good too, I danced with Cadence, my mom, aunt Luna, even with Pinkie Pie (yeah. . . that was weird) but I left the best for the last, my mare friend Flying Hope, by the way, everypony was happy when I told them the news. . .Sweet Rose was literally dancing for happiness, yep! Everypony was happy. . .well, all except Twilight, I knew it wouldn’t end well, after all she. . .Likes me, yep, I always knew, I kinda felt bad for her but in the end my heart choose Flying, I just hope we can remain friends after all this.
Day - - - -
Flying Hope and me have been dating for 3 weeks already, now I know more things about my marefriend, it wasn’t hard to believe she was a supermodel but to think she is famous in many cities is so amazing, she told me she is now modeling for a local magazine here in Canterlot so she will be around here for at least a few more weeks, she then confessed she only took the job to be close to me, that made me happy.
Day - - - -
After 4 weeks, I finally got the chance to talk to Twilight, at first she was silent but then she apologized for her behavior, I told her it was alright but she insisted with the apology, we talked for some minutes and then we shook hands and hooves, but somehow. . .I can’t say we are good yet, in fact. . .I think we are not good at all, at least I could make amends with Spike, I never understood why he was so angry with me but everything made sense when he told me how he hated seeing Twilight spent two days crying in her room after I told her about my relation with Flying Hope, he really loves her as a sister and disliked me for hurting her. . . I felt like an asshole.
Day - - - -
I’ve been living in the castle for more than two months, I can say living here is not that bad but it can be really boring and thanks to the promise I made to Fluttershy I can’t even go hunting to the nearby forest but I don’t regret it, Blueblood still is a pain in the ass but at least his insults are much lesser know, I’m glad to know he realizes he can’t mess with me and when he does. . .let’s say part of the castle smells like roasted pony for some minutes.
I keep remembering new things every day, Mother was right, living in this environment and sharing stories with her and Cadence really helped me to remember, I was kinda afraid that when I recovered my memories I might forget the ones in Minus, Thank my Mom it didn’t happen, still there are some vague images. . . I still wonder who was that yellow unicorn with fire mane . . . the one who I believe . . . gave me my first kiss, someday I will ask to mother.
Day - - - -
To kill time, I’ve been sparring with Shining. . . with Prince Shining Armor and Aunt Luna, I’m glad he never held a grudge for me for not choosing his sister, he told me as a married stallion that no one can’t force you to choose who to love, if my destiny was to be with Flying Hope, he would gladly support us, I really like this dude, I think we will be a great Pals.
Day - - - -
Flying Hope is leaving in a couple of days, she needs to be in Trottingham, Fillydelphia and BaltiMare for some magazine photo sessions, she was close to decline but I told her it was fine, she had responsibilities to attend, reluctant she accepted but promised to finish the job as soon as possible to come back quickly, Man! I love this mare.
Day - - - -
Tonight I really don’t want to enter to details, knowing she will leave tomorrow and we will not see each other for a few months. . . Flying Hope and I had an amazing date, I took her to all her favorites places, including the fountain where our relation started. . . after that, we came back and I was leaving her in her room and she. . .suddenly used her magic to pull me into her room.
This night we became one. . . .Best night ever!
Day - - - -
I miss her so much, it’s pretty funny to be honest, a couple months ago, I wouldn’t mind living far away from ponies . . . now I so much want to see one, my marefriend, according to her mail, she misses me too but is doing well in Trottingham, of course the rumors about her dating the estrange son of Celestia started to spread, she says many reporters have asked her about that but she refuses to say any details claiming our relationship is none of their business, that’s other thing I love about her, strong attitude.
I’m preparing to leave tomorrow, I need to see my friends in Zebrica and Minus, it was really a challenge to convince my mother to let me go, Cadence and Luna also had their issues but supported me in the end. I can’t wait to see them again.
(END P.O.V)
- - - - - - - - - - -
(Train Station)
“Are you sure you don’t want to take at least one guard with you?”
Celestia said while hugging her son with no intentions of let him go.
“(Sigh) No mother, I can take care of myself and I already promised you, I will try my best to stay away from troubles”
“I know, I know it’s just. . .you only been here for a little more than two months, It’s too soon to leave again”
“Mother, I’m not leaving forever, I’m just visiting my friends, I’ll be back in 3 or 4 weeks”
“Ok. . . . at least you took with you the magical flame, writte EVERY DAY, you hear me?”
“Yes Mother, I Promise you will write a letter every day, some days you will get two, one for you and one to send to Flying Hope, DON’T READ THEM YOU HEAR ME!”
Steel said that while looking a little lantern with everlasting green fire, with that, he could send and receive letters from his mother immediately, just like Spike’s fire.”
“And please be safe and come back soon my nephew, I need my sparring partner the sooner possible” Luna said
Bright broke the hug with his mother to give her one too, she returned the hug.
“Ohhh, I will miss you too aunt Luna”
“And don’t forget about me!” Cadence said while hugging him as well.
“Never Cadence”
She then kissed his cheek and said:
“Please be safe and if you ever are in troubles, just send the letter and we will come as soon as possible”
Bright kissed her in the forehead too and said:
“Same here Cadence”
Bright entered the train that would leave him next to Minus checkpoint, in the last second, he turned around. . . struggling he finally said:
“I love you all” – He then entered the train the faster he could, leaving the three alicorns shocked, Princess Celestia then started to fly for happiness.
“It’s the first time since his return my son tells me he loves me, I’M SO HAPPY!”
“Sister, he said he loved us all”
“. . . .Please Luna, don’t ruin this for me”
Luna and Cadence rolled their eyes and alongside Celestia, proceeded to go back to the castle, already missing their human prince.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The train ride took around 5 hours, he was so happy to have the royal train car to himself, he wasn’t in the mood to deal with ponies stares, even though some of them had already accepted him, when he came out of the train, many ponies asked him some questions, he answered the faster he could and continued his way, it took him a couple of hours but he finally reached. . .his cave, it was just as he left it, obviously it was a little dirty for the dust but still, everything was there, he started to wonder why any mugger didn´t steal anything, everything made sense when he noticed a little sign in the cave entrance.
“TAKE ANYTHING AND I WILL HUNT YOU FOREVER”
- MARGARET BREEZE –
He smiled at the sign, Mrs Margaret indeed was a fearsome Minotaur, he left his backpack there and only took a little box with him, he then proceeded to go to Mrs Margaret’s house, the walk was quiet, sooo quiet. . . and he didn’t like it, he wasn’t in Equestria’s safe lands for his Mother’s sake! Where were the monsters? He wanted. . .No! he needed a good hunt, he waited for some minutes but nothing happened.
“hmmmmm, I guess they are sleeping today, Damn! Just my luck!”
Disappointed, Steel continued his way, in a short time, he arrived at his destination, the house and the garden was amazing as always, if Mrs Margaret could get a cutie mark, it would definitely be a flower theme cutie mark, when he got a little more close, there he saw her, her favorite lady minotaur in all the world, taking care of her garden, she approached slowly, she was so focus in her garden to notice him, a few meters from her, he said:
“Hi! Mrs Margaret!”
The minotaur’s eyes widened and turned around immediately, she saw him, standing a few steps from her, they stared for some seconds before she caught him in a crushing hug.
“Hello darling. . .I missed you so much!”
“agh. . .I missed you too Mrs Margaret. . . I kinda forgot how your hugs hurt. . . but still. . . I missed them too”
They broke the hug and entered to her house to have some tea and cookies, even after tasting cookies made by royal chefs, they didn’t compare to Mrs Margaret, he had to note to bring some to his family someday.
“So, you really are a prince uh?” Mrs Margaret said while standing from her seat and bowing
“Hey hey! You don’t have to bow before me, it’s just a tittle, I’m the same as always, please . . . it’s just. . .wrong”
Mrs Margaret smiled and stood up; she then gave a gentle hug to Steel.
“I’m glad that tittle didn’t change you my dear human, it’d be sad if you turned into an spoiled brat.”
“Never, Princess Celestia may be a noble but she is wise and kind, not like those nobles we dislike so much, the royal family is amazing. . .well there is one asshole but I don’t want to talk about him”
“It’s ok sweetie, still. . .I’m happy you found your mother. . . I really do”
Steel knew she was happy for him but at the same time there were sadness in her voice, he looked her in the eyes and said:
“Hey! She may be my mother but you still have a special place in my heart, I’ll never forget all those years you took care of me and I love you too”
Margaret eyes were watering at that moment.
“Thanks sweetie, it makes me happy hearing you say that, thanks for being like the son I never had”
“Anytime Mrs Margaret, now why don’t we go to see Mr Jilt and the rest of the market folks”
Margaret noded and alongside Steel proceded to go to the city.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“So your original name was Bright Sunny? Hahahahaha, it doesn’t suit you at all! Hahahahahah” Jilt said, laughing like crazy.
Margaret and Steel were laughing as well, they three were sharing a nice cider in Jilt’s hut, unlike with Mr Margaret’s, their reunion was nice and quick, maybe for both being males, many folks in the market also happily greeted him, all of them happy to see him again, he was also happy to not seeing any of them bowing before him, at least Mrs Margaret and Jilt kept the secret as he requested.
“Yeah I know! thanks Celestia I managed to change it to Bright Steel”
“Bright Steel. . .I like it” Mrs Margaret said.
“Thanks Mrs Margaret”
They spent good time talking about his experiences in Equestria, from his fight against the bug queen and his nightmare mother and aunt, they both were glad to hear everything turned alright in the end but still. . . who would say he’d have tons of troubles and fights even in Equestria, he then told them everything about Flying Hope, well. . . all except the sex part but his blushing face exposed him immediately, Margaret once again hugged him tightly.
“Ohhhh my little Steel is a full grown up human now!. . .tell me. . .how was it?”
“. . . .WHAT?”
“Oh please sweetie, it’s so obvious but please. . .be carefull too, you are still too young to give grand foals to your mother. . . now please. . tell me how was. . .”
“Ahem! Margaret. . .I think that topic is. . . private don’t you think?” Jilt said coming to Steel’s rescue.
Mrs Margaret shining eyes changed to embarrassed ones.
“Oh! SORRY! SORRY! FORGIVE ME STEEL!”
“HEHEHE. . .It’s ok Mrs Margaret. . . just please, don’t ask that again”
After the uncomfortable moment. . . very uncomfortable moment, Bright proceeded to give to Mrs Margaret and Mr Jilt a couple of Golden pendants, adorned with diamonds, he showed them he had one too.
“My mother wanted to thank you for taking care of me, I asked her to craft these for me, she wanted to come here personally but. . . well you know our countries still are at edge with each other”
Jilt and Margaret nodded, they took their pendants and opened them, there was a photo with them and Bright and not only that, behind it, there was an inscription.
“For you to not forget you are my family too”
Jilt and Margaret hugged Steel kindly.
“Thanks sweetie, and please tell your mother we thank her as well.”
Steel nodded and returned the hug, they remained like that for minutes.
- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -
The next weeks, Steel spent his time hunting and helping Jilt and Margaret in any way he could, he also hanged out with some folks in the market, telling them all about his journey, he made sure to not mention anything about his family or tittle, not for he felt ashamed or anything but for he didn’t want to be treated different there, some day he and his mother would share the secret to other countries but for now, he decided to keep a low profile, in Minus, he was just Steel the human, nothing less, nothing more, and he was fine with that.
He didn’t realize until that moment, how much he missed that place. . .but still. . .he wanted to go back to his mother and marefriend.
As promised, he wrote a letter to his mother every day, and every 3 days to Flying Hope, her mother always sent the answer right away, of course she sent him the letters from Flying Hope, he missed her a little more every day and was happy when she said she was going to return to Canterlot in 3 weeks, he had to make sure to be there to receive her.
Much to his grief, after a couple of more days, it was time for him to travel to Zebrica to see Zahari and his other zebra friends, Margaret, Jilt and everyminotaur gave him a farewell party, as always Margaret told him he would always have a home there.
- - - - - - - -- - - - -
After walking for 3 days, he finally reached Zebrica’s checkpoint, when he got close enough to be seen by the zebras, he saw Zahari standing againts the wall and with her hooves crossed.
“You are late dear, don’t you know is rude to keep a lady waiting?”
“. . . .(sigh) Hi Zahari”
“Uh? Aren’t you surprised?”
“Nah! I know you very well, that and is not hard to deduce Mrs Margaret sent you a letter like last time”
“Hahahahahaha, you are more clever now boy, good for you, now come, everyZebra is waiting for you”
After a quick hug, Zahari and Bright walked to her house, when she opened the door, many zebras and some minotaurs were there and. . .
“WELCOME BACK STEEL!”
Steel only smiled, he didn’t even flinch, one Zebra aproached to them and said:
“Awwww Zahari, you told him?”
“Nope. . . he is just not as easy to surprise as before”
Steel chuckled, Zahari didn’t know how true those words were, after being surprised to death by Pinkie Pie and her “Welcome back to Equestria” party, he kinda learned when to wait for a surprise.
Even with the failed surprise, everyzebra, minotaur and human had a great time, Zebrica’s snacks and cider always were so good, almost as good as Equestria’s, after the party was over and every guest was gone, Zahari and Steel sat on the couch, as with Margaret and Jilt, he told her everything he didn’t mention in the letters.
“Hahahaha, so your are Prince Bright now?”
“. . . yeah but I rather Steel if you don’t mind”
“Ok. . .and tell me, is she pretty? I mean your marefriend?”
“Flying Hope? Yeah, here, look at her”
Steel showed Zahari a picture of him hugging Flying hope with one arm and she smiling to the camera.
“Sweet mothers of all zebras, she is gorgeous, are you sure she is not a princess?”
“Nope. . .at least not yet but trust me, she will”
“Hahahaha, if you say so, don’t be an idiot to let her go you hear me, besides I’m grateful to her, now you will not stare at my flank anymore hahahaha”
“Hey! I can tell you I will not cheat on her but that doesn’t mean I will not see your amazing flank anymore”
“. . . . . . . . . . what?”
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I’M KIDDING ZAHARI, DON’T GET ME WRONG! YOUR FLANK IS AMAZING BUT FLYING’S IS OUT OF THIS WORLD”
Zahari blushed and laugh as well.
“Well, I’m glad you found your “right one” and I really wish you two a happy life”
“Thanks Zahari, I will make my princess happy”
- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -
The next week was very nice, he spent all his time hunting and helping Zahari collecting potions’ ingredients, he also showed him his improvements with his axe, she felt so proud of him and for all the things he said, she had a new opinion of ponies, the good ones of course, Zahari insisted to not help her, after all he had come to Zebrica to relax but he declined, telling her helping her or his other friends made him feel alive, at least he was doing something, not that he disliked his life in the castle but sometimes it could be just too relaxing, not to mention he didn’t exactly have many friends in Equestria to hang out.
Zahari couldn’t help to feel a little sad for him, it was true, he may had started his childhood in Equestria but then he spent another half of his life outside of it, he was raised as a hunter and commoner, not as a prince used to have everything done by somepony else like that spoiled cousin he told her about and not only that, In Zebrica and Minus, he had many friends who accepted him as how he was!. . . . he would never say it, but she knew he felt. . . alone, now more than ever she was happy he found Flying Hope.
Zahari didn’t tell him to stop helping anymore, it was something he needed to do, she just smiled and kept working beside him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Feeling better than ever, it was time for Steel to return to Canterlot, Many of his friends were there to say their farewells, he was happy to return with his family but at the same time he was a little sad, Zahari approached to him and hugged him tightly.
“Steel. . . remember you are not alone, I know Equestria is like a whole new world for you but it doesn’t mean you are in the wrong place, you have your mother, your marefriend and rest of the family and I’m sure someday everypony will see what we all already see, just keep going, you never ran away from any conflict and I know you wont from this one too”
Steel hugged Zahari, a few tears escaped from his eyes.
“Thanks Zahari, I needed to hear that”
“No problem dear, and don’t forget, if you ever think you are losing your path, we will always be here to listen and help you”
Steel nodded and was going to start his way back when a zebra Messenger came running very fast.
“EVERYZEBRA! YOU HEAR THE NEWS? A NEW CITY MADE OF PURE CRISTAL HAS APPEARED IN THE EAST OF THE SNOW LANDS AND NOT ONLY THAT, THEIR HABITANTS ARE CRISTAL PONIES!”
“Crystial Ponies?” Everycreature asked.
“Yes, It’s amazing, it seems they weren’t a myth after all, but not only that, a dark mist is trying to enter the city and is attacking everycreature who tries to get near of it, the rumors says it may be the former ruler of this Empire”
Everyone was amazed, just to think there was a city made of crystal and their habitants were made of crystal too was incredible enough, a smile crossed Steel’s face, a new place to know had just appeared, there was no way he would let that chance to pass, and if that dark creature would try to attack him, he would just kick his ass, he immediately asked Zahari for a map of the snow lands, Zahari sighed and voluntary gave him the scrolls he needed, she was not going to try to convince him to not go, the spark of his eyes made it clear he was going no matter what she says.
“Just be careful” was all she said.
He was going to start his adventure when he felt something in his backpack, it was his lantern with green magical everlasting fire, the moment he took it out, a letter came out of it, he proceeded to read it:
My dear son:
I hope you are ok and this letter reach you on time, I’m sure you already know this, a land known as the Cristal Empire has returned and with it, a dark being known as King Sombra, a dark Tyrant responsible of banishing it in the first place, Son, knowing your adventure sense very well. . . I will be as direct as possible, I FORBID YOU TO GO THERE, COME BACK TO CANTERLOT IMMEDIATELY!
Since Luna and I are needed here to protect Canterlot, your Cousin Cadence and Shinning Armor are already dealing with the situation, Twilight and the rest of the Elements are on their way too, I repeat, don’t go there, please Bright, please come back here as soon as possible where you will be safe, trust your family and the Elements in this quest.
With much Love and waiting for your return.
Your Mother, Celestia.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Steel sighed and shred the letter, he knew his mother only wanted to protect him but he was not planning to let his dear cousin Cadence and friends to deal with this situation alone, not to mention the adventure was so tempting to let it pass, in the name of his mother, he decided to not fight Sombra, not unnecessarily at least, too bad, it was his plan before receiving the letter, even so; it was settled. . . . next stop THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE!