Princess Cadance was walking through the halls of Canterlot. Princess Luna has risen the moon and she couldn't help but admire the beautiful and starry night. The young alicorn decided to take a walk in the Canterlot garden under the moonlight sky, in addition to the soft breeze blowing through her coat, mane, and tail. She stood still and closed her eyes, and relaxed as the wind continued to flow through her. She opened her eyes and continued to walk through the garden. "Princess Cadance!" A young voice called. The alicirn stopped walking and turned her head. She smiled when she saw young Twilight Sparkle running towards her. The two stood a good distance away from each other.
"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake." they recited while doing the movements. "Twilight, why are you not in bed?" She asked. "It's getting late, you know."
"I know" Twilight whined. "But ever since you told me about what magic you could do, I couldn't help learn them." She sat on her haunches and stared at her foalsitter pleadingly. "Please? Just one? I promise I'll go to bed." Princess Cadance laughed softly.
"Ok. But just one." Her horn began to glow a blue aura and it formed into an orb. The alicorn concentrated further and Twilight's eyes widened with amazement as the orb then formed into a heart. After awhile, the heart vaporized. Twilight clapped her hooves together.
"Let me try! Let me try!" She said excitedly. She concentrated and her horn began to glow. An orb then began to form but instead of turning it into a heart, something startled Twilight, causing her to fire her magic into the sky. Princess Cadance patted her head with her hoof.
"You'll get better at it" she said assuringly.
"You think so?" Twilight asked hopefully.
"I know so. Now go on to bed. It's getting late." She watched as Twilight skipped merrily back to the castle. The Alicia's remained outside and stared up at the night sky hoping that she'll see the day when Twilight will successfully perform magic. Not far from her, a spark of flash was made similar to the aura Twilight had shot into the sky. Princess Cadance looked away to shield her eyes from the brightness. As soon as the brightness dimmed, she turned her head towards the location where the flash had started and found a box. An old, tattered cardboard box. There were several poked holes on it so whatever was inside could breathe. She approached it and saw some writing. Although the ink was dull, it was still readable to her.
'He's your responsibility now, you take care of him!'
The words tore her heart. He even noticed three lines going under the word 'your', one line under the other, and the way 'responsibility' was written gave her a hint that whoever wrote this was angry. She couldn't believe how someone would abandon their pet. She used her magic to open the box. She gasped at what was inside. She saw what looked like a hairless diamond dog wrapped in a blanket. She inspected the creature closely and saw that the only hair visible was on his head. Said hair was light brown, his skin was fair, and he was was small as a foal. Princess Cadance looked around unsure what to do. She couldn't leave him out here by himself. She would take him in but it would mean that she'll probably be questioned for bringing an unidentified creature to the castle. She decided to take him inside and do something that she knows she shouldn't do but at the same time, felt like it was the right thing. She'll have to hide him from everypony and keep it to herself. It's very risky, but she knows it has to be done. Fearing that nopony will take care of him, she'll be the one to raise him as her own. She knows that he'll grow up to be a good son.
Princess Cadance brought the creature to her room and gently placed the sleeping bundle on her bed. She stared at the creature with a smile on her face. She watched the creature's chest rise up and down, accompanied by his sift breathing and soft snores. Since she'll be his... 'Mother', she has to come up with a name for him. She then noticed something about the blanket. It only had three colors. Red, orange, and yellow. She smiled and leaned close to his ear. "Welcome to your new home... Roy" she whispered tenderly. The creature stirred in his sleep. She walked over to a medium sized bookshelf and skimmed through the titles on the spines. She then spotted the book she was looking for and used her magic to get it.
'Creatures of Equestria: Myth, Legend, and Real.'
She walked over to Roy and studied him. She then used her magic to flip through the pages to match the exact shake and form as Roy. After a few more seconds of turning the pages. She smiled and stopped at the page and image she wanted. The page shows the same shake and form as Roy. A drawing of a baby wrapped in a blanket.
"So he's a human" she said quietly as she read the name of the chapter on the top of the page. Next to the drawing if the baby, was another drawing. This one had the human on his hands and knees as if he's crawling. The next shows a drawing of the human on two legs. Each drawing showed the next stages of growth until she reached a drawing of the human hunched over a little, holding a cane. At the very bottom under the stages of evolution were several paragraphs regarding humans. Princess Cadance read them quietly to herself until she reached a section about how they can be violent and once man wanted to take over Equestria. Princess Cadance shook her head. 'I'll make sure he doesn't grow up to be like it says in the book' she thought to herself. 'He'll learn about love, tolerance, and that friendship is magic.' She closed the book and levitated it back to the shelf. She climbed into bed and laid down next to her 'son' and gently wrapped a wing around him. She looked at the form for a few more seconds before going to sleep herself.
Months went by and Princess Cadance felt like she was ready to show Roy to Princess Celestia. Twilight suddenly entered her room, startling her. "Can I see him?! Can I see him?!" She asked excitedly.
"Shah" she whispered as she pointed to the sleeping boy on the bed. Twilight approached him and smiled at how adorable he was and cooed.
"What's his name?" She asked in a whispery tone.
"Roy" she answered. Twilight tilted her head to the side, confused.
"I like he name but... What made you choose it?"
"Well..." Princess Cadance said. She pointed to the blanket wrapping up the boy. "Look. The blanket has three colors. Red, orange, and yellow. So I took the first letters of the names of the colors and rearranged them into a name."
"Oh!" Twilight said, getting the idea. "Roy! I get it now. I like the name even more!" The boy stirred and moaned softly. "So what happens now?"
"Now I show him to Princess Celestia" Princess Cadance said with confidence. The two walked down the hall, hiding from the royal guards or any other pony walking by. They eventually made it to Princess Celestia's room. Twilight knocked on the door lightly. "Come in" she answered. Twilight used her magic to open the door and stepped inside. Princess Celestia was using her magic to levitate a quill pen and was filling some documents. "What can I do for you, my faithful student?" She asked. The young unicorn filly fidgeted nervously. Princess Cadance helped her by stepping inside the room.
"Aunt Celestia?" She asked. Although she adopted her as her niece, Princess Celestia didn't mind Cadance calling her that. "There's something I want to show you." This sparked an interest.
"Oh?" She asked.
"I know it's been a few months but I've been hiding it because I wasn't so sure how you'll react." Princess Celestia released her magic grip on the own.
"Is something wrong? Are you all right?" She asked.
"I'm fine. It's just that..." She used her magic to bring in the small bundle. Princess Celestia approached the bundle and looked at the sleeping face of Roy.
"A human..." She whispered. "Cadence where and when did you find him?" She questioned.
"I found him not many months ago in in a box in the Canterlot garden."
"Show me" she said. Princess Cadance led Twilight and Princess Celestia back to her room. When they arrived, Princess Cadance opened her closet and used her hooves to drag out the box she found Roy in 3 months ago. Princess Celestia inspected it and even examined the writing. "The night you found him... Was there any magic involved?" She asked. She turned to Cadance. "Do you recall performing any magic at all."
"Yes" she answered. " I was showing Twilight some of my magic and she tried to copy it but it went somewhat awry." Princess Celestia nodded with understanding. "And after she gone off to bed, there was a flash with the same color as her magic and there was the box. Twilight felt ashamed.
"I did that?" She asked. "I had no idea."
"Don't blame yourself my faithful student" Princess Celestia said. "I'm sure your magic saved him from any upcoming harm that may have approached him."
"So what happens now?" Princess Cadance asked.
"Keep him. Raise him as your own and make sure he never leaves your sight. Twilight, you are to help her care for the boy. Consider this your next test." Twilight Sparkle had sparkles in her eyes. "But there is one thing that must be said" she said seriously. "You must raise him well. Don't make him grow up to be like the other humans that came by here."
"I won't" she promised.
"I know you'll make a great mother. I'm just concerned about the outcomes when he grows up."
Years went by and Roy was now 11 years old. Twilight had grown too and she was a mare now. Of course she stuck with her duties of helping Princess Cadance take care of him. Roy was accepted by several ponies although there are a lot are not too accepting. And since he was accepted, one of Canterlot's fashionistas made clothes for him. A white shirt, black shorts with red streaks, and white socks. He was also given some white running shoes. One afternoon, while he was out in the hall, looking for his mom, he bumped into Twilight Sparkle. "Hi, Roy!" She greeted.
"Hi" he responded. "I'm looking for my mom, have you seen her?"
"Sorry Roy, she's in a meeting right now and couldn't be disturbed at the moment. But hey, at least I'm here to keep an eye on you and make sure you're doing ok." Roy was relived. He turned around but walked into a stallion, knocking him on his behind. He glanced up and saw Shining Armor looking down at him. Feeling intimidated, Roy ran off.
"Um... Was it something I did?" He asked.
"No" Twilight answered with a smile.
"Who was that kid and why haven't I seen him before?" He asked.
"Long story" she answered before running off to find Roy. She looked around the hall but couldn't find him. She decided to use a locating spell she was taught for successfully teaching him how to walk. She smiled when she located him in Princess Cadance's room and teleported there. She wasn't happy what she saw. Roy stood by Princess Celestia's opened closet, with the red, orange, and yellow blanket in his hand while staring at a box. "Roy?" She asked. "Are you ok?"
"Where's the dog or cat?" He asked turning to her.
"What?" She asked.
"The box, and the blanket. Where's the animal that came with it?" He asked. Twilight knew that she shouldn't answer this question. It was a matter between him and his mother.
"I..." She said.
"Auntie Twilight, can you help me find the dog, cat or whatever animal was in this box?" She couldn't believe that he doesn't know yet. Just then, Princess Cadance stepped inside the room. She was about to greet Twilight and Roy when she a saddened look on his face.
"Roy?" She asked. "What is wrong, child?" He raised the blanket and pointed to the box.
"Was there a dog or cat for me?" He asked. "If so, where did he go? Can you help me find him?" Princess Cadance turned to Twilight.
"I'll be needing a moment with him" she said. Twilight nodded and left the room. Princess Cadance walked over to Roy and sat down. "Roy... There wasn't a dog or a cat that I found in that box. It was you."
"Me?" He asked. Princess Cadance nodded. Roy dropped the blanket and looked at the box. "I'm not home?" Princess Cadance had tears in her eyes.
"You are home" she said as she approached him.
"How long was I kept from knowing this?" Roy asked.
"11 years" she answered.
"For 11 years... I was schooled in here, I was kept in here from the outside? Why can't I go to school like the others? Am I not a pony like you?"
"Roy..." Princess Cadance said softly. She reached out a hoof but Roy evaded it.
"You're not my mom. I know moms send their foals to school but you didn't. You schooled me by yourself. I have no friends, no classmates."
"Roy..."
"I'll show you. I'll show you that I can make a lot if friends!" He ran out the door,
"Roy!" Princess Cadance called. But it was too late. He was gone.
Princess Cadance had been sitting in her room, looking at the box and the blanket for the last 30 minutes feeling regretful for not telling him sooner. There was a knock on the doorway. Turning her head, she saw Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle. Both looked distraught. "We have a problem" he said. Roy stepped inside and looked horrible. His right eye was bruised, his clothes were torn, cuts and scratches were on his cheek, his lower lip bled, his hair was messy, and his eyes were red from crying. Princess Cadance gasped and ran over to him.
"We found him like this" Twilight Sparkle said. "Apparently he tried to make friends." Princess Cadance levitated a cloth to wipe the blood off him.
"Why am I hated?" He asked.
"You're not hated" Princess Cadance answered, tears forming in her eyes.
"I said that I was a pony like them but they just laughed and made fun of me." Princess Cadance used her magic to levitate the book the night she found him and turned to a page.
"You're not a pony" she said sorrowfully. "This is what you are. A human. A species that ponies despise and hate so much."
"Is that why I was brought here? To be hated?" He asked tearfully. Princess Cadance shook her head.
"No. There are ponies here who love you like Twilight, Shining Armor, Luna, Celestia. Including me."
"Since I'm not from here... Can I continue to pretend that you're my mother?" Princess Cadance pulled him to a tight hug.
"I am your mother" she said. Shining Armor and Twilight watched from the doorway.
"We have to tell her" he said.
"Why now?" She asked tearfully.
"It's the best way to keep him safe."
"I don't want to" she said. "You tell her." Shining Armor sighed and approached Princess Cadance.
"Princess Cadance" he said. The alicorn turned him. "We were informed by Princess Cekestia about something not too long after we found Roy."
"What is it?" She asked.
"Tomorrow when we wake up after tonight, Roy will not be here. She's sending him back." Princess Cadance tightened her grip.
"No! Why?!"
"To ensure his safety. She doesn't want to risk the brutal beatings to happen again." Roy pushed himself away from his mother.
"I knew it" he said. "The book was right! I'm hated! You just pretended to love me for 11 years." He turned around and ran out if the room.
"Roy, wait!" Princess Cadance called. "Twilight, stop him please so I can explain!" Twilight bolted out of the room. Every time she tried teleporting closer and closer to him, he just ran farther and farther away.
"Roy!" She called.
The young boy burst into Princess Celestia's room. "Take me home!" He shouted. The white alicorn was shocked.
"But you have until night to spend time with your family."
"What family?! I'm a human! Isn't this what ponies hate?! Nopony loves me!"
"Roy, that's not true."
"Take me home." Twilight's voice could be heard calling for him and pleading him to stop. "Take me home" he said.
"But Roy."
"I said take me home" he said again.
"But.."
"NOW!!!" He screamed. By the time Twilight arrived, Princess Celestia had tearfully fired a blast of magic at him, teleporting him away. She gasped and fell on her haunches.
"He didn't feel like he belonged here" Princess Celestia said sadly. Just then, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor arrived. Roy was nowhere to be seen. "I'm sorry Cadance, but he thought nopony loved him so he begged me and even yelled at me to send him back." Tears formed in Princess Cadance's eyes.
"But... He" she said sadly. "He was my human. He was my little human." She let the tears fall. "He was my son. A son I never had." The ponies gathered around Princess Cadance and they all cried together.
Years went by again. Shining Armor and Princess Cadance were now engaged. The latter was in her room. She had thrown out the box years ago but she still kept the blanket. The small red, yellow, and orange blanket. She used her magic to hold the blanket close to her. "I miss you Roy" she whispered sadly. She placed the blanket on the bed and left her room.
As usual, she walked under the moonlit sky enjoying the nightly breeze. She approached the spot where she first encountered Roy as a baby. The memory of the box appearing played in her mind. "Princess Cadance" Twilight's voice cut her off from her memories. The pink alicorn turned around smiled.
"Good evening Twilight" she said. Twilight approached her with a smile on her face.
"I've been practicing the magic you taught me so long ago." A smile spread on her face.
"Show me." Twilight focused her magic and her horn began to glow. The magic then formed an orb. Princess Cadance's eyes widened with amazement when the orb formed into a heart. Twilight then fired the heart shaped orb into the sky and fired a beam of light at it, making several heart shaped stars. "How did you do that?" She asked in shock.
"Well" Twilight laughed. Princess Cadance smiled and chuckled.
"Never mind about that" she said. "I'm going off to bed now. Will you be ok on your own here?" She asked. Twilight nodded as the alicorn walked away. When she disappeared from view, Twilight glanced up at the sky admiring the work she has done. Suddenly a flash appeared from the side. The same color as the aura she has made. Twilight shielded her eyes from the brightness. As soon as the light dimmed, something startled her.
"Hello Twilight" a voice said. She put her hoof down and saw a man around his 20s. He wore a white shirt, blue pants, white socks, and running shoes. His hair was short and brown and his eyes were hazel. The man had a light British accent. His clothes were a little burned though.
"Do I know you?" She asked.
"I believe you do. Is mom here?" He asked. Twilight tilted her head. "I remember coming here wrapped up in a red, orange and yellow blanket." Twilight's eyes widened with surprise.
"Roy?" She asked. The man bent down and outstretched his arms.
"It's good to be home. My real home." Twilight ran over to him and hugged him.
"Oh you're burned, what happened?"
"Don't worry about it. I was walking and then some purple bolt of lightning hit me." He said it like it wasn't weird at all. "So I ask again... Is mom here? She'll be happy to know that... What was it she called me years ago? 'Her human, her son?' Has come home."