The Crystal Prince

Chapter Two

I have conflicted feelings about this novel, especially this Ahuizotl character. I mean, his ambitions to get enough power to take over the world is admirable but he's so overconfident that he believes his traps and minions can stop this Daring Do. By the time I closed the book, the sun had started to set and the moon began to rise in it's place. Setting the book down on the drawer, I lay down on the bed waiting for the answers to pop into my head. But nothing came, not at least without provoking a reaction from certain words like the Crystal Empire or Articus, my name. But now the voices stayed silent, nothing was heard but the silent hum from the crystal lamp on the drawer or the occasional mumble from the crystal guards outside. My stomach interrupted the silence as it demanded to be satisfied. I slowly made my way to the door and opened enough to see one of the guards. The moment the door opened, their attention immediately was on me. I was expecting to have some sort of reaction like the first time I ran into the guards but the only reaction I've got no reaction at all. About time.

"When will tonight's feast begin?"

The guards looked at each other for a moment before one of them nod to the other. One of them left their post, heading towards the throne room while the other one stayed and answered, "We'll find that now sir. It shouldn't be long now."

I hope so, it feels like I may pass out from hunger. I thanked the guard and retreated back into the room. I made my way to the window as it's the only way to see the outside world. Opening the window, a small gentle breeze was felt, enough to make me shiver a bit. The stars slowly started to appear in the night sky and the moon illuminated the dark area's of the city. A few locals are still out and about, guessing they're heading to their respected homes. Where is my home anyway? Is it here or is it somewhere out there, beyond the mountains? What about family or friends? Surely someone is out there look for me...then again, the princess didn't even recognize my own kind and her words might be true.

The princess...I'm not sure how I feel about her. I guess she wants to help me but she's intentionally hiding information as well but for what reasons? What doesn't she want me to know?

And there's Shining Armour...he doesn't even hide his distaste from me. The mark on his flank is a shield so he is or used to be part of the military. That or he was a royal consort and did a very impressive job to get the princess to marry him. So does that make him a prince...or a king? And does that make Cadence a queen? But she introduced herself as a princess and Shining Armour as her husband...I need to stop thinking about this, it's making my headache worse as it is.

Luckily, there was a knock on the door before the guard from the door entered.

"Dinner is ready sir. We'll take you there."

I thanked him as I closed the window and made my way to him. Exiting the room, both guards escorted me to the dining room. Cadence and Shining Armour are already there as well as the food. Vegetarian food mind you but food is food and my stomach is famished for the moment so no time to be picky.

Their little conversation stopped when I got near and sat in the same spot from before.

"Evening Articus, how was the book I've given you?" Cadence asked as I poured myself a glass of water.

"The book was...interesting in a matter of speaking. I wouldn't mind reading another one like this," Might as well since I finished reading the book and the story sorta stopped at the end as it revealed Daring Do's partner was actually working for the enemy.

"Good, I was hoping you like it, I'll give you the second part afterwards," With that, we started to gather our own little dinner from the plates. Salad, vegetables, bread ... and pie. And looks to be an apple pie as well. So grabbing a big slice of pie, earning a chuckle from Cadence and a disapproval stare for Shining, we started to dig in.

"Oh Articus, we received an answer from the letter we sent before and she'll be coming tomorrow around noon time," Ah yes, this mysterious pony who apparently have the answers I need.

"Who is this pony by the way?"

"Well, she's a princess like me and..." She starts to smirk, "Well, I guess you have to find out tomorrow."

...I swear, I'm going to hurt someone in a moment. But she did get someone to answer the questions for me so I settled glaring at her which earned me another giggle.

We continued to eat until a question popped into my head so I asked, "When will I have free reign to wonder around the castle?"

"You can leave the room when we say you can leave," Shining answering immediately. Well that quick and cold from him and it seems that Cadence didn't like that answer as well since she's glaring at him.

We ate in silent after that, giving me time to let my mind wander around again like how can there be ponies made out of actual crystals? Why does everything feel so familiar yet I could not recognize anything? And why can my mind find more questions but not answers? Curse these bloody memories.

After we have satisfied our hunger, they went their own ways while I was escorted back into my room but not without receiving Daring Do and the Lost City, Part Two. I barley got passed the first few chapters before my eyes could not maintain it's awareness and soon after the darkness comfort me in my sleep.

"Thou are too kind to thy opponents."

"I rather be respected by those who are loyal then to be feared."

"It is those kind of words that make thou weak and to be defeated."

"Then I shall train to be even stronger than before, stronger than the two sisters combined!"

"Heh, I shall hold up thy word, son."

The sudden knock on the door startled me awake. I slowly looked around the room before remembering where I was. I sighed as I covered my face with my hands, remembering the dream I had. The dream itself was a blur but the voices was not. I knew one of them was mine but who was the deeper voice belong to? And the two sisters? And did the other voice said son? Was it a dream or was it a memory? So many bloody questions that needed to be answered...

My thoughts were interrupted as there was another set of knocks, reminding me there was someone at the door.

"Enter!" I groggily answered and in comes a light purple maid, a shy one at that who also brings food.

"B-Breakfast sir..." She quietly said as she approached the bed, trying to make eye contact but failing by a large margin.

Sighing, I slowly got up in a sitting position as she placed the tray onto my lap, "...What is this?" I asked the maid pointing to the plate.

"O-Oh..um..I-It's pancakes with syrup and orange juice." She squeaked when she finished.

Pancakes, huh...might as well give them a try. I grabbed the cutlery before cut a small piece of the pancakes and popping it into my mouth.

...The rest was devoured in a matter of seconds. Giving a small burp, I proudly said to the maid, "These pancakes, I like it...another!" I shoved the plate in front of her.

"O-Of course sir..." She grabs both the tray and plate and placing onto her back, "B-Before I leave sir, Princess C-Cadence wishes to remind you of the guest who is to arrive at noon.

I greedily gulped down the orange juice and sighed as she said that. The mysterious pony, a princess at that as well if I remember correctly.

"What time is it now?"

"I-It's umm...around nine o'clock, sir..." So I've got a few more hours to prepare myself. Good, more time to eat pancakes then!

"Good...now pancakes. Chop, chop!" The maid squeaked before dashing out of the room with the tray on her back. I realized I forgot to give her the cup so I placed it on the books and laid back down. So the plans for today are eat, shower, greet and then we improvise from there. I guess I can read more of the book while I wait.

Soon after, the maid came with the food from the heavens and just as before, they were gone in mere seconds. Once the maid left with the plate and glass which I almost forgotten again, it was time for a shower. I stripped off when I entered the bathroom, gave myself a quick look over in the mirror before jumping into the shower and turning it on.

...Then I immediately jumped out with my teeth chattering away. The water was freezing that even death himself would be put off by it. The water quickly warmed itself up to be bearable so in I go. A bar of soap was the only thing to clean myself with but I decided just stand there in the water and just relax.

It was nice. Just to stand there, imaging myself to have no worries about anything. But it was short lived since my mind keeps wandering back to the questions and the doubts I'm starting to have. What if this pony doesn't have the answers I need? What if I never find the answers at all? What if I don't want the answers at all?...

...No. I will get the answers no matter what. I don't care if it takes my all my life to find my memories and I will accept the truth of it, no matter how painful it will be. With my new found determination, I properly showered myself and stepped out but a new problem rises, there was no bloody towel. So I opened the door to get the guards to grab me a towel...

...only to greet the shy maid with my genitals. She turn red and started stammering before ending with a quiet squeak. Rolling my eyes, I knelt down in front of the mare and placed both my hands in either side of her head, facing her towards me.

"Would you kindly go and grab a towel for me, please?"

"I-I..I...ummm..." she started off but she just nodded instead and took off out of the room, her face still blushing up a storm.

I returned back into the bathroom and waited for the maid. She didn't take long but she was gone when I took the towel from her. After toweling off, I got dressed in the same clothes and went back to bed and continued reading from where I left off.

I need to ask someone about getting new clothes.

Why?! Why did you do this?! You were my friend!" shouted Daring Do as she was forced back by the tribal ponies wielding spears.

"Why? As in why did I betray you? It's very simple," Bright Arrow chuckled as he held the glowing orb with his magic, "...revenge."

"Wha-"

"You see Miss Do, you may see me as the lovable sidekick but I was somepony else before that," he stated as he started to glare at her, "I had power, I had money, I had everything! And all of that is GONE. All because of you..."

"...What are you talki-" Daring whispered before a sudden realization hit her, "...no."

Bright smirked at Daring's expression, "Yes, that's right Daring, I am-'

*Knock* *Knock*

...Bloody hell. Just as I was getting to the good part.

I placed the book down on the bed as I got up and made way to answer the door. On the other side, a mare guard upon seeing me raised her hoof to her chest but suddenly stopped as she placed it back down.

"Princess Cadence request your presences...sir."

I thanked her as I stepped out of the room, closed the door and followed the mare. Both of the other guards took their place beside me as we made our way to the throne room.

Upon entering, Cadence and Shining was already talking to a pony. This one is white like Shining but taller than Cadence herself and she has both wings and horn. Her back was towards us when we entered but she turned around when we got close enough.

Cadence smiled when she saw me approached, "Ah Articus, we were just talking about you. Come, this is who I want you to meet."

As she finished, the mare in question fully turned around towards me. The guards bowed down to her in respect but I was to busy as we both gazed at each other. Her body looked so young but her eyes...I don't know how I feel about this mare.

But I didn't want to disrespect the pony who suppose to know me so I bowed my head, "Just as Cadence have said, I am Articus...and may I ask who you are?"

She didn't answer right away but continued to stare at me. But it wasn't too long before she gave a gentle smile and answered.

"Greetings Articus. I am Princess Celestia; Co-ruler of Equestria..."

Celestia...I...huh...

She's the one who's going to tell me who I am so I should be joyous about the occasion...so why do I feel anger instead?