The Return of the Prince?

by AssassinKnight

Rating: teen
Tags: Sad, Romance, Adventure
Length: 4761

We only knew of the two sisters but now we know of their past

A young alicorn colt runs away from his home into outer space to escape his royal responsibilities but when his family is endangered he comes home to find out that he had been away for more than 2,000 years. Will he get home to save his family in time? Is there even a way home? Does he want to go home after meeting the kindest pony in Equestria?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-08-03 08:10:03 UTC

Chapter 1: How The Old Story Goes

In the beginning there were two sisters, but was that truly the beginning of the sisters story? No.

In the beginning there were Unicorns, Pegasi and earth ponies alike living in harmony, but then a piece of the sky fell from the heavens above and touched the surface of the planet. Two magnificent Ponies arose from the crater and there names were Star Light and Galaxy Knight. Never before had there been any ponies like them, they had long majestic manes, beautiful wings and sharp horns. This new breed of pony came to be known as the Alicorn and as with all Alicorns they had extraordinary magical abilities. Star Light raised the sun and showed everyone what amazing power she had and upon doing this everyone bowed to them thus showing there respect for them. The ponies instantly deemed the two King and Queen of Equestria, making them responsible for the raising of the sun and moon and the well being of the land and all its citizens. Years Later the King and Queen had two beautiful daughters that were gifted magically and would take on the responsibility of raising the sun and moon. These mares were named Celstia and Luna and that is were the story began... but there was a secret that was hidden from everyone. The King and Queen had a son before the two daughters and unlike them he wasn't very skilled in magic. His name was Starbound Knight and he was the first born.

He couldn't even hold up a chalice to his mouth before his nose started to bleed from the strain of using his magic. One day, King Galaxy and Starbound went to the land that used to belong to the Draconequus for some flight training. Starbound took off like a rocket and amazingly the King could barely keep up with his son who was blazing through checkered landscape. Then something amazing happened, Starbound had performed the worlds first Speed Break (A Sonic Star-Boom) and he was so young when he did it. As the years went by Starbound Knight had only gotten faster and faster and then came the day his parents wanted to talk to him about his magical ability skills. They told him that when the time came he would have to take on the responsibility of caring to the needs of all the pony folk in the land but since he could not raise the Sun and Moon himself he would need help and so they planned to have two more children in hopes that they could raise the Sun and Moon for him. This would have made Starbound Knight the King of Equestria and his future siblings his Royal subordinates. So as the time passed Starbound learned all he could about running a kingdom and as time went on he grew more and more sad that he couldn't use magic to help his kingdom. Then came the day that the changed everything, Starbound learned that the consequence for using magic inside the castle was death by guillotine and had to be overseen by the King. He knew if he had to send someone to the guillotine for something like that he would be hated by his citizens and there was no way of getting out of his royal duties. Starbound went for a fly later that day and was so overwhelmed by the feelings of sadness and grief that he flew as fast as he could but without knowing it he had flew into outer space and judging by his surroundings he wasn't anywhere near earth. When he had finally made it back to earth by back tracking his flight pattern he went to the moon and looked at earth for a few moments.

Chapter 2: What Happened While I Was Gone...

Starbound Knight had thought about his situation for days but then he made a decision.

"I'm sorry mother and father but I am not the King you need" said Starbound

Then he flew away into the outward reaches of space never to be seen again until...

"Huh? what is my horn doing" said Starbound as his horn started to glow

"Son, (CRASH BOOM CRASH) I don't have much time but I just want to say me and your mother love you very much and we miss you and...(CRASH) we just hope your safe" said the kings message

"FATHER!" cried out Starbound

Starbound flew back to his solar system as fast as he could and looked for earth frantically. When he found earth he noticed that it was on the other side of the sun which wasn't right because if earth was in the right place he would have passed the moon and not the sun at all but he was more concerned about how much trouble his parents were in. He tried to fly straight but the combination of high altitude wind and the G-force from entering earths atmosphere made him lose control and he crashed into the castle.

Hours later when the sun was up in the sky Starbound woke up. He looked around and saw that the castle was literally falling apart but he knew he couldn't have done this himself something was wrong and he had to find out. He stumbled around the castle corridors looking for his parents but couldn't find anyone at all. He thought that there must have been an attack on the castle and his parents had been killed in it. Tired and stressed from his confusing journey and thoughts about his parents possible demise he went to his room to lay down for a while but even his room was in bad condition though his bed was still functional. A few more hours later Starbound woke up out of his nap to find that the sun was no longer up and in its place was the moon. Seeing the moon made him sad that his parents and kingdom were no more but then he got an idea.

"Wait... if the moon is up then that means some pony put it there... and that means my parents may also be alive" he said to himself out loud.

He jumped out of bed and trotted over to the window to push them open, then he jumped out of the window and flew over top of the castle. He took one last look at his kingdom and then he flew away, he fought back tears as he said goodbye to the place he used to call home but he had to find The King and Queen and find out what had happened. Starbound couldn't fly very fast though because he had hurt his wing when fell through the castle. A few minutes later Starbound Knights wing had seized up and gave out on him and once again he fell to the ground this time he had landed inside of a pond. When he finally crawled out of the pond a cute little bunny was looking at him, he rolled onto his back to look at the night sky.

"Hehehe you know... my parents told me the legend of how they were born from the night sky... I thought all of that was a load of hay... but now that they're gone..." Starbound covered his face and started to cry about his situation.

He was cold wet and had a possibly broken wing with no one to help him. The bunny hopped off and Starbound continued to cry. "Umm hello... please don't cry... if you come with me I can help you" said a quiet mares voice.

Starbound got up as fast as his body would let him and saw a yellow mare with a beautiful pink mane.

"I can... help you if you come into my cottage... if you want" said the quiet mare in a shy voice.

ONE EXISTENCIAL MOMENT LATER

"So that's my story... Thank you again so very much for taking me in Ms. Fluttershy I'm just so happy to know that a pony as nice as you exist" Starbound said.

"Well it's really no bother and plus it's always nice to have company... I should get you to a hospital, your wing looks pretty beat up"  said Fluttershy as she pointed to my mangled wing.

"Uhhh yea... but what's a hospital" I said as I stood up.

"Hmmm you may have hit you head too" said Fluttershy as she walked me out of her cottage.

Starbound Knight had explained everything to Fluttershy but Fluttershy was a bit nervous to have an unknown alicorn stay with her. Once they got to the hospital the doctor told Starbound his wing was fractured and had to be put into a cast but because his wings were so strong they had to be put into a double cast.

"I sure am glad that's over... but I feel as though I should repay your kindness somehow Ms. Fluttershy" Starbound said as he left the hospital with Fluttershy.

"Really, I don't mind helping a pony in need but... I was wondering..." Fluttershy said as she walked down the path

"What is it Ms. Fluttershy?" Starbound asked

"Well... your an Alicorn and I've never seen you before... you kind of look like the princesses though" Fluttershy said in response

"Princesses?!?! that's not right this land is ruled by the King and Queen" Starbound said shockeded at what he had heard

"Sorry... but Equestria has only ever been ruled by Princesses Celestia and Luna" Fluttershy said in response

"Hmmm... Fluttershy I haven't been quite honest with you. My full name is Starbound Knight and My parents are the King and Queen of Equestria. Since I am the first born son I am heir to the kingdom" Starbound had explained

"Well... I can take you to my friend Twilight. If there is anyone that can help you it's her" Fluttershy said very forgiving of Starbound

"Alright let's get going to Twilight house then" Starbound said

Chapter 3: No... This Can't Be

When Starbound Knight and Fluttershy arrived at Twilight's castle in Ponyville Spike greeted them and showed them to Twilights room.

Twilight had Starbounds story explained to her but nothing could have prepared them for what Twilight was about to explain.

"Okay so what your telling me is that you flew through outer space and when you came back your castle was destroyed" Asked Twilight Sparkle looking around her room for a specific book.

"Uhh well yes but I don't understand what happened" said Starbound

"Well I have a theory and it seems to be the only explanation as to why nothing is how it used to be but it may shock you" said Twilight with a grim look on her face.

"Well I need to know... no matter how bad it is" said Starbound with his head down

"Well my theory is the fastest thing in existence is light and as something approaches the speed of light time speeds up. You must have been almost a lightyear away from earth but made it back in a matter of days so in space you were moving fast enough for time to speed up extensively but in doing so you were gone for an estimated 2,000 years" Twilight explained.

"2,000 y-years... I... I uhhh" Starbound said just before he passed out from being so shocked.

3 Hours Later

As Starbound Knight came back into consciousness he heard a frail voice

"Please... wake up please" Fluttershy said as she wiped his face with a cool towel

"Please tell me that was all a dream Ms. Fluttershy..." Starbound begged as she he got up

"I'm afraid not Starbound Knight and if what you say is true than that means Princess Celestia and Luna are not the true rulers of Equestria" said Twilight looking for yet another book.

"OK... OK... Twilight Sparkle, I humbly ask that you take me to Princess Luna an Celestia as soon as possible" Starbound Knight asked as he kneeled to show his gratitude.

"I don't know..." said Twilight Sparkle sceptically

"Twilight we should at least try to help him, he seems so well mannered and genuinely grateful" said Fluttershy pleading with her conflicted friend.

"Well... Okay. We'll leave for Canterlot tomorrow morning" said Twilight

"Thank you very much Twilight Sparkle I am eternally grateful and thank you too Ms. Fluttershy" said Starbound Knight.

Afterwards Starbound Knight and Fluttershy went back to the cottage for the night.

"I'm sorry... but I don't have a guest room... if you like you can... um... sleep in my bed with me... if you want to" said Fluttershy in her normal shy voice

"I... uhh... I... sure... I'll join you a bit later though I'm not that tired yet" said Starbound Knight flattered by the offer.

"OK... well... I'm going to retire for the night... I'll leave you a some room... for when... you know..." said Fluttershy as she awkwardly went upstairs to her room.

Starbound Knight went outside and sat down in front of Fluttershy's front door, he stared up at the sky wondering if his parents had died or if the castle had been attacked and they went into hiding. He stared at the sky for hours until he got tired which is when he went inside and upstairs to Fluttershy's room. He didn't want to wake up Fluttershy so he layed down on the edge of the bed. As he drifted in and out of sleep he barely noticed that he and Fluttershy were moving closer to each other in their sleep.

"Hmm this is nice..." he thought to himself

By this time he had fallen asleep with Fluttershy comfortably cuddling him.

Chapter 4: A Friend To Remember

When the morning came the sun rose into the sky and sunlight gently peaked in through Fluttershy's window and shined onto Starbound and Fluttershy's face thus waking her up. Starbound could not sleep so he just enjoyed having Fluttershy in his hooves all night but he didn't want to freak her out by staring at her when she woke up so he played it off as if he were asleep.

"Good morrow little philly" said Starbound in a playful way

"Oh hello Starbound" Fluttershy said in response, she was really starting to warm up to him and he was starting to like Fluttershy as well

"You stay here while I go make you a breakfast, tis the least I can do" Starbound said as he sprang out of bed

"Really? how nice of you, thank you" said Fluttershy in response

Starbound Knight walked over to the window and opened then he prepared to jump out

"NO WAIT, your wing is broken remember" Fluttershy said

"Oh... yes, that's right" Starbound said as he stepped down from the window

"I shall be back in a matter of moments Ms. Fluttershy" said Starbound as he casual trotted out of her room

Fluttershy layed back down to sleep for a bit more before she had to tend to her animals

30 minutes later

Starbound Knight came back into Fluttershy's room with scrapes, bruises, and part of his tail on fire

"Well Ms. Flutteryshy... I'm sorry I took so long but I had to figure out how to use your maddening fire contraption to cook the eggs" said Starbound

"Well it's ok and thanks again for making me breakfast" said Fluttershy ready to eat

When she took the lid off of the platter she was amazed at what she saw. Somehow Starbound had made her a platter of Tulip and lilly sandwiches, fruit and berry juice, forest salad and eggs.

"Oh... my, are you going to eat any of this? It's quite alot of food" asked Fluttershy still shocked at how delectable it all looked.

"Uhhhhh no... my parents always had to force me to eat because I never felt hungry" replied Starbound

"Never?" Asked Fluttershy

"No, not that I can think of" replied Starbound

Fluttershy couldn't decide what to try first so Starbound suggested the juice. He used his magic to hand it to her but just as she took it from him his nose started to bleed.

"Oh my, are you alright" asked Fluttershy in a worried tone

"Yes... I'm fine, I've never been great with my magic but my wings make up for it in speed" replied Starbound

"Hmmm... well my friend Rainbow Dash likes flying fast... and also likes getting hurt... arguably. When we're done here we'll get her and go to Canterlot" said Fluttershy

"That's sounds quite delightful... I'm gonna... go clean up now" said Starbound who was dizzy from the magic use.

Fluttershy took a very candy assed sip of the juice and immediately stopped. Her eyes grew wide, her wings bursted outward and she was stuck in a physically paralyzed state. Then suddenly she regained consciousness and ate everything on her platter in a matter of seconds like a starving animal.

"St-Starbound, wh-where... did you learn to cook like that?" asked Fluttershy who was trembling at how great her meal was

"Hehe well, before my father told me I had to study and become king I dilly dallied around the castle and learned different things from the royal staff. My favorite things to do were watching the chefs cook and flying" replied Starbound as he took the dishes downstairs. Fluttershy quickly got up and followed him down the stairs.

"That's great and all but... didn't you like playing with your friends?" asked Fluttershy.

Just then, Starbound stopped and thought about the question before he answered.

"In the time that I came from... It was to dangerous to have friends" answered Starbound

"What?!?! So am I..." but before Fluttershy could continue Starbound turned around and said

"You know, we shouldn't keep Twilight Sparkle waiting" said Starbound avoiding eye contact

Chapter 5: Not Just A Colt, A Stallion

As Fluttershy and Starbound made there way into Ponyville many colts and mares stopped and stared at the two ponies. Just as Starbound and Fluttershy noticed what was going on, all of the ponies started cheering them on. Starbound was sheepishly smiling and Fluttershy was starting to blush.

"We'll be late if we don't hurry" said Starbound

"I understand" replied Fluttershy

So Starbound and Fluttershy trotted to Twilights castle and at the door was Spike and Twilight.

"I'm so sorry, I need to find a book really quick" said Twilight

"But Twilight I already told you, the book your looking for is in the castle library in the Starswirl The Bearded section" Spike reminded her

"Oh... hehe right" said Twilight emberassed

"In that case lets go before we miss the train to Canterlot" Twilight concluded

"Pardon me but what is a tra-" and before Starbound could continue two mares busted in through Twilights front door and one of them crashing right into Starbound.

"So what's this about Fluttershy having a colt-friend" said Rarity as she looked around the room and finally spotted who she was looking for.

"My My, your friend is... hehe rather handsome Twilight" said Rarity as she fluttered her eye lashes at Starbound

"WHAT'S YOUR NAME? DO YOU LIKE PINK? ARE YOU HERE FOR TWILIGHT? ARE YOU FLUTTERSHY'S SPECIAL SOMEP-" and before Pinkie Pie could continue Twilight used her magic to pick Pinkie up and put her on top of Rarity who was lovestruck by Starbound.

"I'm sorry girls but we are in a hurry, if you want to talk you'll have to come with us to Canterlot" said Twilight as she trotted out the door.

"Hehehehehehehe" giggled Rarity and Pinkie as they stepped out of Twilights castle.

"Oh my" said Starbound and Fluttershy at the same time

As everyone made there way to the train station Pinkie Pie and Rarity kept asking Starbound questions about himself.

"Are you from Ponyville?" asked Rarity

"What's your favorite color" asked Pinkie

"Do you like purple" asked Rarity

"GIRLS! We'll explain everything when we get back but right now it's very important that we get to Canterlot castle to see Princess Celestia" explained Twilight

"OK then, seee ya later" said Pinkie just before she hopped off

"Well alright, I'll see you later handsome" said Rarity as she trotted off

"Soooo... what pray tell does this train look like?" asked Starbound

"Well... there it is now actually" said Twilight as she pointed to the approaching train

As the train pulled into the station Starbound could hardly keep his balance and was also very frightened be the large machine. Spike and Twilight got onto the train first but before Fluttershy could step onto the train she noticed that Starbound was standing behind her almost as if he were hiding.

"What's wrong Starbound" asked Fluttershy

"I... I'm frightened... I do not trust this... this contraption" answered Starbound

"Oh, there is nothing to be afraid of... here, hold my hoof" said Fluttershy

Although Starbound still did not trust the heavy metal machine he felt comforted by Fluttershy's gentle touch.

Once Starbound made it onto the train he sat down and the train took off. He was nervous and on edge the whole time until Fluttershy sat next to him and leaned on him. A little while into the train ride Spike walked over to Starbound and started a very awkward conversation.

"Sooo uh Starbound is it? Do you... uh you know... like Rarity at all? I'm just asking... so uhhh... if you do I don't accidentally steal her from you with my great looks hehe" said Spike avoiding eye contact

"Hmmm, please try to keep quiet young dragon, Fluttershy is napping. Was Rarity the mare with the purple mane?" whispered  Starbound

"Yep that's the one" said Spike quietly

"Hmmm no, she was nice but to be honest my heart is with Fluttershy young dragon" whispered Starbound so as to not wake up Fluttershy

"Oh thank goodness, I-I mean" but before Spike could continue his bumbling

"Shhhh, Spike. He just said Fluttershy was sleeping" said Twilight

"Oh right, sorry" Spike said as he walked back to his seat

"Hey Spike" Starbound called out quietly

"Hm?" Spike said as he turned around

"I won't tell Rarity you like her" whispered Starbound.

"Hehehe thanks" replied Spike

A little while later the train stopped and the gang arrived in Canterlot. After a little while of walking through the castle the gang came upon the princesses grand hall doors.

"I have to go to the castle library and get a book that may help us, I'll be back in a moment just go in without me" said Twilight as she trotted off with Spike following behind her.

"Are you ready?" asked Fluttershy in a saddened voice

"Yes" answered Starbound confidently

Chapter 6: Is This Really The End?

Starbound pushed open the grand doors and walked in with Fluttershy close behind.

"I would like an audience with the princesses" said Starbound as he confidently walked up to the gaurds and bowed

"Well, who may I ask is requesting this audience" said Princess Celestia

"Starbound Knight of the Everfree Kingd-" but as Starbound made eye contact with Celestia he noticed how she looked just like his mother.

"MOTHER!" Starbound cried out as he ran toward the Princess

The gaurds quickly restrained Starbound but payed no attention to his broken winh

"AHHHHHHHHHHH" Starbound cried out in pain

"(Gasp) Release him at once!" yelled Celestia

"Are you alright" asked Celestia

"I'll be fine" said Starbound as he slowly stood up

"Princess, this colt claims to be your brother and his story seems to make out, he was trapped in a state of tempural gravitation while in outer space but there's a spell that can send him back with a strong enough magic source." said Twilight as she gave the book to Celestia to inspect

"Hmmm, I'm sorry Starbound, Fluttershy, Twilight but a spell of that magnitude would take magical strength even greater than mine and Princess Luna's" explained the Princess. At that moment Starbound sat down and stared blankly at the ground while Spike Twilight and Fluttershy sat around him to comfort him.

"It's ok bud, we'll help you fit in to this time" said Spike

"Yeah we'll help you out don't worry" said Twilight

"You still have us Starbound, we can be your family too" said Fluttershy

Starbound looked up at them and smiled just before an idea popped into his head.

"Fluttershy, do you trust me?" asked Starbound as he stood up and looked into her eyes

"Yes... I do" answered Fluttershy

"Then please come with me" said Starbound

Starbound walked in front of the queen with Fluttershy close to him.

"As you know our mother and father were the old King and Queen, but something happened while I was gone and now I just want to know what happened to them... If you, me, and who ever raises the moon perform the spell together do you think we have a chance?" asked Starbound

"Hmmm... the... chances are slim... but not impossible... we shall try" declared Celestia

15 MINUTES LATER

Everyone who was needed to perform the spell was there and needless to say anxious as well.

"Is everyone ready" asked Starbound as he and Fluttershy stood between Luna and Celestia.

"But Star I thought you were to weak to use your magic" Fluttershy said

"I am... but when I'm with you I feel...magical" said Starbound as he looked into her eyes

As Luna and Celestia started the spell waves and waves of different color smoke filled the space around Starbound and Fluttershy.

"STAR I'm scared..." cried Fluttershy

"It's alright just take my hoof dear" said Starbound

As Fluttershy took his hoof, Starbound pulled her in close and looked into her eyes then they both leaned in and kissed. After kissing Fluttershy, Starbounds eyes glew white and the colorful smoke wrapped around him and imploded thus sending him back to the past. He arrived on the moon just to see himself flying away and he knew it would be to dangerous to fly back home to warn his parents he wouldn't be coming back. So instead he went to a grand unicorn who could at least help him somewhat.

"Starswirl The Bearded... I am Prince Starbound Knight of Castle Everfree... I need your help..."

BACK IN EQUESTRIA

"It worked, he must be home now" said Luna

"Good work sister" said Celestia

When the dust and smoke cleared Fluttershy saw that Starbound was gone. Spike and Twilight went to comfort there clearly distressed friend with hugs (Because, come on who doesn't love hugs).

"I'm sorry Twilight... but I... would like to be alone now..." said Fluttershy as she flew out of the castle window

"Hmmm, Princess what ever did happen to the old castle" asked Twilight

"Well, Twilight Sparkle it's not a good story but I suppose you are ready to know..." explained Celestia

As Fluttershy got back to her cottage Angel was waiting by her door to greet her, she fed the animals and sat underneath an apple tree and waited for the sun to go down. As she sat and watched the moon rise into the sky she saw a shooting star fly past the moon, somehow it reminded her of Starbound. She started sobbing when she thought about how much she'd miss Starbound and that she'd never see him again.

"Please don't cry..." said a hidden voice

"Who's there?" Fluttershy said as she looked around

"You look more beautiful when your not crying" said Starbound as he flew out of the tree above her

"Oh Star... I thought you went back to your own time and I was never gonna see you again and and and... I'm so glad your back" said Fluttershy

"I'm glad to be back... here with you" said Starbound in response

"Celestia and Luna said I could stay in Canterlot castle with them for now" Starbound explained

"Oh... well do you want to spend the night here... you know... for old time sake" asked Fluttershy in a shy voice

"I would be honored to do so" said Starbound as he bowed to Fluttershy

They both walked in to  Fluttershy's cottage and Starbound made tea for them both.

"So what happened in your time anyway?" asked Fluttershy

"My parents died at the mercy of an evil being and when I find him... I shall slay him" said Starbound who was both sad and determined

"Oh... my, I'm so sorry to hear that... what was his name? do you know?" asked Fluttershy out of curiousity

".... His name is... Discord the spirit of chaos" answered Starbound

TO BE CONTINUED