Foals of Eden

Far away, in the distant horizon, there was a small town called Ponyville. It was a peaceful place where those tired of busy city lives settled. There, Princess Celestia's most faithful disciple carried out her tranquil existence. Sure, she had saved Equestria a couple times with her friends, but that was a couple years ago.

Her latest assignment was to research Equestria's ancient history. Only Celestia would've ordered such a strange assignment, she thought. The monarch said she entrusted her with keys to an ancient vault, located deep beneath the castle. She said there were ancient texts buried there. "But Celestia," asked Twilight. "Why can't you go?" The princess reminded her student of all the incoming paperwork she faced. "Besides, I didn't create that place. I only know it exists. One of my ancestors must have built it." replied the alicorn of the sun.

Celestia had ancestors huh... Maybe there's a whole family of alicorns out there? I wonder what they were like? Exited by her tutor's stunning revelation, she packed a few supplies, and went to gather her friends. Outside, someone screamed for help before she could even take a deep breath. Lyra had her tail crushed by debris from Sugarcube corner. Of course, though Twilight, she must have forgotten we were renovating the place.

As Twilight dashed to help, she was halted by a colt she had never seen before. His coat... It's almost as creamy as the desert sand. His mane is unusually bright, twinkling like sunshine off ocean waves. I've never seen a colt bearing those colors before. Her attention was caught by his cutie mark. What is that?

The mark on his flank was that of the Eye of Horus, an ancient deity of the lands of sand. He raised his head, and the debris floated off the ground enveloped in a golden bubble. The colt placed the stone back. Simultaneously, a bubble covered Lyra's crushed tail, and restored it anew.

No way! A unicorn using two channels of magic at once! That's insane! The only person I've seen doing this is Celestia. But she's... She's an alicorn! He turned around. The same black Eye had been drawn around the colt's right eye. Twilight unexpectedly blushed. What the..? Why am I blushing? No... I'm not blushing! This feeling... What powerful magic!

"Oh! Sorry I stopped you there." he said in a fully developed voice. At least I know he ain't a kid... "Say... Are you Twilight Sparkle?"

"Why yes I am!" said stuttered. Why am I getting worked up over him? Is it a love charm? I don't feel a charm. And why do I keep staring at his back, like something's missing from there? Gyah!

"- Uh, Ms. Sparkle, you seem to be in a lot of pain.

• Oh dear no! Sorry for acting so strange! Hehe..."

The colt looked around. "You can feel it can't you?" What?! How does he know?! He sighed. "I'm sorry for causing you trouble. Nevertheless, I expected nothing less from a legendary wizard like you." What does that even mean?!

"- Anyways, I'm trying to find a certain "Celestia". Do you know anyone like that?

• Why yes! She's the alicorn ruler of Equestria! And, she's my tutor!"

`

The colt bore a startled expression on his face. "Did you say alicorn?!" Twilight replied she was positive. Why does he seem... Is he horrified or exited? I can't tell. "You can take a train to Canterlot."

"- Unfortunately, I don't know where the train station is, and I am to weary to keep going today. Where may I find a place to rest?

• Here, walk with me and I'll show you."

That feeling's gone now! Was that a defense mechanism? I felt a mix of fear, alert an love. What’s wrong me today?! "So, you figured out my defense magic haven't you?" Twilight stopped dead in her tracks. "How did you..." The colt put his hood over her mouth. "I got used to it. From where I come from, any and everyone can be a threat. That's why I've developed this spell. Seeing your expression loosen means you've cracked the code and broken through. By then, I knew you weren't a threat."

"- That’s amazing… Euh… You are?

• Oh sorry. My name is Horus. Please to meet you.

• Horus? Your parents must have been very creative to name you after an ancient deity. No offense or anything.

• Meh... I got used to it. Tell me, is this town peaceful?

• Yeah! Of course!

• That’s good to hear."

Horus deactivated his defense spell. "Now you can feel whatever you want to feel in front of me." And hopefully, you won't see the truth. Gyah! It feels so weird having an empty back. I can still feel the bones, but they're not controlling anything.

"Are you alright Horus?" she asked. He looked up surprised. "Yeah, sure! Lead the way." They first stopped at Carousel Boutique. "Why are we here Twilight?"

"To get that black makeup off your face." Horus became very defensive. "Are you insane?! This is a birthmark! It symbolizes the hope of my kind! "

Startled at his behavioral change, Twilight assured him it was just a mistake. What the... His attitude just changed like that! Might as well fetch Rarity at this point. She knocked. A marshmallow white unicorn answered. Her eyelashes too lengthy to be real, her face gained an extra layer of skin from all that makeup and her violet mane swirled like spirals. Yet somehow, she seemed very attractive, but Horus wasn't interested.

"My! Is that a new visitor in town? Come in gentle-sir; be my guest." Rarity showed him in.

"You mean be our guest!" added Sweetie Belle as she hopping home back from school, rubbing softly against her older sister. Rarity knelt it compassion, and snuggled her junior. "Yes Sweetie Belle; be our guest!"

"You're being awfully nice Rarity..." added Twilight herself. "Why yes," replied Rarity. " I want our guest to feel welcome. Oh! I should Pinkie Pie so she can throw you a party!"

"Sorry, not interested." replied Horus. "It's been much too long since I've had any proper social interactions."

"That’s why it will be so much better! Clear your head a little." With the help of Twilight, Rarity dragged the sand-colored colt inside. "You really need to relax dear." No, I have a mission! If this Celestia really is an alicorn, then maybe she'll recognized the Centennial Earth shard! "Don't give me that face. Lighten up dear."

"Be a gentleman," whispered Twilight into his ear, "or she loses it."

I've murdered dragons before, why couldn't I handle her? He saw a bottle of what looked like poison in the corner of his eye. Oh dear! She's could sprinkle it on her dresses and make me wear them. That would be the most humiliating way for someone like me to die. "Alright fine! I accept. I still need a place to sleep at." You guys are way too friendly. What if danger disguised itself as a lamb, just to eat the rest of the pack?

"It's settled then!" exclaimed Twilight. F no Twilight, don't tell me you agree to her evil scheme. "I'll go make a list of preparations for this party then!" What is with these people?! Geez! How in the world can you be this friendly? I should've kept my spell on!

Moments later, a pink earth pony busted down the front door shouting: "Did someone say a party?!" she screamed in a shrill, squeaky voice. Gah! It sounds like someone scratching metal against a blackboard! "Let's celebrate!" Buck no! Are you ponies just stalling?!

"What's with the long face dear?" asked Rarity. "It’s nothing really," replied Horus. "I just... Have a friend... He's a silver-colored pegasus. I think he's in town, and he should really be at the party too." Yes, I'll drag Saevin down with me! He's got no leads without me anyways. "Alright then, I'll tell Pinkie she'll be celebrating the arrival of two ponies." I wondered why not many people move here. Now, I've found my answer.

Horus got up and walked towards the stairs. On the second floor, he contemplated the sunset on Ponyville. These people look really happy here. I wonder if they're even aware of the legends? His horn illuminated in a pale glow. Large, golden wings sprouted out his back. Finally! I'm free! Horus flapped his gorgeous muscles. Large feathers fell to the floor nearby. He never heard Twilight's silent tiptoe behind him.