Flare of Hope

Flare of Hope, Ch. 2:

"So, how did your visit with Miss Sparkle go, Flare?" The alabaster alicorn with her flowing mane was smiling tenderly at him, the way family usually did.

Flare flicked his head, moving his mane out of his face. "It went okay, I guess, Princess. Have you seen Princess Luna, anywhere?"

Celestia snickered at his insistent use of titles, over family affiliation. Then again, what more could you expect from a pony who was part of the US Navy in his old life. "Your mother should be in her chamber, as she usually is, in the mornings. And you know, you can call me Aunt Tia. We ARE family, Flare."

Flare rolled his eyes, and sighed. "Very well. Aunt Tia, do you know anything about what happened after I was born?"

"That depends, Flare. Do you want the history book version, or the real story?" Celestia looked down at the smaller alicorn from her throne.

"The real story. I already know the history book version."

"Very well, my little nephew. Over a thousand years ago, after Starswirl the Bearded helped us place you safely in the human world which sheltered you, I watched your mother spiral into sadness. When I decided to start taking in students, I noticed a hefty change in her behavior. She became jealous. She wanted somepony to love and nurture as I did my students, but you were gone. She understood this, and tried to cope with it, but eventually… well, everypony knows the story."

"So… my leaving started her down the path to becoming Nightmare Moon?"

"Well, that, among other things."

"I see. Thank you, Aunt Tia."

"By the way, Flare. She's been looking out for you, ever since she turned back from the Nightmare. You were originally supposed to stay there for a few more years, but she saw you suffering, and decided to bring you home. She loves you, Flare."

Flare lowered his head, feeling somewhat guilty about being so distant with the princess who had given birth to him. "Thank you, pr- Aunt Tia."

"Think nothing of it, Flare."

Flare began to turn, and walk away, but stopped himself, and turned back to Celestia, his black mane swishing in the movement. "One more thing, Aunt Tia. Will my mane and tail ever get all swooshy smokey like yours and my mother's?"

Celestia shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. Only time will tell. Now, go out and see the city. Oh, and be ready for admirers. It's not very often that the people of Canterlot get to see others of our kind… well, except for your mother, Cadence, and myself. I know you don't exactly want to be royalty, but nopony else really knows that."

"Well, I'm sure they'll figure out that I'm just like them in no time at all." Flare turned, and trotted toward the door. "Bye, Aunt Tia."

"Good bye, Flare! Don't try to teleport anywhere. You may burn down a building... Or two." She giggled at her nephew.

"Sure thing, Aunt Tia." And on that note, Flare was gone.

"That boy has a lot of power. Let's just hope he learns how to use it."

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It was later in the morning, and flare was walking through the streets of Canterlot, rather enjoying being out of the castle. He hadn't quite grasped the concept of flight, yet, so it was a lot easier for him to walk. Even though he had a hard time with that at first. He saw so many ponies that he didn't recognize from the show. It was kind of cool, really. He saw a white Pegasus stallion with a black and teal mane and tail walking next to a white earth pony mare with a red mane with blue streaks. He figured they were musicians, based on their cutie marks. He saw a brown pegasus mare with an almost sky blue mane, with glasses. It would've been cooler, had they not all bowed when they saw him. He kept on down the street, brushing it off. He didn't like being considered royalty, but it was definitely a step up from being at the bottom of the chain of command, like he was used to.

"Oh, hello!" A voice came from Flare's side. He quickly turned, and spotted a pink alicorn with a three colored mane and tail of purple, a dark pink, and cream. Flare had never met this pony, before, and was pleasantly surprised to see another like him. But something didn't really help the situation. The alicorn in question was wearing a gold crown, and hoof slippers. Another princess. Her identity still escaped Flare. He had definitely never even seen this pony, before. "Um… hi?"

"I'm Cadence. I don't think we've met." She thought for a second. "Oh! You must be Flare! Aunt Luna's son! Oh, it's such a pleasure to meet you! Wow, a real, live male alicorn! Where are you from?"

Flare raised an eyebrow at the equally sized, overly-excited Cadence. "Um... Texas?"

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"You know, Flare. You're a strange pony."

"I've been told that," he said, as he levitated his sandwich toward his face, toasting it, lightly, as he did. He was focusing as hard as he could to keep it from bursting into flames.

"Oh, I'm sure."

Flare swallowed his bite of sandwich, and looked at the other alicorn. "I've never heard of you, before, Cadence. What exactly do you do?"

Cadence waved a hoof. "Well, normally I perform diplomatic assignments, and public relations that my mother is too busy to handle."

"And who, exactly is your mother?"

"Princess Celestia, of course. Wow. You really don't know anything, do you?"