I am the prince of the Sun

The steady beat of the heart monitor shook me from sleep and the sanitized air filled my lungs, which was in stark contrast to the stench of iron still present in my short memory. I sat up faster then my body was ready for and resulted in popping noises from most of my body. I must of slept on my back because my wings were all but pins and needles as I gave them a great big stretch before folding them back in. I began to scan my body a few new cuts and a ton of bruises peppered my body and my right arm was incased in a red crystal with a note etched in.

"Don't remove your arm is definitely broken- Cadence."

"Wonderful absolutely wonderful." I swung my feet out of bed and stood with a little sway that seemed a constant when getting out of a hospital bed for me. With no hints of blood or gore on me I made the judgment call I was clean enough to get away with waiting for my own shower. Something caught my eye at the end of my bed which stood out from the white sheets. A black suit and slacks, I recognized it as a military two piece. I grabbed my provided cloths and headed towards the full mirror generously placed in my room. The black slacks were just that black slacks nothing to fancy but the suit was another story as it was all black besides the dark blue cuffs at the wrists, matching blue buttons that went all the way up to my neck ending at a collar, the right shoulder had three short blue tassels dangling in front, and the cherry on top was the blue crescent moon over the heart with many blue stars. The jacket also had two convenient holes for wings. I leaned into the mirror and rubbed at my eyes in one last attempt to be rid of the black outlining to no success. I made my way to the sink turning the water cold on and splashing my face. In a weird twist I stared into my own eyes that winked back at me and the black out lining faded and my tan skin returned "Weird?". I herd a pop and a rush of magic as someone teleported behind me causing me to nearly lose my balance. Turning in a instant I was face to face with Cadence her arms full of more stuff most likely for me to put on.

She gave me a big genuine smile like when I met her back in Canterlot, "I see someone woke the dead."

"If only I was dead." My sour tone died into a laugh. She dropped a pair of dress shoes/socks, a belt sheath for a sword, and two dark blue gloves to match the suit buttons.

"I guess dress up isn't over?"

"Not even close." With a evil smile she snapped her fingers and a mob of maids invaded the room." Make him presentable", There was a lot of giggling as I was shoved, slid, and adjusted into my cloths. The wave of maids disappeared as fast as it appeared and I was left fully dressed from head to toe. I slid my feet into the dress shoes and pulled on the gloves grumbling.

"I can dress myself you know!" My face was bright red.

"Yeah but that's not as fun as watching you squirm."

"Whatever... just tell your husband he owes me a shield."

"That's a deal, let me guess you want it in black?"

"You really think your funny don't cha." She laughed and continued

"There is some ponies and people who want to see you." I ran my hands through my hair rapidly to get it to spike and used the opportunity to slide my new sword containing Sombra in the sheath and the large blade caused it to bulge at the black material.

"Well let's not keep them waiting, I don't want to disappoint them too much."

"Shut up and get ready to talk."

"Wait wha..." There was a pop and we teleported.

Crystal heart

My flustered look was banished by a swift bite to my inner cheek that drew the slightest amount of iron taste. The large royal looking podium was occupied by Shinning and Cadence respectfully. As they explained the events in detail with minor embellishments I scanned the crowd and caught 7 very important sets of eyes. The elements along with Luna sat at attention and I only managed to get Pinkies attention receiving a wave and a knocking motion at her arm. I pulled the sleeve of my broken arm up and knocked on it at her and she gave me a impressed look and a thumbs up just as a pair of hands pushed me up the stairs towards the raised podium. Rolling my sleeve down I pressed on for the rest of the 7 step journey. Once at the raised field of vision the crowd that had become silent during my wordless conversation with Pinkie began to pick up in a roar at the sight of me.

Cadence's voice boomed out over the crowd, "Here he is Apollo Sun champion of the north." The crowd exploded and in my minute of shock my wings sprung free and was like gas to a fire as even my friends in the crowd were on there feet screaming. My face was a dark red but was quickly shook off. Cadence continued, "Along with our applause we award our champion with the title of the eternal knight and a statue in his honor. Shinning moved over to me clipping a badge to the left side of my uniform, it was three blue crystal swords crossing over at the hilt.

He was close enough to whisper to but only one word came out in a confused huff, "Statue?" With a giant smile on his face he gestured to the giant covered mass that had its covering removed to reveal me in my armor wings spread and two hands placed a top of Selene that was stabbed into the ground. The gaze from the statue was stoic like it would come to life if there was another attack and stop it itself.

Cadences's words snapped me from my stunned look as I pulled my wings back in with the help of my hands. which probably didn't earn me any clout with any Pegasus watching. "Now listen to a few words by Sun".

The attention was now fixed to me and I shut me eyes tight before letting out a sigh and opening them. "Hello as you already know I'm Apollo Sun but before we go any further I want to confirm the rumors I am the lost prince of the human empire and third son of Crimson sun." Pausing for the reaction that must of caused several avalanches in the mountains I continued, "I have never known family or another human magic user to my knowledge and was a victim of the main lands vicious slave trade ever since I was born. I bring this up as I want everyone to understand that the greatest changes come from the darkest areas of life ones. If a very important Wonderbolt hadn't challenged me to do better I would still be mining gems just north of the bad lands. This challenge to do better helps me to push on always and when I battled Sombra he snapped my arm like a toothpick". I unrolled my sleeve to show the red crystal cast, "That challenge to do better pushed me to go past my bodily limits and win because my comrades and all of you depended on me and as long as I can fight I will defend those in need pony, human, Griffin , etc because I stand for the Sun that blesses us all with the power to do good in our lives." The crowd erupted for the last time as Cadence explained I was going but the option to stay was always there. I smiled and shook my head as the lunar princess teleported behind me wrapping me in a big hug before sticking her tongue out at Cadence and teleporting once more this time into a train car with the elements inside.

"So how has everyone been while I was gone?" Immediately I was rushed and knocked to the ground by everyone, even Luna who jumped on the pile a little late. As we began to stand the princesses along with the flyers began to circle me like sharks examining my wings. Pinkie interrupted there investigations, "So is Sunny an Alicorn now?"

"No .. no no no .. no, no way no how." Luna cocked her head while continuing her scanning of me.

"Celestia and I along with Twilight were unicorns until the gene was unlocked by a task but humans are a little different. Unlike ponies they are usually given powers while facing an impossible enemy or task and the stress forces out suppressed powers while we have to actually achieve something first."

The pink mare then chimed in, "So Sun and his people are cheaters." All the other mares nodded and agreed giving there own "yups" or "sounds like cheating to me" responses.

"It's not cheating!" My hair stuck up like a burning flame and they all just laughed at my irritation. "You should all be happy I'm not six feet deep in black crystal right now.

Aj spoke for the group, "Don't worry we missed you plenty and so has Ponyville that's why the town is gearing up for one heck of a festival in the honor of your second success."

I put my hands in a joke praying gesture, "Please do I get to sleep in the barn."

Pinkie gave me a big smile, "Good luck sleeping its going to be one for the history books." I could feel the bulging of excited butterflys in my stomach forced my face into a smile.

"Then I should probably rest up before we get there." I saw actual disappointment as the girls were escorted by an amused Luna and Rarity saying "Growing boys needs their sleep". I know I only talked briefly but the sleep I received post Sombra was lacking as my bodys changes hadn't fully finalized along with the addition to my ever growing head space. I pulled off my gloves and tucked them into my pocket before flopping face first into the red couch and almost immediately fell asleep.

4 Hours Later

My brain had made sick images of me holding a wounded Spitfire which swiftly faded to me running from a winged human through undoubtedly the Everfree as the forest burned and just as escape was insight I was lifted off my feet by my throat and was pierced by the glowing red eyes of the monster. His hand burned like acid and his aura physically manifested as hot air similar to a blast furnace. "Fear me", fire consumed my vision and I awoke covered in sweat. The room was incredibly hot along with the heat came with my stomach churning and I hastily opened the back door and released the contents of my stomach and continued to until my stomach was thoroughly empty. Needing assistance my hand gripped a metal bar that hissed on contact with my hand. All traces of snow and ice quickly vanished and were replaced with a red glow. I then realized I was on the caboose and looked out over a half frozen landscape. The tracks edged ominously close to a cliff and on the opposing side was a valley formed by two jutting mountains that reached far into the sky and almost kissed the night sky so full of life and color.

The wind drastically changed and a loud thud atop a car further up in the line filled the air. Stumbling and climbing the once frost covered ladder to the top of the train blasted me with cold air that seemed to cool me off but with this new air current came a new storm in the form of the white knight Nova recovering from what I presume was a decently good fall. I strangled my confusion in pursuit of answers. With that I hollered over the wind, "Nice of you to drop in Nova." Rising to his feet he removed the hood and mask to reveal powder white hair that flowed in the wind. He turned, eyes of a unnatural icy blue stared at me a top an expressionless face.

"Hello Apollo Sun, brother of my own blood I humbly request on behest of Eclipse Star that you return home and assume your duties as a prince." I studied his face and the lack of reaction seemed to border on creepy like his emotions were stuck in a black hole. My lips curled into a smile as my sudden summoning bordered the obnoxious.

"You sure look like a smart guy so you know I have to ask why of all times are you coming now?" His head cocked as my question seemed to catch him off guard. "We may be blood but from my perspective I was abandoned and left to struggle." The tiny bit of curiosity was eaten by his emotional black hole following my words.

"You must understand you were believed to be dead along with Mother, your memorial stands tall in the capital. As soon as the night of the solar flare happened the kingdom mobilized rather quickly in pursuit of you." It was my turn to take on the confused face.

"Night of the solar flare?"

"Yes the night your power lit up the sky and was seen for many miles." It was Ponyville when Solaris nearly reduced the center of town into a crater but that was months ago.

"So are you here to rescue me or something?"

"Not rescue per say but persuade to come with me and assume the potential that fate wishes for you." I let out a heavy breathe as my insides twisted and questions screamed in my mind.

"I'm not ready to go Nova there's too much to be done here in Eqestria." His face was still frozen in the same expression but his voice leaked disappointment.

"I can understand your hesitations, stay strong on this road you walk and until we meet again Apollo Sun." Placing the mask on and the hood up he dissolved into powdery snow that caught on the wind and disappeared. I caught myself longing for a second chance at the conversation.

"At least I have one moon to keep me company."

The crunch of snow atop the train car revealed a new presence, "Make that two moons," Luna sauntered her way over and sat down in the snow and patted the ground motioning me to sit, Which I did gladly. She stared deep into my eyes before winding back and slapping me across the face.

"What the fuck was that for!" She stared at me with an annoyed look before pressing a glowing hand to my face causing me to start shake uncontrollably as a million volts of lunar magic zoomed through my body.

"I'm going to break that stupid sword for convincing you to keep Sombra alive." Letting out a couple exhausted breaths I turned towards my commander and chief.

"It was my idea too, Selene needed revenge on Sombras corrupt soul and I needed the power he had and I think I already paid for it," moving my broken arm. She smiled at me and gave me a face that told me I was stupid.

"And who exactly is going to teach you how to use that power idiot?" I opened my mouth and was cut off. "And don't say that stupid sword or I'm going to send it to the sun." She was loud even with the wind.

"She did already teach me some Lunar spells like Gravitos and Excel."

Luna let out a huff, "of course she did." I stood up and began walking towards the ladder. "Where do you think you are going Mr?"

Already being half way down the ladder I peaked my head up to yell to her, "I'm not in the mood to get sick again," She stuck her tongue out at me and I mirrored the gesture before swinging into the train car and collapsing on the couch. I stared at the ceiling.

Only like 8 more hours until Ponyville, my lips curled into a giant smile at the thought. "Tomorrow is going to be a good day."

Author's Note