Heirs

The next morning Twilight got everything prepared for the trip. Spike spoke.

“Is that everything Twilight?”

“Not quite Spike. Can you send this letter to Princess Celestia? It just says that I’m coming for a visit.”

“Does it say anything about Steven? Cause I’m sure that Princess Luna will be right there when she reads it.”

“Don’t worry, its fine.” Spike breathed in and let the letter burn up in flames.

“Now then you little alicorn, we have a train to catch.” As she said it she messed up Steven’s mane, causing him to smile.

The train ride was a relatively short and uneventful one. This was partly because Twilight had Steven wear a small cloak to hide his wings. To everyone they met it looked like she just had a small unicorn with her. Arriving in Canterlot by train was still slower than flying, but Twilight didn’t know if Steven was capable of using his wings to fly. She would have to explain why she didn’t fly to Princess Celestia, but it would be quite simple once she saw Steven. Once they disembarked the train they headed straight for the castle.

Princess Celestia was waiting for them at the entrance to the castle when they arrived. Twilight ran up and hugged her.

“Good morning Princess Celestia.”

“Good morning Twilight Sparkle. It is always nice when you visit.” She looked over at Steven. “And who is this handsome young unicorn?”

“Well you see, I found him in my castle and he doesn’t remember anything form his past. I thought you could help us.”

“I see. Well then, come along.” Inside the castle they strolled toward the library.

“Princess Celestia, may I ask where Princess Luna is?” Princess Celestia sighed.

“I would guess she is still locked in her room. Something got her so upset yesterday that I almost couldn’t get her to raise or lower the moon.” They arrived at the library. “As far as memory charms go I should be able to reverse it and bring back his memories.”

“That’s just the thing though, I already tried all of them and none worked.” Princess Celestia looked up in thought and Twilight took a deep breath.

“Maybe we should have Princess Luna come down and see if she knows anything.” Princess Celestia nodded.

“Maybe, but why would you think that she would know something about him?”

“Well, she visited me yesterday and asked me if anything seemed strange lately and now I think that I realize what she meant.” Twilight left out the part where Luna had directly asked where he was. Princess Celestia looked at Twilight questioningly. “What I mean is, well…” She walked over to Steven and removed the cloak.

“Luna dear, could you please come out of your room? Twilight and I would like to ask you about something.” Luna’s voice was muffled through the thick door, but it was still apparent that she had been crying.

“Go away. I have nothing to say to Twilight Sparkle. If you, sister dear, need to ask me something you can do it through the door.” Princess Celestia looked at Twilight who in turn looked back at Steven and then nodded. “Okay then. What do you know about the new alicorn?” Silence emitted from the room.

“I know that Twilight Sparkle is hiding him from me.”

“Well, she’s not hiding him now.” Princess Celestia remained calm throughout the entire process, as she had when she had seen Steven. Granted she had gasped, but she recovered instantaneously. A noise was heard in the room and the door cracked open and Luna poked her head out sniffling.

“Is he here, now?” Princess Celestia nodded. Luna opened the door all the way looked straight at Twilight angrily. Then she looked past Twilight at Steven. A look of confusion swept over her. “But…he’s so young.” She walked over to him and inspected him. “Is your name Steven?” Steven nodded and smiled.

“You’re the alicorn from my dream, aren’t you?” Luna laughed.

“It is you.” Twilight almost lunged at Luna when she kneeled down toward Steven, but Princess Celestia stopped her.

“She knows the most of what’s going on here.” Luna kneeled down and touched Steven’s horn with her own. Blue sparks flew from where the two horns touched and a similar cutie mark to Princess Luna’s appeared on Steven. Luna turned to Twilight and Princess Celestia.

“Now, please let me explain.” Her mood had changed entirely in two seconds flat.

They sat around a table and sipped tea. Luna had yet to explain what she knew and Twilight was getting impatient.

“We’re still waiting for that explanation you know.” Luna sipped her tea in a dignified manner and sighed.

“I am explaining it. For the longest time after I knew about Steven nothing happened, or more nothing could happen.” Luna smiled at Steven who sat next to her and then looked across the table at Twilight.

“I do thank you for bringing him here, after all it was a mistake that he was not here in the first place.” Luna closed her eyes to tell her story. “I found out about Steven through his dreams because, as I’m sure you know, I can speak to anypony through their dreams. The fact of it was that in his dreams he was not an alicorn, if fact he was not a pony at all.” Twilight and Princess Celestia both seemed confused. “That combined with the fact that I could not always see his dreams made it apparent that he was not from Equestria. Some nights I could only look at his dreams and worry as he ran from the terrors within while other nights I could influence his dreams to be more...tranquil. It was never a sure thing though. All I wanted to do was save him from those horrid nightmares he was having.”

Steven laid down at Luna’s side and began to doze off.

“The night you found him was the only night that I actually got to talk to him. I was able to break the barrier between our worlds and in doing so cause him to be pulled into ours. While I was talking to him in that dream I was working the details of where he would wake up in Equestria, but he woke up so fast that I wasn’t able to pinpoint where he was going to be. That is how you found him I suppose.” Luna looked down at the sleeping Steven. “I didn’t expect him to be this young though. In his dreams he seemed much…older.” Princess Celestia sipped her tea before speaking.

“Luna, you know that alicorns age differently than others. If I were changed into whatever his species were, I would likely die from old age.” They all laughed for a moment, then Luna sighed and looked at Steven again.

“But still, I thought he would be more my age. I thought that we…” She blushed and couldn’t finish the sentence. Twilight took a second to realize what she meant.

“Oooohhhh, that’s why you wanted to find him so bad.” Luna looked at her.

“That was only part of it. The other part was what you saw up there, with his cutie mark. Being that he is from another world he had no destiny in store for him. What you saw, me touching his horn, I created his destiny to be entwined with my own.” She smirked a bit. “It was only luck that you didn’t do it first. You found him first, but you didn’t know that touching his horn with your own would bond you. Being an alicorn without a destiny caused him to be like a sponge, he soaked up the first bit of alicorn magic he came in touch with. He probably can’t fly because his wings are still too small, but at least he will be able to use magic now.”

Twilight was in disbelief now. She had had the chance to make Steven a part of her destiny and to protect him forever. She smiled.

“I have to admit that it was just dumb luck that kept our horns from touching. After all he cuddled up next to me for two nights.” Luna narrowed her eyes and Twilight smiled smugly. Luna calmed herself down by taking a deep breath. Steven had already spent more time with Twilight, but that would change very soon. After all, their destinies were intertwined now.

“Well I’m glad that you and Steven get along well because it wouldn’t be good if any two alicorns didn’t. I mean we spend so much time together. I wasn’t sure if you would like him.” Twilight tilted her head.

“Why do you think that I wouldn’t get along with him?”

“Well it’s just that he’s the new alicorn now. I’m sure EVERYPONY will want to meet the one and only alicorn prince. I just thought you might get upset with him taking your spotlight.” Twilight relaxed.

“That’s what you thought? I couldn’t care less if he took my spotlight. All I want to do is keep him safe, I love him like a brother.” Luna closed her eyes and nodded her head.

“I’m sorry for all the rude remarks Twilight Sparkle. As long as you only want to protect him then we will get along fine.” Princess Celestia finally spoke up.

“Well I’m glad that you two have made up. Now we have to discuss what to do with Steven.” They all looked at Steven who was completely asleep beside Luna.