The Different Prince

Corner Stone was very little help in finding her. Poor mare seemed rather absentminded. Even mother entered my dreams and we managed to get her to start conversing back and forth in jolly cooperation. But, she just couldn't seem to comprehend the idea that her friends were gone.

Where did they go? She would ask, and we would tell her that they died. She would laugh. Friendship never dies. I'll find them. Though, I'm sure someone else may be able to give you directions to my school.

Back and forth like this. A part of me wondered if this was the beginning of a coping mechanism. Twilight and mother were in agreement. We almost dreaded what it might be like when she discovered it for herself. Though, one thing she did not forget, her promise to keep the bell a secret.

The dome seemed to get bigger the more we explored it. We also began finding other pictures of Corner Stone here and there. But, seemed I was the only one affected by her entering my dreams. Mother was half wondering if perhaps it was something in the Apple family's genes I got from my father, Big Mac. There was certainly a case for it. But, it was the harvest season back on their farm, and she didn't want to drag them out into the desert on a theory.

She also figured Big Mac might just be scared were a giant fiery mare to suddenly appear in his dreams. It seemed wise to spare him that.

It was over a week before we found what our first clue to her location.

A wide open space as large as a ponyville and a bit beyond, filled with stones. Sure stones were everywhere, but these stones seemed to be in the process of being formed. They were in all shapes and sizes. From perfect spheres, to lopsided cubes and things that appeared to have no practical use what's so ever.

"This has to be it," Twilight said excitedly. "Look at them all. This must of been where her students practiced. Look at all the stone tools scattered about. They must have dropped them as when they tried to get out of the dome."

"Which begs the question," mother put in. "Why didn't she?"

Past the practice yard we came upon a ramp. They seemed to like their ramps. At the top of this one was an arch, barely visible on the outskirts of the light. Moving closer we came to room fit for a giant. The walls were lined with pedestals, upon which rested what must have been the students' best work. Perfect shapes, tools, even what appeared to be jewelry. There were three doors at the other end.

"Um, split up?" Twilight suggested. Mother gave a look and shook her head.

Seems we were not Scooby Dooing this job. I thought a moment. Scooby Doo... it was something from my original world. But, what was it again?

Hours later, after searching past the left and middle door, we started down the one that had to take us to the alicorn. The left door had been a cafeteria, judging by the stone plates and cups, as well as now fossilized bones on some of them. Seemed these giants were a little carnivorous. The middle was what appeared to be dormitories, now a tomb like the rest of this kingdom.

Yes, mother and everyone else was surprised to hear that this ancient kingdom had a king. While the queen, it seemed was the one who had founded this stone age empire, they seemed to put a ton of faith in their king. Though, I feared, he may have been the downfall of the ancient world.

Anyway, the right corridor led us to a winding ramp. We rested at the bottom before continuing. Our guard escort was getting a little bedraggled by this point. Couldn't blame them.

We eventually arrived at one last door. Passing through we felt warmth. Like it was shielded to maintain a perfect temperature. And it was past the door that we heard the snoring.

It's loud rumbling echoed about the room. It was a much smaller room than I had expected, so it was easy to find the culprit. AKA Corner Stone the ancient alicorn.

She lying in a pit of dust that may have once been her bed. Or maybe it was her bed. It kind of made sense. Her golden mane was no longer aflame, and she looked quite thin outside the dream.

Mother instructed the guards to stay back outside the door, and had Twilight and myself step off to the side. She alone walked up to the giantess and cleared her throat.

The ancient mare instinctively reach out her hooves in her slumber and grabbed her. She then proceeded to snuggle her like a teddy bear and she rolled over onto her back, which seemed to have quieted her snores/ Mother, for her part seemed an odd mixture of horrified and amused.

Twilight, however was freaking out.

"Oh no, what do we do, what do we do? she could accidentally crush her."

"No, I can withstand much more than this," mother said, trying to pry herself loose, to no success. She didn't want to risk teleportation, as it was a spell we didn't believe she knew of. Yes, Twilight had compiled a whole list of does and don'ts when on this diplomatic mission. "Gold, she doesn't seem to be responding to the mental messages I'm sending her. Perhaps she's more fond of you."

I sighed and flapped over to the head of the giantess and raised a hoof, swatting her nose. Both mother and Twilight were horrified at the resounding SPLAT it made. The mare was undamaged however, but, now her eyes were open.

Releasing my mother, she rolled over onto her stomach and rose up to her full height. Mother beat her wings hard and grabbed me before retreating back with Twilight. She stood in front of us defensively. Both these mares seemed ready to scold me something fierce when this was over.

Corner Stone, for her part, blinked the eons of sleep from her eyes and turned them upon us. She smiled and rubbed her nose. Seemed it was sore now.

Welcome, friends. You finally arrived. Apologies. I am a very heavy sleeper. There's a club by the door my students often use for these occasions. We looked and saw nothing but a pile of dust. Seems it's been misplaced. Well, I bid you welcome to my School of Carving Stones.

She looked to my mother with a broad grin. I can't recall. Did you wish to enroll your son?