Round about the time it was for Shining and Cadance to return to their empire, and after much pleading, mother finally caved. I was going to school to learn magic. Huh... I'm eleven... no... I don't have a scar, and I'm pretty sure my parents weren't killed by wizard Nazis. Oh, no-no-no. I was the descendant of a Nazi. Oh boo.

Well, mother decided to send me off with my favorite wetnurse, Lyra, naturally, and our latest guest, the primordial giantess to do some shopping. As well as an escort of guards. Our dear new friend wanted to see the sights of this grand new age.

And, for whatever reason, when we had mentioned shopping to her, she had spent nearly and hour carving stones into eight wheels, which she rolled beside her in her magic. They rumbled something fierce, as they were each the size of a regular coach's wheel, maybe a little bigger, and weighed more than I did.

When we asked her what she was doing her response was very simple.

You can't go shopping without wheels, young prince. Surely you know that.

We feigned knowledge, and let her do what she needed, then strode out in the streets of Canterlot.

Now, to begin our journey, I should tell you that mother had been having a terrible time fighting off the press about the latest alicorn. So terrible, in fact, that she had generated a shield about the lonely giant's home to keep unwanted pests from disturbing her. The flashing lights may not have scared her, but all the silly chattering upset her to no end. Not in a violent manner, but rather a childish sulk.

What little the news had managed to find out was eaten up by the ponies outside the palace. Come to think of it, this was also going to be my first time mingling with the common pony since my birthday. Just what was the news saying about me? Well, as soon as those gates opened, I find out.

There was a snitch in the palace. Not that a crowd wasn't expected, but a crowd holding up signs that said 'We Love Prince Gold Coast' or 'Prince Gold's Fan club', and even 'The Bigger Prince Gold Fan Club' could not have been a coincidence. Even though I road upon an ancient giant of a grand stone age empire, many eyes seemed to be turned towards me.

"Seems, you have some fans, Gold," Lyra giggled suspiciously. No... not her. She saw my accusing eyes and nodded. "Yep. I just wanted to show you that the ponies outside the nobility were much more enthusiastic about your sudden abilities."

Next thing I knew, a Pegasus filly appeared beside me, somehow getting passed the guards. She held up a notebook and a quill. I dumbly just wrote my name on the front page, then she hugged me and flew off triumphantly. I was frozen in stupidity.

"Well, say hello," Lyra pushed me.

"Um... hello everypony," I said with a nervous grin. Facing nobles was one thing, but this was a throng of ponies whose family trees actually forked. That is to say, their brains weren't as decayed.

The crowd erupted into screams of excitement. The giantess continued to ask me what was happened.

They've never seen a male speak? She was aghast, though she had been explained how this different world worked. It still horrifies me to no end.

The guards eventually managed to clear a path for us and we made our way, under Lyra's direction, towards the market and what supplies we needed.

I had been out of the palace before. Been to Ponyville for my first circumcision, yes, first, as everything just grew back... mother insisted. I've been in parades, been to toy stores, a few parks, even a candy store. But never had there been crowds like this.

So many ponies just happy to see me. I must not cry now. It might damage their image of me.

Our first stop, of course, was the bookstore. Corner Stone was too big to come inside, so she sat outside to keep the following crowds attention/act as a barrier. The inside was cozy as you might imagine a bookstore to be.

The owner of said store was an older unicorn mare of blue. She wore simple homespun clothes and wore those coke-bottle glasses your used to seeing in cartoons. With these comical lenses she creepily stared at me, open mouthed as Lyra helped me select the books I would need for my classes.

Alchemy and Chemistry: How to Make Gold and not set Your House on Fire Vol 1-9, Simple Spells to Stump your Siblings, Playground Pranks and their Real World Applications, Divine Miracles and Dividing by Zero, Wild Magics and When to Avoid Them, Magical Creatures, Enchantments and Ergonomics: The Practical Methods, Potions and Poisons: How not to Get Them Mixed, and lastly Mathematics of Mysticism. Lyra said these were good for a start, I would need more as lessons progressed though.

At the counter, Lyra handed over a receipt with Celestia's seal on it. Good at any bank or business, and saved Royalty from having to carry heavy bags of gold.

"So," said the mare behind the counter, leaning over to get a closer look at me. "This is the prince? Is it true that he can talk?"

I looked at her in a most incredulous fashion. "You could ask me, rather than act like I'm not here."

She jumped back as if she had been bitten. Then, a moment, later, she laughed. "Ooooh… this... this has to have upset the status quo." Her laughter grew louder, then she cleared her throat. "Forgive me. Its just a little... chaotic, don't you think? First a male alicorn, then a talking male alicorn, then your giant friend outside... perhaps I've read too many stories, but things can only get more interesting from here, am I right?"

Lyra nodded, gripping my armor, mother had insisted I where it to show off to the kingdom, or help protect me, and gave a gentle tug. Signaling that she really wanted to leave. I had no desire to argue. This mare was off-putting. I smiled nervously and said goodbye.

"Wait," she said, stopping us in our tracks as if by magic. "I think you may be interested in one other book. Give me a second."

She reached under her counter and pulled up a book, dusty and old like her. She held it out to me. I took it in my magic and looked it over curiously. There was no title, not even any words inside it. "What... what is this?"

She cleared her throat. "Ahem... I... Glitter Omnibus, do hereby bestow up this fair prince, this book and all its ownership."

Instantly, the book began to transform, becoming like new. I just stared as I watched my name appear on the cover. "Prince Gold Coat's Guide to Personal Growth? I... I don't understand."

Lyra, for her part was blown away in awe. "Is that Wooly Weaver Enchanted Book? I didn't think they existed anymore."

The mare shook her head. "It could be the last one. It has to be willingly transferred to another pony to rejuvenate its power. For as the bearer ages, so does the book. I figure an alicorn should be able to get more from it than any other pony."

Lyra took it from me and put it in the bottom of the bag, under the other books, marking it as very important. This time, she shook the mare's hand in thanks before we left. I had to ask her what it was for.

Author's Note

Yeah, over fifty thousnad words