//-------------------------------------------------------// The Princess and The Florist -by Poppy8- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue In the kingdom of plushie-ponies there was a lot on hushed whispering and odd glares thrown as an unknown pony made it’s way through the kingdom. The pony was humming as he has a large saddle bag on his back. The pony didn’t seem to mind the attention or it just didn’t notice the attention. The pony stopped by a yellow unicorn mare, “Hello mam, do you know where the castle is?” The pony said. The unicorn mare looked up and down the stallion her eyebrows raised. “Uhh….just keep going straight….sir?” The mare said, “Thank you miss, and nice mane.” The pony said. The mare blushed and watched in silence as the pony continued on it’s way. -X-X-X- The pony had just gotten to the castle, as a unicorn and pegasus guard looked at the pony strangely up and down. “Hello good sirs, can I please come inside?” The pony said, the guards looked at each other. “For what reason?” One of the guards said, “I wish for a short conference with the King or Queen of the kingdom.” The pony replied. The guards looked at each other again, the unicorn then lifted the saddle bag off the pony. The pony let out a short gasp in response, the unicorn opened the bag and in one side he saw three jars full of flower seeds and a small bag of bits. In the other flap there was a bundle of bananas, apples, and pears in a plastic bag. The unicorn guard levitated the saddle bag back onto the ponies back and the pony relaxed visibly. The guards moved to the side opening the castle doors. “You may enter.” The unicorn guard said, and the pony walked in as the guards continued to stare at him. The doors shut behind the pony and it continued to walk and as it passed by chefs, guards, and maids stopped in their tracks looking at the pony oddly. And out of all the ponies Inkie was staring at the pony her eye’s narrowed in curiosity and confusion. The pony walked over to Inkie and the almost-grown-mare almost swore as the pony was taller then her. “Excuse me, miss, do you know where the King or Queen is?” The pony asked, “Queen Quilted is in the throne room. The king, Heat Wave, is currently unable to attend to his royal duties. To get there go straight, take a left, then take a right.” Inkie said not tearing her gaze from the pony. “Thank you.” The pony said, he then continued to head straight ahead as more and more castle staff watched the strange pony. -X-X-X- Cozy Quilted was sitting in her throne room talking to a mare who had a cream-colored coat with a brown mane. The alicorn mare wore a necklace with a crystal pendant. As a concerned and tired look was on her face, “So based on my calculations sense your husband was held captive, raped, and nearly brainwashed by that delusional filly he’ll need therapy for at least three to five years at the minimum.” The mare said. Cozy Quilted sighed, “In translation….he will be back to normal eventually?” She said. “Yes, but as of now just keep his stress levels down and make sure he doesn’t overstimulate himself.” The mare said, “And he will be able to fly again, right?” Cozy Quilted asked. “Yes, he should he fully healed in eight months to a year.” The mare said, “A YEAR!?” Cozy Quilted blurted. “Yes, I’m sorry my queen but his body and mind was hurt very badly he’ll need a lot of time to recover.” The mare said, and Cozy Quilted sighed and was about to say something. That is until the throne room the door opened and both mares we’re stunned and bewildered by what they saw. They saw a tall, skinny, and very young earthpony stallion, the stallion had a short mane and medium-length tail. His mane and tail we’re a bit fluffy with random curls running through them. The front of the mane was a dark blue slowly blending into the lighter blue that was in the mane and for the tail the colors we’re swapped. And in the curls of the mane and tail there sat trapped we’re flowers of different shape, color, and variety. The stallions coat was a relaxing aqua green color, and his eye’s we’re like deep pools of blue violet. His cutiemark was a bouquet of orange flowers the cloth that the flowers we’re bound in was a golden yellow almost dandelion color. And finally the saddle bag the stallion wore was the same shade of his eye’s with his cutiemark on each side along with a name that read: Wintergreen Bouquet. “Hello, I’m not interrupting anything….am I? I wanted to see Mrs. Quilted.” The stallion said, the cream-colored mare blinked. “No it’s fine, the queen and I was just finishing up some matters. Good day, my queen.” The mare said, she then left the room leaving Cozy Quilted with the stallion. “Uh…who are you?” Cozy Quilted said, “I’m, Wintergreen Bouquet. And I need some citizen registration and florist shop permit papers, please.” The stallion said smiling gently. “Okay, how old are you? And how long have you been here?” Cozy Quilted said pulling out the needed papers, “I haven’t been here long, barely ten minutes. But I’ve been traveling a long time to get to your kingdom as I saw that you didn’t have a florist. I thought your kingdom could use more beauty, and to answer your other question why I’m seventeen.” Wintergreen said. And Cozy Quilted’s magical influence on the papers faltered for a minute. “Your seventeen!? No scratch that, your seventeen years old and your parents allowed you to leave the nest!?” Cozy Quilted said, as she put a hoof to her heart feeling a mini-heart attack coming on. Wintergreen didn’t even flinch or show any sign of discomfort, “Well, yes, I know I’m a bit young to live on my own and run my own shop but, what can I say? I’m a little ambitious at times.” He said. “Well….okay….but first work on the registration. Do you want to live at your work or have your work and home separate?” Cozy Quilted said, “Separate, please. And if you don’t mind….can I stay here I don’t have a place to stay, obviously.” Wintergreen said as he took the citizen registration papers which Cozy Quilted had levitated to him. Meanwhile the mare was biting her lip it wasn’t that she didn’t want the young stallion in the castle it was that he was so….young. At first (based on his height) the mare had thought that he was much older. But now Wintergreen had revealed himself to be seventeen, that was barely old enough to be considered a young stallion or mare. Cozy Quilted was half-tempted to contact the parents, but she decided against it. If they thought their son was ready for the real world then so be it. “Sure.” Cozy Quilted said, “Thank you, mam. I was scared that I might have to sleep in an alleyway or a cardboard box.” Wintergreen said And Cozy Quilted waited for a follow-up “just kidding” or something. But it never came, Cozy Quilted swore she could feel her heart shattering at the thought of the young stallion living on the streets. Suddenly though the stallion in question got the queens attention. “Excuse me, Miss. Quilted, but do you have some sort of outdoor garden or meadow?” The stallion asked, “Oh! Yes I do, I’ll get my daughter, Heart Breaker, to lead you around.” Cozy Quilted said. “Oh you don’t have to—” Wintergreen said but he was cut off, “HEART BREAKER! COME HERE RIGHT NOW!” Cozy Quilted shouted and in a dark black flash Heart Breaker was in the throne room. “What is it, mom? Does dad need help getting fed again?” Heart Breaker said, Cozy Quilted chuckled. “No, but I do need you to take Mr. Bouquet here to the castle gardens.” She said, Heart Breaker turned to see Wintergreen and she look at him with a suspicious yet confused look. She turned back to her mother who motioned her to do it. “Ugh, come on….Bouquet, I’ll show you the way.” Heart Breaker said and her and Wintergreen we’re out the throne room. And as they left Cozy Quilted’s amulet glowed a bright orange twice with a chime to go with it. The mare sighed with a concerned look coming across her face again. “Don’t worry honey, I’m coming.” She said, as she got out of her throne. -X-X-X- Wintergreen walked through the garden and looked at the flowers that he passed by. He stopped when he saw a young alicorn mare. The mare had a pink satin coat with a long, silky, bright pink, mane and tail that had little heart designs in it. Wintergreen had to admit the young mare was very pretty, almost something you’d seem in a foaltale book. The stallion then walked over to the mare and sat a comfortable distance away from her. Wintergreen saw that the young mare had lined paper in a green binder. The young mare was writing something with her tongue stuck out in concentration. Right next to the binder there was a wooden pencil case. It was then the stallion realized he didn’t have anything to write with. “Excuse me, miss?” Wintergreen said, and Love Goddess jumped she then looked over to the stallion and she gained a confused look. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. But, do you have an extra pencil?” He said, and Love Goddess nodded and opened the opened the pencil case before magically levitating a pencil over to Wintergreen. The stallion took the pencil and for a minute there was nothing but the sound of birds chirping and pencils scratching against paper. “Name’s, Loveygum Kitties Goddess The 1st. But you can call me Love for short.” Love said, Wintergreen put his pencil down. “My name is Wintergreen Bouquet, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss. Goddess.” Wintergreen replied, “I’m guessing you’re the daughter of Miss. Quilted?” “Yeah I am, how did you know?” Love asked. “I get a certain vibe about ponies and depending on what I feel I can tell things about ponies. You and your mother have a similar vibe so I was able to tell you two we’re related. Plus, you and your mother both have pink hair and eye’s. And on your mother’s tail their was one small pink heart design. You have a whole bunch of hearts in your hair.” Wintergreen said, Love blinked in surprise. “Wow.” She said, Wintergreen chuckled. “I get that type of reaction a lot, I’m guessing your father is sick or hurt as I have yet to see sign of the male parental figure.” He said, Love was astounded once again. “Wooooow.” She said again, the stallion smiled even wider. “I’ll take that as a yes, your mother did appear a bit stressed.” Wintergreen said, finally Love nodded a look a concern melding to her face. “Yeah our daddy ended up getting kidnapped. But don’t tell him I said that.” She said, “Kidnapped? That must mean your father is Sir Heat Wave.” Wintergreen said. Love raised an eyebrow, “How do you know?” She said. “You don’t know? It’s been all over Equestrian News lately.” Wintergreen said, and Love gasped putting a hoof on her forehead. “Ugh, don’t tell my dad that he’ll, literally, burst into flames.” She said, “I won’t, so what are you writing?” Wintergreen said. Love blushed slightly as she closed her binder, “A novel.” She replied. “A novel? May I see your cutiemark then? I’m sure it’s lovely.” Wintergreen asked, Love blushed furiously her ears going back. “….O-Oh….yo-you….se-se-see….I-I-I….do-don’t…..we-well…….” Love stammered, Wintergreen was confused as he looked at the princess. He then looked at the young mares flank and he was stunned to see no cutiemark. “Fascinating….you don’t have your cutiemark.” Wintergreen said, and Love gasped her tail covering her blank flank. Her eye’s glossed over as she gained a hostile look, “….Well…what are you waiting for? Go ahead and laugh at me!” Love said. And it was Wintergreen’s turn to gain a confused look. “Now why would I ever laugh at a charming young mare like yourself?” He said, “Because everypony else does, but don’t worry, it’s fine. I’ll never earn my cutiemark, I’ll be a blank flank forever.” Love said as she began to cry. Wintergreen gained a sympathetic look, as he looked at a group of flowers in front of him one of the flowers having yet to bloom. “Now don’t talk like that, you’ll get your cutiemark.” He said, “And how do you figure that?” Love said sniffing. Wintergreen got up placing his paper to the side as he put a hoof under the yet-to-bloom flowers. “Well, the way I see it colts and fillies are like flowers. Some are early bloomers while some are late bloomers. Eventuality all of them will bloom, but it takes time and patience. I known you will get your cutiemark and I know it will be the best, most beautiful cutiemark the world will ever see. You know why?” Wintergreen said, “No, why?” Love said with a confused look on her face. “Because you will be the one who cried her eye’s out, the one who prayed to Celestia at night, the one who tried to most things, the one who worked the hardest and truly earned hers. When you get your cutiemark not only will it be the best, but so will you. And when you bloom….” The young stallion continued, and as if on cue the flower he had gently been caressing bloomed. The flower had shimmering, large ruby red petals that seemed to glow in the sun. “….your efforts will speak for themselves.” Wintergreen finished, he then gently plucked the flower and put it in Love’s mane. “And you will show all of Equestria, that truly slow and steady wins the race.” The young stallion said, and Love looked at Wintergreen your mouth agape. And without thinking Love hugged the stallion with her wings and began cry tears of joy as Wintergreen pat her on the back. “Your-Your so nice.” Love said, “Thank you, mam.” Wintergreen replied with the same warm smile. //-------------------------------------------------------// Ice-Cream and Tears //-------------------------------------------------------// Ice-Cream and Tears Wintergreen was currently braiding daisies into Love’s tail, as the mares mane was already braided neatly. Love was reading through her novel she was working on to Wintergreen as she enjoyed the summer sun hitting her fur. “Cyber, Kate, Mongolia, and Bubs then ran as fast as they could out of the flaming forest.” Love said, she then closed her binder and turned to look at Wintergreen. “Your story is very good, are you almost done?” The stallion said nearly done with Love’s tail, the mare giggled blushing slightly. “Yeah, I got a few more chapters to write.” She said, Wintergreen smiled as he just finished the mares tail he then stood up and stretched out his limbs. “Well I think your gonna sell millions of copies.” Wintergreen said, he then walked over and picked up his citizen registration form which was now fully filled-out. “So how old are you anyway?” Love asked as she walked over to Wintergreen and wrapped a wing around him, “I’m seventeen.” The stallion said. “Really!? Well I’m seventeen too! Maybe we can hang out and get some ice cream.” Love replied, Wintergreen chuckled his tail wagging slightly. “I’d like that, I haven’t had ice cream in a while.” He said, Love then levitated her binder and pencil box into the air as her and Wintergreen walked towards the garden entrance. “Come on, we’ll find you a room near mine, I’ll put on a skirt, and we can head out!” Love said, “Alright then.” Wintergreen said as his and Love’s tail was wagging in joy. -X-X-X- “I don’t like this.” Heart Breaker said as her, Valentine, Passion, and Inkie watched. “I know, this is freaky.” Inkie said just as Boom walked by, the stallion wore a pair of large white headphones with majestic blue hearts in the center. Boom stopped in his tracks, “What’s freaky?” He said. The four sister’s then pointed straight ahead and Boom turned his head. He saw Love levitating some flowerpots full of soil into Wintergreen’s room which was there rooms down from hers. Wintergreen was organizing through his seeds seemingly trying to pick out some. Love gently placed the five pots in front of Wintergreen. And the stallion put one seed into each pot and patted the soil with one hoof, but what bewildered and shocked Boom the most was Love’s flower-braided mane and tail. “Okay….time for a intervention.” Boom said, he then watched as Love walked off to her room and shut the door. The stallion lit his horn and a majestic blue magical aurora surrounded Wintergreen. The flower-loving stallion yelped as he was lifted off his hooves and met the eyes of the black unicorn. “I’m Boom, Love’s older brother. Now, if you don’t mind me asking….how old are you, what town did you come from, what are or we’re your parents like, do you have any mental diseases or past criminal discretions, and what is your sexuality? If I think you are lying on any of these questions I’ll electrocute you.” Boom said, Wintergreen blinked as his cheeks turned the subtlest shade of pink. Heart Breaker, Valentine, Passion, and Inkie watched in curiosity as they saw Wintergreen was trying to process all the questions he’d been asked. Finally the earthpony took a deep breathe and spoke, “I’m seventeen, I came from the town Meadowpatch. My mother is the most encouraging, cheerful, and supportive mare you’ll ever have the pleasure to meet. My father….was for a lack of a better term….selfish he only cared about how he looked as him and my mother didn’t….last to say the least. No, I do not have any past criminal deeds nor do I have any mental handicaps or disabilities. And, believe it or not, but I’m straight I know my appearance and the way I talk says otherwise but I speak the full honest truth.” Wintergreen said his cheeks turning a brighter pink as he answered the last question. Boom studied Wintergreen for a few moments before setting him down. It was then Love came out of her room wearing a long, frilly, magenta colored skirt. “Alright let’s go!” Love said, “Yes, let’s.” Wintergreen said as he quickly went to Love’s side. The mare instinctively wrapped a wing around the earthpony and walked off with Wintergreen. The flower-loving stallion looked back at Love’s siblings and though his face didn’t express it his eyes we’re filled with fear and shame. -X-X-X- “Your siblings are very…..spirited.” Wintergreen said with a nervous chuckle, Love’s ears twitched as she caught the waver in Wintergreen’s voice. “Don’t worry they’re overprotective when it comes to me. No reason to be all freaked-out.” Love said, and Wintergreen blushed as he looked at the ground. “Boom….lifted me with his magic. I don’t like unicorns touching me or anything of mine, especially with their magic.” Wintergreen whispered, “Oh, really? Why’s that?” Love asked. Wintergreen blushed even redder his ears going back, “I have my reasons. But you don’t have to worry it’s unicorns that bug me not alicorns. Kinda ironic considering that alicorns have more powerful magic, but still, it’s just my preferences.” He said. Love nodded knowing better then to intrude on Wintergreen’s personal likes and dislikes. But she did make a mental note to tell her adopted unicorn siblings not to get all chummy-chummy with Wintergreen until he was ready. It was then Love noticed that many ponies we’re looking at Wintergreen. Normally whenever she came outside in the kingdom (which wasn’t often) she’d be getting looks of pity. That was because her parents had made up a lie that she couldn’t or wouldn’t get a cutiemark because of a rare disease that prevented it from showing. The ‘disease’ wasn’t contagious and it would be unknown when it would ware off. Yeah, to Love the story sounded absolutely ridiculous but she saw why her parents had done this. Ever since an incident that had happened when she was a filly her parents had always wanted her to be safe and happy. But now that those looks of pity weren’t being thrown at her it felt weird for Love. She looked over to Wintergreen and found the stallion wasn’t even batting an eye at the odd, confused, or even mocking looks from the ponies. It’s as if he was immune or something, or maybe Wintergreen was used to the looks. And, for Love, if it we’re the latter then she was very concerned on who had conditioned Wintergreen like this. Love tried shaking off her concern as the ice cream shop came in sight but she swore she could sense Wintergeen relax slightly as he saw the shop as well. Wintergreen opened the shop door, much to Love’s shock, and smiled gently at her. Love blushed and walked inside heading to the counter immediately, Wintergreen followed again not seeming to notice the looks he was thrown. But in reality Wintergreen was noticing the looks and he wished they would stop, but he didn’t dare show it bugged him. The young stallion had learned through his years that showing any sign of reaction (especially when the looks we’re mocking) was bound to get him into trouble. So Wintergreen kept his gentle and calm smile as he caught up to Love who was trying to choose which ice cream she wanted. The young stallion looked up at the menu putting a hoof to his chin in thought. Suddenly though the young stallion felt something cold slap against the back of his head. Wintergreen put a hoof over his mouth to silence a small combination of a yelp and a gasp. The young stallion then put a hoof on the back of his head and found some ice cream. Wintergreen quickly knocked the substance out of his hair and took a deep breathe making the red flush on his cheeks fade away. Once the young stallion had gotten himself together he was quick to make up his mind. “I’ll have the orchard-toffee ice cream, in a waffle cone, with extra oats please.” Wintergreen said in his same calm voice, the grey plush pony at the counter didn’t show any response to the young stallion. “And I’ll have the hearts desire-mocha blend, waffle cone, with coconut shreds please.” Love added, “Of course, Loveygum Kitties Goddess The 1st.” the plush pony replied as they went to make the current ice cream orders. And that’s when Wintergreen started searching his person for his bag of bits he always carried around with him. But after a few minutes Wintergreen's cheeks went scarlet as he realized his bag of bits wasn’t on him. The young stallion mentally retraced his steps and quickly realized he had left his bits in his room thanks to the slight interruption from Boom. Wintergreen’s ears fell back, he quickly looked over Love and the young mare nodded as she levitated her bit-pouch on the counter. When the ice cream came one cone had a pink and light brown scoop on it with white shreds on it. The other cone had a yellow and brown scoop on it with star-shaped oats in and on it. Each pony took their respective ice cream cone in their hooves as Love used her magic to give the required bits and put her bit-pouch away. “Um….Love, do you mind if we go somewhere else and eat our ice cream?” Wintergreen whispered in Love’s ear, and the mare nodded she had a feeling the stallion wouldn’t feel to comfortable in the shop. And as Wintergreen opened the door for the princess (and struggled to stand on his hind hooves, the young stallion noticed a group of colts at the table. The four colts we’re snickering quietly and Wintergreen fought the blush that threatened to creep onto his face, he now knew who had hit him with that ice cream scoop. As soon as Love and Wintergreen got out of the shop they began to eat their ice cream. “Mmm! This is really good!” Love said as her face lit up taking her first lick, but as she looked over to Wintergreen she saw that his ears were down and his cheeks we’re a permanent shade of red. Love looked around and realized ponies we’re still eyeing Wintergreen and without much thought the princess picked up pace to a trot and led the young stallion to a place she knew he’d love. -X-X-X- “Hey, Wintergreen! Look!” Love said giving young stallion a nudge, Wintergreen snapped out of his daze. The young stallion looked up and his eyes went wide he was so stunned he lost his grip on his ice cream cone. Luckily though Love was quick to catch it with her magic, Wintergreen looked around at the gorgeous view in front of him. Wintergreen saw that Love had led him to some sort of meadow, the place had flowers of all types as all you could see on the ground was nothing but flowers. The young stallion looked up and saw that he appeared to be in some sort of cave as the walls we’re covered in flowers as well, and at the center of the ceiling there was a large gaping hole that allowing sunlight to flood the cave. Wintergreen felt a smile spread on his face, in all of his days he had never seen so many flowers. The young stallion felt tears of joy cascade down his cheeks as he put a hoof to his mouth to prevent a fillyish squeal from escaping his mouth. Love giggled, “I thought you’d like it, I noticed you seemed a bit down so I thought I’d take you here. What do you think?” She said. “It’s amazing! I love it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Wintergreen said as he turned on his head and brought Love into a hug, the young mare gasped as her magic faded and Wintergreen’s ice cream his the ground. Love hugged back making sure to keep a good grip on her ice cream. “I’m glad you like it, so what was bugging you?” Love said concern etched in her voice, Wintergreen pulled back as his ears ducked down. The young stallion looked down at the ground, “Nothing really, I was just a little embarrassed about not paying for our ice cream. I felt I needed to because well….I am a stallion after all.” Wintergreen said. But Love raised an eyebrow not seeming to buy into Wintergreen’s words. “Really now, that’s it?” She said, “Well….not fully….no.” Wintergreen replied with a visible cringe. “Well, what is it? You can tell me anything.” Love said encouragingly, the young stallion in front of her squirmed and failed to make eye contact with anything for more then a few seconds. “Mmm….those colts….I mean not that I don’t like children or anything! And to be fair I’m not sure if you noticed…..but the way they acted….reminded me of my childhood.” Wintergreen said his cheeks burning, Love immediately felt a stab of sympathy. She had a feeling she knew where this was going. “We’re you bullied when you we’re a colt?” Love said wrapping a wing around the flower-loving-stallion, “No….well not really, and when I was bullied it was brief. I never truly cared about what other ponies thought of me so they stopped. At least….nopony but my parents.” Wintergreen said, as his eyes glossed over and her used one or his left front hoof to rub his right. “We’re they strict?” Love asked, cause in truth she could see why having strict parents would cause somepony to resent or feel remorse for their childhood. “No…it’s just….he was….” Wintergreen said trailing off growing increasingly more uncomfortable, “He what?” Love asked urgently as she couldn’t help but feel fear and concern grow in her chest. Wintergreen chewed on his lip before began to breakdown crying, the young mare dropped her ice cream now too worried about Wintergreen to care about it. She then brought the young stallion into a hug rubbing his back contently. And Love didn’t let go. Even after Wintergreen had cried himself to sleep. //-------------------------------------------------------// Nightmares //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note What is this!? A chapter that is not posted on the weekend!? Why, yes it is! I hope ya all enjoy! Nightmares A young six-year-old colt hid under his bed using a very thin raggedy blanket to keep himself warm. The young colts room was dark and had worn-out walls the paint was peeling off as they we’re covered in a dark crusted-on substance. The room he was in was dark as insects crawled in and from the holes that we’re in the floor. The only sound in the room was the quiet sobbing from the colt, suddenly though a voice quieted the boy. “Wintergreen! Wintergreen!” A muffled deep voice called out, the young colt that was Wintergreen gasped a put a hoof to his mouth. Tears poured from Wintergreen’s eyes as the sound of tears softly hitting the wooden floor was the only thing that could now be heard in the room. “WINTERGREEN!” The deep voice called out again, Wintergreen whimpered as he pushed himself further under his bed. Suddenly though there was loud banging on the colts room door. Wintergreen was now shaking uncontrollably as he stuffed some of his blanket into his mouth to muffle any sort of sounds his body could produce. The banging grew louder and Wintergreen made himself smaller as the door began to creek and splinter from the force exerted on it. The colt bit his hoof as his heart was now drumming as loud as the knocking on his door. But suddenly the banging stopped and Wintergreen was left in silence he stared at the door in fear. Maybe he had given up…..maybe he had left. But those dreams we’re soon broken to nothing but splinters, just like Wintergreen’s room door thanks to the fire of a magical spell. Wintergreen yelped as a tall bulky figure walked into the room, the figure was a unicorn as it’s horn was lit it’s magic an indigo purple. “Wintergreen! I told you never to lock the door! Now, I’m gonna have to get curtains for this trash pile you call a room.” The figure said, Wintergreen allowed his tears to soak his blanket as he tried his hardest to stay quiet. The floor creaked as the unicorn walked around the room. “Wintergreen, where are you? You know we have to get started on your training.” The figure said, as it searched the room turning over any object Wintergreen could be hiding. The colt began to hyperventilate as he used his blanket to muffle his breathes. Wintergreen prayed he wouldn’t find him but unfortulently for the colt the figure had looked everywhere and that only left the bed. “I know you under there.” The figure said as it slowly approached the bed, Wintergreen shook even more as he began to sweat. The colt waited tensely for something….anything to happen! But….nothing did….Wintergreen waited for what felt like hours (which was really ten minutes) and still nothing happened….even the room was quiet. Wintergreen hesitantly scooted himself to the edge of the bottom of his bed. And as he popped his head out he saw nothing….Wintergreen smiled and got from under his hiding spot. But that joy was short-lived as Wintergreen was tackled to the floor. And before the colt could get up or scream the wind was knocked right out if him as a hoof slammed hard into his chest. Wintergreen then looked straight ahead at a unicorn horn aimed at his forehead. “Ple—Please…..father….no.” Wintergreen pleaded as tears flooded his eyes, but the unicorn didn’t hesitate as he activated his magic spell. -X-X-X- Wintergreen’s eyes shot open as he was hyperventilating from pure fear. “Wintergreen! Are you okay!?” A voice said, and the stallion looked up to see Love Goddess. Wintergreen took a few deep breathes before composing himself. “Y-Yes, I am fine.” The stallion said inwardly cringing at his stammering, “You don’t look like your fine.” Love said as she walked over to Wintergreen. The stallion resisted the urge to pull his ears back in shame, he knew he wasn’t fooling anypony. He just didn’t want to talk about his….nightmare nor his childhood. But as Wintergreen avoided Love’s concerned gaze he realized he was in a room. The bed had a white mattress with honey yellow covers and pillow covers. The room itself was fairly large having cinnamon brown walls with a honey yellow rug on the floor and curtains halfway shut over the large glass doors that led to a nearby balcony. Wintergreen was able to see that on the balcony itself there we’re five flower pots. And it was then the stallion pieced together where he was, “…..How did you get me to the castle?” Wintergreen asked trying his best to turn the conversation as subtly as possible. “Oh! Well, I’ve been here my entire life so I used a whole bunch of secret passageways through the town and the castle to get ya here after you took a slight nap! It was actually really easy! You’ve only been out for an hour!” Love said with a giggle, and it was then Wintergreen sat up as he remembered what had happened and his cheeks went scarlet. Well at least that explained his dream, “Oh…..I’m…..so sorry I shouldn’t gave gotten so….hung up. It isn’t proper of a stallion to bawl like a foal.” Wintergreen said mumbling his last sentence. Love smiled sweetly before bringing the stallion into a hug. “It’s fine, besides it’s good to sleep after an emotional meltdown.” The mare said, Wintergreen raised an eyebrow. Love blushed and cleared her throat, “Just trust me on this one, I’d know.” The alicorn said and Wintergreen simply chuckled. “Ho-How ironic! The mare is making the stallion feel better! Shouldn’t it be the other way around?” Wintergreen said as chuckles threatened to interrupt his speech, “You should know me by now, I’m not one to leave somepony when their down. And who cares who makes who feel better? Besides, your more of a stallion then any stallion in Equestria.” Love said as she wrapped her wings around the young stallion. Wintergreen blushed feverishly as he felt a warm fuzzy feeling in his chest. Suddenly though Love pulled her wings back and let Wintergreen free from the hug. She then got up from the bed and opened the door for Wintergreen. “Come on! Dinner will be ready soon! Let’s get our grub-on!” Love said, and Wintergreen numbly nodded as he got up from bed. And as Love wrapped a wing around him and Wintergreen’s room door shut only one thing rang through his head. ‘Your more of a stallion then any stallion in Equestria.’ //-------------------------------------------------------// The Spark //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note I did it again! Man it feels so good not to be held down by school! Hope ya all enjoy this chapter! The Spark Heart Breaker, Valentine, Boom, Passion, and Cozy Quilted all sat in the dinning room talking among each other. “I’m telling you that ‘stallion’ is no stallion. He could be transgender, come on Boom didn’t you hear the way he talked. No stallion I know is like that!” Heart Breaker said, Boom shook his head incredulously now it was true he didn’t trust Wintergreen but that didn’t mean he suspected there was something wrong with him. “Sis, even if Wintergreen acts…..peculiar we shouldn’t judge him just because of his looks or attitude. It’s who he is as a pony that matters.” Boom replied, “Thank you, Boom, now I know you all have doubts about him…..especially since the Velvet incident but you can’t judge every new pony you see.” Cozy Quilted added. Valentine nodded with a smile on her face, “I agree, besides he’s very….cute.” The mare said with blush on her cheeks. Heart Breaker gagged while rolling her eyes, “He’s…odd. But a good odd! In my homeland a boy couldn’t go a day acting like Wintergreen! I say he’s brave!” Passion said. Cozy Quilted smiled whole Heart Breaker scoffed, “Well, I don’t like him, and who’s to say he didn’t have a messed up childhood and it makes him attack Love or worse!” Heart Breaker said crossing her front hooves. Cozy Quilted rolled her eyes, “Well if I remember correctly all of you, including Love had a few bad patches in your childhood and you all turned out fine.” The mare said. And Heart Breaker dropped her hostile attitude, “Come on, all we have to do is give him a chance.” Cozy Quilted said and it was then the dinning room doors opened and in came Love and Wintergreen. The princess sat in her usual seat beside Heart Breaker and Wintergreen sat next to Love hiding the fear that ached in his chest. “So Wintergreen, how long are you staying at the castle?” Cozy Quilted said trying to drum up a light-hearted conversation before Heart Breaker spoke, “Oh! I’m not quite sure to be honest, I do need a job so I can get some bits. Would you have any old vacant shops around here? My hometown used to have a few of those.” Wintergreen said. Cozy Quilted put a hoof on her chin before a smile cane to get face. “Ya know, I think there is one place that went out of business a few weeks ago. I can reserve the place for you.” The mare said, “I would appreciate that.” Wintergreen replied. And before anything else could be said the chefs and maids walked into the dinning room holding different kinds of food in their hooves or magic. Most of the ponies we’re unicorns as they placed silver platters down the center of the of table. They removed the covers over the platters revealing exotic foods from across any (and every) land in Equestria. Wintergreen felt his calm composure slip as he saw the exotic foods and the multitude of unicorns. The stallion didn’t know whether to feel paralyzing fear to tantalizing hunger. Luckily though the servants left as soon as they arrived and the family got to eating. The first platter off food looked be a large bird of some sort. The meat had been cooked to perfection and was tender as it’s skin golden brown. The second platter looked to be some sort of spicy bean chilly that was thick and obviously hot as it was still boiling. The third platter had freshly baked bread they was sliced evenly and had marmalade spread on it. The fourth platter had a salad of the freshest greens and vegetables and had ranch dressing drizzled on it. The fifth platter had a large cake with buttercream icing and whip cream to top it off. And finally the last platter held a pitcher of milk and some glasses. The looked delicious and Wintergreen wanted it unfortulently though he couldn’t quite reach any of the food without stretching across the table and he didn’t want to be rude. Luckily though Boom noticed this and got some food for Wintergreen, “Here ya go.” The unicorn stallion said putting the plate in front of Wintergreen. The young stallion winced, “Um….thank you.” Wintergreen said in his usual calm voice. This odd behavior however didn’t go unnoticed by Boom though. Love shot Boom a look that said ‘I’ll tell you later’. The unicorn nodded as Wintergreen hesitantly took a fork to pick up a piece of meat from his plate. Heart Breaker however noticed Wintergreen’s off behavior as well and decided to test something. She lit her magic and levitated a glass cup over to each pony. Wintergreen seemed to recoil slightly as he saw Heart Breaker use her magic. Heart Breaker then poured an equal amount of milk for everypony, purposely pouring slower for Wintergreen. The young stallion at this point now had his eyes down casted at his plate as of expecting Heart Breaker to hurt him. The unicorn however did nothing and placed the pitcher back on the platter. And for the rest of dinner Wintergreen didn’t say a word except for when he was directly talked to. And even when the young stallion did talk he would be very quiet and his answers would be short. Eventually dinner ended and after asking for permission Wintergreen left quickly without dessert. As soon as the doors shut though Heart Breaker spoke, “What is up with him!? He was all hunky-dory before and then he goes quiet!” She said. Looks were immediately shot to Love who was in the middle of her third helping of cake. The young mare sighed letting her cake fall on her plate, “Well….it’s just….and don’t tell Wintergreen I said this. But he doesn’t like it when unicorns use their magic especially when their magic touches his things or person.” Love said trying to word herself very carefully. “Aha! I knew something was screwy with him! He’s racist!” Heart Breaker said, “No, no, no, no, no! He’s not racist!” Love clarified. “Then why dosen’t he—” Boom started, “I don’t know, it just scares him and makes him feel embarrassed.” Love interrupted. “Wait…..what about you and me? Does he get that way when we use our magic?” Cozy Quilted inquired, “Naw, he just dosen’t like when unicorns do it.” Love confirmed. “Racist!” Heart Breaker shouted, “Not!” Love argued back. “Well if that’s the case then the poor thing could’ve had a traumatic moment in his life.” Valentine said, “I don’t know but Passion, Boom, Heart Breaker, please dial down on the magic or better yet don’t use it at all when Wintergreen is around.” Love said and without another word she finished off her piece of cake, put a generous slice on her plate for Wintergreen, and walked out of the room. -X-X-X- Wintergreen had retreated to his room and was now looking out at the kingdom from the balcony. His ears limply against his skull as the stallion appeared to be lost in thought. Luckily though Wintergreen was pulled from his thoughts when he heard the sound of hoofsteps. The stallion turned his head to see Love Goddess. The young mare walked over to Wintergreen using her magic to hold the piece of cake. “Alright, what’s the matter?” Love asked, Wintergreen blushed and looked away from the mare. The alicorn sighed and turned Wintergreen around forcing the stallion to face her. Love then put the plate in between her and Wintergreen and broke off a piece using her magic before levitating the piece in Wintergreen’s mouth. The stallion lit up his ears rising, Wintergreen chewed and swallowed the piece before speaking. “Now are you ready to speak?” Love asked, but the young stallion in front of her just shook his head. “Love, I just want to be left alone.” Wintergreen said in the most polite way possible, “But why?” The alicorn retorted. Wintergreen looked down, “I can’t tell you.” He said. “You can! I won’t tell anypony I swear!” Love said, “It’s not that, I……I physically can’t tell you…..it makes bad things happen in my body.” Wintergreen admitted not daring to look love in the eye. “What happens?” Love asked, the young stallion twitched slightly. “I can’t say…..it’s too….vulgar.” Wintergreen said, “So….you can tell me later?” Love said hopefully as she scooted closer over to the young stallion. “I didn’t say that…..but…..maybe when I’m ready to tell you.” Wintergreen said, as he finally locked eyes with Love. His cheeks went scarlet, as he suddenly felt that warm fuzzy feeling fill his chest. “You know your really cute when you blush.” Love said with a giggle, as she felt a warm fuzzy feeling in her chest as well. “My rosy cheeks are nothing compared to how majestic you always look. It’s like stepped straight out of a foaltale book.” Wintergreen said as he regained his calm voice, Love giggled as her cheeks went red. Wintergreen and Love went quiet after that and as the comfortable silence rained the two slowly leaned in. And before the two could register what was happening they kissed. The kiss between the two was tender and gentle as their cheeks flushed. Love’s wings popped open as her horn sparked while Wintergreen subconsciously wrapped his hooves around the alicorn putting his hooves at the base of her wings. The two pulled back once they needed air, and as the two stared into each others eye’s they finally realized what had just happened. “Umm…..” Love said, “….” Wintergreen on the other hoof couldn’t even speak as his muscles tensed-up. Suddenly though the door to the balcony opened. “Hey Love, Wintergreen, I think we need to—what the heck!?” Heart Breaker had started that is until she saw the position Wintergreen and Love we’re in, and just like that she triggered a chain reaction. Love yelped breaking from Wintergreen, she stumbled to her hooves and ran off of the balcony and out of Wintergreen’s green. Wintergreen on the other hoof seemed to be in state of shock as he put his lips up to his muzzle wondering if what he thought had happened had actually happened. As soon as he looked up at Heart Breaker however the stallion yelped and used his hooves to cover his eyes as he shook frantically. Heart Breaker looked down at the stallion as she felt something boiling in her. She slowly headed down the stairs to the balcony her horn glowing with jet black magic. Heart Breaker had a few things to say. //-------------------------------------------------------// Shattered //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note So sorry for falling off the face of the earth! I work on other fanfictions on different sites and I got a little distracted, I'm back though! I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Shattered Wintergreen cowered in front of the unicorn mare as she drew close. Heart Breaker’s magic surged from her horn as a murderous look was in her eyes. And without a moments hesitation she hit Wintergreen on his muzzle, the stallion let out a whinny of pain tears beginning to fill his eyes. “How dare you kiss my sister?” Heart Breaker said in a cold voice, “I-I…” Wintergreen said but a glare from Heart Breaker kept him quiet. Heart Breaker suddenly levitated Wintergreen into the air and the young stallion gasped fear pumping through his heart. Heart Breaker didn’t seem to care before forcing Wintergreen to look straight into her eyes. “Ponies are all the same, they say they love you or they’re your best friend before they stab you in the back or leave you for some other whore. And I won’t let my sister suffer the heartbreak of you leaving her for somepony else. So I’ll give you this one chance, leave and don’t ever come back, if you do come back I’ll have you executed.” Heart Breaker said before she let her magic fade, and after a moment Wintergreen ran as fast as he could into his room grabbing his things before running through the hallways. And the young stallion kept running as he got out of the castle tears streaming down his face as his saddlebag was tied loosely on his back. Heart Breaker chased after the stallion shooting beams of pure black magic at him. And that only made Wintergreen run faster until he was nothing but a turquoise and blue speak. And that is when Heart Breaker stopped her magic and walked inside the castle her mind thinking of ways to keep Wintergreen away from her sister. Heart Breaker suddenly got an idea though as she trotted down the hallways and into her room. The young mare’s room had dark blue walls and a black carpet on the floor and a black desk against the furthermost wall. Heart Breaker then walked to her desk and began to write a letter making sure to mimic Love’s hornwriting perfectly. Once she was done she put the letter in a pink envelope and sealed it. Heart Breaker then decided to seal the deal (no matter how much it made her gag) by putting on red lipstick before peppering the front of the letter with kisses. Once the mare was done she wiped the lipstick off and wrote her sisters name on the front. Heart Breaker then allowed her magic to envelop the envelope before sending it out to the post office. The mare smiled at her work before taking a scroll and writing on it. She had one last thing to do. -X-X-X- Meanwhile Wintergreen had sat himself in an alleyway and was opening his saddlebag to see if he had got everything. Unfortulently for the young stallion he only had his jars of flower seeds. Wintergreen smacked his muzzle but nearly screamed out in pain as he remembered Heart Breaker had hit him there. The young stallion sighed closing up his saddlebag, just great he had no money, was homeless, and now one of the princesses hated him. Wintergreen took a deep breathe and walked to the deepest part of the alleyway before placing his saddlebag on the ground and using it as a pillow. -X-X-X- The morning came and Love Goddess immediately got up from bed, took her shower, brushed her teeth, and went to Wintergreen’s room to find the young stallion feeling all warm and bubbly on the inside. But that feeling soon went away when the young more saw that Wintergreen was gone along with all of stuff. “Huh?” Love said to herself, the young mare then searched the castle asking many of the guards if they’d seen Wintergreen but every guard said “no”. Love felt herself begin to worry she had wanted to talk to Wintergreen about last night. And by talk Love wanted to kiss her new special somepony and ask him out on a date, after all for Love this was her first special somepony she wasn’t going to let him get away. Eventually Love started checking the rooms (with the help of a few guards) but still found nothing. “I’m sorry princess, but he isn’t here.” One of the guards said as Love began to wrack her mind for anymore ideas, “Maybe he’s at breakfast.” Another guard suggested. “No….already asked about that. Hey, do you guys mind telling the fam I won’t make it to breakfast.” Love said, “We don’t mind but where are you going?” One of the guards asked. Love blushed as a smile formed on her face, “Oh I’m just going on a walk.” The young mare replied before walking past the guards and to the castle front doors. And as she did her and the guards we’re unaware of Heart Breaker watching from the shadows. -X-X-X- Meanwhile Wintergreen had just gotten up and ran a good though his mane and tail. Once the stallion was done he stretched out and put his saddlebag on his back before walking out the alleyway. Wintergreen wasn’t sure where he was going but all he did know was he couldn’t stay in an alleyway all day. And as the stallion walked he kept a calm composure despite the conflicting emotions in his head. One part of his brain he was ashamed for kissing a mare without permission, another part felt exhilarated and wanted to ask Love to a date, and the third part of his mind was terrified of Heart Breaker and didn’t want to be around Love because of that. But as Wintergreen passed the post office his thoughts stopped momentarily as he suddenly remembered his mother had promised to send him a letter soon after he got to his destination. The young stallion then walked into the post office and up to the mares behind the counter. “Um….excuse me mam, do you have any letters addressed to me? The names Wintergreen Bouquet.” Wintergreen said, and a grey-furred mare lazily looked up to him before searching through a bag of mail. Eventually the mare pulled out a pink envelope, “Here you go, Romeo.” The mare said and Wintergreen blushed taking the letter as his calm façade faded slightly. “Oh…thank you.” Wintergreen said before leaving looking eagerly at the letter, this was the work of Love no doubt about it. And for a few minutes the post office was in complete silence before Love busted in looking around frantically. “Oh, come on! Where did Wintergreen go? He’s turquoise with a blue mane and tail.” Love said, “He just left.” The grey mare replied and Love sighed before running out the post office. -X-X-X- Meanwhile Wintergreen had moved to a more secluded place as he opened the envelope. A wide smile on his face as he felt all warm and bubbly inside. But even as those two emotions ran through Wintergreen he couldn’t help but worry a little but he quickly swallowed his worry down his throat before he could change his mind. Wintergreen then pulled out the letter and held it in his shaky hooves before reading it. Dear Wintergreen, You know after last night I realized something, you’re a no stallion. A real stallion would pay for my ice-cream. A real stallion dosen’t cry. A real stallion dosen’t like flowers and smells like perfume. A real stallion dosen’t have curly hair like yours. And a real stallion dosen’t practically kiss-rape a mare. Wintergreen, you are nothing more then a mare trapped in a stallions body—or in translation you’re a wuss, a pussy, a freak, etc. So if you kindly wouldn’t mind then stay away from me and crawl back under the rock you came out of, you slug. By the time Wintergreen was done reading the letter his eyes had went wide in shock. And the stallion bit his lip as he began to cry and thunder boomed as it slowly began to rain until it was down pouring. Wintergreen’s eyes stayed frozen on the letter before he dropped it and stomped on it. The stallion felt his heart beginning to break and shatter before he ran away as fast as his hooves could take him. The booming thunder drowning out Love’s voice as she called his name.