Author's Note

What a new chapter the next day!?

Chapter 4. Ruins. Teddy Bear. Orders

Chapter 4.

Twilight placed the last of her bags down. Her eyes were in wonder of the ruins of the castle. It reminded her of the castle in the Everfree Forest.

“I bet they had the best parties here!” Pinkie Pie said bouncing around the ruins.

“The castle in Canterlot is bigger.” Spike said scratching the back of his neck.

“This does look like the grand hall.” Twilight said looking around.

“This is actually the throne room.” A male voice said causing them to jump.

“W-Who is there?” Twilight asked looking around and that’s when she spotted a stallion by a chair with a book in his hands while next to him was a human.

“Names Blaze! This guy reading his book is Night Shimmer!” Blaze said with a proud smile. The stallion looked up from his book and smiled “Sunset Shimmer sent us to help you girls out in finding a vault.”

“Sorry we didn’t meet up at the train station, guards were heavily there and with us being wanted criminals had to sneak our way here.” Night Shimmer said closing his book “I have some old maps we can go over so we can find the location of the vault.”

“You have maps!?” Twilight asked excited as she rushed over towards the two.

“Before we get into looking let’s get a base camp set up.” Blaze said “Then we can focus on tracking down this vault.”

“Hi I’m Pinkie Pie!” She said bouncing around Blaze making him chuckle.

“Nice to meet you Pinkie Pie! I am Blaze!” Blaze said with a big smile “So, what did you guys bring?”

“I-I don’t mean to be rude but, you don’t act like your a slave.” Twilight said.

Blaze looked at Twilight “I was raised overseas and spared from slavery.” He said “Once I was old enough I set off to Equestria to help my kind here.” Blaze gave a smile “So learning more about my people’s history can help them.”

“Then let’s get the base camp up and running then we can find the lost knowledge for your people.” Twilight said with a smile.

After a few hours base camp was set up and ready to go.
With the maps in hand they started charting and getting their bearings as they searched through the ruins of the old castle and the land around it.

“It’s getting late, we can the trail tomorrow.” Night Shimmer said watching the sun slowly setting down.

Twilight sighed “Fine, just knowing their is books hiding somewhere here is driving me crazy!”

“I know what you mean, knowing their is a library hiding with lost text from an ages ago has me itching to know about them as well.” Night said as they headed back.

Once they returned to camp they saw Pinkie Pie and Blaze cooking dinner for the group. Twilight notices Spike sound asleep with some gems in his claws and it made her chuckle.

Twilight notices an odd smell “What is that smell?” She asked walking towards them.

“Oh, that should be my fish you smell.” Blaze said “I did a bit of fishing by the river before heading back here.” He said cooking.

“I’ve heard humans eat meat but never knew the smell.” Twilight said taking in the odd smell as she watched him cook.

“I made cupcakes for after dinner!” Pinkie Pie said with a big smile.

“Don’t worry, I made you guys normal food, I don’t think you wanna try my fish.” Blaze said chuckling as he placed down three plates filled with cooked hay with a nice salad.

“Oh this look wonderful Blaze.” Night said digging into his meal.

“What’s it like living overseas?” Twilight asked taking a bite of her food and tasting the spices Blaze use wash over her taste buds and causing her to have a mini food orgasm “Oh this is soooo yummy!”

Blaze chuckled “I have it good, my father works as a blacksmith forging weapons and shields and my mother runs a bakery.” He said smiling “My mom taught me how to cook.”

“You must be proud of how both your parents could live a life without being enslaved.” Twilight said.

“I mean my dad knew what it was life, he was an ex-slave who worked in a blacksmith shop. When my mom freed him from his chains they left for overseas.” Blaze said “Dad said loving a pony was never his plan till he met my mother.” He chuckled at his father's words.

“Y-Your a half breed!?” Twilight asked shocked.
“Yeah, half breed.” He said proudly.

“Ooo! That is soo cool!” Pinkie Pie said “But you don’t have any fur?” She asked with a puzzle look.

“They aren’t always like us Pinkie, sometimes they take more human side then the pony side.” Blaze said “I’ve did some research and it’s always hard to pinpoint what side takes more. Still more study is needed.”

“Do you have magic as well?” Twilight asked.

“No, my mother was an earth pony and my father wasn’t born with magic even tho they made him wear those wrist things.” He said taking a seat and eating his fish.

Twilight looked at the fish “Mind if I taste it?” She asked making Blaze look at her.

“Sure.” Blaze cut a nice bite size piece for her and she took a bite. Now Blaze was expecting her to spit the fish out and say how nasty it was only to be surprised by the look in her face, it looked like the face she had before when she started eating the hay he made.

“This is good! I thought it was gonna taste nasty but the flavors! Oh that is good!”

“Glad you like it, I’ll have to catch more fish so you can try out the full dish.”

Once dinner was done the group got their things ready for bed. Twilight pulled out her book and started writing down what she had learned from Blaze today “So the myth of half breeds aren’t myths, this opens up doors! Meaning there might be ponies out there who have human ancestors! I’ll need to ask Blaze for some blood… Oh I forgot my gear at home! Maybe I can get Sunset to set it up! WAIT! She knew! She sent both these two here and not once has she told me about Blaze being a half breed!” Now Twilight as a bit angry. She’ll have to have a nice long talk with her about that “I wonder how Applejack is doing?”

Applejack sat on her bed with her knees to her chest as she fought back tears. The thought of her parents weighed heavy on her heart. She missed them and seeing them smiling just made her want them here.

There came a knock at her door and she quickly wiped the tears from “Y-Yes?” Applejack called out.

“I-It’s me, Matthew. I finished that picture.” She heard Matthew’s voice on the other end.

She quickly looked at herself in the mirror to make sure she looked alright “My eyes are red from crying.” She shook her head and made her way to the door and opened it up. She could see Matthew standing there with his sketchbook “T-Thank ya kindly for drawing that for me.”

“I drew you something extra.” Matthew said giving her two pieces of paper. The first picture was the one she requested, her parents standing hand in hand in front of the trees with smiles on their faces. It brought a smile to her face, she looked at the second picture and it caused tears to start to flow once again. Her parents were hugging her “I-I felt you needed something with them hug-” His words were cut off by Applejack pulling him into a bear hug causing him to be startled. He wrapped his arms around her hugging her back.

“T-Thank you.” She said still hugging him “I-It means a lot to me.”

Matthew felt his cheeks heat up “I-I’m happy it means that much to you.”

Applejack felt a bit better and pulled away from Matthew and smiled at him “S-Sorry about the shirt, Ah can wash it for ya if you want.”

“It’s alright.” He said with a smile “It will dry in time.”

“If ya say so.” Applejack gave Matthew a smile “Thank you again.”

“Anytime, I better get going, Apple Dumpling might get angry if I don’t get back and take care of the painting and such.” He said.

“Ah won’t keep ya.” She said smiling as Matthew left.

Applejack closed her door and sat down on her bed. She looked at the two pictures and couldn’t help but smile. More tears started to work their way out “Ah gotta do somethin’ nice for Matt, he did such an amazing job. Ah gotta top what he did.” Applejack sighed “But what would he like?” Applejack wiped the tears away as she thought about what he might like “Ah know he likes ta draw, maybe Ah can get him something ta do with that.” Applejack got up from her bed and looked at herself in the mirror “Look at me, Ah’m a mess.”

Canterlot castle was alive with ponies moving about as the King was returning from his trip. Moonlight remained in her room with Luna’s captain with her.

“Ma’am, I do not understand, if you knew about Luna’s rebel force why not speak with her about getting this human out of Ponyville.” The captain asked.

“I need my children to remain out of this, if they knew who Matthew really was they would be endanger from Solar and I cannot allow them to be harmed.” Moonlight said “You Nightfire are the only one who can do this, you must protect him and train him.”

Nightfire removed her helmet revealing her face, her light blue hair was cut short and a long scar ran across her left eye “For the true king I will do what I can to protect him, but I still believe Luna or Celestia could teach him better than I can.”

“They could yes however if the King learns his daughters are aiding the enemy he will kill one of them.” Moonlight said “I cannot risk their lives on this one.”

“I do not wish to see the princesses killed, however I do believe they should know.”

“I will tell them when the time has come.” Moonlight said walking up to Nightfire and handing her a piece of paper “Give this to Sawdust, this will help you get Matthew out of there.”

“What should I tell him about you?” Nightfire asked taking the paper.

“I will be the one to tell him face to face when the time is right, for now just tell him he is the true king of the humans, his father was of royal descent as well.” Moonlight said “Just take good care of him.”

“I will your highness.” Nightfire placed her helmet back on and made her way out of the room leaving Moonlight alone in the room.

She made her way over towards her window and looked out and saw the humans working “Soon, your king will free you. He’ll free us all.”

The fair was back and alive. Ponies from Ponyville returned and were hitting up everything. Apple Dumpling told Matthew to take a break and rest his hands. Instead of doing what he was told he found a spot and started sketching. After awhile of sketching he notices Braeburn and Big Mac playing a game where they use the arrows to shoot the moving targets. He then notices Applejack walking over towards the two.

“Feelin’ better sis?” Big Mac asked.

“Feelin’ a lot better.” Applejack said with a smile.

“Care to put your skills to the test?” Braeburn said holding up the bow.

“Ya know Ah can shoot better then you.” Applejack said with a smile “What’s the price?”

The vender smiled “This big teddy bear!” Applejack looked at the teddy bear, by it’s right ear there was a apple shaped pin.

“This will be easy!” Applejack said with a smile as she took the bow and took aim.

The targets started moving and Applejack hit the targets except one target that was going too fast for her to get a steady aim. Before she knew it her time ran out “Sorry, better luck next time.”

“This game is rigged! No one could shoot that target!” Applejack said angry.

“I-I could make that shot.” The four looked at the voice and Applejack saw Matthew standing there.

“Ya can shoot a bow?” Applejack asked.

Matthew nodded “Y-Yeah.”

“Who would teach you?” Braeburn asked.

“My master before Sawdust was an archer and liked to test his skills on dangerous animals and hated having his back uncovered. I-I was the only one he trusted not to shoot him.” Matthew said. Applejack handed Matthew the bow and he took aim. Matthew took a deep breath and held it in and then unleashed the arrows. Each arrow hit it’s mark and when it came to the final target Matthew shot and it hit making the guy at the stall jaw drop as Matthew hit the target “I-I believe I won.” Matthew said.

The rest of the group were in awe at how he took that last shot “H-Here you go.” The stallion said handing Matthew the teddy bear.

“I-I believe you wanted this?” Matthew said looking at Applejack who took the bear.

“T-Thank you.” Applejack said blushing and taking the bear.

“You would make for an amazing slave Matthew.” Braeburn said placing his arm around his shoulder “You and I could do amazing things!”

“Knock it off Braeburn! He’s happy where he is.” Big Mac said “Ah don’t understand why ya even want slaves when we can do the work and let them be free.”

“Big Mac your not thinking big here! They cut down on us working! We can take it easy and just relax!” Braeburn said still keeping his arm around Matthew’s shoulder.

“Why treat them like slaves and not equals?” Big Mac asked “Matthew here has been more help then someone who is a slave.”

“He still have the training like a slave!” He said “Trust me! He’ll be more happy on my fa-” Braeburn felt Matthew move away from him and interrupt him “I am owned by Sawdust! She has told you already no! I know the stallion you are, you use your slaves like you want till they can’t do what you want and toss the ones you can’t use to the side! I’ve seen humans who have outlived their usefulness and be killed because of it depending on the owner! I know I will not be welcomed in your world.” Matthew said with rage in his eyes/ Braeburn looked at Matthew with a shocked look on his face “If your heart was what you claim to be then you would have won me over but I see a stallion who’s heart still need time to truly see the light.” Matthew quickly shut his mouth and started to panic “I-I’m sorry, I-I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, it’s alright Matthew.” Braeburn said “Your right, my heart is mixed.” Braeburn looked at Big Mac and Applejack “I think I’ll head home.”

“You don’t have ta leave.” Big Mac said.

“No, I need to rethink things.” Braeburn said walking off leaving three alone.

“I-I’m sorry.” Matthew said feeling ashamed for what he said.

“No need to be sorry Matthew.” Big Mac said placing his hand on his shoulder “You spoke the truth and now he’s going to rethink things.”

“Ya didn’t do anythin’ wrong Matt.” Applejack said giving him a smile which made Matthew smile.

Braeburn stepped into the barn and started packing his bags “What I’m doing, is it wrong? Am I just using these humans for my own gain? Matthew acts free yet isn’t.” He looked at an old picture he brought of his parents “Have I failed them?” He placed the picture into the bag and made his way out of the barn. He took one last look at the fair and saw how Applejack was staring at Matthew “Maybe I’ve been wrong this whole time.” He started making his way down the path towards the train station.

By midnight most of the ponies had left allowing everyone to get ready for bed for the final day of the family reunion.

Applejack placed the teddy bear down on her nightstand and smiled “Now Ah gotta get him somethin’ ta truly thank him.” She got ready for bed and as she faded into slumber a white mist flew out of her ear and outside and into the guest house where Matthew was asleep.

“And with that, I will connect their hearts.” A female voice said “Fate has plans for you both, together you’ll do great things.” The white mist faded away and two sleeping figures smiled in their sleep.

Nightfire sat on the train heading to Ponyville. Her mind set on getting Matthew and taking him to the ruins of the old kingdom of Avalon “I must not fail the Queen. Matthew must be ready for the war ahead.” She looked out the window as the stars in the sky shining bright. She chuckled “Hard to believe I was trusted for this job. Out of all the ponies I was chosen to protect the royal bloodline of both humans and ponies. I do wonder how he’ll take the news.”

To Be Continued.