Prince Dark

Heading out into town I smiled as I walked up to Twilight's castle. It was actually quite beautiful, a tree of crystals. A sight to behold, and a fairly beautiful one at that. Twisting up into the sky, branches of crystal sending rays of rainbow light over the streets. It was a nice temple, and it was fitting of such a princess.

Raising a hoof I quickly knocked, backing up as the door quickly swung open. In front of me was the still somewhat small form of her dragon butler Spike. He was smiling quite brightly a bow tie around his neck. It looked nice on him and he seemed quite happy to be able to help.

"Hello Spike," I said with a small bow. "I'm here to see Princess Twilight, I have some questions about magical artifacts. I feel like they would be able to help me in my studies."

"Of course sir, Prince correct?" He asked tilting his head. "I will inform her that you have come to see her." Spike walked into the palace and I followed him into the hall. It was quite large and nice as I remembered it. It was beautiful and it was lovely. It wasn't quite the library, but it was all still nice.

"Oh, hello Prince!" Twilight said walking up with a smile. "I heard you're doing research on some artifacts, I'm quite interested. Perhaps we could go to my library and I could help you find what you are looking for. " I nodded following the young princess into the large room. Following her to the table I sat watching as she started pulling book after off the shelf and placing it in front of me on the table. As the stacks grew I began sorting them, placing the ones that likely had gems in them in one pile and the rest in the second. When we were done Twilight smiled, sitting beside me.

"So what exactly are you looking for?" Twilight asked smiling lightly. Her eyes held warmth and kindness and momentarily my heart broke. I knew what I was planning, and she was being extremely sweet.

"Something called the Gem of the forest," I responded opening one of the books and pulling over a long scroll. Twilight nodded, levitating a second book to her. We sat here for several hours reading books, and jotting notes about the gems. Apparently, there were four of them the gem of the forest could control the earth, the gem of the sea could control water, the gem of the sky could control the wind, and the gem of the volcano could control fire. They were all quite powerful, and all quite hard to find. Hidden deep into several different places that I had never heard of before.

"Well from what I can tell these empower anyone who uses them, and they are definitely interesting to study. Are you going to look for them? If so perhaps you should be careful, these are not safe places." Twilight said with a small smile. "However, you can take whatever you kneed for your journey, and Rarity can hook you up with something to help keep you safe."

"Thank you, Princess, I will be sure to return when I find them," I responded, turning to leave the library. "I always appreciate your hospitality, I will be seeing you eventually."

Heading out of the building I glanced up at the sky. Part of me knew that Luna would be searching for me, and Celestia would probably as well if Luna told her about my plan. I didn't see anything, but I couldn't be certain that they were not simply beginning their search.

Dropping my sight to right in front of me I quickly made my way towards the boutique, smirking ever so slightly. They don't know what you look like, not really. As long as you have that you can't be seen.

Pushing the door open I walked into the small shop and started looking around There were some masks and one caught my eye. It was somewhat pink silver and it was elegant looking. Levitating it up I paced it on my face, turning as someone started walking up.

"Oh, hello darling! What brings you here?" Rarity asked, smiling brightly.

"I merely wish to purchase this mask, a saddle bag and a cloak for a journey that I am going to take. I am searching for the gems of the world, and it is quite a dangerous trip." I responded with a small smile, pausing as Rarity gently pushed me towards the center of her stage. "It doesn't have to be custom Rarity."

"Oh, of course, it should be love, you are going to be going thru a lot. Enhancements could potentially help protect you, but I'm not very good at them. The least I can do is give you something that looks nice on your teal coat." She responded smiling happily. "However if you wish, I could make it somewhat basic, one colour, some detailing on the back perhaps."

"Alright, thank you Rarity. How much do you want for it?" I asked, tilting my head as Rarity started to get to work. The fabric was nice against my fur, and it was a fairly nice shade of pink-purple. The saddle bag was a warm brown with silver buckles. It was all so beautiful, and I couldn't help but love it.

"Not too much, maybe a hundred ten bits." She responded, walking over to her sewing machine. It didn't take too long before she was levitating the items to fit me. They fit perfectly and comfortably, quietly I handed over the bits. Smiling, I quickly walked out of the shop and back towards my house.

"Where on earth have you been?" My father snarled as I entered, grabbing my leg tight with his magic. "And why are you dressed like that?"

"Oh, I'm preparing for a quest to find some magical artifacts father. " I responded flicking my tail, smacking his cheek hard. A chill ran down my spine at the tone in my own voice and my own actions. "You're holding on me will not last any longer, you will get what you deserve." The magic tightened around my ankle and it became quite warm. It was burning and painful.

"You are quite a stupid child," He hissed storming up to me, eyes glowing a dark. "You belong to me and their is nothing you can do about it. Your useless talent and pathetic magic will get you nowhere! You are nothing and you will gain nothing but death! Get out of my house and never return, you are no longer my child, you have one day to pack and leave."

I flinched tail falling between my legs, eyes tearing up in fear. As the magic diminished I bolted u to my room and began packing, my coin purse, drawing a writing supply, a quickly sketched map from memory of the locations of the gems, my sketchbook. Placing the three objects beside me I crawled into bed and fell asleep.